Victim de la Mode!

Or something like that lol.

Just recently I got the urge to really get up and make something.  To be perfectly honest, it has been a while since I have been hit this hard with a need to create.  The craziest part is that what I have the urge to do is totally left field of my current work.

By that I mean it isn't as playful and colorful, but I still really like what I'm doing :)

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Now, I just need to get my thoughts organized with my schedule and I'll be in the house!!

Because I don't want to run into my usual problem of falling behind and than not being able to get things accomplished in a reasonable time frame.

First Newsletter!

both; text-align: left;"> In my last post about creating a newsletter had me thinking of ways to engage my audience.  So, after crawling the etsy forums I came across this great post about House shows and Virtual Parties!

Well, to say the least I was impressed but still unable to do either for different reasons, BUT low and behold a door opened !  Now, I can have virtual parties and private sales!  I'm so excited :D

This is how my first newsletter looked...

Needless to say this gave me a good reason to make a newsletter and I'm happy about it too :)

And, if you would like to sign-up to receive the Structured Chaos Newsletter sign-up below!

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She's One!! And, a Giveaway :)

My little daughter pumpkin is officially one today!  I am so happy :D  I just can't believe it has been a year since she was born!

We plan of throwing a her a little party on the third so everyone will be back in town after thanksgiving :)

One of the main things that concerns me is that I haven't really documented anything for my daughter as she has gotten older.  I want to have the memories, but I can't seem to find the time (or energy) to put anything together.

So, when MyMemories contacted me about a digital scrapbook I was ecstatic!  I was able to simple choose a theme and the pictures that I wanted and they were aromatically entered into the pages :D  You can also work from scratch, but that feature wasn't for me lol

And, let me just be the first to say that I can't stand scrapbooking because it is just so tedious and time consuming!  But, this was easy fast and simple :D

I plan to have the album completed before her birthday party so that I can give everyone a CD.  I'm going to add some of the videos that I recorded of her, which is awesome!

And, here is the BEST PART!  One of my awesome readers will have the chance to win this sweet digital scrapbooking software :D

Take a look at the video below to see all that My Memories Suite can do :D

-It's International -

Here Are the Rules:

Leave a comment how you would use My Memories Suite.

Like My Memories Suite on Facebook

Follow the My Memories Suite on Blog

**Please leave a separate comment for each thing you do**

And, if you can't wait you can use the coupon code: STMMMS34412 for $10 OFF My Memories Suite V3

I will be choosing the winner on November 29, 2011!

Fear Filled Ambitions

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Often in everyday life as well in my business endeavors I want SO MUCH but can only imagine so little.  Almost everyday at least twice a day I have a great idea, but before the day is out I find every reason under the sun why it just can't happen.
Either I don't have the time, funds, following or expertise...blah blah BLAH!

On the other side of the spectrium if everything is "okay" I stand around waiting for the right persons approval (whoever that is) and when it doesn't come or any one person tells me I can't do it or that it isn't a good idea, I throw it out.

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Sadly it doesn't take much to demotivate an idea for many of us, because we are always working with fear filled ambitions.
Fear that it won't work, that the idea will be rejected, fear that our idea will take off!!

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Sometimes you have to get yourself to a point where you have to say enough is enough!!!
I'm no longer going to use my excuses as a crutch to stand on, because at the end of the day I have to live my life and live with my choices.

So don't fall victim to your fears and insecurities, break out of the box that says you can't do it!

Sure, it will take planning and maybe more time than you anticipated, but in the end you will be that much happier you went ahead and went after your great idea, project or whatever it is you want to do :)

Thanks for reading, hope to read your comments soon!!  :D

Getting Excited For Thanksgiving!!

Canadian Forest

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I am super pumped to get to the yummies!!  This will be the first year that I actually contribute a dish to the thanksgiving feast with the family, so I am extra EXTRA antsy to get to work!  I am not too sure on what I will be making but, rest assured that it will be DELICIOUS :D

Another thing to be happy about this coming thanks giving is, that I have so much to be thankful for.

That is basically what has been on my mind today so, thanks for reading :)

Discover: Milk~fly

When I was younger I love LOVED to play with fake food!  I would dream up all kinds of outrageously spectacular occasions with my sister and we would have a blast :D
My memories of having a tea party or pretending to cater a masquerade ball are cherished moments, and that is something that I would like to share with my own daughter.  I really want to grow her imagination and since of adventure!

Sunday Breakfast

A little while back I found this great shop called Milk~fly that sells amazing (and very realistic) felt foods!  I ADORE everything they sell there :)  It is me getting super-duper excited for when my daughter gets older and can play with toys like that!

Strawberry Cheesecake Slice

Cheese Platter

Banana Cream Pie

P.S. Someone gifted me a whole heap of clothes!! I'm super happy and feeling blessed :D

Thanks for reading :)

Shop Talk: The Newsletter

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I'm at a loss.
My website features a newsletter sign-up, and since it has been there I have 2 subscribers + 14 family members that I signed up against their will, so they could forward some to their friends.  With that in mind I have found myself at a cross-roads, I'm somewhat feeling like, what's the point??

Plus, every time I sit down to really make a newsletter I am a complete blank slate!  Should I make a newsletter plan, should I have planned campaigns only??  I suppose I need to find some purpose and function before I run with the seemingly great idea...
I just don't want people to be signed-up and than one day out of the blue they get a newsletter and it's been so long that they don't even remember subscribing!

I suppose this must have just been a rant to myself more than anything.  I need to get up and get moving!

Things People Make

A week or two ago I joined this great handmade community called Things People Make!  I haven't done very much with it just yet, but I hope to get some projects and tutorials up soon :D
Plus I'm sure I will find new handmade items to love like these!!!!

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One of the interesting features of this new site is that while showcasing your items, you can also opt to sell them as well!?!  I thought it was cool and odd at the same time, they don't have a listing fee or transaction fee because it works by the principle of the pay-pal button.  Something cool to try maybe :)

Sign-in is done through facebook...at first I was a bit apprehensive about the whole process but than I got over it lol

So if you decide to join pop by my page ok!

This Just In!

I am quite sure you all have noticed that I have recently made some changes to my blog as of late :)

But, if not let me bring you up to speed!

The blog now has sponsors :)

Making this decision took a long time for me, but now my mind is made!  I'm super happy with my choice and more happy with the wonderful sponsors that are joining us this month of November!!

So, if you have some time please show them some love because they have some wonderful shops.

Also!!  There is a sponsor showcase button now on the blog that you can check out each month to find out more about the sponsors and preview some of their great items!
So here are this months AWESOMELY COOL sponsors ;D

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O U T   O F   A L A B A S T E R

Digitally drawn silhouettes by me, no automated Photoshop magic.  So this way I can put great care and effort in to preserving each tiny little detail. 

The silhouette is sent in a high-resolution digital file so you can take full advantage of custom sizing!  Making great keepsakes, home decor  frame or just send as a gift.

Shop   -   Blog

                         

 **click image to view item** 

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E L A C Y N   H A N D M A D E   C R A F T S

Elegantly Stylish bunnies and flowery accessories, all made from quality felt. 
Crafted by two best friends who work together to create and craft the most cutesy and elegant items available.  


They put in so much effort, love and patience in every item they make with the homes of bringing a smile to your face :)

Shop    -    Blog 

                        

**click image to view item**

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T R U L Y   A E S T H E T I C

Truly Aesthetic™ is a handmade, holistically inclined body care concept which aims to evoke the connection of the mind, body and spirit. Based in Durham, North Carolina, we develop high end organic body care products that exude complete luxury. 

By using only the finest essential oils and high end, organic and wild harvested ingredients, Truly Aesthetic™ products will open your mind, soothe your spirit and most importantly, give your body the ultimate spa feeling it deserves.

Shop   -   Blog   -   Facebook   -   Twitter

        

**click image to view item**

And, if you would like to sponsor My Structured Chaos for the month of December just contact me and let me know!

Thanks for reading :D

If you haven't already, please do!

I know I mentioned this before but, please go run by Blue Eyed Night Owls blog and enter my giveaway for the Citrus Hannah Clutch!

There is only a little time left :D

Birthday on a Budget!

My daughter is turning one this month and I want to do something special for her.  As a child I never had a birthday party or celebration of sorts but I would really like to share the excitement of those types of moments with my daughter :)
Plus, though my immediate family have all met my little one, the rest of my family have all but been left in the dark.

That being said I want for everyone to finally meet her but my budget is super duper tight. Sadly, even if I had a dream budget I wouldn't know what I would need to do. I just don't know the proper ingredients that make a successful party (less we re-live the engagement party...)

I know she will only be one and very likely not remember anything from that day I still want it to be something special to look back on.

So anyway!
I went ahead and collected some images of inspiration to look to when I go ahead and start putting my ideas to work.
ENJOY :D

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Hopefully I will be able to get my sisters together or maybe some friends and we can craft some things up for the party!  And, if all goes well I will be able to get some pics and share them with everyone here :)

Thanks for reading!

Shop Talk: My First Blog Feature!!

Since my shop has opened I have been all over trying to get exposure, and I'm so happy to announce that Christine of the Urban Jewelry blog featured one of my totes on her blog!!

It was actually very nice to see my work on someone else's page :)
If you would like to see my feature please click here.

She has her own shop on etsy so if you have the time please stop by and show her some loves!

Red Bracelet

Bead Earrings

Thanks a mill for reading :D

A Picnic!

 Today, I was at a bit of a lose of what to blog about when I remembered that a little while ago my sister her guy, me and my fiance went for a picnic right before Fall hit.
So I searched my computer to see if I had any pictures and VIOLA!

It ended up taking place much later than I would have personally liked, but I had fun and we ate well :D

My sister set everything up, she loves making a big deal out of everything, and this was no exception!  I thought she put quite a bit of effort into the design of the whole event.

As for food, we had kettle chips, fried chicken, prosciutto, and lots of other goodies!  To say the least by the end of the night I was feeling royally spoiled, and stuffed to boot (and there is nothing wrong with that!).

At the end of the night everyone had a toast (but me, cause I don't drink) and we said goodnight.
Hopefully we can picnic again in the daytime :)