National Stationery Show

May 14, 2012 By 3 Comments

Did you know that there is a trade show specifically for the greeting card industry? I have been captivated by the National Stationery Show for the last 4 years. I stalk all the stationery blogs of exhibitors who share photos from their booth, the show floor, and all the re-caps from their few days in New York. I ooh! and aah! over all the pretty things I see, all the while planning in my head how I would design a booth. This show is for greeting cards, wedding invitations, social stationery, personalized paper products, wrapping paper, gifts, and much more. In other words, it’s heaven for paper people.

If you are in the paper industry, this is THE show to attend, and this year….

I AM GOING!!

Although not as an exhibitor. I am going to see what the show is all about in person, make connections, and plan for next year.

photo courtesy of NSS
photo courtesy of NSS

So, this brings me to one other item of business. Attending the show in New York will be a highlight, however, I will have 1 full day of sight-seeing. HELP!! Have you ever been to New York? I have not, and want to make the most of my 1 day of being a tourist. What are the MUST do things while I am there???

 

Filed Under: Business Time, Cheeky Woman Tagged With: ,

What is Cheeky Woman?

May 9, 2012 By 10 Comments

I have an alter ego. Several of them, actually.

No, I am not crazy. Or at least, I don’t think so. But then again, most people who are crazy, don’t think they are, right?

Let me fill you in on what Cheeky Woman is all about and the reason behind it. I had this concept for a line of greeting cards. Something that I had not seen in the stores. And yes, people still send greeting cards… through the mail. It’s true.

I wanted a card with illustrations, not something with a cat, a stick figure, or a grouchy old lady. Something stylish. In addition, I wanted it to be fun, maybe a little sassy, but something that your favorite girlfriend would appreciate. Sometimes, I think life gets too serious and while we all have a million and one things going on, it’s nice to send your favorite friend a little cheeky note card in the mail. Something personal that says what you are thinking. And definitely not sappy.That’s not too much to create, is it?

And we can all agree that sending something in the mail is a lot more thoughtful than a text.

So, I got to work. I asked a friend to help me bring these illustrations to life, and got to work in order to bring this concept from just and idea to something tangible. In creating the sayings on these cards, I highlighted excerpts from my own life and the life of friends. Several of these friends and my sisters helped come up with these sassy sayings.

In the next few weeks I am going to introduce you to my alter egos. The ones that were the inspiration to these cheeky cards.

Stay tuned my friends, it’s about to get exciting…

 

Filed Under: Business Time, Cheeky Woman, Inspiration Tagged With: , ,

The Cheeky Gift Guide: Mother’s Day

May 7, 2012 By 2 Comments

Oh my heavens! Mother’s Day is less than a week away! Have you already found the perfect gift for you mom? Or are you like me, and still looking? My Mom is pretty easy to shop for. It may have something to do with the fact that I lived with her for 19-20 years… now my Mother in Law?! She is a little more tricky to buy for.

In my effort to find the perfect gift for my moms, I have compiled a few ideas for you to help get you started.

 

Mother’s Rings

I love stacking rings. When each of my babies were born my husband gave me a ring with that babe’s birthstone. I love wearing my stacking rings because it reminds me of sweet husband and our three littles. My rings were custom made, but I found a few jewelry designers who make birthstone stacking rings.

Intentional Stones

Family Tree

Keeping with the theme of birthstones, I found this darling Family Tree necklace, custom made with the birthstones of your choosing.

Spice of Life Designs

Pampering & Wellness

Wouldn’t you love to get a facial and/or massage every week? What about  PURE BLISS. Did you know that SpaFinder offers more than just Massage and body treatments? With SpaFinder you can find local Medical Spas (Hello! Botox & Chemical Peels), Pilates & Yoga Studios, and even Wellness Centers. It pretty much covers all your mental and physical wellness.

SpaFinder

Little Blue Box

And finally, you can never go wrong with a little something from Tiffany!

 


To all the Mama’s out there, may your Mother’s Day be special.

Filed Under: Cheeky Mom, Gift Guide Tagged With: ,

Suburban Housewife Problem: pedicure gone wrong

May 2, 2012 By 3 Comments

I am not gonna lie… I really don’t like it when this happens.

Has it happened to you too?

Filed Under: Suburban Housewife Tagged With: ,

Happiness Project: Month 3 Review

April 27, 2012 By 2 Comments

Alrighty friends, so I know I am a teensy weensy bit late on this one, but I since I am still following through with my year long Happiness Project with Chronically Distracted I am still posting on it… albeit late.

So month 3, March, was the month I focused on being a more intentional parent and to better allocate my time (or become a better juggler with my time).  Being a more intentional parent was all that difficult once I got a schedule down. Starting a business, helping my husband start his, combined with everything else we have going on, always left on brain overload. When I was playing, reading, or otherwise engaging with the kids there was always something else I was thinking about. Splitting my focus was leaving me feeling guilty about not being fully present with my kids.

These babes are my life. They will never be this little again. Oh! and don’t let that serious look of my oldest son fool you… he is the little joker of the family.

 

I changed it all by incorporating child swaps with some friends and creating dedicated work time. During this time, with the kids off at school or grandma’s house, or friend’s homes, I focus solely on work related matters. And when the kids are home it is their time. We talk about school, we work on homework together, we go on adventures, we play at the park, or any number of activities. And my thoughts are centered on them, which is how is should be. ALWAYS.

One of my favorite activities was a trip to the dollar store. Why had I not thought of this before??? WE pull up and I gave each of my 3 kids $2.00 – (Yep! I am a big spender). I told them that they can pick out any 2 things they wanted. Anything. For a little kid, this is PURE FUN. My two younger ones spent a good deal of time finding just the right item – it was toys for them. And truth be told, my daughter handed me at least 20 toys that she wanted in the time that we were there.  My “much older” and “more mature” 6 year old, wasn’t too excited about this at first. In fact, the first thing to come out of his mouth was, “But the toy I want is at Toys R Us”.  Hmmm. “Let’s just go see what we can find,” I told him. He ended up with a sweet ninja sword that he still enjoys.

It was a $6.00 activity and fun for everyone.

My productivity has increased and I have so much more patience with the kids because I am not thinking about my “to do” list. And the best part, is that I have gotten so much more clarity and inspiration on particular things.

March was a great month for the Happiness Project… I will report on April soon – this month the focus was Love & Marriage.

Filed Under: Family, Happiness Project Tagged With: ,

How do you want to feel?

April 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Let’s start this week off with a little inspiration.

 

 

Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: ,

Celebrating Pantone 2012 Color of The Year

April 17, 2012 By 2 Comments

Congratulations Tangerine Tango!

Have you noticed this color (or variations) popping up in clothes, home decor, and accessories lately? Well, my friends, there is a reason. Tangerine Tango is the color of the year.

Anyone else loving this color? I adore the tangerine shade of orange (including corals, salmons, etc.), so in honor of this occasion I wanted to share a few fashion finds  featuring this rich, gorgeous color.

 

source

Anthropologie

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Kate Spade

source

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Urban Outfitters

Can you tell? I adore this color, and all shades of it!  What about you? Will this color influence you this year?

Filed Under: Cheeky Fashionista, Style File, Trends Tagged With: , , ,

Hello & Good-bye

April 13, 2012 By 3 Comments

Hi. Remember me?

I am just coming up for air, but only for a moment. Between family time, Spring Break, cousins coming to visit, website development, and designing like crazy, life has been a wee bit busy.

I have several things coming up to show you and I can’t wait! I am a little excited! ok, A LOT excited. 

CAN. NOT. WAIT.

OK. Twist my arm. Here’s a sneak peek.

 

(I relate most to this particular line of greeting cards – the cheeky mom)

Good-bye for now. I hope to be back next week with more. Until then, have a FANTASTIC weekend!!

 

Filed Under: Business Time, Cheeky Woman, Foto Friday Tagged With: , , , , ,

Cheeky Woman: from the studio

March 26, 2012 By 9 Comments

Look what I got! Samples.

I am a little bit giddy today.

 

Filed Under: Business Time, Cheeky Woman Tagged With: , ,

Suckered

March 22, 2012 By 8 Comments

It was immunization time a few weeks back. Although, I was not about to tell the kids.Unfortunately that was short lived. Our Duder  is NOT a fan of shots. Who is? But he filled in Little Miss on what shots are and the horror that comes with it.

Awesome.  Thanks buddy.

We get to the doctor. Little Miss walks in the door with me. “Am I gonna get a shot?”  She doesn’t really understand what shots are exactly. All she knows is that her brother, Duder, doesn’t like them and according to him, they hurt.

“You might.” I tell her. “I am not sure if you need one this time. And if you do, it will only be a little poke.” You can just imagine how much he had talked about the shot in the day leading up to Miss’s appointment.

“No! No! No! I don’t want one.”

Naturally, a little bribery enters into the situation, “If the doctor does has to give you a shot, you can have a sucker.”

“I want a pink one.”

Pink. Her new love.

Whew! Dodged that one real quick.

The time came. The doctor left the exam room and a minute later in walks the nurse. “Can I have a sucker now?” I tell her that it is almost time to get a sucker. I help her to lay down on the table, “Am I gonna get a poke first?”

“That hurt!” she says in an i-am-not-sure-what-just-happened tone. And then the tears.

Little Miss got her pink sucker. Two, actually. One for each hand.

Suckered, for a sucker.

 

(image via etsy)

 

 

Filed Under: Cheeky Mom, Family Tagged With: , ,
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