DIY Ideas to try!

So if you don't know me that well then you probably don't know that I am a pretty crafty person. I am constantly making new things and keeping myself busy with crochet, design, painting, jewelry, hot mama network and my actual full time job as a mortgage specialist (maybe that's not crafty but if I was crafty all the time I don't think I'd be too inspired to do all that I do).

Recently a local Edmonton business motivated me to share some fun crafty projects you can try at home so enjoy!

DIY PLUSH OWL

These super cute owls are the perfect addition to a little girls room or as a gift.

DIY URBAN CORSAGE

These are gorgeous accessories you can easily make yourself with scraps from previous craft projects. Wouldn't these be a cute give away for a little girls birthday.

DIY HOODED TOWN

I love these and they are also what inspired this post. DIY Mommy shares how to make these hooded towns by using regular towels. It's easy and the kids will love it!

DIY FASCINATORS

I am a little obsessed with fascinators lately... especially the kind that are on headbands. Here are so really cute ideas and instructions to make your own fascinators

Happy crafting!

Love & Cherish Your Family

This week has been terribly hard for myself and my family.
We have lost a beloved uncle on my husbands side of the family. A man that made every child feel amazing... like they were the most important person in the world to him.  The funeral was held Thursday and it was so lovely. So many people had such fond memories & stories. To say goodbye was difficult but it was so wonderful to see the love that this one person had created.

That same day I was given the worst news I could imagine... my 15 year old cousin who has been fighting cancer since February 2011 was told he had two weeks to live. Can you imagine the shock I was in, first from just leaving a funeral and now I was going to lose my 15 year old cousin to cancer.

My family & I decided the very next day that we were going to drive down to Calgary and visit him in the Calgary's Children's Hospital.  On the way down we were told to "HURRY"...

I cannot begin to tell you how I feel about cancer other than it is the most horrible evil thing I have ever witnessed. I am not going to go into details, but that day (not 2 weeks later but that very next day Friday, September 16th at 2:20pm) my poor young cousin who fought so hard lost his battle with cancer. Such an amazing boy with so much more life to live, so much will to go on is my inspiration for everything I do going forward.

This week has been terribly hard for myself and my family.
We have learned that there are no second chances. That you must live life to it's fullest and love and cherish all the big and little moments we have because you never know what is planned for us. Every day is a joy, remember to smile, laugh at your little ones newest funny faces, take time to enjoy the outdoors, spend time with family and friends. Do whatever makes you happy because all those little moments make a big difference in your life when you add them all up into a whole. Life is so precious and family is the best gift we have been given we must remember to appreciate everything we have always.

Love you with all my heart my little cousin.
xoxo
Day by day...

Crafty & Fun Booth Displays

We are coming up very quickly on trade show season and I know there are a lot of shows coming up in the next few months... Some the weekend after the other.

I thought a great way to help you prepare for them would be to do a little searching and find a few of my favorite craft displays. Some a little more work than others :)

The one above I just loved! This obviously is for a way bigger trade show but there are some really great ideas you can pull from it.  Everything in the booth coordinates and directs the eye exactly where the designer wants you to look. For example the seat, made in the patterns available for the handbags and there just so happens to be swatches right there for you to gravitate to. 
Another thing I like is it is about making the customer feel welcome rather than a hard sell on just product. She has used frames to display the fabric as well as help the eye travel across what could potentially look like your room.

Onto a little more crafty displays...

Using Found Items
I like this vintage trunk display which works perfectly for showing cards and paper. So easy and creates an interesting display that is sure to bring in some interested shoppers.

Using Tones
I am a big fan of using color! It is easy and helps keep your table looking clean and organized. This display is so easy but yet your eye goes right to the jewelry. And it looks easy to try them on and inviting. You can pick colors from your logo, your favorite colors or colors that go with your collection. Fun and simple.

Creating a great display booth is easy and fun but you need to do your homework. Google booth display ideas and see what you can find. It doesn't have to be for your product just look for inspiration. If it grabs your eye chances are it will grab your customers eye too!

Have a lovely day thanks for reading!

GIVEAWAY #3

Well it has been a while since I have posted so I think to apologize and also share with you one of our Hot Mama members I think we need to do a giveaway!

Giveaway #3 is sponsored by Play & Learn Toys! You have a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to use on her website for the toy of your choice. Thank you Narissa for so generously donating to our give giveaway AND our 2 gift baskets that are going to 2 little boys who are fighting against cancer. Narissa recently moved to Sherwood Park so please welcome her by liking her page and checking out the great toys she has to offer.

Here are the rules:
1. You must be a follower of our blog to participate ~ Which is great for you since we will be doing plenty more giveaways.
2. You must LIKE Play and Learn Toys & Dimples Baby Accessories on facebook and come back here and post that you did so... this will get you 1 entry into our draw
3. If you tag Play and Learn Toys & Dimples Baby Accessories on your facebook business page (with a link- this is important we need to see the link) you will get an additional entry!

 

Play & learn Toys is slowly expanding to bring unique, quality brands with a focus on European toys. Toys made in Europe are known for it's quality & design and they also have an extremely high safety standard. They are adding brands like Vilac, Sevi, Erzi and others this Spring.

LOVE, INSPIRATION & SUCCESS

Today I feel like sharing some of my LOVES. Not only do I love the products but I love the way these ladies run their businesses. They really have a passion for what they do and it shows. Thank you ladies it has been fabulous following your businesses, your facebook posts and chatting with you.

 

LILAC LANE

Here is what I love about Lilac Lane. She is a truly talented lady who creates beautiful jewelry for women of all ages. The above picture is one of my favorites and she has it in her $14 and under album. Can you ask for more? Beautiful jewelry that no one else is going to have at very affordable prices.  She also does custom work, take a look at the beautiful bridal jewelry she has done. Lilac Lane does a really great job and consistently showing her product and brand and has come to be one of my favorite pages to follow and be inspired by.

 

Spend less. Don't compromise style. Lilac Lane.

 

 

 

SHABBY LANE BOUTIQUE

I have featured this company previously but she is definitely a business to follow. She has been amazing me for a while with her gorgeous accessories for kids, teens and women. The detail in each piece is wonderful and it is so nice to see such passion go into each accessory. She has done a wonderful job at building her brand. Each photo of your accessories makes me want one for my little girl and myself. Congrats to you for always making me want to see what you have come up with next.

PRAIRIE GIRL COUTURE

Christina Dennis is the creator of Prairie Girl Couture and it has been so INSPIRING to follow her page and her thought process. She is so in tune with what is going on in the fashion world. Always posting what the new trend colors are for the upcoming season, designing gorgeous clothing and giving you sneak peeks of her designs as she creates them. This lady is going to make it big and I myself love being inspired by her success. Keep up the great work!

Thank you ladies for being my inspiration

Hot Mama

www.facebook.com/hotmamanetwork

GIVEAWAY 2!!!

Giveaway #2 will give you a chance to win a $25 gift certificate AND a cute pair of kids leggings! Thank you so much to Ljubica for donating to our giveaway!

Here are the rules:
1. You must be a follower of our blog to participate ~ Which is great for you since we will be doing plenty more giveaways.
2. You must LIKE SIMPLY CHIC on facebook and come back here and post that you did so... this will get you 1 entry into our draw

3. You must LIKE SIMPLY CHIC STUFF on facebook and come back here and post that you did so... this will get you 1 entry into our draw
4. If you tag SIMPLY CHIC on your facebook business page (with a link- this is important we need to see the link) you will get an additional entry!
4. If you tag SIMPLY CHIC STUFF on your facebook business page (with a link- this is important we need to see the link) you will get an additional entry!

There is potential for 4 ballots into this draw!

SIMPLY CHIC STUFF
http://www.facebook.com/SimplyChicStuff
http://www.simplychicstuff.com/index.php
Unique Children... Unique gifts! Simple yet stylish accessories for those special occasions or "just because"! You can make your gifts personal by adding a name or initial.

Aren't these leggings cute? You can win a pair for your little one:)

Simply Chic
http://www.facebook.com/SimplyChicJewels
http://www.stelladot.com/sites/simplychic

The Jewellery is fabulous. But Stella & Dot is much more than an irresistible, boutique style jewellery line. Their jewelry comes with a personal service, and is sold exclusively through independent jewellery Stylists at in-home Trunk Shows and online.

Good luck entering to win! A gift for mommy and a gift for your little one!

 

GIVEAWAY!! $50 GC for Gold Canyon Candles!!

Hot Mama's first Blog GIVEAWAY!! Are you excited? I am :) Plus I really like the company that has generously donated for the giveaway. Here is your chance to win a $50 gift card to buy anything from Lena's website for Gold Canyon Candles! Thank you so much to Lena for donating.

Here are the rules:
1. You must be a follower of our blog to participate ~ Which is great for you since we will be doing plenty more giveaways.
2. You must LIKE Gold Canyon by Lena on facebook and come back here and post that you did so... this will get you 1 entry into our draw
3. If you tag Gold Canyon by Lena on your facebook business page (with a link- this is important we need to see the link ~ Type @ gold canyon by lena and it should pop up for you to select) you will get an additional entry!

GOLD CANYON BY LENA
www.mygc.com/lenakellier
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gold-Canyon-by-Lena/121938521163974

Gold Canyon offers Candles, Wickless Candles, Bath & Body, All-Natural Cleaners, plus more! Along with a large amount of Scents to choose from. Always great Value, Quality and Performance with every Product guaranteed! The website has some super cute valentines decor ideas two I have shown below and a whole lot of home decor ideas that you can put together all with Gold Canyon products! This first one is my favorite :) Wouldn't this be a nice touch for you and your honey on valentines day! And of course I couldn't leave this out once I saw it! Chocolate! Seriously LOVING IT!! Make sure to share and post back here that you did to be entered into our draw!

SAGE LEAF STUDIO

Welcome to Hot Mama's Blog!
I'm going to be taking all my finds from the Hot Mama Network and sharing them with you on my new blog :)

My first feature is actually a company I came across yesterday, and I am really loving her designs. They are very cute and very original.

SAGE LEAF STUDIO
www.sageleafstudio.com
www.facebook.com/sageleafstudio

Located out of Cloverdale, BC this mommy makes modern one-of-a-kind accessories for your home, little one and you. Check out her website for her latest collection & LIKE her on facebook for your chance to win a cute skinny belt ~ Winners color choice :)