"Say CHEESE!!!!"

OK not literally so you strain your mouth like that BUT I know we have all had "Blooper" pictures whether they are family shots, boutique business photos, etc. I just discovered a fun new blog about just that - Boutique Blooper photos. Alot of work goes into designing the outfit, shopping for fabrics, notions, etc., sewing up the outfit and then actually DOING the photoshoot! Whew! There's always a few blooper shots or not so good ones. SO let's share and have a laugh or too. It's good for the soul. ;) some of the blooper shots look all to familiar to me as I have struggled before trying to get a great shot or two and trying to "work with" my little diva model of a daughter. *snicker* Enjoy the photos and send in some of your own to her. I can't wait to see more!

I admit it! I'm a Cracklin' ADDICT!

Yes - I said it. "Hi, my name is Megan and I am a Cracklin' Oat Bran addict." *snicker* I LOVE this cereal. I can eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, dry or with milk. And I can also polish off a box of it by myself in a day if I wanted. (*blushing*) It feels like a grown up cereal to me -not a sugary fluffly cereal that leaves me hungry again 20 minutes later. I loved this cereal when I was kid as well but my parents rarely bought it because of the price and because we would eat it so fast. BUT I vividly remember taking a car trip once and we got a box of this cereal as a car snack! YummMMMMmmm!

So now that I have made my confession - care to share one with me? What's your favorite breakfast time indulgence that you can eat or drink all day long???? or would if you could? ..............come on - SPILL IT! :)

Freshcut tops!

I just listed a couple of women's top done with Heather Bailey's Freschcut fabric line. I haven't had to much time to create anything new since returning from the Boutiquecafe Girls Getaway but I am working on more to come next month! Stay tuned!

PREGNANT!

well not me! *snicker* My littlest sister is actually about to have her baby. I just figured that "Pregnant" would be an attention grabbing title. She asked me to take a few pictures of her pregnant belly so we did an impromtu "photoshoot" in my dining room the other day. I must say I was pretty pleased with the way they turned out - being an amateur photographer and all.







It's just a miracle. And next month we will actually be able to see what HIS little face looks like.

I was caught thinking....

or more like I made you think! I was recently awarded the "Thinking Blogger" award from a dear friend Morgan. She had this to say about my blog: "I love the way Megan finds the coolest things whether it's boutique clothing, a rockin' handbag on Etsy, a picture of Brad Pitt on the beach, or designer desktop backgrounds. Plus, her designs make me drool, each one better than the last."

Thank you Morgan! Ok - here's the rules of what I have to do now.

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.

2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.

3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote.

So here goes! I'm tagging 5 other blogs and in no particular order. ;)

1. Deb at debdamboise. She's always posting something creative and has a cute take on everyday events.

2. Heather of Hello my Name is Heather constants keeps me thinking and stretching my own creative boundaries and striving to do better.

3. of course I would tag Daria ofDaria's Life . She's a fun, crazy busy mom like most of us! I love having a peek into her life!

4. I adore Susans blog, Le Petit Poulet. She has a great writing style and I so want to be a mother like her someday ;)

5. and I'm sure Lisa of The Mommy Designer has alreayd been tagged but I love to peek into her blog. She is such a go getter and has achieved so much already with more in works!

Girls Getaway - Boutiquecafe.com

Boy howdy! The first annual Boutiquecafe.com Girls Getaway was better than I thought it would be! I knew it would be fun and a great experience but actually being there to experience and revel in the moments was unbelievable! Lots of squeals and grins from ear to ear as designers met for the first time. Amazing instant connections being formed and new relationships.

The weekend was full of event after event and there was always a camera flashing somewhere. Sort of felt like the Red carpet all weekend long! Daria, Amelia and Eva are simply the sweetest most endearing ladies and I truly appreciate all they did to help pull this weekend off.

There was lots of getting to know you over food and shopping, laughing my guts out at 2:30AM in the morning as girls got silly "girl talk." Patty is one of the funniest people and so animated! she needs to be on T.V. where people can see her! She is little firecracker of a gal all packed into the cutest little body. And little she is! I seemed to tower over her but that really didn't seem to matter as far as friendships go.

The Saturday morning conference was great for networking, getting inspired and catching great phrases and info from the speakers. Carrie of puddlejumpershoes.com filled the room with a feeling of gratitude grab the present while you can - don't wait! Then Charlene May of Greggygirl.com inspired us all to achieve whatever greatness we wanted in our lives! Go out and get it! and of course let's not forget our own Amelia who spoke on "what I think HOT is all about." Not only what you wear and how you look she also brought in an emotional side to it. It was great to go shopping with her and get an honest opinion or two about worked and what didn't. I even bought a few really fun pieces for my wardrobe that I normally wouldn't have but was thinking a bit out of the box after hearing her speak that morning.

There's just oodles and oodles of stories that could be told from this weekend. Most I think will be kept secret. Hey! what happens in SLC at the girls getaway stays in SLC (wink, wink). Just don't miss it next year! Here's a few more pictures of the wonderful gals I had the pleasure of meeting.

Amie, Me, Chelsea, Dayna and Ticia (aka Cameron Diaz)

Me and Sandi

and the "gazza girls" (tee hee hee)

and the displays and giveaways - not to mention all the great "swag" we got was AMAZING!!! Thanks to Fiji water, Shade clothing, the Designhergals.com, Amy Butler and more!
Definately worth it to be there and I can't wait to see you all and MORE next year! the planning has already begun! See ya'll in Texas in 2008!!!!

Need to check the Pulse!

Not my heart rate or anything but the "Ebay PULSE." A fun feature on Ebay to check out the most watched items in a category. A fellow designer pointed out that my latest outfit was on the pulse. How fun is that??!!!?? and it's true! Take a peek HERE. This fun birthday outfit ends Tuesday evening! Snatch it up for all your fun party events this Season!

The Secrets of my Big Success

WHEW! After all the creativity, networking, insider information and references given out the BoutiqueCafe Girls Getaway this weekend I think everyone who attended it ready to get back to work and kick it into high gear to whatever "level of Greatness you want to achieve". (quote from Charlene May of Greggygirl.com) SO - having said that, be sure to catch OPRAH today. It's all about people who took their hobbies and turned them into HUGE businesses! What a great follow up to a great weekend! Better set your TIVO now!

Girls Weekend or BUST!

Yeah! the Long awaited Boutiquecafe Girls Getaway weekend event is HERE!!!! I am putting the last few things in my luggage and heading out for a weekend FULL of fun, networking, and SHOPPING!!!!! I'm so excited to meet other Momprenuers like myself and especially the famedDaria - host of Boutiquecafe! I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures to share when I return!

Hokie Hope

In an attempt to do something to reach out to everyone affected by this tragedy I'm helping spread the word about Orange and Maroon day. Today Friday, April 20th they are asking everyone to show support by wearing these colors. For today and this weekend I will be changing the colors of my blog to Orange and Maroon as well. A moment of silence please.

Meant to be

So we went out to dinner tonight with my Dad and he wanted Chinese. At the end of the meal the server brings us a plate of fortune cookies. My husband grabs and almost begins to open it with I say, "I don't think that one is for you." I reach across the table and pick him up another one and say, "This one is for you." Looking oddly at me from the corner of his eye he switches them and I open the one that he was going to open. And guess what?!?! It was for ME and the other one was TOTALLY for him! Here is what mine said, "You will attend an unusual party and meet someone important." completely applies to my weekend getaway tomorrow! LOL!!! Now, who will it be????? Can't wait to find out!

Sneak Peek!

Whew!!! I got this outfit done in time to travel with me to Salt Lake this Weekend and personally deliver it to the photographer and maybe even give her cute little model a squeeze too! Just alittle sneak peek of an outfit coming up very soon! I just love Amy Butler's New Lotus Line! I used a couple of her fabrics to create this outfit.

Fairy visit #2!

We've had a loose tooth #2 at our household forever it seems like and my daughter finally decided that Dad could just PULL it out! So after a few squirmy frustrating minutes Dad was successful in his attempts to pull out tooth #2. My daughter quickly stuffed it into her tooth fairy pillow and bedded down for the night. WELL.......the tooth fairy was alittle late in remembering to stop by our house last night *ahem* and made a quick trip to pick up the tooth and leave a little cash at about 7AM this morning - whew!!!! She didn't wake up. (wink, wink)Shhhhhh! it's our little secret! OH! and can I say the tooth fairy REALLY loves the new trend of tooth faily pillows that hang on the door instead of under the pillow. LOL!!

Make a Wish!

and add some Frosting and you have a Birthday Party! AND my newest outfit! I was asked to join the talented ladies of the H2H Boutique Group on Ebay to celebrate thier 1 year Birthday. The theme for the launch was parties - cake balloons, presents, etc. I created an outfit titled - Frosted Wishes and had some FABULOUS ladies match it! reillybelle* designed the button choker/headband and bracelet and cutie_patootie_boutique designed the matching button tee , bows and bowband. It's a party! I designed the Mosaic Capris to be versatile for everyday wear once the party day is over as well!

Click. Post. Win.

It's that simple but SOOOO much fun!!!! Tuesday is Clicking spree day on Boutiqecafe.com!!!! It's your chance to win some GREAT boutique prizes. all you have to do is Browse around and click the ads on the site - homepage, the market, and chat forum - post what ads caught your eye, what fun products you found, etc. Then you have a chance to win a prize! all the prizes this month are centered around Women and Mommies! Go grab you some fun stuff!!!! remember 3 easy steps - click. Post. win. see you there!

Here's a peek at what you can win!!!!

My Space

Nope not the website - but just "my space." I've been tagged by Patty and Chelsea to show off my Office space - so here goes! I spend a few of my morning hours here answering and sending emails, checking in on the BoutiqueCafe Chat board, updating my blog, editing pictures, yada yada yada! Check back in through out the day and also spend some time here at night doing pretty much the same stuff!

This is the main office of our house but I have sort of taken it over - tee hee hee. Behind the desk as you can see in the picture is a built in Bookshelf that is SUCH a disaster area! It holds ALOT of empty boxes from electronic office equipment that my husband thinks we need to hold onto. ;) Then there is misc. books, office supplies, and just some stuff that doesn't really have a place. hummmmm................Maybe I will add that to my list of things to organize..............this summer! LOL!!! Yeah this summer.



I Love the sign that reads" Etch out the future of your own design" just fits into so many aspects of my life. The mirror in the office is one that my hubby put together with some old barn wood we salvaged. Fun memories there. Then the last picture of the french bulletin board my little sister made for me - in custom colors of course! - It holds misc. cards, pictures and other fun little baubles and papers that would normally be sitting on my desk.

Well - there's the office! It has double glass french doors that lead off into the "Grand room" area of our house so it's still a part of the daily hub bub and family activites. And quick access if I just need to check my email and get an internet fix! *snicker*

and they're gone!

THANK YOU is all I can say. My new Mosaic tops flew out of the shoppe as fast as I put them in there. I am glad that I have gotten such a positive response to them. Looks like I better get crackin' on some more!

I have just listed in my Blossom Street shoppe a YOU DESIGN Women's tee. Click here for the details! thanks!

Piece by Piece

Well it's Friday the 13th! Are you Superstitious??? I'm really not. I am more worried about bad luck today than anything else! LOL!!! As you know I have already had quite the little injury to my foot with my seam ripper. Well I think my family is trying to take me out piece by piece! LOL!!! First I cut my foot, then hubby is carrying me to bed that night and completely WHACKS my elbow into the door frame putting me on the verge of tears and taking the skin off my elbow. I've got a nice bruise that now and big scab. oh wait! there's more! I was hobbling into the car to take my daughter to dance class when my almost 3 year old son decides to help out by slamming the car door on top of my legs (shin/calf area) before I have to chance to put them into the car. He got a running start too. (heaven help me!) THEN, while trying to sit and get a little bit of sewing done I managed to puncture my index finger with the sewing maching needle while it's still in the machine rather deeply and have a bit of trouble wriggling it out. Can I girl catch a break???? I'm not sure what is going on but I hope this Friday the 13th will change my luck this week! Otherwise I'm afraid of what will happen next! LOL!!!

Mosaic Women's tops

After SEVERAL requests for larger sizes of my Women's tops - HERE they are! I have 3 tops newly listed in my Blossom Street Shoppe tonight. Both designs are perfect for Spring and Summer. They are colorful, original and sure to add a POP to your everyday wardrobe. Take a peek at them HERE!

OH Snap!

Sewing tool or weapon? In this case - weapon! very, very bad weapon! I just spent about 1 hour of my night in the emergency room. Sadly enough I dropped my seam ripper while walking down the stairs to start a project and immediately stepped on it - while it was standing up! OUCH!!!!! I had to pull it out of the soft arch of my foot. Luckily, I was on the phone with my neighbor discussing when her daughter needed to be home and she quickly ran down, arranged childcare for my kids and hers and drove me to the emergency room. *sigh* Talk about frustrating. *sigh* Such a silly thing to do that will really put a kink in my whole week. But whatcha gonna do? Grin and bare it I say! LOL!!! OH! the doctor that took care of me was sooo not Dr. McDreamy. Would have really helped had he been good looking like that. tee he he he - I am Sooo not a fan of needles and I had to get poked with a few and when he stuck my foot with the anesthetic - oh baby!!!! I probably could have kicked him!!! Plus the nurse that cleaned my wound off was not gentle! LOL!!! She got alittle yell from me. ;) Well there's the adventures of my night! Good think it wasn't my "sewing foot" though.

They're multiplying!!!

Where oh WHERE did all these "spare Buttons" come from? Suddenly I seem to have little plastic bags all around my house with the spare buttons in them. Ok yes, I have done alittle Spring shopping for myself the and family and I rip off the little "extra button sack" and set it down thinking "I'd better save that for SOMEDAY when I might need it." But there just seems to be ALOT of spare buttons floating around. And if my memory serves me right, I don't think I have EVER needed the spare button that comes with the blouse, slacks, or whatever! LOL!!! So I quickly grabbed a handful that I could plainly see around the house. WHAT do I do with these? Do you keep them? and if so, WHERE?????? I think the buttons are secretly multiplying just to drive me crazy!

Can I get a YEE-HAW!

Lookey! Lookey! Here's a sneak peek at what is coming up for my boy customers! I really LOVE this little boys outfit and the photo shoot was as fun to do! Here's another sneaky piece of info - there's a girls set as well ;) Anybody want to see?

The HUNT!

Ready, set and GO! If you are not quick it will be over before you muster up the courage to dive in and grab some Easter Spoils. Heck, it will be over before you blink and realize what is going on. LOL!!!

Our family attended a neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. Luckily my 3 year old had a bit of practice and pre-coaching from Dad that morning before the egg hunt. (wink, wink) He did GREAT! Just drove right in and grabbed as many as he could! My daughter didn't have any problems either and they both sat right down and ATE all the candy in one sitting! LOL!!! I guess that is better than stringing it out over days and days of sugar highs!

My 2 year old niece also came with us and she wasn't shy either. I felt bad for the really little kids that got last minute stage fright and then stood there crying as the mass of children exited the field with baskets full of colorful eggs and Easter Spoils and they were left standing there - empty baskets in hand and parents trying to comfort them. I guess there is always next year.

Easter fun!

Here's a few last minute ideas and crafts for this Holiday Weekend. If you can't get to them this weekend - keep them in mind for next year!

Let's start off with some fun for the kids with Fruity Confetti Eggs. I would probably alter this project just a bit to fit my younger kids (and make it easier for me to do) but so cute and fun none the less!

and if you have a few minutes to sit down with your needles take a peek at these adorable patterns. You can create these! They are so cute and cuddly looking.




And these cards will take you through Spring and not just this Holiday Weekend. I love the chic and not store bought look of these.



And what about the family pup? Well I am not a dog lover at all BUT for those that are I thought this was hilarious! LOL!!!



and lastly - the Easter table. I love these and can see them being used in a few other occastions as well. Snap up these Birch nests and glass eggs for something different and lovely.



We are off to hunt eggs today! Enjoy your weekend!

The Sales Pitch!

My Daughter came home from school all excited Tuesday afternoon! Not just your typical excited to see you again, excited to play with friends or tell me all the fun things she did in her kindergarten class that day. This was a different type of excited. The kind that comes from prizes and and the hopes of actually winning something. *sigh* She came home with flyers, papers and a catalog for a School fundraiser! (insert dreaded music here) DUN dun DuNNNNNNN! I have signed papers several times during the school year stating that we would rather make a cash donation than "sell" things to our neighbors, family and close friends. BUT all the kids at the school attended an assembly to get them all excited about this last fundraiser for the year and they were shown all the prizes. How can you tell your child "No" when they have a goal of a prize they would like to get and really want to do it? Plus the prize wasn't something that was just your typical everyday prize or toy. The one she was striving for was a "limo ride to a nearby kids fun center for Pizza pop". She was soo starry eyed by the thought of getting to ride in a limo and sounded determined and overly excited to really go out and talk to our friends. SO......we practiced alittle sales pitch and talked about how some people would order and some would not. WELL I am proud to say that after only 3 days of "pitching her fundraiser" she has met her goal and will get to ride in a limo and have a fun lunch with other kids from the school! AND she talked to all the people with all the details by herself - with her mom or dad standing behind her of course ;) But she did it on her own with the determination to reach her goal. Not bad for a little kindergarden"er".

How about alittle Fresh cut?

I love love LOVE Heather Bailey's Fresh Cut fabric line. The Material Gals group on Ebay did a special launch featuring this fabric line. The designs are yummy. You have to take a peek to see all the variety and inspiring Spring designs.

Take flight!

Journal Modiste designer launch, "TAKE FLIGHT" is currently underway on Ebay. All custom Boutique items are themed around flight. You'll see bugs, butterflies, birds, airplanes and more. There are some really darling items. Here's a few of my favorites.

Take to the Sky necklace from cinnamon*sticks is a great feminine, unique piece.

In the Market for a GREAT bag? This bright and orginal tote labeled TWEET......" from persona may just tickle your fancy.

LOVE this crocheted Hoodie sweater from pinkwillowdesigns. It's funky and fun!

and I couldn't resist posting another great bag! keetacollection has paired up stricking fabrics and colors with this little number.

Enjoy shopping around!

Grab it while it's HOT!

Going.........going...............GONE!!!! Ending today is my YOU Design IT Girls Mosaic jeans!!! This auction started at .99 with NO RESERVE!!! you pick the fabrics and the length - full length or Capri! Grab it while you can! This is a $90.00 - $100.00 value! woohooo!!! Happy Bidding!