Back into the swing of things!

Yeah! I'm back to my "real life" and already back in the the swing of things. I have a lots of laundry to do, emails and snail mail to go through - but that's typical! LOL!!!

The family reunion was fun and I got to go horseback riding for the first time. My husband has all the photos on his laptop as we emptied the 2 memory cards we had for the cameras at the end of each night to make sure we had room for the next days snapshots. We have SOOOOOO many pictures! LOL!!! So I'll share some photos possibly soon - if you want to see any.

But like I said - back to work for me! For those that don't know, outside of being a mommy and designing I also work at Boutiquecafe - a "podcast for fashion savvy mommies and so much more." I am now helping out with the podcasts more and have been given the new assignment of reporting the Boutique news!
It's fun to announce new ebay group launches, the launch of a new site or great sale or fun crafting event. If you have boutique news you would like to share with ALL of the listeners on Boutiquecafe - send me an email to - megan@boutiquecafe.com. We will try our best to get it included in that segment for you.

I also search out fabulous accessories and fashionable wardrobe pieces for the "BC finds" section. Daria - the host and owner - and I post amazing shoes, jewerly, outfits, aprons, etc for children and adults that we find on ebay and etsy. You can find something new, fun and fresh everyday in the BC finds! and hey, if you come across something great that you think deserves a bit of extra exposure send it my way - we just might feature it on the site!

UpTIGHT: Fashion forward Friday

It's time to show off your up-DO'S for summer! Amelia has issued her latest FFF challenge on show #64 podcast on Boutiquecafe.com. She wants to see your chic ponytails and fashionable "UP tight" hairdos PLUS your favorite hair accessory finds on ETSY!



Here's one of my "UP DO'S". I have a few ways I pull back my short hair. I like to leave it pretty free and "messy" sort of when I do though.

and of course, I had LOTS of fun searching around etsy for some great accessories. *sigh* Oh so many to choose from. A person can get lost in there if they are not careful. LOL!!! The first one that caught my eye was this pink "sprite whispers" little number by Mikiye. I could definately see that tucked into hair this summer. She also has a funky off-beat piece called "Miss Frisky" which I like too. RRRRrrrrr!

I use bobby pins all the time to pull my hair back so I naturally gravitated towards a few unique sets of Pins like this one from foundling. Not sure which I like better? The actual poppy pins or the artistic photos! The initial hairpins photos by DaisyChains popped off the page with their bright striking colors. SO cute for kids and back to school don't you think?

One thing that they all have in common besides being unique - which I love - is they all have been photographed well and that intices me - the buyer - even more! LOL!!! A little twist on creativity or a well taken photograph that evokes a mood makes me like the accessory even more. Kuddos to all the designers of these beautiful items!

My "Short" Story

"who wears short shorts?" da da DA da da. - I took on the FFF (Fashion Forward Friday) challenge from the BoutiqueCAFE show #62 podcast - To post pictures of your favorite shorts or capri and shoes. Sort of a what are you wearing this summer that flatters you? I'm a bit slow to get this challenge completed but better late than never! it's to fun NOT to participate! I took pictures of 2 of my favorites pairs of capris and fun shoes to match. The first is a pair I don't wear often but just love! can you tell why????

I didn't really get my shoes in the shot but you can see they are wedge sandal and make me VERY tall. Or should I say they make me extra TALL which is something I don't really need but I love to wear shoes with a bit of a heel to them.

The second pair is a dark chocolate brown pair with white stitching. I just love the POP the white stitching gives to them. The pockets really showcase the white stitching. I paired these up with some fun heeled shoes as well! Strappy for summer and feminine with that heel. Plus the brown capris can really be dressed up and or down so easily. I love versatility in my wardrobe.

There are lots of other ladies who took on the challenge and blogged their "short" stories as well! take a peek here for more links!

Baggin' it

Mission Accomplished! I had the fun opportunity to be "guest Host" of the Fashion Forward Friday Challenge on Boutiquecafe.com last week. It was all about bags! Latest trends, what the celebs are toting around and of course the fun part - SHARING YOUR OWN favorite bag. I challenged eveyone to share pictures of their favorite bag(s) and/or snap some paparazzi shots of their own. It's been fun blog hopping to check out all the faves. And of course what would a host be if she didn't take her own challenge, eh? I tried to fashion my shots after the style I have seen the paparazzi take of celebrities. LOL!!! I felt alittle silly setting up the tripod out in front of my house and trying to capture that "paparazzi" feel and look but it actually turned out to be alot of fun! and if you are sensing a trend in the color ( love that LIMEY green) so am I! LOL!!

These are two of my "most" used bags right now. The one on the right I was lucky enough to snag at target.com when a friend spotted them online and shared the info. I was surprised to see amy butler fabrics being massed produced but loved it anyway! The other bag on the left is one of the bags I will usually be seen toting to church. It holds small books, papers, crayons, etc to help my children sit quietly yet still looks fashionable for me.

You still have until next Friday - when the new Fashion Forward topic gets posted - to jump aboard and play! I'd love to hop around to more blogs and check out what you are "toting" around!

I'm the GUEST HOST!

*snicker* I get to be the guest host today for Fashion forward Friday on Boutiquecafe.com. Our resident Fashion Guru Amelia, is away and has asked me to fill in for her. Today the topic is all about BAGS! What's the latest trends, who is sporting why type of bag and more importantly - what do YOU LOVE and carry? I've posted some fun shots the paparazzi took catching celebritys and their trendy bags NOW I Challenge you to whip our your cameras and show us your favorite summer bags! Be your own paparazzi and share what you love about that bag or BAGS you show us! For some extra added fun snag a Fashion Forward Friday logo and post all your fun pictures on your blog but be sure to share the link with all of us on the FFF post!

*click, pose, snap, wave!* watch out for the paparazzi! they are around every corner! I love bags but am really a bag virgin compared to most! I know there are some more experienced "bag ladies" out there so stop by and chat it up with us!

and if you are in a shopping mood, I just listed 2 Cherry Hostess Aprons in my Blossom Street shoppe! The first one was snatched up so fast and shipped off to Australia! They are ready made and would love to adorn your waist at your next hosting event!...........Wear it, love it, "own" it.......C.O.Designs

Steals, deals and finds

I have 3 fun designs ENDING today - TUESDAY. You can check out the good deals here. All 3 have FREE shipping in the USA! Also Ending THURSDAY is my girls western Mosaic outfit ready to be shipped! It's a steal of a price too!

Also - I am taking my usual monthly accessory finds on Boutiquecafe.com and merging them with Daria's finds on a daily basis. I will be sharing some fun boutique fashion and accessory finds on ebay and etsy. If you have a suggestion send it my way! Today's feature is a CA-UTE "playful puppy" outfit done by boutiquegenmarie.

Dont miss out on the steals, deals and finds! take a peek and grab yourself some fun Boutique stuff!

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!!!!

Girls Getaway Weekend! come play!

Boutiquecafe would like to extend an invitation to all women, mommies and work at home entrepreneurs to the 1st Annual Boutiquecafe.com Girls Getaway Weekend April 20th -22nd. This weekend event will be a mixture of business and fun! Designers and podcast fans from all over the U.S. and Canada will be attending the Boutique Café Girls Getaway, which will include a Saturday morning conference that boasts an impressive list of guest speakers:

Amelia: Owner of Sweet Feet Boutique and a fashion guru
Liz Carlson: Owner/founder of Chatti Patti
Keynote Speaker, Charlene May: Owner/founder of Greggy Girl

Attendees will learn about everything from keeping your fashion style as a mom to how to grow your business. The Saturday morning session will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the Topaz Room at the Salt Lake City Hilton., and tickets are $25 in advance. Space is limited, so contact daria@boutiquecafe.com to reserve your spot.

We would love for you to help us spread the word and reach those ladies who might be interested in attending. Interested attendees can also find more information about this event in the following link:
http://www.boutiquecafe.com/home/?cat=15

This will be such a great event and a great opp to meet these talented business women, network with other women, showcase your designs and have great time! We hope to see you there!

Fashion Guru Q&A

Do you have a Fashion question? do's, don'ts, or how to make it work? Boutiquecafe's own HOT MOM moderator Amelia of Sweet Feet Boutique is now doing a Fashion Q&A session to help her prepare for our upcoming Boutique Cafe Girls Getaway weekend in which she is one of our speakers. LOTS of great questions being asked and some even better practical advice being given. HOP on over - we'd love to have jump aboard and chat with us!

Clickety click - MARCH!

Oh yes! It's Clicking Spree day on Boutiquecafe.com!All you have to do is click on the ads, post your comments or great finds and get a chance to win some GREAT prizes!!!
ClickHERE to play!


***PLUS if you post on the Boutiquecafe CHAT forum that you saw it on my Blog I will give you an extra entry to win one of our great prizes!***

**OR blog about it yourself and post your link on the CHAT forum! It's fun for everyone!!!! Just be sure to post about it so I can give you another entry! **

HURRY - Tuesday is the day - so go get clicking!!!


you can win some great prizes from our donators this month!
Dreamin Bohemian, roxidesigns, Tutti Fruity Designs, Collective Elements, Ashton's Garden

Whatcha listening to?

If you are on the go or kickin' back this weekend take a "TIME OUT" for you! It's a great time to catch up on some of the great podcasts that boutiquecafe.com has put out these last couple of weeks. If you are into celebrities and feel the desire to be inspired you will LOVE the interview Daria did withWendy Bellissimo - nursery designer for celebrities. Such a great interview - you will love every minute of it!

and if you like to put the interviewer in the HOT seat take a listen to the latest podcast where the microphone is turned onDaria and she gets interviewed! It's a fun peek into the Daria's life, interests and how she got where she is today.

Looking for great products for Spring and a discount too? or looking to advertise your own products? The boutiquecafe SPRING Gift guide is up and ready for YOU! Have a look!

PLUS - one more tidbit for ya - our famous CLICKING SPREE day will be on Tuesday! don't miss it! stop by the chat forum, click on the ads you like and post a comment in our Clicking Spree thread to win some FABULOUS prizes! see you there!

GREEN Bloggin' winner!

A HUGE thank you to all those who Blogged about the Boutiquecafe.com SHOW your GREEN contest to win some GREEN! Everyone who blogged about it and emailed me their link is eligible to win a free apron from ME! I posted all the links on the boutiquecafe.com chat board as an extra thanks! Here is the list one more time!

Bonnin Designs

Designer's Notion

Designing Minds

Jaybird Designs

Botanical Earth

Art Addict

Precious Stitches

Like a Fox

Secrets from the Studio

A Pretty Rock

Roxi Designs

Goddess in the Groove


and the WINNER is................................Erin from Like a Fox Blog!!! congratulations! Thank you again to everyone for playing! we will be doing this again!!!!

March Clicking Spree Swag!

As if our "SHOW Your GREEN" contest on Boutiquecafe.com wasn't enough, Daria has posted a sneak peek of the swag we will be giving away this month for the Clicking spree day! Take a peek HERE to get those taste buds salivating for some great prizes!!! hehehehe

Show your GREEN - Win some green!!!

Well as St. Patty's day nears closer (pretend you can hear me in my best Irish accent ) we thought it would be fun to show off what YOU have created in a green theme! Come on! Be a SHOW OFF! it could win you some CASH!!!

Just post something on the BoutiqueCAFE forum in our "show your GREEN" contest thread that you have created - could be from a long time ago or currently up for sale! if it's available right now be sure to give us the link! By posting you are entered for a chance to win $20.00 cash via paypal from ME! - www.creativeoutletdesigns.com!!!

It's the Luck of the Irish for the winner! You only have a few short days! I will post the winner on Sunday! ready, set, GO! go green!!!!!

****If you blog about our "GREEN" contest and link to it - send me an email! info@creativeoutletdesigns.com. I will put you in a special drawing for a free apron from me!*****

WIN!!! boutique boys stuff!

Today's the DAY!!!! Thursday is CLICKING SPREE day on www.boutiquecafe.com. It's a fun, easy way to win some great boutique stuff! this months theme is "BOYS". All the prizes up for grabs are centered around boys from newborns to teenagers! Stop by to play and win! you can find all the details and great prize list HERE