Five Fun Facts About Me!

Five Fun Facts About Me!

Happy Friday friends! I thought I'd change it up a bit today and participate in the popular #fridayintroductions hashtag on social media. I decided to put it up on the blog instead of Instagram that way more people can see it when they visit the shop! 

So let's get started!

Fun Fact #1: I live an (almost fully) paleo lifestyle.
First off, if you haven’t heard of paleo it is basically a lifestyle where you do not eat grains, dairy, legumes, processed sugar, and soy. I always say I’m like 95% Paleo because I do indulge in the occasional cocktail/wine and some hummus! Plus there is only so much you can control at restaurants if you like to eat out.

I have been paleo for over two years now! I decided to eat paleo after my first round of Whole30 when I realized I had an intolerance to gluten and dairy. I actually really enjoy being paleo and it's crazy to see how much my taste buds have changed since cutting out all the processed food. 

Fun Fact #2: I love scary movies
Suspense, Thriller, Horror... all the genres that relate to that I love them. If I am not catching up on TV shows reading a book then I'm looking for a new scary movie to watch (or show... anyone else obsessed with American Horror Story?)

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Fun Fact #3: Animal Lover
I have always loved animals and always will. Growing up I had a cat most of my life (even though I am actually allergic to them) and now my husband and I have three dogs and an outdoor cat (he would go crazy living inside). A couple years ago, a friend of mine and I had even started our own 5k charity walk (with your dogs) called Tails & Trails that we had locally to support our local animal shelter. We organized it for a couple years and loved every bit of it!


Our Pets: Cooper, Ranger, Bowie & Slider

Fun Fact #4: Bookworm
I love to read! I always have a book on me (typically downloaded to my phone nowadays) so that I can read in my spare time. Just like my love for scary movies I love a good thriller book. I try and list all the books I have read or am currently reading on my Goodreads account. You can check it out or leave a comment below to recommend any good books you have read lately.

Fun Fact #5: Eclectic Taste in Music
I listen to music probably 90% of the day. I love all genres of music and when I say all I mean ALL. I've got everything from songs from the 50s all the way to Cardi B. I'm not even going to link my Spotify playlists because they are so random! I commute to my full-time job every day so I get plenty of listening time in plus I will have it on as background noise while I work. 

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Do we have anything in common? What are some fun facts about you? 

Kid’s Birthday Party Planning Inspiration: Candy Shop Theme

Kid’s Birthday Party Planning Inspiration: Candy Shop Theme

Happy Wednesday friends! It’s time for another party planning inspiration post and today is a good one! I found SO many cute & creative ideas on pinterest for this theme and couldn’t wait to put this post together.
This week’s theme is Candy Shop! What kid wouldn’t want a candy themed birthday party?
To start this party off is, of course, the invitation! Not going to lie, this is one of my favorite invitation designs in my collection…
Like I said above I found some amazing party decor ideas on pinterest! I’m going to try my best to find all the original links for each photo for yall….so let’s get started! All the images I are fun & creative ideas that would fit different budgets. I love the idea of a “candy bar” theme and it would be pretty simple to do! I think the only thing that would get costly is how much you wanted to decorate it. It would be super easy to find clear glass jars at the dollar store and fill them up with different kinds of colorful candy! I also found some cute clear scoops from Amazon (keep scrolling for those!). Another fun idea
Another fun idea is that cupcake in a cup with candy at the bottom, that would be a perfect way to hand out caupcakes or as a take home treat!
How fun and colorful are those party inspiration pictures?! It makes me want to plan a candy themed party right now just so I can decorate.
So where do you buy fun candy themed party decorations? Of course local party shops are a great place to start and if you are looking for some fun extras my go-to place is Amazon (even better if you have amazon prime).
Local party shops would be great fo get colorful solid colored plates, napkins, cups & silverware. All you would need to do for those to fit this theme is to get different colors for each item to make them stand out and match with all the colorful candy and decor!
Check out these fun Amazon finds for a candy themed party:
 
My favorite is that little cardboard candy shop booth! That would not only be perfect for the party but also in the kid’s playroom afterward.
I hope you enjoyed this party planning post and found some inspiration! I would love to hear your candy shop party ideas & if you end up doing this theme!
What party inspiration posts do you want to see next?
What are the most important marketing materials I need to invest in when starting a business

What are the most important marketing materials I need to invest in when starting a business

In the early stages of starting a business one of the most important things to think about is your branding & marketing materials. Today I am going to share what I feel to be the five most important marketing materials you need to start your business.
Number 1: Logo Design
I’m sure you knew I was going to say that one! It seems pretty obvious that if you are starting a business you need a logo… but you’d be surprised on how many people put it off or create a very low-quality one since it is not their priority. Your logo is going to be the face of your business. It is what people are going to remember first. When you think of some of the larger brands out there like Nike, Starbucks, Apple, you can just see the emblem and automatically you know what company it is. That’s the power behind a great logo design.
Now don’t get me wrong I know that logo designs can be expensive (especially when you are just starting out). Finding a designer that is easy to work with and that is also building their portfolio is a great way to get a fair deal on a logo design. If you are really on a budget there are also a lot of pre-made logo templates on etsy that are good for a temporary design. As your business grows you will want to find a designer that can really create a unique & custom logo just for you (one that you will not want to change in a year!) Trust me when I say a logo design will be one of your best investments for your brand.
Number 2: Business Cards
Another obvious option but extremely important. If you didn’t have a business card how would you leave your information with people? How would they know how to contact you? A business card that displays your brand (see how I tied those two together there!) and your contact info is essential when searching for clients. No matter what business you are in you NEED business cards.
Number 3: Personalized Stationery
While a lot of people might not see this as a necessity, I think it is an important marketing material to help grow your business. If someone is paying you for something whether it’s a custom invitation design, purchasing a necklace from you or signing up for your new fitness program, trust me when I say a personalized, handwritten thank you note goes a long way! It will be much appreciated by the consumer to get a thoughtful thank you card in the mail and it will show that you truly care & value their business. Which in turn will lead to repeat sales and they will tell their friends what great customer service you have!
Number 4: Social Media Accounts
Today, social media is everywhere. If you didn’t already know this you have been living under a rock! Not only is it important to have social media accounts for your business but it is important that they all match together (meaning make sure your branding clearly comes across on all your platforms). You want people to be able to find you easily. Don’t create a complicated instagram handle or use your personal name (unless it’s your business name like mine!) because then how would people find you? In this day, people want information fast and social media is one of the fastest ways to get it!
Number 5: Website
Last, but not least, is a website! While I personally recommend launching everything around the same time some people like to wait a little while for a website since it can be an investment and if I am being honest (depending on your business) you might not need one right off the bat. However, you will definitely need one eventually because it is an essential part of your business. It is a place that you can share all of your work, services you offer, prices and even a place where people can buy your items with a couple clicks! This is a great platform to show potential customers
1. that you are legit,
2. the face behind the business (people relate better if they know who is taking their money!),
3. gives them all the information that they need without sending you millions of questions and
4. is easy for you and others to share with friends & family to let them know about your new venture.
These are my personal opinions on the items that I think are the most important for anyone looking to open their own business (or if you already opened one and are lacking some marketing materials!)
I hope they helped you and encourage you to take the next step in your branding. Whether I am able to help you with your designs or another talented designer is you will not be sorry in investing in your company with great branding & marketing materials.
Are you starting a business? If so, what kind?