Ornament Swap Blog Hop

Yay! It's time to share. Recently I signed up for the very first Make Mine Pink Ornament Swap and Blog Hop. I love to make all things Christmas so it was a very easy decision for me to join in. You never know what treasures will come your way when you join a swap and I am so happy to share the lovely gifts I received.

First, from Katie DiBacco....................a delightful ornament in pretty shades of aqua and red.I don't know the first thing about making this style ornament...............but I do know I love it.

Secondly, is this adorable button ornament from Eileen of Forget Me Not Dreams. Eileeen knows me so well.................beautiful soft colors and soooooo sweet. I love it too!

Lastly, is a new friend - Jen from That's So Shabby. Jen put together a charming assortment of lovlies...........vintage laces, buttons, doily, and fabric.......all with a darling shabby burlap stocking with "Santa" on the front. You would think she knows me too!

For more fun, please stop by the MMP central stopping point to check out all the locations on todays Ornament Swap Shop Hop. Stop in all week as the ornaments continue to roll in! Just click..........here.

til next time............

Carol

Holiday Shopping Fun

Won't you join me and my friends at Make Mine Pink for a special offering just for the upcoming holidays? An all new event....................lots of special holiday gifts, home decor and more.

The doors will open at 8:00 am for this special event and will close Sunday evening.
Stop on by, won't you?

til next time................
Carol

Small

There's no doubt there are many "big" things in life about which to get excited. Seriously, what about weddings, birthdays, birth days of babies, travel. Well, just so many wonderful things.

Sometimes it's just the silliest, simplest little thing to put a smile on my face. Just the other day I found something small to get excited about. Really small (no, not velvet jewelry box kind of small!). I came across something at Wal-Mart and couldn't resist. Here's what I found..........

Composition books! Oh yes, and only 25 little cents each! Why, I wanted to scoop up about a 100 of them. But, alas, I settled for just 4 - $1.00 worth.

What a great $1.00 find! Better than any dollar store if you ask me.

So, why is this worthy of a blog post? Only because it's a reminder to always find joy in the little things. Make every day about finding a bit of seemingly mundance life to make into a celebration. No, I'm not so crazy as to plan a party around my find. But, I am crazy enough to share it with you!

Go out and get a few of your own Composition Books. They're fun........and cheap !

til next time..............

Carol

Birds of a Feather

"No matter where we live, or what the season, our feathered friends inspire accessories and decor that create eternal springtime in our homes."

Everywhere I look are the beautiful images of birds, fresh perspectives and vintage images alike. What is our fascination with this winged creatures that soar above the earth with unparalleled freedom? How riveting are their songs, their nestings. How delightful to watch the hatching of Spring babies.

Please join Business In THE Bag, Esprit de Joie, and my friends at Make Mine Pink for this Fridays special shopping theme........Birds of a Feather. I'm sure you will find a fine feathered friend to treasure.

til next time.................
Carol

How Sad!

Well, it is sad, truly sad, to feel so neglected and forgotten. Me? No, not me. My blog. Poor little blog sitting out there in a lonely world wishing for someone to show up and update.

I'm here at last. It is time get back on track and reach out once again. I have a new energy surrounding this little blog - a new attitude, as they say. My new goal is to bring you worthy subjects for your review.

Business In THE Bag (BITB, for short) is all about branding your business - making an unforgettable statement about what your business is, what it does, and more. Now, there's no way BITB can tell you who you are, but we can certainly help you find your own cohesive brand. We can help you be "remembered".

So please join me as I make this new commitment to bring you more information that you can use the build your personal brand. If you have not yet signed up for our newsletter, please do so. I will be sending monthly email newsletters to share much of this information.

So, until next time.............
Carol

Tea Time Baskets!

At last, our brand new exclusive line of Tea Time Baskets is appearing on our sister site, Esprit de Joie. Beautiful nantucket baskets oozing with charm and loaded with goodies too.

The perfect gift for a special someone - or keep one for yourself. You deserve it!

Each Tea Time Basket comes complete with a specially lined basket with padded bottom, handmade satin roses, handmade linen napkin with lace edging, a perfectly coordinated brand new mug, a matching coaster, and a darling Oneida demitasse spoon. Everything you need for a little tea time treat.

Coming soon are our Tea Time Baskets for Two! Stay tuned.

til next time.....Carol

Mother's Day Shop Hop

I just love the Shop Hop events at Make Mine Pink, don't you?

Won't you join Business In THE Bag, Esprit de Joie, and so many of my friends at Make Mine Pink for our annual

Mother's Day Shop Hop.

April 25 - May 1st.

What is a Shop Hop?

At Make Mine Pink, Shop Hops are a type of contest where you try to find as many "You Found It" images as you can. Each of the participating boutiques (see the list at Make Mine Pink) had hidden a special image on their site that says "You Found It" on the tag. Click that image to return to Make Mine Pink and get credit for finding it. The more images you find, the greater your chances to win super prizes. See the prize list to see what you can win!

At Business In THE Bag and Esprit de Joie, we will be offering daily specials as well as some fun new products! Perfect timing for gift giving for Mom.

There is no cost and no obligation to purchase anythng. Of course, if you happen upon something you are interested in, don't forget to bookmark the pages so you can return later. Good Luck!

til next time...

Carol

New Bags

Exciting new bags are now available at BITB! We've added some new chic and sassy new bags in amazing fun colors. Three styles and a myriad of colors. Here's a little sneak peak.

Be sure to stop by and see all the styles and all the color choices. Just click here.
Thanks for stopping by .......have a happy Monday.

Sunday night thought.

Well, of course, I should be all snuggled in bed for the night, but here I am at my computer as are so many of my friends. What keeps us up at night? Thoughts, of course. But, what thoughts?

Sometimes it's worry about the never-ending list of "to-do's", sometimes anticipation of something exciting about to happen the next day, or day after, sometimes it's our creative minds that just refuse to turn off, sometimes it's worry over the health and well-being of a loved one or special friend.

Whatever keeps us up at night, we have to fight the fight - not let this insomnia win. Sleep is so nurturing, restorative, and just..................well, nice! I always feel better after a good night's sleep, don't you?

So, tell me. How do you wage this battle? What tricks and tips do you use to turn off the thinking machine and get some zzzzz's? Pray tell, do share.

Another wintry day in February

Gosh, I cannot remember when we've had so much snow! It is getting a little "past its use by date" if you ask me.

No matter, though. Spring is just around the corner and it's time to think about sprucing up and spiffing up our businesses. Are your marketing materials up to date? Do you have a complete plan in place to market your business? What are you doing to get your name out there?

Does your website need refreshing? How about all your printed products? Start making those updates now, before time slips away and you start "kicking" yourself.

What better way to spend a snowy, wintry day than to turn our thoughts to Spring?

til next time......
Carol

THE Ultimate Gift Basket

Oh my! Can you even begin to believe the wonderful offerings you see in this custom, velvet lined basket? Many of my friends at Make Mine Pink put together this stunning basket just overflowing with special gift-giving ideas for you.

Each boutique has a special category in their shops to assist you in finding that perfect item to go in a gift basket of your own creation. Be sure to check them out by clicking on the photo and gathering all the details.

...AND.........as if that weren't enough! You could possible win this amazing basket, valued over $1000. This is the Grand Prize during the Make Mine Pink 12 Days of Christmas Shop Hop.

Can you just imagine getting this package on your doorstep? I am in awe - aren't you?

til next time......

Carol

Office Management

Earlier today I had the opportunity to view an Office Manager at work.

My friend, Gail, of Gail Friend Designs is a very busy woman and found it necessary to hire some help to keep her office running smoothly.

Now.....don't tell Gail this, but I fear her Office Manager is "sleeping" on the job.

I have a fair amount of experience in this regard.

Here's a pic of my own Office Manager. Note the similarities!

til next time............

Carol

........and the answer is.............

Here's the answer.....my new oh so luxuriously soft Scotty Dog.

And, the winner is...............................Lynette Larson-Campbell!

Please email your addy to me at espritdejoie@comcast.net, Lynette, and he will be on his way to you as quick as a wink.

NOW! Many, make that MOST, of you were very very close. Little Scotty does have a friend...

Little black velvet Kit Kat! Many of you thought she should be the answer, but alas, she is not. These sweet little velours will be available starting tomorrow on Make Mine Pink's Posh Tots.

Look for them then......and thank you ever so much for playing!

til next time.............

Carol

Contest!

Well, it's about time, isn't it??????? I have a little contest for you - it will run until Thursday morning only. Anyone is eligible to enter and win.

So, here's all you have to do.
Guess what is in the picture below. Hint: it's my latest creation.





Do NOT put your guess on here, but DO post that you've been and seen.
Then email me your guess at espritdejoie@comcast.net

I will do a random draw from all the correct guessers Thursday morning at 9:00 est.
The lucky winner will receive one of these "somethin somethins" in the mail from me.

So, give it a try. Follow the rules.............and keep yours fingers crossed. (toes too wouldn't hurt!)
til next time..............

Carol

More Exciting News!

You are just gonna love this! I just know you are!

It's a brand new, exciting event at Business In THE Bag, Esprit de Joie, and Make Mine Pink.

What is it??? It is......................

Yes! Make Mine Pink's new Pink Twilight Sale!

Every third Saturday of the month from 6:00 pm to midnight you will find unbelievable buys from boutique owners at Make Mine Pink. Of course we will be participating here at Business in THE Bag and also at our sister site, Esprit de Joie.

Once a month - for six hours only - you'll see buys like never before on Make Mine Pink. You won't want to miss this - so mark your calendars. I know I will.

til next time...

Carol

Greenfield Village

Yesterday may have started out cold, cloudy and windy, but finished up with a gorgeous day with temps at about 60 degrees. My BFF, Debbie, and I made our annual pilgrimage to Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI.

I so enjoy being transported back in time each year when we visit. It always makes me wish for a simpler life. Thought I would share a couple pics that I took as we walked along.

The large white building is the Eagle Tavern where we enjoyed a delicious 1940's style harvest meal. Don't know why I didn't take pics inside! It is such a delight.

I hope you enjoy these pics!

til next time.............Carol

Make Mine Pink Friday - Timeless Textiles

This week's theme at Make Mine Pink Friday is all about textiles..........old or new, pristine or weathered. I love textiles and have a quilt collection of my own. There's something about pretty antique pillowcases with hand-embroidery that always draws my attention.

As the years pass, they grow more beautiful by adding the threads of history to their own. The original colors might fade, but these timeless textiles stay bright with the memory of the hands that created and cared for them. The stories they know are never truly forgotten when we make room for them in our lives and in our homes.

I hope you will join my dear friends at Make Mine Pink for this special event - Friday, September 25th. Just click here.

til next time.....
Carol

Where oh where????

Where have I been? Geez, I can't believe I haven't posted in so long. I guess I've been pretty busy.

Right now, I'm finishing up a few orders and then I absolutely must re-arrange my desk top. Wouldn't you know it, but I was forced to go out and buy a new printer. I didn't want to get a new printer. I wasn't 100% happy with the old one, but these are the times of "making do" and "getting along" with what you have.

When I went into the office store (for the 3rd time), this particular salesperson told me my old all-in-one is about 6-7 years old. What??? Where did the time go? I am not one to throw away good for the joy of purchasing all the latest, greatest new goodies. I try to get every bit of mileage I can from what I have. What about you??? Are you a frequent upgrader?

Well, anyway, I bought one printer and brought it home to my studio and it just wasn't doing the job. It was very clunky sounding - even tho it printed better quality than my old printer.
Now.........I am not going to name names (brands, that is) but back it went to the store.

It interests me how you can go to one store three times and get different salespeople who tell you different things. Why didn't I research on the net? - I did - yup - but that just resulted in confusion too. Anyway, I'm making this into a longgggg story, I know. In the end, I bought another printer and .............drumroll...............I love it! I have been upgrading my materials for several months and now have upgraded my printing.

Bottom line (thank goodness, right?) .........better quality for my customers. Yay!

Well............til next time...........
Carol

Make Mine Pink's Friday Event

Getting Organized

at Make Mine Pink's Friday Shopping Event.


Please join us for shopping with a twist on Friday,

August 28, 2009 as we present "Getting Organized"

Getting Organized has taken on a new look! From being strictly functional to being functional and stylish has become the latest and greatest way of getting and staying organized. Pretty and stylish organization means that you no longer have to hide everything away in back room closets and filing cabinets. Instead, old locker baskets painted pink and stylishly chic organizers help you get organized in creative ways.

Please join me at Business In THE Bag, along with many of my friends from Make Mine Pink, in our special offerings to de-clutter and organize your spaces and life.

til next time...........Carol