Featured Reader: Let me introduce you to.....

Happy Monday friends! Oh my goodness the holiday's are fast approaching. I don't know about you but in our house we are scrambling to get everything done in time. As I have said in past posts, the one thing I love about Monday's is having the opportunity to introduce you to one of my fab readers. I am pleased to introduce you to Clarissa of The Diary of a Poshpreneur. Clarissa is a fellow WAHM who shares tips on her site for other fellow WAHM's and also runs a boutique where she makes many beautiful items, you must check out here stuff, there are too many to pick just one favorite. Grab a cup of joe and get to know my friend Clarissa.

Name:

Clarissa Nassar of The Diary of a Poshpreneur and Tres Couture Boutique
I also blog/vlog on New Baby and MomDot, I go by "POSHpreneur Clarissa" on most sites.


Family:

My DH's name is Joe and I have 2 kids, Kayla-6 & Jojo-2 and a pup, Duchess who is 7 mos.

How did you start blogging?

I started blogging because I wanted to share with everyone the steps and fun and anxiety of being a small business owner...I think if ppl can get an inside look into things they would not feel so alone...or so afraid to start their own business! I wanted to be inspirational and encouraging to others.

If you are a parent do you have a parenting philosophy?

As a parent, I always thought that I would be the overly cautious type that cleans her kids hands every second and yells if they are running around crazy or just a "worry wart" type of parent (sorry if anyone out there is one of those! lol) but, my philosophy as a parent is that kids should be able to be KIDS and run around and get dirty (of course I clean them up right after they are done!) and they should be allowed to ask for candy at the store or for a special cereal or toy every now and then...kids are gonna be kids! Let them live and let them explore and let them dream and imagine and get into trouble every now and then!

You will never find me without......

a HUGE handbag loaded with my cell phone, snacks, diaper, wipes & my Ipod!

Day job:

My "day job" is being a mama and running a household. First and foremost, I am a wife and a mother. It is the greatest blessing! In between real life I blog for my clients and myself, and sew for my boutiques. The wheels are always turning in my head for my next biz adventure!

Favorite Stuff:

Music: House Music all night long! lol I love all music but House & R&B are my favs
Food: ANYTHING and everything! My hispanic heritage and my husbands Middle Eastern heritage has brought me lots of different varieties of foods.
Tv/ Movies: Friends, Will & Grace & The Hills for T.V. Movies:
the list is way too long!
Reading: The Proper Care & Feeding of a Marriage is a MUST for any married couple

If you had to wear a T-shirt with your f avorite saying on it what would it be?

"Why are you trying to get me fired on my day off?" LOL It is a quote from Friday (with Dr. Dre & Chris Tucker) and my BFF and I would go back and forth with that ALL DAY at work...just a fun inside joke...when you work in the "Corporate World" you know you always have to CYB "Cover your Butt" so this was our little funny saying when we would catch the each other doing something silly {for example:
shopping online LOL}

Favorite stores to shop at:

Target
Joanne's
Michael's
ANY fabric store
ETSY!

Other good stuff from Clarissa:

I love to share my ideas and inspirations with everyone and anyone who will listen! I get the most satisfaction when I can help someone make their dreams a reality or help them towards their goals. I hope that I can be an inspiration to other parents who want to start a business or who have started and feel alone.

A special thank you to Clarissa for allowing us to get to know her. Please be sure to stop by Clarissa's sites. If you would like to be featured at La Dolce Vita please send me a email at klacustomcreations@comcast.net

Feel Good Sunday

A wise person does at once, what a fool does at last. Both do the same thing; only at different times. Lord Acton

The hand stamped "Wise" necklace is available HERE.

Product Junkie Approved: Relief

For many years I have been addicted to my Hand Relief hand lotion by Aveda. Back in the day when I use to get manicures every two weeks my manicurist always used it and I got hooked. The lotion isn't too heavy and I love the way it makes my hands feel. I use it year round. I keep a travel size tube in my purse, one by the kitchen sink and one on my night stand. I use it several times a day and it smells great and leaves your hands feeling wonderful.

This time of year my hands get so dry and this product just does the trick for me. You also have to love that Aveda uses all natural ingredients. I would say the Hand Relief lotion is one of my top 10 favorites!

Do you have a favorite hand care product?

Friday Favorite, Featured and Giveaway

Today must be my lucky day! I am a featured Mom at Maternal Spark and if you would like to read my interview please visit HERE. There is a giveaway at this site so be sure to enter for your chance to win my handstamped "I Am Loved" necklace, it would make a great gift for someone special on your list.

I am also a Featured Friday Favorite at Six Feet Under. Head on over and see what Tess has to say about my shop.

And last but not least, I am also featured over at the very lovely site Prim and Proper

A special thank you to all of these lovely blogs for featuring my shop. Happy Friday!

Fashion Friday: Warm and Toasty

Warm And Toasty Yet Oh So Fashionable by klacustomcreations

Mom would be so proud! Look at all of the fabulous cold weather items I have selected. Please don't tell my Mom, but I use to take off my boots, hat and gloves on the way to school, since I didn't think it was fashionable. I am so glad I have grown up, and now I opt for the warmest items I can find. Isn't it fabulous that warm and fashionable now go hand and hand!

It is so cold in Michigan and I am glad I have many fab warm and toasty items.

You can read the rest of this article at Beautiful! Fabulous! where my fashion articles are featured weekly.

Featured at MomDot......

Are you a fan of MomDot? I know I am! MomDot is a fabulous site that supports Mom bloggers all over the blogosphere. I am so honored that Trisha, the head Mama over at MomDot wore the necklace I created, for her photo shoot for the Hot Blogger calendar. Doesn't Trisha look fabulous in the above picture, if you look closely you can see the necklace. You can read her review here and also enter for a chance to win the MomDot necklace.

A special thank you to Trisha and MomDot!!!!

Thousand Words Thursday

Popcorn and a movie what could be better? Things have been crazy with the holiday's approaching and some days Will isn't taking a nap at all and others he falls asleep at 6pm and then gets up within a few hours and is ready to play until midnight! I guess he is trying to drop his naps, any tips that will keep me sane?



Would you like to join me in Thousand Word Thursdays please visit:

Wordless Wednesday

Be sure to visit my fab friends at La Dolce Vita and Friends!

When someone touches your heart....

I have the pleasure of meeting some of the nicest people via my business and via my blog. I wanted to introduce you to a very special customer who touched my heart. Kori of My Life As A CFERS Wife is a Mom of two, Jacob and Calob and wife to Richard. Kori's husband has Cystic Fibrosis and has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 recurrent Colon Cancer.

Kori contacted me and asked me to create necklaces for her boys, with a special message from their Dad. Kori and Richard wanted the boys to know that their Dad will always be in their heart (ok tearing up as I type) One of the things I love about creating custom jewelry is helping customers create keepsakes that will be treasured for many years. I feel truly honored that Kori asked me to create these pieces.

Please take a visit over to Kori's Blog, where she opens up from her heart and shares her families journey, she is an amazing women who exhibits strength and courage through every post that she writes. I feel lucky to have met Kori and hope you will also. Please pray for Kori and her family and also see how you can help support a cause that is near and dear to their hearts.

Featured Reader: Let me introduce you to.......

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Can you believe it is December already? Monday's are always fun here at La Dolce Vita since I have the pleasure of introducing you to one of my fab readers. I am excited to introduce you to Krista of Boutique Flair. Krista and I met at a social network a while back and became fast friends. Krista and I have so much in common and we both love all things Beautiful and Fabulous, speaking of Beautiful! Fabulous! are you a member yet? What are you waiting for??? Krista is a very busy WAHM who wears many different hats, grab a cup of joe and get to know my dear friend Krista.

Name:

Krista L. Peck of Boutique Flair Boutique Flair

Family:

I'm married to James, whom I met when he bit my hand at a club in Florida...Yes, love at first bite. And, as our engraved iPod says: James + Krista = Connor & Lily. Our son, Connor, is our 5 1/2 year old soccer playing, smart, handsome Kindergartener. Our daughter, Lily, is our 1 1/2 year old beautiful, miracle, special needs fairy princess who inspired my boutique.

How did you start blogging?

That's a bit of a winding story. Once I joined the boutique world by opening Lily Cait, I created Boutique Flair, to showcase the many fabulous items found in boutiques and other shoppes on the web. To add interaction and depth to the site, I added the Boutique Flair blog, which has grown and evolved so much in one short year.

Classic Tutu available for sale at Lily Cait

If you are a parent do you have a parenting philosophy?

I parent from the heart. Soon after becoming a mother, I found it natural to nurture my children and guide them along their paths. I suppose I'm not disciplined enough to be a true attachment parenting person, or anything like that, but I take a little of the best, and lots of advice from friends and family along the way!

You will never find me without......

My Clinique SuperBalm Lip Gloss. I love the feeling and the shine.

Day job:

My MS in Counseling & Psychology is currently on the shelf while I stay at home with my kids for a couple more years (economy willing). After Air Force wife and mother of 2, I am Krista, the business owner. My boutique Lily Cait offers couture tutus and hair accessories. It's my therapy and creative outlet! My other business, Boutique Flair is my stylish spot on the web, complete with daily fab finds, style tips and trends, rave product reviews, a shopping guide, community Beautiful Fabulous, and many other features.

Favorite Stuff:

Music: Alternative, Rock, Classic Rock & Celtic. I like lots of girly stuff like Tori Amos, Jewel, Natalie Merchant, Indigo Girls, etc.
Food: Pizza
Tv/ Movies: I choose to spend time behind the computer instead of the tv, for the most part. My favorite movies are Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Braveheart and Anne of Green Gables
Reading: Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Anne of Green Gables

If you had to wear a T-shirt with your favorite saying on it what would it be?

"Fabulous!" It's such a girly, over-the-top word. I love it. I say it way too much.

Favorite stores to shop at:

Ohhh, too many! To name a few: Nordstrom, Victoria's Secret, Anthroplogie (one of everything please!), American Eagle, Express, Banana Republic, Gap, Gymboree (for Lily), Target (for everyday, fun stuff).

Other good stuff:

Thank you for the space on your blog, Kristen. Yours is one of my favorite blogs...and of course I'm a huge fan of your gorgeous jewelry!

And, thank you to your beautiful readers for taking the time to read about me! You can find me on Myspace, Twitter, Facebook by searching for "Boutique Flair", and a few other places on the web!

A special thank you to Krista for a fab interview. Please be sure to stop by her holiday guide for some great shops, yours truly is included in the Boutique Flair guide.

If you would like to be a featured reader please send me a email at klacustomcreations@comcast.net

Feel Good Sunday: I Believe

I Believe in Santa Claus

Having faith in Santa Claus

Is not for just the young,

I know I'll keep proclaiming him

As long as I've a tongue.

And even though

I see the gent

Unmasked before my eyes,

Revealing some familiar friend

Who's donned the quaint disguise,

It doesn't change my mind a bit;

I'll still believe, because

There's more than whiskers and a suit

To dear old Santa Claus;

Bright hopes there are,

And dreams come true,

Good cheer, unselfish sharing

Personified by gifts of love

Within the pack he's bearing.

To call these angels

"Santa Claus"Is surely not deceiving,

So I, for one, will never scoff

But go right on believing.

The handstamped "I Believe" necklace is available at Kristen's Custom Creations.

Product Junkie Approved: Fabulous Eyebrows

Having great looking brows can make all the difference! I love the Smashbox Brow Tech Kit to get my eye brows looking a bit more defined. Here is a tip; use a child's toothbrush (not a used one please!) to first brush your brows and then apply the matching powder and finish off with the colorless pomade to tame your eye brows. The set is priced at $24 and is available at Sephora.

Do you have a favorite eyebrow product or tip?

Black Friday Free Shipping Today Only

Enjoy free shipping today only! Sale ends at midnight Friday the 28th. Please visit my shop Kristen's Custom Creations and after your purchase you will receive a credit via pay pal for your shipping cost. In the note to seller please leave a note to the seller saying "bloggy friend" If you would like a custom order created please send me a email at klacustomcreations@comcast.net

Happy Shopping!

Something New For Dad

The perfect gift for the hard to find Dad or Papa on your list. The "Dad" keychain is a 1 inch 925 sterling silver disc that will be customized to your specifications. If you would prefer a steel ball chain instead of the key fob that is available also.

The "Dad" keychain is available at Kristen's Custom Creations

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Today is a day to give thanks for all of the many blessings we have in our lives. From our family to yours wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

I’m Thankful for You by Joanna Fuchs

Thanksgiving is the appointed time

for focusing on the good in our lives.

In each of our days,

we can find small blessings,

but too often we overlook them,

choosing instead to spend our time

paying attention to problems.

We give our energy to

those who cause us trouble

instead of those who bring peace.

Starting now,

let’s be on the lookout

for the bits of pleasure in each hour,

and appreciate the people who

bring love and light to everyone

who is blessed to know them.

You are one of those people.

On Thanksgiving,

I’m thankful for you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving?

Wordless Wednesday

I was making dinner and came in the living room to find Will fast asleep, and it was 6pm! Guess what time he went to bed after his evening nap?

Something new..... hand stamped personalized tag necklace

Just listed in my SHOP The "Tag" necklace is a custom piece I created for a customer and decided to make them available in my shop. You can have a name stamped or a special word hand stamped, extra tags are available if you would like to add other kid's names. It would be fun to stamp anything from "Faith", "Believe", "Blessed" or "Loved" I could go on and on.

As always my entire collection can be viewed at Kristen's Custom Creations.

Get in the spirit.....

THIS IS FUN AND GETS YOU IN THE SPIRIT!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Gift bags, seriously whoever started this trend I Love You!

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real, love the smell and love picking out a tree.

3. When do you put up the tree? Thanksgiving weekend.

4. When do you take the tree down? After New Years, I like it up and then want it down ASAP.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes and mixed w/ Vernors.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I can't remember Santa was always so generous.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad, he loves power tools and I know nothing about what is good.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Will, he likes so many toys it is a piece of cake.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No, I need one.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Email??? Christmas Cards. I love sending and receiving Christmas cards.

11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? One time at a work party I received hangers that had knitted covers with really ugly colors. . :(

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Home Alone

13. When do you start shopping for
Christmas? After Thanksgiving but this year I started early for Will.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Never.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Mashed sweet potatoes, cheesey party potatoes and Christmas cookies that I make (that is when I make them)

16. Lights on the tree? Yes - lots.

17. Favorite Christmas song? I love Christmas music but a few favorites are "Jingle Bell Rock", "I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Clause" and many more!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? not
a chance.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A Dalmation Dog Angel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning.
Both but do not ever open all presents on Christmas Eve, we did this and it was a major disappointment.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the
year? The lines at stores and that it is all over in one day!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I have ornaments from when I was a kid and they are treasured keepsakes.

Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey, Sweet Potatoes and pumpkin cheesecake of course!

25. What do you want for Christmas this
year? New Ugg Slippers, my old pair need to be retired.

Tag you are it now, go ahead and grab it and answer the questions at your blog.

Featured Reader: Let me introduce you to....

Happy Monday friends! Can you believe the month of November is almost over? I use to dread Monday's but now love them, they mean a new week and a new featured reader at La Dolce Vita. I am excited to introduce you to Renee of Cutie Booty Cakes. Renee is a busy WAHM who is an amazing writer, does fab reviews and also makes adorable Diaper cakes. Renee's diaper cakes make perfect gifts for new parents. What new Mom couldn't use some diapers? Grab a cup of Joe and get to know Renee.


Name:

Renée of Cutie Booty Cakes

Family:

My 3 year wedding anniversary is coming up in December and I have a 16 month old son named Mekhi.

How did you start blogging?

I started blogging to promote my business, Cutie Booty Cakes. Somehow the blog took on a life of its own. It has become a personal blog with a bit of business thrown in for good measure.

If you are a parent do you have a parenting philosophy?


My philosophy is to do the best I can with the understanding that this is on the job training. I try not to be too hard on myself because we all make mistakes.

You will never find me without...... my computer.

Day job:

I am a consultant for an early literacy organization. But I am also the owner of a product based business - Cutie Booty Cakes, Diapers Shaped Like Cakes. I started my business because I wanted to give my cousin a unique presentation of diapers, a necessity for new moms but not the most creative gift. Everyone that saw my first "cake" wanted to know if I sold them and a business was born. I use only quality materials in my cakes - Pampers Swaddlers and every diaper is usable. Cutie Booty Cakes are a great hospital and welcome home gifts for new moms and a beautiful baby shower centerpiece or gift. I have several designs on my website but I also do custom orders. The next time you are looking for a great gift for new moms or moms to be Cutie Booty Cakes is the best choice for a unique quality gift!

You can purchase one of Renee's cakes here.







Renee's Favorite Stuff:

Music: I pretty much like everything except for heavy metal and techno. Right now I am listening to Jill Scott.

Food: Do I have to choose? I would have to say my favorite food is seafood followed by desert - especially chocolate mousse cake.

Tv/ Movies: My favorite movie is The Long Kiss Goodnight - I love strong female characters. And my favorite tv shows are Desperate Housewives, House, Lost, Heroes, Grey's Anatomy and most reality shows. I have to admit that I set my dvr and hope that I get a chance to watch my shows.

Reading: I love to read it is my favorite hobby. I really enjoyed the Twilight Series and right now I am reading The Host by Stephanie Meyer. I mostly read fiction perhaps the only thing I don't read are sappy romance novels.

If you had to wear a T-shirt with your favorite saying on it what would it be?

"Just Do It!" Whatever you can dream of for yourself go out and pursue it. Although things may not happen quickly once you take steps in the right direction God provides.

Favorite stores to shop at:

Ann Taylor

A special thank to Renee for allowing us to take a peek into her world. If you would like to be featured at La Dolce vita please send me a email at klacustomcreations@comcast.net.

Now please leave Renee some comment love and head on over to her site for a visit.

Feel Good Sunday: Inspire

So many people make an impact on our lives, but to me it is the Teachers that leave lasting impressions. I think back at the many teachers that inspired me. From my 2nd grade teacher Mrs. Helner who taught me how to write in cursive, Mrs. Zammit my 5th grade teacher who taught us about free enterprise and my coach in high school, Mrs. Reiter who inspired me to always do the right thing in life.

Who inspires you?

The handstamped "Inspire" necklace is available in my shop, Kristen's Custom Creations and makes a perfect holiday gift for the teacher on your list!