Featured Reader: Let me introduce you to...

Hello friends! I hope everyone had a great weekend. We had a cold, rainy weekend but did manage to go to the movies and get some pumpkins!

I always love Monday's since I have the great pleasure of introducing you to one of my fabulous bloggy friends! I am very excited to introduce you to Jennifer of It's a Beauty Filled Life.
Jennifer shares so much of her daily experiences as a Mama and is always entertaining, she speaks from the heart but adds a bit of humor and is sure to put a smile on your face. Jennifer surely does have a beauty filled life, so grab a beverage of choice and get to know my friend Jennifer!

Name:

Jennifer of It's A Beauty Filled Life

Family:

I’m a first time mom to a one-year-old who just discovered feet stomping, and have been married to my loving husband for three years.

How did you start blogging?

While I was on maternity leave, I found myself unable to sleep, so I turned to surfing the internet. Once there, I ‘discovered’ the secret world of Mommy Bloggers and never looked back!

What is your parenting philosophy?

My parenting philosophy? Well, I don’t have a philosophy per se, but I do have a goal: make sure my Monkey is well-fed, loved, safe, and turns into a kind, loving, active person when he grows up.

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

My cell phone and my wallet. And even if you managed to find me without my wallet, you still wouldn’t find me without my cell. It’s like an extra body part, at this point.

Day job:

SAHM (aka Maid, Cook, Handyman, Babysitter, Dog Walker, Blogger, Personal Assistant, Nurse, Inventor, Accountant) and a professional actress

Favorite Stuff:

Music: Musical theater, pop, jazz, R&B, some hip-hop

Food: Filipino, Indian, and Japanese. Oh, and ALL baked goods. Yes. ALL. Oh wait, I forgot to mention anything carbs. Sweet, salty, baked, fried. Okay, I think that’s it…

TV/ Movies:

TV – Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Biggest Loser, 30 Rock, The Office, SYTYCD, Glee. All-Time: Felicity, Gilmore Girls, Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Brady Bunch

MOVIES - Gone With The Wind, West Side Story, Grease 2, Dumb and Dumber, Amélie, Groundhog Day, Bridget Jones, Overboard, Clueless, Under The Tuscan Sun, and She-Devil.

Reading: I looove to read. If there’s printing on it, I’ll read it: magazines, food boxes, street signs, prescription bottles… When I do have a real moment to enjoy a book, I usually choose books from best seller lists, biographies, plays, and classics. I’m also trying to read my way through the Literary Canon. And then there’s chick lit! I can’t help but love it!

Link to literary canon:

http://www.interleaves.org/~rteeter/grtbloom.html

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

Oooh! Great question! I actually have two…

1. I got the part, so buy me a cheese danish.

2. My God. You’ve gotten fat. – Edna Mode, from The Incredibles

Favorite stores to shop at

Target, Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack, Marshalls, Forever 21, and TJ Maxx. WAIT! I can NOT forget my ever loving Costco! Pffftt! Warehouse shopping is awesome!

If you could trade with a blogger for the day who would it be?

If I could trade with one blogger for the day, I would be Arianna Huffington at The Huffington Post. Although, I suppose she isn’t personally blogging, huh? LOL!

Please be sure to leave Jennifer some comment love and head on over to her blog for a visit, you won't be sorry!

If you would like to be a featured reader please send an email to klacustomcreations@comcast.net, and not be shy!

Have you started yours yet?

Halloween hasn't even arrived yet and so many of my customers are already starting their Holiday shopping. I have to admit it sneaks up on me every year but this year I am going to start it a bit sooner.

Have you started your holiday shopping yet? Are you already done?

Happy Friday!

For more Aloha Friday questions please visit Islandlife808.com

just not ready for it yet...

These pics are from a few weeks ago when we visited The Henry Ford, it was a very warm day and the gardens were still beautiful. We have gone from steamy hot weather to chilly late fall weather.... I am just not ready for the cold weather just yet.

What is the weather like in your neck of the woods?

Look out there is a new Sheriff in town...

I figured it has been a while since I posted a silly pic with a hat on Kane so here you go! Enjoy!

the competition is moving in and something new...

We were running some errands and Will spotted some beads he said he had to have, you see he needed to make some necklaces for his girls, for me and of course for his Dad. I have to admit I haven't seen beads shaped like animals, so these are new for me.

And while Will was working on his crafty creations I just listed the hope necklace in the shop. You can find it HERE.

Happy Tuesday!!!

"Imagination is more important than knowledge" Albert Einstein

Featured Reader: Let me introduce you to...

Hello Friends! I hope everyone had a great weekend. While hubby was away Will and I had a very fun play date with some dear friends and on and off I have been chipping away at a large wholesale order... my deadline is Tuesday to ship so if I have been missing in action this is why. Things have been very busy in the shop which is a blessing!

I always love Monday's since I have the great pleasure of introducing you to a fellow blogger. I am very excited to introduce you to Jennifer of tatertots and jello, Jennifer not only has a beautiful family and blog but has incredible style and is very, very CRAFTY she is ever so talented with a glue gun too... personally I think she has Martha Stewart beat! (sorry Martha but Jennifer is that good) So go grab a cup of joe and get to know my friend Jennifer, I know you will as inspired as I always am.


Name:

Jennifer Hadfield of tatertots and jello





Family:

Jeff is my husband
I have 4 children -- Nick: 15, Hayley: 13, Hannah: 10 and Ella:4




How did you start blogging?

My sister Wendy has had a blog for a few years. She wanted me to start one but I kept putting her off. I didn't think I had anything to say. Then about a year ago I was having a bad day and I started it as a creative outlet.

What is your parenting philosophy?

I am trying to be the best parent that I can. It is much harder than I thought but also more rewarding. I believe that children need boundaries and unlimited love.

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

A book. I love to read and I read every night before I go to sleep. My favorite book is Gone with the Wind and I also love the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.

Day job:

I am a SAHM and I am so happy to be able to stay home with my children. I have an etsy shop where I sell some the things I make.

Favorite Stuff:
Music: I love all sorts of music. 80's, also U2, Keane, Owl City,
Food: I love Mexican food -- chips and salsa. Yum!
Tv/ Movies: I love Mad Men, Medium, Grey's Anatomy
Reading: (see above)

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

Life is Good! (my dad loved that brand and it reminds me of him)

Favorite stores to shop at:

I love to daydream about clothes from Anthropologie, but I shop at Target.

If you could trade with a blogger for the day who would it be?

I would love to trade places with Marie from A Year From Oak Cottage. She lives in a beautiful cottage in the English countryside. I love going over to her blog every day. She has the most wonderful thoughts, stories and pictures.


Other good stuff from Jennifer:

I am so glad that I did start a blog. I have met the most wonderful friends here. Everyone is so kind, thoughtful and talented! There is so much inspiration in this blogging world. It is such a blessing in my life!

Please be sure to leave Jennifer some comment love below and visit her site at tatortots and jello.

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

Look whats new in the shop...

The Bad Witch is new in the shop and has now joined the Good Witch. You have to have the good with bad right?

I want to apologize to bloggy friends as I have been missing in action. I have been working on a large wholesale order and the deadline is fast approaching, it is just about wrapped up!

Happy Sunday (well what is left of it!)

When I need a break...

When I need a break I love to grab a good magazine and escape for a bit. A few of my favorite magazines are Parents, Real Simple, Cookie, InStyle and Body & Soul.

What do you do when you need a break from it all?

for more Aloha Friday questions please visit islandlife808.com

Photo courtesy of my almost 4 year old Will.

he does his work and i do my work

Some of you may not like play-doh but for me it can be a lifesaver. Often when I am working I set Will up across the table from me and pull out the Play-doh and we work together. Some days it takes a bit longer but the most important thing is that we get to spend some time together while we are "working". Things have been very, very busy and my work is a true blessing that I am very thankful for!

I just added the Serenity, Courage, Wisdom piece to my shop, which has been a best seller in the standard block text and is now available in the fancy script font.

Have a great Thursday!

To view more Thousand Words Thursday please vist Jen of Cheaper Than Therapy Jen.

and the winner is.....

3 Crazy Monkey's and she said she would like to win the Cupcake necklace! Congratulations and look for an email in your inbox so I can get your address!

A special thank you to everyone who took the time to enter the giveaway!

The List....

Will has started to compile a MEGA Birthday Wish list and I mean MEGA in a matter of a few days it has doubled, and I am sure it will continue to grow!

For some reason he felt it was necessary to wear a winter hat, scarf and gloves for this photo shoot.

Happy Wednesday, make it a great day!

Nothing screams fall like....

Apple Crisp!!!!

Today marks the first day of fall or the Autumnal Equinox where we have equal day light and sunlight, (see Mom and Dad I did learn something in college!) We always have such fabulous apples in Michigan, so I of course made some Apple Crisp, this is before I burned my hand on the stove!

Apple Crisp Recipe

6 apples peeled and sliced
1 c. dark brown sugar
1 cup flour
1 stick butter
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. uncooked oatmeal (sometimes I leave it out)

Place apples in bottom of 9x13 inch pan. Blend sugar, butter, flour cinnamon and oatmeal together with a pastry blender. Streusel over apples. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Serve warm or cold but is especially good with vanilla ice cream.

Enjoy!!!!!

Featured Reader: Let me introduce you to...

Happy Monday friends! I hope everyone had a great weekend. It finally feels like fall is in the air in Michigan. We went for a nice long walk this weekend and it seems like overnight the leaves have started to change, either that or I just have been too busy to notice. Monday's are always fun since I have the great pleasure of sharing one of my bloggy friends!

I have the great pleasure of introducing you to Amy of Our Daily Blessing Life. I can't remember exactly how I stumbled on Amy's blog but what first grabbed me is that she has two greyhounds, and is a hound lover too. Amy and I also chat a lot on Twitter and you can follow her @amyb11569 Amy is a mom of 4 who not only has had to endure many years of seeing her son battle medical issues but now has her own medical issues. Amy tackles life with courage and grace. Please grab a cup of joe and get to know my friend Amy!



Blog name: Amy of Our Daily Blessing Life

Family:

I have been married to Jimmy for 22 years this October. We are blessed with 4 children. Philip 19, Reed 16, Emily 12, amd Cole 4. We live on the East Coast of Florida.

How did you start blogging:

A couple of years ago my oldest son Philip spent weeks in and out of the hopsital in ICU. I decided to start a

Caring Bridge page for family and friends to follow his medical updates. During that time I spent some time reading other blogs online. I decided that I would like to start a personal blog that focused on something other than medical issues. I decided a personal blog would be a wonderful way to keep a online memory of our everyday life. Once I decided to start my blog I spent forever trying to pick out the perfect name. Looking back now..the name of my blog says so much about our life...it is such a blessing.

When I started my blog I had no idea the impact it would have on my life. In fact I remember thinking my blog might be so boring that no one would relate or read it. A few weeks after I started my blog I found out I needed surgery. Shortly after my surgery I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma . My goal of having a personal blog for family issues vs medical became impossible. Our Daily Life became a outlet for me to share my medical worries, daily fears, and my path of learning to learn on God . My son Philip has been suffering some very serious ongoing medical issues. He has had 19 brain operations, a stroke, seizures, and a degenerative nerve disorder. Needless to say there have been some very hard scary days. My blog family has rallied around me and our family in a way that is hard to explain. There have been many sleepless nights where I found my self feeling scared and helpless at 2 am, when I was too sick and tired to even pray. Within minutes there would be ladies praying for me and lifting our family up. I have never felt so much support.

What is your parenting philosophy?

Sometimes I think about what type of mother I would be if Philip had not been so sick. Since Philip was my first child and had his first brain operation at 6 weeks, being a first time mom was a little different than it probably would be. I missed giving him his baths, watching him roll over and sit up and crawl. Watching so many children suffer for months at a out of town children's hopsital reminded me just how fragile life can be. I have always wanted to try to encourage my children to do the best they can and yet understand their limits. I think they call that finding a balance. Being that I have a 19 year old all the way down to a 4 year old..I laugh at how relaxed I have become as a mom over the years. I could not be be any more proud of my children. They rally around Philip and try to support him in any way they can. Of course they can also drive me crazy..lol

You will never find me without....

I have to admit I have a BIG addiction to my iphone. I got it after my diagnosis and it is sorta my best friend..and it has a BIG A for Bama on it..ROLL TIDE

Tell us about your day job:

Once Philip had his second brain operation and stroke I became a SAHM but lately I am gone more then I am at home. Between my medical and Philip's medical...we spend way too much time in waiting rooms and hospitals.

Favorite things:

Tv: I love reality TV. I guess it is a good release for me..and it reminds me we are not the only "crazy" family. LOL

Music: I have been listening to my James Blunt CD..I love his voice ..and as Emily says he has a cute accent.

Food: My taste in foods have changed since I am doing treatments..But I love fruit..I think my very favorite treat is Starbucks...

Reading: I just got the Ruby book to read. She has a show on TV AKA my reality TV addiction..she has lost a lot of weight and is changing her life. Last year I lost 95 pounds so I am excited to read about her journey.

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

Funny you should ask about a T-Shirt with a saying..COURAGE..because I know that everyone of us have had a time in our life when we need to dig deep and find the courage to take another step. That is the saying on the shirts are being sold for his fundraiser..HERE.

Favorite stores to shop at:

I love to shop at Target..it has so many cute things. I could spend hours there.

Other good stuff from Amy:

There are so many wonderful blogs out there. . I have read stories of ladies who are searching for a soul mate. Ladies who are trying to have a baby, ladies waiting to adopt a child, ladies who are watching their children fight to survive a illness, and ladies who are trying to face life after burying their children. I feel so very blessed to be a part of such a wonderful blog community.

Please be sure to leave Amy some comment love in this post and also visit her site HERE.

If you would like to be a featured reader please send me a email at klacustomcreations@comcast.net and don't be SHY!

I am a budget fashionista

Who doesn't love a good deal? I know I do and I almost never pay full price for stuff, there are things that do not go on sale and staple classics that I am willing to pay more for since I also believe you get what you pay for.

Here are a few of my money saving tips:

1. Sign up for your favorite stores email list. I like to shop at Gymboree for Will and never pay full price. I watch for one of their special sales and also try to use a coupon and I LOVE their Gymbuck program. I usually pay around $6-$10 for Will's T-shirts. The best part about Gymboree is that their lines for kids typically intermix.

2. Visit sites like Able Shopper to see if there are coupons available, printable and web coupons.

3. Just simply Google the entire product name of an item you are looking for and often you can find it much cheaper at a site. I did this for a jogging stroller we wanted for Will and found it $75 dollars cheaper.

4. Watch your favorite stores online for sales and even if they sell out in your size call the customer service department and see if they can locate the item for you, sometimes they will ship for free or next to nothing. I also ask if there are any special offers they could apply. It is always worth asking.

I find it a bit of a game to find the best deals and the money I save allows me to feel less guilty when I do have to pay full price for an item.

I am still trying to master the grocery store saving so if you have a tip there please share.

Do you have a money saving tip to share?

If you would like to view more Aloha Friday questions please visit Island Life 808