Trying this and that...

So I painted a Valentine's Day frame. No reason really, just trying different things I suppose. What do you think?! Here lately I have been really liking things that combine the colors pink and red.

Another fascination of mine lately: Spray-painting chalkboard paint on different things. I experimented on some coasters I had here at the house. Next, I want to try out the paint on some silver platters... I saw someone try that on another blog and I thought it was the cutest idea. They added some ribbon to the back of the platter and turned the platter into a cute hanging sign. Really neat idea.

A Happy Birthday to my sister Carla! Don't you love the above pic from when we were kids, still stylish then, notice the belt around my shirt...She is in the Bahamas celebrating her birthday, and I can't help but be jealous, as I see the snow coming down outside...I think I should go to the Bahamas for my birthday too, don't you?!

Friday Favorite: Nanny's Sugar Cookies

Today I wanted to spotlight one of my favorite businesses in Fredericksburg, VA. I discovered these cookies at Two Sisters Boutique, and have been hooked on them ever since. I find myself placing cookie orders for almost every holiday. Being back on weight watchers, I am now going to start ordering the mini cookies, I can justify eating the small cookies. The smaller the cookies are the lower in WW points, Right?! LOL.
Here is a little interview with Nanette herself! :)

*Simply Sara: When did you first decide to start decorating cookies?
**Nanette: In the early 90’s I took the Wilton Cake Decorating Classes, I enjoyed it so much I became a Wilton Instructor. I found that I enjoyed decorating the cut out sugar cookies more than cake

*Simply Sara: What inspired you to start your own cookie business?
**Nanette: I started out by giving my hand decorated sugar cookies to friends and family as gifts. I had people ask if I would sell them, so I did that for a while. I couldn’t believe the responses I was getting from people, they really liked my cookies! I finally believed what family and friends had been telling me, there is a market for my creations. In 2008 I took a seminar “Starting a small business” offered through an extension of UMW, RRSBDC. With the help of a business counselor I took all the necessary steps for starting a home based cookie business. On January 20 2009, Nanny’s Sugar Cookies LLC officially opened.

*Simply Sara: What would you say your most difficult cookie is??
**Nanette: I had to think about this for awhile. Trying to think of the best cookie design for a customer’s event can be challenging but I think the most difficult or my least favorite type of cookie is a logo cookie.
*Simply Sara: What cookie design sticks out most in your mind?
**Nanette: I have so many; each cookie is special to me. I guess I would say Hearts right now because I am currently working on Valentine’s Day cookies. If you ask me in a couple months I would say Easter and Spring cookies.
*Simply Sara: What is your favorite cookie to make?
**Nanette: Of course I love making “girly” cookies because I am a girly girl. Lately I have fallen in love with the Miniature cookie cutters, 1.5 – 2 inch cookies. I like to include a “mini” cookie with a larger cookie of the same theme, I think it gives the cookie an extra special touch.
*Simply Sara: What's the largest order you have ever had?
**Nanette: My largest single order was 250 wedding cake cookie favors. I was exhausted when I finally finished. I bake, decorate and package each cookie myself, for this reason I take a limited amount of cookie orders per week. This is why I suggest not waiting too long before placing an order; my cookie schedule may be booked.
*Simply Sara: Any places in the area where your cookies are carried?
**Nanette: Occasionally, my cookies can be purchased at UMW Bookstore, Jan Williams Florals and The Two Sister’s Boutique in Downtown Fredericksburg. But the best place to get my cookies is to come directly to me by way of my Website or Blog. Use the “Contact Me” tab to send me an e-mail and I will respond as quickly as possible.

*Simply Sara: What different items do you offer to your customers?
**Nanette: Nanny’s Sugar Cookies is all about presentation and of course a yummy taste. My most popular item is the Cookie Favor.

“Cookie favors” start at $2.50 each.
Each Cookie favor is individually packaged in a crisp cello bag and tied with 2 coordinating ribbons. Most of the cookies are $2.50 each. Cookie favors are perfect for parties, showers, weddings and gifts. (Personalization is available for an additional fee)

“Boxed Cookie Gift assortments” start at $25.95 Nanny’s Favorite
The Assortment contains 12 hand decorated sugar cookies varying in size that are placed in a white bakery box tied with ribbon and a decorative label. The inside of the box is lined with tissue paper and the individually wrapped cookies are placed between layers of natural shred creating a cozy bed for the cookies. This item is perfect for gift giving, and is available for shipping. Many themes are available such as Birthday, Baby, Thank You and Get Well, the possibilities are endless.

“Nanny’s Miniatures” $6.00 per dozen
These “bite size” cookies range in size from 1- 2 inches. Not only are they really cute but they taste as good as the big cookies. The Miniatures are packaged in quantities of 12 and placed in a cello bag tied with coordinating ribbon. When ordered alone, there is a 6 dozen minimum.
“Cookie Baskets” $40.00
One dozen individually wrapped cookies beautifully arranged in a basket tied with a bow.
For more info, to place an order or to view cookie pictures please go to my website, blog or Facebook
http://www.nannyssugarcookies.com/
http://www.nannyssugarcookies.blogspot.com/
*this is the best place to view recent cookie pictures

Nanny’s Sugar Cookies LLC on Facebook

Hand decorated Sugar Cookies have become my passion. I love creating them, I especially love the smile I see on the customer’s face as they look at each one of the cookies they ordered!

I want to thank Nanette for taking the time to tell us more about her cookies! :) I just can't believe it took me so long to discover them..... I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!! :) Here are a few pics to share some of my favorite designs for the upcoming "Valentine's Day" :)

It's time for another Fabulous Friday Find! :)

Okay....so technically, I bought these yesterday, but I am sharing today, so it's a Friday Find for you all! :) I went to one of my favorite little boutiques in Downtown Fredericksburg yesterday, Two Sisters, and these beauties were waiting for me....

I am going to hang them in my craft room, Scott says it is his hunting room, but it's my craft room...LOL I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday! :)

P.S. I have a friend who is doing the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, and she is still raising money for it, if you have a donation for her, it would be for a great cause, thought I would share with everyone! :) I was waiting for today to donate, being that Friday is payday of course! :) she has a drawing going on as well.
For every $10 donation increment received between Jan 20th – Feb 5th you will be entered to win a One Hour Massage Gift Card from Massage Envy. The more you give, the better your chances!
$20= 2 Entries, $30 = 3 Entries , $40 = 4 Entries, etc…

Click here to donate...

My latest obsession.....

I have come to terms with the fact that I love "Papyrus" brand cards. Actually, to be more specific, i love the cards that Papyrus illustrator Bella Pilar creates. At first I would only purchase the cards if I already had someone I planned to give them to. Now, I am buying the cards to give to myself, LOL...If they are cute, I buy them, and I don't want to mail them. I know, cards are meant to mail, but I am bending the rules a lil...

Here are some of my favs...

Treat for a Tuesday!

This is such a great deal, I read it on another blog (Flip Flops & Pearls) over the weekend and I had to share!


Williams Sonoma have these for only 16.99, what a cute bridal shower gift, or an even better "me" gift, LOL....I am surprised they haven't sold out yet.

Click here to go to Williams Sonoma

Lookie!!

So for the month of January "Thirty One Gifts" has an awesome special. Small thermal totes are only $8 and large totes are $10! Also, if you want to personalize them, thermal tote monogramming is only $1.50. These totes make great Easter gifts. I created my very own tote, but since it's not quite Easter yet, this is more of a Valentine's Day tote, still super cute though!!! So proud of my mini creation.



Visit my page!!
http://www.mythirtyone.com/SaraGore

Fabulous & Frugal

Scott and I decided on the spur of the moment to paint the living room this past  weekend. Our budget can handle projects like these as long as we do a little at a time.  All of the other rooms in the house are white, we just wanted to throw a little color into the house. We picked a tan shade that seems to look nice with all the wood in our home. Whatcha think?!

And while I am sharing fabulous things, had to throw in some pics of our adorable pup Roxy! :)

Fabulous Find Friday!! (atleast for me, hehe)

So I have always loved la Creme! For a while they disappeared, and I couldn't find them anywhere. I tried other yogurts and they simply did not compare, so I just stopped eating yogurt all together. But then the other weekend, I was at Walmart and I spotted these! They are only 3 weight watchers points! Yay for me! :) Just had to share. For anyone getting back on a diet for 2011, its a great snack, and it's not many points at all! :)

Sneak Peak!!!!! Spring/Summer Thirty One Prints!!

A look at some of the new Spring/Summer 2011 Prints! I love them. You can start to purchase them as soon as Feb. 1!!  This is also a GREAT time to start selling, the bags sell themselves for the most part!

http://www.mythirtyone.com/SaraGore

January Thermal Tote Sale, 1.50 monogramming!!!!!

I love the special this month, you know why?!

*NO MINIMUM PURCHASE REQUIRED!!
*1.50 monogramming on the small lunch tote & thermal tote (usually it is 6.00)
*You can purchase these totes in some of the new spring prints! (coffee cups print, apple print, jewelry print, plus more)
*These totes make wonderful gifts!! The apple print would work great for a teacher gift!

Click here to shop!

I will have a party open on my site ALL MONTH if you want to place any orders. It would also be a great month to have a party. Your guests will love the prices of these totes! I know I do!

Interested in selling these bags? e-mail me!! These bags basically sell themselves, and they bring in a little extra cash too, the new prints come out very soon and it would be a great time to join!! I went to one party, and I was hooked....

Here's to a fabulous 2011!!

Goals I have set for myself this year:

1. Focus a little more on my "Thirty One Gifts" business. I started selling these bags early last year, but I haven't been able to devote as much time to them as I would have liked. This year I want to try and do that. They have an awesome special starting tomorrow. I will blog about it later.

2. Organize & Save!! I married a wonderful man in 2010, and we have a new year ahead of us. A new year to save "as a family". Being married, I can organize for more than just myself.....yay! For someone who loves organization, this will be very enjoyable for me. I asked the parents for 2 organizing shelfs at Christmas which will aide in my efforts.


3. Buy less shoes. PERIOD.

4. I've had an interest in trying to make vinyl stickers here recently. I either want to purchase a circuit expression or a silhouette sd. I haven't decided on which one I should go with. Any advice?? If the vinyl stickers work out well for me, I just might bring back my etsy shop back, still undecided.

5. Lose 20 pounds (again) Last year, I set a resolution for myself. I wanted to lose 50 pounds before my wedding in July. I met my goal, and after the wedding, I had a few too many chimichangas....(I say chimichangas because I had some for dinner tonight, hehe. My last one of 2010. I was successful with weight watchers last year, so I plan on doing WW again this year.


6.Take a little time everyday to appreciate my life and all the beautiful things that have contributed to it. (This past year I lost my grandfather "Daddy-Pa" and I will always remember my memories growing up visiting my grandparents on the lake) Left with me are wonderful memories that I carry with me everyday. Above is a photo I took from their backyard. Chances are I won't be there again, and the view pictured is one I saw every time I went to visit them. Along with that photo are many years of happiness I appreciate now more than I ever had in the past. Left with me are thoughts of taking more time to appreciate my life and everyone in it.

Happy New Years!

Our holiday card for 2010...

Merry Christmas from Scott, Sara, Matthew & Roxy! :)

Pinnacle Whipped Vodka, My new fav...

My sister brought this vodka down to my house this past weekend, and I am sooo glad she did. I only had a few sips of the drink she made, but it was definitely enough to make me realize that this would soon become a new fav liquor of mine. She had mixed it with pineapple juice, and it was very yummy. I think I am going to try and mix this vodka with cream soda and orange soda too. It basically adds a creamy taste to any drink you mix with it. I asked Scott to go by the ABC store this afternoon, so we could get a bottle. Yummm....Just wanted to share this find, but definitely glad my sister brought this to my attention, who knows how long it would have taken me to find this (ya know, haven't been out in a bit, hehe) Have a nice evening everyone!!

Fabulous Finds over the weekend...

My mom came to visit this weekend, so on Saturday, we decided to go to Bizarre Bazaar in Richmond, VA. It was soooo crowded, but it was very worth the effort.  Its basically a 4 building craft show. I am surprised I didn't spend more than I did. I went to a few booths that I absolutely loved, so I wanted to share my finds with everyone! :)

The first booth that caught my eye was called "Howards Tiles" They basically would put art on tiles, and turn them into dry erase boards.  I bought one that had the word "Groceries" across the top. I thought it would be cute to use in the kitchen.

Another favorite booth of mine was called "Temptations by Maggie"  They had a variety of different things, personalized glasses, plates, etc... I bought a plate and a matching cheese spreader. I have a cheese ball that I always make, and realized the other week, that I had nothing cute to serve it on, so tada, now I do!! :)

Some of the others booths I loved:

B invited

La Crema

Fortis Design (Where I found the cute polka dot duct tape)

I hope everyone has a nice week!

December Thirty One Gifts Special

This month if you spend $31 you get either the hard case wallet,  the mini on the go organizer, or the flat iron case for half off! :) Just remember to place you orders before December 7th if you need to have your order in before Christmas!!

Click here to go straight to my Thirty One page! :)

Our new corner hutch! :)

Last night Scott and I went to "Good Wood". They carry all sorts of wooden furniture, some finished, some unfinished. They had a special "Black Friday" deals going on, and we found this corner hutch, unfinished for 240 dollars! It was an awesome price. Scott spent the day staining it, while I was busy at my Open House selling my goodies. When I got home, I was soo happy with the way it turned out. We really needed a corner hutch in our dining room, and we were so happy to find it for only 240 dollars, ofcourse, the price went right back up today, being that "Black Friday" was over. Just wanted to share our "fabulous find" for the weekend!

Wonderful Open House Today!!!

Today, I participated in a Holiday Open House at my friend Mary Melber's house. I sold my wonderful Thirty One Gifts, I love so much!! :)  I also sold some goodies too! :) I made some buckeyes (these are basically homemade peanut butter cups, yummm) These always sell great during the holidays.

I also brought some cookies from a friend of mine's kitchen, Nanny's Sugar Cookies . She made some super cute cookies that matched the "Thirty One" purses I love sooo much! I was soooo happy with the way they turned out!!

She even gave me a few Holiday cookies, this one was my fav! I am going to be buying some more of these before Christmas gets here!! :)

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! I have, can't believe it's already Sunday tomorrow! I will be spending most of the day putting up Christmas decorations, yay!

Thirty One GIFT IDEAS!

I was browsing online, and I came across a fellow consultant's page, and she had some awesome gift ideas that I had to share. She listed certain occasions, and how thirty one gifts had almost something for everything! http://mythirtyonelife.com/thirty-one-gift-ideas/

Baby Shower/New Mom
* Ultra Plush Baby Blanket (personalized)
* Ribbon Pacifier Holder
* Infant bib
* Cindy Tote (as a diaper bag)
* Thermal Container (to transport baby formula and food on car trips)
* Square and Large Utility totes (personalized to hold baby toys, bath products….)
* Littles Carry-All Caddy (to hold bows, lotions, baby medicine….)

Wedding/Bridal Shower
* Personalized Stationary
* Luggage Tag and Handle Identifier (great for the happy couples’ Honeymoon)
* Cindy Tote
* City Weekender Tote (Personalized with new Initials or Last name)
* Jewelry Roll with Pouches
* Pull Apart Cosmetic Bag
* Skirt Purse
* Picnic Thermal Tote & About Town blanket
* Hostess Apron
* Personalized Hand Towels
* Large Utility Totes (Great for organizing the couples new place)

Wedding Party
* Personalized Stationary
* Pull Apart Cosmetic Bag
* Jewelry Roll with Pouches
* Manicure Kit
* Mirror Compact
* Hard Case Wallet
* Cindy Tote
* Super Sassy Sac
* Demi Purse
Back To School
* Coin Purse (for lunch, laundry, phone calls…)
* Rubber Key Chain
* Mini Zipper Pouch
* Cinch Sac
* Zip Flap Messenger Bag & different styles of flaps
* Toddler Backpacks
* Cindy Tote (great for College Students to carry lap tops and books)
* Thermal Tote (personalized lunch bag)
* Organizing Utility Tote (Great for dorm organization and shower caddy)
* Large Utility Tote (great for books, laundry….)
* Wristlet Wallet
* Mini On-the-Go Organizer
* Pull Apart Cosmetic Bag

Teachers Gifts
* Rectangle Basket & Personalized Liner
* Organizing Utility Tote (great for crafts)
* Littels Carry-All Caddy
* Mini Organizer (great for organizing a desk or craft supplies)
* Thermal Tote (personalized)
* Super Sassy Sac
* Cindy Tote
* Silk Scarf
* Portfolio

House Warming Gift
* Magazine Basket (can be used for countless purposes)
* Rectangle Baskets and Liners
* Personalized Thermal Container and Rectangle Basket make a great gift!

Birthday/Christmas/Other Gift Giving Holidays
* Organizing Wallet
* Hard Case Wallet
* Nail File
* Flat Iron Case
* City Weekender Tote
* Super Sassy Sac
* Albany Bag
* Organizing Shoulder Bag
* Skirt Purse and different skirts
* City Skirt Purse and different skirts
* Medium purse
* Personalized Stationary
* Thermal Tote
* Picnic Thermal Tote and About Town Blanket
* Thermal Container & Rectangle Basket (great for keeping hot dishes hot and cold dishes cold)
* Rectangle Basket & Personalized Liner
* Hand Towels
* Hostess Apron
* Magazine Basket
* Manicure Kit
* Silk Scarf

Easter
* Thermal Tote (can be used as an Easter Basket and taken to school to carry lunches)

Christmas is coming up!! :) Affordable gift ideas that everyone seems to love!

Everyday things remind me....

Everyday I am reminded of the loved ones I have lost. I run across little things, and it makes me smile....and cry, depends if it's "that time of the month" LOL.... I just feel like sharing some of these reminders, because I want to, and because it makes me feel better, and being that this is my blog, I will do just that, hehe...

Shahanna and I went to breakfast this morning......she got gravy and biscuits.....Every time I would go visit my grandparents, they would ALWAYS make sausage gravy and biscuits, and it was the best.  We always looked forward to it. Even after my grandmother "Mommy-pa" passed, Daddy-pa would go out and buy "Libby's Sausage Gravy" He would tell me that he knows it's not the same, but since he couldn't make it like she did, he wanted to do the next closest thing he could..... Also, today at the grocery store, I saw a coconut cream pie, Daddy-pa's favorite....I brought him a homemade one a few Thanksgivings ago, wanted to try to remind him of Mommy-pa....Now he is with her, that makes me happy.

 "Love you more" .......just a phrase that reminds me of my grandma "Mom's Mom". We always said that to each other every single time I came by to visit her.  Also, popcorn, popcorn always reminds me of her, because she always made popcorn balls every Christmas....

My FAVORITE Christmas candy "Buckeyes" They remind me of my Aunt Ellen, that just passed of Cancer, and Mommy-pa who I lost 4 years back.  I will continue to make them every Christmas. They will always remind me of them, and it's a good memory I have to carry with me.

REDSKINS, anything Redskins always reminds me of my Uncle John, He barely ever missed a game, and when I was growing up, this was just something I always remembered about him.....

Every time I go to Scott's mom's house, there is one particular chair that Scott's father sat in EVERY morning, when I used to drop Roxy off before going to work. He enjoyed having Roxy there with him to keep him company, and it made us happy that she had company during the day.  Now, there is not a time I walk in their house, that I am not reminded of him there waiting for our arrival every morning....

Every time I make a strawberry daiquiri I think of one particular weekend down at Rollin's Fork with Shahanna's family, friends, and Nick Mason. Very interesting daiquiri, that's for sure. Oh, and we definitely learned, you just can't cover up certain alcohol....

When I first got to college, I was assigned to a dorm that was very nice and all, don't get me wrong, but it was an Academic dorm, where you needed to maintain a certain GPA to live there. Now myself, I was just assigned there because they needed to utilize rooms, I didn't have a certain GPA that got me in there, LOL.... Well anyways, so the party atmosphere wasn't so hopping around there, and being that I was a freshman, I really didn't know much of anyone.  I did know Ricky. He would come by my dorm, pick me up, and take me out so I could meet people. This ultimately led to me meeting the girls that I would soon call my ZTA sisters.

Just some memories I have that I wanted to share....everyone, loved ones, friends lost, brings some sort of memory to my life that I always will have with me. No matter how small or large the memory, it has all influenced me in one way or another. It makes me a better person.

My new car!!

I just got a new car...well I didn't just get it, but this is the first time I have blogged about it.

Just wanted to share a few pics so if you see me cruising around the George, I am not in the Mazda Protege anymore.... Still trying to think of some cute tag names...never had personalized tags, but kind of want some now.

My day at CulinAerie yesterday...

Every quarter, my company has quarterly awards they give out to the region. They turn this award ceremony into a "group event" by planning a different event/activity for the company to participate in. Yesterday, we went to a place called CulinAerie. This is a cooking school, where they teach you to make different meals, etc... It was a very neat experience for me. As most know, I don't like cooking, I am not the best at it. (Except sweet stuff, I love making candies/cakes/cookies) We all made a 3 course meal, and I am pretty impressed with the way our food turned out..... First we made a salad, it used oil, lemon, cheese, etc....... I didn't like this so much....but the rest of the meal was fantastic!

Then we made the main dish.....It was composed of Garlic, Tomatoes, Peppers, Onions, Chicken, seasonings, etc...on a bed of rice....It was very good....I cleaned my plate (I also took the day off from weight watchers, I know, I know)

The last thing we made was a chocolate souffle.   This was probably my favorite! There was also a sweet creamy sauce we used with it that made it even better....It was very  fluffy and cake light. I actually had never had a souffle before....

I think the end result was great, I had a great group that made the meal great....For some reason I think that if I were doing this on my own, it wouldn't have ended up as nice...hehe.... It was good for me to do this though, a neat place in DC I never went to, and not a far drive at all! :) Definitely would recommend this activity for any large group!

Talk to everyone soon, tomorrow is Friday, yay!

Another fabulous food find!

Only 1 weight watchers point (PET brand) Just wanted to share!! :) Hope everyone has a nice Tuesday!

Tuff Stuff.....ummmm, not really....

Okay.....so on Saturday, Scott and I stopped at Walmart, and when we were there we decided to pick Roxy up a new toy. We have to be careful when we get Roxy chew toys because she is very good at destroying them....so we look for "TUFF" toys. When we saw this duck toy, it looked like it was a good fit.....Boy, were we WRONG! We gave this toy to Roxy, and 10 minutes later, it was destroyed. Kind of funny, a waste of money, but funny....

Free Zipper Pouch!!! November Thirty One Gifts Special!!!

Free Zipper Pouch this month with any $31 purchase. I always love FREE!!! These Zipper Pouches are a lot larger than I first thought. I use these bags for Yard Sales, Thirty One Orders, and I even use these as a Laptop Case for my mini laptop! Click here to visit my page!

Lookie!!

Just wanted to share the card I made. I made it using a stamp I bought from Burnt Cookie on Etsy....Love her stamps!  I hope everyone has a nice day, halfway through the week!

Okay...this could be in poor taste to share, but I am doing it anyways!!!

Okay, so I ran across this, and I wanted to share, it made me smile....

Yes, this product is called POO-POURRI. Women wouldn't need this product of course, because as we all know, women don't have to, ya know, #2, but for anyone else....this product is mostly made to be used in an office environment from what I can tell. You take this product, and spray it right into the toilet, maybe 5/6 sprays....Then you will notice it miraculously will help everyone that may be entering into the bathroom thereafter. Funny....but true.

My Halloween Goodies...

Okay, so since I don't have any small children, I use Halloween, Easter, and other little holidays to make cute little goodies I can give out. This year I went and bought some clear baggies, some curling ribbon, and the candy of course. :) I am very happy with the way they turned out and am looking forward to giving them out on Halloween! :) I love making little things like these, so if you ever need help trying to come up with cute favor ideas for birthday parties, come to me and I can help, or I can just make them for you...I find that even though it can be a little time consuming, I seem to enjoy it! :) The favors are being modeled in one of my new purchases from Thirty One, of course! (I allow myself one, sometimes 2 purchases a month) This product is the "small magazine basket" but surprisingly, it was much larger than I thought it would be. Perfect for holding magazines, hence the name of the basket, wrapping paper, HALLOWEEN candy, etc... Anyways, hope everyone has a nice evening! Talk to ya soon!