Hey guys! It's been a little while since I've posted, because we were on vacation! We went to visit my family in New Jeresy, who we haven't seen in 2 1/2 years; they hadn't even met Zoey! It was so much fun and it seemed to fly by. That's one of the things I hate about vacations. They make you want to quit your job. We made a trip up to Vermont with one of my childhood friends to surprise our mutual childhood friend for her birthday. It was SO much fun! We went shopping in Massachusetts, watched a movie, drove around the beautiful small town she lives in...it was perfect. And I miss it. But, you know, there's no place like home. None. To be in your own bed, in your own house, where you can do whatever you want is...bliss.
Back to our normal, hectic life though! We got back late this past Saturday and we've all got some coughs and congestion. Booo. Sunday was all about unpacking, grocery shopping, crafting, and getting my shop set up with my mom. We took the furniture for my space to the store and she helped with some of the setup and then I was on my own. Hanging a curtain rod to the ceiling with twine while standing on a wobbly step ladder is not my idea of fun. I was so sure that I would break the ladder and come crashing down on the setup next to mine. 'Cause that's something I would do.
But I got most of it done and tonight I will head back to the store for some pricing and to add some more things to the shop and I will have pictures for you all later. I am so excited and honored. Please pray for success, dear readers! I would love it if this could be something that would be big, something I could devote more time to. Thank you all so much!
I hope you have a wonderful week,
Tara
Hey everyone, just a quick post today! The Funky Monkey is hosting a giveaway today for Sutton Home Interiors. The contest is for a FREE Love You More pillow. Follow the directions on the page to enter to win. Contest ends 9/16/13. Thank you so much for your support! Have a great Monday!
Hey everyone, I hope you all are having a wonderful Friday! I am really looking forward to this weekend. Vintage Market Days is tomorrow, here in Tulsa! My mom and I love going to VMD. I am so inspired by all of the creativity and love to see what others are making. I'm hoping to be a vendor at VMD in Spring of 2014, but right now, Sutton Home Interiors has some things going on that are going to keep me busy!
Here are some good great news:
{Number One}-I will be featured (as Sutton Home Interiors, my shop), over at The Funky Monkey! There will be a one week long giveaway featuring one of my items. She gets a bunch of traffic, so make sure you check it out & enter! The feature will start September 30th and run for a week. I am still not 100% sure on the giveaway item at this point, but I will make a decision within the next few days.
{Number Two}-I was asked by a soon-to-be shop owner to sell my product in her store! I still cannot believe this one; I feel so honored! The store will be opening in Broken Arrow & they are hoping to open on October 1st. Which means...a lot of rushing to get done with planning my setup and making enough product for the store. I am going to be SO busy, especially with our vacation being at the end of this month. Wahhh!! I will give you more info as we get closer to the date. SO excited, people!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
-Tara
UPDATE: The Funky Monkey giveaway starts today (9/9/13) and will run through 9/16/13.
Also, I didn't give too much detail about the shop S.H.I. was going to be setting up at, but the shop has changed. I wasn't liking the details of the previous shop, and while I would love to have worked with them, I will now be at a new location. Look for Sutton Home Interiors at Creme de la Creme Boutique in Collinsville, OK starting October 1st! I am beyond excited to start getting everything set up!!
I was reading one of my favorite blogs today and came across this really encouraging article, "10 Ways to be a Happier Mom". Read it. It is so insightful. It made me think about how I am at home, always rushing after work to make dinner, clean the house, spend some time with the girls, get them ready for bed, do this, fold laundry, do that, etc. I feel like I am always going and never stopping. I hate to be that way, to not make myself slow down and enjoy the moments, enjoy my husband, the girls, life. It makes me feel horrible sometimes, that I don't spend more time with them and less time cleaning.
I am one of those women that feels stressed and frazzled when the house is turned upside down. I can't function. So, naturally, a clean house makes me feel more calm, happy, & satisfied. BUT, I think one thing I struggle with is making a clean house my priority. When I come home, I should be able to love on my family, enjoy dinner with them, and let the girls run wild and make messes with their dolls and coloring books, while I enjoy a conversation with my best friend, my husband. I shouldn't care if the laundry is piled up and there are crumbs all over the floor (there are always crumbs on the floor). It shouldn't phase me that there is paper work all over the kitchen table, and on the counters, and on the TV console. But it does.
So, one thing I want to work on, is slowing down. And being a little more carefree. I want to fully embrace each moment with joy. I want to have wonderful memories of my husband and I playing with the girls, laughing, and making sure they get all of the attention we can possibly give them before they are gone from our home and making memories of their own.
It's a simple thing, but I'm going to start with easier dinners-crockpot dinners, sandwiches, whatever can be done quick so that I can focus on my family. And as for cleaning, it can wait until after the girls are in bed. Unless, of course, it's something like spilled juice or something that really needs to be done right away. Obviously. And as for joy--joy comes from the Lord. I've been so busy with life, being a full time employee and a mom to two little girls, a wife, a cook, a small business owner...I haven't spent time with God like I should be, and that's something that is really important to me. I am going to make it a priority to spend more time with Him; in prayer, in worship, in scripture.
I hope you get something from that article, it really was a blessing to my heart. The encouragement I needed and God knew. He always does.
Do any of you struggle with slowing down and really enjoying the moments? What do you do to help make more time for your family and what matters to you?
-Tara
