Red IS My Color

The title of this blog is something that many of you think you already know – Red IS My Color.  Yeah, I've worn red my entire life… especially in the fall.  (GO DAWGS & ROLL TIDE)  This red is a different kind of red – this red is Mary Kay RED.

When I first began my Mary Kay business at the end of March this year, I decided that I wanted to go as far as possible, as fast as possible. (Besides, who wouldn't want aFREE caddie in PINK?!)  One of my first milestones just happened last week when I received my official promotion to Senior Beauty Consultant.  I was awarded my Mary Kay beauty coat and given my pin enhancer.  I'll be honest, I was a happy, but not super excited.  All that meant to me was that I was halfway to my first goal… (my go big or go home goal) but that all changed on Tuesday. 

Let me begin the SUPER EXCITING part by saying this: my mom is amazing.  She has been SO supportive of my business being an excellent customer and spreading the word about the Mary Kay opportunity.  Well, she finally was able to be rewarded as a talent scout when she helped me recruit my third team member this week!  This put me to my next promotion, Star Recruiter, helped me achieve my first HUGE milestone and put me into my RED JACKET!  Now many of you think I'm nuts because I'm so excited about a red jacket, and that is understandable.  All I can say is know that it is a big deal.  I'm moving as fast as I possibly can to hit goals that will put me on target to debut as a Sales Director in January – changing my red to blue!

I am so excited that God placed such an amazing opportunity in my life to help be support my soon-to-be family (soon is an understatement… we are down to 51 days folks!), to help me grow in such an amazing way and to allow me to meet such amazing women. 

Some other exciting news on the Mary Kay front is that I will be going on target for my first car in August (yes, this August… as in two days from now).  My team is a strong one and I am so blessed to be able to work with such amazing women. 

Good Times & God Bless, 
Steph

Tybee 2010: Report 1

Oh Tybee, how we adore you! The trip has been a BLAST so far and we still have an entire we of fun in the sun!

Just a quick update...

Reception Tables

About a month ago, someone asked me about how the wedding was going... The conversation went a little like this:
     Other: "How is the planning coming along?"
     Steph: "Pretty much done... Need to get rolling on my invites, but other than that I'm good."
     Other: "You have everything? Caterer? Flowers? Linens?"
     Steph: "Oh yeah! My cousin is catering, Brandon's aunt is doing the flowers & we registered for all out linens."
     Other: "Uh, I meant linens for the reception tables..."
     Steph: "Ohhhh.... Forgot about those. Oops!"

I knew that tables needed to be covered at wedding receptions, but I didn't think about WHO was responsible for it. Guess I just assumed it was gonna get done. Ha!

I started my search for the best fit. Like I said in the invitation post (see here), I want the simple, southern, elegance theme throughout - I want people to be comfortable, but think "how nice!"... Got it?

To tie in to the "Simple" & "Southern" part of the theme, the tables will be decorated with antique mason jars of all sizes! I just love the old blue shade the glass has... It also leads to a little more casual feel.

There are going to be three different heights on our tables that will scatter throughout the room on the 15 tables. The first is the short look - blending fall leaves with an overturned Mason jar. (Please excuse the bad pictures and horrible arranging skills I have... just imagine perfection here.)

The second is two medium sized Mason jars, one holding flowers - spider mums, etc - and one overturned.

The third is one large Mason jar with tall glads.

To tie it all together, here is the picture i found of the table layout I wanted. I love the look of this table! It is simple & was exactly the inspiration I needed... Instead of the blue, we are going with black.

Whew... Tablescapes are hard work!  What were your tables like at your reception?  Any thoughts on mine? 

Good Times & God Bless,
Steph

Wedding Invitations

September 19th is quickly approaching (82 days for you folks who are counting down) & I'm getting super excited! Sometimes I'm nervous, others calm - just cannot wait!!

In order to have a HUGE yet budget wedding, I decided one way to cut costs would be to make my own invitations. Wanting them to follow along with the theme - Simple Southern Elegance. I found a really cute idea for the invites at Michaels and decided I'd give them a shot. Making my changes in the ribbon color and invitation selection, they are EXACTLY what I was looking for!

The best part is the price! With coupons and a selection of a little cheaper ribbon, the total for all the invitation supplies is right at $200... Saves me a nice chunk of change all while giving me the simplicity I was going for (and allowing me to throw my crafting skills in to the mix).

First, I printed the information on the invitations by following the instructions provided in the invitation box. All it takes is a little formatting in word and you're all set! Then, I cut the ribbons to fit around the invites for a little pop of color...


Secured them with glue dots and poof! My perfect Simple Southern Elegance wedding invitations!! I also made the response cards, printed the return address on the envelope and made the cute little "info" squares to let guests know about our wedding website where the bulk of the information can be found.

What special touches did you add to your wedding invitations?
Good times & God bless,

Steph

Moooving Aint No Fun...

... So I'm staying put for the next couple of years!

Hello blogging world! Whew... We are in and the new digs are super-amazingly-fantastic! (Like my new word?)

Let me start with a quick shout out to ALL of the family and friends who helped out (Keith, Tim, Timbo, Deb, Adrian, Waters, Kevin & Ma for watching the granddog). We appreciate ALL the help and would've never been able to get it done without you!!

As we started unpacking everything I decided that the walls were going to have to stay the plain ol' creamy color for a while - I have no energy or time to tackle that right now. Slowly, but surely, things are being unpacked and pictures are making their way to the walls - it's so nice!!!

Here are a couple of quick pictures of the place. Note, it is no where near being finished on the decorating end.

Living Room

Dining Room

Kitchen

Mary Kay Office

Stop on by for a tour anytime! :)

Good times & God bless,
Steph

Moving Day 2010

So, I'm freaking STOKED... We made it folks... Moving Day 2010 is almost here. Actually coming a week early, I thought this day would never come. Not that I hate where I live, because I don't. I'm actually staying here - same complex, different (MUCH larger apartment).

Here are the deets: was expecting to move the weekend of June 4-5 into a two-bedroom, two-bathroom, apartment with a loft. Thinking of all the extra space just makes my mouth water... The guest bedroom, the Mary Kay loft office. Magic was going to happen.

Then I got a call TODAY. Long story short - guy had apartment, guy doesn't want to leave apartment, B&S don't get loft apartment. Hold it, it gets amazingly better right here!

In an effort to keep good customers happy, our amazing office staff threw out some options. The final decision, after a walk through of course, is this... Next weekend we are moving into a three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment. Yes, 1548 square feet of habitable space!

Decorating thoughts mentioned in previous posts are still applicable, just no wall colors for now.

Although this is going to hit us like a ton of bricks about a week from now, the extra space is LONG overdue.

"I" Story

When I first started Mary Kay, I was seeking an avenue for additional income with the flexibility to work on my own time - at my leisure - around my full time job. After hearing the marketing plan and learning that Mary Kay was whatever I wanted it to be, whether that is an extra $200 a month or $2,000 and hearing that the company's beliefs - God first, family second and career third - matched that of my own, I knew I had found a fit. I started my Mary Kay business on March 22 of this year and although I was in need of extra income, it was after attending my first party that I truly understood why God had led me to Mary Kay and why I am going to further develop my Mary Kay career... I finally understood what Mary Kay was all about.

The slogan "Enriching Women's Lives" encompasses it all for me. Being able to spend time and visit with women like yourselves and helping you feel as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside is why I'm here with you today. Your happiness is the greatest reward.

I do have amazing goals with my Mary Kay business and this month, I WILL go on target for my first FREE car!!

What other part time job rewards you with the gift of helping others AND let's you earn a car?!

Good times & God bless,
Steph