Day 15: A Bible Verse

 

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—

A time to give birth and a time to die;
         A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.

A time to kill and a time to heal;
         A time to tear down and a time to build up.

A time to weep and a time to laugh;
         A time to mourn and a time to dance.

A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
         A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.

A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
         A time to keep and a time to throw away.

A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
         A time to be silent and a time to speak.

A time to love and a time to hate;
         A time for war and a time for peace.

Found at http://biblebrowser.com/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm

Day 14: A Picture of Me & Changes

This is a photo and frame that my BFF made for me the day of the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run last October (2010). She took the picture in the morning right after I crossed the finish line and presented me with the framed photo later that day. Such a sweet, crafty friend!

Back Story: I have never been what you call "athletic." I guess I always felt like I might get hurt in the excitement of the game. Okay, I did get hurt in the excitement of the game as a child, so I was not in favor of repeating that experience as an adult. Come on, I'm little!

A year ago I was going through a very stressful time in my personal life. As the only child, with no extended family, I was responsible for my two ailing parents. Part of my self prescribed therapy was to start running. So after years of no consistent physical activity, I decided to run my first 5K last year. I joined the No Boundaries program through Fleet Feet to train for the race.That was the best thing I've done for myself in a long time. The training taught me how to pace myself and I ran the race at my personal best.

The changes? This year I am letting myself make mistakes and I am not beating myself up about it. (Remember the Super Woman thingy?) Well, I am trying....

Day 12: Finally!

Question: What is the one thing you don't leave the house without?

Answer: iPhone 3G

I bought my iPhone in December 2009 and it quickly became my personal assistant. My whole life is in that little white package. It should come as no surprise my worst fear is I will lose the darn thing. Why? My entire life would come to a screeching stop.

In spite of my fears I love my iPhone!  It keeps track of my appointments, lets me surf the internet anytime/anywhere, it entertains me, and there is an app for just about anything I want to do.  My iPhone makes it possible for me to get things done while I’m waiting for someone or something to happen.

And then there is the dark side of the iPhone: the hours of browsing Facebook statuses or watching funny cat videos and reading the posts on LinkedIn Groups or searching for a colleague you worked with ten years ago at a company that no longer exists. Don’t forget the hours of playing solitaire and Tetris and what’s the deal with Angry Birds? In fact, I can open just about any app on my iPhone and spend hours there.

My iPhone is like any other good thing, too much is not a good thing. But I’m not addicted, I can quit anytime I want – I just don’t want to. And isn't it time for an upgrade?

 

I'm Back!!

Remember me? I was the blogger that signed on for the 30 day challenge and then disappeared on day 12. That's when I discovered I would rather have the soup.

The joke goes something like this: A woman was trying to attract her husband's amorous attention. Later that night she dresses up in a sexy costume and jumps in front of the TV yelling "Super Woman." Her husband looks up at her and replies "I'll have the soup please."

There are days when I feel like I can do anything and end the day victorious. Then there are the days when I wonder what the heck I was thinking when I signed up for this gig.  In mid August I was in the middle of the latter. I was trying to be Super Woman by doing too many things: too many projects on my plate and not enough hours or energy for all of it. 

My 30 day challenge blogs were getting slimmer as the days passed. I was posting at the end of a very long day from my iPhone through Postling which is not an easy task. I finally decided I needed to take a break, focus on the critical projects and come back to the blog another day. And you know what? The world didn't end. I didn't turn into a pumpkin. And I retained my sanity.

All in all a win-win. Stayed tuned for Day 12 of my 30 Day Blog Challenge.

Do guys buy jewelry for women?

The Stella & Dot Spring line debuted over the weekend. It all looks SO fabulous - I had a hard time figuring out what to buy for my sample case. Plus, I'm the kind of women who thinks every piece will look good on me so let's buy one of each. Unfortunately, my budget didn't allow for that. But it did get me thinking about Valentine's Day. What would my customers like to receive as a Valentine's Day gift? Because jewelry IS a traditional Valentine's Day gift (hint, hint ;-)!

Then I began wondering: Do guys buy jewelry for women? It seems like a no brainer. What women wouldn't want jewelry from their special guy? Ah, and there's the rub. Some women are picky about their jewelry and the guy doesn't want to buy the wrong thing. Or the guy's special lady doesn't like jewelry, so he doesn't see any reason to buy jewelry for ANY of the women in his life. Or the guy has no clue what to buy, so he doesn't. Buy anything. At all. What's a guy to do?
ASK for help! Find a relative or co-worker or someone at your church who wears jewelry and ask her to help you! Because if you buy the RIGHT jewelry for one of the ladies in your life, she will be ecstatic! You will be the best guy ever and all the women will love you. Okay, perhaps I exaggerate.

Or take some advice from a woman who LOVES jewelry. Pay attention to what she wears. She being your: wife, significant other, daughter, mother, sister, aunt, niece, or grandmother. If she doesn't wear jewelry then DON'T buy her any! If she does wear jewelry then take note of what it looks like. Is it big, bold, and blingy? Or does she wear a delicate chain? Does she wear gold or silver? Does she wear the same earrings all the time? (Hint: don't buy her earrings if she wears the same ones all the time.)  Does she wear many rings or only a wedding band? (Hint: Don't buy her jewelry if she only wears a wedding band.)  When you pay attention to the details you almost always pick the right thing.

Or give her a catalog (one of mine of course) and let her select some items she likes and buy her one of those. This option is so easy! Call me and I'll mail you a catalog
.
Now I'm back to my original question. So guys, do you buy jewelry for any of the special women in your life? Why or why not?

Can't wait to read your answers!



The Pen Accessory

I love pens. I didn't always feel that way about pens. Then I met Barry Rubin, owner of INK the Pen Store. Now when I pull out my pen people notice the beautiful writing instrument in my hand and the lovely lime green pen case in my purse.

I met Barry Rubin at a Downtown Network dinner at Masa's when my husband and I were living in downtown Minneapolis around 2005. We had a wonderful time meeting new people and enjoying the fine food. Then the server brought out our checks. Barry pulls out this gorgeous pen and I pull out my ... wait for it ... Hello Kitty pen. Prior to that moment in time, I was proud of my very inexpensive, but very cute Hello Kitty pen. But when I saw Barry's pen - well, I felt a bit embarrassed.

Not long after that dinner I made my first visit to INK in the IDS Center. It was an incredible shopping experience unlike any other and the beginning of my love affair with pens. Now I can't walk out of the Pen Store without a new pen.

Last October I purchased my latest favorite pen. The Liebelle Chromatic Brushed Chrome with Brass Rollerball Pen. It looks fabulous next to my Stella & Dot jewelry. This is my pen as fashion statement.

I highly recommend a visit to INK. You won't regret it. Click here for INK.

Style for a Steal: Last day for 20% off!

Hurry! Today is your last chance to take an additional 20% off sale items. Check out some of the sale items below. You are sure to find a necklace, earrings, or ring to add to your collection. Now is a great time to give yourself a gift.The sale ends at 11:59. CST.

Style for a Steal: La Coco

Do you have the La Coco? Check out the sale price on these two pieces! The La Coco Rosary is an excellent addition lto the gold La Coco and the Bloom Flower ring matches the brooch on the silver La Coco. Now is a great time to add a couple of pieces to your jewelry wardrobe.

Extra 20% off all sale items! 
Retail Price: $44
Sale Price: $33
Extra 20% Off: $26
(Save 41% Off Retail Price)

Semi precious dyed jade & resin beads in deep blue and green on a brass chain with our signature heart embedded into one of the beads.

Measures approximately 28" in length. Lobster clasp closure

  Extra 20% off all sale items! 
  Retail Price: $44
  Sale Price: $33
  Extra 20% Off: $26
  (Save 41% Off Retail Price)

  Inspired by a pair of long forgotten but still vibrant vintage enamel
  brooches found in Dot's jewelry box. Hand-painted enamel flowers
  with Czech crystals. 

  Measures approximately 1¼” in diameter with adjustable band. Fits
  sizes 5-9 

Style for a Steal: Awareness, Hope, & Faith

 Create an Awareness Charm necklace with these pretty charms. Add a ribbon for $12.

 

  Extra 20% off all sale items! 
  Retail Price: $14
  Sale Price: $10
  Extra 20% Off: $8
  (Save 43% Off Retail Price)

  Gold vermeil Awareness charm

 

 

 

 

 

Extra 20% off all sale items!  Ends January 2^nd
Retail Price: $24
Sale Price: $18
Extra 20% Off: $14
(Save 42% Off Retail Price)

14kt gold vermei Heall charm 

Extra 20% off all sale items!  Ends January 2^nd
Retail Price: $24
Sale Price: $18
Extra 20% Off: $14
(Save 42% Off Retail Price)

14kt gold vermeil Hope charm

Make a Statement with Stelie Designs

I met my friend Stephanie Giesen-Kath when I worked at Target HQ in Minneapolis. (Yeah, this southern girl lived in the great hockey state of Minnesota for five years.) Steph is the mother of two (yes, count 'em: TWO!) sets of twins. She is also the designer and owner of Stellie Designs. She totally inspires me and sit in awe of her ability to juggle everything on her plate. And every single time I see her or talk to her she has a smile in her voice.

Steph's latest design is a beautifully modern save the date and wedding invitation.Click on the image to go to Stelie Designs Etsy Store. You'll find wedding invitations, baby announcements, personalized stationery, greeting cards, and more - all can be customized for you.

You know what else I like about Steph and her business? She's passionate about it and strives to deliver a little something extra for her customers. It's more than a business for her - it shows in her attention to detail. And I'm not alone. Over 1200 people call Stelie Designs a favorite. Isn't it time you treated yourself to monogrammed notecards?

 

Everything about Stelie Designs is beautiful, fresh, and custom made. Click on the banner below to go to her blog.

Style for a Steal: Take an additional 20% off sale prices!

Here are two of my favorite pieces. Very unique and very stylish! Both are on sale and right now you can take an additional 20%. But hurry, this discount disappears after January 6!

Retail Price $98
Sale Price: $49
Extra 20% Off: $39
(Save 60% Off Retail Price)

Make a statement with this chic variation of the Maltese cross on a bold resin cuff.  This cuff is practically an outfit by itself. 

Measures approximately 2¼" inner diameter. Magnet closure - fits small to medium wrists. Available in ivory or black.

  

 

  Retail Price: $44
  Sale Price: $22
  Extra 20% Off: $17
  (Save 61% Off Retail Price)

  Faceted stones add splashes of color and dimension to this  
  Maltese cross interpretation in a brooch. Pin it to a lapel, a fedora,
  or clip it to a La Coco chain. 

  Measures approximately 2?" in diameter with pin backing. Available
  in coral or green.

New Year, New Opportunities!

Happy New Year to all my family & friends, both new and old. Thank you so much for making my career transition a happy one. 2011 is going to be a great year - I can feel it. January is starting out with a bang for this Stella & Dot Stylist.

The Fall/Winter clearence is in progress and you can take an extra 20% off the sale prices until January 9. Check out the sale tab at stelladot.com/maryramsey.

Now is a great time to host a trunk show. Our hostesses earn free jewelry and a bonus $75 in additional free jewelry for trunk shows held through January 31. (Qualifying shows must total $500 retail and have 4 unique orders.) If your trunk show sells $1000 then you get $225 in hostess rewards + $75 bonus + three half price pieces = ~$375 in free jewelry!

What would you do with $350 in free jewelry? Keep it all for yourself. OR Give it away as gifts. OR Donate to your favorite non-profit for their next silent auction. Whatever you choose now is definitely a great time to be a hostess. Click here to learn more about hosting your own trunk show.

One of my 2011 goals is to help build a sales team in the Huntsville/Madison area. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to do something a little different and hoping to make a bit of money without re-entering the corporate world. Or as a part time job while maintaining their corporate career. For as little as $199 you get your starter kit and $450 in free jewelry IF you join us during January. That's an extra $100 in free jewelry! So now is a great time to join our amazing community of women. PLUS you get to shop for additional samples at 50% off, go through our fabulous training program, and introduce our Spring/Summer line! Click here to learn more about the Stella & Dot opportunitiy. Did I mention you have the chance to earn up to $3000 in FREE jewelry during your first 100 days?