Life of the Party!

I have a confession to make, part of the reason I really like designing party items is the hope of seeing how others use them.

I love looking at customer photos from other people's sites and I have to admit I'm a bit envious. So I can't wait for the possibility of seeing my Parties With Envy customers photos.

I had my very first customer today, thanks Jennafer! I hope your daughters party is GREAT!!!

I currently offer Printable Party Circles (both 2 inch and 4 inch) are included. They make great cupcake/cake toppers, favor takes, water bottles, centerpieces, signs etc. I also offer Printable Party Invites with Thank You notes.

Right not I have fully customizable items where you choose, theme (illustration), color scheme and pattern, if desired. That way you get EXACTLY what you want.

I will be adding some parties items that are more "theme specific", but still personalizable. Up next "Farm Friends" Party Invite and Party Circles. It is an updated version of the Farm Friends Flat Note Cards I was offering at Green With Envy Studios. They are currently unavailable as I am updating them.

Here are some of the items from PWES, since I never shared them earlier.

Have a GREAT FRIDAY!!!

Custom Design

*name has been changed from the original

I designed these bookplates for, Brittney, one the giveaway winners to coordinate with her baby shower color scheme and nursery. I love the way they turned out! I am not sure if I will offer them in the shop yet though.

Monday Monday

It was a long, busy weekend. I had way too many things on my list and I had to come to grips with not being able to accomplish all of it and keep my sanity.
I am definitely one for instant gratification, so being patient and realizing there are only so many hours in the day is not easy for me.

But I did accomplish a few things for both shops:
-I re-shot several of my photos for Parties With Envy Studios
-Revamp/Reshot several folded notecards from Green With Envy Studios
-I also photographed and listed a few new items for GWES (check of the shop they are the 3 feature items!).

I still have a long way to go updating photos for GWES and also getting more party items into PWES but I'm sure once is "done" I will be happier.
I'm going to go back to listing New items and Upcoming items on the sidebar. I took it down a bit ago because I wasn't updating it but I think it's nice for you guys to see whats brewing or whats new in case you missed the post.

That being said here are the newest additions to GWES!

"Faded" 8x10 print found here.

Big Circle Bookplates found here.

Monogram Bookplates found here.

HAPPY MONDAY!!!

Sunday Supper

I use to be really good about shopping early Sunday morning and actually planning out meals for the week. But after I had Munchkin and went back to work, I was usually too tired to cook and we started relying way way way TOO much on fast food or just random stuff in the kitchen.

I have been getting better as I try to get back to my former self. I'm trying to get more constant and at least cooking during the week. We are really trying hard to not get fast food.

So I decided to start sharing some of our meals...everyone always needs yummy recipe ideas.

So this Sunday I plan on making Peppered Pork with Chive Sauce. I got the recipe from Better Homes and Gardens Menus in Minutes cookbook. It a really neat cookbook (I got it at Costco about 3 years ago)

Peppered Pork Loin

Ingredients
(4) boneless pork top loin chops, cut 3/4 inch thick
(1) teaspoon coarsely cracked black pepper
(2) teaspoons olive oil
(1/4) cup chicken broth
(3) tablespoons dry sherry or chicken broth
(4) ounces cream cheese, cut up
(1) tablespoon snipped fresh chives

Directions
1) Rub both sides of chops with pepper.
2) In large skillet cook chops in hot oil over medium heat for 8-12 minutes or until done (160 degrees), turning once. Transfer chops to serving platter, keep warm.
3) For sauce, carefully add broth and dry sherry to skillet.
4) Cook and stir until bubbly to loosen any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet.
5) Add cream cheese to skillet. Stir with a wire whisk over medium heat until cream cheese melts.
6) Stir in the 1 tablespoon chives.
7) Spoon sauce over chops.

Check out my Facebook Fan Page for pictures of my final product and my little review!

TGIF!

Ahhh Friday! This week has been dragging, so I'm super excited that it's Friday! Now I just have to make it through the work day :/


So over the next few weeks I am going to be revamping Green With Envy Studios. I feel like I haven't added anything new in awhile and I haven't really updated photos either. So I will be doing lots of reshoots and taking down some items and patterns that need tweeking. The shop will remain open through the process.

And not surprisingly I am not satisfied with my images for Parties With Envy Studios. So I will be tweeking those this weekend and new images will be up Monday as well as some new items. So even though we're heading into the weekend it seems like when one job ends the next one begins (at least I have a lot more fun with this job!)

Now I leave you with a link to these FABULOUS, totally drool worthy workspaces featured on Oh My! Handmade Goodness yesterday!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

With Envy Wednesday- Accessories Make the Woman

click picture for optimal viewing

I consider myself a fairly "low maintenance" girl. I don't really wear makeup except lip gloss and sometimes mascara. I don't take a bunch time getting ready in the morning and I don't spend a lot of money on my appearance. But I do like to look nice, I want to look natural and comfortable but stylish at the same time. I like my clothing style for the most part but I always feel like I'm missing something to finish off the look. I decided I would try to increase my "accessories" to punch up my outfits. I strive for "stylishly comfortable".

So this week I am featuring some very talked Etsy artist who have created some beautiful and unique jewelry pieces. I have them all marked as favorites as I will be adding several to my wardrobe in the coming months!

a) Gold Orchid Freshwater Pearl Earrings by bellezamia

b) Round Coral Adjustable Ring by NaturalAmber

c) Marie Ribbon Necklace by twillypop

d) Butterfly Jardin by RachelleD

e)Leaf Branch Bracelet in Antique Silver by SparklePeach

f)Copper and Silver Butterfly Ring by 2BellesBeads

And the Crazy Continues...

So yesterday I indicated I was crazy in regards to wanting to run a half-marathon yet at the same time complaining about not having any time to workout. Well lets add to the crazy parade...




I often look at my shop trying to make sure everything goes well together and it's easy to see the focus of the shop. One thing I really like are party items. I have been offer some invites and two two party packs. They get a lot of views but now many actual purchase and in reality it's really time consuming to put them together. I kept wanting to expand my party items but have put it off because I was trying to figure out how to do that in the best way. Then I made the decision to offer Printable party items. That lead me to a much needed decision. I have a bunch of ideas for party items but I felt like that would shift the focus of my shop. So I thought I would open a second shop, which lead to another dilemma. I have heard having a second shop is added work and trying to focus on both and make a good product is hard. So after some thought I decided to go for it anyway! Enter the CRAZY and welcome...


Parties With Envy Studios specializes in personalizable and customizable party items. Many of the illustrations and patterns on our stationery paper goods are also available for our party items.

I'm really excited about this and I'm hoping it will be the best decision, although I know I'm just putting a lot more on my plate. EAT UP!!

Yes I'm Crazy

So the 5:00 am runs are not working out as planned...the story of my life really. I have a lot on my plate currently (self-inflicted craziness for the most part) and I normally don't get to bed until 11pm and I generally have to make myself go to bed. So waking up at 5 am to run is not appealing. Unfortunately I work outside the home full time, too far from home to come home and run and I have about 20 minutes between the time I get home and my hubs and kiddo get home (if I actually get to leave work on time). I have tried to workout after the Munchkin goes to bed but normally I'm trying to do other things then...like cleaning or working. So I'm not really sure what I'm going to do but I have 2 weeks to figure it out because the nut job that I am decided I was going to do...


Run Like Hell is a costume/Halloween themed Half Marathon. It looks like soooo much fun!!! I participated in 2 marathons when I was in college and had the time to train. I don't have the desire to ever do another marathon but I have been wanting to participate in a half-marathon for awhile. It just the right distance for me and I miss running!! Now I know you're thinking how are you going to manage training if you don't have the time? Hmmm good question...I really have no idea but I'm going to have to figure something out and I have two weeks to do it because thats when the training program starts. Yes I'm CRAZY!

Oh and stay tuned for Monday I have an announcement both crazy and exciting :)

HAPPY SUNDAY!!

With Envy Wednesday

click on image for optimal viewing

With Envy Wednesday is back FINALLY! We are finally unpacked and pretty much settled in. The move has forced me to realize we need to be more organized. I have always liked the concept of organization but I have a hard time sticking with it. So this time I am making a big effort at sticking with it. So this week is dedicated to items that will help you stay organized. ENJOY!!





a) Safari Zoo Animals Closet Clothing Dividers by potatopatch


b)Shopping List Organizer by allisajacobs


c)Organizer Basket Fabric Bin by thespottedbarn


d)Carseat Organizer by SewnNatural


e)Combo Wine Cork/Dry Erase Board by 4EyesAndEars

Killing Two Birds With One Delicious Stone

Saturday I crossed off one thing from my Summer To Do List and had fun too. The Munchkin is learning words daily but one of her first real words was "cupcake" (yep she's totally my kiddo). Well I promised her we would make cupcakes this weekend and she didn't forget!


These cupcakes turned out fabulous...it must be the help I got from Munchkin :) The main reason I wanted to make cupcakes was for a photo shoot for some new items but there will be more info on that in a separate blog post this week so stay tuned!!

5:00 am

photo by greenwithenvystudios

For the first time in almost two year I was up at 5:00 Am. Ok I've been up at 5:00 am many many times in the past two years but this is the first time it wasn't because of a crying child, or me being too stressed to sleep or because I had to get up early for work. This morning I was up at 5:00 am to RUN. When I was in college up until I had Munchkin I regularly woke up at 5:00 am sometimes earlier to run. It was my time to think about things, get exercise and just enjoy the outdoors. I have been wanting to get back to it but its been hard to say the least.

When we moved I decided I was going to force myself to get back to the 5:00 am runs because I really need some ME time and I really need to get back into shape! Saturday night I was dreading the 5:00 am mandate I had given myself. We stayed out late at my in-laws and Munchkin fought sleep for soooo long. But I got up anyway. I only ran for a little over 30 minutes but it was sooo nice. Minimal cars out that early, I got to explore our neighborhood, got some exercise and the all important ME time.

I'm going to be crazy sore tomorrow but that will fade and I will hopefully be much happier for it.

photo by greenwithenvystudios

HAPPY SUNDAY!

Summer To Do List...

Hello there, yes it's me and yes it's been awhile. I am hoping to be a better blogger now, but I know I end up making promises life doesn't seem to want me to keep :/.

Anyway, I'm back and with a Summer To Do List. A couple of blogs I have read lately have listed their summer "to do" lists and I thought it was good idea, because really who doesn't love a list...especially when you check stuff off :) Summer just makes me feel refreshed and I have more drive to do stuff...so here is my list-

*Finish Unpacking
*Keep up with our budget
*Get the office organized
*Spend more quality time with my hubby
*Reconnect with family
*Make more time for myself
*Read a book (or finish that book that has been sitting by your bed for almost 2 years).
*Try to blog at least 3 times a week
*Work a little on holiday shop items
*Get back to working out
*Cook/Bake with the munchkin
*Consistently read a book to the munchkin at bedtime
*Enjoy a nice bubble bath
*Go for a long walk with Munchkin around the new neighborhood
*Take Munchkin to the park

I have already start/accomplished a couple of these. Whats on your list?

HAPPY THURSDAY!!!