Thursday: A Sweet Poem About Bloggers Block

I had planned on Thursdays being a day where people could win a gift card or coupon to my online vintage clothing store.  Well, unfortunately there isn't one yet. So I felt it was a little premature.  And now, I am drawing a blank on what to write about. So how about a little poem about bloggers block:

Bloggers block,

when it hits, it feels like a rock

not quite as solid,

but quite a shock

when first creating my blog,
i thought it would be easy to write about something everyday
afterall, my life seems so eventful in every way
until you try to write about it.

so what to say?
to an audience whose attention you would like to keep
to whom you want to convey a message

even if its just a little peep.

i want to display passion,

to move people with more than just fashion

i want to tell stories to intrigue

but it's feeling outta my league

so for now, i'll leave you with those thoughts about writers block,

and maybe you will return, cause hopefully tomorrows post will rock...

cheesy? i think so. hope you enjoyed.

<3 Cori

Wednesday: Inspiration Station - Miracles, big and small

Today is wednesday.  Not quite the beginning of the week, and not quite the end (unfortunately) and I figured we could all use a little inspiration to keep us truckin to the end.  I found these while searching the internet... some of them definitely gave me goosebumps.  I hope they can give you that little extra something to finish your day and week strong... enjoy :) Do you have something you think is miracle to share? post a comment! id love to hear (p.s. i think you have to become a follower to post a comment).

The sunrise my father and I watched standing at the top of one of the Smoky Mountains.
—Marilyn M., Huntington, Indiana

Our son fell 40 feet off his barn roof onto cement and didn't break any bones.
—Ladonna S., George, Iowa

All the factors that came together to help me find the daughter I had given up for adoption.
—Sandy M., Soda Springs, Idaho

A bumblebee flying.
—Karen D., Inverness, Florida

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TAMARA REYNOLDS

Read the real-life miracle that brought Marine major Brian Dennis and Nubs together.

My husband getting out of the Pentagon on 9/11.
—Patti G., Fort Bliss, Texas

 The way my mother always knew I was coming home, even when I tried to surprise her. She would always have that extra baked potato in the oven.
—G. E. G., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Losing my wife and business and surviving bankruptcy all at once, without dying of stress.
—Jack K., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

During a serious kidney stone attack at age 37, I went into a coma and saw a light at the end of a tunnel. I regained consciousness and lived. I am now 88 years old.
—Euphemia R., Arcadia, California

Understanding how and why my grandfather acted like he did, now that I have grandchildren of my own.
—Steve M., Sunapee, New Hampshire

Some would say that my actually getting married was a miracle.
—Don L., Sherman Oaks, California

The Grand Canyon.
—Kimberly V., Orrville, Ohio

I survived flying into a thunderstorm in a small airplane. It required more than my piloting skills. I was being watched over.
—Bill B., Versailles, Kentucky

The births of my children and grandchildren.
—MaryLou M., Ooltewah, Tennessee

The days are filled with miracles: a flower blooming, my heart beating, the purr of a cat, the Internet.
—Barbara F., Penfield, New York

I feel that someone turning his life around for the better is a miracle.
—Susan D., Stanford, Montana

Love for the unlovable.
—Mary C., Mount Vernon, Ohio

Forgiveness.
—Laura W., Aston, Pennsylvania

Our son died of a brain tumor at 17. On the second anniversary of his death, as I was driving to work, a double rainbow appeared in the clear sky. One end was on the road in front of us and the other at the cemetery where he was buried.
—Peggy H., Boone, North Carolina

Microwave ovens. Color TV. Finding someone who actually loves me for who I am.
—Steve R., Athens, Pennsylvania

Our country has gone from slavery to the election of an African American president.
—Colleen D., Bonner Springs, Kansas

Being able to have enough income to share with others less fortunate.
—Carol S., Islamorada, Florida

I was saved in a fire by the vision of my first-grade teacher telling me how to survive.
—Larry W., Pahokee, Florida

Hearts changed.
—Suzi E., Howell, Michigan

A father who wrote poems to his wife and loved her forever.
—Joanne L., Plymouth, Michigan

Surviving two cancers for almost ten years!
—Connie R., Denver, North Carolina

One I haven't witnessed is the Vikings winning a Super Bowl.
—Jann W., Maple Grove, Minnesota

The miracle of friendship.
—Regina W., Columbus, Ohio

From Reader's Digest - December 2009

 

Tuesday Vintage Fashion Update: Adding Vintage To Your Work Wardrobe!

So, this is a dilemma that has hit home for me.

Working in a corporate office does not cater much to the fashion minded person, much less the VINTAGE fashion minded person.  So what are we to do with our wonderful vintage clothing during the week!? This can be so upsetting, wouldn't you agree? ;)  Well, fret no more.  I found this article to help those of you with a similar dilemma out.

Adding Vintage Fashion to Your Work Wardrobe

Update Your Career Wear with Unique Retro Clothes and Accessories

 Oct 9, 2008 Marsha West
Over the years, business casual has become the norm in many companies. This has given workers more leeway to incorporate unique clothes and accessories into their business attire. Additionally, you may have more flexibility to wear different fashions depending on your occupation and company. For instance, an interior designer might be able to experiment with more “edgy” fashion than a corporate attorney. Here are some simple ways to incorporate vintage fashion into your business attire.

Purchase foundational pieces such as slacks, skirts, dresses and jackets. Foundation pieces in solid or neutral colors work the best since a great pair of brown slacks or a black A-line skirt can be worn several times a week.
Invest in classic clothing and accessories. Certain clothes and accessories never go out of style. Classic clothing such as boxy Chanel style jacket or black slacks will last season after season and will always be in style. Think about investing in a great leather handbag in a neutral tone, a cameo necklace, or a black wool suit.

Consider the color and fabric of your garments. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, polyester was a very popular fabric for clothes. In the 1980s, rayon was king. Unfortunately, these fabrics come across as looking dated and unprofessional. Consider natural fabrics such as cotton, silk, or wool. Also, save vibrant colors and patterns for accessories. A pink suit might look fun in the store, but you would probably get more wear out of a neutral colored one.

Don’t wear vintage from head to toe. Unless you work at an indie record shop or a funky vintage clothing store, your supervisor may not appreciate it if you come to work all decked out in your finest vintage. Instead, try combining current clothes and accessories with vintage to avoid looking like you are wearing a costume. For instance, try pinning a few rhinestone flower brooches to a neutral colored jacket or wear a vintage silk flower scarf with a plain, crisp white shirt.
Go with traditional textile patterns. Some textile patterns come and go such as those 1980’s Coogi sweaters. However, others have always been worn to the office. Look for clothes made with timeless textile patterns such as houndstooth, plaid, and pinstripes.


Article Courtesy of Suite101: Adding Vintage Fashion to Your Work Wardrobe: Update Your Career Wear with Unique Retro Clothes and Accessories http://www.suite101.com/content/adding-vintage-fashion-to-your-work-wardrobe-a72559#ixzz149i7q8wq. Marsha West.

I think this lady above has the right idea.  The boots may not be workplace appropriate, but a cute pair of heals would do... and voola! you have a vintage-inspired workplace outfit :) (you might also want to consider leaving out the shades). - Cori

Thank you for reading and hope you all have a superb rest of your day!! XO

Monday Life Update: New Beginnings Galore

I was about to wish everyone a happy Monday, but it seemed like a pretty anti-climatic statement considering the first question that popped into my head this morning was "mondays, why must you even exist?" This weekend went by way way too quickly to say the least.  But alas, here we are, and today is day 1 of the blog schedule! I decided that every Monday is going to consist of a life update.  This seems pretty appropriate, since most of life seems to happen for me on the weekend.

It seems like my life is on the brink of tons of new beginnings.  Like the trees shedding their leaves in the fall to make room for new ones (unless you live in Florida), I am shedding my old skin and preparing to grow new skin.  It is exciting to think of what is to come, slightly scary, and slightly sad to say goodbye to the old way of life. 

Rick and I decided on February of 2011 to have our wedding :) It is really happening! And this weekend as we searched high and low for the perfect venue, it became more real and more exciting to me.  Needless to say we have a lot of planning to do in 3 months.  Venue, food, DJ, etc etc... getting rid of anything that wreeks "bachelor pad" in his house (this may be our biggest chore), and entering into a new phase of life together.

I think it is underrated how big this transition is.  We are letting go of our singlehood... two individual people becoming one.  No longer do we answer to only ourselves and our pets, but we answer to each other.  We are constantly taking each other into consideration.  We are growing together, sharpening each other, holding each other accountable.  It is so much more than what you think of when you are little and talk about getting married. It is a big step, and one I am excited to take. 

So, as the leaves on my tree go from green to orange to brown and eventually begin to shed, I will be planting the seeds for this next phase of my life (and keeping you all updated :)).

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for tomorrow's vintage fashion update.

Enjoy your Monday ;)

Friday: Stick it to the man.

So today has really just motivated me so much more to start this business.  I came in to work and got reemed out by bossman, and basically had no motivation to do my work.  This makes me feel incredibly guity, but what can I do? I just dont want to sit at a desk. I want to make my own rules -- wake up when I want, do what I want and I want... and maybe that is what is wrong with our generation.

Why do so many people dislike their office/corporate/desk jobs? Why are we in these jobs if we hate them so much? and what would happen to our economy if everyone just decided to up and leave their corporate job and start an online vintage boutique? It makes me wonder why more people don't do it. But i guess it's because it is difficult.  It takes a lot of guts, effort, time, money. It is easier not to.

Today I really just hit my breaking point though.  I woke up with my normal, pit of the stomach, "ugh i have to go to work" feeling and thought, "I really think if Obama wants to improve his ratings, he ought to institute the three day weekend." Boom! What would happen to our economy if THAThappened? If you think about it, Chik-fil-a does better than most of the other fast food companies and they are open one day less.  Maybe this same principle could apply to our economy.  Wouldnt that be nice? I mean, Italy has their siestas and such, and they seem to be doing fine.

What if our generation started a revolution.  We could call it the "Work to live not live to work" revolution.  We could all just quit, and live.... somewhere? but if we all did it, we would find a way to make it work.  Maybe it would change the way we live, we would have more joy, spend more time with our family and friends, actually enjoy what this world has to offer instead of just sitting at a desk with artificial air and no windows. If anyone wants to do this with me, let me know :) I dont know about you, but I am sick of living for the weekends and only having 2 weeks a year to actually enjoy the world.

On that note, I am gonna get back to work... and pray that the last 3 hours of the day go by before I know it.  Have a great weekend everyone!!

And stay tuned for Monday --- I have the daily schedule planned out and it is gonna rock :)

Planting the seeds - Enough water to make them grow?? And ideas/opinions/suggestions wanted!

Happy Thursday everyone! We are almost there - to the weekend!

Well I have to say that on the one hand, some progress is being made with the business planning and on the other, it seems I may have hit a wall, or will soon anyway.  I have a logo (as you can see), which may or may not change one or more times in the future.  I have also been contacting wholesalers and figuring out the actual pricing of items, listing costs (going to start out on etsy), becoming incorporated, eventually having a website, business cards - the whole 9 yards!

Now, the WALL.  In my mind, the wall = money.  More specifically, the fact that I have none (on that note, anyone want to become an investor? ;)).  Also the fact that there is a wedding in the future and all the wonderful expenses that factor into that.  So while having my business idea and gathering facts and making contacts is a beautiful thing, where do i get the mula!? I am supposing this is where God comes in.  Is it ok to ask God for money to start a business? I mean - i know it is ok to ask God for money for mission trips and to feed the homeless etc etc... but what about this? Maybe that is something to pray about :)
On another note, I decided that my blog is going to have a schedule.  As in, Mondays are on a specific topic and tuesday are on another, and so on.  So I would like to gather ideas from all of you about what you would like to see on a blog.  WHAT INTERESTS YOU? (it should of course be, vintage or art related or something to that affect).  What cool ideas do you have or what would keep you coming back to the blog world? Id love to hear your thoughts and opinions!

Random thoughts:

- why is it 85 degrees in October and actually, why am I complaining about warmth?
- Pumpkin muffins are incredible.

On that note, back to lunch and back to work! thanks for reading ya'll :)

Could this really happen?

So last night, my wonderful fiance and I began real planning for the business. 

He is the one with the business smarts and enjoys the planning and logisitic side of things.  Me, however, I enjoy flying by the seat of my pants.  In my world, flying by the seat of my pants would equal a totally awesome and successful business.  In the real world though that doesn't "fly" (no pun intended). 

SO, we started writing things down.  How much will it cost, what do we want the inventory to look like, what is the goal of the business in the future, what are the tiers, etc... all that fun stuff!!

It is really scary to think that I am actually stepping out there and trying to make my dream come true. I am so so very excited and it is pretty much all i want to think about and all i want to do (not good for my current employer)! I have doubt floating through my mind pretty much constantly and it is a battle to convince myself that I could actually be successful at doing what i love.  I have been down this road before to try and make a business work (flowerchildcreations) and I kinda gave up because fear got ahold of me.

BUT NOT THIS TIME! Im gonna keep on truckin'.

last but NOT least, I want to wish my amazing future husband a happy birthday.  i love you and I am blessed everyday by having you in my life.

stay tuned for more and thanks for reading!