Tale of the Multi-Tasking, Craft-and-Design-Loving, Mother-of-Two, Singaporean-Living-in-US, Corporate-Working Mom Named Grace Hester

Where's Grace?

 

Traveling for the day job.  More traveling to come.  Continuous improvement workshops/projects.  Coordinating a product launch event in 3 weeks.  More customer visits.

 

Trying to make healthy food choices while on the road or while trying to move at 120 mph.  Guacamole made fresh at our table at Cantina Laredo.

 

Ironically, I have been able to do some reading.  Really enjoying Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli & Isles series.

 

It's not all fun and glamour.  I spent 2 full days of my Miami, Florida visit in 40 degree cooler rooms.

 

And most of all I miss these punkins when I'm not home. (Yes that big one in the middle is my punkin' too.)

Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella = Summer

You know how there are some recipes that reminds you of a season and that you cannot get enough of once the season arrives?  Well, the combination of tomatoes-basil-and-mozzarella is one of the base recipes I look forward to with the arrival of summer.  This "base" can be made into an appetizer, then easily tweaked into a summer salad with the addition of spinach and some asiago bread wedges, or it can also be tweaked into a pasta entree by using grape tomatoes, penne pasta, and bacon pieces.  Or place them between two slices of bread and pop them in-between the panini press.  Yum!

 

The appetizer is so easy to throw together.  Take 2-3 large and firm tomatoes, a log of mozzarella cheese, a few leaves of basil.  Cut the tomatoes and mozzarella into slices, and stack them together.  Then place a leave (or two) of basil on top and drizzle extra virgin olive oil over it.  I like to add freshly-ground pepper on top for some extra flavor.  Mmm mmm mmm!

Their Artistic Interpretation

"You had asked me for some paper.  Then a minute of busy-silence.  Minutes later, you asked for two pieces of tape.  And then more busy-silence.  When I walked into the family room to see what you and your little sister were up to, I saw that both of you had drawn pictures of the two toy ponies, and taped them to the top of their barn, so they would know that this is their home." - Captured June 3 2011 7:30 PM

 

 

I Heart Kroger's Everyday Low Prices

My family shops at Kroger for our groceries.  We actually have the option of shopping at other supermarkets between where our day jobs are and where we live but we have come to realize over time that when it comes to offering consistently low prices everyday, not just with coupons or through specials, Kroger beats the rest.

However, I admit that I rarely venture into the cosmetics section of Kroger so when the opportunity to participate in a shopping haul in Kroger's CoverGirl section presented itself, I thought, "Wow, why haven't I ever thought to check that section?"

 
 
Well, can I just say that I had too much fun during my CoverGirl shopping haul!  Here's what I ended up taking home,

CoverGirl Lash Blast Length Mascara $6.39
I was won over by the skinny wand that I knew would work well with my thin and short eye lashes.

CoverGirl Smoky Shadow Blast $6.39
I have been meaning to try out their SmokyShadowBlast since I saw the TV ad for the new cream eyeshadow featuring Drew Barrymore. (Purrrr . . . . When I grow up I want to be Drew Barrymore)

CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 4 Kit - Eyeshadow Set $4.55 (In Crystal Waters)
Total impulse buy. :o)  Got waylaid by the beautiful aqua colors and since I've never tried those shades before, I figured why not?  Verdict:  I am so glad I did!  The colors suited my brown hair and eyes well and when used with some of my turquoise/aqua outfits, really finished the look.

These next two are for my mom in Singapore who loves CoverGirl foundation for everyday use.  She is going to be so tickled pink that I got these for her. :o)

CoverGirl Advanced Radiance Age-Defying Pressed Powder for $7.74
CG Smoothers All Day Hydrating Make-Up $7.19

So my grand total was $32.26!  OK so I overspent by $2.26 but what was I walking away with?  #1:  New make-up for myself and #2 AS WELL AS for my momma in Singapore.  Total score!  I thought that I was going to have to really make some tough decisions with "only" $30 to spend on make-up especially since my powder foundation alone costs that much.  So I was really pleasantly surprised that because of the everyday low prices offered by Kroger and CoverGirl, that the credit went a long way.  It's tempted me enough to consider trying out their foundation - it could save me $23 per foundation purchase!

Thank you to Kroger and CoverGirl for sponsoring this review. While CoverGirl provided me with a $30 gift card to purchase CoverGirl products at Kroger stores, the opinions I've expressed here are solely my own, represent my honest viewpoint, and not that of CoverGirl, Kroger, or Proctor & Gamble. I am making no claims about the products, just expressing my thoughtful opinion. Clever Girls Collective supports Blog With Integrity.



The Swanky Abode at Easton (4230 The Strand, Columbus, OH)

Stopped by The Swanky Abode a few weeks ago during a drive-by shopping trip at Anthropologie (which is across the street from The Swanky Abode).  I am SO IN LOVE with this store!  It has such a great blend of style and function and is as close to mecca as it gets for an affor-design-phile.  I managed to take some photos but promised to be back to really browse the offerings.

 
 
 
 
And lookie, here's some of Daisy Mae Designs' map pendants.  I love that they have a "local artist" section.  Way to support local artists!

Cube Dog Fun!

Thank you to Cube Dog for sponsoring this review. For more information about Cube Dog please visit the Facebook page or download it on iTunes.

As mentioned earlier, the girls and I had the opportunity to try out the Cube Dog app and it is a current hit with the three of us!  Basically, the app allows you to create your own unique three-dimensional cube dog by selecting various parts and colors.  For example, we created a dog for Daddy, and both of my girls.  The touchscreen and user-friendly design made it so easy to jump right into the fun part of the app.

 

The graphics are awesome and allows you to rotate and zoom and your dog performs some tricks in high-quality 3D animations.  Here's what happens when you "tickle" your dog - her chuckle and laughter is so infectious!

And this is my favourite animation - the Ninja.  Look at how serious she looks!

 
You also have the ability to clear out the background and use your iPhone and iPod touch 4's camera to take a photo of you with your Cube Dog, or in a different environment,

 
Here's one of the Cube Dog nuzzling up to my daughter. :o)

I think the video does the explaining the best but really you have to try it for yourself to know how cool and fun this app.

There's a fun contest running from June 13 - 17 at the Cube Dog Facebook page!  I can't wait to see what else they have up their paws.

While Cube Dog provided me with the app to review, the opinions I've expressed here are solely my own and represent my honest viewpoint. Cube Dog, Clever Girls Collective and I promote Blog With Integrity.

 

Charmant! PSA Essentials Frenchie and The Twinery's Baker's Twine

 
Bonjour!  This entire week, The Twinery and PSA Essentials design teams are co-hosting a blog hop filled with ideas for you to explore, in addition to all sorts of yummy prizes up for grabs.  But first, here's my project,

 
I use the Frenchie set from PSA Essentials and stamped them on cardstock.  Then I used a EK Success 1-3/4" circle punch to cut them out.  I also made some tags of the names of the pictures (e.g., dog = le chien) in French, and brought in some additional color with The Twinery's Baker's Twine by threading or wrapping it around these tags. 

Then I collaged it together to create a fun shadowbox art that teaches my daughters the words in French.  Puuuurtty AND functional. :o)

So what is PSA Essentials?
PSA Essentials manufactures custom, self-inking stamps (think return address labels.) They have patent-pending Peel & Stick technology which allows you to PEEL away your custom stamp and STICK on a new design, and they have thousands of designs - from Holiday, Birthday, Sentiments, and licensed Peanuts, Hello Kitty, U.B.U., Smirk, College & Universities, and Greek Life, making PSA Essentials perfect for crafting!The self-inking stamper (and 22-ink cartridges) give a crisp, clean and consistent impressions every time! The technology allows you to interchange your designs quickly for scrapbooking, cardmaking, creating gift tags, bags, wrap, making favors and decorations. 
 
Here's a little info about The Twinery too...
Our twine is made from 100% cotton, it's eco-friendly and made in the USA.  Whether you're gift wrapping, crafting or tying up baked goods to give to a friend, our baker's twine adds a fresh,
yet nostalgic look to any project at hand! Our baker's twine comes in 11 delicious colors and it's uniquely twisted against a bright white hue, creating an eye-popping burst of color and a creative  embellishment! Our twine has lots of color which lends to a fun, candy-striped look. 

The Blog Hop Prizes!

• The Twinery will be giving a prize package of: Winners choice of 6 spools of baker's twine (value of $84)
• PSA Essentials will be giving a prize package of: 1 stamper & 3 Peel & Stick packs, and 1 Monogrammed Tote Bag  (value of $75+)

How to Enter:

• Dates of entry are 6/6 at 12:01 AM EST to 6/12 at 11:59 EST.
• LEAVE COMMENT ON EACH PARTICIPATING DESIGNER'S BLOG AND
• Follow the PSA Stamp Camp Blog – 1 entry
• Follow The Twinery Blog – 1 entry
• Like PSA Essentials on Facebook – 1 entry
• Like The Twinery on Facebook – 1 entry

Winner will be chosen on 6/13 and announced on The Twinery's blog as well as Facebook on both Twinery & PSA pages

Special Discounts!

• PSA Essentials can be ordered HERE and all orders will receive a 30% discount
  when ordered between June 6-10 only.  No discount code is needed.
• The Twinery is offering a 15% DISCOUNT on all orders placed between June 6-10 only.  Discount code to be used:  PSAHOP15

Wow!  Did you know I said all that without taking a breath? (Hee hee)  Anyway, if you should somehow get lost, The Twinery's blog is the first stop along the hop and you can also pick-up from any one of our design team members' sites and hop away!

Well, stick around this week for some fabulous ideas from all 27 designers participating in this Blog Hop!  But starting tomorrow 8AM,

Jennifer Holmes

 will be kicking things off at her blog so please do visit her and tell her I sent you!

FULL LIST OF DESIGNERS and BLOG HOP DATES:

MONDAY, JUNE 6
TheTwinery: http://www.thetwineryblog.blogspot.com/
PSA Stamp Camp: http://psastampcamp.blogspot.com/
Julie Ranae: http://juliesopenwindow.blogspot.com/
Tami Mayberry: http://www.tamimayberry.blogspot.com/
Monika Wright: http://iloveitallwithmonikawright.blogspot.com/
Anthonette Chavez: http://chavezdesigns.blogspot.com/

TUESDAY, JUNE 7
Jen Carter: http://jensinkspot.blogspot.com/
Angelica Suarez: http://handmadebyangelica.com/
Jeanne Streiff: http://inkypaws.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Grace Hester: http://www.gracehester.typepad.com/

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8
Jennifer Holmes: http://www.simpleflourishes.com/
Jessica Diedrich: http://thewhimsicalbutterfly.blogspot.com/
Kelley Eubanks: http://www.myfrontporch-kelley.blogspot.com/
Caroline Stender: http://mypapertreats.blogspot.com/
Kim Moreno: http://www.livingthecircuslife.blogspot.com/
Jenny Suchin: http://www.suchins.blogspot.com/

THURSDAY, JUNE 9
Mara Campbell: http://www.loveyourmotherearth.blogspot.com/
Sheri Twing: http://www.auntierere.blogspot.com/
Marie Ramirez: http://www.absosweetmarie.blogspot.com/
Tifany DeGough: http://inkblotsbytrd.blogspot.com/
Melyssa Connolly: http://www.fantastink.blogspot.com/

FRIDAY, JUNE 10
April Meeker: http://www.suaviloquy.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Jones: http://pinkstarcreations.blogspot.com/
Katrina Hunt: http://www.paperscissorsandglue.blogspot.com/
Emily Leiphart: http://www.leiphartonart.blogspot.com/
Amber Zimmerman: http://amberzimm.blogspot.com/

Grace Hester Papers on Heartsy Today!

 
I am on Heartsy today!  Offering $10 for $24 worth of personalized stationery.  If you sign up via this link, you receive $5 in Heartsy credits with your first purchase.  So go and shop already. ;o)

 

Worthsy vs. Heartsy . . . or Worthsy AND Heartsy?

I remember awhile back seeing on Twitter, Jessika from OhMyHandmade indicating her opinion on the site Heartsy and if I recall correctly, she was expressing her view that she did not quite like the notion of discounting handmade creations to make a quick sale.

Now I straddle the two worlds of manufactured vs. handmade in my responsibilities as a market manager of a business corporation that sells manufactured goods and as a store owner of a personalized prints and paper goods online store.  Those two worlds literally do not overlap.  I also spent 4 solid years being a strategic pricing practitioner for both widgets and one-of-a-kind systems so it is a topic I am passionate about.  Although I can appreciate what Jessika's opinion is, I relish the ability to mingle the two in my world - leveraging my business knowledge and practical mind to run an online business, but allowing myself to be creative and use my hands to make things.  So believe it or not, I would just as quickly support Heartsy as I would Jessika's new venture, Worthsy.

Worthsy's features a handmade item and let people who can appreciate the one-of-a-kind, handmade, labor-intensive creations, and allows them to bid on the item.  This concept totally rocks because it allows the buyer to vye for the creation with others who "get" it and understand how much it is worth.  I am so excited that Jessika has taken something she felt so convicted about and acted upon it.

 
The way I see it, I like churning out "canned" offerings where the customization is fairly standardized and which appeases the "operations/finance" half of my brain.  This is also the type of orders that I should be able to fulfill promptly which is part of why I would be able to price them competitively.  I would absolutely offer these up on Heartsy.

On the other end, I also offer custom design services where a customer comes to me with a quote or a set of wedding vows, or a treasured trinket, and I spend a good number of hours working with their unique purpose and vision to create a print or an artwork (mixed media).  These projects stretch my creativity and especially in the mixed media commissions, I often feel rejuvenated for new print ideas.  But the time and effort spent would not make this a business-savvy option on Heartsy!  Instead, it would be a perfect fit for Worthsy.

So really it all boils down to what is the right channel for the different product offering you have.  For example, my original prints and paper goods were all housed under Grace Hester Designs on etsy and I did not think that signing up to be featured on Heartsy made sense.  There was just too many custom and personalized options offered.  But since I started migrating the paper goods to a separate store Grace Hester Papers, suddenly, the math made sense to try out Heartsy to promote that store.  So I submitted and am scheduled in the coming week to be featured.  I will be glad to share the experience once the initial surge calms down!  I also submitted to be on Worthsy offering up a fully custom quote print for the auction.  If I should be approved, I would be able to write about that too! (*crossing fingers*)