Happy Day and a Giveaway!

Ahhhh... the weekend!  What are you doing this weekend?  Currently, I am sipping coffee, feet up in my recliner, pondering the coming week's activities and obligations as if they are a far-off fantasy that I may never have to face.  Let's not even think about Monday.

I am heading to a scrapbooking Expo later today!  So excited!  (It's the little things! Literally!)  Don't you love scrapbooking "stuff"?  It's all just so cute and clever and creative.....aaahhhh!!  But have you ever actually finished a scrapbook?  Um.....let's not go there.   Oh the pages I've envisioned.  This is why scrapbookers actually LOVE our lockets!  It's like wearing your little masterpiece-- and way less work!  ;)

Have you seen our DIY charms?  You get to add your own photo and make it your own!  We have them in two sizes and they are TONS of fun!!  I just might maybe be doing a teeny tiny GIVEAWAY involving these adorable and unique charms!!!  I know-- somebody stop me!  hehe

Such a sweet way to carry loved ones close to you, 

or to remember a special vacation or occasion!

Imagine giving Grandma a locket with her sweet grandchildren inside!  Or for a new mommy.  Or in memory of someone who has passed.  It is a touching and heartfelt gift!

You could also put a picture of your favorite team in there.  Or a favorite character from, say, the happiest place on Earth...  hmmm.....

Ok, ok I know I said the word "Giveaway" and then I left you hanging.  Here's how it works:

1. Follow my blog-- in the lefthand column you can choose to "join this site" or follow by email.  

2. Like my Facebook page.

3. Choose your favorite photo on my Facebook page and leave a comment under it.

4. In the comments below, please let me know that you completed the 3 steps above and how you followed this blog page (did you "join this site" or follow by email?).

I will draw a winner on Friday 8/14/15 to choose the small or medium photo charm-- and I will even assemble it for you if you email me your photo!  

South Hill Designs has an amazing Opportunity!  It is easy to start your own business and start earning an income!  If this interests you, leave a comment about that as well and earn an additional entry into the Giveaway!  

Have a Charming Day!

Ready, Set.......GO!!!

What does August mean to you?  If you have children, it may mean back-to-school!  In my house, this is less of a celebration, since it also means MY summer is over!  I am heading back to Kindergarten.  Again.  For the 16th time.  17th if you include the year I was actually IN Kindergarten! hehe

Our summer has been fantastic, albeit short!  It is so nice not to have to set an alarm for several weeks, to run errands in the middle of a weekday when stores are not crowded, to head to the beach or the movies "just because" ...and just to catch up on LIFE!   I am very appreciative of this time off to recharge-- and believe me, I need it!   Oh boy.

Switching gears to routines and alarms and getting everyone to school on time is easier said than done!  So I have some tips for you to get your school year off to a GREAT start!

1. Plan ahead.  Pack lunches the night before.  Have older kids help you or pack their own lunches!

2. Post your schedule.  Put it in writing!  Let your kids know what time they need to get up, eat 

breakfast, and be out the door so that everyone is on time and there is no last-minute rushing around!

3. Have everyone put their school things by the front door the night before!  There is nothing more frustrating than being ready to head out the door and suddenly someone can't find their folder/backpack/shoes!

4. Schedule homework time and daily downtime.  It can be hard for kids to readjust to the demands of a new school year.  I like to give them a little time to relax after school, have a snack, and then delve into homework-- but do what works best for you and your family!  During homework time in our house, the TV is off and I am available to help when needed.  This is a good time for me to work on my South Hill Designs business-- which also serves as my "downtime" after a demanding school day!  

5. Plan something fun for the weekend!  Even if it's just a family movie or game night, it's good to have some time to reconnect after a busy week.  

My most important piece of advice would be to be ready to go with the flow!  It's not going to be perfect!  But after a few weeks, you'll all be back in the routine and everything will be moving along pretty smoothly.  Good luck on a wonderful new school year!!!

Have a Charming Day!

Family First

It has been a way too fast great summer!  Took the kids to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk yesterday and had a blast!  The cousins are still here visiting so we have been keeping them all as busy as possible to preserve our sanity! I love that we live so close to so many beautiful and fun places to visit.  I definitely prefer a stay-cation over a long trip any day!

My daughter and nephew on the log ride-- so fun!

My youngest son and nephews on the Tornado-- a fun 

spinning ride that you could not 

pay me to go on!

The first two from left are mine-- ages 9 and 15, the one on the right is my nephew, age 8.  The went on this ride-- the Crazy Surf-- like 10 times!  

These are almost all of my mom's grandkids.  My sister has one more boy who is 2. (It was his birthday yesterday!)  He did not come out to visit this time.

This week has also been busy with my daughter's behind-the-wheel classes.  She is 17 and waited awhile before testing for her driving permit.  She wasn't in a hurry, which was fine with my husband and I.  But now it's all happening.   She's becoming a good driver.  But it's terrifying nerve-wracking.   It's so hard when your kids grow up and start doing grown-up things like driving and graduating.  She will be a Senior this year and our middle son, a Junior.  Seems like yesterday they were off too Kindergarten!  Why does time have to fly so quickly??   Sigh.

She is driving my Ford Excursion.  It's huge, but I like to have a little metal between 

us and the other guy.  Just in case.

Tonight, I was challenged to a ping pong tournament by all the kids.  I am proud to tell you I smoked both my sons and both my nephews and will be taking on my daughter tomorrow!  I hope she's ready!  I know I will be!  (insert maniacal laugh)

I have been wearing my Ocean Love locket-- the August locket of the month!  It's so pretty and fun to wear!

It's like bringing a little of the beach with me.  I know I'll miss Summer 

a little less when I bring this along!

Have a Charming Day!

Are You A Social Butterfly?

Have I mentioned how much I love Summer?  (Insert winky face here.)

My nephews are visiting from Texas this week.  They are 10 and 8 and they flew to California all by themselves!  Pretty grown-up.  My kids are so excited to have their cousins here.  The volume around here has increased dramatically!   That's ok-- they're having fun!  My sister and I have three kids each.  Five of the six are boys.  My poor daughter!  haha  (At 17, she is the oldest of all of them and really doesn't mind being the only girl!  She gets a little spoiled because of it!)

Fishies!

So between now and the start of school, I am busy with these crazies and working on my calendar before the serious craziness hits at the beginning of the school year!  I do have some dates open for South Hill socials!  If you live in my area and have not yet hosted a social, I am so sorry I have not asked you!  They are SO much fun!  I do all the work and you and your friends get to play with jewelry!  Best of all, just for hosting, you get presents!  In addition to the free and half-price items your social earns, you also get an additional gift.  

Host a qualifying social in August and receive this stunning purple leather tassel on a gorgeous gold chain!  This is so en pointe with the current trends in jewelry.  Love!

Host in September and receive this beautiful and classic Madison bracelet and silver earrings.  This is a great way to enhance any look you are wearing and goes with everything!  

What is a South Hill Social? you ask. 

Well, a South Hill Social is unlike any "party" you've ever attended for a direct sales company!  There is no boring presentation!  There is no sales pitch!  I have not memorized any speeches or lines.  LOL  There is no pressuring your friends to buy things they don't need!  I do a simple and brief intro and then you and your friends get to play with the jewelry!  Put lockets together, try things on, see how many charms fit in your favorite bracelet.  Whatever!  There are usually a lot of oohs and ahhs, and a lot of laughing.   Your friends will love it!

And socials can be done just about anywhere!  In your home, backyard, at a local coffee shop, even a pizza place!  

So think about it!  Decide which of these specials you would rather have (August or September) and let me know and we'll find a date that works!  

Not local to me or you'd prefer a different option?  We can do your social on Facebook!  Facebook socials are fast, fun, and fabulous!  Rewards are the same!  You just get your friends to the event page and I'll do the rest!

Theme ideas: Fun but not necessary :)

I would love to spoil you and your friends so let's get you on my calendar!

Ok, off to a BBQ at my mom's with all the cousins!  I hope they're quiet tonight!  Oh now that's funny! 

Have a charming day!

The Journey is the Destination

Boy.... do you ever start something and then slack off?  And before you know it months have passed? Not to worry-- I'm baaaaaack!  Back to blogging regularly-- hold me to it!

Sometimes life just gets in the way, doesn't it?

This is oh-so-true.  We definitely make time for what matters.  

It has been a wonderful Summer so far-- I am a teacher so I really enjoy this time of year to recharge!  I love not having to set an alarm, being able to shop for groceries on a weekday, spending a day by the pool with my kids, reading for pleasure.... it's BLISS!  

Last weekend I got to spend an amazing few days with my South Hill Designs family at our 2015 Inspire Conference.  

Oh-Em-Gee it was so much fun!  I had been feeling a little....flat lately.  Like I was wandering aimlessly, or maybe I had veered a little off the road for a bit.  Conference lit a fire in me!  Not only did I find the road, but the fog cleared and I can SEE my destination!!!

I never once wavered in my desire to build my business-- that was not the issue.  I just had lost my spark-- but it's been lit again and is brighter than ever!

It's an amazing feeling to be part of a company that truly believes in you.  They really listen!  That is abundantly clear in the new and innovative products they introduced to us last week.  Holy smokes!  

Have you seen the new Octagonal Locket?  Who would think just adding some edges to the locket would make such a stunning statement?!

Gorgeous!

These are Inspiration Rings.  They are the size of the large coins & screens, but give your locket a whole new look!  It's like they give your charms a little hug!

Some Artists are even wearing these alone on a chain!  

Love this statement!

Quite possibly the most ingenious invention yet though is the Linkable Locket.  Watch to see how they work!  I am over the moon for this concept!  

What do you think?!!

Placing an order is easy!  Just go to my website and select what you want.  

BUT.....

(and this is a big BUT)

There is an even better Opportunity here, waiting for you!  If you are wondering what it takes to be a South Hill Designs Artist, let's talk!  

Is it complicated?  No!  Expensive?  Heck NO!  Time-consuming?  No, no, and NO.

Is it FUN......FLEXIBLE.....and REWARDING?  

YES!!!!!!!

Comment here with your email or email me at my1charmedlife@gmail.com if you would like the info.  No pressure, just information from a mom, a teacher, a wife who has found an amazing way to enhance my own life and contribute to my family budget.  I was not pressured to join and I would never pressure you!  But when you find something this awesome....you HAVE to SHARE!!!  

Have a Charming Day!

................and a Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I hope your holidays have been fabulous so far!  What are your plans for new Year's Eve?  Do you go out or stay home?  Spend it with kids or not?

We usually opt to stay in on New Year's Eve.  Sure, I fantasize about dressing up in some fancy outfit and heading for San Francisco for a wonderful (expensive) dinner in a place with a fantastic view of the city's festivities.  Then a big party with dancing and a countdown.....  but instead I usually spend it at home with the hubs, a cozy fire and a bottle of champagne, snacks for the kids, playing board games and watching New Year's Rockin' Eve on the tube.  At midnight they go outside with those confetti poppers and yell "Happy New Year!" with the neighbors.   And it's perfect. 

This year, I have an adult beverage planned that is like a mimosa, but instead of orange juice you use orange or tangerine sorbet.  Yum!

Here is the link to Pinterest.

And for the kids, cookies and milk.

Another Pinterest idea.

Like I could come up with milk & cookies on my own!  haha

We will play board games like Scattergories and Pictionary, celebrate at home, and be in bed by 12:03.  If that's not a fancy-pants way to ring in the New Year then I don't know what is!

I know everyone is pretty shopped out, but I do want to mention our South Hill Designs  End-Of-Year Sale.  There are some fabulous deals there!  The Greek letters and pink lockets are being retired, so if you have any interest in those items, this would be your last chance.  Sale runs through Jan. 5, 2015.  And if you opt to email me your order rather than order from the site directly, I will give you an additional 10% OFF, making these items 40% off or better!

Browse my website and then email your order to my1charmedlife@gmail.com by Jan. 4, 2015 for the additional discount.

Let me know if you try those mimosas!  And hey, any resolutions this year?  I am still working on mine.

Happy New Year!

The Goose Is Getting Fat...

Here we are!  Just roughly two weeks to go.  How is your holiday season going?

Around here it's so far, so good.  We have had a busy month so far!  We put our tree up right after Thanksgiving.  Do you have a real or artificial tree?  I still love real, but we have had a fake one for several years now and I have to say-- it's nice to just bring it in from the garage, no needles falling everywhere, plug it in and there ya go.  But I do miss the fresh smell of a real tree.  

It was also my birthday last week.  Pretty uneventful, but there was cake.  My 9 year-old mused, "It seems like a birthday is just another day when you are a grown-up."  Yep.  That sums it up pretty well.

In CA we have had some much-needed rain.  It is seriously strange to have it pour and pour for a couple of days.  You forget what a rainy day is during a drought!  Well, yay, the grass is green again!  

I was so lazy today.  I mean L-A-Z-Y.  

Like never-got-out-of-my-sweats lazy.

Didn't-brush-my-hair lazy.

Wore-my-socks-all-day lazy.

I didn't even go to the grocery store.  

I made my husband go.

He called me like fifteen times to ask questions about the list.

He does that every time I send him to the store.

Cracks me up-- don't you pay attention to the kind of milk we drink?

I love him.

He spared me a trip to the grocery store in December.

I stayed home instead and organized my jewelry and did some decorating. 

Blissful.

I also did some online Christmas shopping.  I am so thankful we have that option these days, aren't you?  I can't wait for everything to arrive so I can wrap it all up!  I feel so relieved to have some of our kids' gifts taken care of.  

You can get some Online Shopping done, too, if lockets are on your list.  I'd love to help you design something special for someone special.  I am gifting lockets to several people.  There is nothing I love more than choosing just the right one.

The amazing new ring would make a GREAT gift for someone who likes to make a statement with their jewelry!  It's gorgeous.

It's the size of a medium locket- you can put charms, a beautiful screen,

whatever you want inside.

We even have gifts for men!  

Check out these and the Trinity bracelets!  They are amazing!

Now to decide what kind of cookies to make this year!

Any ideas?

Have a Charmed Day!