Monday Chatter (and a lil bit Chris Daughtry)

Well here we are officially entering the Memorial Day holiday weekend.  The weekend that screams summer is here.  School is almost out and our service men and women are beyond awesome!!

So here is what is happening around the Chatter this week:

But First.........

I am still recovering from my celebrity sighting this weekend....  For those of you who know me I am a huge Chris Daughtry fan.  I mean HUGE.  So when I got a glimpse of him at the All Star Race this past weekend I was a bit "excited" (okay I went into full dork mode and my beloved husband who was with me threatened to leave me if I didn't knock off the giddiness).   Here is a picture....

Yup, he waved at me....  We are BFF'S now.... Hehehehehehehe....  Of course full blog post coming soon. 

For now, Back to Business!

Check out "Gals Who Rule The Chatter  If you haven't met these lovelies just yet please wander over and read about their amazing hearts, awesome business's, blogs and organizations.

My first recommendation of the Summer....

If you have little ones who love nothing more than and old fashion water balloon fight than look no further. 

3 and 1 Ballon Pumper by Discovery Kids.

Basically you can use for water balloons or to blow up regular balloons.  My boys love this.  Not just to throw at each other, but also on the yard, our driveway and their bikes (they needed cleaning Mommy, see.)

Great Fun for a hot afternoon.  We found ours at Bed Bath and Beyond for $9.99. 

Did ya see my Blog Club?  Have a blog you would like to recommend for Le Club.  Send me the link and I will add as long as it is suitable  (a.k.a nothing dirty people) 
Here is a new one added today Called Vol25 and was seen in Artful Blogger one of my new favorite mags...
Make sure you read her blog Vol 25   and visit her Etsy Shop.   She does amazing work.
I love how creative she is. I am already a huge fan and think you will be too.  Here is one of her pieces.  It is practically Lakeside Chatters motto so I had to share....
Thanks to Jessica with Vol 25.  You rock!!!

Provided by Vol25 http://www.etsy.com/shop/vol25

Organization Tips brought to you by Carolina Neat Freak: 

Kitchen Organizer

Group like items together--
store all bake ware in the same cupboard, all wooden spoons in the same ceramic crock, all spices in the same drawer.




Garden Tool Container

A sand filled trough will keep small garden tool from vanishing--and keep them in good working order.





Make sure to visit my sponsors as well.  Just click on their icons under "Chatter Sponsors" and pay their websites or blog a visit.  They would love to hear form you. 

That is it my peeps.  I am off to go download more Chris Daughtry pictures....  I only took like 20 or so...  I mean someone had to stalk him, it may as well of been me.  And if my hubby (also named Chris) is reading this I love you more than you know and when all is said and done this picture by far is my favorite from the race day..... 

My true love (and true BFF) in his element. Now THAT is worth all the chatter in the world.

With Love,
Mary

Plumfield Shop

Last month I featured an article about Etsy. I you haven't heard of Etsy, it is an online store that focuses on handmade art, clothing and vintage items, along with jewelry, photography, accessories, craft supplies and more. I have become a huge fan of Etsy for several reasons’ but mainly because it is place where very talented and creative people can sell their items at very reasonable prices with an artistic and handmade touch. When I visit Etsy, I feel like I have been transported into an old fashion vintage shop full of intimate, cozy and beautiful items that all woman love. You know the kind I am talking about, candles, soft music playing, and the smell of jasmine or lemon pound cake. Little nuggets of the store full of romantic jewelry, soft colors and unique lotions and hand bags, sassy shoes, scarf’s... All the while light jazz playing and a sweet little lady who offers you a satchel for your items and a complimentary cup of tea. Yeah, I could spend all day on Etsy, but my husband and my kids might notice when dinner goes missing.

 So I am thrilled and super excited to introduce you to Lauren Perkins who is the owner, designer and creator of Plumfield Shop.
Plumfield Shop opened last year and offers a wide Varity of charming and sweet items for the home, children, gifts and of course for you, your Mom, or BFF. Her items are very creative and have an outdoors appeal that is perfect for spring and summer time.
  I have been honored to get to know Lauren a little a bit and how she got her Etsy business started and what it is like to be an entrepreneur in the Charlotte area. Read below to learn more about her, and make sure you check Plumfield Shop on Etsy as well as her blog which offers wonderful tips on sewing cooking and other bits of life.

Getting Started...
I have been sewing for five years.  I had always wanted to learn to sew and one day decided that it was time.  I picked out an inexpensive sewing machine for my mother-in-law to get me for Christmas.  I read the whole manual that came with the machine.  I asked my husband for help. 
Eventually, I found my groove.  After lots of practice and lots and LOTS of mistakes, I realized that I was in love.  The fabrics, the colors, the design and construction- everything about this hobby appealed to me.  The only problem was that I could never sew enough.  There was always something keeping me from sewing as much and as often as I wanted. 
Finally, my husband and I put our heads together.  We planned and we calculated and we schemed.  We came up with the crazy idea that I could quit my full time job and start a sewing business.  We read books, brainstormed shop names, and did market research.  And then we just did it. 

Plumfield Shop Launches.

I opened my shop in August of 2010.  I get to sew every day, sometimes all day, and I have never had more fun.  My favorite part is getting to work directly with a customer to create an item that is uniquely theirs.  There is a certain joy that comes from taking your skills and knowledge and using them to give form to someone else’s dream. 

On being an entrepreneur in Charlotte
I think that one of the advantages to starting my own business in Charlotte is that it is a large city with tons of resources.  I have access to all sorts of great supplies and inspiration here.  Most of the small business connections I have made so far are online, but I am looking forward to meeting other local entrepreneurs. 
The hard part about Charlotte being so large though is that I always feel like I am missing something!  I am sure there are lots of great shops and groups that I will never cross paths with and I hate to think that I’m not using my community to its fullest!

A big thank you to Lauren for allowing me to feature her here on the Chatter.  I think you will love her and Plumfield Shop as much as I do.  Don't forget to check out her shop visit her blog and on Facebook as well. 
Plumfield Shop
Plumfield Shop Blog
Plumfield Shop Facebook

Thinking Etsy?

I have to admit, it took me a long time to figure out what the heck "Etsy" meant.   What a name right? "Etsy"  What does it mean? Are they initials?  Is it a new exotic food, a new moisturizer?  After much curiosity and seeing blog designs offering Etsy Shop backgrounds I decided to check out this "Etsy" craze.
I am now an Etsy customer and Etsy addict,(even the name Etsy is addicting)  Because if you are a creative buff like myself and love to shop and love to see other peoples creative talents, not to mention great prices (and did I also mention shopping?) than you too will love all the uniqueness of Etsy.
And if you are a crafter, a creator, a get your hands dirty, draw, model, sew, build, DREAM then you too will love Etsy and may even turn to them for help getting your business launched.  Like all new business ventures, getting started is the hard part, so I hope to provide great articles like this one form helpful sites like WAHM (work at home moms).  This one focuses on getting started with Etsy and how you can succeed if you have a skill, hobby or trade you just can't wait to promote. 
Your Etsy Business: 6 Tips for Turning a Profit - WAHM.com
Good luck with your business venture and if you use Etsy regularly please feel free to leave me a comment.  I would love to hear from you.