Jewelry Design

So, I am a creature of comfort. I am a hippy at heart and don't always display my fashion sense to my surrounding network. however, I do have great taste. A few months ago I saw a job listing for a "Jewelry Buyer" for Sundance Catalog. I don't have buying or purchasing experience, however I have started my own businesses. That is beside the point. Because I love fashion and jewelry so much I put together a Pinterest board for my imaginary "Jewelry Buyer" job.

Enjoy.

Been away for a little while.

To my very few readers, I have been away for awhile. The last two years has been challenging and educational for me. Now that I am ending 2013 I have a few memories and lessons I would like to share.

I have been running a beauty school and with around 70 students and over 17 staff it has definitely been a learning experience.
Not only has my professional life been askew, my personal life has also had some life lessons and joys to learn from. As I get myself reacquainted with you all, I will leave you with this little video.

Love Notes.......

I remember a period in my life from the age of 5 to around 21 that I was always deeply in love. Yes, I was that girl. So, when my 12 year old son started to have a crush of his own, I felt his pain.
He has always had a small crush on one girl in his class each year. Only he and his mother knew of his crush each year.
Until now.
This year it is a little different, he has upped the ante. Not only has he developed a crush, he has written love notes, the first one anonymous and the most recent one he actually signed his name. It is fun to watch the poetic side of my 12 year old come out as he is trying to impress his new crush. Just to let you know, this 12 yr old boy is the sweetest thing, so to him, this day, must be love.

WARNING: Before reading the following love notes, be aware that my 12 year old son is DEEPLY into GREEK MYTHOLOGY.

Love Note #1

Dear Melanie,
You are as sweet as Greek honeycakes. If I were a god and I was immortal I would make you immortal so we could be together. If you were Medusa I would still date you. You are as beautiful as Aphrodite.
Love,
GM (greek myth)

Before I start love note #2 I have to say that I did not let him deliver this note, we talked about being friends and about giving each other space.

Love Note #2

Dear Melanie,
If I were a slave and you my master, I would do whatever you say, even if it means death. If I were Alexander and you the Persian princess, named Roxanne, I would marry you on the spot. If I were Perseus and you Medusa, I would rather die a bloody death by the Kraken than chop off your head. I would do whatever it takes to tickle your heart until death falls upon  us.
Love,
(his name)

These may seem a little serious, but with his love of Greek myths and tragedies, what other frame of reference does he have for love? (I guess other than my husband and I, but we are not nearly this dramatic)

It is so funny to look back and think of those major crushes. The very excitement you feel as you are going through young adulthood, just how serious and eternal they seem. How watching your crush laugh and giggle without knowing what is in your heart. 

Getting the Romance Back!

Here we go. A new year has started and my husband and I will be entering into our 14th year of marriage this year.
Things to know about my husband:

• He is starting to grow more hair every year.
• He will help you out at any time.
• He is an incredible baker.
• He is extremely dry and sarcastic.
• He continues to be in love with my body even though it is oddly stretched and rounded in places that you wouldn't ever wish for.
• His children adore him.
• He is horrible at being romantic.
• He makes fun of every trending, cheesy or sentimental thing I do.

After hearing a bit about him, you will understand why this next event in my life was so hard to do.

For a project at work, I had to find and test a product online. Because I am starting a relationship blog, I thought I would search for products that claim to help or grow your relationship.

So, here I am, I have found a product that teaches to send romantic texts and get your partner to reciprocate. NO THIS IS NOT SEXTING. So, with my extremely awkward, sarcastic, romantically challenged husband, this was definitely a task.

Could I ever get him to get past the first few texts without laughing and really try the program.? Well we got started and I will say this seriously... love it. Once my husband saw what his sweet texts and thoughts were doing to my attitude. Suffice it to say, I have loved this program. You guys can check it out, there is a free set of sample texts, then there is a program to try. My husband and I did the latter.
Even though we are not a couple that would ever think of this sort of program, we have no marital challenges, rarely fight, but 14 years can start to get a little dull.

I am totally grateful for the jumpstart. If you want to try, even if it seems a little silly at first, you can check it out here.

Cutest dog ever!

Ok, so I am behind the times, I have never joined Pinterest until today. My girlfriends at school keep talking about this site and with a little downtime in my work schedule, I decided to visit.

What I have found is disturbing. I am a major advocate for NOT dressing up your animals, however, once I saw this, I changed my mind. Attention to pet owners everywhere, unless you can produce such a specimen of animal cuteness, leave the pet clothes at the store. The following picture may in fact be the only exception.

Source: Uploaded by user via Tierney on Pinterest

Ice Cream and weightloss?

So, yesterday I was contacted from an associate of a professional partner of mine. They would like help promoting their product through women and mom blogs. The product is a mix that you mix with crushed ice and freeze. It is ice cream for weight loss. Seriously. Who wants to stop feeling guilty for eating ice cream.
I never thought this day would come? Ice cream, 150 calories, high in fiber and protein. I am going to be receiving the samples in the next week. I will let you know how my taste test goes.


I have a feeling in the future, they will want blogger's to review and use as an affiliate marketer. If you think you might want to be an affiliate or review this product, I will forward your information along. You can contact me at momsnmemos@gmail.com.

Lesson # 2: It is the little things that Matter.

As a church goer, I have my own struggles with what kind of mother and woman I should be. Where do I fit in? I think that most of us go through similar issues, and I don't know that  I have an answer yet.
However, I was thinking of the lessons that the holidays have taught me. So lesson number 2 is as follows.

Despite the fact that I am not crafty, I do not have play dates, I work full time and go to school at night. I enjoy hanging with my husband more than girls night out. This can, at times, lead to a lonely existence as a mother.

As I started into the holiday season, I started to wonder how I can  be aware and help those around me. As I am not the mother that will make pre-made cookie jars, or wrap a ribbon around a candle with a holiday poem, but I am someone who cares about others. I do want to help and assist anywhere I can.

Lesson #2 Make consistent and deliberate attempts.

I learned that the effort of saying hello, smiling to someone new, letting others know I am there for them, stopping by to say hi, this is enough. As long as my intent is pure, my acts are deliberate and I consistently try, I can influence the lives of those around me for the better, even without a red ribbon and poem attached to the candle.

As I write this down, I want you all to know, how much I love and care for you. How much I appreciate your words. Merry Christmas!