Stella & Dot Launch!

Now that I've come out from under my rock of illness.... I can start to focus on all the trunk shows for Stella and Dot that I have next week!  I have a co-worker/friend having a trunk show... another friend.... and then, last but not least... I am having my official "Launch Show" along with my good friend Victoria of Kiss and Makeup!!!!

I am really excited about this party. She and I are making it a holiday-themed, girls' night out extravaganza!  She has a chocolate fountain... we are brining in lots of wine.... and some other tasty treats to go with all of that.  It will be held at Scruples Salon, so there is sure to be some amazing salon services.  I know Victoria and her sister will be doing makeup... she is offering 20% off all her products and putting together a big basket of makeup that she's marked down to $5 to clear inventory!

What could be more girlie fun?  Jewelry... makeup... hair care... wine... chocolate!?!  It's going to be a ton of fun!  And it's a huge benefit to me, personally, as I attempt to launch this side business of mine!  I sure would love and appreciate your support!!!!!

If you can't make the event, please consider taking a look at my trunk show link!

Link here:  http://www.stelladot.com/ts/gjzk5

The jewelry is amazing... it's really fun stuff and affordable prices! There are some great promotions right now too.  My favorite is the "Buy One, Gift One" promotion. When you purchase a fixed charm pendant through December 17th, Stella & Dot will donate gifts to active duty members, female veterans, military wives and their teenage daughters through the one of the below organizations.  How awesome is THAT???  I love it!!!!!

I have some of the fixed charm pendants and want to get some more to add to my sample set!  I have the "Watch Over You" necklace.  It's gorgeous in person and I so love the sentiment. I feel it is like wearing my guardian angel's wing around my neck. It makes a gorgeous little gift for someone you wish to protect as well.  :-)

I can also vouch for the "Tree of Life" necklace. It comes in silver and gold.... and it comes with a card that reads something like "reach for the sky as you keep your roots firmly planted..." ADORE.

So, take a look!  Maybe you will find something you just love.... and feel free to contact me too with questions!  I would love to help you out!  Better yet... consider hosting a trunk show yourself!  You earn hundreds in free jewelry! And you can host your own girls' night in!  It's so much fun... it's one of the reasons I love doing this... I get to attend everyone's girls' nights!!!!!  :-)

Happy shopping!!!!

I'm Still Alive....

I know you were all wondering.... but I am indeed, still alive.  :-)  It's been a busy month.... and on top of it all, the entire McIntosh household minus Ally, got a nasty, nasty bug. Maybe the flu. Maybe just a terrible cold. Who knows.  One by one, we all fell exactly two days apart.  Scott started with it the day we traveled home from Naples. Day one gives you a dry, hacking cough. Day two and three, you have a fever and your entire body hurts so bad you want to die. Days four through ten you are still sick, though getting better every day, with cold symptoms. Today, day eleven, is the first day I can say I am really, really getting better!  And I am OH SO THANKFUL!

I know I dropped the ball on posting about my daily thanks. I kept it up on Facebook for the most part I believe. Only missing a day when I was delirious with fever.  It has been a month to be thankful for really. Scott and I so enjoyed our trip to Florida. It was one of the best times we have had together on a trip. There was just something about it that was slightly wonderful and magical. I am so glad we take the time to do that... to get away. We come home feeling like a whole new couple and ready to take on what life throws at us. In this case, the illness from hell....  ;-)

I feel like I lost an entire week with all of us being sick.  On top of it all..... I am leaving my job!  Yes, you heard me right.... I am leaving Consumers after more than 13 years!  It's been wonderful, but it's time for a change and the right opportunity came at the right time, so I have to sieze the moment!

I am going to work for our Chiropractor and good friend, Dr. Scott Manchester. He is opening an office here in Jackson (previously in Brooklyn) and he asked if I would come help him with the office side of things... so he could do what he does best... be a chiropractor!  I cannot wait to help him make this new venture as successful as possible and interact with people once again. No one believes in the power of chiropractic care more than me as he kinda saved my life about a year ago when I was super sick. He keeps my kids healthy... and it's such a happy, positive environment I can't wait to be a part of it!

This is my last week at Consumers. Friday, being my last day. My co-workers are sending me off in style.... we are having a bash Friday after work, downtown.... starting at the Crazy Cowboy. Should you find yourself in need of a great group of people to do a shot-ski or two with... come on out!  ;-)

It's exciting, scary, sad and amazing all rolled into one. I am beyond blessed to have had the time I had at Consumers and just as blessed to have this new opportunity! I can't wait to get started!!!

This is also birthday week!  It started out on a low note, as I was feeling sick and blue, but as I feel my strength returning, I am getting excited about celebrating another birthday with family and friends all week long!

Just wanted to post quick to let anyone out there know I live.... if anyone is out there.  I hope you all had wonderful Thanksgivings and are getting excited as we gear up for a wonderful Christmas season! It's the most wonderful time of the year!

A Very Thankful Month....

It's November and once again I am stating something I am thankful for each and every day. I have been good about keeping it up on Facebook, but remiss about blogging each day! So, here I am..... playing catch up! Bear with me as I quickly summarize the first 6 days of the month!

Day One:  "Today I am thankful for answered prayers and good news for good friends"

Our good friends received news that their godson was going home. The charges against the Giroux family were completely dropped as there were no grounds for such bull.... all's well that ends well as my dear boy Luke would say (his favorite phrase for some reason lately!) but it was still a terrifying time.  Brody is home safe and sound and the family can finally begin to heal after the loss of their daughter and sister.

Day Two: "Today I am thankful for friends... especially those with birthdays and those with exciting life changes"

Life is truly wonderful when shared with friends.  I am blessed with wonderful friends all around. Friends I have made through my children's school.  Friends that have children who are friends of of my children and make for perfect times when we all get together.  Some of my favorite friend gatherings include the whole fam damily.  What is better?  I have wonderful friends that I have had since childhood... since high school... since college. I have family that are best friends. I am blessed with an abundance of friends and I love sharing life with them!

Day Three: "Today I am thankful I live right here in Jackson, MI"

I am. Sometimes it sucks. There's no great mall or shopping. Sometimes the people get on my nerves... as I long for the diversity a larger community offers.... but the truth is this: I wouldn't have it any other way.  My family is here. My husband's family is here. We are rooted here and we aim to grow right here where we are planted.  We have made the best of Jackson... we have embedded ourselves in the community and made the best of friends here. We love our school. We love and try hard to support our local businesses.  We are investing both financially and emotionally in our little city and getting the most out of life right here!

Day Four: "I am thankful the political ads are almost over"

Self explanatory.

Day Five: "I am thankful I have the right to vote"

It doesn't matter who you vote for. I don't care to know. I don't care to argue. I have my feelings, you have yours. Believe it or not... I actually respect your opinion. I hope you respect mine.  But, sometimes silence is the best choice....

No matter what... we are blessed with the opportunity, privilege and right to vote.  We are blessed to live in this country.  I am truly thankful....

So, here we are!  I'm all caught up!  Hopefully I will do a better job of sharing my thanks. I  love this month. I love writing each day about something so positive and uplifting. Three years ago, when I started this tradition, it changed my life. I don't say that lightly either. It did. I constantly look for the good in situations now. Reasons to be thankful are all around us. I now know how to focus on that.....

There are so, so many reasons for me to give thanks.  There are just as many for you too!

Happy Halloweenie....

We had, hands down, our best Halloween yet.  I took the day off work so I could be at both the kids' parties at school.  Luke's was at 9:00 am and Allys' was at 1:45 pm.  I have some great pics from the school parties on my "real camera"... I will get those off someday.  Not making any promises.  ;-)

Luke's party was adorable. Who can resist 26 four year olds dressed up??  They made treat bags, ate some yummy food, played "Hallowingo" (Halloween Bingo), and paraded all over the school through each and every classroom. I love this parade tradition.  Only the Kindergarteners have historically been allowed to dress up at school and they parade. Now that we have a preschool, they join in the fun!  Luke is so lucky to have a big sister and gets lots of love along the way.  :-)

In between the parties, I headed over to my Mom's -- where I was served a super yummy lunch of homemade chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese!  It was a lovely break in my day. The calm in the crazy fun storm!!!!

Got back to school and helped out with Ally's party. They played games, did a craft and, of course, ate food.  I took fruit and was impressed at how much they ate. Healthy choices before a sugar filled evening!!!! They all got gift bags.... and everyone had a great time. Nothing like a school party. I don't care how many teachers hate them. I get it... it's disruptive.... but they will also be some of the best memories for those kids!

After school, we busted over to my office.... where a Halloween Party was underway and trick or treating in all the offices was occurring. Love this. Indoor trick or treating!  The kids got more candy than they needed as we were some of the last to go through. Everyone emptied their bowls into my kids bags!  They didn't even NEED to go out later that night!  At all! But.... of course, we did....

We busted over to our friends' house... were a gaggle of Ally's girlfriends and parents were gathering for dinner.  Homemade mac and cheese, hot dogs and lots of yummy treats.  Hot apple cider with something special added for the adults.  ;-)

We all ate quickly and then, bundled up to go door to door.  It was cold, but we made the most of it! We had a really great time.....

The girls (and Luke!) came back and exchanged their candy. That part cracked me right up. I sat bundled in a blanket with a glass of wine and enjoyed their negotiations.

Yay for Halloween... and like I said before.... long live childhood!!!