Arm Exercise

Almost every time I get on Pinterest, I see a new braided hairstyle that looks arm-numbingly crazy and incredibly beautiful. I’ve really become obsessed with braids over the past year- they’re just so perfect when either a) I need to spice up an ensemble or b) my hair just isn’t cooperating. Check some of these out!

Photo 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

A far cry from the pigtail braids of elementary school, right? Other than the classic, I’ve only mastered the fishtail, the ponytail braid (#5) and the waterfall (#4 - only on really good days though, and when I have to time and patience to keep both arms over my head while I fumble around with my hair). I’d really like to attempt some of these others this summer. Better start hitting the weights...

Katy

A Little Organization Inspiration for Your Friday!

I’m staring at my desk as I write this from my bed, and here is what I see: several stacks of notebooks and random papers, three cups, a coffee mug, a box of stationary, random odds and ends (paper clips, push pins, hair ties… things of that nature), and to top it all off, several articles of clothing over the back of my chair. (Where are the pens and pencils, you ask? Those are in the drawer, and I’m not even going to go there…)

Needless to say, desk space has not been a recent priority.

Finals week starts today (and yes – I do think Friday is an odd day for finals to begin), and I’m thinking I could really use some clear desk space to kick-start my brain power. Here is a little inspiration I’ve been sifting through in an attempt to muster up some organization motivation!

Now that's a calendar! Plus- I love the idea of spelling your name with letter mugs for pen/pencil storage.

 Fabulous chair!

 Fresh flowers make all desk-work more fun!

 I like the big number labels.

Great filing system.

 ... it's so clean!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Happy weekend!

Katy

Love the Wood Cut Out Monograms? You Can Win One!

If you are like me, you just love the new wooden cut out monograms and can think of about 10 places in your house that screams for one!

Wait no longer...we're giving one away!

Just visit my friend, Laurie's blog, Lulu and Daisy, and enter to win...easy peasy!   Click here to enter.

Introductions are in order...

Hey everyone! 

My name is Katy, and I'm so excited to be blogging at Invite Cottage! I'll be sharing my favorite products as well as some thoughts on fashion, food, travel, design... all kinds of fun things!

But first, to help y'all get to know me a little better, here are a few random facts about myself:

 This is me.

Photo

Like Kim, I am a Meredith College Angel! (Next year is my senior year! Unbelievable...)

 I'm obsessed with coffee. (Much to my dentist's dismay...)

I love bright colors. My fashion choices used to be called "creative". Now they're called "color-blocking". (I like to think I was ahead of the curve... ;))

This one time, I went to Italy... and I haven't been able to stop talking about it since!

 I'm one of those people who takes lots of pictures of their food in restaurants...

 ... over

... and over again.

Being crafty makes me happy. (I can't wait to show y'all what I did with these bows!)

...did I mention the coffee obsession?

And one could hardly be involved with Invite Cottage without loving monograms... I am definitely no exception!

Hope that gives y'all a little taste of me- I can't wait to post again!

Katy

Oh So Cute Wooden Monograms!

Oh my goodness! I've seen these and am so excited to now carry them. A must have for all preppy homes...wooden monograms! From 6" to 24", there is one for everybody!

 

2012 Ultimate Blog Party

Hey Everybody!  I just came across this Blog Party on my friend, Laurie's, blog.  Cool, fun idea and great way to meet fellow bloggers.

For those of you who are new to Invite Cottage...papers & gifts, let me introduce myself.  My name is Kim and I have been in the personalized gifts, stationery & invitation business since 1993!   Originally, I had a shop selling invitations, then added the personalized gifts, and eventually launched a website in 2004.  From there, cyberspace took over and now we are 100% website, carrying personalized products from lots of great vendors all over the US.

In November, 2011, we finally launched our newest site to retire the old, very tired & worn out one.  We are really excited about the new site, as it gives us so much more flexibility to add great new products, quicker and easier to order.

By night, I am a busy mother of a 15 year old girl & 12 year old boy.  If we aren't at dance class, we are at basketball practice.  My husband works in corporate America, so we are just the typical busy family of 4.  We do love to get in the kitchen and cook up a yummy meal!  I love seeing my kids appreciating good food :).

Here is a picture of me in my favorite place in the world...the beach!  This is a picture of my kids from a few years ago, but it shows the good times on the boat (taken near the same dock as the one of me).

  

Hope you all have a great week.  It is beautiful here in NC...can't wait for summer!!!

Kim