Busy busy

So I have been crazy busy. Jocelyn is now adjusted and LOVING preschool, I am preparing for some craft/holiday shows with my peapods & birdnests, planning a BIG event for a breast cancer organization in my area and I am working very hard to promote and support some other amazing local women's businesses. I will be writing a column for a magazine due out in January and things are getting hectic. I can't blame anyone other than myself, not that I would anyway. I have some more idea's and recipes to share so get ready! Also working on finishing a few children's books. YAY! they have been sitting on my computer for LONG ENOUGH!

The holidays are approaching, so quickly. I'll begin my shopping probably within the next week or so. I am hoping to use a lot of local businesses to purchase my gifts and I hope you will consider local businesses and boutiques where you live.

Here is the page on FB, it is an AMAZING group of women; http://www.facebook.com/MDGirlsjustwannahavefans. PLEASE check them out!

New Recipe *

Check the Recipe & DIY tab for

Brown Butter Apple Spice Pancakes hot off the griddle with cinnamon syrup! OH HELLO FALL!

This is the perfect post for WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!

Earthquake now Hurricane Irene!

First and foremost, I hope everyone in the path of Irene is well sheltered and stays safe. Second I am in no way poking fun of the situation, I know it's a serious storm. Third this is purely to display my family's experience and share with you some of our story.

1 EST So she has arrived and she is making her presence known. With the eye of Irene right off the coast the Chesapeake Bay is preparing for the storm surge, flooding and high winds. We have evacuated those that are waterfront and in low lying areas. Grocery stores are depleted of water, bread and the other necessities- i.e- batteries and rolls of tp. We are prepared to bunker down if needed, we are on a wooded lot with large trees so our concern is more for power outage and high winds. So far it's not too bad, it has begun raining and the winds are mild.


2 EST - As time passed on the winds have definitely picked up and it is RAINNNN-ING! You can see the bands of rain being pushed by the wind and we are beginning to hear the rustle of branches and leaves being pummeled by the rain. Just remember this is not our first bout with extreme weather this week, need I remind you we just has an earthquake. SO THERE! It's so typical of Maryland, now we just need a sand storm and then a blizzard and I think we will be done. Nothing to significant though, still hanging in there. Hopefully I can get some interesting photos or videos to keep you all updated.



5 EST- So it's 5:30 here on the east coast. Irene is about 50 miles off Norfolk, VA. When it approaches Maryland & Delaware she will be 30 miles off the shoreline. Ocean City, Rehoboth & parts of the bay have been evacuated. Winds are about 100 mph in the storm. Not so exciting right now, I wouldn't even say it's a crazy rainstorm at this point. Here is another video and my chocolate lab Diego, decided to make an appearance. More updates in a bit.

Tie it all together

This has been the craziest and weirdest week EVER! Ok so as if I don't have enough going on, 1 month old, 2 yr old, laundry from the beach, 30 orders sitting in my log, busy season for my husband's carpet cleaning business is approaching, my 13 yr old cousin down from NY to visit, what more could be piled on. Ohh, I don't know how about an EARTHQUAKE and lets do that in the midst of preparing for a hurricane. NO BIG DEAL!

Never in my life did I think I would experiences an earthquake especially in Maryland, but low and behold, there it was. Scariest thing ever, I couldn't appreciate the power and significance of it merely because I literally ran out of my house as fast as I could with a newborn in a football hold.

I was watching TV in bed one minute then there was a small rumbling which I brushed off as my dryer with my comforter and towels in it, then the whole house began to shake violently. West-coasters this is the point where you all laugh and say "a 5.9 is nothing to sneeze at." Well, here in my state aka Maryland on this coast aka East. WE DON'T DO EARTHQUAKES! Blizzards with 3 or 4 feet of snow, floods swamping our harbors & low lying towns, the occasional hurricane or tropical storm off the coast but an earthquake, no thanks. Things falling off shelves, pictures shaking off the walls where they have sat for up to 15 years. It was CRAZY. Once I realized there was no way in hell that was my dryer, I yelled to my cousin to grab my 2 yr old from her crib as it was nap time and "get the hell out of the house!" I grabbed my phone and the newborn then tore down the stairs and out to my back deck.I thought it would be safe there until I heard the beams of the deck screeching and rattling. I mean what the heck do I do? In Maryland we know how to do a lot of stuff, we can drive in feet of snow & ice, kayak through town during a flood but I was clueless. I tried to call my husband which was fruitless as I was not the only genius with that plan so lines were busy. So after a half hour outside, we returned to the house to rehang photos, tidy up and watch the news to see what our next move would be.



Someone sent this to me and believe it or not people here already have "I survived the Maryland Earthquake" It's funny now, but I can assure you there was real damage
to our historic buildings.


My family in NY felt it too so they were eagerly trying to get a hold of my cousin and I to check on us, as was every other member of my family. We were ok, a little shaken up (no pun intended)but ok. THANK GOD!

So now that it's Thursday the threats of another earthquake are diminishing, which is great except for this little thing they call Hurricane Irene. So now I have a real hurricane coming, it looks like a hurricane already went through my house and my sanity could use a good hurricane with vodka and ice. I'll let you know how it goes, but I'm off to tie it all together.

My Review of Tidbits Boutique

Tidbits Boutique is a page operating out of my local area creating custom items with decals. I have always wanted decals for my car so I was very excited to see the one's that were made for other fans. I asked them to create a family of shoes as I wasn't interested in the stick figures or flip flops, I wanted something special. A converse, high-heel and 2 mary janes fit the bill.


I also asked Courtney @ Tidbits to recreate my family's coat of arms. The results are awesome. My family was excited to see our family's symbol that we immediately asked Courtney to make 10 more shields, for family members from Arizona to NY.

You must visit her page and see all that Tidbits has to offer. So many cute and customizable items & ideas. Especially great since the holiday's are around the corner. I may have started a decal addiction and I'm sure I'll be ordering more from Courtney very soon. Check her out and tell her I sent you from In the Nest of a Busy Brunette!

Would you like me to review your product, item or page, more info can be found on the Page Pals tab.

WELCOME!

My 1000 Fanebration is underway, my BoGo event flooded my order log & Santa Day is right around the corner. A review of my minipods will be listed on a fellow blog in September and I will be featuring a review for Tidbits Boutique soon. If you are new to my Facebook page this is where you can keep up-to -date on my crazy life, ideas, news and events. I may start doing how-to videos too.

Have an idea, comment or thought? let me know?
Are you s bride-to-be or mommy-to-be? tell me so I can create something for you. it may be added to my collection permanently.

My Review of Empty Bottles & their Jewelry.

There is something so simplistic and beautiful about wine bottles, which describes this review perfectly. A fan of my Peapods page shared with me her creations and I have to admit I melted. Stephanie over at Empty Bottles and their Jewelry creates the most beautifully decorated flattened glass bottles, I personally have ever seen. She takes wine, liquor or standard bottles and with the help of a kiln, flattens them to be used for a variety of purposes. Some are flat enough for use as a cheese tray, some are bowls for crackers, dips or use as a catch all, some are small and can hold business cards of be used as a spoon rest.

After they are flattened she wire wraps the neck of the bottles with beautiful swirls of beads, crystals and charms, giving each one it's own name and personality. For my bottle, I made my own charms, then mailed them off to her where she matched her work to what I had created making my bottle personal and perfection. My bottle is a clear water bottle, fired into a bowl with a purple amethyst & crystal charm, freshwater pearl & LOVE charm and of course a white shell Minipod, to represent my two girls. I am using my bottle as a catchall on my nightstand, an easy destinations to toss my bracelet, earring and other nonsense (like a pacifier) before retiring to bed. I LOVE IT!




You can even mail her a bottle from a special event or your wedding to have it transformed into something functional and spectacular. You have to check her out, these are AWESOME gifts for holidays, showers or birthdays. If you are interested in having me create a special charm set for your bottle please e-mail me the CODE - IWINEONE to receive 40% OFF my charm set + I'll ship it to Stephanie for you.


Check her out on Facebook and tell her I sent you!

Back to the grind

I swear without my morning cup of coffee you'd probably find me rocking back and forth in a corner nonsensically rambling about applesauce, diapers and baby barf. My 2 yr old daughter even knows my coffee fix, when I ask if she wants to get a drink at the store she replies "STAR-bucks?". Nice right, embarrassment or pride, I don't know. Somehow in the scheme of the last 2 yrs a forgot what newborns were like. Jo never cried this much, she would quickly suck down here 4 oz bottle and back to sleep she'd go. Aly on the other hand likes to take her sweet time during her early morning meals. I fed this little being from midnight until 3:30 last night, she was so slow I swear she digested it faster than she drank it, because I kept having to give her another ounce. I thought I was going to lose my mind, at one point I looked at my husband and mouthed a slew of profanity to which he laughed.

With that being said there is some positive light, I am absolutely in love with my family. I feel that our number is complete, not that I wasn't happy as a family of 3 but in retrospect I think Alysa was our missing piece. My husband has been amazing, not that I didn't love him before but lets just say the pregnancy wasn't easy on us as a couple. We are very active together with going out, entertaining and in the winter snowboarding and over the 9 months I was horribly limited especially needing to stay home with Jo. It wasn't easy, since Alysa has arrived life is bliss. I surprised him yesterday with Daddy appreciation day by having a couples massage at a local spa them a Spanish tapas and wine date. Finishing up the meal with coffee before heading back home. Life is good, there are moments where I look at myself and say "YOUR CRAZY, you take on too much!" but I don't know that I'd honestly have it any other way.

My husband is planning our 3 yr Anniversary as I type and I am looking forward to it, though it will be our first night away from our girls. I have an awesome review to write for another AMAZING Page on Facebook, so keep an eye out. Don't miss this one.

HUGE Referral Contest to 1,000 FANS!

Want to win a Genuine 1 Ct.W Blue Sapphire Necklace? Welcome to My August Contest!




WHEN:
Now until August 30, 2011

WHAT:
The person/page who refers the most people will win a Beautiful 1 ct.w Oval Cut Blue Sapphire mounted with a Sterling Silver pendant setting and chain, OVER $100 VALUE!

HOW:
The above photo will be on FB in my Contests and Giveaways Album. You must agree to the Black Background photo prior to entering contest. To participate post under the photo of the Sapphire "I'm sending fans". The people you send to the page will have to find your name and "like" your comment. This is the easiest way for me to keep track.

*The page needs to hit at least 1,000 Fans.
*Rules & Terms Subject to change
*Enlarged photo of stone is similar to the one photographed with the appraisal. My Nikon is broken so I can't get a good picture of the actual stone but that's what it looks like.

To be taken to the Facebook Contest Photo.

Opinions on Switching to 925 Silver

I need your feedback for my Jewelry Items on Facebook, Peapods & Birdnests

I'm thinking that now that I have a solid fan base and I'm bringing in orders consistently I want to switch to 925 sterling silver. I always anticipated doing this but it was a gamble not knowing if my product would be well received.


Why switch:

* Quality is better than the silver plated
* More luxurious and valuable
* Can be polished & shined
* Luster will last longer and solid silver is harder & more durable
* Finished product would just be even nicer


What this means for you:

* There would obviously be a price increase as 925 silver wire and chain are not cheap.
* I'd likely include shipping
* NO extra charge for eggs and peas, the necklace price would include up to the max amount that I can put in the pod or nest. typically about 5, I can do more but the pendant would be HUGE. Lol
* Even nicer high quality pendant to last a lifetime and represent your beautiful children or family
* Keeping the economy in mind, I want my items to be as affordable as possible but also offer a higher quality, I want these pendant to last.

Not that my current items aren't good quality but if I can offer my fans the best pendants I can, still at affordable prices I'd rather do that.

This is just a thought, and I honestly would like to take in some feedback. I'm kicking it around and need to see what the actual price difference would be but PLEASE leave your thoughts.

As always, Thank you amazing fans, you keep me going and challenge my design and creativity constantly.

Table for 4

We are adjusting and relearning the art of not sleeping at night and running laps to change diapers and grab bottles. All is good and honestly sleep deprived or not this week has been one of the best of my life. Today is the hub's last day home and he will be missed, I am so blessed that he was able to be home and help me catch up on sleep and entertain Jo.

We ventured out of the house yesterday for lunch with the girls to a local burger joint and it was perfect. Alysa slept the entire time in her car carrier with a light blanket draped over the top and Jocelyn enjoyed a grill cheese and chocolate milkshake. I am loving my little family of four and can't wait until everything settles back in. My Jojo will be turning 2 next week and Alysa is 1 week old today.


LIFE IS GOOD, LAUGH IT OFF, SHAKE IT OUT, & ENJOY THE BLESSINGS YOUR GIVEN NO-MATTER HOW SMALL!



** and the WINNER of the GUESS ALYSA's Time & Weight is... JESSICA ADAMS! Congrats!- I did have to be induced and you were only 2 ounces off for weight. You win a FREE NECKLACE or BRACELET! **

She has Arrived

We checked in Wednesday (7/20) at 7:30 in the morning and by 5:30 I had a beautiful 8 lb 8 oz baby girl in my arms. She is perfect and we are thrilled to have her in our lives. It's hard to image that you wait and wait those nine months for your bundle to arrive and then they do and it's over like that. You're back home cuddled in bed and you can't remember life before them. Big sister Jocelyn is adjusting, she wavers back and forth from mommy's helper to total 2 yr old DIVA. She loves her though and has begun to share her toys and items, though she isn't too fond of sharing her Daddy yet. I have so much to do so I will leave you with some photos of my gorgeous Alysa Grace.






Jocelyn & Alysa














Proud big sister showing off the NEWS balloons. (in an outfit of her selection of course)

Last day as a trio

Today is it, the last day with just 1 little princess and our last day as a trio. I'm using it to get some final preparations done and rest. I am not sure what awaits me this time, but I'm sure I will benefit from going in rested.

My emotions are exploding, thinking about seeing my husbands eyes glitter and light up when he holds his "baby" princess and gazing over Jocelyn as she meets her little sister, partner in crime and best friend. I am one of 3 sisters and the eldest, it's a responsibility and passion that I never fully understood until thinking about how having Alysa will impact Jocelyn's life. I was always the "example", the guardian, the protector the typical roles of the BIG SISTER. There were times when I was younger that being the oldest seemed to have its advantages and others when I would have given my right arm and every cent in my piggy bank to be the baby.



The hubs mesmerized by Jocelyn after she was born







Even now that the 3 of us are in our 20s I still feel the pull of the big sister when they go out with friends or I haven't heard from them in a while, panic sets in and I feel as though we are children again and one of them is stuck in a tree to big to climb and needs help getting down. I know that the relationship between Jo & Aly will be amazing and something they will cherish forever, I grew up with the mantra of my father always saying, "It doesn't matter what your fighting about, she's your sister and you love each other." At the time we were like "yeah yeah, ok dad," but now hearing it in my head brings some light tears to my eyes. It's the truth, in my house anyway. They are your family; angry, irritable, obnoxious, PMSing, laughing, loving or crying, they are your sisters, one day they may be all you have."


My sisters & I @ my wedding in 2008



Today seems like it will last forever, though I know it's going to pass me by and leave me looking down the hallway of the maternity floor wondering "how the hell did I get here, ... again." Hand in hand with my husband toting my purse, overnight bag and probably a large cup of crushed ice we will nonchalantly stroll into the room that will forever change our lives.

So, here's to my last day as a family of 3 & my last day with just one little princess.

Count it down

As today comes to it's end, I'm anxious to see if my little Alysa will enter the world willingly or be forced out like her big sister was almost exactly 2 yrs ago. According to my countdown timer, I am officially 3 days and 11 hours from checking in for my induction Wednesday morning. I'm eager to see what she looks like, hold her little hand for the first time and perhaps the one thing I look forward to the most is introducing her to her future best friend, big sister Jo.

The phone calls have been what I consider minimal at this point, an occasional chat or text to see if anything exciting has begun, to which I typically just say, "do I sound excited?" I am though, either way she will be arriving soon, and as ready as I think I am, I know the reality is that I will never be fully appreciative of what's to come.

Today was spend at a park beach, playing with Jo, eating our lunches and enjoying the sun. Spending what could be the last outing as a trio. There are a few fan guesses for tomorrow night into Monday evening, so we will have to see what happens. I can feel her twisting around, pressing her knees into my side and the occasional jab to my bladder and with every nudge, I can't help to think that I'll be seeing these little arms, feet and face any time now. **Alysa Grace** we are eagerly and somewhat impatiently awaiting your arrival.

Think 'dialating' thoughts

This morning while I downed a few glasses of sweetened raspberry leaf iced tea, I attempted to kill time and I got quite a few orders made. I was nervously awaited my doctors appointment for this afternoon and finally news that progress was being made and something is happening. I am 2cm and she is engaged so I am ecstatic, Jocelyn didn't do anything until induction.

I am hoping this is progressing as I type and I am only hours or maybe a day away from labor. I made my trip to the craft store this evening for 2 reasons, walking and picking up some order materials. I am thinking it may be my last Micheal's trip for a while. and now its back to waiting and hoping that through the night, magic will happen.

I teeter totter between anxiety and excitement, so hopefully I can get some sleep. I asked my doctor what I could do to move things along, and I plan to follow his suggestion to the letter.
THINK DIALATING THOUGHTS!

MY 750 ULTIMATE GIVEAWAY WINNERS

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER & THANK YOU ALL FOR PLAYING ALONG!

Owl Applique- Cj Gregory
Octopus Clip- Bonnye Sensenig
Crochet Headband- Beth Mullins
Korker Hair Clip- Keysha Heptistall
Butterfly Clip- Laura Shehan
Flip Flop Necklace- Diane Sabatini
Charm City Crochet- Jessica Adams
Heart Clip- Linda Speake
Totally Rockin' Tutus- Danielle McClure

and my Minipod Bracelet - Sheila Colbert

Remember it is your responsibility to contact the sponsor within 72 hours, after that it is at their discretion to honor your prize. THANKS again.

More glitter & girlie are right around the corner

I am now on day #7 in my countdown to my induction next week and eagerly participating in every old wives-never gonna work-might as well kill time, attempt at helping to sway her into arriving on her own.

I was induced at 41 weeks with my beautiful first daughter Jocelyn and after 35 hours of letting the pitocin do its "trick" I held her 8 lb 9 oz little self in my arms. They are inducing me at 39 weeks, due to her estimated size and my complications with SPD this time around, so with only a week to go, I'm hoping I can encourage her to get a move on at the very least.

My emotions are everywhere, again standing only moments or days away from my life changing forever. What have I got myself into? I find comfort in the gentle comments of my fans, suggestions of what they did and how it worked out, but somehow at the end of everyday I find myself nervously awaiting to see if that night will be the one I get to meet my next little princess. The humor in it all is those that think I'm crazy, like I'm doing too much or have too much on my plate, and while I can see how it may appear to make things more frantic, I am more at ease in the chaos of it all. I keep busy that's for sure, I love to fill my jewelry orders, read some case studies for my own educational enrichment, plan a dinner party for friends, or do just about anything I can think of to stay active.


Today's activities have been no exception, though they all have had one goal in mind; get baby out! I have been eating pineapple like it's going out of style, downed a burrito like I hadn't eaten in weeks, drank raspberry tea imagining it was the glass of wine I've been waiting since November to enjoy, and organized to the point that I have no idea where I moved things. The good news if that the light at the end of the tunnel is now visible, the downside of that is, I have no depth perception and can't tell if the light is 3 hours or 3 days away.


For now I'll lay back and visualize if my new little girl will be as much of a handful as her older sister. Clad in beads, tiaras, tutus and glitter, not that I'd have it any other way. She really makes my days more fulfilling though the attitude seems to be taking a turn from princess to 2 yr old diva fairly quick. These are a few of my favorite photos of Jo, and yes she dressed herself and being that I'm too pregnant to fight her, most of these were worn to the store or to run errands. Here's to you little Muffin (her nickname from the hospital) you are an amazing, silly and as always a well accessorized little girl and I'd be lucky to have your little sister Alysa be just as fabulous as you are.

Well on to more busy bee tasks, I need to close my giveaway on facebook and announce my winners.

Here goes nothing.

WELCOME to my nest! I will have to start from the beginning by saying, thank you for stopping by. Many of you are familiar with my work via my jewelry line on Facebook. I have the best fans, and I'm honored to have so many of you order items from me that are in honor of your family, children or self. It truly means a lot to create items that mean so much to you that you treasure and adore.

With that being said some of you may know that I am in the final week of my pregnancy with my 2nd daughter. This road was slightly more difficult than that of my first, with chasing around a now almost 2 yr old, being diagnosed with SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction) starting a cleaning business with my husband and finishing my certificate in Human Services. I could go on but you get the point.

This page will be used to share my thoughts, laughs and finds. A lot goes on in a day and sometimes it's just the comfort of a hot cup of coffee (a double gulp if they have it) and reading that someone else out there is having a similar day, filled with sippy cups, bills, errands and planning. I will post specials for my Peapods page as well as some awesome pages, items and giveaways that I'd like to share. I also love to Cook & Craft, I am Italian after all. I will post recipes and easy DIYs to help you achieve the same crazy but rewarding mommyhood of this busy brunette.