Introducing Pitter Pattersons Boutique

You know me, I love dressing my girls up for just about anything.  If funds were endless they would have dozens of outfits and room decor for every holiday, season, and occasion.  So you know that I'm excited about spring pj's for my little ones.  I've teamed up with Suzzanne of Pitter Patterson's Boutique who graciously sent us personalized spring pj's.  They are so cute and great quality.  I absolutely love anything that is personalized.  At her shop you can find several great gift ideas including stuffed animals, dolls, blankets, and personalized clothing.

Shop:
Check out Pitter Patterson's Boutique on Etsy.

Connect:
Follow Pitter Patterson's Boutique on Facebook.

 Emily put on the pj's and said they were as comfy as her blankie.  So the girls were snuggling up in their pj's.

Sisterly love...

Madi is a french kisser, lol!

I let the unthinkable happen and willingly let the girls jump on the bed.  I'm not going to lie seeing their faces was priceless.

 

The following photos are adapted from Pitter Patterson's Boutique:

Meet:

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:
I am a wife of 10 years and a mother to my beautiful and smart 3 year old daughter. I have a A.S. in interior design, a B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in education and a M.A.Ed. in curriculum and instruction with a mathematics emphasis. I have have been a full time math teacher in a local public high school for 5 years. I started my business while I was off after having my daughter in 2013.
 
Please tell us a little bit about your company and how you got started:My grandmother taught me to sew when I was very young. However, I struggled with it and decided it wasn't the thing for me. As an adult, I would make baby gifts for friends and they would talk about how great they were and how much they loved and appreciated handmade gifts. I started making items more frequently after the birth of my daughter. I would post items that I made for her and friends started requesting to have items made for their children. Even if they didn't want something, they would suggest that I market my creations. Their support and encouragement lead me to open my Etsy store in July 2013. It was a slow start (it seems like it took 2 or 3 months) to get my first order. Over the last two years, I have had about 450 orders which is amazing. So much about my business and what I do has transformed as I have honed my craft. 

What has been your greatest lesson in running your own business?Success takes time and continual improvement as with endeavor. 

What’s your greatest tip for entrepreneurs?As I have completed more items, I have been able to create better listings and better listings have generated more sales. Don't be afraid to spend money on marketing. Whether it be props for photo ops or advertising. Advertising that is placed in the correct arena will be recouped very quickly plus gain your business exposure and exponential growth over time. 

What does your normal day look like?I work M-F as a teacher during the school year 7:15 to 4:30. I pick up my daughter from school. While we drive home, we talk about her day. I usually work in my studio from 8-10 pm M-F. I spend most of Saturday working also and Sunday is our family day. 

Who inspires you?My daughter is my main motivation and inspiration. I also have several groups on Facebook where I go to share creations. We inspire each other and are very encouraging and supportive of each other. Many of these lovely ladies and gentlemen also have online stores. It is very refreshing to have a good group of people with whom I can share and reciprocate ideas. 

How to Create a Simple Strawberry Cucumber Cocktail

Do you love infused water as much as I do?  This is a twist on infused water which is fresh and healthy with no sugary mixes.  Instead of infused water this is infused vodka, YUM!  

Ingredients:
2 cups club soda
1/2 cup vodka
2 cups sliced cucumbers
1 cup sliced strawberries
Ice
Mint leaves for garnish

Directions:

Combine club soda, vodka, cucumbers, and strawberries in a pitcher.  Place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour allowing the fruit to be absorbed.  Serve over ice with a sugar rimmed glass.
CHEERS!!!

WATCH the segment on Central Valley Today HERE

Cucumber Tomato Avocado Spring Salad on Central Valley Today

My meal planning changes as soon as Spring rolls around.  I want lighter meals that correspond with warm weather.  This Cucumber Tomato Avocado Spring Salad is the perfect healthy meal.  You can find me today showing you how to prepare it on Central Valley Today on KSEE 24.  All of the produce is fresh from 1st Quality Produce.  Check out their SITE to order your own produce box.

Ingredients:
3-4 Roma Tomatoes
1 English Cucumber
1/2 medium red onion
2 Avocados
2 Tbsp extra virgin Olive Oil
Juice of 1 medium Lemon
1/2 bunch of Cilantro
1 tsp Salt
1/8 tsp Black Pepper


Directions:  
Chop tomatoes and cilantro. Slice cucumber and onion. Dice avocado and put all together in salad bowl.  Drizzle with olive oil and lemon and toss to combine.  Lastly, toss with salt and pepper just prior to serving.

WATCH the segment on Central Valley Today HERE

Fresh, healthy, simple ingredients!

Beautiful colors all chopped up.

Ready for a Spring BBQ.

Easter Week Activities

 We tackled a few projects during Easter Week...

Just like at Christmas I try to keep the real meaning of Easter at the forefront.  The girls worked on two projects where we talked about Jesus and his Resurrection.  One my mom prepared for them where they made stained glass crosses with contact paper, card stock, and tissue paper.  The other was a Easter Wreath of the Passion.  You can find the wreath printables HERE.

The girls and I also got to work on an extra special project for Rocco my nephew that passed away earlier this year.  We decorated eggs with my sister and niece which Sharla put in an Easter basket to place on Rocco's grave.  We were honored to be a part of the special project.

I served the girls bunny pancakes a couple days during Easter Week:

Of course the biggest Easter Week tradition is dying eggs.  Emily colored all but one and we let Madi try one and get in on the fun.

Emily wore her Bunny Hat that she made with Voa Voa.

From Mom to Mama's Night Out

As a busy mama I NEED my mama's night's out every once in awhile.  Who am I kidding I could use them every night but that wouldn't be good for my marriage, lol!  But even when I get a night out I don't have a ton of time to get ready.  So I love looks that only take a few tweeks to head out the door from morning to night.

Mom Uniform:

Day Look:

Stripe Top (Old Navy-No longer available) / Leopard Shoes (I got girls) / Nugget Necklace / Jeans / Sunglasses / Watch

Quick change (changed shoes & top and added some accessories) and I'm ready for a night out with the girls...

Night Look:
Peplum Top (H&M- No longer available) / Nugget Necklace / Bar Necklaces / Sunglasses / Tory Burch Wrap Bracelet / Disc Bangle (Similar) / Alex and Ani Bangle / Watch / Peplum Top / Jessica Simpson Pumps (Macy's-No longer available)

Introducing Man Cave Foods

Happy First Day of Spring!!!  I can not stand cold weather so the first day of spring is almost better than Christmas morning for me.  When I think of spring I think of warm weather, blue skies, blooming flowers, playing outside all day, and bbq-ing.  Tonight we barbecued some Man Cave Bratwurst which were the icing on the cake for our meal.  Man Cave Foods took inspiration from the craft beer industry and launched the craft meat movement.  After testing hundreds of recipes Man Cave Foods brought their unique flavor combinations to the Minneapolis Farmers Market and now have grown to hundreds of locations around the United States.  We got to try Bacon, Beer, & Cheddar Bratwurst, Buffalo Wing Style with Blue Cheese Bratwurst, and Bacon, Egg, Cheddar & Hash Brown Breakfast Sausage.  We enjoyed all of the selections but our favorite was the Bacon, Beer & Cheddar Bratwurst.  I mean who wouldn't love that combo?!?!  Add some extra flavor to your next meal; your man will thank you.

Find:

To find Man Cave Products near you check out their website.  For my fellow Fresnans you can find these delicious products at Winco.

Connect:

Follow Man Cave Foods on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. 

Meet:

Please tell us a little bit about your company and how you got started:

Our goal is to be the craft beer of the meat department, or even the Ben & Jerry's of the ice cream isle. Higher quality, smaller batches- WE CARE about the product and drown ourselves in the creation and development of anything we sell. Nick Beste founded the company in his early 20s! He's only 28 now!

The Minneapolis Farmers market was huge for us to get started. We developed an incredible following, including some grocery store executives, and consistently had crowds of people around our tent. Before we knew it, we were running around trying to figure out how to make packaging for retail stores! There are 8 of us in the office on a daily basis, each wearing multiple hats. 

You can still find us at the MPLS farmers market :) 

What has been your greatest lesson in running your own business?

(I don't run the company, even though we may all feel like it sometimes haha)

Keeping priorities in order- there are always a million different opportunities on the table and we have to remember to stay true to our Vision, Mission, and Values. 

Vision: To pioneer the craft meat movement.

Mission: To have the highest consumer satisfaction of any food brand.

Values: (skipping the explanations) Creative, Can Do, Continuous Improvement, Team, Integrity

What’s your greatest tip for entrepreneurs?

(This I do know exactly what Nick would say- his favorite quote). "Never. Never. Never give up." (a la Winston Churchill) There will be mistakes and struggles- in ten years you will look back in realize those were the most fun times!

Who inspires you?

As a company we've been inspired by the craft beer industry and other artisan brands. The Sam Adams of the world... Ben and Jerrys, Talenti Gelato, Noosa yogurt many other breweries etc... We admire people and brands that put as much effort into their product as we do.