Friday Freebies!

$25 to Sephora! Click HERE to enter! Good luck!

Now if you REALLY want to get serious about some giveaways - how about six HUNDRED and something giveaways? If you have some time on your hands, here is a list of some FAB giveaways!

Happy Super Bowl Weekend!

New Line Slideshow!

It's here! It's here!

Brother Sister Trio
Originally uploaded by lesteal624

Well, at Sweet Dreams Designs Spring has sprung! My spring line debuted on Saturday and was a huge success! I had a great turnout, although I didn't keep a very good record of the number of guests. I'm really excited about some of my custom orders! Those are always the most fun to me, However, my ready-made items were hugely popular as well! I brought the remaining items to Southern Belles Boutique in Clanton today. I still have a lot of work to do for the boutique as well as for upcoming trunk shows. I bought two cute new patterns today that are super funky that I can wait to get started on!

Thanks to all of you who attended - I am blessed with wonderful, supportive friends and I appreciate it more than you know!

Free stuff Friday!

Ok, I had an idea today. I think I'm going to start a "Free Stuff Friday" to keep all of you aware of all the freebies being given away out there. I had no idea there was so much! Here are two to get you started:

Hurry! Only one more day to enter this one! Click here to enter to win a $50 gift certificate from Tee & Tote!

Who doesn't like free stuff?

Lately, I have found a number of blogs that offer free giveaways. Here is a new one that some of you moms-to-be may be interested in!

Click the link above or go to http://funandfreegiveaways.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html to visit Rebecca's blog. She is giving away a free Nursery Quote to a mom - to -be! Have your child's monogram on their wall or have a sweet little quote above their bed - something like "....always kiss me goodnight". So cute!

I'll keep you posted if I find anymore great free giveaways!

In the meantime - just getting ready for Saturday! Only one more day to prepare!

Sneak Peak at Spring 08....

Navy Boy's Luxury Romper
Originally uploaded by lesteal624

This is just a little tease! I know all of you mother's of boys have a hard time finding that perfect outfit - look no further! This new romper is precious AND to top it off there is a matching sister dress! Also available in white with a selection of three trim colors - red, white or navy!

Ok, now I only have to hold off for a few more days on posting more pics!

Photo Contest

longalls
Originally uploaded by lesteal624

Just a reminder - don't forget to send in your photos for the Quarterly Photo Contest! The winner will receive a $20 Gift Certificate to Sweet Dreams Designs!

For the first quarter (Jan - Mar) I will be accepting photos from late winter and early spring. For all quarters following, please make sure your photos are from a current line.

Thanks for participating and I can't wait to see all of your beautiful children wearing my designs!

Snow!

It's late....I'm writing

When I say late, I mean late for me.....it's 11:05 on a Friday night - not your typical late for a 27 year old gal. I'm getting tired, but not quite ready for bed. I've had a few random thoughts lately, so I thought I'd post.

First, ask for what you want.....
This is something I have always been really bad at. Those of you who know me well may not believe this, but it is completely true. I read a quote recently and used it on my MIL when she was afraid to ask off work to go to a funeral. It goes a little something like this:

If you don't ask, the answer is always no....etc.etc.etc.

Guess what.....she went to the funeral.

Second, negotiate EVERYTHING.....

I guess this sort of applies to #2. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. I have been DYING to get HD DVR for Directv. Next week, I swear on my life, I am going to call them and tell them that I want it and I want it for free. I see all of the ads on tv saying free upgrades for new accounts......we've been with them for two years.....we've earned the discount. It works for my aunt. She is the queen of negotiation. Example: She is the only person in her county who gets her car detailed for $15. I mean, seriously....that is ridiculous. Example #2: J got her some tile for her kitchen back when he worked for CG and he got it at the contractor's price. Well, since he is no longer there - or anywhere for that matter - he doesn't have that hookup. Yesterday, Lisa calls the tile shop and says, "I need this tile. I paid X per tile before and I'd like to pay that again". Dealer agrees. Learn to negotiate. The worst they can say is no.

Third - and most importantly - Try something new.....

Another new favorite quote:

Never be afraid to try something new.

Remember, amateurs built the ark.

Professionals built the Titanic.

~Anonymous

This one really applies to me and my business. I could have spent my life behind a desk dreaming of what I wanted to do, or I could get out and do it. I have to say I'm really proud of myself for that. I'm not going to lie....it's been hard. Especially now with both J and I at home. But, I know it is going to all pay off in the end. Vera Wang had to start somewhere, right? Ok, maybe I'll aim a little smaller scale - Chez Ami? Kelley's Kids? Blessed be the Name?

Again, I'm trying something else new with Thirty-one Gifts. I'm really not into direct selling or home parties for stuff like that, but for some reason this is different. I really like it and I want to do well with it. As a matter of fact, I made my first sale today! I'm hoping for lots more at the party on the 26th!

I guess I'll get off my soapbox. I didn't really intend on this being a motivational post, but like I said....I have just had these random thoughts lately and thought I'd share. Have a great night!

Goodbye Christmas!

Sweet Dreams Designs

Yes, I know....It's about time. We FINALLY got Christmas all put away on Sunday and oh what a relief it is! As I was putting it away, I reorganized.....or let me say "organized" since it never was....my garage. It looks so much better - even smells good! I really felt accomplished after I worked on that. It was something that had needed to be done for a while. I mean, it was January 13 for goodness sake!

Usually, when I am hard at work getting ready for a big event, party or deadline - I do nothing else but sew. I guess I feel like anything else is a waste of time. It takes almost an entire day to clean the house. That is time that I could be and should be sewing. Knocking out the garage and the Christmas decor was time well spent though. I'm also really excited about Stanley Steemer coming next week too! If you have ever seen the carpet in my hall - where the doggies sleep - then you would know why I'm so thrilled about them coming!

The invitations have all been sent for the Spring Preview Party! It is about to be crunch time with only two weeks till the big show! Bring on the stress. Honestly, I'm having so much fun though. My favorite part is coming up with new stuff. I'm really trying to control myself by keeping all of these pictures of my new things to myself. It is killing me not to post them on here as a little sneak peak!

If you haven't gotten your invite - as I hear several people that I sent them to didn't - here is the info:

Saturday, January 26th
10am -1pm

Email me if you have any questions:
anna@sweet-dreams-designs.net

1 week down 51 to go!

I've been hard at work over the past few days on the new Spring line for 2008! I'm really trying to control the urge to post pictures because I have to keep everything a surprise for the big Spring Preview Party! I'm really proud of the cute things I've made and can't wait to put them out for all to see!

Since it is the first of the year, I have joined the masses in dieting....if you wanna call it that. Really, I am just counting calories and working out. I don't want to call it dieting because I am eating really good food but just controlling my portions, reducing my snacking and trying really hard to make sure our dinners are low in carbs and calories. It is funny, because I have looked forward to my meals more this week than usual and they have tasted better than usual! I guess because we are trying harder to actually COOK good food rather than throwing some hamburger helper in the pan and making Texas toast! J and I have really done well this week and I have rewarded myself tonight with an apple martini - my fave!

Speaking of Texas toast......Thursday evening I went to Clanton to see my cousin April and her family who were in town visiting from Texas. And....she spent the entire evening before I came catching up on what had been going on in my life by reading this blog! So, I guess it has been good for something! And, April - if you are reading this (I doubt you have the time with your busy boys....) I really enjoyed our visit and hate that we don't keep in touch any better than we do. Lives get busy and things get left undone, but I hope that we will be better at keeping in touch now that we have had a chance to catch up!

Also, during my trip to Clanton I visited Southern Belles Boutique to see how things were going. Guess what? I picked up my first paycheck too! I was so excited - it was a great check and my items are selling really well. I took home all of the leftover Christmas items and brought her some clearance things from last years spring collection. I decided that instead of putting the Christmas clothing on clearance at my trunk shows that I will hang onto them until next year. They are very classic items that will definitely not go out of style, so it will be nice to have a jumpstart on Christmas when the time comes.

I'm getting really excited about sending out invites to the Spring Preview Party. I have ordered 50 invitations, so I hope I can come up with close to that many to invite! I'd like to invite the neighbors, but seeing as how I dont really know any of them, I don't know if that is a great idea. The new line is going into the boutique on January 28th!

OH-just a reminder....don't forget about the 1/2 price candle sale at www.mythirtyone.com/agarner - it ends January 15th!

Also, the 20% coupon at www.sweet-dreams-designs.net expires on January 26th as well. Use code: HOHOHO

50% off Personalized Candles! Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! What a great time to stock up on gifts! This sale only lasts through Jan. 15, so get yours now! Click the link above to view the flyer or go to www.mythirtyone.com/agarner to see all the candles available! Only $8.00 each with your initial on it!