The Galloping Horse Slows Down

Today I came home after I dropped the kids off at school and went back to sleep. There I said it. My name is Lacey and I went back to sleep. Go ahead and judge me if you must.

I know I've talked a lot about finding my groove once I had all my kids in school. I certainly haven't found it yet and I don't intend to spend all my newfound free time sleeping. BUT I'll be honest with you. I worked my ass off the last 11 years of my life. I know all of us moms have. So I'm not trying to say that I've had it harder than the vast majority of my friends (especially my military friends), I'm just acknowledging that it was a heck of a lot of work.

So you know what, I'm gonna take a little bit of time and enjoy this. I'm not going to run around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to fill up the empty space. When I don't have something to do I'm going to go home put my feet up and read a book. I'm gonna take that afternoon nap. And yes some days I'm even going to go home and go back to sleep.

Volunteer opportunities galore await me. And I fully intend to jump in and help out. For so many years I've had to say no because of the sheer magnitude of work required to keep a family of six afloat. But this year with seven free hours every day I am for sure less encumbered.  When I get the notice that they need someone to help at the book fair I would love to do that. When I hear the librarian could use a hand scanning and shelving books I can be her girl. When it's time for cardboard challenge day you can bet I'll be there all day helping my kids build wonderful creations.  I've already said yes to Backpack Pals doing my part to make sure that the less fortunate kids at PES don't go hungry over the weekends.  I'm also excited to have time to join a Bible study. To run without the clock ticking in my head that it's almost time for preschool pick up. And to be able to focus a little bit more time and energy on Stella and Dot.

All of that and more await me, I am sure. But not just right this second. Right this second I'm feeling incredibly rested after a perfect morning nap. And I'm trying my hardest not to feel guilty. 

PS -  please let me do a trunk show for you! Pretty please? I would love to!

PPS - look at this sale! I love this scarf!!! www.stelladot.com/laceytrumbo

Coming Full Circle.

I'm going to bear my soul here a little bit so please be kind.

This past month has been very much a whirlwind for me with my Stella and Dot endeavor.  I've had the highs of a promotion and some substantial (for me paychecks), the lows of next to no paychecks and frustration with how to be sustainable in this, and the ambivalence brought on from attending Hoopla.

I want to be careful how I phrase this because attending Hoopla was a great experience and I met some amazing people.  But I kept coming back to my original post that I made when I started this in January about not ever wanting to be pushy or to pressure someone into buying or hosting when they didn't want to. I realized that a few times in the past month I have been pushy, or over the top, in my approach and its because I got caught up in the moment and lost sight of who I want to be in this long term.

One amazing thing that was reinforced over and over again at Hoopla was having a well defined WHY for this business.   I was so inspired in that moment as I wrote my WHY:

I know it might sound fake but its not - I honestly want to be able to give more of my resources (primarily financially) when I see a need.  Its an awesome thing to see an opportunity and be able to jump in right away and not worry about how it will affect my other financial obligations.
On another level I love getting the opportunity to style people.  Its so much fun at a trunk show to get to play dress up with people and show them pieces I love.  I need to get re-focused on that.  When I'm in a good place I can go into a show and be a true stylist.  When I'm not, when I'm feeling insecure, I sit back and wait for people at a show to be interested.  And that isn't fun.  And its not the kind of business I want to have.

In this business you can be successful and have a nice monthly addition of income by just having shows and selling online.  You really don't have to "sign people up" or build a pyramid as so many of my skeptical aquaintances seem to believe.  If you want to build to a substantial income that would replace another job, then you do have to sponsor and grow.  You can choose the kind of business you want to have.  This is probably where the greatest amount of ambivalence has been for me in the past month.  I've had very limited success in sponosring and for the size of business I want to have - that is ok - but for what my heart loves, its not.  I truly love training and coaching people. I've learned so much in the months since I've started doing this and I WANT to share it.  But every time I talk to someone about the opportunity a wall goes up (or worst case - a nasty passive aggressive post on facebook) and I feel like I'm trying to sell magic water at the county fair.

The reason I feel confidence in talking to people about Stella and Dot is because I know first hand (and from seeing it MANY times over) that there really is almost no risk.  Truly anyone can replace their initial investment easily.  Building a sustainable business from there takes more work and is in the hands of the new stylist to decide.  But jumping off and getting started is fun, and exciting, and you have TONS of new, gorgeous jewelry and accessories to help you do it.  To me its so obvious I have trouble explaining it properly.

So this brings me back to my initial reason for starting this post.  1 - to apologize to any who have felt pressured or overwhelmed with Stella and Dot marketing.  2 - to explain to you WHY I want to do this and grow in my business.  3 - to hopefully reach out to someone who has been thinking "I bet I could do that" but is too scared to try.  Because I know you can.  And I will help you.

If you are still reading thanks for indulging me this far.  I truly have the greatest friends and customers I could ever have hoped for.  With much love, Lacey

The Golden Opportunity

Have you ever, even for one second, thought about how fun it would be to have access to all the fabulous jewelry and accessories you could ever want with

 If the answer is "yes" then bear with  me for just a couple of second ....

Right now Stella and Dot is offering the same New Stylist Rebate that I signed up under.  If you sell $1000 in the first 30 days as a stylist they will give you a full refund on your starter kit! What's in the starter kit?  Everything you need to be a successful stylist AND $350 of jewelry.

When I first heard about it I just knew I had to try it.  I thought it might be some work but I felt confident I could make it work.  And you know what - it was EASY!  Truly.  I earned enough for my rebate on my launch show!  Not only that but I also earned tons more free jewelry and commission.  That's worth it in my opinion even if you just do one show and call it quits!  Of course, if you are anything like me you will realize its just too much fun to quit!

And Stella and Dot is pulling out all the stops to make June the PERFECT month to get started.  First of all they are offering $50 in extra jewlery credit to every hostess with a qualified trunk show.  Secondly they are still offering Dot Dollars - so for every $50 a customer spends they get $25 in future credit.  AND our Fall Preview collection launches in just a couple days and let me tell you, its GORGEOUS!

I know I sound like an informercial right now but I passionately believe everything I am saying!  Its as close to a no lose situation as you will ever have to get into business for yourself.

Even just a bit curious? Let me buy you a cup of coffee and chat with you about it!  Out of my area - let's chat on the phone and I'll send you a gift card to treat yourself to that Starbucks!  Come on, what do you have to lose?

Stack It Up

Let's get deep friends.  Let's get real with one another.

I'll go first.

I have never been a huge fan of bracelets.  I love the idea of them but I don't like something banging around on my wrist.  Plus, as a mom, I was my hands all the time and it seems like they get wet and in the water and make more of a mess.  First world problems.  I know.

I have to admit though that once I signed on with Stella and Dot I felt like it was my duty to try to wear more bracelets.  And you know what I discovered.

I LIKE BRACELETS.  I feel so fun and fancy when I have them on.  But the best part is that Stella has so many different styles and many of them fit so nicely and are so light I forget I even have them on!

Until I glance down at my arm and I'm like "oh, well hello there you beautiful things".   Notice I said things.  Because the other thing I've discovered is that when it comes to bracelets its the more the merrier!  I love to stack up a few for a unique style.

I love what my friend Jen did here with her husband's nickname engraved on the bar cuff along with our arrow cuff.  How cute is this?  Also appreciate her less vein-y and less hairy arms then what yours truly is modeling.

And finally if you really like understated see what I did here with our wishing arrow bracelet (just $19!!!!!) and our old visionary bracelet!  Best part is they cinch to fit your wrist so there is absolutely no banging around with these beauties.

Had to throw this one in because this blog is not an ad for the Honda Odyssey! :)

And just wait until you see what I break out when my new summer styles arrive!  I'm so excited I couldn't stop myself from ordering 3 new cuffs!!

Pretty Petals

I have a trunk show tonight - so I'm in a very "yeah!!!  Stella and Dot!!!" mood right now.  Actually, I'm kind of in that mood most of the time right now because the more I experience this company the more enthusiastic I get about being a part of this team.  Its pretty fun, and surprisingly easy and its a little bit like that sorority that I never got to be a part of in college.

So, today, I knew it was time to break out the Birdie Necklace.  I absolutely love this necklace.  Its so gorgeous and unique and I love that you can wear it with or without the petals.... at the same time I have been a little intimidated by it.  I didn't feel like I quite knew what to wear it with.  Well knock me down with a feather when I just paired it with some skinny jeans, a white t-shirt and flip flops and had as many compliments as ever on a piece of jewelry.  I didn't feel silly or overdressed.  I felt comfortable but pretty - like I had put just enough effort into my outfit!

My sweet friend Carrie said I had to capture it and blog about it and I'm glad I did.  Jane Dare was my photog so forgive the double chin and awkward angle!  And yes, that is the new Rivera bag slung over my shoulder.  Loving it!

Here is a selfie I snapped to better show it off ...

So, what do y'all think? Is it a keeper?  What about wearing it with a black sweater top? I think that would be super cute too!!

When Facebook is Dangerous

A couple of weeks ago someone in my uplink for Stella and Dot  started a thread asking what were people's favorite beauty products.  I have to admit that when it comes to makeup, etc, I get pretty lazy.  I find something that works and I stick with it until some catastrophic event makes me find something new (and by catastrophic I mean it makes me start breaking out, or a store within 5 minutes of me doesn't carry it).

Anyway, this thread got me excited to try out some new stuff and since I still have a bit of Christmas money burning a whole in my pocket (thank you Grandma) I took a field trip to Ulta.  Its been a few weeks now and I am SO happy with my new stuff.

First off I wanted to try the new BB cream from Bare Minerals.  Well, apparently its a BB cream, moisturizer, tinted to cover flaws, yada yada yada.  I have to say I absolutely love it.  Its enough coverage that I don't need anything on top of it (well, except around my eyes, but that's another story).  And my skin truly does look really good!!!  I've got a keeper here for sure.  I found it at Ulta but if you live near an Exchange (military friends) you can save a couple bucks.

Next up I finally invested in a decent blush.  I always cheap out on blush and I am actually amazed how much of a difference this makes.  The first time I wore it Ainsley stopped and looked at me and said "you look so pretty Mom".  Wow!  Talk about make my day!  And I didn't tell my mom I had on new stuff and she totally noticed anyway!  Love her!  Anyway, back to the blush.  Its called Two Faced  and I got it in Candy Glow.  I love it.  I love it love it love it.  I also found this at Ulta.  I just asked the girl helping me what she loved and she immediately went to this.  Bonus points that its totally cute!  And its actually a pretty big container so the $30 doesn't seem that high to me.

Finally, this one isn't new but I've been meaning to talk about my favorite mascara for a while.  I buy it through my friend Jennifer who sells Mary Kay.  I use the Ultimate Mascara    and have been for a couple of years now.  This one is not out of laziness but because I think its awesome stuff.  And Jennifer ships anywhere for free so that is a total bonus :)

So that is my beauty roundup.  But before you go here are a couple things I think you NEED to know.    Today is a cold day so I've got on my favorite Fjord flannel from Patagonia and some jeans.  But that doesn't mean I can't still have a little fun with my jewelry.  I just broke out this beauty: the Wishing Arrow bracelet.  I still can't believe how affordable it is!  At just $19 its the perfect little thing to stock up on to have for birthday gifts, teacher gifts, hostess gifts, etc.  There are also an elephant and horseshoe options.  So pretty and fun.  And they are so light and easy you can easily stack a couple or add something else like the engraveable cuff or renegade cluster!  I just got my cuff and that will be another blog because its just too fab to stick at the bottom here like a postscript.

So maybe you're wondering at this point of a blog what the title is all about. Why is Facebook dangerous? Well the answer goes back to the start of this post!   Who knew that one simple, innocent question would send me on a treasure hunt to Ulta that cost $80...sorry if it does the same to you ;)

What I'm Loving in February

It rarely fails that when I'm wearing something from Boden it gets noticed.  They just have a way of taking an item of clothing and giving it a little twist to make it something special.

In fact, as a total aside, one of my most special friendships I owe to Boden.  It was about 5 years ago now that we were visiting a church for the first time when we were new to this area.  I turned around as the service was ending and took in the pretty lady behind me and before I could stop myself said "I love your dress, its got to be from Boden!"  Well, I was right and that lady came to be one of my dearest friends.  And, to get way off topic, I owe my love of Boden to my bestie Troy.  And Troy's birthday is tomorrow.  Happy birthday beautiful lady!

Is it just me or is it totally obvious when I'm blogging on a glass of wine and not much else on my tummy?  I'm sure I will read this tomorrow and cringe!

Back to the topic at hand, I just got the new Boden catalog in the mail.  Its been a while since I've ordered from them but I'm in love with their new offerings.  And they are offering 20% off and free shipping/free returns.  That's hard to beat!  Here is what I'm drooling over:

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Shoes-Boots/Flats/AR660/Womens-Vienne-Point.html

While these are wild adorable I think I might go with the nude.  I don't have anything in a nice nude shoe.  They also have a slingback that is tempting me mightily.  And, ok, this post isn't supposed to be all about shoes but you have GOT to check out these.  I die.

I love this dress.  In case you don't know, I am a total whore for stripes.  Even at 20% off this is a little out of my price range but I just had to share.

Moving on... Patagonia is having a decent sale on winter stuff right now.  Supposably it will get better on the 19th so stay tuned.  But in the meantime here is some pretty sweet stuff:

I got this dress during the pro deal Family sale and I love it.  Its flattering, comfortable and warm.  You can wear it over leggings or jeans, with boots or flats.   For those with great legs will look super cute with boots and bare legs on warmer days.

Next up is this shirt.  I got my first Fjord flannel a couple years ago on Ryan's recommendation and I cannot say enough how much I love it.  Ryan has 5 of them if that is any indication.   This is a great price on this shirt and with Patagonia's guarantee and quality it is worth every penny.

I could seriously go on and on with stuff I love from Patagonia's website but I'll stop there for tonight.  Feel free to ask questions because we have an embarrassing amount of stuff from them.  Chances are I have it, Ryan has it or we both have it.

Last note.  To redeem 20% off and free shipping at boden you need to enter a code.  The code I have is HI72398K.

Happy Shopping!