But....I have a GREAT excuse!

I feel like I have committed the greatest blogger sin with no posts for the last few months...Yikes!!  But...but...I have a great excuse!  Actually a couple of reasons.  I left my old job and started a new job.  My stepdaughter graduated from high school....AND I launched a new business!

I'm so excited to finally share what has kept me so busy the last few months.  Actually about 6 months or so.  I created and launched a mobile spray tanning business....Tailored Tan!  Since launching in April I have been so blessed with such a great response.

I've always wanted to own a business of some sort, but nothing really seem to fit.  It all started last summer when I was preparing to be in a friends wedding.  The wedding was set for early October and  we were wearing strapless chocolate brown dresses. I knew by October I would be white and pasty and in need of a little color.  I had already sworn off tanning beds and was in search of a great fake tan.  I soon found there were few options.  I knew I couldn't just do self tanner as I would never reach the back of me for the strapless dress without creating a hot mess.  I decided to try a spray tan.  I put a post out on Facebook asking my friends for suggestions for a spray tan and the results were less than exciting.  Most people were terribly disappointed in their spray tans...especially those from a spray tan booth.  Augh...not what I wanted to hear.  So, there went the spray tan booth idea, so I went in search of someone that can spray me directly.  Again, I was disappointed as I only found one option.  It was at a very nice high end spa and the tan turned out really good.  I was relieved to find an option, but worried that I didn't have a chance to try it prior to the week leading up to the wedding.  I ended up being very pleased with the results!

As I was searching for the perfect tan, I started thinking maybe this could be a business to launch.  Apparently this type of business was needed here.  Then the light bulb went off and I thought MOBILE business would be a great option as I couldn't find any mobile spray tanning options.  That's when I started my research on spray tanning businesses.  Equipment, tanning solutions, training...it was all so overwhelming and so hard to find information and help.  I wanted to do it right and learn from the best, but that proved to be difficult.  Months later I was informed, prepared, trained and ready to go.  When I was finally ready to announce Tailored Tan, I created a Facebook page and the response was been amazing!  Gotta love free advertisement!

It seem once spring was nearing our family life kicked into high gear.  As I mentioned my step daughter graduated from high school.  Life has been a little crazy....especially juggling two jobs.  I've missed blogging and ready to jump back in!  I'm heading to a blogging workshop tomorrow and CAN NOT WAIT!  It's the jump start I need and treating timing.  Can't wait to post all about it.

Have a great weekend!
Lisa

Grab a cup of coffee with me

It's Sunday and that time of the week when I grab a cup of coffee and reflect back to my week. Hopefully in pictures. Granted some weeks my camera doesn't get much action, but I'm working on that.

This week has been rough, and I mean really rough. Work has been crazy and it seemed that everything I touched at work turned to crap! Ever had one of those weeks?? I was just as behind by Friday as I was when the week started. This was my reward for living through the crap to see Friday. Nothing compares to a little Panera Bread treat.

The past week was our 9 year anniversary. Since things were a little crazy, we didn't get the chance to head away out of town this time. We did get to catch the UVA vs Miami basketball game. A friend of ours got us great seats and that was a lot of fun!

Yesterday I went to a Photography Boot Camp with a friend. It was pretty amazing and just what I needed. I love my Nikon, but it can be pretty intimidating with all of the settings. I'm sure this is the first of many that I will need to learn all I need to about my camera.

This past week was stressful and crazy busy, and I'm hopeful this week will be better. I got the best news possible this mornng....SNOW STORM! Yep, it's coming our way starting early tomorrow morning with 3-8 inches possible. YES! Bring. It. On! So, I think this new week is shaping up pretty good already.

What are you looking foward to this week?

 

Lisa

 

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Join me for a cup of coffee

Join me for a cup of coffee is a post I'm trying to do on Sundays. Just a recap of the week in pictures. Some weeks...not so many pictures, but having a Sunday post motivates me to keep my camera close by.

I know everyone is sick of talking about the crazy weather, but man it's up and down. Last week we had 10 inches of snow. Today it's 60 degrees outside. It's crazy! I like winter temps in winter! So, please bring on more snow. The break in the cold did get us out hiking and running with Wiley. I have to admit that 60 degrees does make for pretty good running.

I caught this picture this morning before our hike. Not the best picture, but we were in a hurry.

More wintry weather is in the forecast for next week, so I'm hopeful we haven't seen the last of the snow. You know I like snow pics!

This cold winter has me making a pot of homemade soup just about every weekend. I love it! Nothing screams comfort food like soup simmering on the stove. I have been rotating the same 3 or 4 soup recipes, so I think it's time to dig out a few more.

Last, but not least recap for the week is a business idea that I'm working on. I'll talk details once it's all set in motion, but I have spent quite a bit of time researching and planning the last few months. Starting a business, even a small one, is very daunting. I'm very thankful that so many bloggers own other businesses and they frequently post about their business start up do's and dont's.

At home it's easy to get side tracked with other things when I need to be working on my business start up. Especially with these two always by my side....

And this one...

See what I mean? Just bring out a laptop or notebook and they want to be in your lap.

So, I headed out to Starbucks near my house yesterday to get a little work in undisturbed. It was heaven! And COFFEE always makes me happy!

How was your week?

 

Lisa

 

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Grab a cup of coffee with me

Grab a cup of coffee with me and tell me about your week. It's Sunday morning and the house is quiet for a change. That's only because my husband has headed out for a walk with our very hyper puppy this morning...sigh...he wears me out!

This past week was AWESOME! If you know me well at all you know why. SNOW...beautiful SNOW! We had the biggest snow storm in 4 years. I was in heaven! It started about 3pm on Wednesday and snowed heavily all evening and all night long. It dumped about 8 inches overnight and continued to snow on Thursday with another 2 inches. 10 INCHES TOTAL! It was awesome.

 

This picture was taken Wednesday afternoon at the beginning of the storm. I settled in with a glass of wine and watched the ground start to cover with snow.

It was also Valentines this week. Since Valentine's day is always a nightmare here with the restaurant scene, we decided on something different this year. Wednesday evening we headed downtown in the snow, before it got too bad, to a local chocolate company for an early Valentine's treat. Chocolate fondue.

We sat by the window watching the snow fall while enjoying a chocolate treat. It was so beautiful and romantic! It was early enough in the snow storm that we could travel around easily enough. We both love driving and walking around in it while it's still snowing. Although it's hard to get good pictures while it's snowing heavily.

When we got back home we took Wiley, our puppy, out in the snow and he loved it! Thankfully he loves it as much as we do. I tried my best to get good pictures of him out in it, but it was close to impossible.

Most of my pictures of Wiley were a blurry mess because he was running and rolling.

The snow was coming down so hard that mostly all of my pictures were a mess.

The next day we headed out for a long walk and it was beautiful. Walking in deep snow is quite the workout, but I love how quiet it is outside while it's snowing. It feels very magical to me.

I love when the snow clings to every branch. Winter wonderland!

 

Red seems to really pop when the ground is snow covered.

I love our side of town and it's even more beautiful when it snows.

The next day we were trapped in our neighborhood since the roads weren't plowed yet. We headed out to the dirt trails close to our house and it was so beautiful. I didn't mind one bit being bound to the house and missing 2 days of work. It was nice to slow down and enjoy Mother Nature :)

How was your week???

Lisa

 

 

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Can I survive puppy training?? Help!

Oh my word! I'm exhausted! Who knew this would be so much work....and didn't tell me!! As you all know I surprised my husband with Wiley for christmas. We got him the week before christmas and our world has been turned upside down. My husband was less than thrilled with the gift, but he always talked about a having another dog. Now I know why...he still remembers the puppy training stage.

I have my cat, Simba, who is so easy and loving and my precious princess. Yeah, I iknow I'm a little over the top about my cat. She has been with me since before my husband was in the picture. Look at that cute face!

Well, I now know that dogs are so much more work than cats. Simba still hates Wiley, but is coming around and trying to ignore him, but he is far too aggressive with her. A lot of barking, hissing and smacking going on at our house.

I admit that dogs can be so cute and fun, but their energy far exceeds mine. I have spent over an hour this morning with a hyped up puppy and a hissing cat and not enough coffee to cope with both. I made the mistake of letting Wiley out without his leash this morning and I spent 15 minutes chasing him out from behind the shrubs. He was in hide and seek mode and I'm sure the neighbors had a good laugh listening to me cuss the dog in my pj's this morning. So, Wiley got a time out. I needed the timeout more!

Beside the endless energy of the puppy, the potty training is exhausting! How long does it take to potty train a puppy???? We are so good about taking him out often, but I clean up a lot of PEE!!! All I do is mop floors. Could I train Wiley to the litter box too?????? kidding. He is getting better about telling us he needs to go out, but not consistent yet.

I do love the fur ball, but I love him most when he is asleep.....lol. Ahh, pure heaven when he finally passes out. This was how I got this post done this morning....

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Lisa

 

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Some of my favorites from 2013

It hit me yesterday morning driving to work that I haven't picked up my camera in weeks. About that time I witnessed the most amazing sunrise and really started to kick myself for not taking the time to always pack it with me. I took a few pictures around the holidays, but they were all taken with my phone. IT'S NOT THE SAME! I love my Nikon and it takes great pictures! I know better and I'm in a photography club and they talk about having your camera with you always! So, for 2014 I'm making the effort to take more pictures...and I'm anxiously awaiting the first snowfall as it's my favorite picture taking time.

I thought I would share a few pictures I've taken this year that are my favorites.

We as a family sat down recently and went through tons of old pictures I had taken since Jeff and I got married and the kids loved it. Just reaffirms that I shouldn't slack on taking pictures. Life is too short and you don't need a special occasion to bring the camera out.

 

 

Okay, I will stop now because I could add pictures all day. These are just a few from this year.

Enjoy your day!

Lisa

 

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Guess what I'm doing today!

NOTHING! It's a rainy lazy Sunday here in Virginia and I'm loving it. The decorations are all down and put away from Christmas and the house is halfway clean, so today I do nothing! I have soup simmering on the stove and spending the rest of the day eating and catching up on blogs.

Even the crazy puppy, Wiley, is chilling today and my kitty is even hanging in the living room with us...trying her best to ignore the fact that the DOG is still here!

Now if we could change this rain to snow, the day would be awesome! So jealous of everyone up northing getting the snow. I'm hopeful we have some coming here this month.

Enjoy your Sunday and happy new year!

Lisa

 

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