The Beauty - Spirit - Passion Girl

Everything should taste like BACON!!!!

2009-05-12T14:30:00.001-07:00

Bacon Salt (Bacon Flavored Salt) and Baconaise (Bacon Flavored Mayo . . . yes, there is a God!). Ever heard of them?? You should have by now. Bacon Salt and Baconaise have been featured everywhere, including OPRAH. Yes, even Ms. Winfrey herself commented on the craze that seems to be taking the nation by storm.

The story behind the creation of Bacon Salt is almost as good as the product. From the Bacon Salt website:

"We're Justin and Dave, and this is our improbable bacon-flavored story. Who are we? We’re just two regular guys who love grilling and football on Sunday afternoons, eating until we can’t get off the couch and of course, the taste of great bacon. And it’s our dream to make everything taste like bacon.

Not too long ago, we used to work together in a little technology company. While on a business trip together, we had the chance to sit down for dinner and eventually, the conversation turned to our mutual love of bacon. It was then that Justin told Dave and another coworker named Kara about his idea for Bacon Salt®. Kara, who is a vegetarian, loved the idea. Dave, a card-carrying carnivore and Midwesterner, loved it even more. Even the waiter at the fancy restaurant loved it.

And from that point forward, a partnership was struck to turn this bacon-flavored dream into a reality. In 2007, we and a few of our close friends tasted the first flavors of Bacon Salt, on Porterhouse steaks, mashed potatoes, eggs, corn and tomato soup - literally everything Dave could find to eat in his house. One enthusiastic person even tried bacon-flavored ice cream, which we don’t really advise doing, but to each his own. With the one exception of Maple (which was recently resurrected and is much better), everything was absolutely delicious - we were all just licking our plates.

Even more improbably, Dave’s 3 year old son Dean provided our first round of financing with this $5,000 win on America’s Funniest Home Videos:

And now we bring our inventions to fellow bacon lovers everywhere. We started with 3 flavors of Bacon Salt – Original, Hickory and Peppered. Since then, we’ve found even more things to make taste like bacon. We’ve expanded the Bacon Salt family to include Natural Bacon Salt and several Limited Edition flavors (Applewood, Jalapeno, Mesquite, Cheddar and Maple Redux). We’re also very excited about the newest addition to the family, Baconnaise™, which promises to take your sandwiches, salads, dips, fish and fries (and more) to new and more bacon-y heights.

Whether you're a regular griller or a gourmet chef, are counting calories or are a vegetarian who craves mouth-watering bacon taste without the bacon guilt, this is what you've been waiting for.

We hope you love it like we do. Please drop us a line to tell us what you think, share your recipes, or buy some of our bacon-themed merchandise to help spread the word while donating to a great cause.

Enjoy the bacon,
Justin and Dave, Bacontrepreneurs"

Yes - you read that right. VEGETARIAN. Even more unlikely?? KOSHER CERTIFIED. Who would have thought?

I recently had the pleasure of enjoying a cup of coffee with Dave Lefkow (of Justin and Dave) who graciously shared with me his advice for Plein de Vie. I figured that any guy who could launch such an empire in such a short time probably knew a little about business. Who would have thought that a guy that was just on OPRAH could or even would take the time to sit down with a complete stranger and offer advice. It was great.

Bottom line? The products are great, the story is interesting, and the men behind it are genuinely nice guys. Be sure to check it all out at www.baconsalt.com

Thanks Dave!!

Another fun write-up!

2009-05-02T15:19:00.000-07:00

I love it when Plein de Vie makes a little news. What business owner doesn't? You put everything you have into growing and nurturing something you believe in, and pray that you aren't the only person who thinks it's great.

Our most recent press came in Seattle's Child, who was doing a feature on local entrepreneurial Mothers who created gifts for 'New Arrivals'

You can check out the online version here.

Cheers!

Shelly

Fabulous Finds For Hip Moms!

2009-04-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love a great giveaway? How about an awesome sale? Informative articles? Daily product blog? No one! Let's be honest though, aren't there a million websites that offer those very things? A million and one, perhaps? Probably. So, with all of those websites out there, what makes one stand out of the others? It has got to be the person behind the curtain, right? The proverbial wizard in the land of Oz.

Meet Megan Thomas, founder, owner, and chief puppet master of Peekaboo Picks Magazine. I had the privilege of having my first experience with Megan shortly after I launched Spoiled Rotten Baby. After submitting one of our brand new gift sets to her incredibly professional and informative online magazine, I received one of the best written reviews I have had to date.(Check it out here) Megan has an unbelievable talent for writing. Honestly. Not only did she write a great review, but she promptly replied to all of my e-mails. (Gasp!) Anyone who has ever tried to submit information to a busy editor knows how difficult it can be to get any sort of a response at all.

After starting Plein de Vie, I knew that one of the first media sources I wanted to contact about the launch was Peekaboo Picks. After an e-mail or two, I learned that Megan had moved up here to the Seattle area, and a meeting at Starbucks (where else?) was in order. During our meeting, I discovered that Megan is not only a savvy writer and entrepreneur, but an incredible woman as well!

What started as a smaller online magazine mostly focusing on product reviews for kids and babies has turned in to a wealth of information coming from a wide variety of talented women. From a Southern California NICU nurse to a newspaper reporter in New York, Megan's staff bring a lot to the table. The giveaways on the site are always for very cool, sought-after finds. Megan seems to know everyone, yet never name drops. She is a stay-at-home mother of two, yet finds time to run Peekaboo. Fiercely independent, yet devoted to her cute (see above)husband. Incredibly busy, yet generous with her time, this girl has got it together!

In a sea of women struggling to do it all, it is nice to meet someone who does it with such grace.

Peekaboo Picks is truly a 'fabulous find for hip Moms' and Megan is a fabulous inspiration for anyone.

Who do you know that serves as an inspiration for others?

Shelly

p.s. That awesome magazine cover is courtesy of Peekaboo Picks and Erin Palos of Sweet Baby Photo.

Just when my life couldn't be any busier . . .

2009-04-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

I decided to adopt a couple of bunnies! I know - crazy, right? Now, before you judge me and think I did it after too many Peeps on Easter, you could not be more wrong. We actually adopted these little fur balls in February.

This being my first time at the (bunny)'rodeo' ever, I thought, "Hey, I have another surgery coming up. I will be laid up, want something to snuggle with on the couch, and my Great Dane will crush me. Let's get bunnies!"

After my 'brilliant' idea was begrudgingly accepted by my fiance' Rick, and enthusiastically seconded by my son, Nate, we set out to a local bunny rescue. We had our hearts set on getting one cute little Mini-Rex.

When we got there, however, our plans quickly changed. We were first introduced to a poor white Californian that was dropped and now suffers slight brain damage. Her little head moves back and forth from side to side (think Stevie Wonder) and I was instantly hooked. I had to save that little bunny!

Nate found a fuzzy chinchilla colored Lop who (at the time) loved to be held and snuggled with. She had been bred over and over and apparently abused by her handlers. They were perfect. Slightly brain damaged bunny? Check. A bunny that loved to be smothered by a nine year old? Check. Charlotte and Gypsy were perfect bunnies for my plan. . . until we brought them home, that is.

What happened the minute we got home? Those two silly rabbits hated to be picked up! Who was going to snuggle with me after surgery? Who was going to provide hours and hours of bunny fun for Nate? Not those two! We had been duped.

What I failed to realize before adopting our new girls, was that most rabbits dislike being picked up. They are prey animals and feel like they are being attacked. Who knew?

In spite of my initial disappointment, I have learned to love these two, slightly smelly, oversized rats. I really do. Even though they hate being picked up (unless occasionally giving in by being coaxed with a banana) They have very unique personalities, they are very stubborn, very independent, a ton of work, and incredibly challenging to get to know. (Sounds a little like me - hmm . . . )More than that though, they have taught me patience, respect for the 'personal space' of a different sort of being, and to approach new experiences with an open mind.

If you go into a new situation, a new job, a new relationship, etc. with a very specific expectation of the experience, you will probably be disappointed. If you start with an open mind and let things unfold as they may, you might end up pleasantly surprised. You might even learn something new about yourself!

And who doesn't need to do that every once in awhile?

Have you learned something new about yourself lately? Have you surprised yourself by being open to a new experience?

Happy belated Easter,

Shelly

Make new friends . . .

2009-03-27T20:32:00.000-07:00

I have had the most incredible couple of weeks (again). More surgeries . . . moving . . . science fair for my son . . . blah, blah, blah. A girl needs to find new sources of support. My poor fiance' has been working tirelessly to not only take care of my every need (food/chores/entertainment), but also has the unfortunate job of listening to me complain. Not that it's a new sport, but for a girl with a lot of time on her hands, it's practically a full time job for the poor person who is on the other side, right?

Fortunately, my fiance is not my only source of support for my tireless and unintentional neediness. (Not that there's anything wrong with that!)

Enter: Justin "Jay" Devoto. I met Justin when he moved up here (Washington) from San Jose, California and was looking for someone who could keep his drapery business, Sunshine Associates, organized. To be perfectly honest, I had never been friends with someone with such an age difference with me as Justin. I love my grandmother, Phyllis, but other than that, there has been no one similar in age that I have formed a bond with. I honestly think that of you don't grow up around the very young, or the elderly (Justin is 95 years old as of February) you don't honestly appreciate and/or form a bond with either. Am I wrong? Most likely - I am just speaking from personal experience.

Anyway, having a relationship with Justin has taught me many things. Namely . . .

- Age doesn't matter (Really)
- If you are open to it, learning from an elder (even as an adult) is invaluable
- People who have been around longer than you tend to have more (and more interesting) stories - plus, you get all the fun details that normally may be edited out of a typical story
- Friends come in all ages, shapes, colors, and sizes - I can honestly say that Justin has become one of my closest friends. How lucky am I?
- It's never too late to make a new friend. NEVER too late

Having Justin as my friend is one of the best things to ever happen to me. Had I not been open to it, I would have never had the opportunity to meet such an incredible friend. Whenever you are feeling lonely, or you second guess an opportunity to meet and relate to someone new, please keep Justin in mind. You never know when, where, or how a person may affect your life. You just have to be open to the experience.

Be open to the experience

Think about it,

Shelly

Spoiled Rotten Baby is FOR SALE!!

2009-03-08T18:07:00.000-07:00

After a lot of soul searching and contemplation, I have decided to put Spoiled Rotten Baby up for sale. The idea crossed my mind last November as I realized that I have not been giving it the 'love' it deserved. The thought of someone else owning it was a lot to bear (as any of you who have their own company know), but I finally resigned to the fact that I cannot run both companies well, and I am not the type to do things half-hearted.

Last November, on a whim, I posted it for sale on Craigslist. I wasn't even sure I wanted to sell! Within an hour of posting, I had a very interested buyer. A few meetings and negotiating later, the company (almost) had a new owner! A few weeks later, the financing fell through and the deal couldn't go through. Darn it!

Now that my health is on the upswing, I have decided to go for it. For those of you who have ever been in my position, you know how scary it can be to sell something that you have dedicated endless hours, days, weeks, and months of your life to. It is a HUGE decision!

After all, in the short time I have had and have been actively working it, I managed to secure ownership of the trademarked name, be featured in many well-known publications, and even had Amazon.com seek ME out for a contract! Am I crazy for selling??

So, it is with a somewhat heavy heart, that I officially announce that Spoiled Rotten Baby is FOR SALE. If you know anyone who may be interested in this little gem of a company, please send them my way: shelly@mysrbb.com.

If you have ever posted a company for sale, I welcome your advice!

And remember . . . 'Every Baby Deserves to be Spoiled Rotten!'

Cheers,

Shelly

I want to be as cool as the Soap Queen when I grow up

2009-02-28T19:29:00.001-08:00

The other day while reading one of my favorite blogs,'The Soap Queen' I fell in LOVE with an item she posted. Not trying to copy a blog post (although isn't that supposed to be the highest form of flattery?!), but merely trying to drool over a product I am now dying to have while also giving credit where credit is due.

So, what is this 'must have' product you say? It's the new HP Mini Vivienne Tam (the designer) digital clutch by HP. Technology has become too cool!

As soon as the CEO of Brambleberry, and the Soap Queen herself, Anne-Marie Faiola mentioned it on her blog, I just HAD to have it! Once, during a coffee date, Anne-Marie shared one of her secrets to success. (Side note: If you every have the opportunity to learn from a very, very successful business person - do it.) So, to get back to her secret -she said that she never buys things that aren't necessary to the growth of her business. If it isn't going to be used in a specific way to meet the needs of her always growing company, it wasn't worth the cost. A novel idea that most of avoid following like the plague.

Hmm . . . how could I 'spin' this purchase into a seemingly necessary one? No idea. Darn it! Whenever I say that I see Anne-Marie, in my imagination, shaking her head at me for being a silly girl. Thanks a lot for the pretend guilt trip, Ms. Faiola!

Seriously though, thanks for sharing such a cool product with us, Anne-Marie and darn it for you being a wise girl that knows how to to focus HARD on not wasting money unnecessarily. Boo.

Shelly

p.s. If anyone missed my all-important 30th birthday last August while I was ill, I would love to accept a lovely belated-birthday gift. 'A la laptop and cute accessory pack. Just an idea, in case you were looking for one. (Hint, Hint - anyone?)

*photos courtesy of The Coveted, The Soap Queen, and HP

The Power of Intention

2009-02-24T15:14:00.001-08:00

Many of you have heard about 'The Secret' (thanks, Oprah!). Although 'The Secret' has been highly publicized over the last couple of years, the concept have been around forever. The basic concept says that whatever energy you put out in the world will be returned to you. If you are constantly feeling and even saying negative things (I am fat, I never win anything, I don't ever have enough money), the universe 'hears' that and guess what? Pretty soon you are a poor loser with a big butt! If you focus on positive ideas, and believe that what you desire will come to you, then those things will come. Granted, you need to work towards those things, and consistently concentrate your thoughts and efforts on them, but it really can work. It is all about energy.

Anyway, after reading a few great books, Real You Incorporated, The Success Principals, and Creative Visualization, I decided to create a 'vision board' - for me, a poster that has a ton of images of things that I work for and desire cut out of magazines. I have everything on there from a picture of the Eiffel Tower (trip to France, anyone?), a photo of a woman jogging (due to health issues from childhood, I have never been able to jog. Moving and being healthy is something I never took for granted), and the words HAPPY MARRIAGE (self-explanatory?).

After the launch of Plein de Vie in October, I decided that one of my goals for the company was to have our products featured in Seattle Magazine. Seattle Magazine is a well-known, top-notch magazine and only the best products/stories/people are included. I wrote myself an e-mail as though it had really come to me from an editor and taped it to my vision board and my fridge. I read that letter almost every day and imagined how I would feel if the letter were true. Here is what I wrote myself:

Hi Shelly,

I just wanted you to know that I loved your On-the-Go Remedy Stick you sent me! We are getting ready to put together a piece in our February issue on organic beauty and would like to feature Plein de Vie. Please send samples of any other products you would like us to review before our October 15th deadline.

Congratulations!

Best,

Andrea

Andrea Delimont
Lifestyle Editor
SEATTLE Magazine

I eventually did end up being featured in Seattle Magazine. (Actually we are in the magazine now). Coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not. Only yesterday did I realize the parallel between the letter and the reality. Plein de Vie is in the (February) Best in Beauty issue under Homegrown Beauty. (You can see it here).

Can you believe that?? I immediately sat down and wrote a letter 'from' QVC. Would I have been in Seattle Magazine had I not put forth the effort to send in a sample to Ms. Delimont and follow-up a few times? Of course not. Do I believe that focusing my energy on success and using the power of intent helped me to get there? Darn right I do!

Have you experienced anything similar? What is on your vision board or what would you like on your vision board?

It's an incredible world . . .

See you on QVC,

Shelly

The Hair Farmer

2009-02-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Most of us have heard of the wonderful organization Locks of Love, who provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children, suffering from long-term medical hair loss. People donate to Locks of Love by either sending in a cash donation, or by growing their hair out, cutting it off, and then mailing in the hair to be made into custom-fit wigs for little ones in need. Most donors are women (since the donated hair has to be at least 10" long) but there are men who donate as well.

One of these men happens to be a friend of mine, Joe Kennedy, a.k.a. Hair Farmer Joe. Joe made the commitment to grow out his closely sheared hair in September 2007. Now, about a year and a half later, Joe's curly locks have a mind of their own! While on his personal journey to donate his own hair, Joe decided to do his best to bring attention to the cause by trying to get 1000 people to become hair farmers themselves. Through sharing his journey on his website, and using the media power of his newspaper, Eastside Business Journal, Joe has been able to sign up a start of 10 people! The best way Joe gets the word out is by showing up everywhere with his big, floppy hair. Whether he is going to a VIP media conference, or a networking event of professionals, Joe (and his hair) always bring attention to his cause.

So, consider a donation (of either kind) to Locks of Love, and if you have the honor of meeting the Hair Farmer, be sure to tell him what a fantastic thing he is doing for children in need.

Shelly

Calendula - "Cal-en-do-HUH?"

2009-02-05T16:34:00.000-08:00

As promised, I am devoting a portion of the Beauty-Spirit-Passion Girl Blog to talking about the properties of natural ingredients, fun recipes to try, ingredients you should avoid, and just information in general.

Calendula ("Cal-en-do-luh") is a popular addition to many natural recipes due to it's soothing, healing properties. In addition to being a great healer, Calendula is considered to be very safe and gentle for even the most sensitive users.

The Calendula (also known as the Marigold flower)is an annual flower native to Mediterranean countries. Interestingly (well, at least to me!) the name 'Calendula' refers to the blooming schedule of the flower, which is once a month with the new moon. The name 'Marigold' refers to the Virgin Mary as Marigolds are used in Catholic events honoring her

Apparently,the Calendula was originally used as food rather than as an herb, but to be honest, I haven't tried it yet. Can't you picture it adding beautiful color to a salad though? Hmm . . . I see an experiment coming my way.

You will commonly see Calendula added to balms, salves, and oils made to heal cuts, scrapes, insect bites, and inflammation. You may also see it added to sensitive skin lotions and potions.

Next time you are in the beauty aisle of your favorite health store, look for products with Calendula (Calendula officinalis). You'll know now why it was added.

Off to make that salad . . .

Shelly

Beware of the TROLL!

2009-02-02T14:07:00.000-08:00

I was just sitting here thinking about all of the places I would like to visit someday. In the U.S. I particularly would love to visit New York, Georgia, Maine, and Massachusetts. Worldwide, I would like to visit Italy, France, Greece, Turkey (my sister-in-law is Turkish. It would be so fun to go with her!) Africa, and Switzerland.

With all of these places to visit, I had better get planning! The truth is though, I love living where I live. Visiting other places is fun, but I am not sure I would want to live somewhere other than Washington.

Washington (Seattle) is well-known for rain and coffee. Sometimes it is known for coffee and rain. I am used to the rain, so it doesn't bother me as much as it does non-natives. Whenever I start to let it bug me, I look around and see how green it is. Everywhere you look there are big beautiful trees, flowering shrubs, and lush mountaintops. We have a ton of lakes. Within 45 minutes of where I live, I can go swimming, gambling (don't actually do that - but I could!), skiing, mega-discount mall shopping, luxury shopping, or dining in the finest restaurants around. Pretty great.

In addition to all of that, you can hang out with a troll holding an actual VW Bug in Fremont (pictured above - look it up on the internet), tour an underground city, ride a ferry, visit Jimmy Hendrix's guitar at the Experience Music Project(EMP) (also pictured above - my soon-to-be brother-in law, 'Buggy' at the EMP), and so much more.

I love Seattle.

What do you like about where you live?? What makes it unique and special? Maybe I will come and visit!

Shelly

Oils, and Butters, and Herbs . . . Oh My!

2009-01-31T17:56:00.000-08:00

Now that I have been knee deep in creating a variety of handmade skincare products for some time , I have gained a new understanding of the benefits and qualities associated with botanicals, butters, and essential oils. It has been an amazing journey into a subject I never knew about. The funny thing I have come to realize though, is that my mother, Carole (pictured with me above), talked about this very subject all of the time growing up. I can still hear her saying, “Shelly, maybe you should try taking (insert plant name here) capsules. I hear they work wonders for (insert ailment – real or imagined - here).”

Like any good pre-teen does, I rolled my eyes, completely ignored her and vowed to never be like her when I grew up. Well guess what? Here I am, thirty years old and catching myself giving similar advice to anyone who will listen whether they asked for it or not. Such is life, right?

So, in the spirit of sharing knowledge and honoring mothers everywhere, I am going to devote a portion of my blog to sharing what I have learned about butters, oils, herbs, and essential oils. I am also going to include information on ingredients to avoid, and pretty much anything else I decide relates to this subject. So, here’s to learning something new!

Shelly

Business and Professional Women - join us!

2009-01-28T13:11:00.000-08:00

Of the many hats I wear, the ones I enjoy the most are those where I can help others and when I can make a difference. Whether it is helping a fourth grader improve their reading skills, donating to a charity I believe in, or inspiring someone to believe in themselves, there is truly nothing more gratifying.

Recently, Christine Addison (pictured above), Bellevue chapter president of a wonderful organization called Business and Professional Women, honored me by asking me to serve on their board. Business and Professional Women (or BPW) is a nationally recognized non-profit organization whose mission is to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education, and information.

By providing its members education on policy issues along with the tools to balance work-life roles, BPW supports its members with policy development in their own workplace. As an organization, BPW is a successful leader in promoting and supporting legislation affecting working women.

With membership to this organization, you will be exposed to relevant, powerful women speakers at monthly luncheon meetings, provided open networking opportunities to promote your business, gain dynamic friendships and "organic" mentoring relationships.

BPW is women helping women grow personally, professionally, and politically.

Check them out at: www.bpwusa.org to learn more and to find a branch near you.

Go girl power!!

Shelly

Make a difference!

2009-01-15T11:47:00.000-08:00

Against the advice from friends, financial planners, and random well-wishers, it was important for me to donate a portion of Plein de Vie sales to a charity from day one. Their point (an admittedly good one) was that brand new companies shouldn’t start giving away potential profits before they make them.

Part of the reason I began Plein de Vie was to have the opportunity to take whatever good fortune I was lucky enough to have and share it with others. This desire to help others is how our 3% charity fund came to be. Our charity fund guarantees that 3% of all online retail sales from the Plein de Vie website get donated to the non-profit organization, Equality Now.

With the support of such celebrities as Meryl Streep, Marisa Tomei, and Sarah Jones, Equality Now works to end violence and discrimination against women and girls around the world by:

• Lobbying for a strong protocol on the rights of women in Africa
• Campaigning against sex tourism/trafficking
• Using International law and UN mechanisms to advance the elimination of violence against women
• Campaigning against FGM (female genital mutilation)
• Calling for the participation of women in the matters of peace and security in Afghanistan

Woman and girls around the world need your help.

Whether you purchase off the Plein de Vie website (www.pleindevie.com) to donate indirectly, go to the Equality Now website (www.equalitynow.org) to donate directly, or you take my example and figure out a way to do both, please . . .

SUPPORT EQUALITY NOW!

Together, we can make a difference!

Shelly

p.s. You can view the celebrity public service announcement HERE

2009-01-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

I feel so lucky to know some amazing people. When you reflect on those in your life who are wonderful and generous and talented, it makes you feel truly lucky to be around them, don't you think? One of those people that makes me feel that way is my Plein de Vie web designer, Jesse Raymond from Jesse Raymond Design.

Last year when I was in desperate need of a new website, I contacted Jesse. I was high in stress and low in cash, and he took me on anyway! Jesse was able to take my vision, improve it dramatically, and implement it to near perfection. Although his love is actually graphic and video game design, Jesse is an incredibly talented web designer as well.

You can check out what he did for my Plein de Vie website, or see a variety of projects he has completed on his online portfolio. Consider him for your next project - he's a great guy.

Thanks Jesse!

Shelly

2009-01-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Wow, I cannot believe it is 2009 already! 2008 was crazy for me. Between starting a new company, having a medical emergency, and being a first time football Mom, I hardly had the chance to think.

There are a lot of people out there that think New Year's resolutions are a waste of time. I for one, do not. I think that any chance one can sit down, reflect on their life, and set goals to improve it, is a great thing. In an ideal world, you would do this all year long. However, doing it once a year is better than not doing it at all.

So, what are my resolutions? This is actually tough if you truly intend to meet your goals. I will break mine down. I figure if I list them for the world to see, someone will hold be accountable, right?

Business:

1. To get Plein de Vie's On-the-Go Remedy Stick in at least 4 magazine publications
2. To release at least 4 more Plein de Vie products
3. To make some changes to Spoiled Rotten Baby (details to be released at a later date!)
4. To blog at least once a week (yikes!)
5. To get at least 20 new wholesale accounts for Plein de Vie (do you know anyone?)

Family:

1. To spend more time with my nieces and nephews (I have seven!)
2. To take a mini-vacation with my sweetheart
3. To take up a hobby or sport that I do with my son

Physical:

1. To fully heal (to the best of my ability) from the two surgeries I had in 2008
2. To become a runner or at least a walker (meaning I do one or both at least three times a week)as my ankle and knee allow
3. To grow out my nails (does that seem silly?)
4. To eat 2 servings of fruits and veggies a day (Sad that I don't already, right?)

Personal:

1. To learn beginning French (Does anyone have a Rosetta Stone program by chance?)
2. To read at least 5 business/growth books
3. To work daily on the power of intention and visualization

Man, it looks like I have a LOT of work to do. Sheesh.

What sort of things do you have on your New Year's list? I would love it if you shared . . .

Here's to a healthy, successful, happy 2009!

Shelly

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T05:00:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone! I LOVE Christmas. I love the songs, I love the family, I love the gifts (*gasp* - I said it!), I love the egg nog, I love 24 hours of A Christmas Story - all of it.

This year we have a white Christmas. In fact, here in Seattle it has been 12 years since we have had this much snow! Where I am at in Bellevue, we have over a foot. It's madness. Seriously.

Anyway, I just want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and hope that wherever you are, you are warm, safe, and with someone you love - oh, and try not to shoot your eye out :-)

Cheers,

Shelly Clause

Yoga for the young (and young at heart!)

2008-12-22T09:16:00.000-08:00

Yoga. For some, it is a way of life. For others, it is an odd, tree-hugging sort of thing that 'those' people do. No matter what side of the fence you fall on, it is hard to debate the proven benefits of yoga. Yoga:

- reduces stress
- strengthens muscles and muscle tone
- helps you sleep better
- improves self confidence
- aids in digestion

What I didn't know, was that yoga is also great for babies and tots! I knew that when my girlfriend's 5th graders get out of hand (she's a teacher), she makes them all get up and do breathing and poses. (Can you imagine?!)She says it works like a charm and the kids like it. But babies? Apparently, yes.

Blossoming Yogis is a very cool series of yoga classes over the course of 6 weeks, broken down into three age groups: baby, tot, and tyke. Blossoming Yogi classes are based on the Itsy Bitsy Yoga program and are taught by a fabulous instructor, Anna Starikov. Anna is the mom of two extremely cute kids Zoe and Max and is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Although the class is not available everywhere, the program itself is. For those of us lucky enough to be in the (currently snowy) Seattle/Bellevue area of Washington, you can take Anna's Blossoming Yogis class in Kirkland at Yoga Studio Be.

Check out Anna's site today (www.blossomingyogis.com)and when you sign up, tell her that Shelly sent you!

Namaste,

Shelly

2008-11-16T20:36:00.000-08:00

The last few weeks have been so crazy, so stressful, and I have hardly had a minute to think! (Seriously). The last year, I have been working like a maniac on creating products for Plein de Vie. What I learned from all of that hard work, is that I am happiest and the least stressed when I am being creative. Whether it is designing a new gift set for Spoiled Rotten Baby or coming up with a new formula for a Plein de Vie product, it helps me be a better mom, partner, and person in general.

So, in the midst of current chaos, I decided it was time to do something I had never done before - make soap! Rick (my 'better' half)and I geared up in our old long sleeved tees, latex gloves, and oh-so-cute eye protection to make what we hoped would be some pretty decent soap.

We added ingredients like Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, and Babasu Oil. I tried to add some essential oil so it smelled pretty (didn't add enough though!) and a sprinkling of organic cocoa butter to make it at least look pretty.

When all was said and done, we ended up with a very neat looking block of soap, which then ended up becoming 4 smaller pieces of neat looking soap after I attacked it with my butcher knife. We still have a few weeks to wait until it's ready to use, so cross your fingers that it actually turned out ;-)

It can be hard to remember the things that bring us a little relief when life gets crazy. I hope that the next time life seems to spinning out of control, you take a deep breath and go to that stress-free place in your life. Even if it turns out to be making a block of soap that smells like nothing.

Shelly

2008-10-30T16:37:00.000-07:00

This year has brought so many changes and adventures. From fun times like taking our first (long overdue) winery tour in Walla Walla for my fiance's birthday, to exhausting times like starting my own skincare line, Plein de Vie, to proud times like watching my son accept the leadership award during his first year of football, to scary times when I thought I had cancer this past summer.

What it has made me realize is that all of those experiences (the good or the bad) make us the people we are today. Even more than that . . . there's truly no place like home.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Dorothy (a.k.a. Shelly)

2008-09-12T15:36:00.000-07:00

After months and months of long hours and hard work, the first product from my new luxury organic skin care line (Plein de Vie) has launched! Plein de Vie will release 13 new products in 2008-2009 designed to combine all of the wonderful benefits that pure organic ingredients can provide, without all of the chemicals most of us are trying to avoid. Our flagship product, the On-the-Go Remedy Stick is incredibly universal and has already enjoyed some local press in the Eastside Business Newspaper:

http://eastsidebusinessjournal.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2258&Itemid=58

I am so proud to have created a product that helps with:

bumps, bruises, scrapes, cuts, sunburn, windburn, rashes, chapped lips, bug bites, mild eczema, skin irritations, chapped lips, diaper rash, itchy skin, dry skin, baby massage (any massage!), and ragged cuticles in a super convenient mess-free stick.

We have even had testers enjoy relief from burgeoning pimples, razor burn, and blisters! All of Plein de Vie's products are:

Made with organically sourced ingredients
Nut and nut oil free
Phthalate, Paraben, and Formaldehyde-free
Proud to be Cruelty-free, toxin-free, and Vegan

I am not saying it's a 'cure-all' but it is certainly a 'must-have' in my opinion!

Check it out on the Plein de Vie website (http://www.pleindevie.com) or purchase it on the Spoiled Rotten Baby website (http://www.myspoiledrottenbaby.com)

Oh, and if you do try it, please let me know what you think.

Enjoy!

Shelly

2008-09-04T16:33:00.000-07:00

So, before anyone judges me for my lack of blogging. Hmm . . . or working . . . or socializing . . . or anything for the last month or so, I have a very good excuse. In a nutshell, I had a very big cancer scare. When I went in for my biopsy, they discovered that I did not have cancer, but a pretty serious Staph infection instead. Scary! After a TON of time laid up in bed, and weeks of antibiotics, I am slowly making it out again into the real world.

Why am I telling you this? Well, because this scare reminded me how lucky I am to be healthy and how close I came to cancer. It is important to remember all of the millions of men, women, and children who have been affected by this disease and if there is a way to support them, we should do it.

Next weekend, my dear friend Anna (in Seattle) is walking in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day which is a 60-mile walk over the course of three days. Net proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust, funding important breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment.

I am asking you to all help her reach her goal of raising $5000.00 in support of this great cause by following this link and donating.

http://08.the3day.org/goto/AnnaStarikov

Some Shocking Breast Cancer Facts (As borrowed off of the site):

* Breast cancer is the leading cancer among American women and is second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths

* One woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes and one woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes in the United States

* More than 200,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and an estimated 40,460 women will die from the disease this year

* Approximately 1,500 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 450 men will die from the disease this year

* Only 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are due to heredity. The majority of women with breast cancer have no known significant family history or other known risk factors

* The older a woman is, the more likely she is to develop breast cancer, but women under 40 are still at risk too (SCHEDULE A MAMMOGRAM TODAY!)

* While breast cancer occurs more often in white women, African Americans have the highest death rate from the disease of any racial / ethnic group in the United States

Thank you! Every little bit can help change the life of another.

Shelly

2008-07-08T15:52:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been making it a point to attend more networking events. Honestly, unless they are done just right, they can be either 1. A waste of time or 2. Insanely boring. In a previous blog (about the CRAVE party) I mentioned a couple of sassy chicks who started Girl Power Hour. GPH is a once a month networking event in the Seattle area focused on 'breaking the mold' of traditional networking. We are talking about a girls-only, business-minded cocktail party. (a.k.a. Shelly's idea of a good time!)

At the last event, I noticed this pretty young gal running around snapping photos of the party. A few days later, I received an e-mail from GPH with a link to Barbie Hull Photography (http://www.barbiehull.com)including a user name and password. Low and behold, there were pages of fantastic pictures from the party I attended. The pictures were great! They really captured the vibe of the party. Check out the picture of me talking to another attendee. I have no idea what I found so funny at that moment, but darn it - after seeing Barbie's picture I am dying to remember!

Barbie is obviously a very talented photographer and seems to enjoy what she does. Thanks for the great photo, Barbie!

Shelly

2008-06-23T10:57:00.000-07:00

Although I would love to think that the only place to get a fabulous gift is from Spoiled Rotten Baby, I realize that not everyone specifically needs a baby gift every single time. (Side thought: Wouldn't it be great for me if they did though?)

Anyway, knowing that I cannot possibly meet every gift giving need in the world, I thought I might share with you a company that pretty much can - Urbanabox.
Urbanabox provides very cool, unique corporate gifts that are customized for each client. They even have the rare ability to ship wine and champagne which most companies are not allowed to do. (Always a bonus in my book!) In addition to the typical employee and client gift, Urbanabox can also design and provide:

Product Launches & Press Kits
Promotional Products and Packaging
Thank You & Referral Gifts
Meeting & Convention Gifts

As an added bonus, one of the owners, Denise Marinnaci (pictured above with yours truly)is a great gal to work with and honestly believes that customer service is a top priority in her company. In fact, we had a very interesting conversation about that very topic at the last event we attended. Denise shared with me several examples of what she has done for her customers and left me thinking that we could all learn a lot from her above Nordstrom quality service.

Check them out at urbanabox.com and if you talk to Denise, tell her I said hi!

Shelly

2008-06-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

So, occasionally at one of my fun events (the Megumi Japanese Preschool Bazaar this time around) I come across an exceptional product or person. At this particular event, I was lucky enough to come across a combination of the two with Maiden America. Tristan Benz is not only the mastermind behind the patent pending non-slip barrette, but a dedicated philanthropist and mother. I have to admit it was very entertaining watching her take the tiniest piece of her own hair (really, really tiny!), place one of her very pretty barrettes on it and ask people to try to pull the barrette out of her hair. People who pulled, tugged, and twisted to no avail were completely amazed, and then bought half a dozen sets. Not only was I impressed at the dedication that this mother/entrepreneur had, but I was impressed at how happy and excited her customers were to have finally found a barrette that would actually stay in their daughters/nieces/granddaughters/neighbors hair.

Admittedly, I have a boy so whenever his hair bugs me I shave it all off (!) but darn it - if I had a girl, I would have every cute as a button variation of the Maiden America barrettes.

Mostly, I just love knowing that every single time someone supports Maiden America they are doing something for the 'greater good.' Check out Tristan's 'About Us' page if you think I am full of it!

Happy accessorizing!

Shelly

2008-06-01T20:58:00.000-07:00

What do you CRAVE?? I finally attended my first Crave party today. I had been meaning to, and truthfully, it was really just their Spring Sample Sale (a bit smaller than normal) but it was fun nonetheless. My little (newly prego!) sister, Heather was my faithful sidekick and we worked every booth like the 'professionals' we are. Although I was a little disappointed today at the size of the venue, it won't deter me from attending another Crave event in the future. Everything was around 50% off and the luxury of a discount afforded me a few bars of Yummy Sweet Petula Soap and a super-hot vegan handbag from Persnickity Design. Yea! In addition to the shopping, Heather and I met Darnell Sue and Samantha Lawton from Girl Power Hour while they were hosting the 'Connection Cafe' section of the event. Girl Power Hour is (also) something I have been meaning to attend and I will definitely make it a priority now for sure. The next event is June 19th at the Canal and is sure to be an extremely fun event. I promise to tell you all about the fun and hope that if you make it, you'll introduce yourself and later share your comments with me on the blog. After Crave, Heatho (as I call her) and I made our way to the Issaquah Brew House for a yummy round of Bullfrog Ale and water with lemon (did I mention she's prego???) All in all, a great day - shopping, networking, sisters and brew.

Anyway, I hope this weekend you found something you CRAVE and had a great weekend to boot.

Shelly

2008-05-26T13:30:00.000-07:00

Just over a week ago, I had the privilege of showcasing Spoiled Rotten Baby at the Megumi Japanese Preschool Bazaar in Bellevue, Washington. It was a fun day, complete with activities and games, a rummage sale of Japanese books, cds, and videos, yummy authentic Japanese food, and a few of us vendors. Along with Spoiled Rotten Baby, other vendors included: Jennifer Porter from Satsuma Designs, Carol Schiller from Baby Chaleco Performance Wear (my last post for more on Baby Chaleco), Tristen Benz from Maiden America, and a few others.

Megumi Japanese Preschool is a Japanese immersion school, which I personally think is very cool. Coming from a widely mixed background of Swedish, French, German, and Native American, it is hard for me to truly imagine being able to connect with my culture like the kids at Megumi do. If you are lucky enough to live near Bellevue, and have a Japanese background, check Megumi out. If you are even luckier, you'll get on their list!

- Yoi ichinichi oh!
(Loosly translated: Have a nice day!)

Shelly

2008-05-21T14:55:00.000-07:00

I don't know about your kids, but my son was a drooler. Not just while teething and not just while eating, but ALL THE TIME. In fact, as I review pictures of him until about age 4, there is the lovely addition of glimmering spit in pretty much every picture. Not only that, but his shirts were accessorized with a large wet spot of varying sizes. I realize that putting a bib on him would have helped, but to me bibs were so unfashionable and always ruined an outfit. Needless to say I did a ton of laundry. If only I had been as smart as Carol Schiller (pictured with me above) and thought of Baby Chaleco Performance Wear!

Baby Chaleco features an exceptionally fashionable array of baby garments that not only keep your little one looking good, but also totally dry. They are not bibs, but cool, fun tops that perform better than a bib would. You can wear them over a shirt or alone, so they are super versatile.

Each garment is lined with a water resistant nylon that is thin, pliable, and baby-safe. The outside is also made of baby-safe, absorbent materials like 100% cotton terry velour.

On top of it all, they are reasonably priced at around $38.50. It would cost you that in laundry detergent for all those bib washings alone!

You can find Baby Chaleco performance wear at a variety of stores (including Whole Foods!) or online at www.BabyChaleco.com.

Happy Shopping!

Shelly

2008-05-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to sit down for a cup of coffee with the CEO of Brambleberry Soap Making Supplies (brambleberry.com), Anne-Marie Faiola (aka 'The Soap Queen'). To be honest, I had only purchased a few items here and there while formulating my up and coming skincare line. I always liked the products that Brambleberry offered, but had not formed any exclusive loyalty to the store as of yet. This all changed last week when I met Anne-Marie. This very busy, very successful entrepreneur took several hours out of her extremely busy day to chat with me for a bit about what she does at Brambleberry and give me tips for Spoiled Rotten Baby. I was also fortunate to learn more about her blog that was written about last year in the Wall Street Journal. Anne-Marie takes the time to blog every single day to:

". . . talk about soap, toiletries and all manner of recipes and experiments around making your own goodies. (She)also muses about being self-employed, women in business, good design and cupcakes. It's a bit of a potluck . . ."

I love Anne-Marie for being a strong, smart woman, love Brambleberry for offering amazing soap-making supplies, and love the Soap Queen's blog for being both educational and entertaining.

Check it out, and if you talk to Anne-Marie, tell her Shelly sent ya!

Shelly

2008-05-04T20:05:00.000-07:00

With Mother's Day fast approaching, we at Spoiled Rotten Baby would like to take the opportunity to thank and show appreciation for all of the Mothers and Mothers-to-be in the world. There are simply not enough words to describe the depth of a mother's love and not enough time in a day to show her how much she means to you. Whether she is your wife, your best friend, or a neighbor, she deserves to be recognized.

To help you honor a new Mom or one that is expecting, we are pleased to offer an amazing 40% off any set on our Spoiled Rotten Mama Collection. Just enter discount code: Mother at checkout.

We hope that in addition to one of our beautiful sets, you also take a moment to write her a note or letter describing how much she means to you. She will cherish it forever.

Happy Mother's Day,

Shelly
(pictured above with my spoiled rotten 8-year old, Nate)

2008-01-08T15:37:00.000-08:00

With a new year, comes new changes. We have been working 'round the clock thinking of great new gift ideas for you.

We are especially excited about the addition of 'Modern Art For Baby' from Heather Roraback of TinyCookie.com. Heather is an acclaimed artist who 'shuns the traditional nursery rhyme and cliche décor' by creating one-of-a-kind, hand painted contemporary art on 8"x8" canvas.

Heather has created beautiful works that each child can grow with,
and treasure as an investment for as long as they'd like, and we are proud to be able to offer her talents to you!

Happy New Year!

Shelly

2007-12-23T10:15:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to take a minute to thank all of my loyal customers, friends, and family for the amazing support given to me this past year. It has been a year of very hard work, and a ton of changes, and everyone has been there to cheer me on and spread the word about Spoiled Rotten Baby. So, THANK YOU!

Here's to a joyous holiday season, and a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2008!

Cheers,

Shelly

2007-12-05T07:43:00.000-08:00

Has it already been 3 weeks since my last post? Talk about being busy during the holidays!

Since my last post, Spoiled Rotten Baby has 'upgraded' one of it's features: 'A La Carte. Now, you can not only just add an 'A La Carte goodie to one of our fab gift sets, but you can also purchase the items on their own. Love Little Giraffe Blankets, but don't need a diaper bag? Buy it 'A La Carte! Out of your favorite Stretch Oil for your pregnant belly, but don't want to wait for someone to buy it for you? Buy it 'A La Carte! I think you get the idea ;-)To top it all off, during the month of December, any 'A La Carte item is 15% off! See our weekly discount page for details.

More news from the last 3 weeks: Spoiled Rotten Baby is featured in 425 Magazine! Check out the 425 Gift Guide (Winter 2007/08) to see our Angel Baby Bathtime Set.

Finally, don't forget to shop with us for those pregnant Mamas and newborn babies during the holidays. Make this year extra special!

Happy Shopping,

Shelly

2007-11-15T11:47:00.000-08:00

It's hip to be green, eh? Thank goodness! Finally there's a trend that is actually doing the world some good. Let's hope it sticks around!

Fortunately businesses are hopping on the bandwagon and doing their part as well. Eastside Business based out of Bellevue, Washington is doing something great and deserves recognition. Called the 'Eastside Business Green Vehicle Challenge,' publisher and owner Joe Kennedy (a.k.a. The Hair Farmer)is challenging businesses to do their part and 'go green.'

The goals of the Green Vehicle Challenge are:

1. To increase awareness of green vehicle options.

2. To encourage businesses to purchase and use green vehicles.

3. To make all sponsors and participants known as stewards of the environment and business leaders in the green community.

4. For participants to save money on transportation costs and add to their company's bottom line.

How will they do it? First, Eastside Business is purchasing environmentally conscious vehicles to be used during newspaper delivery. The cars will be wrapped heavily in advertisements for both the challenge and sponsors. All sponsors will be heavily promoted in each 2008 issue of Eastside Business, as well as on the Eastside Business news sites and in the weekly Eastside Business Newsletter.

Participant companies who choose to accept the challenge by buying or leasing a green vehicle will be featured in an Eastside Business news story and a press release will be sent to all area media. Not only that, but they plan on featuring follow-up stories to see how the company's bottom line has been affected.

Now don't you think more people should be as forward thinking as Joe and the rest of the staff at Eastside Business? Good job, guys! As for the rest of us, make sure to support any company you see going green - especially if they are a sponsor of this great concept.

For more information on the Eastside Business Challenge, please visit www.EastsideBusinessJournal.com or call 425-458-5710..

Shelly

2007-11-07T13:35:00.000-08:00

Ah . . . the baby shower - one of the fun parts of having a baby, right? For some people, planning a baby shower can be a bit stressful. Trying to stay organized and deal with all those hormones can be quite a challenge, eh?

Fortunately, there are websites like Baby Shower 101. They have everything from explaining the history of baby showers to baby shower etiquette. Not only that, but Baby Shower 101 is a great resource for invitations, games, and even how to incorporate a holiday theme into your shower. I love it!

In addition to planning the shower, don't forget to register for gifts! People want to know what you need and what you want. Target and Babies-R-Us are great spots for the basics, and Spoiled Rotten Baby is the best spot for spoiling both Mom and baby! We even offer Baby Shower Request Cards and will soon be adding an online registry.

With all this help, there's no need to stress out. After all, baby showers are supposed to fun ;-)

Shelly

2007-10-31T15:52:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween everyone!

2007-10-29T09:26:00.000-07:00

The 'Baby Diaries' have finally launched!!!

Spoiled Rotten Baby has added a new feature to its website. The feature, called ‘The Baby Diaries,’ is a compilation of stories or ‘diaries’ submitted by men and women with the purpose of sharing their early pregnancy and postpartum experiences with others.

Sometimes it’s nice just to know that someone else has been where you are. Some of the diary entries are short and funny, some are a bit longer and a little more serious, but all are important.

I also don't want them limited to those who have become parents in the traditional sense of the word, either. I hope the diaries will expand to include stories about adoption, surrogacy, and IVF.

Every new parent has a whole gamete of ups and downs whether they went through the physical changes of pregnancy or not. Becoming responsible for this fragile little human is both exhilarating and terrifying no matter how it comes about.

Submissions are all e-mailed directly to me and then I decide whether or not they are appropriate for the feature. Although erring on the side of more light-hearted stories, I warn you in advance that the entries are not all sugar-coated.

As a childbirth educator it was important for me to tell couples in my classes the truth on what to expect. I would say things like, ’Labor is hard work, but worth it.’ or ‘Parenting is scary and can be overwhelming, but so are most things tried for the first time.’ With the variety of entries on our website (both funny and serious) I encourage our readers to do what I used to tell couples in my classes to do – take what you want from it, and leave the rest behind.

The Baby Diaries can be found in the features section of Spoiled Rotten Baby’s website. You can also e-mail me directly at shelly@mysrbb.com to request your own diary be included on the site.

Thanks and I can't wait to read your submissions!

2007-10-16T09:10:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest things about being a former childbirth educator and postpartum doula is having the opportunity to share information about the importance of breastfeeding with others. Spoiled Rotten Baby as a company is pro-breastfeeding, and advocates every woman breastfeeding her baby even if they are only able (or willing!) to do it for a few weeks. Something is always better than nothing!

My favorite resource for breastfeeding support is La Leche League. In addition to offering support groups in most cities, the website is full of helpful information and links. Please visit their website at www.llli.org if you are considering breastfeeding as an option, or if you need support.

Finally, don't forget to consider our 'Breastfeeding Encouragement' Set in our Spoiled Rotten Mama Collection as a gift for that new (or soon-to-be new!) Mom.

Shelly

2007-10-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

I was sitting here thinking about all of the great things that were in store for Spoiled Rotten Baby. We are working on several new features and deciding on several new products. Don't get me wrong - I love our organic cotton kimonos, our Little Giraffe blanket/Bumble Bag combo, and our amazing natural/organic products for Mom and baby. It's just that as a woman, I want more!

So, my question to you is . . . what do you want us to offer? More Mom gifts? Like what? More 'A La Carte items? Something entirely different? Is there something missing from our (fabulous) website?

We really want your opinions - after all, you are who we are catering to! So, feel free to reply to the post, e-mail me directly, call the office - whatever! Just let us know!

Shelly

http://www.myspoiledrottenbaby.com

2007-10-07T11:49:00.000-07:00

In my opinion, the main goal of a 'Spoiled Rotten Baby' blog is simply for us to get acquainted. I have been asked by many people (friends and customers alike) to start a blog because they know it is my passion and goal to provide the best and most personal service I can as the owner of Spoiled Rotten Baby. By blogging, I am able to (hopefully) share my personality and love for what I do with you, and in turn, give you the opportunity to share your wishes/needs/thoughts with me.

So, please feel free to add comments to the posts or e-mail me directly (shelly@mysrbb.com)with ideas or requests, and welcome to my first blog!

Shelly