4 Tips For Starting Your Own Etsy Business

My little Etsy shop is not so little anymore. I started the shop in late 2011, but didn't get serious with it until about 5 years ago. I'm not going to lie. It did not take off as quickly as I'd initially hoped. Really, it didn't. I had these grand dreams of the sales rolling in. And they didn't the first few months. But every sale was a victory. And to be honest, I still do a little happy dance every time I hear that *chi-ching*.  I have learned quite a bit along the way and wanted to share a bit for anyone considering opening an Etsy shop.

For the sake of time, let's assume you've already narrowed down your niche' product or theme of your shop.

Disclaimer: I still have not read the Etsy Seller Handbook. Who does? Who has time for that? You go into it thinking, I've created an Ebay listing before, how hard would it be to create an Etsy one? Ha ha, right.

1.) Photos are sooooo important. Seriously, I'm not sure how I ever got my first sale with THIS photo....

Here is the same item (that has sold several times) but with a better photo.

2.) Renewing a listing often WILL NOT get you more sales / exposure. What it will get you is increased Etsy fees. The key to exposure if a good title, good description, good key words. Focus on Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Also, networking is HUGE. Participate in giveaways that target your client audience and make meaningful and engaging posts on social media.

3.) This is probably true for any crafter / artist, even off Etsy... Do not overstock on supplies. Seriously, you will eat up any profit by investing too much in supplies. Find out what sells and stock up from there. I understand it's a necessity to come up with fresh new items, but I try to clean out and organize my crafting area at least once a month to determine what my "actual" supply needs really are. And I'll admit, my supplies are a bit out of hand at the moment. Maybe it's time for a supply destash?

4.) Pricing is important. I don't know how many times I am on Etsy thinking either, "Wow, are they on crack... $30 for a wipes case?" or "How do they make a profit at $5 for a wipes case." Know how much your supplies cost you, calculate your Etsy and payment processing / Paypal fees, and your time as an artist. Price competitively, but price for profit as well!


I am so proud of where my little shop is today. In 5 years, this little shop has had nearly 8700 individual sales on Etsy. I am no expert by any means, but must be doing something right. I welcome any questions you may have about selling on Etsy. Of course, I also welcome hearing any additional suggestions ya'all might have too!

Happy Thursday!!

            Use Code BlogRB for 25% off your order at The Rogue Baby now through 5/31/17.

5 Things I've Learned on the Ketogenic Diet

The Ketogenic Diet is a pretty hot topic right now. There is a lot of information out there floating around and it can seem overwhelming. Before embarking in this journey, both my husband and I did extensive research. The Ketogenic Diet was originally developed to treat epilepsy in the 1920's and 1930's. It is a high-fat, moderate protein, low carb diet. This way of eating causes your body to be retrained to burn fats rather than carbohydrates. When your body is burning fats for fuel, it is in a metabolic state call Ketosis. The Ketogenic diet is also often recommended by physicians for patients with Diabetes.

I personally do not have Diabetes or Epilepsy, but do suffer from Migraines and Diabetes runs in my family. Depending on your Migraine triggers, there is evidence a Ketogenic diet could help reduce Migraine occurrences. I've also always struggled with low blood sugar, which looking back I now contribute to a diet with too many carbs and sugars. One major change that had to be made to ease into a Keto way of life was that I had to reintroduce meat into my diet after over a year of being vegetarian. I'd be lying if I also wasn't a little sad to give up alcoholic beverages.

Disclosure: I am not a physician and none of my comments are meant to be medical advice. Please consult your physician with any health related questions. This is not a sponsored post but does contain affiliate links.

I started Keto in late February and here is what I've learned so far.

1.) Sugar is in EVERYTHING. Seriously, the first grocery shopping trip was painful. Here in America, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, glucose, etc is added to so much of our "food". Even things you wouldn't expect! Check your salsas, condiments, sandwich meats, salad dressings, and even seasonings. Even foods that do not have sugary or sweet flavors have these additives, so make sure to check.

Generally, Keto is a zero sugar way of eating (except for naturally occurring sugars in fruits), due to the low carb part. I'm eating about 20-25g of carbs per day at this point which means I'm not eating much fruit, but tons of leafy green vegetables. And honestly, I'm not craving sweets much. I do have Stevia on hand to add to coffee occasionally and have indulged in some Zevia soda a couple times.

2.) Keto Flu is REAL. The first couple days were totally fine and then it hit. The Keto Flu hit me like a ton of bricks. Headache, nausea, and overwhelming feeling of awfulness. This is your body detoxing from all the sugars and carbs and making that metabolic switch to burning fat. It's like a right of passage. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? It passed relatively quickly (less than a week) and afterward I started feeling really amazing. My energy levels are consistent, I am sleeping better at night, and just overall feeling better than pre-Keto.

There are many suggestions out there on how to beat the Keto flu, and it does affect everyone differently. My best recommendations are to drink lots of water, keep your electrolytes up, and do not give up. It's worth it!

3.) Splurge on the good meats. If within your budget, definitely go with what is least processed and most natural. For example, Grass Fed Beef without hormones, all natural pork with no antibiotics / hormones / nitrates. And go for the fatty cuts. You may have conditioned yourself to believe that chicken is the healthiest protein source, but for Keto, you're wanting to stick with moderate protein and high fat. Go for that 85% grass fed ground beef.

To my surprise, my body didn't have difficulty adapting back into eating meats, and I contribute that partially to the types of meat we purchased and easing back into it. And for those of you thinking those meats are so expensive -- it's been a total wash for us (if not savings), since we are no longer going out to eat anywhere near as often and our microbrew purchases have drastically decreased.

4.) Make sure to eat your Fiber. With all the fats and meats you're eating with Keto, do not forget to keep an eye on your fiber intake. Make sure to eat lots of leafy greens. Spinach and Kale are my favorites besides a good spring mix salad. If you're still having discomfort and irregularity, try a natural fiber supplement. My favorite is Barlean's Digestive Blend. The Flax, Chia, and Coconut blend is great in smoothies or protein shakes.

5.) Bulletproof Coffee is Keto Life. Butter in your coffee? Seriously? Yes! Or my favorite is black coffee, MCT Oil, and a bit of heavy cream -- blended to frothy goodness. MCT stands for medium-chain triglyceride and is derived from coconuts. It is concentrated - so be careful and ease into your intake. (I can go more in depth on another day.) My favorite MCT Oil so far is this one. Aside from heavy cream and butter, cheese is the only other dairy in my diet.

I can't wait to share more of my Keto experiences with you, including some amazing recipes I've whipped up! While I've decided to treat this as a way of life, versus diet, I'm happy to report I've lost nearly 15 pounds in less than two months with relatively zero exercise. Not too shabby! Even though the weight loss is an awesome side effect -- the best side effect is the way I feel! Originally it was a "Let's try this for 30 days" thing, but I plan to see this through for at least another few months. Afterward, I may relax into a more Paleo style of eating, but we'll just have to wait and see!

Adventures with The Rogue Baby: Driving.....

Do you ever go back and read something you wrote a long time ago and first things first, it reminds you how super hilarious you are? But also, so thankful you're not quite at this same point in your life anymore?  Check out this post of mine from July 2013.

Your Welcome!

Adventures with The Rogue Baby: Driving.....: Back in April I took on a new position at work. I not only had to move my office 30 miles away, but I also get to travel a lot. Not the fun ...

How to Tackle Spring Cleaning Like a Boss

The sun is out here in Southern Oregon and it's starting to feel like Spring finally! I'm starting to get that Spring cleaning itch again and thought I'd share a few tips on how I tackle this task and some tasks I've added over the years.

Since I work full time during the week and work my Etsy shop on the nights and evenings, in can feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. And, I'll admit, my house could always be a little cleaner. I try to make sure to accomplish small tasks daily and generally dishes are done, floors are clean, bathrooms are clean, etc. But you know, life happens and stuff collects around the house. So for me, Spring Cleaning is all about deep cleaning and decluttering. So here goes!

1.) Purge -- If you're like me, Spring Cleaning typically involves a run to the thrift store to donate clothes my daughters outgrown among other household items. What about the Linen Closet? This is a great time to inventory the sheets, towels, and determine if they're all really needed. Also, how about the Pantry? Go through and remove anything expired. Better yet, do you have something non-expired that's been there awhile? Find a recipe to incorporate it in -- or donate it to your local food bank.

2.) Care for your Appliances -- Sure we all clean the oven, microwave and fridge. But Spring Cleaning is a great time to clean out your dishwasher and clothing washer as well as the dryer vent on your clothes dryer. These appliances generally don't get the same amount of "love" as the aforementioned.

3.) Purging some more -- what about the medicine cabinet? Clear out all those expired prescriptions. How about the freezer? We all know there is that one mystery freezer bag of something in the back of the freezer with a sold inch of ice around it. Throw that away!

4.) HVAC ceiling vents and Walls -- This is probably something that should be done every 3-6 months, but let's get real -- this is a once a year thing around my place.

5.) Turn on some upbeat music, put your hair in a messy bun, and handle it. As basic as this sounds, I find cleaning so much more enjoyable with some good music cheering me on. And hey, think of all the calories you're burning!

I'd love to hear your tips and tricks for Spring Cleaning too!

Missing in Action, Stretchy Pants, and Moving Forward

Hello! Hello!

It's been awhile.

There was a time I checked my blog and dozens of others multiple times a day. When I first started up this blog in 2011, I had just started my Etsy shop and was looking for ways to interact with and reach people. I loved reading other mommy blogs and was enamored by the whole blogging community.

Then things changed.

Life got busy, the Etsy shop kept me hustling, my full time job evolved and became more demanding, and I kind of just stepped away. And now, as I'm writing the first blog post back, I wonder. Is blogging really even a thing anymore? I'd like to hope so. Reading and writing used to be my release. I'll be honest when I tell you I haven't read a book cover to cover in over 7 years. (Coincidentally, my daughter will be 7 in April.) I was the kid who loved writing stories, keeping journals, and reading into the early hours of the morning. And that carried into adulthood. My little blog gave me the opportunity to write again and I'm sorry I've neglected it for so long.

So where have I been and what have I been up to?

Traveling abroad in Asia and taking in the amazing sights of Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Singapore? (Nope, but my baby sister has been for the past 4 months and I'm totally living vicariously through her social media posts.)

For the past year, I was sucked into the world of LuLaRoe. Yes, the cult-like world of stretchy pants (I say this somewhat fondly). Let me preface by saying, I never in a million years thought I was a leggings person. In January 2016, I purchased my very first pair. When they came and I tried them on, I told my husband, "I'm not sure I'll ever feel comfortable wearing these in public." But I did and... by the end of March I was in the "queue" to onboard as a Consultant. And now, 1 year later, I'm officially ending my time as a legging saleswoman. Where'd it all go wrong? Is it not all unicorns, sunshine, and rainbows? I'll break down my top few pros / cons of the experience. These are my opinion and are from my personal experience only.

Pros
*First dibs on items you get in your orders (Helloooo, keeping this gorgeous dress for myself, thank you very much.)
*Opening a new box of inventory is like a present - you never know what you're going to get.
*I met some very neat ladies through my time with LuLaRoe and will continue to shop from them when I need a LuLa fix.

Cons
* Big initial investment. $6000+ just for inventory and then all supplies needed (hangers, racks, dress form, shipping supplies, etc.)
LuLaRoe had around 5000 or so consultants when I signed up. By the end of 2016, I believe that # was 65,000+. The company is new and going through growing pains, but the rapid growth has caused backorders, quality issues, lack of consultant support, oversaturation in online sales, etc.
* Be prepared to carry credit card debt if you don't have the cash for initial order (and subsequent minimum monthly orders for $500+). Consultants are often encouraged by up-line to order multiple times per week, which at minimums would equate to another $4,000 - $8,000 PER MONTH. The idea is, the more inventory you have, the more you'll sell.
* LuLaRoe is a Multi-Level Marketing company (a.k.a Pyramind Business Model). No way around it. It is what it is. The saving grace is LuLaRoe actually sells a decent product.
* Be prepared to work 24/7 and hustle hustle hustle to try to sell all the merchandise you've now got sitting around your home. If you're ok carrying a ton of credit debt, sure you could keep it as a hobby, but ultimately, the majority of consultants are not making the profits they hoped for. And they are made to feel like they are not trying hard enough when they aren't successful. If you have time to frequently do local events and in home pop ups, your chances of success will be immensely greater, but working full time, my main source of sales was online.

I will stop to say now, I had an AMAZING sponsor who never pressured me, pushed me, or told me stories of fluffy unicorns whisking me away from my day job to be earning millions. I am so thankful for her! I do hope that LuLaRoe gets their stuff together before they ruin a good thing. People love their clothes. They have fun and unique things you can't find elsewhere and in a variety of sizes that fit women in a flattering way. There has been a lot of bad press as of late with the company, most of which I honestly haven't read into, because, well I'm terminating my affiliation soon and who needs more drama?

After this long winded rant.. my two cents.. if you are thinking of becoming a LuLaRoe consultant -- please, please, please do your research and make sure this is the right financial decision for you and your family. Find the RIGHT sponsor (Message me if you'd like to get the contact info for mine.)

Ok, enough about leggings that many claim feel like a dairy product. (BTW, who decided they wanted something that felt like buttah' on their legs? Sueded. Super soft. Cozy. All words I'd use. Butter? I think butter and I think greasy... but I digress.)

During my LuLa coma, I not only neglected this little piece of my world. The Blog. But also the shop -- The Rogue Baby. Which is still around and on Etsy. I've been blessed with nearly 8500 Etsy sales over the past 6 years. I've decided it's time to refocus on doing what I enjoy. And that's being creative. I miss the brainstorming and piecing together new designs and the whole creative process. Be prepared for more to come. Maybe a relaunch is in order?

I've also taken a slight step back in my career. 100% by choice. I decided I was done with traveling for work and wanted a position where I'd be near home. In Fall 2016, I took a position that most days keeps me within 30 minutes of home, and no overnight travel. It's immensely helped with stress, mommy guilt, and the mileage on my car. I have an amazing employer who created a position for me with no change in compensation. So grateful for this!

So, I think that's about it.

Oh, but wait, there's more. I've recently began the "Keto" journey. No, I'm not eating bacon and butter for every meal. My husband and I did extensive research before beginning the lifestyle change. Really digging in to how ketosis works, what are the most nutritious and healthy foods to eat (grass fed, lots of greens, healthy fats, etc.) Previously we had been vegetarian for over a year -- so reintroducing some meat has taken some adapting. I may or may not post some keto friendly recipes from time to time, and my personal progress to becoming a healthier me. (I'd be lying if shedding a few pounds wasn't part of the incentive either).

Ok, so for real this time. You hang up. No. You!

Meatless Month

Back in November 2015 I decided to try a Meatless Month. No particular reason. As a kid, I’d never been a huge fan of meat. Don’t get me wrong, bacon is delicious and I love a good carne’ asada, but I just wanted to see how it’d be to go a month without meat.

To my surprise, it wasn’t that difficult at all and my family participated with me nearly the entire time. Since then my husband has joined me on the journey. Our 5 year old daughter is still wondering when we are going to eat meat again (and she has had it a handful of times since). I’d like to preface by saying – We are not vegetarians. I’m not really sure there is a word for this, but it works for us and I’m feeling good about it.

Here’s our deal.

We don’t eat meat (cow, pig, chicken, duck, turkey, etc.). We do drink milk. We keep both coconut and dairy milk in the house. We do eat eggs (organic brown eggs – cage free, free range, etc.) We do eat cheese. Eventually I’d like to illuminate dairy completely. And occasionally, we will eat shrimp or scallops. I do still own belts, shoes, purses made of leather. Moving forward – I will take into consideration the materials of the items I purchase – but I’m still drawing my lines.

I have no problem with the idea of raising an animal to eat. I have no problem with the idea of my husband hunting for a deer or elk per year so that we would occasionally eat some venison. Ethically, I cannot contribute to the horrific industry behind meat and animal products. I won’t post links to the awful documentaries and videos, and I’m not stand on a soap box and preach. Just stating why I feel for me and my family, this decision makes sense. And it’s personal. Afterall, what is more personal than what we choose to nourish our body with?

I digress. The point of my post was to explain why you may see a few posts on the blog with meatless recipes here and there. I’ve been so pleasantly surprised by the ease of our new whatever this is. We’re not just eating salads around here. We’ve had enchiladas, lasagna, tacos, spaghetti, curry rice, jambalaya, etc. And the best part? These dinners are QUICK when you do not have to thaw and cook meat. We’ve really been loving the Beyond Meat Products. They are made primarily with Pea Protein. I know, I know, peas – ughh. But seriously this stuff is amazing and very hard to tell it’s not real meat. I even made a “hamburger style” gravy with it last weekend. Delish!

So here’s to be healthy and happy – in whatever way that takes form for you!

Dear Blog,

I love writing. I miss it. I wish I had more time to dedicate to it. This is my little piece of the blog world. To say what I want. And I neglect it. I felt an apology was in order.

Dear Blog,
I am sorry I have been such a stranger as of late. You know, life happens. Things need done. Like laundry and dishes and what not. It's nothing personal. I used to love coming here to share exciting news or share new things I've found. I've found a few cool things lately. I've changed a bit myself in the past couple years. I like makeup more now. I officially have enough Julep nail polishes to last until my daughter (who starts kindergarten next week) graduates high school. So I switched it up and subscribed to Ipsy. Best $10 spent a month. Anything I don't like I pass on to my Mom -- it's a win win.

Speaking of makeup, I got to try Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation courtesy of Influenster. I honestly am not a big foundation person -- but I love this stuff! It doesn't rub off onto your clothes and it really gives your skin a nice even tone. And can't beat the price (under $10 at most locations).

We've also had a lot of fun doing official "school shopping" this year. My little really likes "space" right now. Here's the adorable backpack she picked out -- I think I need one for myself too!

I hope to stop by here more often and share what's new in our little part of the world and in our shop. I'll leave you with some adorable new model photographs from our shop (all headbands currently listed in our shop.

This year... 2015

I've posted about it before, but you see, I'm not super into the whole New Year's Resolution thing. Just not my thing. But I do like to reflect on the previous year and what I would have liked to have accomplished, what I did accomplish, reflect on good memories, and just think about the future.

Every day you have a chance to be better than you were yesterday. Every day you have a chance to be awesome.


This coming year....

My baby, my one and only child, turns 5!

I will be watching my baby sister graduate high school. Where does the time go!?!

I will be trying a new approach to my health problems. Blog post to follow. Going clean and trying alternate treatments.

I will focus more on the health and well being of my family.

We will go on a family vacation (hopefully Hawaii).

I will try to not sweat the small stuff.

I will continue to grow my business, and I just might try to get a hang of that Instagram thing... #theroguebaby

I will spend less time pinning about fitness and spend more time getting fit. (However, if you're into pinning, I do pin cool stuff. Like this).

I'm really looking forward to this year and all that it will bring. Here's my theme for 2015:

picture source


What's yours??

Being a Former Blogger

One day, you wake up and realize, you are a former blogger. At one time, you visited your blog multiple times a day checking views/stats/comments. And then, one day, you wake up and realize you haven't even logged into your blog for at least 6 months, let alone written a new post.

Where has the time gone? What have I been up to? What's new with The Rogue Baby?


In the past year, The Rogue Baby has grown leaps and bounds. I am so blessed to have watched my small business flourish since it started as a hobby just 3 short years ago. Since I last wrote, things have gotten busy. Good busy. Especially around wedding season. Which was ultra exciting this year due to my sister's fall wedding.

I'm the one on the far right. Things got pretty crazy! #grumpyattacks

I also got to spend some wonderful family time at the Oregon coast -- one of my favorite places to be.

We've also added a lot of fabulous new items to the shop.

My personal new favorite are the flannel infinity scarves added this fall.

We've also continued to grow our off-Etsy website, www.theroguebaby.com. Our Rogue Mama line will be added in the first quarter of 2015.

So many exciting things!

I also plan to be back here more often too! Maybe it will only take me 6 months or so to get around to my next post!

Spring has Sprung!

Spring is already in full swing here in Southern Oregon. This past weekend provided us with beautiful sunshine and temperatures in the 70's. It was glorious!

I got to share some exciting news last week as well. My big sister is getting married!!! We're busy pinning and planning. You have got to love that technology allows you to do that nowadays, even though we're 650 miles apart. The venue has been chosen, a beautiful outdoor wedding, on the edge of a lake, with a huge barn for the reception. North Idaho perfection!

The colors are to be navy blue with orange and deep red accents, perfect for fall.

And... she's coming to visit next week. And... she's putting me to work!

We will be busy making burlap flower centerpieces and other fun stuff. I'll be sure post some pictures / tutorials. #itsabouttime #moretutorials

For now, I will leave you with some shots from my new studio. Not quite complete, but here's a sneak peek!

I am super blessed to have an amazingly talented carpenter for a husband! I just love how I have a designated area built just for my shop, right in our home. #luckygirl

Stay tuned for more updates and tutorials heading your way soon.

A *HUGE* Giveaway!!

The Rogue Baby is currently part of a *HUGE* giveaway going on now over at Pink Toes and Hair Bows.

Click the link above to enter. Over 30 fabulous prizes, including a CASH prize!

Beautiful & Currently

The older my daughter gets, the more eloquently she speaks. I love to listen to her talk. Not only because she has such a sweet little voice, but because of the innocence behind the words. While at the ocean recently she told me, "I love the ocean Mama. It's so beautiful." Beautiful is one of her favorite words, but I find it profound that a three year old can appreciate the beauty and awe of the ocean as well!

Because I haven't updated this little blog of mine much as of late, and I'm trying to get back into the groove of things, I decided to do a new "currently." a.k.a. lazy blogger post. Enjoy!

Currently Counting Down To: My new craft room reveal!
Currently Super Proud: Of how much The Rogue Baby has grown since the shop opened 2 years ago.
Currently Broadening: My makeup collection and techniques. Thanks to Ipsy & Julep.
Currently Concluding: that work days in general are a creation of the devil.
Currently Reading: (Nothing! Which is odd for me) I have a laundry list of "to read" books though.
Currently Thinking: About all the things I should be doing instead of this.
Currently My Kids' Favorite Thing: Pink, Princesses, Pirates, our puppy "Dude", the beach, and root beer.
Currently Saving All My Pennies For: A trip to Hawaii!!!
Currently Wanting To Travel To: See above.
Currently Wanting In My Cupboard: Ohhh hmmm, skipped lunch today. Everything sounds good, but my most favorite food --- Chile Rellano --- but it has to be fresh, wouldn't want it in my cupboard.
Currently Wanting To Learn: to knit.
Currently Drooling Over: A new wardrobe in general -- I wanna do some shopping!
Currently Confessing: I fail every time I start a diet or exercise plan and lose hope too easily.
Currently Listening To: The dishwasher running.
Currently Obsessed With: Making my Etsy shop a success.
Currently Addicted To: Pinterest and Candy Crush
Currently Fantasizing About: A Hawaiian vacation.
Currently Sad Because: I would love to be a stay at home Mama.
Currently My Motto: "No fear. No distraction. Let that which does not matter, truly slide."
Currently Dreaming Of: Vacation. Dreaming, fantasizing.. one and the same peeps!
Currently Needing To Update: The look of my blog.
Currently Want To See In My Closet: Lots of new shoes!
Currently Enjoying: My new car (Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland and all it's 390 horsepower glory!!!)
Currently Have A Girl Crush On: Lucy Hale
Currently Shopping: nowhere! but when I do it's usually for my daughter.
Currently Discovered: Recently found eyelash primer -- where has it been all my life?
Currently Redecorating: My craft room and the guest bedroom.

Now that we're all updated, it's time for me to get back on track with this whole blogging thing. I love writing and genuinely miss it!

2013 Wrap Up & a Giveaway

2013 has been a wonderful year for The Rogue Baby! Our little shop has grown leaps and bounds and far exceeded my expectations for how quickly it has grown. Which means I haven't been around here quite as much. Lots of exciting new things have been happening around here, like.....

Our new logo!!!

We're also remodeling my craft room (which actually involves swapping the guest room and craft room out). We'll be putting in all new wood floors, paint, lighting, and cabinetry. I am so excited to share the before and after photos once we're done and can't wait to decorate and put the room together. But for now, here's a sneak peek.

We're also hosting a Fan Appreciation Giveaway. You can go enter HERE

As 2013 is coming to a close, I want to thank all the fans, readers, customers, and supporters who have made this year so successful for us. I truly appreciate each and every one of you!

Reading Time: Children's Book Review: "Candy and the Cankersaur" by Jason Sandberg

My little one loves reading. Whether it be us reading to her or her reading to her toys (which is more a memorization of books we've read to her and her making up the story along the way). She just loves books in general. In fact, this past weekend we even got her a bigger bookcase for her room to accomodate them.

While I've read E-books in the past, I hadn't ever shown her an e-book on the computer or kindle. I had an email in my inbox recently about the opportunity to review a children's book. I love those kind of emails! I really do. Not only because as a blogger you are getting a free or discounted item or sneak peek of something, but because you are usually helping a small business owner, artist, author, etc. who wants to reach the general public with their works. And what better way than reaching real people like you and I?

Needless to say, I was really excited about the opportunity to show my daughter an e-book and after looking at the cover of this one -- I knew she was going to love it!



The book we got to read was "Candy and the Cankersaur" by Jason Sandberg. My daughter made me read it through *twice* before bed. The story is great for reading to a pre-reader and easy enough for younger readers to get through with help. What I appreciated most about the story was there are good values and lessons in the story. Not in a cheesy way, but disguised in to the story. I won't post any spoilers, but I can appreciate when a character realizes the cause and effect of their actions, especially in children's literature!

I only have a daughter -- and I think she loved that the lead character was a girl who has a pet dinosaur, but I think boys and girls alike would love this tale. Recommended age 3-9. I would happily recommend this book to friends, family, and readers with children in this age range.

When I asked my daughter her favorite part, it was simple. "The pictures Mama!" I must add the illustrations are fun!

This book and others by Jason Sandberg can be found here and on Amazon.com, Nook.com, and iTunes.com.

10 Years

I seem to be good at this whole blogging once a month thing. But I have a good excuse this time! I promise.

On September 6th, my husband and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary!!

While I would have loved to visited a tropical locale such as Hawaii during our week vacation, we opted for a less expensive getaway. We visted Pacific City, OR and rented a beach house. It was beautiful weather and we had a great time. Then, when we got home, we did a 72 hour remodel of our master bedroom. We tore out carpet, repainted the walls, replaced the doors and trim, etc. I absolutely love it! Now to find the perfect light fixture.

Let's Talk Makeup.... Mary Kay® Style

Let me start off by saying, I'm pretty much clueless about makeup. I've never really been taught how to apply it. I'm hesitant to try new things sometimes. I have a drawer of makeup that is rarely used, because I bought it, tried it, didn't like it. I love the idea of makeup. So when Influenster gave me the opportunity to try some awesome Mary Kay goodies for free.... I was so excited.

What did I receive you ask? Well, I got:

Mary Kay® Lash Love® Lengthening™ in I ♥ black, Lash Primer, Cream Eye Color in Violet Storm, Cream Eye Color/Concealer Brush and True Dimensions™ lip stick in Pink Cherie



So what was my favorite item you ask? For me, it was something I've probably heard of, but feel like maybe I haven't. And I wonder where it's been all my life. Lash Primer!!!

Mary Kay® Lash Primer ($15.00) and Mary Kay® Lash Love® Lengthening™ in I ♥ black ($15.00) paired together have given me some great results!



Here's me sporting all of my MK goodies (plus a basic powder -- no foundation, cover up, etc.)

I am also a huge fan of the color of the violet storm eyeshadow. I never would have bought a shade of purple eyeshadow on my own but now I am hooked.

Thank you Influenster for giving me the opportunity to try out these fun products. Next on my list to try from MK? Bronzer, BB Cream, and more of the cream eye colors. What's on your MK wish list? What are you favorite brands of makeup? Any other amazing secrets I should know about (like lash primer?)???



I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.

29 in 29 Update

Exactly 364 days ago I posted a 29 in 29 post. 29 things to do in my 29th year. I was 28 at the time, but was too close to 29 to get it all done. I turn 30 in October. I wanted to look back and see what I had --- and hadn't accomplished of my 29 to do's. So here goes!

1.) Take our daughter to the zoo. Probably Oregon Zoo, or the one in Seattle.
Done! We went to the Oregon Zoo in June and it was a blast.

2.) Run in a 5k.
Fail 1 -- guess I have 2 1/2 months to check this one off still....

3.) Hit 250 followers on the blog.
Done! Thanks ya'll!

4.) Expand "The Rogue Baby" shop beyond Etsy.
Done! Record sales this month only remind me how awesome my customers are!

5.) Payoff debt. 3 year plan to be debt free baby! Gonna stick to it!
Been doing so good at this and will continue to. Will be virtually debt free in 12 months from now.

6.) Finish our remodel on our house. Cannot wait for the master bedroom redo.
Still a work in progress, but a lot closer than we were.

7.) Go to an IMAX movie.
Not yet. Better get that scheduled.

8.) Go to an Oregon Ducks game.
Not yet. Better get that in the works too.

9.) Reach my goal weight!
Ha ha, let's not go there. I'm no closer today than I was 364 days ago. #Getrearingear

10.) Learn to make eggs benedict.
I haven't done this one yet. I know what I'm making Saturday morning.

11.) Go kayaking more often.
Super fail #2 -- haven't gone once yet since my last post. Lame

12.) Re-learn to sew! So many pinterest projects await my regaining this ability.
This is one epic win for me. I have gotten a lot of use out of my sewing machines. Yes plural. In the past year.

13.) Focus on family time. My daughter will only be this young once.
This is something I can always improve on and will continue to.

14.) Read my bible daily.
I haven't been. I need to.

15.) Put together an emergency preparedness kit. Seriously, been meaning to do that forever and keep procrastinating.
Still haven't. Oh my Mom is gonna kill me if she reads this.

16.) Organize my filing cabinet, ha ha, yeah, this is the least likely to happen of all.
So hasn't happened....

17.) Get my crafting / shop space more functional. Crafting room makeover / overhaul.
I did a couple months ago, and it was awesome for like a week, and since I've had to expand my inventory and crafting area, it's insane. I need an ultimate craft room makeover.

18.) Celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary somewhere special (Sept. 2013)
Oregon Coast in September -- Hawaii in Spring 2014. Check

19.) Buy more shoes! A girl can never have too many.
Oh yes, I totally have!!!

20.) Try brussel sprouts. Weird, right? I've just never tried them. Hear they are awful, but how I can possibly turn 30 not knowing the taste of brussel sprouts!?!?
Still haven't. Time to hit the grocery store for brussel sprouts and eggs benny ingredients.

21.) Read a book from cover to cover. No biggie you say? Well, it is. Since my daughter was born, I have yet to accomplish this.. says the girl who once read all 4 Twilight books in a row in under 72 hours....
Ha.. still haven't.

22.) Take our daughter to see airplanes. She loves "Pair-Planes". I would love to take her to an aviation museum!
Haven't, but plan to in September, so this one will get checked off in time.

23.) Grow a garden. Zucchini, tomatoes, strawberries, etc. Next summer!
Do two tomato plants and a pot of basil count? If so, then yes.

24.) Finally get the windows tinted on my car. Owned it for 3 1/2 years, and each summer I say I will, and I never do.
I totally just did this like 2 weeks ago!!! Yay me!

25.) Take our daughter to see snow this winter. It's something I took for granted growing up in the Northwest, but here, we don't see much of it. Will be a blast to take her to the snow to play.
Didn't do this last winter, but had a bit of snow in our yard she got to see... yeah, this is a fail.

26.) Spend my first night ever away from our daughter. I know, I know, it's gotta happen someday. Cut the cord Mama!!! I think it will be tougher on her than me at this point.
Still haven't. Would you believe it? I have separation anxiety I swear.

27.) Do something drastic with my hair. Warning: this may occur sooner... I am getting very anxious for some change.
Oddly enough... I haven't done anything new to my hair in ages...

28.) Have movie marathon weekends! Star Wars, Back to the Future, The Lord of the Rings, etc. How fun would that be?
We tend to do Netflix marathons... Arrested Development. Walking Dead. Sons of Anarchy. That kinda thing....

29.) Go camping more often!
Fail. That is all.

Guess I should've checked back on this around the 6 month mark, but I'm like half way there. Do I get an A for effort? What do you hope to accomplish in the coming year??

Driving.....

Back in April I took on a new position at work. I not only had to move my office 30 miles away, but I also get to travel a lot. Not the fun kind of First Class flight travel. No, it's hours in my car. I don't mind driving usually, but it's starting to wear on me. Covering the same stretch of freeway gets a bit monotonous.


Dear Mr. Left Lane,
There is a right lane. It's also called the slow lane. They did not pave the left lane just for you. As you might guess the "slow lane" is for those going slower than the rest of traffic. Get your buns over!

Dear Mini Van Driver,
I am pretty sure your owners manual came with the instructions: "You must drive like an a-hole to drive this rig." No offense to those that do drive mini vans and don't drive like jerks. I'm being stereotypical here.... but if the shoe fits.... ;)

Dear Ms. I've Got Places to Be,
Surprise! So does everyone else who anticipated which lane they needed to be in for their exit. Cutting someone off in order to get one car length ahead is ridiculous. You best be glad my brakes are in good working order.

Dear Mr. Bright Idea,
That road sign with the big flashing arrow a half mile back indicating the lane you are in was ending didn't apply to you. We know. You're special. Go ahead and wait until the lane ends and cut someone off. We understand you deserve special treatment and to get somewhere a few minutes faster than everyone else.

Dear Mr. Trucker,
I know, you're on a time schedule, but how about passing another trucker on that nice straight flat stretch a half mile back. No? Ok, pass him on the hill and slow the rest of traffic on the freeway down to 40mph, only to decide it's not worth it, slow down to 30mph to get back behind the same truck. That was 3 minutes well spent.

Dear Out of Towners,
I'm pretty sure English is the language used where you come from, as indicated by your state license plate. That light you were at, where it said, "No turning on red." Yeah, they meant that, because some other people have a green light. You know those people you almost just plowed into. It's ok, you're from out of town. We get it. We should've drawn a picture. Reading is hard!

Dear Tailgater,
I understand you're in a hurry and you want to boogie. That's fine by me. I always enjoy having someone ahead of me speeding faster than me. Less chance of me getting a speeding ticket. I will gladly get right into the slow lane as soon as I pass this slow poke over there on the right. However, when you ride my buns to where I cannot see your headlights or even hood in my rear view, you best bet I'm going to be the most annoying law abiding, drive the exact speed limit citizen there is.

Happy Driving Friends!

A Family of 4

We have a new family member!

Meet Dude! He is our 10 week old French Bulldog / Boston Terrier Mix. Not quite sure if it's a Frenchton or Frenchbo --- seen it both ways. Either way -- he's stinkin' cute. He weighs in at a whopping 6 lbs.


I am new to this whole puppy thing. And the house breaking. And the cleaning up of (as all the dog sites call it) "elimination." Really?

Actually, you'd think with having a three year old, I'd remember the sleepless nights and diaper changes like they were yesterday, but I tell ya what, I've made them a distant memory! Please tell me it gets better? He is so lucky he's so adorable.

And you may ask, Dude? Really? Is that even a dog name? Well, yes. Yes it is. Our puppy got his name, much like our daughter did. Way back when, when we didn't plan on having children, my husband said, "If we ever had a daugther, I would name her Ella." And when we found out we were having a girl, he allowed me to "think" of other names and suggest them briefly, but it all came back to Ella. So a few years back he said, "If we ever get a dog, I want to name him Dude." And while we tossed around some other names. It all came back to Dude.

I personally wanted to name him "Chalka" (think Land of the Lost with Will Ferrell). #dontjudge
We also thought Jack, Ruger, or Winston might have been good fits for him. But at the end of the day, this is our little Dude. I guess I'll get used to it. :)

The Made to Match Challenge

I absolutely love making made to match accessories. It's one of my most favorite creative outlets. I love making one of a kind items that coordinate just right.

This upcoming weekend, my little girl will be wearing three different dresses. The challenge -- to create a hair accessory to match all 3.

Challenge Accepted!




Which one is your favorite? I simply can't decide. Do you have an outfit you'd like to challenge me with? Let me know! I'd love to take it on.