We moved!

0600Didn't I tell you, we moved! Okay, so we still live in Austin and we still live in our sweet little house, but we moved the website and the blog! I am so excited I can hardly stand it. All this amazing change has been in the works for a few weeks and I am pleased to announce that we are settling in very nicely. We didn't just move, we redecorated too. The site has a entirely new look and I think you are going to be loving it as much as I am. So head over and check it out and tell us what you think. I would love to hear your feedback. The new blog is right there with shop and can be accessed from our home page.

You can find us at http://www.elledeedesigns.com

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#Craftcation...Getting Ready

 

Via Craftcation



Let the countdown begin, T-minus 6 days and counting. I have to admit that I am super stoked about this trip. Just a couple of reasons why...

1. Leavin' on a jet plane- Austin to So Cali

2. Bestie will be there with me

3. 4 days of awesome classes to grow my business

4. Food and Wine tour- enough said

5. Craft show and shopping

6. The BEACH

7. 3 days away from the office

8. Great networking opportunities

9. Hotel beds - I love these things

10. New clothes

11. Airport Starbucks

I love that we are traveling far enough to fly. The idea of being able to sit back, listen to music, maybe read a book or just talk without the distraction on other cars on the road is a priceless part of this trip for me. Clearly you can tell from the above mentioned list that there will be plenty of fun taking place and not all work. My bags will be packed this weekend, I plan to spend a lazy Sunday, doing taxes laying out all of my outfits and packing. My go bag is almost ready, complete with my travel/conference must haves.

  

Toting it all around in this amazing bag from Eleventy-Five.com



Snacks: Beef Jerky//Red Vines//Nutella to Go!

                   Reading Materials: Be Mine//Cosmo {haven't read it in years}//Flea Market Style

              



One of the things I am most excited about is #5, I love a good craft show. The bestie and I regularly shop around Austin, but we love to look for something different on the occasion that we are out of town. We happened upon this Penelope Lane Boutique blog a while back and became followers. Then with Craftcation tickets purchased and airlines books we noticed that their Spring Boutique Event is the same weekend we are going to be in California! Even better its only an hour or so drive from our hotel. We can't wait to attend on Saturday and plan to shop until we drop. If you're in the area you should really check it out.

My amazing assistant The Fabulous Ashley worked extra hard this week making these adorable business card/gifts! I can't wait to take them to California and spread the love.

Make sure to follow us on Instagram for all of this crazy awesome fun! @lderrick #elledeedesign

or on Twitter at @elledeedesign

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Friday Letters

Dear Friday,
I am so glad that you are here. This has been a really rough week and I can't wait for a few days to reset.

Dear Hubs,
You have spoiled me this week! Pizza dates with walks and ice cream, pedicures and chai tea lattes, and the rodeo on Sunday. Feels nice to be pampered from time to time. Thank you for making me feel so special.

Dear Mom and Dad,
I miss you guys and wish we had more time to hang out together.

Dear Summer,
I am ready, bring it on. I love me some hot Texas summer heat.

Dear Austin Stores,
I get it, I really do. No plastic bags in theory means less liter, better for the environment. But really, I am having a seriously hard time remembering my grocery bags in the car every time!

Dear Cali,
I am counting down the days until I step off that plane and can breath in the smell of the ocean and see the beach. I've missed you. T minus 13 and counting.

Dear Tisa,
We have so much coming up. We are taking big steps this year and growing a lot. So glad that we are doing some of it together.

Dear Aimee,
I L.O.V.E. it all! You are amazing and I can't wait to share our re-branding with everyone.

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Refresh Retreat 2013

snow. mountains.games.prayer. food. shopping. cooking. talking. swag. friends

Those 10 words can sum up the past weekend I spent in Colorado at Refresh Retreat 2013. Eleven women spending the weekend in the snowy mountains of Colorado to fellowship with each other and grow as Christian women, how much better can that get? Here's the catch, most of us had never met each other face to face before Friday. We have been friends for over a year, connecting through our blogs, facebook, and twitter.  What a treat it was to get to meet all of these amazing women face to face.

We stayed at an amazing home that belong to one of the ladies family. It was so fun to have everyone under one roof.

{Beautiful Mountain Hide Away}

Hosted by Sarah & Rebecca of She Shares Ministry the weekend was spent as a time to Refresh, a time to reflect physically, mentally and spiritual. We laughed, cried, hugged, talked business, blogs and life. We played games, cooked and ate and lounged around in our pjs.

Along with She Shares Ministries there was an amazing group of sponsors that made this weekend extra special by providing SWAG for each attendant. We all loved the bags and gushed about all the amazing goodies. Since it was so good, we thought you might like on too! 1 reader will when an amazing SWAG bag from Refresh Retreat 2013.

A peek at our amazing sponsors...

Ashley @ The Gnarly Whale Shop

Sara @ Sarahorn.com

Joy @ Whisker Graphics

Tisa @ Tisa's Creations

Lani @ Elle Dee Designs

Pick Your Plum

Sarah @ Linley House

She Shares Ministries

Stephanie @ RLPco
Cathi @ Bioceutica
Kelli @ Eat Pray Read Love

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Friday Letters

Dear Friday,
I'm so happy you are finally here! Half day at work and plane ride to see my sis-in-law and bloggy friends!

Dear Pilot,
While you might then "bumps" in the air are normal, they are not, and they make me nervous. So if we could keep that to a minimal this afternoon I will enjoy this flight to the max.

Dear Tisa,
I can not wait for the next few weeks to pass! We are going to have an amazing time in Cali.

Dear Closet,
Can you please magically put together a few amamzing outfits for me that are cute and comfy, oh and go ahead and pack them while you're at it.

Dear Refreash 2013 Sponsors,
Thank you!!! You are going to rock the SWAG bags at this weekends retreat and I can't wait to share everything about it next week!

Dear Aimee,
I LOVE my new logo and can not wait for everything to be done! It is going to be amazing!

Dear Hubs,
I love you love you and wanted to say thanks for the girls weekend.

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Austin Craft Riot- Speed Networking Social

Networking groups

Every small business owner should be part of one. If you aren't, find one and if you can't find one, start one. Austin Craft Riot (formerly Etsy Austin) is a local group of artists, crafters, vintage & supply sellers promoting the handmade revolution in Austin, TX! This year we are boasting 102 members! That is a lot of great opportunities to share, collaborate and learn from other business owners. Aside from the monthly meetings held, that feature panels of speakers on topics from branding to photography tips, there are great opportunities to be social and meet new people!

This month my partner in crime (Tisa of Tisa’s Creations) and I were asked to plan some get to know each other activities. What better way to learn all about someone than a little speed dating, or speed networking in our case.

We wanted to make sure that we add our own special touches to make it fun and personal. The event was hosted at a local restaurant so decorating was limited. Chalkboard is one of our favs along with a great red and teal color scheme.

We used these amazing chalkboard stickers as name tags and the chalkboard tags for our jars on each table! (items available from Tisa’s Creations)

Meet and greet brunch fun! #austincraftriot #austin #speeddating vine.co/v/bgvtu9P5YI6

— Austin Craft Riot (@AustinCraftRiot) February 24, 2013

 

Just a little peek at the fun that was had! We came up with a great list of random and fun questions to place on each table. Every 2 minutes the bell was rung and one side of the table would move down a seat to have a new partner.

Planning your own Speed Networking Social? Here is the fun list of questions we used.

Why are you here today?

Have you been told, you look like someone famous?

If you were to name one piece of clothing that describes you, what would you say?

If you could eliminate one thing from your daily schedule, what would it be and why?

Which body part would you choose to get a tattoo done?

Tea or coffee? Earth or Mars? Crayon or paintbrush? Candy or ice cream?

What's the one thing, you can't live without?

If you could have an endless supply of any food, what would you get?

What’s your favorite thing to do in the summer?

If you could visit any place in the world, where would you choose to go and why

If you had to describe yourself using three words, it would be…

What is your favorite way to waste time at work without getting caught?

If you could eliminate one thing you do each day in the bathroom so that you never had to do it again, what would it be?

What do you keep in the trunk of your car?

If you had one extra hour of free time a day, how would you use it?

If you owned a CB radio what would your "handle" be?

If you were to write a book what would it be about?

How many rings before you answer the phone?

What is the first thing you think of when you wake in the morning?

If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it?

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We've Come A Long Way

Earlier this year I wrote a post about myself. It was all about me, and everything I thought you should know if we were gonna be bloggy friends. You can catch up {HERE} if you missed it. I figured almost a year has gone by {we have officially lest 20's welcomed 30's} and a few things have changed so I might need to update all of you.

I currently have 4 emails, yet I answer them all from 1 so what is the point?
I gave up cokes, with the exception {like 1 a month} root beer.
I have palpitations, everyday, and its annoying
I'm becoming a better business women
I'm working on my {elevator speech}
I'm traveling to my first business conference in 2013
I miss Red Bull and Diet Coke
I can't justify buying a new iPhone just because its new
There are days I want to give up capital letters & punctuation

It took me a year and a half to decide how to decorate my living room.
I'm giving up craft shows...completely
I still read a book a day, most days anyways
I miss blogging regularly
I always take on more than I should and then stress
I saw my family more when we lived halfway across the country than I do now that I live 5 hours away

I can't handle it when people doodle on my desk calendar
I LOVE sweets
I've been married for 3 years last month

I STILL love Jesus with all of me
I feel better about 30 and feel I have a goal in life
I am planning to attend 3 amazing business/blog conferences in 2013
I'm going on my first grown-up women's retreat next year

I have new goals for this year, 20 of them! I would love to be able to cross them all off by mid year and know that its done and I can relax. The reality is that I'd just make a new list to drive myself crazy with. 

Would love to know more about you! Share something fun in the comments. 


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Merry Christmas

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Who My Junk Folder Thinks I am....

Have you actually looked in your junk/spam folder lately. Forever I just deleted it and moved on. Recently I realized important emails were being filtered in there and now I look every time before I delete them. All I can say is clearly my junk folder doesn't know me very well. You should see what is in that thing!

via

According to my junk folder I am....

• Desperately in need of a date, it recommends younger men {Cougar site} and that they be Jewish. Occasionally a senior site pops up too. We don't discriminate.
• I need better tv service
• I need a payday loan {like everyday}
• I should go back to school, something in criminal justice
• I'm stupid lucky, you should see all the money I win
• I need better insurance, life, car and medical
• I need to loose my belly fat and this raspberry thing will do just the trick
• I've been wearing glasses for too long and should get Lasik surgery

Who does your junk folder think you are?? Link up and share with us.

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Make a wish

I recently stumbled across this 20 Wishes post from Truly Lovely inspiring their readers to create a list of 20 things they want to do in the next twelve months. I love this idea. I love that it's not about things you should do or things that need to get done.

The way I see it, if I could create a blueprint for this next year made of only the things I want to do, this is what it would look like...

1. Meet a blog friend.{Planning to meet several}
2. Attend a business conference.
3. Lose 10 lbs and ton up{this is on everyone's list}
4. Jog 3 5Ks
5. Reach 1000 sales on Etsy
6. Get new sewing studio completed
7. Keep blogging throughout the year
8. Do one Celebrity gifting with Elle Dee Designs
9. Host a awesome swap
10. Attend a blog conference
11. Read 40 books (ten more than this year)
12. Go on a trip with Hubs
13. Ride my bike more
14. Keep in touch with my brothers and Sister in laws
15. Update business website to contain all items and keep it updated.
16. Get Family Pictures made, just me and hubs.
17. Furnish guest room
18. Build amazing friendships, whether new or current
19.Become an LLC
20. Meet my newest nephew

Fun year, right?

If you make a list too, I'd love to see it.

Recap of 2012...


So here they are...12 in 12!
1. Read at least 30 books (exact list is in the works)  Read over 100 books this year!
2. Lose 10 lbs (this is an ongoing goal that I'm not very motivated to work on) {lost and then re-gained 10 lbs!}
3. Continue to Pray and read the Bible daily.
4. Continue to stay away from Red Bull (going on 4 months{NO REDBULL:(})
5. Grow my business and reach 2000 facebook fans and 400 sales on Etsy.{2400 facebook followers and 631 Etsy sales to date 12/21/2012}
6. Stay involved in our Missional Community & actively volunteer with them.{Just too many things to juggle}
7. Exercise at least 5 days a week...and change it up sometimes.{yes!!}
8. Continue to faithfully tithe.{yes!!}
9. Purchase Living room furniture.  {arrived this week!}
10. Cook dinner once a week.
11. Update business website to contain all items and keep it updated.
12. Get Family Pictures made, just me and hubs.

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My heart breaks...

Mothers and Fathers of Sandy Hook Victims, 

I do not know your sadness. I am not a mother and can not begin to understand what you are feeling. What I do understand is that every time I think about this tragedy,  see something on the news or read a blog post, my heart breaks for you, my eyes tear and I am baffled. I am baffled as to what leads a person to act in this way. 

My hearts breaks for this young man's family as well. I know that in this time they are suffering as well and there will be {have no doubt} people that will question why I feel for them. They will wonder why I feel bad for these people, why I would give them my prayers, why take those thoughts away from the defenseless children and teachers that were slaughtered. 

It's sad that in these moments we are quick to judge and equally quick to forget that a young man died this day too. His mother lost her life as well and a father lost a son, and surely is surely questioning what they could have done differently, where they went wrong. 

I pray that something good can come from this loss. I pray that these families will turn to God and surrender to Him and know His comfort and peace in the coming weeks.  We know that we may never have answers as to why this happened. I pray that God will bring peace to each and everyone of these families. I pray that their community will surround them with love and embrace them. 

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Friday Letters

Dear Hubs,
Have I told you lately how proud of you I am? Well, I'm really proud of you. Thank you for being my Hubs. 

Dear Tisa,
Sad you are in OKC without me, but I know you are going to totally rock it!

Dear Santa,
I've been pretty good this year, just sayin'.

Dear Craigslist,
Please find people who wants my old random Living room furniture so I can make room for the beautiful new furniture that is coming:)

Dear Radio,
I really don't like Christmas Music. I know, I'm weird. Unless you want me to complete give up on you please play some non-Christmas music too!

Dear Vacation,
I need you!

Dear 4 Day Work Week,
You rock! I love being home on Thursdays to work on Elle Dee Designs and catch up on life.

Dear Legs,
Thank you for getting me through the Dirty Girl Mud Run, sorry for that fist size bruise on the calf. The wooden wall was harder than I thought.

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5 things I'm Loving Right Now!

5 things I'm loving right now! by elledeedesign

Skinny Jeans Plain Shirts Messanger Bags Pei Wei EOS Lip Gloss

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Red Letter Paper Co.

The countdown has started. Christmas is only one month away, which means that its time to start decorating, stringing lights, baking goodies and sending our Christmas Cards. As a business owner I like to encourage others to participate in the movement to Shop Local, Shop Handmade that is currently sweeping the nation. One of my favorite things to purchase handmade is stationary. Whether it is designed by a local artist and professional printed or hand pieces together.

This year I will be sending out cards designed and printed by Red Letter Paper Co.. Red Letter Paper Co. has put a spin on the traditional Christmas Card and turned it into a fun and hip way to share the season.

They has everything from traditional styles....

To something a little more modern...



I have a variety sitting right here on my desk and I can't wait to send them out. Remember Red Letter Paper Co. doesn't just design amazing Christmas Cards, but cards for all occasions from Fathers Day, birthdays to baby congrats and just because.

 

You can follow Red Letter Paper Co. here

 

 

{This is a sponsored post, however all opinons are my own.}

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This or That Link-Up

I'm back and am ready to share the skinny on me. I can't wait to hear what you chose, this or that! So grab a button and link up!

1. Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate

2. Morning or Night: Night

3. Eating in or Out: Eating in if Hubs is cooking, out if I am:)

4. Cats or Dogs: Dogs

3. Apple or Windows: Windows

4. Store bought or homemade cookies: Homemade always

5. East coast or West Coast: West Coast

6. Night out or night in: Night in, I need my bed close by.

7. Coke or Pepsi: Coke..Diet Coke that is

8. Laundry or Dishes: Dishes

9. Football or Baseball: College Football, otherwise baseball

10. Reality TV or Sitcom: Sitcom

11. Electronic reader or paperback: Ereader, sometimes its nice to hold a real book

12. Facebook or Twitter: Facebook

13. Eloping or Wedding: Wedding

14. Math/Science or Language Arts: Math/ Science

15. Salt or Pepper: Pepper

16. Friday or Sunday: Friday

17. Movie theater or rentals: Theater

18. Paper newspaper or online news: Newspaper

19. Valentine's Day or Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving

20. Oscars or Grammy's: Neither- don't really care

21. Gas stove or electric: Gas

22. Gold or Silver: Silver

23. Coke or Tea:Tea

24. City or Country: City but I love both

25. Diamonds or Pearls: Diamonds

26. Peanut butter or Jelly: Peanut butter-but really what is one without the other?!

27. Colors or black/white: Black and White

28. Online shopping or actual shopping: Actual shopping, as long as its anywhere but the mall.

29. College or High School:  high school was way more fun than college

30. Breakfast or Dinner: Breakfast for Dinner!

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Friday Letters

Dear Families in Midland,

We are all praying for you. 

Dear Christmas Affair,

I'm spent after 1 night, here's to the next 2!

Dear 4 day work week,

I LOVE you!!

Dear Customers,

You never cease to amaze me! You make my me smile so much.

Dear Etsy,

That Cha-Ching noise on the mobile app is amazing!!!

Dear Husband,

Thank you for everything! You are the best.

Dear Followers,

I'm trying to figure out what our new look will be.

Dear Twitter,

I think I got this...finally!

Dear Cinsarah,

I love my necklace, thanks for hosting your awesome giveaway.

Dear Simply Livly,

This necklace is perfect!!! Thank you Thank you!

Dear Hubs,

I promise the couch is more comfortable than the chairs. You are gonna love the new living room:)

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This OR That: A Link up

I saw this adorable post last week and thought it would be a great link up! I would love to get to know you better! I found this awesome survey to simply ask you to pick between this or that. Feel free to elaborate anywhere you'd like to explain your choice. Simply copy and paste the survey into your blog post and enter in your own choices between this or that. Come back on Monday November 19th and link up! If you don't have a blog feel free to share your answer in the comment section below.

1. Chocolate or Vanilla:

2. Morning or Night:

3. Eating in or Out:

4. Cats or Dogs:

3. Apple or Windows: 

4. Store bought or homemade cookies:

5. East coast or West Coast:

6. Night out or night in:

7. Coke or Pepsi:

8. Laundry or Dishes:

9. Football or Baseball:

10. Reality TV or Sitcom:

11. Electronic reader or paperback:

12. Facebook or Twitter:

13. Eloping or Wedding:

14. Math/Science or Language Arts:

15. Salt or Pepper:

16. Friday or Sunday:

17. Movie theater or rentals: 

18. Paper newspaper or online news:

19. Valentine's Day or Thanksgiving:

20. Oscars or Grammy's:

21. Gas stove or electric:

22. Gold or Silver:

23. Coke or Tea:

24. City or Country:

25. Diamonds or Pearls:

26. Peanut butter or Jelly:

27. Colors or black/white:

28. Online shopping or actual shopping:

29. College or High School:  

30. Breakfast or Dinner: 

31. Make up your own This or That for readers to answer in the comments section!

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Friday Letters

Dear Job,

You really shouldn't be this stressful.

Dear Country Music,

You made my morning with another Eric Church song.

Dear Hubs,

I can not wait for our "anniversary dinner" part dos tonight.

Dear Customers,

I promise I am going as fast as possible.

Dear Veryjane.com,

You rock!

Dear Groopdealz,

Thanks for helping with so much of my Christmas shopping.

Dear Sandy @ Firefly Confections,

I had so much fun writing about your amazing caramels, thanks for the opportunity!

Dear Meghan,

I can't wait to use all of my goodies and start my new book!

Dear Swaps,

You are so much fun!!!

Dear Craftcation and Snap!

I CAN NOT wait!!!

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