This day.

This morning, I woke around 9am and picked up my Kindle to finish this book Source
AMAZING. Couldn't put it down. I usually read at night before bed and that is all. For the last 2 days I have stayed up to 2am reading. Here is the blurb:

"Travel light and you can sing in the robber's face" was the best advice Summer Zwolenick ever received from her father, though she didn't recognize it at the time. Three years after the accident that ended her career as a ballerina, she is back in the familiar suburbs of Dayton, Ohio, teaching at a local high school. But it wasn't nostalgia that called Summer home. It was her need to spend quality time with her brother, Todd, and his devoted partner, Jacob. Todd, the golden athlete whose strength and spirit encouraged Summer to nurture her own unique talents and follow her dream, is in the final stages of a terminal illness. In a few short months, he will be dead—leaving Summer only a handful of precious days to learn all the lessons her brother still has to teach her . . . from how to love and how to live to how to let go.

Traveling Light is the deeply moving debut novel from Katrina Kittle, the acclaimed author of The Kindness of Strangers—an unforgettable story of love, bonds, and promises that endure longer than life itself.

Initially, I picked it up because this is a local writer. I kind of want to stalk her now, don't judge me.

It made me laugh out loud and sob like a baby--my two favorite things to happen while reading!

As I am drying my tears, I get a call that just ruined my day.

Apparently, somebody very close to me is talking terribly about me. 

Devastated.

So rude. 

And so hurtful.

Family shouldn't behave this way.

I resisted the urge to call the person out on this. As my Mom pointed out, it would start a ripple. 

I need to be bigger than this.

I struggle with poise and grace, so this has been a rough day.

I need a little creative pow-wow

My Etsy shop is doing pretty well, I am getting a lot of custom orders.  Which is great, and I love them.
Here are my issues though... *I am getting a lot of orders from friends/family/word of mouth. These are local orders and they are typically not paid through Etsy. This is great because I don't have the processing fee, and they do not have delivery as I drop off or they pick up. Downside-- I don't get the "numbers". Because they are placed this way, my Etsy sale total is a measly 2.    *I am thinking to start a Facebook page. This way, I could reach a wider audience, and I could list some of the items I have been making that are too large to ship or too complex to ship.
*How do fellow crafters/shop owners handle custom orders? Should I be adding more money to the total? I thought my prices were great-I am making about a 50% profit on each item. However, the last 3 deliveries have resulted in the person telling me I should charge more. Which would be awesome--if I could do it. I am cheap! Maybe adding a $5 up charge to any custom product?
*I am also getting tons of ideas thrown at me. "You should do this" "Do it this way" "Make something with this quote" and as much as they might sell, it isn't my style. How should I handle this? For an order, I will ABSOLUTELY do it. But for the people that are just giving me suggestions, I cannot decide if compromising my "style" and what I envision for my shop is worth a sale. 
Thoughts?

Black + Gold Bedroom ideas

Justin and I are going to be redecorating our bedroom this summer.
(I know, like EVERY room is half done. I have decorating ADD)
The bright side to this project, is that it is a pretty minor revamp. We've never done anything in there so it is just blank.
Originally, I wanted this look
But I think it might just be too dark.
I have gold side table lamps with black shades. I have black side tables. We are getting new bedding and a new black headboard. 
I think I want white walls More like this.
And curtains above the bed is a MUST. I love it. I was thinking either like the above, or like this
And, to complete the look:
We do not have regular windows in our bedroom. In fact, we do not have any windows. We have big sliding doors leading to the balcony. These will be a GREAT addition!

If I had a fat bank account

It is fun to dream isn't it?? I'd wake up every day in a house like this: My biggest decision would be what to wear: My lunch would *always* be cupcakes and champagne: [True story, I had champagne and a fudge round for lunch today.] I'd spend the rest of my day in a variety of ways: Catching some sun, floating around, chatting with my gal pals. After that busy afternoon, I'd hop into my sweet kitchen to start dinner I need all that space for my champagne and wine. Trust me. After dinner I might watch a film in my home theater Or sit outside Or, frolic in my sweet hot tub: Every bit of it would be enjoyed with my handsome guy:

Sew and Sew

There are few things that I love as much as I love my sewing machine. But, I somehow lack the capacity to follow a sewing pattern. I am more of a wing it kind of gal. It results in a lot of wasted supplies. But, it works for me.
I was just text a photo of something that I am pretty positive I cannot make. I really want the order, and I am impressed this person thought my skill level was that high. But there is no way. 
Perhaps I need to practice. 
Any great projects with simple directions? I get very overwhelmed with a bunch of steps and cuts of fabric. To date, I've stuck to scarves and makeup bags for the shop.  I've like to knock out a really big purse, and eventually move on to clothing.

Sweet Sunday

Craft Madness

Next weekend, April 13th, I have a craft fair. I've only been prepping for THREE months. I shouldn't be this far behind.
However, in Jess world "prepping": Order sweet fabric Picking out new business cards Ordering a cool square reader (ok that one actually helped a lot---I LOVE it!!) Planning my day of outfit
Not taking inventory. Not making sure I have enough of everything.
Thankfully, I have been a busy bee this week, and will probably finish up next Wednesday. That gives me two days to pack up and get organized. 
Nothing like last minute ;)
Monday I will post pics and links!