Spotlight on a Sponsor.....{The Lemony Cupcake}

I hope you've had breakfast.....because today's SPOTLIGHT ON A SPONSOR is going to make you hungry.....or craving something deliciously sweet :) I was super excited when the lovely Coby from The Lemony Cupcake contacted me about being a SPR Blog Sponsor!

The Lemony Cupcake is based in Brisbane, but visiting their website & looking at their photo gallery is a MUST!!! I caught up with Coby Liddell & did my 'sponsor spotlight feature interview':

Tell us a little about your business/job:

*     I love my job. No, really. I LOVE my job! I started my business as a hobby about 8 years ago and finally registered my business name in 2007. The Lemony Cupcake became a full-time gig after the birth of my baby boy 18 months ago. Now it is go go go and I wouldn’t change it for the world!

What/Who inspires you?

*     I love all things pretty, yet quirky... I love following blogs and getting inspiration from others, but I like to put my own spin on things..... There are some extremely talented people out there – I adore Amy Atlas, Style Me Pretty, Green Wedding Shoes and Jenna Marfori Lang (Eat Drink Pretty). And even after all these years I must confess, I still © Martha.... I have a beautiful friend, Terri (of Terri Hanlon Photography) who is constantly sharing beautiful images and ideas with me. We can often be found in little cafes, antique shops and the like, nattering and exploring like two old women.... J

What do you love most about what you do?

*     I am in an industry where I meet beautiful people who allow me to share in their most special celebrations. Creating a cake or a gorgeous dessert table for somebody’s unique event is inspiring in itself.

What has been the highlight so far since starting The Lemony Cupcake?

*     Seeing my work in print. There is something about having your work in a glossy magazine and being able to say ‘hey, look at me! I did this!’.....

Explain a 'normal' day in your life:

*     No two days are alike, but there is one constant. Every day I make sure there is time with my family. And that old saying that goes around and around on FB... I am a mother, a wife, a nurse etc.... Yep, I am all of those things. Thankfully not all at once, on any one day, or I would be completely exhausted!

Your Favourite Quote/Motto:

*     The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. (Dr Seuss). We have this on our wall in our ‘children’s retreat’ (aka – Jack’s reading spot!!!)

What are your goals for 'The Lemony Cupcake' where do you see yourself in 5 years?

*     My immediate goals are to continue to grow my business but still retain creative control. I would love to have a pretty little shop (I have my eye on the perfect one...), but right now, I am in a very happy place. I am really enjoying throwing myself into my business this year and loving creating all things miniature and heart shaped!! It is so much fun creating new and exciting sweet treats and seeing everything come together in a dessert table!

Do you blog? If so, why do you blog & what do you blog about?

*     Yep. I blog. Not as much as I should. But it is on my list of things to do... I will be sharing a few exciting things very soon, so stay tuned! Oh, and what do I blog ABOUT? Cake & all things sweet ;-)

3 Things you are:

*     Organised

*     Creative

*     Thoughtful

3 Things you aren't:

*     Selfish

*     Rude

*     Arrogant

Anything else you'd like to share with my readers:

*     Please take a moment to visit my website, stalk my FB page and read my blog. I would love to know that I have inspired just one person.

Thank you Coby....for the interview, for sponsoring my blog....and for the gorgeous business you provide!!

And more amazing shots of Coby's work:

A chat with Leanne from Sweet Style!

Good morning Lovelies! I'm super excited to present this {feature interview}! I was able to catch up with the lovely Leanne ~ from the blog Mrs A in the Cove and business Sweet Style!

I have been a daily reader of Leanne's gorgeous blog for most of 2010 & always love her positive outlook, creativity, her adventures as a Mother & her amazing party styling skills!

And when I went through a rough time in August of this year, Leanne, was such a supportive online friend & I am so very grateful for her kind words & offering of support!

Leanne is a busy Mummy, wife, blogger & business owner! Her blog also shows the journey her Husband & her took from taking a standard family home into an amazing piece of architecture. If you haven't seen the transformation photos of her gorgeous home, please head over here....you will be amazed!

On that, note, here are some feature questions I asked Leanne about her life & her business:

Tell us a little about your business/job: My little business is called Sweet Style and I style dessert and candy buffets for weddings, christenings, birthday parties - any celebration really.  My business has come about purely because of my love for making things look pretty and it is so exciting to be able to do something I truly do get such enjoyment from.

What/Who inspires you? Kind and giving people - people who are out there giving it a go at something they love and enjoying life while they do it. After the visit Australia has just had from Oprah I would have to say she is way up there on that list!

What do you love most about what you do?  The fact that every table is different and I can come up with something new each time and that customers trust me to do that.
What has been the highlight of this year so far? There have been so many wonderful things that have happened this year so I can't pick just one - a highlight would have to be when I had one of my dessert tables featured on Amy Atlas Blog - I was buzzing around the house for days after that.  Also being able to put together a Candy table for my daughter's teachers wedding was truly special, especially when she was thrilled with how it turned out and that her guests were so excited.

Explain a 'normal' day in your life:  I am usually up before the girls so I can get showered and dressed before they are up (lately though it is getting harder to get up in the mornings as I am up so late at night blogging and doing things for my business).  It is then on to breakfasts/making lunches and the usual morning rush to get everyone up and out to school on time.  After school and pre-school drop off it is usually back home to do things around the house and keep my 18 month old entertained.  I will usually catch up on other blogs and facebook and respond to emails but this is so dependent in Indiana.  At about midday she goes for a sleep so I get stuck into doing some work.  I am back out to pick up the older girls at 3pm followed by any after school activities and homework and it is not until they go to bed that I am able to get back to my office and do some more work, write my blog post for the day, order things that need to be ordered, respond to emails, do some research.  Lately I have been getting to bed somewhere between midnight and 1am

Your Favourite Quote/Motto:  My current favourite is - Comparison is the enemy of creativity
Why do you blog & What do you blog about?  I started blogging when we were building our house as a way of documenting things - somewhere along the way it evolved into something quite different so it is now about a combination of things - my business, my love of parties and styling dessert/candy tables, styling in general with a bit of my life thrown in.

3 Things you are:  Giving, loyal, tidy!

3 Things you aren't: Loud, Tall and untidy!

THANKS LEANNE!!! What did I tell you??....she's pretty amazing hey! I wish I had half her talent with party styling :)

You can read Leanne's blog here and join her Facebook page here :)

I also need to yell out a big THANK YOU to Leanne....yesterday on her blog she featured my prints on her Wednesday Wishlist! I felt so proud to see my designs on such a beautiful blog! You can see the feature here!

Feature Interview with Melli's Designs

It's been a little while since I've done a feature interview on my blog {mainly due to disorganisation on my behalf!} But I'm breaking the dry spell today with a lovely chat with the gorgeous Mirela from Melli's Designs! Mirela is a Mummy, Wife, Blogger, Business Owner & I LOVE her work! It was such a pleasure to get to know her better through this interview!

Tell us a little about your business/job: Melli's Designs is all about creating  and designing Art for kids rooms, my artworks are made from 100% handmade products and are all custom hand designed.

Each art work is made to be Uniquely different and Original in many ways. I like the idea that each designs are never made to look identical, i believe each personalized gift should be as unique as the child,it makes it all that little bit more special.

Melli 's designs was created 2 years ago  and is my small home based business ,when i noticed i was doing a lot of paintings through mother's group and word of mouth, i got  myself thinking why don't i start  start my own business and show people what i can really create when i put my mind to it. It  has been a long time dream of  mine and loving every minute of it .

What/Who inspires you? Creative people whether they are Artists,Fashions designers or Interior designers....
Bloggers have a big part of my inspirations,i just love how there is so many beautiful and talented people out there.
My family inspire me everyday.

What do you love most about what you do? I love that i can create something from a blank canvas and create a piece that creates smiles.
I love that i get to meet lovely people that have similar interests than i do
 it makes my day when i get recognition from my work.
Most of all i love that i can have both of best worlds where i can work   from home and be with my boys at the same time.

What has been the highlight of this year so far?
opening up my own Made it store online and preparing for my very first stall market

Explain a 'normal' day in your life? Its as normal and busy as they get.....
wake up ..coffee.drop boys to school,coffee,emails,planing orders,coffee
spending some time with Lucas,post office runs,prepare dinner,pick up boys school,home-work,Dinner,Boys - bath-time,Boys bedtime..ME and hubbie time watching some TV,blog time and midnight MY bedtime. {wed afternoon,Thurs nights and Fri nights work in a men's clothing store.}

Your Favorite Quote/Motto: To accomplish great things,we must not only act,but also Dream,not only Plan,but also Believe

What are your goals for 'Melli's Designs', where do you see yourself in 5 years? Keep my Made.it store going and expanding new designs,open up my  store on Etsy,
but mostly my all time DREAM is having some of my artworks selling in a kids boutique  store one day 

Why do you blog & What do you blog about? There is three things  i love most apart from my family and that is PAINTING,INTERIOR DESIGN and anything BEAUTIFUL.
My blog is a mixture all the above and what inspires me the most.when i started blogging i wanted to have a place where i can display my designs and talk about my inspirations but it has become more than that its become my personal journal through my ART ..... with a little bit about me and my family mixed all on one!.


3 Things you are: Creative,Sensitive and Dreamer

3 Things you aren't: Loud,Messy, Sporty

Anything else you'd like to share with my readers:
Its never to late to be what you want to be

I recommend you all head over to Melli's Designs to check out her beautiful, custom made products! they would be the perfect Christmas gift :) You can join her FACEBOOK page here, read her BLOG here & shop at her MADEIT store here!

Have a great Thursday everyone! And thank-you Melli!

Beautiful You........{Feature Interview}

This week's feature interview is a very special one! I have been fortunate enough to be in contact with the gorgeous Julie Parker for most of 2010 & met her through the online world! Julie is an inspirational woman who really makes a difference when it comes to self-value, self-esteem & acceptance! You can check out her website here or her pretty & uplifting blog; Beautiful You!

Come inside the world & mind of the lovely Julie here:

Tell us a little about your business/job: I am a counsellor who specialises in working with women who have self esteem, body image, weight and eating disorder issues.  I also have a passion for seeing young people and assisting people with general mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety.  I see people in person in Melbourne, but also do telephone and SKYPE based counselling meaning my clients come from all over Australia.  I am also a life coach and speaker and love connecting with people in ways that are positive and inspiring.  You can find more about my work at www.julie-parker.com.au and at my blog 'Beautiful You' at www.beautifulyoubyjulie.com

What/Who inspires you? I am inspired by people who overcome adversity such as illness, loss and tragedy and go on to live their dreams and find new meaning for themselves.  I think we are all essentially much braver and more amazing than we give ourselves credit for and it's a shame in many ways that it can take a life tragedy for us to find that out, and motivate ourselves to do even bigger and better things. 

What do you love most about what you do? I love helping people uncover their real, true self.  The one that sees them be happy, fulfilled and at total comfort with themselves.  It truly is an amazing thing when someone finds that for themselves.  It's magic in a way.

What has been the highlight of this year so far? There have been lots of wonderful highlights for me this year including finally going into private counselling practice, but I am also incredibly proud that my blog has received some lovely recognition, being Best Blog 2010 at the AusMumpreneur Awards and named in Kidspot's Top 50 blogs.  Having only been blogging for just over a year - I'm still somewhat in shock! 

Explain a 'normal' day in your life: I'm a very early riser (hang over from growing up as a farm girl) and first thing I connect in with Twitter, Beautiful You's Facebook page and my emails.  This is to make sure I catch my readers from the Northern Hemisphere which total nearly the same number as Australia.  I will then have a walk around our lovely neighbourhood and enjoy some breakfast.  The rest of my day is filled with counselling and coaching appointments, researching and writing blog posts and writing my first book which is a collection of inspirational interviews with Australian women who have overcome an eating disorder.

 Before I know it the sun is going down and it is time for me to unwind, have dinner with my husband and give some kisses and cuddles to our two beautiful cats.  I will often spend evenings doing more blogging but in a more casual way in front of the tv, or while having a wine and listening to some music.

Your Favourite Quote/Motto: I love inspirational quotes a great deal and use them in my work all the time.  It's hard for me to choose one but I recently posted this one that I wrote on my Facebook page and it got an enormously positive reaction - "It doesn't matter what size jeans you wear, any more than what size shoes you wear. The things of value and beauty about you are all contained inside your heart, soul and mind."

What are your goals for 'Beautiful You', where do you see yourself in 5 years? In five years time I would love for 'Beautiful You' to be sustainable in a way that helped me devote alot more time to it, in partnership with my private counselling and coaching work.  I am putting an enormous amount of time into it at the moment often at strange and unforgiving hours of the day - but it is a labour of love so I never seem to mind.  I would also like to write a book that is centred around the philosophy of Beautiful You as well as design a range of greeting cards, bookmarks and inspirational gifts.

Why do you blog & What do you blog about? I blog about self esteem, positive body image and life inspirations.  Beautiful You is all about helping people recognise they are special, unique and have an important contribution to make to the world - no matter their size, age, race, religion or what they look like.  I blog because I have always felt as if I have something of value to share with people in the hope of making them feel positive and confident about themselves, and Beautiful You is a brilliant way for me to do that and reach a large audience of people.

 3 Things you are: Positive, Helpful, Loving

3 Things you aren't: Arrogant, Patient, Quiet

Anything else you'd like to share with my readers: Thank you for the lovely opportunity to connect in with you. If any of your readers are ever in need of some supporting counselling or inspirational life coaching I would love to connect with them..  Please also stop by Beautiful You for some positive body love and life inspiration.  I would also be so grateful if you could pop by here http://www.kidspot.com.au/MySpot-inspiration-Julie-Parker--Beautiful-You+3367+172+article.htm and vote for me in the Kidspot Top 50 Bloggers.  It's just a simple click and I'm trying to win my family a holiday to Dunk Island.  I'll even send you a postcard if you really love receiving things in the mail!  

Thanks for sharing your life with us Julie! And I encourage you all to head over to Kidspot NOW to vote for Julie's gorgeous blog!

bellaMUMMA......{Feature Interview}

I was lucky enough to catch up with the absolutely gorgeous Nikki from bellaMUMMA for a feature interview here on Scissors Paper Rock! Nikki contacted me a couple of months ago & asked me to be a part of her blog as a "Glow & Tell" feature, which you can read here! It was such a privilege to be featured on her gorgeous blog! Nikki is a freelance beauty & lifestyle writer for several big-scale magazines...and her fabulous blog is her creative outlet full of wonderful beauty advice, reviews & fun!

Grab your morning cuppa & enjoy a feature interview with the lovely Nikki! And then head over to her site bellaMUMMA....it truly is an addictive blog :)

Tell us a little about your business/job:

I'M A FREELANCE BEAUTY & LIFESTYLE WRITER/BLOGGER... I write regular beauty, health and lifestyle features for magazines including SHOP TIL YOU DROP, COSMOPOLITAN, MARIE CLAIRE and DOLLY! And I have my own blog www.bellaMUMMA.com which is my a way of expressing what I like and find interesting as a mum and a beauty addict!

What/Who inspires you? Everything... My hubbie, my boys, blogs, magazines + I get a lot of info/pix/products sent to me from PR's!

What do you love most about what you do? I can do it from home so I'm there for the boys when they get home from school and kindy!

 What has been the highlight of this year so far? Our Bali trip. It was our first family holiday overseas - and it was a huge success! The boys pretty much talk about it every day! We can't wait to go back!

Explain a 'normal' day in your life: Hmmm, normal... every day is different. School drop-offs/pick-ups and doing the washing are constants but other than that no two days are the same!

Your Favourite Quote/Motto: Live and let live! 

What are your goals for 'bellaMUMMA', where do you see yourself in 5 years? I'd really like to grow the readership - and start making some money from bellaMUMMA!!!

Why do you blog & What do you blog about? Blogging is my creative and beauty outlet - I've always been obsessed with beauty! I blog about beauty, beauty-full mummas and must-have products... with a little bit about me and my family mixed in!

3 Things you are: honest, loyal, forgetful

3 Things you aren't: sporty, tall, gossipy {well, maybe a little!}

Anything else you'd like to share with my readers: Visit www.bellamumma.com PLEASE!!!!

See you all over at bellaMUMMA's blog soon!

Lulu froufrou....{Feature Interview}

This week's feature interview is with the lovely Linda from Lulu froufrou! {Great name, hey!}

Linda creates the most gorgeous handmade hair accessories & buttons! I first came across 'Lulu froufrou' earlier this year & fell in love with her products!

Linda is a busy Melbourne based Mummy to the gorgeous Louise, and not long after Louise was born, Linda started designing, making & selling these fabulous hair pretties :) 

You can buy these stunning products in her online store.....but be warned...they are all so gorgeous, you may have a hard time choosing which one you love best :) 

I have been an avid reader of Linda's blog for about 7 months now & love keeping up to date with 'Lulu froufrou's' products & progress on her Facebook page!

I caught up with Linda during the week & here is what she had to say:

Tell us a little about your business: Lulu froufrou was born when my daughter was about 1 - she has always needed something to pin her hair back and decided to make my own when I realised how disappointed I was, with what was on offer. The orders started to come in thick and fast which lead me to start my business.
Lulu froufrou is all about divine hair pretties, headbands, baby bling, rings and brooches and have a big emphasis on quality and individuality. They are made from higher end fabrics and ribbons for their gorgeous designs and prints and we use only the best clips, snag-free bands and headbands. All items are individually handmade and most are one of a kind creations.

What/Who inspires you? I have always had a passion for all things pretty especially beautifully printed fabrics and gorgeous ribbons. I have a great collection to use for my hair accessories and I am always searching for more. Often when I have nothing to do I will open my treasure box of fabric and see what ideas I come up with.  

What do you love most about what you do? To be honest its all the lovely people I have met and speak to daily. One thing I wasn’t expecting when I became a SAHM was how lonely you can feel at times. Networking with like-minded mums {with craft businesses like Lulu frou frou} through Blogging, Facebook and the markets I do, has been so rewarding.

Not to mention being able to complete my orders in my pajamas if I want too!

 What has been the highlight of this year so far? For Lulu frou frou - is would be adding new stockists that sell my hair pretties to my slowly growing list. Especially shipping a second box of goodies all the way to New Zealand. I also had some sales from the USA and Europe last month which was quite exciting.

Personally – it would have to be watching one of my brothers marry his beautiful fiancé last month. My daughter was the flower-girl and I of course was proud as punch.

 Explain a 'normal' day in your life: Mornings are always busy of course with a toddler. At the moment I have something on every morning (gym, mothers group, kinder or Gymbaroo on Fridays) so we are up and out the door by 9ish. This is also when I do the food shopping, catch ups, or supply shopping. Lou has a nap at 1 for hopefully most days 2hrs - thats when I sit and answer emails, blog and begin orders this can sometime lead into the afternoon otherwise I head out again before the craziness of dinner, bath and bed for Louise. Evenings are then used for creating, sewing, blogging or watching a movie with the hubby. The TV is rarely on during the day - I find it can be such a time sucker...

Your Favourite Quote/Motto: Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well.

What are your goals for Lulu Frou Frou, where do you see yourself in 5 years? I’m pretty happy how things are with Lulu froufrou at the moment. I’m looking into starting a website and expanding the range to include a lot more pretties for tweens and mums.

Ultimately I would love to own Quirky handmade items store and café – serving scones with jam and freshly baked strawberry shortcake.

Why do you blog & What do you blog about? I started a blog simply as a space to show off new designs and talk about sales – I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it so much. Now, I blog because I love having a place to put my thoughts and record what I do. 

I like to include the photos I’ve taken and links to things I like and support fellow handmade businesses. I think that when you sell your products online its also important to have a place that your customers can come and get to know the creator of handmade items they purchase personally.

I also contribute towards a fantastic resource called the Contemporary Handmade Alliance. A wonderful space that shares quality crafting information to the Contemporary Handmade Community. 

3 Things you are: Positive, Content, Idea driven, 

3 Things you aren't: Un-organised, Rude, Lazy

Anything else you'd like to share with my readers: Lulu froufrou is organizing a BIG giveaway when we reach 1000 fans on our facebook page. Watch out for information about this our blog soon.

*** I told you she was lovely, didn't I?! I absolutely love reading Linda's blog & I recommend you pop over for a read too! To purchase any of her lovely products, just head over to her madeit store! And please help her reach 1000 likers on Facebook so we can get the ball rolling with the lovely giveaway :) ***

{Above: Linda with her gorgeous daughter Louise...who is only months older than my little girl!}

~ Head over & say Hi to Linda, tell her that I sent you :) Enjoy her handmade goodness! ~