Help Haiti

The devastation in Haiti is heartbreaking. I can't even imagine the confusion, chaos, pain, and loss that people are going through.

There are many different ways that we can give during this time of need.

One of my favorite organizations is World Vision. They have a relief fund that you can make a donation to right here:


Giving to the American Red Cross is another way to help out. Visit this site to give directly to them:

You can even text the message "HAITI" to "90999" and make a $10 donation, charged to your phone bill, to the Red Cross.

Can you imagine the difference we could make if everyone gave just a few dollars?

Please consider taking a break from shopping on Etsy and give a little to help these people in need.

My thoughts and prayers are with those suffering in Haiti.

Treasury Feature

Yesterday I posted a few new things in the shop and within in a few minutes one of my items (the Little Rose Headband) was featured in a treasury and then sold!


More items are on their way...and I have been busy busy working and planning my surprise/celebration. I'm excited!


Happy Wednesday!

Click here to see the treasury on Etsy.

What's Your Color?

I wasn't interested in accessorizing during my junior high and high school days. I got my ears pierced in 6th grade (the age that our parents allowed us to decide if we wanted to have it done) and I found necklaces annoying because they would just get in the way. I only seemed to be interested in putting pretty fabric flowers and bows in my hair.

Things have obviously changed. I still love to accessorize my hair (my collection of these has nearly tripled in the last year) and now I am wearing all kinds of jewelry. I enjoy purchasing jewelry that I didn't make. Now I appreciate it so much more.

Along with my new love for jewelry has come a big question. Gold or silver? There are numerous metals that I love (copper, bronze, gunmetal, rose gold...) but which one is ideal for me?

A few months ago one of my coworkers (I work at a preschool part time) asked me if I knew my colors. I automatically thought- of course I know them and why in the world would you hire me if I didnt? She noticed my confusion and cleared things up. She explained that in the early 80's (yes, a little before my time) there was a popular book that helped you find the colors that looked best on you. She explained that they grouped the colors by season, so you were a winter, summer, autumn, or spring. Apparently there were people who would tell you what your colors were.


I've only been able to "find" my colors through compliments that others make when I wear certain shades or hues, but I guess I never really know if they are complimenting the style, color, or both. I am so curious about what this book would tell me I should wear.

Alright, back to metals. It's true that some people look better in silver while others glow in gold. The general rule is that winter or summer people look best in silver while autumn and spring look best in gold. So which season are you?

There are tons of resources to help you find your color, but a simple two question quiz can help lead you in the right direction. I am not sure how accurate it is, but it seemed to work for me: Color Me Beautiful Quiz

The quiz (and multiple people) have suggested that I am a summer person. That would mean that I would fall into the silver category. I think that silver does look best on me, but that doesn't stop me from wearing gold from time to time.

For a more up to date version of the book, click on the photo below.


What's your color/season?

A Winner

Congratulations to
Kristen!


Random.org selected you as the winner of the headband of your choice from
Maggie Overby Studios!
Please contact me at lillianraydesigns@gmail.com to claim your prize. You have until Monday, January 11th.

Thank you to all who participated and Maggie- thank you for sharing your creativity and generosity with us! Congratulations on your first sales and best of luck to you and your wonderful shop!

Be sure to check her shop out here.

A new giveaway is on the way so be sure to check back!

Have a very happy weekend!

Organize!

There will be a few new items showing up in the shop...I promise it will happen soon.

It's been a busy week and taking care of a sick husband is a full time job!

With the new year comes new goals and fresh start.

Organization is key.

Check out these adorable 2010 calendars from some talented Etsy artists!


The Beach - 2010 Calendar SALE 25 PERCENT OFF by Urban Pink Photography

2010 Weekly Planner by Lily Jane Stationary

ON SALE - 2010 Calendar - Summer all Year by Photography by Bomobob

I like buying my calendars after the year has started just to save a few bucks.

Can you tell what my favorite season is? I just LOVE warm weather! :o)

Don't forget that today is the last day to enter to win a headband from the lovely Maggie Overby Studios! Enter here.

Enjoy this lovely Thursday. Tomorrow is Friday!!

Good Morning!

Today I go back to my "normal" routine. I have orders to fill and custom work to begin and some cute little three year old kiddos that I have missed terribly during the holiday. It's a busy day that should start off right.

As you are scrolling through your daily blog reads- try a slice of this AMAZING bacon that I was able to enjoy during the holiday. If you can't make it now, then I assure you that you will want to make it later. Bring it to a brunch or make it when you have house guests. It is SURE to be a hit!


Click on the image above to go to the Sunset recipe site

Coffee and Brown Sugar Bacon

Time: 40 minutes. Everyone loves waking up to the smell of coffee and the smell of bacon, and the flavors are pretty awesome together too. Add some molasses-y brown sugar, and you'll reach bacon nirvana.

Yield: Serves 8
Ingredients

* 1 pound thick-cut bacon
* 1 tablespoon ground coffee
* 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 tablespoons freshly brewed coffee

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°. Line a rimmed baking pan with parchment or waxed paper and set a flat rack on top.

2. Lay bacon strips on rack, overlapping slightly if needed. Sprinkle top of strips evenly with ground coffee. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and brewed coffee, stirring just to blend to a paste. Brush top of strips with half of sugar mixture.

3. Bake 15 minutes. Turn bacon over and brush with remaining sugar glaze. Bake until crispy, 10 minutes more.


And while you wait for the bacon to bake...

Check out the Maggie Overby giveaway here. She has some amazing things in her shop that is currently in the limelight!

Limelight Giveaway- Maggie Overby Studios

I am back- it's been a great holiday but I am excited to get back into the swing of things and I have some exciting things to share with all you Limelight and Lillian Ray fans out there. Stay tuned for some FUN!

Let's kick of this new year by putting another wonderful shop in the Limelight.

I am excited to introduce you to Maggie Overby Studios!!

Let's learn a little about Maggie straight from her...

As a native of New Orleans and a graduate of New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and LSU school of Architecture I claim Louisiana and all its uniqueness as my home. I lived in New Orleans for 18 years and Baton Rouge for 7 but as an Army wife the last 10 years have involved a lot of moving.



I started my career in Architecture but as my first child was born and the first move was on the horizon I knew I needed a change. I wanted to stay at home with my kids but have a little extra money coming in. I started off sewing for the new house(s) and then for other people’s houses, before you know it I’m making pillows, drapes, bedding, slipcovers, whatever is needed.



I was inspired by an entrepreneurial mom who runs a hand bag business from her home. I CAN DO THAT! At least I think I can, so here I am on Etsy giving it a try. The flowers started as decoration for the purses I was making and now they are taking on a life of their own embellishing head bands, pillows and who knows what else.



My favorite item I have listed right now is the Marie Antoinette Pillow. It has a appliqued female silhouette with flowers in her hair. This came out better than I imagined it.

Decorating my house has always been my hobby and since I move so often I always have a new palette. I also enjoy creating scrapbooks especially when we get a chance to scrap with the friend who inspired me to start. I enjoy being creative and love when I get to make something with my own hands that I can really be proud of.




Maggie has a lot to be proud of because her store has some incredible items! Here is my favorite pillow from her shop:



Here are the giveaway details:

Maggie is generously giving away one flower head band (your choice) to a lucky winner!!



It's simple to enter- just comment on this post telling me what your favorite item in Maggie's shop is. Check out her shop here.

For a second entry, leave a separate comment letting me know that you are a follower (either old or new!).

The giveaway ends at 5:00pm PST on Thursday, January 7th. A winner will be announced on Friday, January 8th. Come back on Friday to see if you are the winner. You will have until Monday to claim your prize before another winner is chosen.

Do you know a new(ish) store that should be put in the Etsy limelight? Email me at lillianraydesigns@gmail.com and let me know!

Get ready for some more giveaways and a BIG celebration.

I am very excited about 2010!