Florida Vacation: Day One

HELLO DOLLS!

I've been away on a holiday for the past week. I've been visiting my parents in the good ol' Sunshine State. FLORIDA. And boy, was it amazing. Ever since I've moved back up to Maryland, I've missed Florida so much. I miss the high speed limits, the non-crazy drivers, the atmosphere and most of all…the beach! As I uploaded all my photos from my week long trip, I've realized there was no way possible that I could fit all the pictures I wanted to share in one post. So for the next couple days I'm going to be sharing some experiences I've had when I was down there. (And there were a good many). One of which is when I (finally) ate at the British Pub I've been wanting to eat at for the past 6 years!

Anyway, here's an overview in pictures of the day I spent with Derek, Madalyn and my brother, Marty in Downtown Historic Saint Augustine. I love how old and unique everything is down there. And when I lived there, I didn't really appreciate it. But (as you can probably tell by the pictures), that changed a bit.

Fried Gator Tail…. Mmmmmmmm, yummy. ;)

Sunshine State

For the next week or so, I will be in Florida visiting my family. So my posts won't be so up to date, every day. But thus far! It's been amazing. I love spending time with my family that I haven't seen in a while, and plus my little sister turns 19 today. (She's not so little anymore, which just makes me feel old) 

To kick start vacation, my family and I went to the pool and just had a good old time. And afterwords we went to one of my favorite restaurants in Jax Beach called TacoLu. TacoLu is a sugar skull themed Mexican restaurant, and it's just simply amazing. The atmosphere is so relaxed and inviting. Plus the food is cheap and flipping amazing!! 

The decor in TacoLu definitely inspired me for some home decor ideas as well. I'm so excited to be spending the rest of my time here in Florida and sharing it with you guys. I will also be pigging out a lot so...expect to see more food. ;) 

Card Collection Sneakpeak.

Morning blogoids! 

So lately I've been working on a new collection of cards to put up in my Etsy shop. They're still funny, simple, and cute but just based around Summertime, Birthdays and Weddings (ect.) Since there's no major card "holidays" coming up soon, it's given me some extra yardage for card ideas. I've also been thinking about ways I can e x p a n d  my business and that's taken me to tee shirts, notepads, stickers (this list goes on and on and onnnn).

I'm excited to see what else I come up with, and other ways I can expand this little business I've started. I can't wait to see whats next for deraeart and take you guys on that journey with me. :D

If you'd like to product swap or do a product review of my cards, contact me or comment below!! I'm really wanting to branch out as much as possible. 

Make it Happen.

Do you have your own business? Are you looking to start your own business? Have a dream or something that you really want? Don't just sit around and hope it comes to you or works out for you. Sometimes all the schooling in the world doesn't even help! So what do you do? 

You, MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Lately I've come to realize that it doesn't matter what college you went to, how many degrees you have, or the lack of children you have to be successful. All it takes, is YOURSELF. You need to wake up each morning in the right mindset, get yourself on a schedule and apply yourself to your main goal. My biggest challenge has been becoming a morning person. Lately I've been waking up, getting breakfast, getting a coffee and then taking Madalyn to Barnes and Noble to play with the train table (That's her thing). Doing this every morning just puts me in a better mood, opens up my mind, and allows me to think clearer when I'm trying to get my business schedule together.

A few things I've been planning on working on is getting and being a sponsor to blogs, becoming closer to bloggers and actually creating a relationship and also mass marketing my brand. All in which is very important to my goal. Other little things I've been working on is actually planning out my blog posts, instead of randomly deciding what to blog about that day. And finally I'm in the works of creating my very own newsletter. So hopefully everything will take off the ground, and into God's hands!

On that note!

If you'd like to swap ads, sponsor, product swap, spotlight swap or simply just chat it up then email me at: brittanyhugs067[AT]gmail[DOT]com. 

DIY Off The Shoulder Shirt.

Hey Lovelies! 

Do you have any older shirts or t-shirts that you really don't wear too often? Why not turn them into a fashion statement or even an easy beach coverup top! You can easily turn a boring shirt into something better for this summer. Let me show you one way: Off The Shoulder

1. Get the supplies:

- Tee shirt 

- scissors

- marker 

2. Start on the right side of the collar and draw a dotted line along it. As you reach the right hand side, slightly move it to the left of the collar. (This makes the left side fall off your left shoulder) See picture above. 

3. Start cutting alone the dotted line you just made. 

4. Keep cutting!! 

5. Remove the collar you just cut off. 

And there you have it!! A quick fix for any old tee shirt. Perfect for a summer day out or something quick to just throw over  your bathing suit! You could even tie it up at the bottom and make it cute with a pair of cut off denim shorts! The possibilities are endless really. Happy cutting!!

First Day of Summer 2013

Well, Summer is finally here!! Although it's already felt like summer considering it's be scorching hot here in Maryland. (And my room has no A.C....imagine that one!) So it's time once again to busy out those bikinis, those fruity drink recipes you've pinned on Pinterest and hit the water!

However I did none of that on my first day of summer, I did have boat loads of fun! First Madalyn and I went to the Avenue and walked around. I love window shopping this time of year, saves you money too! Then we went into (my favorite store) Barnes and Noble. We grabbed a grande Strawberries and creme frappachino and a pizza stuffed pretzel from Starbucks. If you haven't tried their pretzels...DO SO!! They're so yummy and only 2-3 dollars. 

The main reason we spend our random (free) days at Barnes and Noble is because Madalyn loves playing with their train table and their Lego table. So why not sit and enjoy and little downtime while she plays. Nothing like relaxing on the first day of summer! 

Then I decided to treat my little dewdrop to a first day of summer movie. We went to go see Monsters U! And it was seriously the cutest movie ever. But everyone knew Disney was going to pull through for us there. And the monsters inc movie finally came out after all these years! My inner child was extremely happy. 

Sorry for the pictures of the pictures on my camera but my memory card decided it didn't want to dock to my MacBook right now...silly technology. 

And last but not least, I share with you a little preview of the Vintage Maternity shoot that I did for a client. It was the cutest, most retro adorable photo shoot I've ever done! Ill definitely make a post when I'm done editing the pictures. 

What did you guys do on your first day of summer? 

Last day to purchase for Father's day!

Bonjour dolls!!

Today is the last day you can purchase one of my Father's Day cards and have it get to you before Father's day. Of course you can order them after tomorrow, they just won't get to you before Sunday.

My etsy shop has a variety of Father's Day Cards that are sure to make you and your special dad laugh! Take a little peek of what we have to offer for you this year.

Be sure to put your orders in before tonight!! If not, you'll most likely get your Father's Day card by Monday or Tuesday of next week. Either way, these hilarious and cute Father's Day cards are too good to pass up! 

Oh and to all you Fathers, Dilfs and Studmuffins out there…HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!

Working from Home.

Yawwwwwn.

Starting your own business can be a very rewarding, yet very tiring!! I'm talking about, early mornings, late nights, running back and forth to the post office, to home, to the studio, to the store, to online shops. {i'm telling you…it never ends}

But that doesn't mean that a home business doesn't have it's perks. ;)

A nice cup of joe helps me get motivated in the morning to sit down and actually start working on my business. I also go to Pandora and listen to my favorite country station. Plus! I get the luxury of staying in comfy t-shirts and shorts all morning. Digging my Code Name Kids Next Door shirt I found at Goodwill? 

So since I've been working all morning, I decided I'll give you a little peek of what I do on a daily basis for my business. 

My little iPhone 5 sitting on one of my sketch books that I like to draw my designs in. There's a little preview on a "Congrats on Twins" card I'm making (you're welcome). And my GWTW phone wallpaper…I'm a tad obsessed with the classics. 

I got a few boxes at Michael's since they were on sale ($2!) to put my cards, packaging supplies, stamps and other necessities for my business. I'm still getting everything organized and it's certain place. Since I'm not fully moved out of my current living situation, it's hard having everything everywhere. Hopefully in the next month I'll have my own little station set up (where no little hands will be allowed to wander!)

I'm the type of girl that LOVES lists. I make lists for literally everything. So I bought a separate notebook (Michaels for 50 cents!) to keep track of every card that a customer buys, when they bought it, and when I've shipped them out. Just to make sure that I keep everything organized. Again, once my little business station is set up, I'll probably have a better filing system. But this for right now gets the job done and well! 

Since the desk I'm sitting at is currently full {with a desktop computer, sketchbooks, printer, coffee, mac and cheese, sharpies, ect.} I was forced to set up my laptop and little box of supplies on the bed next to me. But hey! Space is space! Aren't Derek's cowboy sheets cute? haha.

Last but certainly not least, what's working from home without the little one constantly getting in your face? She kept asking me to take a picture of her truck. What can I say? My little girl has a thing for boy toys. And I couldn't help but include this in my blogpost. Look at those delicate little hands!

There you have it!

This is a morning in the life of derae art! And how unorganized, messy, and coffee ridden it is! Haha, kidding {not really though}.