Procrastination.....why do you do it?

Why do you procrastinate? Do you do it because you're overwhelmed? Is is fear, laziness or maybe a little of both? It is disorganization?

I have really been picking myself apart to see why I procrastinate. I think that is my biggest obstacle to becoming really successful with my business. Now don't get me wrong....I am successful now. My sewing allows me the opportunity to stay home with my kids that I would't be able to afford otherwise. I would just like to be a little more successful. Who wouldn't, huh?

I have examined my habits and daily routine. I think that part of my procrastination comes from being disorganized and overwhelmed. So for the first half of this year I have really focused on my routines and getting organized. I have my routines down pat now. My house for the most part stays clean with just a little daily maintenance. It's harder with the kids home for summer, but things will get back to normal in a couple weeks when school starts back. I have organized my business paperwork and created a system that works for me in filling orders.

I also found out that my health was playing a role in my procrastination. I have increasingly felt bad; exhausted, achy, depressed, headaches.....over the last several years. I finally went to the doctor and found that my high blood pressure and water retention played a major factor in how I felt. I am now on daily meds and feel 100% better. My husband and I also decided to make our health a priority and change our eating habits and exercise more. We both agree that we feel even better when we eat right.

So after all these epiphonies.......I still procrastinate. It's better than it was. It's harder to put off what's right in front of your face, so my detailed todo list keeps me motivated. But I have been trying to figure out why I still do it. I have come to the conclusion that the final reason will be harder to rectify. I think that it's indesiciveness and fear. Fear of failing, fear of making a mistake, fear of upsetting someone with those mistakes. So how do I get over this? I've read tips on beating procrastination. The slogan "JUST DO IT" comes to mind. I guess I should put aside my fear. I've been sewing for 14 years and nothing really bad has happened. What could possibly be so bad as to keep from what I love?

How would you get past this? And Why do you procrastinate?

Contest! Prize Package worth OVER $2000.00!

Announcing the Moms United in Business blog contest!

Contest Deadline: Friday August 15, 2008 11:59pm EST
Winner will be chosen via random drawing and announced Monday August 18, 2008

You have to check out this great resource group. Click on the title of this post to be taken there.

Try this great Peach pie recipe!

My mom has several peach trees on her property. We have had peaches every way they could be fixed recently. I even tried my had at peach jelly and peach preserves. But the reason for tonite's post is Peach Pie! MMMMMMM! It was delish!!

My 11 yr old and I did the pie this afternoon. It only took about 1/2 hour to prepare the peaches and another 1/2 an hour to cook.

I got my recipe from the RecipeZaar. It's called Simple Peach Pie. So here's the deal. I used fresh peaches off my mom's tree, but you can use whatever you have available. You can use frozen peaches or even canned peaches. I bought a package of 2 pie crusts, using one for the top of the pie. Then I just followed the recipe.

Ingredients
pastry for a double-crust 9-inch pie
5 cups fresh peaches, sliced
1 cup sugar
1/3-1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons sugar

Directions
1 Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2 Stir together flour, 1 cup sugar, and cinnamon and set aside.
3 Wash, peel, and slice fresh peaches.
4 Mix together peaches with the combined dry ingredients.
5 Turn into pastry-lined pie pan and dot with butter.
6 Cover with top crust, cut slits in it, seal the edges.
7 Sprinkle top with 2 tablespoons of sugar.
8 Cover the edges with foil to prevent over browning; remove foil for the last 15 minutes of baking.
9 Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until crust is brown and juice begins to bubble through the slits in the crust.
10 Pie may be frozen for future use.

So check out RecipeZaar for this recipe and some other great recipes.
www.recipezaar.com

Check out these websites!

Just a quick post on Sunday...thought I would pass on some cool websites that are great resources if you are trying to start or currently running an business whether it be online and/or a brick and mortar store.



Info on creating a clothing line.
http://www.dobizo.com/


Great sewing notions at wholesale prices.
http://www.laceheaven.com/index.html


A great resource for Mom's working from home and/or trying to start a business.
http://www.momsunitedinbusiness.com/


Here's company that will help you get your products into the hands of celebrities.
http://www.babyswags.com/


7 Tips to Turn Web Site Browsers in to Buyers
http://www.4hb.com/20041027090000.html

Craft and/or Sewing items on eBay

We spend so much time looking for wonderful boutique clothing items on ebay that I thought I would try something different tonight. Here are some cool deals I found in other categories like notions and/or fabrics. Click on the photos to go to the listings.

Here's a great auction by just*imagine*heaven. This is a great way to get a variety of size tags without spending an arm and a leg.



I hate ripping seams out. But this tool works so well, I started buying 2 at a time. Be forewarned that you will get addicted immediately and they dull really fast when you use them everyday.




Buying elastic by the roll instead of by the yard or in those little premeasured packages just makes more sense if you sew for a living. Check out this 50 yrd roll.




Finally, don't forget to look on ebay for sewing patterns. There is always a supply of various patterns of all types and genres. If it's been printed, you can probably find it on eBay.

Check it out!

Is everyone impatient these days?

Is is just me, or does everyone seem to be in a great hurry these days? I may just be in a mood, but I was seriously frustrated today.

You see, first I had to deal with a cranky buyer.......we've all had one...or two. Someone who just couldn't see that they were in the wrong. She didn't like the terms of my auction.........2 weeks after paying for the item. Oh well I refunded....that was the right thing to do, and then gently reminded her that my auction had clearly stated my terms. She proceeded to attack my business ethics and tell me I shouldn't be selling. Then very nicely threatened to leave a negative feedback because I responded to her insults. I responded by reporting her to eBay. DO you blame me?

So my day wasn't off to a great start. Oh well, it happens. I had to go out to do the grocery shopping. In EVERY single store we went in I was run over, or into by someone several times! Doesn't anybody in this country have manners anymore? Since when do you blast past someone without waiting your turn? Since when is it accepted to stand on one side of an isle with your kids picking out lunch boxes, your buggy blocking the other side of the isle, and never see that people are waiting on BOTH sides to go around you? You know I waited for 5 minutes before choosing to turn around. To be fair, I was looking at things while I was waiting....but do you know how fast I would have jerked my kids out of the way of anybody else? That's just not how I was raised. And I am raising my children to be considerate of others too.

So I'm ranting. It's inconsequential in the big scheme of things, I know. I just had a bad day and had to say my piece. So the next time you're in a store, just watch people. See how many times someone about runs you over with a buggy, or blocks an isle. And then see how many times you can move over for someone, or let someone go in front of you and see how good it makes you feel. Maybe one person at a time we can make things a little better......and have fewer bad days at the same time!

It's BTS for most kids in Aug

So here's some great BTS designs I found listed by ALTB members!

sew*meyer

jbscustomcreations

Introducing GGG2

a new Boutique buyers/sellers group. The Giggle Girls have branched out and decided to share some of their infectious personalities with everyone. They have created a buyers group called The Giggle Girl Groupies.....or GGG2. You can search for designs by all of their members, and still search GGDB to see designs by the original Giggle Girl designers. The Giggle Girl Groupies is open to anyone with an interest in the boutique community, whether you are a buyer, a designer, or both. The group is fast becoming a close-knit group of girls who have fun and discuss even the most taboo topics and still keep things light-hearted. If you want a place to live, laugh and love then you should come check it out. They even have their own blog to introduce you to the talented designers of the Giggle Girls.

Giggle Girl Groupies
http://groups.ebay.com/forum/Giggle-Girl-Groupies/Cover-Page

Giggle Gab
http://gigglegab.blogspot.com/

Some of our photo winners......

Every so often Nikki picks some of the best pictures showed in ALTB listings and recognizes the designer/photographer. Check out these pics. Click on the picture to be taken to their ME page.

booak*boutique*designs

The NEW ALTB cafe is up!!

If you haven't already seen it..........our very own Nikki, leader of ALL THINGS BOUTIQUE has created another place for you to go to see what's going on on ALTB. She has created the ALTB Cafe. It is a place to see all the talent ALTB designers have to offer as well as a place to advertise. She is offering very affordable advertising and the money in turn helps us offer great games, prizes and activities! Cool, huh? Check it out!

http://altbcafe.blogspot.com/

Wow......it's been over a month!!

It's been over a month since I blogged and gave you all a peak into the boutique world! Have you ever gotten so busy and had so much chaos in your life that when you stopped to breath....you realized that a couple months have gone by?? Well that's what happened here. The kids got out of school, I've had some sickness in the family, had to call 911 for my son one Saturday, and all while keeping my business running. My son is fine by the way (that will be a story for another time).......but we've had lots of Dr's appointments and such.

So once again I will try and get back to blogging regularly. I will be showcasing some awesome talent from ALTB this afternoon. So keep checking back!!