JaimeNicole

A giveaway worth entering.

2010-06-17T08:38:00.000-07:00

I know from experience doing a giveaway is not always a guarantee of exposure. It's hard work getting folks interested in a product. Even if it's free it has to be something they want.

Trust me you are going to want this one!

This Oreck vacuum system is valued at 599.95 and probably worth every penny.But how great would it be to get one for $0.00???

Folow this link over to Domestic Debacle and check out the giveaway and enter to win!

How is a chefs wife supposed to lose weight anyway?

2010-06-03T09:23:00.000-07:00

Seriously.

I made orange chicken last night.It was to die for., I discovered the top-secret best way to make the chicken crispy before you sauce it. DRY CHICKEN. Works better every time. I take semi thawed chicken breast (easier to cut when it's cold) cut it into cubes, thaw it out more, and Here's the secret) take a clean, non fuzzy tea towel and pat those suckers dry. Not just a tap tap but I really press down and get the top layer of excess moisture out.
Then toss in corn starch with your favorite seasonings. I use powdered ginger, garlic, salt, and onion powder. You want them fully coated in the white stuff. Heat up a pan with an half inch of oil till it sizzles when you drop in a piece of the chicken. Not so hot that it smokes. saute for 7 minutes. Don't take them out before the color develops!! They may be "done" but you want that crisp, golden crust to form before you toss them in orange sauce. Here's the secret to my sauce: store bought. Yeah I'm a cheater. Spin the crispy chicken in a large bowl with enough heated sauce to coat them.
mmmmmmmmmm

Lost 8 pounds.

2010-05-14T16:23:00.001-07:00

One "word" p90x!!

Been working out more often and drinking much less Coke. I guess it's working folks!

Give Away. Everyone's doing it!

2010-04-10T15:41:00.000-07:00

So just because I can I'm going to do a giveaway!

First things first though for those of you who may have read past posts.Yes I am still working on the weight loss thing. I decided shutting down my lil' shop wasn't going to do me any good since I have worked my way up to around 70 items (and not all are posted) so rather than let my slips, hair clips, jewelry, and lounge pants linger in dust here I decided to let them remain on Etsy. I'm working through the stash, re-washing some items so they are wrinkle free and ready to send out. Makes life easier and shipping time!

On to the giveaway!

1. Read this post.. then click on my shop www.JaimeNicole.etsy.com and find your favorite item.

2. If you have a twitter account post a link to your favorite item on Twitter OR facebook.

3. Come back to this post and leave a comment with a link back to your twitter or facebook post.

The winner will receive a piece from my "droplets" collection. Your choice. #1 Bitten #2 New Moon #3 Droplets

If you don't love red have no fear I can whip these up in Pink or Clear crystal if you so desire!!

Still working on that first 10 pounds!

2010-03-22T15:41:00.000-07:00

I weighed in on March 15th for my "etsy motivation diet"

Sounds weird but I LOVE posting and editing on etsy. This week has been really weird trying to not go re-list and update my items there. Everything that's ready to ship is still listed. I decided not put it in "Vacation mode" so people can still buy stuff but I can't post MORE items or re-list till the weight is doooooown.

Er.. I did change my goal to a more do-able 25 pounds. I cut out coffee (I use too much creamer) for 4 days and haven't had Coke since the 10th or so. Other than that I've just been walking every day and trying to eat less sugar and bread.

Rules

2010-02-27T20:42:00.000-08:00

Rules

Must close down Etsy shop by March 15

This will be a "Vacation mode"closing so customers can still see the banner and things.

Must sew one thing for my OWN SELF per week during my hiatus.

Must not go back on etsy till 50 pounds is GONE.

Must not take photos, edit photos or purchase Etsy-bound merchandise (vintage clothing) during hiatus.

Rewards:

10 pounds.. new trainers (shoes)

20 pounds 1 hour Swedish Massage

30 pounds Manicure/Pedicure

40 pounds Will go on a Kentucky antique Mall shopping trip.

50 Pounds Rewarded with reopening my Etsy store.

Tomorrow I will weigh in!!!

Can I let these go?

2010-02-24T07:35:00.000-08:00

I think of every item in my shop I want to keep this the most. Once I lose 50 or so pounds they will fit like a charm. I'm leaving them up in the shop at a ridiculously high price in hopes that no one will purchase them. They are truley one of a kind darling made from a very cool vintage sheet. I adore it, truely. I even looked on Ebay for more sheets and can't find one of these for less than $18.00. Crazy, no? The shabby chic trend has driven prices up methinks.

GOAL: 50 pounds
Effort: spend less time online and no time listing items in my shop.

FOUND!

2010-02-23T22:51:00.000-08:00

The solution?I'm going to challenge myself to losing 50 pounds. I'm not going to list a single 'nother item on etsy till I've done so.

IN FACT. I'm have a clearance sale to blow you out of the water. Please run, run, run over to the shop to check it out and get this wonderful merch off my hands.

Oh it's going to be good :)

Goal: 50 pounds
............................................................

Carry on then

2010-02-23T09:04:00.000-08:00

Lately my thought have been churning around "what I do all day" I watch the kids, feed the kids, ignore the kids, read to the kids, sew, write on the computer, bead, sew some more, and shop for vintage clothing to sell in my shop. It's not very budget friendly to keep shopping for my shop so every month or so I "give up" on vintage. "give up" on sewing, or "give up" on jewelry. Never the less I keep coming back. Mostly because I don't want to waste what I already have. Two weeks ago I was complaining that I had four orders to ship out in a snowstorm and today the silence is overwhelming.

I know if I give up today it won't last. I give up on giving up!! I think I'll post this today.

Everyday romance.

2010-02-15T14:52:00.000-08:00

It's the feeling you get when your hubby gives you a red mug with hearts on it, a box of assorted teas, and a plant-able rosebush. Could it be more perfect than that?

New earrings for the leetle store.

As Brody would call them "branden new"

Flexing my fingers, getting ready to type

2010-02-12T20:28:00.000-08:00

It's been a nice winter so far and with most of the country buried deep in snow I think we're spending a lot more time online. I know I am. I made a trip to the Post Office today to ship orders and came home to find 3 more orders. It's amazingly good to be busy and coming at the perfect time. I've spent a lot of time making my pictures better and learning about pricing, shipping, packing and the ins and outs of running a wee shop. And to top it all off MY ITEM WAS ON THE FRONT PAGE!!! My heart skipped a beat or two when I logged on and had a congrats from someone about it. So of course I"m trying to duplicate the item times 10 and get it re-listed pronto. bizzy bee am I.

2009-12-21T07:21:00.000-08:00

I'm dreaming of a nice long hibernation at the moment. Cups of coffee and long trips to the gym to walk peacefully on a treadmill. I know it won't be long before my hand are itching to sew and my mind races with thoughts estate sales just around the corner. Christmas is just a few days away and I hope you all have the best holidays ever!

In the meantime.. check out this fabric GIVEAWAY!! http://sewretrochic.blogspot.com/2009/12/fabric-giveaway.html

And my latest finds of vintage perfection

In Mi Shop

Solitude

2009-10-09T20:02:00.000-07:00

Good bye Summer

Hello autumn.. ~pack your school books now~

Capture some fallen leaves

Here

Enjoy the colors!

Get fuzzy:)

Enjoy the season, I know I will.

Yet another fun give-away!

2009-10-03T17:50:00.000-07:00

If you head over to this lovely blog: He Is My Hope

Leave a comment.. tell them JaimeNicole sent you and I can win fabric! The fabric is from: Marie Madeline Studio which is simply lovely to look at so I hope you do leave a comment and be sure to tell them JaimeNicole (Yeah my name is Heidi but the blog name is JaimeNicole) sent you!

~Hearts!!!

Here is an example of what I would really like from Marie Madeline:

Check out this cool blog giveaway!

2009-09-24T21:26:00.000-07:00

My friends Katie over at Domestic Debacle has hooked up with blogs park to offer her readers some free stuff!Head on over and read her blog, leave a comment and you might win a prize pack of healthy low-fat FIBER ONE yogurt. If not you can still print out a coupon for the item :)
Have a nice night!!
~~heidi

http://domesticdebacle.blogspot.com/

Itty Bitties..and some titties.

2009-09-07T20:55:00.000-07:00

There is something so irresistible to me about Miniature things. Have you ever laid face-down in the grass and just imagined another world down there? I know I'm not the only one. As a child I could see the the grass blades as trees and the moss that grows between looked like the perfect little beds. Inching down closer you can picture a little fairy world where bugs would be pets and flower petals would be clothing.

These spoon and fork charms charmed themselves right into my workshop and I sold two pair at a craft fair last week.

Etsy is full of lovely little things to spark your imagination and here's one I just found and fell in love with :

These fantasy dolls crack me up! I think .. "who would buy this?" but the workl that went into it is amazing.
She's really just letting it hang loose isn't she? lol

Neither Jaime Nor Nicole

2009-08-23T18:49:00.000-07:00

My name isn't Jaime or Nicole. Those are my sisters names. Yes I realize there was a clothing company in the 80's of the same name. I may eventually have to change it because I don't want my shop to be so.. copy-catish. Oh well you do what you can.
Meanwhile here is the pic as promised. Later than I thought but it's here because I uploaded all my pictures at once.

On pins and needles

2009-08-17T19:01:00.000-07:00

I'm about as spastic as they come I guess. I got so caught up in supply shopping today and went way overboard. I like everything I got don't get me wrong.. I just don't NEED IT. I found two bags of vintage LACE, thread, seam binding, zippers, and elastic. I love finding stuff like that. I already used some of the seam binding to alter a camisole. A hand dyed silk cami edged in red lace that now has some pretty pink "grace notes" Would you like to see a picture of it? I should go take one... I will

It's here and it's not unamazing

2009-07-19T17:50:00.001-07:00

My dears,
I've been putting something off for way too long. Making this corset wasn't as hard as I imagined it would be.

Corsetry

2009-07-09T17:52:00.000-07:00

I'm trying my hand at corsets today. Black leather with pink plaid edging. I handmade all the bias tape. This is really my first attempt at more than one thing. I wanted to be a costume maker and now FINALLY I feel ready to jump in. I guess when I do jump into a project everything usually turns out OK. Maybe if I went to school to learn these skills I wouldn't always feel so hesitant.

I can't wait to post pics of my kick ass corset.

The sweetness of summer

2009-06-17T20:47:00.000-07:00

I've had a good day. Went into ta new coffee shop one thing lead to another and the owner said he was interested in reusable coffee sleeves and was wondering where to get some and.. well hello Mr Coffee man. I whipped up a coffee sleeve and returned to the store. He said he loved it (loved it!) so I'm pretty much on cloud nine.

Why do I get so giddy when I get a complement? I think this desire to mean something, to be a person who contributes is so ingrained in me now. But it hasn't always been this way. Growing up I was pretty much (pardon my french) a fuck-up.. I never finished a project unless I was forced to and I shirked my chores and read a lot of novels. I could have continued on this lazy-daisy path but I happened to marry a man who finds lazy people useless and disgusting.. oh dear. and I thought it was cute for new wives to lay about the house eating strawberries and cream and reading lacy/racy novels? Apparently not.

So one day I surveyed my unkempt sewing room and pile of half finished projects and I came up with a rule for myself. "Finish Everything" I finished some pyjamas for my two boys and it was one of the hardest things to do. I stayed up till 1am sewing. I burned out. Then I finished a shirt and almost burned out again but I wore it to the kids playdate the next day and when I said I made the thing I got looks.. you know the kind of look that says "you're insane... but wow" Not only did I make someone do a double take I MYSELF was happy with it and that's what mattered.

I still waste time reading but now it's mostly blogs and social networking sites. When it comes time to work I love what I do.

You'd think I'd never go back

2009-06-05T20:16:00.000-07:00

I'm warning you here and now.. this is not a pretty story.

I grew up poor and ragged, just a simple country girl. I wanted to be pretty more than anything in the world, like Barbie or the models in the Fredrick's catalog, from rags to riches in my dreams I could have it all.... Oh wait that's the words to the Dolly Parton song I can't get out of my head. Bear with me.

We use to frequent the thrift stores. My mom, sisters, and the two boys at the time. With an ever growing brood she needed to pinch pennies any way she could. So when I was preparing for a trip to Brazil with my youth group it seemed only natural to get some thrifting done. I brought along my apprehensive friend Kristina. I assured her you could find great stuff there and it was super cheap. We browsed for a bit, found some shirts perhaps. (destined to return soon as I was never a savvy shopper in those days) I ventured into the housewares isle and saw a ratty looking vintage planter possibly shaped like a bunny.. I don't know. The memory should be burned into my brain and perhaps it is I just have a protective blocking mechanism. I chatted with Kristina who was looking at magazines and mentioning how dirty the place looked. This moment is frozen in time for me. The dirty floors, the creamy metal racks with sparse leavings. A bundle of christmas decorations, some raffia, and that planter. I never should have touched that cursed planter. I had no way of knowing what was to come and the event that would cause me to shudder at the mere mention of thrift stores. It wasn't the planters fault that it didn't deserve to be picked up.

I reached for the former vessel of green growing plants. My fingers barely grazed the ceramic edge and it tipped over towards me. Little did I know someone had used that ceramic planter as a urinal. The contents splashed in my face. Eyes shut tight from reflex action and lips sealed, I ran to the bathroom. No amount of scrubbing in that cold, sparse bathroom could make me feel clean.

feels like a total wanker

2009-06-04T22:56:00.000-07:00

I just saw an ad for an adorable super hero cape. I remember my little guy asking for one for Christmas... I was so busy making PJ's for all his cousins I never got around to it. I made PJ's for everyone starting from the smallest up then the oldest cousin down. I didn't even have time to finish HIS PJ'S! (he's right in the middle) So he got .. jack shit from me. Oh I suck. I suck big time.

I'm the worst mom ever

On Whiskers

2009-05-31T10:17:00.000-07:00

Whiskers are not for the faint of heart or those who are worried about getting glances. Whiskers are the threads of cotton that come loose when you're wearing unfinished calico or something that's been around the block a few times. Cotton aprons with loose wispy edges. Slipdresses with braided trim and fluffy fluffy lace. There are women out there who will look at you and ITCH to cut off your "whiskers" their fingers will twitch and they will get sweaty and nervous like cats in a closet. Wanting to repair your garment with a snip of scissors but not able to due to social constraints. Oh how they will be irritated wondering why on earth you have a doily sewn to your skirt or why you are wearing a slip in public. "I saw a the funniest thing at Krogers today.. some girl was wearing feathers in her hair, can you imagine?"

There is a limit to the amount of whiskers you can sport before looking like a total bag lady though. For example a completely unfinished micro fiber shantung skirt when washed once will end up a complete mess of mattery tattery knots. You don't want that. Make sure your raspy little items are zigzag stitched somewhere or you'll end up naked.

So wear the feathers and lace and a slipdress. Drive those ladies crazy, and if someone comes after you with scissors be prepared to run :)

First Sale in my new store!

2009-05-30T21:27:00.000-07:00

SOLD!
Ms. Monroe.. so called because I was really reminded of Marilyn Monroe when I saw it. (just the robe the slip is another listing altogether) Oh how I jumped from shock when I saw I had a sale!! Jumped out of my chair I tell you. I consider my stuff to be eye candy.... fun to look at but hard to buy since it clothes and you can't try them on online. However this little number is one size fits most so maybe thats the plus here :) I fit it and I'm an 18 and this model is a 7/8

My new baby is here.. I'm so proud

2009-05-30T14:52:00.000-07:00

Of him. He's a brother SE-350 "enthusiast" Little brother. I'ven been making nonsense test stuff all day and I'm just dazzled. He's so easy to use and runs like a dream. Quiet. I could use this machine in the living room at night and never wake anyone up. It's a really great feeling to get something you've waited years for :)

me so happy

Kitty Bags!

2009-05-29T09:36:00.000-07:00

I'm working on some new bags and totes for my bag section.
I'm fond of this print because I've never seen it used on diaper bags before.. maybe I just don't get out much... anyway I like it!

Tear it all down

2009-05-28T17:20:00.000-07:00

I've been writing my thoughts online for a few years. ~secretly~ I never put up my own pics or wrote anything identifying about myself. So my previous blogs have been more like diaries. Now this.... openness and it feels weird at times. I will re-read my own post and it looks foreign to me. Like someone else wrote it. Especially if I was up late and uber tired.

So last night I WAS up late and uber tired. 3:33 am to be exact. That's when my sister and I stopped talking. Never fear though I slept for 3 hours this afternoon to make up for it. I have this habit of saying off the wall things when I'm that tired.. even to the point of seeming like I'm drunk. And I rarely drink. Just drunk on sleeplessness :)

I'll make more sense later

This is the beginning...

2009-05-26T16:26:00.000-07:00

I've been pondering a new etsy shop and a new blog for a while now. Plenty of excuses .. too busy, kids are keeping me up at night.. not enough skills, no models. The list goes on but i tackled each one of my excuses and here it is :)

I knew I needed a good inventory so I combed through the thrift store and the fabric store and the local antique haunts. Not much to be had in Dayton but if you want to find it you can. I discovered I love yellow on the right person. I discovered if you make a shirt out of stretch lace you don't need to use a zipper, and I discovered that I waste A LOT of time online! I also learned I can not go into a sewing store and just buy one thing.

The burning question... what to call my shop? I've been through morninglite (my original buyer name which I have pointed out to my friends sounds like a delicious breakfast sausage Morning Lite! Maybe something soy or vegetarian but maybe not a name for clothing. I have used that screen name a lot because it's usually not taken by someone else.
I also considered CatsInTheBag (don't let the cat out of the bag.. get it?) ~smiles~ Another thought was PinUpWife but thats too pigeon holed. I may not always do sexy pin up clothing. Some of my stuff looks like granny clothes.. haha.

On to Jaime Nicole. My sisters names. I love the way they sound together. It's so much better than mine. Heidi. Oh I like my name it just doesn't flow with much. German names are hefty and hearty but not super romantic. Helga, Olga, Adelaide.. Heidi Spurgenfloogen Augenwimpern. You get the point I guess. So now I have the name, the stuff and the blog!

I love my Vintage finds and I promise ya'll.. once they fit me I'm KEEPING THEM!! Till then when I run across a beautiful vintage slip or clothing item in a yard sale or a thrift shop I will be posting it in my shop for someone to enjoy