A few updates...

So I have a few updates today :) 

I am on a new website -  thanks to Tamra for the info!

http://www.homepartyhostess.blogspot.com/
http://www.homepartyhostess.com/pennsylvania.html

It's was only $20 for the whole year, so it was definitely worth a try!

I really need to get more organized in 2011 with this business - meaning keeping track of what I am spending, saving receipts, etc., and really treating it like a business so I can take full advantage of the perks of owning your own business!

One of the new people in my downline has posted my recipe on her website - I thought that was kinda cool!
http://www.betterthenthebest.com/

Oh some other exciting info! (well for me anyway) - I am just a few pageviews away from hitting 400 page views!  Hooray!  It's a nice feeling :)

The Do You Bake? catalogs are being released! Wooohooo!  I just placed my order for them.  I cannot wait to see them!  I think this will be a great asset to have - since that is pretty much the number one question I get - which is why I made up my own brochures :)  But this will be better!

Also new recipe cards are being released for Beer Bread Pudding - I must make that!  I will keep you up to date when I get the cards and when I actually make it!

The new mailer is going to go out in January... in Media, PA and NJ - 500 postcards total in a mailer!  I hope I get some parties or consultants out of it!!

Lastly - I still have to register for that event in March - the only thing troubling me is that with the bag inserts for 150 people, it will cost 170.00 to attend this event and have promo items in bags - that is such a chunk of money..... ugh.... but I really want to do it, I am just scared I guess.  What makes me think that it is good that it is a yearly function and they have had success before....  I am sure I will do it - it just makes me nervous shelling out that much money for a "maybe"  - but I guess this business is all about risks and sometimes you just have to take a leap! - keep your fingers crossed for me!

I really liked the quote below.... No more excuses in 2011.  You are unhappy? Do something about it :) Be incharge of your own life!

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.'
-Mary Engelbreit

WOW.... and we continue to grow!

So, I thought this week was going to be a slow week with all the holidays and people taking vacations and what not.... I was wrong! In the past 2 days, I have had 3.. yes, 3! new people join my DYB? team!

Let's give a warm welcome to Michele, Merri, and Sandy!  Welcome to you all - I am sooo excited to have you join our team and wish you all the greatest success in your business!

Such a great way to end the year and it gives me so much motivation for the new year! 

I have also missed writing... it is kinda like my diary that I share to whoever is listening and it is so nice when I do find out someone is reading :)  There is only so much my boyfriend wants to hear about DYB? - haha - so this is a great outlet and I highly reccommend anyone out there starting their own blog!  Email/message me if you do!

So Christmas was soooo nice and I had a great time spending it with both families!  I got some nice new things as well!!  I gave lots of DYB? gifts.... I got the new coffee and gave 3 out as stocking stuffers... now I just have to wait for the feedback.  The candles were such a hit for friends and family.... how could they not be though! They smell soooo good!  I need to stock back up on those! 

Some other good news, the owner of DYB? is starting to have weekly coaching calls for the leaders and I was chosen as one of the people to be invited on the calls!  I was really happy about that and can't wait to see what I learn and hpw I can develop my business for 2011.  We are also going to have "all consultant" calls starting in Feb.  Which is great! - The more info the better!!

Well, I hope everyone has a fabulous New Year's Eve and stays safe!  I am still not sure what we are doing - haha. 

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."
- Henry Ford

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Well sorry to say that I never got around to making the Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes...

Guess I'll have to wait to the new year!

Well, the next two weeks are really gonna be about the holidays and my boyfriend's birthday is tomorrow.... :) Busy, busy... I really wish I didn't have to work on Christmas :(

I will probably not be on here too much - but will be back on track for January!  Lots of great promotions coming up in January and hopefully, I will have 2 new members of my team!

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!  If you do not celebrate Christmas... I hope you have the day off and enjoy it as well!! :)

Here's to 2011!!

"We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future."
- George Bernard Shaw

Anger, disappointment, annoyed.......then ended the day HAPPY!

The title for today describes a few of the feelings I have had today.  I was so hoping that today, I would be writing good news and I would be happy and excited, but unfortunately that is not the case.  I finally decided to write after hiding in my bed from the world... lol.

I was glad I did sleep cause I got some great news after my nap!  So here is the story of my day.  :)

So today's event was coordinated by a Mom's Shopping Guide that distributes over 10,000 issues every 2 months.  I thought for sure people would come.... they didn't.  I got there around 8:30am (since I took a day off of work to go), and the room really looked good.  It was at a senior center and the room was filled with vendors (about 50), the Christmas music was playing and everyone was setting up... I was excited, and I thought to myself, "This is going to be a great day!"  - I got everything set up and the doors opened at 9am.  I figured it was early, and a Sunday, so people would slowly trickle in and then by noon it would be bustling.  It was a flop...  I think for the raffle the only people that won were vendors!  I was pretty bummed....  then looking around the room I see "HER" - for those of you who have been reading my blog remember a certain crazy vendor I had a problem with at a quarter auction for accusing my family of not bidding a quarter (ridiculous).  I saw her looking at me, but I didn't say anything...  didn't want to create any problems and she was all the way on the other side of the room anyway.  The event continued and was supposed to go to 2pm, but everyone was packing up by 1pm.  So I go out to start packing up my stuff back and as I am heading towards my car, I notice a scratch.... I get close to my car and see that there is a long scratch from the passenger door to the back of my car - a deep scratch obviously made by a key.  Then above the long scratch are a few zig-zag scratches.  I could not believe that someone keyed my car!!!!  I have no proof, but it seems pretty coincidental that she was there and now my car is keyed!  I don't have enemies and my car has Do You Bake? sign on it as well as my name.  I called the police and filed a report, but I had no proof it was her plus there were no surveillance cameras in the parking lot.  Needless to say, I was fuming!  Not only was the event a HUGE disappointment, but now I got damage to my car! 

I got home and just crawled into bed...  and hid from the world for a couple hours.

After my nice nap, I woke up to discover I had a new member of my team!  Welcome Michelle!! :)  I am so happy to have you aboard! and wish you great success :)  - That brightened my mood!!

Then, I got a order from my friend's mom for 6 mixes to give as Christmas gifts :) 

So although, more than half of the day was pretty bad, at least it ended well.  Christmas is right around the corner and then a whole new year is ahead of me.  :) 

Two good things that did happen at the event was that I got invited to another event in January.  Also there was a vendor there that sells amazing oils and vinegars.  (I bought some) We were talking and he does a lot of shows... I originally met him at the PA Food and Wine festival.  So he wants to add me on his list of vendors to invite to events he finds out about.  Which was pretty cool.

And you never know.... that's what I love and hate about this business.  You never know what the day is going to bring you... could be good or bad news.  Even today, such a roller coaster of emotions.  Which makes it exciting, but frustrating as well! haha

Tomorrow night, I am having a Do You Bake? dinner.  Meatloaf, Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Garlic and Herb Biscuits.  YUM!!!  I'll try to remember to take pictures this time and I will post my mashed potato and meatloaf recipe. 

Oh and I just got an email from DYB?, looks like we are gonna have a little catalog in the beginning of 2011 - wooohooo :) Can't wait!!!

Well, I am off to finish my homework - ugh - I leave you with a quote.

"You can have unbelievable intelligence, you can have connections, you can have opportunities fall out of the sky. But in the end, hard work is the true, enduring characteristic of successful people" Marsha Evans

Getting ready for the last event for 2010

Well I didn't end up getting a chance to write yesterday as you probably have noticed... I had too much school work to do, plus I didn't really accomplish anything :)

So today I am getting ready for my last event for 2010.  I am baking Chocolate Chip Cookies, Italian Beer Bread and making a garlic dip for the event tomorrow.  I hope that a lot of people come and I can go out with a bang for 2010! Tomorrow is an early one, 9 - 2pm. 

We had some great updates to the website today!!  We are now going to carrying coffee and tea!!  I can't wait to get some...  I don't drink coffee, but they will be good for gifts and I have other people try them out to get feedback!  I ordered some today so I can get it before Christmas.  Looks like there is going to be a lot of products coming out in 2011!  Can't wait! :)

Plus, we have an amazing new consultant package...  I might have mentioned it before.  But all the info is up on the site now.

I got news on the Rice-A-Rama, rice maker today! WooHoo!  Looks like it will be shipped out right after Christmas.  Which is great cause I was getting impatient! haha - I want to try them :)  I also got news that more rice mixes will be added in the 1st quarter of 2011. 

OH! In January, I am going to have a postcard go out to a new mailing.  The women that put on the Quarter Auctions I like are putting together a direct sales pamper pack - kinda like ValuPack.  It will go out in the mail and hopefully find me more customers and leads.  It's a local quarterly publication.  It launches in January and since I have been a vendor with them a few times, I get the first round FREE!  I got the postcards ordered from Vistaprint.  So hopefully it does well.  We shall see.  I have to figure out my advertising for the new year soon....  I might do some with the event am doing tomorrow.  I want to see the guide they have as well as how successful the event is also. 
 Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing."
- Thomas Jefferson

Back to school :(

Well, classes started again :(  So that will take up a little more of my time.  It will get even worse in January when I take up 3 more classes.... right now I just have one.  But, I have come to realize that there are plenty of hours in a day if you use them wisely.  I hardly ever watch TV anymore and that does free up soooo much time.  I also cut down on my video game time... which is harder than TV - haha.  But little sacrifices are worth it to have success.  But, I do enjoy learning.  I am getting my Master's in Criminal Justice and my 2nd Bachelor's in Psychology. 

So my goals this week are to have my profile pages up on linkedin and merchant circle. 

There was a huge spike in my blog over the past 2 days... not sure why, but I am not going to complain!  It's nice to see that people are reading this. :)  I am hoping that 2011 will be full of lots of info as well as what I learn.  I am excited for the new year...

With the help of Jen (from DYB), I am going to have flyers put in all the goody bags that will be given out at the big event in March.  I am hoping this one brings lots of sales, consultants and parties!  I still have some time to plan... hopefully the rice makers will be ready to go for that one as well!

There is another event in Feb., but I am not sure if I want to do it yet.  You have to buy tickets to sell to people to come and that's seems like just more work.  What if I can't sell them all??  I have to think about it.  It is more geared towards fashion and cosmetics, so I am not even sure if DYB would do well after spending all the money to be a vendor. hmmmmm......

Some great news today... looks like I am going to meet the qualifications of both categories for the 60-day blast off with Do You Bake? - I am pretty excited since that was a goal of mine form week 1!  Next goal = trip to Bahamas! :)

We have a new consultant promotion that started today which is AWESOME!  If anyone was thinking about joining Do You Bake? - now is the time.  We have some awesome promotions going on for new consultants!  Message me if you would like some more info! 

I am placing an order for some new products that I haven't tried yet - can't wait!! 

I have returned :)

It is good to be back home... even though I was only away for 2 days.  I had a great time and learned a lot - but I did miss my Do You Bake? business - but I did learn a lot of things that I can use for Do You Bake as well as get some motivation.

Some news....

I finalized the contest that I will have going on this January through the Sales Moms Direct Sales Network.  The prizes are going to be pretty sweet - including our new rice maker and rice mixes!  I hope it get s a lot of entries.  I get to keep all the leads collected from the contest so that should be good for future sales (I hope).  I figured I would try it since it is free and all - plus I get free advertising.  And anyone who wins will love the products - of course!

There is a new website that just started to list new direct sales companies on one site.  I am now listed on the site :)  http://www.homeshowdivas.com/ It is very new - so we shall see what happens with that.  They had a facebook promotion for their launch - so I got free advertising.

I made our vanilla cupcake mix and pumpkin cupcake mix today :)  - Came out delicious as always! My boyfriend's mom is having a broker's open house tomorrow, so I will be supplying the cupcakes :)  She will have a sign out that shows I provides the desserts as well as my business cards and brochures.  Hopefully some people will think of me in the future :)  I only made 48 mini cupcakes and the rest (about 15) regular size cupcakes (which I never made before).  The regular size cupcakes came out soooooo good!  Everyone in the house was happy when I said the regualr size cupcakes were extra and they could eat them! haha

I leave you with a quote...

"There is one thing that 99% of "failures" and "successful" folks have in common - they all hate doing the same things.  The difference is successful people do them anyway.  Change is hard.  That's why people don't transform their bad habits, and why so many people end up unhappy and unhealthy." - Darren Hardy

Missing my DYB business.... So I did not have any Internet connection at the hotel :( a few hours left of the convention and I will be heading back home. Getting some good info here, but it sucks not having my laptop. I did bring some delicious DYB banana bread to snack on in the hotel room - YUM!! I will be back on track tomorrow!

Making comfort food....

Todays menu....

"Go Bananas" Banana Bread - soooo yummy!  The mix makes 2 loaves!

Chicken with Garlic Biscuit Casserole (YUM)

So today I made the Banana Bread for the first time.  It smelled soooo good in the oven, I couldn't wait to eat it.  I left out the raisins (I don't care for them) I had some when it was nice and warm out of the oven.... DELICIOUS!  Definitely going to have to buy more of that!  I am taking one loaf to the event tomorrow night to have people try that.... something different.  I took a few pics... they will go up on Facebook :)

I am posting the recipe for the Chicken and Garlic Biscuit Casserole on the DYB site... see below if you want to try it on your own! It came out DELICIOUS! - mmmm garlic :)  I made it for my boyfriend and his family and it was a huge hit!  I used the Garlic and Herb seasoning mix and the Garlic & Onion Biscuit mix. I totally forgot to take a picture of when it was all bubbly out of the oven.  Then everyone digged in..... :(  I will make it again.... and try to remember the photo! haha

Garlic Lover's Chicken and Biscuit Casserole

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 t white sugar
1 t salt
1 t dried basil
1/2 t ground black pepper
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup frozen peas

1.5 lb. boneless chicken breasts
2-3 T of DYB Garlic and Herb Seasoning
Olive Oil

1 Package of DYB Garlic and Onion Biscuit Mix
(need vegetable oil, eggs, shortening, and butter)
2/3 cup of shredded cheddar cheesern

Directions:
1) Brush chicken breasts with olive oil and coat with DYB garlic and herb seasoning mix. Bake in oven @ 350 degrees F for 35-45 minutes. Dice cooked chicken.
2) Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.rn3) In a skillet, melt the butter over med-high heat. Cook and stir the garlic, onion, and carrots in butter until tender. Mix in the flour, sugar, salt, basil, and pepper. Stir in
broth and bring to a boil. Stirring constantly, boil 1 minute - reduce heat and stir in peas. Simmer 5 minutes, then mix in cooked chicken. Transfer mixture to the prepared dish.
4) Prepare biscuits according to package but add 2/3 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Place biscuits on top of chicken mixture.
5) Bake in pre-heated oven for 30 minutes. Cover with foil and bake for 10 more minutes. Let sit for about 10 minutes before serving.

Servings: 6

So after a delicious dinner - I am going to rpint up some dip recipe labels for my postcards :)  I am also going to mail out some brochures to people that only gave me their addresses as well as my business card :)

Th next few days are very busy.... not sure how much I can write.  I have the event tomorrow after work and then this weekend I will be in Baltimore, MD for an Amway Winter Convention.  Should be fun!  a nice weekend getaway. :)

But I will try to atleast update everyone on how the event goes tomorrow night.  I am hoping it is a good turn out and lots of money is raised for St. Jude's Hospital :)

"Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success." - Dale Carnegie

I love a good day!

So today has been pretty sweet!  Lot of ideas floating in the air and a feeling of nervousness and being overwhelmed...  but in a good excited way. 

I got a few leads from my advertising which is great!  I love telling new people about the business and more, I do it, the more comfortable I get.  I love what I do.... through the ups and downs. :)  We shall see what comes out of the leads... customers or consultants....

I also got a VERY interesting phone call today.  I can't say too much about it yet - lots of ideas in the works and lots to discuss with different parties involved - sooooo that news will have to wait.  But if all works out, 2011 could be great year and next December, I will be sipping on a martini in the Bahamas! - haha

It's funny how you never know when you will meet people interested.... I sometimes forget that I have signs on my car.  Someone knocked on my window today (while I was in my car) - After the initial shock of being startled (haha) - I was asked about Do You Bake? - it was pretty cool and the woman took my business card.  You just never know when you are going to meet people. Hopefully she will contact me.

Lots of Christmas shopping today with my mom - since it is my day off.  It was sooooooo cold outside.  I really hate leaving the house. 

I got a great book yesterday.... The Compound Effect.  I just started reading it, but it is very interesting and motivating.  A great book if you are looking to be successful... which I of course am! :)  I really try to stay motivated by reading and listening to cd's.  It really does help. 

I got an order today from a friend - which is always nice.  I am soooo close to my 60 day blast off sales quota.  I hope this week brings some more sales so I make it!! :)  It would be a nice achievement.

More Vistaprint arrived today! woohoooo.... magnets, recipe cards, Kitchen Aid giveaway contest cards, another pen, mousepad, more brochures and a stamp. :)  I love little goodies!

Lots to do tomorrow....  should be a busy day off.  I also have to get a little basket together for a event that I am donating to.  It's a Food and Wine event in NJ, but I will not be able to attend - so I am sending in a basket with a bunch of business cards and brochures that they said they would display.  Who knows, right?

OH! Also, next month I am going to be a contest sponsor on the Sales Mom Network website.  I get featured in articles for my contest giveaway - plus I get all the leads.  Pretty sweet - now I just have to figure out what I will giveaway. 

Well....  thats about all for today :)

"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland

Brrrr..... It's Cold Outside

Today is a very cold and windy day.... a day to stay inside in you PJs and eat some comfort foods!  I decided that I am going to dye my hair today.... still trying to fight those winter blues.  Dying my hair usually cheers me up.... I am going to paint my toes too!

Well the official contest for the trip to the Bahamas was released today.  It starts in Jan until August!  I soooooo hope I get that trip. :)  I have lots and lots to sell though.

I got a call today from a school in IL asking if I can send a gift basket to their auction night to raise money for the school.  How random I thought... but it was nice that they found my website :)

I got a phone call about being a vendor for a Champagne Gala that is for a charity.  It is in March, I believe.  I have to see how much that is.... looks pretty high end - but could be some good exposure. 

I got an email today that made me smile.... see below.

"In life you should take risks, have fun, stray from the beaten path...in other words, dance.

It's no different in business.How have you strayed from the beaten path lately?
Take some time to dance in your business.
It could make all the difference."

I liked that quote and it made me feel good about staying true to this business and keep on going.  I am anxious to see what 2011 will bring me.... hopefully this will be my year! 

Well, I am off to go out to eat, Christmas shop and then attend a web conference :)

Until next time....

A good 24 hours....

So the event last night went pretty good!  Wasn't as good as I thought, but there can be good opportunities from it :)  I thought the night was going to be more focused on shopping - but they had silent auctions as well that people bought tickets for - so as soon as all the prizes were given our - everyone left.  Then all the vendors left.  So the last hour of the event didn't happen - which surprised me since they had free wine :)  But I did okay - sold a bunch of mixes and made some good contacts of people that are interested in having a party.  I am going to send thank you emails to all the people that gave me their emails as well as some party info.  (fingers crossed) - but all in all it was a fun night :)

Some more good news today, another person has joined my team!  Welcome Laura!!  I am so excited to have a great team that continues to grow!!  I am very excited for the new year!!

I am also supplying cupcakes for a broker's open house event this month.  I get to display my cards and a sign (not sure if I wrote about that before)  But also, someone wants me make cupcakes for their son's birthday party at school - which I said SURE as long as they buy the mixes! haha

So today (aside from dealing with my tooth pain), I am going to organize, pay bills (ugh), and try to figure out the month.  Hopefully I can get some dates set in stone for January in the next few weeks too.  Set some goals for myself :)

Until tomorrow.....

Happy December!

I know that should have been the title for yesterday.... but time got the best of me yesterday :)

We had crazy weather yesterday - lot of power outages in the area, we had some flooding in the house (which is always fun) - but I still did manage to bake everything I need to bake.  I made 72 Cohocolate Chip Cookies - which came out much better this time. (Thanks Jen for the tips!), 84 Mini Chocolate Cupcakes, and 36 Mini Pumpkin Cupcakes - YUMMY!

Let's hope they bring me some sales tonight.  I am leaving here shortly but just wanted to check in on here - the event if from 6-10 and about an hour away from me so I will be getting home late and probably just crashing since I have work in the morning :(  I am really hoping a lot of people show up.... I need some sales to give me a pick me up!  The place looks really nice.... I am excited!

I did get a new lead today from one of my ads - I get happy when I see that it works sometimes :)  Hopefully they will be interested.  I also got an email to be a vendor at a Food Festival at the PNC Bank Arts Center in NJ - It sounds great, but unfortunately with my schedule that week, I won't be able to go which is disappointing - but it was nice to be invited.  It's over 2 hours away and on a Monday after I will be away all weekend.... :(

I also booked another event for this Sunday at a school.  It's a gift giving night - so that should be fun.  Hopefully lots of people will come out for that too.  So now I have 4 events for December....  might be able to squeeze in another one or two, but I am not sure yet.  The holidays are quickly approaching... and I am still so behind on Christmas shopping - eeek!

Well, I am going to load up my car once again with all my DYB stuff and baked goodies!  Wish me luck tonight and I will be sure to write all about it tomorrow!