Some of My Favorites!!!

Hi all and Happy Friday to you!!  Eldest Son comes home today and the girls have a recital.  A busy but wonderful day!!  Before I move on, here are a couple of pictures of the princesses from Thursday...

 

 

 

 

Do you think they love each other?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

After yesterday's rather long rant post.  I thought today I would spotlight those who deserve the attention.  These are people who know what customer service means, even with a demanding detailed person like myself!

 

1.  2 Preppy Girls  I made a mistake when placing an order and they took the responsibility for MY error.  They have adorable preppy gifts. 

2.  Bleu Bird Formerly of Twirly Bird Lane.  She makes some of the cutest littel girl's clothes and is easy to work with.

3. Caroline Grace Jewelry Who else could put up with my precise, yet scattered visions for beautiful cuffs?!  Boy does she have patience.

4.  Goose Berry Lane Designs Formerly of Twirly Bird Lane.  Another one with patience for my "vision" of cute clothing.

5.  Ken Rada Photography The best photographer I know.  If you're in or around Destin this summer contact him for beach pictures.

6. The Pink Giraffe Some of the cutest and preppiest gifts ever.  They were SO helpful as I placed an internet order, while talking to them on the phone.

7.  The Pink Paddock I just love phone shopping with them.  I can call them and they tell me what I would want.  They are NEVER wrong.

I would recommend you use any of the above, as they know what it means to treat a customer well!  I love them all and hope you will, too! 

Also, don't forget to enter my stationery giveaway. TTFN!

XOXO,

Kim

Extortion is the Worst!

Hi all and Happy Thursday!!  Tomorrow, Eldest Son will be home from camp!!!  I can't wait to see him.  Before I even begin today's post, just wanted to share this picture of the princesses from yesterday.

They so love Princess Camp!  I'm sure they are going to be sad when it is over.

Okay, so on to the "real" post of the day...

I was the victim of extortion in the worst way!!  Following is an excerpt from a letter I received from a photographer who photographed Eldest Daughter about three years ago for a children's boutique.  I positively refuse to name this photographer, as I don't believe his name should be uttered.  All I can say is I hope the $300 I gave him today will hold him over for eternity!  He will NEVER see a dime from me again!!!  Just to let you know, I have known said photographer for 10 years now and have used him on several occassions.  No, he's not my favorite photographer, but he ran a close second.  Well, until I received this...

After a short paragraph of when can I do a shoot of your family.  He proceeded with this:

"I also wanted to let you know that we have updated our portraits at (children's boutique) and the portrait of (Eldest Daughter) is on hold in our studio.  We currently have no display space, so before we discard the image just wanted to offer the portrait to you at the reduced rate of $295 and I will throw in the frame for free.  I will keep the portrait until June 30th so let me know if you ar interested."

Okay, I'm a mom, so what do I do?  Say, of course I want the now outdated, three year old picture.  I most assuradely don't want her in the trash!!!!  I call said photographer and say I will purchase, however as I'm not exactly next door, is there a way we can meet and exchange payment for the item.  Oh no, he's NEVER anywhere but at his studio, I guess!!  I drive the 40 minutes out of my way to get the portrait.

I have never felt so used in my life.  He knew darn well I would pay for the picture at his "reduced rate."  Why exactly is $300 a reduced rate anyway?  Again, this picture is three years old AND has brought him business, WTH?!

This is how not to do business!!!  Do NOT extort money from your clients, because I can assure you they will NOT come back.  Not ever!!! 

Okay, so I'm furious and just had to vent.  I'm sure many of you can understand.  By the way, the $300 portrait will be going in Eldest Daughter's room, as though it is an important part of her past, it's exacly that, a piece from three years ago, nearly half her lifetime ago!

Tomorrow, I will list some of the people who know the art of customer service.  They deserve the praise and need to be recognized for their good work!  I have wasted enough time on this photographer and wash my hands of him.  Good luck and God bless.  TTFN!

XOXO,

Kim


Don't forget to sign up for my stationery giveaway!

Wordless Wednesday -- Princess Style

XOXO,

Kim

Don't forget to enter my stationery giveaway!

Princesses in Training and Giveaway Details!

Hi all!  As you know, the girls started Princess Camp yesterday and they really seem to enjoy it.  I was amazed at all they were able to do in just three short hours.  Of course, when the Fairy Godmother is in charge, a lot can be done.  Yes, you read that correctly, they are being instructed by  a "real, live" Fairy Godmother, as well as a couple of other princesses.   It's so sweet to see all the little girls in costume and, even more amazing, to see the instructors dressed for the occassion.  Here's what my princesses looked like yesterday:

Now, I know you are all wondering what will be included in my Stationery Giveaway (check the link for all the rules), so here you go:

A book of these:

These TDF markers!  Who can go wrong with a name like, flamingo or lime daiquiri?

This pack of 12 notecards with matching envelopes:

And this pack of 20 notecards with matching envelopes:

This Lilly Pulitzer pen:

This Lilly Pulitzer notepad:

This snickerdoodle mix:

All pacakged together in this Lilly Pulitzer bag and tissue paper:

Isn't it beautiful?!

So, there you go.  Hope to see you over at the Stationery Giveaway.  Have a royal day and don't forget to write someone!!!  TTFN!

XOXO,

Kim

Stationery Giveaway!

Hi all and welcome to the start of another new week!!  Hope all is well with all of you.  Well, here it is, the moment you have been waiting for... my stationery giveaway.  Still haven't figured out what all will be included, but suffice it to say, it will be enough to write several beautiful letters to your own mothers! ;-)  So far, I have gathered together the stamps and a set of 24 notecards with envelopes.  Still need to go through my Lilly stash to see what I have to include.  There will also be a snickerdoodle mix, as I believe these cookies will travel the best if making a care package.  That's exactly what I'm doing for Eldest Son, except I'm making the cookies from scratch, but didn't think you would appreciate me sending you either really old cookies or just a recipe.  So, by tomorrow I should have the bag together with a pretty picture for you to see.

Now, to the rules:

One entry for following me and leaving a comment about why writing is important to you.

A second entry will be given if you tweet this giveway and let me know (@4kidlets).

Another entry if you mention this giveaway on your blog or post it on Facebook, again just let me know.

So, you have a total of 4 entries! 

The giveaway starts today and will end on June 30 at midnight.  The winner to be chosen on July 1st by Eldest Daughter who will be celebrating her 6th birthday.  Please note, you do not have to leave multiple comments, as I'm going to let Eldest Daughter draw the name, I simply need to know how many entries.

Well, I must run and get myself organized!  TTFN!

XOXO,

Kim

Sunday, Sunday

Hi all and happy Sunday!  It's a beautiful, although VERY hot, day here!!  So how am I going to enjoy it?  Well, wait until you hear this...  I'm going to clean house!!!  Now, who says I don't lead a very glamorous life?!  I just have to get rid of some of this clutter before my cleaning fairies come next week.  I love my cleaning fairies and wish they could come every day.

Tomorrow starts another busy week here.  The girls will be attending Princess Camp during the morning, can't wait to share pictures from that,  with an ending program on Friday.  Friday is also the day to pick up Eldest Son from his camp!  I have also scheduled appointments for me that I normally wouldn't have, because I'll be down to only one child for a few hours.  That's going to be so weird!

Speaking of Eldest Son, his letters were very short, but I've heard from him and it sounds like he's having fun!  Even received a note from his camp counselor.  I truly did apprciate that, because we were able to get a little more insight.  All in all, Eldest Son is doing well and learning to be more independent. 

Don't forget to come back tomorrow to enter my stationery giveaway!  It will run through June 30, with the winner being chosen on July 1, which, by the way, is Eldest Daughter's 6th birthday!!!!  TTFN.

XOXO,

Kim

Thank You Giveaway!

Hi all and a happy weekend to you!  Super busy here, but had to thank all of you for your supportive comments.  Since I've been obsessing discussing letter writing for what seems like forever, I decided y'all deserved a reward.  Starting on Monday, you can enter to win a a gift bag that will contain many of the writing essentials (some from Lilly Pulitzer) that I hold dear to my heart and all from my own personal stash.  Not exactly sure what all I'll include, but know I will be including a book of these super adorable stamps.

Well, I'm off to read the two letters that finally arrived from Eldest Son!  Wonder if he's going to be a man of many words?  Probably not!    TTFN!

XOXO,

Kim