♥ Not Eating Meat Won't Kill You.

Photo Credit - Veggienumnum

As some of you maybe aware, I'm a vegetarian and I haven't eaten meat for the past 10 years.
Today when I was browsing the internet I came across this amazing site called ‘Veggienumnum.’
As you will find (read) in the about section, the site is dedicated to vegetarianism and vegetarian food and recipes.

Whether you’re a vegetarian or not, you will love some of the recipes that this site has to offer.
So many people fail to understand that vegetarians have a delicious variety of foods on offer and that a meal can be complete without meat.

- Ree ♥

♥ New Beads For September!

Photo Credit - ZoeAndBruno

Loads of new beads have appeared in my store within the last couple of weeks, with more yummies to come!

- Ree ♥

♥ Embracing Life

Photo Credit - CassiaBeck

Today I was given another article from my dad, who continues to show his support by giving me inspirational articles to read.

The article reads the following;

'Too often the everyday stresses and struggles of life drag us away from the things that make life fun. These may be family travel, or the simple pleasure of gardening. In the fast-paced 24/7 world, it can take real discipline and commitment to make sure that we take the time out to do what we really enjoy.

Like with many other things in our lives, having fun can take some planning. First of all, we need to discover what it is that makes us tick - where our passions and pleasures lie. Once this is figured out, we need to think about what we'll need to achieve this.

1. Prioritize - We often spend too much effort on the things we think need to be done, but which could probably be done less frequently. Think about shifting your priorities so that things that make you happy are a priority and not an afterthought.

2. Take small steps - It may not be possible to get where you want to be straight away. Try to set smaller goals along the way to keep yourself motivated.

3. Be disciplined - Competing demands will inevitably make enjoying life difficult from time to time. Try to make sure that even when times are tough you still find the time to enjoy yourself, even just a little' - Source unknown.

- Ree ♥

A Taste Of The Old

It has been forever since I have made a treasury on Etsy.
For those of you who aren't familiar with Etsy, a treasury is a list you can create which brings together a collection of your favorite handmade items, supplies, vintage finds or colors. If you're lucky enough, your treasury may end up on Etsys home page.

So, here is my latest treasury...


A Taste Of The Old

I hope this week finds you well,

- Ree ♥

WIN! $20 Worth Of Beads!

Everyday, I am reminded that there are more than a handful of suppliers on Etsy selling beads, that is why I am eternally grateful for those who continue to support my little bead store. My bead business has given me a new lease on life.

So to thank those who are regular customers I would like to offer them the chance to win $20 worth of beads for the month of August. Simply make a purchase between the 1st-31st of this month (no minimum limit) and you go into the draw.

- Ree ♥

What Is Aperture You Say?

Photo Credit - Kevin&Amanda

Well I have had my SLR camera for just over a year and it is only now I have taken the time out to really learn what my camera is capable of.

For some time, I have only been using the auto settings to take photographs of my beads.
As the naive armature I am, I didn’t realise how important shutter speed and aperture were.

Just to clarify, shutter speed determines how sharp your photos will turn out.
Aperture defines the detail or the area you would prefer to focus on.
Large apertures (low f numbers) reduce the depth of felid blurring the background behind and in front of the object. Small aperture (high f numbers) can increase depth of field focusing on the picture in whole.
Both settings come together to create a better photo.

It seems large aperture (low f numbers) are better for my etsy store, to blur the background and show the detail of the beads I have on offer, whereas small aperture is perfect for portraits or landscapes to bring all that’s to be seen into focus.

I'm looking forward to photographing my latest bead order now!

- Ree ♥

♥ Good Things In Life Never Come Easy.

Photo Credit - Sparksoffire

My dad bought home a news paper article the other day with some positive words of wisdom which I thought I would share...

"I've come to realise that, without motivation, goals can remain pipe dreams.
You need to care about and really want a certain outcome, then pour your heart and soul into achieving it.

I've seen in others, and learnt myself, that the human body can endure more and perform better than we give it credit for. But it's not the body working alone. The body is just the nail being driven in; the mind is the hammer, the driving force that will push a person far beyond their own expectations and on to success.

I think what stops some people is that they fear the act instead of focusing on the outcome. Only occasionally does my mind let go and I catch myself thinking "what if?" But then I give myself a mental upper-cut.
Life is here to be lived. And with the right attitude and willingness to deal with the hurdles. it really can be bloody awesome!" - Source unknown.

A great article for those in indie or like-minded businesses.

- Ree ♥

♥ New Beads - July

This month I have, again been listing lots of unique beads in my Etsy store, with more to come in August. I have a new store section, ‘new beads. july’ so you can view all the new beads with ease.

♥ More Than I Can Chew

It's been a little while since I last blogged...
I've been caught up with work, stock-take (counting beads) and looking after my health.




Although I have had a busy few weeks, my hunger hasn't suffered, so I thought I would share a favorite new Etsy store which is sure to make your mouth water.

PicklePetuniaMade

- Ree ♥

♥ Some Words Of Wisdom

Some of my latest findings on Pinterest.
Pinterest - ZoeAndBruno







- Ree ♥

♥ The Great Cyberspace Race

Today Australia Post tweeted on their Twitter account, the importance of being online and how the internet retail industry is rapidly growing.
So, I thought I would share the article...

The great cyberspace race


Photo Credit - lifeisjustadream

It has been in the making for sometime...soon everyone will be online.
It means everyone needs to keep promoting and do the best they can in their business to be seen.

- Ree ♥

♥ Czech It Out - New Beads In Store Now

New beads have found their way into my store, with more to come in the next couple of days!
My new supplier has given me (and you, I am sure) a whole new storm of ideas and inspiration.
Many beads which appear so natural looking, means you won’t need to take a long walk to have ideas running through your mind.


Also a portion of all beads I purchase from my supplier are dedicated to humanitarian relief and development in North America. So when you purchase beads from ZoeAndBruno, you can feel proud that although you are supporting an indie business, you are also helping those in need, in third world countries.

♥ Happy Mothers Day!

If you're a new mum or have been a mum for many years, I'd just like to say 'Happy Mothers Day' for Sunday.

Mothers truly do a remarkable job.

We all have our day jobs, although we are fortunate enough to have a break between shifts. But mothers... they take care of their children 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Even at 25 years of age, I will never outgrow my mum!


Photo Credit - HolidaySnobs

♥ Awesome Stuff! - May

Although we should celebrate our mother’s everyday, why not make this year, (May 8th) a day she will remember by buying her something handmade.





• 1 :: Beautiful Letterpress Print
by Sweetharvey on Etsy
• 2 :: Petite Butterfly Ear Posts
by Beautyspot on Etsy
• 3 :: Doily Coasters
by Uncommon on Etsy
• 4 :: Sterling Silver Hoops
by JarosDesigns on Etsy

- Ree ♥

♥ Have A Sweet Easter!

It has been a couple of weeks since I have found the time to make a new blog post. Time seems to be slipping away. I can't believe we are half way through April.

Since Easter is creeping up on us fast, I thought I would share a gorgeous Easter treat I have found browsing online.




Recipe
Banana cupcakes (makes 12 muffin size cakes)

♥ Ingredients
125g (4.5 ounces) butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon (1/6 ounces) vanilla extract
150g (5.2 ounces) caster sugar
2 eggs
225g (8 ounces) self-raising flour
2 large mashed ripe bananas

♥ Cooking instructions
Preheat oven to 160-180 deg C (325-350 deg F).
Line muffin tray with paper cases.
Beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture turns a pale colour.
Beat in eggs, flour and vanilla extract.
Stir in the mashed banana and mix thoroughly.
Divide mixture among cases.
Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Place cakes on a wire rack to cool.

To decorate (for 12 muffin sized cupcakes)

♥ Ingredients
36 mini eggs
Chocolate butter frosting

♥ Instructions
Using a small palette knife spread a thin layer of frosting on the center of the cakes.
Fill piping bag with the chocolate frosting and pipe in a large swirl around the top edge of the cakes.
Place 3 mini eggs in the center.

For more incredible DIY Decor ideas visit
TipJunkie

- Ree ♥

♥ Who Has Surprisingly Inspired You?

I was thinking this morning, it’s not often you hear of musicians or celebrities sharing their times before they were successful (or in the eye of the public I should say). What did they had to give up when money didn’t always grow on trees?

Photo Credit - BraveMoonman

So often I read Etsy success stories of how one business came about and what risk they implemented to make their dreams come true. I always find the peoples stories so inspiring and also a great motivation tool for myself.

So who has inspired me? When this thought came to me this morning, I instantly thought of one of my favourite bands, ‘One Republic.’

Once when reading there bio, I remember the lead singer stating that at the age of 21, he quit his day job at a Pottery Barn warehouse and sold his car so he could buy recording equipment. To me, I find that inspiring. And so many artist/celebrities forget where they came from. Their sacrifices which have defined who they are today.

So, I thought I would make a blog post on my thoughts about their bio. Not only are they a good band, but because they shared their early experiences it shows them on a more personal level, leaving only positive thoughts in my mind. Great for any business really to share their beginnings in their bio/profiles.

Who has surprisingly inspired you?

♥ Awesome Stuff! - March

{Color Your World}
This week has been a little tiring and stressful so I thought my regular 'Awesome Stuff,' blog post would consist of bright colors.





• 1 :: Bohemian Chic Earrings
by MiaBeads on Etsy
• 2 :: Owl Sugar Cookies
by TSCookies Etsy
• 3 :: Cuckoo Clock
by Bonni1982 on Etsy
• 4 :: French Macarons
by Sparkleskitchen on Etsy

- Ree ♥

♥ My Recent Purchase On Etsy

Just a short post this week...

I thought I would share this little Antique box I purchased on Etsy, which holds a collection of Ephemera Treasures.

As you maybe aware, I love all things vintage and the untold stories behind them.


What have you purchased on Etsy this week?

Southrosewindow

- Ree ♥

♥ When One Door Closes Another One Opens...

An online friend of mine has recently decided to close one of her online businesses. When reading her blog post, it really hit close to home.


I had my own jewellery business (JewelRee) for about 4 years before I decided that selling beads, maybe a more viable and profitable business.

I think for sometime I was in denial. I was also experiencing anxiety and maybe a small amount of depression. I knew I was competing in a saturated market and I also knew collecting beads was my first love.
The rule I had created in my head was, ‘You can’t sell beads if you no longer create jewellery.’
I no longer had the passion to create. The competitive nature this world has killed my love for making and selling jewellery.

It wasn’t until an online friend of mine; Jenna Appleton who gave me some friendly advice... that I realized I had to do what my heart wanted, not my head. She had said to me, ‘to really make an income in a saturated jewelry market, it wouldn’t hurt to sell beads too.’

Even though I had an opportunity to sell both, I soon realized my love for beads was much greater.
As they say, 'sometimes when one door closes another one opens.'

Although my jewellery business is not officially closed, I haven’t been selling either. But to this day I have never looked back. All my time and energy now goes into a new business which exists because of my knowledge and the learning experience I gained from my first.
I never gave up, I just decided to explore other options.

It just shows, you never know what opportunities arise when you believe in what your heart wants and not your head. You also make your own rules.

Don’t assume because you have decided to finish something, you have failed. Sometimes it is just the beginning...

- Ree

♥ Stop Comparing Yourself

When you’re in business whether you’re young or old, it can be hard watching those around you investing in things that are not necessarily business related. Whether it is watching people building their new homes or buying new cars, you have to remember your business is also an investment.

Your business may not show people how financially well off you are (Because we all know we like to measure each other by our material belongings,) but your work is an achievement, a life-long journey that not everyone is lucky enough to experience. They may have different priorities, or they may just not have a passion.

Photo Credit - sunshineartdesign

If you want to have a business, you really have to have the right mind set and put aside what ‘everyone else’ is doing with their lives.

Your business is like a flower, it will only bloom if you feed and water it daily. You business may not be a house, or a car or even a new born child, but it is a success story to be proud of.

Don’t punish yourself because you may not have the materialistic things that others do. Everyone is at different stages of their lives and will live differently to you. The important thing is that you remember you are building something special from the ground up, earning your own money from something you have created with your own sweat and tears.

Don’t assume because people have it all, they are rich. Being rich is being happy and proud of your accomplishments. Not saying that those people who do have it all haven’t worked hard, but there is nothing like building something for yourself. That is true satisfaction.

Below is a little quote my mum shares with myself, when I have low self esteem or I question my capabilities.

'Don't equate your self-worth with how well you do things in life, or with what you own. You aren't what you do. If you are what you do, then when you don't, you aren't.'