Inspiration.....

Some days you need a little inspiration to get toy through the morning and into your day!   Today I picked simple pieces that layer well together but are personalized for me!   I love monogrammed pieces... when I was a little girl I wanted one of those personalized license plate keychains.  However, Lynette isn't ever on one of them! So now I find myself gravitating towards personalized pieces!
This short dogtag type necklace has my first & last initials.   The longer 4 sided pendant is engraved with inspirational words I chose.   The earrings are lightweight but substantial!

I've obviously not been disciplined about posting...writing something creative can be a challenge for me.  I guess I just need to be me...and sometimes that's just not creative.

Honestly, I've been in a bit of a funk lately and I can't even explain why.   Maybe it's the Menopausal Molly side of me rearing its head.  Who knows but enough is enough.  I've hardly worn jewelry other than earrings and a watch for a few months and I can tell its affected my mood.  Jewelry adds personality and a little extra to the day...taking an "ok" outfit and finishing it off!   It can totally change the look of what you're wearing..the same top and sweater can look totally different with just a change of accessories! 

I'm making a commitment to do better for myself and wear the fun pieces I've collected and been gifted over the last 25+ years!

Today I picked a copper and turquoise cross that I believe was a gift from my friend Sammie a few years ago.  I haven't worn it much but I like it!   The other two strands are from an online boutique I found through social media (Southern Charm).  These earrings were a Christmas gift from my Secret Sister this year and I love them!   The cuff is a pretty monogrammed piece from my Initial Outfitters store front (I'm still a consultant with this fun company...just not as active as I used to be)

Have a fantastic Monday!  Here's to rejuvenating an old habit and building new ones!

A new and exciting adventure awaits....

I'm hopping on board with a new company that will be offering "better for you ingredient" skin care! It's an exciting, ground floor opportunity.  My skin is starting to show more evidence of the number of revolutions around the sun so it will definitely benefit from new and improved skin care!  Watch here for news and info!  #willing

While I'm going to jump into the skin care and beauty field, my love of jewelry and fashion certainly won't change!  My tenure as an independent consultant for Initial Outfitters will continue!  It's just too much fun to create personalized pieces of bling and fun fashion!  #initialoutfitters

I dug out an old favorite lapis statement necklace as my Tuesday choice.  It's not one I wear often as it's so large and very distinct.  I purchased it from a vendor on Ebay many years ago....it's large but not too overly heavy.  This time of year, I'm all about layers in my clothing...it's frigid (negative numbers for high temps this past week) but 20+ degree temp swings in my office as well.  This top is one from Avenue with lace sleeves...I paired it with another tank under it and a LOGO Layers sweater jacket/cardigan in a butter/mustardy yellow.  Love the texture in the sweater...it's a lightweight sweatshirt fabric with some washable suede in the trim.

NO Excuses!

I keep telling myself that I'll get back in the posting habit--I've put it off long enough.  I'm not giving myself anymore excuses.  It's time to go back though my jewelry, wear more of the fabulous pieces I've collected over the years, and share it (I don't really know if anyone really wants to read my thoughts or really cares but it's good for me to focus on something other than numbers once in a while.)

I dug out a necklace today that I have had since the mid 90's...it's not as shiny as it used to be, but then neither am I!  It went well with my layers of blue today.  The scarf was a gift from my sister a couple of Christmases ago, the ring I don't wear often because it's so large, earrings are go-to's for me and are from my Initial Outfitters business, two of the bracelets are also "IO" and the stretchy pearl one is from my friend April's Vantel Pearl business.

As an entrepreneur, I try hard to be supportive of other women's businesses.  Not only do I shop my own business (because who doesn't like personalized jewelry) but I try to spend my dollars with other women who are working hard at their craft!  If we all support each other, we'll get to our goals!

Help I've fallen and have been off the blog bandwagon....

It's been quite a long time since I've posted here...I still love jewelry and fashion but life got in the way of my posting and I fell out of the habit!  Getting back to posting has been on my mind for several weeks.

Since my last post, I've had many changes in my life (not that everyone else doesn't have changes)...I changed "jobs" and became self-employed.  A childhood friend and I have opened an office offering accounting/tax preparation for individuals and businesses.  I've done accounting for many years in different capacities and decided to channel that knowledge and experience into a full-time business.  My love for jewelry and personalized items is still strong, so I've continued on as an independent consultant with #InitialOutfitters.

As a child, I always looked through the names on items offered for sale in stores...guess Lynette isn't the most common of names.  I never found it (and still look to this day out of habit) but now with my IO business, I can get my name on just about anything I'd like.  My favorite thing to do with the great personalized pieces is to mix and match them into "story-telling" pieces:  truly making a collection that speaks of who I am (or who my customer is).  I'm also always amazed at the innovative ideas other consultants/customers create to share their stories.  Here are a few ideas.

Be watching here for updates and photos.  I'm digging into my extensive jewelry collection again to see what treasures I've forgotten about!  

Life is short....

When I started this blog, I didn't ever really intend to talk about things that made me sad...but I tried to sit tonight and write a light hearted post and I just can't do it.  One of the things I love about living in a relatively small community and being very involved in that community, is how many people I know.  It's also one of the drawbacks.  

2013 has been a tough one for many families in Fremont County...too many unexpected deaths of folks way to young to go be with God.  I know He has a plan and we aren't to know that plan, but sometimes it's tough to just deal with things.  

One of my very best friends lost her brother early in the year.  Her parents are like parents to me and watching them cope with Todd's passing was absolutely heart wrenching.  Tim reminds me so much of my dad, Bob...stoic, strong, and unflappable (well...mostly unflappable).  The pain in his face in the days following Todd's death was so hard to see...a hand on his shoulder or a hug didn't seem like enough but I was at a total loss to help him.  Rosie and Tara and the girls were easier to help...tears and even some laughter eased a little of the pain.

Not long after Todd's passing, I was in San Diego for the NASB meeting and received a phone call from my mom...Tim & Rosie's house had burned to the ground.   Once again, that helpless feeling.  I'm 1,500+ miles away and can't help at all.  

The Central Wyoming College family of employees has lost two of it's own this year as well...Danielle lost her courageous battle with cancer this spring.  It's so odd to walk by that office and not see her there.  For nearly 7 years, we worked just 50 feet from each other and her smile never failed to brighten the day.  

Just this weekend, I got a phone call from my friend Susan telling me that our just retired co-worker Judy had been killed in a head-on collision while on her way to see her brother.  You just don't know when your time is up.  Judy is at home with her beloved Jim but those of us left here are just bewildered an reeling a bit.  

One of our local young mom's has been battling brain cancer for several years and lost her fight last week. Not only is her family dealing with this loss, her father passed away 3 days later.  I can't even imagine how they will find the strength to keep moving forward.  It's deep inside where that strength comes from but sometimes, it's really hard to dig deep enough to find it.

Today at work, I saw several deputies and an ambulance racing west of town.  I knew something terrible had happened and you always hope it's just "over-reaction" but deep in your heart, you know differently.  One of the gruffest and yet most kind-hearted ladies I know passed away in her field today while out irrigating.   Life happens so fast...you just never know where it will lead when you get out of bed in the morning.

Be sure to tell those you love how much you love them each and every time you can.  You can never say it enough.  To all my friends and family...please never doubt how much I love and appreciate you!  You enrich my world beyond measure.