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.

How to accessorize different necklines....

You pull that new top out of the closet and slip it on...you're looking great and feeling pretty snazzy too!  Well..until you open the jewelry box and you don't know what to wear with it.  Does this ever happen to you?  It sure has to me...more than once...then I change tops because I just don't have time to mess with it!

I've posted a quick reference guide on my Facebook business page (and on Pinterest).  It'll be terrific to print out and hang on your closet door for those times when you just don't know quite what jewelry to wear.  

Thank you to the graphics crew at the Initial Outfitters home office for putting together the document for us to use!  Kayla...you ROCK!


Check out the document and pictures here:

https://www.facebook.com/LynettesIO

http://pinterest.com/pin/252834966553235682/

Christmas in July

Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in the Christmas In July campaign/review offered by Lynsey Jones.  Her review of the personalized necklace I helped her create is up on the blog today!  I wanted to share!

 http://thepartyplancoach.com/personalized-jewelry-from-initial-outfitters/

Here's a sample of a necklace I created for my friend Dayna as a HS graduation gift.  There are SO many options and ways to truly customize your look!  It's one of my favorite things about my Initial Outfitters business!  

Flying Jewels

On a drive up South Pass today, I stopped (as always) to admire the view from the rim of Red Canyon.  After snapping a few photos of the spectacular view, I noticed three pretty orange/black butterflies.  I had to go search out their name since I didn't know...guess I'd better buy a butterfly book so I can ID them.

http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Speyeria-hesperis

Of course, I can't tease with a mention of the beautiful view from the canyon without sharing the view...I'm so blessed to live in this beautiful state!

It's time to get back into the swing of things....

You may have (or maybe not) noticed that I've not been posting to this blog for nearly a year...I had a time wholly lacking inspiration and then it just fell off my radar.  Well...I'm committed to making some changes and getting back in the swing of things.  I'll be focusing on more things than just jewelry...it'll still be there, but just intermixed with other things I love too!

Where does the time go?

I have really let time get away from me between posts...I'm not really sure what happened to the last 9 months or so...it's been insanely busy for me!

Love my new acrylic monogram necklace...it's so light that you forget you have it on!  Perfect for those folks who can't wear heavy jewelry!  I fell in love with monograms two years ago when I found Initial Outfitters and started my "fun-time" journey with the company!  I don't know why I'm surprised that I love having my "brand" on things...we brand our livestock here in the west so it's not too far of a stretch for me to be putting my mark on my jewelry and purses.  Now if I can just get Alicia and Beth to make a necklace with my actual livestock brand on it!  Wouldn't that be cool??

It's been a while...

It's been a while since I posted here...after a fun "Woo Wee" party with my XiPi sisters, I need a little chill time so I can relax before bed.  Thought it would be fun to get back to posting about the jewelry that I love.

Today I was sporting a new necklace I ordered from Initial Outfitters (being a consultant is great because I get all my new jewelry at a great discount!)...love the multi-strand silver necklace and the hammered open-circle earrings.  They aren't a matchy-matchy set but they go together really well and can be either dressy or casual.  Love them!

A few of my favorite things...

Tonight at our Beta Sigma Phi sorority meeting, we were discussing our favorite things about belonging to the group!  It hit me when Susan said she loved XiPi because she could truly be "Just Susan" there, that I liked that as well but one of my favorite parts about my sorority sisters is that my girl friends are like the jewelry I love.  The right jewelry and accessories complete an outfit and can completely change the look of something...so can my girl friends!  My "girls" complete me...not just my Xi Pi sisters but all of my friends.  Ladies, thanks for being the perfect "accessories" to help complete me and make me the woman that I am!  You are all loved and appreciated for the role you play in my life and I'm ever so grateful that you are a part of my world!

On a less sentimental note, I wanted to share that I've found a new favorite, go-to pair of fun earrings!  They are pretty, flirty, and light-weight...I will be wearing them a lot!!!!  Still loving the "initial" pendant and my new diamond-cuff with my name on it! 

Free Jewelry Friday!

Free Jewelry? 
What? 

Yep...today's jewelry selection was courtesy of the prize I won for the Initial Outfitter's Sizzling Summer sales contest!  LOVE my new necklace/earring set and bracelet!  The other necklace is also an Initial Outfitter's piece but it wasn't part of my prize!  I had to work really hard this summer to hit the goals for this contest and was one of only 9 in the company who did it!  Thank you to all my customers and to my team members who also played a big role in my success!  Now I have my sights set on the cruise to Key West and Mexico in June!  Can't wait!

I'm back...

I don't really know how I got derailed in my posting...I actually enjoy doing it but got out of the habit last spring!  It's my intention to continue on with my nutty jewelry habit so I'll just have to continue sharing it with you all! 

Today was our annual audit report to the foundation's board of directors...I know it's going to go well but it never fails to make me just a little nervous!  On days like this I like to pick an outfit that is easy, comfortable, professional and looks good!  The jewelry I picked was the same...easy, comfortable and professional!  A hammered silver ring with my initial on it, my FAVORITE silver chain bracelet (I missed the bracelet during the first part of this challenge but have decided it can go with other new pieces...I could almost wear it everyday I love it that much), silver hoop earrings and a great new necklace that I just got from Initial Outfitters!  Love it too!  Here's a picture of it on...perfect with the red top and black jacket today.

Back at it...

I've been a bad bad blogger lately...was gone for work and for garden club quite a bit, got out of the habit and was running out of new jewelry!  But...I'm back!

Last night was our annual XiPi birthday party and my "Secret Sister" did a great job of picking out a GREAT necklace for me as a gift...so...Thank you S.S.!  You ROCK!!!

Chilly Saturday in May

I was very thankful that I didn't have to be outside in the cold (high of 45 degrees and rainy/windy) at the 1A/2A Regional Track meet today in Lander...instead I got to spend the day at the "Pink Ribbon Society" benefit craft/vendor show.  Lots of people came through to see what was offered! 

My choice of necklace was our 5-strand necklace and earrings...great necklace in turquoise/greens.  Lots of compliments on the piece were received today!

Friday the 13th!

Not a scary day at all!  Glad I'm not overly suspicious...I had a wonderfully productive day but no jewelry to report on today...just wore a watch.  Didn't realize until I got home tonight that I didn't even put on earrings!

Pearls & chips of stone

The necklace & earrings I chose today was a combination of pearls and chips of a variety of colored stones...LOVE LOVE LOVE it!  (Another great piece from Initial Outfitters)