I Never Thought I Would Cover It

  

Did you see this on instagram earlier?

If you saw this, I'm sure that you want to know the story behind the tattoo, why I would want to cover it, and how I do it. Well, that's what I'm here for now!



When I was 22, I was doing some work promoting musicians, festivals, creating t-shirts, and selling body jewelry. This wasn't long before I met my husband, but I was the typical 22 year old that didn't have a care in the world (well, not a care that actually mattered in the grand scheme of things.) This was also the beginning of NighLon (although it has changed a bit since then)

I took a trip to Florida for Daytona Bike Week, expecting the time of my life. I had that time! There was a lot of partying and meeting new people.

I had an amazing logo that I was absolutely in love with and I wanted to immortalize this time of my life. I met an awesome tattoo artist that quickly became like an uncle and his apprentice was pretty awesome too.

I told them about my desire to make this time last forever and they came up with a concept for me. Why not make my logo a tattoo. Great idea! So, the morning before the long drive home, I got a tattoo in an ambulance! That's something not everyone can say! It was an amazing time, but me and my body have changed.

When my tattoo was done, it was strategically places so that it wouldn't be hard to cover it up with a shirt. I liked this about it. However, as I've gotten older and after having my son, it is harder to cover it now. Generally, I don't worry if it shows, but there are times that it is just inappropriate  So, I have been on the hunt for a cover up. I found nothing ... until I found the Veil Tattoo Camouflage Kit.

The Veil Tattoo Camouflage Kit is designed to be mixed for creating the perfect shade for cover up. If you take a look at my cover up, I didn't even mix them, just layered it on. Also, the photos are from my first attempt at the camouflage (I just waited to post until today). 

My tattoo is really colorful and solid. Also, the location has made it hard to cover in the past, because many cover ups rub off. This does not rub off and honestly, you can't feel it on. I thought it would feel like makeup caked on, but it doesn't. Also, unlike many companies, the directions are right on the website, so you can see if this is something you can handle before you even buy it. I am not a professional makeup artist, so if I can do it, I'm sure you can!

I am very impressed with this product and will depend on them to cover up in the future, for any situation. I only wish I had found the Veil Tattoo Camouflage Kit before my wedding. Thank you Veil for being the answer to this problem and for making my life a little easier. 

Disclaimer: I received a sample in exchange for my review, all opinions are my own. 

Put Some SHMILY In Your Marriage

In case you guys haven't noticed, I'm kind of a sap. I love romance, flowers, little I love yous, and especially Valentine's Day. My husband isn't a sap, but he loves how excited I get about Valentine's day and entertains me with romance. He may not be a sap, but he knows how to show me that he loves me. We are both always finding new ways to say "I love you" in fun, discreet ways. After all, even though we would shout it from a rooftop, love is private.

When I was introduced to SHMILY Coins, I thought it was adorable. The idea of hiding a wooden token in a lunch box, wallet, or even under a dinner plate or cup of coffee is a simple way of saying "See How Much I Love You!" It wasn't until I read the story behind SHMILY Coins (by the way, you really should read it!) that I was absolutely in love!

When I first received the coins, I wasn't quite sure how I would introduce SHMILY to my husband. I thought long and hard about it and it hit me. I folded the paper up and placed it inside the velvet bag. I then placed it on top of the hubby's xbox controller. This worked perfectly because he would see it and it wouldn't be obvious to everyone. Our little guy wouldn't see it either because he can't see where the controller is kept.

When the hubby picked up his controller that day, the little bag fell off. He picked it up and was very curious. He looked at the coin and had a smile on his face when he read it. Then he read the story. The story amazed him as much as it did me and we now have our own tradition. It has gone beyond the coins now. I write it in ketchup on his plate, sign it to him as he is going to work, and even write it on the bathroom mirror. SHMILY has become a fun little game for the two of us and has really revamped the romance in our lives. We are not publicly affectionate people, so this is a great way to say "I love you" at any time.

When my husband has done something especially sweet or thoughtful and I want to say thank you, I just walk by him and pop a coin in his pocket. This works beautifully because our son is in that stage that mommy and daddy are not allowed to hug or kiss without him being in the middle of it. No attention is brought to us, so we don't have to explain to the prince once again, that mommy and daddy are allowed to hug and kiss- let's face it, having that conversation ruins the mood.

This "game" reminds me of my mom hiding notes or a new pair of earrings in my school lunch. So, I know that as our little man gets older, we will have a SHMILY coin for him as well. There is also one in the mail on the way to my Mother's house (shh, don't tell her!) This coin can be utilized with anyone you have love for. Those we love need to know and be reminded. Growing up, I never left the house without a hug and "I love you" from my mother. This is something that I do with my own family. It doesn't matter if I am mad at my husband, busy as a hurricane, or my son is pitching a fit because he doesn't want me to leave. My family hears "I love you" with a hug and kiss before we are separated, even to go to the corner store. Why not use SHMILY as your own secret code for saying "I love you"?

All SHMILY coins are 100% wooden and made in the USA. No need to worry about add chemicals and poisons in them. They are also an inexpensive tradition. If ordering up to 9, they are $0.99 or $1.29 with the bag. There are even discounts when ordering several. What a great way to start a tradition. Maybe even tuck them into birthday cards and Christmas cards. I'm sure they will give your loved one a smile.

I am enjoying our new tradition and I'm sure you will too. As always, i cannot wait to see what the future holds.

Disclaimer: I received SHMILY Coins in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

5 Easy Tips For Handling Mail

One of the hardest things for me to stay organized with and on top of is mail. I am not referring to incoming mail. That is easy for me; I handle it when it comes in the house. It is my outgoing mail that I have such a hard time with.  I know this does not make a whole lot of sense, but it is just the way I am. Responding to mail, writing letters, sending forms; all of which usually gets pushed to the last possible day for me to complete it. Over the years, I have found a few things to help with this perpetual procrastination of sending mail.

1. If I get mail and I need to respond, I clip it in my current week of my calendar. That way I’m staring at it, have to move it, and it gets on my nerves. This usually pushes me to take care of it sooner.

2. Use a stamp for return addresses. You can find cheap custom stamps that will make addressing so much easier. Another benefit to this is that I am obsessed with office supplies, so I enjoy using the stamp.

3. Use a wall calendar with pockets (I get mine free from the power company every year). At the beginning of the year, or every few months) find all the birthdays, anniversaries, and other mail that is known about ahead of time together. Fill all of them out, address, and even stamp everything. Put them in the pocket for the month they belong to. The first of every month, grab that group and mail. This works wonders for me. As the months go by, you can also stick things that you receive/ receipts/ etc. in the pockets.

4. Make it as fun as possible. Create a mail station or cute little “mail box” for keeping all mail supplies in. If it is pretty, we want to use it! I keep all my things that I need to get ready to be mailed in my planner along with stamps (when I remember) and address labels. This is my “secondary” mail station. I can handle my mail while waiting at appointments, waiting in the car for whatever reason, or even waiting on hold.

5. The easiest tip I can give you is to keep stamps on hand. I am horrible at making sure I have stamps, which only adds to my procrastination problem. I also keep the orange envelopes from the mail carrier so that if I need to purchase stamps, mail a larger package, or buy a money order, I can do it from home without going to the post office (who enjoys that anyway?)!

I hope my five tips for handling mail help. I am not completely rehabilitated with the sending mail process, but I am headed there. I would love to hear your tips for keeping mail under control (I’m always looking for new tips)

This sponsored post was made possible by SheHeard. I have been compensated for my time and work on this campaign, however all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Reflections & Resolutions

One of the most important aspects of getting organized is seeing what you have accomplished and what you still want to accomplish. Even though some say that it is not healthy to have resolutions, it is essential to my well-being. I have to have things to work towards and to help me see what I have accomplished. This is why year after year, no matter the results of previous years, I continue to have resolutions. The only difference between mine and others is that I do not set resolutions on January first. I give myself the month of January to reflect on what I have done and what I want to accomplish. I will share these with you.

2012 Professional Resolutions

1. Create a landing page for all of my projects -Still working on this one
2. Get at least one sponsor -Decided against this, but maybe on this blog
3. Be self hosted -Done, and it is the best think I could have done. 
4. Increase my Facebook Fanpage to 100 likes - Done
5. Schedule posts at least a week in advance -I don't see this ever happening
6. Have a significant increase in blog traffic -I would say that I've done this
7. Create a members only section for those who want customized tags and blog kits - Decided against this, I did create a group for blogger support though. 
8. Start my own happiness project -That is kind of what this blog is. 
9. Participate in 31 days to a better blog with the SITS Girls -Check Check Check
10. Join the Clever Girls Network - Applied and Approved
11. Start posting reviews of gadgets/ websites for my readers -Done
12. Have an empty inbox at least once a week -I do this every week!
13. Write at least one featured friday post a month -Did this for a while, but I have moved away from this idea. I have started something different. I will write about that another time. 
14. Take on 3 new clients -Done
15. Take more photos and learn new editing techniques -Done
16. Change NighLon’s newsletter format -Done
17. Write a re-branding strategy and execute with NighLon -Done
18. Learn to create apps: mobile, web, and facebook. -Done, and still learning
19. Create a portfolio -Done, it will all be live soon!
20. Update my readers once a month on my progress. -I obviously did not do this *frowny face*

I did pretty good on these!

2012 Personal Resolutions:

1. Have the prince potty trained -Done
2. Find a job -Made my own
3. Take a picture every day -Almost every day- it averages out to more than one a day. 
4. Start my very own happiness project -Done
5. Craft more and open an etsy store -I have crafted a little more, but I'm not opening a store. I just don't have time for that. 
6. Post more recipes on Cupcakes & Sweet Tea We are changing up a bit, more on that soon!
7. Join in on Project Marriage -Going a different direction on this
8. Create a landing page for all of my projects -Still working on this. 
9. MOVE into our own home -We decided to build (ourselves! luckily the hubby does construction!)
10. Start reviewing web services for my readers. -Done
11. Lose 100 pounds -Not even close, but I've lost a few. I'm going to let that count! 
12. Exercise 3 days a week, and eventually elevate this to 5 days a week -Does chasing a toddler count?
13. Post on at least 1 blog every day -For the most part, considering I have 4
14. Spend more time outside -Done
15. Start writing my book -Done- the outline and letter to readers is done
16. Create an organizing system I am satisfied with -Its a work in progress, but it is a step completed. 
17. Learn to bake a cake -Does boxed cake count? No, but I can make some mean sugar cookies (and peanut butter cookies)
18. Learn to decorate cookies -With powdered sugar and stencils. 
19. Grow my hair out -Done, it is pretty long now!
20. Post more about me as mommy! I love this life! -Done, welcome to The Palmetto Queen

I did really good in 2012, so hopefully 2013 will go as smoothly. 

For 2013, I decided on 13 personal and 13 professional resolutions. 

PERSONAL

1. Read a book every month. I love to read- just haven't made time for it lately
2. Do yoga again
3. Run 1 mile
4. Lose 90 lbs. I will have a whole post about this soon
5. Go visit Mom in Florida
6. Craft once a month with the little guy
7. Return to school (major in communications; minor in religious studies/ sociology)
8. Continue to help CSPRI Inc grow and have Paralina Radio be one of the most recognized paranormal radio shows in the industry. 
9. Learn to be my own life coach
10. Downsize obligations. Stop doing the things that I am not passionate about.
11. Publish my book
12. Complete 30 before 30 
13. Be sparkly!

PROFESSIONAL

1. Finish re-branding and renaming of NighLon
2. Redesign and reorganize The Palmetto Queen
3. Create posting schedule for ALL blogs, and stick to it
4. Significant traffic increase to blogs
5. Make significant progress in 5 year plan
6. Return to music industry in some manner
7. Expand client base
8. Expand services offered
9. Create work schedule so I can spend more time with my family
10. Continue to help Econfina Press grow and reach out to new authors
11. Create home page to link all of my projects
12. Get the ball rolling on NighLon's new direction
13. make sure image/ information correlates across internet. 

I have faith that I can accomplish these goals and there will be posts more specific to many of them!

I'm a Horrible Blogger

I know I promised to be back a couple of weeks ago, but it just didn't happen.

Between getting over the flu, catching up on family time, and working hard on some projects, The Palmetto Queen has been severely neglected.

I wanted to apologize for this. Even though this blog is a hobby, I still love writing it and love hearing from my readers.

I will be catching up on some posts over the next several days.- I have some amazing things to share with you along with some organizational posts.

After that, I will be doing some redesign and restructuring of The Palmetto Queen- I promise it will all be for the best!

In the meantime, you can follow me on twitter and instagram (yes, I finally got on the instagram wagon!)

I'm no longer blonde!

The Prince says hi!!!

Bloggy Vacation

I want you all to know how much I love hearing from you. I love writing this blog and you all are amazing.

With so much stuff going on lately, I haven't been able to give The Palmetto Queen the attention it deserves. I am concentrating on some other projects and spending time with my family. Because of this, I will be on blog vacation. I will return January 7th with a great organizing series.

In the mean time, you can follow me on twitter to keep up to date on my latest projects, including the radio show that premiers in January. I now have 2 twitter handles @nighlon and @cari_on

Until then, I am planning some great things. I'll be back with a new and improved Palmetto Queen