Wordless Wednesday: The Musician & His Son

YouTube The New School!

Hey Y'all,

We ALL use it. To listen to music, watch tv shows, movies and trailers, upload video, confirm rumors, laugh at the antics of others etc. We all use YouTube for some reason or another. According to their press area YouTube boasts the following...

Traffic

• Over 800 million unique users visit YouTube each month
• Over 3 billion hours of video are watched each month on YouTube
• 72 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute
• 70% of YouTube traffic comes from outside the US
• YouTube is localized in 43 countries and across 60 languages
• In 2011, YouTube had more than 1 trillion views or around 140 views for every person on Earth
• Millions of subscriptions happen each day. Subscriptions allow you to connect with someone you're interested in — whether it's a friend, or the NBA — and keep up on their activity on the site

YouTube is a part of our everyday life, for me it provides continuing education. As I shared yesterday my new business Leah Simone Designs which features hand made crochet items for mom and child, from blankets to crochet jewelry we create it all and none of this would have been possible without the help of YouTube. 

Leah Simone Designs - The Beginning

Hey Y'all,

I haven't posted a blog in a while. I'm not going to waste time talking about why but I will say I've been BUSY and surprisingly enough it wasn't because of the kids. Yes, mommy school has been in full swing and they've been out of town for a little while with Nana but I've been busy starting a new business! During the summer I typically wear my hair braided because it's easier to manage. So at the beginning of this summer I was going about my usual 5 hour routine of sitting in the African Hair braiding salon getting my box braids done. I brought along the typical fair to get me through the process, a book some eats and this time yarn and crochet hooks. I was attempting to reintroduce myself to the craft of crocheting. I've known how to crochet for quite some time and had actually just made a rather pretty blanket for my sisters baby shower. This particular day I was trying my hand at a new stitch and had no idea what I was doing.

Well while attempting my project I noticed a woman who was also crocheting but she was making a five point star blanket! It was beautiful and I was mesmerized. She was kind enough to ask me what I was making. When she looked at my project she shook her head and asked what I was trying to make. I laughed and a conversation started.

Fast forward four months and I'd like to introduce you to Leah Simone Designs where we feature hand made crochet items from star shaped baby blankets to amazing earrings. Leah Simone Designs are the must have crochet accessory for mommy or baby! ! Not only did I learn how to make a five star blanket but I also know how to make a six star blanket, booties, beanie caps, pocketbooks for children and adults just to name a few items. Leah Simone Designs (named after my daughter) is my new passion. Since I've been unemployed I've been trying to figure out how I can make some extra money and who knew that the gift was right on my finger tips. Please check out and like my fan page on facebook and place an order. If you are looking for a quick fix buy some earrings. If you need a baby gift order a blanket. I promise that you won't be disappointed.

Until next time...
MUAH!

Day out with Thomas 2012

Hey Y'all,

My boys heart Thomas The Tank Engine. Erick is 7 and still plays with his train table, creates Thomas stories and borrows only Thomas and Friends books from the library. Myles is following on his big brothers tracks and is a die hard Thomas fan as well. Erick was introduced to Thomas by his dad but I am by far the enabler. Proof positive is the fact that I always seem to find Thomas the Tank Engine where ever he is in the US. We have been passengers on Thomas' coaches three times in three different states! Our latest adventure was in Philisburg, NJ at The Delaware Railroad Excursions. We had a blast. It was as hot as Hades but Lord knows that I will do anything for my children including riding on an steaming steam engine for 25 minutes dripping sweat. The folks that pull off a Day out with Thomas should be commended; especially when the weather is inclement (to cold or to hot). This trips theme was Mystery on the Rails, we were 'tasked' with helping Thomas find a treasure (which ended up being a tacky glass 'diamond'). The $18 train ride was well worth it because there were plenty of freebies including Imagination Station with featured temporary tattoos, splatter painting, storytelling, live folk music and two bouncy houses. I highly recommend Day out with Thomas and plan to do it again in the future (until the kids tell me they are done).

Check out a  few of our pictures here...

Twin Tuesday: SCRIBBLES

Hey Y'all,

I hope that you are having a terrific summer thus far. It has been a whirlwind of activity for me. The kids keep me going and I love it. This has been the first summer of their lives that I've been with them 24/7. I try to keep them as busy as possible so we all sleep well at night. Our days start off with Mommy Summer School and branch off (depending on the day) to $1 movies, swimming, visiting museums and day trips. I have a calendar chuck full of summer fun, until they head off to Nana's (thank you JESUS).

This Twin Tuesday's post is dedicated to the twins' favorite "play mall" SCRIBBLES. SCRIBBLES is a fantastic interactive and educational store in the Menlo Park Mall that features personalized gifts for children & educational toys. We visit SCRIBBLES at least once a week and hang out there for about 2-3 hours (yes hours in one store). Typically we don't purchase a thing (unless it's a work book on sale) but the twins play HARD with everything that is out on display.

A couple weeks ago during our visit we had the pleasure of meeting the owner Mary Thomas, of course I went into blogger mode and asked if she wouldn't mind being featured in one of my posts. Thankfully she agreed and shared a little about herself and how she started SCRIBBLES.



MrsDeveter: Thanks again for agreeing to chat with me. Can you share a little bit of the history behind SCRIBBLES?

Mary Thomas: We started on a kiosks 13 years ago in the Menlo Park Mall. We were doing personalized piggy banks, rocking chairs, toy boxes all kinds of fun things for 10 years. Then it became a little bit to much so we closed. It was a boring staying at home so we opened the first store and expanded beyond the personalized items into toys and other cool things.

MrsDeveter: Like I told  you before we can come here and stay for hours. Why did you branch out into toys and make the store so interactive?

Mary Thomas: Because it's fun. In retail everyone does clothes, clothes aren't fun. Kids are easy. They love everything, they are happy and love to play. I've found that no matter who they are the kids get along especially at the Thomas table they love to play together. The children get along so well, it's the adults that need to learn that. Sometimes they don't share... but they play well together and it's fun.


MrsDeveter: What was your 9-5 before SCRIBBLES?


Mary Thomas: I had three kids. I worked in the city for a publishing company but it was hard to to go back and forth. My husband also worked in the city and said he'd prefer it if I worked closer to home. So I started working retail. He would work in the day and I would go out for a few hours at night.

MrsDeveter: What advise would you give to anyone looking to get into retail.

Mary Thomas: Everything chances. Before I opened everyone told me not to go into retail because I was going into business at the wrong time. In 2008 that's when the market crashed. Manufactures, friends everyone told me not to do it, but I said ... people buy toys. I had a wonderful location to start and it worked.

MrsDeveter: So your advice would be ... don't listen to anybody's advice.

Mary Thomas: (chucking) yes. You have to feel it inside and know what's right for you.

If you are ever in Edison NJ please stop by and visit Mary and the ladies at SCRIBBLES she is located in the Menlo Park Mall steps away from The Disney Store and Build a Bear on the lower level of the Nordstrom wing. If you are looking to order online please visit www.scribblesatmenlo.com for great personalized gifts for children.

Until next time...
MUAH!

The Patriot

Hey Y'all,

I was going to call this post wordless Wednesday but it has words so alas I will keep it simple. And wish you all a very happy 4th of July. Have a wonderful day and be safe.



Until next time,
MUAH!

Related Posts:

• Top 10 Things NOT to Do This 4th of July

Working Women: The T-Cup Cafe

Hey Y'all,

Today I would like to spotlight The T-Cup Cafe. 

I spoke with Tanya Brown one of he owners and here is what she shared.

What is the name and focus of your business?

The T-Cup Cafe is a coffee shop that was established in September 2008, by my husband Reginald and me. We grind our coffee and bake our own cakes and cookies; our pastries and bread are delivered fresh every morning. The T-Cup also proudly serves delicious Belgian Waffles with toppings, Omelets, Jumbo Breakfast Sandwiches, Turkey Burgers, Salmon Burgers, espresso, teas and real fruit juice smoothies

 

Prior to starting your business what was your 9-5?
I was an accountant at Siemens Corporation in New Jersey.

What made you venture out and become an entrepreneur?

The T-Cup Café is located in the beautiful and historical Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn New York. We believed the businesses and residents in the community deserve the opportunity to have a place that serves healthy food choices and fresh food in a comfortable and friendly cafe environment. We offer the community the opportunity to dine-in or take-out. That was our main reason for wanting to open the T-Cup Cafe.

What's new at The T-Cup Cafe?

On May 5^th we had the honor and pleasure of hosting one of Jane's Walk NYC, sponsored by MASNYC. The purpose of the tour was to expose my favorite places in the development of Bedstuy. To name a few of the places we explored- Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast, House of Arts Gallery, Lady of Victorian Cathedral, Sarraginas Italian restaurant & Garden and the newly renovated Lewis Ave library. This was a great way to bring exposure to the Café and to Bedstuy.

During  the summer we host live music right outside of the Café which gives the neighborhood exposure to the arts. This summer we will feature poetry by RL The Gifted One and live Jazz from Stix Bones & The Bone Squad. Please check out our websites events page for updates.


The T-Cup Cafe is located at 627 Throop Ave Brooklyn, NY 11216 they cater to commuters and are open from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm


Until next time...
MUAH!