Now where are the Grandco sandals heading to. Are they at the airport?

I think they are, still not sure where they are heading to.

Stay tuned all will be revealed…

You can use it to charge your phone while driving – I know mine is always flying around in my car. Hang it on your mirror in your car if you use your phone for satellite navigation. Hang it on your screen, for multiple use. Hang it on your jeans. Holds memos, pictures, letter size paper. It will mount on the table for easy viewing or use it as a book mount and book mark

The accessory is made of a flexible silicon rubber which you can twist or shape it to how you need to use it. They come in a ton of colors from yellow, black purple.

Want one email me at nicola@theaccessorybarn.com.

Where will you hang yours?

I have received lots of pictures and information about where your beaded or jeweled sandals are in the world – Thank you – I have a ton of writing to do now!!

So what else have we been up to. We are trying to introduce a new jewelry line with maybe a jewelry club (who wants to be a part of that?). Details on that coming soon.

It hasn’t been all work for me this week. My husband Mr Marathon Man organized for me to go on a photography course, in my quest to take better pictures of our boys and of my products online.

How I dread having to take close up shots of the jewelry or actually any of my items I have on the website. Well now I know what all those little buttons on my camera do and mean. It’s probably only taken me 15 years and 4 cameras to get to that stage – because of course if I took a bad shot it was always the camera doing and not mine!

So here is a shot I took yesterday while on my course nothing fancy

After doing the course it gave me an idea for the blog. I will feature each week a shot I have taken good or bad during the week. Who else wants to join in I will feature your photos plus let me know where it was taken. Email to nicola@theaccessorybarn.com.

Who can name another state within the US (other than Oregon) where you are not allowed to pump your own gas?

The answer is New Jersey. These three styles I know are on the loose in NJ. If any of you own anyone of  these styles and want to share with us where in the US or world they are. Send us some pictures to nicola@theaccessorybarn.com and we will feature your hometown on the blog.

We had quite a few entries but the first one to submit their answer (which was via email) was Amy. Amy email me your address for your prize.

Our Grandco Sandals first stop on the tour was Oregon. Who knows where they will turn up next?

It entered the union in 1859. It’s name was taken from the writings of Major Robert Rogers, an English army officer! Anyone know yet? I know on Facebook I have some people from this state. Maybe we should do a contest over on Facebook or on the blog  to find out what state or country our readers are in.

So these snippets of information I have found online. Now, I was just about to tell you what state these comfy sandals were in when I read this – which made me laugh out loud.

–?– and –?– are the only states without self-serve gas stations. According to –?– state law, an attendant must pump your gas.

Ms D and her Grandco Sandals style BWG – 6091 started their tour in Oregon.

But what we need to know is – What is the name of the other state in the US that is without self-serve gas stations? Who ever sends me the answer first will get a prize. Email me at nicola@theaccessorybarn.com.

So what else do we know about Oregon – Well it was where Nike was founded. How my husband Mr Marathon Man loves Nike apparel!  Carolyn Davidson the lady who designed the Nike logo back in 1964 got paid $35 for her work. Ever heard of a Sunstone? Well that is Oregon’s state stone – more about that tomorrow.

There were endless facts about this North West Pacific state, I could have gone on – one thing for sure after looking at the photos online it really looks like a pretty state too.

This week they arrived. They were on back-order due to high demand. This is not a usual style I stock and if I am honest I probably wouldn’t have stocked them if it wasn’t for this request. I usually just stock the beaded and crystal styles, but this Grandco style is completely plain in tones of black, white and grey.

They arrived today and I really like them the picture really doesn’t show just how nice they are  – so I will definitely be wearing them this summer. Actually I might not even wait for summer. I think I will be using them in the shower at the gym. The floor is so slippery and well you never know who has walked there before. Plus do I really want to slip over with just a towel around me, I know that towel won’t stay in place! Actually I have some funny stories from going to the gym – maybe I will share them with you.

OK so let me get back on track with Grandco. After a lot of email communication with Ms D she told me just how much she loves these sandals. You know me, I have told you before I like to know where those sandals are? Well Ms D didn’t mind my sharing that info with me.

Tomorrow we will reveal where they have been… Hint: They have been on quite a tour!

Recently they released a book called Where On Earth Am I? I purchased two books for my own children via Amazon. It is a year long journal for the kids to complete with all sorts in there. They can put their likes, dislikes, stories, jokes, games. There is an activity in the book for every week of the year. We are starting ours this weekend. I plan on getting my kids to complete it and then I will save it for them, for when they are older.

Over to Planet Fassa:

I’ll never forget the day I met the three little monsters that would change my life forever. Their father and I had been together for 1.5 years, and it was the day of reckoning…I walked into the room with every type of emotion running through me that one can imagine, and bam, it was like we had known each other forever. I was in love.

I’ll also never forget the first time the following words came out of my mouth: “What is WRONG with kids today?” Yes, the words that use to nag at my very soul had actually escaped my mouth. And I meant them! I had always thought I was full of fun activities and creativity, yet I couldn’t seem to come up with enough interesting ways to keep these three young children off of technology and engaged in the real world. I couldn’t believe it. Was I that out of touch?

I questioned their father. I questioned other parents. And through my conversations, I learned that the draw of technology was not unique to our home. In fact, it is an issue that many adults and children are facing, and it is having a huge impact on our lives – stretching from our imaginations to our health.

Check out this article: Old-Fashioned Play Builds Serious Skills I said this in my first post and I mean it: I love technology. I’m just not sure how to “compete” with it. The children’s father loves technology even more than I do (and he’s much better at using it!). We just decided there had to be a way to reinvent how we all interact with it. And that’s when we decided to create Planet Fassa.

We figured we could use the help, so by combining my love of writing, their father’s amazing business sense and my sister’s endless supply of fun activities (she’s a mom and teacher – give her a rock, and she’ll give you 10 games!), we set out to build a resource for others who may be in our situation.

So here we are, a group of people, taking the leap and creating Planet Fassa – a company we hope will help build more balanced, imaginative kids. Do you have any advice for us?

SSG Founder and President
Children’s Book Author
Happy Stepmom of Three

Follow Planet Fassa on Facebook

First, I want to make it more interactive, sharing fashion and home tips, what books you are reading and even maybe the odd recipe (don’t laugh all you that know me, and know how much I hate food shopping and even worst how much I don’t want to cook!).

We have already kicked off our  “Grandco Sandals on Tour”. The first stop was Aruba for a Grandco wedding!

We have received some Grandco Sandal pictures from some of you already so keep them coming. You will be surprised when you see where one pair has ended up so stay tuned for that…

I will also be introducing a  “Deal of the Week”. Is there something you would like a deal on? – Let me know. This week we are featuring some other business owners, if you want your business featured or you are a blogger and would like to do a guest blog contact me at nicola@theaccessorybarn.com.

You can dress up just about any outfit day or night with a simple scarf. I probably use my scarves as other ladies use their lipsticks. Many ladies I know, don’t walk out the door without lipstick on. For me, I don’t walk out the door without my scarf on.

Recently I gave a couple of very light-weight scarves to my mum. At the time she was in Florida, but these were so light-weight it didn’t matter. She told me everywhere she went in these scarves she got a compliment. Who doesn’t love that?

Since we have the Silly Scarf Sale going on over on Facebook, I thought I would share a video I found on YouTube. Some of you may have already seen it. I have also uploaded it to my website  so you can check it there as well.

25 Ways To Wear A Scarf in 4.5 Minutes!

Tote Bag

Last year a customer wanted to purchase a number of zebra tote bags. These bags are really great value and have been really popular at some off the shows I have attended.

One of the best things about these totes is, they are inexpensive, usually priced around $8 depending on the style and size of the bag. The fabric is a soft vinyl with a woven fabric shoulder strap, perfect for shopping, trip to the beach, or day out.

On the outside of the bag there are  two large pockets one zipped and one with a Velcro tab. Inside the tote there are a couple of sections and again another smaller zippered pocket.  They come is lots of different colors and patterns.

Since she wanted so many, again I was curious (or some would call it nosy!) as to what they was needed for. As you can see I like to know how and where my customers are using the products they purchase from me.

Cheerleading Tote Bag

Well she mailed me some pictures of the bags and told me. They were needed for her daughters cheer team as gifts. The cheer team had a black, white and red theme. The bags were black and white zebra stripped.  To keep in with the black, white and red theme, she personalized each one of them with the girls first initial in red. What a great idea and they look fantastic.

She told me the girls loved them. Check out the picture let me know what you think..