Thursday, March 31, 2011

Thankful Thursday: Events

 This past Sunday was a blast!! I am looking forward to next weekend and many more in store events to come!

 The gals from Krafty Candles were all set up with new fragrances to sample. I fell instantly in love with 'Pear Spice'! I took advantage of the sale prices and made sure to buy all her stock in 'Butterscotch' and ordered a 'Fresh Linen' along with a few others.

Amy of Crilly-Pooker Industries, was on hand giving out samples of 'Homemade Gourmet' that were positively yummy! Her discounts were equally amazing. You can still capture the discounts with free shipping on orders if you act quickly.



 Michelle's PartyLite collection was gorgeous as always. The warmers and tarts are all on sale in the store, but you can't have mine! She has added many retired items to our online store that you can't find anywhere else, so check in!





 Pam L DeGeere of TomBoy Tools showcased some amazing finds. Her calendar alone was a must have at only $5! (Deeply discounted for the event) But if you didn't stop in, you'll have to ask her about the pink drill! All the tools are lighter, made for women and of course, PINK!! You can buy by the piece or in kits and sets. A great way to show your independence.


 Many prizes were raffled away including paint, candles and even a goodie basket! I didn't win, sigh, but I made out with all the savings! I feel like a winner every time I light up my candles and start smelling those yummy scents of super thanks to my latest Homemade Gourmet box.

A special THANK YOU to all the vendors who came out on the cold and very wet Sunday to party with us! We couldn't have done it without you. Thank you to Deb at Our Cozy Cottage for hosting the event, and to Stacey of Krafty Candles for being our sponsor.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Wacky Wednesday: Mistaken Identity

A man observed a woman in the grocery store with a three year old girl in her shopping basket. 
As they passed the cookie section, the child asked for cookies and her mother told her "no."
The little girl immediately began to whine and fuss, and the mother said quietly,
"Now Ellen, we just have half of the aisles left to go through; don't be upset. It won't be long."


He passed the Mother again in the candy aisle.
Of course, the little girl began to shout for candy.
When she was told she couldn't have any, she began to cry.
The mother said, "There, there, Ellen, don't cry. Only two more aisles to go, and then we'll be checking out."


The man again happened to be behind the pair at the check-out, where the little girl immediately began to clamor for gum and burst into a terrible tantrum upon discovering there would be no gum purchased today.
The mother patiently said, "Ellen, we'll be through this check out stand in five minutes, and then you can go home and have a nice nap."


The man followed them out to the parking lot and stopped the woman to compliment her.
"I couldn't help noticing how patient you were with little Ellen..." he said.


The mother broke in, "My little girl's name is Tammy... I'm Ellen." she said.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Technical Tuesday: HTML preview



http://www.play-hookey.com/htmltest/ is a great site to paste in your HTML codes and see what they will look like BEFORE you use them for emails, posts and more.

Bookmark it and use it for any size project. You mat need to refresh if you make many changes, so it's a good idea to have a copy of your code saved on a word or notepad document for reference.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Scentilicious event TODAY!

Facebook Event Page
Wake up those senses!! Stop in at Our Cozy Cottage and smell the amazing atmosphere we created just for you.

Today only from Noon to 4 PM you can smell your way to some great savings! There will be food samples, candle creations and much much more!

Bring your favorite glass container to convert to a candle and enter to win the FREE Refill contest from Krafty Candles (A hand poured Soy Candle Company here in Springfield and Our Cozy Cottage)

Saturday, March 26, 2011

SpotLight Saturday: Dazzling Designs

Dazzling designs has several personalized items for kids to adults. But perhaps my favorite is the Pals! These are a stuffed animal and blankie all in one! They can personalized for that special baby shower gift!

This nifty Vendor also features towels, both hooded and bath size that can customized with a picture and name. Perfect for the kids bathroom or for a wedding present!

We have all sorts of baby shower gift ideas at the Cottage, so stop in and refresh your shopping experience! Buy something for yourself while you're there!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Friendly Friday: New Vendors

I am very excited to announce that Our Cozy Cottage now has Scrubs! Yes. We have a new vendor that has brought all sizes and colors of quality scrubs.

If you work in an doctor's office, hospital or any professional field that requires these, than you know how costly they can be! Make the stop in at our store to browse the collection and tell everyone you know that you bought them at Our Cozy Cottage at the Parkcrest Shopping Center on South Campbell!!

Hope to see you there.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Thankful Thursday: Diaper Cakes

I'm very thankful that we now have diaper cakes at Our Cozy Cottage! I've been trying to get more baby items added and was thrilled when Deb told me about Chick-a-DEES! She is more than just diaper cakes, but you'll have to find that out for yourself!

I have a ton of baby showers coming up, and I'm sure you know of a few also. So remember that we have exclusive access to the best diaper cake maker in town!

She takes custom orders, don't hesitate to request a special theme. I have a girl and an unknown to shop for and I can hardly wait!!

The process are very low considering it's way more than diapers! Some cakes include blankets, but all of them can be a show stopping centerpiece as well as a lovely decoration in the nursery until needed.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Wacky Wednesday: B&W

Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, 
"Why is the bride dressed in white?"

"Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life." said the mother.


The child thought about this for a moment, then said, "So then, why is the groom wearing black?"

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Technical Tuesday: Conversions

I know you are probably cringing and thinking of all those formulas you gladly forgot from school...

But the conversions I am talking about are for your business. So listen up!!

I found a cool website that makes it easy to convert files or pictures so you can use them everywhere. Go to http://youconvertit.com and see how simple it can be.

Now if you have a gif file that needs to be jpeg...or a wav that should be mp3... you get the idea. Head on over and take a look it's surprisingly easy!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Spotlight Saturday: Custom Bows!

Previously known as MJs Flowers, our very own Mary Jane is now concentrating on creating bows! So stop in today to pick up what you need for that special package. You can even buy the reusable bag from Collen's Closet and finish with a bow. The baskets in front are also a great choice! And don't forget that the baby themed bows look great on diaper cakes!

Order ahead, bring your own ribbon, or browse the ones already made. Have a wedding coming up? Now you know your very own bow maker to add to the pew flowers. Whatever your bow needs, make sure you stop in at Our Cozy Cottage first!


Friday, March 18, 2011

Friendly Friday: New Vendors


We have a few new vendors at Our Cozy Cottage! While we wait to get all their products entered into the computer, out on the floor to sell, and their logos added to the websites, You can be making them feel at home!

Head over to your Cozy Cottage group page and find the new faces. Welcome them and add them to your friends list. We all want to stay connected!

You never know when we'll add someone new, so be watching for the posts and coming in to the store looking for those new items!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Wacky Wednesday: Knock Knock

 
  • Knock Knock
  • Who's there?
  • Adolf
  • Adolf who?
  • Adolf ball hit me in the head and that's why I talk this way

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Technical Tuesday: E Commerce

So here is a free tip on some free e-commerce sites!
(As always, feel free to add to this list!)


A few of my personal favorites are ArtFire and Zibbet.

They are both completely free to use! You have restrictions, but it is more than enough to start out. If you use your limit and get a good sale base, you can upgrade for very low fees.


Artfire features a facebook window for paid accounts and Zibbet has a free community that you can help use to advertise. They function very similar to Etsy.

There are several more. I hope you feel inspired to add to the growing list of online sellers!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Motivational Monday: Hope in the Dark

GiveAway! Week!!


Krafty Candles will be giving away yummy scented tarts or your choice of a 6 oz candle and Our Cozy Cottage will give a free custom printed item...your choice of either a white adult T-shirt, white ball cap, mouse pad, or tote bag. Winner will get to either create their own design, or let Deb create one from their idea. (Value is approx $15. )

To enter you must follow this blog of course! AND post your favorite lucky charm on our Fan Page. Don't forget to Like the page while there!

You have exactly one week!! This contest starts this morning and ends on Sunday! So hurry and start sharing this post.

Good luck to all the readers! We can't wait to see what makes you so lucky!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

SpotLight Saturday: Coleen's Closet

Collen's Closet is the crafting creations of Amy Crilly Pooker. Her designs include jewelry, reuseable gift bags and pot scrubbers! I have to say that I absolutely love my scrubber! I used it to take stuck on jello off my wooden table. Not only were there no scuff marks, but warm soapy water did the trick!

She has the only pattern in the area for making these unique double-sided wonders, and you can only find them at Our Cozy Cottage in store or online!

Her jewelry designs can be found in the front of the store near the Therapie line. You can't miss them! Stop in today and get reacquainted with this wonderful line of products. And while you're there, pick up a seasonal inspired gift bag for your special celebration!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Friendly Friday: Flame & Flare

Tonight is the Flame & Flare event! Don't forget to pass it on to all your friends. We want a huge crowd and will even have a radio DJ! The products are going to be amazing, and there are no duplicates!

There will be food, wine, demos, samples, discounts and so much more. We are even giving away prizes!!!

Come and go as you like. But be sure to bring friends! :)

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for many things. Today I want to say Thanks to all of you who advertise for Our Cozy Cottage and continue to bring new visitors to out store! Your dedication is truly appreciated.

We are excited to have some new vendors that will be spotlighted soon! We could always use more ladies to work a few days in the store as well as bring new items, so continue to spread the word and post like crazy. We grow as a team, and we are thankful that each of you is a part of that.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Technical Tuesday: Shrinkage

So you've finished your banner, taken the perfect picture, or paid to have something created and it is too big...
No worries! I'm going to share my favorite FREE resizers!! You may have a few you can add to the comments below. Feel free to share.

First, I love the picnik online app. It will allow you to upload any picture and edit, add effects AND resize all in one site. Very cool! You can crop it to an exact size to fit perfectly on your banner or post and add special effects, words, even vignettes. Some effects will need a premium account (paid account) but I rarely need them, and do not keep a paid account. Lastly save to your computer and your done!

Second, there is a completely free resizing site that is fast and easy. ShrinkImages is my favorite shrink service. I love using it to create avatars for sites that pose a size restriction. If your photos for items are too large you can upload them to this service and save them to your computer. You have the option to buy into Batch editor and save many at a time, but I have never used that feature. If you are needing to resize several pictures it may be worth it for you.

At shrink image you don't have to know what size you need. You can decrease by percentages or total megapixel size. For example you can shrink by 50%, or resize to just 350 pixels. It's great when you have a generic idea in mind, or no idea whatsoever of the final size you want. It takes a minute or two depending on your speed to finish, but it is very user friendly and does not store your photos. (No one else can use them)

I hope this helps someone that may be looking to get a new avatar or downsize a banner.