Monday Spotlight...The Detailed Decorator

Through the fabulous world of Facebook, I have gotten to know many small business owners. It is these women that I draw strength and inspiration from, and I fondly call them my "co-workers". Jaime Casstevens of The Detailed Decorator is one of my newest online friends. We first met through HGTV's fan page, and I find myself checking back with her website often. Her inventory is always growing, and I am drawn to her very reasonable prices. Because we are a proud community that supports one another, I offered her the chance of a interview here. Sit back and relax, as we get to know Jaime a little better.

How did you get started in the home decor business and how long have you been in business? 
I had friends tell me to help them with this or look for this, and I thought I might need to look into it as a business.

What would you say is your personal design style? 
traditional

Where do you draw inspiration? 
Just looking at an object I try to envision what can be done with it in a room.

What are your biggest challenges as a business owner? 
Gaining trust in people

What makes your company different from others like it? 
Customer satisfaction is my #1 priority. I will go above and beyond to make a customer happy!

What are some of your professional goals for the future?
I look to franchise maybe in the future

Where do you see your company in five years?
I just want to help people more and more.  I want to make enough to give back to organizations like Canine Assistants and Vietnam Veterans group.

In your opinion, what is the single most important home improvement a person can make for resale? 
Anything to improve your kitchen or bathroom.  Granite is a great improvement where you will get almost all your money back out of it.

What are some of your favorite online places to shop for home decor necessities? 
My website :)

Some of Jaime's favorite products...



Doorknob Wall Hook $9.95



Rooster Kitchen Towel $9.95

I have my eye on these adorable pencil cups, right now....

Burlap Container $3.99

Jaime has a lot of promotional items that currently ship for free. Be sure to check those out! You know I LOVE a deal!

You can find Jaime...

Facebook

Online Store

Blog

Enjoy your day!

A Job for Siblings too...

As everyone knows, bringing another baby into the home can be a stressful time for both parents and siblings. Older children watch us busily preparing the house. We're shopping, painting and decorating a new room for baby, and sometimes we forget to help little hands take ownership of what's happening around them. This sense of ownership, or "helping", can really lesson the change. One of my favorite ways to ease the transition, and make older children feel more involved and control of their surroundings, is to have them create a piece of artwork for the nursery!

Go to your local craft supply store and purchase one blank canvas for each child. Next, get a few acrylic paint colors that match the theme of the nursery. When home, put your child(ren) in play clothes and encourage them to make a painting for their sister/brother. {Watch how often you use the word "new". This can make some children feel like they're being replaced!}

Be sure you get really excited and praise your child for all of their help! Take lots of pictures of the process too.

Paityn Prepares for Brother Coltin

When done, ask your child to help pick a place to hang their masterpiece. Make sure to give them a choice of two spots you'd like it to be displayed. This way you really have control over it, your child isn't getting overwhelmed with choices, and a decision is made smoothly!

Paityn's Work Proudly Displayed

Later on, reserve a special place in your baby book to talk about the art project. Have your child decide which pictures should go inside the book too!

When visitors start to pour in to see your newborn, your older children can excitedly show off their addition to the nursery too. This way, everyone feels the love!


Enjoy your day!

Budget Baby Shower...The Breakdown

It's not necessary to run to the nearest party supply store and load your cart with every matchy-matchy premade item you can find. Anyone can accomplish a much better look for a much better price. I promise! It just takes a little planning and some creative thinking.

I recently took on the honor of planning this baby shower for a very dear friend of mine...

Here's a look at some of the little details...

How did I accomplish this look...

4 Baby Blue Tablecloths $8.00 ($1.99/each)
12 Dollar Tree Vases $12.00 ($1/each) 3 per table
4 Red Gerbera Daisies $9 ($2.25/stem) 1 in center vase of each table
24 Red Carnations $24 ($1/stem) 6 per table/3 in each vase
4 White "Love" Clay Tags $6.50 Marley & Lockyer on Etsy 1 tied to each center vase
Red & White Polka Dot Snack Cups $5.00 (Used 16/Purchased in set of 24) HeyYoYo on Etsy
Red Cupcake Liners $3.33 for 24 HeyYoYo on Etsy
Personalized Cupcake Toppers $7.80 for 13 Bushel+Peck Paper (All my stand holds, but we served more)
"Thank You" Banner $18 Bushel+Peck Paper
"BOOKS" Sign Tied to Basket $2 Bushel+Peck Paper (Guests asked to bring book instead of card)
Love Notes Printable $8/set One Sweet Party on Etsy
White Frame for Printable $8 on clearance at Michaels
11 RED POMS
I already had the red tissue paper on hand $0 (originally paid $1.25/24 sheets used 66 sheets)
2 Spools of Red Ribbon $1.00 ($.50/each) at Michaels (ribbon also used on vases and to make clothesline)
1 Spool of Baby Blue Ribbon $.50 at Michaels (ribbon also used on vases)
1 Spool Red Ribbon with White Detail $2.87 at Michaels
1 Spool of Silver Floral Wire $1.99 at Michaels
ELEPHANT CLOTHESLINE
Ribbon Counted Above $0
Cardboard $0 (cut from diaper box at home)
2 Elephant Stickers $3.99/set of 36 stickers California Craft on Etsy
2 White Buttons $0 (had on hand)
16 Clothespins $0 (had on hand)
1 Sheet of Clearance Scrapbook Paper $.50 at Michaels (Mod Podged to Pins)
1 White Hanging Tin Marker Cup $0 (had on hand but originally paid $1 at Dollar Tree)
Markers Borrowed From Personal Stash $0

GRAND TOTAL FOR DECOR $122.48

Not bad, if you ask me! What were some of your original guesses?

Of course, there was the cost of food, but we even tried to save there. Premade lemonade was $2 from Walmart, but we cut three fresh lemons and added a dash of sugar to give a homemade look and taste. We also saved costs on the cupcakes by making them ourselves from scratch. The total cost for food was around $75! All of the serving dishes and drink dispenser were already ours!

The burp clothes for the clothesline (guests were asked to decorate one for the mommy to take home) were just $12 at Walmart. I also found four onesies on clearance at Target for $3.38 that I added to the line!

We also had the cost of plates, napkins, cups and plastic utensils. The utensils were bought for $1 at Dollar Tree, and everything else was less than $12 at a local party supply store.

I hope this has inspired you, and please let me know if you have any additional questions or need some advice for your next party!

Enjoy your day!