Put Work Away...go on a Teeny Tiny Vacay!

It's my favorite time of the year...that's right VACAY time!  So here's what I'm doing on my family vacation...

• heading off to Northern Virginia to visit my brother-in-law + his baby - I can't believe how long it has taken us to get this done!
• going to visit the American Girl doll store so Kathryn Hope can get her doll's ears pierced
• eating some THAI food - you just can't find it in Clayton, NC + it was my favorite when we lived in Fairfax, VA

But, even more important than that...I will be getting to spend 5 uninterrupted days with my most adorable Kathryn Hope!  This is totally amazing because she has been missing me lately + we are going on our first family (Kim, Kathryn + Jack) road trip in the Kia Soul...AKA...teeny tiny vacay party wagon!  I'll be sure to post about our adventures...BUT, I just couldn't miss sending out a super special edition of Personaliday all about:

My Favorite Teeny Tiny Vacay tips video - super short...super FUN...just like you like them.  This one is all about the steps that I will be using to maximize my vacay family time + I hope that you can use them to maximize your vacay time too! And...there will be a surprise at the end + no peeking!!!

Now that you've finished watching my teeny tiny vacay video - I want to know what you're doing to focus on your vacay.  In the comment box below tell me the steps that you take to unwind from work + veg out on your vacation!  I just can't wait to see how you go from action mode to vacation mode!  Keep me posted! And, don't forget to subscribe by clicking on the box on the top right of the page to get in on goodies + updates!


Bon voyage teeny tiny style,
Kim

Go glitterer gone WILD!!! It's teeny tiny SALE time!!!

Wait a MINUTE here!  What's going on...
Where is the VIDEO???  What happened to this week's Personaliday???


Personaliday for this week has temporarily been disrupted...I have an important announcement (at this point imagine crowds of people cheering!)


This just in...it's time...the princess has waved her MAGIC wand...and...

BAM...that's right BAM...it's sale time in the teeny tiny empire...it only happens two times a year...so bring out the party hats, banners + balloons...'cause there's a P-A-R-T-Y going on right here + it's super sparkly!  Every teeny tiny piece of handcrafted stationery love is on sale...20% off!!!

Save BIG if you are on a teeny tiny budget...NOW is the time...to brighten your mailbox...with a little SPARKLY joy!!!

And...not only do I have 20% off...but, if you are a subscriber to Personaliday or Hope Loves Cards it's time to get your SWAG on...and the teeny tiny princess waves her wand...and...a free note pad POPS out!  So, now, not only do you get to meet my stationery up close + personal like, but you get to score some SWAG by ordering ridiculously cute stationery + signing up for Personaliday or Hope Loves Cards + you get a notepad to boot!  Now - just so you know - these adorable note pads only go to subscribers that place an order with Hope Loves Cards - anytime from now 'til the end of JUNE! So go forth + tweet it + Facebook it + call all of your friends!!!

xoxo,

Kim

P.S Isn't watching all of the action inside the teeny tiny empire super FUN!!! Oh, and by the way - just in case you miss the "real me" there will be a special announcement + a rockin' new video next week...totally promise it...and it will be better than Mt. Dew flavored cupcakes (oh, no...now I'm just going for it...what if I can't live up to the HYPE of Mt. Dew cupcakes?)

Addicted to Mentors

OK - I must be the first to admit that I am totally hooked on MENTORS - that's right - MENTORS!!!

We all have those special sparkly filled people that really spur us on!  Cheerleaders who invest in us...they keep us going when we are ready to give up...they push us to places we thought we could never reach...they give us a kick in the *** when we need it.

Now is your chance...to help me find the greatest mentor of all time...shout out some love and praise in the form of a comment or tweet (tweets to @hopelovescards) + let me know who rocks your mentor world...

Who is the mentor that you just can't LIVE + GIVE without...

In this weeks video you will receive some rocking out music to contemplate all of that mentor goodness...not my typical VIDEO...this one is SUPER short + sweet...with a lot of orange thrown in...

THE DEBATE IS ON...WHO IS THE BEST MENTOR...EVER???

Don't forget tweet + comment...show your MENTOR love + get into a MENTOR war with ME!!!

"Addicted to Love"

Feeling Total JOY!!!

Today...I feel total JOY!!! And, it has come to me in the form of a printer...I have upgraded the teeny tiny empire - professional style!!!


All of my stationery orders are now going to be sparkly, glittery + even better looking than EVER...


Cards gone CHILD + those kiddos look AMAZING!!!


I can't wait to share some adorable picks of teeny tiny glittery goodness with all of you!  Don't you love progress, 'cause I know one teeny tiny princess is even more excited about GLITTERY stationery!!!

Time in a Bottle??? You Decide...

In today's episode of Personaliday it's 24 hours BABY...We all have it...we get no more than 24...how will you use it???


I'm whipping my 24 - Time in a Bottle Style...join me by clicking on the video + you can sneak a peek inside the teeny tiny empire...


I'm a super GLITTERATTI today!!!

After you watch the video...feel free to post your comments - or if you have a super secret success that you want to share about how you EMBRACE the 24 you are given...


EMAIL ME AT:
hopelovescards@live.com


This video is chock full of personality...I sure hope you enjoy!
xoxo,
Kim
from deep inside the teeny tiny empire 


Music from today's video:
"Make It Shine"
"Time in a Bottle"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBEyRSzVowE

Personaliday The Secret I Never Wanted to Share

Hey there cupcake creator!  I am super excited to be sharing Part 4 of my "What's Your Cupcake" series with YOU today!

LETS DETERMINATE THOSE CUPCAKES!!!

Inspired by my daughter's favorite song "Determinate" with just a little teeny tiny sprinkle of glitter thrown in...

I will be sharing with YOU my TOP SECRET!  That's right it's the BIGGEST secret that I NEVER wanted to share...this video is all about the competition within each & every one of us + our desire to DETERMINATE it.

Take care as you watch this video because you may DIE laughing!  It's really funny...or, at least, I think so!  ENJOY...YOU deserve a special super funny treat after DETERMINATING those cupcakes!!!

*Step 1: Enjoy those cupcakes
*Step 2: What makes YOUR cupcake the best cupcake in town.

A secret will be shared + hopefully YOU will DETERMINATE a cupcake or two of your own!


Now that you've seen the video + know my secret...share a SECRET or two with ME!!!  I want to feel your comment LOVE...so comment like there's a PARTY going on in here!

Link to the music in the video:
Determinate

Determinate Your Cupcake-AKA the biggest secret I never wanted to share!

This week it's DETERMINATE YOUR CUPCAKE week!  In honor of the party...cupcakes will be FROSTED "glitter style" + I will be SHARING with all of you...my very, very TOP secret success formula for DETERMINATING your cupcake.


You TRULY don't want to miss it!  I can't wait to frost determinated cupcakes with YOU!!!


Just so you know...I don't take sharing this TOP secret with you lightly...it is the ONE SINGLE biggest secret that I have + I NEVER planned to share it...in fact I've always kept it so well hidden...that NOBODY has ever even asked!!!


I am always SHOCKED that no one has EVER even asked about it...not even once...AND it is MY secret weapon...


Tuesday, May 8th...my SECRET is GOING live via Personaliday so stay tuned in to be the FIRST to see it...


My top secret frosting on the cupcake lands in your email box Tuesday, May 8th at NOON - so make sure that if you aren't on my MOST awesome list...you know the one with CELEBRITY status there is still hope for you...


Just click on the little princess on the top right of the page + give me your name + email address + my TOP secret will land in your email box!!!


This IS the episode that you don't want to miss...the fate of YOUR teeny tiny empire is in your hands + I can't wait to escort you to the door!

Personaliday - What's Your Cupcake Part 3 - BAKE YOUR CUPCAKE

Today's the day we are BAKING our cupcakes...make sure you watch this really funny "rap" video.


Baking your cupcake is where your cupcake REALLY starts to take shape...you don't want to miss it!


Cupcakes in the baking - things are REALLY starting to heat up!!!


There are only three steps to the baking process...and...no "REAL" oven is required...unless you want to press your face up to the glass + watch that cupcake bake.


This video is TOTALLY out of my comfort zone...Imma Be dancing' Yo!


And...don't forget to stop back here after watching the video so you can share your thoughts with the group...it's sure to be FUN!

Cupcake dreamer you...there is only one part left in my "What's Your Cupcake Series"...

NEXT WEEK WE WILL "DETERMINATE THOSE CUPCAKES"!

Here's are links to the songs from my video!

Imma Be 

Determinate

OMG! It's the CUTEST chore chart EVER!

The princess waves her MAGIC wand...and *POOF* the chores disappear!


I just finished designing the CUTEST little Post-It note chore chart EVER!!! It is so gosh darn cute - that maybe even little Kathryn Hope may do her chores!!!

• Chart is laminated - you can even write on it with dry erase markers
• Chart is reusable - the only thing that goes in the trash is the used Post-Its
• You create the PRINCESS for the chart - hairstyle, hair color, skin tone + eye color = YOUR PRINCESS
• Chart is super sized 17"x11"

This chore chart is SOOOOO much fun that I may have to make a matching ...the queen's work is never...done - just for me!

If you are TOTALLY loving this chore chart as much as I do...here is your chance to WIN one!!!  All you have to do is leave the best comment in the box below about your little one + chores.  Winner will be chosen by ME based on best comment...so get those pens + pencils out and think it over + leave a COMMENT in it (the box below) to WIN it!!!  One winner will be chosen on Sunday, May 13th - which just happens to be Mother's Day!!!

SHAKE YOUR CUPCAKE - in action!!!

Today, for me was no ORDINARY Thursday...it was the best THURSDAY ever...I got to see "My Cupcake" in action!


I was a guest poster for Oh! My Handmade Goodness...a blog that I have followed since it started + it was a "cupcake" that I wanted to achieve this year!


My thoughts on this guest post are huge...

• Why did it take me so long
• What kept me from getting there
• What was holding me back

The ANSWER...is ME...I was the ONLY one that held me back from realizing this HUGE dream...I never asked for it.  I never mentioned to anyone that I wanted it.  I was the only one standing in the way of "My Cupcake"!

So, it is today, no ordinary Thursday that I lovingly say to you in all caps:

GO GET YOUR CUPCAKE ON...DON'T WAIT FOR YOUR CUPCAKE TO BE GIVEN TO YOU...GO GET YOUR CUPCAKE...

Today...my cupcake tastes - AMAZING!!! And...I am sharing it with all of you too, but only because it's too good to keep it to myself!!!

AND on a side note about "What's Your Cupcake" For the reach out to someone that can help you...AKA Call 911 Cupcake Down...

here are the people that I made my emergency in the know people that helped me realize this cupcake - even if they didn't know if - so, make sure that you visit them too - because they are truly "Cupcake Dreamers"

Mayi Carles - she's just a big bunch of AWESOME + a truly great business coach 

Jessika Hepburn - she's helping teeny tiny people launch big dreams

April Bowles Olin - she's making me get off my couch + making me try yucky things like Tofu so I'll make healthier choices instead of Mt. Dew + cupcakes

Marie Forleo - For introducing me to her "Imma Be" video + kick you know what coaching

Laura Roeder - For saying it EXACTLY as it needs to be said

Pamela Morgan - For being such an amazing photographer!

Personaliday What's Your Cupcake? Part 2 - Shake Your Cupcake

Good evening everyone!  I am super excited to FINALLY be sending out the 2nd part in my four part vlog series - What's Your Cupcake!  


This edition is SUPER fun and CALORIE FREE!  I just can't wait for us to dig deeper and to SHAKE our cupcakes!  


This video is jammed packed with My Three Tips for Shaking Your Cupcake - but, don't worry - even though it's packed it's still super short and sweet - just like me!


It THRILLS me to no end to hear about the CUPCAKES in the baking out there - so, don't forget to slap your cupcake down in the comments section BELOW + don't worry - I don't BITE!

Steps to Shake Your Cupcake
1. Share your cupcake - keep your besties in the LOOP.
2. Cupcake 911
3. No FREE cupcakes - this one makes me so SAD - I crave those FREE cupcakes!!!


Remember, that the key to the perfect cupcake is not to forget to bring a teeny tiny bit of your personality into your business + life EVERYDAY!


And...don't forget that if you want to catch more of my videos subscribe by clicking here and visiting the box at the top right hand corner!


Link to Harry Belafonte's Jump In The Line soundtrack!

It's Finally Here!!! What's Your Cupcake?

I am super, duper, cupcake excited to bring to you today's Personaliday video!

What's your cupcake?  Part 1 of a 4 part series helping you get to the heart of what you do cupcake style! Part 1 is all about Identifying the Cupcake Inside YOU!!!

And...I don't just mean cupcakes - but, I am totally in LOVE with them!

Cupcakes are inside us all and we need to get them OUT - OUT, OUT delicious little cupcakes...

Don't forget that this week's Personaliday includes an adorable little worksheet to help you tackle everything that keeps those cupcakes from leaping out Tae Kwon Do Style all over everyone's A**.  That's right everyone, let me hear your CUPCAKES roar...use the comment section below to let me know all about your cupcakes...let's see what we've all got in the "Baking"!

Oh - don't forget, let me hear those cupcakes ROAR!!! And, just in case you love this song as much as I do - here is a link to our teeny, tiny theme song "Cult of Personality" by Living Color - I have rocked out to this tune in my car way too many times as "research" hehehe!

Okay, so here goes...the What's Your Cupcake - Identify your cupcake worksheet!  Enjoy! Click the image to grab your worksheet!

xoxo,

Kim

P.S. I've been working REALLY hard to bring you the best possible info from inside the glittery stationery empire...but, if you somehow got lost...and meant to get updates on our stationery and not the biz side of being a princess in a teeny tiny stationery empire...RUN, DON'T WALK and go on over to the headquarters of the teeny tiny stationery empire - the place with all the glitter by clicking right HERE!

Ready, Set Vlog - Can't wait for vlog number 2!

Today I am sitting on the throne in my glittery stationery empire, AKA my giant red couch in the living room.  It has been an amazing day and now things are winding down.  Kathryn Hope is falling asleep on the other end of the couch awaiting a visit from the Easter Bunny...and I am very busy...wondering what my next Personaliday vlog post will be about...I guess you will have to wait and see, but I am looking very forward to sharing it with you!
xoxo,
Kimberly Hope
PS.  I would sure hate for you to miss out on all of the fun!  Make sure that you click on the little girl on the top right of the page to sign up for updates.  That way you get to join in on all of the fun that I am creating from my teeny tiny glittery stationery empire!

Wait, Paparazzi, Wait - No Photos No Comments!

Okay, so something really funny and exciting happened to me today and it caught me off guard.  I am a creative business owner during the evenings, but by day - I am the manager of a retail store about 30 minutes away from home.  I don't really talk about one while at the other very often because of my commitment to making both work + it always makes me feel icky talking about one while at the other, but I digress...so I am training a new employee and we were talking for a few minutes about our iPhones and I showed her my cute cover (which I made using my little Kathryn from my stationery) and this really funny thing happened...

the new employee mentioned to me that...her mother was opening a new jewelry business out 40/42 in Clayton, and that there was a lady opening a shop there that made the cutest stationery with little people...

and - she was talking about ME!  That's right - ding, ding, ding, bells and whistles and all...my new employee at my job's mother is opening a creative jewelry shop...in the same building as...ME + she is recommending me to people that she knows...because my stationery is really cute and adorable!

Now, for those of you that know me well enough to hear me talk about my two jobs, you know that my secret desire is for someone (that doesn't know both sides of me...AKA...my split-work personalities...oops, I'm rambling again...

I want someone that doesn't know it - to mail me a note on one of my own note cards or stationery items.  I think that would be the cutest...most adorable way for me to know that I have finally arrived...been discovered...am making a difference and that secretly Paparazzi will start stalking me because I have reached celebrity status.

At least - that was my little dream goal in life...until today - when someone recommended that I check out this cute new stationery shop opening up with her mom's jewelry shop and she was recommending I buy my own stationery.

Scratch the old goal...new goal-have more really sweet people recommend that I buy my own stationery!  I almost died laughing when I realized she was talking about me.

Now - if you want to keep me laughing - the fall off my chair and snort Mt. Dew up my nose kind of laughing - PLEASE comment to me below with the one thing that really shocked you in your business or the one moment that really made you feel like you were doing the right thing in your biz at the right time! And, don't worry, I don't bite...I love to hear your comments...and I really do sometimes laugh so hard that my Mt. Dew goes up my nose.  But, now - my cupcakes?  They always hit my mouth - so I never snort my favorite Simply Cinnamon cupcakes!

And...this is the best part all commenters to this post will receive a special handwritten thank you note as my little way of saying a personal thank you for taking your time to comment on my newly discovered fame!

xoxo,
Kimberly Hope
PS The actual employee listed in this post has had her name omitted to protect her privacy to prevent Paparazzi from stalking her...seriously?  just kidding about the stalking...I told her I would be blogging about this because it was soooooo funny!

What To Do for this Tuesday's Freebie???

Here is my most favorite Tuesday Freebie yet!  Your own little to do list for all of those extra special to do's that you need to complete!  This will help keep you super organized in totally cupcake cute style! It's really simple - just click and download this little sheet to your computer.  Each sheet prints three to do's using just one sheet of 8.5 x 11 paper.  You could add a little chipboard to the back and make super cute little note pads to have handy and ready at a moments notice, or use the sheets in singles and keep them stashed in the pocket of your favorite binder.  I'm really sure that however you choose to use them they will be extra special to you in helping you tackle all of those jobs that have to get done!  In honor of this cute to do - I'm sharing an extra special ***TEASER*** for next Tuesday.  I will post for you a special how to taking this design and transforming it into a cute little note pad using just a few simple supplies many of which you probably already have at home - so don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the mailing list for your Tuesday freebie by clicking on the little blonde girl with a curly ponytail on the top right of the page!  That's all you have "to do" to get all of the extra special tips, tutorials and super cute freebies sent your way!  xoxo, Kimberly Hope

Oh! My - only two weeks until OPENING DAY!

I am totally pumped up and really super excited today to share with you that there are only two weeks left until the grand opening of my teeny tiny little store in Clayton, North Carolina!  I have been a busy little bee crafting all of the cuteness that is going into my little labor of LOVE.  I get goose bumps just thinking about it.  For those of you that are signed up for newsletters they are taking a little vacay just for the month of March so that I can get all caught up.  There are just soooo many things going on right now that I am really pushing it to get everything accomplished in the oh - so - short time frame.  Rest assured though that once the little teeny tiny store is all complete tons of pictures will be posted so that you can share the grand opening with me!  And just in case you are really close to the Clayton area feel free to stop by on grand opening day!  Saturday, March 31st you can see all of the cuteness up close and real personal like!  Stop by from 10-5 March 31st at Unique Boutiques and Marketplace 21 Anna Drive Clayton, North Carolina 27520.  I will be there in person - just in case you want to stop by for a little chat!

The Secret's Out - The Mayi Carles Collection

   

WHOA!!! What a March!

Okay everyone - this is a little bitty teeny tiny post about what is going on for me in my little biz (that's about to EX-PLODE) in the month of March...so get ready...here's what all the fuss is about!

1.  I signed a licensing contract with the most awesome and most talented person EVER - Mayi Carles.  I will be carrying her licensed artwork designs in just a couple of days...once I get everything completed.  Mayi, is such and amazing new friend and I am so happy to have found her!  Sometimes people just get under your skin - in a good way - and Mayi produces some of the most amazing videos that will have you going out and buying some big old sunglasses!  This is soooooo ***CUPCAKES AND MT. DEW*** exciting for me that I just CAN'T wait for to show everyone the finished products!!!
2.  I am hopefully in the final stages of the new website design for Hope Loves Cards - I have been working for over a year with an amazing web designer, Shanna, from Sitesquared, after falling head over heels in love with the website and packaging design for Francie Pants that she created, and thought I could work with her on a website where everyone  would be able to see what the completed stationery will look like before you order it ***CARTWHEELS, YIPPEE, DANCES OF EXCITEMENT*** as I have shopped around online for stationery and took a little peek at my competitors and saw some competitors that really hit it out of the ball park - I knew that my current design and capabilities just were not up to CUPCAKES so...it's almost finished - at least with stage one - that is.  What that means for all my fans - no more selected from all the tons of links to create your design!!!
3.  I will be in my first brick and mortar store with my stationery!  This is huge for me because I have been waiting for the perfect spot close to home for a brick and mortar mini store and I have finally found it! Christy from Unique Boutiques and Marketplaces contacted me at the end of January and I decided to take the plunge and open up shop - March 31st!

WOW - that's all I can say about March...I'm soooo excited that Hope Loves Cards will be "Bringing Personality Back!" in so many NEW ways!!!  I'm exhausted full time job + licensing + custom web site + new store, but loving it!  Mayi, no CRICKETS here!  hehehe!

To everyone that has done EVERYTHING in their power to give me the positive kick in the pants that I needed to get the ball rolling...

Please feel free to leave your comments below, I promise, I really, really want your HONEST feedback...and don't forget that if you've "got personality" you MUST click on the little blonde girl on the top right and subscribe for freebies and updates!

Sneak Peek at this weeks Tuesday Freebie!!!

4 days...countdown continues...