Archive for the ‘Business Review’ Category
Meg Calpin Hughes is “Kiss My Style”
As working mothers fully understand, balancing work and family is no easy task. Yet KidDilly member, Meg Calpin Hughes makes it look easy! She even adds another challenge to the mix — managing her own successful business.
In addition to working full-time in medical marketing and sales, Meg owns and operates Kiss My Style; an online boutique featuring unique handcrafted pieces by amazing designers & artists across the US. She also designs gorgeous hand crafted items for Kiss My Style, too. Her handknits and other crafts are featured throughout her web site. You can also find them locally at select area craft fairs and at Knibbles & Bits,Dunmore.
Meg began her business in 2004, grassroots style.
“I started by doing hand knits and through word of mouth people would call for custom orders: hats, scarves, sweaters, blankets etc. Then I started showing them at craft shows and the business took off! The second year I had an order for almost 90 scarves! The bug bit and I loved it,” she explained.
Now, five years later, her work is receiving spectacular national attention.
“This has been a big year for Kiss My Style,” Hughes explained. “My magnet sets will be featured in the Dec/Jan issue of Parenting Magazine. This is the first national publication to show my pieces.”
To top it off, The Abington Journal ran an article on the Meg last month. In addition, she recently did an interview with Ryan Lecky on Newswatch 16 to promote the magnet sets.
Meg is a perfect example of how hard work and perseverance pay off. She’s the first to admit that when you do what you love, everything is secondary.
“I love everything about what I do. I meet fabulous artisans, get to see creative items, work on new pieces of my own and just talk art shop with a great group.”
As for balancing it all so successfully, Meg is grateful for the support she receives from her family.
“Kiss My Style is my passion and next to my family, my greatest accomplishment. It’s difficult to juggle working, my family, home and business but truthfully I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m blessed to have a really supportive husband and mom who help with my shows & my orders. Without them, I don’t know how it could all get done.”
Check out Meg’s website at www.kissmystyle.com. Use code “holiday” for 10% off a $50 order.
If you’re a mommy with your own business, be sure to join KidDilly’s Mompreneurs Group, and find out how you can advertise your business to KidDilly members for free!
If you know a dynamite NEPA mom, nominate her to be featured on an upcoming KidDilly blog post.
Writers, we’re now accepting submissions forKidDilly Blog publication. Email KidDilly@ymail.com for submission guidelines.
Games, and Puppets, and Fitness! That’s MyGym
The KidDilly team recently hosted an exclusive open house party at the brand new MyGym of Scranton this week.
MyGym is located on the second floor of the Ice Box complex and is a fitness-oriented facility for kids up to age 13.
MyGym’s mission? To make fitness fun!
It’s hard to say which equipment our kids liked the best: the large trampoline, the indoor swings, the slides, the action-packed zip-cord, or the colorful ball pit.
There was so much to do and my kids were so thrilled to be there we signed up for their award-winning classes on the spot. I’m really looking forward to our return, and seeing those ear-to-ear smiles stretch wide across the gleeful faces of my little ones.
After all, you know what they say: an active kid is a happy kid!
It’s a Dilly!
Allie
Tea for Two — Sugar’s Tea Room
A giant mug of green tea is an essential part of my morning. The warmth emanating from mug and the comfort in each sips’ soothing desent to my tummy has become an integral step in my morning routine (In fact, I’m sipping as I type).
Although I am a self-confessed morning tea-a-holic, I rarely take time to enjoy the experience during other intervals of my day.
The whole nature of preparing tea causes one to slow down and to experience the present moment. Making tea can be an ordeal. Making tea takes time. I guess that why I can’t be found sipping it during prime time productive hours.
Just one visit to Sugar’s Tea room in Forty-Fort with my 5-year old daughter, and I’m rethinking my rushed ways.
Once seated in the beautifully Victorian-English inspired dining room, our server invited us to select one of dozens of hats to wear during our stay. She then familiarized us with the amazing menu selections.
After much deliberation, I chose the five-course tea , with vanilla green tea being my flavor or choice.(Although with all the wonderful varieties, it wasn’t easy to pick just one). My daughter selected the lovely little peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches with hot chocolate.
Individual tea pots were quickly presented, along with a plate of the most magnificent home-made scones. They came in varieties, like chocolate chip and cinnomon, that I had never before been lucky enough to taste. The scones were served with a lovely little dish of fresh, flavored whipped cream to spread on top.
As the afternoon progressed, I found each course more enticing than the first. From the flavorful soup, amazing salad, to the pleasing sandwiches, and the “knock-your-socks off” strawberry layer-cake, every delectable detail was a feast for the senses.
My little girl and I had such fun at our tea party for two. We gracefully stuck-out our pinky fingers as we sipped from the delicate china. We giggled when we asked tea-riffic questions like, “One lump, or two, darling?” And, we delighted in our borrowed hats, all the while ooohing-and-aaahhhing at the delightful and pleasing décor.
Take it from my daughter, who during our splendid visit to Sugars Tea Room, announced, “This is the most fun day of my life, darling.”
I would have to agree.
Sugar’s Tea Room is exceptional.
Definitely make your reservations by calling (570) 714-4TEA well in advance. In the meantime, stop in during regular business hours to visit their lovely gift shop, or to pick up a scrumptious scone for your travels.
Does life get any better than a delightful Sugar’s tea party with your sweet little girl?
Allie
KidDilly Mom Escape!
This One’s For You Mom!
Leave the kids at home and escape!
Get away from the tears when the Elmo’s World credits begin to roll. Maybe Dad can take over reading Good Night Moon for the billionth time. Forget about your child tossing Cheerios from his highchair onto the floor to become his self-serve snack as soon as he escapes confinement.
Fragranced oil, relaxing music and a pair of kind hands can work out all of the stresses that motherhood puts in your neck, shoulders and back.
Where did I find this mini-escape? At the Sapphire Salon & Destination Spa in Pittston.
From the moment I opened the door to the ‘castle’, I felt I received royal treatment. Ashley kindly offered me complimentary coffee or tea and showed me around the boutique filled with jewelry, purses and other special items.
Soon I was escorted upstairs to the changing room and spa area. There, I was greeted by a tired mother’s favorite sound…quiet. Well, other than the soft music, of course.
And the massage was heaven. The therapist’s skilled hands eased away all of my tensions. And, when my hour was up, there was still more to enjoy. They offer a complimentary sauna, where I took pleasure in the peace and quiet while nibbling some granola and sipping water.
It was definitely a delightful experience and I would recommend it to any mom. You’ll feel so rejuvenated you won’t even notice the crunch of Cheerios underfoot that night!
Donna
An Apple A Day. And Some Carrots. And How About An Eggplant?
Wegman’s Dickson City Produce Department.
Every mom knows the drill – “5 A Day for Better Health” and “Eat a Rainbow of Fruits and Vegetables.”
“But, it’s February,” you say.
And it hasn’t always been easy to provide your family with appetizing produce options in the middle of winter. Instead of peeling and chopping, moms so often find ourselves boiling and plopping this time of year (Oh, no! Not frozen green beans, again)!
Wegman’s Produce department to the rescue!
Plump berries, luscious pineapples, a shmorgusborg of citrus and a half-dozen varieties of apples. And that’s just the fruit!
There is spring-worthy fresh asparagus, fresh broccoli and cauliflower, and appealing zucchini and summer squash!
Even hard to find, fresh herbs and spices are there for the picking.
So before you turn to the cupboard for another can of sliced pears in heavy syrup, head to Wegman’s for your fill of farm fresh goods, even in the middle of winter.
It’s a Dilly!
Allie
Picture This!
The old adage is, “A picture’s worth a 1000 words.”
Whoever said that never saw pictures by Julie Overholser at Shades of Gray Photography. Her photos say so much more!
Julie is not only the owner; she’s also the photographer and artist for Shades of Gray Photography in Clarks Summit. She photographs infants & children, maternity, senior portraits, weddings and other seasonal events. Her unique specialty is photo-tinting by hand.
In her own words, “We take the photo tinting art techniques of the past and combine it with a child of the present, to create a memory that will last long into the future. Each Hand-Tinted portrait is just that – Hand-Tinted by me with individual subtleties in shading and color to create a one-of-a-kind, cherished portrait.”
Of course, color, black & white, and sepia prints are also available.
In my living room you’ll find five of her fabulous photos, and one of them is a hand-tinted treasure. I’m certain as my kids grow, that photo will become even valuable to me.
Julie is collaborating with CityMommy to make sure we moms in NEPA have our photos ready to submit to the Times Tribune’s Mother’s Day edition! The Times-Tribune Mother’s Day portrait deadline is March 20 (for color photos) and April 3 (for b/w). We are scheduling this event well in advance to give you the best chance to make sure you do not miss this great opportunity.
CityMommy Special appointments are available:
Thurs. February 19 2pm – 4pm; 5:30 – 8:00pm
Fri. February 20 10am- 1:00pm; 1:45pm- 4pm; 6 pm to 8pm
Sat. February 21 9am – 12:00; 12:45 to 6pm
To schedule your 15 minute sitting, email your first & last name, date & time preferences (choose 2 hour time slot if possible and we will fit you in where we can), phone number , number of children and their ages to: donna@citymommy.com
Your 15 minute sitting will be held at the Shades Of Gray studio, 701 Morgan Highway, Clarks Summit PA. Directions are available upon request.
Hand-Tinting incurs an additional fee. Limit one free 5×7 per household. Some restrictions apply. See studio for details.
Shades of Gray Photography
701 Morgan Highway
Clarks Summit, PA 18411
I hope you can make it to this event & let Julie capture the heart of your family! Make sure to email me for your appointment donna@citymommy.com.
I know I’ll be there!
Donna
