News from NEPA's KidDilly Network www.kiddilly.com

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.

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

 

 

 

Everywhere we looked, children and their families were enjoying themeselves. In addition to shopping, there was face painting, entertainment like the lively Renaissance jousting reenactment, and wonderful horse and carriage rides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kiddilly was sure to make a visit to The Bottega where owner Dori Waters put out a fine spread of Valentine’s Sweets and coffee. Also inside, an artist sketched caricatures for onlookers peeking through the store’s plate glass window, while local authors, Pat Thomas and Lindsay Barrett George (who is also a talented illustrator), signed copies of their picture books for gleeful children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After enjoying a nice time at The Bottegga, we made our way to the wonderful Kids Quality Consignment  to visit proprietor, Becky Bruner. Becky assisted shoppers in a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd enjoying KQC’s famous half-price winter clearance sale and one of the largest selection of Doug and Melissa wooden toys in the region.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you weren’t able to make it to Clarks Summit yesterday, there is still time. The Festival will continue through President’s Day.