I am. Really. Because it has been nearly 5 weeks since I posted here. Seriously, that’s a horrific situation. I did not mean to leave you high and dry. Really. I did not. But life often has a way of cramming too much into too little, leaving you gasping for air and refreshment, like a freshly caught fish hauled out of the lake.

I’m involved in a lot of new activities. Some of which I’ve chosen. Some of which have rather chosen me. But it is okay. Really, it is. But until they create reliable clones, I’m just going to do the best that I can with what I have. And time, too little of it, is the key issue.

I’m working on a new website. I’ve never built anything (really) before and this is totally different from this site. At least, in theory. Okay, I know that doesn’t make a whole lotta sense, but what I’m doing with the new site (name to be shared soon) is design a site that will help discerning shoppers find handmade quality items easier. Coincidentally, it will also help the makers of those fabulous handmade items get seen faster and in a wider arena, And that really is the key. If no one knows you are ‘there’, no one will buy your items.

I’m learning how to program/design the site. So far, at least at this point, I’m determining that an August opening is going to happen. A few things have to occur, first, of course. I need photos/clipart. I’ve found most of them. But I still need more of them. I also need to upload the site to a server so that I can get the urls for the pages and set up the links. Then, I have to let other biz know of the site. The goal is to spend 50% of revenue on advertising each month. Which means that the site will have a fee. But I hope it is ‘worth it’ to those who are there.

I started a new team on Etsy called RealSoap. The reason? Soapers had been somewhat complacent thinking that the ‘reseller issue’ that has plagued many online selling venues, hadn’t hit our category. And we were all utterly gobsmacked to see folks buying ready made logs of soap, slicing them and puting a label on them. Well, that doesn’t constitute ‘handmade’ to me. RealSoap is a team that promotes folks who actually make what they sell, like moi. Want to check us out? Search RealSoap in the bar at Etsy and you’ll find different shops. Or, you can browse us by going to the team section, finding us and shopping with our membership. You’ll be glad you did.

I’m designing a new soap line. My first attempt to create the soap in my head did not work out. I kinda ‘mushed’ a few of my current techniques and hoped that I’d get the way cool image residing in my brain, but I did not. So I’ll try it again later tonight (fingers crossed) and see if, this time, I do manage to create what I’m calling ‘Sorbet Soap’. I think you’ll love it.

I’m also completing the design work for a new line of candles. More upscale than my current line, each candle is packaged to make it very ’giftable’. Tucked in a cool box and tied with a ribbon, it is something totally new for me. But still totally within the realm of Coquette Bath & Home™ (accent here on the ‘home’).

And, yes, I’m still redecorating. My home office and front sitting room are totally done. Though I did buy a new item at IKEA yesterday (Expedit unit) that I originally intended for my bedroom. Now, not too sure. I may use it in the front sitting room, in place of the white bookcase already there. With 8 cubicle spaces, it will hold a lot of stuff in a more organized way. I also bought 3 inserts (one with 2 drawers and two with just a door). White inserts in a black/brown (their color scheme…) unit. My only drawback is that it is made of engineered wood. I primarily purchase their solid wood items. But I’ve always loved that basic no nonsense design. If I decide not to use it there, then I will take it back.

And get a bookcase unit for my bedroom. That’s the current room on the agenda. I’ve already painted the walls with silvery blue (pale nearly gray) ‘oops’ paint. You know the paint. When the home improvement center doesn’t blend it precisely right for a customer, or if they do not return to pick it up, the paint is seriously marked down. I love getting $35 gallon paint for $9. I generally only buy oops paint. And this one is fabulous. It is nice enough that I’d honestly pay for the paint in full price. If you are looking for a wonderful paint that COVERS (and this paint covered a vivid jade green in a microthin coating cause I only had 1 gallon and a room that–with regular paint–would want 1.5 gallons) you need to buy the Behr paint that also contains a primer.

Absolutely wonderful. And one coat, as mentioned, did the job. I have enough to do, I don’t need to paint a room twice. And with this paint I did not have too.

Today, if the flooring store is open, I’m going to go and get the laminate for my bedroom, roust the 20yr old son out of bed, and lay floor. He and I have done 2 rooms already. And this one could be done today. We have to shift furniture to do it, though.

This list doesn’t even cover all of the past tax returns and stuff that I need to shred (3 bags already done and waiting for recycle), photos to take (like I’ve made a new lotion bar in peach that is fabulous. No, you don’t see it on the site–but I’m about to add it–cause of photos. I’m seriously delinquent in that arena. I HATE taking photos). And more.

Maybe we’ll even stop in at our new favorite sushi restaurant tonight for a dinner. That is, if we get the floor laid.

Hope your world is equally challenging. Keeps us on our toes, huh?

Sunday is when I have some time to relax and reflect. The end of a weekend, and the herald to a new work week, I always find myself a bit introspective.

As I’ve posted before, I live in Texas. And the weather here is somewhat unreliable. It will be madly raining for a few hours and then bright blue sunshine. It can be freezing in the middle of October, or warm enough for just a teeshirt in November. Last Friday morning, it was a teeshirt day. Until the rains came and I had to put on a sweater. Seriously, the weather here is rather strange.

The good news, today, is that it is chilly, but otherwise bright outside. I hope life will permit me to do some photographs. I have a ton of new products to list, and a bunch of old ones (photos) to update. As I’ve groused before, photography is not my favorite thing. But you can’t find a product that I know you’ll love until I manage to get a decent photo of it. And so we go.

In other notes, I’m still remodeling the house. Tidying up from the huge paint and flooring extravaganza from earlier in the year. I have touchup along baseboards, more caulk and some paint to scrape off tile. I also have to finish the clear coating of the separating boards that need to fill the juncture between laminate flooring and tile.

I wish there were 3 of me. But, there’s just one. So what are your plans for this marvelous day? I know you’ll make them good ones.

…that I’m in the middle of a major house painting! Don’t think I haven’t forgotten you, but will post more in a week. I will take some pictures of the new space (you know, I totally forgot to take pictures of the OLD space, so you’ll have to understand that it was chaos…and hideous.).

The new paint color is a lovely light citrus green…think lemongrass but with a touch more yellow. Utterly wonderful and cool and light! Just what we need in blistering hot Texas!

It was 104 here today. Something cool to look at is a major blessing. Talk to you (more) soon!

Well, it has been a long time coming. When I bought this house, about a decade ago, I painted it entirely inside before my kids and I moved in. I really do not like basic beige paint. But I know, that’s the color that new homes use. And I can see why…it is neutral and goes with all different decors. But I don’t like it.

So the rooms in my house were painted sage green, jade green, etc. I like color. And lots and lots of color.

Okay, you figured that based on my products, right? LOL. But it is the truth. I really do not like basic beige in any format. Be it soap or wall color. Boring. Blah.

But now, well, I’m looking to sell the house in a few years. So I had a realtor walk it and give me the benefit of her incredible experience. First comment? Your walls are too ‘decorated’, they need to be beige.

BEIGE? OH NO!

So, in the back of my mind, I knew I was going to have to do it, sooner or later. Well, it came sooner, courtesy of our corgi.

No, Etta did not take a sharpie in her paw and write on the walls. But after one too many ‘accidents’, I’ve decided to rip up the remaining carpet (my office and bedroom are about the only carpeted areas left in this house…oh yeah, the front living area, too). I’m replacing the carpet with laminate flooring from IKEA.

Love IKEA, by the way. I’m blessed that we have one close by in Frisco, TX.

But, since I’m replacing the flooring, I figured that I might, as well (since I have to do it anyway) paint the walls. So I am. I found a shade that is, weirdly enough, my skin color…a soft beige with pink undertone. And the room is currently in the midst of drying from the first coat. It will take 2 coats to completely cover that jade green color.

But you know what? I am liking this color. Never thought I’d ever say that. But it looks fresh and clean and cool.

And yeah, I still like color. But I think my products are going to look even better resting on their new shelves (IVAR from IKEA). I’m giving them a brand new home.

Until they go to your house. Have a wonderful and blessed Easter!