My Stella and Dot story

I have started a new adventure by becoming a Stella and Dot stylist. I am super excited about starting my own business and I hoping it gets rolling right away.

Almost 4 years ago I knew a girl from church who had a really cool necklace on and I had asked where she had got it from and she had said, "It's from Stella and Dot" and I left it at that.

Demi Earrings

Deco Drop Earrings

Jump to the present and I am now working in home care as a graduate (soon to be registered) nurse and lo and behold a co-worker of mine tells me she is a Stella and Dot stylist. I grabbed a look book from her and made my first order. I got the Deco Drop earrings (because they looked like the earrings that I had worn on my wedding day) and the Demi earrings in gold. I was so excited to get my order. It was then that my co-worker asked if I would be interested in hosting a show so I could get a couple of more pieces for free and half off. Now, if you don't already know I don't like spending lots of money on things like jewelry as I don't wear it all that often.


So in the end of July I hosted my own trunk show and was able to add to my growing collection of Stella and Dot jewels! I was ecstatic!

After my party was over my co-worker had made a comment that I would be a fantastic stylist (which I am still hoping is true. ;) ). I dragged me feet but eventually caved and became a stylist. I really wanted to be the one styling my friends and helping them get free jewels, instead of my co-worker, and I had thought it would give me something fun to do while on maternity leave. We also have just bought a new vehicle so I thought it would be nice to have some extra income.

So here I am starting my journey as a Stella and Dot stylist. I would love for you to check out the site and leave a comment telling me what your favourite piece is in the collection!!

http://www.stelladot.com/sites/desireepaterson

New and Exciting.

I just realized that it has almost been a full year since I have blogged. I am horrible. Definitely a sporadic blogger. But anyways this post is about change. There have been some new and exciting changes in our little family. No, I am not pregnant.

First, we recently have bought a new vehicle! We got a 2010 Nissan Rogue! I am very happy with our purchase. We got this vehicle for several reasons. First, Daley did not want me driving out in rural Alberta in our little Saturn (I don't blame him, I didn't either). Second, it has become our new "family" car. Meaning, that it will be easier to get future carseats in and out of the car, in addition to hauling the equipment that comes with having a future child. And lastly, I love this vehicle because it makes me feel like a grown up, instead of a poor student.  

Also, Daley has started Graduate School these past couple of weeks. So far he is loving being back at school, but not loving that he may have to work harder this year then he did during his undergrad. Daley is not the only one of his school friends getting their Master's degree, a couple of his friends from his undergrad have joined him in this endeavour as well.

I also had decided to launch my own business by becoming a Stella and Dot stylist. Separate post to come. I am super excited about it!!! I'm hoping that all goes well and I can get started. 

You've had a birthday shout... HOORAY!

I turned 21 in October. I am officially legal in every country. :) To celebrate we invited some really good friends of ours over for dinner. We busted out our stone to do a stone dinner, and had cheesecake for dessert! We played wizard and overall had a great night!

New Calling

Daley and I got new callings! We got called to be Primary teachers, specifically to teach Sunbeams. For those of you who don't belong to my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) what that means is we teach 3/4 year olds. After our sacrament meeting is Primary, which is essentially children's Sunday School. They sings song's and have mini lessons taught to them by members of the Primary Presidency and also Daley and I. We are both nervous but excited at the same time. This experience will show us how well we together as a team, which is something we haven't really had to do before. Prior to receiving this calling I was the Relief Society Chorister and Daley was a Elder's Quorum teacher (if you are reading this and want to know what that means let me know). Therefore we didn't interact much. So I'm excited to be able to see my husband the whole time while at church.

Paterson Party

In August was the Paterson Party aka reunion. All of Daley's brothers and sister/sisters-in-law and children were able to meet in Cardston for the week. Unfortunately, my brother in law Andrew was not able to attend until later in the week. Early on in the week there was a rainstorm, and because there was damage to my in-laws roof from the hailstorm 2 weeks earlier, the roof leaked. There was lots of mopping and buckets until the boys came home and thought of making a giant funnel.

Vivian, Dena and her girls, and myself were able to go to the Cardston Courthouse Museum. There were lots of donated items from the early settlers of Cardston. 

An armadillo purse, which kind of creeped me out a little. Can you see the hands? 

There was a jail in the basement of the courthouse, and as you can see I'm really enjoying being in jail. 

There was also a school display as well. The desks were perfect Kayla size and I couldn't resist taking a picture. On a side note, Kayla called me Auntie Desiree and that totally made my week. 

All of the girls went into Lethbridge as well for some shopping. Everyone of was able to buy something that they couldn't live without.  I was able to buy a little something for each of my nieces. (It helps me to feel more like an auntie, and was fun). 

Morley and I went and saw The Drowsy Chaperone at the Carriage House Theatre in Cardston. I was so glad that he wanted to go because I previously had seen Once Upon a Mattress and wanted to see another show. I laughed so hard during the show! It was nice to be able to do something with Morley. 

The brothers also went 4x4 ing during the week and we all went on Saturday once Andrew arrived. 

The 4x4's 

Andrew thought that Daley looked like Paul Bunyan in his steel toed boots. 

Kayla and Alyssa allowed me 5 seconds to take a picture before going off to find more sticks and play by the creek. 

Family picture time. :) Brynley, Ari and baby Maeve. 

We also had family pictures taken as well... but those are to come later! 

Card "Party" Thursday

Early thursday Daley and I, along with more of my cousins were able to go swimming... and burned quite badly. 

Thursday evening was Softball. My softball skills are right up there with my archery skills, meaning, non-existant. However, I was able to help others warm up by pitching. I have quite the wind up. Daley participated and was quite good! Early thursday Daley and I, along with more of my cousins were able to go swimming... and burned quite badly.

Card Family "Party" Wednesday

We signed up to do archery on Wednesday. I had never shot a bow and arrow before and wanted to try. Daley had some experience with archery prior to the Card Party. Needless to say I was not very good, probably due to poor form. (I need some more arm muscles!) However, Daley did quite well. Near the end he was either in the yellow or the red. My cousin Shae got a bullseye!!

See all of the ones in the white? I'm pretty sure I contributed to over half of them. Later that night the girls (Mom, Julia, Mom-in law, Auntie LeAnna, Shae, Gramma, Aunt Cari and myself) went to see Once Upon a Mattress in the Carriage House Theatre in Cardston. It was very well done. One of Daley's brother's friends played the "mute" King and he was hilarious!! Actually I was impressed by everyone's performance. Overall it was a great day.