March Madness

WOOHOO!  It is Monday morning and I am ready to conquer the world.  Okay, so it may be a slight stretch but I am ready to get into the spirit of March Madness.  No, I am not talking about basketball… I am talking about Thirty One’s March Madness.

If you haven’t heard yet, Thirty One has an AMAZING opportunity for hostesses this month.  Are you ready?

That’s right with a $500 party you get DOUBLE hostess credits so instead of $90 in FREE products you are gong to $180!  Talk about a shopping spree!I know, no time for a party right?  The house is a mess and no time to clean.  No room to have my friends over. None of my friends live close.  Too busy.  No money.  I have heard all of the reasons why you can’t have a party and get FREE stuff BUT for just 31 minutes of your time on Facebook, you could have a party.  Yes, you heard me right.

My new Facebook parties have me LIVE with you and your friends for 31 minutes highlighting all of the products you want to see up close. A personal shopper coming right into your home.  Here is how it works….

• I will send you a hostess packet for our party within the next 14 days.
• You share the catalog with friends and family to gather some outside orders.
• You will send me a guest list of 20 people who you want to attend with their snail mail address.  I will send them a personal paper invite with a treat.  Of those 20, you will pick 10 people who are a must have at your party.  Those individuals will receive a mini  catalog with a bonus option for helping you collect orders.
• Once I have the list, I will set up you Facebook party.
• We will do some posts on the party before it starts
• The day of the LIVE party, I will tell everyone how to earn tickets to win
• We will go live at the designated time for some fun and games.
• We will close your party within 48 hours of the LIVE event

Easy peasy, right?  No fuss. No mess.

The best part is all of the NEW items in March at Thirty One

#1 – March Customer Special…… I LOVE this special.  Some of our most popular bags from the NEW Spring catalog on sale

#2 Close to Home Tray is BACK!  This product sold out in 23 days when it was introduced during the holidays.  It is back with two options for personalization.

#3 – Celebrating Teachers and Nurses.  

#4 – You asked for it, we have it!  The NEW Softball icon..

Can you thing better than being a hostess in March?  Maybe it is starting your own business with one of our Spring Enrollment kits…

  

Not only do you get paid to party BUT you will also have the chance to get up to 4 of these amazing kits for FREE each month for the first four months.

So, who is ready to join in the fun?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Cruising on Vacation

If you have never been on a cruise, you don’t know what you are missing.  My first cruise was a gift from my mom – it was 7 glorious days on Princess Cruise Lines in the Caribbean.  It was the FIRST vacation that I actually relaxed – no phone, no email, just sun, fun and relaxation.

Yes, I love visiting North Carolina. Yes, I do relax – at least a little.  The truth is that I don’t truly shut down my electronics and I think that is the key.  So if you are looking to take a cruise and think it is WAY too expensive….. think again!

You have decided to take a cruise.  Now comes the daunting task of pick what type of cruise.  Fear. Dread. Overwhelmed!  There are religious cruises, intellectual cruises, party cruises, celebrity-themed cruises, political cruises and the list goes on, with options numbering in the thousands.

Lorri Christou, senior vice president, strategic marketing and communications with CLIA says that preparation is key when it comes to ship selection.  I LOVE this graphic that appeared in the Washington post.  Check it out and see what tips it gives you.

If you are new to cruising, here are some tips.

Use a travel agent who specializes in cruising. Yes, there are still travel agents even in this digital world. They can help you get up to speed on the different ship options and destinations.  They can help with booking flights.  NEWS FLASH!  Travel agents can often help you get better deals than you can find on your own.

Don’t overcommit. I know that there is LOTS of things to do not only on the ship but also when you get into port.  Be careful.  What do you really want from your cruise vacation?  Rest and relaxation? Adventure and socializing? A mix of the two?  Remember this is a vacation.  How many times have you come home from vacation saying “I need a vacation from my vacation”?  Schedule some things but also leave some down time for you to relax and enjoy the sea air and read a book (or get some extra sleep).

Introverts can enjoy cruises, too. Do you struggle in social settings?  Are you a home-body?  The truth is that was my hubby.  When we went on our first cruise, he was ready to just sit and read.  Once we got on the ship and started to explore things, he actually found it fun.  There are a variety of cruises with something for everyone. The dining rooms offer a variety of table sizes, so guests can opt for a two-seat table, a 12-seat table or anything in between.  We were with family, so we sat together but when we were in the buffet areas, we mingled with other guests.  Some cruises are more social while others more low-key. Splurging on a room with a balcony can also offer more privacy for those times when you just want to be by yourselves.

Cruising is a great way to see multiple countries in a short amount of time.  I love that you  unpack once and basically the ship does all the work for you.

Where are you dreaming of cruising to?  Share your tips and thoughts with us.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Travel on a Shoestring

Are you itching for a vacation but tight on cash? I know I am….We usually travel to North Carolina in May but this year with all of the doctor appointments, there was not time.  I will be celebrating in my “pink bubble” in July and am planning some trips for the fall.  One will definitely be to North Carolina and maybe even surprising hubby with a trip to Maine.  SHHHH!  It is a surprise!!!

So this week, we are going to talk about travel tips – from saving money to being organized ensuring that you don’t forget anything.

Here are just some tips quick tips to help you save money on your next trip:

#1 Airfares:  I don’t know about you but I feel like every time I turn around there is a change in airlines – mergers, acquisitions route adjustments and more. It may not seem it but the airlines are vying for your dollars. I know the additional charges for EVERYTHING is crazy but you can still get some good deals.  Finding the best fare is the trick. I have been checking rates on Hipmunk.  I have found some of the BEST rates there.  Let’s SQUASH the myth that round-trip tickets are the least expensive option today!  I have found that one way tickets are sometimes better – combining airlines can be cost effective.  Finally, purchasing up to 6-8 weeks before your trip will most likely result in the lowest price. PLUS flying mid-week and at off-peak times like early morning or late evening will result in cheaper fares.

#2 Hotel Rooms:  I know that you have seen all of the commercials about the difference in hotel room rates, right?  Just like flying, sometimes the cheaper option is to arrive mid-week and depart before the weekend rush.  Maybe you can’t afford that 5-star hotel BUT  you may still be able to enjoy some of their amenities during the day. They may sell day passes to access the pool, spa or gym. Their restaurants and bars are also an easy to way pamper yourself even if you are not a guest of the hotel. There are lodging alternatives like airbnb.com or VRBO.com that offer vacation rentals at cheaper rates.  Just be sure to do your homework.

#3 Meals:  Eating out and exploring new restaurants can be part of the fun while in a new city, but it can also be very expensive. We have always either brought our own snacks and breakfast when driving OR when we fly,we find a local grocery store and stock up on snacks, easy breakfast items and bottled water.  Booking a hotel that includes breakfast or even afternoon snacks in your room rate is a great option too.  Simply eating “in” for one meal a day will save you a lot of money over the course of your vacation.

If you like to pack your vacation with activities and excursions, planning ahead is also a smart way to save money.  Websites like Groupon and LivingSocial offer discounts on tours, activities and show tickets. When doing things online, be sure you are set-up with Ebates.  This will give you money back every time you shop online with one of their stores, including Groupon and Living Social.

What is your best tip for saving money when you travel?  Share it with us…

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

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Friday the 13th

Are you superstitious? Do you dread this day each time it rolls around? I used to be one of those people. I used negative words to describe the day and the outcome – “I got negative results”. I was surprised by the origins of this “dreaded day”:

The origins are as mysterious as the day itself, although it’s thought to stem from two separate fears that amalgamate every now and again to frighten us. Yup, the number 13 and Friday (apparently) have long been considered to be unlucky in their own right.

REALLY, Fridays were considered unlucky too?  I always thought Fridays were GREAT days. As an employee, it traditionally was pay day with the exception of my years at the casinos, so what’s bad about that? For those that have a Monday – Friday JOB, it means the end of the work week and the start of two days of NO WORK! As for those of us in direct sales, Fridays are always good because they are traditionally our busy party nights.

As for the number 13, this is what they had to say:

The number 13 has always been seen as a bit of an unfriendly number. In numerology it is irregular, transgressing the completeness of perfect 12 (for example, 12 months of the year and 12 signs of the zodiac).

Okay, I am not sure what to say about this. I do know that most builders do not include a 13th floor in the hotels or skyscrapers to avoid the negative energy that it creates in many people. I mean, would you rent a room or an office on the 13th floor?

A few years ago, I started changing the way that I looked at Friday the 13th. I started thinking of it as just another day – a day like any other day. I LOVE thinking about it as “31” in reverse.  Okay, occasionally Negative Nellie will make a passing comment but overall positive thoughts prevail.

What are you doing on this Friday the 13th? I am hosting a special to my VIP customers and hostesses at Hope’s Purse Closet (as well as those who read my blog):

Better yet, if you place an order of $35 you can take advantage of the AWESOME May special.

To place an order, you can email, text, call or PM me on Facebook to place your order and receive your discount. I am turning a negative into a positive today, what about you?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Thirty One’s Customer & Hostess Specials for May

If you are in Jersey, it seems like the Aprils showers are continuing into May but I know that it won’t be long and we be able to enjoy the wonderful Spring weather….

Things are really happening at Thirty One, too!  Here are THREE options for you this month:

#1 – Want to be a hostess?

For just $200 in orders, YOU can have a qualified party. Did you know that only 6 orders of $35 will get you a $200 party? I offer home, catalog/online, on the go and Facebook parties. Which one will fit into YOUR busy schedule?

#2 – Do you just LOVE to shop?

Thirty One’s Customer Special for May is two of my FAVORITE new products – the New Day Tote and the Glamour Bag.  The New Day Tote is one of this month’s Top 10 Picks too!

#3 – How about EARNing extra money? Maybe you could pay off some bills? Or pay for the kids summer activities?  Maybe you just need some time with friends?  Whatever your reason, I would love to help you reach your dream…For just $99, you get over $350 in FREE product

PLUS with $600 in orders, every month for the first 4 months, you get to pick ONE of these AWESOME bundles.  That is an additional $600 in FREE product during your first 4 months in our StartSwell program.

PLUS you have the chance to earn DREAM REWARDS…. Collect points from May 1st – September 30th and you can earn up to a $1,300 gift card!

Yes, you read this right….FREE product, gift card AND commission.  YES, you are going to get paid to have fun and collect all of these FREE perks.

So, there are THREE opportunities with Thirty One this summer:

Which opportunity is for you? Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!