First Street Fair Booth - What I learned...

Just realized I never posted this, after the Encinitas Street Fair in April! haha...(it's 7/12/13...but I'm post-dating!)

Wow.

Cannot believe it's over... kinda like a wedding... months & months of planning all for one day. One day that goes by in a blink of an eye. One day....and it's over. The day/night before, I literally was on ZERO amount of sleep, and an entirely too much caffeine - my heart was racing & I was going about 1500 miles a minute finishing last minute things!

I would've hoped to start this post with something more along the lines of "holy crap I just made 5 billion dollars!!!" - sadly, I did not.

BUT - it was an AHmazing experience, learned a lot of what I would do again...and what I would NOT do again. And it was definitely fun! I had sooooo many people come by my booth & express there well-wishes and/or how proud they were of me...so that felt tremendous and really lifted me up. So much love from so many...I just feel so blessed to have people (family, friends, co-workers) around me that support my love of sewing/crafting! I remember I kept thinking, "wow...I'm a VENDOR - finally....at the same street fair I grew up going to every year, I'm actually on the other side of it now!" I felt really grown up...which sounds odd saying, considering I'm 30 years old, haha!

So - first things first... Our BOOTH!

First apron I've made entirely from scratch...love how it turned out!

Though it was primarily "Custom from Calista" goodies, a portion of it was stocked full of gorgeous hair accessories from my friend Danielle, who owns "Poisies Handmade" - adorbs!

I was so overwhelmed that morning from a combo of annoyances... didn't get into bed until around midnight... missed my alarm by 45 min... then my (& James') bathroom outlets mysteriously decided to NOT work - causing my already panicked mind to freak out. And guess what? The outlets worked just fine the next day...how does that happen?!

We arrived around 6:15am & set up pretty quickly, having 4 people there made that part easy. But then once James left, I felt like my mind was shutting down on me and I couldn't think. I didn't know where I wanted things or how to place different items. I was a silent MESS! Then my friend/co-worker Melissa showed up in the nick of time...She took charge of product placement & made everything look so brilliantly organized....talk about a LIFESAVER!! I could never thank her enough!!

The weather was nice for set up, overcast & cool...and we had a spot just outside a Whole Foods and a brand new restaurant/bar...so I thought for sure that would bring a ton of people our way. Around mid-morning...I started wondering where the HECK everyone was at! I've been to this street fair I don't know how many times in my life (being an Encinitas native), and I know how packed it normally is. You can hardly walk since it's usually so congested with people strolling along, stopping to check out booths. So I knew something was off.

Turns out there was some other events happening that weekend, and maybe the weather turned everyone away. Our booth neighbor told us he's been doing street fairs since the 70's, and this was the first time he'd seen this particular fair so low in attendance. Lovely. So that explains why I didn't walk away with 5 billion dollars, haha!

Anyway, onto 'what I learned' from this whole street fair thing...here's my TOP 10:

1. Get enough SLEEP. I cannot stress this enough. I was so tired, running on fumes the days leading up to the street fair. By the time it was all over, I literally felt like all my life force had been sucked out of me.

2. Make a LIST - a really super detailed one. I'm talking, down to "pens, tape, products, cash, etc". Check off everything the night before. And pack your car(s) up the night before as well. Here's MY LIST.

3. Have proper SIGNAGE. For everything... your biz name on a large & visible banner, product names/prices, etc. Super important. People want to be able to see things, and find info themselves, rather than asking "how much is this??".

4. Bring FOOD! I remember looking at other lists online, and thinking..."nah, there's tons of food at the street fair, I'll grab some yummy grub while I'm there". Nope. I only left my booth maybe 3 times to use the restroom at Whole Foods (& one time I bought a banana on my way out). And luckily, a sweet friend of mine brought me a sandwich, which I almost denied. So that was about the extent of my food intake for the entire day. Oh, and a butt load of coffee, yet again.

5. Enlist HELPERS! Super critical. You cannot do it all, seriously. One or 2 is good, depending on the size of your booth. I had one, and the girl I shared a booth with had one - space was a little tight!

6. SIT - at least a few times throughout the day. I did not. (except to pee! haha) Baaaaaaaad idea. I don't think I've ever been so exhausted (besides giving birth) in my life...and have NEVER felt the pain in my feet, as I did at the end of the day. Like I said earlier, I was running around like a mad woman the entire week prior, and the day before was on my feet crafting ALL day long. Then standing at the booth from 6:15am until 5pm... that'll do you in.

7. TALK to everyone that comes in your booth. Smile. Be personable. I had some great conversations & met so many nice people - I think that goes a long way when you're a vendor. No one wants to buy something from a grouchy person that barely speaks. Engage with them. Compliment something they're wearing. Show them around - they may see obvious items, but you may want to point out the less obvious as well.

8. Take CREDIT CARDS! I used the PayPal Here card reader & iPhone app. Both worked great! I loved that I could pre-load all of my products, along with photos & prices (either with or without tax included...I recommend adding tax into your costs so you don't have to fiddle with calculating tax on everything...especially for those paying with cash. Total life saver!

9. Do a detailed TRIAL RUN set up a week before. If I could do it over again I would've been more detailed in my trial set up. We set up the canopy & tables out on our cul-de-sac, just to get an idea of how long it'd take to put them all together - but I did NOT figure out where I wanted all my products to go and do a complete set up...that was a fail.

10. And finally...Don't Worry, be HAPPY!...just try not to stress yourself out  :-)

Here's a few other photos of our booth set up:

March Madness {a recap}

It really was "March Madness" in & around the Mejia home, which left me with ZERO time to blog practically all month... blogging really does take time, but I enjoy it & love to capture all our memories in one place!

In addition to Kapri's weekly ballet classes (can't wait for the recital!!), here's a recap of the happenings in our lives during the last 5 weeks:

K's 3rd Dentist visit

She's doing much better now that she's been here 2 other times...still gets a little anxious when the first lay her down, but as long as I am there beside her, holding her little hand - she's all good. Doc says teeth are perfect (with the exception of the 1 she's missing)...so that's good news! I love that they have TV's in the ceilings and headphones, so the kids can just 'zone out' while getting their teeth checked out. My dentist has something like that too now (score for me!), except it's Netflix streaming in a pair of GLASSES!! Crazy how technology has advanced.

K's first train ride!

James, Kapri & I spent an afternoon together the last weekend in February down at Seaport Village. K & I had a mommy-daughter date there once before, which she remembers clearly... but this time we decided to take her down on the Coaster... she loved it! The whole ride down she kept waving & saying 'hi' to all the people OUTside of the train, too funny!

Two 'suspect' moles & stitches

Between Jan/Feb, my dermatologist removed/dug out 2 suspicious looking moles...first 'surgery' was to get one from the upper-most part of my inner thigh (OUCH)...with stitches in for 2 weeks. After that time was up, I went back in for stitch removal and to get the 2nd one removed from the middle of my back...and of course, another set of stitches. It all was brutal and so painful. The scar on my leg is about an inch, and the one on my back is more like 2.5" - so gross, but better safe than sorry.

Since then, I've canceled my tanning membership, which has been on hold for a year anyway, haha...but I only spray tan or use tanner at home now. Too scary to continue to fake'n'bake when you are a bit older, are a mamma, and realize how precious life is.

{{no pics, thank goodness - no one want's to see stitches & scars!}}

Baby Maddie's Baptism

After attending my first baptism for her older brother, Jack back in 2011 - it was baby Maddie's turn, who arrived into this world on Jan. 21st! I was asked to take pictures with the godmother's insanely profesh and by far THE heaviest camera ever, so that was fun!...though I didn't get many pics on my phone to document the occasion. She did wonderfully and slept most of the time....so glad we could be part of her special day!

I realized I didn't post about her arrival back in January...here are some cute pics of little Maddie when I visited her in the hospital...rockin her new Custom from Calista headbands!

And how presh is this... a side by side pic of when I visited each baby in the hospital - like brother, like sister huh?!

Baby Hadley's 1st Birthday!

We love birthdays...and Miss Hadley's 1st party was so adorable and all the kids had so much fun...I mean, how could you not with a jumpy in your backyard all day?? Hadley's outfit was the cutest thing I've ever seen... a full lace romper - I kinda want one for myself, LOL!

I especially loved the streamer/balloon/tissue pom poms hanging outside...it was so pretty!

I made Miss H her own embroidered Crayoll and 2 hair clips:

Our 15-Year Dating Anniversary - which I did actually find time to post about ;-)

St. Paddy's Day

Just hangin with friends, bbq'ing and letting the kids play on a huge greenbelt - love these afternoons!

Easter
Easter was split int two days - one day going to "EGGstravaganza" in Carlsbad - which was INSANELY busy & way too packed to be fun...(at least she got a pic with the Easter bunny, who she was "jumping" for joy to see!)...so we went back to a friends house, had a pot luck and did a mini-egg hunt for the kiddos.

Then on Easter morning, we had my mother-in-law & her hubby over for a little brunch. I stuck with my go-to casserole that is just so easy to make & super yummy...it can't be passed up!

Then we took a few pics outside - so blessed to have such incredible weather!

For Easter dinner... banana pancakes - why not?!

Whew...I'm exhausted just reliving all of that!!

Back-2-Back Bday Parties

whew...what. a. DAY!

Kapri & I had such a wonderfully busy day ...spent with friends, celebrating 2 adorable little "A" girls...one turning 2 and the other turning 1. Of course as gifts, I made them both their own unique Crayolls:

First up was the 2 yr old's bday party in the morning - the kids were asked to come in their fav dress up outfit OR their Halloween outfit, such a great idea! I knew K would spend most her time playing at the park, so I didn't want her to ruin her Belle dress. So I asked her which tutu she wanted to wear - she picked black/pink, so I pinned a little "princess" button to her shirt, draped a little necklace on her, put her hair up in pigtails & off we went.

They had so much fun at this "Minney Mouse" inspired birthday day - complete with the bday girl dressed up as Minnie, a Minnie candy-filled pinata and of course yummy Minney cupcakes!

whoa...picture overload!! haha

Then we headed home for a little snooze!

Next up - was to celebrate Ava's 1st bday party in the afternoon - at my fav beach, Moonlight.

haha, cheesiest CHEESE face ever.

A's mamma, Alex & I practically grew up on this beach -- if you've read my past posts (like here, here, here & Kapri jamming out here)...you'd be well aware that this is like my home away from home. Many special memories here.

The kids played, we ate some more yummy food...and more yummy cupcakes - then K & I walked closer to the beach to watch a beautiful sunset. And finally, we all sat around a big bonfire while mamma Alexandria opened up Ava's gifts. So glad they're living here at the moment so I could be a part of A's 1st bday...love this fam!!

A year later...finished K's crayoll

I have FINALLY made Kapri's very own Crayoll...sheesh! I cannot believe I meant to make her one last Sept/Oct. I even bought the specific fabrics I thought would be perfect for her...and it just. freakin. sat there. How sad.

BUT...the point is that I finally got around to it...better late than never - and we *heart* it! This is the perfect way to keep her busy while at a restaurant, doctor's waiting room, or wherever I just need her to sit still for a moment & be patient. HA...a toddler...patient? Well, I can wish can't I?? This thing will be in my purse now anytime we go out of the house!

Love you muffin! Or...shall I say "cupcake"?! Hope you enjoy the special Crayoll mamma made just for you
  ;-)

Obsessed

This post title pretty much sums up my kid's LOVE for coloring. She could do it all friggin day. I think she now associates eating with coloring - not literally 'coloring' with her food, haha...but more so after eating - she calls out "cah cah" (color, of course). I almost always have her color in her high chair, so I can get dinner done or do the dishes with her quietly sitting there next to me. Plus, she can see the little tin I keep her crayons in (yes, I have yet to create her a Crayoll! Though I picked out the fabric back in, ohhh...SEPTEMBER!! Sheesh. I need to get that done.


Anyway...she colors there, and also in my lap while I sit in the computer chair - doing any last minute things, just before she goes down for bed. She sees the pens & printer paper...and inevitably you'll here "cah cah" as she points up to the desk. It's pretty adorable.


Her last & probably most FAV place to 'cah' is outside in our patio area...she cannot get enough of sidewalk chalk! Hum, maybe this is a window into the future...do we have a little artist on our hands?? And based on these pics, I think I had a little fun too!

Happy 1st...this time to Laylie!

So many 1st bdays this year...sooo many wonderful little munchkins to celebrate! Today we were invited to walk right outside our front door for a beautiful 'picnic' bday for our neighbor's daughter, Laylie. It was so great to have on our green belt - tons of room for lots of families & kids...even a big jumpie & a water balloon toss. I also had the pleasure of creating her bday tutu - love!

Here are some pics taken by Kapri's 1st bday photog - who is Laylie's auntie - Lisa Lain:

Kapri enjoyed her first time in a jumpie...though I think by the look of this pic, she was a tad scared at first!!

 

But then her loving daddy joined her for a jump or 2

After she ran around all over the place, while we tried to eat & run along after her...I was able to hold her while we sang Laylie happy birthday (twice for fun! haha)...Kapri loves that song, then clapping after!

Then K finally sat down for a good 2 or 3 minutes to chow down a yummy cupcake. She likes to share...sometimes.

aren't these FABULOUS?! Daddy Jason's sis made them...YUM!

Such a fun filled day...OH, and I of course had to gift the bday girl with her very own "Crayoll"!! Love these fabrics: