One thing I’ve started is writing in a journal to get all the thoughts out of my head at night… So far it’s like 2-3 pages per day. It seriously makes my hand hurt, because it’s been absolutely never a LONG time since I’ve written that much. Anyhow, there are a couple things I have gone back through and read that mean alot to me and how I’m feeling at the time. Last night I wrote, “It’s upsetting that life is continuing without her.” It was just a statement I made, but when I read it, it meant alot to me because it is exactly how I feel everyday. It’s hard imagining life continuing on and she’s not in it, that’s really the worst part.

But regardless of what I’m going through, there are things that need to get done and that’s what I’m concentrating on. There are some small things like shaving my legs after far too long, or medium things like going to the Atlanta show to stalk walk around and see manufacturers, and then big things like oh I don’t know… running my business?!

So in my eyes yesterday was a very successful day. I got up at like 6:30, worked out, shaved legs finally, and got to work! I re-designed a collection. BOOM. And then started making the alternate color versions. YES. Then on my way to let Stella, my office lazy ass helper, out to potty there was a box on the steps, it was my Not Soap, Radio samples!!!! YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS. I was SO excited to see them. Last fall I worked tirelessly with NSR to revamp and develop a TON of product labels and their box packaging and displays and I was finally able to taste see them all. So I’ll introduce you to all of my newest works! And keep reading below for a possible giveaway :).

First, the newest grouping of products, which also seems to be UBER popular… Cocoa Nostra Confectionery. This collection of chocolate goodies contains lip balm pots and chapslicks.

The CNC logo was made to look like an old italian bakery awning, and the boxes like candy boxes that you would get truffles out of. These chocolate based lip balm pots are delicious, Black & White Cookie, Frozen Banana, Cherry Cordial and Fleur de Sel (Salted Caramel). Each label was designed as a dedication to the style that each lip balm represents, which makes them really cute and fun to look at and share.

Oh my gosh they all smell so good when I open them up…

Oh yeah, that’s my name on the back of the label and packaging!

Next are the chapslicks. YUM. There are 6 flavors, White Chocolate Raspberry Confection, Take the Lemon Vanilla Cannoli, Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate!, Mint Noir, Milk Chocolate Orange Truffle, and Chocolate Hazelnut Capo-ccino.

Hah! My name is on these little babies too ;)

Ok, now that I’m in chocolate overload, we’ll move on. To keep with the lip balm we’ll move to the Say It With Suds group! I only received a few of these babies, but there are 13 or 14 total ways to tell someone, “Hey! You’re the balm!”

I got, “You’re the greatest sister in the world.”, “You’re the greatest friend ever.”, “Damsel in De-Stress”, and “Happy Birthday”. They all have different scents that may change and surprise you with something new! I took it upon myself to start using the “Damsel in De-Stress” but no worries, I got two in case I want to do a giveaway later! Hah!

Next up, are solid perfumes. We’ll start with the small group, Pure Florals. Naturally floral and light scents that smell so good, I’d like to just leave them open to smell up my house.

Jasmine, Gardenia and Magnolia… so refreshing. And these boxes are the cute “gift boxes” used for generic packaging. See… name on back :)

Then there’s the I’m not here, I’m really… solid perfume group. These are my favorites. Each scent is meant to transport you into another place that you’d “like” to be even when you can’t.

My personal favorite is “lounging poolside at a beachfront resort”, it smells like lime, and coconut and sunshine. Did I really just say that? I also got “at the spa”, “walking the red carpet”, “meditating in a Zen garden”, “at the country club” (turned around), “island hopping”, and “on holiday in Tuscany”. There’s a couple others that I didn’t get, “vacationing in a quaint seaside village” and “up at a mountain retreat”. 9 total scents… and oh so different.

These come in my favorite box, it’s looks like a mini suitcase with travel stickers on it. So CUTE!

And lastly, are the I’m not here, I’m really… mini bubble bath kits. These come in sets of four, with the same scents used as bubble bath versions.

I told you. It was a TON of work, but don’t you love it all?? Not Soap, Radio is an amazing company and you should go “Like” their Facebook page because they ALWAYS do giveaways and sales… You do NOT want to miss out.

Otherwise, should I do a giveaway of some of these fantastic products? What do you think? Which products would you like to have most? Could it be a combination of products? Like a bubble bath, solid perfume AND lip balm??

I’ll let you direct this one… so you tell me on here or on my Facebook page what products you’d like to have a contest for. And if you don’t tell me… well then you ain’t gonna win anything.

Christine M. Elliott, 61, the international baccalaureate coordinator for Greer Middle and High schools, died Thursday afternoon, Greenville County Deputy Coroner Kent Dill said.

Elliott died from heart disease and her death is being ruled natural, Dill said.

At about 12:30 p.m., a student passed her office at Greer High and noticed Elliott’s head was slightly leaned forward, Dill said. When the student knocked on her window, she didn’t respond so he alerted a teacher, Dill said.

Elliott was taken to Greer Memorial Hospital and pronounced dead at 1:20 p.m. Thursday, Dill said.

Elliott worked Greenville County Schools from 1974-79 and returned from 1989 to the present, according to a statement from the Greenville County School District.

“Chris Elliott was a dedicated and caring teacher who gave her all on behalf of the students at Greer Middle School and Greer High School,” Greer High School Principal Marion Waters said in the statement.

“Chris Elliott was a school leader that made a difference every day and in every way for students and for public education,” he said. “All will cherish the enthusiasm, energy, and vision that she daily modeled. She leaves an enduring legacy of selfless service to her students and community.”

There is no way to convey the vast amount of lives she has touched, but I know that she was not just my mother, my teacher and my inspiration. She was that for more people than I will ever know.

It’s not fair. And I miss her terribly. It will take all my strength – which I got from her – to get through this.

She was cruelly taken too soon, but she lived a wonderful life while she was here… I will always strive to be like her.

Christine Elliott, Mrs. Elliott, Chrissy, mom, wife, grandma, mentor, teacher, daughter, sister, chef, baker, artist, project manager, tourist, friend, and all around amazing person.
October 11, 1950-January 5, 2012

I finally get to tell you about it and I’m SO excited, these totally cute cards should be in a Trader Joe’s store near you, so you have no reason not to go get one for the next birthday you celebrate…or for yourself :)

I’ll be keeping my eye out to see if I come across one, and if I do I’ll most likely scream like a 10 year old girl who just met the Biebs… but what are ya gonna do?

Thanks to those who entered! Ya’ll have happy holidays cause I’m so busy I’m not sure I’ll get a chance to write again!

I’m giving away a reversible lezleelliott Rockin’ Moroccan E-Carrier from Luvali! This E-Carrier holds your iPad, e-Reader or mini computer, basically any tech object with an up to 11.6″ screen! Plus, Rockin’ Moroccan has become a favorite pattern and this gift is perfect for anyone getting a new iPad for Christmas – or even for someone who already has one!

This is a really good giveaway and I want to make sure it’s a really good contest so, here are the rules:

1. Because I love wrapper paper, it’s Christmas and I want to see how it might be wrapped… you’ll need to post a picture on my lezleelliott wall of an already wrapped package in your favorite/best/most creative wrapping paper.

2. Tag yourself in the photo (so that everyone can see it) and spread the word to vote on your photo! Your friends/family/fans will need to “Like” my page AND “Like” or comment on your specific photo on my wall.

3. Whoever has the MOST “likes”/comments on their photo by 4pm on Friday, December 16th will WIN!

It’s really very simple and I don’t think it’s too much trouble to go through for a GREAT present for Christmas! So you have all week to rally up the troops and get them to vote on your picture!

I’m looking forward to seeing some good wrapping paper :)

Blossom Toss Up

SO, that means that Megan Wood and Amy Norton are the winners! Megan, since you were the “Blossom” part of the entry you will receive the Raspberry wristlet!

Amy, since you were the “Toss Up” part of the entry you will receive this Petunias wristlet!

Thank you everyone for your entries and don’t be sad if you didn’t win, next week I’ll be doing a HUGE giveaway for someone’s last minute Christmas gift!!! :)

Remember when I was painting blobs until they made something experimenting with watercolor? Well this is the result! So now the hard part that’s what she said, what do I name it? Can you help me?

How about you submit names so I don’t have to do any actual work on this blog or my Facebook page and I’ll pick a winner! Aaaaaaaand to give you a little incentive just freakin’ do it the winner will receive this cute Luvali lezleelliott wristlet in Raspberry!

You’ve got til’ 4pm Friday, December 9th. There. That’s all I’ve got today… Go forth and name my shiz.

You have 72 hours to get me your shipping information (email it to lezleelliott [at] gmail [dot] com) or it goes to the next in line ;)

Thank you to everyone who participated, and don’t worry if you didn’t win! I’ve got MORE stuff to give away like an iPad carrier, wristlets, lip gloss and perfumes!

Let me just tell you, this is a GREAT little bag. The purple side is ideal for a pop of color with your everyday wear, and it’s not a huge bag so you can carry it everywhere. The black damask side (yeah. it’s REVERSIBLE.) is absolutely perfect for dressing up an outfit. Plus, if you just want a super sleek black bag, you can take off the slip and just use that. WHAT IS THIS?!?! 3.bags.in.1. You heard me.

NOW, how to win you say??

Go “like” the Luvali page since you’re gonna be rockin’ this awesome bag. (If you’ve already liked them, you’re ahead of the game) You BETTER “like” my page since I’m the one handin’ over the goods. Trust me. I’ll check. And then comment here or on my facebook page as to why you need a new bag!

That’s pretty much it. Easy peasy with a free bag-esy… that was a stretch

Oh, and you have til’ 5pm Friday since I know SOME of you work for a living and won’t see this til’ later. :) So Friday at 5pm on.the.dot. I’ll use a randomizer to pick the winner and will let you know! Good luck!