The Gratitude Tree: A Beautiful Reminder for Thanksgiving and Year-Round

 By far my favorite item in our Holiday Mini Celebrations Catalog is our Gratitude Tree with dry-erase leaves. I do love everything in the catalog, and the holiday products in our main catalogs, but I find this one particularly meaningful, and so does my family.

The Gratitude Tree entered our home in late September when I got my first shipment from the Holiday Mini. My (thankfully tall) husband helped me put it up and my daughter started putting the dry erase pieces on the leaves. We decorated our tree exactly the way we wanted, with several leaves falling as if a strong wind had shaken them loose. I pulled out my set of dry-erase pens and immediately wrote all 3 kids' names on some leaves. Then I told my family it was their turn to start filling more leaves with things they're thankful for.

I was instantly touched and surprised at their responses. I expected answers like "M&Ms" and "ice cream." But I loved hearing them come up with "my family," "school," and even "God."

I loved the insights I got into my kids' minds, and knowing that they don't take for granted some of the things that are so important in our family. Even my husband, who's not always the biggest fan of "stickers on the wall," is really enjoying this special item.


One of the best things about Uppercase Living is the ability to completely personalize your home. The Gratitude Tree not only adds personalization to your home, I think it also adds meaning. I can definitely see this item being a year-round addition to a kitchen or family room. Of course, it's just the thing for the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. If you're hosting Thanksgiving this year, I suggest displaying this tree prominently either in your entry, kitchen or dining room and having the dry-erase pens handy for your guests to write down what they are thankful for. And if you're going to be a guest for Thanksgiving, consider taking this for your hostess. For the price of a nice bottle of wine, you can take a meaningful gift that will be a conversation starter this year and a reminder of your thoughtfulness for years to come. Don't wait to order this exceptional Uppercase Living product. It's only available for a limited time, and you'll want to start enjoying it as soon as possible.

Uppercase Living Tip: After you complete filling out your Gratitude Tree, take a photo. You'll love going back after a few years and watching how your family's thoughts and the things they are thankful for will change.

Summer Splash: 5 Hours To Go And One Last Photo

Here it is: the last Photo A Day (although it's been more like 2 a day) of Summer Splash. It's the final day of the big promotion and we demonstrators are madly trying to enter those last minute orders and help all of our new team members get signed in before tonight's deadline. Although it's available for just a few more day, you can still get this expression and Buy One, Get One FREE if you act within the next few hours.

I love thinking of the everyday miracles that we are surrounded by. Looking at my kids running around is enough to remind me each day. Sometimes the miracle is the traffic light that stays green when you're running late for preschool pickup, and sometimes it's the doctor that catches unseen problems and acts quickly to prevent their devastating consequences. I've been on the receiving end of both of those types of miracles and many more.

This sweet, soothing photo is a stark contrast to all of the activity going on in with UL right now. Not only are we ending Summer Splash, but tomorrow is our annual convention where our latest catalog and all of the new products it contains will be announced. In 13 hours, I'll be flying off to St. Louis to meet up with friends and pretty much marinate in all things UL for four days. I will definitely need a miracle or two to get myself and all my stuff on that plane before it takes off. Instead of thinking of the 3 to-do lists standing before me and Convention, I'll just think calming thoughts of miracles. I believe.

Photo A Day #9

Another day, another photo of one of our soon-to-be retired expressions. This one is lovely for an entry, family room, living room or anywhere your family gathers. It would also look terrific with a grouping of family photos spanning several generations. This classic expression will be retired very soon, but is available now as party of our Buy One, Get One FREE Summer Splash promotion. Don't forget, Summer Splash ends tomorrow night...don't wait to get your great deal on this and so many other expression.

Photo A Day #5 - Another Favorite

This saying has always been a favorite of mine. In fact, when my husband and I got married, we gave a framed hand painted version of it to my parents as a gift. I love the idea of the family of an ever-growing circle of strength and love. I find this design particularly beautiful and think it would be a timeless piece of decor, especially in the home of parents with grown children and/or grandchildren. It would also be a lovely gift for a child who is getting married. Sadly, this special expression is also being retired. However, you still have a few days to purchase it. Using our Buy One, Get One FREE promotion, you will also get to choose another expression for FREE! Whether for your own home, as a gift, or even in a church or synagogue, the message of this beautiful expression is one that will resonate for many years to come.

Photo A Day - Day 2

Here's a no-brainer gift (my favorite kind) for a wedding shower or housewarming party. This is another expression you won't find on my website, so I need to hear from you directly if you'd like to order it. When you do, make sure you pick up a little something for yourself. Can't let Buy One, Get One FREE go to waste now, can we?

A Little Summer Treat from Me!

As you know, the Uppercase Living retired list has been released and it contains some really popular expressions that my customers have loved. I would be really sad that these great items are going away, but I know that our designers have been hard at work to produce some beautiful new expressions that you'll all be able to see in a few short weeks.

I know how you all love photos of our expressions, so for the next 12 days, you can visit me and feast your eyes on a new one each day. Of course, the 12th day, i.e. July 12th, is the last day to get these expressions as part of our Buy One Get One FREE promotion, but you can still order them until the 19th. After that, they're gone for good!

Here's today's photo (actually yesterday's since I haven't been to bed yet and am pretending it's still the 1st):



I love the message this expression conveys. We can all use a little confidence when chasing our dreams. I particularly love this for a teenager or college student's room. This stealthy expression cannot be viewed on my website, so if you'd like to order it, just shoot me an email or leave a comment here. Don't forget to pick something else to fulfill your Buy One Get One Free benefit. And come back tomorrow (or even later today) to see what else is going away.

Welcome Jen's List Readers!

Thanks for coming over from Jen's List and Welcome!

If you're new to Uppercase Living, feel free to scroll down, click around and check out all the ideas and photos on this blog. Keep in mind that all of our vinyl expressions are removable, customizable and on sale!

If you're ready to start shopping, you can go directly to my Uppercase Living website.

Our theme for this summer is FREE FOR ALL:

• ALL EXPRESSIONS ARE BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!!! Now's the time to tackle a big decorating project, put together party favors, centerpieces, gifts and think ahead to the holidays. This special includes all you need for kids' rooms from custom names, to "Chalkboard" Vinyl, to personalized night lights. All accessories and kits (like the birthday countdown below) are 20% off.
• Hostesses get additional free products just for hosting a qualifying party. Invite some friends over and you can all take advantage of the great deals this summer. Mention Jen's List and get $10 extra free product in addition to what you get just for hosting.
  
• Join my team for FREE! - You can earn a full rebate on your Starter Kit by submitting qualifying orders in your first few weeks. I'll be there all the way to train, help and get you off to a great start.
  

The following photos can give you a basic idea of what UL is all about, but it's really just a glimpse of everything that's available.

This is an example of one of our expressions paired with a Photo Print. Just upload a photo and go!
Everything in our catalog is highly customizable with names, dates colors and whatever you'd like to make these expressions uniquely personal.
Our expressions go on much more than just walls. The metal plaque shown here is now 20% off.
Just one of our cute expressions for the Laundry Room.
Our clock goes right on your wall! It comes in two styles, includes all the hardware you need and comes in dozens of colors to match your decor.

I'd love to chat with your more about taking advantage of the Free For All! You can contact me by commenting here, via email at torreh@gmail.com, phone 818-309-7768 or through my blog. You can also follow me on Facebook. I can help you place an order, schedule a party, or tell you more about becoming an Uppercase Living Demonstrator for FREE!

Thanks again for stopping by. I hope you'll come back soon,

Torreh

Take Your Expressions Up A Notch with MyDesign Suite

You’ve all seen the MyDesign Suite icon in the catalog, right? When it's next to an expression, it means that it has been created specifically for customization in the MyDesign Suite. But that doesn’t mean that expressions without this icon cannot be customized as well. We all love our UL Expressions. But we love them just a little bit more when we've had a hand in designing them and making them even more personal. Here are a few expressions that were not designed to be further customized but look so good with the addition of a MyDesign element.

This simple love expression is beautifully enhanced by adding the personalization. I would love to see this at a wedding reception or even on the dance floor!

Not only is this football expression great for a teenager's room, it would be fantastic in the locker room to personalize each player's locker. How's that for team spirit?

If you've been to my home lately, you've seen this ultra-popular Dandelion Dance expression. Here it is combined with a beautiful saying created in the MyDesign Suite. (Keep in mind that this is what this design would look like after you put it on the wall; not what it looks like in MyDesign Suite. Dandelion Dance is a theme pack, so you’ll place the seedlings in whatever pattern you want when you actually apply it).

My son has a friend who is crazy for pirates and this would be perfect for him. You can easily pull this expression into the MyDesign Suite, add a custom expression with your child’s name, match the colors of his room…and voila! So cute!

Finally, here is a little something for your own space, if your name is Karen. If it's something else than you'd probably not want this exact expression. I love the combination of colors and fonts in this design.

The sky is truly the limit with MyDesign Suite. Be as creative as you want to be, and don’t be afraid to try new and even weird or funky things. You'll have so many chances to change your design before you actually have to commit to one. Not only will you be surprised at what MyDesign Suite can help you create, but you'll love saving on truly custom expressions for your home with our Buy Two Get One FREE promotion going on now!!

More Sneak Peeks - New Catalog Launches in Just a Few Days!

Now that I have our new Spring/Summer catalog in my hands, I can hardly wait to show it to all of you. Anyone who schedules a January or February party can have hers ASAP. The rest of you will just have to wait until Wednesday when it goes live on my website. Don't worry, though. I wouldn't abandon you with nothing to drool over. Here are three projects, all with expressions from our upcoming FANTASTIC catalog:

Laundry room expressions continue to be popular and I'm sure this one will be, too. It is so cute here on a pre-drilled MDF board painted with our Hot Cocoa Toolbox Paint. Not only is this a smart laundry room solution (you know how I love items that do doubly duty), but it is extra cute with the craft mini-clothespins that have been added to it. Those of you who attend any of my parties in the coming months will get to see this one in person. I've got it on order and will display it on a painted MDF board.

Speaking of MDF boards, this one has been painted then decoupaged with decorative paper before having this fresh, new "Welcome" expression applied to it. The branch is just a subtle botanical accent that makes it perfect for welcoming spring.

Finally, here's another lovely, elegant way to celebrate spring, continuing the nature and botanical theme. The expression, in Robin's Egg, has been applied to our creme punched metal tile and then embellished with a gorgeous wide ribbon and our Chocolate Brown UL Bloom. When summer arrives, you can just change out the ribbon and use a different expression on the back.

The countdown is just a few short days until the entire catalog becomes available for viewing on my website. Of course, you can still get a copy before then by scheduling your January or February home show. You won't believe the hostess benefits that are being offered this season. Also, before the new catalog launches, our 40% and FREE SHIPPING offers will be going away. So shop a little now and a little more later.

Photo A Day - Welcome #2 on Day 7

Where I am, it's still Day 7, so this counts as the photo of the day. I thought that most of you would be celebrating with family and friends today, so I am posting today's picture tonight and will leave it up through tomorrow.

Since so many of you are dealing with severe cold, ice and/or snow, I thought posting this photo of a bright, cheerful pineapple might make you think of somewhere warm and welcoming. In fact, pineapples are a traditional symbol of hospitality (have you ever noticed the one in Williams-Sonoma's logo?) I think one of the reasons this pineapple expression has been so popular with my customers is that it comes in sizes small enough to fit on our smallest punched tile and large enough to make a charming statement on a wall. With 40% off and free shipping on orders of $50 or more, this is a great item to stock up on for gifts.

There are 2 more photos to go before I post the sneak peek of our Spring/Summer 2010 catalog. I'm hoping to get my copy tomorrow and am already excited about some of the new items we'll be featuring inside. I can't wait to share them with you.

Photo A Day - Welcome to Day 6

What's there not to love about today's expression? For starters, it's on sale for 40% off (with free shipping when your order reaches $50!). And then, it's just so cute! We all know that birds are a really hot decorating and crafting motif right now (I can just picture Kim from Today's Creative Blog smiling and nodding). The little bird on this expression adds the perfect trendy touch that makes your home feel cozy and welcoming. In its smallest size, it fits nicely on a Foundations MDF board and would make the perfect gifts for newlyweds moving into their first home. It would also look great in a veterinary office and of course, a traditional country kitchen. Wouldn't it make you and your visitors smile each time you enter your home?

Merry Christmas Eve to those who are celebrating tonight. After the ribbon and paper have finished flying tomorrow, check back for another photo of our awesome sale expressions.

Photo A Day - Day 5

I really love this sentiment (and I love it even more when it's on sale for 40% off!). Isn't it so peaceful and welcoming to walk into a home and feel like you can set your worries aside and relax, if just for a short time? Using our Foundations accessories, you can create a board of your own that does double duty as a place to hang scarves, hats, keys, and all those things that tend to gather near the front door. This is a great idea for a housewarming gift. With so many options for paint color, vinyl color and knobs and hooks, you can make a truly one of a kind piece that will be a perfect complement to any decor. And you'll smile each time you glance at it, knowing that you're not just crafty but a really smart shopper too!

We're now more than halfway through the Photo A Day countdown of sale items before I post the sneak peak of our new catalog. Don't forget that this sale won't last forever and neither will the FREE SHIPPING on $50 orders special. See you tomorrow for another photo.

A Little Holiday Treat: A Photo A Day

For today and the next 8 days, my treat for you will be a photo of a new SALE expression each today. Each of the expressions you'll see are included in the over 200 that are currently 40% off and qualify for FREE SHIPPING when your order reaches $50.

Today's' expression is done in two parts and looks lovely when you add your own family name to it. It would look great in a living room, study, entry or family room.

Check back tomorrow for a new photo...and more decorating ideas. After I've posted the last photo, you'll get an exclusive Sneak Peek of our next catalog!

For You Lovers of Restoration Hardware: Tami's Entryway

If you've ever stepped inside Restoration Hardware and felt the rich, inviting tones of their blue-gray and deep chocolate brown color palette, you can imagine the look of my friend Tami's entryway (I love this color combination so much I used it for my own bedroom). She's spent a lot of time and effort adding on to her home and it looks fabulous. Decorator touches don't overshadow the fact that this is a busy, loving family with four active boys.

Tami is relatively new to Uppercase Living, but she started off with a great choice. Yesterday, the two of us installed the expression you see above a table and a grouping of photos in her entryway. Blurry cell-phone photo aside, it was really the perfect expression, size and color for this spot. What a lovely way to be greeted each time you enter this home. I can't wait to see what Tami does next!

Send me your photos of UL expressions in your home and you just might see them featured here!

View this expression on my website here.