Surprise Your Sweetie On Valentine's Day!

I have a confession to make: by the time Valentine's Day rolls around, I'm pretty much over it. I've barely put away my Christmas and Hanukkah decorations when it's time to plan for my husband's birthday on Feb. 4. I also have to contend with a birthday party for my youngest, whose birthday is Feb. 27th. Every year, my poor husband kind of gets ignored on Valentine's Day because I've had it with decorations, celebrations and gifts (thank goodness he's easily pleased by a giant box of chocolate), and don't really feel like spending a lot of money. Not that I would be upset to find a blue box with something sparkly in it for myself on Valentine's Day...but that's a whole other blog.

So, assuming that at least some of you are like me in that you'd like to surprise your Valentine with something sweet and sentimental but also easy and inexpensive, I came up with a few Uppercase Living designs. These can go on your bathroom mirror so s/he sees that you remembered first thing in the morning. They are also ridiculously inexpensive, especially with our current Buy 2, Get 1 FREE special. Of course, you can change fonts, colors, lettering in your own pieces, but you won't go wrong with either of these:

 

Of course, the possibilities are endless with this idea. You could make your mirror message the first (or last) clue in a Valentine's Day secret adventure or even use UL lettering to put a big giant proposal on the mirror (the ring embellishment is on me for anyone who wants to do this!). Of course, at these prices, you can do one for each of the kids, too. 

Another way to surprise your Valentine is by putting an expression on her car the night before. Here's one with a frame around it along with initials. How fun to drive around town knowing that someone loves you! Don't be surprised to see her friends' husbands or boyfriends giving yours dirty looks for making them look bad. And you didn't even have to spend a fortune! 

Another advantage to an early-in-the-day Valentine's surprise? Your Valentine will know right off the bat that your loving gesture must be reciprocated and has all day to come up with something wonderful enough so he can save face. Of course, he'll say he had it planned all along. That's what they always say!

UL Tip: Don't forget a bottle of Mistick to make your glass installation much easier. Allow enough time for it to dry!

Stuck for ideas? Contact me for help with a custom design. 

For more Valentine's Day photos and ideas, visit my public Valentine's Day Album on Facebook.
 

Don't Blink Or You'll Miss These Amazing Specials!

Two great specials are going on right now and I can't decide which to tell you about first. Both are for a limited time, and both are sure to save you money. One you've already heard about, so I'll start with the one you haven't:

Our brand new exclusive Valentine's Tile Kit was introduced today. Available only while supplies last, it is a $20 value and includes the Berry 6"x6" tile, the "Be Mine" expression in Bright White or Cotton Candy and a coordinating ribbon. While the tile alone usually sells for $9.95, you can get the entire kit now for only $8.95! I love this for home decor, gifts, and even as a cute way to dress up an office. It would also be a perfect favor for a Valentine's party. What's even better is that you can even get this entire kit FREE! Just contact me before the kits sell out to schedule your Uppercase Living party and this kit will be my gift to you.

Speaking of FREE, our Buy Two, Get One FREE special is going on NOW! You can go a little crazy decorating with this great special: mix and match any trio of products and get the least expensive free. From Photo Prints, to Chalk Walls to your favorite accessories, and of course all of our catalog items and custom designs, you can save on everything! Make sure to order in groups of three, and always get the third free. The only thing you can't include is the Valentine's Tile Kit, because it's already so deeply discounted. This special is only good until January 31.

You can get the best of both deals when you schedule your own Uppercase Living party for January. Get the Valentine's Tile FREE and share the Buy Two, Get One FREE deal with all of your friends. Then, sit back and enjoy your FREE and half price hostess rewards. It's a Happy New Year, indeed.

Late December Newsletter

Happy Holidays!

I hope all of you are enjoying the holiday season, despite the awful weather that most of us seem to be having. With just a few days to go until Christmas, I want to take this opportunity to wish you all the happiest of holidays, thank you for your support this past year, and tell you about some great deals, special offers and changes coming in the new year.
FREE SHIPPING and CLEARANCE SPECIALSFrom now through Dec. 31, get FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $50! Whether you've had your eye on some pieces for your home, have some gifts to get for January birthdays or want to get a head start on Valentine's day, save on shipping when your total order, before sales tax, reaches $50. Getting to $50 will be easy when you check out the great clearance deals in the Special Offers section of my website. You will find a variety of items with deep discounts, including a pre-painted photo board set. Our popular card sets are marked down to $3.95 a pack! There's a lot more that you'll have to check out for yourself, but don't wait because all clearance items are in limited quantity. FREE Shipping and Clearance Discounts are a double deal that you won't want to miss.
LAST CHANCE To Purchase Items from Holiday Mini CatalogDecember 31 is also your last opportunity to order from our popular Holiday Mini Catalog. The exclusive items in this catalog may or may not return in the future, so if you've had an item in mind, don't let it slip away. Among our most popular holiday items have been the Halloween Countdown Set, Mr. Bones, Pumpkinhead Activity Set, Gratitude Tree with dry erase leaves, Holiday Decor Sets, Build-A-Snowman Activity Set and the fantastic Christmas Countdown Kit. But don't forget that so many of the items in this catalog are designed with an everyday option as well as a holiday one. Certainly the Gratitude Tree is lovely year-round. Other great choices are the Double Frameworks Kit, Sentiments Photo Frame Kit, Welcome Kit with Red Vintage Embossed Metal Board, Chalk Wall Placemats and of course, the iron-on vinyl sets. There are also everyday options with the coaster kits and gift tin kits. It's worth taking a final look through this catalog before the 31st to make sure you won't miss anything you've been wanting to get.
Buy Two, Get One Free Special Makes January Parties Even More FunThink about January: the holiday decorations are down and your home looks a little more bare than you remember. Plus with all the holiday activity, including family events, you're kind of ready to get the kids back to school, catch up with friends and resume your daily routine. A really great way to get back into the swing of things in January is to host your own Uppercase Living party. Get some great new decorating ideas (and fill up those bare spots you're starting to notice in your home) and get your friends together to catch up on the holiday news. Put out some light refreshments (no cookies or eggnog!) and I'll bring a fun craft so you and your friends can ease into the new year at a casual get together.

The only way to add to the fun is a great offer from Uppercase Living, so here it is: Buy Two, Get One Free!!! From January 4 to 31, you can choose one item FREE for every two you buy. This promotion applies to all of our catalog items, Photo Prints and even Custom Designs! There are no limits to the savings, so start planning your shopping list. Of course, you don't have to attend or host a party to take advantage of this special. Just place your order with me or online starting January 4. However, a party is always more fun!

I'm now scheduling parties in January and February, when our Inspirations Incentive will be offering more great benefits for customers and hostesses alike. And since it's the season of giving, I'll have a bonus gift for each person who contacts me to schedule a party and mentions this newsletter. The two incentives will definitely make me very busy in January and February, so don't hesitate to contact me to get your preferred party date.
FREE INSTALLATION Special Coming in January!I'm so excited to offer my first ever FREE INSTALLATION special throughout January. If you are one of those people who have purchased some expressions and left them in a back corner of a closet, waiting for the day you get around to putting them up, this special is for YOU!  All through January, I'll be making house calls to get those expressions out of the closet and on to the walls! While this offer is limited to those in my immediate area, please let me know if you're a little further out and would like some installation help. I'll do my best to accommodate everyone. Appointments are first come, first served, so contact me now to reserve yours.
Birthday Greetings!Happy Birthday to the following ladies who celebrated their big day in November and December: Irina M, Mary T, Mimi C, Robyn P, Melinda M, Stephanie V, Caroline B, Kristy L, Nancy S, Kristy F, Marcy L, Vicki S, Maria A, Bonnie C, Charissa B, Heather K, Susan F, Gina H, Gina H,Jane M, Pam S, Sharon B, Patti M, Jean B, Holly F, Laurie G, Jessica D, Lauri M, and my sweet friends Amanda, Liz and Jennie. My gift to each of you is 10% off any item of your choice.
Looking Ahead 
Hopefully, the next edition of Torreh's Uppercase Living News! will come to you with a brand new look. I'm working on moving my newsletter to a new provider and plan to have it ready for you by the next issue. Please bear with me if there are any hiccups during this transition.

Other things to look forward to include the Uppercase Living Inspirations Incentive, and hopefully a large scale fundraiser to be announced in January. Of course, I never know just what's around the corner, so stay tuned to this newsletter, my blog and Facebook for all the latest information.

Your Double Up Rewards Are In the Bank!

If you've purchased anything from me in the last 6 months, your purchase amount has been doubled and is waiting to be applied to the next Uppercase Living party you host! For many of you, this can increase your FREE hostess rewards by one or even two levels. During the last several months, my hostesses saved an average of $150 to $200 just by hosting a casual Uppercase Living party! To check your Double Up Reward amount, just reply to this email or give me a call and see just how much you have already earned!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
I'd like to extend a special "Thank You" to all of you customers, hostesses, friends and cheer leaders who have supported me and my business this last year. I appreciate each of you and don't take for granted that you allow me into your homes and your lives, tell me your family stories, and use the products I provide to enhance the spaces you live, play and work in. The best part about my job is working with so many wonderful people and watching them enjoy their homes even more when their expressions are applied (I even got a hug from a customer when I helped transform her kitchen this month!). I look forward to working with you all in 2011 and well beyond.
May you all spend the holiday season surrounded by those you love and have a happy, healthy New Year filled with special moments.

All the best,

Torreh

Christmas Delivery Order Deadline Is Today-You Need Some Help!

This is it! Today is the last day to order items and be guaranteed that they'll be delivered by Christmas. You no longer have time to mess around and plan projects. You're down to the wire! Fear not, help is here by way of my Top 5 Holiday Best Sellers List. These are what Uppercase Living customers have been purchasing the most of from our Holiday Catalog. You can check off a lot of names on your gift list with this list alone. So here they are (in no order at all):

1. Countdown To Christmas Kit: Not only is this kit a best-seller, it's absolutely adorable in person. You can read more about it here.

2. Build A Snowman Activity Set: You'll love the giant size of this snowman and being able to use it year after year.

3. Gift Tin Kits: The Christmas Tree set seems to be the best seller company-wide but my customers also really like the "Enjoy" design, probably because it can be used year-round.The heart in the design makes it perfect for Valentine's Day. Read my cute recipe to fill the tins here.

4. Cheers Coaster Kit: Once again, my customers are bucking the trend and choosing the Medallion Set. You know how I feel about coasters. Enough said.

5. Merry Christmas Decor Set: With over 48 pieces, this is a great value. As I told you, my friend Sophia has this set displayed in her kitchen. She told me all of her Open House guests loved it. I know this is true because one has already called me to order it!

There you have it, 5 wonderful gifts that are easy to give and fit lots of different people's tastes. I'll be available most of the day Monday to help with any last minute orders, so please don't hesitate to contact me. As always, you can also place your orders directly on my website. When you're done, give yourself a big pat on the back for doing such a great job shopping, and getting it done early!

It's Back! The 2nd Annual Any Color But Black Friday Sale With A FREE Expression For Everyone!

 

Hooray! My exclusive Any Color But Black Friday Uppercase Living Sale is back! I love you all so much and hate the thought of you being stuck in a Godawful strip mall, waiting in line in the cold, just to watch the last available "door buster" walk out before you can get your hands on it, pains me deeply. I'd rather think of you sitting in a comfy spot in your home, wearing cozy socks and elastic waist pants, snuggling with your Uppercase Living catalog or browsing my website, relaxing while you shop. 

Of course, I'm offering post-Thanksgiving specials too. Before I get to them, here are the rules: 

1. There will be no discounts on products ordered early. So don't wake up at the crack of dawn thinking you're getting ahead of everyone.
2. Quantities are not limited. Get as much as you want, and then tell your friends and they can get as much as they want too.
3. Discounts and promotions are not valid on website orders. You must call or email me.
4. Only the promotion at the time of your call or email is valid at that time. However, you can plan ahead and order at more than one time.
5. Discounts do not apply to current party or Open House orders.
6. There will be no hitting, running, fighting, or grabbing items out of the hands of aggressive shoppers.

I have several specials available all day as well as some that are only available at a certain time:

11 - noon          10% off all accessories
noon-1              10% off any Erasables (dry erase or chalkboard) items
1-2                   FREE 3" embellishment with any set of coasters
2-4                   10% off any item from the Holiday Mini Catalog
4-5                   10% off any Photo Print

          5-6                   10% off any Decorative Print
          6-7                   10% off any specialty vinyl (Etched Glass or Shimmer colors) expression
          7-8                   10% off any Custom expression

All day specials:

• Purchase the Build A Snowman Activity Set and get a FREE monogram for your snowman's hat!
  
• Purchase the Christmas Countdown Kit and receive 10% off any Valentine's Day expression to put on the back of your punched metal tile
  
• Receive $20 in FREE product and one item at half price when your order reaches $200
• Receive a FREE monthly bonus expression when your order reaches $50, two when it reaches $75 and 3 at $100
• All orders will receive FREE the Welcome expression in the photo. 

The Welcome is a FREE Gift from Uppercase Living. It's a big 28" expression that comes in Antique Bronze, one of my favorite UL colors. You can use it in your entry, family room, kitchen or even your front door! The FREE gift IS available on website orders, so if you don't wish to take advantage of any of the above specials, you can go ahead and place your order directly on my website.

Enjoy browsing and shopping and your FREE expression. And enjoy the Any Color But Black Friday Sale in the comfort of your pajamas. 

Hostess With the Bonus - Day 7

It's time. The last day of Hostess With the Bonus. I dragged out the "week" a little, to give as many people as possible the chance to earn a FREE BONUS GIFT when they schedule an Uppercase Living party with me for November, December, or January.

Today's bonus is the Punched Metal Tile in Berry. You can choose whether you'd like the 8x8 or 12x12 size. I chose red because it's perfect to use now for the holiday season. But after New Year's, you can put a heart embellishment or other sweet expression on it and use it through Valentine's Day. Speaking of Valentine's Day, customers and hostesses with qualifying orders/parties in December and January can choose Valentine's designs for their FREE gifts. There are lots of cute ideas, some of which I'll be posting some here soon. To see the full Monthly Special Sheets for November, December, and January, just visit my Facebook page.

There you have it, a full week's worth of FREE gifts for my awesome hostesses. I appreciate you all so much. It's wonderful to be able to work with such lovely ladies, and I'm looking forward to all the parties that have been scheduled during this special promotion. To add yours to my calendar, just contact me today and start thinking about which of your FREE hostess gifts you'll put on your gorgeous new red tile.

50 and Counting!

 

Thanks to one of my lovely friends on Facebook, I know that there are now 50 days left until Christmas. For us adults, that translates to "Holy cow, only 50 days? How will I ever get everything done?" But if you're a kid, those 50 days may as well be 500. My kids have been asking how many days since the end of summer! 

Our adorable Christmas Countdown Kit answers the question in very cute style! Available for a limited time, the kit includes our 12x12 punched metal tile in Berry Red (for those of you who haven't seen it, it's such a pretty shade of red), a two party expression in your choice of colors, the Chalk Wall piece for the countdown, and the exclusive Black Easel that's only available in this kit. With all those pieces included, it's a fabulous value at just $32.95.  

The fun thing about the kit is that you can start counting down anytime. I know there are those of you who just might start counting the days until next Christmas right around New Year's!

Countdown Tip: If you look closely in the photo, the expression has been placed slightly off center. The expression is designed this way for added interest. If you prefer to have yours perfectly centered, position the present first, then cut the 2nd part in two pieces, placing the bow and the words separately.

Bonus Tip: Order a coordinating Valentine's Day expression to go on the back of your Red Tile and let it do double duty! You'll be ready for Valentine's Day as soon as your Christmas Decorations are put away!

Photo A Day #8...Counting Down to End of Summer Splash

And now, for something completely different...
Isn't this piece gorgeous?!
I love this combination of colors, textures and fonts. This two-part expression is pictured here on a square Foundations MDF board which has been dry brushed with some paint. As it is, it's a lovely table top item, especially since the board is 20% off right now. But wouldn't it be dramatic in a larger size for the wall of a master bedroom? Lucky you, you can get both because they're Buy One, Get One FREE! But sadly, this is also one of our retiring expressions and it won't be available much longer. You can get it until July 19, but this is the last weekend for Summer Splash and the Buy One, Get One FREE sale. The great deals will end Monday night, so don't miss out!

Two New Looks for Frameworks

Our Frameworks frames are among the most popular accessories. Since you can change out the inserts, they provide endless versatility. The clear acrylic inserts can be painted, backed with decorative paper or left as is to reveal the surface beneath. Our new catalog includes two items that make this well-loved product even customizable.

Due to lots of input from our customers, both of our Frameworks now come in white! Here you see it with a cute Easter expression but I think it's also a natural fit for weddings, showers and nurseries. To recreate this look, apply "Easter Love and Bunny Hugs" (15868) two-part expression in Cotton Candy (9029) and Lilac Bouquet (9025) to the white square Frameworks. Add the Dress-Up Mini Blooms to the front of the insert to add dimension to your frame.

Another great new addition to the Frameworks family is the new galvanized metal insert, which comes with magnets. Adding the insert makes this item even more functional, as you can see below. The insert has rounded edges for safe handling and is available for both the square and rectangle Frameworks. You can use it as is, apply an Uppercase Living or custom expression to it, or completely cover it with decorative paper as you see below.

To create this cute magnet board, apply the Kisses expression (300137) to the black square Frameworks. Add the galvanized metal insert and cover with 12x12 decorative paper. Adhere the pink Mini Blooms to the magnets provided with the insert. Add a pink ribbon and you have a perfect Valentine's Day present.

These are just a couple of ideas for this great product. I'd love it if you'd share yours with me.