Just some random thoughts…

• Hailey just told me she was glad I married her Daddy because he is a chef…yeah, I’m glad too! 
• Leah was very upset today because we were not going back to see Madden today (Madden was born on Wednesday and Leah and Hailey got to meet him for the first time yesterday).  They would both love to have a little brother…good thing they have Madden!!
• When Leah wants to get our attention she says, “This is SERIOUS!”  I love that.
• Hailey reads – a lot.  She is particularly fond of the Nancy Drew, Wimpy Kids, and Weird School series.  I hope her love of reading stays with her for life.  She says her goal is to read faster than me.
• Leah will still hold my hand on the way into work each morning.  Holding your child’s hand is such a great way to start your day.
• Leah doesn’t want to go to the center most days lately because she says it “takes to long to go home.”
• My staff are taking orders of things they want Ed to make for future staff lunches.   How did I get so lucky?
• Leah will play with her doll house all day.  She always wants me to play with her.  Last time I was the mom and the dad.  “Dad” decided to make cupcakes.  Got to keep it real!
• Leah is completely and totally in love with Scooby-Doo.  I am most definitely not.  Seriously, that is ALL the girl wants to watch when she watches movies.
• Tonight at dinner Hailey made us all name cards and menus.  She also wore a high-chair belt thingie my grandmama made as her apron and took our drink orders on a notepad.  Love it.
• At 4.5 years old, Leah is exactly an inch taller than Hailey was at the same age. 
• My sister sent the girls a Tar Heel rocking chair and stool.  They fight over whose turn it is to sit in it.   They also fight over who gets to sit with mom and dad.  I am so tired of hearing “my spot.”
• Any time Leah finds a coin, she gives it to me so that I can save it “for Disney World and the beach.”
• My children spoil me.  My husband spoils me.  Again, how did I get so lucky?

When I die, I’m only going to have 2 hugs left, one for God and one for the angels.

Place a Thirty-One order by Wednesday, October 14th and get FREE SHIPPING, *PLUS*, spend $31 and purchase a small utility tote for ONLY $5!  Choose from Black Tailored Stripe or Happy Dot.  The small utility tote is one of the most popular new products.  It can be used for so many things – diaper bag, scrapbooking tote, work tote, gym bag, and so much more! 

HOW TO ORDER

Goto www.mythirtyone.com/emilypage

Click on “Place an Order” and then choose my online event (Emily Page).

The free shipping special is an exclusive offer for MY customers and I will need to back out the shipping before placing the order on the 14th.  When putting your order total in on the credit card page, you can either enter the entire total and I will adjust it before submitting, or you can enter your total minus the cost of shipping.  If you have any questions, you can email me at emilypage31@yahoo.com

What are you waiting for?!

I have wanted a netbook for over a year.  It has sat on my Target “wish list” for that entire time but there are many, many things we needed more than I needed a netbook.  But then I joined Thirty-One as a consultant, became a team leader at my church , and we started Financial Peace University.  Suddenly I felt very disorganized.  I really wanted a way to help me organize my life and my various activities.   For a few weeks after I joined Thirty-One, I decided to save for a Mac Air.  The Mac Air has all the same portability benefits of a netbook while having the added bonus of being a Mac (I used a Mac all through college).  Of course, being a full size laptop, it has a lot more memory and functionality.  I still get giddy thinking of all the things I can do with our photographs once I have a Mac.  BUT, the cost finally made me decide to stick with a netbook for now and wait to get a Mac.

I decided that the benefits of the netbook for my business made it a priority to me and I would save money from my commissions in order to purchase one.

I would have been able to purchase the netbook after my commission check came in on October 10th.   However, I told Ed that I was going to be all mature and adult and wait until after Christmas to buy it so that I knew for sure that we would have enough money to buy Christmas gifts.  Being an adult can be such a drag!

I say that I got rewarded for putting my kids and friends/family first because last  Thursday when I got home from a Thirty-One party Ed told me that I needed to call my parents…they had gone to Verizon to get my dad a blackberry…and they got a netbook for free. WHAT?!?!!  If I wanted it and was okay with paying the monthly contract amount, I could have it for Christmas.  WHAT?!?! Seriously?  Somebody pinch me!

Believe it or not though, I didn’t immediately say yes.  It does come with a 2 -year service contract of $40 a month.  Finally I decided that a) when you broke it down, since I was getting the netbook FREE, it really wasn’t that much more than buying the netbook while getting a nicer netbook than I planned on AND getting the added benefit of the Verizon wireless service when I needed it.  b) My commission from Thirty-One will cover the cost each month and there really are SO many ways that it will help me with my business c) it is a tax deduction!

The weird thing to me (and actually my point of writing this whole post) is that after Financial Peace University and my efforts to save money to buy the netbook, it was almost a letdown to just basically have it handed to me. Don’t get me wrong, I am THRILLED, OVER THE MOON, ECSTATIC that it happened this way.  It would have taken me forever to decide which one to get and I would have probably ended up with the one that is purple just for the fact that it is purple.  I probably would have kept finding something that we needed the money for more and it would have taken me forever to actually buy it.  However, having had it for a few days now, it has already helped me in so many ways and it has exceeded my expectations. I am thrilled with all the ways it is going to help me be more organized and productive.  I am so very thankful to my parents who listen to me and knew how much I wanted one of these and said yes when it was offered to them.

So why the letdown?  I can’t tell you when the last time it was that I paid CASH for something this expensive.  I took out my first loan for a purchase when I was a freshman in college. It was a low-interest Apple student Loan for my Mac.  We have had loans and credit cards ever since.  I am SOLD on not using credit. Although we are paying off credit cards, we no longer use credit cards for purchases and when we pay off our cars (mine in just a few months!!), we plan to never carry a car loan again. 

I totally got it when Dave Ramsey talked about credit cards being a product themselves…and they are certainly not a product I care to purchase again in this lifetime.  So I was excited to save my money, go to the store, and pay CASH for my netbook.  That first night seeing it in the box beside my bed just felt weird…I didn’t do anything to get it – I didn’t earn it, I didn’t pay for it, and because I was going to have to pay for the service plan, I felt like I was paying it off just like I would a credit card.  It felt like I was betraying FPU!

Oh wait…I did do something…I answered all of my dad’s questions about my blackberry before he went to get one himself and I am sure I will continue to help him as he gets used to all of its features.  That has to count for something!

I have gotten over all of  my weirdness and now I am just enjoying  this little thing.  It is so awesome and I really think the keys are bigger than the ones on my work laptop!

All of this is really to say that I am proud of myself that I was a little let down to not pay for it in cash.  I NEVER would have felt that way a year ago.  I am proud that we went to Target this past Saturday and spent $11.  I am proud that I was able to negotiate a better price on sale items at Party City (for work).  I could go on and on because Financial Peace University really has changed my thought process and behavior…and I was only able to go to a couple of the class sessions (seemed wrong to pay a babysitter to go to FPU! AND, I read the entire book and have listened to most of the lectures on CD).  I’m not perfect, I still buy things now and then that aren’t absolutely necessary…like a sweater for Hailey today (but it was $4, and completely soft and adorable and can be casual or a little more dressy…the fact that I can justify is always my downfall)…or cow tails (at the dollar tree!  and there are 5 to a pack!)…but I am always thinking, “we’re living like no one else so that we can LIVE like no one else!”

If you are struggling with debt or want to learn how to make better financial decisions, I encourage you to check out Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University!!

So you’ve been eyeing a favorite Thirty-One product…maybe a utility tote or a skirt purse…but you just can’t justify the expense.  Maybe you are wondering how you are going to be able to afford Christmas gifts for all the fabulous people on your list this year?  Lucky for you, I have the solution!  HOST A THIRTY-ONE GIFTS PARTY!!  Read below for more details and then email me about an additional incentive in October that is designed just for YOU! emilypage31@yahoo.com

What do I have to do to host a Thirty-One party?

All you have to do is pick a date and invite your friends!  You can send out an email invite or a facebook invite and/or, you can provide me with a list of names and addresses and I will mail out invitations for you!  You may want to provide a few snacks as well.

What if I have a small living space?

We don’t need a lot of room to have a good time!  If you live in Sanford, NC, I will even let you use my house as long as you bring the snacks!

What if I don’t live in Sanford?

No problem!  I will drive up to 2 hours from Sanford, NC OR you can choose to have an online/catalog party.

What is in it for me?

Thirty-One offers great hostess rewards as well as a different hostess special each month.  For October, you can purchase the Medium Utility Tote for only $5 (reg. $26.50) for submitting a $450 party.  You can purchase the large utility tote for $5(reg.$29.50) for submitting a $750 party!!  And remember, this is on TOP of the hostess rewards.

Hostess Rewards

Party Sales of $200 – $349:  10% of product sales in FREE products, 1 half-price item, 10% discount on all other products

Party Sales of $350 – $499 – 10% of product sales in FREE products, 2 half-priced items, 10% discount on all other products

Party Sales of $500 – $749 – 15% of product sales in FREE products, 3 half-priced items, 10% discount on all other products, FREE shipping

Party Sales of $750 – $999 – 15% of product sales in FREE products, 4 half-priced items, 10% discount on all other products, FREE shipping

Party Sales of $1000 and up – 20% of product sales in FREE products, 5 half-priced items, 10% discount on all other products, FREE shipping

Remember – email me today about an additional special incentive designed just for you if you book your party in October!  emilypage31@yahoo.com  I look forward to hearing from you!

Are you looking for a new career or maybe just a fun way to make extra money?  Thirty-One Gifts offers you the opportunity to realize your dream of owning your own business.  Whether you are looking for extra income or maybe just a way to support your own purse habit, Thirty-One could be the solution you’ve been looking for! 

Thirty -One has just made it even easier for you to make the decision to join their growing company!  Help celebrate our founder, Cindy Monroe’s 35th birthday in September – sign up in September and qualify ($1,000 in personal sales) by October 31st and you will receive 35% commission on your first $1,000 in personal sales.  This is a 10% bonus and will be paid in the first commission payment following $1,000 in sales.  The earlier you join, the better your chance of qualifying.  An average party is $450 so you may only need to hold three parties to earn the commission bonus! 

Imagine – an extra $350 just in time for Christmas!!

Here is a possible scenario for you:

Sign up today for $99!

September 18th (If you live within an hours drive of Sanford, NC, I will bring my products and help you with your show so you can schedule your party even sooner!): You hold an open house for yourself and have $500 in sales.  You earn commission PLUS you earn more free products to add to your kit!  You also have two bookings!

September 26th: You have a party with $300 in sales. 

October 9th: You have a party with $450 in sales.

October 23rd:  You have a party with $250 in sales.

October 30th: Someone places an online order for $55.

By October 31, you have had $1555 in sales and you qualify for the bonus 10% commission!! 

You receive 35% on your first $1,000 in sales: $350 and 25% commission after that: $138.75

Your total commission will be: $488.75 with just your open house, 3 parties, and an online order – BUT the sky is the limit – you rcommission increases as your number of parties increases!

Contact me today for more information!  The sooner you act, the better your chances of qualifying by October 31st! 

Already know you want to join?!  Go to www.mythirtyone.com/emilypage and click on “Join My Team” in the upper right!

I have  a few dates available for parties in September – and you’re going to LOVE the September hostess special!  Host a $450 party and you can purchase the weekender bag ($72) for only $20!  This awesome bag comes in Chocolate Blossom and Medallion Vine.

The September Customer Special is just as fabulous – spend $25 and you can purchase a Black Hanging Cosmetic Organizer for only $13.  This organizer comes with a free signature icon and is only available through this special purchase option in September.  This is a beautiful and classy product that would be a wonderful addition to your 31 collection and would also make a great gift!  Click here to view the monthly specials with photos.

You don’t have to wait for a party to place an order – simply go to my website, www.mythirtyone.com/emilypage and click on “place an order”!  If you live in or around Sanford, NC and would like to save money on shipping, let me know!  It is very possible that I could add your order to a party I am closing and save you $4 in direct shipping charges!

Are you looking for a way to make money doing something you love?  Let me tell you how YOU can become a Consultant with Thirty-One!  Email me at emilypage@windstream.net today!

New Website - if you haven’t visited my Thirty-One website lately, you should take another look!  It is easy to navigate and it looks awesome!

New Products – The new Thirty-One catalog is packed with new products and new fabrics that you just have to see for yourself!  The new utility totes are hot, hot, hot!  They are creating a buzz at every party and they are on the top of everyone’s wish list!  They come in small, medium, and large and with price tags that just might surprise you!  You won’t find a deal like these in stores!  The new Albany purse (pictured above) is gorgeous – classy and sophisticated with an attention to detail.  I loved it so much, I had to order one for myself!  I can’t wait for it to arrive!

New Fabrics – Check out the new catalog to see all of the new fall fabrics.

New Skirt Purse – The popular Skirt Purse has gotten a face lift!  Sleek silver snaps have replaced the ties and the fabric has been upgraded to stand alone – you can now use your skirt purse with or without the skirt!  The new skirts are awesome!  The red one pictured above is one of my favorites!

New Consultant Kit – There has never been a better time to become a Thirty-One consultant!  The $99 Fall kit is packed with 11 different products worth over $300!  Upgrade your kit for an additional $50 and you can choose your own fabrics!  Most of the items can be personalized free, regardless of which kit you choose.

The kit includes:
1. Silver Letter
2. Thermal Tote – Chocolate Dreams
3. Mini Zipper Pouch – Chocolate Spots
4. Weekender Tote – Medallion Vine- this bag alone is worth $72!!
5. Zipper Pouch – Happy Dot
6. Fitted Skirt Purse – Black/Grey Plaid
7. Large Utility Tote – Tailored stripe
8. Shower Caddy – Blue/Green Vertical Dot
9. 31 kids Fold and Go
10. The Albany Bag – Dot Dot
11. Bright Shoulder Strap

The kit also includes catalogs and all the paperwork you need to get started right away with your Thirty-One business!

What are you waiting for?  Contact me today at emilypage@windstream.net! I’ll be happy to answer your questions you might have.  Ready to sign up today?  Simply go to www.mythirtyone.com/emilypage and select “Join My Team” in the upper right corner.  I can’t wait to hear from you!

3 – During the month of August, spend $31, and you can purchase a Pleated Accent Purse (pictured above) for 1/2 off!  You pay only $19!

Hostess Special – As an August Hostess, you can purchase a small basket liner for $18 and receive the small basket FREE by submitting a $450 party.  For submitting a $750 party, you can purchase the large basket liner for $26 and receive the large basket FREE – an $89 value!!  For submitting a $1000 party, you can purchase both liners for $44 and receive BOTH baskets free ($123 value!!)

If that isn’t enough, every August hostess will have a chance to win a $100 American Express Gift Card

If you would like to schedule a home party or online party or if you would like more information on becoming a consultant, please contact me at emilypage@windstream.net

Summer may have just begun in earnest, but fall is right around the corner…leaf piles, apple cider, football games, crisp nights…and the Thirty-One Fall/Winter catalog!  You are going to want to be the first in your circle of friends to show off the awesome new products and fabrics so hurry and book your home party now!  You can contact me at emilypage@windstream.net

Stores have already begun stocking back to school supplies!  Thirty-One has many items that can make that first day of school a little more exciting for your child.  A personalized thermal tote, a cute clipboard to keep assignments organized, a locker caddy for those essential items, a messenger bag with changeable styles to match their mood or outfit, the list goes on and on!  Check out the “direction” catalog for cute and trendy back to school items that will please your child – whether they are  in elementary school or college.  I use my messenger bag every day and I love it!

The following items have LOW INVENTORY so if  any of these items are ones you’ve been eyeing, act now to ensure you receive yours before they are gone for good!

3000 Thermal Zipper Tote-Black Floral; Bubble Pop
3003 Soft Wallet – Burgundy Stripe
3005 Hot Pink Dot Fabric Gift Tag
3037 Pink Thermal Lunch Box
3042 Mini Skirt only – Julie Stripe
3043 Girls Purse – Hot Pink Dot
3047 Skirt only-Brown Floral; Julie Stripe; Giraffe
3048 Organizing Shoulder Bag-Black Quilt
3053 Accent Purse-Deep blue ring
3056 Carryall Tote – Black Floral
(these last two are 2 of my favorite items that I own!)

Don’t you just LOVE all these fabulous Thirty-One Products?! 

My friend Kim is having an online party RIGHT NOW at www.mythirtyone.com/emilypage

Help Kim have a successful party by clicking on “order from a party” and then Kim’s name.  If you live in Sanford, you can save $4 on shipping by selecting “ship to hostess”.  I will pick up your order from Kim and deliver it to you!  Kim’s online party ends at 7 PM on June 19th!

If you don’t live in Sanford, you can have your order shipped directly to your front door!

JUNE is a great time to buy because in June, ALL embroidery on ALL items in the new “direction” catalog is just $1!!! 

If you would like information on how YOU can host an online or home party to earn FREE Thirty-One products, please leave me a comment or contact me at emilypage@windstream.net

Looking for a way to make extra money while working for a great company? I can tell you how!