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My New Venture :: Sseko Designs!

August 21, 2017 by Michelle Filed Under: Fashion, Life, Sseko Leave a Comment

Y’all.  As if I needed one.more.thing. I have become a Sseko Designs Fellow and I am.so.excited!!

You’re probably wondering why on earth would I add one more thing to my already-overflowing-plate…?  Andrew actually asked me that question – do you have time to do this? No. I really don’t. But if it matters to me, and it does, then I’ll make time for it.

The true reason that I am adding this to my big ‘ole plate is that it’s a culmination of things: the desire to DO something in the world, specifically by helping and encouraging WOMEN to make a difference in what could be big or small, in their communities.

You see, I was recently at a leadership conference where I heard from two ladies in particular: Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, and Liz Bohannon, Founder of Sseko.  The interesting thing about the timing of this was, I’ve recently felt pulled to help women figure out HOW to be difference makers. How to find a voice, how to plow thru the male-dominated world of business and leadership. But I’ve been lost on how to do that {I’m a rather quiet, introverted individual…}.

So at this conference, when Liz’s video came up on the screen I remembered that I had seen Sseko at some point last year on Instagram and had looked at it, but ignorantly decided it wasn’t for me. When the video started my interest was once again piqued. I tried to get on the website right then and there but of course it had crashed due to all the traffic it was getting from the video. I waited until later that night to try again. I looked at several of the products and was trying to figure out WHO this was for – college ladies or just anyone who wanted to get involved. There was a form on their website to fill out if you were interested in learning more.

Of course I filled out the form and set a date/time for the interview with a Sseko representative. The following week, as I walked around HOT downtown Columbia {while at lunch!}, I had my interview with Adrienne. By the time our call was over she was inviting me to join the Sseko Fellows!

You could say that the rest is history, but we’ve also ONLY just begun! And I am really excited at the opportunity, really to share Sseko with you and others – and to let you know that this isn’t about me. It’s not about selling products so that I can earn a commission, but rather, it’s about selling products so that I can be a part of something bigger – where your dollars go to the funding of education for girls so that they CAN go on to University. So that they CAN fulfill the dreams that they have: of being doctors, lawyers, bankers, insurance professionals, teachers and nurses, and the list could go on and on. It’s bigger than just you and me and that’s the most exciting part of this venture!

Wondering who Sseko is? It’s a group of ladies in Uganda, Ethiopia and other parts of Africa who are hand-making these beautiful sandals, totes, clothing and even jewelry. To check out all things Sseko, click here. Those ladies in Africa are matched up with women in America, who are selling the products to fund the education of these ladies. To date, Sseko sales in America have allowed 87 women to go to college/University! That’s no small feat, and we certainly want to send more!

I’ve included pictures throughout this post of all the beautiful products we offer. If you’re interested in learning more about the products either comment below or shoot me a private message: camelliasandcopper@gmail.com.

If you would like join my Facebook Group: Michelle’s Sseko Designs Facebook

Instagram? I’ve got that covered too!  Michelle’s Sseko Designs Instagram

I would be so thrilled if you would join me in this venture.

As always, I am grateful for your support – oh, and in case you’re wondering, YES, Camellias and Copper WILL continue on!

Favorite Fall Finds :: Some New, Some Old

November 1, 2016 by Michelle Filed Under: Fashion 1 Comment

I can barely believe it’s fall, y’all.  With 80 degree temps still causing my feet to swell, it still feels like summer!

Nonetheless, I’m sharing with you a few of my current Fall favorites!  {Click any photo for purchasing information!}

  • I got these fabulous riding boots a week or so ago from Land’s End, complete WITH my monogram.  WHAT.  Yes.  {I purchased them one weekend when they were 40% off!}boots-2016
  • My employees gave me a gift card to Magnolia {Chip & Joanna Gaines’ store} for Bosses Day this year so I got myself a Cotton Wreath {mine is the large one}!  I knew it would look beautiful on our red front door!cotton-wreath-front-door-2016
  • This one is for Eliza Jane.  My sweet friend Ann gave this to her when our families went to the beach together this August.  It’s a cute little Halloween pumpkin tunic from Mud Pie {I love their stuff!}.eliza-jane-mudpie-halloween-tunic-2016
  • These fun little hand creams I found at World Market.  I grabbed several of these at the check out one day, to keep in our downstairs bathroom for guests {or…myself}.  They are the perfect amount of scent + luxury lotion.hand-lotions-2016
  • I would not be complete without my Essie nail polish: Kimono-Over {top photo}, Velvet Voyage {middle} and my all time favorite Smokin’ Hot {bottom}.

kimono-over velvet_voyagesmokin_hot

  • LOVE Sweaters!!!  Loft and The Limited are both having sales right now {woot!}.  I purchased a couple of sweaters from Loft last week that I can’t wait to get into {post-baby, of course!}:loft-sweater-2016 loft-sweater-ii-2016

That’s it for me, what are some of your current Fall favorites – new or old?

My Maternity Stitch Fix

August 16, 2016 by Michelle Filed Under: Being a Mom, Fashion 8 Comments

Okay, so who knew that Stitch Fix has Maternity options??

I did! I did!!

And I was super excited to be able to try it out to see what I might get in my fix!!

My stylist was Blake and she was a rock.star.   {Blake, if you’re reading this – you did a FANTASTIC job!!! THANK YOU!!}

First of all, I got this precious note about our “third tiny human”, which made me smile real big.

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Then I saw my pieces and squealed with glee!!

Tonight we had Dana and Brynn join us for supper so Dana ended up being my photog and critic {she loved it all}.

First up is the Lottie Pleated Maternity Blouse.  As mentioned in the note above – Blake chose blue in honor of our baby boy!  This top is gorgeous and is extremely versatile!

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I am also wearing the AMAZING Liza {hello name?!} Maternity Skinny Jeans.  Y’all. These jeans are insane.  They fit perfectly and have THE.BEST. full-panel band I’ve ever seen.

Next up, with the Liza jeans is the Sollas Maternity Knit Top, that I want to wear and sleep in, and do all over again every day.  It is ridiculously soft and every bit as “yummy” as Blake mentioned in her note!20160816_192521

And then…there is the addition of the SHOES.

These are adorable in every way.  Introducing the Marci Checkered D’Orsay Flat…20160816_192714

THEN, the Gemma Maternity Dress {mamma Mia!!!}.  I don’t normally wear “fitted” maternity dresses…only because I am really self-conscious…especially about ALL the bumps…

So we took some conservative photos as I enjoyed feeling like a sexy momma.  {bahahaha}20160816_193023

And then Reynolds wanted to give me a hug so of course he made it into the post!20160816_193057

Gosh I love that kid.

I am extremely pleased with my Maternity Stitch Fix!! And will either buy them all {you get 25% off the total if you buy all 5 items} or have a really difficult time trying to decide what to send back.

Blake, you are amazing!  Thanks again for a fabulous fix that makes me feel beautiful and stylish!! <3

One more picture…just for funsies

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Which pieces are your favorite??

All The Things…Friday Fun

August 12, 2016 by Michelle Filed Under: Being a Mom, Fashion, Life 4 Comments

I have struggled for a few weeks now over topics to write about – things that you might care about reading {what do you care about reading, anyway? :)}.  And that has landed me in a huge black-hole of nothingness.  My brain really does not function well when I am pregnant…

Plus I sort of feel like life is running about a million miles a second and I can barely see straight!

This week for example – my calendar was a web of pink and blue.  Blue=work stuff, pink=personal.  And it was so full.  Andrew had a two-day conference, including evenings.  Reynolds decided on Tuesday that he couldn’t walk – it was too painful for him to walk {growing pains?!}, so he spent the day with me.  {Nothing definitive has been found out about the leg thing..}

Wednesday night, most of you know from the picture I put on IG and FB, that I went to the shooting range and have a nice little target to show for it.

Yesterday our daycare was closed for a half day and then all day today so I’m getting some quality time with the kiddos and our house.

So in my black-hole of nothingness I thought I would share some things that I’ve seen around the web that I would add to my “wish list”:

  • I follow a great gal, Kristin Schmucker, on Instagram and she had this really great pinboard in one of her photos once that I swooned over.  And then I’ve just recently found this one at the same place!  Pottery Barn Teen : Arch Pinboard that would look amazing…somewhere?
  • Being pregnant is amazing.  Really it is.  BUT the clothes…all the clothes I want to buy are not maternity. I adore this dress from Loft because it is so Audrey Hepburn, and so me.  Loft : Flutter Flare Dress
  • We’ve been talking about our master bathroom – remember that post where I shared with y’all {confessed} that nothing works, except the shower and how we’re debating on a re-do?  Well, this vanity from Wayfair…is on the wish list.  “Wish” being the key word.  Good news is, it’s half the cost of the one from PB that I really wanted.  Wayfair : Audrey Bath Vanity Set
  •  For the plaid lovers out there…fall is coming, and so are the Toms!  Have you seen the new red and black plaid options?  I feel like these are a MUST for some of us who live in a certain part of the south, where our team’s colors are RED and BLACK.  Toms : Red and Black Plaid AND there’s an option for the littles too…Toms : Red Black Buffalo Plaid Tiny Toms Biminis

Untitled design (3)
Here’s a quote I just read from Eleanor Roosevelt: Do one thing every day that scares you.
Some of you could have some really funny responses to that – and you know who you are!! 😛

That’s all from the black-hole!  Happy Friday, friends, I hope you have an amazing weekend!

Impact Uganda : Jewelry For Sale!

June 14, 2016 by Michelle Filed Under: Art, Fashion Leave a Comment

Hi Friends! Today I want to introduce you to Noonday Collection – a socially responsible business that uses fashion to create meaningful opportunities around the world.  My childhood friend, Lindsay, introduced me to Noonday and their jewelry a year or so ago.  Lindsay is one of their Ambassadors, and is an advocate for socially responsible fashion, whether clothing, jewelry, shoes, bags, etc.

I really want you to know about the incredible sale they have going on, called Impact Uganda Sale – it’s a giveback sale going on this month and so far, $100k in Ugandan product has been sold.  What does that mean? $10,000 in additional funding for social programs!!13443986_10157030425080305_925124783_n

Bonus!  Every week of this month there is an Instagram contest with a different theme, and the winner will receive all of the new pieces from Uganda when the new fall line launches!  What a great gift!  To follow Noonday, click here: NoondayCollectionIG

For Lindsay, she set a personal goal to sell 36 items this month – you see, this month she turned 36 so what a great birthday gift for herself and for those for which she is striving to make a difference!  As of today, she’s sold 23 items, so will you be one to help her reach her goal of 36 pieces?

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Just so you know, I personally have a couple of their necklaces and they are carefully and beautifully made by the Noonday artisans.  Last year I bought a few of the Dainty Paper Bead Necklaces {the colorful one pictured above ↑} and gave them out as Christmas gifts, and of course kept one for myself 🙂

I hope you’re able to check out the website and find something pretty for you,your mom, a sister, a friend, a neighbor…and know that as you’re picking out these unique pieces of jewelry, you’re making a difference in the lives of many!

Stitch Fix : A Review {April 2016}

April 11, 2016 by Michelle Filed Under: Being a Mom, Fashion 7 Comments

What up, people!  It’s Monday, April 11th and I’ve been missing you!

Last week was a little crazy, with a whirlwind trip to Chicago Wed/Thursday, for work and the daily hullabaloo…I hardly got anything else done besides dressing myself every day!

Speaking of dressing…I got my latest Stitch Fix last week just before I left for Chicago, so over the weekend I tried on all my pieces!

Annette was my stylist this time around and like my stylist from February, she did a fantastic job!

First up is the Astaire Split Back Blouse…in navy polka dot

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I love the mix of dots and the size/fit/length was perfect.

Next up is the turquoise Paddio Lace Inset Blouse that I think is really pretty.

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With a little lace at the shoulders and buttons down the front, it could easily go from work to weekend.

The Carrabin Collarless Tweed Jacket is totally my speed and certainly a keeper.  I’ll have to get the sleeves taken up just a tad, but otherwise it’s quite a lovely fit…and timeless!

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Rut ro…The Nanci Knit Dress, much like the dress from my February fix, it was completely adorable.

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Until I tried it on.  Which is why you do not see me all up in my Spanx trying to look like a “hot mom” in this fire-engine red dress.  #Notgonnadoit.  The next size up for this one would have been ideal.

HEY!  Did you know Stitch Fix now does shoes?!  And my first pair, the Brooke Two-Tone Flats are super cute!  They were a perfect fit and given the white/black color combo, I could wear them with a lot of outfits, especially on the weekend!

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Thoughts on which pieces I should keep or send back!? {you can’t say them all…Andrew would have a fit!}

That’s it for tonight, friends!  I hope you all have an amazing week!

The Dress

February 24, 2016 by Michelle Filed Under: Being a Mom, Fashion, Life 2 Comments

Warning to any men possibly reading this post: My husband has yet again, raised the bar for you.  🙂

Yesterday….

Yesterday morning as I prepared for my day, I pressed my black lace dress that I’d recently purchased from Ann Taylor.  A dress that I’d purchased specifically for an event we were to attend that night.

My day was planned…chock full of work stuff and then a hair appointment {because my roots were due for some color}.

Things were going along just as planned.

I got an email from Andrew…forwarded on from the folks who had invited us to the event…

First I saw “..reminder, this is BLACK TIE.” and then I saw the name of the man being honored…the President of USC.

“Holy Moley.” I thought.  Panic swept over me.  I texted Andrew, “What am I going to wear tonight?!”

He proceeded to tell me that the dress I had was “good”.

“That is not black tie!!!” I replied.

I sought the help of a girlfriend at work.  She entered the panic room with me.  We shared in the panicking.

Of course we were laughing, this WAS hilarious after all.

I called Carlee at Bella Bridesmaids and told her of my crisis.  She laughed along with me and said, “You have NO idea how often this happens!!!”  Husbands who neglect/forget to tell their wives about the dress code…

She apologized that she didn’t have anything in my size and referred me to Coplon’s.

Coplon’s is a fabulously fancy ladies shop, that was completely destroyed last October during the flood.  But, they have a small shop currently open just across the street from it’s true location, near our home.

I called and spoke to Judy.  She too, laughed at my predicament and told me to get in the car and head over, that she would be looking for some dresses in the meantime.

I called Andrew, he was in class.

In my mind I was going round and round about the dress I had and whether or not it truly would be appropriate for “black tie”.  I felt like I could pull it off, but then to honor Dr. Pastides – a man that my husband greatly respects, I wanted to make Andrew proud {I am his arm candy 😉 bahahaha}.

So I got to Coplon’s and Judy helped me pick out a couple of short dresses and a gown or two.

The first dress I tried on was the only dress I tried on.

When I first saw it I was totally unsure.  Pale pink.  Silver sequins all over.  Not entirely “me”, if you know what I mean. Still, it was pretty.

I tried it on.

It fit great and I actually liked it.

I walked out into the shop and was told that it looked fantastic.

I walked back into the fitting room, took a picture and shot it to Andrew and a friend…

Andrew called, “Where are you?”

“Uh….Coplon’s…”

All he heard were dollar signs.

We talked about the dress I had on, the event itself, etc.

He pulled up pictures on FaceBook from the 2014 event to see what folks were wearing and assured me over and over that the black lace dress I’d already purchased was “perfect”.

I was still unsure.

I was also unsure about the price tag on said dress I had on.

I asked sweet Judy to hold the dress for me.  She agreed to do so.

I left.

Andrew called, “If you get it, just make sure you wear it more than once.”

HA!

Girls…we all know how that goes, don’t we?!  We buy something we think we’re going to use/wear a million times…it gets used/worn once, maybe twice and then gets lost among everything else.

I heard him loud and clear.

I had already texted a girl that works with Andrew, about the event…so I sent her the picture of me in the dress.

“I LOVE this!!!!  Girl, but that dress.  I just talked him into it.  I mean buy that dress.  You gave birth twice!! You deserve it!!!”

Andrew later told me that she was in his office telling him to his face what she was texting me.  I can only imagine how hilarious that was.

I went back to work swirling in my mind what I was going to do.

Fast forward to 6pm.

Our event was to start at 6:30 with a cocktail hour.

6pm and daddy + kids aren’t home yet.

I was fully dressed in my black lace dress, makeup and hair done.  Standing over the stove tearing apart chicken that I had baked, and cooking noodles for some alfredo pasta for the kids.

Grandma and Booba {Andrew’s parents} were there…our babysitters for the night.

But the husband and kids weren’t home yet.

……………………………

Andrew came in shortly thereafter with Eliza Jane…and while I chatted with her and the grands, still preparing food at the stove, I heard a sweet voice behind me.

“Momma.  We got you a present.”

Coplon's

Um.

I looked at Andrew, my jaw on the floor…”Are you serious?  You bought that dress?!”

Dazed and confused by this man’s actions….

“Do you want me to wear that dress?”

My mind racing at the fact that I would have to literally take off everything I had on in order to wear this one.   We were surely going to be late if I had to do all of that…

Andrew in all his amazing husbandly attributes said “I think you look beautiful just like you are….”

With all the mixed signals that I’d just gotten, I kept on the black lace dress, unsure really of what all this meant.

He’s never bought me a dress like this.

I felt like Vivian in Pretty Woman.

He rattled off a few reasons of why I deserved it…and mentioned that he also felt like he needed “brownie points” going into this weekend {where he’s spending two days wine-tasting for a class he’s taking}.

I rolled my eyes or shook my head at all of this, thinking that I didn’t deserve it and he certainly doesn’t need brownie points.

 

 

I posted a picture of us at our event, me in my black lace dress.  Black dressAndrew’s co-worker sent him a text, “What happened?!”  She fully expected to see me in the dress.

The dress was beautiful.

Andrew is amazing to have gone and purchased it for me, WITH our two kids at their witching hour…

But I took it back.

I wrestled with the cost and if/when I would wear it.  I just couldn’t justify keeping it.

The ladies at Coplon’s were wonderful to me when I returned it this afternoon.  One lady was there yesterday afternoon and told me how thoughtful Andrew was to have gone and purchased the dress for me.  She told me how sweet our kids had been {I told Andrew he must have been crazy to take them in there!!}.  And that Andrew had taken a picture of them sitting on the counter together…Kids Coplons

I’m so proud of and thankful to have Andrew.  He completely blew me away yesterday evening.  I am not deserving of him and what he does for me every day.

I’ve kept you waiting long enough.

Here’s the one photo I have of me in the beautiful dress.  When I sent it to Andrew, his comment was, “Why do you look so surprised?!”

Coplon's dress

I’d love to hear your thoughts…should I have kept it?

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