The BEST French Dip Ever! (& some shop updates!)

 

I love my crock pot.  Especially since giving birth to Declan, I have found myself short on kitchen time and the crock pot allows me to make a delicious dinner without a ton of effort.  And I have stumbled on the BEST recipe ever.  Seriously, my husband requests this as often as he can :)

 

Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches

{recipe found here}

 

Ingredients:
3-4 lb. Beef Round Steak (or any type of beef roast- I use a London Broil and it works PERFECT)
1 packet Onion Soup Mix
1 packet Au Jus Seasoning
1 (15 oz) can of Beef Broth or Stock
½ cup water
4 slices mozzarella cheese
Sub rolls

 

Directions:

Put beef roast in slow cooker. In a medium bowl, combine Beef broth, Onion soup mix, Au Jus seasoning and water and stir until combined. Pour mixture over beef, put cover on slow cooker and cook on low for about 8 hours. An hour before serving, shred meat with two forks or take it out and you can slice thinly. Place meat back in the slow cooker for another hour. {I like to shred it!}

When ready to serve, place several slices of beef on roll, add sliced mozzarella cheese and place under the broiler of your oven for a few minutes. Watch carefully, broil for just a couple of minutes until cheese is melted and roll is just slightly toasted.

Serve sandwich with a bit of Au Jus from the slow cooker, which is all ready made for you! :)

 SO DELISH!!!! :)

 

And on to some shop news...

this past week, I added a couple of fab new items to my shop that I am so excited about!

You are My Sunshine tags :)

Convo me if you need a custom listing for these!

 

Ombre Pink Gift Tags!

So darling!  Need them in another color?  Convo me through Etsy and I'd be happy to make them in a different shade!

 

Whew!  I think that's it for my week.  My hubby is out of town for the weekend, so it's just me and the boys.  We are going to plan a fun mommy-kiddo weekend! {And I'll try to forget I am missing my husband so much already!}

 

Happy Friday!

today I am linking up with High Five For Friday- love it!  Go pop over and check it out.

xo!

Giveaway Time!

It's time for a fun giveaway! Would you like to win a pack of my new thank you banner cards? :)

You'll get one entry for each:

-Leave a comment telling me something happy. ♥
-Like Mommy Holly on Facebook
-Follow me on Instagram (mommyholly13)
-Follow me on Twitter
-Follow me on Pinterest

Leave me a comment letting me know about each entry. GOOD LUCK! Winner will be announced on Friday! :) xo!

{Links to the left in the sidebar.}

New Directions

For the past two months, my main job has been to be a mom. Well, that is always my main job, but I haven't had any other work to worry about on top of that. My shop has been put on a temporary pause, aside from a few little things here and there, and it has afforded me to figure out where I want to go with Mommy Holly. I have been brainstorming new ideas and new directions to go in, and it making me so excited.

I want my shop to flourish, to grow, and to be a success, so having a little downtime proved to be easential to how I think about myself as a business owner. Not only do I want to do this job for myself, but I want to contribute to my family, yet still be able to be the mom who shows up to school each afternoon to walk my son home. I want to be a presence in my boys' daily lives and running a successful online shop allows me to do that.

Success is key. I have realized that in order to achieve that success, I have to be organized, prepare ahead of time, make lists, keep my space tidy, and ultimately, keep it all together. Can I do that? Time will tell. I am so motivated to make it work. Let's keep our fingers crossed that this momma can make big things happen. :)

SO... Here's to the re-opening of Mommy Holly, which will be happening very soon. I've got some fun blog posts planned and some new items that will hopefully make you want to shop, shop, shop. :)

In the meantime, be sure to follow me on facebook, instagram, twitter and pinterest. Links are to the left. :) Lots of updates in the near future, and there will be a giveaway tomorrow!! Stay tuned. :) xo!

things that are exciting me lately + mani monday!

OK, I am seriously excited today. For quite a few reasons!   Number one?! I am officially in my THIRD TRIMESTER! Baby boy is the size of a cauliflower, weighing in at 2 pounds. He can blink, hiccup, and listen to me ramble on each day. yay! Only 13 more weeks until we get to meet our little man. Names have been the topic of discussion between my husband and me lately.  We've got a top two that we like, so let's keep our fingers crossed that we have something to call this baby soon. :)   Speaking of fingers... it's Mani Monday over at Just Lovely!   I usually have my fingernails done at a local salon, but got sick of having to go in there every couple of weeks.  SO, I decided to grab some fun new polish and give myself a manicure!  I am SO happy with the way it turned out, and am loving these greens. {The dark one is actually a slightly glittery black-green.}   Polishes I Used: Spoiled "The Parking Meteor Expired" + Sally Hansen Hard as Nails "Mint Sorbet" on my pinkies + a topping of Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Topcoat = happy & cute fingers!   {PS.  I love the names of nail polishes.  So funny!}   Another exciting thing?? FALL television is back! New Grey's Anatomy, Parenthood, Modern Family, Private Practice, Once Upon a Time, Gossip Girl, and my personal FAVE..... EEEEEEK!  I've been waiting all summer for this one!  Can't wait!!!! Only three more days!!! :) I'm a total TV junkie, by the way. :) What are you watching?? Any new shows caught your attention? My husband and I are liking Revolution and Last Resort so far. :)   And always an exciting thing... I was so happy to make these darling birthday party invitations for a new customer- her son is having a Hallowen themed party and the invites sure turned out amazingly cute.  Yay!  Need some custom invites?  Pop over to the shop and I would love to help out :)   So, what is exciting YOU lately?! Happy Monday, xo!

a successful show!

The Queen Bee Market was a success!! This past Saturday, my talented sister and I put together a combined booth that turned out to be SO cute and so much fun!!  Both of our products meshed well together and the overall look of the booth was perfect.  Bright, happy and fun!!! :)   I had a display of new cards, tags, and cutouts!  My sister made amazing crowns, tiaras, headbands and wands! :)   All of my new items will be listed in the shop shortly.  If you see anything you'd like, contact me and I would be happy to arrange a custom order for you in my shop. :)     Like I said, I will be busy listing NEW items today and probably tomorrow as well, since there is a LOT to photograph and get posted.  Keep your eye on the shop for new additions- I am so proud of the items that I sold and am able to offer my customers now!    Thanks, Queen Bee! And thanks, Mallory, for being a fab sister & booth partner!!! :) xo!  

tomorrow's the day!

Tomorrow is the Queen Bee Market!!! I am sooo excited!!!  I will be there selling all of my paper goods with my sister, who will be selling her amazing kid's crowns, tiaras, headbands and wands.  YAY!   This is what my dining room table looks like at the moment.....   It is a pricing extravaganza!!!!  I am trying to get everything organized for the morning when we have to set up SUPER early before the show.   I truly hope that I am able to see some of you there!  Here are the specifics again...   Are you local to Southern California?! Then stop by and see me at the Queen Bee Market! Saturday, September 22nd from 9am to 3pm! Center for the Arts 340 N. Escondido Escondido, California   YAY!!!! I can't wait!!! OK, off to prep everything and make sure I am staying organized! Happy Friday to you all! xo! 

photo friday! :)

I have been stockpiling photos over the past two weeks and then I happened to stumble on the CUTEST new blog.  Photo Friday is the theme for today, and you can share the last things you took photos of.  Here is my past week or two in photos- and it's feeling great to catch up here!! :)   Andrew started third grade last week.  AH!  How did he become so grown up looking??!!  Where is my little boy??  He is loving his class, his school, everything about the new year so far.  That makes a momma very pleased. :)   He also started baseball!!  This is his first baseball team and he is so excited to play fall ball this year.  Here's to hoping he loves it, because I actually like watching baseball.  {As opposed to another certain sport that has started recently! ::cough::football::cough::}  So far so good, and he is so thrilled to play his first game on Sunday!!! :) :)   My shop is undergoing some exciting changes!!!  New packaging for the Queen Bee Market next week!  Do you like???  Everything will now have these fab brown paper labels on them, and I should be phasing them into the shop orders after the market as well.  Plus there are some new items that will be hitting the shop as well- these cute polka dot trees are TOO cute.  Seriously, I am in love with them! :)  They will be available in the shop soon, but contact me through Etsy if you can't live without them and I'll see what I can do! ;)   Another new item that will debut at the market next Saturday.  These fantastic new brown paper greeting cards!!!  This is one of my favorite songs and I love mason jars.  I just had to combine the two and voila!  Serious cuteness, in my opinion.  Hopefully some of you will agree! :)  These cards, along with some other mason jar card designs, will be in the shop after the market.   Speaking of the Queen Bee Market, are you local to Southern California?! Then stop by and see me at the event on Saturday, September 22nd from 9am to 3pm! Here is a great info blog to get you set on where you will be going for this event.  Hope to see some of you there!! :)   And...

 

Pop over to see more photos here!

 

Hope you all enjoy a fantastic weekend!

xo!

going batty.

Going batty from being busy lately?
Check!
Loving the little batty cutouts in the shop?
Double check!

Halloween is coming up quickly,
so make sure to place your orders for goodies soon!
These are all perfect for kids crafts, invitations, confetti,
etc, etc, etc.

Find spooky treats in the shop here:
1. Spooky Mix - Black Cardstock & Vintage Dictionary Bat Cutouts
2. Spooky Tree Cutouts
3. Vintage Dictionary Moon and Stars
4. Flying Black Bird Cutouts

As always, convo me if you need more than one pack of anything in the shop and I would be happy to post a custom listing for you. I adore custom orders! :)

Did you know that Halloween is just 46 days away?!
Costume ideas need to be though of asap.
Stay tuned. :)
xo!

bows, seahorses, and crabs.. oh my!

LOTS of fun new items
just hit the shop this morning!!
Like these fantastic vintage dictionary bow cutouts...
my new favorite, for sure!
Bows are so girlie and cute!

Here are some other new vintage dictionary cutouts as well...

{vintage dictionary seahorse cutouts}


{vintage dictionary crab cutouts}

And some new gift & favor tags...

1. Brown Paper Bumble Bee Thank You Tags
2. Brown Paper Tags with a Matryoshka Doll Motif
3. The Perfect Birthday & Balloon Tags
4. Yummy Pink Ice Cream Cone Tags

And some more cutouts & supplies for any of your projects...

{white cardstock heart cutouts}


{white scalloped square cutouts}


My new favorite shape!! {swirly square cutouts}


{brown paper scalloped square tags}

{and remember, any of my designs can be made in other colors and cardstock papers as well. Just convo me for custom orders, and I would be more than happy to create something custom for you!}

Whew!
Lots of new things to pop in and check out!
And because I am feeling happy & generous this morning,
take 10% off any orders this week!
Use coupon code THANKS10 upon checkout.
Now go on and shop! :)
xo!

a fun market coming up soon?!

FUN EVENT NEWS!
I will be joining other crafty Southern Californians on November 5th
for the

Bohemian Market's
Language Academy
Pre-Holiday Art & Craft Bazaar!

There will be lots more info to come, but I will be there selling lots of holiday goodies from noon to 4pm. I hope some of you can join me as vendors, and I hope many more of you will come by, shop a little, and say hello! :) Mark your calendars now! Pop over here for more info about the bazaar and how to become a vendor as well.

The San Diego Crafters for the Arts are dedicated to keeping art alive in our local schools, so this bazaar benefits the Language Academy directly. I adore this- I think art is an integral part of how we learn, how we live, and how we create- we simply cannot let that go to waste in our children's educations.

PS.
I know of one other crafty lady who will be joining me- my sister with her fantastic crowns, wands, and whimsical treats from her shop, Wendy Miracle.
xo!

what do you think?!

The blog re-do is complete!
What do you think?
I am flipping out happy.
Being back to blogging feels so super.
I love to connect with people through this blog and am so happy that everything looks nice & fresh around here. :)

To celebrate, I am giving away a fun
shop credit
to a lucky someone!



Rules to enter?
Leave a comment & become a follower of this blog for one entry!
Separate entries if you follow me on Facebook or Twitter as well :)
Just leave me a comment and let me know.
I'll choose a winner on Monday!

Stay tuned tomorrow...
Andrew's first day of school photos!
And yes, he is already back in school. EEK!
xo!

red white & blue.

The days are flying by lately.
We have been busy, busy, busy.
My calendar is filling up!
Andrew has seven more school days {eeeek!} before summer and I can't believe it is already that time of year again. With that being said, the shop needs to stay on track for the upcoming holidays!

Here we go, summer....

Before you know it,
Fourth of July will be here!
Stock up on goodies to decorate, craft with, scatter across your party tables, or add to hostess gifts or favors. SO many cute uses for these red, white & blue anchors!!! :)


And don't forget about these darling patriotic star cutouts!!


Need more than one pack of anything??
Convo me to set up a custom listing
in any amount or different colors of my cutouts. :)
I love to do custom work!!


And a big reminder:
I will be out of town soon, so ALL orders placed between June 6th and June 20th will not be shipped out until after I return home. ALL orders placed before this weekend WILL be in the mail before I leave though, so shop this week!

Need a coupon as an incentive to get shopping?
Use the code FREESHIP1 upon checkout
to receive free shipping this week. :)
Shop now!
Enjoy!

Happy Tuesday! :)
xo!

office essential.

Here is another peek into my work space...

Being a stay-and-work-at-home mom,
having a calendar that is super organized helps me like crazy.
I adore my whiteboard calendar that hangs right next to my workspace in my office. It is large enough that I have plenty of space to write all over it. This is a photo of it when I re-do the calendar for the month, before I have scribbles all over the place and craziness planned for the month...

{Please ignore my huge pile of papers from Andrew's class... any other mommas have a ton of trouble throwing things away from the kid's school like me?? :) }

Having a calendar hanging on the wall like this not only helps me stay organized, but it helps Andrew when he can come in and see what the week is going to look like. He usually pencils in a few things for the month himself. :)

I found my calendar for six dollars at Walmart about six months ago... what a steal!! :) However, you can find a whole host of whiteboard calendars on Amazon here. Grab a pack of bright colored whiteboard pens to color code items on your calendar, and you are good to go! I feel like this area of my life is always organized. Thank goodness for that! :)

Off to run some birthday party errands...
come back tomorrow for my Inspiration post! :)
xo!

a few bucks of happy.

A few weeks ago, I was living in a disorganized mess.
Inch by inch, things are looking up around my office!
I spent just a few dollars at Michael's and found some bright & happy things to spruce up my work area. A ladybug stapler was my favorite find for sure, a cute "hello kitty" notepad since I am always making lists, an adorable little personalized "h" note box full of itsy bitsy sized paper, and some snazzy farm animal pencils {that have yet to be sharpened!} round out my cute finds. Seriously, the pig pencils are amazingly adorable. :)


I am housing my pencils in my fantastic vintage beer mug from 1982 {my birth year, woot woot!} that I found while thrifting one day for about a quarter. I adore this shape of mug and one day want to drink all of my beverages, beer or non beer, from vintage beer mugs. Totally cute. :)


I am sneaking in time to organize and have been very happy with the result!
Organized and color coded paper, anyone?? :)

And if you would like a few dollars worth of happy as well,
check out some of my new items that hit the shop this morning!!

Eeeek, my new favorites cut out of vintage atlas pages... butterflies!


I can't tell you how long I have been meaning to get these plain kraft paper tags into the shop. Finally, here they are. :)


And the larger sized birds have flown in as well! Need these in another color? No problem, just send me a convo through Etsy and I'll make these in any color cardstock for you! :)

A few dollars can bring serious happiness to my day.
What is making you happy today?!
Now I am off to craft, craft, craft for Andrew's birthday party this Saturday!!
So much to do, let me tell you. :)
Happy Tuesday, xo!

up for grabs! :)

Pssst...
There is a fantastic giveaway over here today! :)

xo!