Nattie's Tittle Tattle

Things I found on Pinterest...

2011-12-12T13:03:00.003-06:00

So, I am becoming crafty. I created a dry erase board, sewed a few projects, and am on my way to becoming very organized. Pinterest.com has helped me with this. I will post my new projects soon and try to update my blogs more often. I am so excited!! 2012 will be a new beginning -- Crafty Nattie

Wine Runs Through It

2011-06-24T15:26:00.011-05:00

It is interesting to reflect back over the last few months. I think for starters... it is like that 'ol saying, "Don't drink and drive, you might hit a bump and spill your drink." Oh man, that always cracks me up. Only funny to the more confused...

Last week, MJ and I went to Driftwood Vineyards & Dutchman Family Winery in Driftwood, Texas. Driftwood has the most beautiful view and wine was pretty cheap. It was so hot outside, we headed quickly to Dutchman Winery. Dutchman is by far a cooler (temp) place to check in. The scorching sun has taken control over the Texas Hill Country! They at least had the AC blowing...relief!

We met a couple in from Dallas who was visiting family (wedding) in Wimberly, Texas. They convinced us to look in to renting a cabin for a weekend. So that is what Mark and I decided to do... Rent a cabin in Wimberly for his 31st bday Texas celebration in July. It is interesting how you meet people and what you will do after - as words of advice. Maybe it was the special driftwood berries...

So we are going to book the trip next week with some friends.

Here is the cabin we have our eyes set on:
http://www.hillcountrysunset.com/a-creek-runs-through-it.html

Creative Scarlet

2010-01-27T12:44:00.003-06:00

Creative Scarlet - That's me! Well, my new business name for website development & design, search engine optimization, and graphics. I have a few friends who need help with personal websites... so I thought I would volunteer my services. This time I don't have restrictions on creativity. My first site is for a local Media Lake "Best Kept Secret" - The Dancing Bear Cantina and Trading Post, a unique bar and burger joint located an arm length away from my new home. Let's just say, they know me there by name. The family owners, Manny, Billie, and George need all the help they can get with building a website, plotting them in local papers, and development of Social Media Pages: Facebook & Twitter. I truly believe this place is remarkable. The clients are just as unique as my charming and favorite city, Austin. City slickers, Harley Davidson riders, local toothless Joes, and blue collar workers. I meet with them tomorrow - eager and anxious!

Back in the Saddle...

2010-01-25T21:59:00.003-06:00

Well, I took some time off from Twitter and Blogging. I have every intention to keep up with it daily/weekly.

So here is what is new with me. I finally moved to San Antonio, Texas. I live out at Lake Medina. My backyard is a beautiful hill country terrain with a view of the lake. The sunsets and stars is beyond imagination. I will post some pictures soon. Thank goodness for the warmer Texas weather lately.

As a side job, I am building three websites for the Dancing Bear Cantina up the road and two other sites for friends. I reveal my new business name tomorrow. Exciting times!!

Charming Charlie, Oh my!

2009-10-23T13:16:00.009-05:00

Charming Charlie is a unique fashion accessories store that specializes in a fast-changing selection of fun, affordable and fabulous fashion accessories all organized by color. Featuring approximately 7,000 pairs of earrings and a similar size assortment of necklaces, bracelets and more – Charming Charlie delivers something for every woman and occasion.

A few months ago I stumbled in Charming Charlie. I was a 7 year old in BARBIELAND (if there is one). Everything I NEEDED, WANTED, and DESIRED. Charming Charlie has an easy-to-shop layout based on color. Reds, purples, blacks, silver, brown, pink,.. I even had butterflies as I slowly took it all in. Greeted by a sales associate, she asked if I have been there before. "Umm, no, and this looks like trouble (I laughed)." A little basket at hand, I proceeded through the store. Giddy, Giddy.

One gold butterfly necklace ($7), wallet ($20), earrings ($5), and a fabulous black purse ($38). All reasonable priced! I scored.

Guys - get a gift card for your sister, mom, and/or girlfriend
Ladies - Shop!

Charming Charlie - http://www.charmingcharlie.com/

CSS Tutorial Day

2009-09-23T14:26:00.004-05:00

I am taking a few CSS Tutorials today. The benefit here is to create web pages and add content while making a few minor adjustments. With CSS you can control the text (like font, color, size, etc.), and the layout (like backgrounds, margin, padding, etc.) of a website, in one single file. It saves time.

However, I do recognize that the whole web site can be dependent on the CSS file. This will be the only real downfall. When I create the new SPEC site using CSS, it will be pretty low key. Keep ya posted!

SPIbeltin' it! (My small personal item belt)

2009-08-05T14:31:00.013-05:00

A few months back, I bought a SPI (Small Personal Item) belt because I needed to run/workout with my keys and Cell Phone. When I ran on Town Lake, I did not enjoy running with my bulky VW car key on my shoelace or in my sports bra. Also, this left my personal keys or cell phone hidden somewhere in my car. Most Austinites know about the crazies who vandalize cars under the Mopac Bridge. I ran in constant fear of my key falling off my shoelace, out of my sports bra, or my car broken into. My friend, Kristi, a serious marathon runner and State Softball Champ in Austin, introduced me to the SPIbelt (Kristi knows the owner). Basically, she sold me right then and there. So when it was time to pick up my runner's kit for the Capitol 10k - the SPIbelt was purchased.

It is not everyday I get the opportunity to run on the downtown trail in Austin. Many times I run the neighborhoods off 360 E. Courtyard and/or off 2222. The heat is killer this time of the year, so I feel I need my phone on me at all times. What if I encounter heat exhaustion, someone (ppl or dog) injured, ...? Lucky me, I have my SPIbelt with my phone and keys!

I take my SPIbelt everywhere with me: long hikes, runs, neighborhood walks,... It is my personal accessory. Anywho, I am so happy with it and will continue telling my friends to purchase one.

Oh yeah, and I am probably taking it with me to ACL (Austin City Limits) Festival this year: Cell, Money, license, CCs, and Lip Gloss! :)

Check out the SPI belts at www.spibelt.com and get this. I have the black one with a pink zipper :)

Do Social Media outlets portray an accurate image?

2009-08-04T11:22:00.016-05:00

I am desperately trying to cut through my social media contacts. You can say this week I am substituting a block of cheddar cheese for a fine sliced Swiss. And I am not talking Boar's Head here! ha

I noticed in the last few months, some people have the plague: the Social Media Plague. A sickness, an addiction to social media outlets: Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, ... They use it to enhance their image - an image pumped with an uppity or a dose of steroids, maybe Botox. This image is empowered by self-absorption and capturing the hearts of the followers. These Followers: enthralled with other people's life, or a mirror image, an obsession with oneself. For example, "getting ready for my volunteer work, I am working hard, Does anyone appreciate me?" So proud of their qualities, appearance, achievements, etc... Whatever self-fulfilling mission, it will be recognized by one or a few people. Just add another flashy layer to the onion, please. Yumm! I am not contributing. Onward with the Swiss.

So... When it comes to Social Media outlets and blogs a lot of people fail to embrace the opportunity to stand out with a clear, honest, and structured image. How is it different in the Business World? What is accurate?

By no means is winning more business or friends through Social Media purely based on having an interesting and picture-perfect profile, the engaging and truth of your content or status, your interaction with contacts/clients and the genuine relationships with friends and trust you develop with them are vitally more important. Tip the scale! If it is not satisfying to you, if it is not genuine or trusted, or just plain ol narcissist content, let it go.

"Your so Vain. Don't you know this song is about you?" - Carly Simon

Eat This, Not That - Super Market!

2009-07-22T17:19:00.008-05:00

Went to my favorite store, CostCo, the other day and purchased the book, "Eat This, Not That!" I have a new obsession: Organic and Frantic!! This book is an eye-opener: Maggots in our canned and frozen veggies, the horrible truths of the supermarket (bad food on inside aisles and heathier on the outside), smart sales tactics "low fat," "reduced,"... Nothing is fresh.

Dear friends, grow a garden!
I recommend reading this book. Here is the website: http://eatthis.menshealth.com/zmod_categoryDetail.php?Best-Worst-The-Best-125-Healthiest-Supermarket-Foods-181 and if you want to purchase the book cheap - I will blissfully escort you into CostCo. Go Green and Be Supreme!

Be Like Water.

2009-07-21T12:36:00.004-05:00

10 Powerful Success Strategies article: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/10-powerful-success-strategies.html

Be like water. Powerful. Gentle. Adaptable. Ever-changing. Being static in a dynamic world – like the one you and I inhabit – is a recipe for disaster. If you can’t adapt, you can’t succeed. Our practical, three dimensional reality, and everything in it, is in a constant state of transition, while some of us are in a constant state of “same”. Statues don’t succeed, they just get crapped on.

Let's get it started in here..

2009-07-20T16:06:00.003-05:00

Well, I did it. I made a blog. I am officially blogging...
Holly suggested that I reach out and start blogging, join the tweet-tweet nation (http://twitter.com/Nattie_N), and sell myself to marketeers.

Don't you love my blogspot name: "Nattie's Tittle Tattle?" If you know me well - you will laugh. I am a redhead, fewer freckles now, but I do fit the title. The vision is in your head - the ginger with pigtails, tomboyish, occasional foul mouth, and mother's nightmare. ha Well, I am amused.

2009-07-20T16:06:00.000-05:00