Thirty-one Hostess of the Month Club

Thirty-One Hostess of the Month Club

Have you thought about hosting a Thirty-One party, but something was holding you back? Would you love to grow your Thirty-One collection, but can only afford to spend a little each month? Do you want to benefit from all of the great Hostess Rewards, without the stress of hosting a party?

If that describes you, then I am extending an offer to you for a chance to participate in a unique group. Joining my Hostess of the Month Club is a great way to grow your Thirty-One collection on a budget, complete your Christmas/birthday gift shopping, and guarantee great FREE products for yourself! 

 

Hostess of the Month Club FAQS:

Why spend $35 a month? 

Each hostess agrees to purchase at least $35 in product every month. By spending $35(before shipping and tax), you guarantee that each monthly Hostess has a party volume of AT LEAST $210. Though it usually ends up being more. It also gives you the opportunity to qualify for the Monthly Customer Specials. We all love the monthly specials and this is a great way to make sure we get them!

Can someone else make a purchase for me? 

Yup! Your best friend or cousin or neighbor or sister...anyone can buy something wonderful! Or you can use it to buy a special birthday or holiday gift for someone you love. You are only agreeing that a purchase is made on your behalf each month, but you don't have to be the one making it.

What is the duration of the club? 

That will depend on the members! If we have 6 girls that would like to join, we will go for 6 months. If we have 12 girls, we will continue for 12 months. We can go as long as we want to. But we will only go on as long as everyone agrees. (For example, if the group decides they only want to continue for 8 months, only 8 members will be allowed to participate.) However, a minimum of 6 is necessary to reach the minimum party goal every month. 

How will the orders be collected?

However you'd like! You can order right from my website (www.mythirtyone.com/annawalters) by going to the My Parties tab and selecting that month's hostess, or you can contact me via email, Facebook, call, or text and tell me what you want!

Can anyone join?

Of course! As long as you live in the USA you are able to join. You are NOT required to live all in the same place. Products will be shipped directly to you. Everything can be done online. Sales tax is based on where you live.

 

Do we all need to live in the same state?
Nope! The only requirement is that you live in the US. Products will be shipped directly to you and everything is done online so it doesn't matter where you live.

 

Is it all online or will we get paper catalogs too?
You can decide. You can see all of the products online at www.thirtyonegifts.com or I can  mail a catalog to anyone that wants a physical one. 

As the ‘Hostess’ for the month, what’s in it for me? 

When it is your time to Host the month, you will receive the orders from the other members participating in this group via my webpage. So there is no passing out books or collecting orders. This will guarantee that you receive a minimum amount in orders, which will automatically qualify you for Hostess Rewards. In addition, this will give you the opportunity to take advantage of one or more of the Hostess Exclusives. You will definitely want to be a hostess! So... as the monthly Hostess, you will receive free AND discounted products!! What’s not to love about that?!

 

How much free product will the hostess receive?  

This answer depends on many factors. With 6 members each agreeing to make a $35 purchase every month, that guarantees a party of AT LEAST $210, which equals $25 in Hostess Credit, 1 Half-Priced Product, the Hostess Special, and 1 Hostess Exclusive.Though, it is usually more because I tend to find that most people purchase more than the required $35 and most Hostesses choose to get outside orders to add to their party. Also, this will obviously vary depending on how many girls are in the group. More members in the group equals a higher party total each month.

How will it be decided who gets what month?  

I will set up a Facebook Group where we can all talk and share pictures, comments, or questions. I will allow each girl to choose in the order that they join that group. The first girl to join chooses first and so on. Simple and fair. (Or, if someone wants to join that doesn't have Facebook, they can email me or call/text me instead.)

What if I decide to quit? 

If you decide that the club isn't for you, simply find someone else (family, friend, co-worker, etc) to purchase $35 in product each month in your place.

(Thanks to mirandabee who I borrowed this info from!)

Interning....whew!

I realize that I have been awful at updating this blog. My schedule is changing, however, so hopefully I'll have at least a day a week open to keep this current!

I started interning at the beginning of the school year. Its an interesting experience. You go into a profession all bright eyed and bushy tailed, wanting to put what you've learned in school to use... this is only somewhat the case. There is legitimately just not enough hours in the day.

This month is National Bullying Prevention Month. I am attempting to inform more students and teachers about this as well as educate them. With Minnesota passing the bullying bill I feel that this is even more important. Our school is participating in Unity Day and I am trying to create some "lessons" the teachers can do in their advisories.

I also have two other ideas that I will attempt to implement.

One, I would LOVE to get an after school or targeted services program going. Have struggling students be tutored by juniors and seniors that are excelling. I'm not sure how this would work with my current schedule. Additionally, when you begin something like that, you need someone to follow it through. And I'm just an intern, I can't guarantee that someone will continue it next year or years here after.

Second, I want to start a girls empowerment group. Dove has a self esteem project as you may well know, and they provide curriculum for something like this. This is something that I'm super stoked about and can hopefully start it!

I have had many opportunities already. We have already attended an ACT conference and plan to attend a Youth Addiction Conference. I've been put in charge of some standardized tests we administer as well as school groups already established.

And saving the best for last... I finally have an email that corresponds with the school I'm at!! It really is the little things in life.

I'm definitely looking forward to the future, and what the rest of the year will bring.

GATSBY!!!

For a long time, I've been wanting to throw a Gatsby inspired party. I've always thought I grew up in the wrong era, and I'm fascinated with all things vintage, especially the 1920s. Granted, there were a lot of negatives during that decade including prohibition, stock market crashing, and no air conditioning. No thank you. But, the style and hair and glamour are fantastic. 

Cue up to about 2 months ago when I brought this up to my friend Rachel. She suggested that I do it for my birthday. So, for my birthday this year, we threw a Gatsby party. Granted, I don't have the budget to throw a full fledged Gatsby party, however, I think we did pretty well considering. 

So here's some of decorations, ideas, etc that we used for it. 

Firstly, appropriate dress was a must. Everyone who entered (with the exception of a few friends who didn't stay long) had to be in 20's style outfits. And let me tell you, it was fantastic. It was also a blast getting ready with my girls. Dresses, pearls, headbands. Plus Rachel is a pro at makeup. The guys were pretty legit too. 

Every person in attendance also had to bring a bottle of champagne. I didn't want to go broke buying liquor for everyone. I did however provide ingredients for Mary Pickford's. Those were delicious. Check out a recipe here. 

I made the menu as era appropriate as I could as well.  

pancetta wrapped asparagus

lemon (and chocolate)cupcakes

fruit cups

deviled eggs

cheese and crackers

ceasar salad*

(*which I forgot to put out!! ahhh)

See the champagne glass tower there?! Haha. later on in the night we tested it out. 

As for decorations...

I got peacock feathers from Amazon, pearls and such from Goodwill and other thrift stores. Rachel's had big bulb lights, wine/champagne bottles and lanterns left over from her wedding, so we recycled! Gold, black and clear balloons,  gold and black plates, cups and utensils from Party City. And then some black and white striped paper straws from Etsy. I also made some signs, easy enough, and put them on black and/or gold glittery paper. And we made art.. .our little triangles with glitter, modge podge and cardboard. They turned out alright. haha. 

The best part about the night was the photo booth. I bought some tinsel curtains from Amazon, and we used those as a backdrop. I have a nice DSLR camera, so I purchased a tripod and a remote shutter release, also from Amazon, so that we could take our own pictures. We had props to use. I bought some here, but I also printed out free ones from here. 

And here's some awesome pictures from the photo booth!!

Lastly, we had 20's music playing throughout. That was really the finishing touch, and really made us feel like we had traveled back in time. Amazing how music can do that.  

So there ya have it! I still have a Pinterest board dedicated to the party, so if you need more ideas check that out. 

Oh, and Jake and Rachel painted an awesome poster. They're amazing. 

Overall, it was a great night. I had tons of fun with my closest friends. Next year will be the golden birthday, and you know we'll go even bigger for that!

Until next time, 

XOXO

Music Monday- Bastille- Laughter Lines

So, I've definitely been slacking on the blog. Grad school has taken a lot of my time, and when I have down time, I spend it watching Netflix. Interestingly enough, I'm sitting in class right now. And let me tell you, its boring. Holy... wow. Meaning this post is extremely sarcastic and cynical in nature.

Anyway, a while back I purchased Bastille's "Bad Blood" album. I didn't even really listen to the entire thing until my returning flight from D.C. It was a perfect album to drift away to.

Bastille is an English rock band hailing from London which formed in 2010. Initially, the band was a solo project created by front man Dan Smith. The band's name is derived from Bastille Day (France's national holiday) which falls on the same day as Smith's birthday. Maybe my French heritage is what pulls me toward the band... hmmm. "Bad Blood" dropped in March 2013 and is the band's debut album. Must have just taken a while to reach the US.They incorporate a number of instruments and sounds (such as synthesizers) as well as vocals into their music, definitely something fresh and new for the listening ears.

Anyway, the song I chose is "Laughter Lines." To be honest, it was hard to choose, as all the songs on the album are absolutely fantastic. Check out "Bad Blood" and "Flaws" as well. And this specific track isn't even a single yet, Man, I'm ahead of the times!!

Hopefully the video works, and plays the song I want. Can't listen to music while I'm pretending to pay attention....



I'm also trying to figure out how to make a music player for my blog, so this whole Music Monday posts will be easier, and NOT youtube videos. So stay tuned.

Wish I had more time to write all I want, but the creative juices are lacking as is my attention span in class.

xoxo.

Chex Scotcheroos

Lately, I've had to bring something to numerous potlucks. With being gluten free, I try to bring something that I know I can eat.  Chex cereals have gone almost completely gluten free, which is nice. I like being able to still eat/make "normal" food. Thus, Chex Scotcheroos. Its a super easy and relatively cheap thing to make; and most of the ingredients you can find in your cupboard if you're an avid baker. 

Its a delicious recipe and lately my go to when I need to bring something for a party. 

This recipe is from Yammie's Glutenfreedom. 

Chex Scotcheroos 

6 cups Rice or Corn Chex (Gluten-free Rice Krispies would probably be good too)
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups peanut butter

Topping
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups butterscotch chips (sometimes these have hidden gluten in the form of barley, so check the label and leave them out if you can't find GF)
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla 

Grease a large round bowl and pour the cereal in. Set aside. Grease a 9x13 inch pan. Set aside.
In a pan on the stove, combine the corn syrup and sugar. Stir over medium high heat until it comes to a boil. Immediately remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups of peanut butter. Immediately pour this mixture over the cereal and fold in. Pour into the 9x13 pan.
In a microwaveable 4 cup measuring cup (or other microwave save dish) combine the butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, 1/2 cup of peanut butter, and vanilla. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring very well after each interval, until it is completely melted and smooth. It should take about 1 minute and 30 seconds. Pour over the bars. Allow to cool completely at room temperature before cutting.

Mine do not look at pretty as hers in the pictures. (It probably doesn't help that I took the pics with my phone!) But let me tell you, they are delicious!

Be warned: these are sugar crack. Ah-mazing bars. I could literally eat them all day if I didn't get gut rot. 

Since my first time making them, I've had requests from people asking how I made them. I made some for my friend who got married specifically as part of her bridal shower gift. 

My boss just asked me to send her the recipe and they went like hotcakes at the Super Bowl potluck tonight. 

So if you need something quick, easy, tasty and GF, try out these bars. Or if you're just jonesing for a peanut butter and chocolate foodgasm, these are the way to go.

xoxo.

Happy New Year

Almost every year I try to write some words, words that reflect the mark of a new year. You can view past years here if you'd like.
_____________________

Five. Four. Three. Two. One.

People cheer, kiss, sing. Explosions of lights, laughter and confetti.

Celebration.

Those last seconds can be a moment full of insecurities and doubts of the new year. But they could also be a moment of hopes and dreams. However significant the specific moment at the toll of midnight is, use it as a stepping stone for more moments. Better moments. A lifetime of moments, of change.  

Will you fight?

For something broken? For something worth believing in? 

For healing, for sobriety, for you?

Maybe this year was kind, and maybe it wasn't. Regardless, the mark of the new year is another chance to start new, to start over. Or just simply start. Start living, start challenging yourself.

are you ready to make a change? To start a new? To take a leap of faith?

Make an adventure out of everything. Go on road trips, count the stars, laugh. Call in sick, see a show, cross something off that bucket list.

Fall in love. With a place, with a feeling, with a person, with a band.

Fall in love with life.

Find your inspiration.

Chase your dreams.

Life is full of endings. But the beauty of an ending is that there is a beginning attached. Take this beginning and take a chance. A chance to change, to believe, to heal. And someday, those last moments of the year will reflect joy instead of hurt. Hope instead of sorrow.

So live. Not only in that midnight moment, but in the moments hereafter.

Happy New Year.

xoxo

In case you missed it...

Well hey there!

Truth be told I'm a little shameful. As it turns out, I haven't blogged since the beginning of November! GASP! Wowza. Apparently I was busy...?Anywho, I figured I would update you all in cyber land on my happenings over the past 2 months or so. 

Back in November, I won tickets to the Cities 97 Sampler Release Party! I never win anything, ever. The entire show was epic. And honestly, this was something I had been hoping for for years! It featured The Wild Feathers, Matt Hires, The Unlikely Candidates, and Delta Rae. Here's some pics from the show...

And here's a video of The Wild Feathers:

Moving on...
Grad School definitely took a toll on me this semester, and I probably had one too many emotional/mental break downs. But in the end it all paid off.. I am a 4.0 student! Chyeah! Now, my program requires us to take 5 classes as oppose to 3 that a "normal" grad student would take to be full time.  I like to think of myself as relatively intelligent, but I tend to not apply myself  (Ask my mother, she will vouch for that) and I have NEVER gotten straight A's in all my high school or collegiate careers. So this 4.0 thing is big achievement. I should also probably give a shout out to my friends and family, because I've been a crabby little hermit crab and they have lovingly supported me this semester. And I pray they continue to do so throughout this endeavor. 

I volunteer with a group for teenage girls called Braid at Youth for Christ. . We had a retreat last weekend and despite all the leaders being completely burnt out, it went swimmingly. Unfortunately, I cannot continue to volunteer with Braid next semester. The group meets Tuesdays, and I will have class Tuesday nights. Total bummer. However, I have dedicated some time to another ministry on Friday nights called Hoop Time. Maybe you can tell from the title but it basically revolves around basketball. Admist playing, the members develop a sense of responsibility, community and we have speakers that present aspects of the gospel that is relevant to the members. YFC is definitely something I am proud to say I volunteer for. I'm sad to be away from Braid for a couple months, but glad that I can help out elsewhere.

In addition to all the craziness, I decided to get a second job. Yup. Who's idea was that?! I started at JC Penney a couple weeks ago. Holiday time is a ridiculous time to start a job in retail but whatever! Even though I am paid through my graduate assistantship, I needed some additional funds. The chaos of the holidays is dying down now, so I will soon be working one night a week and every other weekend. Not too shabby. The extra cash flow will really help with bills and doggy necessities. The discount isn't bad either!

And that brings us to now. Christmas with my family was.... well... ya know. We were missing Dan this year, however he did surprise us with a visit home over Thanksgiving so I am thankful for that! I love my dear mother to pieces. She spoiled me this year and continues to be a great influence in my life. I cannot express enough gratitude. I wish I was able to stay at home longer during the break and spend more time with her.

So there's my life the past month and a half. I'm planning on decorating, reading and watching a lot of Netflix/Hulu over the next couple weeks. And hopefully posting here!

TWLOHA has a campaign running called Welcome to Midnight. So you'll probably see a post related to that in a couple days. :)

xoxo.