The Job of Your Dreams

It's the age old question...what do you want to be when you grow up?!  I have always gone by the motto "do what you love, and love what you do".  I say take your passions and turn them into something you really love doing.

If you could create your own personalized career, based on your personal interests, what would you do? Why?  For those of you who do what you love as a career, how did you incorporate your passions into a career?
I would love to hear your thoughts!!  xo~Mollykid

Mollykid On the Move

I know it's been awhile since I have blogged here, but it doesn't mean you are out of my mind.  You see, we have been doing a whole lot of un-fun stuff lately like cleaning, organizing and preparing for our big move from Germany back to the United States.  I tell you, a move like this really makes you realize how much stuff you have!  I know some people would dread having to pack up the whole kit- n-caboodle and moving to a whole new, unfamiliar place, but military families like ours kind of have this lifestyle down pat.  If you doubt me, just ask a military spouse or military member you might know what they think about moving...I bet they will have some awesome tips, tricks and hints for you!

Since this lifestyle comes with it's fair share of moves, I would say one of the best parts about moving as a member of the military is that a company comes, packs and wraps everything and then all your "goods" are loaded into sealed crates and shipped to meet you on the other end.  I did a do-it-yourself move once, and vow to never do it again.  Let me just say it's A LOT of work!  I don't envy those of you who do this often, so we will be careful to choose our next home as hubby retires and we get to choose where we want to settle.   

 

As we were getting ready the past few weeks, many friends asked for some advice on how to make it easy, so I thought I would share a few tips that apply to any kind of move, while some may apply to military moves specifically.  Here are a few things I can think of off the top of my head... 

 

- Get friendly with totes, tubs and containers.  These will help you to organize anything from papers, to supplies and even clothes and that infamous "junk drawer".  They make packing up as easy as unpacking.  Many of my items (like say...my sewing, art and crafting supplies!!) are stored in containers in the cupboards for ease of access and organization, so I simply put the containers where I want them when I unpack.

 

- Invest in some Zip-Lock bags.  I suggest the gallon and quart size ones.  They will help you keep the small things together.  No one wants to have to worry about how those small miscellaneous items will scatter in the boxes.  I learned this early in my moves that all those little trinkets in the junk drawer are a real pain to unpack when the movers dump the whole drawer into paper and stuff it into a box.  On the other end, you will have a big surprise when you go to unwrap that paper and you have a million coins, screws, nails and other small little things falling all over the floor.  Just sort and Zip-Lock it instead!

 

- Start your pre-move clean out early.  I took one cabinet at a time and cleaned it out from top to bottom.  Each time I cleaned out a space, I sorted out anything to sell/donate and put it into my favorite strong recycle bags.  I always keep the trash can, paper recycle bin, and a box for stuff to shred nearby, too.  Any items I have that have the original boxes, I put them away at this time.  Original packaging protects many items the best so re-use it if you can.  This cabinet clean out includes dressers, closets and even the car.  I use my sit down and relax time in the evening to go through containers of miscellaneous tidbits while I catch a favorite TV show.

 

- For those with multiple shipments (like those of us in the military) be sure to sort out what you need by shipment.  We had a household goods shipment (big, one takes the majority of your belongings and you won't see them for 2-3 months), an unaccompanied shipment (small, 1000 lbs or less, see in about 4-6 weeks) and of course the immediate needs items you will hand carry in your suitcases (clothes, records, passports, medications, etc.).  This process takes some time, so don't forget this step WELL BEFORE the movers come.  Otherwise, they might pack what you need, and you will end up spending more unnecessary money replacing something you need or not having a critical document you need.  I will break this step down:

    

     -- Set all the luggage aside that you will need.  We like to travel light, so 1 rolling suitcase and backpack per family member, plus 1 toiletries bag and 1 small carry-on for critically important records. 

     -- Go room by room with a laundry basket and pull out what you will be hand-carrying.  Go ahead and start packing suitcases and building a bag for records.  This should include medical/dental records, birth/marriage certificates, school records, military records and anything that you will need to start life new in your next location.  I plan for 7 days of clothes for everyone. 

     --Next, go room by room and pull out what you need to live in your home until you get lodging or have to move out.  I pulled out paper plates/napkins, old silverware, cups and some other kitchen items that I had planned on donating anyway.  This makes meals easy when you are in move mode and don't have time for anything complicated.  I also include blankets, sheets and extra clothes in this, so we have more to choose from a few weeks after we arrive in the new location.  You can put pillows in this shipment as well, though I finally said I have had it with our old pillows and tossed them the morning we moved out.

Now that our goods are shipped, the house is cleared and we have travelled the first leg of our journey back to the United States, it feels nice to sit back and relax knowing all that preparation paid off.  I hope these tips help you out in your future moves.  If you have some tried and true tips that you can't move without, please share them with us here at Mollykid Studios.  We look forward to hearing from you...  xo~Mollykid               

    

 

  

What Is It You Love?

If you have a few free minutes in your busy day, what do you like to do? Ready...set...GO! Spend some time doing what YOU love today. Xo~Mollykid

Oh No...Not Another Broken Umbrella?!

Two weekends, two European capitals...Paris and Berlin back to back and nothing but rain (you know the soak you in a minute kind of rain!) and grey, gloomy skies.  Needless to say, we are not only anxious for the sun to break on through, but we realize how delicate umbrellas really can be!! I am serious when I tell you that we have thrown away about 4 umbrellas in the past two weeks. We have worked them to their breaking points. And do you know how hard it is to maneuver a digital SLR camera being a tourist while having to hold an umbrella or risk getting drenched?! 

I knew it was bad when we were at Mauerpark Flea Market mecca today in Berlin, Germany, which is one of the more muddy fleas I've found, and my youngest son said "this is by far the cheapest umbrella I have ever seen!" This was as he was having to hold it open manually because it wouldn't stay open. Later, he declared that it would be in umbrella heaven at the end of the day. He was a trooper and though we were going to trash it, he insisted that he could fix it, he just "needed some tape!!" Oh my, a boy after his grandfathers heart.  Lol

Looking forward to drying out our feet this week with some sun, even if its only 55 with sun, I am not complaining. I hope the sun finds you this weekend... How are you spending your Sunday of this holiday weekend? We would love to hear from you! Xo~Mollykid

P.S. I look forward to sharing some pictures when I am back to my lappy (the laptop) {smile}

Bonjour From Paris

Bonjour and greetings from Paris...

Arrived to our lovely home for a few days with my mom and we are so excited to head to the Paris Flea Market today at Marche de Puces St. Ouen! I will be taking pictures to share with you so you can see what it's all about. Hoping for some clear skies at any time, its been raining a bit this morning, but that isn't stopping us!

Xo~Mollykid

Hardly a Moment for Creativity!

Another gloomy Day in Germany, but Mom is visiting so there is a lot to smile about and be thankful for!  I have been so busy with preparations for our big move back to the U.S. that I have hardly had a moment to be creative. Well, unless you consider cleaning out cupboards and storage areas "creative"! Haha...

I wonder what big chores and projects you all have on your plates this time of year when the end of school is drawing nearer (for those with kiddos), and the weather is getting nicer (in some parts of the world, at least!!). 

Since I am not doing much creative stuff on my own, please share what you have going on! Xo~Mollykid

Mollykid Recommends: Shopping in Nove, Italy

I know, I know... I keep sharing details about our fantastic trip to Italy, but for good reason!  You all should know about the awesome places we were so lucky to visit, should you get the opportunity to visit there yourselves.  I happen to think first hand recommendations are great for planning on our own trips, so I like to pass on good info, too.  A good friend of mine tried to convince me that we should visit Nove, Italy together while on vacation.  Who knew what a great time we would have shopping amongst so much beautiful pottery and glassware.  When I first told my husband I didn't really have to visit the many ceramic shops that Nove is so well-known for, he gave me the look...you know, the one that screams "are you kidding me?"  He had been before on a tour years ago and thought it was right up my alley.  If I forget to thank you here later, thanks Babe for making sure we made it to Nove!!

Since we stayed in nearby Vicenza the night before, it was less than an hour drive to Nove.  We pulled into town (a small, cute town I might add!) on a very rainy day and I couldn't help but notice all of the ceramics shops up and down the main road running through town.  It was like my trip to Poland a few months ago, where it is obvious what supports the local economy.  As we waited at the stoplight, this statue seemed to represent all the artists of the town.  The next stop was our rendezvous point to meet up with friends for some shopping.

La Ceramica VBC stands out among the shops because of all the flags out front, including the American one.  Since we had the kids, I gave the speech again as we walked inside, you know the one about not touching anything because if we break it, we buy it.  I mean if I am paying money for something, I want it to not be broken, after all.  The entrance takes you through the actual warehouse area where products are visible in all stages of completion and pallets of boxes are ready for shipment.  From the first sights, I could tell I was happy I came! 

At first glance, the color was spectacular.  Bright and completely what I think of when I think of Italy: mosaics, sunflowers, olives and views of areas like Venice, Tuscany and Cinque Terra.  It was as I walked further back though that I really fell in love though.  La Ceramica VBC produces Italian dinnerware and accents for a company called Vietri, which has really beautiful pieces that are so unique and different from every day dishes.  They have so many different ones, in fact, it is hard to choose what to actually purchase.  We loved how they had a large table setting arranged so you can see how pieces look together.  

 

  

We found that this factory store offers spectacular prices for items that are quite popular throughout the United States.  They make products for Williams-Sonoma, Lenox, and Banana Republic, to name just a few.  Their products have even been featured in magazines like Oprah Winfrey's "O", Martha Stewart Weddings and Traditional Home.   

If you are able to make a trip to this store, I don't think you will be disappointed.  The gentleman helping us was extremely pleasant and helpful.  The store takes credit cards, but if you pay in cash you get a discount.  We were happy about this so a quick trip to the local ATM saved us some euro!  I hope if you are in the area that you check them out and let them know Mollykid Studios sent you.  





Happy shopping, friends!  xo~Mollykid

You can find La Ceramica VBC at:
CERAMICS VBC, Via Molini 45-36055, Nove (Vicenza) Italy  (Don't worry if your GPS doesn't get you there...just stay on the main street and look for a group of tall flags out front of a u-shaped building - Good Luck!)