The Shop is On Maternity Leave

It's official! The shop is closed until late summer as we get ready to enjoy the arrival of our first child, Ben! We are thrilled, and can't wait to meet him! In the meantime, you can check in at the blog, become friends on Facebook or view daily pictures at our Instagram page to keep in touch. I'll be back shortly with fun new designs and products! I hope everyone enjoys a happy and healthy summer!

-BL

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Hi friends! I wanted to write about something very close to my heart — Lyme Disease. May is almost coming to an end (where did the time go?!) but I wanted to share that it's Lyme Disease awareness month. I thought I would give a PSA on my blog about this serious and debilitating illness. Lyme is on the rise in America, but it's often misdiagnosed because it imitates other conditions. In 2011, I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease and Lyme Arthritis. I had suffered joint pain for years, but it had been mistakenly interpreted as tendonitis. After I underwent antibiotic therapy for five months, my condition improved, but I still get the occasional flare up and swelling.

The best thing to do is to avoid getting a tick in the first place. I've come up with a quick list of tips to keep you and your loved ones safe this summer.

Prevention:
• Avoid tall grass, sitting on wood and heavily wooded areas. If you're hiking, stay on the marked trail.

• Wear light colored long pants, long sleeved shirts, hat and covered shoes when hiking. Make sure you tuck in your long hair. Don't provide the ticks with a convenient hiding spot on your clothes or skin.

• Wear Deet for skin and Permethrin for clothes to repel ticks.

• Check for ticks after ANY outdoor activities.

• Remove the tick properly (pull straight out with tweezers) and save any tick you find into a plastic bag with a moist cotton ball for the doctor to examine. Removing a tick within 48 hours can reduce your risk of infection.

• Check your pets—they're susceptible to Lyme Disease, and can bring ticks into the home. Ask your vet for their recommendations. We use Vectra 3D for our labrador, Riley.

When my husband went away this March to California, he found a tick on him, removed it properly and took 14 days of antibiotics just in case. You better believe I was the first one to make him his doctor's appointment!

Lyme can be a frightening disease, but it's better to be safe and focus on prevention. If you're concerned that you may have contracted Lyme disease, consult your physician immediately and ask to be tested. Symptoms may occur years after infection, so you may not see a bulls-eye rash.


Keep safe, enjoy the summer and I hope my post has been helpful! Knowledge=power :)


-BL

Building From My Core

I truly believe if we don't create from our hearts, our businesses can't grow. When someone isn't passionate, not only does their work suffer but their business core isn't at its full potential. The mantra above is a reminder to go back the basics when I'm creating. This board is based on all the things I love, experience and strive to be. 

I created Brittany Lauren Design first as an outlet when I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. Once I started getting better, my business core developed., and I was able to put it into words in my mission statement. As my family expands this June, my core will evolve more. I feel truly blessed that I can run a business that sets my heart on fire, and also be a stay at home mom to my son. My creative juices would stop flowing if I didn't focus on what matters the most to me. A simple task like making a list that describes who you are and the type of business you want to create reminds you of your goals and values when life gets busy.

My business model always always been to add a little more happiness into someone's life through design. I hope my online shop provides customers with a designs that make them smile. Wither it be by writing a handwritten message using our stationery or dressing up your BBQ with a personalized tray. I designed my mission statement to focus on the happy moments in life, and that's what I love to bring to people.

-BL

A Year-Round Taste Of Summer

Without a doubt, watermelon is the unofficial taste of summer. Right now being 8 months pregnant all I crave is juicy, delicious fruit! Of course whatever I love at the moment somehow always gets incorporated into my design work. Above is the new watermelon print from the Brittany Lauren Stationery shop. The serving tray would be so adorable to use for entertaining friends and family outside during the hot months. 

Pictured below are handmade watermelon pot holders from the 1940s I found flipping the pages in an old Martha Stewart magazine. The holders were very popular in it's time as red/white kitchens were trendy. These would make such a cute way to kick off summer in our house! The next time I go to a flea market, I'm keeping my eye out for them!

I can't believe summer is only 4 weeks away! My Benny is also due June 21st too! Here's hoping for a summer baby! Make it a sweet day everyone :)

-BL