My Longaberger Cake Basket in Action

I wrote about my experience in KCRW's 3rd Annual Good Food Pie Contest on my personal blog, but I wanted to highlight my Longaberger pottery and baskets that I used in my presentation.

I love the sage green cake basket that I got last fall, but don't have occasion to use it often. It definitely came in handy on this day! Underneath the riser I had my apron for the Apron Fashion Show, as well as a book to keep me busy in between check-in and the competition itself. It was so easy having everything right at hand!

I've been collecting the Traditional Holly pottery for under a year, and am finally acquiring some major pieces, thanks to the spring sale bringing back retired pottery. I was glad to have Grandma Bonnie's Pie Plate for this year's competition. I think the bright red filling was shown off well by the ivory and holly pottery.

After the contest, the Good Food Blog featured an article on pie transporters. While they mentioned baskets, they didn't use any brands. Of course I left a comment on the post as a testimonial to my love of Longaberger!

What's your favorite basket to transport baked goods? Please leave a comment below.

What's in a Signature?

Here's the email signature I use for my Longaberger correspondence:

Ellen Rosentreter
Independent Longaberger Home Consultant
etrets@gmail.com
323-447-XXXX
GoldenHourGlass.blogspot.com
etrets.etsy.com

Shop with me 24-7 at
www.longaberger.com/ellenrosentreter

View the Wishlist or Flyer at
www.longaberger.com/wishlist/ellenrosentreter

www.longaberger.com/flyer/ellenrosentreter

Like my page on Facebook to get the latest sales, recipes, storage and decorating advice automatically in your news feed!
www.facebook.com/LongabergerBaskets

And follow my blog about Longaberger living for more tips and ideas!
yourlongabergerconsultant.blogspot.com

My signature is long but gives lots of easy links and invites communication in whatever form one prefers. I've heard of consultants using graphics, changing their signature daily or weekly to feature specific products. What small touches do you add to correspondence?

The First Longaberger Party of the Holiday Season

My mom was hostess for my first home party of the holiday season over Labor Day weekend. We had a great turnout of at least eight or ten ladies, some that mom hadn't seen in quite a while! My folks have just returned from a cruise, so it was a fun way to share her trip memories, chatting while looking over the latest Longaberger catalog.

I was excited to share the new Golden Fields line through my Small Flare Basket, as well as highlight the 2011 Christmas Collection Holly Berry Basket and 2011 Tree Trimming Little Holly Berry Basket. On display was the new shape of the Travel Cup in the Sisters Black Medallion design. Several ordered napkins and placemats after seeing the Crimson Hill fabric.

I've also invested in new signage that will be great at other fairs and boutiques. In the invite for this party, I offered to repair Deep Brown baskets using my new stain stick. At the party, I walked everyone through the online "wish list" function and encouraged everyone to think about their own gift lists.

I donated a copy of Entertaining with Longaberger: Celebrating the Seasons as a raffle item. Mom used her hostess benefits of two half price items and $50 in credit towards two lamps and a set of candlesticks that had been on her wishlist for a while, so I know she'll enjoy them.

Mom made Audrey's Chocolate Cream Pie (pictured above ~ recipe on my personal blog) for refreshments, and I made her Chocolate Marble Cheesecake (below) as a practice for an upcoming pie contest, so stay tuned for that recipe!

Let me know if you'd like to book a home or catalog party! It's a great way to catch up with friends.

Blackberry Cobbler & Cooking for One

I posted the recipe for this lovely Blackberry cobbler on my other blog, since I incorporated it into a gardening post, but it looked so scrumptious in my Woven Traditions 8x8 Chocolate Bakeware that I had to post a photo here as well. I've just started using my bakeware over plain clear Pyrex more often lately, and it really does add an elegant touch even to meals for one. I'm realizing it's so important to treat myself as well as I would a guest in my home.

What habits do you practice to treat yourself well at home? Please leave a comment on the blog.

4th of July Decorations

Here are my favorite baskets to bring out for 4th of July. How do you decorate for summer? Do primary red, white, and blue figure prominently in your decor or do you highlight bright, vibrant tones including pink, orange, green, yellow?

Wrought Iron Organizational Unit, Woven Traditions Divided Wave Bowl,
American Celebrations Divided Wave Basket 2011,
2011 Hostess Appreciation Vase Basket,
Little Star Hostess Appreciation Basket 2001 with Old Glory Liner

Little Star Hostess Appreciation Basket 2001 with Old Glory Liner

Woven Traditions Divided Wave Bowl,
American Celebrations Divided Wave Basket 2011,
2011 Hostess Appreciation Vase Basket

How do you decorate for summer? Do primary red, white, and blue figure prominently in your decor or do you highlight bright, vibrant summer tones including pink, orange, green, yellow?

I love to share how Longaberger fits in my home. Please check out my flickr photoset here to see more.

Birthday Calendar

Here's another tip for bridal registrants:

My sister went to a wedding recently where the couple had made a photo calendar from their engagement photos. The calendar was placed next to the guestbook, with a note requesting each guest write their name on their birthday and wedding anniversary. At the end of the reception the couple had a birthday calendar reflecting all the important dates from both sides of the couples' family and friends!

I thought this was a really creative way to begin establishing traditions together. Have you ever been to a wedding where this was done? Please feel free to leave a comment with any other tips you can pass along.

Wedding Planning Apps

Here's a great article to forward to clients on your bridal registry, that talks about using mobile phone apps to help plan the big day.

Sending a useful link like this that doesn't have anything to do with Longaberger can help you establish a personal relationship with your client that can lead to an ongoing relationship.

The apps discussed in the article include:

BRIDES Wedding Genius: Search through thousands of current wedding gowns anytime, anywhere. Browse by silhouette, designer, price, size and more. Then, find a store near you that sells your dream gown. There are also ring, honeymoon and registry categories. (Available on the iPhone for free. A $2.99 upgrade gives you access to the "binder" feature.)

Tiffany Ring Finder: Browse engagement rings by stone, shape, setting and metal. Your significant other can also take a ring you own, drop it onto the phone, and determine your ring size. (Available on the iPhone for free.)

Etsy Addict: This application places the largest marketplace of artisans and crafters right in your pocket. Browse through dozens of categories, such as paper goods, jewelry, and decorations. Save your favorites to your account to purchase later on. (Available on the iPhone for $0.99)

Color Toy: Find your key wedding color and all of the complementary shades that go with it. Save your palettes to show your florist, or to bring when shopping for things like neckties and napkins. You can also search for colors by name, e-mail palettes to wedding planners, and more. (Available on the iPhone for $2.99)

Wedding Dress Look Book: Download Wedding Dress Look Book and look through hundreds of new wedding dress photos, no matter where you are. You'll also get listings of wedding dress salons that carry dresses you've been dying to try on. Search dresses (by style, shape, and price), and bookmark your favorites for later. This app also gives you access to wedding dress shopping tips, glossaries, and so much more. (Available on the iPhone for free. Will soon be available on the Android.)

My Mobile Checklist: Get this checklist for your cell and stay on top of all your wedding to-dos! It's the exact same checklist that you use on TheKnot.com - in a mobile phone format. Use your mobile to view your reminders and check off wedding-planning tasks while you're out and about. (Available for free on any mobile phone with access to the internet)

Wedding911: Get answers to your top wedding questions no matter where you are. Post your wedding questions and instantly get answers from other brides-to-be. You can also scroll through 150+ top wedding Q&As and get expert answers from The Knot editors. (Available on the iPhone for free. Will soon be available on the Android.)

How do you keep in touch with clients in between purchases? Please leave a comment below the post.