I am so far behind in my life right now. I even went to the extent of creating not just one, but two book trackers because I forgot that I had already created one. That is how life goes when you enter the holiday right? I have been working very hard this year in slowing down a lot. It is one of the greatest messages I have learned from this pandemic. Slow down. I do love the hustle and bustle of the season, but honestly, I enjoyed the forced slowdown that we had last Christmas and I want to repeat it. Every day! 

Can you believe that November is just a few days away? I cannot. I simultaneously feel like the year has been gone by fast and will never end lol. I long for the slow days together as a family, a beautiful garden, warm sun kissed days. I am eager to be rid of this pandemic, world wide sickness, political craziness and hate. Right now I am gearing up to make plans for my business in 2022. I have so many ideas bouncing around in my head that this year I will need to make a structured plan. Do you reevaluate your current goals and set new goals for the new year in November?

I'm also excited about all the amazing events that happen during this time of the year. Family get togethers, Christmas light shows, reflecting about the goodness of Jesus and sipping hot cocoa while reading some good books.

Hey friends! Can you believe that we are midway through September and that October is right around the corner. Next week Saturday we are going to be throwing a birthday party for Joe. He will be five. I'm struggling with my emotions on this. I don't want to be the weepy mom that cries each year that her kids get older, but I also just want to keep him little and all mine for just a little longer.

But I digress, one of my passions in life is reading. Not only does reading foster learning, but I love that it opens up the door to broader thinking and imagination. Reading inspires me, teaches me and helps me to see other peoples perspectives. My one big goal in homeschooling Joe is that I can encourage an environment and love of reading. They say reading is fundamental and I couldn't agree more. It opens up a whole new world for you and teaches you to think for yourself.

I have several reasons for why I joined Thirty-One. I am not a fluff it up and tell you how easy it has been to build my business and make money from home. I have worked hard to develop new skills, learn about marketing and most of all about learning how to build relationships and invest in people.

It has been worth it in so many ways. There has been so much that I have learned from Thirty-One and from the leaders that have been placed in my life because of Thirty-One. But there is so much more.

This month's customer special is the one and only Small Utility Tote. This tote has quickly become one of my favorites. It is so versatile and can be used for so many uses. I love the size of it because I do not always need a Large Utility Tote to carry the things that I need. 
Thirty One blogged some of the possible uses for the Small Utility Tote. They listed 131 uses. I'm going to highlight just a few of my favorite uses.

I don't know about you, but the O'Brien household has been in purge/organize mode. It is crazy, the amount of "junk" you find when you start to dig through stuff. It started when I opened up our blanket closet. That's right. We have a closet that I called the blanket closet because it was crammed full with blankets. We ended up filling up the back of my husband's SUV and I mean, it was filled with blankets. This left a crazy amount of room in this closet for other things and I still have twelve (yes... I said twelve) throw blankets for any warming needs that we may have. This sparked operation purge more and organize mode  in me.

First up, let's talk about this month's customer and hostess special for November.  This month there are some pretty awesome deals for the customer special. For every $35 you spend you can choose one of the following specials:

• Essentials Storage Tote - $15 (US)
• Super Soft Blanket - $25 (US)
• All About The Benjamin's - $24/$29 (US)
• Any one Online Extra - 50% off

I personally love the Essentials Storage Tote. I have quite a few just for my family. We have one that sits on our coat rack to collects mittens, scarves and hats during the winter season. I have one specifically for a library bag and three or four for grocery shopping. My son also has one that he keeps in his playroom that he uses to play with.

Of course, if you want more than you can afford, you can host a party and earn items for free, half off and exclusive items that are only available to purchase by hostesses that reach a minimum party total of $200. Hostesses whose parties reach $600 this month are able to choose up to two items in the catalog for 70% off! That is in addition to all the other rewards.

November 1-15 you can earn $10 off to spend during November 16-30 when you spend $100. It can be via separate shopping trip combined or you can do it all in one shopping trip. All you have to do is visit my website and click on the "sign in" option at the top. Then click on "create account" and fill in the info needed. This will track your purchases and allow you to earn the $10 to use in the last half of the month. If you would like help feel free to reach out to me.

In November, Thirty One will be releasing new Pink Sky Bundles every Thursday. Below is this week's bundles minus two of them first released because they are already SOLD OUT! These are a great deal and I encourage you to watch out for what they will release the remainder of this month.

In the month of September, there are six purses or bags that you can choose as a customer special. For every $35 you spend, you can choose one of the following options.

#1 - Organizing Shoulder Bag
This bag is adjustable and can be worn over your shoulder, as a crossbody and even as a purse. There is a zipper and two flat pockets on the outside and a zipper pocket and two flat pockets inside. The Organizing Shoulder Bag offers lots of room to store the items you need to carry with you.

Some of it's key features are that you can get this bag in cotton or canvas depending on which pattern you pick. It's adjustable crossbody strap allows you to adjust to a length that is comfortable for you. As with so many of Thirty-One's products, you are able to personalize or monogram this bag.

#2 - Organizing Shoulder Bag LTD
This bag has a similar look to the Organizing Shoulder Bag with just a touch more class. Each bag is made with faux leather and has a very classy look to it. It has a front flat pocket and a hidden cell phone pocket. The inside is the same as it's sister bag with a zipper pocket and 2 flat pockets. Unlike, the Organizing Shoulder Bag, The LTD has a detachable crossbody strap.

#3 - Retro Metro Bag
Friends, this is one of my favorite bags. I have used this bag as a diaper bag, a grocery bag and as an overnight bag. There are so many uses for it. It has two nice sized exterior pockets and a very handy flat pocket that zips on the inside. Retro Metro Bags contain a unique inspirational message inside and all the bag

#4 - Casual Carry All
​At some point I will add this bag to my collection. It is super cute. Thirty-One calls this a "trendy slouchy bag". It has several pockets, two on the inside and two on the outsie, that you can utilize and it's strap can adjust to be a shoulder purse or a crossbody. This purse does zip closed and, of course, it can be personalized.

#5 - Inspired Crossbody LTD
Friends, I own this little purse and it is truly the best. If you loved the Tons Of Funds, then you will love this purse even more. It has two compartments. One compartment has a zipper enclosure that will hold all your essentials such as credit cards, driver's license, cash, etc. The other compartment is perfect for holding your cell phone. The strap is removable if you would like to use the body as a clutch purse or just want to store it in a bigger bag as you travel.

#6 - Festival Mini Backpack
Can you say cute? Cause this backpack is CUTE! This is on my list as a Christmas gift to give to a loved one this year. It is big enough to hold your essentials for a little day trip. It has a zippered enclosure and also a small pocket in the front that zips as well.