Sara Moore

Merry Grinchmas! Whoville! Who stole Christmas! I am a balloon artist. I offer decor services in the Duluth, MN, Superior, WI area. As an artist, I recognize certain themes get ordered on repeat. For Christmas 2024 the Grinch is still in. And Grinch with a touch of pink is really great. And it feels more custom than any box kit you can purcahse. Here are all the supplies you need to make this for yourself. Whether you are a business owner are doing this as a hobby for your next family party you will wow your family and friends.

I think we all know as we get older and are more focused on our families, sometimes our own wish list gets put on the back burner. You should also know that my family members are not big gift givers overall. We are very moderate and lean more towards experiences vs. lavish gifts under the tree. But also, I don't want my family struggling and buying something that I won't use, need, or love. I find that offering them a specific list is way better. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind gift cards and candles, but here are some things on my wish list as a 48 year old working mom and wife from Wisconsing. Enjoy!

I was born in 1976, therefore was in high school in the heart of the 90's. Abercrombie was rising with shirtless models, strong fragrances and baby tees. As someone who has been in retail for 30 years I consider Abercrombie 2.0 (or the 2024 version) the best comeback in retail in years. Not only have they reclaimed some of us gen-xers, but my 20 year old daughter and all her friends love it too. It's mass appeal (no discount) strategy is killing the retail space. No fast fashion here. Timeless styles, throwbacks and all classic silhouettes. Fun fact: Abercrombie used to keep black from its color pallet. Columbus, Ohio is the hub of retail corporate offices. Both Express and A&F were in town. Express was build around black in fashion so A&F was intentionally avoiding it.

I've been in retail sales and marketing for over 30 years. The best news is that this industry changes so fast it keeps it exciting and interesting. I'm reading, researching, learning and listening every day to keep sharp on my marketing skills. I've found that audio books and podcasts are my current favorites. I also use LinkedIn as a great source of credible articles. You cannot trust everything you read so make sure you are using good sources. The best tips for marketing is be a strong writer, understand your data (customers and sessions you drive) and watch others in the industry. Enjoy this list of my favorite books, podcasts and tools for marketing success and growth. It's a great profession and also helpful if you are an entrepreneur/business owner as you must know how to do it all! I also dropped in a couple gadgets I could not live without.

Superior, Wisconsin sits on the shores of Lake Superior and borders Duluth, MN. Within 50 miles of Superior you can visit several destinations including ski hills, lakes, hikes, attractions and food. Here are some of my favorite local places that I would say are SUPERIOR stops in the area for food, drink and socialization. If you like cheese, classic supper clubs and tasty cocktails you've found the right list. I also dropped in my favorite Midwest gas station.

For years I wished I knew how to sew. I though I was too old to learn and maybe because I was 45 years old and had never tried it I never would. Boy was I wrong. I'm going to pay forward a little secret….you can learn new things at any age if you have the right support and tools. I started working for Missouri Star Quilt Company in 2022. I confessed in my interview that they wanted me for my marketing skills, not sewing. I didn't even know how to set-up a sewing machine. I fell in love with the quilting community! And you don't have to make just quilts. Learning to sew is so rewarding. You can embellish a jacket, make a table runner, decorate for a party and so much more! Once you know how to sew straight lines and have a few basic tools you can do it too. I'll also link to some of my favorite free tutorials from Missouri Star. Sometimes a video makes everything click!

Bedding is both design and function. Here are some of my favorite bedding items that my family loves and also a few items that I love to keep on hand for gifting. I'm also a quilter so I make bedding as well.

Chip & Joanna!! Are you home? We are coming to Magnolia this fall in Waco, TX. Fall is a wonderful time to travel down south for a family or girls trip. I recently went to the Silobration Event at Magnolia in October 2024 and it was the perfect time to visit this destination. But don't worry, so many things to see even when the Silobration event isn't going on. Magnolia and The Silos is everything you'd expect in the fall…jam packed with food, entertainment, shopping and tours. I traveled to Waco, TX via Minneapolis. My flight was Minneapolis, MN to Dallas, TX and then a quick 90 minute drive to Waco. It was a perfect 2-day getaway.

When the temps drop, I love to make one pot hot dishes (or casseroles if you are not in the midwest) or crockpot chilis. They warm the house and your body. They are also excellent as leftovers to re-heat or share. Some of these could be right off the pages of your favorite church cookbook. They are classics that are perfect for the fall season. I also added one breakfast dish that is my go-to for fall and winter entertaining.

Fall is a huge fashion shift for hair, skin and apparel. Here are some things that I have replenished or added to my life this fall. Enjoy!

My husband and I go to Las Vegas 3-4 times per year. It's always a quick getaway. Easy and fun location with so much to see and do. We love walking, people watching, shopping and of course some gamboling. We sometimes see a concert or sporting event as well. Here are some of our musts when we make this trip. Enjoy!

Yes. You read that right. A dirty (specialty) soda you can make at home. Think of Swig, Sonic or your local soda shops and how much fun it is to mix ingredients into your favorite Diet Coke or Dr. Pepper. I've got you! Try some of these today! My favorite recipe…The Dirty Diet coke: Diet Coke, 2 pumps lime syrup, 2 pumps coconut syrup and add some cream on top. Stir and enjoy. Don't forget the pebble ice!

Disc golf is the perfect activity to find some fun and functional fashion. Dress like your teammates or make your own statement. Here are some of my favorite brands and styles for both men & women who are hitting their favorite disc golf course. And I like to play off of traditional golf fashion with a dabble of some fun graphic tees. Style first, but don't forget to be cool and comfortable.

Maybe my most diverse list, but spring season can mean so many things! Summer is right around the corner which means Spring PREP! Get the right shoes, skincare and all things to be ready for a summer of fun. When I start prepping for a seasonal change I think about my wardrobe, footwear, skincare needs and a few things for the house. Summer is short where live in Northern Wisconsin so be prepared and make the most of it!

When I think about summer 2024 I get so excited for music in all formats. New releases, local musicians and concrts. Nothing better than a great outdoor venue with an artist you love. Here are some of my top picks for this upcoming summer concert season.

I am a balloon artist. A creator of balloonscapes. I've been perfecting my craft and style for the past year. This is a passion of mine and I love the joy it brings to my community. I strive to find the best quality balloons from trusted suppliers. I'm very passionate about this topic as so many people are using poor quality supplies. If you are charging people for your work the quality does matter. My balloon recommendations don't pop, deflate, smell, or hurt your fingers. They inflate and tie very easily. The colors are also true and consistent. Remove the stress from your balloon decor by finding the right brands.

When I get invited to a pot luck, I'm always assigned the appetizers. Same goes for my semi-annual girls weekends. My group of friends make a point to get together official a couple times of year for a weekend getaway. Food, drinks, laughs and fun (and sometimes matching t-shirts). I have a few recipes and tricks that are crowd favorites. The ingredients on this list are for my Ham & Pita rollups, Sara's Salsa & Girl's Weekend Margs!

In the upper Midwest, having indoor activities for a long winder or cool and rainy days are a must. Check out these fun outings within 100 miles of Duluth, MN.

It is nearing golf season and my family LOVES to get out and play. Here are a few of our favorite things. Beginner to advanced these are all great finds for you or the golfer in your life.

Each Sunday my mom comes over and we take turns coming up with new Sunday dinner ideas to try. Sometimes it turns into a repeat of a favorite, but we try to come up with something new. I love cooking and meal prep but fresh ideas slow me down. Here are some ideas for you!

Hair and scalp care are so important and finding the right products so you don't wast tons of money is a a huge win. I have some definite favorite brands that I buy over and over again. I have long, straight low maintenance hair. I get cuts 3-4x per year and color 1x per year. My daughter used most of these as well. She has very fine, shoulder length hair that she colors 6x per year.And yes, all of the products I recommend smell amazing. That is important!

It is so awesome to have a list of go-to toys for birthdays, holidays and gifts. I have found that these toys are mostly gender neutral and span a huge age range (4+). I have a 19 year old daughter and 6 year old boy. I've seen it all.

Missouri Star Quilt Co is my go-to for fabric, supplies and quilting inspiration. The free tutorials always get my ideas started. Here are the must-haves to start. I've only been quilting for 1-year. The right tools got me going and now I'm hooked.

If you need to personalize something for your family, home or your business, here are some great tools. I use them regularly for our balloon business. Customers love the results. They are also affordable enough to have on-hand to make things extra special for your immediate family. Think gifts, holidays, scrapbooking and more. Even home decor.