What do you do here?

On a regular basis people will walk up in front of the store, look in the windows, read the marketing pieces that are posted, shrug their shoulders and walk away without coming in!

I try not to take that personal. After all, people walk downtown and pass many stores with out going in! But if you think about it. They walk all the way to the end of the hall anyway.

Aren't they curious?

By the name Hearts of Inspiration most people wouldn't know what I do right?

A couple of days ago two teenage girls walked in to look around. They were between classes at the dance studio down stairs. They looked around, sprayed perfume, tried on jewelry and hair clips. Then all of a sudden one of them says "What do you do here?" I had to laugh a bit.

Aha! I started to explain and walked them to the party room. They were so excited and said that they wish that they could have a party here. So, there inlays the challenge!

What do I do here and how do I let people know?

Here it is...

Hearts of Inspiration is:

• A Gift Boutique for girls and women. We carry gift books for children and adults by Compendium, bath and body products by Lollia and Love & Toast, unique designer jewelry, handbags and totes by Amy Butler. Picture frames, trays and serving pieces by Mariposa, a recycled aluminum line for hostess gifts, birthdays, showers and weddings. Dresses, Wings, Wands and Fairy Dust for little girls. I throw in a few of my own creations too! tutus, hair accessories and jewelry! Always looking for Michigan Made Products!

• Manners & Social Etiquette Classes for girls and boys from 5 and up. These classes are best taught in groups because we incorporate roleplaying and interactive discussions. The goal is to inspire kind, courteous behavior and encourage self confidence, self control and consideration for the feelings of others. We offer two different classes.
• Table Manners are centered around dining etiquette whether you're at home, Mcdonalds, a nice restaurant or a country club. We talk about everything you need to know to be a proper dining companion! Setting the table, Posture and Conversation. Plus utensil use and tricky foods! Each student will leave with the materials to practice their new skills.
• Etiquette and other Social Graces covers Greetings, Introductions, Conversation Starters to use with peers and adults. We talk about tone of voice, facial expressions, body language and the difference between sharing and bragging. We give tips on how to be respectful and helpful to our friends, parents and teachers or anyone we come in contact with. We encourage thinking about how what we do and say will affect other people.
• Daisies, Brownies and Girl Scout Troops Fun Patch workshops that focus on learning how to be helpful to parents, teacher and friends! 

• Party Suite for any occasion. The pink party suite filled with possibilities! It's a dream come true for little princesses and fairies for a birthday tea party complete with princess gowns and princess games. But it is not just for little girls! Big girls can host a hair and nails party, craft party or even a dance party in their own private suite. So, relax and leave the details and clean up to us!

We offer party packages that are perfect for Girls Night and Home party businesses. There's an extra room available for overflow or additional activities. We can accommodate groups as small as 6 and as many as 35!

We can plan a party for whatever occasion you're celebrating.

Flexibility and affordability is important so we build the perfect party based on your

budget. Favors, Candy Buffet, Crafts, Entertainment are just a few services we can add.

Want something fun to do with the girls that's unique and won't break the bank?

Try one of our "Girls Just Want to have Fun" parties!

Ages 11 and Up. Great for Adults too!

Invite 10 or more of your friends and choose one of our workshops. We'll do the rest.

• Hands and Nails
• Haircare and Hairstyles
• Skincare and Make up
• Crafts

The price includes supplies and instruction, party food and beverages.

You and your guests will receive a special discount on purchases made in our boutique the day of your event. As an extra incentive the hostess receive bonus credit for all purchases made by your guests.

Our party room is intimate and private for for Baby Showers, Bridal Showers or Meetings for Book Clubs, Garden Clubs or Fundraiser Events! 

For more information please contact us at: (248)  773-7664

Teaching Manners, A lifetime job

I don't consider myself an Expert on Manners. More of a "Student"! I've read many books

on the subject. There are hundreds of websites and occasionally a story in the news.

Most of the time the message is the same. Kind and Courteous behavior with a certain grace.

Teaching manners to children at home can be tricky because it may seem like we're nagging!

I believe that our children's behavior is a reflection on our parenting. All kids misbehave from time to time. But I am talking about their normal behavior.

Let me give you an example:

I work in a mall with table and chairs, benches and rocking chairs set up in the hall. We're on the upper level at the end of the hall. Many times I have heard children running up and down the hall. When I go out to make sure that they don't get hurt the parents are sitting chatting while their children run, yell and play on the escalator! Harmless right?

My 1st reaction is "What are you thinking?" This is not ok on so many levels!

You can't hold children responsible if the parents think that's ok.

Where do I start?

Running and Yelling is good healthy kid stuff! In the park, outside or even an indoor playground. But not in a mall.

The escalator is very dangerous and yet I see parents actually playing on it WITH the child!

Yes, even young children should be expected to behave respectful in a public place.

It's not the easiest thing to teach. The most valuable parenting advice my Mother in law

ever shared with me is that it is much easier to say yes to your child but it's not always the right thing to do. It is harder to say no and follow through!

This is true when your children are 3 years old and when they are 14 years old.

My job of teaching my children manners is just beginning. When they were toddlers

we integrated basic manners like please and thank you. We also set boundaries and expectations at every stage based on their level of comprehension.

Examples of expectations are:

• Sitting through dinner without running around the restaurant and why.
• Telling the server what you would like to eat by looking them in the eye and being polite by saying please and why.
• Making sure to thank your friend's parents for having them over for dinner or giving them a ride and why.
• Reminding them to listen when their teachers are talking and why!

At 12 and 14 my children get the picture of what we expect from behavior most of the time.

But there is still so much to do! Now that they are old enough we can now teach them the details on how to use these important skills.

I love having conversations with them about posture, tone of voice, communicating their preferences.

Now if I could just get them interested in learning how to set a proper table!

I still have a great deal of work to do....

Inspiringly Yours,

Tracey Wormsbacher

Up next: "Manners by the age"