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"

"Manners of the heart"

The idea of teaching manners came to me after spending years working in my children's classrooms at school and interacting with their friends and peers. I noticed that in general, kids are not aware of their behavior and the impact that they have on others.

I believe that we've all been taught manners by parents, grandparents and teachers.

It's just that our society has become so casual that we don't practice or re-inforce the importance of manners today.

For me, it's about the behavior more than formalities. Please and Thank You, Excuse Me and I'm sorry for starters. I like to call it "Universal Kindness". When your request includes "Please" it is kind and may make the other person feel good about fulfilling your request.

Some may think that they should use these words sparingly because overuse seems insincere.

Actually, the opposite is true. These words should be used even in the most mundane conversations, over and over in effort to make it habit!

Add a smile and a kind demeanor and just think how this idea could catch on?

When I began my research on "Manners and Etiquette" I was surprised to find so much information on the subject in books, websites and blogs. I was also surprised at the lack of programs that were dedicated to teaching this lost art to children.

My theory in creating "Manners and Etiquette" classes for children is that by helping them become more aware, it will raise awareness in general.

Many times parents are present during our classes. I see pleasure on their faces when

they experience their children participating in discussions and roleplaying!

As we grow our programs we will include resources for you that will help strengthen our message of "Inspiring personal growth and confidence through self awareness and self discipline."

I look forward to the opportunity to help parents in teaching kindness, compassion and empathy to children (of all ages).

I am always available to offer advice on these topics.

As Always Inspiringly Yours,

Tracey...

Up next....

"Teaching Manners a Lifetime Job"

The "Heart" of the Matter

What you'll find as you get to know me is that I am a walking example of "Destiny"!

I don't share all of it with everyone because some are a little uncomfortable

when you talk about these things. I can tell you that many of the experiences in my life are the driving force of the essence of "Hearts of Inspiration".

Here's the short version:

The name "Hearts of Inspiration" was inspired as a result of our family's experience with surviving cardiac arrest and several strokes. Only to have my heart repaired and find that

my son had the same defect that nearly took my life!

We were both born with a Congenital Heart Defect called an ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) or a hole in the heart. Mine was undiagnosed by many Medical people until I was 40. Evan's was only detected at 9 years old because I asked his pediatrician to check him for it.

Facts about CHDs:

• CHDs are the most common of Birth Defects. (March of Dimes, American Heart Association)
• Most of the time these defects are detected at birth. Sometimes before birth, while the mother is pregnant.
• Even though 1 in 100 babies are born with some form of CHD, there is not a standard protocol in hospitals to screen newborns for CHDs.
• It is estimated that 10% of the population is walking around with undetected heart defects. Some simple and some more serious.
• The best way to detect a CHD is through a heart history, exam, EKG and an Echocardiogram.
• Heart related deaths are the leading cause of death (American Heart Association)

What can you do?

1. Be aware and keep a record of any heart history in your family.
2. Make your Dr. aware of any family members who have died from a heart related deaths before the age of 40.
3. Report any symptoms such as: shortness of breath, frequent upper respiratory infections, heart palpitations, chest pains, easily exhausted.
4. For peace of mind have your heart as well as your children's screened at Beaumont Hospital Heart Center or one of their Free "Student Heart Screening" events.

For more information on Congenital Heart Defects visit these websites:

American Heart Association - www.heart.org

March of Dimes - www.marchofdimes.com

Anthony Bates Foundation - www.anthonybates.org

Heartfeltcardiacprojects.org

Inspiringly Yours,

Tracey

Next: "Manners of the Heart"

The "Vision"

When I started thinking about what Hearts of Inspiration would look like I envisioned Crisp, Clean lines with a mixture of Soft touches of pink and lots of "White", my favorite color.

I wanted to carry merchandise that would make girls of all ages feel pretty!

The "Pink Party Suite" is a place where little girls can be a princess or a fairy for a day. Whatever inspires them to feel pretty and have fun with friends.

We layered shades of pink and a few sprinkles of green. Then we added fresh white china, tea pots and tea cups.

For extra fun we can add crafts, a visit with a fairy, music or story time.

But it's not just for little girls, big girls like to feel pretty too.

Pretty pink parties are perfect for older girls birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers,

girls get togethers, group meetings and tea parties for any occasion!

Think of the possibilities. Pampering parties, jewelry parties, creating together or just a few friends getting together for tea in your own private suite.

You don't have to have a party to have a cup of tea.

The water's hot and it's always tea time!

Inspired Hearts Want to Know!

What inspired the concept for Hearts of Inspiration?

1 Part Experience - 1 Part Passion

Retail is in my blood. My parents were in the antique business in Vermont and Michigan

since I was 7 years old. At 19 I started in the children's furniture business and worked my way up to buying and merchandising for 5 stores! During that time, I developed and taught child safety classes to expectant parents. We focused on how to modify your home to make it a safe environment for children, starting with the trip home from the hospital with your new bundle of joy! We had big stores with 20 or more room settings. I loved to create beautiful displays but always imagined owning a small boutique.

My Buying philosophy: I only buy what I would want for myself!

Being creative brained, I've always had a need to create things. I wouldn't call myself an expert but I have been known create some pretty neat things! I found this helpful when my children were little.

I spent a lot of time in the kids school planning events and helping in the classroom.

Spending time interacting with kids in school was enlightening.

Call me old fashioned but I couldn't help noticing how disrespectful and disengaged the kids were to each other and the teachers! Doing their own thing instead of listening to the teacher or even their peers. No acknowledgement when something was done for them. Loud voices as is there were no one else in the room! I felt like I should doing something to encourage kids to be more aware of how their actions affect other people. So, I started with my own children and found that I could have some success with consistency and good examples!

As my children got older there was less opportunity to help out. I found myself looking for ways to put my skills to use and make a living too!

I knew that retail was tough in our economy but I also knew that it would drive me crazy if I just set up a party room and had no interaction with people except on the day of events.

So I put the two together!

Of course there is more to it but you're not here to read my book.

I'll be sure to give you more on my thoughts on why I am so passionate about Hearts of Inspiration!

Welcome to Hearts of Inspiration!

I thought it was time to create a space where I could share all the things I want to say on Facebook but don't want to force it on people. So, now you can join us if choose and keep up with

the world of Girls being Girls and hopefully find some things that inspire you.