Category Archives: happiness

9 killer blog buzz words that add extra value to your writing. It’s chill.

Posted on March 11, 2012 | 16 Comments

I remember one day sitting at a trade show booth in Las Vegas with my awesomely successful and lovely sister. Clients would come up to us and ask if we had any number of objects from Velco to copies, to faxes to signs.

We’d look at each other with a knowing smile, pretend to bend down and change hats.

One hat said Designer, one said Electrician, on said Copy Girl. Today my hat says Blog Writer.

i shall be calm in this moment. ♡

i shall be calm in this moment. ♡

I think that flexibility in skills in today’s marketplace is absolutely key to being successful.

If you are wondering what any of that story has to do with the nine blogging buzz words is that I think using cool words can add value to whatever you are writing.

That is why I’m giving you nine FREE words that you can use with certainty to spice up your blog titles or just have some fun. Can you think of any?

By the way, the above example is ONLY a story. We didn’t actually change our hats.

Here are 9 rockstar blog words for dummies smart people.

1) Barbra Streisand She’s amazing. She’s everywhere. If you don’t quite get it, neither do I. I am almost sure it’s just playing around. I love people just like to say it. If you know why they do, please tell me. :)

2) Life Hacks I’ve noticed a lot of the seriously smart blogging blogs are using Life Hacks in a positive way. Life Hacks offer simple solutions to every day problems.

3) Wicked As old as this seems I’m still coming across Wicked in in well written headlines. It’s still works. At least on East Coast it was big when I was a wee tot. On the west coast we used a little bit more surf slang. You tell me, do people still use this? I try to use words that I say. I’d never say killer buzz words. It sure looks good in a title though, doesn’t it?

So I heard you been jammin’ down some gnarly tunes on your guitar?

That is just so wrong on so many levels. This gem was offered up last summer at a barbeque.

Be a free thinker.

4) Zen Whether it’s Zen Motorcycles or Zen Journey or Zen Habits people love anything that will make their lives more zen like. It’s an art. It conjurs up images of peace. Oaahhhhhmmmmmmm.

5) Simplicity I like any website that promises a simpler better life. I remember reading one day less is more. Or was it every day one thing less? My goal in my life is to get everything put away before I die. One thing less. Simple Life, Simple Pleasures, Simple simpleness. Simplify your life. It’s simple.

6) Social Media I don’t truly love this term. I bought a book at a garage sale in Pacific Palisades, California from a nice lady. I wanted to keep in touch with her so I asked her if she was on facebook. She said, no I don’t like social media. It was the first time I heard the word. Now it seems to be everywhere and growing. I still can’t use it in a sentence though.

Take the road less travelled.

7) Non Conformity If we are living parallel lives as avatars in another planet, I think we’d all be driving Prius’s and living in solar powered houses. The idea of non conformity offers you the possibility of changing your life for the better by choosing to do what you love.

Be a non conformist. Be a free thinker. Turn off the news. Get informed. Read. Stay informed. Make up your own mind.

~8)  Trending It seems like people say Trending and then whatever new thing is out. I don’t know because I’m not trending anything!

*9) Boomz Thanks to one of my super cool blog writer friends like Tiny Island who shares with us some Singaporean coolness from their beauty girl Ris Low. I love they they just have fun and play with language. I used to do this when I was a little girl. I wonder why I no longer do. That’s just Boomz {hands out}.

It’s time for reader input ~ what are your thoughts?

What do you think? I think these words are on their way out: Dude, Alternative, Rad, Stoked, Factoid, Gnarly, Social Media and SEO. Those are lame in my opinion.

I think these words are up and coming: Blog, Boomz, Fluffy, My Bad, Hiney, Smile and Nod, Shiny, happiness, writing and Talk to the Hand.

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Andy Rooney on turning 50

Posted on December 4, 2011 | 11 Comments

Andy Rooney on Women Over 50

From Andy Rooney on CBS’s 60 Minutes:

Sometimes we discover gems of wisdom that have been right on our doorstep for, well… for a long time! CBS correspondent Andy Rooney shares his insight on what makes women over 50 so smart, sexy, and fun! Here you go:

As I grow in age, I value women over 50 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why: A woman over 50 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, ‘What are you thinking?’ She doesn’t care what you think.

If a woman over 50 doesn’t want to watch the game, she doesn’t sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it’s usually more interesting.

Women over 50 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won’t hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it’s like to be unappreciated. Women get psychic as they age.

You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 50. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 50 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest.. They’ll tell you right off if you are a jerk, if you are acting like one. You don’t ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we praise women over 50 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it’s not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 50, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize.

For all those men who say, ‘Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?Here’s an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage.Why? Because women realize it’s not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage.

_____________

♥ Hi. :) Hey friends, thanks for visiting. New visitors welcome. ♥

Writing you with an update from life in Italy. Be sure to check out my e~store. I just updated it with a bunch of paintings I love.

When I started this blog I truly had no idea what it would turn into. Every couple of days or so, I’d come up with another idea and then try to implement it. So far, I have to admit, so good ~ can’t complain.

Sorry to keep going back to it, but my stats and visitors are doing great. In the last months, I have written my downloadable ebook, Zero to Blog, posted two videos, hosted a give away for one of my paintings.

I have also managed to get up my e~store, my jbulie’s clothing line, my schools clothes, and a couple of other things I’m sure I’m overlooking.

Does it matter? Why do you do it?

I like to talk about what gets people motivated.

I had another opportunity to teach recently. We talked about US, I talked about Italy, I talked about the world.

Nulla si crea, nulla si distruge.

When you become a blog writer and you write to a number of people, you have to be careful what you say. I mean that in the nicest way. I just don’t want to go out and publicize the lives of people who are near and dear to me without their permission.

I try to choose safe subjects, like the weather, like being in the classroom and travel. It’s not enough though. I think we owe it to our selves to push the envelope and go a little bit further to figure out how to make this world a little bit better by our example, by our work.

Lead by doing.

In class, I opened my blog to see on an overhead projector. By the end of the lesson, the students clapped. To me, it is not uncommon to walk into a classroom and find a big message on the blackboard, Prof Angelos is the Best. Thanks guys, I love that. :) Or, I get a lot of little cards that have been designed with hearts and stars. These usually stop me in my tracks, especially if I’m lecturing. I’ll stop, read the card slowly, smile and usually change the tone of my voice very quickly.

Big scoop going down in the classroom.

We talked about the world, technology and airplanes, and how not having an airplane can change your life drastically. I decided to take a group of kids into the art room and make pictures that say We are sorry that you are far away from your home.

Everyone contributed, even three other teachers. I showed six girls how to make the flower pictures. They came out great. I’ll get a pictures up as soon as the paint dries. They are currently in the art room. When I finished my flower pictures, the girls and a couple of teachers were sitting around watching, learning and helping. When I finished, again, they clapped, incredibly so.

Now THAT floors me.

When one of my best friends in the world writes to me why don’t you come back home?, which in my case, is Los Angeles, I crumble. I think that might be the sweetest thing I could possibly hear. My home is where my family is, my mom, my dad, my sister, my brother, and all of the friends I grew up with. Right? Now my home is in Italy.

In the last fifteen years, I’ve slowly built a new home, career and family that is echos with laughter. I don’t think I could ever beat that by going backwards.

Those are my musings for a lovely day in Italy that has included sun, wind, clouds and now cold. Kids are still playing out in my garden. As always I thank my readers who email me because a friend has recommended my book and thinks I can help.

That’s why I do it.

As always, please leave your comments. I apologize if this post is a little bit non linear, but perhaps that’s how I’m feeling today.

Much love to you all.

Julie

Your turn. If you are a blog writer, how do you feel about writing about your friend’s lives? Do you think they mind? What is the last book you have read?

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Your turn. If you are a blog writer, how do you feel about writing about your friend’s lives? Do you think they mind? What is the last book you have read?

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i ♡ u

Posted on November 30, 2011 | 2 Comments
Jacqueline Kennedy throwing the bouquet at her...

Image via Wikipedia

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them. ♡ John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Sent from where I’m at.

I’m thinking back to a few months ago before I used facebook and before I had a blog. How simple was life then? I see how the internet is changing our lives. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Like my dad once told me, You can’t stop progress.

I’ve always been big on computers and technology. Couple that with me being a bit of a book worm and not too bad in school and that I like to read everything I can get my hands on. It only makes sense to start a blog and work on social networking.

While I was on vacation I had the pleasure of getting away from the computer. I think that was necessary. Necessary to see what I didn’t want to become: someone who spends his or her life infront of a computer screen. I want to live.

I’ve made some decisions and I’ve made some changes.

I’m spending way less time on the computer and much more time outdoors with my family. I just sometimes look outside and listen. That doesn’t exclude the fact that I love to write, to share and to connect. I like to watch my kids play. :)

♡ A house is a home with a soul. ♡

Blogging is a strange new place for me, lovely, yet newish. Let’s say I was a purist. I would write just for writing’s sake. Because I love to write. I also love to connect. I love that feeling when I am relating to people who read this and I hear back from them.

I like the comments. I love your comments. I think about them. I can’t believe how wonderful it is to communicate so fast and free. If you were far from home before email, you’d know what I mean.

Do we define ourselves by what we write? Or by what people say to us about our work?

I thank God for my teacher who told me on my first essay I wrote when I was a little girl that it was excellent. I wrote it in my journal and I’ve kept it. I’ll look it up for you if you’d like.

Today I got back an essay I wrote yesterday. I did it in one night and Mrs. Lannes gave me an "excelent." ;)

"excelent." ;)

Is it just me or is there a lot going on? Did someone say popcorn?

How do you organize or categorize life? I just do what comes naturally to me and that is to write it down to try to make sense of it all. Then I can come back to it later and say, yes, that is exactly what is going on, what I have to do.

On my list.

Two big things right off the top. One is back to school on Tuesday. It will be the first time in six years that my two sons will be at the same school. {Wipes sweat off of brow.} That should make my mornings a little bit simpler.

New website in the works.

My husband is a cook and a masseur. He liked my blog so much he asked me if I could make one for his business. Sure.

Here it is:

So I did. It’s super cool and I love it. I have it in the fine tuning stages, but soon all of you can see exactly where we have our little shop. I’ll get information in there for how to get there, store hours, pictures of the four little rooms. It’s a Day Spa he runs with his mom and their assistant. It’s cute. You guys will love it.

The house

Our house is a blessing all the way around. I don’t think one day goes by where I don’t thank God for having a house.

The Italians are much different then Americans when it comes to staying close to home. That’s just my opinion.

Our house needs attention ♡

It’s a 100 year old house that we have restored. If we leave the house for a week, it seems unrecognizable. I can’t get over how something like a house that seems like it is just walls, a roof and floors seems to be a living creature. Houses have their own souls. If you leave them alone, they’ll mesh with their surroundings.

The reason I’m telling you this is because I find our house needs constant love and affection. Just like my husband, myself, my family, my friends and my work. You have to give of yourself if you want your life to thrive.

Again, that’s just my opinion. I could be wrong. I’ve been wrong in the past.

I have been working on changing light bulbs, retouching here and there, adding some plaster if needed, buying things that get old and need replaced, refurbishing what I can and constant sorting of things. Everything has a place. Little hands seem to like to move them. Or perhaps there are night time sock and shoe parties where I’m not invited?

Hope this post finds you happy, lovely and in love.

Julie

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‘Let’s eat Grandma!’ or ‘Let’s eat, Grandma!’ Punctuation saves lives.

Posted on November 25, 2011 | 13 Comments

Hi guys and welcome back to my blog. Thanks for dropping in.

Do you often check your stats?

I was humbled when doing my internet research and came across blogs that have a reported reader base of 300,000. I was so excited about my first 1,800. I went into the kitchen and told my husband. He was lovely and supportive. He said Julie, give it a chance, you have only just started.

Time to reflect.

Time to reflect.

He’s absolutely right.

I am reminded to thank God for my many blessings.

I spend a lot of time figuring out the basics, how to choose a picture, how to get my categories and my archives visible.

There’s a lot of behind the scenes work going on that I don’t know if my reader is aware of.

Here’s a little award going to the behind the scenes workers at this blog. Someone needs a little love and appreciation today. Smattering of applause.

Some people added me to their lists of blogs they like to read. This brought new visitors. Thank you. It is a nice friendly surprise ~ sort of like a present you didn’t expect.

More Readers Comments.

I set you free now and every moment.

Be young. Go ahead do something impossible. Could anything be more sweet?

Most comments are super supportive and positive. Thank you! A guy left a comment saying anyone who writes their biography in the third person is a dork. I deleted it. I reserve that name for me from people I truly love like my sister, my husband and my best friend – who by the way also call me Mutt, Monkey, Jules, Julie Bulie and JB.

Each Word You Say Represents Who You Are

Often when my younger students use questionable language, I sometimes give them a tiny note, a wink and a smile.

Give.

They told me in person It’s not our fault.

I told my sweet and smart students I’m going to buy you a shirt and write It’s not my fault on it for the amount of times I’ve heard that. I love that they have added me to their facebook accounts and include me in their lives. Hi guys! :)

They gave me a couple of toys to play with at school: a spinner top, a stand up Winx as big as my index finger and a poofy top Cars pen.

Smiles. Silliness. Wonder.

Just how cute this is? Wouldn't this make a great gift?

Everything is going to be okay. Really!

Life is Participation.

I walked into class and some of my students noticed I got a new hair cut. They gave me compliments. I think were sincere. Although at the moment my hair is getting really long.

I’ve learned so many things from people and living lately. I would say the number one thing I have learned is how to be a nicer person. I mean it. I surround myself by lovely people and I thank you for being here right now in this minute reading these words. Hi! Welcome.

I’m Still Smiling.

I received a ton of stuff from my loved ones. Thank you so much. They continue to spoil me. I don’t know what I have done to deserve such wonderful treatment but I try to be humble and thankful.

My kids got a lot of clothes, toys and candy. I get love.

We talk about health, not smoking and going the extra mile – and flossing. how knowledge will make you a better people. We talk about how making decisions now effect the rest of our lives.

Miro. Love it!

Miro. Ha!

I feel privileged to be a writer and a teacher, to talk to them and to you too. I’m also enjoying every beautiful minute of this glorious day. Thank you.

I know I got through to my class because they got real quiet and started listening, eyes transfixed. We talked about health we talked at length about existentialism, fatalism and Christianity and dreams. They get it. Kids are smart. They are our future.

As always, I hope this finds you well, happy, lucky and in love. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read and visit. Have a great day.

Julie

Be inspirational. Be inspired. Note to self: Try harder. And smile. Everything is going to be alright.

A Sweet Afternoon ~ Semi Abstract~Fine Art Canvas print

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#6 My Amazing Friends also known as MAFSS guest M. Risser

Posted on November 22, 2011 | 15 Comments

You might be new here, so please make sure to add a bookmark, follow me on facebook or follow me on twitter at jbuliesblog.

Running side by side friend.

Run the Hill by guest blogger Michele Risser

Run the hill is a phrase I use when things get hard. Run the hill is focus. Run the hill is determination. Run the hill is tenacity, strength and endurance. Running the hill is the thing you have to do to become a better runner.

On a long stretch of highway you can see the hill, ahead in the distance waiting for your arrival. There are certain things you must do as you approach it. You must unclench your fists and relax your shoulders. You must straighten your back and expand your chest. You must raise your head. Most importantly, you must turn up your music.

Stay focused.

As you begin the ascent, you must find a point just ahead of you to become your mini goal. It may be a crack in the road, a sign or a post, a tree or a flower. All you aim for is that next little goal. It is very important not to look, glance at, or focus on the top of the hill, it is overwhelming.

You must stay focused on your mini goal until you pass it and then hone in on the next crack, tree, post or flower until again you must select a new one.

As your music keeps your pace, as your eyes look forward, as your chest expands to receive oxygen and your head is held up to supply that oxygen, you begin to realize you are running the hill. Little by little, breath by breath, one leg and then the other stepping up, up, up. You are running the hill.

Jumping over obstacles.

Those things in life which are the hardest to do are the things we must do. They make us stronger, more patient, compassionate, they improve us.

They give us the experiences in life which require focus, determination, tenacity and perseverance.

Doing hard things helps us to grow. At times those hard things may seem overwhelming and so you set a mini-goal.

Perhaps solving one problem at a time, improving a fault little by little, mending a relationship, gaining knowledge, overcoming pain, hurt, anger, depression or addiction. One hour at a time, one day at a time, one lesson at a time, one achievement at a time.

Triumph

When you reach the crest of a hill and you know within a minute you are will be at the top, you must push with that one last burst of energy that is hidden deep inside of you, but is always there.

For a brief second, just an instant, you are able to see the view from the top of the hill. The view is glorious, spectacular, breath taking and not because of what you may see, but because of what you feel ~ your moment of triumph.

You will feel your strength, your determination, tenacity and endurance, all of the those characteristics that helped get you to the top of the hill.

You can do it. I believe in you.

Then, you begin to run, down, down. No longer is a mini goal needed. Your breath begins to relax, no need to concentrate on the song to keep pace.

For a moment you have a repose, a rest from the intensity of pushing yourself, from doing something physically and mentally challenging.

Even though you know that there will always be another hill, you immerse yourself in the glory of running without effort. You feel light, you are floating, you are free from the burden of climbing the hill and all you can do is look in wonder and gratitude at what is around you.

You feel like you can fly.

Becoming a stronger you.

We cannot avoid running the hill, we must run it when it is there before us. We must not be discouraged if it not our best run, or our strongest, or fastest or our most successful. Running the hill will be different every time, because all hills are different. The constant lies in us and the tools we use from experience, to make the run bearable, to finish. Remember that each time you run the hill, you become a stronger you.

Run the hill, run the hill, run the hill. It is what I repeat over and over in my mind as I make the climb, both in running and in life.

If you’d like more information about Michele and running you can leave a message here below, contact her on twitter, or contact her on facebook.

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If I can figure out how to write a blog, anyone can.

Posted on November 21, 2011 | 14 Comments
Beautiful table setting.

Would you like to write a blog? Please do.

If you would like to be a published writer, it’s easy, just do it. I started writing as soon as I got a crayon in my hand.

When I was 11, I started keeping a small lock and key diary with a bright yellow and red Snoopy picture. I would write whatever came to a 11 year-old’s mind.

I have entries in my diary about what I would do for my birthday party, where my family went and who I liked and didn’t like at school. The diary entry that makes me laugh is My sister hit me. Now I realize the importance of those four words.

I found a place for myself, a place to put my own thoughts but most importantly I have proof 30 years later that my sister hit me. ;)

As I got older, I started writing travel diaries. I have about 15 handwritten diaries in my garage that I wrote when I was between 19 and 30. Sometimes I would like to burn them because I’m afraid what my children will think.

They probably won’t be so interested in my life. Still, when I travelled I always kept a journal  before I decided to give writing a try.

If you want to write, do it. Just take out a pen and write. open Word. I use WordPress to blog.

How to get published.

The first time I got published as a writer I was in high school. It helped to have friends. I was president of my high school so the job was sort of just assigned to me. One of my teachers came up to me and said Julie, you are going to have to write a weekly article for the school newspaper.

A couple of weeks later, I saw my name in print for the first time with a headline saying Howdy Cowboys. What a laugh.

From then, I moved to Europe and remained one of the few people who actually knew English so it was pretty much certain that I would get published in the first English magazine in our city. Luckily for me, the publisher was a good friend of mine. She had great taste in style and the magazine was a big success in my humble opinion.

From there, I just continued writing. I would write or suggest stories to my publisher and she usually printed them. Sometimes, my publisher friend, Ali,  would give me assignments, for example she’d say Julie, there’s a new art opening on Friday, can you cover it? I continue to write for pleasure just as I continue to paint pictures of flowers, just as I love reading other people’s stories.

Also, I would suggest you write from the heart and write as you speak. Finally the easiest way to get published is to publish yourself ~ just as I am doing here.

Thank you for visiting. Comments are appreciated. Have a great day.

Have you ever been published? What sort of things do you like to write about?

I’d love to hear if you’d like to leave a comment below. Thanks.

Country Side Tulips Laptop Sleeve electronicsbag

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Zazzle Affiliate → jbulie added ♫.•*¨`*•♫.•some #Zazzle

Posted on November 12, 2011 | 2 Comments
Two Cats in a Window Postage Stamp

Two Cats in a Window Postage Stamp approved by US Government.❒✔

 Art is c❀❀l.

This post is dedicated to you Mika, Mom, Michelle and Janie→.

 

Hi friends.

I’m going to share with you today whay I have learned about selling artwork online and affiliate sales. I feel like a bit embrarrassed because I am so late to the game.

I put it some of my art for sale on ebay and sold quite a few, okay, 12 paintings so I thought, you should figure out how to sell your artwork online.

I did as any of you would have done. I googled sell artwork online. Then I started reading everything I could on the subject.

Art is c❀❀l

You get your own decent artwork up for sale. I’m not saying I’m a pro at this at all because I’m just learning by doing. It is exciting to see that someone buys your work on a mousepad.

I opened two stores here and here. You should do the same. Then you save your artwork as a high quality image and upload it to the website.

If you need any help selling your artwork online, let me know and I’ll help you through it. Also, if any of you pros out there have any tips you feel like throwing over to a newbie like myself, I’d sincerely appreciate that.

Since posting this particular post, I’ve had three real life friends ask me how I am doing it and my husband too. I am figuring it out. I want to give you exact instructions, so please bear with me.

Clicking here will take you to my zazzle recommendation.

L❀❀king g❀❀d on G❀❀gle

Part II - How do I become an affiliate and earn 15% on things I like in links around my blog?

Refer a friend program. Get $10 for you immediately!

Use this code:

Get $10 off your next order from Zazzle! Zazzle is the best place to get unique, custom gifts for everyone on your list this year! They have everything you could want from holiday cards and custom postage, to t-shirts, mugs, and smartphone cases to gallery-wrapped canvas and so much more.

more!http://zazzle.extole.com/a/clk/2MFJG

1. Bookmark this page by adding a bookmark above, click here and register, taking note of your id, then come back here. You’ll need your id code. It’s 16 digits.

 Art is c❀❀l.

2. Choose products you’d like to like to sell. You’ll add the code to your store name after a ?rf= If you refer someone to buy something from your site you get a referral fee of 15%. This used to be 7%. You get a code and you type it into the product you like.  Then you get referral credit. I’ll give you an example.

Say you want to buy this cute little daisy coffee mug. The URL is:

http://www.zazzle.com/fun_daisies_mug-168474009784388469

All you have to do is type ?rf=238662101328135626 after the url when you link it. I used my personal code as an example. You’d insert your code instead. Click here to see. The Url that will earn you 15 percent is ready to link.

key: This works on ANY product you like. You can choose.

3. Pay it forward by copying this little flower and linking it somewhere on your blog and linking it to my store, zazzle.com/jbulie*.

visit zazzle.com/jbulie

You can do that two ways. One is to add a text link, the other is add an image link. Here, I’m giving you some code you could just copy and paste right into your site, if you’d like.

Copy and paste this code to link to my zazzle shop

<a href=”//zazzle.com/jbulie?rf=238662101328135626″><img src=”//jangelos.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/iheartjb2.png?w=50″” alt=””visit” width=””60″” height=””60″”></a>

{and} copying and pasting this code will link you to my blog:

<a href=”http://julieangelos.com”><img src=”http://jangelos.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/iheartjb2.png?w=50″ alt=”visit zazzle.com/jbulie” width=”60″ height=”60″></a>

Thank you.

As always, I hope this finds you lovely, lucky and in love. Let me know how your projects are coming along. :)

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Just Pretty Pictures Today ~ That is All

Posted on November 11, 2011 | 7 Comments
You may not always end up where you thought you were going, but you will always end up where you were meant to be.

You may not always end up where you thought you were going, but you will always end up where you were meant to be.

Why not?
Open my heart and you will see graved inside of it, Italy

ㄥ❀∨モ ♥ Times of joyful innocence.

Su la favola bella che ieri m'illuse, che oggi t'illude, o Ermione. ♥ G. D'annunzio

Su la favola bella che ieri m'illuse, che oggi t'illude, o Ermione. ♥ G. D'annunzio

f you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. ~Dalai Lama

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

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#3 My Amazing Friends Success Stories also known as MAFSS Guest Stars Jane DeRosa

Posted on October 18, 2011 | 2 Comments
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha {Bwah ha ha!}

Our next guest on My Amazing Friends Success Stories also known as MAFSS is a lady I met through her cool husband. He and I can both claim to have been in the high school marching band, but don’t tell. ha ha ha.

This funny bright brave lady asked me to mentor her on opening her blog, Secrets of the Soul, where we both got to know each other even better.

She currently runs a successful ebay store and is opening a brand new ebay store called the *love*laugh*boutique, where she’ll be showing off some of her artistic talent.

What I didn’t know is that she’s going to, wait, let her tell you.

Without further ado, ladies and germs, I mean gents, Welcome Jane.

{smattering of applause}

Welcome Jane.

Jane, entrepeneur, writer, artist and friend.

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? This is difficult for me, so I’ll just roll with what comes to mind. LOL. I am 45 years old, but feel, think, and act like a 25 year old.

I am so thrilled to be at this point in my life as it is the most excited I have ever been. I am a self taught artist, writer, entrepreneur and soon to be stand up comedian.

I look for the positive in life, love to connect with people and want to wake up every day being excited about what is in store for me next.

How do you define success? I define success as constantly striving to do what you love in life and never giving up on your dreams.

I feel successful overall but I do want great financial success as well because I think that will really free me up to be even more creative and have more energy to accomplish what I want in life.

It’s ironic that I feel so successful, because over the last few years we have lost so many material things and are basically starting over.

There is something pretty freeing about that.

Be so happy.

If you could only be so happy.

I remember three days I felt that I had made it in my life. They were the birth of my two sons and my marriage. How about you? What was your I made it moment?

I still don’t feel like I have made it fully. I reach milestones and accomplish things I set out to do, but I think for me making it is when I can do exactly what I want to do every single day, be 100% in the zone where things just flow so perfectly, AND make a more-than-decent living from it.

Super cute things at live*love*laugh boutique.

Super cute things at live*love*laugh boutique.

I am excited because I am embarking on so many new things in my life ~ things that ARE what I love doing ~ and I have an excited expectation that this is a VERY good thing!

Have you ever come across an obstacle in your path to where you are today? Can you describe it to me and tell us how you got over it? I think life is full of obstacles, some real and some imaginary.

Obstacles actually inspire me as I love to figure out a way around them or through them.

I tend to put things into perspective so I really don’t dwell on obstacles. Most of them have turned out to be huge gifts, so I’m actually thankful for them. I have learned more and grown more because of the challenges in life.

The biggest obstacle I ever had was when I became extremely ill in 2001. By 2003 I was bedridden and had to figure out how to keep working with the illness. I would lay in bed, feel a tiny surge of energy, get up and work for a few minutes then go back to bed over and over again all day long.

Such pretty things.I wasn’t thriving financially, but I did pay my bills. The lessons I learned from that is to work as much as possible when I feel great, and don’t get complacent as well as the most important lesson of all, to take care of myself and avoid as many chemicals as possible since that caused my illness.

In terms of education did you find a university degree was necessary in obtaining your dreams or goals? What was? I tried going to community college right out of high school but it wasn’t for me. I was so overwhelmed, so riddled with anxiety that I couldn’t handle it.

I chose to work full time instead. I did go back to college last year and took art and jazz history classes. I loved it!

However, I don’t need a degree for my work and there is nothing that I want to do in the future that would require a degree.

What was necessary for me was learning from other people, constantly implementing new ideas and staying on top of changes in my business. Also, I have learned to ask for help in the form of mentorship which is a fantastic way to learn from an expert! {editors note ;) }

What are you currently working on? I am launching a new business selling items I create or recreate.

For instance, I buy old vintage mirror vanity trays and refinish them, or I make new jewelry out of old vintage jewelry. I love creating new things, hate wasting ANYTHING, and have always seen the beauty in old junk, so it’s the perfect type of business for me.

Also, I am starting to perform standup comedy in the next couple of months. I think this is why I’m here on earth ~ to make people laugh ~ but I avoided it for a long time because it was terrifying for me. Now, I’m ready to go for it.

Fun, simple, cute things, from her to you.

Fun, simple, beautiful objects from her to you.

Can you tell me about someone you admire and why? I admire so many people. The people I admire most are those that made something out of nothing. Like a woman who started a business when she was on welfare, or another who worked three jobs to put herself through college at age 50, or another who wrote a book during her busride to and from work.

The spirit of these people really resonates with me.

I also admire people who are positive and make a difference in the world just by being in it. I think Facebook and Twitter are great gauges for this because it really gives you a glimpse into how people think and live their lives.

Would you like to give me a word of advice on obtaining goals? My best advice for obtaining goals would be NEVER give up. Learn to be flexible and find solutions to problems. Don’t take no for an answer. Just keep asking different people until you get to yes.

~~~~~

Thanks Jane. I know my blog readers are going to love reading about someone who manages a business from their own home and is a soon to be stand up comedian.

Friends, if you are interested in participating in out MAFSS series drop us an email at jangelos1@gmail.com.

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Posted in art gallery - if you're new start here, happiness, relationships

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10 paintings in 10 days. ► {and} go! ► RECAP

Posted on October 11, 2011 | 7 Comments

September 29, 2011 Background info.

Hi. Thank you for dropping by. Nice to see you! I mean that.

Today’s post is inspired by a quote a recently came across that goes like this:

Good leaders create a vision, articulate that vision, passionately own the vision and relentlessly drive it to completion.

So here I go. I’m going to sell ten paintings in ten days on ebay. I’m off to a good start. I’ve listed five, because I’m on day five. The next one goes live today 11a Pacific Standard Time, or California time as I like to call it.

The first four have been bid on.

A HUGE ENORMOUS GIGANTIC THANK YOU to people who support my art work. They are just little paintings I paint in my garden, but I love them.

I hope you enjoy looking at them and God BLESS you if you take a little chance and hit the bid button.

Thanks for having a look.

October 11, 2011

It’s ten days later and the contest is almost over. Here is a ► RECAP ► of where my paintings have been sold.

Here's the picture that recently won 5th place at a local art fair contest. It was fun and challenging to paint.

#1. This painting was sold to a v. nice man in Milan, Italy. This painting won a prize at a local contest. I'll always be grateful to my first buyer.

Pastel Mums

#2. My 'Pastel Mums' were won by a cool blogger friend. This has been sent off to Bolivia where she is doing a mission. I love how this one came out.

#3. Went to my sunshine girl in Huntington Beach, California. This is one of my favorites. Very young and fun. This is going to look great framed.

#4 went to a sweet family in Ojai, California.

#5. This went to a fantastic family on the California Central Coast.

#6. This went to an awesome guy in Bothell, Washington.

#7. Went to a repeat buyer in Milan. : )

#8. This went to a repeat buyer on the California coast. : )

#9. This was sent as a donation to New Orleans Louisiana to be auctioned off at a charity event.

#10. California.

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Posted in art gallery - if you're new start here, family, happiness, Inspiration

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