May 20, 2014

Blogcademy Chicago 2014 Recap

These boots were made for bloggin’ Image:Shauna Haider @Nubby Twiglet 2014

Dear Blogcademy,How do I love thee? Let me count the ways:

1)You encourage a sizable gathering of babes and creative women.

2)You make everything have that certain *sparkle*

3)You even got theparents out of the house to venture to Chicago seeking your glitter covered guru guidance.

4)You facilitate networking among up and coming bloggers furthering a great community a.k.a “tribe.

5)You have a “Brit Babe teaching too and I just love listening to that accent!

To make a long story short back in October 2012 I suffered a massive stroke which caused me to miss Blogcademy NYC which I lamented for weeks upon realizing I had completely missed it. however ,Lady Luck paid me a visit, there was a second class in Chicago ! I HAD to go but unfortunately I had no money any more to attend so I decided to apply for a scholarship, I then excitedly headed to a craft store and picked everything out for my project and with fingers crossed and a hopeful heart …proceeded to create a very cute scrapbook that followed my short essay- See Here

Well,much to my surprise I WON!

Hence followed a road trip to Chicago ,a dinner with local friends I had not seen in awhile and class the next day

The class was held at a co-working space called Enerspace Chicago, which is perfect because it’s a place for start ups and those seeking to further themselves,a business,or an idea, it was a lovely incubator to hatch our collective blogging dreams&schemes!

Much to popular belief bloggers and blogging is not just about “Look at me!Although “selfies can be fun… In fact it’s actually serious business and all three “headmistresses run their blogs as such.

The “Headmistresses!(above)*note the good style…

Everything was covered in depth from branding to content to marketing to monetizing,even the legal side of taxes,contracts,and agreements.

Gala introduced herself as well as the others and told all the “Blogcadettes where things were located We might need or want

After that intro it was time for each of us to do our own and answer the following questions:

1)Who are you?

2)What defines you?

3)Is it a business or is it a hobby?(your blog)

4)What else can you tell us about yourself?

Throughout class there were funny stories,laughs and of course good/fun music to each of our blogging activities&exercises

For being an 8 hour day it went by fast! Which to me indicates it must have been good to feel so fast

I learned more than I thought,the “Headmistresses were available to answer any and all questions,as well as generally just chat about anything,they were gracious hosts!

Matching ears.Matching shirts.

P1030339

Check out my friend Erin’s site Here!

GOODY BAG SWAG SPONSORS BELOW:

ART SCHOOL DROPOUT simply cool.

LADYBIRD LIKES yet more paper goodies

LIFE ON MARS VINTAGE PinkCircle Marilyn Monroe scarves.

MAD BIJOU Look at Her ” disco bullets…

LOVE IDEAS INK lovely paper goods!

REETA KRISHNA provided the indispensable WordPress for Beginners Book

SODA FOUNTAIN PHOTOGRAPHY Just take a LookSee!

CROWN AND GLORY beautiful “crowns and sparkly ears too!

REETA KRISHNA provided indispensable WordPress for Beginners Book

B-TRIZ COLLECTION from across the pond…

In conclusion,I learned alot it was a fresh atmosphere thats an open forum for learning,sharing,networking,inspiration,and fun.I can saythat if your at all interested in blogging,head on over to Vimeo and look for Blogcademy for a sneak preview of what its all about and I can promise you won’t be bored.

*Cheers!*,

In conclusion I feel that it was time well spent for a sneak peek head on over to Vimeo and look up Blogcademy for a preview of what its about I believe if you have the blogging bug at all you’ll want to participate in class,and I can promise you won’t be bored.

* *Cheers!*

Above Photo: Ears away!(my lovely friend Erin&I )

Goody Bag Swag Sponsors!

Art School Dropout provided awesome hairpins
Crown And Glory For the sparkly ears and pretty headbands!
Mad Bijou Look for the “disco bullets! ours were pink 🙂
Life On Mars Vintage Great name and very David Bowie! provided silky pink Marilyn Monroe Circle scarves.
Love Ideas Ink Rad Stationary!
B-Triz Collection Notebooks from over the pond!
Reeta KRISHNA provided an indispensable WordPress for beginners book!

My friend made us matching shirts! Upwards&Onwards.Check out Her blog and illustration work

In conclusion,I found the two day class to be jam packed with useful information as well as inspirational i.e. it got me pumped

I would certainly recommend it to anyone even mildly interested so, GO?

Each of the “Headmistresses were so sweet and thanked me,as well as hugs!

I appreciate&admire them not only as amazing bloggers but as rather cool people too.

Get Inspired and attend Blogcademy,seriously!

Post Script: Check out this Chicago Class Video Here

May 15, 2014

When I turned the big 3-0

When my 30th birthday was approaching,like most I was dreading it because I was not where I wanted to be or should be in life,-BUT -on a day I awoke quite cranky my mood was soon to be foiled,my family and friends threw me a surprise party that was Breakfast at Tiffany’s themed and just as pretty as a bridal shower.

My mood went from cranky to shocked pretty quick and you know what else?

Even though 30 is relatively young I feel better than ever because not only am I more comfortable with myself,I’m smarter and know what I want too.

If its wrinkles your dreading…fear not!

There is still plenty of time for that,not only do I not have any but weigh less than I ever did too,so 30 isn’t so bad really and as for where I want to be in life, it’s just a matter of time…….

Love&Light!,

May 11, 2014

Changing Seasons…

Recently I sold my beloved Vespa…(see below)

Photo:2011 Upper East Side Manhattan after working a day at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

Credit:my friend Lesly!

I had dreamed of living in NYC and owning a Vespa since I was 16 years old,when I got both,realizing that, I cried.

As the story goes after 3 years of living in my favorite city I suffered a massive stroke which has sent me packing to recover in Michigan

Fearing I had lost everything,the reason my Vespa became ever more important to me was because it now symbolized dreams reached and possibly my dreams lost….

-BUT-

After a couple of buyers inquired on it because now not being able to ride it and owing more on it than it was worth I needed something I could use.Now the Vespa symbolized NYC,the freedom I had,my hard work&dreams,lots of good memories,and not to mention it is beautiful as seen below ha-ha

So instead since the funds from it were used to buy a new computer,it seems only fitting to in turn use it to further write my story and of course this isn’t goodbye forever just for now.

As the song goes for everything there is a season

I’m just looking forward to my Summer returning and little by little it is !so far one thing that has returned is Blogcademy NYC I missed the class but this weekend I’ll be going to Blogcademy Chicago! AND for free! Because I won a scholarship,so it did return and even better……

There will certainly be more things to come and perhaps even better!

In parting “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.,

**Cheers!**

May 8, 2014

Throwing the book at The Notebook.

I think Ryan Gosling is swoon worthy,you may think He is swoon worthy,all the teary eyed girlies at The Notebook think Ryan Gosling is swoon worthy……

BUT

We also agree that He sadly plays a fictional character,while this fictional romance is something We would all love,a devoted,playful.sweet love by our side,the truth is that sadly real Noah’s are few and far between beyond the movie screen,in reality you will be letdown,you will be disappointed,you will be left…..

The good news?

This will not only enable you to learn about yourself more but also force you to pull up your boot straps,grow stronger and chalk it up to the saying

: If he won’t fight for you he isn’t right for you.

Because in the end as pessimistic as that is,sometimes you have to fight for yourself because if the person you love can’t see your value then perhaps you should let your value of them depreciate,while yours increases!?there are too many mirrors in the world for you to miss the view of your own lovely reflection,if you have been wounded…… more good news! wounds heal,just like hair grows back after a bad haircut, just give it time.

When I have been the unlucky recipient of the title “Dumpee I mope for a considerable amount of time,sure but I also try to shift focus and sometimes even do things I don’t want to because it helps to shift head space,it also doesn’t hurt to have some good friends to be with….

If all else fails:

To be clear I don’t condone revenge on an ex! Besides “What goes around comes around,I tend to subscribe to whatever Justin Timberlake sings about….

Eventually after the pain dulls and the sun shines in your life again(hopefully sooner than later!)

You’ll find it warming your heart too and when that light fills you up it has nowhere else to go but out of your eyes and maybe even in the direction of a cute new Ryan Gosling look-a- like!?

In conclusion you may whether you want to or not get pretty comfortable with yourself and may even think of your ex: “Thanks for loosing me from that ball&chain,your loss!

As a pin read that I bought once from an old dirty biker(,and warranted many unwanted pickups from gas station attendants):

Single&Ready To Mingle. enjoy the good times those moments are for you,

May 2014 archive