Tuesday, October 29, 2013

The Heartbeat Magazine October 2013 Cover, WW

The latest issue of The Heartbeat Magazine is online for viewing!
This month's cover is Melinda Nagy of Melinda Nagy Photography. Her photo was taken by Angelina Arts Photography.  Melinda has such a sweet presence and I was so thankful to be able to use her beautiful photo for our cover.  Read more in the Just Imagine story on page 8.

Our Giveaway is from PoBoys Shrimp Shack, they are offering one lucky diner a $25 gift card to enjoy a meal at our local Naples restaurant. The restaurant features Fish, Shrimp, and Baby Back Ribs!  Mmm!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Monday, October 28, 2013

College-goers can Save on Textbooks and Help Donate to Operation Smile

Recently I had the opportunity to review CampusBookRentals.com and to share the good news about how college students can get great savings on their textbooks and also help support OperationSmile.org.



Here are few of the perks for college-goers on renting textbooks: 

-save 40-90% off of bookstore prices 
-free shipping both ways
-can highlight in the textbooks 
-flexible renting periods
-they donate to Operation Smile with each textbook rented
-you can find more perks on their website CampusBookRentals.com




Their Making a Difference program is an important part of what they do.  They're keeping their partnership with Operation Smile and have committed to donate a minimum of 80 additional surgeries between June 2013 and June 2014.  

What is Operation Smile? Operation Smile is an incredible organization that forever changes children's lives through reconstructive cleft lip surgeries.  The long-term improvement in quality of life for the children that receive these surgeries is almost incomprehensible.  What a great honor Campus Book Rentals has in supporting the children of Operation Smile. Find our more information about Operation Smile at: http://www.operationsmile.org/about_us/who-we-are/    

What if college students have textbooks they own?  RentBack (www.RentBack.com) is a new initiative that allows students to rent the textbooks they own - to other students.  This is awesome because it makes them 2-4x more money compared to what they'd make through buyback options! (selling their books back at the end of the semester)  I love the feature on the website where you can check how valuable your textbook is.  I wish I had this option back when I was going to college!  I remember the days when I spent so much money on my books and kept them in perfect condition so that my school would give me a few dollars at the end of the semester. What a perfect way for college students to help support themselves during the school year by making a little extra money!



I'm glad to know about this company and hope that once my kids begins college in the coming years they will be smart and resource them!  For those that have kids starting college soon or have kids in college make sure and do your own review and check out their site for more information!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

6 Ways Great Leaders Are Different

Originally Posted on greatleadersserve.org on April 6, 2012

For more than a decade, I’ve used the metaphor of an iceberg to talk about leadership – the 10% above the water line represents the skills of the leader and the 90% below represents their character. However, the question I have gotten consistently ever since I started using the iceberg illustration is this, “What are the character traits of great leaders?”



On more than one occasion, I’ve answered the character question by asking, “What are the traits you are trying to instill in your children?” Typical responses would include: dependability, honesty, integrity and hard work. I would say, “That’s what leaders need.”  Now that I look back, my answer was incorrect. Dependability, honesty, integrity and hard work are needed by EVERY employee – including the leaders; therefore, none of these are distinctives of leaders.

So the first question I’ve been wrestling with is: Are leaders really different? My answer is yes. Clearly, we all want our leaders to be dependable, honest, show integrity and be hard working, but our organizations demand more from leaders. Therefore, my next question was – How are leaders different?

Here’s a short list of six attributes that I believe you’re more likely to see in leaders than non-leaders. It’s not an exhaustive list, but most of the great leaders I’ve known personally, and those I’ve studied, have demonstrated some measure of the following traits.

Optimism – Men and women in leadership are generally optimistic. They see a preferred future and can envision a path to make it a reality – despite the obstacles.

Judgment – The best leaders have the ability to make good decisions – even when the data is incomplete.

Ownership – Great leaders are willing to take responsibility for their actions, the actions of those they lead and the outcomes of their efforts.

Initiative – Good leaders are known for being proactive. They are willing to act – and often, they are the first to act.

Courage – To lead well requires bold decisions, decisive decisions – to stand alone if necessary. To lead well requires courage.

Servanthood – The best leaders are motivated by a heart to serve. They want to serve the organization, their people, their customers and all their stakeholders.

What character traits do you see in the best leaders?




Mark Miller, well known business leader, best-selling author, and communicator, is excited about sharing The Heart of Leadership: Becoming a Leader People Want to Follow with those who are ready to take the next step. You can find it on Amazon and in bookstores everywhere.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Quick and Easy Ice Cream Cake, WW

Pinterest does it again, I found a delicious, easy ice cream cake that I made in less than five minutes.  I bought three ingredients, ice cream bars, cool whip and chocolate frosting.  For those of you that want less calories in your delicious dessert I opted for skinny cow bars. Here are my results...



First, I placed the bars in two rows, and then I stacked them up to make two levels.  Once that was completed I took a spatula and coated the bars in cool whip.  Then smoothed the cool whip out and took a ziploc bag, added some melted chocolate frosting and drizzled it on top.  I was happy with the results and my family was impressed with the presentation.  Oh, and it tastes so yummy!  
1st Step - Layout your ingredients!
2nd step - Stack two layers of ice cream bars.
3rd step - Completely cover bars with Cool Whip.
4th Step - Drizzle melted chocolate frosting over top.
5th Step - Place in freezer and then slice and serve! Mmm!
Do you have a quick recipe that you'd like to share?  I'd love to try another one for my family, they sure loved it!

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Friday, October 11, 2013

Friday Book Review, Secrets of Dynamic Communication

Who would benefit from knowing the Secrets of Dynamic Communication? 
Secrets of Dynamic Communications: Prepare with Focus, Deliver with Clarity, Speak with Power by Ken Davis  Rating 4 Stars

When I saw the title of this book I thought it would be a great read as I was looking forward to discovering the secrets!  Thanks Booksneeze for the opportunity to review this book. 


The author, Ken Davis, stated that within the pages, I'd learn how to:

  • dramatically reduce my prep time,
  • communicate with more clarity and focus,
  • increase my ability to connect with the audience, and
  • craft speeches that leave an impact
Here are some of my favorite highlights from the book:

Speakers, non-fiction authors, salespersons, entertainers, preachers, moms, dads, husbands, wives, corporate leaders, and political figures will find the secret of dynamic communication can revolutionize their ability to develop powerful presentations that persuade and move people to action.

If you want people to listen, learn, and take action, you must speak with crystal-clear focus.

It is only after that focused preparation they can step on the platform to speak with confidence, move people to action, and change lives.

If you aim at nothing, you will hit nothing every time.

That is why a dynamic presentation is secondary to a focused presentation.  What good is it to be dynamic about nothing?  

Because I was unfocused in my preparation, I was hitting the horns, instead of the heart.

Communication is not about you or what people will think about you or how well you will perform.  Communication is about the people sitting in front of you.  It's about giving to them, helping them, instructing them, and persuading them of something that will enrich their lives.

In this book you will learn a method for preparing messages that, like a scope, forces the speaker to prepare with an absolute, pin-pointed focus.  The preparation method is called SCORRE.  The primary function of the SCORRE process are as follows:
  • It serves as a scope to force the speaker to focus on a single objective.
  • It serves as a logical grid forcing the speaker to make sense and lead the audience to the objective.
Resources help the listener "feel" what you are describing.

We watch an amazing quarterback throw a perfect pass for the winning touchdown and wonder, "What is the secret to such precision?"  And the answer is so unglamorous.  It is hours of unseen practice, developing the "mundane" foundational basics such as how to hold the ball, how to stand, and how to develop the most efficient throwing motion.

The sculptor who conceives of a beautiful image she wishes to share with the public begins with a solid hunk of granite.  All of the granite is good granite, yet to bring the image to life she must start chipping away perfectly good granite.  Only by getting rid of what doesn't contribute to the image is she able to bring that image to life.  

Know what the "heart of the matter" is and get to it.  Your time and the listeners' time is precious.

The more intimately you know your subject, and are passionate about that subject, the more enthusiastic and genuine your presentation will be and the better it will be received.

If you believe in what you are talking about and care about the people you are sharing it with, the audience will know.

Diligence in preparation results in excellence on the platform.

The objective sentence determines the purpose and structure of your talk.

In the heart of the message you must deliver on accomplishing the objective.  Everything you do and say before you get to the heart of the message should be designed to prepare the audience to hear it.

When the listener makes the connection between the information and the benefit it brings to them, communication is born.

Throughout the book there was sections that allowed you to practice creating a focused objective and layout your presentation.  I had a bit of trouble following this section as I was reading the book on my iPhone but it will be a book that I will be able to resource for a lifetime.  I highly recommend it if you are in the speaking industry or just want to get your message across more clearly and get better results.

Charlie "Tremendous" Jones always said, "Five years from today, you will be the same person that you are today, except for the books you read and the people you meet."

Do you have a book you've recently read?  Please share with me if you have a great suggestion!



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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Making a Washi Tape Rose, WW

I've been having so much fun with my Washi Tape lately!  I was watching a YouTube video and the lady added a beautiful rose to her craft.  I was impressed with how easy it was to change the whole look and feel of her box she made and so I decided to try and make my own Washi tape rose.  Here are a few pictures I took while creating my rose.  
First, I lined up strips of Washi tape to create the pattern I wanted.
Second, I created a template and cut out all my petals.
Third, I strung them all together using my twist tie.
 
Lastly, I curved up the sides and rotated them to make the impression of a rose and placed it on my latest card design.
Do you have a new craft you've made lately?  I'd love to hear about it!  Be sure to leave your blog link for the WW Blog hop! 


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Wednesday, October 2, 2013

MamaVoxBox from Influenster, WW

I got mail!  I took a survey with Influenster and was selected to try the #MamaVoxBox.  Have you ever heard of Influenster? They are an exclusive free online community that offers rewards to people that have influence and spread the word about products, deals, promotions and swag on brands.  They have expert badge accomplishments once you complete surveys or do certain tasks.   It's funny what motivates some people, I'm motivated by badges!  Do you have a company you try products for and share your reviews?  

What's Inside the #MamaVoxBox? 
belVita Soft Baked Breakfast Biscuits: $3.69
Baked with hearty whole grains, belVita Soft Baked Breakfast Biscuits are delicious, nutritious and give you satisfying morning energy to start your day off right.

Dr. Schooll's For Her Comfort Insoles:  $12.49
Dr. Schooll's For Her Comfort Insoles are uniquely designed to provided all-day comfort.  They absorb shock and impact on the heel and help protect the sensitive ball of foot area.  Best of all, they work great in a variety of shoes including flats and boots!

POND's Luminous Finish BB+Cream:  $9.99 in mass retailers
It's not your ordinary BB!  With Tone Perfecting Complex, POND's Luminous Finish BB+ delivers the instant results you have come to expect from BB creams, PLUS the long term benefit of more even toned skin.  How?  First it delivers a special pigment system designed to blend flawlessly into skin to immediately conceal imperfections.  Then, it keeps working to target the source of dark spots on skin's surface, visibly fading them over time.  

Annie's Microwavable Mac and Chees Cub:  $1.69 single/ $3.29 multipack
Annie's microwavable mac & cheese cups are made with 100% real cheese!  All of the goodness of Annie's mac & cheese and ready in just about two minutes.

My #MamaVoxBox came in the mail with all these great products to try!
I've seen the recent commercials on belVita but this was my first try of the sweet soft baked breakfast bar. 
I love that POND's Luminous Finish BB+ Cream has SPF15, it's tone perfecting, and it targets dark spots.
I wish you a Heart filled Day!

Be sure to leave your blog link for the WW Blog hop! 


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