Lost in E Minor Feature

I am so happy that I have featured at Lost at E Minor.com. Lost in E Minor has featured some of the most distinguished and cutting edge artist in fashion, film, music and design. They have featured designers, musicians and illustrators like Mark Ryden, Cold War Kids and THE one and only Paris Fashion Week.

I am humbled, thankful and honored to have been featured. There is a voting feature there and if you vote for me, my article gets bumped at the top of the page. You totally don`t have to, but it is appreciated. I rather celebrate my joy with you and share with you that my dear friend Paulette pushed me to do it (I love you Paulette, you rock!) and Morgan Mckean dressed me up for success and submitted my info. If you are going to hire someone, she is the gal for you.

Lots of love,
Elaine
P.S. Uncle Bronchitis is finally moving out. Cousin NQuill has been sleeping over!

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With Honors!

I am running a fever and most likely I have bronchitis. I have manage to sit up straight for 5 minutes to let you know my latest.
I have been nominated for a beauty contest. Gosh! I remember in 1999 I had gone out to Walmart one night after work As I stand in line to check out and this guy two people back swore up and down I looked just like Jennifer Lopez. My girl friend was uncomfortable and I seriously started questioning his sobriety. The guy in front of me struck up a conversation with me and that guy started saying “Wow! She is so pretty everyone wants to talk to her!”

Fearing this guy was more than drunk, we quickly checkout and went home. He actually followed us home but thankfully lost him. 3 days later, I saw him again at a party. Crickey! Please do not vote for me! Vote for the cute blonde at the bottom. Being beautiful is dangerous and I rather be known for my brains.

Blogged.com has bestowed my blog the excellent score of 8.0! This is a great honor! I will take it!

UPDATE-I didn`t win! Woo hoo!!! That other cute girl won! I got 100 ec for entrecard… YEAH!!!

Lots of love,
Elaine (cough cough sniff)

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Gratitude Friday

My love for Fridays has officially become a love affair. Now that spring has sprung, the backyard is calling me. I walked outside and I stepped on doggy poo. That`s good luck in my book!!!

• •Today I am thankful for pinkpoochdesigns. What a sweet girl!! She is so wonderful, Oprah you need her in your show!
• •Raquel at houseofraquel.com has become a wonderful friend. Thank you!!! You are the best!
• •Fatdaddysbakeshop.com has got to be the most awesome bakery there is. They package so well and the cupcakes are awesome! Try jitters and Nikky cupcake.
• •Elizabeth from MMC Cosmetics has been so super kind to me. When she calls me she will say,”I hope I`m not bothering you!” You don`t!!
• I want to say thanks for all my blessing, I always share them with others, feeling healthy, headache free for three weeks and what`s up with my hair? I just got a haircut 2 weeks ago and I look like I have to go back! I love my big Puerto Rican hair!
  
• •Last but not least TUT.com. I love the messages they send. It`s almost if they knew what it`s happening and always says the right thing. Today he said: Eternity is a really, really, really long time, elaine.

  I think we’ll be able to squeeze everything in.

  Relax.

  Peace and blue jeans -
  The Universe P.S. Elaine, as a show of my good intent, and indisputable power, how would you like today to be Friday?

To you, a respectfully respond, I accept today as Friday. You made my week!
I love you and thank you,
Elaine
P.S. I am wearing blue jeans! Where are you???

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Advertising Zen Finding Branding and Market

It amazes me sometimes how some business owners do not think of advertising as a essential part of branding. Give this some thought, if you still watch regular TV and not TIVO, have you ever taken the time to see how many commercials are you watching? Regardless how conditioned you may think you are to ignoring them, if the right pair of shoes are flashed at me, I am there for the shoe sale. The same goes for sites.

Manufacturers are ever wiser, placing product labels clearly visible on to your favorite movies and shows. Like E.T. and Reese`s Pieces and most recently Everybody Loves Raymond and Turkey Hill Ice Cream ( The only reason I know this is because I live nearby Turkey Hill Dairies).

So how do you get smart about your ad dollars and finding your market?

• •Make it clear and present. That logo you paid through your nose for, better be clear and present in that banner. It must be legible and sized so no one has to squint to see it.
• •Clean up your act. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, when you advertise with a company, make sure their layout is not messy and cluttered by other ads so much that your banner is lost. A neat and clean lay out will be worthy of your advertising bucks.
• •Reach and withdraw. Too much of a good thing it`s never good. Just like an annoying person that is always everywhere, an ad that is constantly displayed will become like a plug in fragrance dispenser. Forgettable. Have your ad set to give between 4-5 impression as this has been the proven method for branding effectiveness.
• •Bigger is indeed better. Sorry boys, I am talking about banners. Those tiny buttons do nothing. A 125×125 banner is good but a 468×60 banner is your best bet.
• •Be a prime time queen. Make sure you know when your TARGETED audience will arrive at your banner. Most advertising sites like adbrite.com will tell you what times are best for the demographic you are targeting.
• •Brand the Face. Humans are programmed to recognize the human face anywhere. Even when it`s not really there.(Have you ever looked at the sky and saw a face?) Having a face in your banner specially when the banners are small, it will help you get noticed!

Advertising is indeed a part of branding. Working your money smarter will get you better results. Knowing these tips will not only help you get noticed, but will amount to excellent branding and catching that elusive sale.

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Image Improvement-Mistress of your Domain Part 3

Oh the joys of working for yourself! The long hours, the benefits, not to mention how horrible your boss can be. (Yes you are your worst boss!) All of these wonderful ingredients can amount to either a burn out or even worst, a rut.

When the job you love becomes a rut, the slow burn out can make you resent your customers and hate your job even more. Distractions to poor time management can really deteriorate your work ethics and dedication. If you lose the love, no amount of self esteem or benefits can ever recover your from the career disaster awaiting ahead.

So what to do be the mistress of your domain? Better yet, love your domain?

• ?Master your job before it masters you- This goes deeper than doing it well. This implies taking pride in your proficiency. Being mediocre will not get you a pay raise at work, neither it will working for yourself. Excelling at what you do, will not only allow you to be on demand, but allow you ask for whatever price you want. The masterful advancement of your work will in fact be appreciated! Pictured here is not a masterful progression but a much needed improvement.
• ?Know your pots on the stove-I am the first to admit that boredom can be a formidable enemy and so can distractions. Maintain “the pots” that matter on the stove and let got of the ones that don`t. Investing your time in more than your clients better be worth your time. Personal growth and research are always an awesome “pot” to have, manage it well and you will benefit from it.
• ?If you can`t juggle, hire a pro-Trying to do it all can be extremely counterproductive. Time crunches and piling work is not the environment that will breed productivity. Or learning for that matter. Either an assistant or an expert on what you need, can help you as you catch up with your work and learn what ever you need to learn at your own pace.
• All you need to learn in life you learn from SpongeBob-Well not really, but let me explain. One of my favorite episodes is Big Pink Loser (click on the link to watch). In this episode, Patrick wants to win an award and he thinks the only way to get one is by being like someone else. I have nothing against someone who sees someone else`s work and says, “I can do that!” But when your work is about what everyone else is doing, then you never have time to develop your niche because you are constantly looking over your shoulder. Be proud of your accomplishments and display them proudly in your bio. I enrolled and started college to be a nurse. I like mentioning that, because art students aren`t necessarily regarded as brainy. It`s okay to be aware of what the competition is doing, to become them is creepy.
• ?If you love it they will come-Thats`s right. Dedication and love shows through your work. Your attention to detail and care is always evident in your site. The same will happen with your customer care and your commitment to your work. Show the love, and they will come.

Getting into a routine that maintains a steady pace, not only will it allow you to have a job you love, but a successful job you love and clients that love you back.
Love,
Elaine
Picture courtesy of Nick.com

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Gratitude Friday

2 days ago I watched a movie, which I will not mention its name as I feel there are better ways of delivering the same message without being a fanatic, and it made me realize the reason why I have not watched the news since1996.

Don`t get me wrong, on 9-11, I was online with a friend who lived 2 blocks away from the WTC. I saw it on TV. He said you couldn`t see outside, people were screaming and running. After tower one fell I told him to shut down and get out. He was ok.

Also my mother`s friend worked across the street at a day care center and a childhood friend worked in the offices on tower one. My friend called off that day but had a second thought and went in anyway. When he arrived the first tower was hit. He made it out alive and was helping people. My mother`s friend made it out alive along with the now orphaned children of the workers of the WTC.

Every year I used to visit family in The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Union City in New Jersey. As you drive up on Berger Lane it seemed as if two big buildings were built in the middle of the street. Those were WTC. I am extremely lucky and thankful to have witnessed and marveled at its magnificent height. I still cannot conceive they are no longer there.

Life is so precious. We quibble over dumb stuff, get upset for days and allow TV to educate us. Why? We are meant for so much more. I know that today, I am thankful for Shayne. He knows how to push my buttons and knows how to lull me. (I know you say I am out of your league, just consider me being with you, your official induction to my league.) Thank you for being mine Shayne. Every day I am proud of you.

To my friends, thank you for honoring me with your companionship and the best title there is, being your “friend”. I learn so much from you, I only hope you have learned from me just as much. I am eternally thankful I have you as my friend and will never relinquish the fantastic times we have lived together. After all, holding on to the good times is what makes it worth while. You will forever live in my heart.

To all of my diva friends, clients and readers, when you get this email or read my post, go out and do as many good things you can do. Help someone in need, donate money, rescue an animal, recycle, call your parents and tell then you love them, love everyone but most importantly love yourself. You are amazing and you should always know that.

LOVE WINS!
Love,
Elaine
P.S. I am thankful again to In My Pajamas Show. My show was downloaded more that Soledad O`Brien`s episode!!! Woohoo! Yeah!! Who`s Soledad O`Brien?

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Image Improvement-Place and Image You Posses and Project Part 2

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These are a few of my favorite things…

I wanted to share some of my best kept secrets on the things I love, indulge and inspire me.
10-Andy Warhol, fellow commercial artist and pack rat-It took Sotheby`s 9 days to clear out his estate. His art deco girls and illustrations are really amazing. Specially since all of it was done by hand.
9-Juicy Couture Chain Bracelet was probably the most thoughtful gift I ever received. It has become my good luck charm and my chic-est accessory. Thanks Paulette!
8-Paulette`s Macaroons are like you died and went to Paris! They are not expensive and I ate a whole box and didn`t gain weight! Well I shared a few, but I ate most of them. The mocha, coconut and pistachio are the best!
7-I am addicted to My Chic Things! Not because I designed this site, but this gal has the best soaps and hair goodies ON SALE!!!! She ships so quickly too!
6-Octavine always inspires me! Her calligraphy and art deco posters and art are probably the best I have ever seen since Erté. She`s on etsy too!
5-Dozier Internet Law, these people dispense FREE legal advice.
4-Visual Thesaurus is probably one of the best tools I have ever used. I use it a lot when writing articles.
3-Mozilla Firefox in browser spell checker. I mean really, in this day and age no one should have typos.
2-ArtChix Studio is a Canadian site supplying some of the best altered art supplies out there. They actually answer emails and always send a treat!! Last time I ordered I got candy from Paris. Ooh la la!!
1-Paper Nosh is the best paper confections you`d ever want to have. Owned by the one and only Paulette-I call her Paul- Her paper creations are like silky frosting! Yum!

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Gratitude Friday on Saturday

I enjoyed my Friday so much I totally forgot to do my post! The planets must have aligned as I made a few wishes last weekend and had it come true this Friday.

?I subscribe to the Daily Thoughts email at TUT.com which is an inspirational email sent to you Monday through Friday. I really had wished that I could receive an extra email during the weekend. Yesterday they sent two! Paulette calls me and says “How did you do it?” I said “I`m just good!” Thank you TUT! Thoughts do become things!

?I think I realized that after all the years I have been on the web, no one had written about me. I wished I had press and just didn`t specify. Within the past week I discovered at least 4 blog postings and was invited to do a radio interview. In my pajamas show interviewed me and I was so grateful! I learned a thing or two about myself! Thank you Amy!

? Barbara Curran has Finderskeepersjewelry.net and this week she was kind enough to send me a gorgeous bracelet. Barbara, you sweet little sister of the universe, I love you! Thank you!

? I really don`t have to tell you how fantastic Ruta Fox is, her sense of taste as well as her past experience as a writer for Vanity Fair, and building a multi million dollar company with the Ah! ring, she has become a friend and adviser. Ruta, thank you for the article! I love it!

? I love oriental food! Japanese and Chinese, I could eat it for breakfast, lunch and diner. This particular restaurant makes awesome shrimp balls. After consuming them, I found the fortune cookies. The first one said “Investigate new possibilities with friends. Now it`s the time!” The cookie tasted so good and the fortune in it was so positive, I opened the other two which said “Now is the time to set your sights high and go for it” and “Remember three months from now this date! Your lucky star is shining!” That was on April 10… We`ll see!

? Last but not least, after having quite a nervous week and being interviewed, Paulette and I listened to the interview together. She cried and said to me, “You are so wonderful! This is what is going to get you to Oprah.” I am highly critical of myself, my accent which was virtually invisible, and even my upbringing. For the first time in my life I saw me as others see me. Paulette who will never spare you the truth for the sake of your feelings, paid me the most wonderful complements and made me feel like it`s finally happening for me. Love you Paul! You had a hand in it!

Have a fabulous Saturday!
XOXO,
Elaine

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So My Socks Don`t Match!

I wanted to share something silly with you. Because of the racism I have experienced in the past, it was hard for me to “see” the good people around me. So, yesterday I wanted to run some errands at night. I just knew it would be a great night.

I went to my favorite craft store, and I wished I could have the 50% coupon I saw earlier in the week. I thought no more of it.

My husband kept making fun of my daughter because her socks didn`t match. I asked her;”do you like your socks?” She replied yes and I said:”Good! Then don`t worry what anyone else thinks. It`s that cool?” She said it was. She looked so happy! She just didn`t care.

They wait as mom gets her new hair do.

I strolled the aisles hoping my adoring husband wouldn`t huff and puff whenever something sparky attracted my attention from what I had come there to do, which was to buy picture frames for my certificates and diplomas. We found the frames I wanted on sale! Yeah!

After grabbing a few things, I headed towards the cash register. The cashier was so super sweet! To top it off, out of nowhere this lady who I have never seen before give me the 50% off coupon I wanted earlier!

I thanked her so much! I was extremely thankful that this lady thought of me enough to bestow this coupon to me. To me!!! Every one else after were absolutely peachy. Even the guy who stir fried my food was so super awesome and made my food just right.

Thank you forever!!!
XOXO,
Elaine

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