tripleCdesigns GIVEAWAY (CLOSED)

**THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! But…don’t worry! You can still get awesome stuff over at tripleCdesigns’s Etsy Shop.**

Alright…here we go…the first of FIVE giveaways. Enter to win this one and come back Monday for even more!

Looking for a unique, handmade, personalized gift? Have a hard time shopping for the person that has everything? Or just looking for something to spoil yourself with?

You must check out tripleCdesigns Etsy shop. The shop’s creator, Cathleen, is an elementary school art teacher and she loves creating one of a kind items that you have to see to believe. Her vintage altered books make great picture frames or also hold their own as a wonderful piece of art. She also creates chic journals that are perfect for note taking, journaling, doodling or list making.

This giveaway is for a Tropical Mini Journal. The 4.5 x 3.25 inch composition notebook has 80 lined sewn in pages. Covered in paper with a tropical floral design on the outside and stripes on the inside, it is complete with a ribbon bookmark and label that can be used to date or title your journal. This journal is perfect for keeping in the car, your purse/bag, or at your desk when you need to make a list or jot notes.

Isn’t it cute?

This great little mini journal can be yours! Here’s how…

ENTER TO WIN:

• Visit tripleCdesigns etsy shop, browse around and then leave a comment on this post with an item you like from the shop. (One comment per person.)

EARN EXTRA ENTRIES: You can earn an extra entry for any of the following. Be sure to leave a comment on this post for EACH thing you do.

1. Mention this giveaway on your blog. Link back to this post AND tripleCdesigns.
2. Tweet about this giveaway. Leave the link to your Tweet in your comment on this post. You can copy and paste: Win a mini journal! http://tinyurl.com/c97pg2
3. Add tripleCdesigns as one of your favorite shops on Etsy. Leave a comment with your Etsy name.

All entries must be received by Midnight (EST) on Friday, May 8. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. Winner will be notified on Saturday, May 9. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or another will be chosen. Your shipping address must be in the United States. (Sorry no international shipping.)

Check out Mom Most Traveled for an amazing blog giveaway carnival! Tons of giveaways to enter!

Giveaways are Coming…

Get ready! I haven’t quite reached my 300th post, but we’re going to go ahead and celebrate with some giveaways! Yeah!

The fun starts this Friday with a giveaway from tripleCdesigns.etsy.com.

And, it doesn’t stop there. Come back on Monday for more giveaway fun from kimbals.etsy.com, happy4u.etsy.com and twofloridagirls.etsy.com.

Come back and enter to win!

8 Things

I’m only doing this because Katie tagged me. And because I love Katie, here we go…

 

8 Things I’m Looking Forward To:

1. Our first craft show appearance this weekend. (Nervous!)
2. Fun longboard waves appearing on the East Coast of Florida again.
3. Going to Alabama with Pachanga Pamela to celebrate Rachel’s college graduation!
4. The downfall of Twitter.
5. Having money to pay for a trainer again.
6. Supporting myself through freelance and consulting work.
7. Oprah shutting up.
8. Finishing my master’s degree.

 

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

1. Got cafe con leche from Tulipan.
2. Went to church at The Ascent.
3. Went to lunch.
4. Wandered around CityPlace.
5. Baked cookies and brownies.
6. Hung out with lots of friends at the Kuhl’s.
7. Laughed so hard at stories told by Pam, Julie and Warner.
8. Told Dawn to get to the point of her stories.

 

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

1. Surf any morning I want to.
2. Be 25 forever.
3. Get all of my friends and family to live in the same gated neighborhood. Forever.
4. Read things without editing them.
5. Draw.
6. Get Oprah to shut up.
7. Become independently wealthy and give away lots of money.
8. Be more outgoing.

 

8 Shows I Watch:

1. The Biggest Loser
2. Ellen
3. umm…I’m at a loss for 5 more. These are the only two shows I watch with any consistency, I think.
4. .
5. .
6. .
7. .
8. .

 

8 People I’m Tagging:

1. Josh
2. DOB
3. JR and Heather
4. Cheryl
5. Kati
6. Kathleen
7. Kathryn
8. Carolyn

Tenth Avenue North Wins!

Congratulations, guys!

So proud! Proud of your hearts for God. Proud that you are using the gifts He gave you for Him. Proud that you are pointing people to Him.

Check out their site: www.tenthavenuenorth.com.

Thriving in 24/7 :: Strategies 4,5,6

Continued from my paper for school about Sally Helgesen’s book Thriving in 24/7.

Strategy Four: Weave a Strong Web of Inclusion

Creating a strong network is critical in today’s world of work. No organization or individual can expect to be successful in today’s global marketplace without a network of interconnected partnerships and relationships. “Networks are powerful in proportion to their size” (p. 171) and, whether via email, phone call or social networking sites, Helgesen recommends individuals work on increasing the size of their web every day.

Strategy Five: Build a Clear Brand

Just as companies and organizations strive to develop a distinguishing brand in their markets, Helgesen suggests that individuals create a personal brand. Personal branding is a way to “publicly express our core values” (p. 204). This comes through in the “day-to-day details of how you operate” and “being consistent is the most crucial aspect of establishing your brand” (p. 208). Delivering consistently excellent projects, results or products will increase the value of your personal brand, and therefore increase your value to organizations.

Strategy Six: Practice the Rhythm of Renewal

No one can function in the world of 24/7 work and thrive without taking necessary steps to rest. Helgesen recommends incorporating “acts of renewal into our daily lives” (p. 228). Something as simple as getting outdoors for thirty minutes a day helps to disrupt the routine of the day, allowing the mind to refresh. Multitasking should also be avoided.

Seriously…Did You Vote?

Don’t hate me for doing this again. This is it, I promise.

TONIGHT are the Dove Awards and you can STILL VOTE for Tenth Avenue North to win Best New Artist of the Year.

If you know these guys, and you still haven’t voted, DO IT. Be sure that you have voted on the website and by texting your vote! You get two votes!!

Even if you don’t know these guys, I can vouch for them and I can tell you that they are worth two and a half minutes it will take you to vote.

These are great guys with an amazing love for God and people. I know them personally and know that they would be more than humbled to be blessed with the honor of receiving a Dove Award.

Thanks for supporting Tenth Ave!

Thriving in 24/7 :: Strategies 1,2,3

Continued from my paper for class…

In an effort to offer practical steps for navigating this new world of work, Helgesen outlines six strategies that should be applicable for any individual.

Strategy One: Start at the Core

Because it is critical that individuals be fully engaged in their work, Helgesen recommends starting with a thorough understanding of one’s self. Having a good understanding of what an individual has to offer will allow them to understand how their gifts and abilities can intersect with potential opportunities. It is critical for individuals to ask, “Who am I and how do I want to spend my days?” (p. 56). Re-evaluating answers to questions like these on a regular basis will assist individuals in developing a healthy self awareness.

Strategy Two: Learn to Zigzag

There is no “normal” or “conventional” path to life today. The seasons and stages that were once typical can no longer be assumed. This is especially true as it relates to work. While the past had its comforts, the new world of work offers a great amount of freedom. To thrive in the new global workforce, adaptability is key. In order to support the idea of zigzagging, Helgesen suggests learning to “think in terms of projects, engagements, gigs” (p. 101). Generation Y seems to have a natural bent toward this way of thinking. “Younger people today think of their jobs as classes or workshops, in which they can learn essential skills” (p. 102). Learning new skills and then applying that learning to previously gained knowledge gives workers a well-rounded approach and allows greater adaptability to various fields and industries.

Strategy Three: Create Your Own Work (Even If You Stay in Your Job)

As individuals seek to create value and worth in their work, organizations are becoming a reflection of the people comprising them. It is important that individuals integrate their passions into their work. Helgesen suggests “when we find ways to manifest our passions in our work, we create something that is unique to us as individuals. In essence, we claim our work as our own” (p. 136). Aligning work and passion is a diverse manifestation of the individuals involved.

Next up…strategies 4,5,6. Come on…get excited!

Thriving in 24/7

I just finished reading a book for school–Thriving in 24/7 by Sally Helgesen. I thought it was pretty good, and since I had to write a four page paper on it, I thought I’d share some of that paper here. I think the principles of the book are applicable in just about every arena of life. It’s a good quick read. If you’re looking for some beach side summer reading, you might want to check it out.

Book Synopsis

Sally Helgesen’s book, Thriving in 24/7: Six strategies for taming the new world of work, offers thought provoking perspectives on the way individuals approach and perceive their work. In a world where the meaning behind the term “work” is rapidly evolving, Helgesen suggests we are involved in a new game, but still trying to play by the old rules. Some approaches to work are changing simply because organizations no longer operate as they did in other eras (for example, the industrial era). Still other rules for work are shifting due to the increasing role of technology in the workplace. Technology makes work portable and accessible, “raising our expectations (and those of our employers) about how much we might reasonably achieve” (p. 20).

In this new world, individuals are looking for ways to take control of their work, rather than being swallowed by ever-growing to-do lists. In the last few decades, life and work have become increasingly complex. Technologies and conveniences meant to simplify life have bombarded people with options, knowledge and choices that did not previously exist. In order to keep up, people do their best to work harder and more efficiently. Sadly, even the most “heroic efforts at self discipline often have the effect of robbing us of spontaneity and the capacity for joy, leaving us wondering exactly what our lives are really about” (p. 3). 

In the next post, I’ll share three of her six strategies. I know you can’t wait…

Life As I Know It…Literally

Well…I know I haven’t given much of an actual update on life here in Orlando-ish. It’s mostly because I feel like there isn’t very much to update on. The other day I wrote an email to some friends and figured I could share part of it here. As I said to them, this may leave much to be desired as far as an update goes, but feel free to ask questions if you need blanks filled in.

Still living at my sister’s. 

Still in school. 

Still “working” part time at Matt & Kasey’s church. 

Still working it on Etsy. 

Still preparing for our first craft show, the first weekend of May. 

Still better friends with Paul than anyone I’ve met here.

Still not sure what to do with my life.

Still not any jobs worth having and/or I am “overqualified” for any that might be.

And, to brighten up your day. Here’s a picture from Saturday’s visit to EPCOT.

Two [Busy] Florida Girls

A true sign of productivity...

Ever wonder what over 150 coffee cozies look like? Yep, well, we didn’t either…until today. Today I worked on getting all of the coffee cozies, gadget cozies and mini gadget cozies inventoried and organized. Our first craft show is coming up in a little more than two weeks and we are so close to being done with everything! I’m a little nervous about how it will go, but there’s a first time for everything, right?

Also, just a quick shout out and “thanks” to these blogs for featuring our cozies:

• FoundHandmade
• Nature Mom’s Blog

AND…one more quick thing…be sure to bookmark Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House. Starting April 27th, she’ll be hosting two weeks worth of daily giveaways. One of the giveaways will be from yours truly–Two Florida Girls. Don’t miss it and enter to win!