Laina Turner's Blog, page 62

Best Laid Plans

Last week I was supposed to launch my new blog design that’s been a work in progress since last March. I wanted some super awesome photos for the main page and my about page so I interviewed a few photographers and found one who was pricey, but that I thought could capture exactly what I as looking for.

And…well…that didn’t happen.

The pictures aren’t usable, not that they were bad; there were a few that were good just didn’t fulfill my hopes and dreams. Somehow my explanation of what I was looking for and her understanding didn’t connect. Probably because I’m bad at describing what it is in my head. Or if I listen to those around me maybe I’m too critical of pictures of me.

As usual I ignore those people.

Not having an unlimited supply of money to have them done again I did decide to spend what little money I did have on a wide aperture lens. I had wanted one for a while. After that purchase, my fiancé and I spent hours trying to get something suitable.

That didn’t work either. It left me…..

Frustrated. Angry. Annoyed. Upset. Sad.

Those are just a few of the most common words used to describe how I felt. It took a lot of wine to deal with those feelings.

So I sulked a few days and did the whole whoa is me I’m never going to get good pictures, and I’ll never get to launch my new website, and the world is going to end…blah, blah, blah, whine.

You’ve been there I’m sure. Or maybe not. Maybe you’re more stable than I am.

Then yesterday I revisited the photos and finally thought that maybe they weren’t as hideous as I originally thought.

I found a few that might actually be suitable so it looks like the new launch date will be the beginning of February. Barring any other horrendous catastrophes.

Yeah, I’ve got some #firstworldproblems.

Anyways….A few pictures that weren’t exactly suitable for the blog header were just too damn cute to not show all you great friends.

I think my favorite is the channeling Jennifer Grey from Dirty Dancing.

 

 Or

I’ve had too much wine and am passed out (disclaimer – this was a staged photo).

If nothing else it was a whole lotta fun!

Have a great Friday.

Peace~

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Gift Ideas From Florida

The Best Gifts from Florida

There are a lot of reasons why you might want to shop Florida gift ideas for your family and friends. Maybe they recently moved and want to remember the sunny state where they were born and raised. Maybe they’ve lived most or all of their lives in Florida and love it better than anywhere else. Or maybe they just took a one-of-a-kind vacation and want something to remember their trip by. Whatever the reason, consider some of these Florida gift ideas for the Florida-lover on your shopping list.

1)Food Gifts

Florida is home to lots of unique food and drink, and local food favorites are often one of the things people miss most when they move to a new state. Though perhaps best known for citrus fruit, Florida is home to everything from hot sauce companies to vineyards to honey farms. Check your favorite Florida food company to see what gift baskets or other options they offer. 

2) Clothing Gifts

Broadcast your love for Florida any time and any place with a tee-shirt or other state-themed article of clothing. Warm weather clothing and beachwear like swimsuits or sandals are often a great choice because they are reminiscent of Florida’s pristine ocean views and warm weather. Clothes make great gifts for kids and adults alike.

3) Housewares Gifts

From glassware to paintings to other decorations, Florida-themed housewares are another great way to bring a little bit of the great Florida outdoors inside. These gifts can be decorated with the name of the state, or with common symbols associated with Florida: orange, beach scenes, or the skyline of Miami. Housewares gifts add a touch of color and local pride to the recipient’s home.

4) Sports Gifts

Florida is home to a number of beloved sports teams, and what better present for the fan on your shopping list than team merchandise? Check the official store for their favorite team for hats, shirts, and plenty of other unique sports merchandise. There’s something for every price range and age group.

6) Gift Cards

If you’re looking for a last minute gift, or simply some to please a recipient who is particularly hard to shop for, consider a gift card to a Florida shop or merchant. Gift cards allow the recipient to pick out whatever they want so you can rest easy knowing they received a gift they will love.

 

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5 Ways to Spark Creativity

I have the best job in the world. As a blogger and an author, I get to do my favorite things, and that’s write and make up stories. I have people ask me where I get my ideas. I totally blame my parents for only having one child and since when I was growing up there wasn’t Mine Craft or iPads I played, had imaginary friends, and made up a lot of stories in my head. Fast forward 30 some odd years later and not much has changed. I could sit and entertain myself all day with what’s in my head. Most of it probably wouldn’t amuse all of you, but I find it interesting.

I do find a lot in the everyday world that I might embellish, or use as is, in my stories. The saying that life is stranger than fiction is 100% true. I mean look at some of the crazy things people without filters post on Facebook. However, even with my vivid imagination I can sometimes get stumped when trying to outline a new book or figure out a secondary story line. That’s when I turn to other methods to get my creative juices flowing.

Coffee. I go grab a latte at Starbucks. Not only do I love lattes, and happiness can spark creativity, the people watching is what is most helpful. In fact, people watching at any venue work wonders. I like to look at people and imagine what their story might be. By thinking about them and not thinking about what I’m trying to write I usually come up with some ideas to get me past my block.
Exercise. This may sound like a funny one, but I come up with more ideas at yoga or out for a run (and in the shower). It’s not a great time to be taking notes and admit I sometimes forget these great ideas but when I’m working out my mind is less cluttered by all the small things that creep in and the ideas start flowing.
Read. Writers must read, read, read. Think of it as professional development. When I’m stuck, I try and read something that is far off from what I’m trying to write. To clear my mind of any preconceived thoughts and focus on something else.
Write. But on another project or my blog. Get as far away from the project, that has me stumped, as I can. Obsessing over being stuck just makes it worse. Just moving on, temporarily, and thinking about something else can motivate me. Just the action of doing something besides staring at my keyboard is motivating.
Nap. If all else fails, take a nap and forget about it. OK, that’s only partially true. I have found that if I take a nap and thinking about my story while falling asleep can often cause me to wake up with ideas. And if it doesn’t at least I had a nap.

Happy writing.

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Budgeting Your Money

Last year I dabbled in the thought of getting better at budgeting and saving money. I was good at it until my divorce. Then I threw out a lot of things I did. I was tired of being a responsible adult. However, I’m not entirely crazy, and I know how important creating a budget and sticking to it is. 2014 was hectic, and I cringe to think about how much money we wasted on eating out and buying crap we didn’t need because I was too tired and stressed to be practical. I know that sounds stupid, but it’s the truth. But I am smart enough to know that continue being irresponsible is just going to annoy me down the road because I’ve wasted money that didn’t need to be wasted.

Normally, I use a spreadsheet and track my budget the old fashioned way. The drawback with that is it’s much harder for both adults in the family to communicate enough that things don’t get lost in the mix. So I did some research and found a web and app based tool that so far seems amazing. It’s called YNAB You Need A Budget. It’s a $60 one-time fee to download and then there’s an app that’s free. It syncs through Dropbox, which if you don’t already have a Dropbox account you should get one its a great way to share files.

The thing I really like about this program is it makes you account for every penny. It also doesn’t automatically sync with your bank accounts which at first I thought was weird. Then I realized it made me much more aware of what I was spending when I had to enter in every single transaction. Plus once I got in the habit it became easy to whip out my phone and enter the transaction as soon as I spent the money. Or even before to make sure I had the budget money to spend.

Set up is easy and once you have your first-month setup you can easily copy data over to the next month if you want. I only budgeted the fixed expenses the first month because I’m ashamed to admit I didn’t know how much we were spending on groceries and the little things as I had stopped keeping track. I then was able to examine where the money went and set a budget for the next month based on what needed to be spent. Not what we wanted to spend. It was very eye opening. I mean I knew I spent a lot on Starbucks and drive through ice teas but WOW!

It has categories you put your money into and allows you to make your own categories, so it’s customized. If you haven’t used all your money in a certain category, it will roll over to the next month, or you can allocate it elsewhere.

For me, it gives me a better mental picture of where my money is going. When it is just sitting in my bank account, it’s easy for me to think I have much more money than I do. When some of it that’s in there is waiting for a quarterly insurance payment to be paid or for the kid’s summer camp tuition. I didn’t believe all the great reviews that said it worked until I tried it, and it actually worked.

The app especially is a great tool. I am used to using apps on my phone throughout eh day for many things, so it is easy to whip it out every time I spent money.

My goal is to pay off all credit cards by end of February (and NOT charge them back up) and pay cash for all things wedding related.

Do you have a financial goal for 2015?

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The Waxing Spot

As a woman there are certain things we do in the name of being female. Waxing certain areas whether it be eyebrows, upper lip, armpits, or your bikini area you want to do it in a clean, safe, and fun environment. The place by my house where I go for my waxing services is called The Waxing Spot.

I had the fortune of meeting the owner, Annemarie Greene, one day when I was in and thought it would be a great idea to feature her business. I asked her some questions about how she got started and she has a great story.

What made you decide to go into business for yourself? I decided to go into business for myself so that I could create my own business offering the services I enjoy most and offer my own high level of customer care.

Why did you choose this type of business? I was doing mortgages in the past however I decided I really needed to follow my heart and do something where I could make a difference in other’s lives. I’m very passionate about assisting others in feeling better about themselves by boosting their confidence and self-esteem so they may live a more joyous life. I know firsthand what it’s like to feel worthless, ugly and have no self-esteem. As a child I was sexually abused by my Grandfather for years. I was unable to communicate this to anyone and for many, many years I stuffed it down so far that I didn’t have any conscious memory of it until I turned 40 and was working with a therapist. I dealt with the pain by drinking to excess for years. I am blessed and grateful to say that I have been sober since May 20th, 2004. My journey of healing from the abuse has brought me much peace and joy in my life and my purpose is to share that with others. The beauty industry and offering esthetic services to clients allows me to not only help them look better on the outside, but more importantly to bring out their inner beauty. I also at times am able to share parts of my life journey with others which allows them feel more comfortable and open up and share their challenges. It’s a beautiful bonding experience and we get to build upon with each visit they have here at the spa. I have been very intentional about the employees I hire as well and they too share a similar passion and are able to make that connection with their clients.

I would also like to share an excerpt from my newsletter I wrote back in July which can be found on my website:

One of the most powerful and courageous things I’ve accomplished to heal from the abuse is forgive myself. When someone has been violated at a young age, we believe in our hearts that we could have done something to stop it. We can hardly believe that we would allow such awful abuse to happen over and over (or even just once). But there is absolutely nothing we could have done. It’s been a struggle and has taken time and work with my therapist and naturopathic doctor to understand and accept this. Through accepting this I was able to also forgive my Grandpa. I now know that my Grandpa was just a sick person and needed help. I have the ability to see this because I, too, was once sick but am blessed to have found recovery and therapy. It’s been an amazing journey and as I continue to do my healing work I get to enjoy more peace and freedom in my life. With that also comes a stronger desire and passion to help others and I know in my heart that as long as I continue to work on myself and share my truth with others that I will have the privilege of helping others heal from their pain as well.

What sets you apart from other salons? We offer superb customer service with a very warm, inviting atmosphere. We strive to make our clients feel comfortable and at home from the moment they walk in to when they leave. We use only top of the line products for our services and tailor each service to the individual needs of the client. We are flexible and accommodating, caring and compassionate.

How long have you been in business? I started The Waxing Spot in June 2011, expanded to Carmel in September 2013.

How did you get started in this business? I first worked at another waxing spa here in Carmel when I finished school. I learned a lot about the business and perfected my waxing technique. I originally opened The Waxing Spot in a small suite at SalonSalonSuites in the Trader’s Point shopping area. There I was able to set the foundation for The Waxing and Lash Spot by building my clientele and perfecting my technique applying eyelash extensions.

How did you get the background and skills necessary to run this type of business? See above question. Also, I gained much experience with accounting, numbers, and also customer service from my days in the mortgage industry. In addition I built relationships with hair stylists at SalonSalonSuites in which I was able to draw upon their knowledge and experience in running a salon.

Where do you see your business in the next year? In the next five years? The next ten years? A year from now I would like to be planning to expand our current location to accommodate more rooms. I would like to have at least 5 estheticians working here (currently I have 2). I would like to be in the process of becoming more involved with organizations that assist women who have been abused in some way and offer them free services and hope.

In five years I would like to be planning our second location in the Indianapolis area. I would like to begin speaking in front of women offering them guidance, support and encouragement in their lives.

In ten years…hmmm, still thinking about that. But most likely have 3 locations and have awesome managers in place so that I am able to do more speaking engagements.

Why do your customers select you over your competitors? They enjoy the overall atmosphere for its cozy, warm feeling. They like that we don’t make them feel rushed and have that “get em in and get em out” type of customer service. However we still offer our services in an efficient manner and use top of line products.

What’s your biggest challenge running your own business? I feel my biggest challenge is wearing multiple hats all at once. I also have many ideas coming at me at times and wish I could carry out all the fun things I think of.

What’s your biggest reward running your own business? My biggest and best reward is making a connection with a client or employee offering them hope and assisting in bringing them more joy to their lives. Just the knowledge that we get to offer this to our clients fills my heart and soul.

Anything else you want to add….. It has been an honor and privilege writing this for you. It is also a huge honor and privilege being an entrepreneur, employer, esthetician, and mentor. I am forever grateful for the pain I endured as a child and the journey of healing I began and continue to walk along. God has blessed me with many loving friends and family who have walked and continue walk along this journey with me. I love nothing more than to share my journey with others even to just offer them a small glimpse of hope and joy.

Love and Hope Always,

Annemarie Greene

 

Thanks Annemarie. It was a pleasure having you.

 

 

 

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Word of the Day – Collaborative

As defined by Webster’s

1. To work together, especially in a joint intellectual effort.

2. To cooperate treasonably, as with an enemy occupation force in one’s country.

If I am to understand this definition correctly it basically means to work together. If you’re enemies then it means working together because you both have a common goal.

Isn’t that how a lot of RomCom’s start out?

All joking aside there are millions of people out in the world just like you, looking to meet like minded people for mentorship, support, inspiration, you name it. 

Find your tribe and work together to achieve your dreams!

It’s the whole two heads are better than one philosophy.

Have a great Sunday!

 

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Vows & Victims Audiobook Now Available!

Presley goes back home to help Katy plan for her wedding to Chris and instead of nuptial bliss, realtor Bethany Granville is found dead in Katy’s salon. Katy didn’t even know Bethany. Ever curious Presley wants to solve the murder but as usual things aren’t that simple and grow even more complicated when ex-friend Dirt who was in jail for murder escapes. Is he headed back into town? And did Chris know Bethany? All these are questions Presley is determined to get the answers to. Available in ebook on Kindle, Nook, iTunes, or Kobo. Available in paperback. Available in audio.    

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Twin Piques by Tracie Banister

 As an only child, I always thought it would be fun to have a sister. A twin sister with whom I could share my thoughts without having to say them would have been the coolest. Though as the twins in this story show us, it’s probably not all sugar and spice, but at the end of the day the relationship pulls through. Doesn’t it?

 

 Forensic accountant Sloane Tobin and kooky pet psychic Willa may have the same face, but that’s the only thing these identical twins have in common. 

How she can read the hearts and minds of animals has always been a mystery to Willa, and her rotten luck with men is equally baffling. Although she’s been looking for “The One” for what feels like forever (A teenage marriage to a French mime and dating a guy named Spider seemed like good ideas at the time!), optimistic Willa refuses to give up on love. When she meets Brody, the handsome rose expert hired to save her grandmother’s garden, she’s instantly smitten, but why does he keep sending her mixed signals? Does he return her feelings, or is their attraction all in her fanciful head?

 Unlike her twin, Sloane has zero interest in romance. Her passion is her job, where she uses her gift for numbers to take down slimy embezzlers and asset-hiding spouses. When she’s assigned two high profile cases, Sloane feels confident the promotion she’s been angling for is within her grasp. But will her plan to climb the corporate ladder be thwarted by difficult clients, her co-worker-with-benefits, or – most surprisingly of all – her own sister? And how’s she supposed to stay focused on the drama at work when her childhood friend, Gav, moves in next door and the spark between them becomes impossible to ignore?

To get what they both want, can Willa and Sloane band together and rely on each other’s strengths? Or will their differences drive them apart once and for all?

Author Bio

An avid reader and writer, Tracie Banister has been scribbling stories since she was a child, most of them featuring feisty heroines with complicated love lives like her favorite fictional protagonist Scarlett O’Hara. Her work was first seen on the stage of her elementary school, where her 4th grade class performed an original holiday play that she penned. (Like all good divas-in-the-making, she also starred in and tried to direct the production.)

Tracie’s dreams of authorial success were put on the backburner when she reached adulthood and discovered that she needed a “real” job in order to pay her bills. Her career as personal assistant to a local entrepreneur lasted for 12 years. When it ended, she decided to follow her bliss and dedicate herself to writing full-time. Twin Piques is her third Chick Lit release. The pet psychic character in this novel was inspired by Tracie’s rascally rescue dogs. She’d love to know what goes on in their heads!

Buy Twin Piques: (Will send link as soon as I have it!)

Book Information 

Title: Twin Piques

Author: Tracie Banister

Release Date: January 7, 2015

Genre: Chick Lit

Where can you buy this AMAZING book?

Amazon US

Amazon Global

Social Networking Links 

Blog

 Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Goodreads

 

 

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Wedding Dress Shopping

If you’ve followed my blog, you know I got engaged last year  – YAH! – and am getting married this coming July – OMG it’s getting so close.

Because it’s the only time I’ll be getting married for the 2nd time (and EVER) I want to enjoy the experience of the planning and what better way to do so than to document it through pictures.

I live in Indiana, and we are getting married in Milwaukee. I’m originally from Michigan; my future mother-in-law lives about an hour north of Milwaukee; Matt’s brother is in Minneapolis, and most my family is in Missouri. Hence, Milwaukee being a sort of half way point – if you don’t mind the geography being very loose.

Since I thought it would be fun to have this experience with my future mother-in-law (my mother passed away years ago), I decided to do my dress shopping in Milwaukee so she could participate (and we could bond – which we did. I think. At least in my opinion we did. Great now I’m going to have to ask or keep wondering).

I researched the bridal shops and asked via social media for referrals and decided on Miss Ruby Boutique. I didn’t want to go to several places, the thought of that was way too overwhelming, so I made one appointment and was hopeful I would find THE DRESS there.

I also reached out on social media for a photographer referral and was lucky to get connected with Chrissy from Chrissy Rose Photography. I can’t say enough about how amazing she is.

As you can clearly see by the photos.

She will also be taking my wedding photos. That reminds me I need to confirm that date with her. One more planning detail I’m falling behind on. She captured so many moments on this day that convey such emotion and happiness. I couldn’t have asked for more.

I found the perfect dress – not pictured here as it’s a surprise – but as my future mother-in-law said, the dress I found has the WOW factor. I can’t wait to wear it (and show you. But not until July).

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Airbrush Makeup: For the Busy Woman

What woman isn’t busy and needs to save time wherever she can? Women are constantly tasked with juggling their priorities — from relationships to family to work to extracurricular activities. Whether you are in college, working full or part time or being a stay-at-home parent, you probably don’t feel like there’s enough hours in the day to get everything done. These same women don’t have a lengthy amount of time in the mornings to invest in their makeup routine. This is one of the reasons why airbrush makeup is becoming increasingly popular. When using airbrush makeup, women can look beautiful while still getting out the door in a reasonable amount of time. 

Why try airbrush makeup? Here’s just a few of the added benefits: 

A Great Look

Airbrush makeup often gives women the type of flawless look they want. You can apply certain makeup colors during the day while you attend class, work or go shopping and then apply a different combination of eye shadow and blush in the evening for a night out with friends or dinner with your significant other. With airbrush makeup, you can put together the combinations of colors you want to wear for any occasion.

Easy to Apply

A traditional makeup routine can become too time-consuming when you accidentally apply too much blush, eye shadow or lipstick and then have to stop to remove it. Airbrush makeup makes this process easier — you can put on the amount you want without having to stop and correct an issue. It’s also much easier to control the amount of makeup you want to apply. If you are someone generally pressed for time and looking for an easier way to look your best, you may want to try something like TemptuPro.

Easy to Carry

Finally, airbrush makeup is easy to take on-the-go. For women who travel for work frequently or enjoy taking lots of vacations, airbrush makeup may be an added convenience — allowing you to apply your makeup consistently in the same way even when you’re not at home.

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