thinking of starting a business? read this first....

It's no secret anymore that most of us all dream about one day quitting our day job to start our own business--home-based, web-based, or even the traditional brick and mortar type. But for most, we don't know where to start...unsure of our ideas....get unmotivated about 150 million times a day....and worst of all: we only got $100 in the bank!!!!
Arrghhh. What to do? what to do?????
Well...afraid no more!! If you really, really, really (I mean reaallllllyyyyy) think about starting that big dream job of yours with the little money you have in the bank....you probably want to read this awesome book to get you motivated and give you answers to most, if not all, your questions.

The $100 Startup 
by Chris Guillebeau

I ordered a used copy of this book through this mega online bookseller for a bargain. Hey, I am a single mom feeding 4 mouths ok (a toddler + 3 dogs that is!), so bargain is my good friend. I have to tell you, this book is Awesome!!! No you won't find those quick-money scheming plans here. Lots of very down-to-earth business advice. Easy read. No mumbo jumbo talks. Everything written in this book is easy to follow. The author provides many success stories from others who started their successful businesses with very little money.

Most start-your-own-business books out there talk about the ultra successful businesses who got their start from rich investors. I mean, seriously, how many of us little people, know these so-called business investors? I know I don't know any.
Plus, most of us dream about working for ourselves earning at least enough money to support our sensible lifestyle. Sure, we'd love to earn millions a day but of course with most small businesses who start small, that prize will come later on.

So, if you are not getting motivated reading this book, there's something wrong with you.....ok, joking. But seriously, this book is very very inspiring.  In case you are wondering, no I am not paid by the author to write about this book. I blog about it here because I am truly madly in love with this book.
Get your copy and happy reading!!

$100 Startup By Guillebeau, Chris 

it's beginning to look a lot like ... the holiday season!

Okay so for those of you who celebrate Christmas, the big day is coming pretty soon. That means, you guessed it! time to buy gifts!
Who has time to read a 20-paragraph blog entry when you need all the time you got shopping to do?
Okay so I have rounded up some online marketplace to find the absolute best bargains this Christmas season!

Happy shopping!!

1. www.etsy.com
---> THE coolest online marketplace to buy (almost) everything handmade!!! It's easy to find one-of-a-kind gift at this marketplace. A very neat place. My personal favorite.

2. www.amazon.com
---> looking for the latest and greatest new Canon lens for bargain? you'd probably find it here. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get most stuff shipped to you next day for a small fee or free  with 2-day shipping option. I buy anything from books to flea meds for my dogs on amazon.

3. www.ebay.com
---> nothing feels like winning a bidding on eBay...or if you're an impatient like me, there is the "buy it now" option for most things you want to buy

4. www.overstock.com
---> from super-sized rug to a brand new dining table set for Christmas...they got it! and what's better is that during the holiday season they ship FREE!

5. www.craigslist.com
---> Okay, you can't really buy anything online here but this is the place for more like the i-want-it-now type person out there to find things they like locally. All you have to do is search for what you are looking to buy, call/email the seller, set-up an appointment, bargain, take home your prize! Holiday season is really a good time to bargain at craigslist when most people are desperate to sell their stuff to get some extra money (ironically, to buy more/newer stuff).

believe in your dream



from this lovely Etsy shop

Audrey and I had a fun Thanksgiving celebration at the Walt Disney World. We loved every single second we spent there. No matter how many times we've gone there....we can never wait to go back again!

I love Disney in general because of it is such a positive company. They radiate joy and happiness. I was lucky enough to be part of the Disney family years ago back when I was in college as an intern. I spent 8 months working for the Walt Disney World. I have to say, it was THE best working time of my life. I absolutely loved it.

Disney has inspired me to believe in my dreams. It is the dream that drives every single success out there. One of my biggest, ultimate dream is to open my own shop. I am a crafty gal. I'm always drawn to anything artsy. I sew so I guess naturally I am obsessed with fabrics. Friends say I am a fabricaholic. I say, I just love fabrics a bit much....ok, a lot.
I craft pretty often.

Right now, I am working on realizing that dream. I have been putting it on the back burner for awhile. Life got in the way, important things happened...and now I finally feel that the time is here--for me to give myself that push to do it. No doubt it is going to be one of the most challenging times in my life to actually own my own shop. But I know I am ready.

When the time comes....you will be the first to know!!!

xoxo,

have a marvelous Thanksgiving....



from this lovely Etsy shop

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving....
Audrey and I are spending the long weekend in Orlando. I am taking her to Disney again. Her favorite place in the whole world---for now.

I am so very excited. This vacation, like the many last vacations I had, is just going to be me and the little Bee. We're so happy together. Spending time together. She and I love holding hands walking through the theme parks. Her eyes lit so brightly soon as she sees one of the Disney characters. She adores Cinderella (I mean, who doesn't??). She thinks the castle is the grandest thing she ever saw. She refers the baloons as "the moon". She loves telling me: "mommy, dreams come true"

We'll be busy at Disney this weekend, so Audrey and I would like to wish all of you a magical Thanksgiving celebration! I definitely have  many to be thankful for this Thanksgiving (or everyday for that matter.....).