Here are few articles for the beauty connoisseur....
The Best Ways to Wear a Classic, Red Lip A how to for successfully wearing red lipstick.
The Secret to a Perfect Pout How to perfect your lips!
10 Steps to Prettier Skin Don't forget to pretty up your skin in time for those Holiday Festivities!
How to Look Fabulous in Your Facebook Photo How to look great in your profile pic.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Women of Faith
I knew I needed to recharge my physical batteries, but I didn't realize how badly I needed to recharge my soul. I was getting physically, mentally, and spiritually tired. And it was starting to make my cranky. If there's one thing I can't stand in myself, it's crankiness. So it was on a whim - a somewhat tired whim - that I applied to be a BookSneeze Blogger for Women of Faith. I really wasn't planning ahead too much when I applied. And I was totally shocked and grateful when I was chosen.
I had kind of stayed away from Women of Faith before, not because I think there's anything wrong or bad about it. I stayed away merely because I had this idea in my head that it was a hand-holding, Kumbaya-singing, cry-your-eyes-out kind of estrogen fest. And with three small children in my household, there are plenty of tears - many of them mine! It just didn't sound like my cup of tea - I much prefer coffee. But when BookSneeze gave me 2 free tickets in exchange for a little blog post, I decided it was worth a try.
I grabbed a friend, told her I had a ticket with her name on it, and away we went. I was pleasantly surprised with the opening worship. No Kumbaya to be heard! It was actually current, beautiful, worship music with a little bit of an edge to it - something you'd hear on the radio, not around a camp fire. And the team was dressed in purple and black (my favorite colors). They rocked. I was hooked. This was totally not like I had imagined.
What really got me were the speakers. I loved how they stood up and honestly shared their life stories - the good, the bad, and everything in between. They shared how God loved them. They shared how He showed up. And they shared how God loves us. They laughed at themselves and cried real tears when they shared their hurts and sorrows. I was moved by their authenticity, their transparency, and their compassion. I admit, I did cry. And I laughed. And I sang. And I was completely caught off guard by how much I needed to hear that God loves me. After all, I know God loves me. I've known it since I was a little girl. But I guess we're never too grown up to hear it again. And again. And again.
Thank you, Sheila Walsh, Lucy Swindoll, Angie Smith, Lisa Harper, Nicole Johnson, Mary Mary, and Natalie Grant for sharing your heart, your thoughts, and your soul. I feel re-energized, excited to see where God is going to meet me and use me, and ready to care for my little flock of children. And thank you BookSneeze, for convincing me to go!
I hope I have the opportunity to blog about the event again next year. And my friend and I are already planning to attend Women of Faith Philly in 2012. Guess we better warn our husbands now.....
Learn more about Women of Faith at www.womenoffaith.com. Sign up to be a BookSneeze blogger at www.booksneeze.com.
I had kind of stayed away from Women of Faith before, not because I think there's anything wrong or bad about it. I stayed away merely because I had this idea in my head that it was a hand-holding, Kumbaya-singing, cry-your-eyes-out kind of estrogen fest. And with three small children in my household, there are plenty of tears - many of them mine! It just didn't sound like my cup of tea - I much prefer coffee. But when BookSneeze gave me 2 free tickets in exchange for a little blog post, I decided it was worth a try.
I grabbed a friend, told her I had a ticket with her name on it, and away we went. I was pleasantly surprised with the opening worship. No Kumbaya to be heard! It was actually current, beautiful, worship music with a little bit of an edge to it - something you'd hear on the radio, not around a camp fire. And the team was dressed in purple and black (my favorite colors). They rocked. I was hooked. This was totally not like I had imagined.
What really got me were the speakers. I loved how they stood up and honestly shared their life stories - the good, the bad, and everything in between. They shared how God loved them. They shared how He showed up. And they shared how God loves us. They laughed at themselves and cried real tears when they shared their hurts and sorrows. I was moved by their authenticity, their transparency, and their compassion. I admit, I did cry. And I laughed. And I sang. And I was completely caught off guard by how much I needed to hear that God loves me. After all, I know God loves me. I've known it since I was a little girl. But I guess we're never too grown up to hear it again. And again. And again.
Thank you, Sheila Walsh, Lucy Swindoll, Angie Smith, Lisa Harper, Nicole Johnson, Mary Mary, and Natalie Grant for sharing your heart, your thoughts, and your soul. I feel re-energized, excited to see where God is going to meet me and use me, and ready to care for my little flock of children. And thank you BookSneeze, for convincing me to go!
I hope I have the opportunity to blog about the event again next year. And my friend and I are already planning to attend Women of Faith Philly in 2012. Guess we better warn our husbands now.....
Learn more about Women of Faith at www.womenoffaith.com. Sign up to be a BookSneeze blogger at www.booksneeze.com.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Tomorrow I'll be leaving my three little ones in the tender care of my darling husband. I'll leave the house as the sun peeks over the trees and join a dear friend in Philly for the Women of Faith Conference. I'm looking forward to a time of getting a way, enjoying my friend's company, and getting refreshed. I need it!
I know the sacrifice that my hubby is making so I can go. And I'm really not excited about getting up before the sun, knowing I'll have been up most of the night feeding a baby and changing diapers. And I always get nervous trying to find my way around Philly. But I know it will all be worth it when I come back tired but renewed. I'm looking forward to telling you all about it! For now, you can visit http://www.womenoffaith.com/ and see what its all about!
I know the sacrifice that my hubby is making so I can go. And I'm really not excited about getting up before the sun, knowing I'll have been up most of the night feeding a baby and changing diapers. And I always get nervous trying to find my way around Philly. But I know it will all be worth it when I come back tired but renewed. I'm looking forward to telling you all about it! For now, you can visit http://www.womenoffaith.com/ and see what its all about!
Monday, September 5, 2011
September Sale!
From now until September 9th, get 20% off my book, Clef Hangers!
Shop at http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/clef-hangers/188849 and enter code September at checkout.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Piano for Boys
I was thinking long and hard about how to improve my piano teaching and my piano studio. While I was doing some Googling about new music for my students, I came across a giveaway on a piano blog, www.colorinmypiano.com. I was so intrigued by the giveaway item, “The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo” Piano Books for Boys, that I just couldn’t wait it out to see if I had won the contest. I went straight to www.pianomusicforboys.com and downloaded the music. I am so glad that I did.
I was excited to present these comic book style pieces to one male student in particular. Once he started playing the songs, his younger brother couldn’t wait to play them, either. They quickly learned each and every piece of music in the down-loadable early elementary level music, and have been asking for the next installment. They love the comics, the action-oriented music, and the mysterious and exciting sounds. They are thrilled to use the pedal, and they have asked to work on the next level of difficulty (of the same pieces) to tide them over until the next installment is complete.
The music is convenient to order, no trips to the music store are necessary. It is very attainable for younger students. The hand positions are easy but not static, there is enough repetition to facilitate learning, and the music writing is exciting, fun, and full of neat ideas that the students love. My students have already improved on their note reading and especially in their musicality. Suddenly, musical themes and dynamics have much more meaning when attached to a Villain and a Hero. Fermatas and rests become secret hideouts and eighth notes are clues to the mystery. This series has certainly added energy and excitement to my students’ piano lessons.
These pieces are easy to teach, as well. The fingerings are not overly complicated. I find that the pieces are just easy enough that the student feels successful, but just hard enough that they are learning new material. I’ve already started using “The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo” with a new batch of students. Their eyes lit up and they couldn’t wait to run to the piano. These arrangements are definitely a hit.
You can download your copy of “Fearless Fortissimo” Piano Music for Boys at www.pianomusicforboys.com. For $19.95, you’ll receive a down-loadable copy of the music. You are licensed to print unlimited copies of each of three levels of music.
I was excited to present these comic book style pieces to one male student in particular. Once he started playing the songs, his younger brother couldn’t wait to play them, either. They quickly learned each and every piece of music in the down-loadable early elementary level music, and have been asking for the next installment. They love the comics, the action-oriented music, and the mysterious and exciting sounds. They are thrilled to use the pedal, and they have asked to work on the next level of difficulty (of the same pieces) to tide them over until the next installment is complete.
The music is convenient to order, no trips to the music store are necessary. It is very attainable for younger students. The hand positions are easy but not static, there is enough repetition to facilitate learning, and the music writing is exciting, fun, and full of neat ideas that the students love. My students have already improved on their note reading and especially in their musicality. Suddenly, musical themes and dynamics have much more meaning when attached to a Villain and a Hero. Fermatas and rests become secret hideouts and eighth notes are clues to the mystery. This series has certainly added energy and excitement to my students’ piano lessons.
These pieces are easy to teach, as well. The fingerings are not overly complicated. I find that the pieces are just easy enough that the student feels successful, but just hard enough that they are learning new material. I’ve already started using “The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo” with a new batch of students. Their eyes lit up and they couldn’t wait to run to the piano. These arrangements are definitely a hit.
You can download your copy of “Fearless Fortissimo” Piano Music for Boys at www.pianomusicforboys.com. For $19.95, you’ll receive a down-loadable copy of the music. You are licensed to print unlimited copies of each of three levels of music.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Cure for the Common Life, by Max Lucado
Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado
Cure for the Common Life, by Max Lucado, is a blessing to the believer who is seeking God’s purpose for their life. It is hope for the person who feels less than special, unnecessary, and unneeded. It is encouragement for the soul who has become weary in their Christian walk. Max’s view is that everyone has unique, special abilities and desires, and a ‘sweet spot’ for using them. He says that fulfillment in life comes from walking with Jesus and using our gifts, talents, and resources in a way that is exciting, invigorating, and most importantly, reflects God to those around us. Max walks us through the process of figuring out what our ‘sweet spot’ is, and how we can get to that place. He helps us overcome our aimlessness, live a life of purpose, and share the Gospel through our everyday living. Max’s writing is encouraging, uplifting, and filled to the brim with hope.
Cure for the Common Life encouraged and inspired me when I felt like everything was “meaningless, a chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 2:17b) The humdrum of work life had me down, and Max reminded me that I’m here for a purpose – God’s purpose, and I can reflect Him no matter what I’m doing. If you’re a believer searching for your place in life, wondering what God’s purpose is for you, then you need to read Cure for the Common Life. You’ll come away refreshed, encouraged, and inspired by Max’s warm, love-filled writing.
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