Studio di Mare info

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Entries regarding my business or the website

 

Summer 2010 Update

Sunday, August 1st, 2010

Some of you may have noticed that I have been rather quiet this year regarding my website postings. Don’t worry, I haven’t abandoned the site. I’ve simply been dealing with a lot of other things going on in my life and haven’t had much time to devote to posting as I did last year.

Some significant reasons have been that I was facing a bit of a financial dilemma and was exploring other avenues for income. This website has not yet produced that for me and it has been a labor of love. Love doesn’t pay the bills so I got a temp job with the US Census for about two months to help supplement my regular income. It was interesting work, but just as I was pulling in an extra paycheck to help out with my expenses it seemed that every week an new expense would pop up – a traffic ticket, vet bills, increased doctor bills, etc.

On top of working 60+ hours a week on a crazy schedule I also started modeling. I put some time towards building a web portfolio and the trading of services – modeling for copies of images to build up my portfolio to present to agencies. I think I have made some great connections and have begun to establish myself as a good model to work with.

Given all of the time I was working and the stress involved with everything that was falling on my shoulders I started having some physical health issues that resulted in a recent laparoscopic surgery. I’ve been recovering well and have a follow up appointment soon to find out the final results. It doesn’t seem to be anything serious at this point, only an issue that was causing some discomfort that was not improving.

Finally, to improve my professional career rather than work myself to death having more than one job and also to give me more knowledge in the area of using networking and building websites that I have come to really enjoy, I decided to return to school for a graduate degree. I have just completed my first course towards getting my online MFA degree in Media Design from a school that seems to be as highly regarded in the academic art world as my undergraduate schooling.

So as I continue to learn, you should be seeing plenty of changes here. Some will be visual in terms of layout and imagery for the site. Some will be technical in terms of using the best practices for writing and forming my blog pages.

As for me and my stress levels, I’m doing much better. I faced some fears and made some decisions about how to handle my situation that will bring much relief. Everything seems to be falling into place and I am enjoying my life again after a period of time where I found it very hard to stay positive. I guess sometimes we have to hit the bottom to know which way is up.

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Blog Update

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

Recently I created a new website to showcase my modeling portfolio. As I have become familiar with the new template that I’ve wanted to work with, I have been thinking about the changes I’d like to make here on this site. I’ve also noticed the difference in traffic when comparing the two sites even though the other is not yet complete. It’s been on my mind that I need to make some decisions about how I want to present this site better.

Everything is not mapped out yet for the changes I want to make and I need to complete the other site first. I just wanted to update everyone that I am writing again after a lull for a few months while I’ve taken care of personal business. As soon as everything is presentable on the other site I will begin working again here, making things more niche specific and less random.

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Being Thankful

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

The following is a message I just sent out to everyone in my Facebook Group Studio di Mare.  For those of you who have not yet joined my group I did not want you to miss my message so I am posting it here (and it will auto-post to my Facebook Notes too).

Hi Everyone!

I hope that everyone had a nice Thanksgiving dinner somewhere (if you are among those in the U.S. that celebrate it). If you’ve traveled to someplace this weekend, today is a very busy day on the road to return home and I wish you all safe travels.

It’s been a little while since I’ve posted up any information regarding updates to my website. I have written a few posts since my last update and a few of you have read them and commented already. If you did, you may have seen my frustration as I have been under some stress with my finances and at this time of year it has made things particularly even more worrisome. As I’ve talked to others regarding my situation I know that there are many people out there that are facing my same concerns.

In the spirit of this holiday weekend I want to take the time to recognize some of the blessings I do have in my life rather than focus on the challenge before me. Being thankful for the things we have helps keep your mind focused on the positive and that will continue to attract more positive things to you.

First and foremost I want to thank you. All of my friends and family that support my efforts by reading my really long stories ;) and those that have joined my group here on Facebook. With your support and encouragement I know that what I am doing is of value and it is worth continuing to write to make my website a success.

As I have continued to stay positive and ask for help when I need it, the opportunities continue to come my way. I’ve continued to make contacts with people that provide useful information for the things that I am learning, I’ve picked up some freelance work to help make some quick cash for the immediate needs, I’ve heard of situations that remind me that things could be a lot worse than they really are, and I’ve received an early Christmas present from a very dear friend that understands my pain and wanted to help.

She sent me a course by David Ramsey called Financial Peace. It’s several cd’s with materials for a system to help get your financial budget back on track (or in some people’s cases to the track). I have been listening for the past couple of days and really enjoy his fun speaking style which makes learning this valuable information easy. If you are in a relationship where finances are shared (like marriage) he gives some really sound advice to couples on how to deal with the family budget and how to save arguments about money which is one of the leading causes for divorce these days. If you or anyone you know is facing financial hardship right now and would like a game plan for getting your financial life together, I recommend checking David Ramsey’s course out. He speaks on public and satellite radio stations, is syndicated in several newspapers, his course is taught at many local churches and other venues, and there is an online program available too. This is a great gift for someone you love whether they are facing hardship or just starting out in life as a young adult. His site is currently showing a discount on some of the products that might only be available during the holidays.

You can find a link to his website at http://Studiodimare.com under the Business & Finance page of recommended links. Remember to explore my site as you are shopping during the holidays. Sometimes I have discount coupon codes available for a business or product that you may be shopping at or your using my links could just help me out by selecting my affiliates.

Thank you again for your support and may your holiday season be full of love, laughter, and abundance.

yours in peace,

Stephanie

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Book Announcement

Monday, November 16th, 2009

More and more I have been told lately that I should write a book.  Seeing that people enjoy hearing my stories of adventures I’ve been on and reading the personal compliments and feedback on blog posts I have written, I decided that it is time to take everyone’s suggestion and make something of it.  I also know that writing a book is a great source of passive income for years to come if it is done well and, quite frankly, I could use more income – especially right  now.

As my recent creativity surges have become more and more frequent (just when I am trying to learn other skills to put into practice to help my income) I keep getting pulled back to my blog, compelled to write.  I’ll work on a post for hours sometimes just to get out everything that I have to say about the subject I am writing on.  Maybe you’ve noticed the length of my blog posts!  ;)  I don’t want to leave anything out and I often do not notice the time.  Before long I have to stop myself so that I can get some sleep and be able to function because the next day is a workday and I have a tendancy to get migraines now from a lack of sleep.  I just can’t burn the candle at both ends like I used to in college.

I’ve been contemplating on what exactly I would write to constitute an entire book and knew that I would want to somehow tie in short stories of my adventures along with lessons that I have learned.  It needs to be something entertaining and educational.  So with the inspirational title that just came to me moments ago, which I will keep a secret until the book is complete, I now have a focus to tie everything I want to accomplish together for my first book ever.

I’ll be using content that I have already written about here because it is a story of my life and lessons learned and that is the format I have been using on this blog - personal accounts and perspectives tied into meaningful lessons I feel are of value to share.  As my readers you will continue to see what develops as I go along, however, I will keep some stories solely for the book.  So far, the majority of my readers are people that I know or have met personally and with your help I’ll be able to build a bigger audience to make my book and website a success.

Disclaimer to close family members and friends:
I will be sharing personal stories and it could include you.  If you do not wish your name to be used for any reason, please let me know and I will give you a pseudo-name to protect your privacy.  More than likely on all accounts I will not use last names.  For certain stories I will automatically use pseudo-names to “protect the innocent/guilty” depending on your viewpoint.  ;)

Posted in Creativity, Studio di Mare info | 3 Responses »

Site Navigation

Saturday, September 5th, 2009

As my list of links I have continued to add in the sidebar grew, it was becoming longer and longer to get to the bottom of pages.  I’ve just completed a little rearrangement that I hope will be more user-friendly and to give some better attention to the people I support.

From now on in the Navigation area to the right, you will find category pages that begin under Recommended – Blogs, Business, Creativity, Internet Tools, Music, Personal Development, Philanthropy, and Shopping.  Each of these pages now have the links that were previously in the sidebar with a brief description of the site, possibly my relationship to the website owner, and sometimes a coupon code offering discounts or my referral.

I’ll continue to add on to these pages with more links, perhaps even add a new category page, and insert related items that are relavent to the page featured.  I hope this change simplifies things and allows you to discover something of value that you may have missed in previous visits.  If you have any other web-design related suggestions that you think would be helpful, please feel free leave a comment with your suggestion.  I may not use all ideas on this site but I do appreciate the feedback and your ideas could also be helpful to someone else who has or is building their own website or blog.

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Site update coming soon!

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

I’ve written a new blog series and do not want to release it until I have completed some backend work on the site. I’m still in the test mode and will hopefully have a new look up by the weekend. Wish me luck! :)

Update June 28, 2009 – If you are seeing this version of the post then you are visiting the new site and the updated site is ready for viewing.  Enjoy!

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Sharing

Thursday, May 21st, 2009

Lately I have had the strong compulsion to share the experiences of my life with others as continue on my journey of self-rediscovery. I have been creating a list of topics as I think of them and will be sharing my personal experiences and adventures as I continue to get clarity about the events and situations that has steered the course of my life. My inner source feels as though I can possibly help others by sharing what I have learned. It may seem vain to some and to others it may be an open insight that is worth sharing. If you feel like the second I just described, then keep reading because I’m following my gut on this one and I’m going to keep writing.

I would like to also remind everyone reading my stories that occasionally I may be sharing about my experience of someone you may know. It is not my intension to portray anyone in a negative manner for the purpose of harming them in any way. What I may share of an experience with a person is as it reflected to me. Good or bad, the same story told from their viewpoint could be very different, just like in your life.

We all put value and meaning to our own experiences, even if it is the exact same experience. It’s like riding a roller coaster – a ride that takes the same path several different times a day and hundreds of people can experience the exact same ride with the same ups, downs, twists, turns, and loops. Some riders will be scared to get on and some can’t wait to get through the line. How the experience comes across to you may be very different than the person sitting next to you, even though you were both riding together at the same time.

My life has certainly been a roller coaster full of excitement and adventure with its own ups and downs and a few loops too. Maybe that’s why I love riding them at the parks. Are you ready for a ride? Let’s go!

Posted in Personal Development, Studio di Mare info | 1 Response »

Hello world!

Friday, January 2nd, 2009

Welcome to Studio di Mare and my new website to promote businesses, opportunities and events by my family, friends and close associates, to positively influence personal or business development, and to feature my own creative works.  I hope you enjoy it and let me know if you find something that helps you out or works for you.  Thanks for stopping by.

yours in peace,

Stephanie

P.E.A.C.E. – Positive Energy Always Creates Enlightenment

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