Ideas
***Tips for Tuesday***
Love on my Business Style!!!!
"Oh how I love my photos" Where should I store them for safe keeping & easy access??!!
10 Places to Store Digital Photographs
1.Hard Drive on your Computer
2.An External Hard Drive
3.Thumb Drive
4.Mobile Phone
5.Google Drive
6.Dropbox
7.Apple ICloud
8.Microsoft One Drive
9.Flickr
10.Photobucket
What are some other suggestions you have on storage for your digital photographs? Comment Below!
Everyday Writing 2023
Vibe High
Today was one of those Mondays where you have to catch up on a few things that you haven’t been able to do due to your schedule being full with quite a few appointments. Well we made moves today to get some personal errands take care of so that we can begin a new list tomorrow of things that need to get done this week, as of today we’ve made our moves to get things done. Personally speaking!
So what moves have you made today on this Monday Make Moves Mission??!!!
Comment Below!
Everyday Writing 2022
Vibe High
Today was a typical day of regular things we do in our routine. Prayer, Exercise and Work, so nothing could be better than having a client meeting that turned into a powerful experience.
As we met with our clients and secured a contract of working with them they were able to pour into us as they could since something in our spirit. Before I left out of the meeting which was several hours later I was equipped to do some inside work on making myself a more happy individual. Although I for the most part keep a happy demeanor and spirit today I was ask to rate myself on the happiness scale from 0-5.
Zero being not happy and five being happy. I found myself at a 3 right smack in the middle. The next thing she ask was "what would it take to get you to a five" As I closed my eyes and wrestle in my mind with what that would look like , she begin to ask me question to help me visualize a perfect environment and to look at things in my mind of what I like. After performing that exercise my happiness meter immediately went to five.
It's funny how you begin your day off one way and have absolutely no idea how your day will end up.
I'm so grateful for everything that happen today and all the tools that my client equip me with. I went there to secure a contract. I left there with a signed agreement and my happiness meter on full.
Now that is how I like to end the day! Thank you! More Please!
Everyday Writing 2022
Vibe High
So now we have entered in the 8th month of the year 2022! I feel like the saying funny how time flies when your having fun. It’s seems as though things have been pretty eventful and I’ve had a calendar full of activities and appointments which tend to make the year go by pretty swiftly. At times I’m planning to get so many things off of the ultimate “TO-DO” List and then I have the daily weekly monthly task that I work to stay consistent with and before I know it items on the ULTIMATE “TO-DO” List are still there and I’m trying to figure when am I going to get to these things??!!!!
Now that we are into August I have a few things that I must get ready to do.
We have a few product ideas that are still in the development stages and I have some additional items within are photography business that we are wanting to offer. Our goal will be to at least have those things completed by the end of the month.
Now that I’ve officially put it out here, I’ve got to do it! So now you will hold me accountable for my actions or lack there of!
Everyday Writing 2022
Vibe High
Did you know that great photos draw attention! Yes, when you see a great image you might stop scrolling and stare for a minute. If you see a great image on a billboard you might do a double take! We know that images can stop a person right in their tracks!
We are hosting this weekend a Content Creation Photo Session Event! This event is created for business owners, entrepreneurs , professionals and or anyone that is need of updated fresh images.
We designed this event to take place at a nice outdoor area in Conyers, Georgia. We selected this area to give our clients variety in capturing images during their mini session.
We know that Great photos draw attention and we are looking to assist you in giving your audience the attention they need with great photos of you providing information about your products and services!
Who’s going to be local and looking to join me for all the image capture fun
Father’s day is coming June 19th marks the special day. Each year many people are scrambling around to find a gift or do something special for that father in their life. Today we are providing you with 5 gift ideas for this up and coming father’s day.
Sporting Event / Dinner (Tickets to a Game , Favorite Restaurant)
Electronic Device (Bluetooth speaker , cellphone accessory Some device that will seem to catch pops attention for a minute)
Something for the Grill (If you have a man in your life that’s a grill master some gadget for the grill will be a perfect gift apron, grill utensils, mitt, BBQ Sauce )
Home improvement gift card / Tool ( Handy man stuff is great for dads that love doing a little fixer uppers around the house wireless drill, screwdriver, gift card )
Car Accessories (If you have a father around that into automobiles some type of car accessories is perfect gift for him air freshener, LCD Lights, seat covers, steering wheel covers )
One day it will all be History!
Your pictures you take today will will provide you with a visual story to tell. Up and Down my timeline on Social media I'm seeing all the graduates from pre- School to College and its such a beautiful site to see.
Congratulations to all the Graduates during this season! Best wishes for a successful & productive future! May all your goals and visions come to life!
During this time lots of images are being capture to celebrate and remember this moment in time.
While we are caught up in the moment and in some cases the memory will be just a post on social media. I'm going to list a few ways that you can take the digital images you are creating by phone or photo shoot images and give a few ideas on how to preserve the memories.
Print out the images from a photo lab
Create a photo Album ( Shutterfly, Walgreens, Sam's Club)
Create a Website or Blog to remember the time (Blogger, WordPress)
Create a memory box (store all items that you would like to save)
Create a Scrap Book (This is a fun keepsake)
What are some other ideas that you have to preserve your memories of a moment. Make sure to leave a comment below
Everyday Writing 2022
Vibe High
The purpose of me to come and write on this blog everyday is to pull out thoughts and ideas that I would like to share. Each day I have so many thoughts about so many things. They say everyday a person has over 60,000 thoughts. For awhile I’ve been wanting to just write something everyday. It wasn’t until recently that I took on this #100daydreamchallenge and decide to challenge myself to write on this blog everyday. Somedays I have a plan of what I want to write about other days not so much, I pull up late evening and remind myself…. don’t forget to blog something today. So here I am pulling up the rear, but at the end of the day my goal is to write on. Here’s to keeping my commitment!
Everyday Writing 2022
Vibe High
Today we are going to give you 10 places to store your digital files. Now that close to everyone has access to phones with camera we find ourselves capturing images often. If your phone is anything like mine sooner or later you are getting the notification that you are out of storage. Geez, Like where am I going to store all these files that I do not want to totally delete, I want to still have access to.
Well today we are going to give you a few tips on where to store your digital images.
Here are a few general ideas:
Two options:
Physical
Cloud Base
Physical
Hard Drive on your computer
External Drive
Thumb Drive
Mobile Phone
CD- rom (yes I have clients that use them)
Make sure to have images in several places in case of loss theft fire
The other option
Cloud Base
There are many options to store digital images and before I give you the company listing I’ll give a few easy breezy inexpensive ways.
Save a copy in your email.
By Emailing the File to yourself
Upload images to photo retailers
Shutterfly Walgreens Sam’s Club Photos
They keep your images in there systems for years
Google Drive – this is a free service if you have a google / Gmail account gives you up to 15GB of storage space
Next are companies that specialize in digital image storage
DropBox – 2GB Free
Amazon Photos
Google Photos
Photo Bucket
Apple I cloud – up to 5 GB Free
BackBlaze
I drive
Flickr
Microsoft one drive
Nikon Image Space
Sony Play Memories
Everyday Writing 2022
Vibe High
Nothing feels better than actually planning something. For an event making a trip or doing something within your business, the feeling of exhilaration feels real good as you brainstorm and put together ideas for the execution of what you plan.
So it’s time to look at the calendar and see what we can get to planning :)
Vacations Plans
Party Planning
Future Planning
Everyday Writing 2022
Vibe High
A few years back I was scrolling through the wish app and I came across of t shirt that really resonated where I was in my life at the time. See I had faced quite a few setbacks and challenges that caused my life to be flipped upside down. Despite all I had been through I was still going and showing up for life. I came across a T-shirt’s that read emotionally exhausted. Wow yes, that’s it this is exactly how I’m feeling and thinking so this shirt is perfect 👍🏾 until it wasn’t!
I realize after wearing the t-shirt a few times and really digging in to the statement that it read on it and how much I resonated so much with the message, I realize that I was continuing to invite that type energy into my life. I noticed in my everyday life the feelings stress and anxiety I was continuing to experience. Each day I was emotionally exhausted. As cute as I thought my shirt was I needed to breath new life and energy into my world. I desperately needed a shift from where I been and what I had went through, but how would I do that when I was celebrating my mental state with a t shirt that said I was emotionally exhausted. So when I recognized the type of energy I had invited in my life I immediately made that change to shift in the energy and immediately got rid of the shirt.
I've now replace my self talk with words thoughts and affirmation that will bring about a positive energy and productive thoughts. We can empower ourselves by using the right words that will lift our spirits and move us in the right direction to create the life we want!
So this is just a reminder Be careful of the words we use and word that may describe the world around us. As we want to bring about more peace and productivity in our lives.
"It is most necessary to begin the day with right words Make affirmation immediately upon waking up for example: Thy will be done this day Today is a day of Completion I give thanks for this Perfect day
Miracles shall follow Miracles And Wonders shall never Cease Make this a habit and one will see wonders and miracles come into their life" - The Game of Life and How to Play It Florence Scovel Shinn
Check out the Audio Book Here!
#targetmarket
I’m speaking on who are you talking to as it relates to
your content marketing out here on these internet streets….
My Story…
Most of my creative life I have constantly created products and services and thought that Wow this is great, but I never had a clear vision on who would this be good for … Oh yes, your family and friends are your 1st go to .. and they think everything you create is great and yes… you are on your way to the next million dollar idea… and next thing you know you are stockpiling product and you have no definite person to buy this stuff. In my early days, I use to craft up and sew a lot of products I did many trade shows and presented my items… sometimes success more times not so successful… Things were slow folks would pass by and even tell you how nice it is… , but no purchase so back home again with all the stuff you came with. Sooo it brings me to Target… Yes, what you do is great Yes what you do is awesome… That product will be great to have for the right person… So it's up to you to do the research.. find out who is your Target Audience… Who could use your product and or service… What problem are you solving and who is it that has the product… So its time to go to work… Find out who ‘s buying what your selling
Download your Free Target Tool Guide Here!
We recently hosted our Portfolio & Perspectives Style Shoot Workshop in Atlanta, Georgia
As we were busy styling up our main table for seating we were inspired... So here goes my story of Inspiration!
So those who are not familiar with the rap star Cardi B she has been headlining blogs, news outlets and she was made super popular by her authentic style on Instagram. This young female rapper just recently dropped her debut album and when I saw the cover art I was so inspired.
Our Inspiration after a quick screen shot of someone ele's creative artwork featuring the album cover design art
I absolutely love loud colors they scream happiness to me. So with the inspiration of the album art cover, I was inspired to design my recent table scape for our Portfolios & Perspectives Event Design Workshop around the inspiration of the album cover. Searched my mind and took an immediate inventory of items already owned that I can pull this look together. Just a few basics and we got what we envision the color palette that screams fun!
This was a fun table scape to put together! I love lots of colors its screams happiness.
So I hope you are able to feel the joy in the images as we were excited about creating
Elisha Akram (Kustom Kreation Photography) is an Atlanta Based Photographer Specialing in Social Events, Weddings, Families High School Seniors & Business Headshots!
We also custom design party supplies for life's celebrated moments! Live Love Create Go Kustom!
Peace & Blessing for a New Year! We are now in 2018! Can you believe it.. Well for the 1st Foodie Tuesday of the year we have Smarty Marty take on Chicken Marsala!
Chicken Marsala with mushrooms over garlic mashed potatoes
1st things first lets gather up the needed ingredients:
For this dish we will need the following
How to cook & Prepare :
Put the chicken breasts side by side on a cutting board and lay a piece of plastic wrap over them; pound with a flat meat mallet, until they are about 1/4-inch thick. Put some flour in a shallow platter and season with a fair amount of salt and pepper; mix with a fork to distribute evenly.
Heat the oil over medium-high flame in a large skillet. When the oil is nice and hot, dredge both sides of the chicken cutlets in the seasoned flour, shaking off the excess. Slip the cutlets into the pan and fry for 5 minutes on each side until golden, turning once – do this in batches if the pieces don't fit comfortably in the pan. Remove the chicken to a large platter in a single layer to keep warm.
Lower the heat to medium and add the prosciutto to the drippings in the pan, saute for 1 minute to render out some of the fat. Now, add the mushrooms and saute until they are nicely browned and their moisture has evaporated, about 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Pour the Marsala in the pan and boil down for a few seconds to cook out the alcohol. Add the chicken stock and simmer for a minute to reduce the sauce slightly. Stir in the butter and return the chicken to the pan; simmer gently for 1 minute to heat the chicken through. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Food Recipe & Directions By - The Food Network
Meal prepared & Styled By Smarty Marty
I would describe myself on most days as pretty high strung and always going at least 90 miles an hour on any given day. This seemed to work well for me for most of my life but earlier this year I was stopped dead in my tracks. As I mentioned in my previous Empower Hour post my oldest daughter started college last fall and it threw me for a complete loop. Little did I know the impact the changes were also having on my younger middle school age daughter. She started having severe anxiety as well as other challenges and just was not her self. As I️ worked to help my daughter learn better coping skills I️ began to look at my own strategies to handle stress and life’s many curve balls. We often do not realize the toll that life transitions and daily stresses can take on our bodies and spirits.
I️ am the queen of putting everyone else first and running on empty. I️ heard someone the other day talking about how we put more value on our cellphone batteries than we do on our own physical and mental well being. I️ thought about how we know where all the cell phone chargers are around our homes, in our cars and how quickly we can locate outlets when we are out and about. Low cell phone battery percentages can send us into panic mode. So let’s think about self care the way we charge our phones. Unfortunately we do not come with a low battery signal that alerts us when we are almost empty. It is important to be present with ourselves and check in internally on a daily and even hourly basis to see where we are.
Here are a few practices that I have worked into my daily routine to keep me charged up:
Yoga - I️ recently started taking yoga classes and learning new meditation techniques to keep myself calm. Although I am not flexible and totally look like a goof ball on my mat it helps me to get re-centered when I️ have a busy schedule or day. It has calmed me down quite a bit and I️ find that I now fight to stay in peace and calm versus going 90 miles an hour! I have definitely learned to breath more deeply and to stay in the moment.
Make Sleep & Rest a Priority - Get rest when you need it and don’t feel guilty! Over the Thanksgiving break I️ literally stayed in pajamas for two days over the break just relaxing, sleeping and spending time with my family. I️ learned recently that when you sleep and rest your cells rejuvenate and are restored nightly. I’m working on getting those famous 8 hours of sleep every night!
Unplug - Set aside time to unplug from electronics and get out in nature, rest, exercise or spend uninterrupted time with loved one or friends.
Healthy Diet/Water – What we put in our bodies is important. A balanced and nutritious diet can help us stay charged. When we are super busy it is easy to fill ourselves up with lots of junk. I am learning to plan meals ahead of time and keep healthy snacks around at all times. It’s amazing the difference I feel when I eat well.
As we enter this busy holiday season and transition into a new year I️ hope that you will join me in creating your own self care practices, becoming more mindful and definitely slow down.
Cheers to the holiday season and running on a full charge!
Kara Norman
www.empowerherinc.com
This week Foodie Tuesday idea is Rigatoni & Kale
It's that time of the week where we are bring a recipe idea to you straight outta the kitchen of our beloved contributor Smarty Marty(My sister) and This week delicious delights is a take on Kale and Rigatoni noodles!
Let's gather up all the needed ingredients
Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 pints cherry tomatoes
1 pound hot sausage
2 shallots, chopped
4 large cloves garlic, chopped
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup dry sherry or sweet vermouth
1 bunch Tuscan kale, cavolo nero, stemmed and chopped
1 pound rigatoni
2 cups fresh ricotta cheese, sheep or cow’s milk
EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling
1 tablespoon chopped thyme
Shaved Pecorino cheese
Preparing the ingredients to get ready to be cooked
Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the rigatoni.
Preheat broiler and place a rack in the upper third of oven. Arrange the tomatoes on a baking sheet and toss with a little olive oil. Place under the broiler and char until they burst.
Heat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil, 2 turns of the pan. Add sausage, brown and crumble. Add shallots and garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Stir shallots and garlic into sausage for 2-3 minutes then deglaze with sherry or sweet vermouth. Add kale to pan and wilt into sausage. Add charred tomatoes to sauce.
Cook pasta in salted water to a minute shy of cooking time, reserving a mug of starchy cooking water. Drain rigatoni and toss with sauce and starchy water for a full minute.
Plate pasta in shallow bowls topped with a fat mound of ricotta, some thyme, a drizzle of EVOO, a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Shred or shave pecorino over the dish and serve.
Recipe by Rachael Ray
Cooked and Styled By Smarty Marty
Recipe By : Rachael Ray
This week foodie Tuesday meal idea by Smarty Smarty is Beef Short Ribs with mashed potatoes, aparagus and steamed carrots
1st Things first gather the ingredients you will need for this meal
Ingredients
4 pounds boneless beef short ribs, cut into 3-inch long pieces.
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
2/3 cup light brown sugar.
1 teaspoon Hungarian paprika.
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
1 tablespoon white vinegar.
1/2 teaspoon dried ground thyme.
2/3 cup ketchup.
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Directions for cooking the short ribs
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Arrange the short ribs in a 13-by-9-inch baking dish and season with salt and pepper, to taste. In a small bowl, combine all the remaining ingredients and stir to incorporate. Pour the sauce over ribs and toss well, coating all the pieces. Cover with aluminum foil and roast until cooked through and tender, about 3 hours. Remove the foil during the last 30 minutes of cooking to brown the top. Transfer to a serving platter and serve.
Meal cooked and styled by Smarty Marty
Recipe by - Food Network
This week Foodie Tuesday Dinner Idea is Cabbage Soup
Gather the items need for this delicious delight
Ingredients
½ head of cabbage, chopped
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup white or yellow onion, diced
1 cup carrots, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
14 oz can basil, oregano, garlic diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
few shakes of black pepper
½ teaspoon salt (optional)
Ingredients
½ head of cabbage, chopped
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup white or yellow onion, diced
1 cup carrots, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
14 oz can basil, oregano, garlic diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
few shakes of black pepper
½ teaspoon salt (optional)
Instructions
Recipe By Divas Can Cook
Food prepared and Styled By Smarty Marty
This week dinner idea is Egg Plant Parmesean!
Ingredients
1 medium eggplant cut into 3/4 inch slices
1cup seasoned dried breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1 1/4 cup spaghetti sauce
2 garlic gloves
1 tablespoon of minced basil
1 tablespoon water
1/4 teaspoon red crushed pepper flakes
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
In a small bowl beat the egg and water together. Place the bread crumbs in shallow dish. Dip eggplant slices in egg mixture then in crumbs, being sure to coat thoroughly.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add eggplant slices and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until golden brown and tender.
While eggplant is cooking, combine spaghetti sauce and pepper flakes and minced garlic cloves in a saucepan over low heat.
Place half of the eggplant in a greased 1-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the basil and Parmesan cheese. Arrange spaghetti sauce over top; sprinkle with remaining basil and Parmesan
cheese. Layer with half of the mozzarella cheese and the remaining eggplant; top with remaining mozzarella. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 5 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted.
Images & Food Styling By Smarty Marty!
Just in time for Halloween!
Here is a quick DYI project!
Materials Needed:
print on Iron on T-shirt transfer
Trim the design /phrase and Iron on !
**Follow Direction from the Iron On Paper**
Now your all ready for some tricks or treats!
