Facebook Timeline

A friend of mine told me to check out a new developement by Facebook called the Facebook Timeline. I said "The whaaaaaaaaaa???? What is that???" He posted a link which you can go to below to read the articles and see a few videos made on it and why you might want to get one.

http://mashable.com/2011/12/07/facebook-timeline-guide/

For personal use, this would be really cool to see how you have changed or your family. To see how you went from a young adult through college, through relationships, accomplishments, and you see where I am going from there. Some reviews I read on it by other users was that while it was fun for personal use, it was even better for business use. Businesses can broadcast through their timeline their products or services, or in my case as an artist, I can post different events or projects I am involved in. I can show off sketches that I design clothing and post the process of bringing the sketch to life from paper to production to finished product. I can see the advantages of this tool.

This timeline app is not advertised as much for public use, but if you want to see how it is, or if you are interested, the link above will give you directions on how to get on this timeline train.

I have not yet taken the steps to get one of these apps, but will def think about it in the future!

Just wanted to share this with fellow readers! Good luck!

Don't waste a minute not being happy. If one window closes, run to the next window- or break down a door.
Brooke Shields quotes

Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Younger Generation

Last week I was in Joanne's Fabric Store browsing through pattern books, looking for inspiration when a woman and her daughter came and sat down across from me. The mother anxiously trying to help her daughter find a pattern for a pencil skirt, while the teenage daughter rolls her eyes and says "No" at every design the mother picks.

This reminds me of me and my mother long ago. I smile to myself as I sip on my coffee and flip to another page in the book. I start a conversation with the girl and mother asking how old she is and what she likes to do. She has a sketchpad and a drawing of a girl and an outfit. She wants to be a fashion designer.

My heart fills up with joy and happiness to see the younger generation that I once belonged to follow in the steps of other artists and designers. I think its a rare thing indeed to see someone 12 or 11 years with a passion involved in the art of sewing. Some say Sewing is a lost or dead art. I would love to punch that person in the face, whoever said that. Say that to people in the fashion industry. Say that to the students at FIDM, to the designers of fashion week and Project Runway.

Ok, going off on a tangent, sorry. I just wanted to write about this and to go back to the girl and her mother, I helped them pick out a pattern of a pencil skirt and told the young girl, "Dont ever give up on your passion, you can do it".

I know that her mom has prolly said that a million times to her, but you know when were younger, we dont believe anything our parents tell us. Sometimes when we hear it from someone else, we are more than likely gonna remember it, or think about it a lil harder. Thats exactly how I was and still am sometimes.

I finished snapping some pics of patterns that gave me inspiration and of some patterns I want to add to and I left to finish out my night. But Talking with those two lovely ladies, reminded me of the simple joy of sewing and the traditions of my family that has been passed down from beyond my great grandmother. I hope to pass this along to my daughter too.

I just wanted to share this with you of one of my FIRST PASSION, one of many.

We all need to look into the dark side of our nature - that's where the energy is, the passion. People are afraid of that because it holds pieces of us we're busy denying.
Sue Grafton quotes 

Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Tinted Legs

I have noticed lately not only on the fashion runways but also in the local fashion trends is that focus is leaning toward legs. Whether it is colored tights, funky leggings, lacy thigh highs, women all over are using legs, leggings, tights as a statement piece. AND I LOVE IT!

I bought two pairs of tights that I will be pairing it with something from my wardrobe and will post an OOTD (Outfit of the Day) but I wanted to share some images I found to help inspire this trend to all my stylish and fashion forward readers! I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think!

I love these! Leggings and tights are an accessory that most often goes ignored, neglected or forgotten, but this can add any pop of color to any boring outfit. and its prefect for those stubble days when you forgot to shave. hahahaha

I hope this inspired you! It certainly inspired me! As always, thanks for stopping by and see you again soon!

Smile through the hard times, even though it doesn't seem to get any better, cause a smile is the first step to fixing things.
Unknown quotes

Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Sugar Dust and other goodies

I know it has been a while since my last video, I havent forgotten you, just been busy! I grabbed a few things and just wanted to share it with my viewers!



I already mentioned my boots, or should I say my Jeffrey Campbell Lookalikes from Charlotte Russe, but since I mentioned them in my video, I will post them again.

Bed Head by TIGI Products!

Bed Head Sugar Dust

I give my review on this in the video, but here are some more details. This is an invisible (more like tiny white flakes) powder that you apply to your roots and it helps to soak up the oils in your hair and scalp and helps to give your hair that extra boost! I am in love with it!

Bed Head Sugar Shock

This can be applied to wet or dry hair for extra body and a more tousled look, But for better results, apply to dry hair and use a blow dryer to help give hair an edgier look. It smells really good too, like sugar- I almost wanted to eat it...but of course I wont....ewwwww. but you get where I am going!

I also picked up some other things-youll just have to watch to see what they are!

Dont forget to SUBSCRIBE on youtube at Foreveriris757 for more videos, reviews, DIY projects and other fun stuff

Thanks for stopping by and see you again soon!

Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.
Albert Einstein quotes

Surrender to Your Inner Artist

White Trees and Glitter

Just wanted to take a quick break from things and do a quick status post :) I know it has been going on a week or two since I have had a steady flow of blog posts. I have been super busy trying to organize photoshoots, projects, finish paintings, facesheets, looking for patterns to sew and of course squeezing in time to decorate for Christmas with a tree and do some shopping. Whew!

A small section of our tree. I love it!

I have been getting lots of inspiration from the shops and malls lately, I am noticing how styles are repeating and I am loving it! Check out some of these hats and this faux fur coat while shopping

I tried this on in Stein Mart.

This coat was really warm too!

I had an interview two weeks ago and rocked it out with this cute lil outfit- which I just had to wear my Lita Lookalikes to!

Yea, I took this pic in the bathroom hahaha- I was getting my Business License too!

Got these babies at Charlotte Russe for $49 LOVE!!!! I want more colors!

My makeup was on point that day too!

Alot of girls from my class at school have been graduating too! Time just seems to be going by way too fast!

And my graduation date is lurking ahead soon, on the 21st, and so I have been making my arrangements for when I am done to work on all my artwork and get everything rolling for my Sweet Surrender Art Business. :) NOW its OFFICIAL- since I have my business license. Next is my tax id and then will go from there.

I have recently also joined up with a photographer and a few other stylists and MUA's in my local area and are going to be planning some photoshoots. It has been about a month since my last one, but it has been since september since it was something I WANTED to shoot. hahahaa

Just wanted to give an update and let you know what was going on in my lil world. Thanks for stopping by and see you again in the next post!

Stop selling yourself short. You are an extremely capable individual. In life there will be many people who try and pull you down, and make you second guess your dreams. Don't let them pull you down, the truth is they just want you on the same level as they are.
Unknown quotes 

Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Creative Business Cards

Business cards. A business card can say so much about you and your business without even saying that much. What I mean by this is that a simple card with even just a number on it, a name or a website can grab the attention of a potential client. Its all in the design and presentation of that card that really captures the imagination and draws curiosity.

In my case and my peers, we are all artists in one shape of form or another, so our artistic side tends to peek its head out and wants to play :)   No one wants a boring business card. I certainly dont. I want to give a card that people want to remember, that they hold onto it and make sure it never gets thrown away or that is destined to hide in the bottom of some purse.

For the past few weeks, I have been doing ALOT of online research, trying to find a design I want to use for my business cards. I had my first batch of cards that came and went and now that I have been doing shoots, shows and other fun stuff, I really wanna UP my game.

Here is part of the design for my first set of cards

It is a bit plain, but it got my point across. I have some great ideas for my next set of cards, I got alot of inspiration from a few of these photos I found of some pretty cool cards. Check these out

I never knew that business cards could be so different and in so many of these cases, the are not cards at all but actual items- coins, puzzles, games, and so much more. They can be made of metal, plastic, rubber, water, leaves or even a stamp and a napkin.

It definetly has the wheels in my head turning along with my photography team. We are planning on designing something awesome to catch the attention of our clients and offer them something truly different- what better to start with that with our cards.

I hope this inspired you to rethink what Your Business card says about you and your business.

May your days be many and your troubles be few. May all God's blessings descend upon you. May peace be within you may your heart be strong. May you find what you're seeking wherever you roam.
Irish Blessings quotes

Thanks for stopping by and dont forget to subscribe to my page!



Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Let Haters be your Motivators

I wanted to just write a quick post that I have been wanting to do for about a week now, and I am finally having time to get to it. I have noticed lately the importance of professionalism. I have always strived to maintain a professional image before, but now that I am venturing into my own business and becoming a freelance artist, I have been paying more attention that usual.  These are just some tips I learned and apply to business.

Dress the part- you attract people based on your look, your attitude and how you carry yourself. I am not saying you have to care what everyone thinks of you on a personal level, but when you are in business for yourself, you do want to care how your CLIENTS think of you. Confidence and Self Esteem go hand in hand here.




 Being professional doesnt mean you have to be boring, or become a corporate suit. You can still be "YOU" and maintain a pro image. When youre freelance, there is no company name to back you up besides the one you are building yourself. Its not like a modeling agency, or a salon or department store where they have a reputation, and you are one of the countless employees on their payroll.

BE SOCIAL but be careful of what you are posting and how your clients may view you and what you stand for. Language and grammar can send the right or wrong message. If you are trying to target a certain group, pay close attention to trends and what they see if they are on your network or page. Although social networks are a great marketing and advertising tool, the best and fastest type of advertisement is WORD OF MOUTH. Good News travels but Bad news travels faster.

NO GOSSIPING ABOUT OTHER ARTISTS/BUSINESSES
Even if you had a bad experience with a person or business, be careful of whom you speak with about it. You never know if the person you are talking to is close to that other person and what you say could be really hurtful or damaging. Word travels and things also are exaggerated. Word can get back to the other person and overall gossiping just makes you look uneducated and ignorant.  Its just not good business.

DONT GET TOO COMFORTABLE
Dont be that artist that does the same things. As an artist, you have to constantly grow, change, adapt and overcome to new things and new opportunities. Strive to complete your goals and go beyond it to the next thing. We are always learning, always changing, dont be afraid of it. Dont worry about what other people will do or say- do what inspires you!

IGNORE THE NAY-SAYERS AND HATERS
No matter what you are doing or what you have done in the past or present, someone is always going to be the negative hater and try to bring you down either by gossiping about you to others, straight to your face or go out of their way to make you miserable. IGNORE THEM. I know that can be hard when what they say or do really hurts your feelings.


Haters will say you cant do it, or thats impossible, or You suck at life, or even call you everyname in the book, or use your past or mistakes against you and judge you upon nothing they know about. And I say this because I know what thats like for people to talk about me. Although it does affect me on a personal and emotional level, I wont let it get to me. I let those haters be my motivators.


I was told that I will never be successful. I will never have a second chance. I will never be able to have a job doing what I love. I will never have a normal life. I will never be happy. I have already proved that I am successful, I am loved, I have an amazing family and support system, I do exactly what I love-and I have more of a normal life than anyone I know  and I am SOOOOO HAPPY with my life and good things have been happening because I do not let anything get me down.


These are just things I wanted to share. I hope it helped you reading this to have confidence in yourself and what you are trying to accomplish.





Surrender to Your Inner Artist