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Here A Party There A Party!

7/16/2014

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Those of us keeping up with the Summer Solstice which occurred on June 21st, 6:51 a.m. for us here on the east coast that is, was an exciting time. No more struggles with snow blowers and what seemed like hourly plowing. Ice and snow as we knew it-gone. P-A-R-A-D-I-S-E!

Grill marks and al fresco introduced themselves nicely as the order of the day. For me that means a nice burn on the toes until the turning of the leaves.

Shaking off the horror that was our New England winter I planned on  throwing a party. One that everyone could have fun at, not just the grown-ups. Instead of relegating the kids to a no-mans land, I created an oasis to keep kiddies and mommies happy. I knew about 15 people were coming and an adorable group of girls I affectionately call "my mommas" were to attend.

First thought was more than a gift bag but nothing over the top expensive. Kids like trinkets but they have to make sense to them and be useful beyond the party. I've got it! I candy bar with little "to-do's". My budget gained some strength. I researched the best dollar stores for quality goods and quantity. A dollar is a bit much to pay for two lollipops or 5 gummy bears in a bag-am I right?!. Setting off for my local Dollar Tree, I rounded up the usual girlie suspects: Ring-Pops, Swizel Sticks, and Smarties. Pretty pastels and yummy confections-you can't go wrong. I found gourmet flavored gumballs which were delish! Only two bags were needed to fill the globe shaped bowl I keep in my glass collection. My local party store had 15 for $1.00 on about thirty types of loose candies and chocolates. (more pictures are below)

After finding a pink faux-fur rimmed basket for $.50, (an after season special), one box of crayons to share, which gave the girls a chance to test out their sharing skills and offered an easy way to make new friends. I did the same for the activity book. The dollar store had ginormous books that I tore out, trimmed down and made into a fan-like pattern. lining them in a pottery planter with white shred paper and the boxed sections of crayons finishing the look.

At night's end, the girls barely touched a quarter of the sheets because they had so much fun talking and cooing over the candy bar. Another summer staple: bubbles, three packs were you guessed it, $1.00. A party's not a party without balloons: quantity 6 at my party store, also $1 each, in the girls' favorite colors. Add a few polka-dotted favor boxes from the same dollar store and the candy bar was complete and for around $20.00!

By doubling two plastic table cloths, rectangular in size, one pink, the other white, I created the look of a ball gown. To secure the candy bags, utilizing the glue gun to affix the silk purple flowers to each, I made a small white band making a floral bouquet to hold the bags onto the table. The bags were 3 for $1 and the stickers were left over from the afro favors, on sale at the craft store for $.74. The flowers I had already but they are not pricey if you need to buy them.

The menu was kid-friendly too: corn on the cob, baked beans, my chicken bake-roast, rice and peas. Some of my friends added more delights with a cranberry-sunflower salad, great rolls and an over-the-moon seven layer chocolate mousse cake. A darling addition were lemon cupcakes and sugar cookies. Just enough since we did not want the girls spinning out on a sugar rush. All in all, the evening including squared paper plates and cups, candy bar and dinner menu: $70.00. Not bad at all and I never broke a sweat.

I generally keep the same budget for all of my themed parties. This one had an afro-centric theme including silhouetted afro styles hot glued to bags of hard candy for the "grownies". I accented each "hairdo" with a small floral craft sticker for affect to match the new product introduction by my dear friend Elaine Williams of Olivia's Natural Essentials. I hope to have an interview with her soon, so remember you heard it here first because the product goes beyond working, it is AMAZING!

Stay tuned and enjoy the warm hues, smells, sights and sounds of summer.

Best,

Dawn








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Dressed table with ball gown affect; contents of candy bar; below: afro-centric favors.
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Timing Is Everything

4/26/2013

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So often people who have had good ideas benched them due to fear. Perhaps you saw billboard or something on television that struck a chord and you thought of ways to improve or expound on a project you created years ago. Did you think about taking it to the next level?

Or that terrific book idea, you know the one, where you were going to offer great cooking tips or organizational skills in the workplace or home life. I too felt that maybe it wasn't my time. Needed more experience, skill or exposure. I am so grateful that I had the courage to pursue my passion for writing. I want to share a bit of my story with you in hopes that it will inspire you. Utilize and manage your time, energy and knowledge to keep your light going.

After a layoff in 2010 I packed what few things I had at my desk and hit the ground running. My business plan was blooming! I took time to research where my success would grow best. I reviewed various published works, publishing venues, interests and topics captivating the minds of those young and young at heart. I soon realized that there was room for me, albeit competitive in the world of publishing. I knew I could add more spice and flavor to it.

What changed for me? I lost my nerves and found the nerve to continue. I took a piece of paper and drew a line down the middle. One side reflected all the motivations, the other, reasons to pause. I took a long hard look at my skill level. Was I committed to being humble enough to accept critics and commendations? To learn, grow my talent. Clever enough to expect the challenges. Not to walk away when times got rough or the money ran low. Stamina to go it alone knowing that some would not be supportive. Sure was and still am!

Endless possibilities consumed me. I began to do the mental battle of which assignments to keep, which to reject. Which would help my career. I wrote my three novels, "A Flowered Thorn", "A Letter For Brighton" and "MOTIV8" all currently on Amazon. I added valued services within my realm of expertise and I learned that before asking for extended help I actually had something to offer. Three years later, here I am founder and CEO of my own publishing company, Floral Greens Publishing!

How can I describe this euphoria? You know the feeling when you see that perfect sunset. The warm rush of emotion as you drink in the colors. The sun descends and the crescent makes its arrival. The light is just right. Perfect. If the sun and moon altered an inch out of character, the results, not as spectacular. It is similar regarding your light. Take the time to choose your right path. Do not rush it. Set goals, write things down. Work alongside and keep realistic timelines that keep you current. Do the research and learn the difference between information and knowledge.

I have a favorite candle store in Granby Connecticut. The lovely owners have coined a now memorable phrase that appears at the end of their monthly newsletter. It simply says: "We'll keep a candle in the window for you". I'd like to add something slightly different as you embark on your quest to achieve: Don't allow anyone to blow out you candle.

May your sunsets be bountiful and bright!

Dawn


























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Man Up Women! Mastering Confidence In A Women's World

4/10/2013

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Women on a whole must learn to respect their own opinions, values and contributions. Too often the consensus is to wait on validation before proceeding to the next level of their career.

Relevant actuation starts with you. What are your points of interest? Do they spark more hobby or career? Does your business plan reflect the serious steps of progressive, realistic success for your business model?

I have seen women go to many a seminar. Clap their hands, stand and vow to champion and channel what they have heard into something viable. The walk back to the car proves undermining as they face the real trepidation of the follow through.

Some mistakenly think that previous management skills will instantly set them up for their own business. In certain facets of business that may play an important role. But you have to remember that you most likely became part of a structured set of processes that you had no hand in establishing. Unless you understand ground working fundamentals of creating a business, even a franchise, in which there are
patterned foundations, it takes great effort before you see the kinds of returns that keep you in the black.

Talking metrics and other analytics are usually the last things on the mind of someone not strong enough to handle a business platform of their own. Having said that, if these topics cross the mind of the unsteady and are not fleeting daydreams then this could be a positive segway in determining true potential or not.

Either way, entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. However, if one wishes to proceed, they have to own the challenges, the highs and the lows. Not give up as soon as there is a roadblock or disconcerting comment. We must own what we set out to do and find advice and assistance, building structure accordingly. That is empowering in itself. We live, we grow and along the way we learn. Then we plan and act. But, we must own it and only you can do that for yourself.

Now-let the education begin and let your light shine!

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You Need To Be Proactive! LaShanda Henry is the founder of www.Sistasense.com

2/28/2012

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This is a wonderful platform for anyone looking for inspiration to move forward with your life. If you do nothing else this week, check out her site and I know you will feel the same. As a new business start-up I can tell you it can be scary but it is worth the hard work and effort.

I am fueling this site as well as writing my second book as an Indie. I am still a weekly content writer for www.hubpages.com and let me tell you, I am just warming up.

With other women like LaShanda moving forward despite any roadblocks, you can do anything you want to. Achieve anything, make workable solutions. Create the kind of business and maintain a clientele that will just fall in love with you. It starts with you. Think positively! You are talented, smart, intelligent. Love yourself enough to know you are capable!-Dawn
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    The Floral Greens Publishing Concept


    First off-let me thank you personally for visiting us here at Floral Greens Publishing LLC. Our Target Focus: World Class Customer Care and dedication in offering fun, professional results without breaking your wallet, adding positive value to your business.

    The concept is simple. Deliver honest, stellar work. The rewards: balanced wellness for home and business. We love exceeding our clients' expectations! So bring on your deadlines and count on well researched, accurate work every time.

    As CEO, Owner and Founder of Floral Greens Publishing LLC Dawn is dedicated to fulfilling all of your publishing needs, offering traditional & digital services in:

    ​Speaking Engagements
    Fiction
    Non-Fiction
    Assessment/Organization
    Writing
    Autobiographies 
    Short Stories
    Poetry
    Greeting Cards
    Children's Books
    Magazine/Ezine Articles
    Web Content & Design
    Blogs 
    Novels
    Proofreading 
    Editing
    Copyediting 
    Copywriting
    Social Journalism
    Publishing
    Plays
    Book Signings
    SEO/Marketing
    ​Sponsorships
    Traveling Story-Tellers 
    Classes and Workshops
    Life Coaching
    ​Business Coaching


    Speaking-where we create customized discussions and project enhancements that target and strengthen business and home life. Whether you work as a team, solopreneur or just want to better organize your daily thought-life, the skills you achieve with us will prove to be the gift that keeps on giving.

    Getting our start as Independent Publishers also known as Indies, we have gained momentum and continued respect as a powerful force in social media and publishing arenas.

    As true advocates of spoken and written word we support our public libraries and appreciate their positive effects on our communities in building literacy across the country and the world. Through our ongoing efforts we diligently strive to shed renewed life on Deaf Culture with stories, poems and novels featuring American Sign Language.
     
    Why stop there? As a self-professed "Frugal Guru" Dawn loves writing about bargain shopping and sharing her many successful tips, recipes, consignment finds and other interests for the everyday lifestyle.

    Writing has been a life-long dream now realized and here at Floral Greens Publishing LLC we have hit the ground running!

    ~Remember, everyone has a voice, it is up to you how you want to be heard~Dawn

    Other Credits:
    Dawn is an active member of:
    CAPA-(Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association)
    ProjectEve-www.projecteve.com
    Hubpages-www.hubpages.com
    Amazon Author with three Kindle books to her credit:
    A Flowered Thorn
    A Letter For Brighton
    Motiv8

    "Making What You Write-Right"

    Contact Dawn at Floral Greens Publishing LLC for a free no obligation quote on freelance or contract needs at: dawnaharden@gmail.com or call 860-995-8772









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