Chasing Joy

Search Results for: two week wait

#FlashbackFriday & the Big Anouncement!!!

|

Happy Friday!  It’s Friday the 13th!!! (Cue scary music.)

Thanks for taking time to stop by Chasing Joy today before you get your Jason marathon going.  I know you are here for the big announcement but before I get to that, it’s time for the Flashback!!!

On #FlashbackFriday we share links to some of our favorite oldie but goody posts.  My favorite posts from last week’s linky are:

Let The Parodies Begin made me feel happy.  This will be my go to blog post when I need to smile 🙂  

Vodka Calling also made me laugh.  It’s all about a mom’s eventful shopping trip with her kids.  

My Flashback this week is Chasig Joy Brunch & Learn August Recap.  This post is a recap of all the fun I had at the last Chasing Joy event.

It’s your turn. Add your link below.  Share your post on the Chasing Joy Facebook Page and use the hashtag #FlashbackFriday on Twitter and Instagram to promote your Flashback posts. All are welcome to join the fun!!!  The only rule is to visit AT LEAST TWO other flashback posts from the linky.

Now, the moment you have been waiting for, the big announcement.  Are you ready???  Drumroll please…………

THE NEXT CHASING JOY BRUNCH & LEARN WILL BE SATURDAY JANUARY 11, 2014 IN WASHINGTON D.C.!!!!!!

That’s right the Chasing Joy Bruch & Learn is hitting the road and heading south from Philly to DC.  This road trip is going down thanks to an invitation from Curvy CEO. She loved hearing all of the positive feedback about the first two Brunches and did not want her D.C. area readers to miss out.

The D. C. Brunch will give D.C. area (and any of you who want to visit D.C.) bloggers, blog readers, and entrepreneurs the opportunity to come together in the spirit of starting the year off right by pursuing a happier more joyful life all while enjoying, networking, giveaways, speakers and a yummy Maggiano’s brunch.  Our speakers will be Jese Lewing Gary of Luxe Giving and Erika McDaniel of Your Chic is Showing.

If you are a blogger, blog reader, social media enthusiasts, motivator or person who has decided that personal happiness, fulfillment, and a Joyful life are goals worth pursuing then this is the event for you. If you believe gratitude, giving back, accomplishing goals, and trying new things are all methods of improving quality of life then this is the event for you.

Stay tuned to the Chasing Joy Event’s page for additional info.  The page will be updated regularly with info on our speakers, hostesses, and sponsors.  Be sure to join the Facebook Event and share it with your friends.  That’s the place for you to start connecting and networking early.  Also be sure to follow the hashtag #CJBL on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for up to date info.  

I hope to see many of you there on Saturday January 3, 2013 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at Maggiano’s Chevy Chase, 5333 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC.

Registration is now officially open!  Act now to get the early bird pricing.

Have you been to a previous Chasing Joy or Curvy CEO event?  What did you love about it?  Will you be joining us in DC?

#FlashbackFriday: Garden of Joy

|

Happy Friday!!!!  The Chasing Joy Brunch & Learn (#CJBL) is only 8 days away and I am so excited!!!  I can’t wait to hang out with some of my local Philly area readers and blogger friends. If you have not registered yet, no worries, there is still time.  Click here to view the speaker profiles, sponsor list, and registration info.

Enough about that for now.  I know why you are here.  It’s Friday and you are ready to Flashback!!!  Flashback Friday is where we link up our favorite older post to give them a second look and a little attention.  Add a link to one of your favorite older posts in the linkybelow, then check out the other linked posts.  

Make sure you share your post on the Chasing Joy Facebook Page and use the hashtag #FlashbackFriday on Twitter and Instagram to promote your Flashback posts.


All are welcome to join the linky!!!  The only rule is to visit AT LEAST TWO other flashback posts from the linky.  If you link up early be sure to come back and check out those who join the linky after you.  Remember the linky does not work properly if you don’t visit at least two other links 🙂

Here are my favorite posts from last week’s Flashback linky:

  • Kari Joys talks about how tears can lead to laughter and are just as important to maintaining a joyful life.  
  • Alison at Embrace the Struggle gives us four ways to avoid having a fragmented life.
My Flashback this week is Garden of Joy.  It includes pictures of my visit to Longwood Gardens. It was very nice and worthy of a second visit.  
After you link up make sure you grab the #FlashbackFriday button from the sidebar and click to tweet ->  I just linked up for #FlashbackFriday with @Chasing_Joy.
Now, give your old post new life via the power of the linky!!!

So, I Had This Meltdown, Not Very Joyful

|

A couple of weeks ago a had a little melt down.  It was not triggered by anything in particular I think being bored and lonely got the best of me.  It was actually a  mood swing that occurred over about a 36 to 48 hour period.  It started with me feeling really upbeat.  I specifically remember thinking Boy my life really is pretty good.  However less than two days later I found myself thinking, I hate my life, no wonder I am alone. If I don’t even like my life why would anyone want to be with me.  Yeah, I know. Crazy Right?

Well one good thing about seeing a therapist is that I am a little more in tune with myself.  So this meltdown did not last too long.  I caught myself and said wait two days ago you had a great life now it is horrible??  That’s not even possible Arlett. Get it together.  So I did.  Mood swing over. Back to being my normal Joy Chasing self, appreciating all that is great about my life and working to improve the not so great things.

One interesting thing that happened during my little melt down was that  I took my moodiness to Google.  I Googled about being unhappy with my life and came across a site (that I can’t find now) that suggested a writing task to help you figure out what you really want to do with your life so that you can make changes.

A few weeks later I decide to do the exercise. You are to set a timer for 20 minutes then write (or in my case type) out any and everything you want to do without really thinking about how logical or possible it is. I set the timer and wrote my list.  Because I like to have a visual, when I was done I put my list into Tagxedo and had it generate the word collage you see at the top of the post.  I was super excited when I was able to select the Joy image to display the collage.  The bigger words are supposed to be the ones that were used more often, though I don’t know how accurate that is.

Based on the way the words were created in the image what I want out of life is to Make Money Blogging so that I can Lose Weight, Buy things and Fancy Hair to Party.  LOL  That does not sound too bad 🙂

Here is what I actually wrote:
Go to a Hookah Bar
Get Married
Have kids
Be a mom
Have a wedding
Host a dinner party
Stay overnight at a hotel in center city just because
Lose weight
Gamble
Join a church
Write a book
Lose weight
Buy a luxury car
Cut my hair
Move
Have my own pool
Work part time
Dye my hair
Go skinny dipping
Get baptized
Go to the zoo
Go to the circus
Go to the aquarium
Have a fancy kitchen
Buy a car
Make money blogging
Have sold out blog events
Hire a maid
Put a tombstone at my dad’s grave
Open a scholarship in my dad’s name
Make a difference
Help others
Have someone throw me a surprise party
Go to the  ballet
Go to the symphony
Go to the opera
Buy myself fancy jewelry
Become more confident
Have a lawn
Volunteer
Donate money to causes
Find a tailor
Live in a big house
Have a guest room
Have an office
Take boudoir photos
Have shoes made
Find Mr. Right
Visit the liberty bell
Dine in fancy restaurants regularly
Build a house

There were no surprises on my list.  Several things had to do with my desires to have a family and improve my standard of living.  There were also several activities listed to fill my idle time.  I also had a few things on the list related to improving my spiritual and emotional life.   The biggest surprise in doing the exercise is that I actually drew a blank. I stopped writing several times during the 20 minutes when I could not think of what to write next.  I don’t think I did very well with the free association aspect of the exercise.

I think I will do it again in a few weeks.  For now what I have listed definitely gives me some things to do or work on to keep myself occupied.  A busy mind does not have time for meltdowns.

Have you ever caught yourself in mid meltdown and snapped yourself out of it?  Have you or would you do this or a similar 20 minute exercise to get in touch with what you really want in life?  What is or would be on your list?

#CJBL, Chasing Joy Brunch & Learn Recap and Live Tweet Giveaway Winner.

|

Me and Chasing Joy Brunch & Learn
speaker Melissa Lopez, aka  @Ms__Positivity 
It was a success!!! I’m talking about the Chasing Joy Brunch & Learn blogger and social media, inspirational networking event and meet up.  .

It took place this past Saturday the 27th at Maggiano’s in King of Prussia.  I am thrilled with how everything went.  The Joy Chaser’s who attended were awesome.  They came in the right spirit, ready to network and be inspired.  The inspirational speaker, Melissa Lopez of Positively Shining, was so one point with her message of following your passions and BYOB, being  your own boss.   The food and staff at the Maggiano’s in King of Prussia were wonderful.  Our food was great.  The wait staff in the King of Prussia room were attentive and helpful.  Things could not have gone better.I am thankful for everyone who came to the event.

  I appreciate the giveaways provided by the #CJBL Brunch & Learn sponsors:
A Happy Slappy Greeting
BellaNor Boutique
Chrystina Noel
CreekSide Naturals
Glitz Entertainment
& Paige Consulting
I hope everyone who one a giveaway reaches out and connects with our sponsors.

Speaking of reaching out to sponsors, there is one more giveaway to announce. This event was hosted by me, a blogger, and social media fan. It should come as no surprise that live tweeting was encouraged.  The hashtag was #CJBL.  A sponsor, Chrystina Noel is donating free handmade greeting cards to one attendee who shared her experience at Brunch by live tweeting.  The names of everyone who live tweeted during the event were listed on random.org.  The list was randomized to select a winner.  The winner of handmade greeting cards by Chrystina Noel is……..@MiiMiiFr3sH!!!  Congrats MiiMii!!!

It was truly an awesome experience to host the Chasing Joy Brunch & Learn.  I’m not ready to jump right into planning another one just yet. I’m tired, LOL.  Check back in with me in a couple weeks.  🙂 If you could not be there check out what you missed.  Visit the Chasing Joy Facebook Page to see some pictures.  Search the hashtag #CJBL on twitter or check out the Storify Slideshow below to see all of the live tweets form the event.

View “undefined” on Storify
If you attended what was your impression of the Chasing Joy Brunch & Learn?  What events have you gone to lately and what did you like about it?

#FlashbackFriday: A Thief Amongst Us

|

Happy Friday!!!

It’s time to revisit some of our older posts.  It’s time for the Flashback!  But before we dive into that I have some business to take care of.  

Last week I announced I was giving away 2 tickets to the Chasing Joy Brunch & Learn.  The Brunch & Learn is an afternoon of networking, motivational speakers, giveaways and yummy Maggiano’s food.  Our focus is on finding your passion and defining success for yourself.  It is taking place on Saturday April 27th at the Maggiano’s in King of Prussia, PA.  If you have liked the Chasing Joy Facebook Page and followed me on Twitter than you already know all of that 🙂   What you don’t know is who won the 2 tickets.  

Drum roll please……………..

The winner of 2 tickets to the Chasing Joy Brunch Learn is  Sarah Mazzone!!!!!  Congrats Sarah!!!

If you did not win maybe you’ll be more lucky at the event.  There will be several winning opportunities as giveaways are raffled of during the Brunch.  Registration is required to attend.  Just go to the Events Page to pay the registration fee.  Don’t wait until the last minute.  Secure your spot!!!  

If you are still on the fence about attending, join me along with the two event speakers Janeane Davis and Melissa Lopez for the #CJBL twitter chat.  You will get a sneak peak of the Brunch discussion.  The Chat is Monday April 15th at 8 pm EST.

In the mean time here is what Joy Chasers had to say about  why they will be at the Chasing Joy Brunch Learn. 

“For me, attending this event was a no brainer!  It is always worthwhile to invest in myself.” ~ Erika of your Chic is Showing

“This sounds like fun and a wonderful opportunity to meet up!” ~ Priscilla Jackson

“I am so excited to be part of this event!!!!” ~ Janeane Davis

“This is cool. I like this.” ~ Chrystina Cappello

Just in case you did not know that Chasing Joy event’s are awesome here is what Joy Chasers had to say about my last event, which happened to be for charity.  

“I so loved the event and yes I will attend another one” ~ Authoress Evelyn Jackson (Diva-lyn Small Business Guru)

“I would join future events, because it was a relaxing atmosphere and everyone was there for the same cause to give back” ~ Authoress Evelyn Jackson (Diva-lyn Small Business Guru)

“I had a wonderful time!” – Angel of Emeralistic Treasures.

Now on to the Falshback!!!  My favorite posts from last weeks Flashback are:

5 Reasons Blogger is An Excellent Choice – With the trend of so many bloggers switching to WordPress I like hear some of the benefits of Blogger.

A Happy Girl – Great guidelines for a Joyful life in her review of the book The Four Agreements.

 My Flashback this week is A Thief Amongst Us… A Joy Thief.  In this post I show how dealing with Joy thieves is similar to dealing with toddlers. 

Now it is time for you to share your Flashback Friday post.  Link to any post you like.  Post a link to your Flashback post on the Chasing Joy Facebook Page so more Joy Chasers can read it.  Use the hashtag #FlashbackFriday on Twitter to promote your Flashback posts. Check out AT LEAST TWO other flashback posts.  If you link up early be sure to come back and checkout those who join the linky after you.   Please leave a comment below saying why you selected your Flashback post and what you thought about the other Flashback posts.

Now, give your old post new life via the power of the linky!!!

Now that you’ve linked up, head head over to the Chasing Joy Events Page and get your tickets to the Chasing Joy Brunch & Learn.  Then help spread the word about it by retweeting:

Strut Your Stuff & Make Wearing Heels a Joyful Experience

|

I think it’s finally OK for me to wear a skirt.  I know some of you have been waiting for spring to arrive and the weather to warm up before you pulled out the skirts and dresses.  That’s not what I’ve been waiting for.  I have been waiting for my knees to heal.  A few weeks ago while out with a couple girlfriends I took a tumble and scraped both of my knees.  The good thing was I fell while walking to the car and not inside of the crowded bowling alley we were headed too (for the record, the fall also took place before any alcohol was consumed). The bad thing was prior to going out I had spent at least 30 minutes deciding which shoes to wear.  I’d picked out a sensible boot with a very low heel to avoid taking such tumble.  Yet there I was on the ground with skinned knees.

Last summer I was in a wedding.  During the rehearsal all of the men were excited, dancing around and being playful.  All of us women were worried about our shoes.  The shoes were beautiful but much higher than what we’d normally wear. We worried about tripping down the isle and stumbling up or down the pulpit steps.  We all made it through the ceremony without any mishaps or skinned knees.

Just these two examples show you that high heels = stress, at least for me.  I have pairs and pairs of shoes that I hardly ever wear because I don’t feel comfortable in them.  Or I know they will hurt so bad that I wont make it through the day wearing them. I have purchased and then donated to the Salvation Army pair after pair of shoes.

So why not just give up completely and be an I only wear flats girl???  Because heels make you feel sexy.  They make your legs look leaner and longer.  They are the finishing touch that takes an OK outfit and kicks it up to an awesome outfit.  Lucky for me Erica, who blogs at Your Chic is Showing is having a high heel tutorial to teach you high heel challenged women like me how to Strut Your Stuff.  The event will address tackling the runway or the hallway in those hard to manage heels, figure out the best outfits for your favorite kicks, and learn about the hottest shoe trends for 2013.  I cant wait!!!  

Strut Your Stuff is free and taking place at Stilettos in the Cherry Hill Mall in New Jersey from 2 to 4 pm  on Sunday April 28th (the day after the Chasing Joy Brunch & Learn).  I hope some of you will join me.  I know I cant be the only one who struggles with heels.  So who’s with me?  Register here before are all the tickets are gone!!!  Come to Strut Your Stuff and learn how to make wearing heel a Joyful experience.  

Do you ever struggle with heels?  Tell me your worst heel experience   If your a high heel pro what tip can you give me on how I can have a better experience?

#FlashbackFriday: The Joy of Volunteering… Or Maybe Not

|

Happy Flashback Friday!

I hope you all had a great week.  Mine was pretty good.  Yesterday would have been my dad’s birthday. I took off work and celebrated it with my mom by having a little fun at Parx casino and having dinner out.  Do you acknowledge the birthdays of loved ones who have passed away???

Anyway, back to Flashback Friday.  Here are a few of my favorites from last week:

Michelle @SSB is a quick do it yourself project that you can do with your little one.  You can even do something similar on an adult level for your significant other.
Fitness Friday Protein Shake via @Mommy Talk Show shares a healthy protein shake recipe that includes spinach.
Ask Doctor G offers parents advice on how to handle it when kids don’t want affection anymore.

Pick out your link for Flashback Friday and add it below.  Link to any post you like of any theme you want.  Then, if you want, you can post a link to your Flashback post on the Chasing Joy Facebook Page so more Joy Chasers can read it.  Use the hashtag #FlashbackFriday or #FBF on twitter to promote your Flashback posts. Then, make sure you check out AT LEAST TWO other flashback posts.  I suggest the two links before your post to make it easy.  If you link up early be sure to come back and checkout those who join the linky after you.   Please leave a comment below saying why you selected your Flashback post and what you thought about the other Flashback posts.

Wait!  Before you link up I want to remind you of a couple of things going on with Chasing Joy.   Be sure to enter my Most Joyful Things Giveaway.  There are lots of prizes and lots of ways to enter. Go here ->Most Joyful Things Giveaway.  Also be sure to get your tickets today for the Chasing Joy Brunch & Learn before prices go up on 02/10.  Get your tickets here -> #CJBL Tickets 

My Flashback Link, The Joy of Volunteering… or Maybe Not is about a volunteering experience I had that did not go the way I expected.

Now, give an old post new life through the power of the linky!!!

*Make sure you invite your bloggy friends to join in the Flashback so our little link party can grow.*
**Come back and link up again next week. **

Most Joyful Things Blogaversary Giveaway

|

Guess what happened three years ago today?   Three years ago I decided that I needed to find my way back to being my normal self.  Three years ago I decided I would not let grief and loneliness drown me.  Three years ago today I started Chasing Joy!!!!   It’s my blogaversary!!!!!
In celebration I want to talk about all things Joyful.  Now I know money cannot by happiness and the greatest Joy’s in life usually surround relationships, accomplishments, and experiences.  But there are a few things that definitely put a smile on my face. I’m going to tell you about them and here is the best part, you can get some of them for yourself as part of this awesome blogaversary giveaway.  This is the biggest giveaway to come across Chasing Joy, with 12 prizes, that’s right 12, and multiple ways to increase your entries after leaving a blog post.
In no particular order because all of these things are equally AWESOME! Here are my most Joyful Things!!!
  • Motions Hair Care Products!  I grew up seeing that familiar gold and purple packaged products in the hair stores in my neighborhood.  They have products for both relaxed and natural hair styles.  My favorite product is the Motions Hold & Shine spray.  I use it most often during that week right before I get my relaxer touch up.  It keeps my hair from being too unruly, holding it in place without making it feel hard while giving a nice sheen.  Now another reason Motions Hair Care made my most Joyful Things list is because they believe in giving back to the same community that buys their products.  They were one of the first and biggest sponsors of the Joy of Giving Charity Event.  
  • Potatoes! I know it’s a little weird but I love these things.  I actually think I’m addicted to them.  I have been picking them over rice and pasta when having carbs.  They are Green Giant whole red skinned baby potatoes in a rosemary butter sauce that steam in the bag in the microwave.  No cleaning, peeling, or chopping potatoes.  They are yummy and easy and definitely one of my most Joyful things.
  • Cake!  But not just any cake, cake from Bredenbeck’s Bakery!  Bredenbeck’s Bakery is my favorite bakery.  Their cakes are yummy and they can design them to fit your theme.  I loved my last birthday cake from there.  Check out the St. Patrick’s day theme.  Bredenbeck’s also believes in giving back and supporting charity events happening in and around Philly.  
  • Creekside Naturals:  Creekside Naturals brings me Joy because the owner and I started our friendship on twitter via blogging.  She’s started her business making natural soaps, saves and other assorted Natural products.  I love seeing her work in process pictures on Facebook and I appreciate Creekside’s support in all of my Chasing Joy ventures.  She donated awesome gift basket for the Joy of Giving Event.  Spoiler alert, you might win your own from the giveaway.  
  • Shades of Social Media!  OK this is not really a thing its a group.  It is a group of people of color who leverage social media for personal, business, civic and social purposes.  I have found tremendous support, knowledge, and encouragement from this group.  As a matter of fact one of the Shades, Sadiah aka @ProverbsWife even jumped at the chance to help me celebrate my 3rd Blogaversary by donating two copies of her ebook How to Get Organized in 24 Hours (oops that was another spolier). If you dont want to wait for the giveaway to end you can download her book NOW for only  $12.99 just Click here to visit Saidah @ AProverbsWife.com.. No worries, if you win How to Get Organized in 24 Hours in the giveaway your !$12.99 will be refunded 🙂
  • Emeralistic Treasures! Emeralistics brings me Joy because I love the Gem who creates all the Treasures.  She is absolutely one of my best friends and a friend for life.  I have know her since 4th grade, dare I say over 20 years.  It brings me great joy watching her turn her passion for turning precious gems and her love of crafts to a successful business. 
  • School Rings!  Well my school ring.  Every time I look at it I feel so proud of myself.  Attending and completing college is  not something to take for granted!  Many people are not fortunate to attend or are unable to finish for a variety of reasons.  It is such a blessing and an accomplishment.  I feel good whenever I look at it. 
  • Epiphany Mobile Spa!  She is the spa that comes to you.  This is a great idea to get spa services in the comfort of your own home.  I also really love that she offers special spa services for cancer patients. One of my favorite products from Epiphany was her scented shea butters.  The fragrances are not too overpowering ant he shea butter has helped my skin not be too dry through this winter.  
These are a few of my most Joyful Things!
Now, time for the fun!! The good part is it’s my blogaversary but you are getting gifts!  This is my biggest and best giveaway yet.  Here are the prizes.  5 of you will win my favorite hair spray, Motions Hold & Shine spray.  One of you Philly locals will win a $10 Gift Certificate to Bredenbeck’s Bakery.  Creekside Naturals is offering up prizes for two lucky readers, a gift basket of natural items and soap for a year (a different variety of natural soap delivered each month).  2 of you will learn How to Get Organized in 24 hours courtesy of A Proverbs Wife.  Remember you can order your copy of the ebook right now if you don’t want to wait for the giveaway to end just Click here to visit Saidah @ AProverbsWife.com  Emreralistic Treasures is offering a free hand made item from her collection.  Last but certainly not least Epiphany Mobile Spa is offering a gift basket of her spa products.  That’s a total of 12 different prizes that can be one.  
Use the Raffelcopter form below to enter the giveaways.  There are several ways to enter the giveaway to increase your chances.  The names will be chosen at random so one person can win more than one prize.  The winners will be announced on or after January 21st 2013.
Now jump right in to the giveaway by commenting below telling me about some of your favorite things.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Joyful I Didn’t Miss Everything

|

Modeling the Scarf during our photography lesson.

I really want to thank all of  you for praying for my mom.  Prayer does work.  I ask that you all please continue.  She is home now but we are still awaiting test results and instructions.

Because of everything that’s been happening in my personal life I did not make it out to the Walk The Talk Fashion Event this past Saturday 🙁  I hope some of you made it.  If so please leave comments below telling me what I missed.
Luckily I did not miss everything that I’d planned to do over the couple of weekends.  I did make it to the Business for Bloggers and Creatives workshop put on by Jamila Payne.  This was a great workshop.  I came home with some great tips for making the Chasing Joy Brand that much more awesome.
There was a interesting mix of people at the workshop.  Lot’s of business people who are trying to branch out into social media.  This was the opposite of the typical blogging events that I’ve attended where most of the people are bloggers who are trying to learn to treat their blog as a business. 
Me and Jessica from FoundtheMarbles.com
Highlights of the event for me were doing a page business plan, learning about press releases and getting to hear from bloggers that I have been following online for a while.
The business plan was great because it was a short term one.  You answer all of the questions related to the next year or two and then you actually use it and work from it.  This is different from a traditional business plan that may cover 10 years or more and can be kind of vague and hard to work from on a daily bases. Important things covered in the plan include setting goals, What steps you’ll need to accomplish the goals, and what road blocks may be in the way of those goals.  Another great thing about the business plan was that it got to the nitty gritty with financial goals (desired salary + expenses related to business goals = necessary revenue)
The conversation about press releases was great for me because I had no clue what to write in one.  I also did not know you can do a press release after an event.  I really missed a great opportunity to get out a press release either before or after the Joy of Giving Chasing Joy Charity Event.  But you live and learn.  Now I know that press releases are used to announce up-coming events, successful events, new hires, new campaigns and any new ventures that may be news worthy.  Post event press releases need to happen within a day or two of the event or it is old news.
One of the other cool things we did at the Business for Bloggers and Creatives was to take a field trip to Kembrel where we learned how to be models.  Well I learned how to be a model.  We received a lesson on how to best take photographs so that our blog posts can look more polished.  We did a role play where some of the group were models, stylists, photographers, and photo shoot directors.  Tips I learned were to use a white background and stand close to the wall or back drop to minimize shadows.  If you have to crop a photo of a person to crop above the knee so they don’t look amputated.  Lighting is everything!!!
Have you been to any unique or informative events lately???

Flashback Friday: Christmas Eve

|

Happy Flashback Friday, Black Friday, and Belated Thanksgiving Joy Chasers.  I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.  Especially those of us who have a hard time with the holidays.  As I write this post it is Thanksgiving Day.  I am writing while waiting for my last side dish (stuffin muffins) to finish so that me and my mom can eat.  After dinner we are going to head out to Target to scope out the Black Friday scene.  Neither of us need anything but since it is the two of us it will be fun 🙂 

As I reflect on all that I am thankful for this year, this blog and the Chasing Joy community of Joy Chasers on Facebook and Twitter stands out amongst the things I am most thankful for.  This blog has been God’s blessing to me and a lifeline that pulled me out of so much grief and sorrow.  I am constantly encouraged and inspired by your comments, facebook posts, tweets, and emails.  I am Thankful for each and everyone of you. 

I am also thankful for Flashback Fridays which let us look back on past posts.  If you are new here is the deal.   Flashback Friday is a great way to re-discover our earlier works and discover some new blogs. Flashback Friday is where we Flashback to our older blog posts and give them new life through the power of the linky! Just pick out your link and add it below. You can link to any post you like the theme does not have to match my post. Feel free to post a link to your Flashback post on the Chasing Joy Facebook Page so more Joy Chasers can access it. Use hashtags #FBF or #FlashbackFriday on twitter to advertise your Flashback post. Add your link below and be sure to check out AT LEAST TWO other Flashback posts. I suggest the two listed before your post to make it easy. Please leave a comment saying why you selected your Flashback post and what you thought about the other Flashback posts. I’m looking forward to reading all of your Flashbacks.

My Flashback this week is a good welcome to the holiday season.  Merry Christmas, is a reflection on the holidays written on Christmas Eve. 
*Don’t forget to grab the I am Chasing Joy and Flashback Friday buttons!

**Also invite some of your blogging buddies to join the Linky too!

Paste your AdWords Remarketing code here