Books Overcome Failures And A Free eBook Giveaway 8:00 AM What you think about your story greatly influences how you tell it. -Dr. Ifeoma Samuel Competition has ended. Congrats Jayson Santos for winning! Overcome FailuresFailure is a topic many people---myself included---can easily relate to. How many times have I failed in life? I lost count. Bruised. Battered. Badly wounded. Scarred for life. Not so different from most of you, I presume. But hey, here we are. Still standing. Still smiling. What keeps me going?I'm too stubborn to let life knock me down. I chose to be happy a long time ago. That, and God's grace. Mostly His grace. You know who else is an expert in overcoming failures? My friend Ifeoma. If you've been a follower of this blog (I am eternally grateful to you), you might have read her guest article Ultimate 30 While In Your 30’s Checklist. Guess what? She's launching her new book Overcome Failures: Get Back On Your Feet. It comes with a companion study. So, you don't just read her story and reflections, you get to write down your own reflection from your own story. Reading it feels like you are walking in your journey and Ifeoma is there to hold your hand every step of the way. Such a gift she is. And her book. eBook giveaway! Speaking of gifts, I am giving away a free copy of her eBook Overcome Failures and a companion study! This is Ifeoma's offer for the launch of her book. The book launch is on August 16. This giveaway is open internationally. Enter below and be blessed with this amazing and uplifting eBook. Overcome Failure Book and Companion Study Giveaway What's your back-on-your-feet story? Click to read the Goodreads reviews here. You can pre-order the book here until the book launch on the 16th of August, 2016.
Travels Top Places To Visit In Austria 7:59 AM If you are planning your trip to Austria and do not know where it is better to go there. Click here РFind a tourist list with restaurants, fkk hotels, and museums. Guide for Tourists РWhat to See in Austria Despite the modest size of its territory, Austria has lots of attractions for its tourists Рboth natural and man-made. The country offers almost all types of tourism Рfrom cultural sightseeing and marching to gourmet trips. Also, make sure to visit fkk hotel establishments as this type of relaxation has become quite a hit lately. Talking about the beauty of nature in this country, it is all right here, in the cities surrounded by mountain Alpine peaks, blue lakes, forests and meadows, the best examples of classical music have been created. And it is not surprising that the great composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert and Johannes Brahms found their inspiration in this charming place. The country landscapes are especially beautiful in summer when hikers can flock to national parks and Alpine meadows. Nevertheless, Austria is extremely popular in winter as well since there are many ski resorts. As for gourmet trips, resting in the big cities, you can create a rich sightseeing program for a few days. You can visit the royal residences and palaces, go to interesting museums, see the Vienna State Opera, the National Library, and the Hundertwasser House. Those who are the bravest can even view the shocking exposure in the Pathology Museum. And it's still nice to stroll around spacious squares and main streets, which are usually architectural monuments, and everything is steeped in history, including the local shops and restaurants. The most popular attraction in the capital of Austria, Vienna, is Lovely St. Stephen's Cathedral, which is a symbol of the city. However, the Vienna Belvedere Palace, Sch̦nbrunn Palace complexes and the Hofburg are some other places that are worthy your attention. When planning a travel route through Austria, it is possible to get acquainted with the lists of sites of major tourist cities of Salzburg, Graz, Baden, Tyrol and other regions. Each of them has its own specific places to visit and see. For example, a good place to visit in Salzburg is Wellcum where you can rest with your soul and body. The place is famous for its varied saunas that have a rejuvenating effect on the body, restoring energy and strength. This article was submitted by site supporter and may contain affiliate links. Photos from the author. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Events Basic Invite: Party Planning Mom's Best Friend 8:00 PM Every child deserves to feel special and loved. They deserve to be celebrated. As a mom, it seems like there is always an event to plan. With the event always comes the invitation. Whether you’re a new mom looking for the perfect baby shower invite or throwing your little one’s first birthday party, you’re looking for an invitation that your loved ones will fall in love with. Every party planning mom's best friend There are tons of sites online that offer tons and tons of invitations, and scrolling through the countless amount of options can all start to look the same. That’s why there are sites out there like Basic Invite who are dedicated to serving up completely one of a kind, customizable stationery to mom’s everywhere. From gradation announcements, birth announcements, baby shower invites, first birthday invites, or even invitations for your child’s Bar Mitzvah; Basic Invite got you covered! Finding the invite that’s perfect for you can get a bit overwhelming. Some sites don't have hardly any color options, nor has a customizable option. Customize it! Not the case at Basic Invite! Once you select a design you can change the color of each element on the card to over 160 different color options! With the ability to customize your card down to the tiniest of details, you’re bound to create the card of your dreams. Being a mom is a busy job. And there’s the risk of ordering something online, only to have it arrive looking nothing like the way it appeared online. That’s why Basic Invite offers customers the ability to order a custom sample of their actual invite! This gives you 100% “love it” guarantee. If there’s anything you aren’t happy with when the invite is in hand, make the changes you need to make sure everything is perfect. One way to go above and beyond with impressing your child’s loved ones is to choose a colored envelope to match your customized invite with a customized envelope! With over 40 different colored envelopes, your loved ones will have never been so delighted to receive a bright and vibrant piece of mail! Sealed with love Basic Invite also knows what a pain it can be to have to lick countless amounts of envelope, that’s why each of the envelopes are peel and seal! This will save you lots of time… and lots of licking. Basic Invite is truly every party planning mom’s best friend. Head over to Basic Invite now to create a truly special and personal announcement you will hold on to forever! This article was submitted by site supporter and may contain affiliate links. All photos from Basic Invite. Author: Brakell Willey is the Social Director for Basic Invite and spends her days writing about love, family, and the best way to celebrate all of life’s biggest moments. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Fashion & Style Trending Now: Boho Chic Style 8:00 PM Fashion is OK for five days, one minute, six months, but style is for the rest of the life. -Stefano Gabbana A guest blog by beauty & fashion writer Peter: Boho has been really popular in recent years and it continues to make its way in fashion. This summer, boho chic style made the streets and shops filled with colors and stylish combinations. Like any other style reminiscent of the past times, boho chic also added its own twist to the whole concept of expressing one’s individuality. Why is this trend so popular? Not many fashion trends managed to survive as long as boho did. This is most probably due to its versatile nature and open declaration of individuality. While many other styles have to be adjusted or completely cast away for different occasions, boho can make its way through to the most elegant and important of events, as well as serve as a casual laid-back style on lazy days. Casual boho chic This style is not only popular among younger generations but also finds its respective place in the wardrobe of more mature ladies. This is precisely because it is so easy to throw on an outfit that will express the fine fashion sense and all its details perfectly. Loose tops with lace or colorful patterns are appealing to a vast number of fashionistas regardless of their age. The same goes with flowy and flattering maxi dresses that are really comfortable in the summer. Of course, denim or lacy shorts are also a big hit this season. Paired with a bunch of jewelry depending on one’s personal tastes and preferences, this is truly a style that anyone can make their own and unique. For a complete casual feel, opt for flat footwear such as converse shoes, strappy sandals or even loose boots. Elegant boho chic Moving from the casual, almost subculture kind of vibe is exactly what made this style so timeless and popular. Dresses, skirts, tops and even pants are designed in such a way that they are perfectly suitable for a more formal occasion or generally for those who value elegance above everything else. Colors are usually neutral while patterns are achieved with different shades of the same color. Lace is really big part of the romantic look in this case. What’s more, flat footwear is not the only option anymore. With new designs and cuts, it is absolutely possible to complete your boho look with some stylish wedges or cool high heels. Great accessibility What makes boho style so cool and unique, apart from this trend being made to express one’s personality, is the fact that different bits and pieces of clothing that might even belong to a different style are easily incorporated in a perfect outfit. Folk, tribal prints, grunge, vintage and many more styles can be considered boho nowadays and paired with anything. No wonder thrifting has become so popular and there are even many stores and online boutiques that strictly sell vintage clothing. What’s more, one can visit handmade goods marketplace in search for some of the high quality yet completely unique garments that would enrich any outfit with the intricate details, amazing patterns and spectrum of colors. How to make this style your own The important thing about boho is the already mentioned aspect of strong individuality and personal touch. Therefore, never try to simply copy what someone else is wearing but put some effort in choosing your own preferred garments that you will feel most comfortable in. With so many choices in the stores you’ll definitely find something that suits you. The essence of boho style is being able to enjoy yourself as well as your sensibility to the fullest. Shopping for clothes and putting together an outfit isn’t a tedious task anymore but a fun and engaging endeavor that helps you show your true colors to the world without fear. Every time you go on a hunt for a new piece can become a little adventure where you get to know yourself even better. That’s the true beauty and glory of chic boho fashion. About the author: Peter is a beauty & fashion writer at Shlur LAPALME magazines, living in Brisbane and London! Besides that, he worked as a fashion intern for many fashion events and magazines. His future plans are in creating a personal business for beauty & style advising. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Guest Blogger What Failure Taught Me 6:55 AM A guest blog by Kristal Marie: "I have just started this new project. I am so excited; I have so many great ideas. I really hope it fails!" Said no one ever... Nobody sets out to fail, but it happens. The reality is if you desire to be successful you are going to fail at some point. Yes, failures are tough lessons, but they are also invaluable. The key to finding value in your failures is not to settle at failure's feet. Rather, if you learn from it, your failure is only one step along your path to success. What Failure Taught Me What failure really is Failure is nothing more than the omission of expected or required action. This is the literal definition. Failure is not the end unless you settle. You tried something and your expectation was not met. It is not over; it just means you try something else. Pick yourself up and try the next thing. Failure encourages change When you fail at something, you quickly realize that you need to change, your expectation, your process or sometimes both. Far too often we resist change, because change puts us outside our comfort zone. It took me many years to learn to embrace change. I avoided change like it was the plague. But, I have learned that change, in reality, is a good thing. Yes, it puts me outside of my comfort zone, but without change I can never improve. Improving life necessitates some kind of change. So it is when you fail. Unless you settle for your failure, you will change something, and that change will lead to improving you or your circumstances. Failure causes growth Here's the thing, success is great but the truth is, we don’t grow through our successes, we grow through our failures. When we are successful at something, we keep doing it over and over again. You don’t fix something that is not broken. But when we fail, it gives us an opportunity to learn new things to grow stronger and persevere through our failure. We learn to combat our fears and keep swimming forward. I was listening to an interview with Mary Shenouda, founder of the wildly successful Paleo Chef website and Phat Fudge. Shenouda was asked, “What if plan A doesn’t work out?” Her response was simply, “Sharks don’t swim backwards.” That attitude has made her the success she is today. No matter what obstacles or failures you encounter, like the shark, you keep swimming forward. Have this mind set, and your failures will propel you forward. Think of Michael Jordan, referred to as the best basketball player of all time. Guess what. He was cut from his high school basketball team.Thankfully, for millions of basketball fans, he did not settle for this failure. Jordan has said of his own career, “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Failure creates new opportunities When something works for us, we tend to stick with it. It is not very often that we go out looking for new opportunities when things are going well. But when we fail we will encounter new and better opportunities. We can be so busy saying ‘yes’ to every little opportunity because we are afraid to fail, that we miss better opportunities. Did you know that Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard to start his own business? No, it was not Microsoft. He started a business with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen called Traf-O-Data. Never heard of it? I am not surprised. The business was a complete failure. But this failure created the opportunity to create the global empire that is Microsoft. Failure forces reflection A failure is an opportunity for personal reflection on your goals and what you are doing to achieve them. Ask yourself, “Am I doing what I should be doing? Is there something I could do differently that would suit me better? What other avenues can I pursue?” Often, when we stop and reflect on a failure, we see the failure occurred because there is something better suited for us. Do not be afraid to change and do something differently. It is your failures that lead to your ultimate success when you don’t settle at failures feet. Learn the lessons uniquely provided by your failures and enjoy your new opportunities you are sure to encounter on your path to success. Gifs from Google images About the author: I’m Kristal Marie. I blog at www.itsmyfavoriteday.com where I aim to inspire you to make each day your favorite day, whether by encouraging a simple frugal life, new ways to manage your time, and pursue your goals. I am all about turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Travels The Ruins: Taj MaHal Of The Philippines 8:00 AM There is beauty in the ruins, for even the phoenix rises from the ashes. -LG The Ruins in Talisay Negros is dubbed as the Taj Mahal of the Philippines. I went there and I was captivated by it's beauty as I was fascinated with its story. (Click individual image to view in full size) The Ruins: Taj MaHal Of The Philippines The love story that built the mansion photo credit: filipiknow.net Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson was a bachelor who owned a 440-hectare sugar plantation in Talisay City, Negros Occidental. In one of his trips abroad, he met Maria Braga and instantly fell in love with her. With their family's blessing, they got married shortly after and were blessed with 10 children. When Maria was pregnant with their 11th child, she slipped on their bathroom floor and bled profusely. With her condition, she couldn't afford to travel so Don Mariano sent for someone to fetch a physician. Unfortunately, though the physician was only from the next town, there were no decent roads yet and the mansion was in the middle of their plantation. So, it took 4 days for them to get to Maria. Maria and the baby were already dead when the doctor arrived. Don Mariano was in so much grief when he lost his love. In her memory and honor, he decided to build the mansion. Thus, the title Taj Mahal of the Philippines. Maria's father helped fund the building and Mariano's son Felipe supervised the construction. Don Mariano lived in the mansion and allowed his kids to stay too---for as long as they don't marry. A Japanese gardener was hired to maintain the gardens but he disappeared just before the war. It was found out later that he was a Japanese spy. The Ruining Don Mariano's mansion was built in the early 1900s. They decided to burn it during the early part of World War II to prevent Japanese forces from using it as headquarters. The concrete structure remained strong. It's said that it has a really good foundation because the cement was mixed with egg white instead of water. (When you touch it, the surface is really smooth). Don Mariano wasn't just a sugar baron, he also owned a poultry. (Though honestly, with the size of the mansion, I can't imagine how many eggs they used. And what happened to the egg yolks?! Just me being overly inquisitive and silly here.) Present day The 903 square meter structure still stands tall to this day. If you take a closer look at the pillars, the design looks like letter 'E'. They're actually 2 'M's facing each other. Mariano and Maria together til the end. Source: The Ruins website photo The top edges of the mansion also feature a shell-inspired decor, which in New England indicates that the home is owned by a ship captain. This design is in honor of Maria Braga’s father, who was a ship captain. The belvedere facing west enables one to view the beautiful sunset through the bay window. Don Mariano was said to often be sitting in the glassed-in sunroom viewing the ships that come and go along the coastal waters of Talisay. The floor is an original. Standing on a centuries old tiled floor here! Aside from the mansion, I was enchanted by the vast garden. The fountain, the old chimney that has somehow grown a tree (due to bird droppings according to the tour guide)... I love it! There was also soft piano music playing from the cafe just across the mansion. It's perfect for a romantic date. The Ruins is a real stunner. It's even more breathtaking at dusk. No wonder it's one of the 12 Most Fascinating Ruins in the World. Pictures, Pictures, Pictures My sweet friends gave me a surprise visit and vacation. I'm glad The Ruins is on the itinerary they prepared. Here's a few snaps of us enjoying the place. You can visit The Ruins in Talisay Negros daily. They're open 8:30am-8pm with an entrance fee of Php50 or 1.06 USD. Check here for directions. Sources: Travelog Philippines Choose Philippines Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email Photos from Stephanie, Lester, Sis Ba, Czar, Pearl
Fashion & Style Be More Than Just Pretty With Uncommon Goods 1:39 PM It’s not enough for me anymore that it’s a beautiful item or a beautiful piece. I want to know that it’s not leaving a negative mark. -Emma Watson It's more important to be a person of substance and purpose and not just be a pretty face. Agree? If there is a chance to pick between a fashionable item only and one that is aesthetic with value, it's a no-brainer which one you'll opt for. From dresses to accessories, there’s a wide range of gorgeous items available in the market today. Thanks to the internet, we can even purchase them without leaving the house. But is it enough for you to own just a pretty piece? Wouldn’t it be nice to buy something that’s more than just beautiful to look at? Be More than Just Pretty with Uncommon Goods Pretty for a cause It's ideal to buy a stylish jewelry and give back to the community at the same time. Thanks to Uncommon Goods, it is now possible to do so. An independently-owned business, Uncommon Goods supports causes that impact the world in a positive way. With every purchase you make, they donate $1 to the non-profit of your choice. They started their Better to Give program 12 years ago, and have since donated over $1 million to charities around the world. Uncommon Goods is a Certified B Corporation. Meaning, they met the rigorous standard on a wide range of issues, including wage levels, environmental impact, and giving back to the community. Handmade Jewelries Uncommon Goods have handmade jewelries that have intricate details and elegant designs. They’re perfect for gift giving or as addition to your collection. Since it's handmade, you can be sure that it’s been given the best attention and utmost care. They even have a short bio of the maker for each piece so you can get to know the beautiful person behind the exquisite art you're buying. Click here to see more of their handmade jewelries. Minimalist Design They have elegant, edgy, colorful, fun, and eclectic designs to cater each individual’s preference. What I personally like is their minimalist design. Leonardo da Vinci said it best: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Visit Uncommon Goods to see more of their sophisticated minimalist jewelries. Emma Watson wore a dress made of trash in the red carpet. She said and I quote, “It’s not enough for me anymore that it’s a beautiful item or a beautiful piece. I want to know that it’s not leaving a negative mark.” I couldn’t agree more. What do you usually look for before buying? Is it enough for you that it's just pretty? Be more than just pretty with Uncommon Goods. All photos are from Uncommon Goods website.
