Shifting Gears

Hello 2015!

Well hello there! It’s been a very long while!! Lots to talk about and wonderful things to share.
This blog became a huge part of my life for about a year and a half and after starting a new job in June of 2014 I purposely stopped blogging. Why? My priorities shifted and blogging was not in the forefront. That leads me to this post’s topic…

 

Priorities and goals can change. Have you noticed that sometimes we insist on focusing our time and energy on following through with certain goals that no longer make us feel excited and happy? Instead they feel like an obligation. This can happen with small situations like making green smoothies on a daily basis, to more significant life-altering events such as a career change. The instant you feel that pressure weighing you down, then that’s the moment when you have to decide if continuing to pursue that goal is worth your time and energy. While your answers may vary, it is only you who can make that decision.

Continue reading “Shifting Gears”

Favorite Blog Posts of 2013

FavoriteBlogPostsof2013_2How are you all doing? Did you have fun over the holidays? I know I did! To day I round up my favorite blog posts of 2013. It’s not only the content, but it’s also the reasoning behind the posts that matter.

  1. Welcome to ZaniMeli! (April 24th 2013, Post #1) – This was the first blog post. I obviously changed the name of the site, but this post was so meaningful to me. It signified new beginnings, a gigantic leap of faith, stepping into the unknown and committing to my creativity and business.Miss Ideas Logo
  2. Miss Ideas Yahoo Launch (May 22nd 2013, Post #12) – Working with Yahoo! and S+A Media was a great experience. This was the first video we launched on the site. So proud! You responded very well to most Miss Ideas videos. You can click HERE to view all episodes.
  3. Your Guide to Temporary Wallpaper (July 9th 2013, Post #26) – Compiling this list was so much fun! You loved it a lot too! Hence, I’m going to work on more posts like this in 2014.
  4. The “Before & After Series” has been pretty successful. Amongst my favorite are; Before & After: Distressed Turquoise Media Console (July 30th 2013, Post #32), Before & After: Red Stools With Black and White Zig Zag Cushions (September 12th 2013, Post #12), and Before & After: Ribbon Art (October 10th 2013, Post #52). I love getting my hands dirty and creating beauty out of old ragged pieces. These are examples of that.
  5. How do YOU Define Success? (August 6th 2013, Post #34) – I’m passionate about this topic. Writing this post was not just about sharing thoughts but also about digging deep and searching for your own version of success. The infographic is fantastic!
  6. Checking in on Week 19 (August 13th 2013, Post #36) – This is how I am able to record my personal quarterly successes, challenges and failures. This first check in was great! I just did my 2nd HERE. It’s always great to see where you stand in comparison with your plans/goals.The Baking Corner Colors
  7. Apple Streusel Muffins (October 17th 2013, Post #54) – The recipes we’ve received from the Baking Corner have been a huge success! You and I have loved seeing these delicious sweets on the blog. You can also check out the easy Chocolate Shortbred Logs.
  8. Before & After: Tr3s Top 20 Set Design (November 21st 2013, Post #64) – I put this B&A apart from the others because the transformation of this little room into a set was drastic. You must see it to believe it. I worked my @$$ off on this one!#ThankfulNovember
  9. #ThankfulNovember (November 26th 2013, Post #65) – The response to my daily Facebook and Twitter posts on #ThankfulNovember definitely caught your attention. This was a great way to take a moment to be thankful for the big and little things that make us happy. One person asked me if I was doing anything for December! That’s a great idea for next year! I’ll make something up!E-Decorating
  10. E-Decorating Services (December 5th 2013, Post #68) – I worked diligently to come up with a platform and pricing strategy that could generate me income through accessible design. This is how I make my money, baby! Let’s get you some big style for little money! I’m here to help you get started!

Those were my top 10 favorite posts. You know when you come across old entries that you wish you could have written better? I just went through that, but I’m not touching them. They are what they are and in retrospect they are lessons for the future. The moment I, you, start getting too critical you’ll end up not doing anything at all. You just have to let it be. That’s how creativity works. I’ve learned to let go in that sense and let me voice be heard. Overall, I’m a happy camper.

If you want to receive each of my blog posts in your inbox the moment they are published, all you need to do is click on the right column of this page to sign up. Thanks for reading!

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Checking In On Week 36

Hi amiguitos and amiguitas!

It’s time to check in on my quest for life’s purpose. Maybe you can relate? The last time I checked in was on August 13th 2013, and you can read that post HERE. Some things have changed: ones have gone better, while others not so much. It’s to be expected. I still have my “freak my freak” moments here and there about work, life and money…but it comes with the territory. Every one of my friends (and my mom) has said, “Better make those big changes before you have any kids, because once they’re in the picture, those decisions become much harder.” Noted. Check.

Here’s a list of the good and the bad since I last checked in. No sugar coating!

  • I’ve only been called for 3 auditions after I booked that commercial. I was actually flown to NYC for one of those auditions, but in the end I didn’t get it. No need to feel sorry for me. I learned from the experience and moved on.
  • I’m still writing on this blog, which I’ve discovered I love to do so much. Now I’m looking into monetizing the blog, while finding more opportunities for growth and development within the content, the design and my skill set. I also surpassed the 50 blog post mark! This is post #73!
  • We shot the second season of Miss Ideas for Yahoo! En Español, but haven’t been renewed for another season. Aww!! I really, really enjoy doing this, and if they don’t renew us at all, I will make my own DIY videos for you.
  • My new music video was recorded and now I’m just waiting for the final copy! Yay!
  • I started my business as an interior decorator: Interiors by Zania.
  • Part of my Services include E-Decorating! Go check out my Services Page above for packages and pricing! Affordable, professional design via the Internet! Can’t beat that!
  • I still need more clients to make a steady living doing what I love!! I’m working on that strategy as we speak.
  • One of my first projects was creating and developing the set design of Tr3s Top 20. See the Before & After HERE.
  • I helped a friend plan a Christmas Bazaar (which I had never done before), and it ended up being fun (plus I made some extra cash!).
  • Attended 3 women’s events where I networked a lot!! They were: “Yo Soy Poderosa”, “Hispana Leadership Summit” and “Women’s Success Summit“. So many fellow female entrepreneurs supporting each other! Love it!
  • Since it’s the Holiday season, I’ve had the best ever “Coquito” selling season yet. I finally figured out the exact recipe. Watch this fun and short video on my coquito process (sans some ingredients, because I don’t want to give the secret away!)  Just in case you didn’t know, “Coquito” is a traditional holiday drink from Puerto Rico.

I have to admit that I’ve had fleeting thoughts about giving up and going back to work in corporate America…but then I laugh at myself and say “that’s not even an option”! So far, my spirits are higher and my energy is brighter. I wake up so energized! (Can you say “annoying morning person”?) That part of me was non-existent before. I was a little robot with a strict schedule. Now I’m an alert human with a conscious routine that I love. I wake up earlier, work out more often, work with passion, eat healthier and rest better. Mega lifestyle change. Totally worth it.

I leave you with this quote from one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Gilbert:

Creativity and fear
Credit: Elizabeth Gilbert Facebook Page

Have you checked in with yourself lately? How are you doing? What’s your path in life? Tell me. I’m here to listen and support. Hope you have a lovely day! Don’t forget to follow me on instagram for lots of fun pics!

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Miss Ideas Webisode #6 – Luciendo bien en tus fotos

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Hi! In this episode of Miss Ideas in Yahoo! En Español we show you how to pose for full body pictures as well as ‘selfies’. Follow these guidelines and you will achieve a great pose for your pictures. The best advice I can give you when taking pictures is to have fun and be natural! If you force a smile the camera will know! Let me know what you think! Have fun!

¡Hola! En este episodio de Miss Ideas en Yahoo! en Español vemos como posar correctamente para fotos de cuerpo entero y en las “selfie”. Sigue las sugerencias del video y veras que tomaras unas fotos buenisimas. El mejor consejo es que te diviertas y sonrías! Las sonrisas forzadas se ven a travéz del lente asi que asegurate de ser totalmente natural. !Espero que disfrutes el video!

Thanks for reading!
Z~

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Miss Ideas Webisode #4 “Uñas Ombré”

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This fourth episode of Miss Ideas shows you how to create the ombre effect on your nails. You can use two or three colors to create the effect from light to dark or vice versa. You can get creative with colors or do this effect on only one nail. Experiment and let me know how it goes! Click on the image above to view the video on Yahoo! Have fun!

El cuarto episodio de Miss Ideas te enseña como hacer el efecto ombre en tus uñas. Para crear el efecto de claro a oscuro o vice versa puedes utilizar dos o tres colores. Puedes hacerte esto en todas las uñas o tal vez una sola. ¡Que disfrutes el video! Para ver el video solo hazle click a la imagen de arriba.

Thanks for reading! Gracias por leer mi blog!
Z~

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