Oprah - You’re Going to Love Us!

Christine Lakatos and I are on a mission.  The Oprah mission.  We are self-publishing authors struggling to get exposure.  We have thousands of hurdles ahead of us, but we are determined to conquer them all.  We have the drive, the heart, the tenacity and NOW, we are allys. Read Christine’s recent Blog post, and you’ll understand how we met, and what an amazing a breakthrough she had with GOOGLE because of our alliance. 

I believe some of the important ingredients to our marketing success can be understood by watching a few of my favorite reality shows - The Apprentice, Survivor and American Idol.  Particularly, you’ll notice on the first two, it’s essential to have allies (at least at the beginning).  Luckily Christine’s and my books are complementary to each other, rather than competitive.  This is really fun - I will get to enjoy her victories and she’ll enjoy mine.  We’ll help each other race past our competitors.

We accomplished our first goal, which was to write reviews for each other - she wrote wonderful reviews of my two books, Secrets to Healthy Aging & Ageless Beauty and Dream Home Profile, and I wrote one for her book, My Diva Diet and posted it on Blog Critics.

That’s why I can confidently say, "Watch out Oprah, we have our eyes on you!"  Ladies, you can help us out by sharing our websites, books and posts with your friends.  Because of you, we’ll land a spot on Oprah and we’ll share our success with you.  How about it?
 

Everybody Wants to Go to …

Heaven!

Isn’t it true?  This is my new favorite song.  It has the island sound, which Kenny does so well.  If you’ve read my book, Secrets to Healthy Aging & Ageless Beauty, you’ll understand why I like this song so much.  One of my favorite "country boys" is singing an island-style song.   (I’m a Texas girl, who had the good fortune to have lived for quite some time in Hawaii.)  To watch the video, just click the arrow below. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do …

  
Kenny Chesney with The Wailers - Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven

Hope …

I woke up from a dream just 30 minutes ago - I quickly got my coffee so that I could write it all down.  I know this dream is a result of two MAJOR things I’ve experienced this week.  Let me tell you about these things and then I’ll explain the dream.

 ♥

1st thing:  After 4 years of writing my books and planning my website, I’m faced with the exciting (and looming) reality of finishing the project … which means - it’s now time to expose my "babies" to the real world … which means either I’ll make it as an author or I won’t … and ultimatley my success or failure will determine whether I’ve created a legitimate 2nd income, or simply established a hobby for myself.   So in preparation for this, I’ve been studying marketing ideas, and realizing how much I don’t know and how much money it takes to ‘do it right", according to the experts. 

 ♥

But there is something I must do, and it doesn’t cost a ¢¢¢ (just lots of sense) … it’s to concisely and confidently be able to explain EXACTLY who I am, what I do, and what makes me different.  In other words, what could possibly set Alie James and her books apart from all her competion in the Healthy & Beauty and Home Furnishings Industry?

So, that’s Reality Check #1. 

 ♥

The 2nd thing was Reality Check #2, and it was much more serious than the first … 

As you know, I work in the Home Furnishings Industry (in a Furniture Store).  I’ve made a living from this Industry and it’s been a very rewarding experience.  All of us in this industry have been experiencing very difficult times, as we are so closely tied to the economy - especially to consumer confidence, housing, the presidential election and GAS prices  - those things always affect it positively or negatively. 

 ♥

So ……………  we were visited this week from our reginal manager (Dan), whose mission was to bring us a Reality Check - a "state of the union" kind of speech.  And his message — the union just "ain’t so great".  But Dan also delivered a little bit more than the required "Reality Check".  He delivered "Hope" (at least I received hope from his message).  

 ♥

After his meeting, I realized that I didn’t feel too bad because I was hopeful that everything would turn out alright - I had "caught" his optimism.  But later, after I was speaking with some others, I found out that there were two very opposite points of view, and that perhaps I was being naive by adopting such hope.  

Ok - pretty emotionally draining week, don’t you think?  Well, here’s my dream:

The dream was about meeting a very old friend who was asking me to explain to her exactly what I was trying to accomplish with my books.  I was fumbling along, saying this and saying that, and she kept saying "no … they don’t need this", "no, … they don’t need that".  Finally, just a few seconds before I woke up, I said …

"I guess my books are about Hope" … 

 ♥

And then she reminded me that not everyone needed a message of Hope, only women who were very much like me (Diane).   When I woke up, I realized that there is so much energy and power in Hope.  Personally, it’s been "Hope" that gives me the enthusiasm, the optimism, the drive to get up every morning and give my best - to my friends, my family and my customers.  And now, more than ever, with such BAD NEWS, it’ll be hope that gets me going and through these challenging times. 

So, here are some of the things that I HOPE for:  I hope to maintain (and make even better) what I still have - my health, my youthful appearance, and thank goodness, my sexuality.   Also, I want to make the home I have my Dream Home.  And of course, I hope that I’ll continue working in the Home Furnishings Industry for a while longer.  

Here’s the bottom line - the Marketing Message from Alie James is … Hope … 
Hope that life can truly be Simple, Beautiful and Complete!

 ♥

In regards to Dream Homes … The Dream Home Profile™ has made it possible for everyone to have a Dream Home - because a Dream Home isn’t dependent on the amount of money or things you have - rather it’s about knowing exactly what you need to make "the place you live" (your home) "feel just like home". 

In regards to Health & Beauty, the market’s a little more defined - probably Alie James relates best to women between 39 - 69 years old.  "My hope" is to give hope to women who need it - who want to look and feel as young and beautiful as long as possible.  We women are transitioning between our "second season" and "third season"  (i.e., we’re starting to end "Summer" and begin "Fall"). 

So, to all my friends … use your Wings … 
And let’s hope for the Best Years of our Lives … Alie

 

 

My Wish … for You

My Wish    Have a Listen

“Look at them boots, she’s gone country”  That’s Cindy, Christina’s and my newest friend, (Karen’s “bestest” friend).  She gave this toast at the wedding and it choked us all up.  So, I wanted to pass it on to you, my friends … along with one of my favorite songs, by Rascal Flats.  

Just a little thought to make your life  … simple, beautiful and complete!

Never Lie, Steal, Cheat or Drink….

But… if you must lie - lie in the arms of the one you love

If you must steal - steal away from bad company

If you must cheat - cheat death

And if you must drink — drink in all the moments that take your breath away!

River … Dance

The River, and its Dance …  a Tribute to Karen & Richard

August 2, 2008 … Karen & Richard’s wedding day, and a day that ended up becoming one of My Favorite Days!  After you read "Secrets …" and "The Ugly Duck Makeover", you’ll become quite familiar with the expression, "Favorite Days" - they’re life’s little treats that stay with you a lifetime.  The beauty of the scenery, the people, the music, the ceremony - "merged" together to create a majestic moment that I’ll never forget. 

Christina & I certainly didn’t know what to expect - we just followed the directions to their Cabin in the Mountains.  We parked, and as we were walking up the road there was their cabin with our American flag blowing in the wind (along with the Union Jack, too since Richard is English.)  Then we looked down the hill … omg …I had no idea we’d be next to a river … it was breath taking!

As they say … a picture is worth a THOUSAND words, so I thought I’d share a bit of this special day with you through these pictures rather than my words. 

Rock Me Mama.wma 

 

Lighting Up … the Stage

During the last few weeks I just haven’t had time to watch my favorite shows - so last night I watched 3 hours of “So You Think You Can Dance”.  This show absolutely holds my attention - there’s a magic formula - adorable, loving hostess, relevant judges, unbelievable talent.  And of course the most important element - taking unknown, normal, everyday people and giving them a “break”. 

After 3 hours of it, I wanted more!!!  But here’s the point to this post.  It’s the same topic I’ve mentioned before … “it”.  As far as the Top 10 go, they all have “it”.  They are all beautiful, talented dancers.  But I’m realizing that there’s degrees of “it”.  I already think I know who will be the last 4 - Chelsie, Katee, Twitch & Will.  And who do I think will win?  I feel it’ll be Chelsie or Katee.  (Operative word is “feel” cause that’s who I’m connecting with.)  

I was thinking after 3 hours of it, what impressions were left (what “vibe” was still ”resonating”).  It was that they “sparkled” - and I mean transcending the physical part of the dance.  (The skill level on that show is so high that for most of them, their dances appeared flawless.)  But the sparkle is translated through their countenance of joy - their smiles, their eye contact, their personality.  

They were Lighting Up the Stage.  Their light consisted of energy, electricity, radiance.  That’s “it”. 

And sadly, I wish I had it to give away, too.  Can you imagine doing something you are 100% passionate about, that you can totally abandon yourself in … every day - whenever you felt like it?  Well for me … at least I know what my passion is.  It’s writing.  I also know what it’s not - selling furniture. 

But lately, I’m learning some lessons from the world of furniture …  One of my good friends at the furniture store has ”it” - his “it” IS selling furniture.  Almost every one of his customers leaves our store with so much happiness, simply because he’s added so much to their lives during the very  few moments he had with them.  Maybe to the world it only appears that he’s ”selling furniture”, but I know what he’s really doing - he’s actually giving them a little bit of “it”.  The lesson comes from observing both of us doing the exact same thing, yet having different countenances and different outcomes.  So here’s the lesson I learned about ”it” …   

Having “it” comes from doing “it”.  In other words, when you do what you love to do, you naturally and effortlessly give “it” away to those you come in contact with.   This is an example of perfect, perpetual motion - Get it, give it, get it back - get more, give more, get more back … amazing.

Let’s pursue “it” together, shall we?  I know what I need to “do”, so that I can get ”it”.  Do you know what you need to do?  Well here’s a couple of tips for you:

When you ”find you“, you’ll find what “it” is.  City Slickers, was one of my favorite movies … Curly told us to find that one thing.  Can’t remember the exact line, but it was powerful.  And lastly, one of my favorite lines about doing it comes from ”Secrets to Healthy Aging & Ageless Beauty” …  

“… you learned about Spirit Dance, which describes this natural and effortless way of living - the movin’, groovin’, and flowin’ life-dance that is ‘danced to the music of creation”.  And here’s one last secret for you:  Our dance is not confined to a small and musty dance hall, either.  Rather, we’ve been given the “dance hall of creation“- the breathtaking beauty of heaven and earth.”    

  So here’s to us … lighting up … our stage - today, tomorrow, and then some …

The Trees will “Getcha”!

This is a morning that many only dream of.  I’m on the porch of my “dream home”.  Behind me are the woods that are filled with birds and they’re singing … wait out of the corner of my eyes are 4 white legs, and for the first time ever here is a deer that’s just ambling down the side of my yard.  I’m not kidding he/she just stopped and stared at me and my cat for 2-3 minutes.  I’ve seen their tracks but not in person - WOW!

I needed this morning moment to remember why I go to work.  There are trees in these woods that back up to a state park and probably are hundreds of years old. 

Trees are silent teachers and they SAY that I’m very small, and they help me see that work problems, and life problems are very small compared to this VAST universe.

I work at a job and in an industry that is in MAJOR transition - Home Furnishings.  Much of my work in Dream Home ReSolution© is not only to help women all over the world create the home of their dreams, but to offer a way to ReInvent and ReVive the dying-as-we-know-it Furniture Industry.

Problem for me is how to get someone’s attention so that I can do this one ‘little” task.  Since it’s a who you know world, I’m at a disadvantage.  I just don’t know who I need to know.

So here’s my list - the “Who I want to know” people “Who need to know me”:

Warren Buffett - he’s doing very well in furniture (an old man who has young heart and mind - he appears he has taken a fresh approach to furniture buying & selling approach )

Bill Gates or someone who can bring him the vision - Microsoft has Surface technology needs to give this to homeowners

Here are the “Celebrities” I want to meet to for help in “The not-so-famous Celebrity Makeover”. 

Naomi, Wynona & Ashley - I love them all and I respect them because of what they want for women.

Gene Simmons - He’s a major entrepreneur and he loves women and would love it if all women were all happy, healthy, sexy & beautiful.

John Rich - he is a Visionaire Extraordinaire - in fact he produced Jewel’s latest release.

Oprah - well she is the vehicle that will bring life-changing makeovers to women all over the world

Thinking about John Rich - wow - he gets it.  “It” being the operative word and being the whole point of this website… Anyway, I just found out that he produced Jewels latest release, which has a song that that I’ve chosen as the theme song for this website - not so much for the story about leaving or not loving another person, but for the message from the chorus.

“I’m gonna love myself
More than anyone else
Believe in me
Even if someone can’t see
The stronger woman in me

I’m gonna be my own best friend
Stick with me till the end
Won’t lose myself again
never, no
Cause theres a stronger woman
a stronger woman in me”                           

If there’s just one single message that I am trying to convey through my writings and speaking endeavors- it’s about finding and having “IT” that makes it possible to be a stronger woman who loves herself and counts on herself rather than depending on others for their happiness.