Eat, Pray, Love

I am currently racing through the book "Eat, Pray, Love" so I can finally see the movie. I try hard to read the stories before they become or before I see the movie because the book is the original idea.

While reading, "Eat, Pray, Love" I have come across several passages that I can very much relate to.  I continue highlighting the book as if I were in college taking notes. So with my act of highlighting and note taking I thought I share my current favorite. I believe everyone can relate to this line in some way or another. Take these words and see where your life falls. I am happy to say at this moment I am imperfect, but incredibly happy.

"The Bhagavad Gita - that ancient Indian Yogic text - says that it is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else's life with perfection" page 95, Elizabeth Gilbert.

Cheers,

Cara

What is your lifes road map?

The company I work for just earned a high honor, they are listed on the 2010 Inc 5000 list. While learning what this list means and represents I came across an article written about the Top 10 Women Entrepreneur. I found a quote to extra powerful written by one of the women selected. Interprete the quote as you like, however, it holds so much truth. This quote holds so much truth and value in terms of mylife and is helping me re-evaluate my life direction in terms of career and other decisions I make.

"You have to keep in mind what your priorities are. Plan your life before your life plans you." - Marie Diaz, CEO of Pursuit of Excellence

Check out more about the Inc 5000 list: http://www.inc.com/inc5000/2010/index.html

Cooking over eating out...Dish #2 Chicken Tequila Pasta

My fiance and I had Lost Dinner Parties every Tuesday. It was a great way for me to practice cooking. I learned from making meals, as well as, talking about dishes with my friend.

One of my most favorite meals I made was Chicken Tequila Pasta. This dish is not exactly the healthiest dish, however, it is amazing and worth every bite. Another recipe I found to be a shock. It was simple to make, however the preping is a bit time consuming.

The first time I had Chicken Tequilla Pasta was at CPK - California Pizza Kitchen. The pasta dish was one of my favorites on the menu.One night as I was trying to get creative with "chicken" I decided to research the dish and came across an amazing wesite that duplicates dishes from restaraunts. Of course, Chicken Tequilla Pasta was on the list.

For the exact recipe visit AllRecipe.com, to give you an idea the ingrediants are listed below:

Ingredients:

• Chicken Breast - chop chicken in cubes. I use about 3 - 4 chicken breast
• Noodle of Choice - my personal favorite is whole wheat fussili
• Butter
• Red & Yellow Pepper
• Red Onion
• Jalapeno
• Garlic
• Cilantro
• Chicken Stock
• Tequila -
• Lime
• Soy Sauce
• Heavy Whipping Cream

Thought of the Day

"If you want more results than what you're getting, then you need to start doing more than what you're doing!"

- Unkown

Art of Negotiation

There are so many books, seminars and ways to learn about sales and negotiation. I am a queen at reading up and learning about the new and best techniques. Although the resources I read and learn from holds truth and are most of the times helpful, the true art of negotiation and sales is simple....

REMOVE ANY AND ALL EMOTION AND BE WILLING TO WALK AWAY.

This statement goes for the seller and the buyer. If either party is not willing to lose the deal than you are the sucker, the one who is being sold.

It's amazing how long it has taken me to really embrace this concept. Honestly, I am still fighting it today. You hear this concept and think you live by it, however, it's amazing how often you really don't follow it. I am noticing more and more when I think I am being tough, I have done my research, I know what I can and can't achieve and somehow the deal is still pending because at the end of it my emotions are involved and I don't want to walk away. I am realizing this in my sales position, in planning my wedding, in purchasing negotiable items, etc.

Think about my statement next time you are in a position and are trying to work a deal...it just might get you what you want.

Cheers,

Cara

Kip's Tip

As mentioned in my previous post, I am in the field of sales. I love learning about the trade and ways to be better. I actually love learning about everything and anything - send me a note and share with me a fact or two. My Director of Sales is similar as he loves stats and as I call them "tid bits". To motivate our team he will send out an occasional email with amazing quotes, facts, goals, etc. Just the other day as we were coming to the end of our sales month he sent us out an email that I am sure all of us sales reps would benefit from. Not sure where the information originated, however, it's certainly food for thought.

For all of you working in the field of Sales, check out the stats. You just might change up your method:

"Here's a very clear insight into some general statistical information about the selling profession.

• 48% of salespeople never follow up with a prospect.
• 25% of salespeople make a second contact and stop.
• 12% of Salespeople only make three contacts and stop.
• Only 10% of salespeople make more than three contacts.

Be one of the 10%

Now get this...

• 2% of sales are made on the first contact.
• 3% of sales are made on the second contact.
• 5% of sales are made on the third contact.
• 10% of sales are made on the fourth contact.

But 80% of sales are made on the fifth to twelfth contact."

Cheers to moving forward and closing some business!!!

Good luck,

Cara

Cooking over eating out...Dish #1 Chicken Piccata

After years of cooking for one, I now cook for two. It took a good 3 years before my fiancé and I actually started eating in and making our own meals. When we first started dating both of our eating routines consisted of eating out. No matter the size of the meal we would go out or order in. Not sure when or why we changed our routine, however, I have enjoyed every minute of it.


My old boss use to call herself a pantry chef because she made meals based on ingredients in her kitchen not by following recipes. I have taken on a similar style of cooking. When I go out to eat I pay close attention to what ingredients are in my favorite plates. I also read recipes as if they were a news article. By doing the two I have become familiar with the basic idea of different recipes and cook from memory. If I try to follow instructions it's a given I'll burn or destroy the meal.

Because of my new hobby, I am going to share my weekly finds and cooking experiences.

Dish #1
Chicken Piccata

Last night I made chicken piccata for 7. I was so worried because I was running late and making a large portion; not to mention it was my first attempt. To my surprise it was a huge hit and rather easy to make. The dish was simple and can be duplicated by anyone. You can make Piccata with Chicken or Fish. Sides can be mashed potatoes, noodles or rice. Be sure to always include a vegetable too, we selected asparagus, however, any green will be great. Read through my notes, modify to your liking and cooking piccata from memory will be a hit.


Ingredients (serving 2 people):

• Chicken Breast or Fish - 2 - 3 pieces
• Olive Oil - enough to coat the bottom of pan
• Butter - enough to coat the bottom of pan
• Flour - 1/2 cup at most
• Pepper - use for flavor to your liking. I used a healthy poriton, roughly a table spoon
• Onion Powder - use for flavor to your liking. I sprinkled for taste, start slow you can always add more
• Garlic Powder - use for flavor to your liking. I sprinkled for taste, start slow you can always add more
• White Wine - 1/3 cup 
• Chicken Stock - 1/3 cup
• Artichokes - use as many as you'd like. I used a full can.
• Mushrooms - add as many as you'd like. I used about 1/2 cup
• Capers - add as many as you'd like. I used about 1/2 cup
• Parsley - sprinkle for flavor
• Lemons - 5 lemons to freshly squeeze juice. I also used to garnish dish.

Steps:
1. First in a medium size bowl mix flour and pepper.
2. Rinse each chicken breast under water and dip in the flower and pepper mix. The chicken should be lightly coated.
3. Cover the bottom of a medium size skillet with a small portion of butter and / or olive oil. Give it a few minutes to heat up and then add the coated chicken / fish.
4. Let the meat cook for a few minutes on each side. Fish takes no more than a minute or two on each side. Chicken will need more time, about 5 minutes on each side.
5. Add the wine, chicken stock, fresh squeezed lemon juice, capers, artichoke and mushrooms. Sprinkle with pepper, garlic salt and onion powder. You can guestimate your measuring.
6. Let the sauce simmer on low until the chicken or fish are cooked all thoroughly.

The recipe above is not my own. I reviewed several recipes and have had piccata on numerous occassions. As mentioned above, I pay attention to the ingredients while eating the dish at restaraunts and get an idea of the steps from different websites. The websites I enjoy are noted below.

Epicurious.com

Foodnetwork.com

SimplyRecipes.com

Life Is a Trasaction

My career is sales & marketing. I have been in the field for almost 10 years now (wow). I never would have imagined being a sales person as I am not always the most assertive or aggressive individual. I tend to lean towards the catering & caregiver type. As the economy slowed down my account management position turned into a cold calling sales roll, not by choice and I didn't like it at all. I regularly felt rejected and a sales failure. The sales position striped away my confidence, therefore, I decided to step back, stop resisting the change and learn the trade so that I could succeed at the job at hand. What I came to learn and realize is that sales is in everyone’s life, everyday in some capacity. Individuals that claim they are a "Sales Rep" are not the only ones practicing the action of sales. Each one of us, everyday, exercise the skill.

• We go to the market and we make a transaction - that’s Sales.
• We disagree with our phone bill provider and need to negotiation - that's a sale.
• We want to go on a trip and our partner / friend isn’t interested, so we sell them on why it will be fun and rewarding and ultimately get the trip.

Sales are taking place everywhere, as I believe life is a transaction. We are all exchanging something we find of value for something in return. Sales isn’t always about financial gain.


So as you carry on with your daily life, stop and think about it. Think about the transactions you make. Sometimes it’s simple and other times the transaction is more difficult. No matter what the transaction is - it takes the same steps as a career in sales: passion, persistence, research, knowledge and relationships.

Enjoy your day,

Cara

World and Local Travelers

I am so excited I am flying to Maui for FREE. I have been traveling for years. I have also tried to remain loyal to a few airlines being United & Jet Blue. In my recent days I gave the thought of Frequent Flyer miles up. I was frustrated because I had flown to and from and all around Europe twice on United. I have been to Miami, San Francisco, Tahoe and several other locations all on United, thinking, "YES, a FREE flight must be coming up soon". Heck, I even spent extra to fly United to earn additional miles. I thought for sure I would be traveling somewhere cool for FREE - not because of the savings, simply to show myself I am a world traveler. Too bad any time I tried to book the travel (on my own) I was alerted "not enough" miles.

....Until today and the help of my fiancé. I am so excited he was able to book our upcoming trip to Maui for FREE! Yippee....so the lesson I am sharing with everyone is one get someone to help you because if you have flown as much as you think you have I am sure you have a Free flight. And secondly, the reason I have a free flight is the way Tim booked our travels. We didn’t actually have enough miles to book a round trip ticket (not sure why it makes a difference). What we had was enough miles to book one way tickets for each of us. The results are the same to and from Maui for FREE...I am so excited!!!

We are visiting Maui the first week of May to scout out and finalize our 2011 Wedding. I am so excited.
Cheers,

Cara

Freebies

Wow, it has been awhile since I've published a new post and I have certainly come across some great finds. I should've been blogging this whole time as my nose has been buried in books, magazines, blogs, asking friends and friends of friends questions about planning a wedding. Even though my focus has been on planning a wedding I of course get distracted and off course and find other great Tid Bits.

In honor of "Tax Day" there are articles plastered across the news regarding freebies and great deals. The search engine "Bing" comes up with over 2 million links, with all very similar information (no I did not read them all or even a fraction of them. Page 1 will do).

A few of the "freebies" I have come across are listed below:

Today Only ....15% off all in house and take out dining orders at all participating PF Changs! You can view the ad in more detail by visiting http://www.pfchangs.com/ .

Starbucks also has a Freebie...not sure if it's really for Tax Day...it's promoting their philanthropicall project "The Big Picture...A Green Porject". Anyone who visits a Starbucks, today April 15th, with a re-usable mug will receive a FREE cup up freshly brewed coffee. Check it out at www.starbucks.com/thebigpicture

Cinnabon is offering FREE Cupcake Bites from 6 - 8pm while supplies last.  You can check out the details by visiting their website at www.cinnabon.com/home.html .

           

McCormick & Schmick's is offering a $10.40 dinner special tonight April 15th for all Tax Payers. Tomorrow all prepares receive their meal for $10.40. Check it out on their website at http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/featured-promotion/TaxReliefCelebration.aspx  

According to ABC, Whole Foods is picking up the sales tax for all shoppers in Tennessee, Alabama, North & South Carolina. Too bad we live in California (or maybe not I love being a California Girl)! I could not locate the promo on the Whole Food website, however, you can read about it on ABC by visiting their website abcnews.go.com/Business/tapped-tax-day-food-freebies-cheer/story?id=10378531

Staples & Office Depot will copy your tax forms for FREE according to www.frugal-freebies.com/2010/04/tax-day-freebies-reminder.html. I was unable to locate this freebie on the company website. 

In reading about all the various freebies I came across an everday site offering coupon codes and daily freebies called The Bargainista. The website is http://www.bargainist.com/ and I encourage you to bookmark it. It looks comparable to http://www.retailmenot.com/ or http://www.couponcabin.com/ , however, it has a tab specifically for freebies. Most all of us (especially blog readers) spend plenty of time online. Taking a few minutes to view websites such as the ones listed above will save you money. Just think of Free Shipping - it can sometimes cost upwards of $20 and over - saving on shipping can get you a new shirt. 10% off a $200 piece of furniture can get you a new picture frame. Or how about Christmas season, every company has some kind of deal or discount, that can help you purchase a more quality gift or possibly even get you 2 gifts for the price of one and the receivers would never know. Just think what a few minutes can bring to your pocket.

Happy Thursday & Happy Tax Day. As much as we all hate paying taxes don't forget what, at least a percentage, goes towards: quality roads, education, freedom. The world around us may be structured differently, however, we are all Americans for a reason.

Cheers,

Cara

I AM GETTING MARRIED!

I am so excited to share, after 4 years my boyfriend has proposed. It was a total shock and brought more excitement than I ever anticipated.

This year has been the year of weddings and engagements for my group of friends. Through it all, I have found several great ideas that I would like to share. One specifically being the, Guest Book.

Most people don't ever refer back to their guest book, as it typically collects dust sitting on the book shelf. My friend Sara was looking for a creative way to incorporate her guest book in her everyday life. Ideas I found (sadly didn't think of on my own) are listed below:

Do you like having friends and family over, than a signature platter is perfect for you. Another option would be a signature vase. Check out the links below.

Etsy: www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18397720
The You-nique Boutique: www.tybinc.com/cid-106-1/wedding_guestbook_platter.html
Wedding Mountain.com : www.weddingmountain.com/p-4066-signature-vase.aspx

From The You-Nique Boutique

From WeddingMountain.com

Another great option is a Wedding Photo Guest Book from Adesso Albums. This type of guest book is interactive and fun for your guests. They can take a traditional photo or capture a moment during the reception. Check it out by visiting the following link: http://www.adessoalbums.com/weddings.html

From Adesso Albums

Decorative River Stones: One option would be to have your guests sign the stone and drop in a vase. There is an old Irish Catholic Tradition where guests would toss a stone in the water while makeing a wish for the married couple.  To follow the tradition you can have the vase filled with water.

The Rock Shop: http://www.kingcustom.com/slate/slate2.html

The Knot: http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/45177/detailview.aspx?type=3&id=45177

From The Knot

I will continue to share my findings as they come.

Cheers,

Cara

In between sizes???

I am sure almost everyone, shoe lover or not, has run into a situation where their shoe's don't fit. We all probably have a laundry list of why our shoes no longer fit or how about never fit to begin with. There are several tricks to help modify the size, for example:

1. Shoe Insoles
2. Heel & Toe Grips / Pads
3. Arch Supports
4. Extra Socks
5. Cotton Balls

*** and the list can go on and on. One trick I have not heard, is LAMBSWOOL. I read today in Lucky magazine, if there is too much room in the toe of your shoe turn to Lambswool. This is the same product that ballerinas use with their point shoes. The lambswool is soft and will fill the empty space. By using lambswool you don't have to worry about adhesive wearing or your altenative solution over compensating resulting in a shoe that becomes too small. Lambswool can customized to your foot.

 http://www.capeziodance.com/
 

You can purchase lambswool at any dance supply store or online. The fix is inexpensive and a box will provide enough wool for more than one pair of shoes. The catch, it solves the problem with closed toed shoes.

Now what will our other style shoe's solution be????

Cheers,

Cara

Thought of the Day...

I was busy reading all about my new adventure...Independent Stylist for Stella & Dot....and while reading about the founder, Jessica Herrin, I was truly inspired. She shared her Personal Motto with the world and I could not agree with her more:

"Be daring, be different, be impractical; be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary." –Cecil Beaton

Although there are the everyday tasks that are unavoidable, it's how you accomplish those task's. Who say's we have to follow the normal steps of life. Take a leap of faith. Do something scary. You never know what the results may be. Failure is a possibility, however, what you learn leading to failure is a huge reward. By taking the risk you are now able to answer the question "What if..." and you never know where those step's of risk will take you.

I challenge anyone who reads this post to follow through with your inside voice "What if I could be..." or "What if I tried..." you never know what the result may be. Spread your wings and persue the passion inside.

Cheers,

Cara

Great Advice...

A close friend of mine is 2 months away from getting married and she shared a piece of advice with me that I find to be some of the best advice in terms of marriage, as well as, life.

"No expectations..."

This doesn't mean you can have a plan or set goals. This just means that life changes, situations come up and by not having any set expectations than you won't be disappointed.
Think back to the times where you were most frustrated with a friend, husband, family member or even yourself....if you had avoided an expectation would things have been different?
Just a thought....hope everyone is enjoying 2010!
Cheers,
Cara

What did you Plant?

I was sent this incredible link of inspiration and positive reinforcement....I invite you all to check it out. It’s a 3 minute clip titled The Strangest Secret Movie.

http://www.thestrangestsecretmovie.com/


Enjoy!
Cara

P.S. What did you plant?

"A New Begining..."

Photo found on Flickr.com

As we say good bye to 2009 and look forward to 2010 {not only a new year, but a new decade), what thoughts run through your mind? Some people are believers that the New Year brings new beginnings. Other's look at the countdown and dropping of the ball as a reason to celebrate. I believe in both. At the same time, I also believe January 1st is no different than July 2nd or any other day of the year.

Why is it that our society puts so much pressure on the idea that the New Year Brings New Beginnings? Every day is a new day. Look to your past as a road map to your future. We all make mistakes; bad decisions or we often times do nothing at all. The beauty about each day is the opportunity for change.



I challenge everyone to set goals whether it is today, was on January 1st or will be on February 9th. I encourage everyone to set at least 3 goals and follow through with them. Below are a few tips to remember when setting and implementing your goals:



1. Set short and long term goals. Short term goals can be checked off frequently or are stepping stones to achieving your long term goal. A long term goal is more of a challenge and will take time and personal investment.

2. Goals must be specific and measurable.

3. Remember to be Realistic so that you remain committed.

4. Write them down.

5. Store them in a place where you will be reminded each day of what you plan to accomplish. My goals are posted at my desk in a place where I view them every day. I have heard of others who have taped their goals to the bathroom mirror or on the back of their bedroom door. It's a form of daily inspiration.

6. Share your goals with someone who will hold you accountable. Often times, we start off spirited and then we allow our ideas to fall by the waste side. Having an accountability partner will remind you and encourage you to follow through.

7. And finally celebrate, each time you accomplish a goal.

*Side note, although goals are intended to be accomplished, they can also change. As human beings our needs, wants, desires, capabilities, can all change based on experiences we have. Sometimes these experiences are controlled and other times they are out of our control. Remember to allow yourself some room for change.



I am going to finish this thought with a quote,

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."

- Lao Tzu 600 BC - 531 BC, thinkexist.com



Good Luck & Happy New Year!



Cara