Blogs I follow and Why Part Two: Tastefully American

Blogs I Follow and Why Part Two: Tastefully American

We all know that I am a fanatic about candles, family, and home. When I found Tastefully American, I was in heaven more importantly, I was pleasantly surprised.

Food is Art

I have found that many great experiences have been made in the kitchen. Great conversations, and a great learning area for kids, not to mention, we all like to eat.
One thing that comes to mind that truly caught my attention about Tastefully American was how a family, in this case a husband, Mike Samii, who is a Cordon Bleu Chef and his wife, Valerie Samii, who is a French Pastry Chef, also Graphic Artist, brought their talents together and became one.
Together they blend their talents and share their love for cooking, wine, and art with all that will savor what they have to offer.

Romance

It is said, "the fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach". I am not really sure who said that, but as a young girl growing up, I sure heard that a lot.
The flip side is the fastest way to a woman's heart is through romance. You know, a soft candle light dinner, that is adorned with a tastefully decorated dinner table, will just about help you to forget the hurried everyday life that we all seem to get entranced with.

Benefits of Tastefully American

I have often wondered did it really matter what color the wine was? Why do you serve white wine with fish? Or is it you serve red wine with fish? Is there really a health benefit to drinking a glass of wine? Noticed I said, "a". Well to answer these questions and to be able to enjoy some great art and new ideas for recipes, I just go to Tastefully American to help me out.
So, if you are looking for some new ideas to help on the romantic side or just looking for new ideas for dinner, Tastefully American is a great blog to visit. Click here to see what may help your next meal.

Stop by next week to see Part Three and remember, this blog is about paying it forward. I have found that some of the richest experiences have been my personal contact with these people and I pay it forward by sharing with you. Please share some of your favorite blogs or online business that you like to work with and why.

Ria Wallace is a Master Chandler and owner of Ria's Collectables-A Soy Candle Company. Her mission in life is "Touching people's lives one minute, one day, one flame at a time....."™ She is also the Author of Ria's Pay it Forward, and My-Our Old House where she shares real life stories and how the little people impact the everyday life of many

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Thousand Candles

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”

Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta

Blogs I Follow and Why Part One: Who is Ria Wallace

Blogs I Follow and Why Part One: Who is Ria Wallace

It is said that likeminded people have a tendency to attract. Some call it the Law of Attraction, some call it Karma, and well, some call it chance. Personally, I think it is all of the above.

Did you ever stop to think why people follow some blogs and not other's? I did and so I decided that I would share why I follow some of the blogs that I follow. I have found that seeing things from another's perspective sometimes opens a door that might not otherwise be there.

Most of you know me personally while others are just now joining the group. For those that are new here, let me introduce who I am, that way you can get to know me just a little better.

I am a Master Chandler by choice and I love the opportunity that my candles have given me. I have been making soy and palm candles for almost ten years and am celebrating my 4th year online. You can visit my store at www.riascollectables.com. What makes this significant is the fact that as an online business it is hard for people to truly get to know who I am. After all, you cannot just stop by the store. What you can do is check out my BBB online reliability report. I am quite proud to say, I have an A rating with the BBB.

What I have found in my years of being on-line is that it truly is difficult as an online business. There are many different areas that need to be approached and many balancing acts that you have to work with. I have spent hours researching, balancing, and learning.

I am a live human being who at a very young age in life decided that everyone could help make our world a better place. I am a skipped generational parent, or simply put, I am a young, custodial grandparent of two boys 10 & 8, I am a mom, a wife, a sister, a friend. I love learning, and I love to share. My vacations are spent working on a National Historical Home in Springfield, Ohio, or my rental home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and I love the beach. I believe that love, truth, and honesty are the most important characteristics a person could ever posses. I love quite mornings with a great cup of coffee. I am a cancer survivor, and a woman who was diagnosed with Aortic Stenosis at the young age of 44.

What I am not is a blow smoke kind of person. As a matter of fact, I personally stay away from people like that. Life is too short and I believe you are just like me, you would rather deal with real hard working people than a get rich quick mentality. If that is what you are looking for here, you will not find it.

So, here are some reasons I would follow a blog. Check back to see who I follow and why.

* There has to be a very compelling reason for me to bookmark a blog onto my favorites, I simply do not want to bookmark for the sake of bookmarking.

* For a blog to gain my attention there has to be something of interest for me. As a result, I will put the blog to the test by following it for a while. I will also check to see if there is any actual personal interaction from the site. If there is, I will add it to my favorites.

* Many of the blogs I have come to follow have been around awhile. They are or have not proven to be a fly by night, post some content the leave kind of thing. The bloggers take their business serious and do not mind helping other people by sharing their experiences, products, and life. As a result, I have found their content to be thought provoking on many levels.

* Some of these blogs I actually am an affiliate of. What I mean by that specifically is that I do make money by selling some of their products. The products I will sell are only products that I have personally purchased and have used myself. I feel that this is the only way to be objective.

So, this blog is about paying it forward. I have found that some of the richest experiences have been my personal contact with these people and I pay it forward by sharing with you. Please share some of your favorite blogs or online business that you like to work with and why.

Ria Wallace is a Master Chandler and owner of Ria's Collectables-A Soy Candle Company. Her mission in life is "Touching people's lives one minute, one day, one flame at a time....."™ She is also the Author of Ria's Pay it Forward, and My-Our Old House where she shares real life stories and how the little people impact the everyday life of many

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen

My City Of Ruin (9-11 Tribute) NYC

Today, it is important to remember one of my favorite singers and songwriters, Bruce Springsteen.




His song, "My City of Ruin, 9-11 Tribute", is a classic Bruce Springsteen. Showing through his music the importance of sharing the struggles in America, more importantly, he gives all hope when you remember where it all began.




Bruce Springsteen is more than just a popular singer/songwriter, he also is recognized for his support of various relief and rebuilding support. His album, The Rising that was released in 2002, centered around his reflections about the September 11th, 2001 Twin Tower attacks.

For the year 2002, The Rising was one of only two albums to receive Rolling Stone's highest rating – five stars – the other being Beck's Sea Change.

I have to admit, my favorite Bruce Springsteen album is "Born in the USA". Nonetheless, Bruce Springsteen lives the Pay it Forward principals in all he has done and continues to do. Thank you, your songs are truly a gift.

Captain Joseph McFee

Captain Joseph McFee

Founder: Salvation Army Red Kettle Program

Salvation Army's Red Kettle

This week's Ria's Pay it Forward goes to:

Captain Joseph McFee

Have you ever wondered just how the tradition of the Salvation Army's Red Kettle came about?
courtesy of TSA - DFW Metroplex

In 1891, Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee was distraught because so many poor individuals in San Francisco were going hungry. During the holiday season, he resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner for the destitute and poverty-stricken. He only had one major hurdle to overcome -- funding the project.
Where would the money come from, he wondered. He lay awake nights, worrying, thinking, praying about how he could find the funds to fulfill his commitment of feeding 1,000 of the city's poorest individuals on Christmas Day. As he pondered the issue, his thoughts drifted back to his sailor days in Liverpool, England. He remembered how at Stage Landing, where the boats came in, there was a large, iron kettle called "Simpson's Pot" into which passers-by tossed a coin or two to help the poor.
The next day Captain McFee placed a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing at the foot of Market Street. Beside the pot, he placed a sign that read, "Keep the Pot Boiling." He soon had the money to see that the needy people were properly fed at Christmas.
Six years later, the kettle idea spread from the west coast to the Boston area. That year, the combined effort nationwide resulted in 150,000 Christmas dinners for the needy. In 1901, kettle contributions in New York City provided funds for the first mammoth sit-down dinner in Madison Square Garden, a custom that continued for many years. Today in the U.S., The Salvation Army assists more than four-and-a-half million people during the Thanksgiving and Christmas time periods.
Everywhere, public contributions to Salvation Army kettles enable the organization to continue its year-round efforts at helping those who would otherwise be forgotten.

Please join Ria's Collectables and our family in helping the Salvation Army keep this program alive, by volunteering a couple of hours a week, donating canned foods, clothing, or cash donations to your nearest Salvation Army.

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Paul Flood

Paul Flood

Paul Flood Marketing, LLC
115 Martha Lane, Suite 102
Fairfield, Ohio 45014
(513) 829-6368
http://www.paulfloodmarketing.com/

This week's Ria's Pay it Forward goes to Paul Flood.

Paul's remarkable commitment to his family and community is very infectious. With many remarkable accomplishments Paul continues to pass kindness to help better not only his community, but for the communities of the people who comes in contact with him.

What I have found to be extraordinary about Paul is the love he so openly shares with and about his wife Brenda. The Face Book Group Roses on the Windshield remarkably shares this with all that care to join.
For it is this love for his wife, that has been the back bone behind the man that he is. It is their team work that is truly inspiring and reflects a glow like that of a candle.
If ever in the Fairfield, Ohio area, or are in need of any Marketing, please give Paul a call, even if it is to just say hi.
http://www.blogcatalog.com/directory/business/marketing

Mike Malachefski

Mike Malachefski

Marketing Business Owner

http://www.mikemalachefski.com

http://directmatches.com/mikemalachefski

732.803.2276

This week we have chosen Mike Malachefski for his life efforts of inspiration to helping make our world a better place.

As a father and business owner, Mike knows the challenges of today's world and the importance of working and teaching people. His undying efforts in all he does glows with radiance like a flame on a candle.

In Mike's own words, "I've become passionate about empowering others to pursue their dreams...to go out and get what they want in life."

Thank you Mike, for all that you do for not only business owners but for your community as well.

Touching lives, one minute, one flame, one day at a time.....

Ria

Lisa Ann Bonfiglio

Lisa Ann Bonfiglio
Author/Illustrator
Dynamic Art House
http://dynamicarthouse.com
Illumination Divine Inspiration from my heart to your heart 978-1-4259-7200-4 ISBN Published through Author House

Her smile is contagious and illuminating, but not as much as her spirit of giving. Lisa is a true inspiration in all that she does. From her paintings, writings, talents as a jeweler, to her personal commitment of giving of herself.

Through her own self expression, she challenges us to look further within ourselves and give when we truly do not feel there is anything left to possibly share.

The cover of her book, "Illumination Divine Inspiration from my heart to your heart" ISBN 978-1-4259-7200-4, reminds you of her personal angelic spirit and leaves you with the desire to move forward and pass it on.

Etienne A. Gibbs

Etienne A. Gibbs
Internet Safety Advocate & Educator
http://www.saynotohackersandspyware.com/

This week's pick is Etienne Gibbs. I first met Etienne several months ago during a class we were both taking. His passion for on-line safety is remarkable! From his blog radio show, to his on-line presence, he is always educating someone about the safety issues surrounding the Internet.

Born on the island of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, he was known as Mr. Maximizing Your Potential. Since his move to San Antonio, he is now known as The Master Blog Builder for his work with small businesses. He has created blogs for travel at Executive And Group Travel blog as well.

Ria's Collectables has had the pleasure of being interviewed on Etienne's Show and I must say, his enthusiasm is highly contagious.

As an on-line business owner, I encourage not only on line safety but to also be aware of your personal safety as well. Etienne will help guide you in keeping one of your most valuable possessions, your computer, safe.

Thank you Etienne for you works in helping educate people regarding online safety.

Alvada Stanley

Welcome to Ria's Collectables Pay It Forward Page. This is our way of saying thank you to the people we come in contact with that are helping make our world and communities a better place.

This Week’s thank you goes to:





Alvada Stanley
Coldwell Banker Heritage Dayton, Ohio
http://www.astanleyrealtor.com/






When David and I decided to look at properties in Ohio, Alvada was truly put to the test. Her years of the areas knowledge and acceptance of our "looking" has been great and we look forward to years of not only working together to help make a dream a reality, but to also share the steps of the restoration of our new home. She has been wonderful not only as a Realtor, but is a refreshing addition to our family as well.

Alvada is truly an inspiration of the spirit of giving back to the community with all she does; By helping her clients achieve their goals she is helping the community.

Regardless of where in the United States you want to live, she will help.

Marcia Francois

This weeks Pay it Forward:

Marcia Francois- The Organising Queen
Johannesburg, South Africa
http://www.takechargesolutions.org/

When I first met Marcia, it was during one of those life moments of chaos and stress. I was taking some online courses, working all day at the full time job, coming home to work on the remodel project, working on my website to be accredited through the BBB, and filling orders all before calling it a day.

One day before I decided to turn the computer off, I just sat there and thought, there has to be a better way of keeping it all organized, one that not only comes from the heart but is personal, easy to read, and most importantly, easy to follow. I signed up for Marcia's e-course and have enjoyed my relationship with her since.

She has always been there with encouragement and enthusiasm, which must come from her natural ability to coach from the heart. She has shared my struggles as a Woman Owned Online Business and has been fantastic in her efforts to help with her honesty and willingness to share.
I hope you set some time aside and get to know her. She is an avid blogger and is a published e-zine author. With her infectious personality, she encourages everyone that comes in contact with her to take charge and Organise. Everything she writes helps to organize the chaos and reduce the stress of everyday life which in return, helps to plant the seed of helping make our world a better place.

Please join us in our effort to keep this act of kindness going. Have a great week and look forward to our next Pay it Forward Spotlight.

Touching lives, one minute, one day, one flame at a time.....

Ria