31 Days, 31 Ways to Bring Joy: Day 2: Give Compliments

Yesterday we talked about giving a smile,

today this will get one. 

Give a compliment!

It's another easy one: 

simply find something that you like and comment on it.

There are so many wonderful things about people to compliment, 

it doesn't just have to be about appearance!

"I like the sound of your laugh."

"You make the very best cookies."

"I love how you put colors together."

In my professional life as a speech-language pathologist, my job is to go to homes and evaluate children ages birth-3 to determine whether or not they need developmental therapy services (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, etc.). The evaluation is play based and I am looking to see how the children can process information, manipulate objects, move around, etc. Sometimes they can complete the tasks, sometimes they can't. 

One thing I am sure of is to always compliment their efforts. 

"I like how you stacked those cups!" or "You did such a nice job jumping!"goes a long way and almost always earns me a sweet little smile. 

Try it and bring some joy to someone today!

It's that time of year: the 4th Annual 31 Days Blog Series is coming up!

It's finally here: we are ringing in the New Year with much anticipation, excitement, and our annual 31 Days blog series!

Many of you may remember last year's series where I happily asked questions about weddings since I had recently been engaged. The information you shared with me was invaluable, 

and now a year later I am exactly 101 days away from my wedding day on April 11, 2015. 

The joy I am experiencing in my new life is inexplicable.

So joyful am I that I decided to make the theme of this year's 31 days series how to take that joy and spread it to your lives and the lives of others. 

Beginning tomorrow, I will be launching the series "31 Days, 31 Ways to Bring Joy"

You will find tips on organization (to increase your joy at home), inspirational quotes (to increase your joyful spirit), some vacation ideas (to increase your joy in the world) and anything else that I think may bring you some happiness and relaxation.

Thank you all for joining me yet again on this wonderful adventure, and I wish you all the happiest and healthiest of times as your ring in the new year with hope, love, and excitement.

Best deal of the Season: $40 collage necklaces!

www.belmonili.com

Pin it to Win it with bel monili!

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Oh yeah, that's right...I'm getting MARRIED!

So, here we are, it's officially the middle of November (ok, closer to the end now) and I am less than 5 months away from The Big Day. If you recall, back in January I posted my annual "31 Days" series and asked you a variety of questions about weddings. 

Thank you, by the way, for all of your advice: it was GREAT!

Now, eleven months later, I'm ashamed to say that I'm not all that much further ahead than I was in January! Here is what I have done:

1) I have the dress

2) We have the venue (reception and ceremony) booked

3) We have an officiant

4) We have wedding party members

5) We have a photographer

6) We have a DJ

Now that may SEEM like an impressive list, but here is what we still need:

1) A guest list

2) A menu

3) Save the Date cards

4) Invitations

5) Flowers

6) Bridesmaid dresses

7) Book a honeymoon

8) Register for gifts

9) Select a song

10) Select a THEME

11) Select wedding favors

12) Ceremony details (i.e., who walks mom down the aisle, etc.)

13) all of the other wedding details that I know I am forgetting but that are vital to the day of festivities

On top of all of that, I am a very busy speech-language pathologist and an even busier artist/business owner! I'm working hard to keep bel monili running full steam ahead whilst trying to masquerade as a good, organized bride.

This is where you come in. My plan is to start using this blog as a kind of journal, and I'm going to need your help to keep me on track. Hold me accountable for getting things done by asking questions, posting pictures, and/or giving suggestions...I need the support of the masses here!

CLEVER inDeed, Saturday November 8, 2014

Well friends, here it is! My bestie juNxtaposition and I have partnered up to bring you Pittsburgh's only holiday shopping party: CLEVER inDeed. We hope to see you there!

31 Days, 31 Questions About Weddings...Help Me Please! Day 20: The Day

Day 20 Question:

Have you ever been to a wedding on a Friday or a Sunday? 

photo via boho-weddings.com

We are thinking of having a Sunday wedding simply because it saves some big bucks, and to be honest the date possibilities are much more open. What are your thoughts? Have you ever been to a non-Saturday wedding? How did the rehearsal work?

Cyber Monday deals!

Of COURSE bel monili will be offering a Cyber Monday deal!  Enjoy a whopping 20% off of your ENTIRE purchase of $20 or more in my Etsy shop using code CM2013

PLUS

-Purchases of $50 or more will receive a FREE 3 pack of pearl bobby pins*!
-Purchases of $100 or more will receive a FREE leather quote bracelet**!

 through midnight EST 12/2/13

*limit one per customer
**Christmas quote bracelets not included, quote chosen at random unless specified by the purchaser at checkout

If you know of someone who has a business and is doing a Cyber Monday deal, please feel free to post it here in the comments and/or share it to my Facebook page. Thanks so much for looking and supporting small businesses!

Here are great deals from some of my favorite creative friends:

 Enjoy these deals at Audra Azoury

 Enjoy 10% off of your purchase of $30 or more at Bonne Amy with code CyberMon

Enjoy 20% off $25 or more at Brown Bird Green String CYBERMONDAY20 (through 12/3/13)

Enjoy 15% off your purchase at Designs by Samantha, plus a FREE pair of post earrings AND free shipping with code GOBBLE

Enjoy 20% off of your purchase at Art by Marcia Furman with code YOUARELOVED

 Enjoy 15% off of your entire purchase (NO MINIMUM!) at Erra Creations with code cyber2013

Enjoy half price shipping (no code needed) at homefry ceramics

Enjoy 20% off of your entire purchase at Garbella using code thankful

 

 Enjoy 15% off of your purchase of $25 or more at Green Bubble Gorgeous using code Cyber2013

Enjoy 20% off of your entire purchase of $15 or more at Little Miss Snazzy with code CYBERMONDAY 

 Enjoy 20% Off at My Salvation Jewelry Design with coupon code HOLIDAYSALE

Naked Geometry is offering a GIVEAWAY! One person will receive one of these for free, on Monday, December 9th. All you need to do is click to share this image and the winner will be chosen at random... good luck!

 Enjoy 20% Off at Nina Ramone with coupon code HOLIDAYSALE

Enjoy 15% off everything at Pretty by Mindy using code CYBER (on top of their everyday free shipping) through Tuesday 12/3/13 midnight EST
 

 

Skinourishment is offering Free Shipping with Coupon Code "Holiday2013" 

also $1 off - 1 oz climbOn Bar!

All Sugar Baby Soaps Sugar Scrubs are $10 today for Facebook friends! ️Message them through Facebook or email your orders to sugarbabysoaps@gmail.com

Enjoy 10% off of your purchase of $10 or more at Una Biologicals using code CM2013

Xmittens purchases over $35 are shipped free with code: THANKS35

Small Business Saturday

Well, hello there! I decided this was just as good a day as any to dust off this old blog and put her to good use.

Being a small business owner myself, I can appreciate the idea behind Small Business Saturday. For those of us who run our businesses with fervor and joy, the support of our community (online and neighborhood!) is what allows us to be successful.

Naturally, I'm offering some GREAT deals on my handcrafted jewelry in my own Etsy shop! Here's what's going on right now at bel monili:

• 25% off of your entire purchase of $35 or more using code BF2013 through midnight EST 11/30/13
• 20% off of your entire purchase of $10 or more using codeSBS2013 through midnight EST 11/30/13

And...keep your eyes peeled (hint: follow us on Facebook and sign up for our email list) for an awesome Cyber Monday deal to follow!

On this Small Business Saturday, here are some of my most favorite small businesses (and some of them even have some great sales to check out!). Here are just a few of MY favorite things:

Welcome to my friend Amy's shop, where you can find Alphabet Photography Prints, custom orders and already pre-designed prints are available. They make unique gifts for weddings, housewarmings, birthdays, anniversaries, showers, parties and any occasion. Using her original photography of architectural and natural objects, Amy has created alphabet photography art with a heavy focus on Pittsburgh, PA.

Amy also offers custom alphabet photography name prints! 

Charis (pronounced: khar'-ece) is the English translation for the Greek word (χάρις, ιτος, ἡ) for grace. Meanings: a gift or blessing; favor; gratitude, thanks; joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness. Share "charis" with someone you care about via the thoughtfulness of a handmade, handpicked, specially designed card or gift. 

 Use coupon code SBS13 starting today, Saturday the 30th, to celebrate Small Business Saturday and will be good through Dec 6th for 15% off any Etsy shop purchase of $10 or more

 

Small batch natural and organic ingredient bath and body products! My dear friend Krystal of Green Bubble Gorgeous makes AMAZING bath and body products, and as an added bonus she recently began to offer FREE domestic shipping on every order!

Green Bubble Gorgeous will be offering a Cyber Monday code in her Etsy shop: Use code cyber2013 all day Monday 12/2/13 to get 15% off your order of $25 or more!

You all know my bestie Jeanne of juNxtaposition, and if you don't...well, then you simply MUST stop over for a visit to her website! 

Typewriter key jewelry, stamped silverware handles, and overall awesome upcycled stuff!

 

I am proud to say that Adriana of Little Miss Snazzy started out her great venture by learning a couple of beading tricks from me...now she makes GORGEOUS jewelry using a variety of materials including semi-precious stones, leather, and metals.

Enjoy 25% off of your purchase of $25 or more in her Etsy shop using coupon code SMALLBUSINESS now through Sunday 12/1/13.

Happy Shopping!

Pittsburgh Marathon: Highland Park's E2 is THE place to be!

 

So, tomorrow is marathon day here in Pittsburgh, 

and I have the distinct honor of being at E2 in Highland Park!

Here's a description of the restaurant from the E2 website:

"Located in Highland Park, E2 Pittsburgh is the first restaurant of Chef Kate Romane.

The first-floor dining room is cozy and casual with only 10 tables and 28 seats.  Additional outdoor seating is available during the summer months on a small patio right out front.  The downstairs can accommodate up to 60 people and is available to rent for your next event."

Take a moment to visit E2 and you'll be pleasantly surprised to find that this restaurant uses an amazing list of locally-sourced foods. E2 is described as "rustic Mediterranean fare" with a constantly evolving menu, making each visit a unique experience.

I cannot WAIT to set up shop there tomorrow during the Pittsburgh Marathon...

won't you please come and join me?

Pittsburgh Marathon!

Just one more week till race day!

bel monili is thrilled and honored to be an "Official Blogger" for this year's Pittsburgh Marathon.

 I will be stationed at the exclusive E2 restaurant in Highland Park, where spectators and participants alike can hang out, taste some great food, and cheer on our friends and neighbors as they pass through Bryant Street.

I am looking for enthusiastic Highland Park residents/businesses to highlight and share right here! Make sure you follow me on twitter @belmonili and tag to share your race day pics.

Celebrating Bubbie's Birthday

Today, March 14, 2013, 

would have been my Bubbie's 84th birthday. 

Left to right: Bubbie, my mom, my sister Jennifer, my brother, myself, and Jeddie (my grandfather) on Jeddie's birthday

As all lives do, my sweet Bubbie's came to an end on June 18, 2011. In the time that has passed since, I have often found myself comforted with fond memories and mementos of Bubbie, as well as the love and support of my remaining family.

Bubbie and I at my graduation ceremony at Duquesne University, when I finished grad school in 2007

I have written about Bubbie before, and I often refer to her in my everyday life. She was, to put it plainly, my best friend. Bubbie always used to tell me that I was "#1"(sorry brother, sister, and cousins...it's true.) It is a fact that I was the first grandchild and the oldest, though, so I will concede that my birth order may have influenced my moniker.

Bubbie was without a doubt my biggest fan. There's really no way to succinctly convey all of the wisdom she passed along to me, so I won't make the attempt. 

I will say this though: before she passed, Bubbie named ME as the matricarch of our family.

ma·tri·arch  

/ˈmātrēˌärk/

Noun

1. A woman who is the head of a family or tribe.
2. An older woman who is powerful within a family or organization.

Just to be clear, Bubbie is survived by my mother and my aunt, with my mother being the eldest of the two and the assumed "heiress" to the matriarchal role. Those facts aside, Bubbie saw fit to bequeath this important family position to me. 

Initially it was lighthearted; a bit of a family joke...except that it wasn't a joke. 

Bubbie charged ME with maintaining order and balance among our family. She left me with the responsibility to take on HER role: to keep everyone safe, encourage new ventures, discourage poor decisions, and make sure that the family unit continues on as one unbreakable force.

...piece of cake, right?

Bubbie always said that cardinals were spirits of loved ones passed; they are guardians who watch over us and make sure we are safe on our way. This winter, I noticed that the most brilliantly beautiful bright red cardinal has taken up residence in the small bush on the edge of my patio. He sweeps in and out, pausing to peer in and make sure I'm doing what I need to do. 

This is the kind of thing that brings me joy: the smallest symbol that makes me know that Bubbie will always be with me. 

So, on this very special day, I have taken the time to honor and remember my dear Bubbie. 

If only she could be here to share in my joy.

It's a bel monili giveaway!

It's March!

Spring is mere DAYS away, and I am THRILLED to announce that bel monili has partnered with Common Ground to offer...

A $30 bel monili gift certificate!

Click

HERE

to enter

Good luck friends!

Fantastic 14: Day 12: Liz Makes

Today I am featuring the fresh new blogging talent, Liz of Liz Makes. This invigorating blog focuses on frequent DIY projects that are fun and funky, giving us all hope that we may someday harness a small piece of this dynamic blogger's energy and transform it into a successful project of our own.

Here are a few of my favorite Liz creations:

Liz Makes a Flower Hair Accessory

Liz Makes an Instagram Pillow

Liz Makes a Mario Mushroom Keychain

Liz Makes a Craft Organizing Board

You'll be inspired by the quantity and quality of fun, simple, realistic projects 

that Liz shares with her followers!

I invite you to check out the Liz Makes blog, and while you're at it please follow her on Facebook and Pinterest. Happy reading!