Find out more about Cheryl, her movies and books at her sites: http://cherylmckay.wordpress.com and http://www.purplepenworks.com.

As you may know I design customized wedding invitations and other stationery and gifts for special events, and I love everything having to do with weddings, decor and event planning. I’m also a lover of the vision and passion behind TOMS , and was excited to come across the custom hand-painted work of ‘Soled By Melissa’ created by entrepreneur Melissa Hendricks. She has done hundreds of personalized designs that combine patterns, bright colors and the clients preferences, from designs that match party schemes to sports teams.

I especially loved the pair of TOMS wedges (pictured at the top of this post) she recently painted to match one couple’s design and color scheme. It looks beautiful and whimsical all at once, and give a unique touch.

To find out how you can order a custom pair of TOMS visit Melissa at http://www.facebook.com/soled.bymelissa.

(Speaking of TOMS, this is the pair I aim to get next, I wonder if Melissa can do a little custom work for me:).

In honor of Women’s History Month, here’s a tribute for women everywhere – “Every Woman.” (The poem and graphics below were part of a project I created for a Women’s History Month celebration I had the opportunity to chair at the University of Miami.)

The last two stanzas were added in 2012 and inspired by my friend Kara Norman, founder of Empower Her, Inc. She is truly making a mark by inspiring girls and women through her work: http://www.empowerherinc.com.

Every Woman

by Julene Fleurmond

Every woman should learn
To look past her imperfections
To nurture the essence of her spirit
To embrace her own reflection.

Every woman should live
Never compromising herself
To dream dreams that are impossible
To know when to ask for help.

Every woman should know
That within her are the seeds of greatness,
That she is loved by a Love even greater
And that she is too blessed to stress.

Every woman should believe
That she is divine royalty
Placed on this earth to leave a mark,
To share her heart and write history.

Every woman should walk
In purpose, grace and confidence
Because she has the power to impact the world
And change begins with a single step.

When it looks like I’m up sometimes I’m down
I’m alone even when people all around,
But that don’t change the happiness I found
(These are the pieces of me)

[Chorus:]
So when you look at my face
You gotta know that I’m made of everything love and pain
(These are the pieces of me)
Like every woman I know…

I can run the business and make time for fantasy
(These are the pieces of me)
Now I’m gonna make mistakes from time to time
But in the end believe that I’m gone fly

I’m a woman…
These are the pieces of me…

We all miss out if you keep your dreams, talents and passions buried inside – arise and shine.

Check out more shirts from the Arise and Shine Collection of my apparel line Envibrance Dream Creations.

The auditorium was a sea of excited and expectant expressions waiting to see what effect a single day could have on their lives. Soon the room was filled with waves of laughter and streams of tears – sometimes all at once – as Women of Faith’s ONE DAY event in Dallas made an impact.

Hundreds of women shared a bond and a deep sense of God’s love and dreams for their lives as speakers Christine Caine, Andy Andrews and Angie Smith, poured out their stories and faith-filled wisdom into open hearts.

This was the first year for ONE DAY events, created in response to women who couldn’t attend the two day Women of Faith Events. ONE DAY had a more intimate atmosphere that allowed the speakers to go deeper and the attendees to get more up close and personal and feel like they are part of a sisterhood that shares their faith and feelings about life.

I’ve been inspired by the ministry of Women of Faith for several years now, but never had chance to attend their live events, (other than last year’s event for teen girls, the Revolve Tour “Dream On” which was a fun and moving experience).

I was excited to go to ONE DAY, and what made it more personal for me was that it was held at Southern Methodist University where I went to college, in the very same auditorium I graduated in. Three years ago I sat in those seats and walked across that stage in apprehension, wondering what calling God had placed on my life, and on Saturday the encouragement from the ONE DAY speakers had an impact on me in ways I couldn’t imagine.

The theme of the event was “In ONE DAY God can change everything,” with Psalm 118:6 as the leading verse:

“I will not be afraid, because the Lord is with me.”

Each speaker had a unique style and broke the ice with humor before delving into more serious and somber parts of their stories, to inspire us to see God’s divine plan in our own lives. I loved their transparency of sharing the not-so-pretty parts of their backgrounds that can help others going through similar situations. Here are a few highlights of what they shared…

Click Here to Continue Reading…

Evelina inspires me to keep pursuing my purpose despite what obstacles may arise. Recently I interviewed her on my site Dream in Soul (click here for that interview) about how she overcame a life-threatening illness and is now living life fully and boldly. Her love story is unique and special (she and her husband Ivan met on Facebook through mutual friends) and inspires me that God has creative ways of weaving together the details in our lives.

For her December wedding Evelina wanted a fun invitation with a Christmasy-feel and a movie poster theme, so I created the design to the right with the engagement photographs by Adrian Gutierriz. The “movie title” was “From My Heart to Yours” which is actually the motto of Evelina’s inspirational company Sol2Soul. After the wedding I modified the invitations and used some of the photos from the ceremony to create a special Wedding Memory Collage print for Evelina.

Around that time I was contacted by Megan from EasyCanvasPrints to review their service, so I decided to send in Evelina’s design. Soon afterwards I got a package in the mail and was excited to see the print come alive on a 16×20 canvas.

The print from EasyCanvasPrints is vibrant, very close in color to the original graphic I sent, and the texture gives the design a character and dynamic. The print is slightly glossy in the darker areas, and I like how the colors are bright and pop. The canvas is pretty thick and is mounted on a wooden frame with a metal attachment on the back for hanging (you can also order wall mounts from the site). I love how the print details wrap around the canvas (which is one of three options you can choose.) I think EasyCanvasPrints is a great choice for anyone who wants to display family photograph or a work of art.

Special event designs are some of my favorites to do, feel free to contact me if you’d like me to create a design for your special occasion or a personalized gift made with love for someone special.





Note: I received a free print from EasyCanvasPrints in exchange for a review on my site. My review was based on the product I received and my opinion of it.

Sibylla Nash wears a variety of hats as an author of fiction and nonfiction books, freelance writer, entrepreneur and mother of a young actress. I first learned of her work through a mutual friend and was inspired by the way she is able to follow her passions and build her brands Divaluscious.com and StarBabyLA, along with pursuing her passion of writing fiction, including her latest book Bumped. Read more about Sibylla and her advice for other parents and aspiring authors…

Julene Fleurmond, dreamfleur.com: Tell us about your background: Where are you from and tell us about yourself?

Sibylla Nash: First I want to say, thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to talk to your readers! I’m a Los Angeles based writer and a mother of a young actress.

Tell us about your business and blogs. What are they about and who do you hope to reach through them?

I’m the author of a few books. One of my guides, Baby Modeling & Beyond: From the Stroller to the Red Carpet and my website, StarBabyLA, is geared towards parents thinking about getting their kids involved in modeling & acting. My daughter started when she was five months old and she just turned 10. I also have another site, Divaluscious.com, it’s a lifestyle site catering to moms and entrepreneurial minded folks.

Can you tell me about your book Bumped, in your words what is it about and what inspired you to write it?

Sibylla Nash: My novel Bumped looks at relationships and how well do you really know the person you’re involved with? My main character Elle thinks she’s living a charmed life. She has the perfect boyfriend and a very glamorous job and what seems like the blink of an eye, it all falls apart. The story is about her putting the pieces back together after her boyfriend goes on the run for embezzlement.

What was the process of writing the book and finding a publisher; did it take time to write and find the right publisher?

Sibylla Nash: For me, the process starts with the voice of the character and then I’ll flesh out the story and do a ton of rewrites as I work out the kinks. I didn’t look for a publisher for Bumped, I knew I wanted to put that out independently. This is my fourth book I’ve done as an indie.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors on writing a fiction book and getting it published?

Sibylla Nash: Do your research. There’s so much information on the web and in books about finding an agent, self-publishing and writing query letters. Invest in your career by investigating your options and plan accordingly. You should also go to conferences, take classes and network online. Arm yourself with knowledge.

You also run a blog called StarBaby LA and your daughter has been involved in acting. What advice would you give to parents on getting their children involved in the acting industry? How do they get started the right way, and how do parents keep them grounded and make sure they have a healthy, balanced childhood?

Sibylla Nash: For parents thinking about getting their kids in the business, they need to do their research and understand what the family will be getting into. It’s a large commitment and it’s not for the faint-hearted. You need to have a flexible schedule and the time to take your kid on auditions. They should research agencies in their areas, which I have a list of agencies for kids in my book, send out pictures and see what happens. Do not pay for representation and do not sign with any one based on the contingency that your child has take classes or get head shots with a specific person. As for keeping a balance between their childhood and work, be a parent first. You are their advocate and it’s up to you to keep your child’s best interest at heart.

Do you have any advice for any older people on getting booked for commercials or getting started in acting (have you been involved in acting yourself?) What are some of the first steps or what resources would you suggest in learning more and getting started?

Sibylla Nash: For older people looking to get in the business, I would say start with a class and network with the other students. They can be a great source of information on finding the right photographer, finding an agent and casting opportunities. Just like anything else, you have to do your research. Look up agencies that are in your area, see if they accept submissions and send in your headshot. Grab a copy of Backstage and start reading the articles and looking at the casting opportunities. If this is the career you want to pursue, do your research and figure out the players.

What are some of your other hobbies and pastimes, and how else do you express yourself creatively?

Sibylla Nash: I don’t have a lot of free time but when I do get a moment to myself, I love reading, spending time out doors and just enjoying time with my family.

What are some of your future goals and dreams for this year and the future?

Sibylla Nash: My ultimate goal? World domination. Ha, seriously, to have my publishing company – My Whimzy Media – putting out a number of quality books every year and reaching as many people as possible through my work. I have some YA and picture books lined up, so watch out.

Where/How can we get in contact with you?

Sibylla Nash: I’m all over the web, you can find me on Facebook, Twitter or my website sibyllanash.com.

Thanks so much Sibylla for sharing your passions with us!

More About Sibylla Nash

A New Jersey native, Sibylla has written hundreds of articles that have appeared in a variety of newspapers, magazines and websites including Vibe, Essence, The Chicago Tribune and on Launch.com. She is the author of Baby Modeling & Beyond: From The Stroller To The Red Carpet – a how to guide for parents, a novel, DreamCity, and she co-authored The Fan Survival Guide: 50 Ways To Meet Your Favorite Celebrity.

As a freelance writer, she has written about subjects ranging from entertainment to parenting issues to topical matters. A graduate from the University of Southern California with a degree in print journalism, Sibylla has also worked in the entertainment industry at film production companies as well as for major talent agencies. She lends this experience to give authenticity to the pages of her debut novel DreamCity.

Sibylla balances her writing life with the varied demands of parenthood. Many of her experiences as a single mother raising her daughter Kortney weaves its way into her work. She was recognized by the WB11 News as an Unsung Hero for her parenting newsletter, In The Corner.

Sibylla currently lives in Los Angeles and is currently working on several other fiction and non-fiction projects.

About Bumped, Sibylla’s Latest Novel

Music PR maven, Elle Nixon, loves her fabulous life. Queen Bee of the Los Angeles social scene, she attends the hottest parties, has a roster of artists that reads like the who s who of Billboard magazine and has definitely met THE ONE. Her upwardly mobile bound boyfriend lavishes her with gifts and attention. Her life seems perfect until he disappears when the FBI launches a high-profile fraud investigation into his investment firm. Elle s left alone with her questions, his deceit and an unexpected pregnancy. Suddenly, it s not so fun anymore to walk a mile in her Louboutins. Abandoning all pride, she rediscovers her family and friends after she has no choice but to move back in with her parents on the East coast. When push comes to shove and alcohol is no longer option, Elle learns how to navigate the bumps in life s flight plans.
Click here to get your copy of Bumped.

Look around you – everywhere we go we’ll come across people, so many that we’ll just walk by and pass over. There’s a dream and purpose in every one of their hearts, and one of the essential aspects of seeing your own dream come to fruition is caring for others and nurturing their purpose as well.

Treat everyone you meet with love and respect – everyone was born with equal worth and is “somebody” regardless of any apparent talents, status or success.

It’s one thing to be drawn to someone because of the flourishing destiny you see on his life – it’s another thing to see the seedling of potential in someone and to help him draw the destiny from his heart.

Be an early adopter and nurturer of someone else’s purpose, you’ll reap what you sow…

- Julene

No matter what you are going through – wading in the darkness that tries to engulf you – know that the Light is stronger, darkness won’t last much longer. Though it may get lonely you’re not alone – you are loved, more than you know…