Salon de Maria Blog

I believe that we're all creative individuals. Some people use their creativity more than others. I'm one of those people who is constantly creating and coming up with ideas.

The problem, if you can call it a problem, is that if you're a constant creator and serial entrepreneur like me, you can become overwhelmed with all the things you like to do and want to do. You've got all this stuff going on and you love to do all of it, but there just isn't enough time in the day to do it.

I'll give you an example from my own life...

Continue reading "The Problem(?) With Being Creative" »

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Did I ever mention that I am an overachiever?

Well, if you've been reading this blog for some time now, you know that I am.  What other kind of person would manage and write for 10+ blogs (seriously, I've lost count) while working on a jewelry and handcrafted cards businesses?  Well, as I stated before, I've cut out those two businesses...but interestingly enough I started getting more jewelry orders after I said that I was just going to focus on my blogging. 

So this year I have made the intention to slow things down a bit - especially after I came down with the flu last week.  I hardly ever get sick, so that was a sign that it was time to just refocus and enjoy life.  I think I was turning into one of those people that was addicted to being busy when in actuality I wasn't really accomplishing anything.

Continue reading "Productive At Being Unproductive" »

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I hope that everyone had a great holiday!  I spent Christmas at my parents' home in lil' ole Lemoore watching the basketball games and catching up on pop culture.  My family celebrated "Noche Buena" on Christmas Eve, so that's when we had our big dinner.  It's been real nice to just relax and not think about a "To Do" list for once!

I have done quite a bit of reflecting the past couple days and feeling very grateful for everything that has happened this past year.  The year has gone by so fast - and although I say that every year, this year in particular has sped by.  I told myself that I was going to savor every moment of this year, but I think I may have slipped a little and tried to hurry up and accomplish all the goals that I had set for myself.  As much as I preach about living in the moment, sometimes I didn't follow my advice - and that's ok.  I'm not going to beat myself over it.  I'm learning. 

However, I am becoming more aware of those moments when I'm not present whereas before I would just get lost in my thoughts - not even realizing that I had just missed a week of my life because I was "overthinking".

Endless Possibilities

I'm really excited about what's in store for me next.  Instead of thinking, "Oh, it's just another day", I'm anticipating the endless possibilities out there.

Continue reading "Reflections" »

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When I was in high school I was a bit of a social butterfly.  I was involved in sports (mainly volleyball and basketball) and student government, plus other extra curricular activities.

So, it's no wonder why I'm all over the online social networking scene.  Yes, I am the internet!

I invite you to connect with me via any of the social networking sites listed in this post over at one of my blogs...and if you do connect with me, send me a message or a shout out so I can add you as a friend too.

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I've been writing and blogging all day, so I decided to just talk to you via Utterli and let you know what I've been up to lately.

Click here to listen!

If you have an Utterli account and would like to connect there, visit my profile here.

What I forgot to mention in my utter is that I've had some phenomenal interviews this past week with two very inspiring people: Raymond Salas of ZenChill.com and Jennifer Horton of The Lifestyle Enhancement Company. They offer some great advice on how you can achieve your goals and be more productive. Those two have also contributed to this inspiration that I'm feeling! To listen to the interviews, visit the Studio 747 Blogtalk Radio page.

And now, it's time to celebrate with a glass of wine...Cheers!

Posted by Maria Palma at 08:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

...But it's not the type of school that you may be familiar with.  Nope, I am homeschooling myself starting this month.  In addition to all the writing and blogging that I've been doing, I'm going to increase my wealth IQ as well as get back into shape.  I even wrote down a "School Schedule" to remind me of my classes.  Tonight's classes are "Wealth Management" and "Real Estate Investing" so I'll be reviewing the Transforming Debt-To-Wealth program by John Cummuta as well as reading up on how to invest in apartment buildings. 



Who says that artists have to starve?

As part of my "Wealth Management" class, I browsed through a few debt-related websites to learn more about the different ways people seek debt reduction and the options that are available to them...and came across this website about Debt Relief.  Since everyone has been talking about the economy lately and how much debt people owe, I figured as a public service I would share a couple things that I've learned through this website:

• There are some consumer credit counseling agencies that are secretly working with your creditors 
• There's a chance that bankruptcy can stay on your record for 20 years!
• FreedomDebtRelief.com helps alleviate your debt by negotiating with creditors, but the only fees they collect comes from you versus being "bribed" by counseling agencies
  

Posted by Maria Palma at 06:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you're a sports fanatic like me or you just like watching athletes compete, you've probably been tuned into the Olympics.  I played Varsity basketball and volleyball, plus ran cross country during high school, so I understand what it's like to be focused on winning or doing your best. 

I am in complete awe of Michael Phelps, the swimmer who has, at the time of this writing, won 7 gold medals.  He had a vision and he dedicated himself to do what he needed to do to live out that vision for himself.  Seeing him win the 100 meter butterfly by 1/100th of a second was a solid reminder that anything is truly possible if you just believe...and stay focused on your goal. 

As I think about my own vision for my life and the things that I want to accomplish, one of the things I'm working on is staying more focused.  The past month or so I've been presented with opportunities to "make big money" and I've been so close to saying "Yes, sign me up!"  You're probably thinking that I'm crazy for turning down the chance to make big money, but let me explain...

Continue reading "Staying Focused" »

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Continue reading "Coloring Outside the Lines and Living in the Moment" »

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"The personal life deeply lived always expands into truths beyond itself."--Anais Nin

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Continue reading "The Not-So-Normal Life of an Artist" »

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Continue reading "How to Be Less Stressed or Maria Palma Unplugged" »

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Someone called me a "Renaissance Woman" once and I had no idea what they were talking about.  I had this picture in my head of a woman from ancient Egypt wearing a long, flowy dress with flowers in her hair.  Well, I looked up the definition and this is what I came across:

" A woman who has broad intellectual interests and is accomplished in areas of both the arts and the sciences."

It's funny, but I never gave much thought to all the gifts that I've been given.  I feel truly humbled and blessed as I sit here thinking about all my accomplishments.  Sometimes I work too fast and never stop to think about all the abundance in my life.  However, now that I'm living in The Now I'm able to slow down a little and just soak up all the goodness in every moment. 

Now that I'm aware of all these gifts and have embraced them for what they are, it's time to take those gifts and share them with the world in a way that would help the greater good.  I have an idea that's been brewing in my mind (among the other gazillion ideas) and I feel that it's time to start working on it.  

I'm very excited about this project -- Stay tuned for its unveiling!   

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“Fulfillment leads to achievement, not the other way around.”

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I swear, it just seemed like yesterday that I wrote the previous post!  Time sure flies when you’re doing what you love.  As usual, I’ve been busy, busy, busy and it really dawned on me tonight how much of an overachiever I am.  I can hardly sit still for 10 minutes!

My latest burst of energy has manifested itself in the form of uploading all kinds of goodies over at my Etsy shop!  Now’s the time to buy for Mother’s Day…only 10 days left!  I’m sure you can think of a friend who has a love for handcrafted beaded jewelry ;)  Besides, you’ll be giving back to the community in the process because I’m donating 10% of my sales to Idol Gives Back during the whole month of May!

So, going back to being this "overachiever".  I can't seem to help pursuing all my passions - and boy, do I have alot of them!  My parents feel that I should be focusing on one thing at a time, but that's been a challenge for me.  What's so wrong with doing everything that you love?  One minute I'm a blogging maniac, the next minute I'm making jewelry...or working on my book...or finding real estate properties...

I think one of the most important things in life is to just enjoy every moment of it and to do what you love and brings you the most joy!

Posted by Maria Palma at 11:11 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I’m back!  I know, I know, it’s been awhile!  Well, yesterday I was experiencing a little bit of blogging overload and realized that I wasn’t nurturing the artsy side of me - again!  However, I did go to Panera the other day to relax, sip on some coffee, read, and do some doodling.  I’ve been working on this butterfly for the past few months.  This comes out of my one of my art sketchbooks.  

I’ve also been spending some time in the bookstore browsing through card making magazines to get some ideas.  So, in actuality, I have been nurturing my artsy side - I just haven’t been writing about it much.  

What I have been doing is working on updating the Salon de Maria website!  I’m thrilled with the way the front page turned out and I realized just how much I miss doing website design. I was going to hire someone to do it, but I have way too much fun doing it myself.  

Speaking of, Beauty is Within also got a makeover today.  Click on over, check it out, and let me know what you think!  Comments are welcome

Posted by Maria Palma at 11:05 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Yesterday my soul was screaming “Make some art!  Make some art!”  So, as I sat and watched the Academy Awards last night I took out the card making supplies and created a few Easter and Happy Birthday cards.  You can find most of the cards at my online greeting card shop, but I also added a few at my Etsy shop to do some cross-promotion.  I’m still debating on whether or not I should just have one shop with all of my creations.   However, I do like the idea of being able to market in different areas. 

I know I haven’t been around much here in the past week.  I took some time off and drove to Yosemite with hubby for a little relaxing getaway.  Yosemite was absolutely gorgeous and of course, I took a few shots...

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Once again I have neglected this blog, which means I’m not taking enought time to tend to my creative side. Actually, I have been quite the busy bee making and selling my jewelry on weekends. In fact, I’ve added a few new pieces of jewelry to my Etsy shop today! Shop now for the holidays ;)

Onto other events, news, and happenings....

My “sabbatical” is over... I moved out of Mexico a few days ago and now I’m back in San Diego. It’s a beautiful country and the rent is inexpensive, however, the long waits at the border were wearing on me! Pictured here is an absolutely gorgeous sunset taken a couple weeks ago.

Next Saturday I will be participating in an art show at Gallery 504 next Saturday, November 11 during Ray at Night. It’s been well over a year and a half since I’ve participated in an art show, so hopefully this will inspire me to get back into painting!

If you know me, you know my love for travel, food, and photography. Well, thanks to Meikah of Custserv for “blogtipping” Dessert Comes First. This blog has a mish-mash of all things that I love...Makes me want to call up a travel agent right now and say, “Book it!"

Posted by Maria Palma at 04:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

A hectic but joyful life I lead.  Between the holiday, moving, and simply taking some time off I've also been doing quite a bit of reading and discovering ways to become a better person and a better artist. The picture of this gorilla contemplating life is the perfect visual of how I've been feeling lately.   I went to the San Diego Zoo last Friday and became one with nature....

So lately I've been the "thinking artist" versus the performing, or doing, artist.  I'm taking a journey within to find inspiration and my true genius. 

I have however, made a few pieces of jewelry.  I've noticed that my designs are becoming more detailed and taking off in another direction.  It'll be interesting to see where it goes... Stay tuned for pictures!

Oh, and by the way.... I've opened up a store at Etsy.  It only has a few items right now, but will be adding more soon!

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