Heads up. Friday Video Time today is little different than my usual bubbly Mayi solo shows.

To culminate my blogaversary month I wanted to wrap thing up with a Grand Finale, standing ovation style, so I decided to turn to my dear friend Jessika Hepburn from Oh My! Handmade Goodness for help, not only because she's also blowing her first inny mini blog candle, but because I adore her to pieces + her tsunamic kindness filled with divine wisdom too.

But don't worry. There will still be funky party props involved + a whole lotta fun business + life advice.    

recap

Here are just a few highlights from this amazing heart to heart:

- Why REALLY caring is the only way to go.

- How to pull in a community like a T-Rex magnet.

- How to juggle between the happy moments + the ugly parts.

- A heartfelt talk about the culture of discount.

- Why there can't be a one-size fits all magic blueprint.

- And a whole lot more.

i would love it if you

1. Left a comment below letting us know your fave insight from this interview. 

2. Shared this vid' with your friends. If someone deserves to be spread virally is my girl Jessika. The world needs more of her contagious beauty.

3. Followed Jessika near + far. Please do. You will be giving yourself the greatest gift of all. My favorite way to connect with Jessika is via twitter @ohmyhandmade, but also on the Oh My! Handmade Goodness blog + Worthsy site too.

4. Got a copy of Jessika's new book Cultivate Your Creativity. (This is not an affiliate link. I'm just seriously in love with it).

xo,

Mayi Carles

I'm sure we've all heard the "big rocks" analogy - it's a time-management classic. If you need a refresher, check out this odd but kind of amusing video that explains the concept.

I was working through my copy of Cultivate Your Creativity, the wonderful e-workbook Jessika gave us the inside scoop on, and came to a page that reminded me of the rocks analogy, but with a different take. This time it's about ensuring your small rocks are somehow going to get you to your big rocks.

This particular page of the workbook has an illustration of various sized rocks on the page, along with a prompt to fill in the small steps you're taking towards the big things you want to achieve. I immediately printed it out, because I love the idea of celebrating small successes on this road we're all on.

I mean, it's about the journey as well as the end achievements, right?

Ok, I'll admit- I never really believed that until this worksheet came along and flipped the switch for me. I mean, come on - achievements are the whole point right? Right?

Hmmm...

So I got to writing some of my various accomplishments, as well as some of the things I'm hoping to have happen soon (like attending the 2012 Alt Design Summit). I put them in the different pebbles based on how big they feel to me. It was amazing to write these things down, but even more amazing when I filled in some of the biggest pebbles with some of my goals, then started connecting the small pebbles to the big ones to visualize how the steps I'm taking are building to my goals.

Suddenly, all these small pebbles felt more meaningful. And it became more clear than ever what other small pebbles I've been missing - the other small steps I need to be taking to get where I want to go.

So this time, I actually started with the small rocks. I know this is a different scale and different concept than the original analogy, but I think I maybe had missed it before because I was so focused on the big rocks. I wasn't recognizing the importance of the smaller pieces and I wasn't making the explicit connections between the small pieces, and from the small pieces to the big. I have a plan, yes. I am deliberate about what I do with my time, certainly.

But something was still missing until I drew it all out across a page of pebbles and freed myself from the normal constraints of planning. Suddenly the plan connected to the free-ness of the creative work itself.

And now I'm more excited than ever about these small steps. The journey.

Zoe Rooney

Zoe Rooney is a multi-faceted designer who creates everything from training for new teachers (during the day) to websites, organizational tools, and hand-embroidered paper goods (often late at night). She is a relatively new blogger and enthusiastic pinner. Connect with her through her website A Quick Study or @aquickstudy on Twitter.

editor's announcement

Thank you so so much Zoe for this amazingly helpful post. Your organizational tips arrive at a perfect time now that I'm attempting to squeeze in some wedding planning bonanza with my day to day world dominations schemes LOL. Now, I  just wanted to peek in for one little sec' to announce the winner of Jessika's so so so lovely + colorful Cultivate Your Creativity book. Are you ready? The lucky winner is: Kristal Norton YAYYYY!

I had to interrept my regular blog-programing to tell you the news. I just had to.

These past few days have been the most magical of my life. Here's why:

David + I took a much needed mini vacation to our favorite place here in Panama - Pedasi. It's a small town 5 hours away from the city. Think: the most amazing beach break + with a comfy loft feets from the sand + no cellphone signal. What can be better to decompress? I know right?

"I'm in", I told David. "All the way. Every time."

But the word romantic didn't even cross my mind when he suggested the plan. He was bringing his surf board + we all know what happens when he brings that puppy for a ride LOL.

So I packed my bikinis + the sun tan lotion + my dad's copy of Heroic Living to do my thang', thinking to myself this would be another "surf trip".

Oh boy, was I fooled.

David proposed Saturday night by the sea in a little Amalfi Coast-looking villa that we adore called Villa Romana. He asked me to marry him + I said YES YES YES (just in case he didn't catch the other two).

We then took a stroll beneath a sky bombarded with stars + you're not gonna believe what happened next? Our families appeared out of the blue. Don't ask me how David convinced our entire families including my 84 year old granny to take a 5 hour road trip.

It was perfect. P-E-R-F-E-C-T.

And yes. I cried. A lot. I'm just soooo happy. This is how it feels like! I know it now.

It was truly the best moment. Ever. Even better than the Notebook. Oh soooo much better than the Notebook. Sorry the Notebook, but it's the truth.

Thanks to everyone who has sent us a sweet congratz message. We are truly blessed to be celebrating this special ocassion with everyone we love oh so much!

This is a dream come true. I can't wait for everything that's to come. A lifetime will not be enough.

xo,

Mayi Carles (soon to be "de Larrinaga")

I'm not fooling ya'.

I know, I know. There are a lot of people saying the complete opposite.

Well, I beg to differ.

Please don't burn your resumes. They are not as old fashioned or out dated as you may have been lead to believe.

Now, believe me, I know that if you're here, your purpose in life is not to work the traditional 9-5 job or a big ass corporation that hires underaged children in India.

The resume I'm talking about in today's video has another shape + form. It doesn't come in an 8.5 x 11 sheet or lavender scented. Yes, I actually sprayed Bed Bath + Body Works sprays on my resumes. Heck it worked!

Just hit play + you'll see what I'm talking about.

take action now

I've got homework for your today. Ready to start kicking butt?

1. First, I want to challenge you to close your eyes + revisit that big T-Rex-sized goal of yours. Now, write it down + keep it close for constant reminder.

2. Then, I want you to break that goal into 5 petite size task at a time. These actions need to be accomplish in a day time. It could be hiring a virtual assistant + making that call you're dreading + crafting your first video + listing your first item on Etsy. Your choice!

3. And last, but not least, find accountability allies that help you go the extra mile when the road gets foggy. And speaking of social accountability, why not use the comments below to record your actionable scheme? I'm brilliant I know (wink).

I can't wait to see you shine. Even more!

In the mean time, this girl's gotta run. I have a beach date with Mr. Heartmade + the forecast marks sunny clear skies + great waves + a whole lotta loving.

What's on your weekend forecast?

xo,

Mayi Carles

A guest post by Renae Bradley from Benzie

Loosing teeth is always such a momentous occasion -a rite a passage signifying an important part of growing up. My son was more ready than I was when he lost his first tooth and to help us celebrate I created this little pouch. Six Tooth Fairy visits later -his pouch is still his favorite tooth keeper!

materials

Here's what you'll need:

- wool blend felt from Benzie (I used Parchment and Fern)

- fusible webbing

- tooth pattern

- pencil

- scissors

- iron

- sewing machine (not pictured)

step by step

After gathering your materials...

1. First, iron on a small piece of fusible webbing to the parchment felt. This will be for the tooth.

2. Cut out the tooth from the Parchment felt and a  2 1/4" x 6 1/4" rectangle of the Fern colored felt using the provided pattern.

3. To make the felt pouch fold over one side to make the bottom pocket. Sew.

4. Fold over the top flap about a half an inch above where the pocket opening ends. Sew.

5. Iron on felt tooth.

6. And there you have your very own tooth fairy pouch!

Have fun!

Renae Bradley

Renae Bradley is the owner of Benzie and Benzie Bazaar - a shop filled with yards of beautiful Merino wool blend felt. When she isn't packaging up Benzie rainbows she enjoys spreading fairy dust and good cheer to her two children; who still believe in Tooth Fairies and magic. Visit her blog or connect with Renae via facebook or twitter.

Did you hear? There's a party over at Oh My Handmade Goodness. Apparently it's not just our birthday this month, but it's also their blogaversary celebration too. How fun is that? Double dose.

So I felt compelled to whip out these sweet Hooray + It's a Party Gift Tags to celebrate with my friend Jessika + her gang the memorable occasion. Come join us so you can download + print + get the party started.

Oh + feel free to bring a friend + your party hat too!

See you there!

Pssst... one more thing before I go, my girl April Bowles is celebrating her birthday today (Happy B-Day April, you are the best!). I know, seriously, could this get any better? Well it does. She's put together a Birthday Bundle Bonanza that you should really check out. It expires in 24 hours. Clock is ticking.

And just so you know, this is not an affiliate link. I'm just needed to tell you because the deal is smocking hot + you need to see it. It's that simple. Tic tac. Tic tac.

xo,

Mayi Carles

A guest post by Jessika Hepburn from Oh My! Handmade

I had a different post written for Mayi and you, her beautiful readers. If you are a regular visitor to the magical world of heartmade then I like you already and know we are going to be great friends! And I believe friends share honestly with each other. So instead of a success story about writing an ebook, I wanted to share the heart of why I made Cultivate Your Creativity and sending it out into the world.

Sometimes when things are going so perfectly right, they are also falling apart at the same time. I have been having success everywhere- a year worth of putting in 40+ hours a week on my website has payed off and things are snowballing, carrying me with them. I love everything that I am doing to the point of bursting with happiness. But my house is a mess, I'm answering emails at 4am and juggling two small girls full time. Time to create? Yeah right! Meditation? Sure. Picture meditating as a two year old pees on the furniture with a diaper on her head while the 6 year old sings Mr Sun for the 500th time in a row.

What I needed (besides house elves) was 5 minutes to breathe, reflect, and just be in the midst of the chaos. So I started drawing and brainstorming on paper again. In fits and starts-while the kids played, at the park, in the car, even in bed while my hubby snored and the girls blissfully slept. It was time just for me and it felt GOOD! I wasn't any less busy, but I felt more centered and focused, more ideas started flowing.

When I worked with youth at-risk I used to journal with my group of teens to help them find clarity. I would make them illustrated workbooks and we would work through the prompts together. It was always a really beautiful experience to watch them take the struggles they were feeling inside and channel them safely onto paper.  How had I forgotten that? Finding it again was like coming home. As I was drawing and venting to myself I thought-why not share this? Make it beautiful and see if others are also needing that space to cultivate their own creativity. I had wanted a way to give something of value to the community but also help sustain my own creative dreams-it was an aha! moment of the best kind.

From multiple pen and ink sketches I decided on 11 designs, cleaned them up and added color in Illustrator. The whole time I thought about what my dreams were for Oh My! Handmade, for myself and for our creative community. I wanted to make the book a place to pause and draw strength from the world around us and everything that is going right in this moment-even when it isn't. Because something is always going right-we just don't always step back far enough to see it.  I also found inspiration in some of my favorite quotes and books, words that fit the heart of what I wanted to say, and in old journals of my own.

When I was looking through my old writing books I found this quote & illustration from back in 2003, the night before my 21st birthday and two weeks before I found out I was pregnant for the first time. It is still exactly how I feel today and what I hope Cultivate Your Creativity brings to the world. Plant each day like a seed-water it with your ideas and dreams, rejoice! We are here, right now, alive-that is reason enough to celebrate.

Jessika Hepburn

Jessika Hepburn is an artist, writer, community builder, change maker, entrepreneur, mama to two and lover of all things handmade. She's a creative fire-starter and has used her skills to start diverse projects from art empowerment camps for inner city youth to marketing campaigns for small businesses. Hop to Oh My! Handmade to say hi. Follow Jessikas tweets @ohmyhandmade + on facebook here.

editor's note

Thank you so much Jessika for bringing your light + spilling open + sharing so much goodness with us today. I'm holding a copy of your e-book as I type (wink) + I'm loving every little corner of it. So much so, that I decided to give away a copy to one lucky reader to celebrate our blogaversaries.  Hip hip hooray.

giveaway

All you have to do to win a copy of Cultivate Your Creativity is leave a comment below sharing how you nourish your creative heart. You can get extra entries by sharing this giveaway on twitter + facebook or via your blog. Sharing is beautiful.

Giveaway will be open until Sunday, July 23 at midnight.

Winner will be choosen at random + announced shortly after.

Today I wanna show you da' money!

I love you Cuba Gooding Jr.

The starving artist syndrome is really no fun + waiting for your big break isn't either.

If you want to spend the rest of your days doing what you love you will need to bring home some casholas to sustain your chosen lifestyle, unless of course you are Paris Hilton or Harry Potter.

And no, there is nothing wrong with doing what you love + having big lucrative wins too. Today, I'm gonna teach you how to take the icky + sleazy out of selling + money making. Cha ching!

recap

In today's vid I'll share 7 tips to sell like a super salesperson, minus the guilt of course. Here's the nudger version:

1. Knock on old doors.

2. Make your clients obsessions your obsession.

3. Chace big fishes in small ponds.

4. Bring something new to the party.

5. Backtrack when needed.

6. Remove those hesitations.

7. Follow up.

giveaway winner

Oh + at the end of the clip I'm announcing the winner of the Lightning Bolt Stud Earrings Giveaway. You know, the stunners from The Angry Weather that are said to have super powers? That's right + you could be the winner!

know the drill

Speak your mind + share this like it's hot. I love you for free.

xo,

Mayi Carles

I browse the web. A lot. I call it "research", but we all know it's not really LOL. Luckily for me, while "researching" the blogosphere I found via the lovely Amanda at Kind Over Matter a guy with a funky Spanish accent. I felt at home right away.

His name is Bernardo. His smile + uplifting spirit is pleasantly contagious. He makes you feel like you're visiting a life long friend. He really has that impact on you. His blog, Your Great Life TV is filled with inspiring + core shaking videos. So real, like I hadn't seen in a long while. I'm sure you'll feel it too.

So, since we're all about empowering creative hearts here, I decided to bring Bernardo on board for a mini interview, but on steroids.

Here are just a few highlights from our heart to heart:

- How to keeping yourself honest.

- How to build a legacy.

- How to really be happy.

- How to deal with pain + suffering.

- How to leverage the power of video blogs.

Experience a tsunamic burst of joy + passion + excitement + purpose + love + direction by visiting Your Great Life TV.

You're gonna wanna follow Bernardo on twitter too @yourgreatlifetv, he's like a happy pill, but better.

xo,

Mayi Carles

That's right. I'm giving away these stunners to one lucky reader.

why

Because...

- I own a pair + I know first hand how adorable these studs are.

- Iveth Morales from The Angry Weather is amazing!

- It's heartmade's birthday + I giveaway gifts if I want to. Yes, I'm singing the song in my head.

- I'm a huge Harry Potter nerd + there's no better way to commemorate the upcoming epic finale.

- I'm convinced these studs have special super powers.

to win

All you need to do is subscribe to the heartmade list + then leave a comment below sharing why you need these Lightnight Bolt Stud Earrings in your life.

For more chances to win, please share this giveaway on your blog + twitter or facebook. Leave a comment for each time you spread the love.

rules

1. It's possible to have numerous entries.

2. Please make sure to leave each entry as it's own comment.

3. This giveaway is open to all participants, worldwide.

4. For this particular giveaway, you must be a heartmade subscriber.

5. Giveaway will be open until Thursday, July 14 at midnight.

6. The winner will be drawn out of a hat this week at the end of Friday Video Time.

7. Please be sure to leave me an e-mail where I can reach you if you win.

Thanks so much for being a part of heartmade's birthday party!

xo,

Mayi Carles