06.15.11

Love Tiny Devotions

Tiny Devotions is owned and founded by Diana Charabia, an adventurer, world traveler and creative soul that is dedicated to making the most beautiful Mala beads in the world. Diana was in Bali, Indonesia when she began creating these designer Mala necklaces. The Balinese are known to leave acts of devotion (such as flowers or food on the streets) as offerings to their Gods. These “tiny devotions” are truly what inspired the name of this woman-owned brand, specializing in developing designer Mala beads which are known to bring good luck, good energy, healing, and health to its wearers.

Mediation, chanting, and tons of hot yoga have been noted as the inspiration behind the creation of every Mala bead. Each Mala is made with love in Canada with sacred Rudracksha seeds (as worn for thousands of years in traditional yoga, Buddhism, and Hinduism and is said to have a lot of positive healing qualities) as well as semi-precious gemstones, depending on the different energy quality that the Mala represents. Typically, you should choose a stone that inspires you on your journey which is exactly what I did. Regardless of your specific mantra or passion, there is a Mala that will fit your dreams, lifestyle and you’ll look fabulous in the process. Mala beads can be found in some form in nearly every tradition around the world. Now, THAT is powerful!

I am wearing the Turquoise Ocean Mala which represents communication, healing and balance. Initially, I chose this Mala bead because I simply loved the color of the stone and the fact that it appeared to have an “ocean” quality to it. Growing up at the beach, I’ve always had a strong love for the ocean so I immediately connected to this piece. When I found out that this Mala represented communication, healing and balance, I knew it was the perfect bead for me. As a busy work-at-home mom, I am always seeking healing and balance – and the fact that part of what I do for a living (communication), there couldn’t be a better Mala fit for me. When I further read, “Whether your goal is to become a rock star public speaker or PR vixen, turquoise is the stone for you,” I knew I had to have this Mala! This piece retails at $108.

If you are looking for strength and good luck, known to protect its wearer from harm then check out the African Jade Mala

I also adore The Creative Catalyst which is perfectly designed for those born to create, specifically made for writers, designers and others wishing to fuel their creativity.

Remember that each Tiny Devotions Mala is made with a different intention, so have fun shopping for the stone that is right for you or someone you love! Whether it’s strength, love or healing, there is a Mala out there for every soul. Shop the full line of Mala beads and stay up to date with Tiny Devotions on Twitter and Facebook.

Theta Mom® abides by word of mouth marketing standards and believes in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. Tiny Devotions is a proud sponsor of Theta Mom and I was compensated for this post. In addition, I was provided a Turquoise Ocean Mala to facilitate this review. However, all opinions expressed are purely my own and the content of this post was not influenced in any way.

{ 10 Comments }
06.13.11

You’ve Got a Friend

I was putting in a load of laundry when my son came over toward me with a small shoebox. Apparently, he was digging through one of our closets in the basement and he found a bunch of my old cassette tapes.

We’re talking old school. Remember this one ladies? A time in your life when all you could do was sing, “I think we’re alone now???”

Well, considering my son’s world consists currently of Wii games, DS cartridges and DVD’s, looking at a cassette tape kind of puzzled him. “What is this thing Mommy?” he kept asking. Yes, it totally made me feel like a fossil.

After a short explanation, laundry went into the washer, my son went upstairs and I started to put the shoebox back in the closest when one of the cassette tapes fell out. As I bent down to pick it up, a flood of memories came rushing back…

And I paused for a moment.

I don’t blog about my dad all too often (although I should probably change that since he is one of the greatest men that walks this earth),  I can’t but help to share this small piece of my life with you.

At age 18, I packed my belongings into my little Volkswagen Cabriolet (just a kid out of high school about to go off to college) when my dad stood beside me in the driveway and we shared a few words – an exchange I can remember as vividly as if it happened yesterday.

He told me he couldn’t believe his little girl was going off to college; that he was so proud of me but more importantly, if there was ever a time I needed someone to talk to, even in the middle of the night, to just call him – because he would be there. And with that, he handed me a James Taylor cassette tape and whispered, “You’ve got a friend.”

“When your down and troubled, and you need a helping hand
And nothing, no nothing is going right…
Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights…
You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I’ll come running, to see you again.
Winter, Spring , Summer, or Fall
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there…You’ve got a friend.”

Today, as I hold tightly onto that cassette tape listening to the drum of the washing machine behind me and the pitter patter of my son’s feet upstairs, my heart is full.

Because even after all these years, I know I’ve always got a friend.

{ 35 Comments }
06.10.11

Featured TMC Blogger: Old Tweener

TMC welcomes Sherri, author of the blog Old Tweener. She’s one of those bloggers that when you tweet with her or read one of her posts, it feels as if you’ve known her for years. She is so welcoming, supportive and certainly one who loves to write! Here is how she describes her blogging journey in her own words:

“My name is Sherri and I started my blog Old Tweener a little over a year ago as a way to push myself to write the stories that were constantly bumping around in my head. I had no idea that in creating a place for my stories to take root I would find such a supportive community of women who also loved to write.

I graduated from college in 1986 with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, and spent the first eight years out of college working my way through various finance jobs after earning my CPA certificate.

I married my high school/college sweetheart one year after college graduation.  After seven years of marriage we welcomed our son home and I said goodbye to the corporate world. Staying home with him, and subsequently with his sister, was the most wonderful experience for me as a mother.

When my youngest entered third grade, I stumbled into a job at her elementary school that I absolutely love. I work with at-risk students either one-on-one or in small social skills groups. The past five school years that I have had this job have really opened my eyes to the trials that some children have in their daily lives outside of school.

Old Tweener is a place that’s sometimes funny, often sarcastic, and once in a while you may need a tissue. I try to blog about the years I seem to be occupying right now: between changing diapers and wearing them. I have a son who is graduating from high school (next week!) and a daughter who will turn 13 just as my son leaves home. Throw in a crazy dog, an aging body, and wistfulness for the babies I used to hold and I almost always have something to write about. I’d love for you to visit!”

Be sure to check out the blog and follow her on Twitter! New to TMC? Join us! We LOVE new members! *To be considered as a Featured TMC Blogger, be sure to comment on this week’s feature! Have a great weekend ladies!

{ 32 Comments }
06.9.11

Announcing the Project Marriage Brand Partnership

When two of my favorite bloggy friends get together and collaborate it sure does make the blogosphere a better place! The fabulous Tina and Lori recently launched a new series called the Project Marriage Challenge, where the goal is to get reacquainted with your significant other – you know, like the way it was before you had the kids? Bloggers have the opportunity to write posts, link up and converge on a whole new bloggy level – a wonderfully, brilliant idea launched by two bloggers I adore.

So when I saw the tweets went out about this new blog series last week, of course I supported this project! I mean, it’s a fantastic idea! But guess what? This whole #ProjectMarriage deal just got even sweeter.

Many of you know I own my own company and one of my clients, Bellflower Books has an amazing mission about supporting one another and providing someone with a meaningful gift – so what better way than to partner this brand with Tina and Lori’s Project Marriage?

So, I think you’re catching on…Bellflower Books is a proud sponsor of Project Marriage! And here’s what’s in it for YOU bloggers:

Beginning this summer, Bellflower Books will be sponsoring $75 giveaways which will give winning bloggers the chance to create his/her own custom Bellflower Book! You can give it to your husband as a gift or create one for your kids, the possibilities are endless! You can read my full review of the company and see for yourself how great this small business is. Tina and Lori will be sharing full deets on their own blogs about this sponsorship including how the giveaways will be incorporated into this project soon.

I am so honored to announce this partnership – an amazing small business run by two women partnering up with two fabulous bloggers: a total win/win.

If you are looking for my post for this month’s Project Marriage Challenge, you can find it right here, since I met my husband in a bar: I Met Him at a Hoboken Bar and be sure to follow the hosts @lifewithoutpink @mommyfriend as well as the sponsor @BellflowerBooks  and the #ProjectMarriage hashtag. I look forward to seeing you participate in this challenge!

{ 28 Comments }
06.3.11

Introducing Theta Mom Media

Since publishing my very first post here at Theta Mom, this blogging journey has really been one amazing experience for me. Never did I ever think that my passion for writing and desire to connect with other mothers would have lead me to this point so quickly – smack in the center of an industry that doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon.

I recently wrote a post about the amount of time and hard work that goes into establishing and maintaining a successful blog. I reiterated the fact that there are no free handouts out in the blogosphere, that any fabulous opportunity which comes along to another blogger is certainly something that has to be earned.

And I am living proof of that.

Especially today.

You see, for almost a year, in addition to running this blog and managing the Community and The Marketplace, I have also added social media consultant to my resume. I have been working “behind the scenes” helping clients and their own brands reach their full potential through the social media space. So with the tremendous growth of my own brand and working with more and more clients, I knew it was time to chase another dream and start my very own company.

So along with the brilliant mind of my designer Lauren from Restored 316 who always knows how to take my vision and turn it into reality, I finally have the proper space to call my business home – a business that I’ve been actively working at for quite some time now.

Introducing my company, Theta Mom Media, a business I am so committed to and proud of, one that would not have been possible if I never published my first post right here at Theta Mom.

So, perhaps my time has come.

Yet, it’s only just begun.

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