EAT CAKE It's not what you THINK...

It's a BRANDING thing and OH, how SWEET it can be...

What’s in a NAME?

EVERTHING!

I have always been a person that LOVES words and names; the meaning of words and names of people and places are very important to me, to all of us. It’s a way of expressing one’s self, telling a story or referencing back to something or someone we enjoyed or didn’t want to forget; like a person we met, a place we have visited, a restaurant or a store we enjoyed or an experience we had. From a business and branding point of view, it’s important because we want it to represent or invoke very quickly what one might hope to find or experience from something we were very passionate about they we invested in it personally to share with others.

Take these things into consideration:

Think “BIG PICTURE.”

When choosing a NAME for your business or an event you put on for a group of people; you want to create a complete picture of who you are and what you do. In the case of an event, what the event represents, and what one that may attend might get out of being there. How do you do that? Two words-continuity and uniformity… That means your website needs to match or compliment your blog, which needs to match your Facebook page and so forth… This one step alone can make a HUGE difference in how your company or event is perceived. The logo, the colors, the font, the tagline, the background you choose is very important; it should represent very clearly, who you are and what you, your business or event is about. Make it STAND out! You only get ONE chance to make a first IMPRESSION, so make it count. The logo should be clean, crisp and represent the name. The colors you chose should compliment each other and be easy on the eyes so that it draws you into the content or the message not distract from it. The font needs to be readable. The background not too busy or cluttered; it should fit nicely and simply be an accent of what you have going on that does not take away from what you have created in the overall look of your BRAND.

Most importantly…

Before you get started, do your homework. Research and view what others have created to make their businesses stand out and their customers/clients take notice. Really get to know your “target market” and “your audience” because that is what matters most. No matter how passionate you might be about your venture, or how good the concept, artwork, the design or the message is, if it’s not APPEALING to the CUSTOMER chances are it will not work. Make it about them; what they want and it will naturally DRAW them in; I almost guarantee it, but it will require hard work and follow through on your part. Do what you LOVE and LOVE what you do. After all, it’s your PASSION and you want others to ENJOY it, right?
That’s my “TWO CENTS” on the subject of BRANDING for what it’s worth.

On PURPOSE with PASSION…
Cinderella CHATS

SPARK & HUSTLE... Here I come!

I spoke with Cindy Morrison this morning, and WOW!!! She is AMAZING with her knowledge and network where Social Media is concerned. She knows her STUFF and can guide you to where the KNOWLEDGE is. Cindy told me this morning how this event and Tory changed the way she approaches the "fast track" of Social Media by learning from the EXPERTS - TORY JOHNSON! She shared with me that it CHANGED the way she does things. If it can do that for someone as "smart and savvy" as Cindy Morrison, it can to that for me and it can do that for you, but not if you don't attend. Register by following the link below...

So GIRLS... TIME for some "SPARK & HUSTLE!" A "BIG" thank you to Cindy Morrison

Bring on the Spark and Hustle Tulsa 2012!

To REGISTER for the "Spark & Hustle" Event visit: http://www.sparkandhustle.com and tell
TORY JOHNSON Cinderella sent you because Cindy Morrison said to.

Cinderella says, Don't get left behind...
You only get one chance at making a FIRST IMPRESSION!

SEE YOU THERE...

BE YOURSELF!

This ONE really HIT home with me and I wanted to share it. Thanks, Angie for posting it on Facebook. This is something to really THINK about and for "goodness sakes" girls, let's put it into action.

Angie's response:
So true Cinderella! And we've got to come to grips that we don't have to please everyone nor can we control the thoughts of others....as long as we do the right thing we shouldn't worry about what others think.

Now...

Can I get an AMEN to this, Sistahs?

Just asking?

THINK before you SPEAK...

Source: cookingwiths.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

MY MOTHER ALWAYS SAID, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything."
Mom, as bad as I hate to admit it; you were RIGHT!

Food for thought and reminder to self...
You can never take back what is said and words are powerful! They can be used to ENCOURAGE or they can be used to cause PAIN. THINK about this before you SPEAK.

Thank you, MOM!

VLOG! She's here... "Together Tuesdays!"

Cinderella says...

Enjoy!



See ya, on Together "Tiara" Tuesdays!

Cinderella CHATTING... Ben COACHING... FUNNY!!!

Cinderella Chatting... Ben COACHING... FUNNY!!!

Video Blogging comming soon...

I am so EXCITED!!!

Ya'll come back now ya hear...

BEN DRIVING CINDERELLA CRAZY...

Ben drinving CInderella CRAZY...

Making me do it again and again...

Ben is a REALLY GOOD TEACHER!!!

I HIGHLY recommend him. Ben is a Videographer and photograher: His website is www.aloveforthem.com

I am so EXCITED!!!

WONDERS NEVER CEASE...

I LOVE LISA! She is SO FUNNY and CREATIVE!!!

Sometimes I wonder about the "What IFS" in LIFE…

What if... "I was TALLER?" What could I really REACH?
What if... "I had been born in a different "ERA”? What would have been DIFFERENT?
What if... "I had been a SINGER?" Maybe that didn't happen because there was something... MORE...
What if... "I had been a PHYSICIAN?" My BED-SIDE MANNERS... I'm THINKING... would not have worked well for MOST of my PATIENTS because being PATIENT - not my VIRTUE.
What if... "I had gone to COLLEGE?" Oh my GOODNESS, not touching that - too SMART.
What if... "I had decided being a "MOM" was not for me?" I would have MISSED out on so many IMPORTANT LESSONS.

WOW!

That's a BIG "WHAT IF" MOMENT of TRUTH for ME...

And then, “What if... I had decided not to be a WIFE?" I would have missed out on so much GROWTH, HOPE and TRUE LOVE... and that, I have come to KNOW is not PERFECT and it's certainly not a FAIRYTALE, but it does have it's MOMENTS... "Thank you, Frank."

Most IMPORTANTLY...

I would have "MISSED OUT" on knowing the three most wonderful people in my life, and the extended family it has provided and BLESSED me with...

I would have missed out on JOY, DISAPPOINTMENTS, LEARNING, GIVING, RECEIVING, PAIN, ROMANCE, SACRIFICE, SELFISHNESS and SELFISHLESSNESS, and LETTING GO and BECOMING ME...

IMPERFECT MOMENTS that REALLY are PERFECT, REAL LOVE and MY REALLY WONDERFULLY IMPERFECT FAMILY.

“WHAT a "PERFECT" GIFT GOD has GIVEN to ME!”

So, now I am wondering… What if, I decide not to wander to wonder any longer and just sit still for a moment, let go and let LIFE happen? Because the TRUTH is; it’s going to, no matter what I think or wonder about when it comes to the “WHAT IFS” in life.
“They really don’t exist or matter, do they?”
What if... I had been SMARTER? Then, I would not have wasted so much time.

What if... I REALLY had a Fairy Godmother? Seriously... God knows better than to grant that "what if." Really I would use it for GOOD, "I promise." or MAYBE not... "just joking."

What if... I STOP NOW...

I wonder what you think?

Please share?

Happy Friday!

It's a BIRTHDAY PARTEA and YOU are INVITED...

Please join me...

It’s a New Year and TIME for a COMMITMENT, not a RESOLUTION.

This year it’s time to put away the RESOLUTIONS and focus on COMMITMENT! What that means in this instance is… being GOOD to YOU. Being the BEST YOU, the HEALTHIEST YOU and most EMPOWERED YOU that you can be. So, let’s start with nutrition; I know it’s a scary word these days, but it’s so true, you are what you eat and well, let’s be real… these days, that’s a scary thought! All the processed foods, drive-through fast food places, depleted soil, mass produced crops laced with pesticides and no telling what else? Not, to mention the energy drinks, sodas, diet pops, chemically enriched milks we drink and the coffee we consumed to keep us going… Makes me crave REAL food and THIRST for REAL water, how about YOU?
Okay, let’s get started…
The only way to eat this ELEPHANT is ONE BITE at a TIME. Sorry, to all the Vegans and Vegetarians out there, but this a HEFTY subject and requires a lot of discipline and hard work; I know, I have been there and it’s not easy, but the end result feels so good and is truly rewarding!
I don’t want to lose you, bore you, or give you the same “song and dance,” so I am going to start slowly…
Here we go …
Breakfast – The most important meal of the day! It’s true. After sleeping all night, when we rise we should be ready to get up and get going, right? Our body needs fuel in order to get it moving, but it needs the right kind of fuel to run it’s best race each day.
Ready… Set… GO…
- Start with a very warm glass of water and add the juice of one whole squeezed lemon. This helps to alkalize the body as well as detox the liver. Do this on a daily basis and first thing in the morning.
- Consume plenty of good fruits like; strawberries, blueberries and blackberries, they are full of antioxidants, a great source of Vitamin C and they provide fiber.
- Eat good whole grains; steel cut oatmeal is a great one to start with, grind up some flaxseeds and toss in for a great fiber and omega source. Add pumpkin seeds, chopped walnuts or slivered almonds along with REAL butter - plenty of it, we need good fats for so many reasons. Sprinkle a teaspoon of cinnamon – helps regulate your blood sugar levels, very important for long-term good health, and finish it off with a teaspoon of RAW local area honey, if you can find it, if not, just honey, no SUGAR, please?
- Another great breakfast option is a smoothie with just fruit, or a goat milk or whole milk yogurt preferably RAW and from a local farm, if you don’t have a source or the time, then Organic, please? Add berries, bananas or other favorite fruits, as well as ground up flax seeds, cinnamon, a touch of honey and a splash of vanilla, pour into a cup, grab a straw and sip on your way to work or your appointment with your mat at Inner Peace Yoga.
- Juicing is another great way to start your day and there are plenty of wonderful recipes online, just Google or Yahoo them. Again, pour your freshly juiced veggie juice into a cup, grab a straw and out the door you go to keep that very important appointment with you and your mat at your favorite Yoga Studio.

FYI - My favorite Yoga Studio is Inner Peace Yoga Tulsa
See ya there…

Blessings & Namaste
Check back mid-January for more “Good for "YOU" Health & Food News.”

Be Good to YOU in 2012!

Protein Shake

My friend Kimberly shared the way she starts her day by "kicking it off" and "sipping it up" with good fuel for her body. Smart Girl! Thanks for sharing Kimberly!

Kimberly says...
I use about 8 oz of almond milk, one scoop of high protein whey powder, one scoop of super greens powder, about a quarter cup of Alaskan blueberries and a tablespoon of chia seeds. Sometimes I add almond butter or switch out the fruit. For a change of pace I use banana and scoop of Dandy Blend herbal coffee substitute and a spoonful of cocoa for a kind of mocha flavored smoothie along with the almond milk, whey, green pwd etc. http://www.dandyblend.com/ I don't even need to add sweetener most times but I use raw agave when I do.

Dandy Blend Instant Herbal Coffee Substitute
www.dandyblend.com
Dandy Blend, a healthy herbal coffee substitute, similar to Postum coffee substitute... Gluten Free

Adrenal Fatique - Does it really exist?

Does Adrenal Fatigue really exist? My answer to that question is, “yes and no.”
Here’s why…
When I was in the very throws of not feeling well, every key hormone in my body was somewhat compromised and any compromise in one-hormone leads to compromises in other hormones. Our body is machine of sorts made up of a “perfectly combined chemistry” to ensure that we function properly. What’s the best FUEL for our body? Well, I am sure that it will come as no surprise to every SMART GIRL that reads this, so here it is…

- A BALANCED LIFESTYLE -

Here are some things you can do to help get your ADRENALS back in shape and functioning in a way that helps BALANCE the rest of your HORMONES.
Sleep – enough of it, 7- 9 hours every night.
Exercise – this is good for encouraging good hormone production and great for stress relief.
Water – drinking half your body weight in ounces of water to help move toxins out of the body and keep you hydrated. We can live without food longer than we can live without water. Drink good “pure” water free of harmful chemicals that are found in our tap water, the solution; invest in a water filter, (you can find them at Target, Walmart or online), water machine or have a whole house filtration system installed to cover all your body’s water needs.
Eating small and frequent meals - consisting of proteins, organic veggies and fruits. Cutting out all processed foods, sugars and bad carbs that convert into sugars. It is KEY to keep our BLOOD SUGAR levels stable, this helps BALANCE the body, our moods and creates a basis for an overall well –being in a SMART GIRL’S world.
Cut out or cut back on all SUGARS and CAFFEINE. Sorry Starbuck Lovers, including me, I miss my lattes, and I miss drinking Dr. Pepper’s and eating Snicker bars, but I like feeling better and having more sustainable energy to get me through the day without this kind of ENTERTAINMENT for my mouth that compromises my body.
This is a good place to start. If I went into more detail than this right now, I know I would lose you and I don’t want to do that and change happens slowly. The only way to “Eat any Elephant” is one bite at a time and CHEW SLOWLY to ensure proper digestion. Our hormones, including our Adrenals didn’t become “unbalanced” overnight and that will not become rebalanced in a day, and it is KEY to remember; one-hormone imbalance leads to a DOMINO EFFECT.

I tell myself daily, “Take it one step at a time and if I “MESS UP” no need to “BEAT MYSELF UP.” Just pick myself up, dust myself off and get myself back into a rhythm of doing the best I can.”
That’s what any SMART GIRL would do, right?

Checks and Balances

SMART GIRLS – LISTEN UP!

In TODAY’S world, it’s more important than ever to pay ATTENTION to your BODY and what it is trying to tell YOU. This cannot be stressed enough. We were made so perfectly, (Girls, that is – ha-ha) “Sugar and Spice and Everything nice.” Right? Well, if our bodies are out of BALANCE, especially our HORMONES… WRONG! In that case, that little old saying could not be further from the truth. When we are tired, fussy, forgetful, overweight, out of shape and ready to BLOW and RAGE at something or someone for no reason at all, the last word that comes to mind is nice. No, when this happens, it isn’t a pretty picture; I have been there so many times and I want to share with you what I have learned from my journey of hormone imbalance. So, what’s a SMART GIRL suppose to do, and where does she begin? A SMART GIRL is proactive and takes charge of her life and her health, so let’s get started.
I started this tradition with my daughter three years ago and I call it, “My Hormonious Day.” We make a girl’s day out of it; we have lunch at a special place, then go home or to the movie theatre and watch a chick flick or comedy.

Call and schedule an appointment with your GYN physician for an annual exam and ask them to run the following tests:

Please feel free to print this list:

Thyroid Tests:
TSH
Free T-3 and Free T-4
TPO- to check for thyroid anti-bodies

Adrenal Test:
Cortisol – This should be drawn at 8am and again at 4pm to get an accurate assessment.


Hormone Panel:
Estrogen
Progesterone
Testosterone
DHEA
IGF-1 (This is your Human Growth Hormone level)

Note: One thing to remember about Hormone Blood Level results is this; if you are told that everything is in THE NORMAL RANGE, but you still just don’t feel like yourself and you know that something is just not right, I want you to know this; you are not crazy and should start looking for someone that can help you get to feeling better and back on track with feeling like “you” again.
That’s what SMART GIRLS do.

Complete Metabolic Blood Panel
Make sure you ask them to include your cholesterol levels in the blood work.
Vitamin D level – very important! (Optimal Vitamin D levels should be 45 and 70) I will share an informational video on this topic soon.
C-Reactive Protein Level

At the end of the appointment I make sure I ask the nurse to mail copies of the test results to me. This way I can reference back to and research what I need to if there is something that needs to be addressed. I have a “special” file folder that I keep these records in; it’s pretty and pink. Okay, It’s a girl thing, but it does make it easy to spot visually.

This is a great place to start and the results will give you a good gauge of your overall health. What you do with the information you learn is up to you. I, myself, find empowerment in knowing I have control over my body, my hormones and my health.

Be good to yourself and your body, you deserve it.

"RUFFLED UP AND READY FOR A PARTY" - "The WINNER!"

It's October 1st and time for me to announce the WINNER of "Ruffled Up and Ready for a Party!"
I want to say, "HOWDY and WELCOME" to all the new followers and I want to thank everyone that entered the contest. This is my first contest and I have to admit, it was hard for me to pick a winner. I wanted everyone to win, but that can't happen and the WINNER is...MERCEDES!

Congrats to Mercedes!
Please email your shipping information to cinderellafield@cox.net - thanks!

Kelly Rae Roberts

Just signed up for her newsletter; I can't wait to take Fly Lessons!

Are Antibiotics Leading to Autoimmune Disorder?

Are Antibiotics Leading to Autoimmune Disorder?

For the LOVE of PINK

All RUFFLED UP and READY for a PARTY!
To win this ADORABLE handmade GIRLY tablecloth just tell me why you would like to have it in the comment section. Entries must be submitted by midnight September 30, 2011 and you may only enter one submission. The WINNER will be posted by 6pm on October 1, 2011. I can't believe I am giving this away - I LOVE this tablecloth.

"RUFFLED UP and READY for a PARTY" measures 72 inches long by 52 inches wide and 24 inches floor length.

It’s September and it’s time to start something FUN!

I have an announcement to make that I am so excited about; I’m talking about Contests and Giveaways!

I am getting this party started for a couple of reasons…

First, I LOVE giving gifts and things to my family and friends this has been a habit of my since childhood. Secondly, I LOVE finding cool new items, shopping for them and creating new things that I myself like and that I enjoy sharing with others. Now, I want to share them with you my blogger friends.

Here’s how it works:

You must be a FOLLOWER of Cinderella Chats.

Why?

To receive notifications of the Contests and Giveaways via email that I will be sharing and giving away.

Don't forget; leave your "Why you want it" in the comment section.

Our Combat Medic leaves for Iraq...

"Picnik Show"

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

I have to admit; I have put this post off on purpose for weeks and here’s why…

Chris our son left for Iraq for his yearlong tour. We had him home on leave for twenty days and enjoyed our time with him even though most of his time at home he spent with friends. What almost twenty two year old would hang out with his parents – right? Anyway, the time flew and before I knew it, it was time to put his duffle bags in the car and head to Fort Hood for the drop off. The night before our departure I asked him if he was nervous and he said, “Yes, who wouldn’t be?” Then, he asked me if his Grandmother was going with us since dad isn’t? I responded, “Do you really want her to?” He answered, “YES!” I quickly picked up the phone and called her to let her know about Chris’ request, and without hesitation and on such a short notice she said, “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She is the best Grandmother! Chris and I left the next morning right on schedule and headed toward Texas. I was really nervous about making the drive without my husband because never had there been a time when we dropped our children off for camp or a stay with the grandparents had he not been there for the good-bye and this time was really different and well, important, but Frank had to be at the office and it turned out for the best.
Chris and I drove the entire time listening to country music (he loves it) we sang together and he shared his favorite songs with me and explained to me why they were his favorites. He shared his plans for the future when his time is finished in the Army (September 2012), he talked about a girl he really likes and their differences for the moment, college plans and plans to go to work as a fireman and live in Bixby forever and his desire to have a deer lease where he can go hunt, hang out and just relax with his friends. In Dallas, we picked up his friend Mike who needed a ride back to Fort Hood. We stopped and had lunch at Pappasito’s; Chris loves their chocolate bread pudding dessert and their cheese enchiladas, yes in that order. We picked up his Grandmother in Fort Worth and away we went for the final leg of the drive that seemed to be too short for me. I admit I had a really hard time with it! Taking my son that I love very much and dropping him off and saying good-bye for a year sending him to a foreign country where that are fighting, bombing and killing people was TOUGH! It’s the hardest thing I have ever done in my life besides having him by myself (my choice) and that’s another story.
We arrived at the base in Fort Hood and drove up to the building he had been living in for the last several months, I placed my car in PARK, took a deep breathe and told myself silently and very firmly, “STAY STRONG AND DO NOT LET HIM SEE YOU SAD OR SEE YOU CRY! GOT IT!” We all piled out of the car, started hugging and saying our good-byes. I thought Lynda was not going to let go of Chris and I thought I was never going to get to hug him myself, but I did. As we hugged I told him how proud I was of him, how much I loved him, that we would be praying for him constantly and I asked him to promise me that he would be SAFE! I finally let go and what he said to me next almost made me lose it. “Mom will you kiss me?” Chris had not ask me to kiss him since he was eleven years old, that’s when he asked me to stop because the kids at school made fun of him for kissing his mother. I was thrilled to kiss my son and hug him one more time before Lynda and I got back in the car, waved good-bye and watched him walk into his building. As soon as he was out of sight I broke down and started to cry.

What mother wouldn’t?

I will miss seeing your handsome face and beautiful smile!

Chris stay strong, be safe and remember all the great memories of your friends and family and come home and create the future you and I discussed we will be here waiting to WELCOME YOU HOME!

With big kisses and hugs!
I love you!
MOM

This Girl’s Favorite Find

Every time I visit Fort Worth, Texas I have a favorite spot that I am drawn to; Dishes from the Past. I park my car, walk in the door, and I seem to be transported back in time. Come to think of it; I lose track of time as I walk through all the wonderfully stocked isles of every day dishes, china and glassware, and before I know it, I am picking out my current favorite find and buying it or placing it in layaway. This particular trip I was excited because I was there to pick up the most BEAUTIFUL PINK GLASS STEMWARE I have ever found! In the meantime, while I am telling the salesperson what I was there to do I hear this cheerful voice call out, “Are YOU the lady that got lucky enough to get those PINK GLASSES?” "Yes, I am" I called back, and suddenly she appeared from her office door – Jennifer the owner. We struck up a conversation and she asked me this question, “Do you have a lot of pink dishes?” To which I replied, “NO, why do you ask?” Anyway, we continued to chat and became friends and when I explained to her what I was going to use the glasses for she quickly invited me to have the event in her store, and I agreed!

I will share the party news soon...

Ya’ll come back now you hear...

On the road again...

This CHICK’S CHICKEN RUN…

Off to get the CHICKENS!

Early this past spring I decided to make a CHICKEN RUN to Fort Worth, Texas, buy six chickens and gift them to the HLA Farm where I buy eggs from Judy and Allen on a bi-weekly basis. Why do this? Well, their chickens at the time were not laying so much and I needed an adventure. My solution – make a CHICKEN RUN!
I had to find me a DRIVER and COUNTRY BOY – FRANK. My husband is so SWEET and GAME for a good LAUGH.

Off to the Country Store we went…

and

out on the farm the CHICKENS will ROOST!

Chick... Chick... Chickie...