Here’s an exercise that I do when I am feeling overwhelmed: (and it also helps my focus when my ADD is messing with me!)

1. Write down the goals to achieve

2. Break down those goals into smaller tasks

3. Then focus on finishing 3-4 of those tasks everyday until the goal in #1 is complete

Looking at the big picture of what we need to get done can frustrate us before we begin, but breaking it down into smaller tasks and focusing on one task at a time takes the frustration away and makes our goals feel possible to accomplish.

Dream big and dream in color!

I hope you will join me as I write… read and comment as much as you want to. Conversing and listening with one another is the first step to unlocking the mysteries of life and business!

Erin hails from Dalton, PA. She describes herself as a  blogger, entrepreneur,  sweet tea addict, and creator of Reality Chic Blog: a twenty-something guide to style. She understands transitioning from beer pong to the water cooler can be difficult enough without the added pressure of the inevitable Triple P’s (Pleated, Panted, Professional). The blog tagline says it all: after the B.S., graduate to new style. Erin says her personal style is casual chic. “I like to think of it as practical yet trendy, with a slight bohemian influence.”

Sara’s a Madison, IN, girl.  She is an art therapist, wife, mom, yoga-teacher, dog lover, doodler, and creator of Positive Regards greeting cards. Her inspiration for Urbandillo design came during an art-therapy session. “I was creating a mandala, which is a sacred circle that acts as a holding space for thoughts and emotions,” says Sara. “Generally, I’m inspired by flower gardens, new pens and clean, white cardstock,” she laughs. Sara  says her personal style is comfortable, cute and simple, paired with fun and creative accessories.

Their combined effort produced a whimsical yet bold design that stirred up a lot of response from our fans. They both think the design would appeal to busy women who want function without having to compromise on style. “She’s kind and conscientious,” says Sara. “She uses it when she travels, at the gym, or to carry her books,” adds Erin. “She’s tired of carrying an old duffel bag or backpack. She wants to carry it all in style.”

The drawing in the circle below is the winning contest entry. We took the liberty to play with the color options so you can see the potential. What do you think?

Our semi-finalists are [drum roll please]:

Winners announced Monday!

To see all the entries, go to the Design-a-Bag album on Urbandillo’s Facebook page or click here.

Recently launched Urbandillo is already garnering attention from magazines like Seventeen, SELF, Shape and others. Now, Urbandillo is rolling out a Limited-Edition iCreate Collection and we are giving a coveted spot for one of our fans (that’s you!) to DESIGN•A•BAG!

Based on your votes, one Grand Prize Winner will have their design included in our iCreate Collection! And there’s MORE:

• Winner will be featured with their bag on the home page of the  Urbandillo website
• Winner will be featured on the bag’s hangtag  and name on the bag
• Winner will be given the first bag off the production line
• Winner will receive 10% of the sales from their designed bag.
• Winning design may appear in a nationwide magazine

                                     Design_Entry.pdf

  JPG Template (click pic)    PNG Template (click pic)     PDF Template (click link)

Follow these directions to get started:

1. Click and download one of the design templates above
2. Express your creative self, put words on it, create a pattern or a masterpiece… anything goes!
3. Use an image editing program. If you aren’t savvy with software, print off the template and draw on it. Then Scan it or even take a picture with your phone.
4. Post it to our Facebook photo album – “Design•A•Bag” or email it to us at: debra@urbandillo.com

Rules:

1. Submit only original work! Don’t copy someone else’s design.
2. No feathers, rhinestones, or other embellishments.
3. Urbandillo reserves the right to alter the design, if necessary.
4. Contact information must be filled out completely.
5. Entries must be received by Monday, Aug. 15, at 5:01 p.m. (CST)
6.  Enter as many original designs as you want.

How we decide a winner!

1. Entries will be posted in our facebook photo album – “Design•A•Bag”.
2. Voting will be open on our Facebook page until August 21, 2011
3. To vote on your favorite, “like” the design. Get all your friends to vote and vote for as many as you want!
4. Your votes will determine the top 5 semi-finalists and from there our Urbandillo team will pick the final winning design to be produced.

SHARE THE LOVE:     Urbandillo’s first fan giveaway contest is on!!!

GIVEAWAY PRIZE:     FREE Urbandillo Skinny Mini with a $25 Starbucks Gift Card

This first contest is about boosting our Facebook fan numbers…. so here’s how it works! The winner will be the fan who gets the most FB friends to “like” our page.

1. Tell your FB friends to like the Urbandillo page so you can win

2. When your friends like the page, they must post your name to the wall so we know who to credit the like to.

CONTEST ENDS: January 31 at midnight

WINNER will be announced February 1

Today, I am reflecting on those words “a child in need”… it may not always be what you may think. For me and the reason why Urbandillo is here, a child in need is not just the ones who lack the necessities of life like a home and food, but a child in need is also the one that hides a lot of pain on the inside where no one sees. These are the ones that often get overlooked or forgotten.  Finding those children is what I feel is my challenge and mission, if you want, as we are bringing the blankets to children. I understand those children so well, the cries that go unheard at night, the blame they put on themselves and the fear they carry, the unmet need for love.  Love and hope, they are as vital to the spirit of a child as food and shelter are to the body. Mother Theresa spoke so profoundly when she said,

“Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.”

If you are reading this and know of a child who is in need, please let me know. I want to give them a little love and hope if only in a small way.

Send me an email at: veronica@urbandillo.com  (privacy will always be kept)

This last week, I have been told from three different customers that they were buying a blanket to give to a friend or family member that was having to go through chemotherapy. One of the women came back today to tell us how much her friend LOVES the blanket. She went on to tell me that the blanket not only keeps her warm during her long treatments, but the smiley face and bright colors has also added a bright spot to a usually depressing time.

I get so excited to hear about ways the blanket is being used to brighten someone’s day. It is fascinating to watch where the blankets go to and how they are being used by people like you and me.

Keep the stories coming!