words worth repeating / 43

words worth repeating 43 by ana maria munoz--anamu This week has marked the first time in months that I've been able to glue my ass to a chair and just work work work. You should have seen how giddy I was on Sunday night, sitting at a desk, organizing my to-do's for the week/end of year and scheduling them into my calendar. For the first time in a long time I was able to schedule 100% time for work - not packing, not canceling utilities, not apartment viewings or anything else that's consumed us for the past two months - just good ol' work. I've already booked a few freelance gigs and I'm prepping Ring Cozy for the holiday season and 2014 (check out a few of the site updates!).

I was getting so anxious not having my dedicated time and space but now in our new apartment with a desk, organized supplies, and a kitchen with snacks, I am one happy worker bee.

Have a productive Hump Day!

words worth repeating / 39

words worth repeating 39 by ana maria munoz--anamuIt's been a while since I last shared words worth repeating but this quote has been very present in my thoughts lately.

The Kickstarter project for Ring Cozy didn't make it so I've had to slightly re-strategize my plan of action. Everything from production, sales, orders ... I've had to re-think it all but I'm perfectly at peace with it. Just because something didn't work out it doesn't mean that it wasn't a success in its own way. I learned a lot from the experience and it gave me even more amo to make my product and business happen.

The support I got from you guys, friends and family, and people who were new to Ring Cozy, was awesome (THANK YOU!). In doing Kickstarter I got the word out, made new connections, and set the wheels in motion for a great next couple of months - definitely not a failure in my book!

So now that the pressure of reaching a giant funding goal is off, I can focus on the work to be done while I'm in LA this summer. My to-do list is already a mile long but I like it that way. It means action, progress, trying, failing, trying again, dealing, and DOING. That's the key here, just keep on DOING and eventually something will stick.

Have you ever gone through something that took a few (or a lot of) times to get it right? Personally or professionally?

 

words worth repeating / 38

words worth repeating 38 by ana maria munoz // anamu Taking chances. That's what life is all about. With a new year right around the corner, there's not better time to take a leap of faith into whatever your latest opportunity may be. A new career path, a move, a new hobby, a new relationship, a new beginning...you will never know what greatness lies ahead unless you step out of your comfort zone to go for it.

My mom always told me "you will either get a 'yes' or a 'no' but you have to ask first". I'm now applying that to starting a new business venture that can either succeed in the way I envision it or it could totally bomb. If the latter were to happen I would take what I learned and move on to the next thing proudly knowing that I took a chance and did everything I could to make it work. And if the former happens, I'll be right where I saw myself (and the business) the moment I said yes to trying something new.

In the grand scheme of things there is so much to gain and not much to lose when saying yes to change or taking a risk. It's not always easy, cheap, or fun, but what comes out of it is invaluable. I was initially scared to move to London from LA and it took a lot of work and sacrifices to make it happen but now, with our second international home under our belts, I can't even imagine what life would be like had I been too scared to change my surroundings and follow my heart. With no regrets, moving has definitely confirmed that taking chances is far better than living with "what ifs" and missed opportunities. Life is too short and awesome to be afraid of change so go stir something up and give that next idea or opportunity a chance!

Now tell me, have you ever taken a chance that proved invaluable to your life today?

for more quotes visit Howdy Day!, a daily dose of inspiration + motivation via your browser’s homepage, email or rss.

words worth repeating / 35

words worth repeating 35 by ana maria munoz--anamu The holiday season has a way of making me feel lazy. All I want to do is cuddle up in a blanket, watch movies, and do anything but work. For those of you who might be falling into the holiday work slump with me, let's remember how good it feels to cross off the day's action items one at a time. A productive today will make the actual holiday tomorrow feel that much sweeter.

Cheers to a good Hump Day!

for more quotes visit Howdy Day!, a daily dose of inspiration + motivation via your browser’s homepage, email or rss.

words worth repeating / 33

words worth repeating 33 by ana maria munoz--anamu Having an idea isn't enough and this quote couldn't be more perfect for what I'm going through right now. I'm not talking about anything related to graphic design, photography, blogging, or crafting...I'm talking completely uncharted territory that is equally terrifying and exciting. Though I've been taking steps for the past several months to get my idea off the ground, they weren't big or quick enough. At the rate I was going I was "sitting there" and making excuses for why that was. Not anymore. I want to be proactive and not let the unknown paralyze me from reaching something that I know is totally possible. Will it be easy? No, but something else that wont be easy is living with a "what if" hanging over my head if I don't give it my all and at least really try. Life is too short and awesome to get run over so let's stop sitting!

for more quotes visit Howdy Day!, a daily dose of inspiration + motivation via your browser’s homepage, email or rss.

words worth repeating / 32

quote 32 Last week I mentioned that I'm working on launching a print shop (woo hoo!). I also mentioned that I've been thinking/waiting to do it for nearly one year. What have I been waiting for? I don't know but I sure do love this quote for kicking my butt into action. Let's do this thang!

for more quotes visit Howdy Day!, a daily dose of inspiration + motivation via your browser’s homepage, email or rss.

words worth repeating / 29

quote 29 Hello! I hope you've had a good start to the week. I spent mine traveling across too many timezones and it is so nice to finally be home. I already miss my family and friends but there's nothing like the butterflies I felt last night when Joe got home from work. All I could think was "reunited and it feels so goooood"…. those hugs will go down in history fo sho.

Today is back to reality with unpacking and re-settling in. I realized that I have a laundry list of projects to catch up with (and kick start) so I'm going to take this week off from the blog.  The plan is to be back on Monday feeling fully refreshed because really, there's only so much a girl can do while jet lagged ;)

See ya next week, have a good one!

 

for more quotes visit Howdy Day!, a daily dose of inspiration + motivation via your browser’s homepage, email or rss.

words worth repeating / 24

Quote 24 Hi guys, we're back from Vietnam! What an incredible four days of rest, relaxation and eating well. We both returned with painful sunburns but it's a small price to pay for a weekend in paradise ... consider our honeymoon done and done! I've got a ton of work to get back to so a full recap with photos will have to wait until next week. Until then here are some teaser snaps from my phone using vsco cam and instagram. Paradise, right?

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for more quotes visit Howdy Day!, a daily dose of inspiration + motivation via your browser’s homepage, email or rss.

words worth repeating / 20

Quote 20 It wasn't until after college that I began to really view the world through a different lens.  A lens of adventure, appreciation, and intrigue. I had re-discovered my hometown of Los Angeles and threw myself into enjoying everything it had to offer from museums, distinct neighborhoods, to quintessential moments like watching the sun set over the Pacific. I've been trying to get back to the explorer me that made LA seem new again, made London home, and will make KL the experience it's meant to be. Going to Jalan Alor for dinner this weekend was my personal attempt at embracing what we have here and relishing it...and that I did. It still may be a while before I feel 100% comfortable going out on my own (due to this) but I know that it's just a matter of time. Until then I don't mind waiting for the weekend to explore with my hunny. I shouldn't get to have all of the fun, after all.

Here's to enjoying the the journey whether near or far!

for more quotes visit Howdy Day!, a daily dose of inspiration + motivation via your browser’s homepage, email or rss. 

(design by Ana Maria Muñoz)

words worth repeating / 19

Quote 19 I've been quietly nurturing a little invention of mine and while it may or may not ultimately become something, I will be doing my best to live this quote until I know either way. These words are great for everyday dreaming and doing... you simply can't accomplish anything without the two working hand-in-hand.

 

more quotes visit Howdy Day!, a daily dose of inspiration + motivation via your browser’s homepage, email or rss. 

(design by Ana Maria Muñoz)

words worth repeating / 18

words worth repeating Every other day or so I open my inbox to find a sweet video of my two little nieces...they make me smile and laugh so much. Little do they know that their silly antics make my day and in general add so much value to my life. After emails I see if my mom and dad are free for a video chat. We share our stories of living in different countries, the good and the bad. Even though they are from Colombia, re-settling there after being in LA for nearly thirty years doesn't come without the "it's so tragic it's funny" moments. Their stories make me laugh and my recent one of our first rickety bus ride here didn't disappoint either! Just imagine a bus that's been to hell and back - painted 100 times over with no avail, bumper is hanging on for dear life, no front door - and a lady standing on the opening's ledge screaming the destination as it putt putts by the bus stop. It was pretty amazing.

Today I'm thankful for the technology that helps make those smiles and belly laughs possible even though we're so far away. SO thankful.

AND, I'm also thankful for Anne of City Sage for sharing this video via twitter. It's a good thing that I heard the song Call Me Maybe last week so that I knew what Mr. Cookie Monster was talking about! It is Hi-larious. And yes, I just heard that song last week for the first time - I had to find it on You Tube after I kept seeing it mentioned everywhere. What do you expect, I live in Malaysia and don't listen to Top 40 radio stations...I'm in my own little bubble but sometimes I burst it for the sake of pop culture ;)

 

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(design by Ana Maria Muñoz)

words worth repeating / 17

quote-17-V3 Thank you to all who left comments on yesterday's post (and to those who took the time to read it, too, 'twas lengthy). Just writing it all out made me feel better and got me back to focusing on what is good about life right now. Thankfully, there's lots. Here's to enjoying the ride.

 

Do you have any quotes that help you get going in the morning? You’re invited to submit them on Howdy Day! – I’d love to share them! Howdy Day!, a daily dose of inspiration + motivation via your browser’s homepage, email or rss. 

(design by Ana Maria Muñoz)