Monday, March 24, 2014

The porch series

When Liz first told me to move down here I was slightly doubtful. I didn't know if I could leave my family, my friends who were like family, my job(s), my life in NYC…but for fun, I googled an image of St. John and the first thing I thought of was how much it looked like heaven. I think people that have visited here would agree - St. John is a piece of heaven. I decided I could do the move because I figured if  I moved to a place that was so closely connected to heaven - I'd be closer to Mom. 

The first few nights I just sat on the porch and took in the view, but finally, I started shooting it. And today I am finally sharing a few of those shots so you can close your eyes at your desk, on your couch, or wherever you are right now and sit on the porch with me….






























Thursday, February 6, 2014

How B-School changed my life

Exactly one year ago today I was sitting in an office cubicle in Manhattan. I was eating a bagel with cream cheese and drinking an extra large coffee. My desk was strewn with paperwork. Photographs of places I wanted to travel to covered every inch of my cubicle walls. As usual, I was freezing at my desk so I had one of my co-worker's fleece wrapped around my legs as a blanket. And I was exhausted. As usual.

Today I am sitting on a porch in the Virgin Islands. I am drinking a delicious, healthy smoothie and looking out across the water. There is a perfect breeze. I spent the morning going through some edits on my photography website and sending out some emails. In an hour I will probably go down to the pool (which is just a few feet away from the porch) and take a swim. Afterwards I will read a book for 20 minutes or so. That is how I spend  most lunch breaks. Reading and swimming. Some days when I am feeling really productive I drive to the beach and run the length of it a few times. This is my life. Three things got me here today: the loss of a loved one, some newfound courage, and Marie Forleo. 

Two years ago I learned of Marie Forleo through a newsletter. Marie was a close friend of Kris Carr (who I was obsessed with at the time). Kris Carr is the author of Crazy Sexy Cancer. She is a cancer survivor and has written many books on the power of health in keeping us alive longer. I was browsing Kris's newsletter when I read about her talk on how she got to where she was today. It was because of something called "B-School." I clicked on the link and was brought to a new page. The page screamed to me "DO YOU WANT A LIFE YOU LOVE? Do you want to be inspired to go after your dreams? Do you want to learn how to make more money and a difference in the world?" 

YES, I mentally screamed back at the computer. Yes I want all of those things! I started clicking on more of the links trying to figure out if this was a scam but only came across millions of amazing reviews of Marie and her online business school. After an hour of reading the reviews, and watching the videos on her I was sold. I had to do take this course. It was my Neil Armstrong moment. Take the first step. Do it. Because what if you don't? You end up stuck in that cubicle freezing, amidst piles of paperwork and broken dreams.

Was the course pricey for me at the time? Yes. Was it 100 percent worth it? YES. As the saying goes, you have to spend money to make money. Within one month of completing my course I was already able to start making a profit. 

Because of this course...
My business has doubled in the last year. 
I was able to attend a conference compromised of 300 of the most inspiring and motivated people I have ever met.
I was able to give Kris Carr a hug (while I sobbed tears of excitement all over her)
I was able to quit my 9-5 job. 
I was able to move my business to an island in the Caribbean. 
I wake up in the morning and take a walk on the beach, work from a porch with a view, swim for my lunch break. 
I created a life I really do love.
And I'm warm! Always.

And it doesn't stop there. Once you sign up for this course you have a lifetime access to it. When I first took the course I was still working my 9-5, babysitting during the evenings, and photographing on weekends. I had no time to implement half of the brilliant marketing tools Marie would teach me. Now that I have refocused, I have the time. I am going to be retaking the course again this March and I can't wait. And on top of that she made me an affiliate of the program so when people sign up because of me, because I inspired them...I could earn a referral fee.

This course is the easiest thing I have ever had to promote because I am unbelievably passionate about it. I am living proof it works. When I first began the course I wasn't sure where it would take me. For some reason though, her line about making a difference and living a life you love kept playing over and over in my head. 

So think about what you are doing today. Are you happy? Do you love your job? Do you wake up excited to do something you are passionate about? Are you making a difference? Because if you aren't able to say yes to these questions this course will help you. This course changed my life. It changed my outlook. It made me believe in myself and my business plan. It made me believe I could pack my bags and live my dream. 

Life is too short to not love what you do. To not go after your dreams. Losing a loved one for me was what finally pushed me over the edge and opened my eyes to life. I made the decision to do what is best for me. I moved somewhere I could surround myself with beauty and amazing new people. Courage is what bought that one way ticket for me and packed my suitcase. 

But Marie Forleo is who made me believe that I could do anything. That I could create my own life, be my own boss, love what I do. She completely changed my life and if you let her, she could change yours too.  

If you have been inspired or are interested in creating a life you love please reach out to me and I can answer any questions you have!  maly2387@gmail.com





Figuring out how to grow your business online can be really confusing.

But this video from Marie breaks it down into simple, do-able steps that you can use right now to get out of overwhelm and get on the right track.













Who is Marie Forleo?

Marie has been interviewed by Oprah as a thought-leader for the next generation and she's built an incredible company that allows her to travel, make a big impact and give back to causes she believes in.

In fact, she's been interviewed by Tony Robbins (the only woman he interviewed as one of the world’s online marketing experts!), gone on holiday with Richard Branson and she's helped thousands of entrepreneurs create profitable businesses they love.



Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Coral Bay Open


Last Saturday I spent the day at Skinny Legs in Coral Bay to photograph a mini golf tournament. The tournament was to raise money for St. John Rescue. One of the best holes was at the top of a hill where you had to shoot into a dinghy that was out in the water. When the tournament began it was pouring rain but like typical St. John weather, it cleared up within minutes and transformed into a perfect day. Check out some of the highlights from the day, and the fabulous attire that was sported below...