Shocked by Google find?

Google was showing a warning message for all searched sites for 15 mins - hour.

"Warning - visiting this web site may harm your computer"

Visit Monitter.com  and type in that message, and you'll see just how active the Twitter microblogosphere was regarding this bizarre find.

A few independent webpages state that Google makes $28-33K a minute from US business advertisers (via AdWords program).  That's quite the  cashcow!  Things seem to be smoothly running again, although suggestions have been made to check 'spam' folder if you use Gmail as some items may have erroneously been dumped. 

The issue was apparently on Google's malware detector (separate entity that dectects viruses, phishers, et cetera).

FOR MORE INFO:

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/01/31/google-flags-whole-internet-as-malware/

 

 

 

  

 

I was over at my family's home, and my stepfather was running to the grocery store and asked if I wanted anything.  I thought that making a lunch with light feta cheese, 2 bartlett pairs and spot of honey would be divine.  So, listing light feta and the 2 bartletts (honey in house), he went on his way.  He started feeling ill from a new medicine he is taking, so he shortened his trip at the store.  I got the pear pair, but no feta!  Well, now this couture lunch had become cockamamy.  I decided to see what cheese was in the fridge.  My mother had bags with crude names like "Taco Cheese," and "Mexican Cheese."  Perfect for an easy addition to fajitas, but not a good match for my pear.  Then I found a bag of shredded aged parmesan.  Oui oui!  It wasn't the norm, but why not try heating some parmesan over the well-chopped pear?  What a delightful surprise!  Yes, I'd still prefer the feta, but the parmesan added a different kick and was really enjoyable.  I'd make it again!  

 

What does this have to do with anything, you ask?  Sometimes we clamor for the perfect accompaniment.  In business, perhaps you think, "If I could add this person to my team, sales would soar," or "Getting XYZ Brand to Co-sponsor my fundraiser would add the right level of cache to escalate how consumers' view our company."  With community it may read, "Sara knows so many people in our area, she would be so influential of ABC Charity's board of directors," or "Mitch is so handsome and charismatic, if we could convince him to speak at our fundraiser meeting, I know more people would be on board."  With family our thoughts may say, "I know Angie wants to study violin but her chances for getting a scholarship are better if she sticks with volleyball," or "My husband has lost his mind!  Why does he think it's a good idea to invite those neighbors over for dinner?  Do you know what Mrs. Cravitz said she saw them doing last week?"  

 

Does it sound silly or ring true?  Come on, at some point or another you fancied something as one way and it turned out completely different.  My pastor has shared stories about applying for law school but changing his mind and pursuing further education to go into ministry.  The skill set he he saw fit for persuading jurors, is now used to disciple.  What if that top candidate doesn't accept the job offer?  Maybe your B-pick has two years less experience but desires to prove themselves capable and thus excels.  

Sound like apples to oranges?  Nah.  There's relevance.  We all envision something as "just right" and sometimes it just doesn't happen.  Maybe your date cancelled last minute but while you were at home, you get a phone call from the person who later is your spouse.  What if so-and-so couldn't care less about your fundraiser but you learn that your co-chairs' aunt is a local reporter and would love to help.  Perhaps your daughter does insist on taking violin, and later a college review board finds her to be the kind of well-rounded student they need and offer her a merit scholarship.  Things don't always happen as our "perfect pairing," but turn out to be just right.  Is there something you had your sights on that turned out differently?  Put aside your initial disappointment and consider the possibilities.  

Well fellow Rainers, it's been way too long since I've been on!  Missing my AR family right about now.  Here's the latest on what's been up.

Moved from Baltimore --although staging biz had picked up, finding FT employment was taking a long time, and bills need to be paid, right?

Back in hometown, Columbia, SC --home sweet home or sort of; I love Columbia, but it's not exactly a "thriving" metropolis

Backstory -- four years prior I had some success meeting with publishers/agents/et cetera regarding my writing (the more serious, nonblog stuff LOL); didn't pursue because honestly I got the shakes and wasn't sure it was the right time...a stint of steady corporate employment keep me paid but far from my writing roots

Now -- after some thought and prayer, the vision is beginning to materialize and I think it's time I put aside my marketing/graphic design/corporate bag (exclusively) and get back on the literary track

Plans -- attending a writing conference end of October and preparing material now; if all goes well, I'll be relocating (back) to the city where my novel takes place: LA

How this relates to AR -- LA is a pricey town and I'll need a solid PT to make this dream a reality.  Any takers?  If you know of anything, I'll send you a link to my portfolio site.  I've got a BA, 5 years experience and do a heck of a lot -- from graphic design to technical writing to corporate communications to mixing paint at your local hardware store to waiting tables.  Serious.  Let the bidding begin.

 

 

 

 

BOne of the Home & Garden shows I enjoy features a "mockover"---a room made to look like a pricey designer makeover.  The original can run from $30,000 - $100,000 while their version is often $1,500 to $4,000 (sans production cost of course---they always leave out the labor!).

I thought I'd blog on some ways to recreate designer looks for less.  To get the ball rolling, this post will include some stylish goods from popular retailers with an inspiration piece and a purse-friendly find.

 

Horchow's "Sauda" Chandelier

On Special, $1,124.90

I'm lovin' jet black chandeliers.  The angles of this piece are divine.

 

Ballard Design's Black Crystal Chandelier

On Sale, $299

Okay, for over $800 less, you can get all the black

beauty with a lot of the bang for a lot less buck.

 

 

 

 

 

Turkish Patchwork Rug, 6 x 9

$2,700 (+$250 in delivery)

Exuberant to say the least!

Would warm a stately living room

or spice up an exotic bedroom.

FLOR's Souk Chic in Multi

$149.99 (+$22 shipping)

This version is easy to clean and fresh as

summer watermelon.  Not parlor pedigree, but

perfect for a play area.

 

 

 

Anthropologie's Lotus Lace Floor Pillow

30 inches, $128

Large, lucious and worth the

 

splurge, really, but....

Pottery Barn Outdoor Suzani Pillow

26 inches, $38

A teal and green temptation tough enough for

the sun, yet soft and sophisticated for sofa!

 

 

 

Bellacor Coral Table Lamp

28 1/2 in high, $137

I'm a bit over the coral thing,

but this is subtle and ideal for

a coastal look.

JCPenney Coral Table Lamp

27 1/4 in high, $69

This lookalike is almost half-price!

(Sorry image wouldn't link, but it's almost identical!)

 

 

 

 

Okay Stagers and other Savvy Rainers, I need your help!  I'm holding a YARD SALE for my mother and need some advice.

First, the yard sale won't be at her house (she just had 45K in landscaping and bargain hunters traipsing through wouldn't be great---plus, it's super private and hard to find).  The only feasible spot is at a house in the neighborhood my mother owns but is rented by friends.  It's on a main street in the neighborhood, easy to find, but is up small hill/slope.  Will this be a deterrant?

Second, what are the best ways to advertise?  Columbia, SC doesn't have a happenin' Craigslist community unfortunately (although I will try).  It's cheap to run an ad on the local rag's website, so I'll do that as well.  Place flyers around the neighborhood, et cetera.  Any interesting promo ideas?  

Thanks in advance AR!

This weekend, I did some light staging in this gorgeous 3 bed/1.5 bath in the Rodgers Forge area. 

A beautiful home with lots of original features plus contemporary updates, its on the market with an Open House Wednesday, 12 - 2 PM and another Sunday 11 - 3 PM.  

LINK TO TRULIA PAGE

LINK TO BROKER PAGE 

I'll be adding more photos later!  

I recently staged a home and here is one of the before & afters from the project.

It's not super dramatic, but there is something sparkling in those subtle changes that warms and enlivens the room. 

It's owner-occupied and all the items used in this particular room were already in the home. (Don't you love that?!)

I'll be adding more imagery from this home and others soon!

 

Horchow has this awesome, basic but insightful, glossary on rug terms.

I'm always impressed by the random knowledge I possess, only due to the response it warrants (really? wow, who knew). Rug talk is important. I mean, you'll probably spend a good 1/4 of your life on a rug somewhere. Know your Angela Adams from a Stark.

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It's been a while since my last blog, so I figure I'd better have a good lure for you folks. How 'bout something free? Free is good, right?

Behold, the mighty multitude of AR BLOG ART!

For your non-commercial* use, I give you these fun images to beef up your blog, excite your email, caress your comments and pretty up those posts! As the creator, I authorize you to use/manipulate/publish these images as you desire, with the exception of selling them (*that's what I mean by non-commercial*) to some poor schmuck who doesn't know he could have had the whole hog free. While I do not ask you give me credit for the art, don't claim authorship yourself (that's just tacky) and back-links are nice but not needed. Offer applies to Blue & Red states, so no need for wrasslin'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

W O W ! That's 26 free images! Who loves ya baby?

  

Quick FAQs:

"How did you make these?"

In Adobe Illustrator CS3, a vector based graphic software program. Or magic, that works too. (twitching nose)

"Can you customize this for me?"

Yes, but I will need to get paid for custom work! Email me for a quote!

 

 

Celebrate our Lord today, for He has paid the price for our sins, died and rose again!

I wanted to post something for Easter, yet when I looked for free clip art, I was disappointed with what I found. Well, I decided to make my own and share with ya'll! These graphics have ALL been made by me and I give my permission for them to be used and shared as you wish.  -A link back or reference is nice, but not needed-I have set them at a high resolution based on what is allowable. I'd offer to send originals to anyone who needs them, but I'm going to the beach with my family and will have spotty internet so no guarantees!  And plus I'm at the beach :)   (In the future, I'll upload "downloadables" to my website.)

 

(Please note that I hold the rights to the custom graphics I use in my blog. I have featured these items as free, but I ask you not use any photography, graphics, etc., outside of that I am giving explicit consent. So please don't take all my art, but you are certainly welcome to use my profile photo if needed and these fabulous Easter graphics! Use to your heart's content and feel free to share!)