For a $5.00 donation you will receive this 4×5 Treats for Santa recipe book that is jammed packed with homemade holiday recipes that the whole family can enjoy. 
Did I mention that all the proceeds from the purchase of this recipe book help a college student?
It does! Mary has formed a textbook scholarship fund.
COLLEGE of DuPAGE FOUNDATION
MARY MACK TEXTBOOK SCHOLARSHIP FUND (G446)
In honor of Mary Mack’s belief in the power of education, this scholarship is offered for textbook support to students taking classes in the fall and/or spring semesters who have financial need. Eligibility:- May be full or part-time student at C.O.D.
- Must demonstrate financial need
- Must be a resident of District 502
- Must file FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Happy Holidays!
Happy baking!
Contact Information: To purchase a Treats for Santa recipe book contact Mary Mack at (630) 795-1910 or by mailing a 3×5 note card with your name and address with a $5.00 check to: Mary Mack c/o Mary Mack Textbook Scholarship Fund (G446) 915 Burlington Ave., Suite B Downers Grove, IL 60515“Art is when you hear a knocking from your soul – and you answer.” ∼ Terri Guillernets
Pam answered the knock and now her soul is shared in her beautiful fine art. As a visual artist, Pam’s pieces tell a story as if she looked deep into your soul and pulled every special element about you and painted it on the canvas.
Defying the Odds
This piece was inspired by the song “All the Above” by Maino. The faint letters and dark papers throughout represent the struggles each of us encounter in life. The blue and white areas, including the large white “S”, speak to the joy felt when we overcome our challenges.
I am personally grateful for this piece of art as Pam painted it for a very special friend of mine who has battled cancer 4 times and has survived it every time. Her struggles are difficult but she is truly an inspiration to me. In my friends words, this is what she has to say about this piece of art…..
“Aileen, you always celebrate my battle. You have always been one of my biggest cheerleaders over the last 16 years. The “S” is for survivor because that is what I always do, survive. All the little pieces represent me. Sometimes I am in pieces but with love and support I always get held it together.” – B
Give the gift of love this Holiday and let Pam paint your story so generations to come can tell it!
This is what Pam had to share with us about herself and her art.
What inspired you to start your business?
I have always felt a deep desire to be creative but never allowed myself to think that I could actually have a business that would allow me to do that. Then in 2000, a book on decorative painting inspired me to start a business that carried me through most of the decade. Last year, after taking my first collage class, I took a leap again and changed my business to solely creating fine art. And I have never looked back.
Can you describe your art as if I knew nothing about it or the market?
Using acrylic paint, repurposed magazine pages, paper, plaster and even small objects, I “paint” on watercolor paper, wood and canvas. This is referred to as mixed media art. Recently I began making one of a kind note cards using repurposed National Geographic pages. But I especially love creating custom pieces of art for individual clients that commemorate a special event or beloved person. This is when my work truly tells a story.
What’s one big thing you want people to take away from your art is?
Though we may speak different languages or hold different beliefs, our emotions connect us and provide a common ground. With my art I always hope that the viewer is able to feel whatever emotion the piece evokes and to use those feelings to have a deeper connection to the world around them.
Contact Information:
Contact Pamela Peterson directly through
Art Pastiche website at www.artpastiche.com
Blog of Pamela Peterson | Art Pastiche blog Connecting Art and Story Through The Language of Emotion
The third stop on Aileen’s Count Down to the Holidays! is Liz Moore, Real Estate Broker with RE/MAX ACTION and Independent Sales Representative of Chicagoland MICHE Bags.
Liz is definitely a people person, she loves helping homeowners understand their options and be their partner in the transition of home ownership. To de-stress and have fun, Liz also sells MICHE Bags! (purses)
So whether you’re looking for a very large accessory – a home, or a small accessory to compliment your holiday attire, give Liz a call she’ll be happy to assist.
Tell us something about yourself?
I am a full service Real Estate Broker helping residential clients list, sell, lease and relocate throughout DuPage & Will counties. As a degreed designer and Accredited Staging professional I offer clients an eye for opportunity and assistance that will help whether selling or buying. I provide free staging ideas and assistance to my sellers.
Can you describe the importance of staging as if I knew nothing about it or the market?
Staging a home for sale is like putting frosting on a cake. The cake might taste just great but the frosting makes your mouth water.
Having two businesses what is one big thing you want people to take away from when they work with you?
As an independent businesswoman the most important thing to me in working with clients is helping THEM to achieve their goal. I pride myself on my ability to help clients refine their needs/wants in order to maximize the return on their investment.
Contact Information:
“MOORE than a Real Estate BROKER®”
RE/MAX ACTION
1550 Maple Ave
Lisle, IL 60532
630.699.5799
Follow Liz on LinkedIN and Facebook.
Tell us more about MICHE bags and how you came about selling them?
Ever have a favorite purse that you wish matched everything? Now you can!!!! MICHE bags are purses that you NEVER have to change. It is only the cover (shell) that you change and it takes all of 5 seconds.
So What Is a Miche Bag? it’s a unique accessories concept that just might be the best thing to happen to women since waterproof mascara! Why? Because you can give the same bag dozens of different fashionable looks just by changing its exterior—no need to move all your belongings from one purse to another when you want a different look.
My goal is to provide an opportunity for my clients to develop their own style – to look good, have fun and be cost effective all at the same time!
Attention Gentlemen, the ladies will love you for getting them this gift…. it is the Perfect gift for this Holiday!!! The MICHE bag has been called “the latest inovation in designer handbags” and it truely is!
Chicagoland MICHE Bags
1934 Elmore Ave
Downers Grove, IL 60515
630-699-5799
Email: moore.MICHEbags@gmail.com
Liz is hosting a multi-vendor open house on December 11, 2011 from 1:00pm – 6:00pm
Vendors include:
Premier Jewelry
Tastefully Simple
MaryKay Cosmetics
Pampered Chef
MICHE Bags
The second stop on Aileen’s Count Down to the Holidays! is with Jerilyn Willin, President and Professional Speaker of JWillin Consulting and Co-Author of Deep, Deeper, Deeper Still… a guided journey for people who journal (and those that wish they did)
Do you ever wonder where you’re going in life or what’s important? Seeking deeper inspiration for the New Year? Then dip deeper into this fabulous book! This book is a perfect stocking stuffer or a great gift to give to a loved one.
From the moment I picked up the book I found myself randomly picking a page and pondering over the thought-provoking quotes and questions while nodding my head in belief saying to myself, “was this book written with me in mind”. It has made me look deeper into my soul. It made me think of the past but look more towards my future.
In Jerilyn’s opening remarks she states, “We are all so much deeper and richer in experience and wisdom than we acknowledge.” Jerilyn, you are absolutely correct and your book helps me to believe that in myself more. Like you, I too am a life-long learner.
I am not one that journals, even has a wild teenager it wasn’t my thing. But now as a mother, wife and business owner I find myself reflecting on the past and writing my future for my loved ones to one day learn and read for themselves. Deep, Deeper, Deeper Still is a book that sparks that interest and it will do the same for you.
I have the pleasure of knowing Jerilyn and had the honor of interviewing her for my countdown, here is what Jerilyn shared:
What inspired you to write your book?
As professional speaker, I know that it is always beneficial to have something for audience members to buy in the back of the room as a way to “take the experience home”. I love quotes…sometimes the words of another strikes a chord and sends me on a more positive, creative, or insightful path. My good friend Wendy Warden and I collaborated on “Deep, Deeper, Deeper Still” as she finds quotes are inspirational for her as well. Words are very powerful and we both wanted to share positive words with the people with whom we interact (and through the book, those we will never see).
What sparks your creativity?
Gosh…the weirdest things…sounds, smells, bits of overheard conversation. If I sit down and tell myself “today I am going to write three pages” absolutely NOTHING comes. But I can be driving along the highway and the slant of the sunshine or a song on the radio will bring all these ideas crashing forward. I have left myself many voicemail messages to capture ideas for my writing, speaking, coaching and social life!! If I wait until I get home, many times the ideas are gone.
What’s one big thing you want people to take away from your book?
I want folks who read “Deep, Deeper, Deeper Still” to come away with a better understanding of themselves and why perhaps they do (or don’t do) what they do. Most of all I want them to feel like they can influence what happens in their life. Not everything…there are too many variables in the world…but a sense that they CAN take that first step toward a dream, or a relationship, or a career move. So many of us stop before we start. I believe we don’t use half the talents we have been given.
Who is the perfect reader for your book?
The perfect reader is an explorer…someone who is searching to mine more of themselves in some aspect of their life or the continual learner, the person who is reflective or curious about what they might discover when they “go inside”. Someone who is struggling with life changes would also find value. I often advise people to give the book to someone they know who may not realize what a treasure they are…someone blind to their own talents and potential.
Contact Information:
JWillin Consulting, Ltd.
Deep, Deeper, Deeper Still
133 Chambord Court
Bloomingdale, Illinois 60108
630-924-8362
Follow Jerilyn on Facebook, interested in having Jerilyn speak – download her one-sheet here.
Sign up for “Dipping Deeper” a weekly quote with reflection questions.
The first stop on Aileen’s Count Down to the Holidays! is Lydia Villanueva-Soto, President and Travel Consultant of Tan Travel located in Oak Park, Illinois.
I met Lydia about a year ago as a member of the West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs and from that moment I knew Lydia was someone that everyone needed to know. Planning a vacation is not supposed to be stressful; it’s a time for relaxation. Many people may feel that vacationing is too expensive. In fact, once the idea of travel and recreation was a luxury of wealthy people alone. Not anymore! As Lydia states below, consider her your “Travel Therapist”, her and her team will get to know your needs and help you plan the perfect vacation you have always dreamed of.
Tan Travel is “Your door to the world.”
Getting ready for Aileen’s Count Down to the Holidays! I had the pleasure of interviewing Lydia and this is what she shared.
What inspired you to start your business?
I’ve always loved the travel industry and when the opportunity came to purchase the travel agency I have worked at since 1995 I jumped on the chance to be my own boss.
Can you describe the benefits of why people should use a travel agent when planning their dream vacation or quick get-away?
We have firsthand knowledge of locations, specials and benefits other than those that might be available through online travel sites. Consider us your “Travel Therapist”, together with you we can find the perfect destination, experience and budget you want out of a vacation.
Where or What are some of the best places to travel during the holidays, that people don’t sometimes think that they could afford?
Mexico’s coastlines are probably the most economic options out there at these times. Mexico has received scary reviews do to the crime in the inner city areas but the tourist destinations are safe and travel is high in demand.
Contact Information:
Tan Travel
964 S. Oak Park Ave.
Oak Park, IL 60304
708-386-6363-Local
800-777-8261-Outside IL
708-386-6471-Fax
Follow Tan Travel on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Find us on SeeYouDowntown.com
It is my hope that you have enjoyed our first stop on Aileen’s Count Down to the Holidays! I encourage you to give Lydia a call today and take that vacation you’ve always wanted to, you deserve it!
Come back for our Count Down #2 where we go inside and dip deeper.………….
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