Ananda Leeke

Happy Creativity Thursday: Maiden Nations’ Creative Gifts That Promote Social Good for Mother’s Day

Posted by Ananda Leekeon May 9, 2013May 9, 2013in Creativity ThursdayLeave a comment

Happy Creativity Thursday!

Today, my blog is featuring Maiden Nation’s collection of creative gifts that you can purchase to honor the women in your life on Mother’s Day and to promote social good.

Maiden Nation was founded by my digital sisters Willa Shalit, Elizabeth Schaeffer Brown, and Juliana Um to empower women through ethical fashion and to create a marketplace where items are designed with both beauty and social consciousness in mind. Maiden Nation’s designers are of the moment, their products are ethically sourced, and profits are reinvested into women’s entrepreneurship projects. Famed designers such as Yoko Ono and Chan Luu have contributed designs. See photos below.

Photo Credit: Yoko Ono's Imagine Peace bracelet — Photo Credit: Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace bracelet

Photo Credit: Chan Luu's Kiss Kiss bracelet — Photo Credit: Chan Luu’s Kiss Kiss bracelet

Chan Luu’s “Kiss Kiss Bracelets” – named for the signature Haitian greeting of a peck on each cheek – are part of a line of Chan Luu jewelry created especially for Maiden Nation members of Hands Together Cooperative in Haiti, in partnership with the Glamour Women of the Year Fund Initiative and the United Nations Ethical Fashion Initiative. Each purchase will help the survivors of the 2010 earthquake build a new life by supporting this new business. Additionally, for every bracelet sold, $6 will be donated to Sean Penn’s J/P Haitian Relief Organization to support community development in Haiti. Additionally, to support victims in the U.S. and Haiti coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Maiden Nation will also donate $2 to the American Red Cross.

Click here to visit the Maiden Nation online marketplace.

Happy Mother’s Day Shopping!

Disclaimer: I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere provided me with product from Maiden Nation to review. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!

Posted by Ananda Leekeon May 7, 2013May 7, 2013in Internet Geek Tuesday2 Comments

Photo Credit: http://asianpacificheritage.gov/

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!

In honor of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, I invite you to click here to watch “From Shanghai to Harlem,” a documentary trailer my digital sister Sylvia Wong Lewis and LS3 Studios created to celebrate her family’s Chinese Caribbean and African American heritage. The film traces the migration of Lewis’ paternal Mississippi line and immigration of her maternal Chinese and Caribbean ancestors as they settled in Harlem, New York.

Photo Credit: Sylvia Wong Lewis (her trip to Shanghai, China)

Lewis’ firm, Narrative Network recently won a Telly Bronze Award in the category of Film/Video – Non-Broadcast Productions – Low Budget (under $700 per minute). The film also won the AVA Digital Gold Award earlier this year.

Happy Yoga Monday! 5/6/13

Posted by Ananda Leekeon May 6, 2013May 2, 2013in Yoga, Yoga MondaysLeave a comment

Happy Yoga Monday!

During an afternoon tea meetup at Teaism in February, my digital sister and fellow yoga teacher Julia Coney, founder of AllAboutThePretty.net, suggested I read The Way of the Happy Woman: Living the Best Year of Your Life by Sara Avant Stover. I am so glad Julia made the recommendation because Stover’s book, e-newsletters, and web site have become a lifeline for me as I deepen my yoga practice and commitment to greater health. The Way of the Happy Woman offers easy and natural self-care practices including yoga and meditation that help women minimize their stress, become aligned with their natural cycles, and honor the four seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter. I adore and have incorporated the yin and yang yoga practices for the spring season. They have helped me nurture my spirit, heart, mind, and body with greater care. Click here to learn more about Stover and her amazing work.

What books do you use to deepen your yoga practice?

OM #YogaMonday OM!

PS: The Way of the Happy Woman is a great book to read during National Women’s Health Week (May 12-18).

Unique Mother’s Day Gifts That Promote Social Good

Posted by Ananda Leekeon May 2, 2013May 2, 2013in Heart of HaitiLeave a comment

Photo Credit: https://authoranandaleeke.wordpress.com/tag/heart-of-haiti/

Hi All!

Mother’s Day is almost here. Are you ready? Have you found a unique gift for your mother and/or the women in your life who are mother figures?

This year, I am giving my mother a gift that promotes social good: a handmade picture frame made by a Haitian artisan who creates beautiful work for the Heart of Haiti collection at Macy’s (see photo below).

The Heart of Haiti collection features more than 40 home decor items including qulits, metalwork, ceramics, and paintings made my Haitian artisans. The Heart of Haiti is a “Trade, Not Aid”initiative that was launched by artist and social entrepreneur Willa Shalit, The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, and Macy’s after the 2010 earthquake. The initiative provides Haitian artisans with an opportunity to make a living, feed their families, and pay their children’s school fees. To date, the initiative has employed 750 artisans resulting in financial benefits for an estimated 8,000 in Haiti. What a powerful way to give back and do social good!

In 2011, I traveled as a Heart of Haiti blogger ambassador to Haiti and met the artisans who make the metal frames and other home decor items. Seeing them create and talk about their artwork helped me truly understand how powerful “Trade, Not Aid” programs are. Since then, I have continued my work as a Heart of Haiti blogger ambassador by using my blog and social media presence to raise awareness and celebrate the artistry and regrowth of my Haitian brother and sister artisans.

I encourage you to give back to the Haitian artisans by purchasing a Heart of Haiti gift for your mother and/or the mothering women in your life. Click here to explore the collection on Macy’s web site. Happy Social Good Shopping!

DISCLAIMER: I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere provided me with compensation for this post. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.

Happy Creativity Thursday – Making Your Creative Mark by Eric Maisel

Posted by Ananda Leekeon May 2, 2013May 2, 2013in Creativity ThursdayLeave a comment

Happy Creativity Thursday!

Last month, I read Eric Maisel’s new book, Making Your Creative Mark. It was filled with tough love for my creative soul. Why? I’ve been stuck and whining about the publisher’s comments on my manuscript for my upcoming book, Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online since December. I’ve struggled with making the required edits and had so many moments of doubt. Making Your Creative Mark offered me a series of opportunities to get real about my book and creative life as an artist, coach, and writer.

The book begins with a forceful statement that has become my mantra: “Your first task as a creative person is to “mind your mind.” Maisel’s words forced me to go deep within to define, accept, and take full responsibility for my career as an artist, coach, and writer. It also helped me better understand my doubts and fears.

My favorite chapters (Chapter 1 on the Mind Key, Chapter 2 on The Confidence Key, Chapter 3 on The Passion Key, Chapter 3 on The Freedom Key, and Chapter 8 on The Identity Key) helped me develop a series of affirmations and action steps I am using to:

Ground myself daily.
Complete my Digital Sisterhood book edits by May 31.
Finalize my book publication process with my publisher by June 30.
Finalize and launch my book marketing plan by July 15.
Increase my creative expression opportunities, clients, and revenue streams as an artist/coach/writer on a monthly basis.

In short, the book was a game changer for me!

If you are an artist, writer, painter, singer, filmmaker, musician, sculptor, dancer, actor, and creative person or professional who is faced with challenges, doubts, and fears in your creative process, click here to buy a copy of Making Your Creative Mark. Enjoy!

Maisel is amazing! He is a creativity coach and the author of many books including Creativity for Life and Coaching the Artist Within (two books I plan to read this summer to further develop my own practice and services as creativity coach). He has blogs on the Huffington Post and Psychology Today and writes a column for Professional Artist Magazine. Visit www.ericmaisel.com.

Disclaimer: This blog post was written as a review for New World Library.

Celebrating Asia-Pacific American Heritage Month with Far East Movement at Macy’s on May 9

Posted by Ananda Leekeon May 1, 2013May 2, 2013in Ananda's EventsLeave a comment

Happy May!

May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, an annual celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. This year, I am attending Macy’s Celebration of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month with Far East Movement on May 9 at the Metro Center location in Washington, D.C.

During the celebration, Far East Movement, a Los Angeles-based hip hop band quartet that launched in 2003, will discuss how their culture has influenced their musical style. They will also perform live! I’ll be live tweeting and posting Instagram photos during the event. On May 9, check Twitter for tweets from @anandaleeke, @Macys, and @FarEastMovement.

DISCLAIMER: I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere provided me with compensation for this post about the Macy’s event. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday – Demand Success – 2013 Vocus Conference on June 20 & 21

Posted by Ananda Leekeon April 30, 2013April 30, 2013in Internet Geek TuesdayLeave a comment

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!

As an Internet Geek and new media professional, I enjoy learning about communications, marketing, public relations, and social media best practices and strategies. That’s why I am headed to the Demand Success 2013 Vocus Conference on June 20 and 21 at the National Harbor’s Gaylord Hotel. Demand Success is an industry marketing conference that brings together marketers, businesses, thought leaders, and Vocus experts to learn about and discus efficient marketing that yields real results. Vocus is provider of cloud marketing software that helps businesses reach and influence buyers across social networks, online and through media. Click here to register for the conference.

I am really excited the Demand Success agenda includes a keynote address by one of my “digital diva sheroes,” Arianna Huffington, author of Becoming Fearless (one of the best books I read this year) and President and Editor-in-Chief of The Huffington Post Media Group.

I am also excited about attending Wendy Harman‘s session on Lessons from the Social Media Command Center. Harman is one of my digital diva sheroes. Her leadership and work at the American Red Cross during the 2010 earthquake in Haiti was AWESOME!!!

The sessions on the Content Marketing Revolution, Social Media Strategy, Digital Journalism in Flux, Brand Journalism, and Facebook Futures caught my eye too! The Facebook Futures panel features some of my favorite thought leaders including Katya Andresen, Shashi Bellamkonda, and Geoff Livingston.

Be sure to check out the Vocus blog, follow @Vocus on Twitter (use #Demand13 to follow the conference tweets), and LIKE the Vocus Facebook page.

PS: I will live tweet from the conference. So be sure to follow me @anandaleeke on Twitter and Instagram on June 20 and June 21.

Happy Yoga Monday! 4/29

Posted by Ananda Leekeon April 29, 2013April 29, 2013in Yoga, Yoga MondaysLeave a comment

Happy Yoga Monday!

I love writing and reading stories about characters who practice yoga. One of my favorite yoga-inspired fiction books is Yoga Mamas by Katherine Stewart.

Yoga Mamas, one of my favorite yoga fiction books

Yoga Mamas is a great chick-lit book to read during the spring or summer seasons. It tells the story of four pregnant women who take an exclusive prenatal yoga class at a Soho yoga studio in New York City. The main character Laura is the book’s narrator. When the book begins, it seems like the only things Laura has in common with her three chic, well-to-do, Prada-wearing mothers-to-be is her pregnant belly and a yoga mat. They do lunch (like the Sexy and the City gals) and become fast friends as they share stories about their lives and partners. You’ll travel with them through their NYC and Long Island adventures. You’ll also witness the unravelling of a juicy secret that gives birth to scandal (it’s a good one….). So pick up the book and read it!

What are your favorite yoga-inspired fiction books?

Photo Credit: http://dccy.org/dc-yoga-week

I love the DC Yoga community. Why? They come together each year to offer yoga lovers an opportunity to practice free and $5 yoga classes during DC Yoga Week. This year, over 40 yoga studios are participating in DC Yoga Week which will be held on April 29 through May 5. The week closes on May 5 with Yoga on the Mall at the Constitution Gardens by the Vietnam War Memorial. The event will begin at 11:00 a.m. and end at 1:00 p.m. Three of my favorite studios, Embrace Yoga, Flow Yoga Center, and Tranquil Space are participating in the week-long celebration. Smith Center for Healing and the Arts is a partner for the event (FYI – I work at Smith Center as an artist-in-residence). Click here to learn more about the events.

If you are in DC, are you planning to participate in DC Yoga Week?

Does your city celebrate a Yoga Week?

OM #YogaMonday OM!

PS: Need yoga inspiration? Check out my yoga Pinterest board.

If you would like to read about my yoga journey, check out my memoir That Which Awakens Me on Amazon.com. It is available on Kindle

My debut novel Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One features a main character who works as a yoga teacher in Washington, D.C. Click here to visit the Love’s Troubadours’ Pinterest board which contains some great information about the novel. You can purchase the book on Amazon.com.

Happy Creativity Thursday – 4/25

Posted by Ananda Leekeon April 25, 2013April 25, 2013in Creativity Thursday2 Comments

Happy Creativity Thursday!

Today, I am celebrating the artwork of Kesha Bruce. I adore Bruce’s work because it marries collage, written words, storytelling, drawings, and painting with memory, personal mythology, and spirituality. When I see her work, I dream and reflect all at the same time!

Photo Credit: Totem for Sistah Johnson by Kesha Bruce - KeshaBruce.com — Photo Credit: Totem for Sistah Johnson by Kesha Bruce – KeshaBruce.com

The Totem Series which features her narrative portraits of hybrid beings is one of my favorite collections. My favorite piece from the collection is a Totem for Sistah Johnson.

Kesha Bruce and Ananda Leeke at Morton Fine Art in DC

In December 2012, I met Bruce in person at the Morton Fine Art gallery which hosted an opening reception featuring her Wrestling with Angels series of drawings inspired by the story of Jacob wrestling with the Angel in the Holy Bible. What a treat! I told her how much I enjoy seeing her artwork, reading her blog, and following her on Twitter. Visit http://keshabruce.com to learn more about her.

Happy Digital Sisterhood Wednesday – Part 2 Recap of Blogalicious Tech Summit

Posted by Ananda Leekeon April 24, 2013April 24, 2013in Blogalicious, digital sisterhood5 Comments

Happy Digital Sisterhood Wednesday!

Today is a perfect day to celebrate the “Digital Sisterhood” experiences I had and witnessed during the Blogalicious Tech Summit held on April 18, 2013, at the Microsoft Innovation and Policy Center in Washington, D.C. First of all, it was great to see the dynamic “Blogalicious team trio” – Chief Curator/Co-Founder Stacey Ferguson, Operations Manager Jazzy Jones, and Publicity Director Xina Eiland in action. These ladies devoted a considerable amount of time, energy, creativity, and effort to making the Tech summit a success. Many thanks to them, Microsoft, and the amazing presenters and attendees!

Stacey Ferguson with New Mexico Democratic Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham

Jazzy Jones (with camera) and Xina Eiland (seated)

Prior to the Summit, I had the honor of serving as an content advisor for the agenda and presenters. Working with Stacey was pure joy! Why? Because she is extremely passionate about and committed to making sure the Blogalicious community is informed and has access to information, opportunities, thought leaders, and tools. The final agenda topics and presenters that Stacey and her team developed represented a gold mine of expertise.

Many of presenters like Social Lens Research founding partner Julie Diaz-Asper, TechSavvymama.com founder Leticia Barr, and ScapsofMyGeekLife.com founder Michele McGraw were women I met during previous Blogalicious conferences.

Stacey Ferguson, Kat Calvin, and Amanda Spamm

Several like Blerdology CEO Kat Calvin, DiversiTech founder Christine Johnson, and Blerdology CMO Amanda Spamm were women I met at social media and tech events in D.C.

A few like MOJO Mediaworks, LLC founder Allissa Richardson and 1776 co-founder Donna Harris were women I connected with on Twitter and other social media sites.

Two women were new discoveries for me: The Social Studies Group managing partner Wendy Goldman Scherer and Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham. These women were all dynamic, friendly, and positive. Each of them displayed an incredible amount of generosity while sharing their expertise during their presentations and throughout the Summit.

The women who attended the event were also dynamic, friendly, positive, and open to sharing their experiences. At the end of the Summit, I told Stacey and Xina that it was one of the best days of learning and networking I’ve had all year. I left the event feeling energized and on fire about my upcoming book, business, and the Digital Sisterhood Network.