Wish Upon A Grant!

Being a woman definitely has its advantages! Sorry guys, this one is for the ladies!

If you are a woman business owner or are aspiring to be one and you are in need of fast cash, WomensNet offers several financial resources to jump start your "start-up" business. As a business owner myself, it is extremely challenging funding all the ins and outs of running your business. Supporters like WomensNet understands this phase of getting your start-up business up and running smoothly.

WomensNet offers grants for women like us. One particular grant that caught my attention is the Amber Grant. Click here to apply for the Amber Grant. There is a deadline for this offer. However, you may check back for new grants posted and reapply.

The Amber Foundation Grants began in 1998, launched in conjunction with the entrepreneurial community for women, WomensNet, to honor the memory of a young woman who died in 1981, at the age of 19.

The purpose of the Amber Grants is to help other women achieve the dreams that Amber could not in her short time with us.

Finding money to start a small business - especially money for women entrepreneur's and start-ups is not easy - so we thought we would try to help a bit!

Our primary focus is assisting women who are trying to start small businesses, home-based or online. The grants are small, usually $500 to $1000, and are intended to be used to upgrade equipment, pay for a web site etc - the small but essential expenses that can often make the difference between getting started or being forever stalled.

No repayment is required or expected, although it is hoped that you will pass on the kindness by mentoring & helping others along the way.

Although the grant program is run as a foundation to the extent that we accept applications and award grants, all grants come from private not government or solicited donations or funds. In fact, to date, all grants have come from my own personal "cookie jar".

... love to hear the robin go Tweet, Tweet, Tweet!

You can now find and follow Helen Julia on Twitter! Twitter is not your ordinary be my friend, tag! you're it, kind of social website. Twitter is so much more! Follow Helen Julia and keep in touch through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question... "What are you doing?" We look forward to seeing you on our page!

Strike A Pose... VOGUE!

Ok, so it is not Vogue as in "Strike A Pose" from Madonna's version. However, we have First Lady, Michelle Obama striking her pose on the cover of Vogue Magazine! Close enough. Michelle is hard at work as a mom of two young girls (not even teenagers yet), wife to the President of the United States, President Barack Obama and owning up to her own responsibilities as America's First Lady! I would say Michelle Obama has her hands full and grasps it all with style, grace and elegance.

Helen Julia has been inspired to create a candle for First Lady, Michelle Obama! We will design this candle based on everything she represents; poise, style, beauty, warmth and love. Our "First Lady" candle will launch Fall 2009.

New York Fashion Week Part II - Here Comes The Bride

Fashion Week is officially over (sad face) and the adrenaline rush has subsided. If you would like to view all the collections that were featured in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2009 shows go to Style.com to be front and center viewing all designers collections.

Now, when it comes to chic and elegance especially in the bridal category, I have to mention Monique Lhuillier once again! Wedding season is approaching. Whether you are a bride-to-be or a "bride-i-wish" here is a look at Monique Lhuillier's Fall 2008 and Fall 2009 bridal collection. Who says you cannot be a Queen or Princess for a day? Wearing one of Monique Lhuillier's wedding dresses will surely make you feel like a Prima Donna!

Speaking of fashion and runway, Project Runway season 5 winner, Leanne Marshall also designed a flawlessly executed wedding dress! I may have to track Leanne down when I'm ready to get married! I can see where Leanne Marshall gets her inspiration!

(photo courtesy of Bravo TV)

... And the perfect candle to match your bridal festivities is none other than our Helen Julia Magnolia Bliss Candle scented in Southern Magnolia!

New York Fashion Week Part I - Monique Lhuillier

Fashion Week has arrived! I LOVE fashion week in New York! I have yet to experience Fashion Week in Paris. However, it is most definitely on my "To Do" list of things to do!

One of my absolute favorite designers is Monique Lhuillier! I adore her wedding dresses and chic lady-like attire! Watching her collection down the runway always keeps me in awe!

For the bride-to-be, if you are looking for something unique and elegant, Monique Lhuillier is the way to go! Monique Lhuillier's collection never disappoint! Her rtw (ready-to-wear) is just as elegant and sophisticated. Makes you want to play dress-up every day, even if you have nothing on the agenda for such attire.

Watch Monique Lhuillier Spring 2009 Collection from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week September '08. Her collection is just breathtaking!

I'm a true fan... More fashion week posts coming your way this week.

NYC Recession Dining

This is a little out of the realm of our normal posts. However, I thought it was important to share something great for all of us to benefit from. As we continue to face a recession, we cannot help to feel "out of pocket" from the normal lifestyle we have grown accustomed to. This New York City Recession Dining guide is very useful so we may continue to enjoy our wining and dining experiences at a cost for less! These New York City Restaurants are offering Prix-Fixe meals, BYO and great weekend brunch specials with all you can drink cocktails! Date night does not have to go belly-up!

Bon Appétit!

He Loves Me. He Loves Me Not. He Loves Me...

Sounds like a scene from "He's Just Not that Into You"! Well, not here... Helen Julia New York would like to wish you all a Happy Valentine's day and we are very into you! Whether you're in love or desire to be loved, you are loved by Helen Julia of course! Enjoy your night of passion or dinner for one! Get the DVD player ready for an evening full of passion with 6 seasons of Sex & The City (or the movie)! Now that's the perfect way to end or start your evening, whether you are single or not! Samantha Jones will surely remind you that being single is not so bad after all! ;)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

SJS Events Candle by Helen Julia

Another branding success! Helen Julia and Sonal J. Shah, Senior Wedding Consultant and Founder of Sonal J. Shah Event Consultants, partner together to create and design Sonal J. Shah Events Candle by Helen Julia!

This unique candle scented in Stargazer Lily is packaged in a gold matte box with red satin ribbon to finish off this exquisite presentation. Sonal J. Shah Events Candle is exclusively sold by Sonal J. Shah Events.

Sonal J. Shah Event Consultants is a unique blend of artists and intelligent professionals who share a single passion - making your wedding or special occasion a spectacular event that guests will remember for a lifetime!

Sonal J. Shah has been featured on Who's Wedding Is It Anyway? aired on the Style Network.

Sonal J. Shah Event Consultants combines your dreams and their expertise to help you plan a simply fabulous, once-in-a-lifetime event!

Let Sonal J. Shah Event Consultants take care of the planning with the end result an extraordinary event that is just as you envisioned.

The Wedding Connector

Helen Julia is now on WeddingWire! WeddingWire enables business owners to market themselves over the internet for no cost and creates the only market opportunity that gives vendors control over their budget, service reviews, lead generation and performance.

WeddingWire creates a win / win opportunity for couples and vendors alike to seek out the people they want to collaborate with in order to design a beautiful, original and moving day that is the start of a new life as one.

Ultimately, WeddingWire is about simplifying your wedding planning by leveraging technology. Whether you are looking for information about a specific vendor, need to comparison shop across vendors, require robust and intuitive management tools, or just want to connect with other engaged couples to share and collaborate, WeddingWire seeks to provide best-in-breed solutions to ease the entire wedding planning process.

Look us up and write a review about Helen Julia! I look forward to working with new wedding/event planners and future brides-to-be for your gifting ideas!

We look forward to seeing you on WeddingWire! Thanks for stopping by and writing a review about Helen Julia!

Love Letter

As we approach Valentine's Day all we can think about is the word "LOVE"... Flowers, and Chocolates, and Candles, OH MY!

I'd like to introduce you to a dear friend of mine, E.J. Jacobs, Editor In Chief of Topcoat Magazine and author of "a few words before I go...". E.J. Jacobs describes his book was written as a forum for all the thoughts that go unsaid and all the emotions that go unnoticed. It is meant to be a place to celebrate what others might criticize, as well as vent the frustrations everyone faces that are both, unavoidable and unfair.

I've taken the liberty to share a chapter of his book (a few words before I go... Copyrighted Material) for Valentine's Day!

BEFORE YOU WERE MY EX

"Before you were my ex, you were the first one to kiss me when I had morning breath and remnants of sleep in my eyes. You never disappeared with the night and when you had to leave, I would roll into the warm spot you left behind. You were the first I gave "forever" status to and your eyes reminded me why each time I may have forgotten. No other lover had a way of making me feel as exquisite, even in my most embarrassing moments, and I cherished you wildly because of it.

You had a smile to represent every emotion, which worked as a puppeteer to my heart; I danced like a marionette to your every whim with each grin you beamed. I would do anything to maintain that smile on your alluring face.

Your lips excelled at more than just smiling, for when they met with mine, my soul mistook such divine force for his departure to heaven. The chamber walls of my heart wobbled from the friction. Our lips made the pact and our tongues consummated the agreement. You were an unexpected excitement in my ordinary life and I told myself to never let you go. What voice was powerful enough to convince me otherwise?

The height of our fantasy ride resembled nothing of our tumultuous ending. It is much easier for me to remember the better times, because they are so frequent as the apex and I could never forget them. They do well to disguise the times when everything did not go as smoothly.

You placed me on a throne and I became too used to resting on it while you praised me endlessly. Your love spoiled me, not just from other lovers, but also from you. I presumed you would maintain the level of perfection that originally won me over. The moment I had to seek your attention instead of having it lavished upon me I became frustrated. You came to me as a surrealistic lover, so I placed unrealistic expectations upon you. When you could no longer meet them, I foolishly expelled you from my life.

Now, in a less secure world from which you shielded me, I have had to settle for complacency in my relationships. I've had to look beyond faults I never found in you. The only fault in our love lay within me. My greed separated me from the closest opportunity I'll ever have of reaching true ecstasy."

This book is amazing and worth reading from beginning to end. It will make you cry, laugh and appreciate! Fellas, if you're looking for something to say to your significant other(s), I'd suggest you pickup this book to find the appropriate words to say!

I love you E.J. (in a friendship kind of way) for your continued support and your friendship from afar!