Loving Life Blog

Spur of the Moment Reflections

Fall Harmonies – Friday Fall Harmonies November 20, 2013

Filed under: Promotion,Swedish-American — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 6:31 am
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Fall Life  Yesterday we, Keeva A Cappella, had the last rehearsal before our concert this upcoming Friday. Friday Fall Harmonies with local guest artist and poet Beryl Baker to warm up the mic. Or is it unplugged? It is unplugged. At least that was the instructions to one of the new songs. And maybe for a reason…

The new song I have in mind is “The Cave” with Mumford & Sons. A newly written a cappella version for our group by one of our new members. Imagine an acoustic, unplugged, in a wine bar version of that song (see/hear below). Although – this time it is at Dolores Park Cafe.

Yesterday I said “What would my last 7 years in San Francisco have been without Keeva?” It’s not to say that it wouldn’t have been great – but this group is a solid contribution to making it more than that. It’s really an awesome group of people, and… maybe come judge for yourself, see how a little bit of this groups music live impact you?!

We won’t give you this version of The Cave – but if you want to be this version of audience – feel free! 😉

Johanna

Friday Fall Harmonies with Beryl Baker and Keeva A Cappella

Come in out of the cold and warm up to the sweet sound of love songs and globally-inspired harmonies.
Local musician and poet, Beryl Baker will serenade you on ukulele and guitar with her acoustic folk, indie-rock and blues-inspired tunes. 
And Keeva A Cappella will treat you to soulful vocal music from around the world.
Come early for Dolores Park Cafe’s delicious food, and to grab a beer and a seat! 
A $5-10 suggested donation is appreciated and will go to Philippines typhoon relief efforts.

Dolores Park Cafe. Friday night September 22. at 7.30pm. 501 Dolores St, San Francisco, California 94110  

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Whirl Open – My Way September 28, 2013

Filed under: coaching,Inspiration,Promotion — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 4:38 pm
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Intentional Art by Johanna Nilsson - Workshop by Donna Marchesano

I had the pleasure of being invited to do a 3 hour intentional art workshop with artist Donna Marchesano. Her program Wellness4Art launched this past Sunday with the opening of her art exhibition “Courage to Create”, September 22 – December 31, 2013 at Dolce Amore, 1477 Van Ness (and Pine), San Francisco.

Donna herself has a unique story to share, where daily intentional art for 6 years has been key to the cure of her severe Crohn’s Disease and through the journey of chemotherapy and healing from Cancer. Given her own experience, she is a strong believer in intentional art – whether you are wanting to cure from a disease, wanting to change or manifest something in your life. And me – I love her art, I find her story fascinating, I wish for more patients to find the path that she has taken, and I love to try the creative process – with intention. The fact that I also have been working for 8 years in a pharmaceutical company, for the majority of time dedicated to managing the finances for the development of a drug for Chron’s Disease, doesn’t make me less connected to her story.

I put together  a little video showing the process. (more…)

 

Cinderella’s shoes weren’t as tiny as you thought September 21, 2013

Filed under: Entrepreneur,Promotion — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 10:07 pm
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Some things do give you a special smile.

Having had a friend stay with me for a few days and get the inspiration to a new Cinderella Story… is fantastic. This is what she posted to me at the time of the opening reception of the one-year anniversary shoe exhibition: Cinderella – The Right Shoes.

Cinderella’s shoes weren’t as tiny as you thought.

Having read it to the end, I am curious: who is the president in the beautiful shoes? I would be happy to see the current presidents wife, Michelle Obama, wear “my shoes”.

Because I know she could. And she would love them.

Thank you Abi Post for “let[ting] a story out in the wild”!  Including your lovely Brittish vocabulary.

I did enjoy. Hope you do too.
Johanna

LLXLLQ Shoe Exhibition

 

Can you do me a favor, lady? August 30, 2013

Filed under: Entrepreneur,Promotion — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 12:05 pm
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A conversation at the bus stop.

A conversation at the bus stop.

6.15am. On my way to volunteer at GLIDE and serve breakfast to those who need.
I buy a coffee to get change for the bus and overhear a conversation: “After 38 years together they finally got married.”
Inspired of the beauty of it I turn around and say “did I hear 38 …”
“Yes. Two ladies”, the two men say and nod their heads.
“Oh, I’m happy for them” I say, and start walking out.
“And can you do me a favor, lady?” one man expresses. “No, please…” the other man says.
“Yes, what?” I ask.
“Can you get a little heel? Just a little heel?”
“I have heels. I have them in my bag here. I work with shoes” – and hand him my card.
“All ladies should wear heels. All tall ladies should have high heels. And a pin in their back. You know why? To keep their back straight, because they have low self esteem.”
That is exactly my finding with most women who have big feet.
Last comment by the man: “I used to wear 5 inch heels myself – and I used the run the beat out of them all”, holding my card in his hand.

 

LLXLLQ – beautiful larger size shoes – including heels – for women. And of course, those men who enjoy the occasional heel. If the shoe fits.

 

Johanna

 

Sex+Design… in the City. August 8, 2013

Filed under: Entrepreneur,Promotion — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 8:03 am
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Last night I stopped by the SF Launch of BRAVE NEW WORLD – the latest edition of the coffee table magazine Sex+Design, that is issued quarterly.

“Sex+Design Magazine is a pull-no-punches publication exploring the counter-culture of urban life. Sex+Design highlights the balance between sophisticated living and downtown debauchery. Writers from the New York Times, Paris Review and Juxtapoz are featured along with art, design and photography from a number of cutting edge worldwide artists.”

As I was walking around I was thinking of a possible feature of shoes… and on my way out I couldn’t resist testing the footprint. See – it fit right in!
Every where else, these red LLXLLQ shoes stand out. I get so many complements. I even got advised by a guerrilla publicity specialist to do a campaign ‘Where are the red shoes”. Well… I think they have found a home.

Although – what’s the point if you don’t make a mark. You want to be seen – no? I guess the setting would be different… a different setting that makes the LLXLLQ shoes stand out. That they do at Dolce Amore, 1477 Van Ness and Pine in San Francisco. Come on by – Shoe Exhibition “Cinderella – The Right Shoes”. Opening reception tomorrow at 5-7pm. RSVP Here.  Exhibition open until August 31st. Man or woman, size 10-12 in shoes or not – you will enjoy. The food is delicious too.

I bet – a shoe closet like what you will witness there, was never seen in Sex in the City.

Stand tall in style,
Johanna

Sex+Design_It_Fits_Right_in_LLXLLQ
 

I Love Vistaprint August 6, 2013

Filed under: Entrepreneur,Promotion — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 10:19 pm
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I find life amusing. Recently I have ordered killer deal printing jobs from Vistaprint. Of course they up-sale in the end of the purchasing process, and you end up buying more. Maybe. This time they offered me the car magnets that I have had the intention of getting for a very long while. I just didn’t get to getting the right help I thought I needed for the design. Well, this offer at the end of the purchase was so in-expensive, so I just used the same image for the car magnet as for the front of the business card, and hoped that the  file quality was good enough.

The print job was mailed sooner than expected, and I was very pleased with the result. It was with great enthusiasm that I displayed the “LLXLLQ – Size 10-12 Handmade Italian Shoes” on my golden Subaru. One of the first stops outside a friends house, someone past by and after reading on my car stated that “That is a very specialized niche”. That is true. Only for women with larger sizes shoes.

To my great disappointment I lost one of the car magnets on my first drive on the high-way. I think it was a bad sample, because I noticed that it felt like it came off very easily. Now, that doesn’t matter, because Vistaprint replaced it with no comments more than providing a guide sheet.

Vistaprint replaces keywords for large size shoes

That’s the background info. Yesterday I was walking around with the “I love Vistaprint” thought in my mind. I should take a photo and tweet them, sharing my love and appreciation. Thinking – I wonder if they would retweet – would that lead to more cross marketing.

Early this morning I was submitting a press release for distribution. Using the free version, there was an add in the beginning of the press release, that happened to be Vistaprint. Interesting.

Later today when I was looking at the press release report – this is what I find:

“Search Phrases – this report lists top 5 phrases that visitors used in search engines to find your release on PrLog.
1. vistaprint”

Mind you – this was a search engine optimized press release with keywords – for large size shoes. Isn’t that wonderful – I didn’t even tweet my love to vistaprint – and they have already sent me traffic. Hm. The power of thought… or the power of unconditional love. Vistaprint – the company that keeps giving.

Vistaprint – Thank you!
Johanna

Below is a preview shot by StephenGregoryPhotography.com, of the LLXLLQ shoe, named after the founder Lucia. The shoe is one of many that is installed for the Shoe Exhibition August 9-31, with opening reception 5-7pm Friday August 9. join us at that event – more info and RSVP: www.therightshoes.eventbrite.com

And yes – below is also the bespoken car magnet of LLXLLQ from Vistaprint. The car is on brand.

LLXLLQ Shoe Exhibition at Dolce Amore - Thank you Vistaprint

 

I need a MEGAPHONE June 27, 2013

Filed under: Entrepreneur,Promotion — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 1:17 pm
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In the Starbucks line this morning:

“Excuse me, may I ask which shoe size you wear?”
“For what? Size 9.”
“Ah – then you are too small. We’ve just launched a shoe line for women with size 10-12. It is so difficult to find shoes that size, and when I see women who I think could be my size, I ask.”
“Oh I don’t know – I am size 9 in men’s shoes.”
DO YOU GET THE PICTURE? I need a megaphone… size 10-12, Italian handmade shoes…. LLXLLQ

Please SHARE this and send your friends and friends of friends with larger sizes shoes my way. Have them sign up for the newsletter http://bit.ly/LLXLLQnews , using campaign code “FRIEND” and they will receive a very special offer on top of the 15% for signing up for the newsletter.

If you act now they can participate in the LLXLLQ shoe giveaway by June 30, 2013: http://splur.gy/r/dz2v4

LLXLLQ_SHOW_OFF_YOUR_COLORS

 

Daddy’s Girl Go Places April 10, 2013

Filed under: Promotion,Swedish-American — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 3:38 pm
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April 8, 2013. A date many of us in San Francisco, and Scandinavia have looked forward to.  The SAS inaugural flight took place in-between CPH and SFO, and landed on time. 2o minutes early after the 11.5 hour flight.

Going forward there are 6 intercontinental direct flights per week in-between Copenhagen and San Francisco with Scandinavian Airlines. A trip that makes it easier to travel. Faster. For everyone involved.

SAS hosted a celebration seminar yesterday, where I as a representant of the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce was invited. They shared their insights from their latest corporate journey of a financial crisis, nearing a bankruptcy, what saved them and the strategy behind turning it around and how to create a #1 Airline in the Industry.  Inspiring story indeed. Implementations in it’s work. Some changes might seem so obvious, but they weren’t that easy to implement… “So even if we have the peak of demand during the summer months, we pulled back on our service because it was stated in the employee contracts that they had right to 5 weeks of vacation during the summer time. It was like being in retail and ignoring Christmas”.  [Only in Scandinavia].

Down size, cost control, renegotiated union contracts, and having a staff dedicated to turning the situation around… SAS is heading to great destinations, on time!

With the departure times, direct flights, personalized service, use of technology, 100% next generations airplanes, onboard wifi and expanded reach through new routes and partnerships  –  it will be easier for everyone, no-matter age, to go places. 

SAS concluded with this commercial, saying that they were looking forward to seeing everyone on board…

Make sure to enjoy it you too – Scandinavia, including Sweden,  is a beautiful place to visit! By your tickets before April 16 and you may catch their sale… http://www.flysas.com/en/

Johanna

 

The Real Deal. April 2, 2013

Filed under: Inspiration,Promotion — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 11:23 pm
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What would life be without music? And more importantly, with live music. It’s like talking with someone you really like over Facebook, Email, Text, Phone – verses in person… SO much better.

I dropped by Sheba Lounge, in the jazz district on Fillmore Street last week. I wanted to catch the last set of Jesse Foster Trio with Jesse Foster on vocals, Grant Levin on piano and Pierre Archain on bass.

Jesse Foster is a singer, songwriter and percussionist extraordinaire, with an original composition and arranging style which conveys deep and personal messages through songs crossing a wide range of musical genres.

Although Jesse has worked with and been influenced by many renowned artists, he credits the body of works by master artists like Wes Montgomery, Marvin Gaye, John Coltrane, Smokey Robinson, David Ruffin, Nat “King” Cole and Miles Davis for having a profound impact on his concepts, musical direction and career.

Talking with Grant afterwards, he said: “I love playing with Jesse. He is the real deal. I love his artistry.” Grant himself is a humble great talent who in this case (below) manages to play perfectly on a piano that is out of tune – yes – you just gotta avoid certain keys… And Pierre, is a cheerful solid bass player.

I’d like to call them my guys. Jesse was my vocal coach for a period of time when I first moved to San Francisco. When hearing his students with whom I did the performance workshop at the time, today, I wish I had continued… Grant is my pianist. It’s so new, so it is even a little unreal to write it – but I have a pianist! 🙂 And he is awesome! And Pierre – he played bass in the quartet that I performed with at what is now called… Tipsy Pigg!  Yes, it was a music bar/restaurant at the time on Chestnut in the Marina. Today, it is mostly tipsy…

Anyway. Here is cheers for the real deal, and for Jesse Foster and musicians, bringing the live jazz back to Lower Haight in San Francisco! (See below!) What a…. LOVELY DAY!

Enjoy,

Johanna

And yes – the recording is very dark. You gotta come and visit live!
Bi-monthly Jazz sessions at Two Jacks Niks Place – 401 Haight and Webster.
7pm – 9.30pm: Jesse Foster trio with Grant Levin on keys Adam Gay on bass and Mark Lee on drums – and guest artists of accomplished musicians from the Bay Area.

 

Love, me. March 29, 2013

Filed under: Inspiration,Promotion,Swedish-American — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 11:44 pm
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This morning, I was talking to the world. And the world started talking back to me.

Both of us were lonely, a little angry. Both of us looking for a friend.

We were saying how we’d never be alone again.

All I heard was two little words: love, me. Love, me. Love, me.

And that the end of the note, that I wrote to the world:

Can you here me? Are you listening?

Love me.

These are the first lines from one song on the U.S. debut by Swedish singer Anna Bergendahl. On the record label Decca Records website you can read: (more…)

 

 
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