- Opening lines that really work - Tips and tricks for the tongue-tied - The etiquette of escape - Mastering the fine points of eye contact, small talk, introductions, and more - Feel terrific at any party -- business or social Does the idea of talking to a lot of people you don't know make you weak in the knees? You may be suffering from mingle-phobia -- a secret fear of parties. The Art of Mingling will show you how to overcome your fears, meet new people with charm and confidence, and acheive social success at every kind of party -- business or pleasure. Filled with dozens of simple techniques, tricks, lines and maneuvers, The Art of Mingling will help you: - Develop the right mindset for entering a room full of strangers - Choose your first mingling target - Deliver opening lines that really work - Keep the conversation alive and interesting - Master the etiquette of escape - Circulate with grace and style - Use advanced mingling techniques such as body language, accents, props, toasts, and name tags for maximum effect - Recover from faux pas -- everything from spills and memory lapses to wrong attire - Negotiate tough rooms (too crowded, too empty, too "too") - Feel completely at ease at any kind of party

Filled with dozens of simple techniques, tricks, lines, and maneuvers that can mean the difference between fun and misery, this book reveals how to handle any party scene--business or social--and master any room with charm and confidence.

Welcome to your watercolor happy place! The world of Danielle Donaldson is as wondrous as a jar full of fireflies. Her whimsical illustrations are known for their offbeat color combinations, artful arrangements and endearing quirkiness. In this book, you'll learn how to partner with the wonderfully spontaneous medium of watercolor to create your own brand of magic. Start by creating a handmade journal, then follow exercises and start-to-finish projects to fill it with illustrations that are small in size but big on color. Along the way, Danielle shares her fresh takes on color theory, perspective, composition and more. Designed to get your brush moving, this book makes practice feel like play. It's a one-of-a-kind journey for any artist wishing to tap into the utter joy of watercolor painting and make it a cherished part of your daily life. Inside you'll find: • Imaginative techniques that help you override perfectionist tendencies while making the most of watercolor's unpredictable nature • An inventive approach (using scraps of paper, ribbon and other ephemera) for more creative color choices • A simple strategy that makes drawing new subjects less intimidating and more fun • Sweet ways to add hand lettering to your artwork • Inspirational exercises that make finding subjects to paint as easy as A-B-C "Don't underestimate the giddiness you feel when you mindlessly grab a color and mix it with another and create the most beautiful wash ever!" --p43

Many people need help navigating conversational minefields such as politics and religion-without getting blown up. Mingling with the Enemy is a vital guide for ''surviving'' contentious arguments, promoting civil discourse, and finding common ground in any social setting-from cocktail parties to PTA meetings. With this go-to guide, readers will learn how to successfully intermingle, listen, and diffuse heated arguments or disagreements while remaining respectful.

Offers a full gamut of strategies and techniques for socializing, from making that first connection with someone to maintaining a long-term relationship.

Historically, major women artists have been excluded from the mainstream art canon. Aligned with the resurgence of feminism in pop culture, Broad Strokes offers an entertaining corrective to that omission. Art historian Bridget Quinn delves into the lives and careers of 15 female artists from around the globe in text that's smart, feisty, educational, and an enjoyable read. Replete with beautiful reproductions of the artists' works and contemporary portraits of each artist by renowned illustrator Lisa Congdon, this is art history from the Renaissance to Abstract Expressionism for the modern art lover, reader, and feminist.

"Hosts of all kinds, this is a must-read!" --Chris Anderson, owner and curator of TED From the host of the New York Times podcast Together Apart, an exciting new approach to how we gather that will transform the ways we spend our time together—at home, at work, in our communities, and beyond. In The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker argues that the gatherings in our lives are lackluster and unproductive--which they don't have to be. We rely too much on routine and the conventions of gatherings when we should focus on distinctiveness and the people involved. At a time when coming together is more important than ever, Parker sets forth a human-centered approach to gathering that will help everyone create meaningful, memorable experiences, large and small, for work and for play. Drawing on her expertise as a facilitator of high-powered gatherings around the world, Parker takes us inside events of all kinds to show what works, what doesn't, and why. She investigates a wide array of gatherings--conferences, meetings, a courtroom, a flash-mob party, an Arab-Israeli summer camp--and explains how simple, specific changes can invigorate any group experience. The result is a book that's both journey and guide, full of exciting ideas with real-world applications. The Art of Gathering will forever alter the way you look at your next meeting, industry conference, dinner party, and backyard barbecue--and how you host and attend them.

Inspired by artist Tamara Laporte’s popular online art classes (willowing.org), Create Your Life Book presents 18 step-by-step mixed-media drawing and painting projects that encourage self-fulfillment through the creative process. Tamara’s kind, non-judgmental voice guides your way. What is holding you back? Where do you want to go? Let go of the past! Use these expressive exercises to help you recognize your personal challenges and other obstacles, then work through them. Let go of limiting beliefs, find courage, feel gratitude, heal pain, and develop self-love as you playfully create. Each themed chapter presents four to five two-part projects. First, you will explore a common issue that hampers creativity and/or positive self-worth. The second portion is a step-by-step mixed-media art project designed to help you work through that issue. Just a few of the explorations: Let go of what no longer serves you by taking stock of what’s holding you back, then create a zentangle butterfly to symbolize you flying away from those limiting things. Embrace and love your inner quirky bird by taking an inventory of your quirky traits, then create a bird that celebrates them. Heal old wounds by writing a letter to yourself as a child, then create a house to keep your inner child safe. Adding rich variety to the messages and art inspiration, some of the project outlines have been contributed by Tamara's guest teachers: Roxanne Coble, Andrea Gomoll, Alena Hennessy, Mystele Kirkeeng, Ivy Newport, and Effy Wild, each of whom are noted mixed-media artists in their own right. The final chapter presents a simple binding method for creating a keepsake book of your Life Book projects. Steeped in inspirational images and uplifting affirmations, Create Your Life Book can help you achieve both personal and creative growth.

In a crowded world you need to be seen! Schmingling - The Art of Being Well-Connected Through Blatant Self-Promotion shows you how to be seen and perceived as a leader in your industry. This book is for you if you are an introvert, are new to your industry or want practical and actionable tips to stand out and be seen. Author, Faith McKinney, knows from experience how to be seen. Although she is an introvert, Faith has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, many national blogs, and books. Faith is lead Ambassador of Successful Thinkers of Indianapolis. She is an on air personality for ICIndymag.com where she has interviewed everyone from newsman Dan Rather to musician Kirk Franklin. Through Schmingling, Faith has been elevated to celebrity status even though she works as a janitor. She is a sought after speaker and advisor for business and social advice even though she did not complete college. Schmingling - The Art of Being Well-Connected Through Blatant Self-Promotion will give you the confidence to create the expert and celebrity status you need to succeed in your business. "Faith McKinney has done it! Schmingling - The Art of Being Well-Connected Through Blatant Self-Promotion, perfectly re-frames the concept of networking so that you can build meaningful, extraordinary, and very rich relationships in both your personal and professional lives. She is Indianapolis' best when it comes to networking. It is her passion. This book will help so many people who are looking to get to the next level. Schmingling - The Art of Being Well-Connected Through Blatant Self-Promotion, should be mandatory reading for anyone wanting to enhance their personal and professional relationships in a way that is mutually beneficial and personally rewarding. We all need to build and sustain meaningful relationships based on mutual give and take. Faith has the formula to show us how." Jesse Brown Dean, School of Business, Martin University, Indianapolis, IN Author of Investing in the Dream, and Pay Yourself First - The African American Guide to Wealth and Prosperity January 2013