Peggy Berk – Gives Upgrade Insight

Article - The Giving Seed

Article – Knowing The Right Signs

Article – Tax Insight For Freelance Writers

Foodie Review – Belfwi

Technically Designed - Article

Working Within Your Network - Article

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© 2013 Exquisite Fusion Magazine

Dear Readers,Heading into summer months always brings to mind memories of being with family at the beach, by the ocean eating, laughing and enjoying each others company. Having live in three states in my lifetime have made for some pretty simply holidays, consisting of my fiancée and I, but special still the same. The spirit of family and close friends is something that has always been near and dear to my heart. Many changes have taken place over the years yet and still the love still remains as fresh as the day it started. This issue is dedicated to family bonding and togetherness. To all those who put aside their own selfish ambitions to stop and see what’s going on with a cousin halfway across the country or down the street, for the people who help shape our early views of life, enhance the future views and kick knowledge, this goes out to you! All the mothers, dads, aunties, uncles, cousins and friends much love.

See You Inside!L Simone Hartinfo@exquisiteexpressinc.com

© 2013 Exquisite Fusion Magazine. Pg. 3

Charlotte Art Scene

Cassandra "Candy" Stone brings her multi faceted personality and experience to the business. Seeking new talent is key for the agency, but Cassandra, enjoys teaching and imparting her knowledge to kids and teens. Cassandra enjoys the most teaching kids, teens and pageant contestants. She started modeling at the age of two with her mom's company, Libby Stone.

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Des ign Corner

There are no hard and fast rules about updating your home. Research tells us that many consumers will make small changes to refresh and refine their homes on an ongoing basis because they "tire of things." However, it's the seven-year itch that seems to drive the decision to undertake a major redesign, be it one room or the entire residence.

In my own practice of interior design, I've noted that those comfortably ensconced in traditional trappings tend to be less inclined to renew and redo than those living in contemporary style homes, perhaps because the latter is more trend driven and traditional settings can more comfortably embrace a time worn quality.However, in both instances, I often walk into rooms that are clearly showing signs that they should have been updated years before. More importantly, time after time, I meet clients whose lifestyles have outpaced their living styles and who find themselves somewhat uncomfortable in their own homes. Neither situation is a good one. Whether or not you're living in your dream home, your home should be your sanctuary, the place that most reflects your individuality and serves your lifestyle. We're all guilty of letting the chaos of daily life distract us from focusing on our living situations, but when it comes to updating your home, there are definitely times when you should stop, sit back and reassess.

The obvious, of course, is when you encounter any situation that will require a costly repair. Sure, you can patch things up and restore things back to normal, but is normal what you really want? If you've got infrastructure issues, such as mold or an internal leak, that will require you to break into walls, this is the time to think about everything from whether you want to change the finish on the walls to whether a major renovation will give you a floor plan that's more in tune with your needs. It can also be the time to assess whether you should go for a more extensive update of your electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems. If your systems are more than 10 years old, chances are that you can derive significant economic benefits from updating in terms of maintenance and energy costs.This is especially pertinent in the kitchen. An awkward layout that makes for less than efficient functionality, or outdated appliances or aesthetics may be rationales for updating that you can delay. But if you have issues relating to the structure - listing upper cabinets are a good indication - or infrastructure systems which will require cabinets to be removed to accomplish repairs, think seriously about whether a full scale kitchen update is in order. This is also true in the bathroom. If you have to break through tile to get to a plumbing or electrical problem, it's a good time to think about updating your bathroom, perhaps rethinking the layout as well as refreshing the decor.

Smaller home maintenance issues, such as furnishings that have fallen into disrepair, walls that are marred beyond your ability to clean them and faulty lighting should also spur you to update. However, unless the work is extensive, this can generally be accomplished by focusing on the specific element that needs attention. At the same time, don't overlook the opportunity that even a small refurbishment can give you to update your entire look. A simple example is upholstery which generally ties into the primary or secondary color in your room's scheme. If you are only reupholstering or replacing the largest piece, consider fabrics in your accent color and then add in some smaller accessories or soft furnishings such as area rugs and throw pillows to bring the former color back into the room. Changing the scheme in this manner can give you a whole new look for a relatively minimal investment.

When you update your home, think longer term. Are you planning to sell within a few years? If so, moderate your choices. Remember that your goal in marketing your home is to appeal to the broadest possible base of potential buyers. If you're enamored of the quirky or edgy, bring it into your home in ways that can easily be removed when it comes time to sell. Are you planning to stay in your home well into your retirement years? If so, remember that aging affects our motor skills as well as our senses. Dexterity, muscle strength, agility and balance, as well as color acuity, the ability to perceive contrast, manage light and focus, tactile sensitivity and hearing all diminish as part of the normal aging process. Choose easy to grasp and manipulate hardware, lower shelving and more texture, and stay away from violet-blue-green color schemes if this update will take you into your retirement years. Think about incorporating grab bars and walk in tubs in the bath and utilizing about three times the illumination in every room and a high level of contrast between the floor and any stairs for safety.

Peggy Berk

Area Aesthetics Interior Design

Notwithstanding all I've said so far, from my perspective the best reason to update your home is because your lifestyle has evolved and it is no longer served well by the home you've lived in for years. Major life events, the addition of children, divorce, a newly emptied nest and retirement are all reasons to reexamine your home with an eye toward getting the most out of the environment and accommodating an evolving lifestyle. Do you really need a formal dining room, an eat-in kitchen and a breakfast room? Should you have retired that home office when you retired? If you're spending more time at home than you used to, do you need a special place to pursue new interests or just get away from others and read in solitude for a few hours? Are you entertaining more or less than you used to? And wouldn't your recently married daughter's room make a great walk in closet or a luxurious bath with a spa tub? Old habits die hard and It often doesn't occur to people to rethink their homes with a significant lifestyle change. Many let years go by just making do. But no matter how aesthetically beautiful your home is, if it's not serving your needs and desires, it's not a successfully functioning home. I always start my client consultations by asking clients to describe their dream home. At that point, I'm far less interested in color and style preferences than I am in hearing about how they would love to live in their homes. It often takes a bit of cajoling - most have never even thought in those terms before - but sooner or later I hear the phrase, "Do you know what I've always wanted…?" If you're willing to re-imagine your home, to see not the kids' playroom or Bobby's bedroom, but rather the entire space devoid of pre-conceived notions and floor plan labels, there's a pretty good chance when you update your home that you can make your dreams come true.

This remodel of second floor family room in a Brooklyn, NY row house was freshened with a more contemporary feel while still maintaining its traditional embellishments in keeping with the style of the 150-yr old home. Originally a bedroom, the storage niches on either side of the fireplace were originally closets.

“A little touch of color transformed the cold hard edges of this modern interior into a space that fe” — Peggy Berk - Area Aesthetics Interior Design

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-THE GIVING SEED-When is Enough Enough?

By: Zena Onyx

In the spirit of giving there is much to be returned. With so many families struggling in these tough times it can be hard to provide the basic needs of family members, children and elders. The government is overwhelmed with deficit and many people are on their assistance programs, statistics say that it’s more than 50% of the US. This includes food stamps, welfare and other government funded programs. If that doesn’t make us wake and really take a hard look at what is going on in this country nothing will. If a family is in need and has worked, lived and or contributed in the US they are entitled to receive assistance when times of need are present.

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Now what about people who come here to the US illegally?

Should they be allowed to reap the benefits that are meant for the legal citizens who live and work here. Many Americans feel that this is wrong and want to put an end to it.

No one should ever go hungry anywhere in the world. We all have the basic human right to eat, survive and be the best person we can be for ourselves and the people we provide for. Though some take advantage of the situation and don’t want to do better for themselves thus creating more work for everyone else.

These services are not free, the tax payers dollars pay for it all. And it seems as though US citizens have no say of where the money goes. According to government they are spending $131.9 billion on welfare annually (not including food stamps). How can we possibly go on this way? The answer is we can’t, simple and plain.If someone is for whatever reason unable to work they should be entitled to receive money to live on. Then there are others whom are able to work but they are just unmotivated by the current economical condition and playing on the system.

Giving is never a bad thing; the bible says it is better to give than to receive which is very true. But if you do not have enough to give the people are so close to home, live in your country and contribute to a system that is designed for the benefit of those who contribute to it because they can, then there is going to be trouble ahead.

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Having the right types of signage and print advertising for a business is necessary in order to establish the business as a community landmark. Signage prepares the business for a future success which can be told through the branding of its sign. Developing the right type of advertisement which will help out the business in the long run may take some time, but most businesses do not have time to spare. These businesses need a company that can communicate the perfect advertising message within a short amount of time.

Real Estate agencies, insurance companies, and home security specialty companies have a strong responsibility to brand their identity through signage. Having the correct message presented ensures that these industry specific businesses are successful by utilizing a company that knows how to target their audience through signage. At lowensign.com their professional approach to giving the perfect presentation through signage is know nation wide. This company is also known for specializing in delivering a variety of lawn signage and vehicle wraps for their customers. These are great tools for businesses to have as part of their marketing and advertising.

By: Garland L. McLaughlin

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www.lowensign.com

Businesses that require safety signs are also covered if they acquire services through lowensign.com. It is vitally important that these companies display to their clients and potential clients the dangers which may exist within specific work environments of their business. Customers appreciate when they are being warned that danger is right around the corner. These safety signs are usually used as either magnetic signage or decals. With 176 industry specific signs lowensign.com covers the whole spectrum of warning signs available for the 176 industries that are covered.

Having the right vehicle wrap for a business is equally important as having the correct warning and danger signage. Businesses which are looking to create a lasting impression for themselves will be obtaining the correct services for their businesses by using lowensign.com. Finding a company that can handle a wide array of advertising services is often hard to by. In a lot of cases a company may only specialize in one particular type of advertising design or another, so it is quite unique to find that lowensign.com specializes in vehicle wraps as well as traditional signage. This signage company also has the statistics broken down to a science and it has been found that vehicle wraps cost the least in terms of branding memorable impressions. On average the most traditional way to advertise has been known as television advertising, it is now known as the most expensive. This traditional method costs on average $23.70 per person that is influenced by these television advertisement commercials. Magazine and newspaper print publications don’t do any better as they are also now known as high cost per person advertisement vehicles. Vehicle wraps by far have proven to be a creative and least expensive method of advertising per person. This method only costs a little under .50 cents to reach the correct target audiences.

I know it is the end of the year almost-summertime; vacation; weddings; barbecues-who has time to remember or even think about –you guessed it TAXES in 100 degree weather? WHO? Small businesses, entrepreneurs, writers, and freelancers anyone who is self employed. Particularly those like me who are freelance writers- learning about our taxes and how to save while starting out is important.

I got the idea from my new subscription to Poet and Writers Magazine in which I received the title of professional writer. What caught my eye was the language that specifically said that I could use it as a tax write-off as long as I used it for business. What most of us aren’t aware of and what most of us don’t think about is how to save money in paying taxes from our career. Hence the deductions that we are able to take from our taxes as a result of our business.

You can read a lot of articles about it. I have two blog articles about it myself on it. The first is: TAX TIME COMING: APRIL 15TH HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT! ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THIS 2011 FISCAL TAX YEAR? written on January 23, 2012. The second is: A YouTube Tutorial by Stephanie Harper on Making Money as a Writer written on January 21, 2012 which also had a YouTube video by Stephanie Harper on how to make money as a writer. Both of these articles are good and also tell you about taxes and how to save and make money as a writer. But what you ask does this have to do with tax deductions: well there is an article in an online magazine called Brazen Life which tells you exactly what you need to know in regards to this. The title of this article is: “Tax Tips to Live By for the First-Time Freelancer” written on May 8, 2012 by Kelly Gurnett. Specifically I wanted to draw your attention to some of the following points: get a CPA, the author says; be aware that you may have to pay self employment taxes if you make $400.00, obtain your 1099 Miscellaneous form, track your expenses and keep good records of

Tax Write Offs and Other Information Regarding Taxes for the Freelance Writer

By Yasmine Jameson

Finance Corner

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all your activities. In other words, every receipt, write down the times of your telephone calls and how long they take, keep all of your emails, keep all of your paper expenses, program expenses and travel expenses. All of these you can use to prove what your tax deductions are. Also be aware that you are going to be now paying taxes quarterly. Most writers according to Stephanie Harper are able to take tax deductions for their business. I do not know that many do.

I assume that the ones who do are the ones making the money because I don’t know that I would even consider it at this point. But I am keeping my magazine bills and payments this year so that when I fill out taxes for 2014 I may be able to use some of the deductions. If I had gone to Blogging While Brown, it may have been a tax deduction. If I had attended the Book Fair in Florida the travel may have been deductible because I using that time to help spread word about my career. But it is the continuing track of these expenses over time that will pay off for me in the end. Who knows I may save a lot of money.

In closing, I believe that we can all save as much money as we want if we just follow a few hints or suggestions from those who know about the business of taxes, deductions and following them so that when we file, we can save some money off of our future taxes. Also, if we continue to do so it will pay off in the end.

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Since 1985, Hospitality House of Charlotte has provided shelter to out-of-town families while their loved ones receive treatment at nearby hospitals. During our history, we have

sheltered over 42,000 guests who have come to us from 49 states and over 35 countries.Your Home Away from Home

Hospitality House is more than just a place to sleep. Our guests know, firsthand, what it feels like to stay where

everyone knows the stress you are under, and people are here to give a hug or lend an ear to listen. As one guest put

it, HHoC is a “port in a s torm.” This is not only a place where families from all over the world stay, but also, where they find common comfort and emotional support in one

another…a home away from home.We provide:

A safe, affordable place for our overnight guests to sleep, do laundry, prepare a meal, check email, access the

internet, watch TV or simply spend some time alone in quiet reflection.

A safe play area for children.A separate room for our day guests to shower and do

laundry - plus, access our kitchen, food pantry, computer and first-floor amenities.

Community Corner

Nonprofits are a great way for communities to come together. They not only are key in identifying underlying issues a particular area may be impacted by, but they can also be places to build relationships, partnerships and plans of taking action to correct things gone wrong.

Showing support to these heros of the nation is a never ending battle. So show up and out with love, action and volunteering. It could change a life, including your own.

We as women have faced many challenges in order to receive equality, justice and recognition for our accomplishments. Exquisite Fusion Magazine is always a beacon of light for women related issues and topics. Here at our newest section of the magazine Ladies Rock Session we want to encourage women of all types to share their stories of Ladyrockness! Stay connected with our ladies on their journeys and stories or triumph, trials and successes stories. You never know it could be you we are talking with next!

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It’s always a treat to take advantage of the healthy things in life. Enjoying fruit platters and fruit drinks have recently captivated my attention, especially the way that it all blends together, creating smooth, chilled bliss on my tongue. I came across a Caribbean treat that is a true ray of sunshine, and it’s called BelFwi where guests are encouraged to “Mix Up Your Life”. Yes the variety is truly a mix of frescos, yogurts, smoothies, crepres, fruit bouquets, fruit salads, and natural juices. With all of these combinations it is nearly impossible to run out of ideas for creating healthy snacks and even meals. Plenty of people will be able to get all of the essential vitamins and minerals from taking advantage of the Belfwi concept.

The fruity concept certainly should be made a way of life for everyone. This also is not a bad business idea that can generate a huge buzz as well as be a great money making venture that can bring communities together. Using natural resources to promote healthy varieties and lifestyles is a concept that is being told all over the globe these days, but not in ways like what Belfwi is doing. Some healthy alternatives will teach a little of this and a little of that or offer a customers some of this and some of that, but it is rare to see a full package all in one place.

So you may be wondering how such a deliciously fruity concept came to be. Creator Katleen Jeanty returned back to Haiti in 2010 to assist in rebuilding the island following the devastating earthquake. One day while she and her driver at the time sought a cool fruit salad to soothe her upset stomach, they came across an area filled with street vendors when suddenly a large gust of wind came blowing by thus leaving her fruit salad filled with dirt. “At that moment, I realized that I didn't need the fruit salad that bad, as I didn't want to eat dirt-covered fruit

pieces. It was at that moment that I said if I'm going through this to get some cold, cut-up fruit pieces, that there probably are others going through the same thing. So I decided to start what is now known as Madan BelFwi Fruit Mixes, or BelFwi for short, where we encourage you to "Mix Up Your Life", as we are offering fruit mixed up in a variety of different ways.” 3 years later Ms. Katleen Jeanty has launched a successful business model which is taking the island of Haiti to new levels, presenting new and innovative ideas. Yes the

community where this business has been established certainly is coming together to support their new neighborhood business. Ms. Katleen stated, “It's been amazing so far. 15-20 clients per day, with no marketing yet. So it's been awesome.” That is a great thing to hear and certainly be proud of especially in this economy. With all of the modern amenities the Belfwi shop looks like a comfortable meeting spot with a colorful interior that is drawing customers right to their location. It would be impossible not to want to come inside the establishment once one peeks inside.

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With a friendly staff and comfortable arrangement it is obvious that Belfwi will be doing business for years to come. Ms. Katleen has plans to expand her business all across the Caribbean and into Africa.She has managed to get quite a crowd with her first location. Her hard work, superior customer service and wonderful flavor mixes are all a full package. Belfwi is something to look forward to if you are suddenly finding yourself craving a fruity variety of treats. www.belfwi.com

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Des ign means getting it done the right way always . Exquis ite

Des ign Co. creates …

Flyers , webs ites , logos and more . Check us out to s ee what we can cus tom make for your bus ines s or s ervices today.

www.exquis iteexpres s inc .com

“Becaus e Image Matters ”

We are a creative company that focuses on:

Graphic Design

Logo Creation

Restaurant Reviews

Websites

Marketing

And more!

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As you may know, Tesla is under attack from a number of car dealer associations in various states who are challenging Tesla's right to directly serve our customers at Tesla Stores and Service Centers.

Their efforts are protectionist in nature and infringe on the right of the consumer to choose how they purchase and service their vehicle.

An anonymous Tesla enthusiast created a White House petition to allow direct sales of cars to consumers in all states. We want to thank the tens of thousands of fans who have voiced their support and have already signed the petition.

We want this petition to succeed. For that to happen, the petition needs 64,000 more signatures by next Friday, July 5, 2013.

Please act now and take a moment to register, sign and forward the petition today!

Ref: https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/allow-tesla-motors-...CampaignId=189 Tesla Motors

Technically Designed…By Garland L. McLaughlin

In every design there is a technical side that encompasses the process in which the design follows. Designing décor and technology follow the same process, the same can be said when it comes to designing a write up that describes the whole functionality process. For many people designing does not come easy, that is the whole reason why designing and coming up with signature ideas takes years of practice and dedication.

Being able to convey the most simplest of messages which

come across to the public with ease can sometimes take years

of training, but making it all looking easy is where the

designing professional comes in.

Most designers are die hard perfectionists that strive to make their next design better than the

last design. Getting others to embrace their designs as a

lifestyle is the hard part

which often requires the clear cut ability to sell their ideas as being iconic. It is

rare that iconic lifestyle designs are embraced by the public overnight, especially in the world of fashion or

décor, but in the technology world things just happen to change rapidly. Everyone wants to be in style with

technology and having the latest gadgets often sends

the message of ones personal status, or that’s what people want other

people

to think. The same can also be said when it comes to how well a home office, kitchen, or living area is designed. When people have accepted that these designs are a part of their life they often want to share their experience with others in

their circles and gain their respect by showing off how unique the designs are and how they bring added value to their life.

Creating a cutting edge application for a communication device is not only an art form of perfection, but it is also a technically designed piece of equipment that has to

operate perfectly. Not only does the device have to work with cutting edge perfection it has to be appealing and enhance the standard of living that people have. Conceptually, designers have to deal with two different sides of the creative avenue when they are designing technical applications. Designers have to visualize what the application will do, they will have to think out side of the box and image how users will use the application, and they will have to technically craft a fully functional tool which can perform tasks on multiple platforms. Being creative is hard work and it takes long hours of dedication along with personal drive to make their designs known. After all of the hard work the designs speak for themselves and people can easily integrate these design features into their everyday lives.

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Working Within Your Network

Working Within Your Networkby DiDi Delgado

While wandering through a huge spatial expanse of writer’s block, I’ve noticed that as a consumer, I’m constantly silently subjecting people I do business with to my

internal judgements. “This is so unprofessional!” “I know he/she doesn’t expect me to pay full priced for this.” etc. Normally I’d be okay with this until, of course, I

realized that people are holding me to the same standards, whether my mind is crippled and impaired or not.

It’s 2013. People of a certain caliber; (read any and ALL of your business prospects) want you to produce for them, as you should.

I’ve encountered several instances where the vendor’s behavior (in lieu of the term ‘work ethic’) seemed lazy, disorganized, and unmotivated.

1) Communicate: If you can’t fill an order, instead of avoiding the inevitable, be proactive and save your customer. Should you find yourself needed more time to

acquire the desired product be vocal. Can’t remember the minor details? Follow up - follow up.

2) Be Humble. You’re on the “come up”, sure, but remember life always brings you full circle. The choices you make (to party, to date, to pick up other projects) while work isn’t finished (even if it’s just for ONE “lousy” customer) is an open invitation

for the self-righteous love bug to bite you in the proverbial rear end.

3) Building upon points one and two, BE Personal. Constantly building your interactions with your clients or potential clients with communication and a humble

attitude will allow you to get an “in” so-to-speak on the wants and needs of your client. Each personalized service is what sets you apart from the cut-throat

competition out here.

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