here nor there but everywhere.

I am here nor there but lately everywhere?

Lately, I’ve been testing ways to get off facebook for most of the day and checking in only at night.  I decided to take this month off from writing and carry-on with some new found projects. The good things is, it’s actually taking me away from the computer, which has surprisingly been really nice being out of touch. I realize the importance of facebook and using it to share some positive insight, as well as finding out the happenings on the newsfeed. but I tell ya, if i ever did believe in such a thing as A.D.D… I would have to say the facebook time-line could get me there. The timeline is the latest set up on facebook,  it’s format  has royally turned me off to being on there. At first the big pictures seemed pretty cool, but I just can’t seem to find where any of my post are going? It feels disorganized and distracting… and feeling I’m wasting more time trying to figure it out.  I guess I just don’t want to spend more time on the FB figuring it out? To remedy this situation and still maintain my presence, I decided to create facebook pages, starting with the re-branding of my lip balm LipJoy. You can check out the page here.

I will be posting most of my status updates as well as my blog post on my new page for The Sage Press.. Click here to view the page. you’ll find me mostly here.  In a lot of ways, it’s nice to have a fresh start, as I have not acquired the friendships or likes on my page as my main page, but it’s is all good.

And, If you ever want to know what I am doing on the Event/Party circuit. I created a page for Studio1520. Currently, this is where I’ll be working on my various projects…  screenings, art shows and fashion pop up shops...https://www.facebook.com/Studio1520

Those are the three pages you can find me… It might be a lot of work “liking” all those pages, you’re probably thinking what the hell is she doing?? I guess I kinda don’t want to be here or there, but always everywhere. I will say– you won’t see very many updates from me on own page. (aka. mikki sage), and that crazy time-line page.

on the slim chance you’ve happen to already “liked” those three pages.. then wow you know me well!!  I appreciate those who can keep up with me. so thank you.

Now have I sent you a Pinterest invite???  It’s so much fun!!

Launching: The best lip balm this side of town! yay for LipJoy.

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone”  Audrey Hepburn

Hello dears,
Tonight i’m officially launching my new website on my rebranded lip balm now called LipJoy.  You can check it out here www.lipjoy.com
I also created a new facebook fan page but still keeping the existing fan page  ( hiwa lani & hunters),  because it’s not easy to get a hold of “fans” on fb these days… facebook is not set up like it used to be  

Regardless- i’ll be updating any new info on LipJoy’s facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lipjoy/345092508838158 , especially where Lipjoy will be selling. LipJoy will be making it’s way westside first ( venice, santa monica, marina del rey, mar vista), then through LA and California. Hopefully it will be all over town in the next few months. yay-finally!!

Love, gratitude and big thanks to my wonderful friends perla, erika, noey, for your beautiful faces and lips, on the start of this campaign. thx Cory on the press photos. (thank you to all my girlfriends who came and posed for the original photos too). and biggest kiss to my awesome husband for finishing the idea of the design. I’ve been doing this a long time, so I have much gratitude to those who have continued their support. Anyone who’s an artist or owns a small business knows putting yourself out there is not an easy task. we need all the help we can get. xoxoxo 

my evening thought… by LipJoy.

Well Hello Lovies… I debuted my lip balm LIP JOY last night at my little event. I will officially be launching it in the next day or so– and will be selling it on line and in stores come January 2012. The webpage is an ecommerce site that will allow an easier way to buy my lip balm. thank you to my rocking husband who takes time out from his busy career in visual efx to help me sort thru design and setting everything up.  It’s actually finished now, and I was going to launch it today–but  i’ve been resting after two weeks of working on an event with some of the most talented artist in los angeles. It was my first event… I mean we have tons of private parties that gets people chatting, but this was more of a professionally endeavor. my evening holiday pop up shop was a beautiful turn out. It all looked so stunning… and I am reveling in the moments when women connected with one another and shoppers came by to support their community.  I have to admit I am even more inspired and already conjuring up another event… it won’t be a shopping event but will have to do with a fashion and music regardless coming up with these events is the fun part. I like variety.

No matter the idea my intent is very focused on style and talent of all mediums as most of my career has been about finding the right blend of style, talent and making sure there some regard to a positive attitude. The nature of who I am is about connecting whether it’s with your soul, collaborating creatively or just appreciating ones style.  I am also very aware of who participates and truly supports me– so I will be concentrating on giving back to those who do in many ways.  This year I‘ve changed up my entire game plan and did things outside of my comfort zone. The will to change things up gives you great big epiphanies. What I’ve learned is that I’d rather focus my attention on those who know what I am all about and knowing what’s really important to me. I have a need to connect on a deeper level…  I am that girl who will write about you, talk about you and say positive things about your creativity endeavors.  Showing up and supporting your friends whether you can afford to buy something or not, is a big deal because it creates a positive reaction for their future endeavors. I was impressed by those who came by and showed there support… It made the evening.

During this economic downturn these designers and artist need your smiling faces. spread the word about how amazing they are because even that level of  support is big. I love getting something quality and handmade. its pretty dam awesome. think of how good you feel baking homemade cookies or receiving homemade cookies, it’s as simple as that. I recently read an article that most people will buy something because it’s cheap… really??  I’d rather buy one handmade quality treasure than buy 5 cheap commercialize products b/c at that point who are you really supporting? I understand we are all cautious about our finances but losing the integrity for quality is a shame. Besides, the important things in life are about helping our neighbors, supporting our friends, and being part of the community we live in. Isn’t that what all these movements are about??

gorgeous photos by Cory Strassburger…

Newbie Director/and Producer Bristol Baughn feeling the joy!

Her new company Uprising  is looking for  support… check out the link in donating and supporting their amazing creative endeavors.

http://www.creativevisions.org/2011/11/erin-heidenreich-bristol-baughan-uprise/

www.lipjoy.com

Well Hello?!! LIPJOY…

As some of you may know. I created my lip balm 7 years ago out of my kitchen. I left the film music business and my father passed away.. I was going through a serious transformation. I decided I need to do something different, and what better way to go through the process than doing something you know nothing about? challenging right? we’ll from this experience… I’ve learned it’s the best way to figure yourself out.

Lip balm was my savior… and is one of the only products I often use besides mascara. I am an all natural girl--so I am not into wearing tons of make up. I am also very specific when it comes to the products I use. I make sure everything that goes on my skin is a quality product. Often people compliment me on my skin? especially when I tell them I just turned forty. I really don’t find aging a situation because I used quality products.

My lip balm is a quality product. It’s extremely emollient and delightful on your lips. It melts on to your lips and heals immediately.  I created it from scratch testing all different kinds of cocoa butters and coconut oils to find the recipe and consistency I really love.

I  never tried using a lip balm starter kit or looked other recipes for lip balm. I just started researching ingredients on lip balms I already loved and was inspired by.  the first year I had a very different product from the start but I kept testing new recipes until finding my way to my perfect lip balm.

It took about 2 1/2 years and a few different solutions to find the product I have today. My product is still made in my kitchen in  small batches.

I found difficulties in keeping my lip balm business up and running because like everyone who starts a small business you can easily run out of money… and your friends seem to forget you are running a business and so your lip balm becomes something you give away. I don’t mind that part however, that too has been an interesting ride. creating a lip balm is a pretty good way to view someones real intention, compassion, thoughtfulness and most of all understanding..

Most people don’t understand the nature of business? that’s the difficult part because I  understand business very well. when you are creating a product there is always that fine line of business when it comes to your friends. I am a huge supporter of my friends who have small businesses, I am a big fan to all my artist friends and I try what I can to donate money to there cause or show up for the events… guiding their every need.

When it comes to my lip balm? it’s a hard discussion.

….I decided lip balm would always be in my back pocket and that it would always be there. I would fund it when I can, and make it when I can…. It’s been an on off process for all these years because of that.

While in Spain last year I was walking around checking out all the boutiques… I was unable to pronounce some of the boutiques? I took out my lip balm to use, and for some reason… it occurred to me that my lip balm’s name Hiwa Lani may not be the easiest to pronounce. I am not sure why I didn’t grasp this concept when I first came up with the name especially since I’ve had this very problem with my own real name. My nickname Mikki became what it is when I started working early on as a production assistant. It was easier saying than my real name, Maharlika, which was way  too hard to pronounce in the working world especially meeting new people all the time.  It’s ironic I chose the lip balm name Hiwa Lani ? being just as difficult to pronounce as my own name.  it was sounded tropical and meant– “the attractive one”… in Hawaiian.  I was going for the meaning and not necessarily the branding, and I suppose that is why the name never stuck. It’s no wonder people would say,  Hey, Can I get some of your lip balm?! never saying the name?

All this was going through my head while walking through the streets of Barcelona.  I realize branding was a big deal after all.. I mean we all know Burt’s?? we all know Chapstick?? right.

While I continued my walk… I thought of my mother who’s nickname was Joy (go-figure).. the name LipJoy popped in my head and from then and there it all made sense.

LipJoy was born… I spent the last year rebranding the design– It took time because I decided to establish my writing career which was something my dad had asked me to do 2 weeks before he died. It’s taken me 7 years to find my writing voice as well as getting over my fear of how people would judge my writing skills. I realized through my amazing husband that being who you are being-unafraid is the gift. So I have my lip balm which reminds me of my mom ( she passed away in my 20′s)… and my writing career in honor of my dad (who passed away in my 30′s)…

My lip balm LipJoy will finally be launching at my little holiday event called Last Minute Wishes in Santa Monica. It’s a wonderful event space called Studio 1520.

Please come by and pick some up. I’ll be selling them for $2… as normally they will be sold in stores for $4…

Once you use my lip balm for some time– you’ll actually notice the difference in other chemical products. Remember those chemicals you are ingestioning through lip balm can have some effects long term–so I suggest going the all natural way.

Last Minute Wishes POP UP SHOP 1520 2nd street, Santa Monica– Dec. 20th 6pm-11pm. 

Much love to my dear friend Cory Strassburger who shot these amazing photos in 2010. I was hoping for these beautiful photos see the light of day. I have to admit I had a really trying time after shooting these photos. the difficulties in business and friendship and emotional understanding of it all lead me to take little time off from lip balm making. (These photos were taking for Hiwa Lani campaign months before Barcelona).

A new photo campaign will be in the works and an e-commerce site for LIPJOY will be up next week.  I am happy to be back!!

Spread the joy!! w/ LipJoy!! created by Maharlika Sage

Thanks for tuning in… xoxox