Author: Bb

painting with acrylics

Acrylic Paint Supplies for Beginners – Everything Needed for Painting Your First Picture!

Posted on by Bb

Check out my fun (and very first vlog/video blog) video about outlining how I scored everything I needed for my new painting endeavor for under $20.  I headed to the store with my acrylic paint supplies list and found everything I needed in under 10 minutes.  Full disclosure: This post includes affiliate links – I may earn a tiny commission if you click and make a purchase.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60HMLu-8MQg

Items I Purchased – Found on Amazon

Acrylic Paint Supplies for Beginners List
2 oz Bottles of Apple Barrel Craft Acrylic Paint
Note: I bought 6, but this is a neat set that I will invest in next. It is generally less expensive to purchase in sets instead of by piece, but here are the colors I bought at the store:

– 20501E Bright Red
– 21884E Snow White
– 21384E Sunny Day (yellow)
– 21891E Marsh Green
– 20225E Bright Blue
– 21885E Jet Black

Five Piece Value Brush Set with Resealable Pouch (Identical to mine)

Acrylic Paper Pad (This seems to be slightly higher quality and weight versus the one I purchased, with 24 sheets instead of 10)

Small Canvas Panels – 8×10 – 3 Pack (Identical to mine)

 

Happy painting adventures ahead! Please comment and share your painting stories and successes below!

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instagram feed

Instagram Feed – Pictures

Posted on by Bb

Check out my pictures from my Instagram feed. I’m an amateur photographer shooting with an iPhone, but I love snapping pics and sharing! I hope to continually improve!  Enjoy and let me know what you think!
[instagram-feed]

code execution vba

Code Execution Has Been Interrupted- VBA Keeps Breaking – Solved!

Posted on by Bb

How to stop code execution has been interrupted error in Excel VBA.

My Excel VBA Keeps Breaking: A “code execution has been interrupted” keeps coming up, but my Code is Not “Broken”

So I have to share this handy trick.  Sometimes when I’m running VBA code in Excel, it starts getting wonky.  The Break/Debug window keeps popping up during execution, for no good reason.  Code execution has been interrupted, over and over.    The code has run perfectly fine in the past, perhaps hundreds of times.  It’s almost as if something is stuck and hanging in the background.  Restarting Excel does no good.  It seems that the VBA interface itself needs a reset, but clicking reset does nothing.

Solution!!

code execution has been interrupted window

When you receive the code execution has been interrupted pop-up,  click Debug.

Then press Ctrl+Pause/Break twice.

Click on the Green Arrow or press F5 to resume.

You should be good to go, as long as there is nothing inherently wrong with your VBA code!

I’m not sure how or why this works,but it does. I think there may be some sort of bug in Excel, so hopefully it will be fixed at some point.  I hope this helps you as much as it has helped me!  Simple solutions sure are the best!

Comment below and let me know if there are other issues you would like me to solve!

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Top 5 Copy Paste Functions in Excel – Values, Formatting, Special and More!

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Top 5 Copy Paste Functions in Excel – A Detailed Guide

The copy and paste functions in Excel save time and effort, since there’s no need to retype information that already exists.  In  this post,  I will cover and explain the different copy and paste operations that Excel offers.

There are a million reasons under the sun to copy and paste in Excel.  You may want to duplicate information in one column, another sheet or even another workbook.  Perhaps you are copying and pasting data from another source, such as MS Access, your web browser, or a PDF document.  Maybe you are moving data around within a worksheet or workbook.

Copy vs. Cut in Excel

When you select copy within Excel, you are telling the program that you would like to duplicate the information.

When you choose cut in Excel, you remove the data from where it currently exists, and place it elsewhere.

How to Copy

To begin, you must select the data that you would like to copy.  This will move the source data to the clipboard, which is a temporary holding place in the background.

Highlight the data.  To copy using the mouse, right click, and select the copy option.   You may also use the keyboard shortcut – Ctrl + c.  Click in the destination cell.

Paste Options Explained

Copy Paste Special
Copy Paste Menu in Excel

PastePaste – If you would like to paste your data as is, with no changes, right click and select this icon.

Excel ValuesPaste Values – If you’re copying a formula, but only want to paste the results, select this icon, with the numbers.

Excel Paste Formulas Paste Formula – Say you wanted to paste just a formula or set of formulas, you would choose the option with the “fx” in the icon.  Note that depending on what the formula is doing, the result may be different from the original.

Excel Transpose PastePaste and Transpose – The transpose option allows you to change the orientation of your data.  Let’s say you had four items listed vertically.  Using the transpose option would allow you to paste the items horizontally, or vice versa.

Excel Formatting PastePaste Formatting – Excel gives you the option of pasting the formatting only.  If you had some nice shading, or conditional formatting and wanted to copy that, but not modify the formula or data of the target cell or range, then paste formatting would be the option to choose.

Excel Link PastePaste Link – You can simply paste a link to, or reference to the source as a formula or formulas if you are copying multiple cells.  Hint: If you are copying only one cell, by default, the reference will be absolute.  This means that you can move the formula around, but the cell(s) it is pointing to will not change.  When copying multiple cells, the result will be relative references.

 

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Microsoft Excel in My Life – How I Learn and Share

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My Life with Excel – Learn, Grow, Repeat

Microsoft Excel has been a huge part of my life for over 17 years now.  It is an incredibly powerful application, with so many features and functions that are not fully utilized by the vast majority of users.  It’s amazing how different my creation and application of spreadsheets, formulas, charts and graphs is today, compared with years ago.  Back then, it was absolutely basic Excel for me.  There are certain functions that I have had to learn and relearn, due to some of the great advances in the software.

Microsoft Excel in My Life – Ever changing = Non-stop Learning

I learn something new every week!  My skills have continued to grow exponentially and I rarely have to spend more than a few minutes determining an Excel based solution for the business challenges, problems and opportunities I face on a daily basis.

“The Guru”

Colleagues often refer to me as the Excel guru.  After learning so much from some true gurus in the Excel domain, I feel the title is a bit much for me, but I definitely can (non-humbly, sorry) admit that I’m pretty darn good and well versed in the application.  Coworkers come to me whenever they are stuck, or trying to come up with a new way of doing something.  I even get calls for help from people in other departments, from around the world!  I love to share my wealth of Excel knowledge with anybody and everybody.  I am thrilled when I learn something new.  I’m doubly ecstatic when someone else does!  There are infinite possibilities with spreadsheets these days, when you roll in VBA, Power Query, PowerPivot, PowerBI and Azure!  It’s amazing, and I’m only just beginning to truly harness some of that power.  Everyone who uses Excel should learn about these!

Tutorials and Posts

My plan is to create tutorials and posts as frequently as I can manage.  I only want to provide meaningful content and information, and truly strive to be clear and concise in my delivery.  I welcome your questions and commentary on my posts!  I would love to help and teach as many people as possible.  I may even design a class!  Excel makes life easier!  That’s one of my mantras!

Please let me know if you have questions or feedback in the comment section.  I would love to hear from you!

 

 

 

Dress For Success – A Primer

Posted on by Bb

You are what you wear!

Do you dress for success?  Are you carefully choosing your outfits each day, or do you just grab whatever is clean and throw it on? Your appearance will come before all else when working in a face to face environment.  You can have the very best credentials and tons of experience in your particular field, but if you show up to work looking like you’re ready for a cocktail party, or even worst, a slob, you will likely not be taken very seriously.

 

Dress Codes

The workplace dress code has been a topic of discussion that has come up at every single organization I have been a part of.    I’m all for creativity and expressing individuality, however, there are some unwritten rules when it comes to corporate attire.  Work is not the place for you to show your “assets” off in detail, unless you happen to be a fashion model, dancer, actress, other arts professional or perhaps a bartender, etc.

The industry, company age and size definitely tend to dictate the acceptable work wear.  Older, larger corporations in the banking, oil and publishing industries generally adhere to a very rigid standard.  Suits and ties are the norm.  Newer startups often advertise the lax dress code and casual atmosphere in their job postings.  “Wear flip flops and sweatpants everyday!”

 

Observe Others and Emulate

It’s always helpful to observe employees at a firm or company before and after the interview, so you can get an idea of how formal the dress is.  One rule of thumb is to dress for the job you want, not just the one you have.  To follow this, it’s crucial to observe those who are in the role you are dreaming of.  Sometimes you can look foolish, if there’s a huge difference compared to what your peers are wearing.  In that case, it’s probably best to find some middle ground.  Throw a nice jacket or sweater on, but avoid the whole suit, if your peers are dressed down, while the execs  are dressed to the nines.

 

appropriate jewelry for work

Appropriate Jewelry For Work in Very Conservative Corporate Environments

Posted on by Bb

Appropriate Jewelry for Work – Where’s the Bling?

I’ve always been rather minimalist when it comes to jewelry, especially for work, which for me is in a very conservative workplace.  I pretty much wore the same pair of earrings to work for nearly a decade, until I lost one while swimming in a river.  It was sad, but led to some positive change.  Lately, I’ve begun to experiment with different styles and colors.  I feel like I am becoming a bit more bold!  The unspoken (and spoken) rules are changing as times and companies evolve, so it’s important to consider your particular workplace when deciding what is appropriate for you.

Too Much Jewelry for Work

I once read that the rule is 10 pieces, so I definitely stay under that.  I think that the quality of the pieces matters as well.  If you are all decked out in big costume jewelry pieces, it will be hard for you to command any respect in the workplace, especially if your necklace is reflective and therefore blinding whomever you are talking to!  I used to feel that you could only wear either gold or silver tone and match, but nowadays I have no issues with mixing it up.  Rose gold is gorgeous! I am in love with it!

Below are some pointers on business etiquette related to jewelry.  Please remember that these are simply my own opinions – no judgement at all from me if you make different choices or disagree!  Different industries and work environments are more or less open to trends and freedom of expression.  My experience has mainly been in very conservative corporate settings that have not yet embraced business casual, so this advice applies to those in similar workplaces only.  Things are evolving too, so hopefully self expression will be embraced more over time!  🙂

Also, click here to check out my little jewelry shop for some awesome, handpicked items!  You can click shop in the menu bar as well.  Again, this applies to a more conservative/corporate type of environment.  Please remember that this is just an informal guide.  Your workplace may be more or less flexible – if in doubt, always consult with your supervisor or an HR representative!

Earrings

No big hoops – 1/2 inch or less.

No gauges!  If you have gauges, they sell lovely solid fillers that are pretty work appropriate.

Classic Choices – timeless and pretty awesome

Small 1 carat or less diamond or cubic zirconia/crystal studs.

Pearls, gold or silver balls.

Small Teardrops.

Delicate and small, dainty gold or silver pieces.

Necklaces

Only wear one necklace at a time!  Save the layering for nights out on the town.

Nothing too big, bold or distracting.

No big name necklaces – these were big in the 90’s.  Leave them home, in your jewelry box.

Metal (gold or silver) chains only.  No leather, nylon or other materials for work.

Dainty necklaces are my favorite!  A simple diamond or crystal pendant, or even gold bar looks very classy.

Pearls will dress up any outfit!  Trust me.  Mine are fake, yet I get compliments every single time I wear them!

Long necklaces with small accents throughout are lovely too!  You can fold them into layers, so it appears as if you are wearing two or three of the same necklace.  This is lovely – just don’t put on an additional necklace – that would be overkill in my opinion.

Bracelets and Watches

I am a watch person, and don’t think that will ever change, despite the fact that my iPhone has the time on it.  I’ve been wearing the same DKNY watch on my wrist since the year 2000.  Pretty lame, but it’s two tone, goes with everything and has held up really well over time.  It’s a piece of jewelry on it’s own, with beautiful links.  I will be replacing it when I find something that’s high quality and as versatile as this one.

Bonbon's Guide to Jewelry for Work - old watch
My tired DKNY watch has been worn for over 15 years.  I think it’s time for a new one, huh? 🙂

A fitted bracelet on either arm is lovely – just make sure it doesn’t impede your work.  I can’t wear very large bracelets to work because they interfere with typing or using my mouse.

Bangles are lovely, but limit it to three, max!  Also, be considerate of the noise factor.  Your neighbors may not appreciate it if you are jingling all day while typing, haha!

Tennis bracelets will never go out of style.  These diamond or crystal pieces are very classy and pack a nice amount of bling, without appearing too flashy!

I hope this helps with your jewelry choices!  Everyone has their own sense of style and I would never judge!  If your workplace is more relaxed, you will definitely have more options.  Dress for success!

-Bb

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