Archive for the Category »New Lifestyle «

17
Jul
Change starts from the top!

I woke up one morning recently and realized I had to make some changes. It was hot, sticky hot, and I was too!!! It was time for a change. As I mentioned in previous posts, I attended the Type A Parent Conference in June. There were many sponsors who provided swag for attendees but one I knew I wanted to get to know better was Great Clips. It had been a LONG time since my last hair cut so I decided the first change was going to be me, using my free haircut certificate from Great Clips for myself! That decision may not seem like a biggie to most people, but for me, using something for myself instead of my boys, it was HUGE!

There are two Great Clips locations in my area, so picked the closest where I visit other stores. I will also disclose my younger son had a haircut there before and it was a good haircut (can’t say that every time…). I walked in and was in the chair in only a few minutes! I briefly discussed what I wanted to do (SHORT in back, some length in front and sides) and Tim was working! He cut, and we chatted, and I looked around his station, clean, neat and a BIG POSTER of a Camaro overhead.

Great Clips is having a 30th Birthday celebration. They are giving away tons of gifts to customers, employees and franchise owners. In case you don’t know, which I didn’t, Great Clips has over 3,000 salons in the US and Canada. The other thing I didn’t know is they ONLY cut hair! They changed the salon business by “unbundling” services, such as allowing customers to choose to wash hair before a cut or style after a cut. This cuts down on time required to get a haircut and resources required to run the business, win-win!

My haircut was a complete success! With the 20 minutes I invested, I have a snappy new cut, learned about a wildly successful business in my own community, and am now entered to win a brand new Camaro! I’m going to be coloring my own hair this week, and will post a picture of the new ME on Friday to share the personal transformation as part of my big change. It ends up that Tim, who cut my hair, is also the store manager of the Great Clips I chose for my haircut. He is invested in the success of this business, the success of each member of the staff and has fabulous skills at hair cutting and styling as well!!! Kudos to franchise owner, Kevin Pong, for putting together this stylish team!

Thanks again to Type A Parent for providing the certificates for the Great Clips haircuts. They now have a vocal and enthusiastic customer with me! I’ll be celebrating their 30th birthday with them, and wish them continued success for 30 more!!!

Note: This is an unsolicited review of business services. No products or services were received other than the certificate mentioned above.

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Category: New Lifestyle, Shop Local, Type-A, women  Tags: , , , , ,  2 Comments
10
Jul
Shifting Water from bland to GRAND!

For the past two weeks, I’ve been going through something… still not sure quite yet what, but something is shifting! After my Type A Parent Conference adventure, which continues on with followups, then right into drought, and fires, and storms, and no electric (or water) for days, and now rain, there really hasn’t been any peace.

I write for other people. I take their ideas, their visions and their stories and write in their voice. I need peace to do that, thinking outside of my own head and into their’s. With the chaos and volume where I currently live, I don’t get much peace. I drink a lot of water, to stay hydrated, to fill myself up instead of mindless snacking, and because it’s good for my concentration and my skin, along with all the other benefits. It helps with my peace or makes the lack of less noticeable.

Recently, I’ve found myself drawn to naturally flavored waters. It’s a combination of color in the glass, a taste surprise in my mouth, and a refreshing difference from the usual bland glass of water. The more I explore the topic, the more ideas I find, including my newest pin to my water board, Fruit Infused Waters. They are LOVELY! I want to rub the glass across my cheek and let the sweat drip from my glass all over me… ok, maybe that’s a bit much, but really, the idea of colorful, flavorful, healthy water with texture and taste and sensual pleasure, it is really GRAND!

Check out Pinterest and here’s a fancy recipe for Watermelon and Mint “Aqua Fresca” (no sugar in mine, please) from Food Network. Share your comments, recipes and experience with us. I’m making some big changes in my life and my new found passion for infused waters bring me joy and a sense of peace, enough that I know I’m headed in the right direction.

Enjoy your favorite taste of summer in the next glass of water!

 

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Category: Love Your Day, New Lifestyle, water  Tags: , , , ,  Leave a Comment
18
Jun
Building a personal brand

I’m headed to a very important event this week, the Type-A Parent Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. I attended back in 2010 when I was still working “behind the scenes” much of the time. The event is jam-packed with value, super-stars in the blogging world who have taken the opportunities presented and run with them. I’m in awe of these women and men who have become leaders, as writers and speakers and authors, who are using technology and online tools like Jedi Masters!

Which brings me to the topic of personal branding. Someone who is a master at this is Danny Iny. In 18 short months, Danny developed a strategy to submit guest blog posts to some of the most influential blogs in his area of expertise. You can learn more about his strategy at Firepole Marketing but the magic part is that through the process, he developed a wealth of connections and content!

Here is the video where Danny covers “How to be successful without being famous” which has an amazing relevance to me right now. My process with clients has always been to make them the stars! I approach clients with the eyes of their ideal consumer, and understand they know their business the best. I let them guide the message, telling the story of their business, with me there behind the curtain, guiding them to stardom. With Danny’s help, I have now seen the error of my ways, in a vivid way.

At some point, and I’m feeling like it’s today, I’m going to have to come out from behind the curtain. My personal brand is ready to shine, and share and learn in a big way! While I’m attending Type-A this weekend, I’m going to be fine tuning my brand, defining my process and presentation, and will be relaunching my online presence. I’ll still write here about life, being a mom to boys, living in the wilds of Appalachia and still experiencing the culture shock of rural living vs urban upbringing, but it will be in a fresh and more personal way.

Watch the video and let me know what you think could be upgraded with your personal brand. We can do this!

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Category: Danny Iny, Firepole Marketing, New Lifestyle, New Media, parenting, Simplify, Social Media, travel, Type-A, women  Tags: , , , , , , ,  Leave a Comment
23
Apr
The Nimble Nonprofit faces the issues!

Nonprofits have played an important role in who I have become as a professional. In following my passion to serve, I have been a co-founder of grassroots organizations, a volunteer, a board member several times over, an executive director and fundraiser, planning and development team member, capital campaigner, and program manager. All of these roles in the nonprofit business sector were challenging, frustrating, exhilarating and rewarding.

From this perspective, when I began to read The Nimble Nonprofit, it brought up lots of emotion. I clearly remember the feelings of frustration when board members would tie up beneficial work out of fear of the unknown. I also remember the joy of producing programs where people participated and results were off the charts! Some things happened over time, like honey dripping in Alaska’s winter. Other things happened in a flash, when the time was right and the moment was perfect.

One of the first things stated in The Nimble Nonprofit is that nonprofits are businesses. This is something I’ve stated again and again, and any nonprofit in this economy is doomed if it doesn’t act like a business. Having a source (or multiple sources) of revenue, outside of grant funding, is essential! Understanding that flexible planning is a must, and leadership on the board and staff of any nonprofit is what keeps it alive and moving forward.

Where The Nimble Nonprofit really gets it right is in stating the obvious but often unheeded, technology is essential, staff training is essential and transparency is a good thing. Nonprofits have an opportunity to provide not only their products and services to a hungry community, but to serve as leaders in an uncertain world. Creating teams that serve the mission of the nonprofit and their target audience, while also providing the community with leadership and support creates a bond of loyalty and trust. This goes a long way in sharing stories, celebrating successes and facing unforeseen challenges.

Reading The Nimble Nonprofit has given me hope. Authors Jacob Smith and Trey Beck understand the nonprofit world and write from experience. It is a breath of fresh air through an open window, clearly focused on the realities of nonprofits in the midst of change. It is easy to recommend it, and suggest several copies be purchased as gifts for board members, staff and community partners who may benefit from the wisdom inside. There are no easy solutions for the issues facing nonprofits today, yet when change is acknowledged and faced honestly, moving forward is easier for everyone.

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Category: Book Recommendations, Giving Back, New Lifestyle, Social Change, Social Media, Uncategorized  Tags: , , , , , , , ,  One Comment
27
Jan
How time is focused makes a difference

clockOn my green business blog, I recently posted about time. It’s a touchy subject for many people who have developed habits that may be comfortable but may not be producing the results they desire. That includes me!

What makes up a day? 24 hours, 60 minute segments to use or throw away, or chunks of 20 minutes that can produce massive progress! This is one of my new strategies. I’m chunking tasks into 20 minute segments. If I need to make phone calls, I have the list of who to call, the reason for the call, the desired result from the call, and the specific action I’m seeking from the person I call prepared, so in case I get a voice mail recording, I’m still accomplishing my mission. If I get a real person, all is good. I’m more focused, I’m to the point and I’m moving forward with my goals.

This isn’t easy. It takes some planning. It is also making a big change in my own patterns. It is stepping out of my comfort zone, where traditionally I’ve worried about making other people comfortable, or not seeming pushy or aggressive, but hey, if you don’t ask for what you really want, how will you get it?!? In The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss, he shares how he makes time work for him. Part of my strategy is acknowledging that if I focus on what I want, I actually ask for what I want and get an answer. Then I’ll know and can move on. It’s OK when people say no. Then I can shift gears, reformat my strategy, find another way to get where I’m headed and move forward.

This year is all about stepping out of my comfort zone. This is how I’m approaching life these days. If I’m not uncomfortable, I haven’t stretched myself far enough. It’s scary most days. It’s rewarding every day. In my business, I believe in the Rework principles – there’s a better, faster, easier way. I’m focusing on what I really want, and how I want my life to be an adventure. Things could be simpler, but what fun would that be?!? I’m all about the Art of Non-Conformity and finding your voice in a noisy world! If you have some secrets about using time to create positive change, please share!

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Category: Health, Love Your Day, New Lifestyle, Simplify, Time  Tags: , , , ,  Leave a Comment
22
Jan
Disgust over Paula Deen brought me to my own epiphany!

Thank you, Paula Deen! Your recent acknowledgement that you are afflicted with not only Type-2 Diabetes but also the arrogance to use it to profit from your vast brand made me get real with myself. I HAD (note PAST TENSE) admired Paula’s ability to share delightfully unhealthy food in a fun and joyful manner. It gave me permission to enjoy said food while knowing that it was doing me no favors. Paula’s determination to freely share the wealth of artery clogging, heart attack inducing recipes from her television shows, her restaurants, her multitude of cookbooks and personal appearances gave the illusion that she was sharing her passion for taste and tradition.

How wrong we all were! Paula has not only lost my respect as a chef, a mother and a business person, but as a woman. She has purposefully and profitably used the past three years to manage her brand to willfully deceive her audience. While she was adjusting her diet, learning to live with her condition, she continued to promote a lifestyle and eating habits that she knew were harming the people who loved her. There were clues to this shift, as Paula appeared recently on Dr. Oz’s show, taking her traditional recipes and making them more healthy as a show segment. With her announcement this week promoting a diabetes drug, and even a questionable diabetes drug, INSTEAD of a clear and strong apology and reformatting of her recipes for better health, she has lost all credibility in my mind.

Paula’s lack of integrity was long noted by Anthony Bourdain of No Reservations. Earlier this week the ongoing feud between the two was ignited when after Paula’s announcement, Bourdain tweeted what’s pictured below.

While Anthony Bourdain and his No Reservations travel show have not been particular about showing his preference for meat and especially his passionate love of pork, he is the first to admit his high cholesterol levels are an ongoing concern and challenge for him.

So, as of today, I have unfollowed, unliked, and totally disconnected with Paula Deen, her brand, her sponsors and any associated connections. I will not be linking to her recipes, visiting her websites or watching her on TV, EVER!!! I am waging my own battle with health and weight loss and making better choices without the inclusion of drugs into the mix. Using drugs to overcome health conditions that are brought on by poor choices only delay the inevitable. If Paula has done me one favor, it is that today, I am free from continuing on a self destructive path. I’m choosing to live a long and healthy life, without Paula Deen and without diabetes as long as I can.

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Category: Health, Love Your Day, New Lifestyle, Simplify, women  Tags: , , , , , , ,  Leave a Comment
08
Dec
Never know where a hero will appear…

Looking back on this year, I must admit it has turned out differently than I expected. I’m an Aquarius, really deep down in my soul Aquarius, which means I live in the future. My life plan is way past that curve in the road that is far out of sight. Changing paths, changing my mind, and just stopping mid-stream to regroup are strategies I use regularly, to the dismay of many people in my life who just can’t keep up. Now you would think these two approaches would conflict, but not in my mind!

So, along the path this year, I’ve connected with some people who have become my heroes. The two I want to share with you today are directly related to me stepping out of my comfort zone and trusting the Universe that I was in that place at the right moment.

First is my friend, Gabrielle, who is my hero because she embraces her uniqueness. I met her through another friend, who introduced us because we had vintage clothing in common. I had a wealth of true vintage lingerie for sale, and Gabrielle appreciates beautiful vintage fashions. She also knows the value of this type of thing and where to sell it, should you want to part with it.

What has made Gabrielle a hero to me is that she has faced demons in her life, and has come out the other side to tell the tale. She spent many years on the Renaissance circuit, dressed as a wench, selling ladies under-things, and playing the role like the pro she is. These days, she has a cute home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, where she occasionally hosts visitors in her Gypsy Wagon or Hacienda overnight. Always shifting decor, moving, lighting, dramatizing the fantasy of the setting, Gabrielle invents a new adventure from the every day. If your path leads you her way, take the time to stop in and check out her version of the “Floyd Experience.”

My other hero is Louise of Thirty Something Bride. She is still experiencing the transition of single to married life, love and how to make it work, and how to still be herself. We met while I was selling vintage stuff in Charlotte, North Carolina, shedding much of my past to grasp a fresh future. Louise can see through the dust and age of long boxed up and discolored things, and is able to turn pieces of the past in to works of art that become treasured pieces of life’s memorable occasions. The thing that makes her my hero is that she  is not only a talented seamstress, but that she is also a word maestro! She has taken her blog, talking about beautiful people, places and things, and created a masterpiece of visual and written excellence. Every visit to her blog takes me deeper into a shimmering world where people carefully craft and celebrate the moments of life that have meaning.

These two women are very different. They have both added a much needed and unexpected texture to my life that I truly enjoy. This is why they are my heroes. I didn’t see them coming on the path. I didn’t dodge them because they were different than the people I usually connect with, or seek out. I embraced how different we were to each other and embraced the experience. And now, looking back, I’m so grateful.

Is there anyone that has been a hero in your life this year? Is there any experience that pushed you out of your comfort zone and shifted your thinking? Share your comments here and explore how 2011 has evolved for you!

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Category: Consignment Shopping, New Lifestyle, Simplify, travel, women  Tags: , , , , , , , ,  One Comment
11
Nov
Beginnings 11/11/11

Today is special. The time has come for a new beginning. There are shifts in priorities, with ideas connecting what can happen when minds open to different ways of doing things. I’m making it personal.

Over the past few years, I’ve struggled. There have been challenges with my family, health issues, separations, divorces, all the things that people face together. There have been changes professionally, keeping up with an ever evolving field of technology and marketing, and how to maneuver through the chaos and be heard. Most of all, there has been an internal struggle in my heart and deep within my soul. I have been doing what I thought I should do for everyone else instead of what I know I need to do for me.

I’m facing a period of time where I have responsibilities to my teenage son at one end of the spectrum and my 80+ year old Mom on the other. I know I’m not alone in having to deal with this. I’m also facing the fact that I have to create an income that not only supports me, but allows me to save for my own health care, retirement and emergencies. As an entrepreneur, there’s no perks, no paid holidays, no benefits package unless I budget it for myself.

On a deeper level, I believe I’m in this place in time for a reason. My deeply held spiritual convictions are that there is something we are each put here to do. I hold a broad perspective that we are all more alike than we are different. With that said, my vision is to create a respectful dialogue between what is not working in our world and possible solutions that can be accomplished serving the greater good. It’s not a dream, it’s an imperative for our time.

There is the reality, illuminated for me and the world. I’ll be using this space to share the journey. Some posts will be personal. Some posts will be spiritual. Some posts will be political. All posts will be expressing my own opinion and will invite polite and respectful discourse. I’m energized to embark on this adventure. Join me!

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Category: New Lifestyle, parenting, Simplify  Tags: , , , ,  One Comment
23
Oct
moved again ~ where is that spatula?!?

My son and I moved into a new apartment this month. I still haven’t found all my Ebay and Etsy inventory for the holidays yet, but things are getting more organized every day.

My goal is to simplify my life over the next few months. I’ve been working with some new media clients that are passionate about their businesses and where they want to take them, which makes me more passionate about helping them achieve their goals. This takes focus, on tasks, on time and on priorities, which leads me to the simplify goal.

Bearington Bear
I have too much stuff! I closed two retail locations full of beautiful things in the past few years. My mother sold our family home in Philadelphia back in 2006 and I was the recipient of the boxes of miscellaneous doo-dads and gizmos and remnants of all the years (since 1930, YES!) spent in that home. Some of the boxes that I’m now discovering have not been opened since sometime in the 1930s or 40s!

Over this holiday season, starting this weekend in fact, I’ll be listing most of these treasures on Ebay and Etsy. I have two boys who have no interest in most of these things, that are really just that, things… I have to remember the memories attached are where the real value lies.

So I ask, dear reader, if you seek some unique gifts for your family and friends this holiday season, take a look. If you find more than one something that you desire, I’m happy to combine shipping and offer generous discounts, even free shipping if your purchase is over $70. I truly want the world to enjoy what has been hidden in boxes for some time and create new memories of your own.

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by the way, this blog is under construction while I’m revamping my consulting business, any thoughts on good colors or WordPress themes to recommend? Thanks!

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Category: Holiday Shopping, New Lifestyle, Simplify  One Comment