Stop and smell the Christmas Spirit

I look at my schedule for December filled with gatherings and get togethers, fun and festivities, and I think to myself, "This is my favorite holiday!" 


In Chicago, we have been having some seriously crazy weather, and we're enjoying it, but it's a little weird. On Sunday, leaving a party, I said to my hostess - Christmas music and air conditioning, it just doesn't seem right!

As I look forward to this month of caring and sharing, rejoicing and reconnecting, I am reminded of some advice I got when I was planning my wedding many years ago. 

Pay attention and enjoy the planning. The day comes and goes so fast it's like a blur. Relish every moment of the preparation.

I was thankful I followed that advice as we took a full year to plan our wedding, and true to the predictions, the day was so fast. I captured moments and committed them to memory. Thank goodness for wonderful friends with cameras that captured great moments as well.

I find we do much the same in preparation for the holidays. We make plans for a big party, or our family gathering. There's the shopping and the decorating and the wrapping and the baking. All in a rush looking at the deadline on the clock. Then December 26th arrives and the presents are gone and many start taking down the decorations and the melancholy creeps in. 

As you are making your lists and checking them twice this holiday season, take some time to stop and embrace the magic. Go ice skating, walk down your favorite city street and look at the lights, enjoy a mug of cocoa, mulled cider or egg nog. 

You'll be happy you did! 

Share what magic you plan to take a moment to enjoy this year!  

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The Hokey Pokey, Best Laid Plans and Going with the Flow

We enjoyed a wonderful exhausting weekend with friends this past weekend. We had friends in from out of state and we not only enjoyed a concert for a band who hasn't toured the US in a decade or so, but enjoyed much food, drink and laughter with friends we rarely get to see, and my pilot husband was home for the entire weekend which is almost as rare as our friends' visit.

Saturday, we met for dinner and drinks, went to the show and then went for some nosh, drinks and chatting afterwards, getting home about 3:30 am on Sunday (this pic was taken about 2:30 am Sunday I believe) when we planned to do some Chicago sightseeing with our friends.

Sunday didn't quite go as planned. We were thinking we'd get together around 1pm, lunch and visit the sights in the city. Our friends seriously over slept (much needed) and we didn't start our Sunday visit and sightseeing until 5pm. What was planned to be an afternoon of sightseeing followed by an evening where we found ourselves back at home by 8pm ended up an evening when we got home at 1am. As the only member of our group who needed to be up and at the office this morning, I could have called it an early night, or spent the evening thinking about how I needed to be home and in bed to be rested for my work week and I would have missed out on some great, rare and fleeting memories with dear friends.

So thankful that my husband and I were "all in", and able to go with the flow and enjoy one of life's greatest pleasures, Good Times with Great Friends.

At 9:00 when I was planning to be home, unwinding for the evening, we were headed up to the skydeck of the Sears (now Willis) Tower. We enjoyed the fantastic view, frightened our 2 acrophobic group members in this crazy clear floor outcropping, and pointed out cool Chicago landmarks. We returned to drop our friends at their hotel, and my good friend, also one of my favorite singers burned us a copy of his new upcoming album. As we went to our car to make sure it would play in our player, he suggested we grab dessert and 1 more drink. At 10:30 we were walking down Michigan Avenue headed to Grand Lux Cafe. I admit, I'm a little surprised to say that at no time did I check my watch, or worry about how my lack of sleep would affect my Monday. We were in the moment and I'm so happy for it.

Driving in to the office this morning, listening to my pre-release copy of a much anticipated album, I can't think how lucky I am. To be surrounded by such extraordinary people in my life.

As women entrepreneurs we must recognize and seize opportunities not only for great business partnerships, expansion and growth, but also and perhaps more importantly opportunities to Live our Life to the fullest, NOW.

What if we played "all in" every day? Like the Hokey Pokey. How much of life's remarkable experiences do we allow to pass us by because we're preoccupied, worried about tomorrow, or that list of to-dos and obligations.

I don't espouse neglecting our commitments, nor do I recommend going without a plan. There are many times when we need to focus, stay on track and work hard to make the goals we've set or get the results we require. Those are super important things that do require our focus and attention.

As women entrepreneurs, we have so much on our plate every day. So many commitments to our business, our families, our friends, loved ones, and colleagues. We have lists of chores to maintain our households, keep our children on schedule and on track, and the list goes on and one. It's SO easy to be focused on "the next thing" that you fail to truly take time to notice THIS thing.

So, when you make a decision to be with someone, or to be somewhere, BE THERE. ALL IN.

How many times to you see people on their smart phone at their children's soccer games? What if you miss a perfect goal, or a spectacular save?

So today - put your whole self in and shake it all about, do the Hokey Pokey and turn yourself around.
Cause THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT!

Find your thing

Do you have a thing? 

You know, a thing that can make you deliriously happy if you just think of it. Or, at least give you a giggle or at the very very least make you smirk.

The weather in Chicago today is grey and rainy and dreary and about 25-35 degrees colder than it has been the past week or so. If you're familiar with Chicago weather, you know the saying "If you don't like it, just wait a minute, it'll change." And Chicagoans, like most folks, tend to let their moods change with the weather. 

But I noticed today, that mine just didn't. I'm just as happy and silly and goofy as I was yesterday when it was a glorious 70 degrees and sunny. Truth be told, I am generally happy and silly and goofy. 

On any given day, how do you respond to the above question? Do you let your moods change with the weather, or the turn of events of the day?

Or have you found your thing?

Years ago, the catch phrase "happy place" was coined. In the Adam Sandler movie, it was the way he would manage his anger.

Life is so short, and none of us know how long we have. We need to make the most of each day. 

Find your thing. 

Find something that can turn your day or your mood around on a dime (in a good direction). Maybe it is thoughts of a past vacation, or a future one. Maybe it's the image of your children, or your spouse, or your future children or spouse. Maybe it's the thought of the guy in the latest Jockey underwear ad. Maybe it's a warm shiny memory of your Mom or Grandma.

My thing? My slightly off color, constantly wacky sense of hearing, I mean humor. I hear the silliest, most ridiculous things in peripheral conversations. I manage to see the funny in most situations. Life is pretty funny, when you look at it the right way. 

Don't let anyone choose your mood but you. When you start to feel sour, remember your thing.

What's your thing? 

Does your home empower or sabotage you?

Image by Steve-h via Flickr

I had the opportunity to attend a fabulous seminar this week with Fabienne Fredrickson along with an impressive selection of other very smart people in business. I was chatting with a new friend, Pat Perkins and we were discussing how your home environment impacts you both personally and professionally. Pat is a brilliant coach for women looking to move up in Corporate America, and she often asks her clients if they feel comfortable entertaining their boss or colleagues in their homes. When they express concern or embarrassment, she sees that as a red flag. 

Have you ever had that nagging feeling that something just isn't right? When we are out of congruence, or alignment, or whatever you want to call it, it throws us off kilter and nothing works the way that it's supposed to. We don't get the results we work so hard for and truly deserve. 

For example, if you are a brilliant, sharp dressed, well spoken woman at the office, you are seen and respected as such. But if your home is not reflective of that same level, you feel out of integrity. It's that little voice in the back of your head that tells you you don't deserve that promotion... yet, or you're not good enough... yet. To perform at your highest level and get the results you deserve, you need for all areas of your life to be on the same level.

Similarly, women, especially, need a place in their home that is just for them. Whether it is a bedroom or bathroom sanctuary, or a quiet corner of a living room with a comfy chair and a book-stand. Women need to allow themselves that special place where they can unwind and recharge. It's not a luxury, it's critical to our well being and the well being of all those we care for.

This doesn't mean that you need a million dollar home makeover, there are loads of tips and tricks to update and revamp your home to be a more proper reflection of you. 

Are you wondering what the heck that extremely cute little duck has to do with any of this? His bright colors inspired me on this snowy day in Chicago. A bright piece of art like this is a great focal point in a room, that is, if he reflects who YOU are.

What effect is your home having on you today? Does it reflect who you are and where you are going, or is it a constant reminder of where you came from?

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A warm home on a cold day

We have been blessed so far this year in Chicago with an amazingly warm winter. We got some temperatures in the low 30's and they seemed cold by comparison to the mid 40s we've had most of the winter. HA! As a kid growing up, we thought nothing of below zero temps in the winter.
We've also had an extremely sunny winter so far. A few grey days here and there, usually when the snow pops in, but we definitely haven't seen the weeks of grey with no release that we've seen in years past. 
Nonetheless, these are the days we like to stay snuggled indoors. Perhaps with a super soft blanket and a good book or movie. Maybe with a hot mug of tea or cocoa. Soup sounds better than salad for lunch or dinner.
We crave warmth in the month of February in the midwest. Not just the temperature on the thermostat, but warmth in all it's forms. Shops decorated in deep, sunny hues catch our interest. Lush, overstuffed chairs seem so inviting.
Coffee shops are filled to overflow these days, not just because they offer a warm beverage, but because they offer cozy interiors, warm hues and soft couches. - credit to Reese Spykerman for the great visual wording.
I love the feeling of walking into my house and being enveloped by the warmth and coziness of it. Warm, rich, friendly.Of course, the fact that every room is adorned with candles doesn't hurt :)


What are you doing to satisfy your warmth craving these days?  

Some are dreaming of a tropical vacation, planning spring break activities, some are enjoying that coffee house vibe. Some are getting warmth by hanging out with family and friends. Some are lavishing themselves with a hot bath, possibly accompanied by a glass of wine.

Share how you are warming up this week. 

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• 5 traits of a cozy home
• Cozy Winter Decorating 
• Poetic Winter: WARMTH (coopersview.com)