The 10 Minute Challenge

Ever wanted to write a book, learn to knit or organize your photos? What about your talent for sewing going to waste as patterns collect dust and style ideas dance in your head. Why can’t you get to the project, passion or thing you’ve been meaning to do for months? Stop procrastinating.  Now’s the time!! Read more

Balance Your Checkbook and Balance Your Life

Here’s my theory. If we all became financially self sufficient, there would be a lot less divorces. Why? Think about it. If women knew they could support themselves, provide for retirement, build savings and have financial independence from people in the lives (not only from husbands, ex’s, but parents or anyone else… and you know who they are) a lot of fear would subside. When fear diminishes, especially in the love arena, women would attract and be attracted to healthy relationships no matter what “he” did for a living or what kind of car “he” drives. His bank account would not even have to be the topic of conversation. Instead the concentration could be to find someone with wonderful values like compassion, patience and honesty. Read more

The Candy Hearts are Gone. How About the Love?

Have you visited your local gift and card shops lately?  If so, you surely have noticed that there’s a new guy in the neighborhood.  His name is St. Patrick and he’s moved right into the spaces that had formerly been occupied by St. Valentine.

 

Don’t Forget About Love
Gone are the ubiquitous heart-shaped candies that professed our affection for each other. The receptionist’s desk is now laden with pots of golden chocolate coin and green shamrocks have replaced hearts and flowers on the covers of greeting cards. We can move into spring and certainly forget about all that love stuff.  Right?  Not!

On Valentine’s Day…
We helped our children share cards of affection with their classmates and teachers.  We adults openly expressed our love for each other in ways that, perhaps, we neglect to do the rest of the year. There’s no way we could have been “too busy” to overlook the day and its meaning.  Restaurants offered special dinners; hotels advertised “lover’s weekend retreats”.  Even the comic section of your daily newspaper followed a Valentine’s Day theme.

So Just What Happened on February 15th?
We scarfed down the last of the chocolates, added water to the vase of long-stemmed roses and continued on with our hectic lives.  What might not have happened was taking the time to tell each other that we love them.

Do we really need a reminder on February 14th that love and kindness should permeate our lives?  I don’t think we do.  I think that we all continue to love our spouses and partners, our children, parents, and friends whether it is Valentine’s Day or not.  What we do forget, however, is the wonderfully free-flowing demonstrativeness that day allows.
 
Make Every Week Valentine’s Week
While it isn’t realistic to suggest that we make every day Valentine’s Day – we certainly don’t need more cards and candy -  I propose that we find our own version of that day of love at least once a week.  And let us call it Valentine’s Week.

Once a week make a date with your spouse; go to dinner or a movie; make a special meal at home; take a walk together; leave the hectic world behind and concentrate on just the two of you.  Do the same with your children by making sure each of them have individual time with you to talk and play and learn about each other. Find a way to let the friends and family members who you love know just how important they are to you. 

If I may borrow an age old tradition from elementary school, let’s think of Valentine’s Week as our own personal “show and tell”.  Make sure you show those whom you love how much you love them.  Make sure you remember to tell them with those three priceless words: “I love you”.

Share Your Love
Please don’t misunderstand me.  Valentine’s Week does not preclude remembering to say “I love you” on a daily basis; holding hands and bestowing each other with caring glances.  Valentine’s Week allows for an ongoing reminder (how sad that sometimes we need reminders) that we do love each other and we need to share that love.
 
And now, even though it is not February 14, I will leave my computer, go up to my husband’s office and give him a kiss.

Author C.J. Golden (The Tao Of The Defiant Woman) is a former speech therapist and actor. Now a freelance columnist and public speaker, she conducts seminars around the country. www.taogirl.com  

Doing Too Much and Not Relaxing

When you have a really busy week with lots of things planned, even if they are fun things, you may get stressed just because there is a lot going on. Even though you are aware of your stress you cannot sit still and relax. Basically you are always doing something because if you aren’t doing something, you feel as if you are wasting time. It is kind of a “Catch 22″.

Keeping your sanity while keeping yourself in check takes practice and a change of attitude about what “busy” means. Read more

Seven Essentials of Renewed Wellness

If you have been through a life changing experience or are in the process of recovering from a recent illness, Judith Stanton, owner of The Spa at … in Wilton, Connecticut recommends that you follow her SEVEN ESSENTIALS OF RENEWED WELLNESS. Read more

Dating: Should a Woman Offer to Pay?

You’re sipping a cappuccino on a first date with a nice guy. The conversation goes well and you’re enjoying yourself. Then, that nerve-wracking moment arrives when the waiter leaves the check on the table. What’s a woman to do?

Keep It In Your Purse - Your Wallet That Is
The question of who should pay is the most frequently discussed topic for daters. It may be old fashioned, but for the first few dates, allow the man pay for several reasons:

The Majority of Men Actually Expect to Pay – Footing the bill is part of the chase and the traditional ritual. While we’ve come a long way regarding equality in the workplace and in marriages where men share the chores, child rearing, and bringing home the bacon, dating remains an archaic activity that has simply not caught up.

A Man Wants to Please You - During the first few dates, a man will try to impress and please you in an effort to win you over. This means paying for you. If he doesn’t, this may be a red flag that he’s not generous with his wallet or his heart.

Let Him Lead in this “Dance” - Usually, you know little about a man when you first start dating him. That’s why observation mode is so critical. Since you can’t know his attitudes about money or how he’ll react, why risk taking the wrong action? Relax and watch what happens without prompting or paying.

His Point of View: Men are Caught in a Difficult Social Dilemma when a Woman Offers to Pay

• He has to determine if you’ll be insulted by his refusal to take your money or not. While some men confidently wave aside the offer, others won’t want to risk offending you. Many men have encountered angry females who insist on paying so they aren’t “controlled by a man.”
• Some men may think that a woman’s offer to pay is a sign that she’s not interested. You may use this trick from time to time, but don’t confuse a man you actually like by asking to split the check!

What Women Want to Know:
 
1. How can I tell if a man is interested AND generous?
You won’t know if you offer to pay, but you will short-circuit your ability to observe his natural tendencies. Instead of jumping in to take charge or to avoid feeling obligated, sit back when the check comes and let him handle it. One thing is for sure, if your date wants you to split the bill, he’ll tell you.

2. How can I set a precedent for how I want to be treated?
If you don’t plan on splitting every bill down the center, don’t set that pattern up from your very first date. Hold off particularly on the first night to see what he will do. Of course you’ll reciprocate at some point and you might offer to pay for the movie if you’ve already been to dinner, or for the after dinner drink on the second or third date.

3. If a man pays, am I obligated in any way?
When a man pays you don’t owe him anything except, “Thank You.” Some women feel it’s just polite to offer to pay. Others feel compelled to pay so they don’t owe a man anything in exchange for dinner. This is nonsense. You don’t owe a man anything when he buys you dinner except a gracious thank you and a warm smile. If he has other expectations, he is probably not the right man for you.

4. Why does my date expect me to pay?
There are plenty of takers out there who are happy to let a woman pay for as much as possible. Women often boldly rush to pay to establish their equality, but end up complaining that their new man never contributes or seems down right cheap. Well, remember who gave him the idea that you’d be willing to pay! Right up front you picked up the check, so it makes sense that he’d conclude you plan on taking care of things from that point forward.

5. When should I pay?
There will be plenty of time to show your generosity. A man will “woo” you in the beginning because that’s when the chase is on. Why not let him impress you and treat you well? If you like him, allow him to win your heart and give him the space to do it.

Do you have a question of your own or have an opinion on who should pay. Comment below!

“Sit back, enjoy your date, and stop worrying about your share of the cost. Let your date know how much you appreciated the meal, his conversation or company and discover that praise can impress a man far more than your wallet.”

Ronnie Ann Ryan, MBA, CCC, The Dating Coach www.nevertoolate.biz

Building a Perfect Wardrobe Starts with Basics

Fashion is one of those things that everybody finds a little bit glamorous. The right clothes let you transform yourself over and over again. You feel beautiful in a great outfit that fits like a glove, even if you’re having a bad day.  A perfect suit can make you appear powerful and confident in a business meeting, even if it’s your first presentation. And when you’re on the run or traveling, having style at your fingertips is the way to simplify your life.

Since many of us are in transition … changing careers, lifestyles or just realizing that your daughter’s jeans are not for you anymore (and that’s okay)… you may be using the old cliché these days, “My closet is full of clothes, yet I have nothing to wear.”

Let’s Start with Closet Basics
Building your wardrobe from the basics up provides you with a foundation. This foundation allows you to have a balanced, flexible wardrobe that can then use seasonal or trendy items to create variety and show your personal style!

Get Your Wardrobe Basics in Ship Shape Form
Look for season-less fabrics (cottons, light knits, blends and silks) that can be dressed up or down year round. Also, choose basic solids … black, brown, camel, khaki and quite possibly gray or navy.

Other basics you want in your wardrobe are:

• Black pants, skirt and jacket … in an updated style yet, simple with minimal to no details. Monster shoulder pads are a no-no.
• A-line skirt - This season’s must.
• Solid color button up shirts, in year round fabrics - At least 1-2 solid white shirts are essential.
• Solid color sweater sets - Looks great together and as separates.
• Basic color cotton twill pant or skirt -  Khaki is a good choice.
• Capri pants - They can be dressed up or down.
• A well fitting pair of jeans - Tapered legs are out.
• Denim jacket - A staple in your wardrobe this season and from season’s past.
• Microfiber tanks and underpinnings in primary colors - Adds punch to any outfit
• Everyday purse - That can go with a variety of outfits and styles.
• Flats - Comfort with style.
• Boots - In various heel heights for skirts and pants.
• Black pumps - A must!
• Accessories! The key to any pulled together outfit. Jewelry, belts, scarves and gloves can make or break an outfit. Remember, shoes and handbag need not match!

All women deserve to look and feel good. All closets have potential to transform you; you just need to know where to look! With these simple basics, it’s easy to get started on the right track.

Hottest Spring Fashion Trend: Dresses, dresses, dresses!!!           

This season it’s all about the dress! Although skinny jeans, bubble skirts and the color black still have been spotted on the runways, bursts of fresh color, relaxed silhouettes and flirtatious frocks have us looking forward to Spring.

SPECIAL OFFER: Refer a friend who spends $150.00 or more, and you get $50.00 (for each referral) off your next purchase! This can really add up!”

Arianne I. Beerbower, is an Independent Sales Representative for The Worth Collection, Ltd. in Fairfield, Connecticut. Contact Arianne at abeerbower@worthwear.com and visit abeerbower@worthwear.com and visit www.worthwear.com.