Fall In Love With Your Finances February 24, 2012

The economy’s awful. Unemployment’s still really high. The real estate market’s in the tank. Gas prices are souring. The stock market’s doing okay, but we’re all aware of how quickly that can change.  Man, do I sound like a downer or what??

I guess the point I’m trying to make is, saving and investing the assets that I DO have is more important than ever.

I recently met a woman with whom I was truly impressed. She’s a financial advisor with a really interesting niche. Her name is Janice Goldman Picker and she specializes in finances for women.     

“I take my client through a process (especially designed for women) that they won’t find anywhere else — a combination of The Outer Work (the practical), The Inner Work (the emotional) and The Higher
Work (the spiritual) of Wealth,” says Janice, who’s been in the business for 25 years.

Janice has an unbelievable story. She told me she went to college to get her M.R.S. degree, and was successful. But life took an unexpected turn for her when her young husband died when she was pregnant with twins (who are now 22.) So, Janice had to hold it together, not just emotionally, but financially, and this began her 25 year career in the industry.

She told me her number one reason for being a financial planner (and for choosing to focus on women) is because she wants to help women who are in the shoes she was once in, or who are getting divorced, or women who are married who are in charge of the finances in the home.
“My deepest desire is for you to fall in love with finances! Really!” says Janice, who has THE BEST attitude, always smiling and positive. But make no mistake, this woman knows her stuff! Janice and her team currently have 50 million dollars in assets under management, with accounts ranging from $250,000 to $1 million.

“When you take charge of your money, you literally transform your life,” says Janice. Another piece of advice from her: make financial decisions from knowledge, not fear, ignorance or habit.

Janice wrote the next part of this blog. I asked her to write about the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to money. Here’s what she said:

Making investment decisions based on emotions and not on facts – stocks are the only business where most people don’t want to buy on sale, so they tend to overpay. Know your facts and if a company is healthy and profitable, yes you want to buy it when its pulling back. Choosing investments that are not suited to your goals or investment time horizon – don’t invest in aggressive stocks if you need the money in the next 5 years , for example, when you may need to pay college tuition , the investment may be down in value and not a good time to liquidate   Failing to diversify, putting all your eggs in one basket Don’t add to the risk of investing by investing in one company, or one sector or even one country. The more you diversify the more you reduce the risk. Also, don’t put too much of your money into the stock of the company you are working for if it is a publicly traded company. Reacting to short-term events and not to long-term trends – Making money is a a long term venture and reacting to short term events will backfire your plan   Trying to time the market – By the time you feel comfortable enough to get back into the market , the market may have grown by 20 to 30 per cent . Usually it’s good to buy when you are feeling fearful and sell when you are feeling exuberant.   Buying “hot” investments with no sound basis for your decision – You must learn to make your investment choices from knowledge. Making decisions on whims and or emotions will hurt your returns. Allowing fees, expenses, and/or commissions to become the major factors in making an investment decision – Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish- the best money an investor can spend is to pay a professional for their eyesight and counsel .   Allowing fear or greed to drive your investment decisions – Investing is counter-intuitive . And overcoming your fear is a pillar of investment success. And not giving into greed is a discipline that will pay off.    If you’re interested in meeting with Janice, if you have questions, or if you’d like to learn more about what she can offer, her info is below. I just recently met her, but I have to say, she struck me as a very honest, ethical, down-to-business, resulted oriented person. Plus, Janice came highly recommended by a friend of mine whom I trust immensely.

 

Ameriprise Financial Goldman Picker & Associates Janice L. Goldman Picker Senior Financial Advisor 1130 Lake Cook Rd STE 130-A Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 847-499-3245 janice.l.goldmanpicker@ampf.com www.ameripriseadvisors.com/janice.l.goldman.picker

         

 

We All Need Our Space! February 21, 2012

 

We all have our escape. Our “thing,” right? Writing is mine. Whenever I want to relax, get in a better mood, go to a good place and just  feel creative and productive, I take myself away by writing a story or a blog or an article or a chapter in a novel of a book I’m writing. That does it for me. It makes me happy.

Well, unfortunately, as much as I love my escape, I have to do it at my kitchen table, which I’m constantly converting from a homework area to a dinner table and to a writing studio.

I would love to have my own little room where I could go, where no one else is allowed to go, just to write or relax, read a book, and maybe drink a cup of tea. A room that was all mine. A room where there are no toys, no dirty dishes, no muddy gym shoes, and no empty candy wrappers!

Doesn’t every mom deserve that?  Doesn’t every WOMAN deserve that? Doesn’t every PERSON deserve that? Actually, I think finished basements were made for guys, so I kind of take that back.  

I just found out about this contest that the design team of Chicago based Divas N Design is having.

Listen to this! They are asking moms to submit their most absurd mom moments, make-shift methods of escape, and why they deserve a space to call their own, etc.. They will then choose one lucky winner in time for Mother’s Day to win their very own M.O.M Cave, which they will design. It’s valued at $20,000!

Here’s what the Divas from Divas N’Design had to say:

“Man Caves are so heavily hyped and prominent in homes, why aren’t there more places for moms WHO REALLY NEED THEM!? Divas N’ Design want to change this! The Divas have been creating spaces for clients for over 20 years and they have realized that moms need more than just a desk in the kitchen or a drawer in the bathroom.  They need a “cave” to call their own, a place to re-group and reflect, read a book, or whatever your heart desires. Just think of a space that can transport you from a crazy moment into calm state of mind in your own home, in a matter of seconds.  This is what the Divas want to do for moms out there, help them think about their own state of mind and how important it is to stop and smell the roses, which in essence adds to the quality of the whole families lives.  So we are on a mission to assist woman in creating fabulous caves to call their own.”

 

To enter the contest, go to:

http://www.divasndesign.com/momcave.html

 

I asked Karyn Musick, owner of Divas N Design (who has 26 years of interior design experience) to offer tips on how to create a mom cave of your own (for those of us who don’t win the contest!)

Here are her VERY COOL tips for a “do it yourself” Mom Cave!

 

1.) Determine the area to where you would like to have your space. If the the home is spacious with many rooms, here are a few ideas to consider for the area:

 

An extra bedroom, loft area, basement or an area in the basement. One of our designers created her own Mom Cave in her garage, so, depending where you feel most comfortable!

 If not a large home, an area that could be partitioned by a paneled screen or drapery, to create privacy.

 

2.) Create your color palate. If you are able to use a space that is closed off from the rest of the home, you can paint the walls with your favorite color. I would recommend “tranquil and soothing” colors. Soft relaxing colors!

 

3.) I would suggest some comfortable furniture. A small writing desk if Mom would like to incorporate the space for computer time, etc. A chair and ottoman, chaise lounge or a small settee sofa for reading and relaxing is a must. Lighting for reading, by adding in some table lamps and floor lamps for night time, when the kids go to bed!     

 

4.) I love scheming the accessories and wall art with ”personal trinkets”. Framed art work made by your children, family photo’s in pretty little frames. One Mom Cave (that I saw) had a wall gallery with her favorite actress, Audrey Hepburn, she filled an entire wall in black and white photo’s. It was so charming!

 

5.) Finishing touches can warm up the space. You can add drapery panels if the space has windows, pillows with a cool fabric in the color tones that work with the scheme, or a rug to go under the seating area. Even if the space has wall to wall carpeting, layering a rug in a nice color or texture, will also add warmth. Silk floral arrangements or silk greens will add life to the space.

 

To learn more about Divas N Design, about their services, and/or about the contest,  go to the website:

http://www.divasndesign.com/

or call:

 (847) 883-9200

 

And make sure to enter the contest to win your own Mom Cave!!!

 

 

Tips to Keep Your Carpets Cleaner February 19, 2012

The other day, my carpet cleaner, Simon Solomon stopped by my house to pick up the Girl Scout cookies he ordered from my daughter. Now, keep in mind, he’s never been to my home before unless he was there to clean the carpets.

 

When Simon walked in, the place was an absolute mess, the carpets desperately needing to be vacuumed. To say I was horrified is putting it mildly. Simon was probably thoroughly disgusted.

 

Anyhow, we got to talking, and I asked him about things to do to keep my carpets cleaner and looking better. Here’s what he had to say:

 

 

1. Regular maintenance is an important part of the life cycle of carpeting and furniture for that matter.  If proper maintenance is neglected, the carpet’s appearance will suffer, shortening the carpet’s useful life and raising long term costs.

 

1. Reduce the amount of soiling entering the home in the first place. This can be a difficult task or an easy one depending upon the family structure and mode of living.  Children, pets and sometimes husbands, (haha) make it more difficult to keep carpet clean, but there are certain steps you can take to reduce overall soiling.  Most people enter their homes through the garage, so it is important to keep the floor clean by sweeping and washing the garage floor down every few months or so (a great job for kids) then utilize remnant pieces of carpet or scrap pieces of any old carpet, cut them into 2 to 3 foot strips from 4 to 8 feet long and place them either side of the car, so when you park and get out of the vehicle, your stepping directly onto them and walking on them all the way into the house.  This is the first line of defense.  Once inside the house, keep an area rug at the door and long runners in the hallway and into the house.  The objective is to have rugs and runners at every entry point to capture dirt and moisture before it gets into the homes intimate living areas.  These runners and rugs are easier to clean more frequently than the whole house.

 

1. Another simple idea is to make it more inviting and easier for people to remove their shoes by placing a small bench, stool or chair at the entry point so people can sit and take off shoes without having to bend over or balance on one leg as they try to take off shoes or have a supply of shoe cover footies at the door.

 

1. Vacuuming is the most significant element in the maintenance and the overall appearance of carpeting.  80% of soil tracked into a home is dry and the other 20% is oily and or wet. Vacuum cleaners are designed to remove dry soil.  Walking on soiled carpet permits dry soil to travel further in the pile and backing of carpeting.  Frequent vacuuming will remove this soiling before it goes deeper into the pile.  Heavily trafficked areas should be vacuumed daily and other areas every 2-3 days for the best results, not once a week or every 2 weeks as I often hear.

 

1. Food and drink should be avoided or kept at a minimum on carpeting.  Spills and spots should be addressed immediately.  I never suggest you put anything but water on a spot and then call me to come clean it because too often a person will use a broad based spotter that more often than not will set a particular stain and make it more difficult for me to remove or over wet the spot.  A spot cleaning visit typically costs from $25 to $50.00

 

1. Outside shoes should never come into contact with indoor carpeting.  Training husbands and children to remove them as they come into the home can be a chore, but with sweet talk and kindness ought to be achievable, if not, crack the whip once in a while.

 

1. The last and best thing to do to keep your carpets clean is to use the services of a professional carpet cleaner on a regular basis such as myself, who actually cares about his clientele.  High traffic areas such as family rooms etc. should be cleaned every 5-6 months while other areas such as bedrooms need to be cleaned every 9-12 months.  People make the mistake of waiting until the carpet is so visibly soiled they can’t stand it any longer before they call to clean.  This is a mistake because it takes longer and more effort and energy and therefore costs more to clean a visibly soiled carpet as opposed to a light maintenance cleaning performed every 5-6 months or so. 

 

I asked Simon, “What sets you apart from other carpet cleaners?”

“I’d say trust, integrity and an honest effort toward every job. I come into every job (even multiple repeat clients) as if I was there for the first time, doing everything by the book and then some. I try to keep up with the latest and greatest technology with regard to equipment and cleaning soaps etc. because I only use the best. I don’t cheap out when it comes to supplies and equipment, I buy the best.”

Simon really is awesome, and he’s been in the business for 18 years, by the way. If you’re interested in speaking with him or getting a quote he’s at simonchgo@aol.com or at (773) 671-9559.

 

 

 

TV Series review: Smash February 17, 2012

How could someone not be curious to watch a new TV show that has Steven Spielberg as its executive producer, and stars like Debra Messing and Anjelica Houston in it? Add adorable, sweet Katharine McPhee, (from American Idol a few seasons back) and they had me.

I watched the first two episodes of Smash last night, and I have to say, I think I might be hooked! Smash is drama, drama, drama, right up my alley! Within the first five minutes of the show, producer Julia Houston (played by Debra Messing ) and her partner, Derek Wills (played by Jack Davenport) decide to put together a musical about Marilyn Monroe, and we get to see from the very beginning how the process works. The two producers get backing from investor Eileen Rand (played by Anjelica Houston) an extremely likeable but tough lady who’s having a really rough time getting projects going because of her nasty divorce from her ex partner.

Two girls are competing for the role of Marilyn in the musical. The first, Ivy Lynn (played by Megan Hilty). Ivy is beautiful and talented and the favorite, but she’s not the one I found myself rooting for. The girl next door type from St. Louis (I think) with big dreams and the perfect, adoring boyfriend is. Her name: Karen Cartwright (played by Katharine McPhee.) McPhee’s amazing voice, combined with her innocent yet smart, ethical demeanor had me loving her in two minutes. And her boyfriend, Dev, (played by Raza Jaffrey) is just the cutest! I kept staring at the guy, not being able to put my finger on where I knew him from, until it hit me. Jaffrey was Carrie Bradshaw’s butler in Abu Dhabi in Sex and the City 2. Jaffrey was adorable then, and he’s still adorable as Karen’s successful hunky boyfriend in Smash.

This show had me entertained the entire time. The musical performances (including dancing) of Hilty and McPhee are really well done, their voices top-notch, their costumes beautiful and the choreography of the numbers amazing, but then you get the added bonus of a drama going on simultaneously. There’s Julia and her husband trying to adopt a baby, and the tension at home that stems from her career. Then there’s Dev’s political career in which he needs the perfect girlfriend on his arm, a role that Karen is trying to play, but can’t always deliver because of her dream to be a star.

My favorite character is Anjelica Houston, perfectly cast as the powerhouse investor with an eye for true talent, tough as nails on the outside, never letting the devastation of her personal life show. Another great character is the director of the Marilyn musical, Tom Levitt, (played by Christian Borle). Levitt is gorgeous and sexy, and he’s extremely gifted at making any show a “Smash,” but he’s a bad boy who likes to seduce his cast members. Borle gives the show sex appeal and that dirty, slimy element we all know exists in show business.

I’m looking forward to seeing what develops in Smash!

Happy Valentine’s Day, Fido! February 14, 2012

Anyone who knows me knows I’m not really a “dog person.” Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE dogs, I just don’t happen to be one of those people who can let them lick my lips, and when I hear barking for an extended period of time, it starts to bug me big time. I also CANNOT handle pee and poop on rugs  in my house.

 

My kids, on the other hand have been begging me for a dog for years, so I might be caving. We wanted to test it out, so last Saturday night, I took my friend, Susan’s dog, Ziggy (a teddy bear) for a sleepover. The plan was, see how it goes and then I would know if we could handle a puppy.

 

Wrong. I’m more conflicted than ever. I absolutely LOVED having Ziggy here, but he woke me up at midnight (which didn’t bother me that much) but the worst, he pooped on my rug within 15 minutes of arriving at our house. On the other hand, this dog was THE CUTEST, and I jumped out of bed at 5:30 to run downstairs to see him. Just adorable.

 

Another thing that makes me want to get a dog is Marlene Marks, Dog Behavioral Therapist and Trainer and owner of Bark Busters, an in-home dog training company. Marlene charges a fixed rate, and comes to your house to potty train your puppy! How great is that? She said she will keep coming over for as long as it takes, and you don’t have to worry about the cost!

 

Marlene is a true dog lover. (How can she not be, with her business and everything?) So, in honor of Valentine’s Day, she wrote a guest blog about things you can do for your dog! Here is Marlene’s blog:

 

 

February 14^th is a special date to express our love for our sweethearts. While humans may like to celebrate Valentine’s Day with chocolate, flowers and dinner at a fine restaurant, your dog would likely prefer a day of doggy fun. So what would your canine pal value most on the day for expressing love?

 

 

Following are some other canine-friendly tips for showing your special affection for your dog.

•  Get some exercise. A spirited walk together—whether to your local dog park or exploring a new neighborhood or trail—is always a great way to bond.

•  Give him a new toy. Puzzle toys such as the Buster® Cube are especially fun, as they provide tasty treats. Dogs also love sturdy squeaker toys and toys like those made by Kong®, which you can fill with treats for hours of satisfying chewing. To make the fun last even longer, fill the toy with peanut butter and then place it in the freezer before giving it to your delighted dog

• Treat your dog to a grooming session. If you opt for do-it-yourself grooming, start with a warm bath using gentle pet shampoo, followed by a soothing rinse and a vigorous towel-drying.

•  Take a trip to the pet store (one that welcomes leashed dogs) and allow your dog to sniff out a new toy.

•  Schedule your annual visit to the veterinarian. You’ll gain extra peace of mind, knowing you are looking after your pet’s health.

•  Bake some homemade dog treats. The aroma will make your dog even happier!

• Get some training. Whether you start a new training program with a professional dog behavioral therapist or want to focus on dog obedience, vow to take time with your dog so he (and you) can continually learn how your dog can be a good canine citizen.

•  Learn some new tricks. There are many activities you can try with your dog, depending on his (and your!) temperament and physical ability. Some popular dog sports are dog agility, Flyball, flying disc, skijoring, and rally obedience. Also good fun is a rousing game of fetch in the backyard!

 

Whether on Valentine’s Day or any day of the year, the best thing you can do with your dog to show your love is to simply spend lots of time with him. He’ll return your love tenfold.

 

Your dog depends on you to supply the four key ingredients every dog needs for a happy life: food, shelter, safety and entertainment. When you supply these life basics, grounded on a foundation of respect, bond and trust and demonstrated by your continual, consistent leadership, your dog will know he is safe and loved, and thus will be more relaxed and content.

 Thanks Marlene! If I get a dog, you know you’ll hear from me!!!

And, to all the little pooches out there (including Ziggy, who we miss terribly!) Happy Valentine’s Day!! Arf, arf!!

 

About Bark Busters:

Bark Busters, the world’s largest, most trusted dog training company, started in Australia in 1989 and came to the United States in 2000. Since inception, more than 500,000 dogs have been trained worldwide using its dog-friendly, natural methods. With 250+ franchised offices in 40 states and more than 400 offices in 10 countries, Bark Busters is continuing its mission to build a global network of dog behavioral therapists to enhance responsible dog ownership and reduce the possibility of maltreatment, abandonment and euthanasia of companion dogs. Bark Busters is the only international dog training company that offers guaranteed lifetime support. SPCA International selected Bark Busters dog behavioral training services as the “Best of the Best” in its category. No other training company or dog trainer received such a distinction. To fetch a trainer in your area, call 1-877-500-BARK (2275) or visit www.BarkBusters.com, where dog owners can complete a Dog Behavioral Quiz to rate their dogs’ behavior.

 To get in touch with Marlene and Bark Busters:

Marlene Marks, Howard Marks, & Brandon Marks

Dog Behavioral Therapists and Trainers
Bark Busters Home Dog Training
(847) 648-2275
Chicago@barkbusters.com
www.barkbusters.com

Whitney February 13, 2012

The first time I ever heard the song “You Give Good Love,” I fell in love with Whitney Houston. I was a senior in College and I remember playing the song over and over and over again and singing along. Then, one of my roommates said, “If I have to hear that song again, I’m going to kill you! Why not listen to the whole cassette?!” So, I did.

I then fell in love with the songs “All at Once,” the George Benson remake of “Greatest Love of All,” and my absolute favorite Whitney song of all time, “Saving all my love for you.”

A year or so later, the cassette, “Whitney” was released. Now I was living in Chicago and working downtown at a brokerage firm (my first job out of college.) I’m not kidding when I tell you that I listened to the cassette to and from work on the bus (on my Walkman) for almost an entire year. I knew (still do) every word of every song. My favorites from that cassette are “Didn’t we almost have it all,” “All the man that I need,” “So Emotional,” “Where you are,” “Love is a contact sport,” “You’re still my man,” and “I know him so well.”

I’m pretty sure Whitney’s next huge accomplishment was her hit “Give me one moment in time,” that was theme song for the 1988 summer Olympics, that is still played at most of the Olympics. I actually have that on my ipod, and still find it incredibly motivating when working out.

Next, I saw Whitney in the movie “The Body Guard.” I wasn’t surprised that she was getting into movies, because she was so stunningly beautiful. “The Body Guard” was not the greatest movie I’d ever seen, but I did love Whitney so much. (and Kevin Costner didn’t hurt either J) But the soundtrack was not surprisingly great. Best songs: “Run to you” and of course, “I will always Love you,” the Dolly Parton remake.

Whitney next starred in one of my favorite movies, “Waiting to Exhale,” based on author, Terry McMillan’s best-selling book. (McMillan has always been an inspiration to my writing.) I LOVED this book, so I went to see the movie by myself while living in Boston. And, LOVED the movie, too. And LOVED Whitney in it. Along with the movie, an amazing soundtrack, which I remember listening to for months, driving to and from my job late at night as an intern at the NBC affiliate in Boston. “Count on me” is the best song on that album.

 Next: 1997, “The Preacher’s wife.” What a sweet movie, and of course, having Denzel in it, didn’t hurt! But the chemistry between them was so adorable and moving. And not surprisingly, “I believe in You and me,” became a number one hit. Love that song!

I’ve spent a lot of time in my life listening to and singing along to Whitney Houston’s beautiful, uplifting, hopeful love songs. I want to thank her for enriching my life and giving me so much enjoyment.

I will miss Whitney Houston a great deal. She is in my opinion, one of the best female vocalists of all time. And she was not only physically beautiful, but seemed like a wonderful person. I think it’s so sad that she seemed to have  a lot of problems and demons.  I’m so sorry this happened to her and it really hurts.

Rest in Peace, Miss Houston. You will truly be missed.

 

How to Market Your Own Business February 11, 2012

I am constantly meeting women who own their own businesses. Tax attorneys, financial consultants, jewelers, closet organizers and everything in between.  

I actually consider myself a business owner, with my two published books being my two products. After all, just like everyone else in business, my goal is to turn a profit. I hope that doesn’t dishearten anyone. I absolutely love love love to write, and if I had it my way, I’d spend 100% of my time writing, not marketing. But the reality is, if I want to keep publishing books and writing more, I have to sell my stuff!

One thing every single business owner has in common: we need to market ourselves to grow our businesses.

Now, I’ve sort of been learning as I go along. Trying things, seeing what works, what doesn’t, that kind of thing. I don’t have a budget for marketing, so I’ve had to do it all myself, which I’ve actually enjoyed, but takes a lot of time and hard work.

I recently connected with Jamie Mazursky, the founder of Snowball Public Relations and Events. Jamie is really, really smart and has been helping business owners with marketing for almost two decades.

Here’s Jamie’s guest blog post on “How to market your business”:  

Why is it so hard to market your own business? Does it feel too overwhelming, too vulnerable too personal?

It can be difficult to put yourself ‘out there.’ There are so many unknowns – who’s looking at my (website, blog, social networking pages), what type of image am I trying to convey, how do I show my personality without being too close for comfort? It can be a problem. Marketing your business (which by the way is an extension of yourself) does take one out of his or her comfort zone.

I would like to pass my knowledge onto you, by way of a few thoughtful tips to get your started and refocused on marketing your business. Consider these ideas below when building your marketing plan.

-Identify your goals. What are your intentions with your marketing efforts? What do you want to achieve? And, what are the best vehicles to do so? Yes, there are so many new ways to market. Just make sure you are using the most appropriate methods for your specific needs.

-Be a good listener. Spend some time looking at other blogs, social networking pages and websites. See what’s out there and monitor the chatter. It should give you a good idea of what others are doing, where you fit in and how you can differentiate your business.

-Be useful and build loyalty. Think of this as a great opportunity to share your
expertise and your wisdom. Remember you are, in essence an expert in your field. Helping others will come back to you to two-fold.

-Be professional. It is okay and even encouraged to show a bit of your personality. However, as I have written about in previous blogs; be appropriate and professional, this is still business. First impressions and reputations still apply online.

-Self-promotion with a slant. It is suitable to use these new mediums as a platform to promote and gain sales, but make sure it’s not ‘all about you.’ That can be an immediate turn off. Be relevant and be of value.

-Build community. Encourage interaction between you and your readers. This back and forth will build a positive image for your business and encourage customer loyalty.

-Keep it fresh and integrate your efforts. Two thoughts here, first, keep your content pertinent; and second make sure all of your efforts are working in harmony. Everything should link together (your blog, website, email campaigns, etc.) and your message should be streamlined and consistent to get maximum exposure and results.

I am more than happy to field questions and always welcome comments. Please feel free to pay this forward. Finally, take a look good, hard look in the mirror and leap out of your ‘zone.’ Good Luck!

Feel free to check out Jamie’s blog:

http://www.snowballchicago.blogspot.com/

Or, to contact her: Jamie@snowballpr.com.

 

 

A Great Night! An Amazing Author and An Utterly Hilarious Comedian! February 9, 2012

I had THE BEST night on Tuesday, and I just have to tell you about it! I was invited to two events and I had to try to squeeze both in.

My first stop was to a women’s wellness meeting with three speakers, one of whom was Sylvia Friedman, a well known life coach and best-selling author. I first want to say that there were about 8 women there, and I instantly bonded with ALL of them. I love meeting and discovering the unique and beautiful qualities of new people. All of the women were really put together, and they all had careers. It was truly impressive, and delightful to be around this caliber of people.

Now, onto Sylvia.  Okay, seriously, she spoke for about 20 minutes and by the time she was finished, I felt like I could fly! What a gift she has for engaging and inspiring her audience!

Sylvia grew up in the Chicago housing projects, and ended up graduating from Northwestern with a degree in journalism and theater. That pretty much says it all right there, right? But there’s more. She became a motivational speaker and a life coach (which she’s been doing for 25 years). She speaks at colleges, top companies, other large venues and to individuals. Sylvia is also the author of “The Stars in Your Family: Relationships Between Parents and Children” which is in its fifth printing!

“The truthful life is the only life worth living,” Sylvia said to us, “What you think, you become; what you believe, you are.”

Listening to Sylvia speak was a little bit like reading “The Secret” only better. She has been called “The Truth Therapist” by many, and that’s what she spoke about to us: Truth. She talked about how we all have a responsibility to live a truthful life, and that if we live this way, we will have love instead of fear. She emphasized how important it is to say what you mean and not hide behind anger and self-doubt. She told us to trust our intuitions and love who we are, which is kind of what her book is about, only in her book she’s talking about our kids. I can’t comment on the book because I haven’t read it, but I can tell you, after meeting Sylvia, “The Stars in Your Family: Relationships Between parents and Children” is next on my reading list!

“Nothing is perfect, but truth is as close as we get.” –Sylvia Friedman.

If you want to learn more about Sylvia, visit her website: www.sylviafriedman.com.

So, after I left the women’s group meeting (which fyi, I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE EARLY and I felt awful that I couldn’t stay for the other speakers ) I went to The Laughing Chameleon to support my friend, Kim, who is working with them now. Kim books acts there, introduces the acts, and I think is going to teach comedy classes there during the day. Anyhow, when someone asks me to show up to support them, I am there! After all, I can’t even count the number of book events I’ve had where I beg my friends to show up.

I met my friends, Kathleen and Moses there, and shortly after, a guy named Jonathan Fin got on stage. From the first second the guy spoke, he was funny. And then he just kept getting funnier and funnier! I was smiling so wide, my cheeks started to hurt.

Jonathan Fin had hilarious imitations, he did these really original combined accents, and my favorite: he grabbed his guitar and sang this song about sex that he made up that was so f***ing hilarious, I was literally laughing so hard I was crying! He also did this rap contest between he and his mom. (he was both voices.) Truly truly laugh out loud funny!

Jonathan Fin is really going to get to the top. I’m sure of it. I’m not even really into comedy very much, and this is a guy I could listen to any time. It felt so good to laugh like that, I can’t even tell you. What great therapy!

If you want to learn more about Jonathan Fin, visit his website: www.jonathanfin.com. Also, Jonathan will be performing again this Friday at the Laughing Chameleon!  For more info: www.thelaughingchameleon.com.

And I also thought this was hilarious. Jonathan’s business card says, “Johnathan Fin, douche bag.”  LOL!

So, all in all, I went from listening to a truly amazing, accomplished woman who inspired me to no end, to a guy who had me in hysterics for 45 minutes. What a great night!!

Jackie’s Super Bowl Review February 7, 2012

This is kind of interesting. I was supposed to go watch the Super Bowl at a bar on Sunday with my friend, Sandy. But she wasn’t feeling well, so she ended up cancelling. So, I watched the game by myself.

The reason I bring this up is because I think this was the first time in my life that I’ve actually paid attention to the entire game. Usually I’m at a bar, or a party, or with my kids, and I glance over at the game every few minutes, in between conversations or trips up to the appetizer table.

So, quite a different experience for me, sitting quietly on my couch, watching what was probably one of the most exciting, entertaining, interesting Super Bowls in a long time. That whole safety thing at the beginning was interesting. I still don’t really understand what happened, but I don’t care. I was rooting for the Giants.

My decision about the Giants might be ridiculous to some, but made sense to me. First, I’m not a big Tom Brady fan. I know this is really judgmental, and I know I wasn’t there and I don’t know the details about what happened, but what I do know is that he broke up with 8 month pregnant Bridget Moynahan for another woman. Sorry, it just strikes a nerve with me, and I’m not saying anything bad about Giselle, I just think Bridget got a bad deal.

Now on to Manning. He was playing in his brother’s stadium, which was just plain old good karma right there. Plus, doesn’t he just seem like such a sweet guy? Again, I have no idea what he’s really like, or his real story, it’s just my impression. But it was strong enough for me to root for the Giants in the biggest game of the year.

Another reason to root for the Giants: my 10 year old son loves them! Earlier in the day, he asked me to bring his Cruz jersey over to his dad’s house, so he could wear it during the game. So, when Cruz made that amazing catch, I texted him, “Good thing you’re wearing the jersey.” He replied, “Thank God!”

He and I ended up texting throughout the game, which was the highlight of my night. “Yippeee!!” he texted when the Giants won.

Now, on to the halftime show. I thought Madonna was absolutely amazing! Do you know that she is 53 years old?? But even regardless of her age, the woman is gorgeous, an amazing dancer and performer, and her voice is great. She really looked like she was having fun. Apparently, she said in an interview that she was the most nervous she’d ever been before a performance. I don’t think it showed at all! I also really liked the Cee Lo Green duet. Thought it was really cute and a good match.

Favorite commercial:  The M&M commercial. Truly adorable. “So, it’s THAT kind of party,” says a colored M&M to the brown  M&M. “I have clothes on,” she says, “They’re brown.” The other M&M rips off his clothes (his shell) and they start dancing to “I’m Sexy and I know it.” Hilarous!

Other commercials I loved were the Ferris Bueller remake, the Jerry Seinfeld Acura commercial, and the Doritos one where the grandma launches the baby to grab the bag. So laugh out loud funny!

All in all, I have to be honest, (and no offense to any of my friends) but this was one of the most enjoyable Super Bowl experiences I’ve had. An amazing game, very funny commercials, and a halftime performance that rocked! And I was sober and in bed by 9:30!

 

Whatcha Doing for the Super Bowl? February 2, 2012

Are you rooting for the Giants or the Patriots? Are you an Eli fan or are you more partial to Brady? Will you be hoping that the Big Blue defense can beat the three time Super Bowl champs? Here’s the biggest question, though. If you’re having people over, what the heck are you going to serve?!

I recently met Debbie Tucker, an event planner with the nicest demeanor and a sense of calm that made me confident that if I ever had a big event and something went wrong, this woman could completely handle it!

Debbie told me that she and her husband throw a big super bowl party every year with 50-90 guests. So, of course, I asked her for some tips. Here’s what she had to say.

 

1. Menu: Plan a simple menu with casual, fun appetizers and dips and grab as you go sandwiches, chili or pizza.  This is best served buffet style, so guests can snack when they want. Be sure to put lots of crunchy snacks in the rooms that guests will be watching the game.  And replenish throughout the evening, guests treat themselves to these forbidden foods at Super Bowl time!!

 

1. Décor: This can be coordinated with the teams playing, with napkins, plates, etc.  Here’s an idea: if you have a green linen (or get a green paper tablecloth), this can be the football turf and your fun accessories can be on the tabletop.  Another twist is to put some decor that reflects the half time entertainment, this year Madonna!

 

1. TV’s: Set up a lot of TV’s in all rooms so no one misses the action or commercials.

 

1. Football pool: As guests arrive, invite them to participate in a pool. You set the dollar amount. It’s fun when you announce winners after each quarter.

 

1. Paper goods: Don’t forget to have a lot of paper towels, napkins and paper goods on hand. Things get messy with a Super Bowl Party!

 

I asked Debbie for her best recipe for a Super Bowl party. She gave me this one, and said she made it for her New Year’s Eve party and it was gone in minutes!

Baked Salami
1 salami skinned
1 bottle chili sauce
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 bottle water (from chili sauce)

Make a spiral cut 1/4 inch deep around the entire salami.  Mix together chili sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice and water.  Pour over salami and bake at 325 degrees for 2 hours.
Simply delicious!!

Debbie is the owner of her company, Eventure, a boutique style special event planning firm specializing in full service and “day of” production in the areas of mitzvahs, weddings, and corporate meetings and special events.

She’s been planning and producing events for over 20 years.

If you’re interested in talking to her, you can reach her at dtucker@eventurellc.com. Or at (847) 877-7899.

And by the way, no Super Bowl party entertaining for me. I’m actually watching the Super Bowl with my friend, Sandy (bar unknown as of yet). We’ll be watching the game, (I’m rooting for the Giants, by the way), the commercials, and the halftime show. But make no mistake. We’re girls, and we’ll be having some girl talk while we watch!