Girl power goddesses to Google right now!

The following 5 dynamic digital divas will leave you bursting with inspiration and ready to take on the world…

1) Kimberly Wilson

Kimberly helps modern women stylishly blend yoga and entrepreneurship into their everyday lives, and I consider her books, HipTranquil Chick and Tranquilista, to be my sparkly pink bibles. Kimberly’s podcast, Tranquility Du Jour, offers fantastic interviews of people at the forefront of the personal growth and creativity arenas, and her charming Tranquility Du Jour blog always puts a smile on my face.

2) Marie Forleo

 

Marie is a self-described “business strategist, marketing maven, and spiritual ass-kicker with a side of hip hop swagger” and one of the best (and most popular) she-Vloggers on the web.  Her vibrant videos covering everything from business growth to spirituality never fail to leave me energized and full of excitement.

3) Danielle LaPorte

Life coach Danielle LaPorte writes that “feminine power and progressive commerce are revolutionary forces” and I couldn’t agree more.  Her website and best-selling book, The Fire Starter Sessions, showcase her powerful writing which is wise, sassy and totally irreverent all at once. 

4) Gabrielle Bernstein

The cover of Gabrielle's 1st book, Add More Ing to Your Life, (pictured above) which shows her unicycling on a crowded NYC street sporting a huge grin and angel wings pretty much says it all.  I very much enjoy her weekly Vlogs centered around self-improvement and personal growth and the warmth and panache with which she delivers them.

5) Gala Darling 

Through her irresistible blog and eBook, appropriately titled, Love and Sequins, Gala Darling offers a message of “Radical self-love”.  She encourages her ever-growing tribe of self-described “International Plagirls” to join her on on a path of self-actualization and style.  

Who inspires you on the wonderful World Wide Web?  Please share in the comments below!

Knowing something intellectually vs. knowing it emotionally

"There is a difference between knowing something intellectually and knowing it emotionally; knowing it in a way that echoes on a deep core level. Sometimes the most obvious truths are some of the most difficult to assimilate...and until we learn them, they will keep popping up in our lives." -Gala Darling

Serenity that will fuel you in a whole new way

"Too often we fuel our lives with activities, tasks, or busyness to avoid feeling bored.  Years of focusing our attention 'out there' makes it difficult to take the time and space to look inward and spend time reflecting on our lives.  Often what lies beneath the feelings of boredom is fear of the unknown, of facing unmet dreams, or a desire to remain detached from the feelings we've suppressed for years.  But with practice, you'll discover that learning to sit with the feelings of boredom that quickly give way to a deeper reflection of your life eventually leads to a sense of peace and serenity that will fuel you in a whole new way."
-Cheryl Richardson

Uncertainty and mystery are energies of life

“Uncertainty and mystery are energies of life. Don’t let them scare you unduly, for they keep boredom at bay and spark creativity.”– R.I. Fitzhenry

Every relationship, no matter how brief, contains a priceless lesson

"What if the idea of Mr. Right is completely false?  What if there is no Mr. Wrong?  What if every relationship--no matter how brief--contains a priceless lesson allowing you to grow and evolve into your grandest self?"
-Marie Forleo (total BAMF...I'm kind of obsessed with this woman)

If it's true, you'll feel it

"If it looks good, you'll see it.  If it sounds good, you'll hear it.  If it's marketed right, you'll buy it.  But if it's true, you'll feel it"

-Kid Rock

Trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever

"Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward.  You can only connect them looking backwards, so you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.  You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.  This approach has never let me down and it has made all the difference in my life."
-Steve Jobs

Say yes to the adventure of life

I find the following personal manifesto written by the fabulous Gala Darling to be so inspiring that I've printed it out and hung it next to my desk (I've made bold the parts that particularly resonate with me):

“Strive to always be thankful and optimistic.  Focus your gaze on what is good and positive; never dwell on the negative.  Do not allow life to make you cynical or closed off.  Remaining open and true to yourself is a life-long adventure, & the only one worth having.

Choose to see the best in people.  Strike up conversations with strangers.  Never be afraid to ask for what you really, really want.  To love, purely and fiercely, without agenda, is the most terrifying and rewarding thing you will ever do.  Travel is essential to the spirit.  A pair of great shoes means nothing if you have an ugly heart. 

Try your hardest not to judge anyone else; it never leads anywhere good.  Always avoid tabloids and gossip, they destroy the soul.  Be kind and loyal.  Many things in this world are more important than money.  Always trust your intuition, always.  Rescue animals, it will strengthen your heart.  Never delight in anyone else’s misery.  Trust in others.

You are your own best investment.  Believe in the magic of a new day and a fresh start.  Follow your bliss.  Do more of what you love.  Always do the best you can.  Create your own family and care for them ferociously. 

When people offer you opportunities that scare you, say yes: It’s the very best way to grow.  You are never as stuck as you think.  Stay eager.  Love yourself. Say yes to the adventure of life.”

-Gala Darling

What to do when you're totally stressed out

Work is piling up, you feel a cold coming on, you just missed a deadline, your car has decided to fall to pieces and you can no longer see the bottom of your bedroom floor. Whether you blame Mercury retrograde or just plain bad luck, we've all had days where the thought of spending a month in bed eating cookie dough, drinking wine, and watching The Vampire Diaries sounds pretty damn good (Just me?). If this is the case, it's time to take action. Here are some simple things that help me get back into a centered, focused and happy place when I feel like life is spinning out of control:

* Meditation

* Journaling

* Making a To-Do List and crossing things off

* Reading inspirational books and blogs (see my sidebar for recommendations)

* Spending time in nature

* Getting a good night's sleep

* Taking bubble baths (more than one a day is perfectly acceptable and etra points for scented candles and trashy magazines!)

* Exercising

* Volunteering

* Getting a massage

* Expressing gratitude

* Spending quality time with close friends

* Sipping tea

* Doing something crafty

* Cleaning

* Dancing

Remember, above all, to be compassionate to yourself. We are all being challenged in different ways at different times of our lives. It's part of being human. The best thing you can do when you are in that icky stressed out place is to love yourself as much as possible, and take baby steps towards getting your life back in order. And a little cookie dough, white wine, and good-bad TV never hurts! Wishing you all lots of lovely peace and happiness this week!
xoxo

There is no reason not to follow your heart

“. . . almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
-Steve Jobs

The golden hours

Photo: Pinterest.
"You must have been warned against letting the golden hours slip by. Yes, but some of them are golden only because we let them slip."
-J.M. Barrie

Here's to the crazy ones

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status-quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them. But the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

~ Apple Computers

A sprinkle of poetic inspiration

Photo: Pinterest

I recently came across this beautiful and empowering poem by Patricia Lynne Reilly called "Imagine A Woman". I hope you find it as inspiring as I do :)

Imagine a woman who is interested in her own life.
A woman who embraces her life as teacher, healer, and challenge.
Who is grateful for the ordinary moments of beauty and grace.

Imagine a woman who participates in her own life.
A woman who meets each challenge with creativity.
Who takes action on her own behalf with clarity and strength.

Imagine a woman who has crafted a fully-formed solitude.
A woman who is available to herself.
Who chooses friends and lovers with the capacity to respect her solitude.

Imagine a woman who acknowledges the full range of human emotion.
A woman who expresses her feelings clearly and directly.
Who allows them to pass through her as naturally as the breath.

Imagine a woman who tells the truth.
A woman who trusts her experience of the world and expresses it.
Who refuses to defer to the perceptions, thoughts, and responses of others.

Imagine a woman who follows her creative impulses.
A woman who produces original creations.
Who refuses to color inside someone else's lines.

Imagine a woman who has relinquished the desire for intellectual approval.
A woman who makes a powerful statement with every action she takes.
Who asserts to herself the right to reorder the world.

Imagine a woman who has grown in knowledge and love of herself.
A woman who has vowed faithfulness to her own life.
Who remains loyal to herself. Regardless.

Imagine yourself as this woman.

Luxury

Photos: Pinterist
“Luxury is not a necessity to me, but beautiful and good things are.”
—Anaïs Nin

How To Stay Entertained During a Hurricane

Photo: Pinterest

A few tips for making the most of this stormy weather....

*Stock up on necessities like a flashlight, batteries, wine & scented candles

*Make a hurricane mix CD

*Read the September issue of Vogue in bed

*Sip hot Coco

*Re-organize your closet

*Write snail mail to your closest gal pals

*Cuddle with your significant other/pet/unsuspecting roommate

*Hope that work/school/general adult obligations get cancelled on Monday

*Spend the day in your PJs

*Start baking cookies but end up just eating the batter (what are you supposed to do without power?)

*Journal

*Begin a craft project

*Take pictures of the rain drops on your window

*Do Yoga

Happy Hurricane!

Bits and Pieces of My Life: Office Edition

A sneak peak at my workspace...

My desk top, complete with all the essentials: Colorful screen saver, aromatherapy mist (peppermint for energy, lavender for stress-relief), framed photos that make me smile, to-do list/mouse pad (made from recycled paper, of course!), pretty purple coffee mug, mini zen garden, & day planner.



Work-related reading material, business cards, inspirational photo, and scented candle (to add a sense of coziness if I'm stuck in the office working late)



Keys...obviously.



A peak at my ideal schedule collage that lives in the front of my planner. Basically a visual representation of my goals and the things I want to attract into my life.



What keeps you feeling fabulous in your work space?

Add a splash of summer to your wardrobe!

Photo: Pinterest

Why not...

* Tie a bright patterned scarf to a neutral leather handbag

* Add a flower to your ponytail or clip one behind your ear

* Wear sparkly nail polish

* Find a tropical and summery screen saver

* Apply fruity lip balm (I'm currently loving Fresh Lime by H & M)

* Carry a cute eco-friendly water bottle (garnished with a slice of lemon or lime) at all times to stay hydrated

What are your favorite ways to stay cute in the heat?

Do your dance

Just came across the following inspirational quote on one of my favorite blogs, Re-Psych, and felt compelled to share:

"Don’t be daunted. Just do your job. Continue to show up for your piece of it, whatever that might be. If your job is to dance, do your dance. If the divine, cockeyed genius assigned to your case decides to let some sort of wonderment be glimpsed, for just one moment through your efforts, then ‘Ole!’ And if not, do your dance anyhow. And ‘Ole!’ to you, nonetheless. I believe this and I feel that we must teach it. ‘Ole!’ to you, nonetheless, just for having the sheer human love and stubbornness to keep showing up."
~ Elizabeth Gilbert

What a great pre-week reminder to continue to strive to do our best in whatever we undertake, regardless of external recognition we may or may not be receiving at the present moment. 'Ole!" to each and every one of you for giving life your best shot! Have a wonderful week :)

Tan Lines, Reflexology and The Breaking Dawn Trailer (aka my weekly love list)

A roundup of things that made me happy this week...

* Lounging by the pool all weekend. I officially have tan lines!

* Exploring Columbia Heights on Saturday. Such a diverse and lively area of DC!

* Ordering creatively named menu items at restaurants. Today I ate a "Boom Boom Shrimp" for lunch and the name alone put a smile on my face.

* Receiving adorable paper party invitations in the mail. I've begun saving them to post on my bulletin board for inspiration.

* Reading These tips for remembering people's names posted by The Classy Career Girl. So useful!

* Getting inspired by Pretty Young Professional's 5 Ways to Pursue an Unconventional Career.

* Brunching (verb?) on the lovely back patio of Puro Cafe in Georgetown on Sunday. Fantastic company, delicious food, and perfect ambiance made for a lovely experience.

* Eating free cake at work :)

* Stumbling upon this extremely inspirational quote:

“Your journey has molded you for the greater good. It was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think you’ve lost time. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time.
-Asha Tyson

So great!

* Savoring the Breaking Dawn trailer :) Though perhaps I'm not quite as enthused as this girl. Yikes.

*Watching Jersey Shore reruns on the elliptical...I feel like the healthiness of working out cancels out any brain cells lost...

* Lusting over this adorably feminine lacy pink dress that I cannot afford!

* Getting excited to try out this reflexology map. I am a big believer in the power of massage to de-stress and maintain health.

* Researching for my upcoming trip to India this October. I've decided to spend half my time traveling and sightseeing and the other half doing a yoga retreat at an ashram (how Eat Pray Love of me, right?). So excited!!

What did you love this week?

Nothing is Original - Cool Quote

Tumblr.
“Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable, originality is non-existent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery-celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Goddard said: “It’s not where you take things from, it’s where you take them to’.”
-Jim Jarmusch