While so much has changed and been taken away from us since March 2020, I'm reminded of a mantra I heard many years ago that has helped me navigate these surreal times: "Focus on the doughnut, not on the hole." Here we are, 20 months later, still masked up, albeit...
It's been years since I've walked a trade show at the Javits Center, but the NY NOW promotions caught my attention earlier this summer. What used to be separately the Gift Show and the Stationery Show have been fused together and re-branded. I attended it this...
There were so many marvelous and unexpected outcomes from my Wilkes Barre adventure last week that I wanted to share a few with you. Because, like George Carlin said: “Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.” I...
Following one lead after another, which I do, I was introduced to Melanie Falick, the author of Making a Life. During a phone conversation in early June, she described a friend of hers who lives near Wilkes Barre, PA, who has the most extensive felted wool...
I used to be so afraid of rejection that I'd rather let go of a goal or vision than hear the word, "no". On closer examination, most of my requests have been granted, but asking still doesn't come easily. Consider the acronym for fear, which is at the root of my...
I had the extraordinary privilege of connecting with Tollisha Joseph not once, but twice yesterday. There aren't many Saturdays (the rain helps) where I'm moved to blog, but after an infusion of The Official Glue, Tollisha's alias, I had to share! I'd attended a...
Of the over 100 actions I've taken to build my new business this past year, eleven of them revolved around networking. When you see the word networking, does it conjure up name tags, handshakes and fake smiles? I used to think that way, but it has become a favorite...
At the end of my shower this morning I was reminded of a small change I made in my routine years ago. I had complained to whomever, "Don't you just hate it when you finish luxuriating in a warm shower, then rip open the curtain, step out, grab a towel and freeze?"...
"There's no such thing as competition. There's so much abundance out there," said Virginia Kraljevic as our most ample conversation wound down. Her attitude didn't surprise me. Her drawings reflect someone whose heart is wide open and flourishing. Virginia is my...
What began as a way to fill an 8-hour day ended up being a rewarding, uplifting and satisfying adventure. I was at an intersection between my kitchen renovation completion and a rare day with no appointments on the calendar. My home studio is currently inoperable,...
My driver and I were having a conversation about side hustles this afternoon on the very trafficky ride home from LaGuardia. Jerome, a brilliant med student, now doctor, picked me up over a year ago when he was working as a Via driver. He'd responded to a signal...
From the get-go, I knew I was meeting someone who was totally herself. I don't have the opportunity to come into contact with many millennials, but Romina was seated beside me last night at the TDF Gala and we talked non-stop until the entertainment began. I was...
During my memoir writing period of YEARS, I started asking around if I might do a reading at friend's homes. Many said yes, and I was able to get useful and supportive feedback during the draft stage of my book. Someone mentioned a place in Brooklyn to me where...
Way back in May, a few short months after my manuscript was accepted for publication by She Writes Press, I received an invitation to attend an all female authors retreat in November in Carefree, Arizona. How could I say no? I'm just back from an exhilarating 4...
I'm so happy I joined the Women's Media Group in NYC a couple of years ago. They have a way of making all members feels welcomed and a part of the group. Here's a tip on how to solidify any network you're in from BNI, to a Chamber, to Toastmasters and so on. Create...