ARTICLES - Page 77 of 166

Use Your Words Wisely

I don’t remember a time when I didn’t love words. As a kid, I consumed books by the dozens, and wrote spiral notebooks-full of my poems and thoughts. What I didn’t understand then was the power of those words, to both elevate and diminish me.

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Photo credit: revgeary.files.wordpress.com
By the time I was 16, I knew I wanted to be a writer. I even looked the high school career counselor straight in the eye, and said the words out loud. “Oh, you’re going to write the great American novel?” she mocked. Then, she advised me to take a typing class, so I could be a secretary. It was obvious she’d had lots of practice stabbing pitchforks into kids’ dreams.

The brutal truth was, nothing she said was worse—or more destructive—than the negative messages I was already telling myself. As I moved through high school and college, studying the beautiful words of Shakespeare, Austen, and Morrison, I became convinced that I could never be talented enough to be a writer. No one makes money writing, I chastised myself. You think you’re going to be the exception?

Summer Vacation Travel Tips With Kids

Traveling during peak summer times can be frustrating: the lines are long, the planes are crowded, and it all can make for an uneasy travel experience.

As a mom of two boys, aged 11 and 8, I can appreciate how traveling with young children can feel overwhelming. My boys have surprisingly become wonderful travelers. Whether we’re flying to visit family, or driving on a road trip, they are generally cooperative and eager to behave.

Bonjour, Paris!

Hello ladies! Long time no see!

I am just back from Paris, where I had the most magical week.

If you recall, I shared with you this last month,

It is with tremendous pride and excitement that I can finally share how honored I am to join the company of empowered and inspired women as an Ambassador for Lancôme Canada. Having watched my mother take precious care of her beautiful peaches and cream skin my whole life with Lancôme products, Lancôme to me represented a strong woman, with true inner beauty.

I am honored that Lancôme sees me as a woman who also represents strong and real beauty from the inside out.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of such a meaningful brand, and I will take you along with me on a journey exploring some exciting things.” – WomenOnTheFence.com, June 5, 2015

So today, allow me to take you on my recent journey.

Because Paris has to be SEEN to be felt, my trip in pictures.

I am My Beloved’s and My Beloved is Mine

On July 3rd 2005, I married Brandon – the love of my life.

Our courtship was a whirlwind romance; the kind of stuff in fairy tales. Brandon and I first met in 1991 when I went on vacation with his brother and my friend. At the time, we all saw Brandon as the “little brother” that hung out with us. Since he was five years younger, he was not part of our group.

Over the years, I would see Brandon at occasional family events and visits, but we never really talked for more than a few minutes. Don’t get me wrong – I always thought Brandon was “hot” – a professional hockey player, at 6’1, with blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, he could not be ignored. I just always thought of him as my friend’s younger brother who was (honestly), way out of my league.

Fast forward to August 2004, when Brandon once again joined our friends for a dinner out in Toronto. We sat next to each other and for the first time, had a real conversation.

That night he told his best friend that he had met his wife.

My SHERO: Misty Copeland

In keeping with the spirit of Wordless Wednesday, I will keep it short, and wordlessly.

When I read the headline yesterday, “Misty Copeland Becomes First Black Principal Dancer At American Ballet Theater,” I swear to G-d, I teared up. After 14 years as a soloist with the ballet company, Misty can now add principal dancer to her resume. If you are familiar with Misty’s story, you might tear up too. A story of tremendous struggle, extreme hard work and dedication to her craft, years of believing in herself, and total triumph.

Summer Fashion Trends With A Canada Day Giveaway From LE CHÂTEAU!

Summer is officially here, so is Canada Day, and today I have something fun for WomenOnTheFence.com readers!

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It’s no secret that I am the LE CHÂTEAU Brand Ambassador, wearing their amazing, stylish clothes, shoes, coats and accessories pretty much everywhere I go, for both work and play.

Wearing LE CHÂTEAU on an episode of The Own Show on OWN TV.
Wearing LE CHÂTEAU on an episode of The Own Show on OWN TV.
So if you’re curious as to some hot summer fashion trends, I’ve got you covered today in the video below.

But first, some of my top favorite summer fashion trends I have been sporting are right here. And they are all LE CHÂTEAU:

Why Sleepaway Camp Is Good For Kids AND Parents

It’s 9:15am Monday morning. I just finished a great ‘Beat Spin and Abs’ class, and I’m feeling good. A bit lonely, but gooooood.

Last week, I sent my boys off to sleepaway camp, together, for the first time. The people I have bumped into have asked me, “So? How does it feel to have both your kids gone for the first time?”

My answer? “On a scale of 1-10… 1,000,000!”

And they just look at me.

Who is this woman who so freely admits she hardly misses her kids and is celebrating her freedom?

The truth is, the first couple of days it felt like I had lost a limb. Like someone had literally cut off my right arm. But now? Now I have a sense of calm, baby. And perhaps even peace. I lie in bed in the morning sipping coffee flipping between The Today Show and Good Morning America. I went to a movie yesterday at 4:30pm. A Sunday afternoon movie that I wanted to see… not a kids movie! I’m hoping to go to the Jazz Fest tonight. I have dinner plans with friends this week. I don’t even feel tired anymore because just the emotional drain of raising children can be exhausting.

And I feel no guilt about my happiness.

Off The Fence and Onto The Sea

By Guest Blogger Bethany Rosselit

I know all about sitting on the fence.

I didn’t just sit there for 10 years. I bought a house there.

Grey or Orange?

Happy Monday, Ladies!

I hope you all enjoyed your Father’s Day yesterday and had a chance to relax a little bit. We had a wonderfully relaxing day filled dads, grandads and family. The weekend was also accompanied by a few butterflies, as we get ready to send these boys off this week to summer camp. My little one for his first time.

A Tribute To My Three Fathers

My name is Marnie. I am a 40-something woman, girl, lady, mother, sister, daughter, aunt… you get the picture. I am currently at the peak of transition in my life– starting over in every conceivable way. Living in a new city. Subletting as my material world lays in storage. I can literally go anywhere, become anyone, do anything. My true accountability is only to myself, as I am at the beginning of my journey with just me in tow… and maybe a carry-on or two depending on the day. My words are from my soul, they are real and hopefully they are relatable. My hope is to help other souls beginning anew in uncharted territory.

Father’s Day on Sunday is a strange day for me. Heavy and yet not heavy, and I will share why.

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