LIFESTYLE

Happy New Year from cloudy Florida. I wanted to take this moment to wish you all a very Happy and Healthy 2014. I don’t think I could say it more perfectly than this. Thank you to Chenice, one of our first readers for sending me this. I do believe it’s quote from the movie New Year’s Eve.

I have been thinking about the homeless a lot lately. It has been freezing cold here in Montreal, and when this type of weather hits, my mind always wanders to those sleeping on the streets, to crowded shelters and to the injustices of life. It’s heartbreaking.

I decided I wanted to do something about it. I went through my closet this weekend, and put together a pile of about 6 old winter coats. My husband, my boys and I ran them downtown to give them out to those living on the streets without warm coats. I was basically just doing what I could…

‘Tis the season for giving, and fabulous fashion! There’s no better place to stock up on the greatest office party, holiday and New Year’s party attire AND gifts than the store on every main street and in every mall across Canada, and online at LeChateau.com.

This Morning’s Global TV Parenting segment was on a topic many of us can relate to right now – holiday shopping! It is a very stressful time for most– both financially, as well as finding the time to get it all done on time. Today I shared 5 hot holiday shopping and budget apps which will hopefully take some of the stress off.

If Orange Is The New Black, then 40 Is The New 30.

Three thousand years ago on a battlefield in ancient Palestine, a shepherd boy felled a mighty warrior with nothing more than a stone and a sling, and ever since then, the names of David and Goliath have stood for battles between underdogs and giants. David’s victory was improbable and miraculous. He shouldn’t have won.

Or should he have?

In David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell challenges how we think about obstacles and disadvantages, offering a new interpretation of what it means to be discriminated against, or cope with a disability, or lose a parent, or attend a mediocre school, or suffer from any number of other apparent setbacks.

So, did you see it? Write what you see below…

The lesson from today’s WordlessY Wednesday: Not everything in life is as we see it, and the way in which you see something changes, if you change your angle.

And if you truly get this exercise in perception, you will understand how it relates to your happiness. We often see our glass as half empty, when in reality, that is only a matter of perception. We aren’t grateful for what we DO have, and we lose sight of the fact that the grass is always greener where we water it.

I am still so inspired from an incredible evening last night with Leigh Anne Tuohy. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, perhaps you might remember Sandra Bullock’s Oscar-winning performance as Leigh Anne Tuohy in the movie The Blindside. Leigh Anne came to Montreal to speak to 800 Jewish women for our yearly event called Choices. I was fortunate enough to chair this event a few years ago, and it’s one of my favorite evenings of the year. Each year, we bring in a different woman who has had to make brave choices in her life… we have seen Marlee Matlin, and many other inspirational women.

So, I experienced star-struckness (okay I know that’s not a word) this morning. But we LOVE music artist Jason Derulo in our house. We play his songs all the time (especially Ridin’ Solo, Don’t Wanna Go Home, and In My Head), and my kids know all the words. So when I got word last night that his live TV segment was going to air right after mine, I admit, I got excited!

Happy Hump Day! As a Certified Women’s Life and Success Coach, I have worked with hundreds of women as a coach, consultant and mentor for almost 15 years. I have always been fascinated by success – you know, what makes someone successful, and I don’t just mean from a financial standpoint. I have studied success for thousands of hours, and have spoken on the topic many times. Based on my research, and based upon my own personal experience as a thriving mom, wife with career woman, here are my Top 10 Secrets to Success in Life and Womanhood. There are many more, but I tried to cover the ones that meant the most. I’d love to know yours, and I’d love you to share them below.

Let’s get to it, shall we?