"Reality Check" speaker

I heard Guy Kawasaki speak at the ASAE "Great Ideas" conference last month in Colorado Springs.

He did an interview recently with the New York Times.

Good points he makes:

They should teach students how to communicate in five-sentence e-mails and with 10-slide PowerPoint presentations.
If they just taught every student that, American business would be much better off.

The issue with consulting is that if you go straight to work for a consultant, you develop this perspective that the hard part is the analysis and the decision.
In reality, that’s not the hard part.

The hard part is implementing the decision, not making it.

You can develop an absolutely incorrect perception of yourself as a great manager when, in fact, you haven’t implemented anything.

All you’ve done is make spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations.

Swiss chard to come?

Mr Right had to go to St Louis Saturday to scope out a possible new location for Three Dog Bakery.

So Mirabella and I spent Saturday planting seeds and taking a long walk.

We put Swiss Chard and Beets in these little peat moss pods. The plan is to let them germinate and then move them outside. Fingers crossed -- I'm not much of a green thumb.

Preservatives? Ya think?

You have to read this post on Glamour's fitness blog. It came from Snack Girl.

Both burgers are 11 days old.

Thanks Joanna, for posting this.

more nyc

Idlewild is my new fave bookstore. Organized by country, there are cookbooks, travel books and novels. Wonderful.


The Macy's Flower Show is always impressive, but this year seemed to be especially bright and cheery. Maybe it was the long winter.

nyc

Two wonderful weekends in New York yielded me these new finds.

The best new store for kitchen goodies.

"the best damn cookies on the earth" really.

Pom pom fringe trim at this endless store for curtains in M's room. When she turns the corner from nursery to little girl (soon!) I'm going to turn pink into pink-and-black.

Aerial yoga

3 year olds can be advertising "victims"

Yikes. According to study in the Journal of Psychology and Marketing, brand identification begins as young as three years old.

M's new transportation

Mr. Right has been saving for a new computer system for months. Last weekend, he blew the savings on a new Trek bike and a Trek trailer for baby girl.

And a very small pink Trek helmet.

The inagural ride apparently went well. Mirabella is very proficient with sign language at this point, and she did "more" every time Dad stopped at a stop sign.

"great ideas" from Colorado

Back from the Great Ideas Conference in Colorado Springs at the gorgeous, luxe Broadmoor.

Wow what a treat.

The Broadmoor made healthy, delicious meals for our conference breakfasts and lunches. And they even had Agave Nectar at their coffee service.

They also had beautiful cupcakes in the coffee shop -- I'm talking about the ones that make your mouth water just looking at them. And I managed to restrain myself! Three days, no cupcakes. Big pat on the back for Angela!

If you followed my facebook or twitter, you know I brought back a load of mommy-guilt presents for baby girl: three books, two rubber duckies (from the spa gift shop) and a "Colorado Rider" Harley-esque t-shirt - complete with flames - for my girl. The t-shirt has a tricycle where the Harley would normally be. Too funny.

But the spa ducks win the cute prize.

One thing I loved at this conference was the ribbons for the badges.

You know how conferences offer those ribbons to attach to your badge that in some form say "I'm really important?" Actually they say something like "Speaker" or "Committee Member."

This conference had ribbons that said "Colors Outside the Lines" and "Twitter-pated." They were laying on a table for anybody to take. Felt much more community than hierarchy. Love it.

"A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone.".
Henry david Thoreau

realistic (ok, a bit more realistic) sample size

This was worth posting twice.

Apparently representatives of the beauty industry are considering changing the standard sample size - a whopping SIZE 0 -- to a size closer to what healthier women wear (or at least not anerexic 15 year olds).

The beauty and fitness blog on Vogue gives details here.

About time.

Way over due, actually.

Kudos to them for tackling it.

Hurry please.

Tina Fey on Vogue cover because she "benches 225"

March cover girl Tina Fey on Vogue.

She won my heart (again).

finesse at 19 months

Dear Mirabella,
You are awesome on the balance beam.
You are strong and confident.
Watching you sprint from trampoline to slide to rings at Open Gym makes me so proud I could bust.
I love you so much baby girl. When you smile I get goosebumps.
Love
Momma

how many minutes on the stairmaster to work off the chocolate cake?

Phit Chicks may remember our Chocolate Tasting event where we rated treats based on their "treadmill worthiness."

Now the Real Age website makes it easy to know the trade-off in exercise each calorie splurge will require -- check out the Real Age Exercise Estimator.

How to love a child

courtesy Home

Michelle Obama introduces "Let's Move"

For the first time in history, the United States is raising a generation of children expected to live shorter lives than their parents. More and more children are fighting diseases, like type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, that used to only show up in adults.
As a country, we're spending $14 billion per year in direct costs for health care for obese children.

Last week, Michelle Obama rolled out the Let's Move initiative, an effort to use a variety of strategies to help roll back to the epidemic of childhood obesity in this country.

Creativity, volunteering and sharing

Research shows that empathy drives workplace creativity.

Volunteering on the rise, mostly thanks to women.

Do you like to share?

personal branding book

Planning to read

Me 2.0

a book on personal branding on my Kindle this weekend.
Have you read it?

Update: A decent read with some good ideas. Really targeted at 20-somethings but social media info is good for everyone to read. Thoughts on the resume being "dead" is an eye-opener many mid-careerists should ponder.
3 Angela stars out of five.

Forever 21 - please think before you shop

I knew it was too cheap to be true.

Sweatshop labor in the US – Forever 21 has been running sweatshops in California and using Mexican immigrant labor in subpar working conditions to provide you with cheap disposable clothing. How can you in good conscious spend money on a product that forces fellow women to work in sweatshop conditions? Several of these women have banded to together and created a must see documentary called “Made in LA”. It is very easy to say “Oh yeah, it may be cheap labor but I can’t afford anything better” and thereby distancing yourself from the issue at hand but watching this documentary and seeing the faces behind your garments should open everyone’s eyes.

Additionally, Forever 21 has been taken to the California Supreme Court regarding its unfair labor practices repeatedly. As one factory worker Guadalupe Hernandez explained she earned, “$4 per hour working 10 hours a day 6 days a week in a factory with no running water and no bathroom.” Clearly the cost of fast fashion is too high!

on my mind right now

1) How grateful I am for nasal cleansing. Yogis have been using Neti Pots for years, but they are just now in mainstream healthcare.

SO helpful in getting over a cold. Kinda weird, but definitely worth doing.

2) The people in Haiti. Mr Right has mentioned adopting a child from there and I'd do it in a minute.

3) Saw Quinton Tarantino's "Inglorious Basterds" on Tuesday night at home. The violence and hate just give me chills. A good movie, I guess, but really disturbing. I would not normally watch, but Mr Right was healing from back surgery and I wanted to get a non-girl movie for him.

I'm grateful that talented people like Trantino produce these movies; it will hopefully prevent us from ever allowing something so awful to happen again.

4) Trying to stop thinking about my cold and get some work done.

The Beauty of Health: Resizing the Sample Size

Apparently representatives of the beauty industry are considering changing the standard sample size - a whopping SIZE 0 -- to a size closer to what healthier women wear (or at least not anerexic 15 year olds).

The beauty and fitness blog on Vogue tells about it here.

About time.

Way over due, actually.

Kudos to them for tackling it.

Hurry please.

"a bastion of urban chic" - really? cool.

I love how Kansas city is described in this article in Elle Decor.

Poll: How often do you see your parents?

Poll: How often do you see your parents?

Supermarket Sarah

Have you seen Supermarket Sarah? She sells flea market items from her home. So cute, so clever.

On my mind right now:

Haiti victims

Apple's new iPad

how much I loved fitness conventions before every session was a commercial for a new gizmo

Oprah is stopping at 25 years. I've been teaching aerobics, group ex or yoga for 27 years. Time to quit?

My baby girl can now say "yeah" very clearly.

How stressful a month of non-stop business travel has been. Yet how wonderful to actually find time to THINK and READ which I never have unless I'm Up in the Air.

February day two

Not one to enjoy cold weather or winter, I tend to be ready to bail and move to Los Angeles by February.

To keep myself positive, I keep listing things to love about February.

1. Valentines Day! Chocolates and flowers and gifts, all definite yums. I enjoyed Valentines Day when I was single -- was fun surprising co-workers and friends with treats. I think I see it as a chance to make up for the things I didn't cross off my list at Christmas.

2. A short month.

3. January, and all it's goal setting and post-holiday blahs - is over.

4. Spring clothes are already in the magazines (and some of the stores)!

5. Another full month to enjoy indoor workouts and classes before the first sunshine-filled days send me outside to walk and run. I think this month I'll try Title Nine Boxing -- not one for boxing classes, but maybe if I hit a real bag, maybe that would be good.

trampoline you won't fall off

Kids love trampolines, but they are so dangerous.
This brilliant couple built an in-ground one for their family. Check out their amazing home.

"Urban Taco" in Dallas airport is pretty yummy and healthy!

Mad Men waistline

Mr Right and I have been catching up with the rest of the world and watching Mad Men on dvd.

I would love to wear those beautiful Betty Draper dresses.

My body type is more of like Joan's though.

early stretch

Thank you Lifetime peeps, for a wonderful yoga experience this morning.

Nothing like feeling strong, stretched and centered before the sun rises.

Vancouver

The Olympics start in 17 days.
I am looking at airline tickets to Vancouver.
Only problem is the Olympics will be long gone by the time I get there at the end of April for a work meeting.

That's ok - I love you Vancouver. Last time I was there I was really tired. Had no idea but I was pregnant.
Can't wait to take M and push her all over the city in her stroller. Glad I'll have a bit more energy when I visit this time!

have you heard of cross fit tribe?

Last night at dinner I learned about Crossfit Tribe. Read about it here.

I borrowed this quote from their blog:
“Discipline is the ability to do what needs to be done...
even when you don’t feel like doing it.” - Mark Sanborn

San Antonio

36 hours in San Antonio

0 margaritas
0 chips

:)

beautiful and fit in 2010

One of the Vogue blogs posted "Resolutions from the Pro's."

My fit and beautiful New Year will include:

Vibraderm (sp?) at Midwest Medical Aesthetics -- did it the first time this year and my skin felt so good and so smooth.

Yoga every Wed at 5:45 am with my Lifetime Fitness peeps.

Sweaty step class and core strength on Tuesday nights.

I am NOT resolving to eat less chocolate. Never works anyway.

Aqua Tots II at Blue Valley Rec Center. Managing an energetic toddler in the water is way more work than above mentioned step or yoga classes.

legal - ease

Thank you Carolyn, for spending my money. Your post on your favorite office supplies left me $50 poorer. BUT -- I'm excited for the papaya legal pads -- will lighten the many conference calls I have.

madness behind the method

Tracy Anderson is a publicity genius -- her studio and workouts are in every magazine. And now on Regis and Kelly.
Helps if you train people like Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna, I'm sure.
I've purchased Tracy's dvd's and they were mediocre. She really doesn't "teach" at all -- she just does the routines and you are on your own to follow her. When she does cue, she's way late. She does have some terrific music though -- and there's no better motivation than good tunes.

marshmallow willpower

Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.

Hillarious

thanks Joanna for sharing

must be January

Yesterday morning I walked into my office and found my W-2 and two boxes of Girl Scout cookies I ordered from my bosses twin girls.

Both seem to be good and bad news.

soon fern shopping

So I am in search of a Boston Fern. I've never had a green thumb, or been a big fan of ferns.

But I understand they help counter the off-gas and create healthier air. Critical in my house with a baby and with Mr. Right's asthma.

decade wish lists

Seems I was just typing "I can't believe tomorrow is December" and blink, it's mid-January. I'm way too late for resolutions.
I've been thinking about the new decade though.
2000 - 2009 was rough. Ended this past year with horrible economy and unemployment rate. Got started with 9/11. In between there was Katrina and the asian tsunami.
I'm optimistic for this decade. For me, for my little girl, for my family and for everybody.
The Huffington Post listed 12 things that became obsolete this decade.
Classified ads
Landline phones
Fax machines
Dial up internet
Encyclopedias
CDs
Film
Yellow pages & address books
Catalogs
Wires
Hand written letters

I'm hoping to send more hand-written notes (not letters, but notes) in 2010. And my mailbox is awfully full of the supposed obsolete catalogs.
I wonder what will no longer be here in 2020?
I hope:
Time Warner Cable's horrific customer service
Sprint's current horrific customer service
Flight delays
Conference calls (boring ones anyway)
other time-wasters

What I hope we have that's new:

low-calorie chocolate (GOOD chocolate)

low-calorie frozen custard (I"m thinking Sheridan's or Culver's)

more independent restaurants: like the Gareltts' Blue Stem here in KC and Pure Food and Wine in NYC

higher paying jobs that require less work

more Meryl Streep movies

more Norah Ephron screenplays (stage or movie, fine)

no more hunger, domestic violence, child abuse, stupid people

Chinese and Indians realize the value of a baby girl

Ok, so if we can have a couple of those last ones, I'll give up chocolate. Happily.

chocolate in the shower

My mom also contributed to my very Merry Christmas -- gave me these yunmmy shower gels by Philosophy -- Peppermint hot cocoa and Fudge Cake. Nothing like lathering up a chocolate scent in a warm shower on a cold day. I really like these, they don't leave any lingering perfumy scent on your body, just smell great while you're using them.

gifts from Mr Right

I'm way late in posting this, but Mr Right out-did himself as Santa this year.
I opened gift after gift. Felt like a little girl getting everything I wanted!
Calvin Klein layering tanks in black and white from Bloomingdales
A beautiful black bra from Bloomingdales
Beautiful bras in red, red lace and black w/ white polka dots; matching panties too - from Victoria's Secret. (I don't know when they started carrying 34DD, but thank you!).
Trapp Candles! The big size in Pear, Pink Grapefruit, Lemongrass and Macintosh.
Aveda lotion and hand creme
A dozen pair of Thor-lo running socks
Darling polka-dot dishes from Prydes in Westport
Pink grapefruit dish soap from William Sonoma (plus a huge refill)
Two bottles of Veuve Clicquot
Scrubby exfoliating peppermint stuff that I love
And I don't even think that was all. What a wonderful Christmas morning!
I've always said the gifts are a small part of the holiday, and I love giving them more than getting them. But it was nice, I must admit, to be spoiled this way.

SATC 2

So everyone is excited about the "Sex and the City 2" movie trailer.

I did like the first movie, really just for the clothes the gals wore and the NYC scenes. Big was a weak jerk (even the fabulous closet he built doesn't make up for it).

But you have to read this hilarious post on The Lil Bee -- a blog I recently found and am really enjoying!

She is so right -- Samantha IS Blanche!

yummy brunch

On Christmas morning, I made Mr Right brunch. Eggs benedict but with beef tenderloin and corn bread. No hollandaise sauce. Not my favorite, but I think he really liked it.
Accompanied by Vueve Clicquot. THAT was my favorite. :)

Got the inspiration here.

resolution solution

no resolutions.

This is really hard for me. But I have a planner pad full of goals and projects and I don't need any more lists. I need more check marks on the lists I do have.

I was thinking today that in 2010 I will turn 45. Halfway to 50. Geez.

I saw Meryl Streep in "It's Complicated" yesterday. I was so looking forward to it; Meryl inspires me. She is amazing and yet she keeps getting better.

There is a scene in the movie where she is picking tomatoes in her beautiful garden and arguing with her ex-husband, Alec Baldwin (I think the character's name is Jake). I couldn't tell you what she said to him, because I was looking at the beautiful garden. It was amazing.

I'm sure Hollywood has a high-end nursery bring in beautiful plants and set them down right before the shooting. Still, it was gorgeous -- Kale, Swiss chard, tomatoes, lots of things I didn't recognize.

I'd like to have a garden like that before I'm 50.

The problem is, I don't really like gardening. I hate yard work. I know there's a lesson here about "enjoying the journey" but I just want the garden. I'd prefer to pay someone else to do it. Am I getting shallow? Aren't you supposed to be more drawn to gardening as you age?

Anyway, besides the garden, Meryl Streep is her typical amazing self. She's 60, and makes 60 look good.

So in the spring I'll be half-way to 50. What can I be doing now that I am close to being the "best self" that Meryl clearly is?

I think I want to learn to speak French.

Spanish would be easier, I took it in hs and college. And it would be more useful. But French is so beautiful.

Johnson County Community College has this great deal with Rosetta Stone -- you can take all the Rosetta Stone language courses for 10 weeks for $99. I'm going to try Spanish, French and Italian. At the end of the 10 weeks, I may buy the Rosetta Stone that I suck the least at.

Who knows, maybe I will be billingual at 50.

Run Forrest Run

I'm starting to love running.

I've always really hated it.

Teaching exercise classes for years created what I call "cardio-induced ADD." I have to have my mind busy.

I went Christmas eve before company and felt so good all day.
I went last night at 9:00 pm. Because I knew I'd sleep better.

I don't wantto curse this with a New Year's resolution, but I hope to do more running in 2010.
Benefits of Running - read here.

New York memories

One of my favorite memories of 2009 will be this trip to New York that Mr. Right gave me for an anniversary gift.
My one-year old sat through a 90 minute show and was mesmerized by the Rockettes.
I emailed abbey (who I've never met) and she recommended a fabulous raw food restaurant, Pure Food and Wine. We loved it. Creative cooking to say the least. And we were lucky enough to meet the owner, she happened to be in the restaurant that night.
"Love, Loss and What I Wore" might have been my favorite part of this trip. Rita Wilson is charming and funny and I want to be her. (Not just because she's married to Tom Hanks.) Kristen Chenowith was darling, and the mother-daughter duo of Rhea Perlman and Lucy DeVito made me want to have another baby and name her Lucy.
I want to go back to New York. Now. Even though it's cold and snowy.

Christmas Eve menu & Proscuitto Fig Tart

Last night Mr Right and I bought a Costco membership so we could get a few things for our company on Christmas Eve. Love the prices at Costco. Between the time we purchased the membership and got into the car, four different people tried to pitch us to upgrade to the Executive Membership for another $50. Ick. Felt like I needed a shower. Hate upselling.

After we got home, neither of us wanted to go back out so we sent Super Nanny to do battle at the grocery store. Now we are ready for company.

Christmas Eve menu:

appetizer: Proscuitto Fig Tart
Beef Tenderloin
Roasted brussel sprouts and parsnips
Garlicky parmesan cauliflower -- They used to try to fake mashed potatoes with this; I find people enjoy it more if you just call it what it is - cauliflower. Almost anything tastes good with garlic and parmesan cheese.
Cheese Tortellini with pesto and red peppers
Mac & cheese for kids (and probably some grown-ups)
Mr Right's famous cilantro-lime sweet potatoes
dessert: a small cake from Andres, chocolate-covered almonds from Andres, killer cupcakes from Cupcake Ala Mode.
Yumm.
I can't wait.

You HAVE to try the Proscuitto Fig Tart. Get a refrigerator pie crust and roll it on a cookie sheet. Spread spreadable cream cheese on it. Top with Fig preserves. (Sometimes I buy a can of figs, drain them, and stir them into the preserves for extra figgy-ness.) Turn up the edges of the pie crust, make your way around the tart. Then take extra-thin sliced proscuitto and twirl each piece. Put the twirled slices on the tart from the center outward -- like spokes on a bicycle wheel. Bake according to pie crust instructions. Yumm.

so true...

"There is in every true woman's heart, a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity."
Washington Irving

Darling Cookie Cutters

Darling Cookie Cutters

Bye-bye November

I can't believe tomorrow is December.

November was good:
brunch for my Mom's birthday
several sweaty step classes
another month gone with no yoga (this is the LAST)
STFM Board meeting and Practice Improvement Conference
new windows in my house
a good meeting for NAPCRG
an exhausting week of work in Montreal
an amazing week in Montreal
a lovely Thanksgiving at my in-laws (I really do have wonderful in-laws)
holiday lights up outside house (a surprise from Mr. Right)
tree up; train up; ready for Christmas festivities
a couple of long stroller walks this past weekend

Now on to December.
And then to 2010.
Where is it all going??

Montreal

Montreal was magical.
The work was tiring, exhausting.

But that city was amazing. I so want to speak French. Maybe that will be a goal -- speak French before I turn 50. (I refuse to have a "bucket list.")

And I can find chocolate ANYWHERE. On any street, in any city and in any country. Had to snap a photo (thank you new Blackberry Tour) of this chocolatier. Christopher E still owns my chocolate-loving heart, but these folks were pretty darn good. Tres yummy!

Thanksgiving is an inside job

Love this email I got today from Mama Gena about Thanksgiving.


Darlings,

What has the power to send a woman straight to bed with the covers pulled over her head for an entire week faster than the H1N1 virus?

Thanksgiving.

Not the ACTUAL Thanksgiving, but the Thanksgiving we are "supposed" to have. You know the one. . . the perfect family gathered 'round the perfectly set table, pumpkin pie aroma wafting through the air, children dressed in velvet playing nicely and sharing, handsome husband carving the turkey, grandpapa drinking brandy by the fire, while grandmamma and the aunties load the serving platters with all the trimmings. . .

WHAT?
That's not what you're doing?
Guess what?
No one is.
And the danger of this holiday season is that each of us have the potential to forget to celebrate what we HAVE and get stuck in the dark, destructive twirl of what we think we should be doing for the holidays, rather than being grateful for what we actually have- RIGHT NOW- and celebrating the light each of is in this world.

Is the scenario I described above enough to send you to bed with a box of Kleenex and a cold compress? Does it make you want to dive under the covers and emerge once this all passes?
Are you just gonna let it wipe you out and take you down?
Or will you rise up and fight back by having the most beautiful, blessed, outrageously thankful Thanksgiving of your life?

C'mon. Let me paint you a picture of what's going on for ME this Thanksgiving. My daughter is going out of town with her dad. My family is spread out all over the place and not getting together. A new guy I met and invited for dinner just canceled on me. And all my friends already have plans. Yep. Doesn't exactly look like the scene above, now does it?
Soooo, I could either join you in bed with the Kleenex- or triumph and choose to share this little light of mine bigger and brighter than it has ever shone before.

Because the truth is, no matter what I choose to do on Thanksgiving Day, I have got a lot to be grateful for. . .
I mean, c'mon- I just got back from Miami, with over 300 Sister Goddesses, celebrating every drop of what it means to be a woman. AND I had the incredible privilege of having my mama attend this World Wide event with me. This summer, after working non-stop for the last twelve years, I took time off to be with my daughter and work on my 4th book in beach paradise! I have an incredible team that I have the privilege of working with every day. My daughter is having a great school year in school. I am dating! (Not easy for a single mother/business owner!) AND I look and feel better than I have ever felt in my life. Not to mention, I get to live my dreams of leading the Pleasure Revolution every single day.

So, my plans for this Thanksgiving?
I have created a delicious day of thanks in honor of all I have been given. I'll be attending a Thanksgiving breakfast with some friends, and then I will be serving others dinner at a soup kitchen. And I've decided to take my alone time and spend it exploring parts of the city I have not had the opportunity to discover yet.

You see, it's not where we are going, or what we are doing, or who we are with that determines the way we experience this day.

Thanksgiving is an inside job.

You, me, any of us can decide to fall to our knees in gratitude for the gifts we have and shine our radiance on the world in any way we choose. We just have to remember- it's a choice.

So, now it's about you. I want to hear your Thanksgiving brags.
You can reply directly back to this email. I want to hear about your courage, your outrageousness, your hot, throbbing creativity as you design a day of days, filled with your magnificent, unique sacred light.

I am grateful to each of you for your part in the Pleasure Revolution. With you by my side, we will take this holiday season higher than it's ever gone before!

Happy Thanksgiving my darlings!
With so much love and pleasure,
Mama Gena

Bonjour November

It will truly be a month with a french accent, as I'll be leaving for Montreal in a few days and working like mad. Nearly 800 attendees at a convention. I am SO bringing my yoga mat and running shoes.

October ended in a flurry. I was so happy to attend Judith Lasater's yoga workshop "Moving from the Organs" and learn how healthy I'm getting from the inside-out!

Halloween was great fun with M as Baby Shrek. Went to visit my old neighbors, which always leaves me a bit lonely for that cul-de-sac of families.

Sunday was a gorgeous fall day and we had pizza outside at Pizza 51 to celebrate my stepson's 18th birthday.

Thank you October, for a month where I worked really hard. Adn for the milestones and celebrations.

I am still sad about the deaths of Kelly M and Ann W, 44 and 45 years old. For that I am glad to see October go.

November's shorter days are a mixed blessing. Like most of you, I love seeing the sun early and don't care so much for the darkness as I leave the office.

Here's hoping NAPCRG has an amazing meeting and November feels productive and like a month well spent.

and baby (shrek) makes 3

October 31st was Halloween. A happy, fun halloween.
It was also the 2-year anniversary of seeing that PLUS sign on a pregnancy test.
It was 5:15 am just before my fave 5:30 yoga class. Talk about pulling your brain together -- I had to really focus to teach that day!

That Halloween Mr Right and I dressed up as Shrek and Princess Fiona. This year we added a baby shrek.

Judith Lasater quoted Eleanor Rosevelt at workshop yesterday:
No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.

Can't hear that one often enough.

But Judith added: Fill in the blank, change "inferior" to any word you want. Hmmmm.

my favorites

All the young bloggers -- and the blogging community makes me feel very old -- are doing lists of their favorite things.

There's no such thing as too old to have favorite things. :)

My current favorites:

Sweaty runs followed by a long shower

Sunday mornings with no schedule, just snuggling with baby girl and Mr Right

Hot baths

Yoga

Vanilla cupcakes from Cupcake ala Mode or Babycakes (no others, not worth the calories)

Fantasy travel planning

Fantasy interior design (no budgets in my fantasies)

recorded episodes of Divine Design

anything in New York

shopping

books, books, books

shopping for books

style and home magazines

my Kindle

Bukeka Shoals singing at church

pasta my husband makes

long walks

Anthropologie, Z Gallerie, Prydes, Nordstrom, "With a French Accent"

brunch (or anything) at Blue Stem

Christopher Elbow chocolates

beautiful hand writing

notecards and stationary

my iPod

my iPod shuffle

mocha, tea or anything warm in a mug on a chilly day

stories of inspirational entrepreuners

the beach

the city

completing a project that I created

taking photos

writing letters (or long personal emails)

strategic thinking, esp to boost business or participation

Is my list too long? I'm certainly not done. Has to be getting boring though.

My very favorite of all my favorite things:
when baby girl plants her slobbery, open mouth on my face and exclaims "mmmmm-uh!"

Professional crushes

For a long time, I had a professional crush on Mireille Guilano. CEO of Veuve Clicquot -- is there a better job? Then to be an author. Too good.

Then I went through a phase watching Dara Torres - pure fitness envy.

Then Anna Wintour (how could you not with all the "September Issue" hype?)

Then Keith Johnson and Glen Senk -- but I was more envious of their style and homes. Ok, maybe more envious of their professional life.

Now I've come full circle and am envious of Mireille again. I downloaded her new book to my kindle last night. I read her "business manifesto" on her website today. "Bad hair is a branding catastrohpe for women." Sounds so shallow, but so darn true!

new book - Merci beaucoup Mireille!

I can't wait to get this book! I just ordered it on Amazon.

You can read the first chapter here.

MAYA ANGELOU'S' BEST POEM EVER

MAYA ANGELOU'S' BEST POEM EVER

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to.....
something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a youth she's content to leave behind.....
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .......
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a feeling of control over her destiny...
how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job, break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without ruining the friendship....

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming Inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
What she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year....

from Angela: I'm not sure that a man shouldn't do the same. But I suppose most of them already know they should.
"A youth she's content to leave behind." Hmmmmmm. Gotta work on that. And the juicy past too.

interesting thoughts on "success"

you must watch this

http://www.oprah.com/media/20090924-tows-stephanie-struggle-crash

The pumpkin scones at Starbucks are going to kill me. :)
I'm sure they have 500 calories. Good thing a sweaty step class is planned for tonight.

fabulous fall weekend

A haul of yummy veggies from the Brookside farmer's market made for a delicious saturday dinner.
Then a jog with M in the new Bob stroller early Sunday morning.

bye bye breast pump

I'm putting my beloved Medela breastpump on eBay this weekend. For some insane reason, it's hard to part with.
I spent HOURS attached to this thing. Without it, I would have never been able to feed my baby girl "mama's milk" for eleven months.
I faithfully hauled it to the office everyday. To many cities during business travel and to many road trips (thank you car ac adapter). Without it's help, I may have never smuggled frozen bags of milk through customs, or begged -- sometimes in tears -- hotel staff for freezer space.
Since Mirabella is enjoying chicken, edamame and all kinds of veggies (mushrooms are her favorite - really), it's time to part with the pump.
Somebody will get a good deal (I do find some solace in the fact that someone else won't have to give up $300 for one!)

love the fall, love my latte

I REALLY wish I was doing something like this today. Coffee, book, nowhere to be (no deadlines!).
I did indulge in a lunchtime latte. HOW did I actually go a whole year with no caffeine????

Hurray for Phat!

SNL star is "Phat" not fat!

Loving my girl -- on the beach

The difference in life with kids and life without kids...weekends are more exhausting than the week!
I have always thought more women should NOT have kids. And I still do. It's interesting that we (as a society) take the decision not to have kids more seriously than the decision to have kids. It's backwards. The job is too important.

I remain an advocate of more women choosing not to have children.

I loved my life without a baby.

But I have to say, I am over-the-moon in love with my baby girl.

I loved this tee shirt from Banana Republic enough that I bought two -- purple and red.

Banana Republic has the cutest clothes, but they certainly don't cater to buxom women. Skinny girls will get the best fit.

Got to spend time with Aunt Sharon, while in Southern Cal. She is so smart and amazing. A very Phit, ultra-cool chick.

75 degrees - love, love, love it!

I NEVER EVER thought I'd say this, but it's so good to be back in Kansas City, the weather is beautiful!
What?
Yes, 75 degrees.
After six days of sweating in Southern California, it feels good to be in Kansas City.
Did someone move the map around and not tell me??

Girl Effect

Love this.
Still.

http://www.girleffect.org/#/video/

More birthdays

The American Cancer Society's healthier cake contest...read about the winning Red Velvet Cake that cuts back on sugar and oil has roasted red beets, dried cherries and whole wheat flour..

my favorite trips ever

No real vacation this summer. Or last.
Or most years.
I can't complain though, just have to remember these fabulous trips. South Africa. Paris. Rome. Alaska.

Fried Oreos?

Fried Oreos?

thanks to Rockstar Diaries for photo

new iPod shuffle!

Bought the new TINY iPod shuffle at lunch today. Can't wait to go for a run/walk after work in this beautiful weather!

Testing post from my new blackberry

personal branding

Today I went to a luncheon put on by the KC chapter of the American Marketing Association. Danny O'Neill of The Roasterie was the speaker.
His talk on branding was pretty good.
What I kept thinking about was how HE had a strong personal brand.
I'm so envious of folks who are so focused this way.
Danny is passionate and knowledgeable about coffee. He's also in love with Kansas City, his family, his company, all that makes a strong personal brand. Has a strong presence. And no, it doesn't hurt that he's really handsome too.
Another example of personal branding - Manon. She's a colleague I saw at this same lunch today that I haven't seen in quite awhile. She's really sharp and so sweet. Always extra polite and so, so nice. Manon is the living brand of dependable and sweet.
A personal brand for Angela?
Geez.
Marketing consultant. Non-profit executive. Yoga teacher. Business owner. Now a Mom.
Who the heck is this woman?
I read this book back in 2002 when it was new hoping to master this personal branding thing. Since then I've just discovered even more hobbies, books and people that interest me.
I suppose if you believe "variety is the spice of life" then I am a well-seasoned woman. :)
And at some point I'll discover or create a brand that folks can understand.

hilarious "mom" photo

This photo made me laugh out loud.
Maybe it's because I'm a new mom who is so serious and emotional about EVERYTHING regarding my baby. But I think it's also just flat out clever.
The New York Times recently featured these two Brooklyn sisters. Hollister, one of the sisters, has an interesting blog. Porter -- sister #2 -- is apparently trying out for a walk-on role on Mad Men. She took this fabulous photo of herself as an apathetic 60s (50s?) mom. I don't know these girls, but what creative souls they must be. I'm not sure if voting has ended, but if you want to, you can do so for Porter via the link on her sis's blog.

dear santa in august

Dear Santa.
I've been good and I want a pink Bob jogging stroller.
Angela

Last night Mr Right and I took baby M for a walk in our garage sale jogging stroller. Last summer he paid $60 for it which seemed like a lot at a sale. Now that I've been shopping for a new one, seems like we got a bargain.
I'm in love with this pink Bob one.
Since I know we are using the slightly bumpy used one, I'm saving to splurge on a new one. Got get that cardio in and I can't afford one more minute away from baby.

my next bathroom

Isn't this darling?
Supposedly the set for "the L Word" on Showtime. Being non-tv person, I have no idea what that is. I think it might be the Flashdance girl's show(?).
Anyway, I love this gorgeous bathroom. Thanks to blogger at design wonderland for sharing.

Am I too old for Anthropologie?

I love the clothes in Anthrolopie's catalog, website and store. There are only 25 year olds in their photos (and mostly in their stores).
Should a 40+ mom wear this skirt to work?

how to get rid of the mean reds

I could get rid of everything that causes the mean reds.

I could get rid of my job, (sometimes) my husband, (sometimes) many family members, maybe even "cycles" and stressful days.

Not too realistic.
I guess I'll keep thinking.

And keep searching for a used jogging stroller.

the mean reds

Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" said "the mean reds are horrible." The mean reds make the blues look like happiness.

I've always counted on an extreme cardio session to chase away the blues and even the mean reds. What's a woman to do when caring for a one-year old?
I guess I need a better jogging stroller. Will start saving for that.

love the new boyfriend jeans

Have you tried on a pair of boyfriend jeans?
I'm curious if they fit "curvy" girls like me...

tea

At a Board meeting downtown and really cold in the room. Happy that I resisted the urge to go to lobby starbucks and get a latte or mocha. Had some "Paris" tea instead.
Do you ever get the feeling some teas are in fancy packages but are just plain tea?

yummy whole wheat pizza dough

We made the most delicious pizza from the whole wheat dough you can buy at Great Harvest Bakery. Got it at 83rd & Mission. SO good!

Not easy to find healthy, inexpensive stuff this yummy in Kansas City (perhaps that's why we are always on those "fattest cities" lists?)

Yummy casserole I made this weekend. My mom grew a bunch of fresh basil and it was so good in this dish. I used goat cheese and not ricotta since we minimize dairy at our house. The brown rice & parmesan combo makes a reallly nice crunchy topping that I plan to use it on other recipes too.

almond butter

An almost nutritionally-perfect snack is almond butter on rice cakes. Low calorie, good fats and decent protein.
I bought some natural almond butter and it isn't bad. The oils separate, like natural peanut butter, and you have to work a bit more to spread it out, but it tastes pretty good.
I've got the almond butter in the office fridge and the rice cakes in my drawer, so I'm hoping I can use them for afternoon snacks and prevent that end of day hunger.