Simplifying, Mary & Oprah
I’m so excited to share that my friend Mary Carlomagno, an author and simplification expert, will be appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show on Monday (Yes, this Monday, March 2). Check out Mary’s books and tune in to find out how simplifying can completely transform your life!
Request for the First Lady
Went out of town to see the family, so missed posting yesterday’s Game Plan. It features Tracey Serebin and her thoughts about parenting and the role she’d like to see first lady Michelle Obama play at this challenging time in our nation. Check out Parenting Hand-in-Hand with Policy.
Dance machine
Passed along by my friend, Hana. What a hoot. Fun to watch. It’s called BOOMBOX — 100 days, 100 songs, 100 locations, 100 dances:
No. 13 is my favorite.
Why not Gwyneth?
I so enjoy the Style section of the Sunday New York Times that I usually save it for last. However, this past Sunday I was uncharacteristically exasperated by its lead story called Martha, Oprah … Gwyneth? because it felt so mean-spirited. I’m never a fan of that, but I’m especially not a fan of it when our country could use a better overall attitude and spiritual lift.
How desperate are we to feel better about ourselves that we need to criticize Gwyneth Paltrow for having the audacity to promote her health-conscious, balanced lifestyle? Give me a break.
For more, check out today’s Game Plan called Choose Appreciation Over Misplaced Frustration.
Hugh in motion
Almost forgot (!) this memorable moment from Sunday’s Barbara Walters Special: Hugh Jackman giving Walters a lap dance.
The man is totally hot.
Gold standard
So, so happy for all involved in the film Slumdog Millionaire. I can’t recall when I’ve been so transfixed in a theater, so taken for an intense ride. What a collaboration of minds and gifts.
In almost any other year, I would have been convinced The Reader couldn’t be topped for best picture. It is an extraordinary work of art and I am delighted for the deserving Kate Winslet.
But Slumdog is in a class of its own. So special.
Oscar worthy. Oscar winner.
Economics 101
An empty storefront — my former nail salon — prompted today’s Game Plan column called Personal Lessons in Economics. In it, I share thoughts on being a more mindful consumer.
We’re also venturing into new territory with this column, as FoxBusiness.com has added the “comments” option right on the article. The floodgates are open …
Creative process
I’m going to save myself the trouble of trying to paste a video in here when my dear friend Erin Weed has already posted this on her Web site. Check out this inspiring talk about the creative process by Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert.
This soothed my roiling inner writer so.
Break time
Back in 1996-97, I enjoyed a Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowship at the University of Michigan. It was essentially two semesters to expand myself with the help of the vast resources in Ann Arbor. That’s when I first became an expert in the importance of “non-work” time, which I think is especially important now that so many people are stressed about finances.
Check out my take on this in today’s Game Plan: Give Yourself a Break.
DVF
On to my next book. I think I’m officially back in reading mode. Yay. It’s been a while.
After careful consideration of the offerings on my shelves, I have chosen Diane, A Signature Life. It is the autobiography of legendary fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. The timing is good because she is part of the “Fashion Talks” series I’ll be attending on March 23 and it will give me context.
I am already intrigued by the array of names on the book jacket testimonials — Dominick Dunne, Gloria Steinem, Calvin Klein, Deepak Chopra, Katherine Betts and Fran Lebowitz.
Hopping to it …
