Global Warming is really starting to get on my nerves.  I’m having constant hot flashes AND I’m sleep deprived.  It’s a bad combination.  What are the climate control specialists doing about it?  Don’t they know Global Warming is having a negative effect on the lives of women everywhere?

It’s 1:30 in the morning and I can’t sleep.  I’m listening to the waves crashing on the beach outside with 2 dogs sound asleep next to me and I STILL can’t sleep.  Maybe I’m awake because my husband isn’t here.   Maybe I’m jet-lagged.  Or maybe it’s simply Global Warming stealing my precious shut-eye time.

I recently scheduled an appointment with a doctor who specializes in Global Warming.  I haven’t been to see him yet but I had to fill out a questionnaire that was a thick as a phone book (for those of you who don’t know what a phone book looks like, you can see one on Google Images).   The questions really freaked me out.  The Global Warming Specialists KNOW the answers to your questions before you even pick up the pen:

Please check any of the following symptoms that you have experienced:

• Hot Flashes:  Check
• Trouble Sleeping:  Check
• Mood Swings:  Do they have surveillance cameras in here?  Check
• Anxiety:  Filling out these forms are making me anxious.  Check
• Fatigue:  I can’t sleep so of COURSE I’m FATIGUED.  What a STUPID QUESTION!  Check
• Vaginal Dryness:  Why is a Global Warming Specialist asking me about my cookie?  I marked it as “None of Your Business”
• Decreased Libido:  Well IF the above question is checked, can’t these guys figure out the answer to this one?  I marked it “None of Your Business”
• Problems with Memory:  I can’t remember how I answered this one.

When I finally finished answering all of their extremely personal questions, I laughed hysterically.  I looked around at the other “hot” women in the room and wondered which ones were thinking about accidentally hitting their husbands in the head with a hammer or locking their children in the basement.  Their anxious, sleep-deprived eyes looked at me hoping I would share a good joke with them and make them laugh too.  If they only knew what I was thinking….and did I really use the word hysterical?  Now that’s funny.

If Global Warming is (or has) affected you too, please write your local congressman AND don’t forget to share your humor with us.

We all get into ruts.  Whether we’re cooking the same meals over and over again or running the same 3 miles on the treadmill every day after work, it just happens.  We’re trained to be creatures of habit at a very young age.  We were taught to follow daily routines, we received seat assignments at school, and we learned specific rules about what TO DO and what NOT TO DO.

But let’s face it—we’re not in kindergarten anymore.  And even though we get to make our own choices every single day, it doesn’t stop us from falling into a rut.

I’m here to give you a swift kick in the butt to get you thinking about something you would LOVE to do this weekend.  Make it something you haven’t done in a long time.  Or, better yet, do something you’ve always wanted to do but never done before.  Like….

• Cut OFF the long hair you’ve had since high school   
• Host an impromptu party
• Organize a ping pong tournament
• Go for a swim…without your bathing suit
• Save a life:  Adopt an animal
• Ride a roller coaster (yes…we rode this coaster!)
• Sleep outside

I haven’t decided what kind of craziness to get into this weekend.  When I figure it out, I promise it let you know. And please share your rut-busting ideas with us!   You may just inspire someone to have a really wonderful and unexpected experience this weekend.

Let’s make having FUN contagious…

Molly

Kindness is plentiful in our world.  I know, bad things happen but don’t forget there are a lot more nice people in the world than mean ones. The kindness you experience in any given day may come from a complete stranger, or it may come from a friend or family member.  Embrace it when it happens and be thankful.

I am so incredibly thankful for all the wonderful women (and a few chosen men) who helped make our second Just You, Only Better Workshop a success.  When I told my presenters and sponsors that my end goal was to provide an amazing day for women

that allows them to be themselves, learn ways to improve their inner and outer beauty, and have fun, they graciously agreed to be a part of the day.  While we’ve only had two workshops, the number of amazing women I’ve met in the process has been astounding.  And for that, I am EXTREMELY grateful.

I would first like to thank all of my presenters.  Not only did they take a tremendous amount of time preparing their presentation, they spent an entire day meeting and getting to know all the attendees, sponsors and other presenters.  One attendee commented how refreshing it was to actually spend time with the speakers—which is something that had never happened at other conferences she had attended.

Medical Estheticians, Milla Waldman and Naomi Fenlin kicked the day off by sharing their skincare secrets and taught us how to get that radiant glow at any age. Julie Weiss-Schwartz from Beauty 101 showed us how to create a “perfect” brow and brought 5 of her assistants to give make-up and brow makeovers throughout the day.  Julie also explained how she custom blends make-up, including lip and cheek colors for her clients, who include many top models. The Soul Sister Circle (Sally Miller, Jackie Williams and Desiree Cipolloni) told us to lose the chit chat and get REAL.  Stop judging others and ourselves and start loving the woman in the mirror.
The FUN began when we started drawing names for the Transformation Stations.  When people arrived, they dropped their names in the bin to receive a specific service.  Their choices included:  haircut and style by Jeffrey, the Makeover Guru from Pileggi on the Square, make-up update by Julie and her Beauty 101 gang, skin consultation and analysis by Naomi Fenlin, fashion consultation by Biana—the Philly Fashionista, eyelash extensions by Ruthie Eyes, massage by Sarah Hill of Deliver Me Yoga, brows by Beauty 101, or a mini-facial by Milla of Studio M.  While the services were being performed, women enjoyed learning about local businesses (My Fabulous Mama, Catalyst Cleanse, Bailine Body Sculpting, and Financial Fitness by Angela Pawloski). They also had the chance to go shopping (The Butler Bag, Stella & Dot, Jockey, The Velvet Lily, Silpada, AnyTime Scarf, and Eileen Fisher).

Our fantastic line up of speakers continued after lunch with the incredibly inspiring and motivating Jen Groover.  She captivated the attention of everyone in the room by sharing her personal journey from an over-trained athlete on the brink of a health disaster, to fulfilling her dreams of becoming one of the most successful female entrepreneurs in the country.  She stressed the importance of losing the fears that are associated with starting your own business and the importance of banishing ALL negative self-talk.  Her message was powerful and brought many of us to tears.

Kate Biles, DPT (who had received a new hairstyle from Jeffrey, the Makeover Guru) shared excellent advice every woman should know:  The Six Secrets to Staying Sexy and Strong.  And with stress such a major part of our lives, Alice Dommert (Co-Fouder of Deliver Me Yoga) gave us an easy-to-implement One Week Plan to Harness Your Stress.  Last but not least was our favorite Celebrity Chef, Brian Duffy.  Brian taught us some of his insider “chef secrets”, but more importantly, he shared his humor and his pure love of cooking and entertaining. 

With all of this amazing information, shopping and Transformation Stations, our heads were swirling at the end of the day!  But we had to keep it together long enough to give away all of the great prizes graciously donated by our sponsors. The prizes included the following:

Sex & The City Infinity Scarf by Anytime Scarf

5 Body Sculpting Sessions by Bailine Body Sculpting 

Couture Collection of Customized Make-up by Beauty 101

Swimsuit Cover-Up by InStyle Swimwear

3 Day Juice Cleanse by Catalyst Cleanse

Customized Home Care Regime (Includes a free consultation and all skin care products for3- 6 months) by Naomi Fenlin, Medical Esthtician

Corporate Yoga Class, 5 Week Yoga Series and 2 Hour Chair Massage for your office, all donated by Deliver Me Yoga

American Leather Tie Belt by Eileen Fisher of Ardmore

Financial Consultation by Angela Pawloski, the Financial Fitness Guru

Tote Bag, Scarf & Jewelry by Jockey (Harriet Bissey)

30 Day Just You, Only Better Program for Life from me!

Home Safety Assessment by My Fabulous Mama

3 Hour Style Consultation by The Philly Fashionista, Biana

Designer Earrings from Pileggi Boutique (I still want these… J)

Free Haircut & Style from Jeffrey, the Makeover Guru at Pileggi on the Square 

Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet from Silpada (Ana Levit)

Autographed book What If? And Why Not? How to Transform Your Fears Into Action and Start the Business of Your Dreams by Jen Groover

Consultation & Customized European Facial by Milla at Studio M

Petra Bracelet by Stella & Dot (Diane Quercetti)

Pelvic Floor Weights & Stockings from The Velvet Lily

Full Set of Eyelash Extensions by Ruthie Falkenstein of Ruthie’s Eyes

Hand-Made One-of-a-Kind Bracelet designed by Holly Thomas of SpitFire Designs

3 Month Membership to Weston Fitness

But the networking and FUN did not stop there.  Tamar Olitsky and Chris Scarduzio from Table 31 gave all of us a free cocktail and apps at their beautiful restaurant located inside the Comcast Center.   It was quite the treat after a long day of meaningful fun.

A special thanks to Biana DeMarco, the Philly Fashionista, who tirelessly helped me for the first JYOB workshop.  She asked Naomi and Jen to speak, invited a number of sponsors, and helped fill the goody bags with great samples.  Thanks Biana!  And to Mama and Cyndi for coming up from Florida  to help me for an entire week!  You guys are the best!

Even if you missed the big day, you still have a chance to win ONE FINAL PRIZE!  Tiffany Bucciarelli of Philly Health Watch has donated a $200 Spa Package to her Lux Spa here in Philly!!!  If you live in the area, and are the first person to make a comment on this blog, you will WIN the package.  See, good things happen even if you can’t make the Just You, Only Better Workshop.

Thanks again to everyone who made it happen.  I am truly grateful for your participation and passion. 

And, for the rest of you, we will see YOU at the next workshop!

Stay Well & Smile,

Molly