Mini-me is coming . . .
Submitted by admin on March 31, 2009 - 4:05 am
Bonjour!
Well today is finally my niece’s arrival day. I pick her up from LAX tonight and I can not wait. I’m going to need to clean up around the house a little better before she arrives – but in general I think I’m ready. I picked up a bunch of sand castle beach toys, beach towels, an umbrella and a little cooler to go to the beach. Then we have Monster v. Aliens 3D as a movie night and Lego Land one day. We may fit in Disneyland California adventures too, we’ll have to see how it goes with the munchkin.
Everytime I get to spend spring break or fall break with my little mini-me, it makes me really remember how it’s the friends, family and people I love that really make up the best parts of my life. Try to keep that in mind as you go through your day and be grateful for those relationships that really bless and enrich your life!
“The things that matter most in our lives are not fantastic or grand. They are the moment when we touch one another.” – Jack Kornfeld
Cutting a rug with Brookie
Wonderful Weekends Past . . .
Submitted by admin on March 30, 2009 - 4:11 am
Bonjour!
As I write this morning’s post – I have to prop my arms up on my desk, my triceps being spent from my workout yesterday with my wonderful and kick ass trainer, Catherine Cassidy. Really, truly, if you’re in the Los Angeles area you have got to check Catherine out. Not only is she a great, motivating and inspiring personal trainer – she also happens to be a fabulous chef and stylist.
On Saturday I dropped by her Home Shopping event at her beautiful home in the Hills. It was fabulous (pictures below). Not only was her place amazing, but it was like walking into your own customized boutique, complete with champagne and her own personally made snacks. I could barely tear myself away from the veggie dip and cheese pastries long enough to try on clothes. She had picked out the most beautiful and luxurious fabrics, accessories, one-of-a-kind dresses and cashmere. I was totally in my element of fun and luxury! Catherine’s event was the stuff dreams are made of for this Taurus girl!
I picked up a few really great pieces that I love (wearing one of the sweater’s now) and had my roomie there too – it was great. Thanks again to Catherine and LifeStyled for their wonderful event (www.lifestyledonline.com).
I spent yesterday running errands, cleaning the house for my niece’s arrival this week, working on the book (we’re at 32,425 words now), looking at more guest houses (none promising so far!) and took the Labrador hiking up Runyan with a friend and her lab. Then worked out with Catherine pushing me harder then I’ve been pushed in a long time (challenging – but totally rewarding, she’s awesome!) and spent the rest of the evening relaxing.
All this writing and entrepreneurial work, combined with our current economy makes me think about how interconnected we all are. When each of us shows up fully present in life and on point with our purpose, we are really doing the world a favor. The more success and happiness you discover and live in your own life, the more you are able to pay forward and bless the world. So show up full on ladies – make it a big day of joy and passionate striving, so that you may bless others with your smile, your success and your gifts.
To your happiness and your bliss!
“The truth is, if one of us succeeds, we all do.” – Wayne Dyer
Delicious snacks made by Catherine Cassidy, Bon Appetit!
What a set-up!
Catherine consulting my Roomie, LifeStyled!
Friday’s Featured Duchess
Submitted by admin on March 27, 2009 - 4:03 am
Bonjour!
It’s Friday, and after three days of being home with the flu I am actually looking forward to going into the office this morning. Talk about being sick!
I am so excited for tomorrow’s in-home shopping and styling event over at friend-of-the-Duchess Catherine Cassidy’s company LifeStyled. I put a blurb about LifeStyled’s party on Wednesday’s post, but I thought you should all get to know a little bit more about this lovely woman and her company. I have had the good fortune to spend a lot of time with Catherine in the past few months and I can tell you she is an amazing woman with a truly amazing and unique approach to building the total woman. I’ll let her tell you all about it and I’ll share pictures from her great event (and our first personal training session this Sunday -eek!) on Monday’s post. Catherine, take it away . . .
I was inspired to launch LIFE*styled as a busy woman’s refuge from the craziness of day to day. I want to empower women and bring them together to discover the lifestyle they deserve through my passions:
FOOD*FASHION*FITNESS*FUNMY MISSION
The frenetic pace of a woman’s life can be exhausting. With all the commitments of career, family, and friends, sometimes we need to be reminded that it’s ok (and important!) to seek out pleasure for our own lives.Through LIFE*styled, my intention is to deliver certain ‘luxuries’ to women in a way that is both accessible and affordable. I offer a holistic approach to a balanced life through Food, Fashion and Fitness. The FUN is a byproduct of working with me and my team!
FOOD – Featuring Dinner Parties and Dinner Party Demonstrations. I will work with YOUR budget while taking the hassle out of having friends over for dinner so you can focus on entertaining and having FUN! Your friends will be anxiously waiting for the next invitation.
(Check out http://www.lifestyledonline.com/food.html )FASHION – Featuring Closet Consultations and Shopping Parties (most affordable personal styling service). Even YOU can have the perfect wardrobe. Finding someone who completely understands your personal style and does your shopping for you is immeasurably valuable when your time is precious. Results are guaranteed to turn heads.
BONUS: This can actually SAVE you money! (Check out
http://www.lifestyledonline.com/fashion.html)FITNESS – Rounding out the holistic approach to a balanced life, LIFE*styled will soon be offering Personal Training services emphasizing motivation and support in reaching your fitness goals. (Check out http://www.lifestyleonline.com/fitness.html )
FUN – The premise of LIFE*styled. Each of these elements that may have previously been a chore for a busy woman are now something she finds enjoyable and FUN!!
To your styled life!
LIFE*styled
FOOD*FASHION*FITNESS*FUN
http://www.lifestyledonline.com
catherinec@lifestyledonline.com
C: (213) 840-7266
When it rains, it pours!
Submitted by admin on March 26, 2009 - 3:57 pm
Bonsoir!
Normally I’m not a two-post a day kind of girl, but there is too much good stuff going on over here at Duchess to contain in one post. First and foremost, I was home sick again today. That in and of itself is obviously not good. What was good is that because I was in bed all day, but not able to sleep, I did a massive amount of writing for the book. How much you may ask? How about 27,485 words massive. Yep, 26 chapters to be exact. Well, in all fairness there were five chapters and 7,000 words already down, so it was actually 21 chapters and like 20,000 words, but still. Pretty damn awesome if you ask me. I had the muse today and took full advantage.
Now, if that’s not enough for you, how about this next announcement. I have . . . drumroll please . . . a new car!! Yes, after eleven months as a Los Angeles pedestrian I have a certified used ’04 Honda Civic Hybrid. She is adorable and I love her. In fact, she is the hybrid exact twin of my sister’s manual Honda in Denver. Great minds think alike I guess. I obviously can’t begin to tell you how excited I am about this. I’m in heaven.
And speaking of heaven, how’s this for divine:
It’s the new Duchess logo! I’ve been working for weeks now with my fabulous graphic designer in New York City to come up with a whole new Duchess concept (website and newsletter are next – watch out world!). I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Have a wonderful evening! Salut!
Inside the Mind of a Man
Submitted by admin on - 4:45 am
Bonjour!
Well it’s Duchess Digest Day and in a stroke of sauciness, yours truly has stepped out of her inspirational and motivating article genre to draft an open letter to a man we’ll call “Wes.” Why? Because that’s what he called himself.
You see, last week I read an article posted by the Single Minded Woman founder, Allison O’Connor. She had posted an email she received from a man talking about what he was looking for in a woman and why it was so hard to find a wife. Yes, he really used the words find a wife. I found his email a bit touching in that, you could tell he was really, if poorly, just trying to describe a simple relationship dynamic with a nice girl. But at the same time his ideas about what a wife should want to do and be (make cookies and be excited when he comes home – seriously?) were a bit annoying.
So this week’s Duchess Digest article was an open letter to our misguided friend “Wes.” You can check it out in this week’s installment over at Single Minded Woman – it’s called “Jill has an Open Letter to Wes.”
Have a great Thursday and enjoy!
P.S. Click on the link above to be directed to the Single Minded Woman website. At the top of the page on the right you’ll see links in blue font, one of which is “Blog” – that’s where you’ll find this week’s Duchess installment.
P.P.S. If you’d like to read the original email from “Wes” – type Allison’s article title “On What a Man Wants” in the search option at the top of the main Single Minded Woman page.
My attempt at being a traditional house wife
Is your life styled?
Submitted by admin on March 25, 2009 - 4:17 am
Bonjour!
Remember the exciting announcement I was alluding to yesterday? Well here it is – a fellow female entrepreneur, Catherine Cassidy, is throwing a fabulous bash on Saturday. Catherine’s company is called LifeStyled and it’s all about styling every aspect of your life. From health to fitness to your clothes – Catherine is the total package and helps transform your life into a styled total package as well! The LifeStyled Party is happening this Saturday from 11am to 5pm (open house, so you can come as your schedule allows).
The best part about her parties is that she does all the shopping in advance. When you sign up, you fill out a questionnaire with style influences, clothing size, favorite brands, what you’re seeking, etc. and Catherine goes out and does her magical styling shopping, so that when you show up at the party Saturday, she has racks of clothes custom for you. With champagne and refreshments, plus a $20 charitable donation to Kiva (check them out – www.kiva.org) what more could you want! I’m so excited to check out her party on Saturday, and even more excited for her to kick my butt on Sunday (she’s styling me as a personal trainer as well- this woman does it all!).
But let’s hear from Catherine . . .
Ready to take the hassle out of shopping? Need some quality time for yourself and with your favorite women?*
Gather your girlfriends and join LIFE*styled March 28, 2009 (11-5) for a day of shopping in a comfortable atmosphere with a selection tailored to *your * needs.In my efforts to support fellow (women) entrepreneurs, the selection represents the best 3rd St, Montana and Melrose boutiques!
*Reserve your spot now!*
<https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s xclick&hosted_button_id=4040468>
NOTE: After you complete your payment, you will be directed to a brief questionnaire. This is important for ensuring your wardrobe wants and needs are addressed. Choose “In-Home Shopping Party” from the drop-down menu.
BONUS: You will be supporting KIVA!Learn more about LIFE*styled at http://www.lifestyledonline.com.
–
LIFE*styled
FOOD*FASHION*FITNESS*FUN
www.lifestyledonline.com
213.840.7266
