2. TAKE A TRIP TO THE BEACH
Real, or man made, get yourself to a beach one of these fine days while you still can, before the air gets crisp.  Your feet in the sand, a book on your lap and few hours to unplug and recharge.

3. PLAN A ROAD TRIP
You don't have to go far, but maybe try dinner in a town you've never been to before or check out a sunset from a new location. The thrill of the unknown is always a great way to may memories and add excitement to these longer days.

4. ENJOY THE OUTDOORS
Once kids go back in school and daylight starts to wane, we have neither the time nor the energy for outdoor adventures. So the time is now, just step outside. Sit on the deck or walk around the block. Heck, grab a glass of your favorite wine and appreciate this life you’ve built. Raise your glass to your family, your friends and another beautiful summer. Cheers… to the good life!

5. ICE CREAM ADVENTURES
When was the last time you had an honest-to-goodness ice cream cone? Before summer is over, make a date of it and go out for a treat.  Find a new local ice cream store or drive those extra miles for your must have favorite.  Sure it’s not the healthiest, but a little indulgence every now and then is good for the soul. Plus sweater season is just around the corner ;-)

This is no time to sulk… We’ve got to get inspired and make the most of our last few weeks of the season. Let us know some of your end of summer fun ideas in the comments.  We're always looking for some inspiration. 

xo,
C&C 

​Happy Wednesday, Herd. Get inspired for the rest of your week with these wonderful ‘hump’ day quotes to push you far past the midweek slump. #Inspired #wednesdaymotivation

Hello Sweet Visionary,

As a co-creator, your power is infinite. You can create that which you CLEARLY envision, and the only limitation is your own imagination.

Did you get that?  The limits you have in your life are created by the limits you place in your mind.
How big are your dreams? How clear are they?  Do they come with conditions?  Do they get pushed aside, taking second place to all the issues and problems that you don’t want?

We get it.  Been there!  And because we love our Herd, we’d like to share our 5 Step Practice for becoming a Master Manifestor:

1. Get clear.  Clarity is key because you don’t want your dreams getting mixed up with your piles of dirty laundry that need addressing.  Declutter your mind and focus on the dream.
2. Remove limits.  Never place conditions or limits on your dreams.  You want the house with pool and tennis courts but are dreaming about the cute 3 BR cape on the corner because the taxes are lower and well that just seems a lot more realistic?  Seriously?!   Go big or go home, Girl.
3. See it.  Feel it.  Smell it.  Know it.  You’ve got to not only picture it, but you’ve got to FEEL it.  Use all your God-given senses for this one.  What does it feel like to strut into that house and know that it’s yours?  What’s that you hear?  Strains of salsa music coming from the pool?  Oh that must be Pepe, your hot pool boy gearing up for your salsa lesson with mojito in hand. How’s that for imagination?
4. Practice, practice, practice.  How did Mozart become a virtuoso?  How did Edison perfect the light bulb?  Practice, People!  It takes dedication and repetition to fine-tune your imagination into a manifesting machine.
5. Top it all off with a dollop of gratitude.  Always be grateful.  Never entitled!  Like you’ve won the Price is Right.  Every. Single. Day.

That right there, my friend, is your magic elixir for manifesting.  Want to try it out for yourself?
We’ve taken this practice and put it into a workshop called Writing for Clarity.  We take you through a dual-part exercise that allows you to get crystal clear on your visions.  Honestly, Windex could not do a better job!  Once we have clarity, we guide you through each of the remaining steps to your very own Desire Statements.  We cannot stress enough that Clarity is key here.  All the following steps’ power is compromised when you are not clear.  And trust us, we’ll get you there!  And we end with a fun and surprising gratitude exercise.

Think of it as a Vision Board workshop but with words.  Writing is so cathartic.  It’s amazing what you can draw out or realize when you put pen to paper.  If you’ve done our Vision Board Workshops, this is a fantastic complement to it and we invite you to bring your boards with you!
And it never hurts to bring a friend.  Or two.

Register here.

With love and big dreams,
Carolyn & Cher


P.S. Pepe sends his love!


 
#inspired #co-creator #lawofattraction #manifesting

Yesterday while sneaking in a quickie manicure, I had the good fortune of running into one of our upcoming panelists for our May Sister talk: From Hobby to Hustles...The Life Changing Realities and Possibilities of a Side Hustle

If you don’t know Phaedra, she’s got that effortlessly stylish thing going on whether while getting her nails done or cheering on her kids on a field.  An oncology nurse by day, full-time mom and wife, Phaedra side- hustles for her passion which is fashion.  As a Stella & Dot Stylist, she gets to fulfill a desire that is otherwise left unmet in her day to day.  

Are you jonesing for something that’s not in your life right now? 
What is it? 
Wouldn’t it be nice to pursue it and make some $$ on the side? 
What’s holding you back?  Fear? Lack of time? A boatload of excuses???

If you are remotely curious or maybe you've even started a side gig for yourself, please come hear Phaedra (and our other awesome panelists!) as they share their experience, wisdom and if we are lucky, Phaedra's fashion tips with our Herd on Tuesday, May 14th from 7-9 at Creative Twist Events.  After the panel discussion, there will be plenty of time for mingling with other like-minded souls.

Haven’t registered yet?  RSVP here!

XO,
Carolyn

#sidehustle #pursueyourpassion #inspired #sistertalks

It's finally Spring!  A beautiful but hectic time of year where we tend to say YES to everything because we've been cooped up too darned long.

As women, we tend to take it ALL on.... career, family, home, volunteer work, etc.  And if you are like most women, you likely extend compassion, kindness and loving care to your family friends and colleagues on a regular basis no matter what time of year.  It's no joke how far and continuously we extend our committed, caring selves to our obligations and loved ones.

But let me ask you this: When you experience feelings of insecurity, overwhelm or hurt, do you treat YOURSELF with the same loving care?

If you are like me or most women I know, the answer is no.  But here is why we should: Research indicates that self-compassion reduces depression and anxiety by replacing self-judgment with self-acceptance.  When we soothe and comfort ourselves in the midst difficult emotions and juggling too much, we no longer get lost in the rabbit hole of shame and inadequacy but take refuge in the safety of our own loving care.  We become happier and more satisfied with our lives as a result.

Say what?

I'll say it again.  We become happier and more satisfied with our lives as a result. 

Self-compassion also empowers us to proactively cope with life's challenges.  Whether we're talking career upsets, divorce, illness or parenting challenges, the big SC provides us with the resilience needed to stand loving and strong without getting overwhelmed. It motivates us to keep going even after major setbacks, building up grit and perseverance in the face of adversity.

It refuels our Soul Tank.

So Ladies, how about we show ourselves some Self-Compassion?

In tomorrow's Guided Meditation for Self-Compassion, you'll refuel your Soul Tank so you can keep on being the Superwoman you are.

At 3:30 pm on Sunday, April 28th, in the serenity of Maria Manjelo Photography Studio in picturesque Metuchen, NJ, we'll take you on a journey where you'll be given opportunity after opportunity to treat yourself with the same warmth, understanding, and compassion as you would for a hurt child, an infirm loved one or your best friend facing a devastating loss.

We'll hold ourselves with love - validating, soothing and comforting our own pain so that we can observe it without being consumed by it.

Sister, this isn't a one-time, feel-good thing.  We are going to teach you this meditation so you can do it for yourself over and over again.  This is a tool you can use whenever you need to refuel your soul's tank.

So won't you join us?

It's an hour out of your life on a Sunday afternoon before the onslaught of Monday Madness to take care of the one that keeps it all together for everyone else.  It's time to take good care of YOU because nothing is as important as your well-being.  You're a precious soul and the glue of your family, the backbone of your organization, the head cheerleader for your kids and the uber-volunteer of the year and God knows what else.  It's time to treat yourself that way.

RSVP, guilt-free, right here. Trust us!  Your loved ones, your commitments will all thank you for it!
 
With Zen Love,

Carolyn & Cher

P.S. Know anyone who needs some loving self-care? Please forward this email to them.  Details are below.  All are welcome!
 
Guided Meditation for Self-Compassion
Sunday, April 28, 2019; 3:30 PM
Maria Manjelo Photography Studio
312 Main Street
Metuchen, NJ 08840

Do you remember the days when you only checked into a hotel, liked more things than just a status update or photo, and tweeting was something left to the birds? 

Or how about this scenario? You are drafting an e-mail while handling a text message, taking that urgent call and perusing your social media notifications.  Oh yeah, and in the midst of this, your child asks you something you can't seem to process....for the third time in a row.  Yes?  Me too.  More often than I care to admit.

It's a little daunting to think how quickly technology has wiggled itself into our day to day living.  It's meant to help us be more efficient.  More connected.  But are we really?

By adopting this 'always on, anywhere, anytime, any-place mentality' that our devices provide, we exist in a constant state of hazy alertness, scanning the world without giving any of it our full attention.  This 'connection' not only saps our ability to concentrate, but adds stress and strain to our lives.

Think about it.  How can we be fully engaged or 'in the moment' if we are on the phone, texting, checking social media or responding to an email?

Sure we're 'connected' but today's rate of digital consumption is like guzzling from a fire hose.  Rings, beeps, alerts - -it's too much, all at once and if you are not careful, IT IS CONSTANT.

So how do we take back control in this hyper-digital age? How can we stop living in such a REACTIVE manner... without becoming a TECHNO-HERMIT???

Never fear!  We are going to tackle this issue together at our upcoming Sister Talk on Tuesday, April 8th at Creative Twist Events.  For this Sister Talk, we have a panel lined up for you featuring three women with varying approaches to digital use.

We will explore:

• Our biggest struggles with technology
• Separating personal digital use from professional and ways to do so PROACTIVELY
• Recognizing when we need a Digital Detox or at least, unplug for a bit
• Top tips and tricks for making technology work for you instead you being a slave to it

Join us.  You'll be grateful!  By learning to create a more MINDFUL relationship with your devices, you empower yourself to create a healthy and sustainable foundation for your own personal wellness, relationships, career and overall happiness.

Or maybe you already have an approach to dealing with digital overwhelm. Please join us and share your journey and success with us!  Your suggestion can be someone else's breakthrough!

So pause all those alerts and RSVP Today.  And then you can put your Do Not Disturb on!

With so much love,
Carolyn & Cher

Do you start your sentences with, "I'm sorry but..." or "Can I please just say something here?" You are not alone, Sisters!

Come hang with us for our next Be Inspired Sister Talk: FINDING OUR VOICE: Stop Asking for Permission scheduled for March 12th at 7pm at Creative Twist Events.

In a cozy and supportive setting, we'll address the small, often subconscious things that we (as women) do every day that significantly reduces our personal authority and success in the workplace and in our relationships. Our goal is to help you to:

1. stop apologizing for what you are about to say
2. stop asking for permission

Wanna know why? 

Because you don’t need permission to live how you want and nor should you feel badly about it. 

It's one thing to be aggressive (which we are not promoting).  It's an entirely other matter to be ASSERTIVE. 

It's about owning who you are and living life on your terms.  It's about not giving away your personal power. 

There is a fine art to female assertiveness. It's innate in all of us. We're just going to bring out your masterpiece on March 12th!

Join us as we explore:

• Why in this modern day and age, women are still apologizing or trying to make themselves seem small
• How to break the cycle of asking for permission
• Female communication patterns (both verbal and non-verbal) including upspeak and how that goes off the wrong impression
• Practicing assertiveness skills with each other
• Your concerns/struggle around this issue in a supportive and encouraging environment

And for those of you not familiar with our Sister Talks, we are not going to talk at you or give a formal presentation.  A Sister Talk is merely carving out a sacred space where we can all come together and explore all of the ways we can grow and thrive as women; where being a woman is supported, revered and celebrated.

It’s the book club where you don’t have to read the book.  Just show up and talk. Or just listen.  Have a glass of wine. Stay for a bit or for the entire duration (from 7pm-9pm).  Register online here or just show up at the door. It’s all good.

We created Sister Talks and this topic for YOU.  Will you join us tonight?

You will feel empowered and so liberated when you finally stop saying sorry for something that isn’t your fault, stop using too many “please and thank yous”and stop asking for permission.

Unapologetically yours,
Carolyn & Cher
Register here or just show up and pay at the door.

Hiya Herd,
We’ve been getting some questions and lots of interest in tonight's Sister Talk: Saving NO to Busy...How to Do More by Doing Less.  Here is what you can expect at Creative Twist Events, 7pm tonight:

• A roomful of supportive like-minded women in a relaxed, cozy atmosphere with apps & bevs
• Learning how to #konmari your way through your calendar
• Interactive discussions where we get to practice saying no in situations that appear and reappear in your life
• Great conversation and valuable insight from your sisters who are all walking the walk, just like you

As we know, obliging others is a slippery slope to overwhelm. It’s not that there aren’t enough hours in the day, it’s that we’ve said yes to too many things and now we don’t have the space nor the energy for the things in our life that we really want.  And, being as busy as we are, we may not even be able to discern what those things are anymore.

And yes, we totally see the irony that we are asking you to SAY YES to this so you can SAY NO to the busyness in your life.

We just want to be clear.  We are not going to talk at you or give a formal presentation.  A Sister Talk is merely carving out a sacred space where we can all come together and explore all of the ways we can grow and thrive as women; where being a woman is supported, revered and celebrated.

It’s the book club where you don’t have to read the book.  Think about it!  This topic is a big, fat chapter in your own life story. Just show up and talk. Or just listen.  Have a glass of wine. Stay for a bit or for the entire duration (from 7pm-9pm). RSVP here or just show up at the door. It’s all good.

We created Sister Talks and this topic for YOU.  Will you join us tonight?

You will feel empowered and so energized when you finally start SAYING NO, and living a life that is LESS busy but MORE fulfilling.

Your time and energy are two of your most valuable resources.  Let’s replenish both tonight.  Together.

Lots of love,
Carolyn & Cher

Lately we’ve been thinking about prioritization and how to deal with the unending requests for our time. Intellectually we understand that there is no obligation to say yes beyond what our threshold is, but often we hear ourselves saying YES when inside we're screaming NO!!!

We're finding that the ability to say “no” comes easier to some, but feels virtually impossible to others. We would say that both of us are somewhere in the middle. 

We truly admire those women that are consistently comfortable with saying “no” when their plate is too full, or they simply do not want to do something. But completely relate to those that find it almost unbearable to say no, no matter how busy they are, and how much they do not want to do a task.

So, to help us all embrace the beauty of “No” or reaffirm your love of “No” we compiled our top 10 inspiring “no” quotes.

And, if like many of us you need a little extra help embracing the beauty of 'No' and are in the NJ Tri-State area join us Tuesday Feb. 12th for our fist Sister Talk session of the year.  

​February's Topic: Saying NO to Busy...How To Do More By Doing Less.

We hope to see you there! 

​XO
C&C