Listen for the bell and help today!

What? I stopped. Did you hear it? I listened again as I walked toward the Post Office. Yep. Definitely. It was the very first time this year I’ve heard the oh-so-distinctive and special bell ringing of a Salvation Army volunteer. The appearance of the bright red kettle and the cheerful face are a sure sign that the Season is just around the corner. Why not start before Thanksgiving? This gives everyone shopping for their turkey and fixings to share some appreciation for their blessings in a concrete, financial sharing-the-bounty-with-others kind of way.

Have you heard the ringing? It’s not too early…  and it’s never too late to help. Say thanks with your contribution to feed others this Thanksgiving and into the Holiday Season. Because, no matter what the state of the economy and our world, all of us have at least a little we can share with others.

We’re all headed out to shop for the turkey and the dressing, so why not do a little more multi-tasking to get the holidays off to a doing-good start.

Here’s a simple and easy idea that’s a GREAT way to share the love and the food, with those who need it this holiday season. This comes via my friend social media guru and multi-tasking woman Barb Giamanco of TalentBuilders, Inc.

“I want to pass on an idea that was suggested by a colleague. Have a “Canned Sales Meeting” sometime this month where you ask all the participants to bring a few canned or non perishable items to donate to the local food bank. It will be an easy way to help out those in need. Tell your friends!”

Well, ladies, this doesn’t just apply to those of us in sales. Make any gathering multi-task by doing good at the same time you gather. Anytime this month and next, any time you meet/greet, lunch/learn, or network/play, invite your friends, colleagues and co-workers to ‘can hunger’ and stock your local food bank. It’s never been more needed, and it’s so easy to do!

MTW secret: if your local grocery offers BOGOs (buy one, get one free)  like my Publix does, take advantage of it and donate the second or BOTH to your food bank. (Just check their Weekly Ad page for current BOGOs – you can add them to your grocery list at the same time!) Double the love at half the price! We love it! Thanks, Publix, for helping us help others.

Harvest all the rest you can. Christmas is coming!

I know. It seems like just minutes since we talked last, doesn’t it? Well, we’ve seen the Presidents’ birthdays, Spring Break, 4th of July … even Jack O’Lantern has come and gone (hopefully!) And the Turkey is on the doorstep!

What does that mean? Yes, you guessed it! It’s time for the 12 Ways Of Christmas again, and we’ll be here every step of the way to help you survive, thrive and actually ENJOY the holidays. Simple tips, tricks and time saving strategies are coming your way.

Just relax and savor that turkey and dressing, because the holidays are coming FAST! Hang on, and together, we’ll enjoy the ride right till New Year’s!

Happy New Year 2010!

Well, it’s finally arrived. 2010. A whole new year. A whole new decade. And, I admit it. I am tired! The presents have all been opened. The ham and turkey consumed or consigned to the freezer for future meals. And I am declaring this weekend, my TIME OFF! (I justify this by the book gifted to me from MBFF Marsha, seen at left. You NEED to see this book, believe me!) LOL

Not to worry, we’ll be Multi-Tasking again as soon as the Christmas decorations are packed away. But for now, we’re only halfway through the traditional 12 Days of Christmas (did you know that?) and I’m still on holiday….

I plan to take a good, deep breath, or two, or three before diving head first into 2010. A little time to appreciate What I’ve Learned from THIS Christmas, before I jump headlong into the new and bound to be busy New Year. Just 48 hours to myself.

Then I’ll be back, with my reflections on the 12 Ways, and how they worked (or didn’t!) in my own life and holidays. Hey, we learn a little more with every year, right?

In the meantime, I’m headed to bed now, on this New Year’s night, and plan to sleep till I wake up, even if it’s Saturday afternoon!

Want to join me?

This is it! Christmas Eve… you know who will be dropping down the chimney before you know it but wait! You STILL have gifts to buy????  EEEKKKKKK

Never fear, dear heart. Those multi-taskers among us have tips to share for even the late and last minute. Use these Top 5 Last Minute Life Savers to get the shopping job done and then sit down, and ENJOY!!!

1.) Still need gifts? Put a limit on it! Choose ONE PLACE to shop. Yes, ONE PLACE and one place only. You can make it a big box like Target; or if you’re truly down to the wire, and only the 24 drugstore is open, you can make it work there, too. Walk in, grab a cart and start shopping! One of my favorties? The BOOKSTORE! Yes, your local Barnes and Noble, Borders, or local independent are a bountiful resource – and you can find a book that will appeal to every one on your list from Grandma to the paperboy.

2.) Go to the grocery, find the best bottles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar you can get, pair with a good pasta and a can of Italian plum tomatoes and maybe a wedge of parmsesan. Put it all in a colander or cooking pot and you have an instant Italian feast. Feeling generous? Add a good Chianti and some fava beans!

3.) Hit the drugstore, bypass the obvious perfume and put together your own spa gift – great lotion, pumice stone, bath salts, a loofa, and put it all in a fun, funky cosmetic bag

4.) Have a Target or TJ Max nearby? You are so in luck! Just open your eyes and your shopping will be done in a flash! Go for out of the ordinary, quirky and clever. Pick items in a color scheme (all lime green) or put together a tasting (all chocolate bars? hmmm.) Pair hot cocoa mix with cute mugs, peppermint sticks for stirrers, and Sting’s new Winter CD for a great ‘cozy evening at home’ gift. You’re getting the idea!

5.) All the stores are closed and you’re out of gas? Stay on the keyboard a moment or two longer, and refer back to Way #11… make your last minute gifts count by giving the gift that keeps on giving – make a donation in your giftee’s name to a cause close to their hearts.

Oh, and just one more…

6.) Remember that when it comes right down to it, it’s not the gift that counts, it’s the thought behind it. So maybe you can skip the shopping altogether and pen a good old fashioned, hand written note sharing your feelings, a story, a memory or a smile. You may find that those are the best gifts of all to give.

Merry, Merry Christmas… and in the classic words of Tiny Tim, God Bless Us, Every One!

It’s down to the wire! Today and tomorrow – Christmas Eve – and then NO MORE SHOPPING DAYS till Christmas. Well, time may be running out for shops and stores,  but it’s never too late to do some good with your gifting! This year, more than ever, donating even a few dollars can do a lot of good.

Instead of grabbing another last minute bottle of wine, jump on line and give the gift that truly keeps on giving. Put the shining star on someone else’s tree. Choose a worthy cause and donate in your giftee’s name in a way that will bring a smile to the face, and make the world a better place.

Think about it this way: if Uncle Jack loves the dogs, give to the local humane society or the greyhound rescue fund! Got a foodie on your list? How about donating a dozen Christmas dinners in her name to the local homeless shelter. Or go farther out into the world and choose one close to every woman’s heart – CARE who’s doing great work to educate and empower women and girls around the globe.

The Salvation Army. The Red Cross. The list goes on and on, and YOU will know which will warm the heart of your gift recipient.

And if you still want them to have something to ‘open’ under the tree, announce your gift by giving a fun reminder. One of my favorites was cute black and white stuffed cow that had lots of attitude, which I used to announce my gift to Heifer International. Make it fun. Make it real. And use your gifting power to make a difference!

The parties have started. Whether after work, or on Saturday night. Coffee in the morning, or black tie evenings. Listen in to a few top tips for dressing yourself in the fashion of the season from our oh-so-stylish fashion guru, Karen Hughes of Image Assets.

“Holiday Chic is what’s happening this year – no matter where you are.  Whether you live uptown and go black tie, stay downtown with city style, or are most at home chillin’ in the ‘burbs, don’t just show up in the same old threads this year. Wear something different. Make your own personal fashion statement!

On a budget this year? You don’t have to break the bank to give yourself a rich and stylish look. This time of year, add some spice. Add some bling. You’ll find yourself feeling the holiday spirit all season long. You don’t have to spend a lot, but you do know need to know what to do! Here are few of my favorite trends that will go a long way toward updating your wardrobe no matter how many parties this holiday! Read the rest of this entry »

Okay, it’s time stop talking about it and start entertaining. Whether that means drop-ins or full blown parties, it can be easy AND enjoyable for you, the party-giver! Want to know how? Let’s join multi-tasking woman Alisa Barry, founder of Bella Cucina Artful Foods as she shares the essentials.

“Entertaining means bringing friends and family together, often to share a meal. Gatherings at the holidays are particularly celebratory, but if we’re not careful, can have a hectic pace and a hollow ring. What we may need more is a slower rhythm and a richer experience. This is a time to pause and  reflect on the abundance and generosity of our lives over the past year, and look forward to the future.

Food is the catalyst for our comfort.  Although eating out at a restaurant can be a way to bring people together, it is when we invite family and friends into our homes that experience more of what matters.  Whether we’re cooking a simple dinner for a few friends or having a party for a small crowd, the way we entertain doesn’t necessarily have to be elaborate.

The best parties often consist of a few essential ingredients that offer sustenance, both with the dishes we serve and the way in which we welcome our guests.  It’s actually less daunting and more doable than you might think. Here are a few recommendations to entertain with ease and make this holiday season a soulful celebration.

Here are my TOP TEN ENTERTAINING ESSENTIALS
Read the rest of this entry »

When it comes to making our homes beautiful for the holidays, we all harbor secret dreams of being Martha – lovingly laboring over the perfect place card. Painstakingly crafted in every detail. But let’s get real. Most of us are more like last minute Mary’s = suddenly realizing we have nothing to put in the center of our Christmas table and we’re hoping the same old red candles will give it the holiday feel.

Well, not to worry! Our own multi-tasking woman and maker of Festive Finery, Mary Plumstead, is our rescue. We caught up with her as she shared how you can “MAKE A BOLD BEAUTIFUL STATEMENT IN MOMENTS – FOR FAR LESS THAN YOU THINK!’ Now that’s holiday Magic!

‘Like you, I was out of time, energy and ideas and had invited a dozen people for a buffet dinner. What was I thinking?  (I wasn’t!) Read the rest of this entry »

I know. It should be automatic, this breathing thing that our bodies do, right? But how often have you caught yourself holding it all in… or breathing so shallowly that you remembering Lamaze? Well, here to help us get grounded and catch our breath – literally – is Kimberly Bonde, RN, acupuncturist and busy woman herself! Listen in:

“For me the holiday season is always evocative of childhood memories. One of my favorite chores involved polishing my great grandmother’s silver tea set. As we prepared for holiday entertaining we made it shine by following a simple, precise ritual  – rinsing with warm water, rubbing on and off thick Gorham’s silver cleaning paste and careful drying. The first piece always took longer to do than the others…but in time I’d establish a rhythm. These memories of silver polishing have some pointers for helping each of us to move more elegantly and easily through the holiday season.

By profession I’m an acupuncturist. In addition to performing individually useful treatments I educate and support women in making healthful connections between their bodies and their lives. The lungs are responsible for revitalization and rhythm in our lives. During times of stress and challenge – like the holidays – we often shorten our breath cycle, breath shallowly or even go through periods of holding our breath. Inhibiting our breathing results in an overall energy deficit. Instead of releasing stress and refreshing ourselves with our breathing we end up consuming energy during times when we need it most.

I’d like to offer a simple ritual that can help polish your inner silver to promote a more refreshed and radiant YOU this holiday season. Stop and take a few minutes to try this: Read the rest of this entry »