Jane Fonda's message International Women's Day

International Woman's Day

Tom Northcott's version of Sunny Goodge Street

This song makes me happy :D

Dogs care about us humans

Ten Quick Confidence Boosters

Article from WomansDay

Health / 10 Quick Confidence Boosters
10 Quick Confidence Boosters


Feel instantly better about yourself with these simple tips
By Abigail L. Cuffey

Posted January 06, 2010 from WomansDay.com

10 Quick Confidence Boosters


Confidence is easily attainable and makes a huge impact on how others view you as well as how you feel about yourself. Try these instant boosters to put a little spring in your step:

1. Straighten up. A recent Ohio State University study found that the simple act of sitting up straight and adjusting your posture can significantly boost your confidence.

2. Note the positives. Look in a full-size mirror and pick five things that you feel good about, recommends Leslie Sokol, PhD, coauthor of Think Confident, Be Confident. Make note of both your physical attributes (eyes, lips, hair, nails, legs, feet, toes, smile) and your style (hairdo, clothing, stance, makeup, shoes, jewelry).

3. Break a sweat (or not). Go for a quick stroll around the block when you’re feeling down. The simple act of exercise (doesn’t matter how long, how intense or how often) gives you an instant body image boost, according to University of Florida research.

4. Get a haircut. Although it may seem trite, a new ’do is a quick way to feel better, says Sheenah Hankin, PhD, author of Complete Confidence. Changing your look or just indulging in a little “me” time can up your self-esteem in a big way.

5. Schedule a girls’ night. In a recent Tupperware survey for their Chain of Confidence campaign, 85 percent of respondents, age 18 and older, said that a supportive network of female friends is more likely to make them feel confident in the long run compared to looking attractive.

6. Lend a hand. If you want to build your confidence in a big way, volunteer for an organization or group that needs help, says Susan Newman, PhD, author of The Book of No. The gratitude you receive will reinforce your self-worth immediately. Check out VolunteerMatch.org or DoSomething.org to find an opportunity in your area.

7. Look on the bright side. Think back to the most recent experience where you think you fell short or messed up, and force yourself to name a few things that went right, suggests Marci Fox, PhD, coauthor of Think Confident, Be Confident. Burned that batch of cookies? Maybe, but did you get to spend some quality time with your kids and finish a knitting project while waiting for the treats to bake?

8. Make a list. Avoiding things that are stressing you out increases anxiety and cuts down confidence, says Dr. Hankin. Write down anything that may fall into this category, such as calling people back or paying bills. Start with just three things and do them today.

9. Set a (small) goal. One of the most effective ways to build self-confidence is to break down large goals into small, doable action steps, says Sharon Fountain, president of the National Association for Self-Esteem. For example, if you’re trying to shape up and lose weight, make it a goal to eat at least three servings of veggies today.

10. Try something new. Tackling something you’re scared to do or something that seems difficult increases your sense of well-being, explains Dr. Newman. A few suggestions to get started: Learn a new language, try flower arranging, take a tango class or register for a night class at a local community college in a subject that interests you.

http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Health/Mental-Health/10-Quick-Confidence-Boosters.html

New Year be Phenomenal!

Best way to start the new year is to inhale and read Maya and Be Phenomenal!


Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm
of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou

Clarity

I found both these lovely thoughts at the Kind over Matter website. They are just terrific positive energy inducers :)Pay them a visit, sure to cause a smile or two. www.kindovermatter.blogspot.com

Cute pic or what?

Saw this in an email and had to post, so sweet!

While I'm at it here is a pic that I adapted for fall :) Happy Autumn World! Happy Thanksgiving to the folks enjoying turkey in the United States of America :D

The Lovely Bones book review

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Published by Little, Brown & Company

I just finished reading this very upsetting story. The narrator of the book is a young dead teenager. She describes how her death affects the people who are left behind. She is in her version of heaven watching her family, her killer, the neighbours, the police and all the activities after her death. My stomache was in a knot the entire time I was reading, it was just so sad. How she died and how her family came apart is just wrenching to read. It is a very well paced novel and I read it quite quickly. I didn't care for the ending, took away from the way the story was unfolding. I hear they have made a movie of this novel. The visual representation of "The Lovely Bones" if they are at all true to the words of this novel will be unwatchable. I can't say I liked reading this book, it hurt.

Wanted!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHQhyiriMKs

This link is to a youtube video by Marta Walsh from TalkingMakeup.com discussing Chris and Tell lipstick for Lancome.



The so elusive Pout-a-Porter Lancome Chris and Tell lipstick on a lucky model. Lancome are launching the colour next year, it will be available Spring 2010! Isn't it a great shade? Doesn't it make you happy? Just imagine if you were able to find a tube and wear it? Nothing like a new lipstick to make your day shine brighter :)

Thank you Lancome ♥

I won a lovely Lancome prize from Kerry Diamond on The Lancome Blog. Have you visited there? http://www.thelancomeblog.com/ It is a great place to get new ideas on how to apply your makeup. I swoon often at the wonderful pallets of colours that they show. The new Winter makeup line is stunning! Have you seen the pictures of Kate Winslet? They are going to sell so much Tresor and that awesome red lipstick :D

A little thought

“The greatest treasures are those invisible to the eye but found by the heart.”

Are you looking forward to Christmas? I love all the decorating. Lots of feathers and pink shiny birds in my tree ;) We make lots of paper decorations with paper and recycle cards we have received through out the year. Above is a pic of an ornament we made last year. Fun stuff :)

Be certain that there is always tomorrow :)

“Between the optimist and the pessimist, the difference is droll. The optimist sees the doughnut; the pessimist the hole!”
~Oscar Wilde

You are or You're not Your

When will my mind quit confusing your for you're? How many times do I type your when I mean to type you're. Makes me flush with embarrassment to make this mistake over and over. It usually happens when I am quickly sending a note but no excuse! I need to stop this, it is irritating me :p

Pepsi Summer

My Pepsi Flip film... A small thank you to the company that gave me my Flip Video Recorder :D I am just learning how it works, so it is a bit choppy as I play with the buttons. I hope it gives you a sunny summertime feel ;) Now if I could only figure out how to set the date etc. I guess I should stop goofing with it and read the directions. It is a sweet little device.


“When you wish someone joy, you wish them peace,
love, prosperity, happiness... all the good things.”

~Maya Angelou


Thank you Pepsi Canada!

David Niven

Radio program about David Niven:
http://www.iconsradio.com/davidnivenshow.html

Kate Bush

Kate Bush
Moments of Pleasure

Skylark

A beautiful rendition of Skylark by the fabulous Ms Dinah Shore.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
- Mark Twain

Be Yourself

"Be yourself... everyone else is taken"
*Oscar Wilde

The Sky

The sky is that beautiful old parchment
in which the sun and the moon keep their diary.
* Alfred Kreymborg