Encouragement
Tuesday, December 22, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
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Leigh Anne says…
I met Jenn Ross several years ago at a women’s retreat. We enjoyed a wonderful time together in the beautiful Napa Valley and I was able to introduce Jenn to her first In and Out Burger! We kept in touch and when Jenn needed help developing an idea she hired Sherra and me for some Idea Coaching and within a few short weeks, we helped her launch her first blog. She already has another one in the works!
“Life is an adventure or it is nothing at all.” Certainly when I married my husband 30 years ago I had no idea what an adventure it would be! I married a Navy pilot and along with that came numerous moves, the pleasure of living in Hawaii for 3 years and knowing the life of a psuedo single parent during my husband’s 6 month long Navy deployments. I have a BA in Spanish and returned to school with 3 small children to get a degree in Nursing. I work with new Moms and newborns. I love fun outdoor activities including flying on the trapeze, training for sprint triathlons, hiking and being with my five grandkids (5 yrs-1 yr) In July 2010, I will be training at Duke University in their Integrative Health Coaching program. I believe it is never too late to get healthy and be active.
Favorite color:
Turquoise
Favorite food you associate with this holiday season:
Eggnog
Pet Peeve?
Negative people and gossip
What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world)
If I had been blessed with a great singing voice I would have loved to have been a broadway singer belting out songs in those fun musicals. Instead I really really enjoy a fun musical with great singing .
One word that describes you:
Adventuresome
What’s your motto or mantra:
“Embrace the possibilities”
What are the top three things that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?
- Time with family especially my grandkids. They are so fun.
- Being authentic in my faith, relationships and purpose.
- Staying active and eating healthy
Peaceful Eating
The holidays are a time of abundance. Abundance of family, traditions, lights, decorations, parties and food. Holiday food. Yum. Christmas cookies, eggnog, luscious desserts, breads, mashed potatoes and great chocolate!
And let’s not forget that with all the fun and festivities with the holidays there is also a great deal of stress. How do we often relieve stress? We indulge in our favorite holiday treats and by January 1st our indulge has turned to a bulge.
In the words of Charles Dickens ” It’s the best of times and the worst of times”
And in my words…”the best part of the holidays is the food” and “the worst part of the holidays can be the food.”
This holiday can be all about peace with our food choices and staying fit!
Here’s a few steps you can take now (no it’s not too late) to help you stay healthy and still enjoy the holidays.
Food Glorious Food…mmm, I seem to be on a Charles Dickens kick here.
Ever heard of the 5p’s? Me neither until I met my husband. It’s a boy scout thing and since I was a Camp Fire Girl which had very little to do with camping or fires I remained clueless.
5P’s = Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
In years past for the holidays and food we usually had just one plan: Plan E Eat, Eat all of it. That didn’t work very well. WAIT, it did until we got on the scale!
For holiday eating lets use the 4 P’s
Prior Planning Promotes Peace
- Plan ahead what you want to eat or what you want to drink (alcohol has lots of calories and leads to more eating)
- Park yourself far away from the food.
- Most hostesses love if you offer to bring something. Bring a healthy veggie tray (or order one from the local grocery) or another healthy dish that you love.
- Let someone else do the holiday baking. My grown daughters are having fun making the traditional family goodies.
- Forgive yourself if you do indulge but get right back on track. No one is perfect and any “rules” about eating that are too strict are bound to get broken.
- Take extras to the office, or make up goodie bags for friends and neighbors
- Be okay about wasting the goodies (throw it out) better to waste it than “waist” it which could cost more health wise in the long run.
When you start to waiver and want seconds and thirds remember how much peace you will have after the holidays because you enjoyed but did not over eat!
Keep Moving!!!
Find inventive ways to do what is called “spontaneous exercise.”
Park far away from the entrance to malls, work, grocery stores.
Use the stairs and not the elevator (for reasonable distances).
Make multiple trips up and down stairs at home instead of taking one big load all at once.
Make it a game to find all kinds of ways to do spontaneous exercise and you’ll find it fun and challenging.
OR
Start walking with a friend 3x a week (or everyday)! It not only moves your body but relieves your stress.
Your walking buddy is key! Knowing someone is waiting for you will keep you on track. Plus the conversation will make the time go faster and make it fun!
Have fun this holiday season. We sometimes get lost in all the preparations that we forget the real purpose is to celebrate, spend time with family and remember our many blessings. We can do all of it and still be peaceful about our food and fitness choices. Have a wonderful and joyful celebration this year!
Visit Jenn at her blog See Jenn Tri.
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Moments & Memories is a column is centered around our word of the month. We love to feature women from all walks of lives – it may be in the form of an interview or as a guest writer. We’d love to feature you as a guest writer. Qualifications: No experience necessary…just be willing to share a great moment or memory with other women. Send us an email and we’ll schedule a date. Our guest writers do not necessarily have to have a website or a blog as we want iLashGirls to be a place where every woman has a voice!
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Categories: Encouragement, Food, Inspiration, Moments & Memories
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Tuesday, December 8, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
Leigh Anne and Sherra say…
We both know Karen Herrema through our homebased business. She is a Certified Personal Stylist and it is (pardon the pun) the perfect fit for her! Be sure to visit Karen at her blog, Style by Karen for more great fashion tips. We are delighted to introduce you to Karen…
I have been a Washingtonian all but 10 years of my life. I was raised in Lynden, WA in a small farming community in the NW corner, just a few miles from the Canadian border. After attending college in Michigan, I landed my first job in Denver, Co where I lived for 6 years and met my husband, Mike. His job in the lumber industry brought us back to the NW and in 1989 we settled in Vancouver WA, which is in the very SW corner of the state. Nestled in between Seattle and Portland OR, we love the small city feel which has been perfect for raising our two boys Ethan and Collin who are now 17 and 14. My previous career as a school teacher and home business owner has paved the way for beginning a new business in 2008. As a personal stylist I enjoy using my creativity in a whole new way. I love teaching women how to look, feel and dress their best.
Favorite color:
Certain shades of green, teal blue. I also love red.
Favorite food you associate with this holiday season:
I cannot resist a homemade frosted sugar cookie.
Pet Peeve?
Grammatical/punctuation/spelling errors in print or on signs.
What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world)
I love to dance, even if these days that means in my kitchen with my iPod.
One word that describes you:
Enthusiastic
What’s your motto or mantra:
Laughter is the Best Medicine. I am thankful for a husband and kids who help me laugh every day even when things are not all rosy.
What are the top three things that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?
- Spending time with my family/friends especially in fun places.
- Being involved! Kids’ activities (school, sports). Church and Community.
- Although I’m very social, I also enjoy time alone-reading, devotions, taking a walk, listening to music, scrapbooking or shopping!
Holiday Wardrobe Tips
I am not sure I could say my life is very peaceful in December. The calendar is full of events, and we often travel at Christmas. There’s decorating, baking, gifts, and families who need our help. It’s easy to feel pulled in a dozen different directions. As women, we try to do it all. We pull out all the stops to put together the perfect holiday. Add dressing for the holidays to the equation and it’s just one more thing to try and get right. For many women, it causes stress because there isn’t time to shop or it’s hard to make the right choice for the right occasion. Perhaps you’re trying to get by with something you wore last year (and now it doesn’t fit!)
In the dictionary definition of PEACE I found these words: Inner Contentment. It struck a chord with me. I meet women who have been catering to their families for years and suddenly realize: It’s time for ME. I’m amazed when together we do a few tweaks on the outside, sometimes the biggest change occurs on the inside.
Dressing for the holidays does not have to be an added stress. With a few tips, you can look and feel great. I’ve chosen some holiday looks that will cover a variety of events and flatter many body types. I’ve taken comfort and price into consideration (all pieces under $100).
For more details on most of the fashion and accessories shown below, visit Snapshot Emagazine where Karen has an article in the December issue.
Formal Office Party: We went to a big party for ten consecutive years. I miss those days as I loved finding my dresses at January sales. If you didn’t hit the jackpot then, you’re in luck now.
Nordstrom.com Purple dress Maggie London $98
Party with Family/Friends: We often gather for a formal dinner on Christmas Eve with a few other families. Everyone wears sweats/PJs. NOT me! Here are a few ideas that are perfect with jeans–comfortable and still dressy.
White House | Black Market Charmeuse Tiered Shell $88
Nordstrom.com Cardigan $58 Purple Tiered Top $48
White House | Black Market: Ruffled cardigan $98
New Year’s Party: If I had one to go to this year, this is what I’d wear.
Nordstrom.com Sequin cardigan $88 Ruffle tank $48
Last year it was just the 4 of us on Christmas Eve. I asked everyone to dress a little nicer for photos. Message to teenage boys: Wear something besides “ratty” T-shirt. My son came downstairs wearing MY old Christmas sweater I was planning to consign. He found it in the unused side of his closet (my overflow area). We laughed the rest of the night.
Just for the record, I’m not going to touch the topic of Christmas sweaters. Not a fashion faux pas–unless you are a guy–but I believe you can do better.
Karen’s Top Holiday Choice: The Cardigan. It works on any woman petite to plus size. Choose an embellished one to make it more formal, or add accessories to a holiday color of choice.
Kohl’s 29.99
FIT TIP: Wear with two buttons closed under the bust as shown in photo. This shows curves, yet still hides flaws.
Also, if you choose a solid color cardigan, add the bling. Embellished cardigan: 1-2 pieces of jewelry will be enough.
Kohl’s Accessories, $35 for all 3 pieces
There you have it – enough suggestions for every holiday occasion that I hope will help you dress your best while enjoying a peaceful holiday.
I wish for you a Holiday Season that is wonderful in every way and that you will look back and say–I did things for my family, others AND for me. It feels good. That is Inner Contentment.
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We have designated Tuesday as a day where we will have different women share “Moments & Memories” in their lives.
We plan to feature women from all walks of lives – it may be in the form of an interview or as a guest writer. The column on Tuesday will be centered around our word of the month. We’d love to feature you as a guest writer. Qualifications: No experience necessary…just be willing to share a great moment or memory with other women. Send us an email and we’ll schedule a date. Our guest writers do not necessarily have to have a website or a blog as we want iLashGirls to be a place where every woman has a voice!
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Wednesday, November 25, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
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Tuesday, November 17, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
Leigh Anne and Sherra say…
We both know Loi Palmer from our homebased business. She is an active mentor to women in her church and she inspires people with her boundless energy, enthusiasm and creativity. We are delighted to introduce you to Loi…
I have been married to my precious husband for 24 years and the mother of three great kids ages 17-22. I have a degree in Biblical Education and I taught Special Ed for one year. I am a certified Lamaze teacher and birthing coach although I ended up with 3 C-sections! I have run a homebased business for 16 years and my favorite part of it is the amazing friends it has brought into my life. My passion is building deep friendships and encouraging women to love their husbands and kids…. life is hard and we need each other to pray us through the junk of life!
Favorite color:
Turquoise and white
Favorite food you associate with Fall:
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancakes topped with butter and Vermont maple syrup.
Pet Peeve?
Beds that aren’t made!
What is something that no one knows about you? (That you want to tell the whole Internet world)
My childhood home was an old Jewish synagogue – it is now a restaurant
One word that describes you:
Happy!
What’s your motto or mantra:
“Love God, live in truth and peace and pull your friends out of the ditch” Malachi 2:7
What are the top three things that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?
- Slowing down life and watching the grass grow w/ family and friends
- Making my faith real
- Homemaking
Traditions: Duty or Delight
A wiry smile tugs at my lips as I reflect on the desperate attempt to intertwine the Palmer and Eggimann family traditions. These were “situations” that were not hammered out before we said, “I do”. The Eggimann’s put up an artificial tree the day after Thanksgiving. Gifts were wrapped and placed under the tree as they were bought. The Palmer’s decorated their live tree five days before Christmas. Gifts magically appeared on Christmas morning. I’m sure you have a similar saga – A Thousand Ways to Celebrate the Same Holiday.
Traditions are an expression of who we are as a family. Step back for a minute and evaluate your family traditions. You will discover that traditions stem from our ethnic backgrounds, family religion, and the region of the country we live in. Here is a bold question… “Does my family really enjoy our traditions or are they a bone of contention stressing us out. Thus negating the true meaning of the holiday we are celebrating?”
Dare to be counter-cultural…
Cut out the stress -factor traditions and add family bonding events.
This Christmas we are stepping out of our comfort zone; traveling with 12 members of our family, and spending two weeks at a children’s home in India. Not the norm… we are at a “freedom” stage … so before everyone gets married and grandkids come along we are going on an adventure. Bottom-line, we will be together celebrating the birth of Christ.
Here are some of our favorite family traditions that I am grateful for:
- Create your Christmas card. As a gift to our family and friends Chuck paints an oil painting each year. Take digital picture and e-mail it to a printer. A child’s crayon drawing of the nativity or snowman makes a treasured card.
- The Snow Village. Chuck and I decided to invest in one of the Department 56 Villages. But, which one? We took the children to our favorite Christmas Shoppe and observed them while they looked at all of the villages available. The Snow Village, captured their attention. Each year we buy a new building and add accessories. Chuck built a huge display stand that goes under our tree to hold the village. The pieces are unwrapped with care as memories of Christmas past flood our mind.
- Sticky buns. The whole family gets involved rolling out the dough, sprinkling on the cinnamon sugar, nuts, raisins and rolling them up. There is nothing like waking up Christmas morning to the aroma of sticky buns and hot coffee.
- Chili for Christmas Eve: Chuck and I were engaged on Christmas eve, at his grandparent’s farm in West Virginia. He proposed in the tractor barn. We had gone for a walk in the snow, just before dinner. The whole family knew he was going to, pop the question, and were waiting at the door to see if I had accepted. After hugs and kudos, we sat down to steaming bowls of chili. In memory of our engagement we eat chili on Christmas Eve… it is a culinary adventure to come up with a different chili recipe and toppings.
Learning to combine family traditions and have stress-free holidays creates magical memories. Being respectful and grateful for all of our different traditions means a holiday season full of delight. Gratitude for family traditions, especially at the holidays, is what makes our family unique and special.
What traditions are you looking forward to celebrating with your family this year?
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We have designated Tuesday as a day where we will have different women share “Moments & Memories” in their lives.
We plan to feature women from all walks of lives – it may be in the form of an interview or as a guest writer. The column on Tuesday will be centered around our word of the month. We’d love to feature you as a guest writer. Qualifications: No experience necessary…just be willing to share a great moment or memory with other women. Send us an emailand we’ll schedule a date. Our guest writers do not necessarily have to have a website or a blog as we want iLashGirls to be a place where every woman has a voice!
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Categories: Encouragement, Inspiration, Moments & Memories
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Wednesday, November 11, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
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Monday, November 9, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
Question of the Week
As the holiday season begins, what family celebrations or traditions are you most grateful for?
Leigh Anne says…
I love hosting holiday events at my home and creating lots of yummy food. One way I show my family and friends I am grateful for them is by feeding them!
Sherra says…
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and since we don’t live near our families, we have always liked to include other families who can’t get home for the holiday. I’m grateful that we can offer a place for everyone to gather and have a delicious meal with friends.
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Wednesday, November 4, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
Weekly on Wednesday
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Wednesday, October 28, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
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Tuesday, September 29, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
This is both a moment and memory for us. In our 15 year friendship and homebased business experience we have a lot of memories of brainstorming, researching and implementing ideas. We talk often about how we can use our talents and work together to encourage and support other women. We knew it needed to be a virtual setting since Leigh Anne is in Portland and Sherra is in Atlanta. iLashGirls was our first venture together and continues to be a fun place that we have built a community of women. Now, the moment has truly come full circle as we announce our…
Exciting News
After watching a mutual business colleague and friend develop an idea of opening a online business selling sock yarn (who knew there was such a big demand for sock yarn) and become amazingly successful, Leigh Anne and Sherra’s mantra became “We need to find our sock yarn” (translation: great idea). They knew that if they needed to find their “sock yarn” other women needed to find it too!!
Leigh Anne and Sherra have always enjoyed bouncing ideas off of one another. They very quickly learned women need other women to encourage and support them. Many times our great ideas are right in front of us and we just can’t see them. We need someone else to point them out, to help give us the confidence to boldly march in and do whatever it is we have always wanted to do!
Women need someone there to tell them they can do it, cheer them on and most importantly provide them with the tools that they need to do it.
A place that can help give women the courage to grow up and become who they were meant to be.
With years of entrepreneurial business experience helping women start their own business, this is a natural progression for us and we are thrilled to launch our new site and introduce you to our Find Your Sock Yarn
Idea Coaching services. We feel like we have really found our “sock yarn” and that is working together in this new venture helping women!
We know you are filled with all kinds of creative ideas.
- Do you have a fabulous invention to make life easier?
- Do you want to start a blog in a niche market?
- Do you have a service or product that you would love to develop and market?
We are here to supply you with tools, resources and services so that you can turn your idea into a reality!
We are here to help you find your very own “sock yarn” (whether you like to knit or not)!
We are already working with new clients so if you are interested, get on our schedule now.
Fun Giveaway
You may have noticed that we haven’t *surprised* you with any giveaways lately. We have been a little distracted getting our new site up and running.
We’re excited to share with you today our Idea Coaching giveaway!
You can win a one hour Idea Coaching phone appointment with Leigh Anne and Sherra. $100 value
Just leave a comment telling us you have an idea you want to bounce around with us. If you’re feeling really brave, share the idea – it might spark an idea for someone else!
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We invite you to subscribe by email today so you won’t miss any of our upcoming giveaways. Please help us spread the word and tell all your friends about this great opportunity to win something free and support our giveaway sponsors.
Just leave a comment below by midnight PST on Sunday, October 4th and we’ll have a random drawing to choose the winners and announce the random winners on Monday, October 5th.
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Giveaway Guidelines
- Anyone in the U.S. with an email and a name is eligible.
- Sherra says you can use a code name if you want to.
- One entry per person, please.
- Emails are never published nor is your identity revealed if you choose to use a code name.
Tell your mother, tell your sister, tell your girlfriends so they can enter too!
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We have designated Tuesday as a day where we will have different women share “Moments & Memories” in their lives.
We plan to feature women from all walks of lives – it may be in the form of an interview or as a guest writer. The column on Tuesday will be centered around our word of the month. We’d love to feature you as a guest writer. Qualifications: No experience necessary…just be willing to share a great moment or memory with other women. Send us an email and we’ll schedule a date. Our guest writers do not necessarily have to have a website or a blog as we want iLashGirls to be a place where every woman has a voice!
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