Whole life

Interesting article in the March 2007 issue of Harper's Bazaar: Overdressing versus Underdressing. The writer, Cathy Horyn, got some sound, valuable advice from Bill Blass while interviewing him. It's summed up this way:

Looking like you tried too hard -- or not hard enough -- is the kiss of death in the world of fashion.

While I find that helpful with relation to how to dress, what I like about it is that it's asking you to exude confidence. It requires confidence to pull something together without trying too hard. It requires confidence to make an effort to look your best, even if you're just running around town. Look like you care, but not like you care too much.

I love the idea of the outside reflecting what's inside and vice versa. It makes us feel whole.

Check, check

Nothing like getting your taxes done and having your dental checkup in the same week to make you feel like a responsible citizen.

I feel light on this Friday night.

Before you die

So the Travel Channel has this cool feature called "1,000 Places To See Before You Die." This very likable couple got the opportunity to spend about four months traveling to see some of these places. I'm currently watching the segment about Italy.

The show begins with the woman sharing that a lot of people asked them how they could put their life on hold for this travel. Her question back: How could we not?

My question: How set in your ways do you have to be to consider travel putting your life on hold? Wouldn't that be classified as living your life?

OK, that's two questions.

Biz talk

I had a sort of idea session with someone tonight that filled me with insights about my coaching practice. Sometimes I marvel at how that just happens on a random day.

These ideas will help sharpen my business plan and focus my marketing.

Great vibe. Great day.

Spring

A walk by the waterfront nurtured me this evening.

Ramping it up

I'm in a high-energy work mode these days and loving it. Every day I write three pages of my book. I'm also taking the life coaching up a notch, putting new marketing ideas in place, planning new things.

It's fun and productive and even exhilarating.

My mind is in a whirl.

Perspective on the path

Read this today in a Wayne Dyer book called Staying on the Path:

When my daughter Tracy came home in the second grade and said, "Billy doesn't like me, Billy doesn't like me, " I responded, "Do you like you?" Tracy said, "Yes." Then I replied, "Well, that's all you've got." You see, even at seven years of age, a person shouldn't get the idea that anyone else's reactions to you need to get you down in any way.

Wouldn't it be great if more parents delivered that message? The world would be a better place.

Chefography

I continue to love the Chefography series on the Food Network. To see how each well-known star created his or her path to television is fascinating.

I'm watching the show on Sandra Lee and -- as my mother already called to tell me -- it's very inspiring. She is the poster child for hard work and saving your money. Amazing will and perseverance and belief in herself and her ideas.

Love those kinds of stories.

Good 'n plenty

Tonight I celebrated the abundance in my life. We don't do that often enough in life.

Swingin' in the rain

Couldn't help but notice that rain doesn't faze people at all when it's 66 degrees outside. Hoboken was lively and light this evening. A few drops from the sky did nothing to dampen spirits.

Had to be why I felt so productive. Coached a client. Went to the dry cleaner. Worked out. Wrote some of my book. Cooked dinner.

Easy.

Right on Target

OK, this will be an ad for Target. How does anyone not love that store?

Went with my friend Robin tonight. Much to my eternal shock, I bought a big, bright yellow patent leather handbag with a cool buckle on it. "Take it out of here and it will look totally different," Robin said. Then she picked up another, "Take it out of here ... " What a great mantra.

And how right she was. I brought that bag home and paired it with black and white, with denim and black, with plain black. Awesome, awesome, and awesome. Then I started rummaging through every darn scarf and spring jacket I own to try it with different combos. Out came the classic Versace scarf, black with a gold design. Yellow gold. Imagine the audacity of pairing Versace with a $19.99 handbag from Target.

Now that's the epitome of confidence in style.

Come on, Vogue

Bought the big, fat spring issue of Vogue. Love to leaf through and see what's fresh for spring.

Already have a white trench. Need some pointy flats.

Oh, the fun of it all.

March newsletter

It's newsletter time. My latest edition is about the importance of confidence and how we can turn naysayers into gauges of how far we've come. Check it out:

http://nancola.com/pages/newsletter.html

Sunshine

Rented Little Miss Sunshine this weekend and loved it. What a fine piece of writing. So well cast. So well executed.

I knew almost nothing about it, but became curious when the writer won the Oscar. It's very rich in its content. Touches on many levels. I laughed and cried simultaneously at the end.

Well deserved kudos all around.

Book notes

I reread the 78 single-spaced pages of my book manuscript this week and was blown away by how easy it is to forget how much I've done! It was great to take stock. So great.

Writing a book, I find, is like being in a relationship. It ebbs and flows, yet it burns steady in your life. What a commitment it requires.

I'm in it for the long haul.

Ice, ice, baby

The tiny pieces of ice falling from the sky are rattling against my air conditioner. It's a weird rhythm, so unlike peaceful, silent snow.

As I walked the slippery streets in Manhattan earlier today, I found myself dreading it at first and then dutifully taking the "one step at a time" approach. That shift in thought worked wonders.

I practiced what I preach, with good results. Nice.

Word play

Young guy walking on Seventh Avenue is wearing a white t-shirt with black letters:

Free Cashmere

I wonder who in the heck is holding it hostage. Why is this a cause?

Then I realize my error. I smile. I wonder if I should follow him ...

Means to an end

Watched The Secret for the second time to catch what I may have missed the first time and got this tidbit to tuck away as I'm writing my book:

The outcome is whatever you choose.

Yes, indeed.

All abuzz

Ran an errand in Midtown today. Was walking on Fifth Avenue in the late afternoon and hadn't had lunch. Thought how great it would be to have a Mr. Softie soft-serve vanilla cone. Turned a corner and voila! The magical truck was parked at the corner.

Sweet lunch. Spring in my step.

Instant gratification.

On a distant highway

A member of the band Boston was found dead in his home over the weekend. I don't know his name. What I know is this -- his art has given me much pleasure. Long Time with the Foreplay. An instant lift.

In fact, it was part of one of my favorite travel moments. A cool car. The desert in Arizona. A classic rock station blaring on the radio.

Time doesn't wait for me ...

Workout

Had one of those great workouts today. The kind that comes after you resist going to the gym at all because there's so many other things you could be doing.

But I went. Despite soreness from yesterday's workout. Despite losing an hour of sleep to the time change. Despite wanting to get cracking on my book.

I went. I plugged Madonna into my ears. I worked hard.

It rocked.

Shopping

Hours and hours in Century 21 today. Emerged with a single item -- a pair of Kenneth Cole sunglasses. A freakin' miracle.

A good purchase. I'm exhausted.

Good eats

Had dinner at Thalia tonight. It's in Midtown in the theater district. Nice vibe in the lounge. Meaningful, intelligent conversation. Pumpkin-crusted scallops, risotto, kale. So delish.

A friend suggested it and, synchronously, it was on my list to try after seeing it recommended by Rachael Ray. (I also loved her suggestion of the Italian restaurant with live opera Downtown, but can't remember the name.)

So much to see and try in Manhattan. Fun to work my way through the list.

My feathered friends

So I've been convinced for a long time that when I see feathers they are little signs telling me to write more. It's a whole quills thing. I told this to a friend a few weeks ago and she was fascinated, said she never sees feathers.

Today, as I was walking down the street and thinking about my life coaching business and my book and the streamlining of my finances and the space in my home, I happened to look down and see a feather. Then another. Then another. And yet another. And, yes, another. All about two feet apart. I would take a step and there would be a feather. It was like they were laid out in my path like the Yellow Brick Road.

Write, Nancy. Write, Nancy. Write, Nancy. Write, Nancy.

Write, darn it.

Write.

Sweet change

Major transition happening. So much swirling in my mind. Reassessing and revamping and purging and brainstorming and preparing.

There's something uneasy about it, yet it's so exciting.

Something about a clean slate, a well thought-out plan, a measure of discipline, a restructuring of priorities.

Bring on the fresh. I revel in prosperity and abundance.

Do what you love

Good coaching sessions tonight. Really good.

I feel satisfied and clear.

These are why I do what I do.

Bring spring

Had a good shopping trip this weekend. Oh man. Two dresses. A trench coat. And even some shower gel. All really smart purchases, but pretty, too.

What a great feeling.

So long, February. Hello, March.

Wealth of information

The eight qualities of a wealthy woman, according to Suze Orman's new book:

Harmony
Balance
Courage
Generosity
Happiness
Wisdom
Cleanliness
Beauty

Yes.