Lessons from a Girlfriend ... LISA SHEPARD STEWART

Previously I belonged to an organization that was almost 100% women. SCD (the Society of Creative Designers) was a group of professional designers who worked in the craft and hobby industry (as well as other industries). Being a group of almost all women (but we loved you Ed!), and, specifically, a group of CREATIVE women, it was a fabulous collection of women with talents in all areas - from painting to plastic canvas, sewing to stamping, beading to beadazzling! It was an organization of creative girlfriends who offered assistance, support, ideas and a willingness to help others.

Change happens and SCD transitioned into the CHA (Craft and Hobby Assn.). I don't get to see these women nearly as often as I'd like, but I know I can still call on them for ideas and assistance. I called on one recently after learning that she was holding creative girlfriend events. So, I did and I learned a lot.

That experience, as well as the lessons I've learned from so many of the 'girlfriend authors and experts' that I've interviewed previously inspired me to create "Lessons from a Girlfriend" - a blog to accompany each weekly podcast with a behind-the-scenes and/or revelations before/during/after the interview. After all, we learn SO MUCH from our girlfriends, that I feel it is my duty to share what each amazing woman on our podcast has to pass on to you!

A graduate of NYC's Fashion Institute of Technology, LISA SHEPARD STEWART is a designer, award-winning author, creative director, event leader, TV 'home/lifestyle' personality and successful creative woman! In her how-to project books African Accents, Global Expressions, and On The Go!, Lisa encourages others to express their creativity through culturally relevant techniques and materials. Her company, Cultured Expressions, Inc., offers her books, kits, imported fabrics & embellishments, lectures, workshops, projects and more. She also organizes retreats and special events internationally, combining her other personal interests of travel, holistic health and entertaining. Check out her upcoming Quilter's Retreat in Jamaica and Lisa's creative ideas on a TV show she did on creating a girlfriend spa night.

Okay, so what did I learn? (Since this is the first of weekly "Lessons from a Girlfriend.") I learned ...

* FOLLOW YOUR PASSION - Lisa visited West Africa in 1986 (when she was a young teen, no doubt!). She fell in love with their fabrics - especially Mudcloth. That, along with her creative talents and following those talents to the Fashion Institute of Technology, put her on the path to 'quilting together a career' - piecing together different aspects of her passion (like kits, projects, books, events, etc.) into a lifestyle living. She is very inspiring!

* BE SMART - Lisa mentioned that it is almost ten years since her first book was published, so she's preparing for ways to promote that as a way to continue the momentum for her creative business. (What things in your past should you celebrate and continue to use to further your business, career or dreams?)

* BE OPEN TO NEW IDEAS - Lisa is participating in an upcoming Natural Hair Care Expo in Baltimore, for her first time. Always learning and being open to trying new things is a great quality and, I believe, the sign of a successful, creative entrepreneur!

* HAVE FUN WITH IT! Organizing a retreat is hard work. There are preparation and planning, financial deposits and potential travel hassles. However, if you check out Lisa's Quilting Retreat in Jamaica, you'll see that she still has fun. She makes sure that everyone (including herself) gets to experience spaaaa treatments! (I think Lisa has some fun on this event too!)

I'm grateful to SCD for the opportunity to meet amazing women like LISA SHEPARD STEWART who continue to inspire me long after the organization is gone. Thanks Lisa for your time and inspiration! Listen in to Lisa's podcast interview for lessons that you may need to learn from this creative, inspiring girlfriend. Thanks Lisa!

Conversations with Girlfriends

The mystic influence of friends and friends of friends always humbles me. My friend Joan invited her friends, along with me and some of mine, for a Sunday afternoon visit or a Tuesday evening dinner. Conversations swirl about women, our hopes and dreams, how we support and encourage each other (or not), the future of our city and country, how we can be truer forms of ourselves.

At lunch yesterday, again with Joan and a friend of hers - Vanessa, conversations started first about conversations. Those on the previous Sunday and Tuesday, and, about a wise woman in town who believes that we can change things just by starting conversations. If we get women together and focus our energies and words on positive change and growth, there is no measure of what we can change as we take those conversations into each of our homes, businesses, circle of friends and acquaintances, etc. Conversations among friends, and friends of friends, are very powerful things.

The energy generated by verbal sharing and listening, the momentum started by a single thought shared, the creative influence of hearing another perspective from a respected and passionate person - those things can, and do, change the world.

I'm humbled and honored to be a part of this. There are great things brewing, ideas and friendships forming. We, as women, first have to take a responsibility for where we are and where we're going. After that, we need to have conversations. To hear from women who are just as passionate about improvement and change.

Can you start something where you are? Do you have passionate, positive, purposeful friends? Get them together. Introduce friends to friends of friends. Ask questions. Listen. Start change ... just with a conversation.

(Thanks Joan and friends! You inspire me!)

TIP TUESDAY #19 - Spring Wardrobe advice for Girlfriends

It has been raining (and not snowing!) for days so that must mean that Spring is in the air here in the Midwest. With Spring comes a need to shed the sweaters, put away the mittens and remember where you stored your Spring wardrobe!

Our recent podcast guest and fella blogger, MARGOT POTTER is off in Paris right now - lucky girl! Before she left, she blogged about finding sassy rain boots but couldn't find any stylish raincoats. (Which makes me more than a little embarrassed of my boring, black trench/raincoat which has seen better days!)

So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What are your tips for a stylish spring? What's new in fashion that warrants a purchase?

For me, on my January trip to Paris (yes, I am a lucky girl too!), I already purchased the decorative "Wellies" plastic boots at Target. (Love the $9.99 sale price!) So at least I'll feel a bit unique and fashionable when walking the pup during these Spring showers.

Now it's YOUR turn! What is YOUR fashion tip for the Spring? What new pieces of clothing or accessories would update your wardrobe? Please share. We fashion-challenged girlfriends need to know! Thanks Girlfriends!

Learn how to 'follow your bliss' from our girlfriend the CAPITOLA GIRL

Funny how each of our girlfriends play a different role in our lives. Some are here to teach us lessons - like knitting, politics or community service. Some girlfriends are here to tend to us - they take care of us when we're ill, hold us up when we're weak, etc. And, some girlfriends take on the role of companion, comedian, confidant or collaborator. All together, we have a community of women who support us in reaching our true potential and being the best person (and friend) we can be.

I'm especially drawn to girlfriends who inspire me. At this stage of my life and career, I have dreams I want to follow and look for 'cheerleader'-girlfriends who see my dreams as clearly (or more so) as I do and will keep me moving in that direction with passion and purpose. I'm so thankful for Tina, Becky, Paula, Judy, Joan, Jill, Lisa, Katie and so many others who are there to encourage and support me.

I had the privilege of meeting an inspiring woman through the Girlfriendology Monthly Contest*. She is a jewelry designer, blogger and inspiration cheerleader. Susan, aka: CAPITOLA GIRL is following her bliss and inspiring others to do the same. She recognizes that she is building the life of her dreams and that it is bringing her to the truest expression of herself. That inspires me. She inspires me.

I was thrilled to talk with Susan on our latest podcast. Listen in and you'll know why. Need some inspiration? Look to your girlfriends. Listen to positive, reinforcing, powerful women - like Susan/CAPITOLA GIRL. And be that type of girlfriend to your friends who need a cheerleader. There's a certain feeling of bliss in helping others follow their dreams too. Dream BIG, Girlfriends!

* This month's Girlfriendology Monthly Contest asks for your stories on creative gifts/events you've received from, given to or experienced together. Share your stories and inspire others! (And possibly win prizes and a chance to be interviewed on an upcoming podcast!)

Riding a Roller Coaster - with my Girlfriends by my side

It's been a roller coaster week. I won't get into the details, but someone went out of their way to make my life painful. It hurt to be the target of someone I've treated fairly and with respect. It really hurt. It was a lower-than-low, strange, sad, painful experience.

On the upside, I had three get-togethers with girlfriends (some previous close sister-like friends, some new friends of friends who welcomed me into their world with acceptance and support). Every single time I'm surrounded by supportive women, I'm completely humbled and so very thankful. These women graciously offer their ideas, contacts, positive reinforcement that my dream is reachable - and a willingness to help me stretch out farther towards it. I recognize how blessed I am and thankful for the amazing women in my life.

Then, back comes the lowness of others who mistreat and misquote. Wait a bit and it's back up to the summit with amazing women who inspire and support me. The ride continues.

I know this is life. I'm fine with that. It just humbles me when such extreme emotions can be defined in the short course of a week. I, like the little girl in the photo, would be in trouble without the hand of a loving friend to hold onto and the honor of their company through the high and low points of life.

This week makes me want to be a better friend. To be there for my friends during their roller coasters of sadness, doubt, sickness as well as to celebrate with them the achievement of getting through the low points and recognize their efforts when they are riding high on success, strength and well-deserved happiness.

Having a roller coaster week or know a girlfriend who is? Don't be afraid to reach out to your girlfriends - to support them or ask for their assistance in riding out the challenges that we all have to face from time to time. Be there for them and they will be there for you. Thank goodness for Girlfriends!

TIP TUESDAY #18 - How are you and your Girlfriends celebrating National Mom's Night Off?

Did you know that you get a free pass tomorrow (Thursday, March 20th) for a night out with your girlfriends? Well, thanks to RACHEL HAMMAN, founder of National Mom's Night Out, you're free to go to dinner or just spend time with your girlfriends!

Rachel, a guest on a recent podcast is RACHEL HAMMAN. Rachel also wrote Mom's Night Out - Even inmates get time off for good behavior!

AND, Rachel donated several copies of her book to Girlfriendology for prizes for this month's Girlfriendology Contest*. Just enter the contest and you'll be in a drawing for her fun book with great girlfriend stories!

So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

How will you celebrate National Mom's Night Out?

Personally, I had a girlfriends night last night (Thanks Joan, Allison, Amy, Cheryl, Nancy and Venus), a girlfriends afternoon on Sunday (again - thanks Joan! Debbie, Cindy, Sherman, Pat, Barbara and Peggy) and have a girlfriends night tonight with Paula, Becky, Jill, Judy, Lynn and the lovely Tina. So, I'm making a week of it! So can you, so get started!

* Another AND ... The February Girlfriendology Contest podcast is now live and features our first ever girlfriend contest winner interview. (Thanks so much Georgia for sharing this amazing story about your girlfriend Sally - pictured together here.) This could start a fun new tradition of interviewing our monthly winner!! Have a great girlfriend story and want to share it on our podcast? Enter the contest!

Just a quick Thank You to a Girlfriend

At the very end of the work day today, something happened that really hurt me. I packed up my stuff and headed for home, still playing over the scenario in my mind. Normally, I would have arrived home and blown off a little steam by telling my husband the situation but today I had somewhere to go and somewhere that I needed to be mindfully present. My afterwork plans were very important to me on a personal level that warranted that I be completely engaged.

On the drive home, I called Tina. My friend Tina gets me. She knows my dreams and believes in me (and them). She maintains focus on the important things in life and helps me to strive for them too. Although she'd never believe it, she mentors me when I deal with important issues and cares about even the silly, little things in my life.

All in the course of a five minute call, I had a better outlook on things and an understanding of how petty the event was that happened at work. So many things are so much more important. Things like love, friendship, caring for others. Things like friends who believe in me and who listen and care.

Thanks Tina. On my drive home, you helped me steer clear of the petty issues and aim for the big stuff that matters, like dreams, hope, love.

Do you have a friend that can cheer you up and remind you of the important things in life? Are you that kind of friend to a girlfriend? Be a girlfriend. Call a girlfriend. Show how thankful you are for your girlfriends!

TIP TUESDAY #17 - Your Favorite Girlfriend Blog

Have you met any friends on the Internet? Found any bloggers with whom you can relate and share their thoughts? Located an old college girlfriend or 'googled' an childhood friend?

Personally I love how the Internet can build community - especially among women. This week an online event is going on that does just that. The Ultimate Blog Party is an event hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom and gathers postings from over a 1000 women-only blogs. Check it out and you may make a new friend! (or two!)

So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What is your favorite girlfriend blog?

This can be someone who know personally or a woman that you've just read on the Internet that you admire, are inspired by or that teach you something that you need to learn.

A few of my favorite girlfriend blogs: KATIE HACKER - a great friend and beader who inspires me creatively and challenges me to make time for beading!, LINDA PETERSON - another girlfriend who is creative and has a wonderful outlook on life that she journals on her blog, JILL MACKAY - a dear friend and advisor who also creates amazing jewelry designs and (recent podcast guest) MARGOT POTTER who has a sassy, creative style through her blog on beading and life in general.

Now it's YOUR turn! Take a look through the list of ULTIMATE BLOG PARTY girlfriend blogs and share your favorites! Thanks Girlfriends!

Additional Prize for March Girlfriendology Contest!

Recent Girlfriendology Podcast guest, RACHEL HAMMAN, believes moms deserve a night off. So much so that she wrote the book on it. And, she founded National Mom's Night Out which is coming up on March 20th!

Well, actually, Rachel wrote the book - with her girlfriends who told real stories about real moms who just need some time off for good behavior. Rachel and the moms wrote: Mom's Night Out - Even inmates get time off for good behavior. And, she sent Girlfriendology two copies for more prizes on our Girlfriendology Contest this month.

Enter the contest with your story of a creative gift you've given to or received from a girlfriend - and you'll be in the drawing to win! (Plus, you have a shot at the Starbucks giftcards and Girlfriendology Journal.)

So, tell us about your creative girlfriend (or yourself) and keep the National Mom's Night Out celebration going all year! Thanks Rachel!!!!

National Mom's Night Out - Get out of the house Girlfriends!

From International Women's Day to National Mom's Night Out - do you get the feeling we need some time to recognize, celebrate and appreciate women and moms?!

Our guest on our NEW podcast is RACHEL HAMMAN. Rachel founded "National Mom's Night Out" - which is coming up on March 20th. In addition, Rachel wrote Mom's Night Out - Even inmates get time off for good behavior! Rachel tells us more ...

About National Mom’s Night Out

Who could use a break? If you are a mom, you probably raised both hands at once. That’s why I’ve founded a new holiday for all of us overworked, underappreciated moms. “National Mom’s Night Out” is the third Thursday in March, and it’s a celebration which encourages moms to leave the little ones and hubby at home for one night. It’s a guilt-free excuse for moms to go have fun with friends and reconnect with who they are besides being a mom. Skeptics (read: “husbands”) might argue, “You already have a holiday… It’s called Mother’s Day.” I would answer them by respectfully pointing out that although we do celebrate being moms on Mother’s Day, we do so as a family. We go out to brunch with our kids or see a movie (probably a cartoon) with our children. This is all well and good, but nowhere on that day do we get to celebrate the other facets of our personality. National Mom’s Night Out lets a mom reclaim a bit of her pre-motherhood identity. It affords us the chance to take off our sweat pants and strap on some sexy heels and go have a good time. (Perhaps trade in our baby bottles for a wine bottle for at least one night.)

Although the third Thursday in March is the “official” date to treat ourselves to a night out without children, I am hoping that moms across the country will carve out time for themselves on a more regular basis. We need to land somewhere near the top of our own “to-do” lists to ensure that our spirits stay recharged. Making time for yourself may seem selfish, but taking care of number one makes it possible for you to take care of the rest of your family more effectively.

So, set the laundry aside and leave money out for your kids to order pizza and come join me for National Mom’s Night Out!

Thanks Rachel for founding National Mom's Night Out and for talking with Girlfriendology on our new Podcast!

*For details visit www.RachelHamman.com

Celebrate International Women's Day!

March 8th: Today is International Women's Day. It is celebrated as an official holiday in Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. In these countries, men give flowers, cards and gifts to women - wives, daughters, coworkers, etc.

In the U.S. it appeared to be celebrated in random events in large cities. (Not nearly enough though! It should be a National Holiday!) Thankfully corporate sponsors have participated and supported this event.

As a woman, with a mission to encourage female friendship, it reminds me to reach out to other women. My belief is that if I have a girlfriend in South Africa, I will care more about South Africa. The same if I have a friend in another area of town, suddenly I listen more intently when the media reports a crime or accident in that neighborhood.

Did you celebrate International Women's Day? If so, how? If not, how can we raise awareness and support for this in the future? However you spent your day or your thoughts on this event, remember to be thankful for being a woman, for the women who came before us to bring freedom and rights and for the women we can help - even just by being their friend.

TIP TUESDAY #16 - Favorite Girlfriend Gifts

Do you have a girlfriend who always gives you your favorite gift each birthday? Or maybe a friend who thinks she gives you the best gift when it doesn't even resemble your sense of style?! Either way, you've no doubt experienced the ups and downs of being a good girlfriend gift giver and recipient.

So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What is your favorite gift to give a girlfriend? Or the favorite gift you've received from a female friend?

I've bragged about my friend Terri in the past. She knows the shops I love and buys me gifts that always are my favorite. And, she gives gifts with such genuine friendship and generosity that I always feel inept when giving her a gift! Through Terri, and other girlfriends who bless my life, I learn so much about giving, sharing, caring and paying attention to others' likes and dislikes. I always learn so much from my girlfriends.

Your turn! Tell us what gifts you've given or received that have been special. Inspire others with your creativity, your girlfriend's thoughtfulness or just the general closeness of dear friends. Give the gift of sharing with your girlfriends here at Girlfriendology!

New Girlfriendology Podcast with inspiring, creative MARGOT POTTER

Author, designer, creativity guru, blogger, actress, singer, TV personality and BQOTU (Bead Queen of the Universe), MARGOT POTTER, took time out of her wild schedule to share her wonderful energy, wit and wisdom with Girlfriendology in this week's podcast.

Listen in to find out how this busy, creative, inspiring woman believes girlfriends have to mentor each other, be thankful for the women who have gone before us and work together to make us all stronger. Discover the 'power of we' and 'super girlie good power' along with how to live life following your bliss.

Listen in as we talk with author of the highly successful Impatient Beader books, Margot Potter on how to live a life following your bliss and as your authentic self. You'll be glad you did!

March is National Craft Month so we're celebrating creative women! One way we're celebrating March is by daily postings on the GirlfriendologyToo blog (for the creative side of girlfriends). We're also talking with creative, inspiring women about their creativity, friendships and girlfriend advice.
Every week Girlfriendology talks with a girlfriend author or expert. Leave comments below for women we should interview on future podcasts. Thanks Margot! Thanks Girlfriends!