Lessons from a Girlfriend - Podcast with J. J. VIRGIN, fitness and nutrition expert

Fitness and nutrition can overwhelm me - do they you? I know I should eat and do certain things, but sometimes even if I do, nothing happens so I just go back to my previous eating and exercising habits. After years of low-fat/high-carb, low-carb/high-fat and every other diet in between, my body seems to do whatever it wants to do.

Okay, and even if you have the whole fitness/nutrition thing figured out (or you just got really, really good genes!), there still is the desire to be healthy and look young, right?

Our guest on the latest Girlfriendology Podcast has the answers! MENSA member, PhD in holistic and clinical nutrition with studies in bio-mechanics, sports medicine, exercise physiology, nutrition and aging, J.J. VIRGIN is an accomplished trainer, teacher and author. Her new book, "The Art of Losing It: Mastering Weight Loss in an Expanding World,"(with co-author, Dan O'Dowd) offers the help we need to get past diet resistant bodies and near-sleepless schedules, to find the healthy lifestyle that will give us balance in all areas of our lives.

J.J. has done post-graduate work in bio-mechanics, sports medicine, exercise physiology, nutrition and aging. She's a member of MENSA and appeared for several seasons as the fitness and nutrition expert on the Dr. Phil Show. She also was the "nutritional trainer for Superman" - how cool is that?!

We can all learn a lot from this smart, beautiful, amazingly-inspiring woman. Just a few of the lessons learned from J.J. Virgin:

* NO ONE SAID IT WOULD BE EASY - J.J. doesn't provide a quick 'magic' solution to weight issues, but she does simplify it and make it applicable to a realistic lifestyle. "The Art of Losing It" has taken her 25 years as a health care professional and celebrity nutritionist to the next level with her supercharged, clinically proven weight loss system.

* SLEEP! - We push ourselves too many hours every day, then so many of us struggle with getting a good night's sleep. J.J. has done the research and recommends sleep as one of the major factors in a healthy, long life. Her level of importance on this was impressive and impactful. Plus, that is one area of nutrition and fitness that is a good change in our life and has great results.

* YOU NEED YOUR GIRLFRIENDS - As J.J. says, "You HAVE to have a circle of support." She tells about girlfriends who met on a diet website and, through their friendship and support of each other, were successful in losing a lot of weight. Together we can accomplish our goals - with our girlfriends!

J.J. provided her new audio book, "Jumpstart The Art!" (companion book to "The Art of Losing It: Mastering Weight Loss in an Expanding World") as a prize in our Girlfriendology Contest. It was obvious in talking with her about toxins, sweeteners, the chemicals our body needs/produces and more, she is knowledgeable and someone with the answers. I appreciate that she offered these answers to us in her podcast and book!

Listen in to J.J.'s interview with Girlfriendology on our latest podcast, check out her website/book and sign up for her newsletter for a free report on weight loss myths. I know you, like me, will learn life-changing information!

Stay healthy girlfriend!

Reduce stress and make it a lot more fun! When is "Take your Girlfriends to work day"?

Today is "Take Your Dog to Work Day." Okay, here at Girlfriendology, every day is take your dog to work day! It is a wonderful environment to relieve stress, bring some humor (and sometimes unpleasant smells knowing my dog Brando!) to the home office, etc.

USAtoday wrote about what your dog can teach you about business in this article, like great lessons on loyalty, patience, acceptance and being grateful.

What can we learn about business from our girlfriends? I'd love your thoughts but I'll get us started:

* Relationships - There's so many books on the business relationships we have to develop with our coworkers, clients and colleagues. Why do we need the books? We don't 'get' it. Girlfriends do. Female friends understand' the importance of relationships. We value the personal bond between women that allows us to be ourselves and puts us not in a competitive situation, but a supportive, helpful, "I'll cheer for you no matter what" role. Like "man's best friend," this gets down to the real stuff like loyalty and affection.

* FUN - At my previous job, I would stop periodically throughout the day to visit with Carole or Katie - my girlfriends in the office. (After Lisa, Angie and Beth Anne left us!) I need the break in my day to relax, de-stress and laugh. Often my girlfriends are my sounding-board and assist me with problem-solving and brain-storming. I couldn't make it through an hour or two in the office without them. They kept me sane through many a seemingly sans-sanity situation!

* Learning - I learn so much from my girlfriends (and also from Girlfriendology Podcast guests!). My friends Katie and Angie are fashionistas so I'd often get style ideas and shopping pointers from them. Carole had been at the company much longer and understood a lot of the helpful history that was a great asset in strategizing and deciding the best course of action.

Dedication, passion, mentors ... so many things we learn from our girlfriends that easily apply to our business decisions and relationships. If Girlfriends ran businesses, it would be a friendly, social, successful and savvy world! So, what business lessons have you learned from your girlfriends?

Finding female friends when you move to a new city

Moving to a new city is tough. I know. I've done it over a dozen times. (Can you say various cities in OH, MN, TX, IN, NC, IL, AL, KY, FL and MI?!) And, I know that the biggest thing I miss when I've moved is my female friends - so it can be lonely (at first!).

So, a little girlfriend advice for moving and losing/finding female friends.

First, stay in touch with your female friends from where you lived previously. You moved so it is your responsibility to make the effort. It is great when they put an effort into staying in touch with you too, but don't lose those friendships because you lost touch with them. And, it will be wonderful to go back and visit with your old gal pals.

New friends in a new city can be a challenge. I worked in an office with all guys once and struggled with finding new female friends. Get active - in the community and physically. I started walking in my neighborhood, took classes (pottery, yoga, etc.) and took a book up to the neighborhood coffee shop. I had to pretend to be more outgoing than I am and ask other women I met for the best local stores or other advice on neighborhood things (new restaurants, upcoming events in the city, etc.). Ask your neighbors if there is a neighborhood book club. If not, start one!

Getting involved is a great way to make friends. Join a gym, volunteer with a local non-profit (often the Sunday paper lists volunteer opportunities), take a cooking class or sign up for a running group. Try the internet and social media ways to connect. Sign up for twitter and find/follow locals - ask them for things to do when you're new to town. Act like a tourist and spend weekends trying out local festivals, museums, parks. Join or plan a tweet-up to meet new people.

And don't discount older or younger women as possible girlfriends. They give a different perspective and can have fun ideas (and friends younger/older than them who would make great potential friends for you). Have fun exploring!

If you have any great girlfriend stories from your move and meeting new friends, please send them in to Girlfriendology.com (my female friendship site). Each month there is a contest for girlfriend stories and you might get some inspiration from the blog and podcasts.

p.s. I found some helpful moving info (and the photo above) at Moving Mage. Good luck girlfriend!

Body Image - How can we be better friends to ourselves? Other women and girls?

Do you remember when you were a teen? Did you have issues with being seen in a bathing suit? I did, so when I read the following blog on Busy Mom's Blog, I thought it would be a great blog to share on Girlfriendology. (And am including it with author Esa's approval.)*

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With Memorial Day coming up, J and I invited some close friends and their kids (who are also H's close friends) to come over to the house to swim and grill out. We've had a pool for about 6 years, and have great memories of the kids having a blast in the water while the parents get together at the same time. This year, the mom of one of H's best friends said her daughter doesn't want to swim. When I asked why, she said it was because she doesn't want to wear a bathing suit in public. That breaks my heart.

I remember eighth grade as being probably the most awkward year for me, appearance wise, and I can see that in H's friends as well. Not that they look bad, it's just the year that their bodies change drastically from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. Their skin goes crazy, their bodies grow like never before, and clothes don't fit the same way that they have for most of their lives. H had difficulty with the size NUMBER, when she outgrew some of her jeans and we went shopping for new ones. This is a scary time for me, as a mom. I want to teach H how to eat right, exercise, and stay healthy, but I want to avoid things like this short video...

anorectic by Magnacki

Despite fears of diminishing influence over their children's lives, research shows that parents continue to be essential role models, in both positive and negative ways. A 1991 Yale study, published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, found that women who began dieting at early ages were more likely to have daughters who would engage in binging or have problems with eating. These mothers were also more likely than other women to agree, when asked, that their daughters should lose weight.

"It's my impression that parents are not sending negative messages deliberately. They're doing it unconsciously," says Debra Franko, PhD, director of the Harvard Eating Disorders Unit at Harvard Medical School. "A mother might say, 'Oh, these pants used to fit last winter and now they're too tight.' The mother doesn't have a sense that she's saying anything wrong, but that statement, in combination with all the other messages a child is getting, might leave an impression that how you look means a great deal."

"I wouldn't tell a child that appearance doesn't matter, because in our society it does," says Rebecca Manley, director of the Massachusetts Eating Disorders Association. "But it's about looking at what (qualities or attributes) you do have, and focusing on those things."

So, what are we supposed to say as parents, when our daughters try to wear the jeans that "used to fit" and now are too tight? What do we say when they say they want to "firm up" a little for the swimsuit season? Should we give them advice on making good food choices, or portion sizes, or should we try to change the subject, and say they're fine as they are, go ahead and eat that jumbo sized muffin at Panera?

I know there is a a happy medium in there somewhere. I have been super-cautious as H grows up not to let her see ME obsess about weight, or exercise, although I'm sure she sees it subliminally. I've tried not to tell her that any food is BAD, but to balance out nutritious food with the sugary, fatty stuff that bombards them every day.

I read countless articles that say to teach our girls to "celebrate their bodies individual strengths and vitalities, regardless of dress size", and that "numbers on a scale or jean size or breadth of their hips must not determine their self-esteem". That's all well and good, but when every TV show, magazine article, and teen movie shows girls who look like Barbie dolls, those ideals just kind of seem like empty words.

I hope H's friend changes her mind and swims on Memorial Day. I want to see her beautiful smile, laughing with her friends and enjoying an afternoon of fun.
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* What does this have to do with 'girlfriends?'

LOTS. Girlfriends, at every age in our life, impact our self esteem, body image, vocabulary, ambitions ... so much of whom we are. When we are young, like these teenage girls going to the pool, we can accept ourselves and our friends, or we made poor decisions and comparisons. Unfortunately this doesn't end in our youth, we carry our opinions and attitudes with us to our friends as we grow and even pass it along to our girlfriends and daughters.

Past podcasts with ROSIE MOLINARY (author of Hijas Americanas: Beauty, Body Image and Growing up Latina), emotional eating expert, ELLEN SHUMAN and as our latest podcast guest, DEBI SILBER, all gave expert, knowledgeable, educated confirmation on the role that girlfriends have in our self acceptance and body image.

Be a girlfriend to your girlfriends, your daughters, yourself. Love yourself, love others. Don't judge or stand by when others do. I don't want to sound preachy. I just want to learn from others and be more accepting of myself and others. I want to go back and be the chubby girl in the bathing suit my mother made that had enough fabric to cover up me and a few others - but this time to be okay with who I was and who I became. I want to be a better girlfriend to my friends and to myself.

Thanks Esa for sharing and inspiring. And thanks to my girlfriends for accepting me as I am and for showing me that you love me, just as I am.

TIP TUESDAY #26 - Hey Girlfriend! Can you believe gas is $4/gal?!

It still seems surreal to pay $50 to fill up my little Honda gas tank! Wow, we need some advice on this one!

So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What gas-savings tips do you have?

Recently I gently 'encouraged' my husband to drive a little more gas friendly. I've been trying to do it since the prices started going up. Things like coasting to a stop and not going from the gas to the break in one motion! I'm trying to drive sometimes slower, coast up to a red light and just try to avoid rapid, unnecessary acceleration. I also am combining trips and desperately want a scooter! (Just think - saving gas AND looking cute at the same time!)

What are you doing in response to the HIGH gas prices? Thanks girlfriends for sharing!

TIP TUESDAY #23: What safety/health tip do you have for your girlfriends?

This weekend I listened to a podcast by my girlfriends over at TheDivaCast (podcast of five fabulous, fun, forty-something girlfriends) and they shared a great TIP:

Take your car keys to bed with you! If anything happens, just click on the panic button and your car alarm will go off. So, if you hear someone break-in or something happened like a fire or medical emergency, you can alert your neighbors that you need help. (They'd at least call the police if it didn't stop immediately!) Isn't that a great tip? It is also applicable for our parents who may be on their own but may fall (and, you know, couldn't get up!).

Just another example of how much we learn from our girlfriends! So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What's your favorite safety and/or health TIP?

Maybe it is something as simple as chewable vitamins and calcium/fiber supplements that don't upset your stomach (like I shared with my girlfriend Deana recently - they really do work!). Help make a girlfriend's quality of life better just by sharing a simple little tip! Thanks girlfriends!

(And remember that we have lots of PRIZES to give away in the Girlfriendology Monthly Contest! Send in a girlfriend story and you very well may win one of our great prizes!)

Are you or a girlfriend a CAROL DUVALL fan?

Carol Duvall is the official "Queen of Crafts." Her show, the aptly named "Carol Duvall Show" aired on HGTV and DIY for years - and has continued in re-runs for even more years. (We just can't get enough of Carol!) I had the thrill of taping with Carol a dozen or so times - she's a wonderful and inspiring girlfriend!

On Wednesday I once again am thrilled to work with Carol! She graciously has agreed to talk with Girlfriendology on our (new semi-weekly!) podcast. AND I NEED YOUR HELP!

Do you (or a girlfriend or daughter) have a question for Carol? Please call 206-202-9005 (by Tuesday 8pm EST 5/13) and leave a comment or question for Carol. I'll play it for Carol when we tape the podcast on Wednesday.

One of the greatest benefits of girlfriends is what we learn from each other. What would you like to learn from Carol? Thanks Girlfriends! (Remember - call 206-202-9005 for questions for Carol or comments/girlfriend stories for future podcasts! Thanks!!)

P.S. And Carol's new book, Paper Crafting with Carol Duvall, will be one of our prizes next month in the Girlfriendology monthly contest. (We have too many books to give away this month so send us a girlfriend story in May and June and possibly win two prizes!)

Lessons from a Girlfriend - Podcast interview with KAIRA ROUDA

I know, you can't judge a book by it's cover, but you can make a pretty good assessment of the book by talking with the author. You can tell by listening to KAIRA STRUDIVANT ROUDA that she knows 'her stuff' and that she has the knowledge and passion to really launch entrepreneurial women.

President of Real Living (one of the fastest growing real estate company in the U.S.) and creator of the Real Living brand, Kaira is passionate about entrepreneurism, marketing and the power of women in the workforce and beyond. A published author, journalist, marketing executive and business owner, she built her career by working in marketing for national brands and large regional advertising agencies. She is also a contributing writer and editor for national and regional publications. In addition to this, and an active volunteer schedule, Kaira is also a wife and mother of four.

With all this, Kaira found time to talk with Girlfriendology on our podcast about her new book - Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs. Together we discussed the importance of female friendship (aka: support) as an entrepreneur and we learned a lot, like these 'Lessons from a Girlfriend':

* BE YOU - This book is no fluff. It is a great guide to living a life you love and creating a career of your dreams. As the title references, you need to be 'you' to be a happy, fulfilled, successful entrepreneur. The book helps you identify your 'word' - a description that is the core to building the career and lifestyle that is uniquely perfect for YOU. And, Kaira (whose word is "visionary" - which is true!) shows us how YOU are the brand and how that is a very good thing. (Read the book - you'll agree!)
* HAVE TIME FOR YOU - Kaira's days are filled with running a successful company, fulfilling her book PR, volunteering and more - PLUS being a wife and mother of four. The most frequent question asked of her is "How do you do it?!" Listen in for her answer and be prepared to be inspired from a realistic and inspiring woman! (Great lesson there!)
* DREAM BIG - Kaira believes you hold the cards (and the real you) to a wonderful, BIG life. In fact, in her book she wrote: "Allow yourself to think big, be ambitious. This is your life, so get it right." Such a great reminder on the important things in life and the role we all need to take in getting our life right.

Women are starting businesses at twice the rate of men and 1 out of 11 women are an entrepreneur - that's a lot of us! Maybe there's an entrepreneurial dream inside you (or a girlfriend) or perhaps you just need to jumpstart your goals.

Listen to Kaira on this inspiring podcast. Read an excerpt, check out Kaira's web site and definitely get her book Real You Incorporated (for you and/or a friend). Isn't it comforting to know that the woman you dream to be, is already inside of YOU - just waiting to emerge!? Thanks Kaira for your interview, book and overall guidance. We all benefit by your visionary inspiration!

TIP TUESDAY #22 - Girlfriends: what's your favorite internet contest?

Lately Girlfriendology has been getting some great attention. Publishers and manufacturers are sending books, bags, jewelry, etc. to give away as prizes. In May, we have over 40 prizes to give away in our monthly Girlfriendology Contest. (And, all you have to do is send us a short girlfriend story - this month based on a birthday event/gift between girlfriends.) You can see all the prizes here - so send in your stories to contest@girlfriendology.com! (And, your stories will inspire others when shared on our podcast!)

As girlfriends often offer, I'd love your advice on our contest. So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What's your favorite internet contest? Do you enter online contests? Why or why not?(And, what would inspire you to share a girlfriend story?)

What inspired this TIP TUESDAY question was a popular, fun review and contest site. Shannan is a working mom who blogs about her life as happily married, mother of two boys (hence her 'testosterone jungle' world!). Her one blog, MommyBits, shares updates and lessons on being a mom. Her other blog, MommyBitsReviews, is a review/contest blog by Shannan and her girlfriend, Kathi. In addition to advice you can trust (come on - if you can't trust your girlfriends, who can you trust?!), they also have regular contests (like this one for Pizza Hut!).

Check out MommyBitsReviews for contests/reviews on everything from pasta to software, juice to make-up. Then stop back at Girlfriendology for our May Girlfriendology Contest. We have fab books by wonderful women authors ready for prizes. Be a girlfriend and share your girlfriend story!

Doing a favor for a girlfriend! (for traveling moms)

In a previous podcast we talked with Beth Whitman, author of Wanderlust and Lipstick: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo. Beth replaced any fear of traveling alone, with inspiration for actively exploring this great planet. (Listen in to the podcast for some of her adventures and you'll want to plan a trip soon!)

I'm fortunate to have developed a friendship with Beth. She has shared ideas with me for Girlfriendology and been very helpful - she's become a girlfriend. So, what do you do when a girlfriend asks a favor? Well, if at all possible, you do it - right?

Beth asked me to share this with you, so here it is (and I hope you respond to her!):

I'm currently working on the third book in my Wanderlust and Lipstick series. This one is: For Women Traveling with Children and I am looking for women who would like to be interviewed for the book! If you have experience with traveling with your kid(s) domestically or abroad (even if the hubby/sig'o was with you), I'd love to hear from you to set up an interview.

If you have stories to tell, check out Beth's web site and leave your contact info. Thanks Girlfriends! (And listen in to the podcast to get some great travel inspiration!)

TIP TUESDAY #20 - Help your girlfriends dress green?

Spring has sprung here in the mid-west. Bulbs have popped up and blooms have burst out,making it a colorful, wonderful reward for getting through winter! However, with it comes packing up the winter sweaters and returning the spring/summer clothes to the closet.

This annual rearranging ritual reminds me of all the stuff I have and don't wear. (Does it do that to you?) And, now with the focus on 'going green,' is it socially responsible for me to not buy more and/or be more conscious of what I buy?

In honor of the upcoming Earth Day, let's help each other figure out what it means to 'go green' as girlfriends. And, in the case of clothing, how can we feel good about our choices either not to buy new things (and we'll have a podcast this month with a woman, Debra Quartermain, who isn't buying anything new in 2008!) or to buying eco-friendly wearables?

So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

Are you changing your clothes buying habits to 'go green?' If so, how. If not, are you making other changes that you feel better about (and that will help others be more green)?"

For me, I am avoiding stores where I'm tempted to shop. I have plenty so I'm trying to limit my purchases and be conscious of what I'm buying. I'm not saying I'm shifting to all organic materials and dressing in recycled coffee-bags (!), I'm just trying to make an effort to be more aware and open to better options.

But I need help! What are you doing to be more environmentally responsible? How can we be a girlfriend to 'Mother Nature.' What's your tip? How can we be more green, girlfriend?!

TIP TUESDAY #19 - Girlfriend Tips for going Green at Home

It may be trendy, and this may be Earth Day (month), but it's still 'not easy being green.' Organic, all natural, recycled, recyclable, tree-free papers, eco-friendly, soy ... the options are many and but the real choices (based on what's best for the environment, does the job and is cost effective) are few.

Who do you turn to in the real world for the real answers to confusing issues like green home products? Your girlfriends - of course! So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What are your tips for 'going green' for your home products?

For me, I've seen the new 'green' version of Clorox cleaning (non-bleach) products but I haven't tried them - have you? (If so, please comment!) My one tip is to use white vinegar for fabric softener. No chemicals, dyes or additives, it really does remove extra soap in fabrics and leaves you with soft, surprisingly pleasant-scented laundry!

So, girlfriends - go green for us! Together we can be a girlfriend to 'Mother Nature.' What's your tip? How can we be more green, girlfriend?!

Lessons from a Girlfriend - Podcast with STELLA GRIZONT, from Ladies Who Launch

Each of us are 'wired differently.' Some women are moms, some are moms of dogs/cats. Some of us love to cook, others just love to have someone cook for them (me!). Some women are 'home-bodies' and others (like previous podcast guest and travel solo author Beth Whitman of Wunderlust and Lipstick) love to explore exotic destinations. And then there are those who love working in a corporate environment and women who thrive as an entrepreneur. I am one of those women!

Actually, those women (female entrepreneurs) are 11 million strong in the U.S. and are growing at three times the number of male entrepreneurs. So, where to do these women go when they need a 'push' in launching their creative projects/businesses? One great resource is Ladies Who Launch - an organization that helps women successfully plant and grow their ideas into thriving businesses. To tell us about it, STELLA GRIZONT, Director of Incubator Development for Ladies Who Launch, joined us on a recent podcast to share information and resources for women with an entrepreneurial spirit and dream. (FYI - there is also a book for Ladies Who Launch: How to live your dreams and love your life!)

I totally enjoyed talking with Stella about Ladies Who Launch and their successful programs and resources for female entrepreneurs. I learned a lot from her too, like:

* FOLLOW YOUR PASSION - You can have all the resources, money and time but if you're not passionate about what you want to do, you may be successful but it will be more of a challenge and not as rewarding. Stick with what you're completely passionate about! (Like for me - promoting female friendship! I think Girlfriendology can make the world better and I'm passionate about that!)

* LOOK FOR RESOURCES - There's no reason to go it alone when you've got girlfriends who can help! Ladies Who Launch offers great resources for female entrepreneurs like events and entrepreneurial incubators - plus they have a book for anyone who wants to venture into their own venture.

* SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO JUMP - At 24, Stella was a Senior Brand Strategist at Young & Rubicam, one of the world's largest ad agencies. This prestigious position wasn't enough for her - she needed (you guessed it!) to do something for which she had passion. So, in 2007 Stella joined Ladies Who Launch full time as Director of Strategic Development working to expand the Incubator program into a global platform for women launchers. She develops new programming for members, trains leaders and continues to grow and garner the Ladies Who Launch brand experience.

Listen in to Stella on the newest Girlfriendology Podcast. Entrepreneurial dreams or not, you'll be inspired. Maybe to start your own business or just to start a new creative project. Or maybe you'll just be more equipped to inspire another girlfriend who may have dreams of being an entrepreneur. Inspire each other. That's what girlfriends do! Thanks Stella! Thanks Ladies Who Launch!

Great Girlfriend Story from my girlfriend Jill ...

It is Spring here in the mid-west and this morning was a perfect time to get together with friends for a puppy play date. (A perfectly muddy play date but still very fun!) My girlfriend Jill told me a great girlfriend story that I just had to share with you - in her words. So, everyone one ... Meet Jill! She's a blast and obviously a very loved girlfriend! Jill - thanks for sharing!

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Which girlfriend should you celebrate with a "____ (her name) Day"?! Celebrate your girlfriends!

Spreading the Girlfriendology word at BlogHer in NYC

I am on a mission to spread the word about the importance of female friendship - that's what Girlfriendology is all about! I attended BlogHer this week to promote Girlfriendology and learn from a lot of fabulous, smart, savvy, fun women how to use social media to inspire 'girlfriendship' around the globe. Here's my first ever Utterz message (audio recording) from a loud hotel lobby in NYC:

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For info on making a similar pendant, visit GirlfriendologyToo - the blog for the creative side of girlfriends.

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 #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!

Great Girlfriend Info for all you Work at Home Moms (or wannabes!)

You know how one web site leads to another, which takes you to yet another and before long you're on a totally different subject matter than when you started?! I found myself on a site that was very well done, informative, and while I'm not a 'mom' (do pets count?), I found myself reading and being very impressed with the information and style presented. It was one of those - "I should share this with my girlfriends" kind of moments!

So, I contacted Lisa Mills, the founder of Work At Home Mom Revolution and she was gracious enough to share her story and her passion for helping women find fulfillment and income while meeting the needs of their family by being at home. So, from LISA:

I started my site, Work at Home Mom Revolution, a little over a year ago. I really feel that the Internet has opened up a whole new world of possibility to moms who want to work from home. There are so many opportunities available online to make money, whether it's starting your own business, working as an independent contractor, virtual assisting - you name it.

My main "girlfriend" support for the last few years has been the community at WAHM.com. I've learned so much from the other moms who frequent the discussion board there. Also, that's where I found my first and primary job as a transcriptionist. I believe networking is key to finding the right work at home job. It's also key to avoiding the multitude of work at home scams out there.

My site is set up to provide information not only to those moms looking for work from home, but also those already working there. I try to mix the posting of new job and business opportunities with helpful articles on productivity, personal finance, parenting, saving money. And frequently, there's a little bit of my own personal life in there. I often throw in something just because I find it interesting or funny.

I'm really excited about how far Work at Home Mom Revolution has progressed so far. I've met the traffic goals I set for myself when I started the site. But what's really exciting is that I've met so many nice people and made so many online friends through the site. Working from home can be lonely at times, so this has really been a blessing.

Check out Lisa's site and send it on to your girlfriends who will benefit from this information. Thanks Lisa!

TIP TUESDAY #15 - Winter care advice for Girlfriends

BRRR! It is cold here in the Midwest and Spring can't get here soon enough! Long nights, short days, low temperatures and potential for dangerous driving are great reasons to hibernate at home with a new puppy, some good books (Eat Pray Love and The Girl's Guide to Building a Million Dollar Business) and a DVR with American Idol, Survivor and, of course, Oprah.

With all this indoor time, it seems to be perfect for pampering ourselves - right?! And, believing that we get the best advice from our girlfriends, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

How do you pamper yourself in the Winter? Share your favorite skin care products or routines that make you feel good even when it is freezing outside!

Generally I like the start the discussion but there's a reason I ask - I don't have any good advice in this area and need yours! My skin is snake-like, my lips are pealing and my nails are cracking. Not a pretty picture I know, but a true one and one that needs your input! Please share your Winter beauty and skin care tips with your girlfriends!