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Monthly Archives: February 2019

Public speaking anxiety: Get the ‘leg up’ on nerves

Sweaty palms, shaky knees, a slight tremble in your voice… Sound familiar? Want to get a leg up on your nerves? Public speaking anxiety is common and natural. In fact, even TV journalists and performers experience it. The first time I ever reported live, I felt like I was on a roller coaster. My heart was racing. What if I lose my train of thought?…

Family Day & the origin of Hudson’s name

This is going to sound a little weird… 

We named our son after a department store. Well, not exactly. It’s a bit more complicated than that. Hudson’s name was inspired by Hudson Bay and Hudson’s Bay Company, which is a Canadian retail group. However, my husband was thinking of HBC’s 17th century explorers and the rugged fur trade, not modern shopping when we settled on it.…

Sydney with a baby: 5 things you MUST do

Are you CRAZY? That’s awesome! Good luck, you’ll need it

Tell people you’re planning to travel half way around the world—with a baby—and you’ll get rather polarized reactions. Sure, the thought of traveling down under is exhilarating and exciting for most people. However, it poses unique challenges for parents. You worry about getting your gear there. You worry about your accommodations. Then, there’s the 17.5 hour flight, one of the world’s longest!…

Valentine’s Day Giveaway: $1000 PayPal Cash

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so allow me to spread a bit of love and cheer. Whether you plan to spend the holiday with your “galentines” or with a significant other, I want to help you celebrate in a GRAND way!

I’ve teamed up with a few of my blogger pals to present one of you with a gift of $1000 PayPal cash.…

5 clever ways to decorate with maps

Part art, part daydream, maps are powerful sources of inspiration. They help you plan, explore and learn. In fact, if it were up to my husband, they might just cover every wall in our home! We love to decorate with maps. People usually think of maps as functional tools, but we choose them for their design potential. So, let me share a few clever ways to use geography in YOUR home.…

Classy vs. trashy: A message for young women

There are a lot of labels I’m comfortable with, but there’s something about the word “sexy” that sets off alarm bells in my head. I just don’t see myself that way. In fact, I’m going to counter popular culture by saying I don’t want to be sexy. Sophisticated? Yes. Classy? Definitely. Alluring and mysterious? Sure. So, let’s talk for a minute about what’s classy vs.…