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This is for that ice cold Michelle Pfieffer, that white gold. This one’s for them power girls, them strong men, the straight masterpieces. Stylin’, wilin’, stressing it up in the city. Got shoulders creeping up to your ears, can’t stand Yo Self, you so worried. Is this you? Yeah, me too. Don’t worry, I’ve got a plan…

This Thanksgiving, everyone is going to sit around tables and give thanks for all the wonderful people in their lives, all the happy times, all the laughs. But try making room at the table for the crap, too. Two subjects I teach, public speaking and writing, stir up a lot of negative emotion: nervousness, sadness,…

The first official day of Winter is December 22nd, but today I went hiking with Blue and my friend Troy, and it softly hailed on us. It was a sure and beautiful sign: Winter is coming. That means Fall is falling away. I feel like I’m tipping with it, and yet I need to stay…

It’s snowing. The seasons are changing. Daylight Savings Time knocked the crap out of me, and I’ve been incredibly, annoyingly, repeatedly FRUSTRATED. AAAAARRRRRGH! And what lies ahead? The holidays. More change. More planning. More events. Oh, hello Ben & Jerry’s. Where are you, Merlot? Let’s stay in bed instead of getting up and figuring out what to wear…

In a recent interview, I was asked: “Who or what inspires you?” The “who” part was easy: my students, my colleagues, my partner, my family, my awesome friends. But, the “what” stuck with me. What inspires me? I kept that question with me for days. It was so fun to think about. What is inspiring? Then,…

Let’s face it. I’m obsessed with this question: “What are you thinking?” An interesting and enduring pattern in my thoughts is that I constantly think of how I can improve, and especially how I can improve at one key activity: giving. How can I be a better teacher? How can I improve my relationships? How…

Last year, after class, an amazing student presented me with a problem. She said, “I’m worried about my upcoming job interview. My mother thinks I’m too serious.” Of course, I immediately thought: Well, you know, if it’s not one thing, it’s your mother. But, instead I asked her: “What do you think? Do you think…

I am the daughter of a very stylish mother. She won “Best Dressed” in high school, and was a secretary in New York City who attended “Finishing School,” where she learned etiquette and social graces. She can dazzle you while wearing a swanky jumpsuit. Too bad her grungy teenage daughter wore flannel and combat boots…

Last week, my yoga teacher wore a shirt that said “Lovers Gonna Love,” and it got me thinking about love all week. There are so many ways that you can define love. My favorite is love, the verb. You get to love people. It doesn’t matter if they love you back. You can choose love…

One of my happiest days this summer was when I completed my novel: all 36 chapters and 85,218 words. I asked who wanted to read it and got several requests. And yet, I haven’t sent it to anyone. Why? I just don’t want you to read it. Whaaaaaat??? Aren’t I a teacher who reads everyone…