Women's History Month

Okay, I can't believe it's the last day of March, and I haven't said one thing about Women's History Month. Yikes! In honor of this month, I've compiled some of my favorite women below:

Michelle Obama - She's currently the First Lady, but she's certainly made history in a lot of ways. I love her style, confidence, intelligence, and her love for our President. She's definitely a role model!

Miriam Makeba - I read her biography when I was younger, and I just fell in love with her. She was a singer from South Africa who stood up to the Apartheid there. Her spirit and spunk left an impression on me. She passed away just a few months ago.

Margaret Sanger - I did a report on Sanger when I was in middle school, and I loved her bravery in championing for women's health. She never gave up - even when it was dangerous to keep going.

Mother Theresa - Her kindness is something that I aspire to (and fall short of!) each and every day. Her selflessness touched so many.

There are so many more women I could add to this list. The contributions we've made throughout history are tremendous. They serve as inspiration to do something great ourselves each and every day!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 3/30

Happy Monday to you!

It's still rainy here in Maryland, and it's not even April yet! What's going on?!?!? Anyhoo, my mom told me about the following quote she read on the back of her Starbucks cup this weekend, and it's a great quote about how we spend our time:

"American’s spend an average of 29 hours a week watching television - which means in a typical life span we devote 13 uninterrupted years to our TV sets! The biggest problem with mass media isn’t low quality - it’s high quantity. Cutting down just an hour a day would provide extra years of life - for music and family, exercise and reading, conversation and coffee."

This week, think about how you can spend your time doing things that are most important in the grand scheme of things like hugging your children, calling your mom, writing in your journal, etc.

Have an AMAZING week!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 3/23

Happy Monday guys, and happy Spring!

This week's Monday Morning Mantra is from Katie Holmes. Usually intensely private, Holmes has solid life advice for us:

"Trust yourself. Work hard. Be honest with yourself. Life can be joyful. It is joyful."

-- Katie Holmes

This week focus on these three directives. Trust yourself. Work hard. And be honest with yourself. You'll see the joy of life!

Have an awesome week!

Love,

Nicole

Spring is a Time for Renewal

We are preparing for our first "GS Radio" podcast and our topic for March is Spring: Renewal, Rebirth, and Restoration. The first show will focus on "Committing to a Healthier Lifestyle: Mind, Body, and Soul."

It's so fitting as we move from this chilly winter into a beautiful spring to think about how we want to live our lives better - how we want to take care of ourselves and our families even more.

I'm thinking about what I want to do differently. For instance, maybe I'll get a kid-size, no-butter popcorn when I go to the movies as opposed to a large bag doused with butter. And I think I'm going to start Saturday morning walks around the lake with my family again now that it's warming up.

What are you going to do?

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 3/16

Happy Monday!!!

I had a great weekend - busy - but great. Aren't you ready for Spring though? I can feel it peeking around the corner!

Here's our mantra for the week:

"I don't have an issue with aging at all. I've had to fight my whole career, so now if I have to fight this age thing, I think I'm up for it." -- Halle Berry

Getting older is just another chance to show your super powers! So enjoy where you are in life this week!

Want to receive the Monday Morning Mantra via email each Monday? Sign up here!

Love,

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 3/9

Happy Monday, guys!

This week's Monday Morning Mantras are from some of the ladies in the new Obama administration! We've collected their words of wisdom in hopes that at least one will be your mantra for the week!

"Don't be a jerk. There are jerks all over Washington. Life is short; being a jerk is just unnecessary."
-- Mona Sutphen, Deputy White House Chief of Staff

"I think it's important to set boundaries. I don't think the world is going to fall apart between 5:30 and 8:30 at night when you're having dinner with your children and putting them to bed."
-- Jackie Norris, Chief of Staff to the First Lady

"If you make your life about what you think is important, and not what [others] think, it's easy to determine how to use your time."
-- Melody Barnes, Director of the Domestic Policy Council

Take notes from these strong and ambitious women. Treat people kindly, set boundaries in your life, and live your life for YOU.

If you would like to receive Monday Morning Mantras directly in your inbox, please sign up by clicking here.

Have an awesome week!

Nicole

Check Out Our New Podcast!

Hey guys,

I'm so excited to announce that we're finally launching our new weekly show, The Gloriously Simple Guide to Life. It will be a downloadable podcast hosted by me and my good friend and Engagement Manager, Kendria Reynoso. The show is all about SIMPLE and effective ways to improve every area of our lives - finances, health, relationships, etc.

Not only will the show be informative, but it will also be fun, and you'll have a chance to win great give aways! Our first give away is a $100 gift card to any bed & breakfast in the country!

The show also has an online community via our Facebook group page - GS Radio. There you can meet other listeners, submit show ideas, and enter contests. So sign up!

Go to the GS Radio group now to find out how you can win the $100 bed & breakfast gift card!

To find out more about the podcast, go to our website: http://www.nicoleink.com/podcast.php.

Tune in! We want to hear from you!

Nicole

Sum Up Your Life in Six Words

Easy, right? NOT. But definitely fun!

I recently read a blog post on something authors used to do - using just six words to describe their life.

Chocolate chip cookies - wait that's three words already!

Okay...

My addictions: sweets, family, divine inspiration. :)

Click here for more examples.

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 3/2

Happy Monday guys!

The snow is falling here, and there is a nice white blanket all over the D.C. Metro area. It's really beautiful!

"One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself." -- Lucille Ball

This week, keep reminding yourself that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Instead, turn those thoughts into thoughts of encouragement and try again.

Click here to receive Monday Morning Mantras each week in your inbox!

Love,

Nicole

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

On Thursday evening, I headed on down to Richmond, VA to visit my sister and niece since my daughter didn't have school on Friday. It was a nice break from the fast-paced week. We never left the house! We just enjoyed good food, movies, and the girls playing dress-up and house.

I highly recommend this type of "get-away" to clear your head and be silly. It gives you a fresh perspective on things, and it reminds you of why you're working so hard!

Love,

Nicole