Handbag Giveaway!

We're always looking for freebies and giveaways that will help you feel, look, and be your very best! How about a FREE, trendy handbag? Handbagplanet.com is giving away some really nice purses to celebrate the launch of their website next month. You could win a cute bag and not pay a dime for it!

Click here to enter!

If you win, send us a picture of you with your prize and we'll post it!

9/11: A Reason To Be Inspired

Every year September 11th reminds us of an unbelievable tragedy. It's one of those moments in history when you can remember exactly where you were when it happened. I was a sophomore in college sitting in my early morning Education class. One of the students was called out of the classroom. When she returned, she was in tears. Those were my first signs of what would be a horrible day for all Americans.

What is so encouraging about the anniversary of 9/11 is that every year we learn more about the survivors and the courageous family and friends of those who didn't make it. Women who have had to say goodbye to their husbands. Children who will never know their mothers. Co-workers whose lives are forever changed by a senseless loss. It inspires me so much because these are just ordinary people who have had to endure and overcome an extraordinary thing.

I thought I'd compile just some of their words to encourage you in whatever challenge you might be facing today:

“Anybody who knew me wanted to reach out and comfort me, so I think part of it is remembering how we comforted each other after that day.” -- Pentagon Memorial Fund manager Jim Laychak on the special tribute

“Until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of his hands.” -- A woman speaking to her husband, Chuck, during a Ground Zero ceremony in New York.

"I try to think about being thankful to be alive, to treat people better, to not get as angry with my kids. I'm not sure yet if I've been successful." -- Michael Otten was an assistant vice president at Mizuho Capital Markets Corp., working on the 80th floor of the SouthTower on Sept. 11, 2001

"I remember talking to one of the firefighters about a lady having trouble getting down from a couple floors above. He said, 'Don't worry, sir. We've got it covered,'" in the most calm and collected voice I ever heard that September morning." -- Don Basco, worked on the 57th floor of the North Tower

Wishing you love and blessings,

Nicole

Michelle Obama Dances on Ellen! Now That's My Kind of First Lady!

Michelle Obama made an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show earlier this week and impressed the audience with her dance moves. She put her husband's dancing during his visit last year to shame!

Not only do I love this lady for being such a strong woman in every way, she also knows how to have a good time! If you're not having fun doing what you do, how can you expect anyone else to????

Lance Armstrong Comes Out of Retirement

I was so glad to read that Lance Armstrong is coming out of retirement to try for his 8th Tour de France win. Armstrong inspired us all by winning seven consecutive Tours despite his testicular cancer diagnosis in 1996. His new challenge will be winning the Tour despite his "old age" (by biking standards). He will be 37-years-old next week.

Armstrong's tendency to take the challenges in his life head-on shows that nothing is too big to tackle in our lives. The things we might perceive as our downfall - cancer, old age, tremendous odds - may be the very things we need to take us to the next level. Because of his perseverance, Armstrong has become a voice for more cancer research funding, a major American icon, and a philanthropist through his Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Take notes guys!

Click here to read about Armstrong's comeback.

Palin Teen Pregnancy Controversy

Last Friday, Republican presidential nominee John McCain announced his V.P. pick, Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska. And over the weekend the buzz of a virtually unknown female vice presidential candidate heightened with the news that her 17-year-old daughter is currently five months pregnant.

Once again, the issue of teenage pregnancy has been thrust into the limelight with another high-profile case. Just as the frenzy over Jamie Lynn Spears had died down, Bristol Palin's saga is just beginning.

On Tuesday, I was contacted by The Baltimore Sun for an article they were doing on the controversy. During the interview, I made three main points:

1. I wasn't altogether shocked by the news that Bristol Palin is expecting. After all, I know first-hand that teen pregnancy is not reserved for a certain group of people, a socio-economic class, or a geographic region. It's far too complex for that. It can happen to anyone, anywhere. From Hollywood to Alaska to Virginia Beach, Va. The sooner we accept this and stop making it "their" problem, the sooner we can really make progress in preventing teenage pregnancy and helping young families get on their feet.

2. Which brings me to my second point. We need more support for pregnant and parenting teens! While many people rally behind prevention efforts, there is so little support or funding for helping young mothers get an education, become financially stable, etc. I'm not sure what we're afraid of. Helping young families will not increase the number of pregnancies in teens. Instead it will break the cycles of poverty and teen pregnancy that plague so many families, and it will help the children of these young mothers. It will give them a better chance in life. How can we not support that?

3. Lastly, I hope that Bristol Palin's decision to marry the father of her child is not being forced upon her. I don't believe that marrying for the sake of a baby is the right decision. I joked with the reporter about what the divorce rate would be if we all married the people we were dating when we were 17. Scary thought, isn't it?! Marriage is such an important and sacred thing. Even when two people love each other to death it requires hard work. Everyone suffers - including the child - in an unhappy union.

Bristol Palin is in a good situation. Fortunately, she will not have to "pull herself up by her bootstraps." She has the support of the Palin family, which means she will fare far better than the majority of young girls who find themselves in this situation. I'm hoping that instead of just talking about teen pregnancy, this situation will prompt us to actually do something. Let's look at it differently and stop treating young mothers like pariahs. Governor Palin has recognized that her daughter can't do this alone. She needs help during this difficult time. Don't all young women deserve the same?

To read The Baltimore Sun article, please click here.

Wishing you love and blessings,

Nicole

Where is Nicole?

Hey everyone,

I apologize for my lapse in posting. I'm still getting used to this blogging thing! I've also been very busy working on a second book (yes - it's finally underway!), and scheduling a ton of speaking engagements. So check the "Upcoming Events" page on my website to see when I'll be in a town near you!

There are a lot of really exciting things happening with NicoleInk. Very soon you'll be seeing more products and events geared toward helping you make positive changes in your life and business. And everything is based on feedback I've been getting from YOU. I always want to make sure NicoleInk products are need-based.

So stay tuned! If you aren't already receiving the NicoleInk newsletter, please sign up on the NicoleInk homepage. It's another great way to stay in touch!

Wishing you love and blessings!

Nicole

The Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Death: A Message for Today

This morning, as I drove Nerissa to school, the voice of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. filled the car and overpowered the conversation. His "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech, which he gave in support of the striking sanitation workers at Mason Temple in Memphis, TN on April 3, 1968 — the day before he was assassinated, was so clear and fresh, it sounded like he could have been in front of a large crowd somewhere at that very moment. And the things he discussed - a dangerous world, threats to individual freedom, war and poverty - are issues that plaster the front pages of newspapers and are featured on the evening news even today.

The Washington Post published an article today that talks about this very thing. The times change. The heroes fall, but somehow what they fought for is still there in various forms. Yes, Dr. King fought for love and equality, but he also very much opposed the Vietnam War and championed the rights of low-income and impoverished people. My daughter believes that all of Dr. King's dreams were realized because she is able to sit next to children of various races in her classroom, but the reality is, he had many dreams for a better world. While that particular dream has come true, many others are still far from reality.

Today reminded me that I need to teach Riss about all of the things Dr. King fought for. It also reminded me that those fights are still being fought. We have a war going on that is taking precious lives. We have people living in deep poverty right in our own cities. We have inequalities -- while not always as obvious -- that still translate into horrible circumstances for various groups of people, such as women, homosexuals, African Americans, Native Americans, and many other minorities.

To read Dr. King's final speech, please click on the link below. His words are haunting and powerful in light of the fact that he left this earth the very next day. His closing remarks are as follows:

"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

http://www.afscme.org/about/1549.cfm

I don't know about you, but I'm inspired.

Love you guys.