In the mood for a gala? Check out Step Up Women’s Network’s annual gala event on May 29th at New York’s IAC Building:

~
Step Up Women’s Network Celebrates 10 Years at the
2008 Inspiration Awards in New York City

Thursday, May 29, 2008
6:00 pm: Dinner
9:00 pm: After-Party & Wine Tasting Reception
IAC headquarters, New York
~

Step Up Women’s Network is a non-profit organization devoted to helping women and girls across the nation. Through this unique network, volunteers donate their time, effort, and skills to create programs that empower underserved girls, educate and advocate for women’s health, offer professional mentorship, and provide social networking opportunities. By honoring inspirational women, Step Up hopes to encourage and motivate women of all ages to give back to their communities.

This year’s gala will be hosted by Veronica Webb and will honor Kelly Rutherford (Gossip Girl), Lisa Shotland (Creative Artists Agency), and the Dove Self-Esteem Fund.

By making philanthropy accessible to every woman at any level, Step Up Women’s Network is becoming the first organization that women think of when they want to make a difference. Please click here for more information.

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam, GlamSpirit, Wellness, Health, GlamNetwork, Women, New York, Inspiration, Party, Wine, Non-Profit, Girls, Volunteer, Community, Veronica, Kelly, Gossip Girl, Dove

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On Thursdays we take you to “the well” - your source for inspiration and how-to’s.

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that most of us prefer happiness to gloom…I know I do! But when a bad mood strikes, it can often be tough to break free. When you find yourself down-in-the-dumps, how do you handle your bad mood? Do you wave a white flag in surrender or do you forge your way to happiness?

In one of our featured articles, we touched on the idea of having a Bad Mood Emergency Kit. I love this idea. There are emergency kits for all sorts of catastrophes and injuries: earthquakes, tornadoes, cuts, burns, and bruises… so why not have a one ready to combat a lousy mood? It just makes sense! Plus, the idea of putting it together sounds like a lot of fun, too.

There are many ways to feel joy and many things can bring joy in different ways. Your emergency kit will be as unique and individual as you are. Although you are free and welcome to come up with any mix of items that suits you, here are some fun ideas to choose from: music, movies, scents, photos, memories, mantras, and activities.

My Bad Mood Emergency Kit includes:

• Get-up and dance music: Safety Dance CD
• 3 favorite feel-good movies: Amelie, Monsoon Wedding, So I Married an Axe Murderer DVD’s
• Uplifting scent: Spearmint Essential Oil
• Favorite photo: One I took in Oaxaca of a young girl sitting beside an old, blind man as he softly strummed his guitar and sang…
• Memory: Time spent with my newborn niece – I’ve got plenty of photos and keepsakes!
• Faithful mantra: “Everything’s gonna be alright” (for an extra kick, I’ll sing it Alicia Key’s-style)
• Perspective-altering activity: Anything involving fresh air

Putting together a Bad Mood Emergency Kit gives you a chance to reflect on all of the things that make you truly happy. And it’ll help bring a smile to your face whenever you need one.

So, what’s in your kit? We’d love to hear!

~Kristen
Related Articles:
Feel Fabulous!
Understanding Your Life’s Purpose

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam, GlamSpirit, Wellness, Health, GlamNetwork, Mood, Emergency, Happy, Joy, Music, Movies, Amelie, Alicia Keys

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TGiF! Enjoy one of our top picks in today’s Friday Faves…

Aaaah, I love Aveda products. There’s nothing like the fresh, earthy aromas of their products. Their shampoos, lotions, soaps, and even their make-up smell fresh and healthy. Little did I know that they actually bottle these aromas and sell them as pure-fume! (And yes, I did spell that correctly).

As I was perusing the Aveda shop near my house I came across a display of aroma therapeutic oils and “make-your-own” perfume. Aveda calls it pure-fume because they use all certified organic oils and make everything with pure plant essences. You can purchase a pre-made scent, concoct your own individual scent, or you can buy the purest form of all, essence oil. All three pack a powerful punch and last all day long!

If you choose to stick with a pre-made pure-fume, Aveda will blend a fresh batch for you right in front of your eyes! That’s right, you won’t get a bottle that’s been sitting on the shelf for months. It’s all about freshness and purity. Creating your own pure-fume allows you to experiment as you find just the right combination for you. Finally, if you opt for the pure essence, you’ll love the potency of this stuff and be thrilled with its longevity.

You can choose scents based on personal preference and also on therapeutic qualities. Different scents can be used calm and soothe your nerves, enhance the ability to think clearly, and balance your mind and body. Choose from sixteen different scents, including rose geranium, lavender, vanilla, ylang ylang, and sandalwood.

I bought one of Aveda’s pre-made scents and mixed one of my own. I love them both! They seem to last much longer than traditional perfume and I get compliments all of the time. So, get out to the nearest Aveda store or shop online and find the perfect scent for you!

~Jennifer Rosen

Related Articles:
Begin Every Day at the Spa
Scents for Sleep

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam, GlamSpirit, Wellness, Health, GlamNetwork, Aveda, Shop, Oils, Organic, Individual, Fresh, Healthy, Calm, Balance, Mind, Body, Rose, Lavender, Vanilla

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On Thursdays we take you to “the well” - your source for inspiration and how-to’s.

Have you ever taken the time to ask yourself what you want to call your partner in your ideal relationship? Terms of endearment and “pet names” carry different meanings for different people, and having a name for the special person in your life can help you gain clarity on what you are looking for in a mate. It can also bring strength, courage, self-confidence, and self-awareness into your life.

The great part about this is that you get to decide on this name—you can refer to this special person however you want! Among many others, you can call your partner your lover, husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, significant other, better half, spouse, companion, spiritual partner, mate, honeybunch, one and only, biggest fan, sweetie, sweetheart, love of my life, soul mate, the “one,” or even snookums, if you want! Reading through this list can help you see how different names conjure different feelings.

When I first heard the word “beloved” I felt a sense of peace, honor, respect, and love. I found that when I said this word it spoke to me and gave me clarity on what I want in a relationship. I believe that this word came to me as a gift when I was figuring out what attributes and values I wanted in a partner. I became absolutely inspired when I chose to use the word “beloved.”

So, how about you? What word best suits your ideal partner? Think it over and, if you like, share your ideas with us in the comments!

~Melissa Risdon

Related Articles:
Are You Ready for Love?
The Gifts in Every Relationship

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam, GlamSpirit, Wellness, Health, GlamNetwork, Relationship, Partner, Husband, Wife, Feelings, Peace, Ideal, Man

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Just read this tidbit in today’s Financial Times:

“Research at Washington State University showed that those in an office with plants experienced a 12 per cent improvement in reaction times when compared with those in a plant-free office, as well as lower blood pressure and quicker recovery from stress”

The article also explains that plants lead to healthier atmosphere because they reduce COs, absorb VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) and keep the air more moist and cool.

I just paused to say thanks to my little plant and the flowers at my desk for bringing good vibes and peace of mind my way…

Note to any new plant owners~most plants die due to over-watering, so go easy on the watering can. And opt for plants without flowers to avoid allergy ailments.

~Rebecca

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