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This, I Celebrate: Megan’s Story

Friday, August 20th, 2010

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Happy Friday! As you are heading off to a weekend of rejuvenation, merriment, and togetherness, I want to leave you this week with a celebration story. It’s a three(ish) minute outtake from last week’s This, I Celebrate segment of the Happy Hour podcast. It’s purpose? To share in the joyful buzz of a good party through hearing the authentically merry celebration tales of other fabulous lovelies. meg1

Today, we are all invited to hear how celebrations brighten up Megan’s life and home – and have been doing so for her entire life – thanks to the creative direction of her mother. As you can see from the photos of Megan’s childhood celebrations, there’s no shortage of great smiles, party dresses, and creative planning. As you’ll discover, however, the joyful energy of these celebrations, and the beautiful intention behind them, far outlive the ruffles and icing – and remain with Megan to this day.

LISTEN HERE and enjoy!

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Have a fabulous weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday! Cheers! Oh- and don’t forget that today’s the last day to leave a comment or Tweet about what you’re celebrating in this moment for a chance to win an Oh Joy Journal! The winner will be announced next week on this blog and via Twitter. Good luck!

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Celebrate with Gratitude

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

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Ready for Happy Hour – your podcast for celebrating life and all the authentically merry celebrations that adorn it? I’d say now’s a great time to kick back, relax, enjoy a drink, and have a listen as we kick up our heels on this podcast.

IN TODAY’S SHOW:

Experience the joyful buzz of a good party through hearing tales of other fabulous lovelies. Today, we are all invited to hear how celebrations brighten up Megan’s life and home – and have been doing so for her entire life, thanks to the creative direction of her mother.

Then we’re off to the Good Life Lab where we’ll check in with our official good life lab experimenter, Kate, and explore how the mission of creating an inspiration board went for her. And, like any party offers, the fun just continues as you receive this week’s Good Life Lab experiment. Will it enhance your life experience? Listen up, give it a try, and let us know how it goes for you!

The one and only Andrew is back with a cocktail recipe in our Eat, Brink, and Be Merry segment. He’ll dole out a concoction that seemed to be the theme for July gatherings: fruity Sangria.

And we’ll wrap this happy package up and send you off with a delightful party favor: your positive Affirmation of the week.

If you’re ready for Happy Hour, join me! Listen HERE.

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Happy Hour: The Cliff Notes

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Hello, lovelies! Happy Friday and welcome to a great day! Here’s your quick reference guide to the merriment that went down during the Happy Hour podcast on Wednesday. If you haven’t had a listen – and want to unwind with some laughter, merriment, and empowering chats – the party for your ears and spirit lives on here. Cheers!

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Here’s what has me feeling giddy this week: Smitten Sticks by Le Papier Studio.

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EXPERIMENT: Create a vision board.

The point of the vision board is to both depict and lead you to a desired future.

I’m talking about a vision board that taps into the deepest part of you, the most authentic sincere YOU that exists when all is still and there’s nothing to prove and no one to impress.

KEY POINTS:

1) Scout out images that make you say ooooh, aaah, whoa, oh my god! Find images that make your heart thump, catch your eye and make you look again. Only the images that get this kind of response make it on to the board.

Secondly : Stop thinking about it. This is where it gets interesting and maybe a little counter-intuitive. Essentially, I’m suggesting you forget all about it. By collecting the images, you’ve already set the energy in motion.

Last, but not least: Move forward. Do the things that you would do in your desired reality. Do the things that create those feelings. Do the things that take you one small step of three giant leaps closer to the reality. And always be open to the potential that exists in the people and situations you encounter.

Let us know what the experience is like for you. Send photos! We’d love to see your vision boards! I’ll be sharing a more in-depth post on vision board in the coming days and even share images of one that I am working on right now. Kate, our official Good Life Lab experimenter, will be sharing hers and how the experience is going for her next Wednesday.

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In this week’s podcast, we kicked off a new segment called This, I Celebrate. It is modeled after NationalPubicRadio’s, ongoing series called This, I Believe, which is an international project that engages people in writing down and sharing the core values that guide their daily lives.

In a similar fashion, This, I Celebrate engages people in writing down and sharing the role celebration plays in shaping their life experience. It’s a public dialogue about the merriment in our own lives. Through sharing our experiences the energy of celebration dances with vitality.

In this podcast, we hear from Marie. As the third child of 13 in a large, Irish-Catholic family in small town Iowa, Marie shares with us how celebrations played a part in her life as a child and how celebratory merriment can even show up when you least expect it.

Do you want to get involved and share? We are currently accepting your stories! Click on the “Say Hello” link just to the left, and let me know. I’ll get in touch with you about the details.

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Moscow Mule THE RECIPE:

Combine in a shaker: 2 0z vodka and 1/2 oz lime juice. Add ice to a copper mug (according to Andrew, this is the BEST way to enjoy a Moscow Mule!). Poor vodka and lime juice mixture over ice in copper mug. Add ginger beer to taste. Note: this is different from ginger ale. Enjoy this spicy, ginger “air-conditioner for your mouth.” Cheers!

(image credit: cocktailatlas.com.)

Posted in Eat, Drink, Be Merry, Life Happy, Listen, The Good Life Goods | 3 Comments »

Happy Hour: Summer Celebration

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

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Happy Summer! Now that summer is officially upon us, today’s show is a nod to the lightness and brightness that this great season delivers.

Here’s what you can expect in today’s Happy Hour:

We’ll toast the people, places, products, and happenings that have us giddy and living and celebrating the good life today in our Cheers to That! segment.

Then we’re off to the Good Life Lab where we’ll check in with our official good life lab experimenter, Kate, and explore how the mission of trying on personal celebrations for size went for her. We’ll see if she benefited from the notion and how it may or may not work itself into her life design. I’ll then dole out the next good life lab mission for us all to tackle. And it’s a fun one that will allow your creativity to flourish, so listen up.

We’ll shimmy on to a new segment called This, I Celebrate, which is inspired by NPR’s series, This I believe. It’s our chance to hear how listeners are celebrating in their own lives. Today, we’ll here how celebration helped form Marie’s life as she grew up as one of 13 children in an Irish-Catholic family in small town Iowa, and how celebration can even show up in even the most unexpected situations.

Epicurean funny man, Andrew, is back with a chill cocktail recipe in our Eat, Brink, and Be Merry segment. He describes today’s cocktail as a “mini, ginger-flavored air conditioner.” With a description like that, you’ve got to grab the recipe for your summertime fete.

And we’ll wrap this happy package up and send you off with a delightful party favor: your positive affirmation of the week. Cheers!

Ready to bask in the sun of this Happy Hour? You are more than invited! Listen HERE.

By the way, I’ll be posting the Happy Hour Cliff notes by Friday, which will be your quick reference guide to all we explore in today’s show (you know, just incase your hands are knuckle deep in the garden while you’re listening).

Posted in Listen | 2 Comments »

Experiment Update

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

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Hey there, hi there, ho there! We are officially one week in to the very first Good Life Lab, as shared in last week’s Happy Hour podcast. Incase you missed it, here’s the deal:

THE EXPERIMENT:

1) Go through life with a heightened sense of awareness and acknowledgment of thoughts, actions, interactions, experiences, etc., that’s contributing to living the life you intend (your good life from the inside out). And don’t forget to include the “mistakes” because they contribute, as well. Acknowledge when such a throught, action, interaction, or experience occurs.

2)Create a list of ways you would love to celebrate yourself. This list will become your go-to guide when the occasion arises over the next two weeks that you deem is cause for celebration. And don’t be stingy here. Now is not the time for celebration frugality. The list might include a massage, a meditation, a new pair of socks, a bang trim, happy hour with the girlfriends, pass on cleaning up after dinner, a quiet bath, etc. Whatever rewards/celebrations are meaningful to you and make you smile, excited, and delighted – put them on the list.

3)Celebrate! When you happen upon a trigger thought, action, interaction, or experience that’s contributing to your authentically merry life, pick a celebration from the list you’ve created and PARTAY HARTAY! For the next two weeks, try on personal celebrations on for size. Make a concsious effort to design personal celebration into your experience.

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Kate, our official taste tester of the experiment, has reported in on how it’s going for her thus far. Here’s what she has to say:

“I am halfway through the celebrations good life lab experiment, and I am ready to update everyone on how it is going for me – total truth and all!

I found that making the list of actions in my life I would like to celebrate, and making the list of ways I would like to celebrate those actions, was so eye opening. Just taking a moment and realizing what I feel I should be prioritizing or working harder on within my daily life and then rewarding those, was a reward within itself! I have been able to really live my life moment to moment to focus on those life issues I was looking to reward. Living moment to moment has allowed me to slow down a bit and refocus on myself and how I am living my life.

Now, there have been some difficulties for me, too. In fact, making my lists was the easiest part of the assignment (which I thought would be the hardest). I am finding that trying to reward myself for every list item has been time consuming and costly.

I have realized that I needed to clump some list items together and celebrate them within one celebration. Or, maybe my list is just too long. Maybe I need to pick an item or two a month or a week and focus on just those items. I think I got too excited or caught up in creating the lists. I definitely need to prioritize within the list of things to celebrate and pick one or two of those. Also, by slimming my list down, i can save a few dollars. Most of my rewards were material things, so by rewarding a few things at once, I can be gentle on my pocket book.

So, that is my update now that I am halfway through this experiment. Now that I have worked out some of my own kinks and have created a more focused list, I am ready to experience the back half of this assignment! Talk to you soon!”

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Let us know what the experience is like for you! We’ll chat about it on our next Happy Hour, which will air Wednesday, June 23. Cheers!

Posted in Life Happy, Listen | No Comments »

Happy Hour: The Cliff Notes

Friday, June 11th, 2010

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blog love1 New York City event planner and renowned dessert table designer, Amy Atlas, shares delectable images of, and comprehendible how-to’s for, her stylish and sweet dessert tables on her blog, Sweet Designs, a blog by Amy Atlas. Because each one of us has some Amy Atlas in us, this is a go-to site to pick up inspiration for your next celebration.

bloglove2 Be still your hearts, organization lovers (and those aspiring to be such). Meredith, founder and author of Penelope Loves Lists, provides inspiration for the unapologetically organized soul. Are you Penelope? I am!

“Penelope is unabashedly organized. She makes no apologies for her love of lists, and notebooks, and pretty office supplies. She adores anything that’s called a “storage solution”. She thinks See Jane Work and The Container Store are the first and second wonders of the world. She loves useful websites, design blogs and shelter magazines. She hunts down smart work organization software and swoons for project management tools. She’s tidy, she’s a bit OCD. She’s got a To Do List and she knows how to use it.”

ingredients

1 8-oz. baguette

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 4-oz. log goat cheese (chevre)

1-1/2 cups sliced strawberries

1/2 cup arugula

Olive oil

Sea salt or coarse salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Snipped fresh herbs

directions

1. Heat broiler. Halve baguette crosswise, then lengthwise. Place cut sides up on large baking sheet. Brush with the 1 tablespoon oil. Broil, 3 to 4 inches from heat, for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes or until lightly toasted.

2. Slice and divide cheese among toasts. Top with sliced berries. Broil 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese and berries soften. Remove from broiler; top with arugula. Drizzle additional oil. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and herbs. Makes 4 servings.

(image and recipe from Better Homes and Gardens)

ANDREW’S COCKTAIL RECIPE: Tinto de Verano

If you heard the show, you know that Andy whipped up this light and bright drink, inspired by his friend Audrey who summers in Spain, in about two minutes live on the air. Proof that this is one simple yet enjoyable drink for your summer soirees.

Here’s what you do:

1.Combine equal parts red wine (any kind. Andy happened to use Trader Joe’s $2 Merlot) and lemon lime soda (Sprite gets my vote).

2.Add ice.

3.Garnish with lemon or lime.

4.Drink and enjoy this summer-y libation.

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THE EXPERIMENT:

Let us know how the experiment goes for you. Have fun with it. We’ll be tracking our official Good Life Lab Experimenter, Kate, over the next two weeks as she takes on the challenge, and then we’ll hear from her on the next show. We want to hear from you, as well! How’s it going for you? What are you experiencing? Is this a concept you want to weave into your life design, or is it for the birds? No right or wrong. Just personal observation and experimenting. Let me know by shooting me and email (happyhour at helloself dot com) or leaving a comment right here.I’d love to share your comments with the listeners on the next show.

Cheers, all!

Posted in Eat, Drink, Be Merry, Life Happy, Listen | 3 Comments »

Happy Hour Podcast Returns!

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

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Toasting the good life and all the authentically merry celebrations that adorn it is what Happy Hour is all about. Grab a cocktail and settle in!

Here’s what you can expect on today’s show:

Happy Hour is back, and we are celebrating by exploring the art (and down right joy) of celebrations.

We’re rolling out a brand spanking new segment called The Good Life Lab – where we try on for size concepts and notions intended to elevate our experience, add pep to our step, energize our spirits, and get down and groovy with our authentic nature. Kate, our official Good Life Lab experimenter will say hello and receive her first mission, which we can all do along with her.

Epicurean enthusiast and unofficial champion olive eater, Andrew Brink, will be joining us for another new segment Eat, Brink, and Be Merry. Together, we’ll be sharing recipes inspired by the lightness and freshness of summer, and I promise they will be perfect for your chill and laid-back gatherings this season. (And you don’t want to miss the live play by play action of Andy stirring up a summery drink.)

I’ll be sharing two blogs that are worthy of adoration and never fail to support and inspire the good life.

And as is customary, you’ll receive your morsel of positive self talk, which is yours for the taking to use as you go about your brilliant days – and to support in making them even more so.

Ready to celebrate? Raise a glass and listen HERE. Cheers!

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By the way – I’ll be posting the Happy Hour Cliff Notes on Thursday. It’ll be the quick reference guide to what you are hearing today – complete with recipes, links, the quickie version Good Life Lab experiment, all that good stuff.

Posted in Listen | 4 Comments »

Meet the Happy Hour Family

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Happy Hour, your podcast for celebrating the good life, returns Wednesday, June 9 (woot!!). You can check it out right here in this cozy blog space, or you can subscribe on Itunes. The choice is all yours.

As we all know, a huge part of the joy of Happy Hour is the company we keep, right? That’s why I’ve teamed up with two of my favorite people in the world (whom you’ll love, as well) to bring Happy Hour to life.

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Friends, meet Andrew – our resident foodie and lead contributor to the Eat, Brink (yep, with a B), and Be Merry segment. Let’s get to know him a wee bit better, shall we?
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Q: Mr. Brink – what’s your one line bio?

I live in Seattle, Washington, with my partner Eddie and our dog Sofia.

Q: What’s one of you favorite food memories?

When I graduated from 8th grade, my parents bought me a gallon-sized jar of green olives as a graduation gift. They obviously weren’t worried about my sodium intake. It took me just a few days to eat the whole jar (and drink the juice, of course).

Q: I feel so completely alive when I’m:

Breathing, but you’ll also find me the happiest and most alive when I’m surrounded by friends and family at a table, experiencing some cheesy goodness and a bottle of wine.

Q: What evokes a belly laugh every single time?

Laughing comes easily for me. I’m Belly Laughing right now.

Q: What are you reading and watching these days?

Reading:

“Amusing ourselves to death: Public discourse in the Age of Show Business” by Neil Postman and “the Line of Beauty” by Alan Hollinghurst. I check in with the Atlantic and the New York Times online every day, as well as some local seattle blogs.

Watching:

I have just given up cable, so all my viewing is on DVD now. I’m catching up on seasons of “Torchwood” and “30 Rock” and plan to tackle all six seasons of “Lost” this summer.

Q: How does food and drink play into your good life or celebration design?

There’s no such thing as a celebration without food. Try having fun without cheese, I dare you.

Q: What’s your favorite cocktail and small plate at happy hour?

A plate (preferably not too small) of poutine and a glass of Chardonnay.

Q: What’s your favorite way to get your creative juices flowing?

Doing jumping jacks and/or reading a passage from a favorite book or listening to a favorite song.

Q: What are your favorite ways to chillax?

Taking a walk by the lake, reading, making a perfect pot of tea.

Q: What’s your intention for being part of Happy Hour?

I’m hoping to share the joy our family gets from food with others.

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And friends, I also want you to meet Kate! She’s our official Good Life Lab experiment tester-outer — putting into practice notions for positive living and merry celebrations. She’ll be bravely (with absolute honesty and verve) taking us along for the ride. Let’s get to know this fabulous lovely a wee bit better, shall we? katie

Q: Miss Kate – what’s your one line bio?

How about three little lines? I live in Arlington, Virginia. I am a nanny for two amazing children. I recently became the proud person to a french bulldog, named Oscar.

Q: I feel so completely alive when…

I am with my family! It doesn’t matter where we are or what we are doing. As long as I am together with my family, I feel completely alive and happy!

Q: What elicits a belly laugh – every single time?

Putting on socks evokes a belly laugh from me every single time! Socks really tickle my feet, and I feel like my feet are being hugged with with warmth.

Q: What’s your favorite cocktail and small plate to savor?

I’m actually not a cocktail type of girl, believe it or not. I prefer a nice cold beer. So, i am going to have to say that Spotted Cow by New Glaurus brewing company is my favorite beverage during happy hour. My favorite small plate would have to be cheese, crackers and sausage. I bet you couldn’t tell that I spent most of my life in Wisconsin, could ya?

Q: What’s your favorite way to get your creativity flowing?

My favorite way to get my creativity flowing would have to be swinging on a swing set. There are few things in life that i love more than swinging on a swing. There is something so uplifting and wonderful about feeling that natural breeze glide over you. You just can’t help but go to a more spiritual and creative place. Swinging really frees my mind of petty thoughts and allows me to connect with my inner-self, allowing my creativity to flourish. It’s pretty funny, but when I move to a new place, that is one of the first things I try and find.

Q: My favorite way to chillax…

That would have to be taking a bath surrounded by candlelight and listening to my favorite music. I really could spend hours taking a bath. I have found that if I add epsom salt to my bath I get even more relaxed and feel more cleansed afterward.

Q: What are you reading and watching these days?

I honestly tend to only read magazines and newspapers. I am currently reading this month’s issue of Real Simple, Organic Spa, Body and Soul, and In Style magazines. I am watching So You Think You Can Dance, Tori and Dean, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D list, and am on the second season of Lost. I must admit, I love, love, love TV, so I am watching more shows than I listed above!

Q: What are your intentions for being part of Happy Hour?

My intentions come from my life’s journey to become a self-actualized human being. I truly believe that the universes’ greatest gift to us is being individuals – each of us having special talents, special things that makes us happy or mad or sad. We are all different, and we are all different for a reason. Therefore, it is extremely important for me to truly understand and take care of all aspects of me, so I can be my best self. This show will allow me to challenge myself to get to know my self and understand who I am even better than I do now, so I can become a stronger, happier and a more balanced person. This show is the next step for me in my life’s journey to find and maintain my authentic self. And to do that in community with others, is icing on the cake. I’m honored to do my part in this wonderful show. I’m excited and ready to go! Bring it on, Good Life Lab.

Posted in Listen, Lovelies Living the Inspired Life, News | 2 Comments »

Who’s Ready for Happy Hour?

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

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I am! That’s why I’m excited to announce that your podcast for positive, inspired living AND celebrating is making its way back to your sweet speakers or hearty headphones one week from today!

The last show was waaaaay back in November. Where does time go? Now that I’m fully settled here in my new home, in my new city, in my new area of the country (boy, does that take a while!), AND the restructuring dust from the recent changes at Hello!Self has settled (woohoo!), we are ready to rock n’ roll!

I’ve changed the show up a bit to honor the fresh energy of all that we have going on here, but what is consistent: it is a place for us to gather, explore, and toast to living good life from the inside out - and all the authentically merry celebrations that adorn it. Andy and Kate will be back to challenge my giggle fit weakness, as well as contribute in a way only they can (and trust me – it’s special).

It’ll be fun. It’ll be light and bright. It’ll be life-elevating. It’ll sprinkle you with ideas. It’ll kick up some laughs. And yes – cocktails are ALWAYS optional. See you next Wednesday -right here or on Itunes- for Happy Hour. Cheers!

Posted in Listen, News | 1 Comment »

happy hour holiday break

Friday, December 4th, 2009

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Hey there happy people and Happy Hour listeners! Just a quick Hello!Self Happy Hour programming note: The Hello!Self Happy Hour, your podcast for positive, inspired living (where cocktails are always optional and jovial, life-elevating exchanges are always on tap), is taking a holiday break and will return with FRESHLY INSPIRED new shows at the dawn of the New Year (live from Portland, Oregon!).

If you’re needing your shot of positivity, you can always access each past episode by clicking on Hello!Self Happy Hour under Categories, found in the column to the left. And, as always, you are welcome to read this blog every single beautiful day for fresh, new, inspired content for inspired living.

Thanks for listening. Thanks for sharing the desire to live the good life from the inside out. Cheers, friends!

Cheers, friends!

Posted in Listen, News | 2 Comments »