I Believe: The Love Of A Child Can Heal Anything

April 9, 2012 By 16 Comments

“Are you Ok, Mommy?”….  my small girl has asked me every single day for the past week.

She has reached out to hug me, wrapping her tiny arms around me, pulling my head, not to hers, but to her chest, so that she might pet my hair….a comforting gesture I would like to think she has learned from me.

She has let me cry.  Correction:  She has encouraged me to cry.  She hasn’t run away, wounded, frightened, that something in me is clearly broken at the loss of my friend… but instead, she is concerned, wise beyond her years, I suspect.  She tilts her head in concern, her eyes locked on mine each time she asks, “Mommy, are you sure you are ok?”

We sat in church last Thursday night… Holy Thursday. The first strains of this song played…. followed by the first words, “How Beautiful“…. and the tears came. The song was sung at my wedding…. and the words reminded me instantly of my sweet friend. The grief continues to flow in waves…. leaving me at once secure in the strength of a cried-out soul and next teary-eyes wrapped in the arms of my littlest. My sweet small people didn’t panic…. their little grips on my hands tightened and Cooper reached up to wipe my face, “It’s ok, Mommy….”

At one point in the Mass, they prayed for “the sick, the lonely and the broken-hearted”….  Delaney’s hand squeezed mine once…twice…three times….our sign for “I love you” and she whispered, “Mommy…. they are talking about you”.

My sweet, sweet girl… at only seven, can see that a piece of my heart is broken and yet somehow knows that it is the comfort of her touch and her love that will help me to heal.

I never imagined myself on the receiving end of healing love from my children. I have always pictured myself, cape tucked firmly around my neck, ‘S’ for Supermom painted proudly on my chest swooping in to save their day and wipe their tears.  Little did I know that their presence, their comfort could save me and dry mine.

I believe the love of your children can heal anything.

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The Red Carpet at the Academy of Country Music Awards: Talking Hope and Child Hunger

April 2, 2012 By 5 Comments

We are just going to go right ahead and say tonight was magic. I spent three hours on the Red Carpet for the Academy of Country Music Awards (yes, my feet hurt)…. talking to artist after artist about their ACM experience, what is coming up next in their careers and about the power of HOPE in music. The Lifting Lives Moment during the ACMs highlighted the epidemic of Child Hunger in America – with a gorgeous rendition of “Here’s Hope” – a song written by ACM New Artist of the New Nominee, Hunter Hayes. The song was performed by Little Big Town and earned a standing ovation.

So well deserved.

This first picture you see here?  That’s me going all fan-girl on Clay Walker – the Country Musician who is responsible for my love of country music.  His songs first drew me in 20 years ago…

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And this here? This is Deana Carter – and ‘Strawberry Wine’ – one of her first singles (also from the 90′s) is one I will always love.  She was nominated tonight as a songwriter for Song of the Year…. she co-wrote Kenny Chesney’s ‘You and Tequila’.

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You probably recognize Gwen Sebastian from The Voice.  Though she is no longer on the show…. she does have amazing news…Blake Shelton has just asked her to tour with him.  Shocking: she said yes.

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What is Montel Williams doing at the ACMs? Sharing his love of country music and spreading the news about his newly release COUNTRY music song: Ooh Baby, which benefits MS.  Chatting with him was great fun.

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The guys from Lo Cash Country were two of my favorites…. they were fun and really embracing their very first ACM experience.  They have a new song coming out soon that they promised would get me up dancing.

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From the Red Carpet, we headed back stage to await the winners…  What I love the most?  How humble they are.  Blake Shelton was still reeling from winning Male Vocalist of the Year and couldn’t stop beaming about his wife, Miranda Lambert’s evening successes.

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Toby Keith, winner of Video of the Year, kept everyone laughing talking about “Red Solo Cup’ as one of the most stupid songs he’s ever heard…but how much fun it is to perform – not to mention, this song is the one and only time he’s ever crossed over to the pop charts from country.

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Thompson Square was shocked to have won Vocal Duo of the Year…. facing stiff competition from powerhouses Montgomery Gentry and Sugarland. This category has belonged to Sugarland or Brooks & Dunn since 1991.

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So many more highlights – and SO MUCH video to be sharing soon, but I just had to share a few quick snippets.  I truly had the time of my life.  I will confess I was almost sick to my stomach I was so nervous… but as soon as it got started…my adrenaline, my love of interviewing, my love of country music and my commitment to Child Hunger kicked in and you couldn’t have erased my smile if you tried.

A million thanks to Con Agra Foods for trusting me with such an important part of their campaign, Child Hunger Ends Here.  I’m truly honored.

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ACM Bound

March 31, 2012 By 3 Comments

So, here I go.

On my way to Las Vegas.  Set for the Red Carpet at the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Despite my endless flights of panic this week, the fears that things might not fall into place (including the last minute stress of an en route dress that I was certain would never arrive – but did) I am taking one breath at a time and attempting to absorb this experience.

I will confess….wrapped tightly within my uber-excitement is a ball of nervous energy.  This feels like a marathan I have been training for.  Except I’ve been training my entire adult life and someone finally said, ‘Run!’.

So, here I go.  Running.  And I’m thrilled beyond anything I can express.  And determined to make every portion of this experience count.

My flight left before 6 am this morning and my day promises to continue for the better part of the next 20 hours. I have a full schedule even before my 9am hair and make up appointment tomorrow morning.  Which, incidentally, was the LAST appointment available and is about 5 hours before my silver-clad tootsies step on to that Red Carpet.

What does today include?  OH MY HEAVENS….TODAY!

I trust you know WHY I’m going to the Academy of Country Music Awards, yes?  I first talked about it here.  But as a quick refresher: during the ACM’s, there is a beautiful charitable segment called the Lifting Lives Moment where a special cause is highlighted.  This year, Child Hunger Ends Here, an effort championed by Con Agra Foods, is the focus.  A song co-written by 20 year old ACM New Artist of the Year Nominee, Hunter Hayes, will be performed by Little Big Town.

The song is called ‘Here’s Hope’.  It is gorgeous.  You can hear it on the Child Hunger Ends Here site.

When I arrive in Las Vegas, I will be attending Little Big Town’s rehearsal for their ACM performance of ‘Here’s Hope’.

Giddy.

And then?

I will be sitting down with Hunter Hayes to chat with him about the thrill of being nominated as ACM New Artist of the Year, and well, a few dozen other questions.  I kid.  Sort of.

Also?  If you attended Blissdom, you may have received one of these books, Amy Giggles, written by Coy Bowles of the Zac Brown Band.  I’m ALSO going to be sitting down with Coy this afternoon to talk to him about his book and his charitable efforts with kids.

The book is delightful.

I can’t wait to share all of the video with you.

Whew.

I *should* be tired thinking about it.

But, I’m not.  I’m still pinching myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.

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Dream Come True: I’m Covering The Red Carpet At The Academy Of Country Music Awards

March 23, 2012 By 56 Comments

Sometimes dreams do come true.

If you know anything about me at all, you know I love to use video as a way to tell stories.  You might even know that I used to be a TV reporter and anchor.  If you know that, you might also know that I don’t do traditional news anymore because I don’t have the stomach for ‘hard news’.

I’m more of a ‘good news’ kind of girl.  I want to hear your happy story.  I want to know how you are making a difference, creating change, enjoying life and living.  I want to be smiling and laughing as I tell stories. Or?  If I’m crying… it is because I believe there is CHANGE coming.

I dream of having my own TV show.  I dream of interviewing people and telling stories every day.

I dream of ‘giving good’ and raising small people who are learning by example.

And?  I dream of the Red Carpet.

Next Sunday, a beautiful combination of those dreams will come true.

I will be on the Red Carpet at the Academy of Country Music Awards, representing the Lifting Lives Moment of the ACMs which is dedicated to Con Agra Food’s newest campaign for Child Hunger Ends Here: Here’s Hope.  The song, “Here’s Hope” will be performed during this portion of the ACMs.

The song is gorgeous. It was co-written by New Artist of the Year Nominee, Hunter Hayes.  (who, at the moment, has a date with me for an interview) For now, I’m going to let it be a surprise just WHO will be performing the song during the Awards.  You will have to watch to see.  And I will move my happy self from the Red Carpet to Backstage to keep you updated on the action via video, Twitter and Facebook.

You may or may not know, this is the fourth time I’m proud to be partnering with Con Agra Foods and Child Hunger Ends Here to fight what I consider to be an epidemic.

16 million children right here in the U.S. are hungry.

Here’s Hope will help to feed those children.  I know it in my heart.  As part of the campaign, three versions of the song have been recorded by amazing artists:  Jewel, Owl City and Jay Sean.  The songs can be downloaded for free at ChildHungerEndsHere.com in conjunction with participating Con Agra Food brands.  When you purchase one of the foods, you will simply head to the site, enter a code from the item and download your favorite version (I LOVE THEM ALL).

When you enter that code – ONE MEAL IS DONATED TO A CHILD IN NEED.

Easy-peasy.

Now, you don’t need to wait until the Academy of Country Music Awards next weekend to participate (kids need food now), BUT this will be your first opportunity to hear Here’s Hope performed LIVE.

And I’m honored I will be there as a correspondent for the entire event.

Now… switching gears a touch – I DO need your help.

I’ve never dressed for the Red Carpet before and I need a dress.  Will you help me choose?  I’ve narrowed the options from my good friends at Rent The Runway.  If you haven’t been to visit them, you must.  Instead of BUYING an expensive dress – you rent one for about 10% of the price.  One of my best friends from college turned me on to them. (Let me know if you want an invite – when I send you one, it gets you a $20 credit).

Ok – so…. here are my options – I’m going to order on Monday.

YIGAL AZROUËL

Selma Gown

CARLOS MIELE

Draped Sapphire Dream Gown

NICOLE MILLER

Drop Dead Gold Gorgeous Gow…

MATTHEW WILLIAMSON

Artemis Chiffon Gown

BADGLEY MISCHKA

Faye Chiffon Gown

NARCISO RODRIGUEZ

Cobalt Cutout Gown

Sooooo… what do you think.  Your favorite is….??

Disclosure:  I have a professional realtionship with Con Agra Foods and Child Hunger Ends Here, though that relationship does not dictate my thoughts or opinions.  I will always be passionate about the epidemic of Child Hunger. And? I will always be a lover of the Red Carpet and Country Music.

 

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BlissDom: These Are My People

March 8, 2012 By 22 Comments

I left my heart in Nashville almost two weeks ago.  I can hardly believe that much time has gone by already, but it has.  I have spent the last 10 days mentally debriefing – going over and over the moments that made my heart burst into tiny pieces and the times I may have cried.  Ok… the times I actually DID cry.

This is what BlissDom does to me.  I laugh.  I mean, belly laugh.  And I let my guard down.  So, sometimes, I cry.

Photo Credit: Casey Mullins @MooshInIndy

I first decided to go to BlissDom in 2009, and you may have heard me say this before, but I was petrified I might walk into an adult version of mean girls. I mean…it was a conference of all women.  I was ridiculously nervous. No one knew me.  At ALL.  I was a complete stranger.  No one to vouch for me.  No one to help me hide in the corner.  No one to camoflauge my fear and insecurity. This could be a recipe for disaster.  But, it turned out, my fears were entirely unwarranted.

I was consistently rendered speechless by pure, unadulterated KINDNESS. These women… these bloggers who had, I promise you, never even heard of me, spoke softly, smiled, explained the 28-thousand things I didn’t know about this wide-open digital space and even petted my hair.

Not for one moment did I feel unwelcome.  Not for one moment did anyone question my right to sit at the same tables as the extremely popular and established bloggers and businesswomen.

And from that moment, BlissDom was home.  Everything that has happened in my business-blogging-personal-digital-professional world, has happened POST BlissDom.

This was my beginning.  Some of the women I met that weekend have become my closest friends, my most ardent supporters, the ones who don’t hesitate to tell me that my makeup is uneven, I should change my clothes or that blog post is a bad idea.  They are also the same ones who have celebrated with me every step of the way.  They cheered when I went to the Olympics as a correspondent for P&G, when I got my book deal and even when an opportunity to cover the NFL Pro Bowl pulled me away from BlissDom last year.

These are my people.  And every year, my circle of people grows.

I finally convinced an old friend to come and was rewarded with a, “you were right… these ARE your people.  It IS just different here.”

Photo Credit: Casey Mullins @MooshInIndy

This year, BlissDom was extraordinary… not only in its attention to detail, but in how it felt.  It was warm and inviting.  It felt as though someone was holding my hand from the moment I walked into Opryland.  And don’t think my years of coming eliminate the trepidation I feel.  There is still that part of me – fearful, intimidated, overwhelmed.

This?  Is sometimes why I cry.  Over-stimulation.  The pressure to be ‘on’ the whole time.  The deep desire to see and connect with so many people I adore.  There isn’t enough time, there isn’t enough time….just simply not enough time. And when I have those quiet moments – the ones that remind me I share a heart with so many of these women?  Well, those moments can make me cry too.

Photo Credit: Melissa Hillier @JonahBonah

But no matter what…. there are certain truths for me about this conference.

I knew I would leave BlissDom with a full heart.

I knew I would meet new and extraordinary women (and a few men, too!).

I knew I would reconnect on such a deeply personal level with some of the people who have shaped me into the person and businesswoman I am today.

Photo Credit: Casey Mullins @MooshInIndy

I knew I would glean nuggets of wisdom… from the sessions (I wasn’t able to attend many because I was working, but Jon Acuff is still a voice in my head) and from friends, both new and old: Mary Anne and  Casey and Melissa and Erin and Lisa and Jenny and Meredith and Lucrecer and Dedra and Rachel and Kat and Wendy and Arianne….and of course, Alli, Barbara and Megan.  And SO. MANY. MORE. I learn, I get better, smarter, and more well rounded with every single conversation.

I knew BlissDom would top itself: Community Leaders, the Handmade MarketPlace, Personal messages from Zac Efron? From Jewel?  From OPRAH? and then…. Chris Mann! Joe Jonas! Rascal Flatts!

I knew I would grow.  I knew I would feel stronger.  I always leave BlissDom POSITIVE I can conquer the world.  ANd then, I always settle down in the following weeks, but the feeling of empowerment lingers.

I knew I would end the conference in sweats and bunny slippers – yes, that’s me – as I have every year since 2009 when I took their promotional literature for Girl’s Night In (“wear your PJ’s and bring your bunny slippers!”) a little too seriously). I knew I wouldn’t sing, but I WOULD dance.

Photo Credit: Melissa Hillier @jonahbonah

 I knew my cheeks would hurt from smiling, my feet from dancing, my arms from hugging and my heart from leaving.

And I knew I would instantly start counting down to next year.

Photo Credit: Casey Mullins @MooshInIndy

(Oh…. right after I produce all that fabulous video Nick and David and I shot….  it will soon be available on BlissDom At Home.… including one-on-one interviews with Chris Mann and Joe Jonas.  Good stuff.  Truly.  And you know I would love to hear what you think.)

Thank you…. to each and every one of you who hugged me, stopped by to say hello, tackled me in a bear hug, shared your wisdom or simply uttered a kind word.  You rounded out my BlissDom experience and reminded me, once again, how beautiful it is to be surrounded by people who just ‘get you’.

I’m forever grateful.

 

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What I Hope You Brought To BlissDom

February 23, 2012 By 6 Comments

So, if BlissDom is on your agenda this week, chances are you are here at Opryland already or you are on your way here…. so this isn’t a post that will make you feel bad about the things you should have PACKED.  There are plenty of brilliants posts dedicated to tips that will guide you through the magnificence of this conference – what to wear (comfortable shoes and anything that makes you feel like ‘you’), what to carry with you (anything you’ll need for the day – your room won’t be close) etc….

But consider this post the ‘Everything I need to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten’ version of what I hope you brought with you….  as these are simple and necessary items to a meaningful BlissDom experience

 

Your Smile.  

I said ‘simple’, right?  I wasn’t kidding.  Smile at as many people as you can, as often as you can.  Smile until your face hurts.  When you smile, it opens the door for people to approach you, to say hello, to start a conversation, to learn more about you.  This is why you are here.  To connect, to learn, to see people you care about and to create new relationships. And every time you smile, you might be welcoming someone new – and THAT?  Is amazing.

Open Arms.

Hug the people you know.  Hug the people you might know.  Be willing to hug the people you want to know.  Nothing can make a newcomer feel more welcome than a hug that says, ‘I’m glad you are here’.

BlissDom 2009 My First Friends

A willingness to approach

Don’t wait for people to come to you.  If you see someone you want to talk to, walk over and say hello.  If you see a blogger, a writer, a speaker you have always wanted to meet – walk up to them.  They don’t bite…usually. :) And if everyone waits for someone to approach, we will have a heck of a lot of people standing around alone.  Walk up and say, ‘hi’.  Just do it.

Patience

You might have to wait in a line or two… to get into a session, to get food, to get into the party to see RASCAL FLATTS!!   You might have to wait for an elevator.   You might have to wait for your blog idol to finish talking to someone else.  You will have to take your time to learn new and valuable tools to improve your blog and your business. Use the time to talk to the people around you.  No need to worry, to stress or to be in a hurry.

Faith in the Good Side of People

Assume the best about the people around you.  If someone isn’t smiling, they might be tired or shy.  Don’t assume they are rude.  If you say hello and they aren’t chatty back, figure they are tired, timid or overwhelmed by the volume of new friends – not that they don’t have good manners. Give people the benefit of the doubt.  And a second chance.  They people here are worth it.

BlissDom is as beautiful as you make it.  When I first attended in 2009, the conference was held at the Hotel Preston.  I walked in without knowing a soul.  I was petrified.  Some of the women I met that weekend are among the people I love most in the world today.  They are friends, confidants, motivators, and sound-boardings.  They are the people who keep me in line, tell me if I’m about to make a wrong decision, remind me what is important in life and keep the beauty of friendship forefront in my mind.

If I hadn’t smiled when I walked in…. if I hadn’t opened my arms…if I hadn’t approached perfect strangers…  if I hadn’t had patience  and if I didn’t ALWAYS have faith in the good side of people… I wouldn’t be able to tell you with all my heart that BlissDom is extraordinary.

And it is the experience you create.  If you are here… I hope to see you.

 

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A Little Beauty Basic – My Style

January 27, 2012 By 1 Comment

I will be honest, I don’t wear a lot of makeup….. but at the same time, I rarely leave the house without ANYTHING on anymore either.  A *little* seems to go a long way for me….or at least it goes a long way towards making me feel good, and that’s what really matters, yes?

So, just for fun…. and because my lovely friends at Babble told me they were wondering if I had any make-up musts, any hair styles I trend towards…any products I love…  Here’s the scoop:

If you know me…  you know that I almost always wear my hear down.  It has been long, long, long ever since I stopped reporting and those crazy TV stations couldn’t make me have an’anchor bob’ anymore (don’t laugh – you know what I’m talking about!)  Sometimes I add a little curl, sometimes it’s mainly straight, but really?  It is just down and long.  Probably fairly boring – I should branch out.  It is on my ‘do it before I turn 40′ list.

As for make up – my ‘musts’ start with my eyes.  I have small eyes.  Itty bitty eyes.  So small, you probably don’t ever notice the color… at least no one ever did *before*.  Mascara was always the ONE thing I refused to leave the house without.  And my number one choice in mascara has been Cover Girl’s Lash Blast Volume for years.  I can’t live without it.  And now?  To supplement that?  I have fallen in love with Xtreme Lashes.  And I have a divine friend/stylist, Autumn LaTour (STL Makeup) who does an amazing job.  No, they aren’t traditional fake lashes – they are extensions to your individual lashes that help your lashes to grow thicker and stronger.  And for the first time in my life, I’ve been given compliments on my eyes.

And finally….LIPS.

It is the only other ‘must’ I feel compelled to cover.  If I’m wearing mascara and something on my lips I feel mainly makeup complete.

I haven’t been a big lipstick girl in years, so I typically opt for gloss….possibly because I have never been able to pull off bright colors…or it could be that I stopped wearing anything for a time when my small people were really small (I kissed them too often – and babies covered in lipstick starts to look a little bizarre after awhile)

So my ‘go-to’ for my lips: I cannot live without Bare Escentuals, Buxom Lips.  It is a lip gloss to die for and I have to thank my friend Alli for bringing it into my world.  Is it wrong to say it has changed my life?

So there you have it….  a few of my deep, dark beauty secrets.  Let me know what you think if you try any of them – AND, better yet – what are your favorites??

 

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