Be That Girl Now – My WordPress Blog

Release Your Inner Girl & A New Book

I am very excited (elated and ecstatic) to announce that my newest book, Be That Mom hits the shelves October 1, 2013! (You can pre-order it here.) I have enjoyed writing Be That Mom and truly hope that you will find it useful in your life too.

With this release, we begin the ‘Release Your Inner Girl’ initiative. I endeavour to inspire and challenge women to find what ignites their passion for life on this tour… so maybe I’ll be lucky enough to meet you!?!

Stay tuned for updates on the cities I’ll be visiting on my upcoming cross Canada book tour!

Keeping Organized is a Team Effort!

I love an organized house, closet, pantry… you name it! Nothing makes me ooh and ahh more. Of course, even I have those moments where life gets too hectic, and the paper piles on the counter and the closet loses its mind. A family of five can get disorganized in the blink of an eye! So, instead of allowing myself to go completely crazy, running around cleaning up after the kids… I have decided to let them in on a secret. The key to an on-going organized house is to have a proper place for everything and to utilize teamwork in the effort!

We might think our children are too young to be taught organizational skills, but the truth is, it is never too early to start. Many parents often find themselves frustrated by the mess made in their home because of their kids; however, with a little encouragement your kids will easily be able to contribute to the team.

Here are four easy tips to getting your littlest team members to help clean-up:

1) Keep the clothes off the floor.
This is the very basic of skills. If your child can dress themselves, they can learn to pick up the clothes. Place hampers and baskets low to the floor and hooks on the wall that are easily reachable by small children. This makes helping out safe and easy, and should happen daily before bedtime.

2) Putting away the toys.
Teach your children that putting away their toys is all part of playtime (I know, easier said than done!). Keep toys in shallow, labelled containers to avoid your child digging endlessly to the bottom in search of a toy. After playtime comes clean-up time! Sing a silly clean-up song or say a silly clean-up poem. Make the transition from playtime to a new task a valuable practice — this will translate well into good lessons for homework time or desk/office clean-up later in life.

3) Keep the bedroom clean and tidy.
I know, you just rolled your eyes… right? I’ve tackled this beast numerous times — having three little girls means plenty of clothing changes per day, always strewn about. The bedroom is a space where your child will begin and end each day…it needs to feel neat and ooze healthy Feng Shui. Making the bed each morning, keeping food and drinks out, and having a place for everything (dressers or closet organizers), go a long way to keeping the bedroom free of clutter. A simple 10 minutes per day set aside for your child to tidy is all it should take to return to order.

4) Teach your children to let go.
It is not always a fun lesson, but not everything lasts forever. (Like ice cream cones on a hot day!) Clothes and toys are items that children grow out of and that are worn down after years use. Use this concept to teach your child the idea of letting go at an early age. It is a good idea to go through this process every 6 months or so, pointing out which items your children don’t play with or wear any more. Explain to your child that they have two choices: they can donate the item to another child in need or they can put it towards the next garage sale. Involving them in this process makes it more fun for them while teaching them a valuable lesson — both about letting go and donating items to those in need.

These four easy steps will have your children on the path to organization in no time! And you won’t lose your mind constantly over their mess! You may have to modify these ideas to suit the age of your child, but you’ll be so much happier teaching your children to be capable team members.

#BeOrganized

Tina

& The ‘Be That Girl’ Team!

*Thank you to the Professional Organizers in Canada, for providing these quick and easy tips. The POC is a national registered non-profit association that provides education, business development tools and a code of ethics for all types of organizers across Canada. Representing more than 500 Professional Organizers in more than 14 chapters nation-wide, POC’s mandate is to provide a supportive environment for members to learn, share ideas, network, and exchange resources. For more information, please visit www.organizersincanada.com .

Meet Tina at a book signing event!

Be there. Be that girl!

Treat Yourself Absolutely Fabulously! Spa Review and Giveaway!

Enter to WIN a Massage! See details on how to enter below!
Back in January 2013, I had the pleasure of traveling to Vancouver on my Be That Girl™ book tour. I was fortunate enough to have my amazing cousin, Julie, accompany me on the trip. She celebrated a big birthday while we were there, so we took the opportunity to book ourselves a spa day! Any excuse to book a day at the spa is a good one!

We booked into a spa called Absolutely Fabulous Urban Spa., conveniently located directly across from the hotel we stayed at, 910Beach.

We arrived early afternoon and were warmly welcomed at the door, and promptly escorted into the quiet room to fill out our client forms.

The dark wood elements, warm Egyptian rugs and furnishings, soft lighting, calming music and cozy chairs really set the mood for our spa day getaway. There was water and chocolates on the table, and we were offered hot ginger tea. I loved that tea…it was spicy, sweet and soothing.

We booked in for the Fabulous Escape, which included a 60 minute Relaxation Massage, Express Manicure and the Absolutely Fabulous Pedicure ($165, 2.5 hours) Just to make it even more delectable, we each added on a facial ($100).

I changed into my robe in the elegant massage room (complete with fireplace) while Julie got going with her facial. I opted for a Deep Tissue Massage with Fuku. It was an extra charge for this option over the Relaxation Massage included in the package, but it was totally worth it. If I lived in Vancouver, Fuku and I would be seeing each other on a regular basis. Her personalized, sensitive touch and incredible massage techniques not only relaxed me, but healed me and straightened me out! Julie also enjoyed her massage with Fuku, but did comment that she could hear the traffic quite loudly in the room.

Our estheticians...Barbara and Fuku — Our estheticians…Barabara and Fuku

The facial was next for me (Julie moved on to her massage), and I was introduced to Barbara, my Esthetician. The facial room was similarly calming and had white billowing curtains on the ceiling that made me feel like I was in a far away land of sand and sun. Barbara’s facial was so relaxing, it almost made the exfoliation portion fun (almost…and I know that deep cleaning is so important for vibrant skin). I really enjoyed the smell of the products they used. Barbara made sure to educate me on my skin type and help me select the right foods going forward to make my skin even more radiant.

Onto the pedicure. I was escorted to a large reclining, leather chair for my pedicure. The chair was very comfortable. Julie had her pedicure at the same time, but was seated in a reclining bed…no buzzy, vibrating chairs here. My room was packed with lots of great magazines, but of course I was writing away in my journal! The foot bath was a large steel bowl filled with warm water, and when I put my feet in I was pleasantly surprised to feel several small rocks in the bottom of my bath. It felt very natural and calming to my feet. The attention paid to my feet was lovely. This was not a traditional scrub and rub pedicure.

They have a no cell phone policy at the spa, and for good reason. At one point during my pedi, I answered my phone and was politely reminded of the policy…there was a massage in session. A spa is supposed to be a getaway from your life for a few hours!

The finale of our spa day was the manicure. Again, there were smooth rocks in our hand soaking bowls, a touch that I thought was very appealing. By this time, Julie and I were ravenous! We hadn’t eaten in hours. The spa staff took care of us by serving us handfuls of chocolate and sparkling pink wine! What a way to top off an incredible day at the spa. Next time, Julie and I agreed that we needed to bring food, or order something. Hours in the spa can really work up an appetite.

We left the spa feeling a little tipsy and a lot more relaxed and pampered. We were thankful that my niece Brooke had prepared a snack plate for us to chow down on as soon as we returned to the hotel.

The prices were very reasonable for the level of service we received. The warm and friendly staff and the cozy, elegant atmosphere at Absolutely Fabulous Urban Spa make this a place I’d go back to again.

Located in downtown Vancouver, BC right by the Granville Island Ferry terminal, this spa is fantastic for visitors and locals.

Check out Absolutely Fabulous Urban Spa at www.myspa.ca for more information.

My Vote: [rating=4]

Julie’s Vote: [rating=4]

From One Spa-Worthy Girl to Another…Until next time!

Tina
Here’s your chance to WIN a 45 Min Massage! To be entered, follow these easy steps:
1. Like Be That Girl on Facebook.
2. Like Absolutely Fabulous Spa on Facebook.
3. Leave a comment below, or on facebook, stating whether you have ever had a professional massage.
Contest closes on May 28, 2013. Good Luck, and may the spa be with you!

Time to Shoelerize with this Awesome Giveaway!

Last year at the Women’s Show in Toronto, I was introduced to something that changed my accessorizing life…Shoelery! Just as the name suggests, Shoelery IS jewelery for my shoes!

There were so many amazing pieces of jewelry for my shoes that I had a hard time choosing, so I ended up filling up a box full of these beauties!

The thing I love most about shoelery is that you can change your look simply by adding a different piece of shoelery! My favorite pieces so far have been the boot jewelry and the zip on fur. Shoelery can add sparkle, pizzazz and excitement to your favorite, most comfortable pairs of shoes. Another bonus is the price…These gorgeous pieces are affordable priced, so you can use your budget to buy good shoes, and then stock up on Shoelery to make it look like you have millions of pairs…sneaky and awesome!

Your husband will think you’ve really gone off the deep end with shoe buying, but you can reassure him that you are actually saving money and buying less shoes! (Whatever it takes, ladies!).

I travel a lot, and I have to look great all the time, especially when I am on TV! Trying to pack millions of pairs of shoes just doesn’t work, especially with the new weight and bag restrictions at the airport. Having Shoelery can make it feel like you have 8 pairs of shoes with you when you only really packed 2. Freedom of choice ladies, even when you travel!

Tina’s Vote for Shoelery[rating=5]

Enter to WIN your copy of Be That Girl PLUS a $40 or $100 Giftcard from Shoelery!
See below for entry details.

To Enter the Giveaway:
1. “Like” Be That Girl on Facebook.
2. “Like” Shoelery on Facebook.
3. Leave a comment telling us how many pairs of shoes you need to “Shoelerize“!
Contest runs from March 27 to April 18, 2013!

Can’t wait to start SHOELERIZING? Here is an Exclusive Offer from Be That Girl…Happy Shopping!

10% off SHOELERY by Erica Giuliani – jewelery for your shoes!
Shoelerybyeg.com
Enter offer code BETHATGIRL2013 at checkout to receive
discount.

Pack yourself happy… EVOC Terminal Bag Giveaway!

Just the thought of having to pack your suitcase for a trip can create a considerable amount of anxiety. Have no fear…Be That Girl is here!

The first step to packing the perfect suitcase is deciding what suitcase you are going to pack in. This will determine HOW and WHAT you pack.

I believe I have found one of the best suitcases on the market, and thanks to Simstir, I am giving one of them away to one of you lucky readers! Read on to find out how to enter my contest.

The EVOC Terminal Bag.
Tina’s Vote: [rating=5]

This is my “go-everywhere” bag, and really the ONLY suitcase you’ll ever need if you know how to pack it properly.

Ryan and I each took an EVOC Terminal Bag to Italy for an almost three week trip and we rode trains the whole time! With a plethora of pockets and compartments of all sizes, this bag expands and contracts to suit your storage (and organization) needs.

ECOV terminal_detachable_big

My favorite part about this bag is that even when it is fully loaded, you don’t have to check a bag! But how? Just wheel yourself straight to your gate. The airline attendants will be eyeing up your luggage, ready to make you check that obviously over-sized piece of luggage. Just prior to boarding the plane, you will amaze the attendants and fellow travelers by unzipping the front part of your bag, strapping that backpack on your back, and strolling casually onto the plane rolling with you the perfect carry on piece of luggage. You have just cleverly converted your one bag into two very allowable carry on bags. Magic? Nope. EVOC! Once you get off the plane, just zip the backpack on again and away you roll with just one bag.

This ingenious piece of luggage ensures that you always have a backpack to use for day trips to the beach or the convention center when you are at your destination. The backpack portion of the bag has a padded labtop storage area to suit those traveling with electronics.

This bag is extremely rugged (even when packed so full you have to sit on it and reef on the zipper…not that I would do that) and is built by a German company that specializes in gear suited for rugged outdoor sports, so you can expect durability, style and functionality. It maneuvers very smoothly and feels super solid. After 3 years of serious hard core traveling, my bag still looks pretty darn new.

Available in 4 different colors, Black, Red, Blue and Muliti, your new luggage will stand out from the rest of the luggage out there no matter what color you choose.

Here’s how you can enter to win your very own Multicolored EVOC Terminal Bag:

1. LIKE Be That Girl on Facebook!

2. LIKE Simstir on Facebook!

3. Tell us where you plan to go on your next trip by leaving a comment below.
Deadline for entries is March 18 , 2013 at 8pm. Good Luck and may the neediest person win!

***Congratulations to Carmen Cuff Kraft…Winner of the EVOC Terminal Bag! Happy packing and traveling, Carmen!***
Don’t worry if you didn’t win. I have secured 5 of each color and they are available for purchase NOW! Best price you’ll find anywhere for this bag, along with flatrate shipping to anywhere in Canada! Check it out!

Hugs and Sunshine, Tina

Can Anyone Cook Dinner? I put Sandi Richard’s New Cookbook to the Test.

I have been using Sandi Richard’s line of Meal Planning Cookbooks for over 10 years now. I am a raving fan! I buy every one of her books because they have taught me how to meal plan, her meals are easy, delicious, and healthy and even my husband can follow the recipes!

Her newest cookbook is entitled Anyone Can Cook Dinner
I decided to put Sandi’s book title promise to the test in my own home with my 8 year old daughter Trinity.

We used Sandi’s printable grocery list to purchase all of the items for our week of dinners. It is so nice to know that you have everything on hand for 5 healthy meals!

I let Trinity choose what she wanted to make out of the 5 meals.

I will admit, I was nervous. Was my daughter ready to cook? When is the right time to start showing your kids how to cook? It was time to see what she could do.

Trinity’s dinner choice…Tuna Tetrazzini with Corn & Peas.

Trinity read over the recipe. First thing Sandi tells you to do is take out all of the tools you will need, which are nicely detailed under the equipment list. Trinity did as she was instructed and pulled everything out.

Next, Trinity gathered up all of the ingredients as instructed and laid them out on the counter.

She followed the easy step by step instructions to prepare one of her first real meals by herself.

I was in the kitchen the entire time just for support and to answer any questions. I was pleasantly surprised!

Trinity excelled at cooking! She was so excited to embark on this cooking adventure, and I could tell how proud she was of herself. Just that fact that I was turning over the kitchen to her made her smile!

While the dinner was in the oven, Trinity set the table and even prepared a menu for our family to show what we were having.

It was amazing to watch my little girl succeed in the kitchen. As parents, I think we forget that it is our job to teach our kids how to be INDEPENDENT of us. An essential skill that we all need is cooking! It is amazing to see what skills children can learn in the kitchen…math, preparedness, cleanliness, healthiness…the list goes on!

It is time for us to stop doing everything ourselves, and let our children LEARN!

Sandi Richard has done it again! She is not only helping families get back to eating together, she is helping families learn to cook together! Give yourself permission to ask for help in the kitchen and you’ll create an amazing change in your family dynamics. Life is all about teamwork. Start introducing your children to the kitchen and cooking as early as you can. There is always something you can get your children doing…pulling out equipment, ingredients, washing and cutting vegetables, or just watching you and chatting with you about each others day.

Unlock the kitchen and let your children and your husbands in! Make it easy for them to prepare dinner by having everything on hand to prepare a meal, along with an easy to follow, no fail recipe. Plan meals as a family, and dinner will be a lot more fun. Reduce your stress by knowing what you are having for dinner tomorrow, and prepare for tomorrow’s dinner before you go to bed. It is not hard, especially when you use one of Sandi’s cookbooks. I truly believe ANYONE CAN COOK DINNER, if they are given the proper tools.

Thanks Sandi. Getting back to basics is easier than I thought it would be. With 3 daughters, I’m hoping to be sipping my wine while I watch my dinner being prepared. They cook, they clean! Win-win!

Do books just know how to find their perfect reader?

Top 8 Reasons to Stay Home with your Family on Valentine’s Day…

Success Laws: Be careful what you wish for?

On January 10, 2013, I was reminded once again NOT to be careful what I wish for! Here is my crazy “little” story.

Our family has 2 vehicles, the “mom wagon” (The Mini Van), and the “fun car” (The Mini). While I was packing for the first part of my Canada book tour, I realized that my husband Ryan would need to keep the van to run the kids around, and I would have to take the Mini on my tour. Taking the Mini to Edmonton was no issue…I was by myself and I only had one book signing to deliver books to. My tour to Western Canada, on the other hand, involved driving from Calgary to various cities in British Columbia, including Kelowna, Vancouver and Victoria. The BC trip would involve myself, my faithful book partner and cousin, Julie, and for a few days, my incredible niece, Brooke. Three high maintenance girls with luggage, twelve boxes of books and eight days of intense road tripping through the Rocky Mountains in winter was not going to work in the Mini. I started freaking out, and wondering what I would do. I discussed my options with my Business Manager, and she cleverly suggested that I try to switch vehicles with one of my family members. I knew I had a bit of time to think about my options (a week!), but I knew I was not satisfied with taking the Mini to BC. I put my “issue” out to the Universe and decided not to worry any longer. Plus, I had my Edmonton trip to worry about first!

While I packed the Mini for my Edmonton trip, I was surprised at how much room there was. I was also surprised at how much luggage one girl could need for two days! My trip to Edmonton was incredible…two tv appearances and two book signings, and then it was time to head home. When I left Edmonton, the weather was beautiful and the roads were clear, but I knew I was headed back home to a blizzard in Calgary. While I drove out of Edmonton, I consciously put my “Invisible Shield” on, cranked the tunes and started singing my heart out. Almost halfway through my drive, I heard a huge **SMASH**, and then heard the sound of wind coming into the car. While trying not to swerve all over the highway, I looked around the car. All of the windows were in tact, so I looked up. There was a huge hole in the roof where the sunroof had once been…and I was alive! The retractable mesh screen on the sunroof saved my life. I was AMAZED that I had survived.

I did not stop the car. I called Ryan (handsfree), and he told me to pull over as soon as possible. Luckily for me, Red Deer was just 10 minutes away. I pulled over and opted for a gas station with bright lights. I got out of the car, looked at the broken glass all over the car and in the sunroof, and I had no idea what to do.

I was about to get back in my car and cry when two guys in a big black truck stopped in front of me and asked if I needed help. At that point, I didn’t know what I needed!

My “Knights in Shining Black Truck”, Chris and Justin, reversed in beside me and assessed the situation. It was freezing outside that night (-15 degrees C). Chris went to work pulling out chunks of glass from the top of the car, while Justin went to ask inside for tape so they could seal the hole. These boys were troopers! There was no tape at the gas station we were at, so they drove to a different gas station, purchased a roll of strong tape and came back to me. They proceeded to tape a black garbage bag down to the top of the Mini. Poor Chris had cut himself on the glass and was bleeding, but that did not stop him from sealing that hole!

We proceeded to exchange contact information. They gave me their business cards, and I gave them each a signed copy of my book. As if what they had done for me was not enough, they said “hey, we’re heading back to Calgary too. Why don’t you follow us?”. So I did.

It was only an hour and a half to home. The roads were still clear when we left Red Deer, but within a half an hour we ran into a blizzard. It was dark, and the snow was coming down so hard it was like a whiteout! I stuck right close to my new friends, and trusted them to get me home. As I drove behind them, I felt protected, safe and happy. I could not stop smiling the whole way home, even though my fingers were gripping the steering wheel and the wind was howling loudly into my car. Once we hit Calgary, I took my
turnoff and I watched my “Knights” go riding off down the Deerfoot. The plastic bag stayed on the whole way home.

The Mini is in the sho 015 p awaiting a new sunroof from Germany so I ended up getting a rental Mini Van through my insurance company to take on my trip to British Columbia…so big, so comfortable, and so safe! Just what I wanted.
I contacted my “Knights” to thank them for not only keeping me warm on the way home, but also for ensuring that I made it home on those crazy Alberta roads. Surprisingly, one of them responded to me by saying “I am a believer in Karma, and greater forces in the Universe…was beginning to lose a little faith in the universe lately but meeting you let me know that I should never have doubted anything!”

The “morals” of my story…

I don’t know what smashed my sunroof, and I will probably never know. Sometimes, the little details don’t matter.
Ask, and you shall receive.
Things do not always happen the way you think they will, and that is OK!
The Universe is ALWAYS watching out for those who ask for, and are grateful, for help.
Be thankful to be alive!
“Situations” ARE “Opportunities” when you think positively.
Don’t be careful what you wish for. Just keep your wishes awesome.
You never know when you will meet amazing people who have something for you.
THERE ARE NO COINCIDENCES.

Enjoy your life, smile more, have more fun, relax, laugh, don’t worry, and hug each other. These are the things that really matter. Namaste!

Tina O’Connor

President & CEO

Be That Books Inc.

Publishing the Best Books for Self Help.

• www.bethatgirlnow.com

• twitter.com/BeThatBooks • facebook.com/BeThatGirl.SimpleStepsToHappiness