Tina O’Connor – Be That Girl Now

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!

Laws to Success: Be all in.

Whatever you choose to do in your life, do it with passion and focus, and do your best not to get distracted. When you follow your heart, and your gut, you will find the right path.

Once you start walking down your path, you must stay focused on your destination. No need to drop any breadcrumbs, or pebbles. You are not going to need to go back! You’ve got to be all in! See yourself at the end of the path before you get there. Imagine how it feels to be there…to have done it, to have arrived. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.

Retain your focus, and remember that there will always be distractions and roadblocks set up intentionally to try and force you off your path. Assess everything as it comes up. Distractions can appear to be very exciting, like randomly meeting a rock star at the airport. Beware! This diversion could cause you to miss out on other opportunities that may have been much more valuable in getting you to your destination. Use your intuition, trod valiantly and confidently towards your goal, and have a little fun along the way.

Small steps taken every day will get you there if you are focused, and dedicated to your own success. Get out there and start taking some little action steps today! Be all in to your life! Namaste.

Success Law: Find your path.

Discover your true passions in life, and then chase them with an intense focus. Find your path, and follow it!

Once you are following your path, you will encounter forks…choices will need to be made on which route to take. Always use your intuition to make the right choice. Your heart and soul know which path to take, so listen to them. Your path will change over time. Paths can suddenly change direction, and if you do not maintain your path, overgrowth may make it difficult to continue on. Obstacles, like trees or boulders, may block your path entirely.

When you find yourself stuck on your path for whatever reason, there is always something you can do to keep moving forward. First, enjoy a small rest and a picnic. Recharge yourself and focus your energy by slowing down, breathing, and allowing your mind to give you the answers you are seeking. Do not stay here for too long!

In your journey through life, change is the only constant. There is energy flowing all around you, and you have control over how that energy is focused in your life. When you feel stuck, change something! You have the power. You create your own paths in life. Keep yours clear by putting in effort consistently, and be prepared to do whatever it takes to keep moving forward. You may be required to build bridges, climb mountains, jump in lakes, or take leaps off of your path in search of better ones. Just do something.

Find your path, follow it, and be prepared to do anything to keep moving. Namaste.

Work!

Things that are important to you in your life will always take work. As Doug and the Slug say

“Making it work-Takes a little Longer”

“Making it work-Takes a little Time!”

They are correct, and this applies as much to work as it does to relationships! If you want something to “Work” in your life, you have got to be willing to put in the effort. As one of my coaches, Devlyn Steele (www.toolstolife.com) says, things always take longer, and are harder, than you originally anticipate. Stay focused on your goal, make it work no matter what, and do not get discouraged when it doesn’t go the way you planned. The path to your success may not always “look” the way you originally thought…keep on keeping on and you’ll get there no matter what! Have faith, work hard, stay positive, and SING your way through life. “Makin’ it work…” is in your control. Namaste.

New Edmonton Retail Locations

Be That Girl is now available in 2 additional retail locations in Edmonton!

The Beauty Parlour and Chapters West Edmonton Mall

Be Sure to tell your Edmonton friends where to get it!

Be That Girl is also available on Amazon.com for your convenience for those of you not in Calgary or Edmonton. Check it out here! Be That Girl.: Simple Steps to Happiness.

How Can I Deal with Stress? Do Some Spring Cleaning.

Well, it’s Spring. Time for Spring Cleaning. We all think about cleaning out our closets and clearing the clutter in our homes when it’s Spring. But what about the vessel that houses our soul? It’s time to Spring Clean your body! No matter who you are, where you live, or how you live, your body is exposed to toxins everyday.

Take some time this week to assist your body with eliminating some of the “clutter” that it has collected through the winter, and do a little detoxification program. Below are some things you can easily do for 1 to 2 weeks to help cleanse your body in time for spring. All of these things will also help you create that perfect swimsuit body just in time for summer! Commit to at least 1 week of at least 1 item listed below. If you want to go longer, by all means do! The longer the healthier!

Drink 8 Glasses of water or herbal tea per day. Actually keep a tally. This is one of the most effective ways to give your body a boost!
Change your diet. Focus on eating only fiber rich foods. Great sources of fiber include oatmeal, flax (super grain!), apples, oranges, pears, strawberries, blueberries, whole wheat, whole whole grains (brown rice), nuts, celery, carrots, broccoli, green, leafy vegetables (lettuce, kale), grapes, cucumbers, tomatoes, lentils. OK, so more fruits and vegetables and whole grains! Eat smaller portions of meat and dairy.
Omit sugar from your diet. (It’s only 1 week!)
Omit Alcohol. (I know, I know. Food tastes better with wine! It’s just a week…give your liver a break!)
Quit smoking. OK, this one needs to go on for the rest of your life, but start with committing to a week. Allen Carr’s Easyway to Stop Smoking can do the trick!
Eliminate deep fried foods completely.
Try an herbal detox program that can be purchased from your local health food store. These kits assist with the elimination and cleaning of the most important home you have… your body! Ask the staff to recommend one based on the results you want.
Do 20 minutes of yoga everyday. Simple yoga poses effectively help to eliminate toxins and keep you calm, focused and flexible. Be sure to drink lots of water afterwards.
Get a massage! Massages also help to release toxins from their long term storage bins. Again, drink tonnes of water to help eliminate them so they are not reabsorbed. Perhaps a massage swap with someone close to you? Ooooh, detoxing can be amusing also!

Please note that you may experience flu like symptoms, like headaches and a decrease in energy for the first few days of any “detox” program. This is a result of a large amount of toxins being released into your body. Be sure to eat tonnes of fiber and drink lots of water to help eliminate those toxins and avoid them being reabsorbed back into the body. I was recently looking for a fiber rich cereal when I noticed one called ‘Holy Crap‘. I had seen it on Dragon’s Den and was excited to see it on the shelves of my grocery store! I bought it and it tastes fantastic. Does it live up to it’s name? I am on day 1, so I’ll let you know! Enjoy your week or 2 of spring cleaning. Namaste.

How can I become a Millionaire? Get Smart.

When you see others having, or doing, the things that you would like to have, your first emotion may be jealousy. Why do they have that, and I don’t? How can they have the flexibility to do that, and I don’t?

It’s time to forget about jealousy forever, and become the student. When you see others who do, or have, the things you want, turn those people into your teachers. Start asking questions about how they did it and how they got to where they are. Be an eager and willing student, and always be seeking information.

Those who have done what you want to do, or have what you want to have, are the perfect mentors. Seek them out and do whatever you can to speak with them, pick their brains, or have them take you on as their protege. Be prepared to work for, or pay for, the information…good mentoring will not be free. You will appreciate the information and use it more wisely when you have made an investment in yourself and your future, either with your time or your money.

There is no need to recreate the wheel. Copy and paste. If it worked for them, it can work for you. Discover their systems and use them in your own life. This is the shortcut to your success. So get smart today and your first million will be in your hands before you know it! Namaste.

How can I build Confidence? Treat Yourself.

You work hard. You need to take the time to relax and unwind. Treating yourself to this time will help you create your amazing future even faster!

It is easy to just go, go, go, and then just keep going! If you’re not doing, you’re not achieving, right? Wrong. You have got to take a breather once in a while and get your strength back, and keep your focus on track. Today, take a 20 minute break from “doing”, and focus on “thinking”.

Here are a few ways that you can restore yourself and regain your mental focus.

Take a long bath or a shower, by yourself.
Lock yourself in your bedroom and just sit on the bed quietly. Bring your journal, just in case.
Do yoga.
Do a small meditation and focus only on your breathing. Concentrate on visualize what you want for yourself.
Go out to the garden, or in your yard, and sit for 20 minutes without doing any work. Just enjoy what you have created.
Sit on your porch and do nothing but enjoy everything around you. You may also choose to sit on your couch if you live in Calgary, and it is still freezing in May!
Get up 20 minutes earlier than normal and just sit and have a coffee or tea before anyone else gets up. Enjoy the quiet and the lack of doing. Look out your windows and notice what is happening around you. You may just see a sunrise, some wildlife, or another thing that makes you wonder about your neighbor.

Start treating yourself to 20 minutes of “no do” time every week. Remind yourself that taking this 20 minutes is a huge part of creating your success. You will connect with yourself in ways that you have forgotten, and you will begin creating your future faster. Find true happiness in treating yourself each week. Make it important and do not justify it to anyone. If you are going to pick one thing to do to change your life, this has to be it. Find 20 minutes each week and start expanding yourself. Experience the joy of being with you, for you. Namaste.