HALLOWEEN – CHECK

CLOCKS CHANGE – CHECK

HOLIDAY TRAVEL – HELP!

‘Tis the season. November is here, the days are cooler, longer and likely filled with optimistically making holiday plans. I have visions of friends, family and the perfect Nest holiday candles  dancing in my head (add some cookies by the extraordinary bakers in my life!!!) As much as there is to love about this magical time of year there is very little to even like about holiday travel. Sorry to scrooge out – still, the realities of planes, trains and automobiles during some of the most congested days of the year are a horror. As if that were not enough – try it as a new parent, a first time breastfeeding parent, a parent of young children in unknown lands…not at all simple.

Allow me to share what I know. From best airport and TSA strategies to planning for the unexpected ER visit – Here’s to a safe and simple journey:

Travel for the Breastfeeding Mother

AIRPORTS

AIR TRAVEL

ER OTR

FAMILY

Call me common – I’ve  earned it. All of my children have summer birthdays. In fact, my entire house is made up of summer babies – all less me. Human mating season is during the short, cold days of December and January. Add Forty Weeks to the holiday season and the answer is obvious – be it biological or situational – the data does not lie. 

It is New Mother Season

To all the parents born this season we are here for you.  To the newly minted mothers making their way up the steep learning curve – we see you. To the women who struggle and those who feel isolated, underqualified and certainly sleep deprived, we have committed ourselves to your success, however you may define it. To those who feel they are not strong enough, despite being told they should be, we say be please, kind to yourself. To those who cannot see themselves, not yet – we promise, you will.  To the mothers who feel isolated and those who struggle we urge you to locate the community and care you need and deserve. And most of all – to those who have gone before – seek out and care for these new mothers – pay it forward with love and authenticity.

The It’s Working Project remains committed to mothers, to parents. And to you we say – thank you for letting us be a part of your journey.

“Lilly Ledbetter never set out to be a trailblazer or a household name. She just wanted to be paid the same as a man for her hard work,” he wrote. “Lilly did what so many Americans before her have done: setting her sights high for herself and even higher for her children and grandchildren. Michelle and I are grateful for her advocacy and her friendship, and we send our love and prayers to her family and everyone who is continuing the fight that she began.” President Barack Obama

This was a highlight of my career. A tribute to the remarkable woman who fought for equal pay, Lilly Ledbetter. May her legacy continue to inspire generations to come.

It’s getting to be Mother’s Day around these parts, And you know, my kids are not – in fact they are far away (I am open to surprises and prepared for no smiling faces at my table).

So it seems I need to go gifting for myself. And that means, calling in the big brains behind the best brands – or at least the ones I trust to plan my mother’s day gift just for me. 

For those of you who know me, you will say “of course” – and for those of you who are getting to know me a bit more, here is some intel that will help paint the picture. 

Book It

Yes, I read (giant understatement). The idea of a rainy day and a new book is about as good as it gets. I love to wander Indie Bookstores ISO the best new volumes and then snuggle up with them for a journey into another person’s world. My call – Zibby Owens, the dedicated book Goddess behind Zibby’s Books In Santa Monica, California. Her pick – Super Bloom by Megan Tilly. I am ready to crack the volume and settle in, thank you Zibby! 

Luxe Lounge

No relaxed moment is complete without something that says snuggle. I checked in with my friends at Soma. In short – they offer three things that speak my language Cropped – fits just right! Cool – yes, yes keep those cool fabrics coming – I am flashing and need that cooling fabric to keep me feeling a lil less flashy!  And last, but not least, Chic – a bit better than PJ, lounge speaks the language of style. Read this as – perfect for all day! I picked something that said easy breezy to me… 

Fruity Flames

Otherland Candles had me at hello. Amanda uses her imagination to bring memories and moments to life. Suggested was Stone fruit. It smells like a post-farmer’s market kitchen – ripe with peaches, plums and nectarines. It could be a cobbler – and I prefer the candle! Yes, yes – that is just what I need to bring some olfactory magic to my vibe. 

Silky Smooth

Nothing says soft and smells so good like Trish McEvoy’s Blackberry and Vanilla Musk 9 Cream. Beyond the fragrance (and yes, the vanilla does marry well with the fruited candle) I get lost in a rich, soothing cream. Once applied, the whole of me melts into the moment – ideal for this Mother’s Day, one that certainly calls for a bit of mellow, soothing quiet. It is day or sleep friendly and leaves skin completely reinvigorated. 

So now you know – my bountiful gift to me suggested by Zibby’s Books, Soma, Otherland and Trish McEvoy. If you give any or all of it  a try, I would love to hear your thoughts. In the meantime – see you on the other side of a love -filled weekend. Celebrating you, the mothers – old, young, close, far – may you always be seen for the contribution you have made and may you always be celebrated in ways that allow for time alone to just be the glory that is you!  

You’ve heard us say it over and again – with every baby a new mother is born. And,with Amazon Prime day here – I say, let’s be generous and take good care of these remarkable women. Let’s show some TLC ASAP! Here are some of my picks – cozy, confidence building, conditioning and clear path to speaking the language of love and care.  Go for it!

Ankis Cross Band Cozy Plush Home Slippers 

Mario Badescu Moisturizing Lip Balm 

thisworks Deep Sleep Pillow Talk Set

lilu Massager Bra

Must Keep Laughing

There is little to laugh about these days. I can spell it out, list the horrors – one by one. Rather, I am going to share with you how I am making it through. There will likely be many of you who imagine the answer is Levain Cookies. And that is not a bad guess – in fact, not a bad idea at all….Fiction, while yes, I am lucky to be in an escapist one-two punch of Emma Straub and Linda Holmes’ latest volumes that is not it either. Yoga – is a given – and not really for laughter. And I think you are all aware I am just days away from our new puppy. I have got the good stuff. But this is not what will keep me laughing.

The answer dearest friend of the It’s Working Project is Smartless, yup – The Smartless podcast. As a gen-Xer, the triad of Justin Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett are like a gift from the way-back machine. These are the boys who were my brothers – the ones with whom I hung in High School and College. Note for the record, I did not date bros – I dated older boys – these were my hangs – concerts and cheesesteaks in Philly-town Bars and learning to drive a stick-shift on Foxhall in DC. These were my absolute favorite people .And now, when the moment calls for this the most – they have reappeared in the form of the Smartless Podcast. And I laugh and laugh… following the credo – Must Keep Laughing!

I am deeply committed, aka addicted to the weekly fabulousness. It is my salve for the insanity of the moment. And WOW – this is great, pitch-perfect, unscripted and familiar. I am hooked and happy. 

Will an hour a week remove the horrors of the day?  Nope, an hour will not. However, it will give me the elusive laugh, out loud and from the core. This is my fix, my addiction – and I suggest you join me!

Smartless is an excellent goal, for all of us…

MAKE IT STOP

CHECK

For many, the month of May means an endlessly filling inbox rife with reasons to celebrate and, yes, spend around Mother’s Day. For those who have experienced loss around motherhood, in any of its forms, including: 

• PPD
• Pregnancy Loss
• Stillbirth
• Loss of Mother
• Poor Relationship with Mother

Mother’s day solicitations can feel like an onslaught of painful reminders. With each refresh comes the potential of yet another uncomfortable jolt of a range of complicated bereavement, not easy stuff. This year, some wonderfully caring brands have taken a kinder approach. Blue Mercury, Dana Rebecca, Urban Stems, 1-800 Flowers, Frye, Blue Bottle Coffee, Etsy, Maman, and others have offered to remove anyone who asks from these lists. This reflects not only cultural sensitivity, but authentic interest in the health of the relationship between brand and customer. 

While sites may still push Gifts and ways to honor Moms, at least one’s email is free of the suggestion turned trigger. 

Thank you to the brands who took the time to think this one through. Thank you to the executives who are showing their understanding of consumer-facing respect. And to those who, despite the money to be made from this “holiday,” know that their reputation for care is worth more…

The It’s Working Project is thrilled to open applications for our summer internship.

Our commitment to anyone on our team is real and ongoing. We want to be a part of your evolution – you will grow, learn and most certainly laugh as you support our work. Ideally, you are a student looking for a credit-earning opportunity. This is a time sensitive project which will afford you not only the experience of deadlines and full-team engagement, it will also provide you with an understanding of all sorts of fabulous experiences including presentations, team meetings, strategic planning and much more. You will have fun, make connections for life and find energy and excitement in your work.

YOU:

Motivated. Energized by a great idea. A high-level problem solver who takes pride in a job well done. Eager to engage with a small and passionate team best known for their pride in all they do. You are a super organized individual who would bring a lot of smarts and care to the digital side of It’s Working Project.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

To include: developing a category strategy for stories. Implementing strategy via tactics on and off site. Updating all legal usage forms to comply with changes and upcoming book projects. Analysis of existing site and SM initiatives.

This work can be done remotely. We are based in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Hours based on your class requirements though no less than 15 per week. We are an equal opportunity employer and deeply committed to the power of true diversity.

Send your resume to: INFO@FORTYWEEKS.COM

What could National Pretzel Day possibly have to do with professional growth? It turns out – a great deal.

The year is 1986. I am an intern at Philadelphia Magazine. I am living the dream. CP shades clothing with shoulder pads, hair choppy and heavily highlighted, commuting via Septa (sometimes a ride from my Dad) and feeling extra lucky for the gene pool in which I am swimming. Let’s be honest, I really wanted to work in the Promotions Department. As the youngest cousin I was given a hard “no” – I was disappointed. The coveted Promotions internship would come the next summer. 

This year was my year to learn Circulation. My leader was a woman named Pauline Gramiack. And this year, the Year of Our Lord 1986, to keep this all in pre-historic context, was one in which circulation came via subscription and via newsstand sales. And, the only way to evaluate and identify growth opportunities in newsstand sales was to sit in dark, dusty spaces within each distributor’s warehouse and read the microfiche (please google it – you would not believe me if I explained it anyway). And so I did. I was interested in the outcome, I was going to lift those numbers, something fierce. I had Don Henley and Bruce playing in my head – this was serious. Simply put, the amount of magazines moved was dependent on the numbers of magazines delivered to newsstands. And that number was impacted by the men (ya that is what it was, again – please not now) who drove the trucks. 

I identified my target. I asked to have time with these truck drivers. I was invited to bring in breakfast. BINGO. 

I gathered all the Philly foods I could – Tastykakes and Pretzels to name a few. I was all fired up. Ready to bring on my charm and my call to action. I was young and full of energy. To put it a slightly differently – I was young and I had a lot to learn.

What I learned from the experience: Always ask questions. These may have included – who else will be with me that morning? How long will I have to present? How often do the drivers participate in these events? And the big one, Will any other magazines be in attendance? 

How I learned this: I showed up with dozens of pretzels (with mustard, obviously)  served old school aka full of street germs on cardboard, in all of their Philly-glory. This a gift from, and on behalf of Philadelphia Magazine. Ski Magazine arrived with oversized t-shirts. And Penthouse Magazine – well they had Pets. You know stunning, scantily clothed women there to flirt their magazine into increased newsstand sales. 

And so, that is it folks. That is how National Pretzel Day will always be a not so subtle reminder of the process of learning. And, how we take bruises as a part of our growth. Of how EQ includes knowing what to ask and knowing when the holy Philadelphia soft pretzel is about to be cast aside in favor of some curvy and captivating pet.