She’s such a star!  And, gotta love Sugarland‘s Jennifer Nettles for recognizing it!

Okay, it’s sort of shocking that I haven’t yet read Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich. I finally downloaded it onto my phone, so now I’m checking it out.

A lot of my friends and colleagues have read this book, as well as tons of personal coaches and experts on personal and professional development. Most of those who have read this book swear by the wisdom contained in it, and if the first chapter is a representative sample, I’d agree. I’ve already found some wonderfully useful nuggets, and we haven’t even gotten to the main substance of the instruction.

Think and Grow Rich was published in 1937, so some of the language and cultural references are outdated, and it’s really impressive that it’s still so popular today. It really speaks to the power and truth of the principles in the book.

Have you read this book? What did you think? Please leave me a comment!

Love, CarolAnn

Fashionologie has a great summary of Spring 2012 trends here.

1. With Fashion week just around the corner, we are all beginning to focus on the upcoming trends for fall. But what about the trends hitting stores now? What are you coveting?

One-shoulder: Baring one shoulder can be beautifully alluring and still sophisticated and classy.  I love it!
Peplums: look so feminine.  I love it.  You can’t avoid looking like a woman when you’re wearing a curve-accentuating ruffle!
Chevrons: Depending on how they’re done, they can be extremely flattering.  That’s a good thing.

2. How do you incorporate new trends into your wardrobe?

Always carefully and in small doses.  I find an item or two (or three…) per season that really make me smile.  These are things that speak to me and I know I can either get a lot of mileage out of or are inexpensive.  I pair them with things I’ve had for a while, that I know look good and are appropriate for my body and my life.

3. What trends are you seeing and not loving?

Rounded shoulders: I don’t know why, I just don’t like it.  I like my angular shoulders.  They help balance my chest.
Clear shoes: say “cheap.” They just do.
Draped pencil skirts: defeat the purpose of a pencil skirt, in my mind.
Cropped tops: are just wrong.  They’re 90′s in a bad way.

4. Do you feel the pressure to constantly update your closet with the latest trends?

Absolutely not.  That’s because I’m a style person – not a fashion person.  I wear the stuff that makes me feel great, looks great, and works for me.

5. Where do you find inspiration that takes the trend and makes it accessible to you and your personal taste?

I pay attention to the trends, and the things I see in stores.  I try things on if I like them, even if I suspect they won’t work on me.  Why knows, I may be pleasantly surprised.  Pairing the trendy items with my go-to items keeps things comfortable, and as long as I know that what I’m wearing is occasion- and person-appropriate, I’m happy!

Please leave a comment below – - do you shop for trends?  How do you make them your own?

Remember to do what’s right for you, regardless of what the trends are.  You have the power!

Love, CarolAnn

Happy Thankgiving everyone!

Like it is on most holidays, it’s important to remember why we’re celebrating today.  We’re celebrating because of all the wonder and the joy and the gifts in our life.  We’re celebrating because gratitude and giving feels great and only brings more greatness into our lives.  And we’re celebrating because love is the strongest force in the universe.

Remember to celebrate the good: in your life, in the people around you, and in yourself.  After all, when you celebrate what’s there, you get more and more of it!

Happy Thanksgiving, and remember, you’re worth it!

Love, CarolAnn

Love,
CarolAnn

The only thing that could make today even better? A present from you! Here’s what I would love to get for my birthday: some feedback! Please fill out the CharismaU survey at http://CharismaU.com/survey . I will be so appreciative!

Thank you so much for reading, and please spread the joy and the knowledge and the wonder to everyone around you!

Love, CarolAnn

This week marks the 52nd newsletter CharismaU has sent out. Yay! This calls for a celebration!

The lucky winner of this comment contest will receive 2 full Charisma100 Reports of their choosing!!

To enter, visit the CharismaU blog at http://CharismaU.com/lets-celebrate/ Good luck!

Love, CarolAnn

The woman’s words get at something extremely important – emotion. In sales, marketing, relationship building or creating confidence, tapping in to emotion is the essential part. Remember that everyone has feelings, and people react to emotional messages like this. Use this knowledge for good.

Love,
CarolAnn

Every week, she supplies 5 questions for other bloggers to respond to. Check out this week’s, all about fitness.

1. Do you keep some kind of fitness routine? Why?

Yes!  I feel (and look!) so much better when I work out.  I chose my workout system because it’s super-condensed and very effective.  I’ve been loving it so far!  I’ve definitely noticed a flatter tummy and slimmer hips.  Check out the sales page – it’s just a $17 e-book set with all the workout info.

2. Has working out helped with your own perception of body image?

Sure!  Focusing on getting in shape has helped me keep my mind on health, rather than looks.  Working out helps me feel great, it gives me energy, and I feel really accomplished when I realize how much better I’ve gotten at the routines.

3. When you are hitting the gym or just going out for a long walk what do you wear? Is it about functionality or fashion?

My work out gear is mostly about function.  I do like to buy work out stuff that’s a little cute, because it helps to motivate me to work out… I want to wear my cute clothes!

4. Do you feel there is a cultural perception of what you ‘should’ be doing for your own physical fitness?

Not really.  I don’t really feel influence from society to exercise any certain way.  I do feel that it seems more common to diet than exercise, and while we eat sort of healthy sometimes, I would rather eat and work out than diet.  And the beautiful thing is, I still lose fat and tone up when I’m doing that.

5.  Dream big… what would be your ultimate fitness goal.

My ultimate fitness goal is more than just fitness – it’s dancing.  I want to be an amateur ballroom dance national champion.  Dancing is something that I really love to do, and I really want to get much better at it.  I’d love for Kyle and me to go to Nationals and win!

Love, CarolAnn

Love,
CarolAnn