Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Lifestyle

Things You Think You Don’t Need but Trust Me You Really Do

By

NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

I’m going to file this one under: “Things you think you don’t need but trust me you really do and I’m about to tell you why.” << And then you’ll thank me.

First, an ode to the shower.

Ah, the shower. Twenty minutes of uninterrupted, blissful relaxation coupled with sweet-smelling body wash and the permission to daydream. Hey moms – you know that point where you discover that your kids will actually be okay if you close the door and enjoy a long, hot shower? And like, when you get out, you may have to deal with a minor LEGO explosion or find a kid pressed up against the TV, but hell, it’s still so worth it?

I have arrived. And I’ve earned my shower time.

This is a totally true story and illustrates perfectly just how much I enjoy a good shower. Reid, bless his kindergarten-aged heart, created a Mother’s Day “card” for me (air quotes because it didn’t fold and had weird holes and pieces of scotch tape all over it). Students were asked to say nice things about mommy – and there was even a section for mommy’s favourite thing to do.
image1 (2)See? Apparently, all those things I thought I loved (sandy beaches, venti frappuccinos, etc) pale in comparison to my one true passion in life – taking a shower.

(I wonder what his poor teacher thought as she read through his work. Dear teacher, have you ever noticed how clean my skin is? All that showering, natch.)

Now that we’ve established my hidden desire for extended H2O therapy, next, here’s a crash course in Delta Temp2O Technology.

The Delta Temp2O Technology hand showers, showerheads, and tub and shower fixtures take the guesswork out of water temperature, preventing unwanted surprises – especially useful when bathing children. Each product includes an easy-to-read LED digital display and background colour indicators (blue, magenta, red) to signal different water temperature ranges. …

Read More

SupportHER: Where We’ve Been. Where We’re Going.

By

She’s always been there for you.

She’s the first call you make when you have good news; the last person you text before going to bed at night. She will give it to you straight (“Yes, your butt DOES look big in those jeans”) and will cut anyone who dares to cross you (insert: ex-boyfriend). She’s always had your back, and you’ve always returned the favour. She’s a SupportHER.
#SupportHER High Tea Event - The King Edward Hotel (2)Think about the relationships you have with the most important females in your life. And think about how you relate to one another; how you communicate, and most importantly, how you support each other in times of crisis. Does it begin with a visit? A worrisome text? Does your loved one reach out to you immediately for solace and comfort? Or do you instinctively know something is off – after a phone call goes unanswered, an email ignored – and it’s up to you to uncover what is wrong.

How can you show support in a way that is acceptable, and appropriate, to the person who needs it most?

No two women are the same; some – myself included – will immediately shy away from open communication, while others will need to rely on the strength and kindness of loved ones to make it through. And for a woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, the need for tailored support is particularly significant.
#SupportHER High Tea Event at The King Edward Hotel (2)Recently, I hosted an intimate High Tea Experience at the King Edward Hotel in Toronto. Surrounded by local influencers, and the women who support them – mothers, daughters, friends and extended family – we touched on a topic that we simply don’t discuss enough: how we can be a SupportHER. How we can be there for our loved ones who are living with breast cancer, and ensure we give them what they need (emotionally, physically and spiritually) to help see them through their treatment.

Because today, women are living with breast cancer, and they are surviving. …

Read More

Protect Your Smile!

By

There are some things I never take for granted. Clean water, fresh air, good food, and healthy teeth. ALWAYS healthy teeth.

Think about it. Healthy teeth lead to a healthy smile, which is by far everyone’s best beauty asset. And, just like a classic designer handbag, fresh, clean breath is always in style.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been *mildly obsessed* with oral health. After two years of braces, several allergies to cavity fillings and eight tooth extractions (including four impacted wisdom teeth), I’ve had my share of dental dilemmas. So I always pay particular attention to staying on top of my oral hygiene; let’s face it, we rely on good dental health for everything from the food we eat to the way we speak. Think of your mouth as the gateway to your overall health, and your teeth as the guards. Wouldn’t you want them to be strong and healthy?

(Also? I love hard candy. Teeth, don’t fail me now!)

Part of my oral hygiene regime is to visit a dentist every 4-6 months, like clockwork, without exception. And it’s a family thing; I started taking both my boys to the dentist before they turned two years old! At the time, the dental hygienist simply counted their teeth and checked for “sugar buds”. Now, they get the full treatment – scaling, fluoride wash and power cleaning!

And cool sunglasses, of course.
wwwIt’s no secret: regular dental appointments are the best way to prevent and detect problems before they affect your family’s quality of life. By visiting your Ontario dentist and taking other proactive measures, you can skip the costly and painful treatments that result from neglect. (An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure… take it from someone who has had four cavities!) And thanks to the Ontario Dental Association, you can learn your dental care options and find a dentist near you online. …

Read More

And Now Back to Your Regularly Scheduled Programming

By

So, something happened over the past week – and if you’ve been reading along and paying attention, chances are you cottoned on to it.

I’ve been hosting a LOT of Twitter Parties.

It’s never my intention to flood my blog with RSVP posts, however, it’s simply a popular time of year for parties, and I have a responsibility to clients to promote their parties. And, if you attend our parties, you’ll know that they’re nothing but FUN times!

However, I do miss writing. Telling stories. Talking about life.

I just wanted to thank y’all for sticking around while I survived the crazy. Now that March is winding down, I’m so looking forward to getting back to Listen to Lena, and your regularly scheduled programming.

Until then, here’s a picture of a Piggylicious Bacon Cupcake. Why? Oh, let’s just say that I’ll be visiting Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival this May. More details to come!
Outdoor Kitchen Offerings at 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival: Piggylicious Bacon CupcakeOkay, I’ll spill – I’m heading back to Walt Disney World as a 2015 Disney Social Media Mom!

You’ll FLIPP for the Savings!

By

A few months ago, I shared with y’all a shopping theory I’ve been developing for years.

When shopping, all things the same, 9 out of 10 times, Walmart Canada will have the lowest price.

Simply put, that means you can’t lose shopping at Walmart – on staples goods, brand names, groceries and gear, you can shop in confidence knowing that the prices are not only competitive, but in some cases, a downright steal.

Think I don’t practice what I preach? Here’s a picture of my shopping cart – only halfway through a weekly grocery run. That cart was eventually overflowing with fresh meat and produce. Because, Quality + Great Prices makes this mom happy.
IMG_2343However, if I thought I was a stealth shopper before, the new FLIPP 2.0 app has taken my shopping savvy to new heights. Now pay attention, because I’m about to save you money. TONS of money.

Hands up if you create a shopping list? Sure! Most of us do. Sometimes, it’s the only way to remember a bunch of green onions or a package of Chinese broccoli (which you can find at Walmart, by the way). And, having a family with young children, I’ve got enough on my mind without worrying about a cart full of sundry and packaged items that are par for the course. So, I’ve been writing grocery lists for years.

Now, I create them in FLIPP 2.0.

Let me show you why it’s so, so much easier – and so much more economical – to use the app for your weekly grocery runs. …

Read More

When the Hard Part is Easy

By

NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Earlier this year, I shared my hard parts.

1. It’s hard to separate hunger from boredom. 10:00 PM snacking is “a thing”.
2. It’s hard to say no to leftover cheesecake.
3. It’s hard to fit in exercise when I work 14-hour days.
4. It’s hard to stay on track when eating out and cooking for picky eaters.
5. It’s hard to eat well without feeling completely and utterly deprived of delicious food.

And then, I decided to get help with my hard parts.

It’s been two months since I joined Weight Watchers. And I won’t keep you in suspense; I’m proud to announce that I’ve lost 16 pounds! And I did it while eating the foods I love, sharing meals with friends and family, and most importantly, making healthful choices that have changed the way I feel about food, nutrition and hunger.

And if I’m going to post a “big reveal” photo – I may as well be standing next to a celebrity! Ta-da!IMG_2179 aBut the key to my weight loss success? When I needed help, I asked for it.

I asked for help just a few days into the program, when I found it difficult to balance my portion sizes, especially at dinner.

I asked for help when I found myself fearing food, a complex emotional state that happens to almost every dieter when he/she begins to see the results of their regime.

I even asked for help while I was on vacation! That’s right – during our recent family adventure at Walt Disney World, I found myself confronted with limitless food choices… and lacking the strength to make the right ones.

And when I asked for help, whether it was 11:00am in the morning from my bedroom, or 11:00pm at night from a hotel room in Florida, there was always a Weight Watchers Certified Coach available to answer my questions and offer advice. …

Read More

Help with the Hard Part

By

I don’t normally make excuses for my behaviour, choosing to own my actions rather than deflect my choices by trying to provide justification.

Do, or do not. There is no try.

(Oh, Master Yoda, is there anyone wiser than you?)

And for the most part, I’ve been successful; pushing beyond my limits and into unfamiliar territory with gusto. Recognizing my mistakes and apologizing when appropriate. Trying to do the right thing.

However, when it comes to making healthy dietary choices, that’s when I have a ton of “reasons” – not excuses, right? – for my lack of motivation. I’ll be honest: I have a complex and emotional relationship with food. Because…

1. It’s hard to separate hunger from boredom. 10:00 PM snacking is “a thing”.
2. It’s hard to say no to leftover cheesecake.
3. It’s hard to fit in exercise when I work 14-hour days.
4. It’s hard to stay on track when eating out and cooking for picky eaters.
5. It’s hard to eat well without feeling completely and utterly deprived of delicious food.

Those are my hard parts. What’s your hard part?
WW_Image_1In 2015, I’m done making excuses. I’ve realized that making healthy food and life choices only seems insurmountable when I focus on the change as a whole. Eliminate sugar? I can’t! It’s too much a part of my life. Lose 15 pounds? Impossible! I’m not cut out to go on a diet. Exercise? When! I have no time.

And when I’m happy, sad, bored, tired, stressed, multi-tasking, shopping, reading, talking on the phone, working… among a slew of other triggers… I eat. …

Read More

2015: Great Expectations

By

Happy New Year! 2015 is officially underway, and I am officially stoked! I have only one goal this year – make it the BEST year ever! (But no pressure, right?)

This January feels a *teeny* bit different from the past few years, in that my normal ramp-up time has poofed! into thin air. Whereas I usually have a month or two to get my bearings, send out pitches, sign contracts and line up work, I feel as though I’m already off to the races. And trust me, I’m not complaining! I’m incredibly grateful and so fortunate to know that my year is already shaping out to be a success. It’s a wonderful feeling!

So, what can you expect from me in 2015? As always, I’ll be multi-tasking to the extreme, and will be holding down a variety of “jobs”. I hope you’ll join me for the ride!

1. Mother: Employed since 2008, I will always have this role. It brings me the most joy, the most stress, and certainly the most fulfillment. (Although, I would never want to be subjected to a performance evaluation.)

2. Spouse: Employed since 2007, one of the easiest jobs I’ve ever had – but that may have something to do with the fact that I married my perfect match.

3. Writer: Oh blog, I just can’t quit you. Writing stories – right here on Listen to Lena, my favourite online space in the world – is something I can’t see myself giving up any time soon. Of course, this blog would be nothing without my readers. And to all those who take the time to stop by each day, I have nothing but love for you. Thank you.

4. Social Outreach: I belong to two amazing ambassador programs – #WalmartMomCA and #HBSocialKitchen. But, I’ll let you in on a not-so-little secret – I also manage both programs behind the scenes. Yes, they’re my babies! I conceptualized, presented and successfully negotiated the terms of both ambassador programs. And, working closely with amazing PR professionals and a talented group of online influencers, I’ll continue to lead the discussion and execute the monthly campaigns. …

Read More

New Year, New Rituals.

By

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only. 

I can’t believe I pulled it off. I did it! I actually unplugged for almost two whole weeks. No blogging, no social (okay, a little social) and most of all, no obsessive email checking. I was officially off the grid for 10 days! Did you miss me?

At first, it felt a bit strange… especially if you consider that it’s been almost six years since I’ve had a real holiday. No seriously! The trips I take – they’re press trips, which means that I’m actually working non-stop. Even when my workplace is the Caribbean or a Disney park. But this… this was a bona fide staycation that I needed oh so much!

So what did I do? I shopped online. I shopped in-store. I re-organized my closet. I decluttered and purged. I slept in, read chick lit and mystery novels, and ate a lot of food. I joined Weight Watchers. I took time every single day to savour a few moments for myself. I made posh coffee house drinks in my Hamilton Beach Cappuccino & Espresso Maker.
DSC_0319And most importantly, I made a promise to myself to continue these rituals in 2015. Because a few uninterrupted moments of bliss, every day, does a mind, body and spirit good. Love the way I think? Then we need to get a Hamilton Beach Cappuccino & Espresso Maker in your home, too. …

Read More

Lessons in Customer Satisfaction: Milestones Canada

By

A few of y’all know that in a previous life, I was a Customer Satisfaction Specialist for a world-renowned Fortune 100 Company.

What does this mean, exactly? Well, for the particular company that I worked for, our “customers” were actually employees; hence, we were measuring their satisfaction with the internal services we had in place, such as employee benefits, pension, payroll, accounts payable, etc.

Are you yawning yet? Sorry, stay with me.

So, I helped develop surveys and statistical benchmarks, and was responsible for deploying, collecting and interpreting data. Then, I helped develop training plans to increase satisfaction wherever our scores were low. Finally, I trained those employees and re-surveyed their “customers”, to ensure our training efforts made an impact on the overall satisfaction score.

And then I became a blogger. Natural career path, right?

Okay, so I took the roundabout way of completely reinventing myself. However, the reason that I tortured you with the details of my corporate past was to underscore one point:

I know what good customer service is. 

I know what it takes to delight your audience, whether it be customers at a fast food joint, clients of a law firm, parents of a school child, or even a passenger on public transit. Because when it comes down to it, the one thing that sets a business apart – in terms of service – is the ability to consistently, positively and creatively surprise its customers. Oooh – that calls for a bolded statement:

The Service-Oriented Business: consistently, positively and creatively surprises customers.

Of course, without a real-life example, this would just be another training session in a stuffy boardroom. Ta-da! I just happen to have a recent experience I can draw from. Now pay attention food and entertainment brands, because this is how it’s done.

A little backgrounder info. Months ago, I fell into conversation with Milestones on Twitter (@MilestonesCA), letting them know that my husband and I met for the very first time at a Milestones – in fact, it was a blind date!
milestones convoEr – 2006 is a typo – our first date was actually in 2005. Which my husband totally caught, and totally made me miserable over. He now has a free pass to forget a birthday or anniversary. Not that he ever will; but according to him, it’s the principle of the matter. You’ll see below I redeemed myself with the date… but the damage was done. Men. …

Read More

Shop The Neighbourhood

By

Thinking about it, I spend a lot of time talking about the big guys: popular retail, grocery and restaurant chains, both national and international. New products, sales, promos… I’m all over it, like a shopaholic with a platinum credit card. (Or me, with my platinum credit card.)

However, it’s come to my attention that I simply don’t spend enough time tooting the horns of local businesses – and the owners who dedicate a large part of their lives to creating quality, unique (and often delicious) products.

It’s time to change that.

Home grown businesses not only offer local character and prosperity; they build strong communities by sustaining vibrant town centers, linking neighbours in economic and social relationships, and contributing to local causes. And the distinctiveness! Small businesses produce products based, not on a national sales plan, but on their own interests and the needs of their customers – which guarantees a much broader range of product choices. In fact, some of my most unique purchases have been from gift shops, clothing boutiques and cafés in my very own neighbourhood.

Do you shop your neighbourhood?

I’m so pleased to announce my collaboration with Yellow Pages, a company with a century-long legacy of working with Canada’s small businesses. This year, I was one of five writers from across Canada selected to create authentic and original local stories coming from real neighbourhoods and real residents. Introducing Shop The Neighbourhood.
blogger_post-torontoOn my feature list? How about Elm Hill Cookies, chock full of sweet treats baked fresh every morning in the heart of downtown Oakville. Or Sienna Boutique, an upscale women’s clothing store serving a community of fashion lovers for almost three years. And I can’t forget about Cagneys, a gastronomic fixture in Streetsville for the last 40 years. …

Read More

Welcome to My NEW Website!

By

Come on in! Make yourself at home. Take a look around (but don’t look too closely, as I’m still ironing out the glitches). Welcome to my brand new website; a little more grown up, a little more sass.

This project was a long time in the making, because frankly, I was pretty attached to my old site. But when my trusted design guru, Juan Beltran, convinced me that he could create an even better site than the first one he conceptualized for me, I gave in. “Have at it,” I said. “Impress me.”

So, he set out to design a custom website that is inspired by the unique elements of my old Listen to Lena site, while introducing new touches that modernize the overall look. And I couldn’t be happier! It looks like me. It feels like me. It is me.

There’s a reason I have design gurus in my life. 

So stay a while! I hope you love the refresh as much as I do.

Breakfast in Bed. Blogging in Bed.

By

Everything in bed. Oh. My. God.

It all happened last Thursday when I – a good girl, minding my own business – was sitting at the dining room table with my feet propped up on another chair. While leafing through a magazine, suddenly, the phone rang. I leaped up to grab it, and immediately started to hobble; damn, I must have stood up wrong or something. Ignoring the pain in my right heel, I limped around and finished my phone call, convinced I just needed to walk it out.

The day went on as usual, with me favouring one foot as I went about my life. The next morning, I awoke bright and early to tackle the day.

“Huh,” I thought as I climbed out of bed. “My heel still hurts.”

By mid-morning, the entire ankle area had started to swell. Yikes! I had no recollection of spraining my ankle, or twisting it in an ungodly way; just back-of-the-foot pain as I walked around. I decided to ice, elevate and ignore.

Until the next morning (Saturday), when I noticed that my second toe had flared up too. WHAT. THE. HELL. Erring on the side of caution, I booted it to the walk-in clinic, where the doctor diagnosed a pulled Achilles tendon – also known as acute tendinitis.

(As I type this, I’m stretching my leg back and forth to keep the tendon loose.)

He told me to ice it, elevate it, and take Advil every 8 hours to bring down the swelling. I could deal! I know tendon injuries take a while to heal, and thank goodness my line of work allows me to stay off my feet if I need to. I walked limped away feeling fine about the prognosis.

Except that on Sunday, my left, non-injured foot, had started to hurt. And when I say hurt, I’m talking about 8/10 on the “Holy Hannah” scale of pain. I immediately shrugged it off as pain from transferring all my weight over to the foot for the last three days while I hobbled around. But by Monday morning, when the top of my left foot started to swell, I started to panic. Maybe panic is a strong word. But I did have several WTF moments.

Tuesday morning, bright and early at my doctor’s office. She sent me next door for X-Rays (very handy) and prescribed a potent NSAID for pain and inflammation. She didn’t really have a good guess as to why I had swelling and pain in my left foot – or my right, for that matter, given my very sexy explanation of being injured by “simply standing up, I swear.”

Alas, here I am. Both feet propped up in an attempt to heal the soreness in my left foot from stress, and my right foot from a pulled tendon. Typing on my laptop in a very awkward fashion. Wishing I had never jumped up to get the phone. I can’t even remember who called.

And so, posts this week may be *slightly* staggered as I catch up on some must-see TV and a few good books I’ve been meaning to read. Pray for me, friends.

Tales of Embarrassment: The Ex-Files

By

I’m a woman. I’m a woman who has dated men before meeting the love of my life. I’m a woman who has not moved from the town I was born and raised in, and therefore, I allow myself the opportunity to have inopportune run-ins with ex-boyfriends. So really, I shouldn’t have been surprised that eventually, I’d cross paths with a former flame.

Except, my former flames sure know how to stay hidden. I’ve had two long-term relationships before meeting my husband, and both men still live in the city. Yet, neither of them are on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media sites that would allow for mild cyber-stalking, which is of course completely acceptable and arguably a right as an ex-girlfriend. Of course, you’ve probably guessed by now that we do not stay in touch, which on some days is a shame, as it would relieve me from my online-creepfests and the disappointing results.

So I guess you can say that even though I have ex-boyfriends, they are somewhere in the city – doing their thing, living their life – just as I am. And as such, they are normally the furthest thing from my mind, and I’ve learned that the odds of a chance encounter are very low. Low, but not zero.

Cue the embarrassment.

It happened last week. I was rushing around, trying to juggle a thousand things like I always do. And, I was particularly stretched thin as I had been sick the week before – hence, I was in catch-up mode for everything from blogging to grocery shopping to getting my hair done. Last Wednesday, I was scheduled to host a private shopping event with AIR MILES for Toronto’s top influencers, and I sorely needed to have my roots touched up. So, I did something I don’t normally do; I scheduled a hair colour appointment for the very same day as the event….

Read More

To Sleep, Perchance to Dream

By

Years ago – half a lifetime ago, to be honest – I started dating my first serious boyfriend.

We were seventeen and high school sweethearts, so of course I had already tacked his last name onto mine in my diary; dreaming of the days university would be over and he would seek my hand in marriage. I was mostly in love and terribly committed as only a teenager can be.

Three years into the relationship, and it was painfully evident we were hanging on just for the sake of hanging on. We fought constantly; had bitter words to say that were never totally forgotten after each passing fight, and the truth is, he was not growing into the dedicated paramour I had dreamed of, and I was not the free-spirited, easy-going girlfriend he had counted on.

We were doomed.

And so we would break up and make up – on and off for almost a year. Our first “official” break-up was in September 1999, but then, we could be seen going out here and there and even spending a long weekend together right up until August 2000.

Just before our final seperation in the summer of 2000, I began having a recurring dream.

It made absolutely no sense to me (and yet haunted me with a frequency of at least 1-2 times per week): in the dream, I would be working, driving, shopping, walking along a beach at night – really, insert any life scenario here – and I’d be licking a blue lollipop. But not just any lollipop; a big, round one… I suppose it would be slightly bigger than a Chupa Chup but smaller than a Big Mouth. It was hard to handle once in my mouth, but I kept at it just the same, trying to make it fit. I could taste the sweet, blue raspberry stickiness and just about get my teeth around it for a bite. But in the end – always, in the end – I’d pull it out of my mouth in frustration, and start smashing it against a hard surface until it shattered into pieces. And once among me, the sticky, blue mess, I’d feel a lot better.

After my boyfriend and I broke up for the final time, the dream stopped.

At the time, I didn’t pay the dream very much mind. I didn’t have to – this was before the days of Google Search when I could simply have an armchair analyst decode the dream in an instant.

However, as luck would have it, one of my friends was very much into “spiritual introspection” and had long since befriended an impressive assortment of tarot readers, Reiki massage therapists, psychics and of course, a dream interpreter. And that’s how I found myself at the home of a renowned spiritual healer who happened to specialize in dream analysis….

Read More

Another Year…. Another Chance.

By

This is my very favourite time of year. On the cusp of a new beginning; a chance to pause and reflect on the past little while. The memories made; new friendships, old habits, the same old slippers and robe. But I rarely spend too much time thinking about the past – even a year as awesome as 2012 – because I’m always too excited for the road that lies ahead.

And here we are… Another Year… Another Chance.

Another chance to say I love you.
Another chance to forgive and move on.
Another chance to lose five pounds.
Another chance to learn to love yourself just the way you are.
Another chance to try something new.
Another chance to try for a baby.
Another chance to swallow your pride.
Another chance to phone a friend.
Another chance to tuck them in bed.
Another chance to let her go.

Another chance to believe.

Another chance to eat dessert first.
Another chance to give to the poor.
Another chance to smile at a stranger.
Another chance to mend a broken heart.
Another chance to set a goal.

Another chance to walk away from the situation.

Another chance to say what’s on your mind.
Another chance to do something that scares you.
Another chance to see a movie on opening night.
Another chance to ask for help.
Another chance to block his phone number.
Another chance to hold someone’s hand.
Another chance to window shop in a neighbourhood you can’t afford.

Another chance to wish upon a star.

Another chance to admit you were wrong.
Another chance to hug your parents.
Another chance to paint your fingernails electric blue.
Another chance to book that overdue vacation.
Another chance to live your life without regret.
Another chance to pay it forward.

Another chance to be the very best person you can be.

Happy New Year! What will you do in 2013?

I Am Thankful.

By

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, I’ve started chatting with Ryder about the holiday and what it represents.

(Believe it or not, 4-year-olds grasp the concept of Thanksgiving very easily if we simply substitute “thankful” for “likes a lot”. Of course, coming from Ryder, one can expect cars, vacuums and gummy bears to be on that list.)

I decided that I too wanted to make a list of the things I am thankful for; but let’s be honest, you can likely guess the contents: my beautiful boys, my wonderful extended family, health, happiness… yes, it’s all terribly predictable.

And so I began thinking about the little things I’m thankful for. You know, the small stuff that in the end, somehow made a huge difference. Sometimes I laughed; often, I cried; but for the most part, I am thankful.

Inner Beauty.

I am thankful that I was never a conventionally pretty or popular girl. Being ignored for most of my high school life was likely the greatest gift ever. For when other 15-year-old girls simply had to toss their hair or flirtatiously giggle, I had to be funny, witty and interesting. Yes, I was the forgettable girl with the great personality – the one the boys didn’t want to be set up with. At the time, I spent countless nights wondering how I could make myself more popular, more trendy and definitely more pretty. But in the end, the fact that I had to depend on my wit and charm – not my looks – allowed me to develop my inner beauty. Later, when I finally blossomed, not only was I a looker – I was charismatic and likable, too.

A Charitable Cause.

I am thankful for my first boyfriend. He was a cute, popular boy and for some reason, decided to pluck me out of social obscurity. One day, huddled behind the high school portables, he asked me to be his girlfriend. I thought I’d combust with happiness! We ended up “dating” for 2 months – a lifetime when you’re 16 years old. To this day, I still don’t know if I was a “She’s All That”-esque charitable cause (certainly no on else could figure out the attraction – not even my friends!) but I’ll forever be thankful that he spent a small portion of his life making me feel so special. The confidence that ensued helped me keep my head held high when other boys rejected me (sadly, my social life did not pick up after that brief stint – see Inner Beauty)….

Read More

Sleepless in the Suburbs

By

At first, it was kind of cute.

After tucking Ryder into his toddler bed, he would fall asleep for an obligatory three hours… then lightly pad across the hallway, enter our room and crawl into our bed. At the time I was pregnant with Reid, and knew that my alone time with my little buddy was drawing to a close. Hence, I turned a blind eye (literally, I didn’t even bother to get up) and let him stay the night.

Then Reid came along, and I soon discovered that breastfeeding in the middle of the night was vastly easier when I could just roll over and relinquish a boob. So, he too found a home for the night on our bed – but only after we kicked Ryder to the curb (I wasn’t willing to chance Reid being crushed by a toddler who has a penchant for sleeping sideways). And with a brand new big boy’s bed and bedroom, for at least 6 months Ryder stayed away, reveling in the novelty of his new room (actually I think he just cottoned onto the fact that Reid woke up crying exactly every three hours – and couldn’t deal with those sleep conditions).

For a while, there was balance in the force.

Reid slept between hubby and I, letting us know when he wanted a midnight snack. Ryder bounced on our bed at 6:00am, willing us all awake as only 2-year-olds can.

But then, Ryder decided that perhaps he didn’t love his new room after all, and he wanted to sleep with mommy and daddy. After all, why should only Reid have access to the prime real estate? Reid was now over a year old, and having never been introduced to alternate sleeping arrangements, literally thought our bed was HIS own.

One night, late last June, I came to bed after a late night of blogging to find this:

“Past 1:00am, finally done blogging, drag myself to bed… only to find the real estate occupied by the 3 stooges.”

I sighed in defeat and made my way to Ryder’s room, where he has a big, comfy, EMPTY double bed.

But my slumberous ways were short-lived; realizing that his drink ticket didn’t come to bed, Reid lightly padded across the hallway, entered Ryder’s room and crawled into his bed. And lifted my top for some boobage.

GAH! Was it so unrealistic to want a solid 6 hours of sleep? Hell-o!…

Read More

I’m off to BlogHer’12.

By

It’s a little blogging conference you may have heard of.

And, if you haven’t heard of it, that’s okay too – because Katie Couric, Martha Stewart, Christy Turlington-Burns – even Barack Obama! – have, and will be there. (Mr. President via live satellite feed, the others in the flesh.)

This year BlogHer is being held in New York City, so twist my arm, I’ll be leaving my hell-raising kids to go party into the wee hours of night.

And, I may just pick up a valuable tip or two from great sessions like Branding and Blogging Professionally, Vlogging Boot Camp, and more.

Last year, upon my return from BlogHer’11, I was inspired to give up the giveaway game, and severely cut down on the number of one-night-stand reviews.

(Excerpt: I embarked on the conference with an open mind and put much thought into the direction of my blog. And after a lot of soul searching, I realized that my true strengths – and desires, for that matter – lie in posts that aren’t necessarily tied to reviews and/or giveaways. Don’t get me wrong: I LOVE giving back to my readers, and will likely review many more products in my time, but have decided to transition away from a “review” blog and get back to Listen to Lena 101: shopping, family, recipes and fun. So after my final set of giveaways for the Summer Beauty & Fashion Guide, you’ll see more classic Lena posts; me just writing for the sheer pleasure of writing. To all my sweepstakes friends, thanks for stopping by! Hope y’all will stay for a good story or two.)

This year, I’m attending with the desire to find inspiration once again. I may find it during a keynote speech, a conversation with a fellow blogger, or at a rooftop party in SOHO. (Twist my arm!)

And so I’ll be off for the next few days, but do have some posts in the hopper that will keep my content fresh while away – so by all means, please visit again soon. I may not be as quick to respond to reader comments, but I’ll be toting my awesome Dell XPS13 laptop along, so I’ll stay connected for the most part.

With that, au revoir fair readers! Big Apple here I come!