April’s Book To Live By

by on April 8, 2015

This month’s Books To Live By selection is a special and personal favorite of mine. It was written by one of our Women on Fire members, a woman for whom I have the utmost respect. I am in awe of her talents!

Trudy Dujardin is an expert and pioneer in the field of green interior design and and eco-conscious living and she is a champion to make your home healthy!

Our April selection is….

Comfort Zone: Creating the Eco-Elegant Interior by Trudy Dujardin

Trudy is a nationally recognized interior designer, and in her new book,Comfort Zone, she shows you how to create your own healthy, elegant, sacred environments.

Throughout the pages of this coffee table-style book, you are introduced to award-winning interiors that grace some of the most beautiful homes in America.

Trudy shares her thought processes behind everything from color and fabric choices to design plans that are environmentally conscious and energy efficient. And Comfort Zone explores in depth details that many design books simply gloss over.

Comfort Zone is so much more than a beautiful coffee table book. It is an invaluable resource from the best in the business, and it will help you create your own comfortable and sustainable spaces with style.

Trudy’s eye for design is genius, and I know you’ll see that reflected throughout the stunning pages of the book.

Trudy taught me years ago that “A Healthy Home Is the Ultimate Luxury.”™ It is the ultimate gift that Trudy has finally shared her many secrets and vast experience so we can each create a healthy home.

I hope you’ll invest in Comfort Zone as a resource for years to come – and as a gift for those you love.

With lots of love~

Debbie Signature

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Our Book To Live By For March Is…

by on March 10, 2015

This month’s Books To Live By selection is one of the most astonishing and inspiring stories I have ever read! This New York Times bestseller will spark your sense of adventure and remind you of the abiding power of the human spirit.

Our March selection is….

 

Grandma Gatewood’s Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery.

Before Cheryl Strayed, there was Emma “Grandma” Gatewood. And if you loved Wild, you will fall head over heels for the tale of the original trailblazer.

In 1955, at age 67, Grandma set out to complete a journey that no woman had ever done alone before. She left home “on a walk,” carrying only a 17-pound sack of supplies, no tent or sleeping bag, and wearing a pair of Keds tennis shoes. And she became the first woman to hike the 2,168-mile Appalachian Trail all by herself. But she didn’t stop there. Grandma went on to hike the full trail two more times, making her as the first person ever to do so.

With 11 children, 23 grandchildren and a dark past of domestic abuse, Grandma has an undying perseverance and insurmountable strength you can’t help but marvel at.

I was so completely riveted by Grandma’s story that I finished this book in less than two days. And she will always stand as a reminder that, no matter your age, experience or background, if you follow your passion, you will accomplish your big dreams.

Go Women on Fire, go! 🙂

With lots of love~

P.S. Want to achieve your big dreams without having to hike the Appalachian Trail? Join us at this year’s Women on Fire Retreat in Chicago, April 24-25. There’s no better place to re-ignite your spark, re-charge your batteries, and re-align with your dreams. ONLY five seats remain, so make sure to claim yours by registering today!

Filed Under: Book Review, Books Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

February’s Book To Live By Is…

by on February 12, 2015

This month’s Books To Live By selection highlights the theme of our membership Inner Circle for February: From Self-Acceptance to Lasting Change, featuring Mara Schiavocampo, an ABC News correspondent, author, wife and mother.

Our February selection is….

 

Thinspired: How I Lost 90 Pounds—My Plan for Lasting Weight Loss and Self-Acceptance by Mara Schiavocampo

In this inspiring and relatable book, Mara guides you through a weight-loss quest that led her to health and happiness and tells how you can experience one too. Talk about a Woman on Fire! 🙂

You’ll be moved by her struggle with food addiction and motivated by her decision to stand up to the power that food held over her. And you won’t want to miss out on her easy-to-apply “magic” weight-loss formula!

But above all, Mara’s courage and authenticity in the telling of her story are reason enough to read it.

With weight-loss goals at the top of so many New Year’s lists, Mara’sThinspired is a perfect companion for your journey in 2015!

With lots of love~

Debbie Signature

P.S. And if you aren’t yet Women on Fire Inner Circle member, I invite you tojoin us today. You will immediately start receiving the many benefits of membership, including our monthly video master class and chat to inspire and support you with the next steps of your life!

Spark Copy opt in box for blog

Filed Under: Book Review, Books Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

December’s Book To Live By

by on December 3, 2014

This month’s Books To Live By selection is nothing short of confectionary perfection and a “must have” for your kitchen!

From world-renowned pastry chef and award-winning New York City bakery owner Dominique Ansel comes a delicious inside look at some of his most celebrated recipes.

Our December selection is….

Dominique Ansel The Secret Recipes Book To Live By Women on Fire

Dominique Ansel: The Secret Recipes.

It’s no secret that I’m a BIG fan of the sweets and treats that Dominique Ansel creates, and his new cookbook is no exception. This book is a true masterpiece, focusing as much on the inspiration behind his creations as on the delectable pastry recipes.

I found it nearly impossible to flip through without wanting to dust off my baking supplies, and the gorgeous photography by Thomas Schauer is itself almost good enough to eat. You’ll relish the Chocolate Pecan Cookies, the gluten-free (yes, gluten-free recipes too!) Christmas Morning Cereal, the Frozen S’mores, and of course, the famous Cronut™!

Dominque Ansel: The Secret Recipes would make the perfect gift for dessert lovers and for anyone who likes to get creative in the kitchen! Food Network claims this book “brings bakery magic into your home kitchen,” and I couldn’t agree more!

Here’s to having a little more magic this winter with some help from Dominique Ansel!

Filed Under: Book Review, Books Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

November’s Book To Live By

by on November 7, 2014

This month’s Books To Live By selection is a perfect companion to brighten the impending change in seasons, the chaos of the holidays and those quiet winter nights.

From celebrated author and seasoned psychotherapist Gunilla Norris comes one of the best spiritual practice books of 2014.

Our November selection is….

Match: Bringing Heart and Will into Alignment by Gunilla Norris.

Gunilla guides you through a transformational 90-day journey that motivates you to commit to yourself and your inner light. The beauty of her prescribed practice lies within its simplicity and the profound aftereffects.

“For ninety consecutive days, light a match with purpose, a feeling or a desire in mind,” writes Norris. If you happen to miss a day, you simply restart the 90-day countdown. You’ll be inspired and encouraged to not only nurture, but also to fire up your inner most desires, truths and feelings.

As the author of some of my all-time, favorite self-improvement books, such as Inviting Silence: Universal Principles of Meditation and Sheltered in the Heart, I can attest to Gunilla’s expertise in stripping away external and internal barriers to help you get to the heart of whatever it is that you truly want.

Match makes a beautiful gift for the upcoming holiday season and an even better “just because” gift to yourself! Here’s to lighting the spark within this winter! 🙂

With lots of love~


[hcshort id=”6″]

Filed Under: Books Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

September’s Book To Live By

by on September 10, 2014

It’s back-to-school season and this month’s Books To Live By selection highlights the astonishing truth behind a well-loved history lesson.

This fall, I invite you to explore how one of the most famous and cherished American icons came to be. It’s Lady Liberty as you’ve never known her!

Our September selection is….

Liberty’s Torch: The Great Adventure to Build The Statue of Liberty by Elizabeth Mitchell.

Before I share a sneak peek of this enchanting book, I have a little quiz.

True or False:

  1. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the French.
  2. The face of this beloved sculpture is of a woman.
  3. The Statue of Liberty was created to stand as a symbol for freedom.

If you answered true to any of the above, you (and me too!) have been misinformed!

From extensive research and original letters, author Elizabeth Mitchell has pieced together one of history’s most overlooked entrepreneurial success stories, allowing her also to refute the blindly accepted explanation of how the Statue of Liberty made her way to America.

This book takes you back to the 1800s where you follow the dreams and determination of a young French sculptor, inventor and entrepreneur Frederic Auguste Bartholdi who stopped at nothing to see his vision through.

He needed commissions and had a dream to build the world’s largest sculpture at the headwaters of the Nile River. When Egypt turned down his project idea, he set his sights on America.

Liberty’s Torch reads far more like an adventure than a history lesson. It will leave you marveling at how our beloved Statue of Liberty came to be!

A great read and lesson for your entire family, especially if you have school-aged kids, I strongly recommend Liberty’s Torch!

 With lots of love ~

 Debbie Signature

 

Spark Copy opt in box for blog

Filed Under: Books Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

August’s Book To Live By

by on August 13, 2014

This month’s Books To Live By selection highlights the theme for our August membership program: From Tea Cart to Tea Empire: Leading a Purpose-Filled Life.

From a remarkable entrepreneur, life coach and women’s advocate, this truly inspirational story will speak to your heart and ignite your spirit with its soulful strategies for a life of unlimited happiness and success.

Our August selection is….

Life by the Cup: Ingredients for a Purpose-Filled Life of Bottomless Happiness and Limitless Success by Zhena Muzyka

Zhena Muzyka is the founder of Zhena’s Gypsy Tea Company, a nationally distributed tea brand, and her story tells of the struggles and setbacks as well as the hopes and opportunities she encountered along the way.

Muzyka’s journey began when she was a 24-year-old single mom with a critically ill child, but no money, no support, and no clear path to satisfy the powerful drive to save her family. Tapping into her gypsy heritage and her inner guiding light, she felt called to use her love and knowledge of tea for a greater purpose.

Now she stands as the founder of a multimillion-dollar company that has dedicated its efforts to fostering fair-trade practices and providing greater benefits for its international workers, all while protecting the environment. She’s a true visionary within the field.

And if you are already a Women on Fire monthly member, I’m sure you felt her tender heart and warm insights in the feature interview with her this month.

I invite you to join us on our monthly live video coaching call and chat in September for your chance to win a signed copy of Life by the Cup. Join us here today for your invitation to September’s Live Chat and access to all the uplifting benefits included with your Women on Fire membership.

I hope you enjoy this soulful story as much as I enjoyed “sipping” my way through it. 🙂

 With lots of love ~

 Debbie Signature

Spark Copy opt in box for blog

Filed Under: Book Review, Books Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Our special guest interview for June is…

by on May 23, 2014

Each month, our founder Debbie Phillips interviews an inspiring expert for monthly members.  If you’re not yet a member, please be our guest and listen in today for free to a clip of Debbie’s upcoming interview with best-selling author, journalist and transgender activist Janet Mock.

Sound Cloud Monthly Sneak Peek June 2014 without play button

Janet is responsible for providing an inspirational voice for women across the country who are struggling with self-acceptance and authenticity. She’s best known for her recently published memoir, Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More, which has just topped the New York Times best-seller list, and rightfully so.

Below is a sneak peek of this unbelievably powerful and uplifting interview about resilience and the incredible journey to reveal one’s true self.

Simply press play on the image below to listen to a short clip (2:47)

In the full interview, you’ll discover:

  • Where to find the confidence to be yourself.
  • How you can eliminate toxic people to build a rock-solid support system.
  • The most powerful tool for connecting to your inner voice.
  • How to approach sensitive topics with empathy.
  • What you can do to foster positive gender acceptance when raising children.
  • The best way to discuss trans issues with respect and dignity.

And because this interview was overflowing with insight, I wanted to give you one last glimpse…

“We are all learning and growing. To be scared of something that’s kind of a foreign subject or that may not be completely in line with your experience is completely natural.

I think the No. 1 thing is to come from a space where you’re talking with another human being. You’re talking to someone with her own struggles and triumphs and with her own issues and traumas. We want to come from a place of empathy.” —Janet Mock

So if you are already a monthly member, I hope you enjoy the preview of what’s to arrive in your mailbox in early June! And, I encourage you to share this clip with another woman in your life who you know might enjoy our membership program.:)

If you aren’t yet a member and would like to receive the full June membership package, along with:

  • Personalized coaching materials
  • Access to our monthly live video coaching call/chat with Debbie Phillips
  • An invitation to join the supportive private members-only Facebook forum
  • Plus many more benefits

We invite you to join us TODAY!

Click here to register to receive June’s monthly membership package. You only have 3 days left to register to receive the full interview from the clip you just heard. Registration ends on May 25, 2014.

Don’t miss out on this dynamic interview, with tips and inspiration that will stay with you long after you’ve finished listening.

xo

The Women on Fire team

Filed Under: Inspiration, Membership Sneak Peek Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

May’s Book To Live By

by on May 8, 2014

This month’s Books To Live By selection highlights our May membership program theme: A Mother’s Day Appreciation.

From a celebrated American author and poet, hailed as one of the most influential voices of our time, comes this highly anticipated autobiography, a story of loss, love and discovery.

Our May selection is….

Women on Fire Book To Live By- MAY- Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou

Mom & Me & Mom (amazon link), by Maya Angelou

New York Times best-seller Mom & Me & Mom is a whole-hearted, honest recollection of Angelou’s complicated relationship with her mother. It offers a glimpse into the inspiration and backstory behind one of her most-loved titles, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

Angelou takes us to Stamps, Arkansas, where at three years old she was sent away by her mother, Vivian, to live with her grandmother. It was nearly a decade before Angelou would finally reconnect with her mother.

Angelou divulges the raw feelings of abandonment that pushed her to dark depths, and examines the delicate reconciliation that slowly took place to rebuild the broken relationship.

Mom & Me & Mom is one of the most authentic narratives that I’ve ever read. Angelou captures the complexities of the mother-daughter relationship so spot-on that it leaves you reflecting on your own experiences.

Angelou’s signature optimism and wit bring hope, healing and love to the story. It is a thoughtful reminder of the power of forgiveness, no matter how much time has elapsed.

I hope you enjoy Maya Angelou’s beautiful memoir as much as I did. Women on Fire book co-author Sarah Elizabeth Greer surprised me with my own copy – personally signed by Ms. Maya Angelou herself!

It remains one of my most precious treasures – and I believe you will really love this book, too.

Happy Mother’s Day weekend ahead. I encourage you to share with me here on the blog: What is your most powerful memory of being a daughter or mother? I look forward to reading your response! 🙂

With lots of love,

Debbie-Signature-

Filed Under: Book Review, Books Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

April’s Book To Live By

by on April 17, 2014

This month’s Books To Live By selection highlights our April membership program theme—Everyday Etiquette To Help You Shine.

From the premier voice of American etiquette, now in its 18th edition, Emily Post’s guide to good manners has been updated to tackle current issues and social situations for a new generation to enjoy.

Our April selection is….


Emily Post’s Etiquette, 18th Edition (amazon link), by Peggy Post, Anna Post, Lizzie Post and Daniel Post Senning

Emily Post’s Etiquette, the quintessential guide to good manners, is a beloved classic that I grew up with. Through the dedication of Emily’s great-granddaughter-in-law, Peggy Post, and the Emily Post Institute, her legacy has transcended time.

Etiquette is often misunderstood to be intimidating, but this book is a beautiful, relatable reference to properly navigating professional and social situations with grace. The Post family has successfully translated the guidelines of the past for today’s technology-obsessed society.

Here is a small sample of the topics covered:

  • Social networking
  • Manners for children
  • Online dating
  • Family dynamics (children moving back home, caretaking for aging parents)
  • Technology in the workplace

I’ve found Emily Post’s Etiquette to be a fun conversation starter from its regular spot on my coffee table, and I love to give this title as a graduation or engagement gift.

You can even head over to EmilyPost.com for weekly blog posts and a larger overview of all that the Post Institute has to offer. I also suggest looking into some of Emily Post’s other titles: Wedding Etiquette and The Guide to Good Manners for Kids.

This book is a beautiful reminder that proper etiquette is really about respect—for those around you and for yourself. I hope you enjoy this updated classic as much as I do!

With lots of love ~

 Debbie Signature

Filed Under: Book Review, Books Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »