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Posts Tagged ‘Just Ask Marlene’
Exciting News from JAM!
Monday, March 1st, 2010Doing Good Really Feels Great!
Friday, November 6th, 2009
Have you ever worked really hard on something and have it finally come together? That was me today speaking from the podium in front of 350 successful woman that all give a significant amount of time and money to the UJA Federation, a not for profit humanitarian organization that helps keep people out of harm’s way. What was I talking about? My topic was a program called Connect to Care – an initiative created to help people who are in need of assistance as a result of the recent national economic downturn. It helps those who are having a hard time paying the rent and putting food on the table. I was one a three Co-chairman and we began planning this fundraiser luncheon in September!
There was a really fun kick-off. First, we went to the catering hall in which the event was to be held and had a tasting lunch of five different food combinations and dessert. It was interesting to think about all the things to consider. What kind of food do people like? What are people allergic to? Next we had to with find an appropriate speaker – a key element to an event like this one. That was important, with lots of disappointments along the way, until we found someone that turned out to be great. Next was getting people to attend. It was a lot of work sending out all those emails and following up with phone calls. But in the end it was a great success and all of the work was worthwhile. Especially as we approach the holiday season I can tell you that it feels really good to do good, so I suggest that you give some thought to what you can do to help those in need. You don’t have to spend any money, just donate some of your time – a little bit can make a big difference.
For example, a couple of weeks ago I took a really long bike ride and as I approached my 19th mile, there was a dog running loose – panicked – in the middle of the road. I got off my bike, got the dog over to the side of the road and phoned the number that was on his dog tag. The woman who answered the phone sounded really upset and then relieved to hear that the dog was safe. After waiting for more than 20 minutes for the owner to come and get her dog – I was exhausted and had lost my momentum to finish my uphill ride. It was worth it to see the joy on the owner’s face when she was finally reunited with her dog. It felt really good to be part of that! Have any of you done any good deeds lately? Let us know!
Xoxo,
Marlene
Missing My JAM Girls!
Thursday, October 29th, 2009
I’ve been here at a health spa in Tucson Arizona for over a week and I’m really missing my jam girls so I thought I’d check in. Did I learn any special tips for being fit so far? The importance of Balance – it’s something that everyone can work into their daily routine. Waiting for the bus with nothing to do? Stand on one leg and count to twenty – that’s working on your balance! If that’s too easy, close one eye and hold your arm out to the side.
Just being here reminds me of some of the topics I talk about in My Self, like competition and feeling good about yourself. There are a lot of people here that are in better shape and more familiar with the programs than I am. I just keep reminding myself that I am here doing the best I can, and loving it. I’m working hard to reach my goals given my own strengths and limitations, and that feels really good. Just remember – if you don’t play – you can’t win.
Xoxo,
Marlene
Nick Jonas On His Own?
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
Don’t worry Jonas Brother fans – the group is not breaking up! But according to Parade.com and the New York Daily News, 17 year-old Nick Jonas is releasing a solo album entitled “Nick Jonas and the Administration.” Nick was headed toward a solo career before teaming up with his brothers, but record executives ultimately decided they liked The Jonas Brothers together! We’re wishing Nick all the best on his new record. What do you guys think about Nick doing his own thing?
Beauty Peek Inside
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
Terrific, terrifying, wonderful and wacky. Being a girl today is all those things and so much more. It’s great to be you, but it’s also complicated. You’re a best friend, a daughter, a student, a trendsetter and a thrill-seeker-which is quite a lot for one girl to handle! That’s why it is important for you to feel good about yourself, so you can enjoy all the amazing opportunities headed your way. Let’s help you with some tools to help you be the best you can be.
You need to begin to realize that there are loads to like about yourself and many ways to share it with the world. From solutions for common problems with good friends to exploring the ancient art of yoga, this book will keep you grounded when you’re confused and lift you up when you’re down. It’s a manual you can return to over and over. Seriously, this is the best time to be a girl. Never before have there been so many fun activities, ideas to ponder and doors open to your future. So let’s turn the knob and enter!
Confidence Club
Your life is an amazing adventure. Right now everything is changing so quickly. You might like different activities than you did when you were a little kid. Maybe you’ve changed schools and even have different friends. You are certainly growing, which means your body is changing as well. All these things are exciting, but they can be a little scary too. You need to value who you are to make the ups and downs of this time a smooth ride. The amount you value yourself is your self-esteem. If you believe that you nail any activity you try and anyone who doesn’t want to be your friend is crazy, then you have high self-esteem. If you think you’re crummy in school, sports and everything in between, then your self-esteem is low. Most people fall somewhere in between these two extremes. Wherever you land on this spectrum, you can always build your self-esteem. Let’s find out how.
Give your Self-esteem some Steam!
Self-esteem is important because it affects everything you do. When you feel good about yourself and appreciated by others, it’s easier to make friends, try new activities and push yourself in school. This is different than being conceited. You don’t need to pretend you’re the greatest person in the world. That would be fake. A healthy self-image actually comes from accepting who you are-just the way you are. Here are some ways to improve your self-esteem:
-Let lots of people into your life: Camp counselors, teachers, relatives, classmates and neighbors make up your support network. Don’t forget friends who move to another town-pen pals are a terrific hobby. Keep the members of this network updated on what’s going on in your life. Their opinions, love and guidance will come in handy one day.
-Be helpful: Whether it’s carrying an elderly person’s groceries across the street or showing a new student around the school, helping out feels great. Making a difference in someone else’s life will definitely make one in your own.
-Try new experiences: Are you a jock? Then give drama a try. At first it might be intimidating to experiment with a new activity, but soon enough you’ll find you’ve developed a host of new talents, skills and friends!
-Don’t try to be perfect: Everyone makes mistakes. It’s normal to worry about making them, but they are really lessons in disguise. So don’t let the fear of mistakes keep you from trying new things. When you learn how to ride a bike, every time you fall off you are teaching your body how to balance. If you keep getting back on the bike, eventually you can ride like the wind… or at least to your friend’s house.
-Believe in yourself: Have faith that you can accomplish the goals you set out for yourself. Make a plan for what you want to achieve and stick to it. You might not always end up where you thought you would, but you’ll be better for the journey.
-Ask for help: There’s nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it. If you are stuck on a math problem, ask your friend the math whiz to explain it to you. You can learn from everybody in your life, not just your teachers. Your friends and family are a rich resource, so use them.
JAMming with Halloween
Monday, October 26th, 2009
Halloween is right around the corner and some of the most popular costumes this year are inspired by Twilight and Hannah Montana! Are you planning on trick or treating this Saturday? What are you going to dress up as? Comment on this blog and post your costume ideas – we love hearing from you AND it will help others think of their own ideas!
Xoxo,
JAM
Modeling Peek Inside
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
So, you’ve sent out your star-quality photos to all the best agencies. After days, weeks, months of crossed fingers-oh yeah, and good grades-the phone rings and it’s an agency on the line. They want to meet you!
I like to call a first visit to a modeling agency a meet and greet. That describes it all. After the agents meet the prospective model and spend some time talking to them, they have a meeting among themselves to decide whether or not they want to sign up this aspiring model.
What to Wear to the Agency Meeting
THE most important thing is that you are comfortable and that you look neat and crisp (think more along the lines of what your mom likes you to wear than perhaps your own preference for things like leg warmers and messy ponytails). Take a drill-sergeant approach to your style: no jewelry, no makeup, no hair clips. As fundamental as it seems, make sure your hands and face are clean and your hair is neat. Nail polish is fine but no biting your nails. And no twirling your hair, a bad habit that no agent likes to see. Hup to it!
The other thing you’ll have to nix is the entourage. Please leave Aunt Millie and all your best friends at home when you head to the agency. The entire town may be hoping you become the next supermodel but the agents want to see you, not all your neighbors.
If an agency decides to sign you after the meet and greet, that’s where the work really begins. At Wilhelmina, the minute you’re signed, we expect that you’re ready and able for the Go Sees.
You have to be sure to have the support team in place. Casting directors call for Picture Packages of our models on a regular basis and if we don’t have your picture to include-sorry, you lose out. You’ll also need to keep the agency up to date with new pictures whenever you sprout up another inch.
The agency gets the castings for the model, but it’s up to the model to book the job. The first step is to show up at the Go See your agency has set up for you. This can be a little trickier than it sounds. The agency usually gets a casting call the day before the job is scheduled, but sometimes Go Sees happen the same day the agency is alerted. Either way you’ll need to be flexible with your schedule.
Love Your Body Day!
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
Today is the National Organization of Women’s 12th annual Love Your Body Day! The campaign is a giant shout out to the beauty, fashion, and advertising industries to show us real, diverse, and strong girls. So remember today to be yourself and let your inner beauty shine through for the whole world to see! CLICK HERE to read more about feeling great inside and out.
Xoxo,
JAM
Power of Possibilities
Monday, October 19th, 2009
Power of Possibilities is a phrase that could mean lots of things. In this case it refers to the world of possibilities for me and you physically, emotionally and spiritually.
That is the tag line for Canyon Ranch – ranked number one destination spa in Travel and Leisure, a leading travel magazine. And why do I care? I care because Thursday I am leaving to spend a week with my husband and my sister at Canyon Ranch located in Tucson Arizona (where by the way – it’s a sunny 90 degrees). And why am I going? I’m going because I need a break to regroup, and energize.
Having just been through a very busy time I need to “reset” and get myself ready for a busy holiday season. It’s like cramming for mid-terms – then after the tests are over, you have Christmas recess – and time to take a break and come back fresh as a daisy. Going to a spa does that for me. Part of what I really like about this spa is there are lots of outdoor activities that are only fun to do in sunny warm weather. I am a major bike rider and I love the 6am desert bike rides organized at the spa. Who wants to wake up at 6am and go for a bike ride when you’re on vacation? It might sound a little crazy, but it’s really cool and I love it.
Then there’s the food. Eating healthy food that tastes great is a good way to get yourself into good eating habits. Some time back, spas were called Fat Farms because they were all about losing weight. Now we know that being healthy isn’t about losing weight – it’s about eating the right quantity and quality of food and doing the right type of exercise for your particular makeup.
I love exercising and eating healthy food, so my problem is just finding the time to do it. When you go to a spa, it’s really important to take what you learn and apply it when you go home. So – I’m going to keep you posted on what I do while I’m at Canyon Ranch and please feel free to ask me questions.
While I am away I would love for my JAM girls to take out their My Life Book, look at all the great Home Spa ideas, and create your own version of Canyon Ranch at home!
Xoxo,
Marlene
Selena Gomez to Launch Fashion Line!
Friday, October 16th, 2009
In addition to her role on the Wizards of Waverly Place and her recent album, Selena Gomez is about to launch her fashion line, Dream Out Loud! Selena’s line is reflective of her own style, which she describes as ” pretty, feminine and bohemian.” According to Women’s Wear Daily, the line will include floral printed tops, dresses, jeans, skirts, and accessories like bags and scarves. We can’t wait to see what Selena and her team of designers come up with! What do you guys think of Selena as a fashion designer?
Xoxo,
JAM