Ladies, what do you do if you are in a rut?

It’s so hard to love somebody, but at the same time know that you need to do something about the situation. The horrible contradiction in relationships is loving someone but hurting them simultaneously.

When you are in a rut is it best to keep it a secret or tell your guy you feel trapped? Can you love him and hurt him at the same time?

–Maggie

Last weekend my roommate went to visit her boyfriend’s family and was reintroduced to his sister-in-law. My roommate isn’t too much of a fan of her, especially because she seems to have her husband whipped.

One of my concerns is becoming “that” girl. I would hate to be someone who rules her marriage with an iron fist. Yes, I love things to go my way, but I understand that it can’t always be that way.

How do you balance being a strong assertive woman without becoming too controlling?

–Maggie

Choosing Your References

But is this how it really works? Unfortunately, the answer seems to be no.

One of the nation’s leading reference checking and employment verification firms, Allison & Taylor, indicates many people end up with bad personal references that derail their chances of landing a job.

“People spend a lot of time working on their resume, brushing up their interview skills, and networking during job searches, but many fail to select their professional references carefully,” says Heidi Allison, the firm’s president. “We check references for clients and approximately half of our calls to former employers produce an unexpected bad reference. The bottom line is that people need to select their references more carefully.”

Allison says there is a common misperception that, when contacted for a reference, former employers will only verify if a person previously worked for them and provide her or his job title.

Achievable, Measurable, Realistic

The way to reach a goal is to break down a desire into action steps. Each of those steps will lead to the next in achieving your goal. And, each step should be achievable, with measurable results that are realistically attainable. This works for marathons, money matters, relationship skills…anything you want to achieve can be broken down in this way.

Let’s talk money. If you want to diversify your investment portfolio by 2011 (or you want to START an investment portfolio) ask yourself these questions:

Is it achievable?

Are the results measurable?

Are the results I’ve set realistic?

Is it achievable to diversify, or to start? Yes. Now make it measurable by setting a date and quantity. For instance, resolve to take 20% of the portfolio and put it in new types of investments by June 15, 2010. Lastly, ask yourself: are those numbers realistic to achieve in six month’s time? If so, you’ve got a clear goal.

Results in Action

Now set some action items that will help you achieve it. What needs to go into this goal to make it happen? Consider your level of knowledge, and what information it will take to achieve your goal. Then write down concrete tasks you can complete, all guided by dates and times. For instance,

- Over five weeks, reach out to five financial planners and ask what they are recommending to their clients.

- Every Saturday morning, spend a half hour on Kiplingers Personal Finance page.

- Calendar dates to spend a half hour talking to two of your closest friends and family whose advice you trust.

- From your research, plan out the action steps you are choosing to get your portfolio diversified by 20%.

- Then invest.

© 2010 SingleMindedWomen.com All rights reserved. Permission to reprint this article must be obtained from SingleMindedWomen.com

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Lake Powell, located in Arizona’s Glen National Recreation Area, offers a plethora of outdoor activities for families looking for an authentic adventure in the southwest. In addition to the scenic views and comfort of the outdoors, Lake Powell is home to the Rainbow Bridge, one of the largest natural bridges in the world, which this year celebrates its 100th anniversary. Rainbow Bridge National Monument is one of the most photographed geological wonders in the American West.

Lake Powell is a popular hotspot for houseboating, watersports, and camping. Don’t forget your camera! This Arizona gem features some of the most beautiful canyons and beaches - nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline with towering red rock sandstone cliffs and more than 90 major canyons. The Lake just opened it’s Castle Rock Cut – a shortcut that shaves 12 miles off travel between the upper and lower ends of the lake.

Prices range based on season. Peak Season Schedule and Pricing includes:

Rainbow Bridge, 9:00am-4:30pm, Apr 1-Oct 31, Adult- $171.78/Child- $101.37
Navajo Tapestry, 9:00am-12:00pm/1:00pm- 4:00pm, Apr 1-Oct 31, Adult- $75.60/Child- $45.49
1 1/2 Hour Antelope Canyon, 8:00am-7:45pm, Apr 1-Oct 31, Adult- $39.40/Child- $24.34
Dinner Cruise, Apr 1 – Oct 31 (for select days and times click here), Adult- $111.63/Child-$62.67

In addition, guided tours including fishing excursions, horseback riding, and Hummer tours are available.

20s: In our teens, we tend to do pick up unhealthy habits that can affect the health and look of our skin. This is the time to start correcting some of those behaviors and incorporate good skin care habits. Women should stop smoking and not drink as much as they did in college. One of the most important things women can begin doing in their 20s is to protect their skin with a sunscreen that has an SPF 30 or above.

30s: In your 30s, women lose a teaspoon of volume EVERY year! So proper skin care is essential during this time. Women should start by incorporating glycolic acids and products with stronger antioxidants in their skin care routine. I like VIVITÉ, the anti-aging skin care line which contains glycolic acid and the right mix antioxidants.

Fitness is also important to skin. A woman’s metabolism begins to slow in her 30s, so it’s a good idea to increase the level of activity because gaining weight can actually age the body and skin.

Of course, it goes without saying, women in their 30s should use sunscreen every day.

40s: For women in their 40s, beauty sleep is vital! Sleep helps keep our skin healthy and glowing. This is the time when women should start incorporating retinoids into their skin care regimen, such as Tazorac Cream, which helps decrease the sign of photoaging. The cream works from below the skin’s surface to thin dead outer layers of skin and helps rebuild collagen.

50s and beyond: Besides using all of the above recommendations, women should eat a diet rich in antioxidants and use an eye cream every day.

It’s important to remember our skin functions differently as we age, and women need to adapt their skin care routine accordingly.

Dr. Downie has been featured in magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Ladies Home Journal, and Good Housekeeping. She is also the author of the book Beautiful Skin of Color. For more information on Dr. Downie, please visit http://imagedermatology.com.

For more SMW Fashion & Beauty Advice:

Shop Eco-Chic with Josie Moran

Q & A: How Do I Dress for My 30s?

10 First Date Fashion Mistakes

ARAMARK Parks and Destinations in Shenandoah National Park is hosting a new series of new children’s activities for the 2010 season. All events and programs – including the culinary and special events programs – will be hosted at Big Meadows Wayside, Skyland Resort or Big Meadows Lodge which officially open on March 19, April 1 and May 20, 2010. Additionally, guests visiting the park April 17-25 will receive free entrance in honor of the National Park Service’s fee free promotion to celebrate National Park week.

What’s on the agenda for kids? Among other things, there’s an Easter Egg Hunt, games, crafts, story-telling, S’mores & Stories and home-made ice cream events. For the adults, the park is hosting an elegant vintner dinner. Here’s more:

Scavenger Hikes will be offered every Monday and Wednesday beginning May 3 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and May 24 – November 3 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Big Meadows Lodge. Guests will follow clues and search for hidden natural and historic “treasures” along a national park trail. Each member of the expedition will receive signed and official certificates validating their achievement level of “City Slicker,” Pioneer Scout” or the elite “Frontier Explorer”.  Authors Kat and John LaFevre will lead the hikes on June 21, July 19 and August 16 and autograph their books. Priced at $5 per person or $20 for a family of four, the rate includes an autographed “Shenandoah Scavenger Hikes” book.

Vintner Dinners include an elegant four-course dinner highlighted with wine pairings from a featured Virginia Winery. The Vintner will provide insight for the selected pairings. Priced at $295 for double occupancy, the package includes Friday night lodging, dinner for two people, etched wine glasses and a Shenandoah Seasonings recipe book. The dinners are available for booking April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10 and November 12 at Skyland Resort.

Executive Chef & Guest Chef Dinners is a new twist on Shenandoah’s popular “Shenandoah Seasonings” culinary workshops. Shenandoah’s Executive Chef and guest chefs will lead participants through a delectable four-course menu of mouth-watering items paired with wines. Priced at $295 for double occupancy, the package includes Friday night lodging, dinner for two people, etched wine glasses and a Shenandoah Seasonings recipe book. Guests can book the dinners April 23, May 28, June 25, July 23, August 27, September 24 and November 26 at Skyland Resort.

Rainy Day Cooking Demos feature the chef as he prepares one of his favorite items at Skyland Resort. Guests can pamper their palette indoors when the trails outside are too wet for their taste. Priced at $10 per person you can enjoy a delectable sample and take home the recipe. Dates and times will be posted on site.

Wildflower Spring Celebration held Saturday, May 15 at Skyland Resort, celebrates the arrival of spring flowers and warmer weather in Shenandoah National Park. Guests will enjoy music, food and the sights and sounds of spring. The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For a complete listing of events or to book overnight reservations at either Skyland Resort, Big Meadows Lodge or Lewis Mountain Cabins, please call 800-778-2782 or log on to www.visitshenandoah.com.

When it comes to making the first move, I fail. Every time. I can be shy, thus I am horrible at initiating anything.

What I am trying to work on now is improving upon this; becoming gutsier and not being afraid of rejection. My issue now is trying to figure out exactly how to do this.

I continually challenge myself to step outside of my comfort zone and it’s probably about time I learned to approach men.

–Maggie

Last weekend my roommate and her boyfriend of more than a year had a weekend away. It wasn’t anything that they necessarily needed to repair their relationship, but it serves as a reminder of how important it is to take some time for yourself.

Now I know we don’t all have Frank Sinatra luring us to Peru, but any place that is “away from it all” works.  A weekend away doesn’t have to be far away, but it does need to be stress-free.

In oth

–Maggie

When I think of the female role models in my own life, I’m often reminded of the famous quote, “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred did, only backwards and in high heels.” You already know all about doing everything backwards and in high heels first hand; you balance career, love, friends, personal time, your health, your families,
for many of you – your children and all the daily acts of keeping life moving along seamlessly.

You want to have it all – but what does having it all mean?

It’s my professional and personal opinion that having it all means balance.

And in honor of National Woman’s History Month – we here at Single Minded Women are asking YOU to nominate a special woman in your life that you think is a great role model and example of having it all. Who do you look up to in your own life? We have amazing women throughout history and modern day to look to, but for our Women’s History Month we want the real Single Minded Women to come forward and be recognized!

Maybe your role model is a great girlfriend who has always been there for you? Maybe it is your mother because of her example of balancing family and career? Or your sister for her unwavering single minded commitment to her family? Your co-worker for her great attitude and inspiring self-confidence?

Whatever the reason, whoever the woman – share the love and nominate her!

In 150 words or less tell us who she is, why she deserves to be honored
and what makes her amazing.

Nominations must be received by 11:59pm PST on Friday, March 19th. The winning woman will be announced on Monday, March 22nd and will be featured in an article spotlight Monday, March 29th. The winning woman (and her nominator) will also win a copy of the brand new Duchess e-book: Thirty Days to a Well Balanced Reign. The e-book is a thirty day program to help women effectively and joyously balance their spirit, self, finances, relationships, health & nutrition and family (for more info on the free e-book giveaway CLICK HERE).

Share the love, spread some good vibes, most importantly ACT NOW and nominate the special woman in your life!

TO NOMINATE the Special Woman in your life email us at: .

(And please remember to include your contact info in case your nomination is choosen so we can reach you for the article and keep your entry to 150 words or less. Entries MUST be recieved by 11:59pm Friday, March 19th so Nominate NOW!).

Looking forward to hearing from you!

-Jill Brown

Jill Brown is a Los Angeles, California-based life coach and writer. She earned her Bachelors in Humanities and Sociology from USU and is a member of the National Association for Conflict Resolution and the Ladies Who Launch Network. She is the founder of “The Duchess Guide” a website dedicated to helping women become their most fabulous and unique selves. She is an avid outdoor enthusiast, traveler and health nut. When she isn’t writing or working on Duchess, Jill loves spending all her free time with her Labrador – Betty. For more on The Duchess Guide or Jill visit: www.theduchessequation.com

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