I just finished a GREAT little book (& quick read) with a ton of focus on YOU … Living Out Loud: Activities to Fuel a Creative Life by Keri Smith. The book was born out of a column she wrote that “attracted a following of people who shared a common goal: to find the courage to make a living doing what they love.”

The first activity that called to me was the “Unlimited Life Plan: Determining a Destination.”

Keri writes “How do we create the life & career we want? Where do we start? In order to manifest new energy and success in our lives we need to create a detailed image of what the next destination looks like and formalize a map for getting there… Begin by creating a detailed image of your ideal life. Put it on paper; make it as full and as decadent as you wish. Dream big. Age is not a factor. You can reinvent your life at any time. Answer the following questions as if you were already living your ideal life. Get into character! Think big! Its your ideal life – you can pretend anything! (Or just start writing stream of consciousness!)”

Check out the questions below. I’ll share more with you when I finish my ‘plan’ but as I’ve started writing its exciting & exhilarating for those looking for their NEXT STEP!

• Where do you live? Describe what your home looks like.
• What kind of people have you surrounded yourself with?
• Who are your best friends? what makes those relationships work?
• What do you do on a daily basis that fulfills your emotional, spiritual, and physical needs?
• How do you enjoy your spare time?
• Look at the clothes you are wearing. What do they say about you?
• How would you describe your chose profession?
• Describe your work setting.
• Whom do you work with?
• Describe your ideal client and your ideal working relationship.
• What do you enjoy most about your career?
• How much money do you make?
• What do you spend your money on?
• Have you acquired any awards or honors?
• Describe how you think your peers view you.
• How do you view yourself?
• What do your admirers say about you and your work?
• What would you like to contribute to your field?
• What would you like to contribute to your community?

Check out Keri’s website too… she’s got a great blog and other books!

As this ‘farewell to summer’ weekend comes to a close, I thought it appropriate to share a great way to extend those summer feelings … Bobbi Brown’s beach.

(and that’s the make up artist not the 80′s/90′s gone bad singer.)

I discovered it while buying eye liner at the Bobbi Brown counter this summer. Picked up the perfume and thought…WOW, I love this, it smells like the beach!! Instead of buying the fragrance I picked up the Suntan Oil spf 15 and its fantastic!

If one scent could capture the atmosphere and attitude of summer, this best-selling fragrance is it. Designed with a lightly intoxicating blend of sand jasmine, sea spray, and mandarin, this eau de parfum is wearable anytime, anywhere.

It also comes in body lotion, shower gel, body oil and body scrub.

So keep that summery beach scent with you …. even as we head into autumn.