book review

BIG Magic and VIVID Visions

Happy New Year!
I'm making a bold proclamation today, to you before anyone else, and saying that I'm going to make 2016 my BEST year yet -- in business, in life, in love.
When we make bold proclamations, it sets things in motion. Unseen things that start to move in accordance with our desires and visions. But, we first have to be so brave as to say (out loud, on paper, in type) that which we desire!
Before I share, I first want to set the tone with one of my favorite quotes: "Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."
OK, here goes...
I'm going to offer my gifts unapologetically.
I'm going to strive for nothing less than the best I can deliver (and when I say this, I'm not talking about perfection, I'm talking about authenticity.)
I'm going to relax into my innate power and ease into the flow of life, rather than fight the current.
I'm going to align with the vivid vision I have for my life and business, and allow it to pull me forward.
I'm going to let go of obsessing about things that are beyond my control, don't matter or don't enhance my life.
I'm going to do more of what I love and attach less to the outcome.
I'm going to be more me and less who I think I should be.
I'm going to breathe, feel, and enjoy MORE.
I'm going to stress, push and harden less (and not beat myself up when I inevitably slip up.)
I'm going to do more things that sounds like fun in my life and business.
I'm going to honor creative ideas when they arrive in my life.
I'm going to smile more, kiss my husband more, hug my baby girl more, and laugh more.
And, I'm going to do my best to live each day in devotion to my purpose.
#BoldnessHasMagicInIt
Now, it's your turn :-)
I invite you to join me in making a bold proclamation for yourself. In community with the other amazing, purpose-driven women in our private Facebook groupshare one thing you're going to do (or stop doing!) in 2016 to make it YOUR best year yet. Make your bold proclamation HERE with #boldnesshasmagicinit.
This day, this month, this year is the start of a bold, brilliant new chapter, and I'm delighted to have YOU along for this unbelievable journey which has brought us together.
In case you're wondering, the title of this post was inspired by two things:
(1) The book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, by Elizabeth Gilbert, bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love -- recently finished reading it. LOVED it. (Fun Fact: EG lives not far from me and has a quirky shop filled with a unique gifts and global finds.)
(2) The Vivid Vision Workbook + Audio Guide which will enable you to craft a deep, fulfilling, aligned vision for your life and business that will PULL you forward this year. Get your copy here.
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Here's to BIG Magic and VIVID Visions, this year and always.
With love, Screen Shot 2015-06-30 at 11.57.56 AM

Play BIGGER in your Life+Business

Ready to play BIGGER in your life and business. You need to read this book.
I just finished a book that I've been telling everyone about - Playing Big by Tara Mohr.
Tara's a life coach and expert on women's leadership and well-being. Her calling is to help women "play bigger" in their lives. Often that manifests in their businesses or work, but it could also mean claiming their voice in their community, child's school, or other volunteer initiatives.
If you want to create a purpose-full life and business, you need Tara in your life. She'll help you find and hone your voice, mission and message so that you become unstoppable.
For my favorite (life-altering) takeaways, check out my video review of Playing Big below.
xo,

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The HOT List - July 2015

Summer is off to a rollicking good start.
My husband, baby girl and I traveled up to Maine for 2 weeks.
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We watched the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain, had homemade popovers and fresh strawberry jam, went out on a lobster boat and had the most delicious dinner (and cocktails!) at a farm-to-table vegetarian restaurant.
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More than anything, my time was spent reading, walking and of course with little Leona and my husband.
We all need that sometimes. A “pause” from our lives where we can relax, unwind and reconnect with ourselves and our loved ones.
I’ll admit. I did bring my laptop, but it rarely made an appearance. When it did, work felt more like creative play than real work.
I gave myself permission to pump the breaks on content generation in order to dream-up some new ways to bring YOU even more valuable, exciting and fun resources.
And that brings me to this post. The first of it’s kind, but definitely not the last. A glimpse into my life and what is inspiring, motivating, entertaining me at the moment so that you, too, can infuse more purpose-full fun into your life and business.
Below I give you the inaugural HOT List for July 2015.
What I’m reading…
Playing Big by Tara Mohr.
If you want to hone your voice, mission and message, Tara is your girl. Her writing is honest, compassionate and elucidating. I’ve had a number of “ah-ha” moments while reading her book, and her advice about how to “play bigger” has me thinking up tons of new ideas for myself and my business. Basically, in the absolute best way possible, she leaves us with no excuses and invites us to inhabit our WHOLE selves and live purposefully. Good stuff.
What I’m waking up to…
Yoga with Adriene.
If you haven’t yet checked out this gal, you need to. Even if you’re not into yoga, she’s a case study in building a thriving brand around what you love -- she has over 700,000 YouTube subscribers! She’s super sweet and funny, and she totally takes the intimidation factor out of it.
What I’m having fun with…
The Fitness Marshall.
Another YouTube phenomenon. I’ve been missing my Zumba classes ever since my baby girl was born, and FINALLY I’ve found an amazing replacement. This guy is like no-other, and his dances are badass. He’ll get you moving, sweating in booty-shaking in no-time.
What I’m drinking at happy hour…
I fell in LOVE with this cocktail up in Maine at The Gothic in Belfast. It’s so innovative and includes one of my most favorite things ever -- St. Germain liqueur. (If you don’t know St. Germain, you need to...it’s smooth, slightly floral, has a hint of pear and makes any drink better.)
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At The Gothic they created this amazing cocktail called The Specs with vodka, St. Germain, rosewater and pink & black peppercorns (yes, pepper!), and it was ahhh-mazing. And so pretty! I’ve made it for my husband and myself since being home, and as best I can tell, this is the recipe:
2 parts vodka 1 part St. Germain 2 parts rosewater* 3 grinds of pepper
Put everything in a shaker over ice, shake it up, and strain it into a martini glass. Garnish with a pinch of whole peppercorns. *If you don’t have rosewater, you can substitute 1 part water, 1 part organic berry juice or even lemonade for a citrusy version.
(If you make this cocktail, you have to tweet me a pic @CailenAscher.)
So there you have it. The first-ever HOT List.
If you check out any of the HOT List items, let me know if you dig ‘em in the blog comments below, on Twitter, Facebook, or send me an email.
Have some fun stuff you’re lovin’ on this summer? Let me know. I’d love to check it out!
 xo, Screen Shot 2015-06-30 at 11.57.56 AM

 

 

 

 

uncover your greatest strengths

want to discover your strengths?

i just finished reading a great book that helped me get clear on the unique gifts and talents that i possess -- AND how to capitalize on them!

a number of friends and yoga biz colleagues had recommended this book, and i finally got around to reading it, and i'm so glad i did.  

it helped me "laser" in on my areas of greatest potential so that i build more of those qualities into my life & biz, which in turn will help me feel more satisfied, happy and help me to ultimately achieve greater success since i'm capitalizing on my uniqueness!

if you want to discover your strengths and find out where your greatest potential lies, pick up a copy of Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham -- you'll be glad you did.  i promise!

for more about the book, check out this 3 minute vid below.

 whether you've read the book or not, you likely have at least a faint idea of one of your awesome strengths.  

share it with the world below in the comments!

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want to grow your yoga career by leaps & bounds in just 2 weeks?  

join my Design Your Dream Career Jumpstart -- a totally free 14 day challenge to help you build the yoga business of your dreams!  sign-up below.