gift yourself

Travel to Far Off… and Not So Far Off Places: Gift Yourself

May 17, 2011

Where YFE is headquartered (Jennifer Donogh’s home office) we are experiencing some unusually dreary, rainy weather. Whether it’s weather or just the need for a change in environment most people in their 20s and 30s get bitten by the travel bug at one point or another. Have you acted on the urge to pack up and just leave for a couple days, a few weeks, or even a year? Consider gifting yourself some time away whether it be to an exotic island, a sunny part of your state, or even your backyard. Here are a few suggestions for a YFE getaway.

Young, female entrepreneur Kat Say, writes a monthly feature, Out of the Office: what’s hot in travel + deals and information to make a gals travel life smooth sailing” for Girl Power Hour. In her lastest post she recommends to escape a less than favorable spring, or if you just need some time to unplug to do so by heading down to Meixco.

Where in Mexico you ask?

1. Azul Sensatori in the Riviera Maya

One of my favorite things about this resort was the lazy river pool from your own private balcony. If I wantedfood or drinks, I could jump on my tube and just float the river to the bar. This hotel is a 20 minute cab ride from the “hotel zone” in downtown Cancun. It truly offers the best of both worlds!

2. Marival Residences and World Spa in Nuevo Vallarta (just north of Puerto Vallarta)

The surrounding area is no boardwalk but if your in for relaxing, this is the place. If you have small children and you want to get R & R, then this is not your place. This place is designed for all persons who want luxury & Relaxation. The resort has it’s own private beach club with top notch services, amazingly large rooms (we had a 1,400 square foot 2 bedroom 2 bath suite).

Is Mexico not in your startup budget, maybe you’ve lost your passport, or your last spring break experience there was as much Cancun as you could take… then where? Instead of starting from the where, first consider the why.

Why do you want to travel? Here’s a checklist of reasons for traveling to go through before booking your next flight and hotel package… or scouting the best hostel.

  • Inspiration- running out of ideas, tired of the same old thing, or looking for answers?
  • Change- stuck in your home office so much so that hours turn into days that turn into weeks?
  • Adventure- need a new risk to take, something that gets your blood moving, that makes you excited?
  • Fun- whether its sun and sea or sun and snow, does a good time outside of working on and in your business sound good?
  • Relaxation- are your shoulders tense, energy low, and a good night’s rest a thing of the past?
  • Family and Friends- missing your college roommates, your parents, or have you recently met fun new people on Twitter?
  • Introspection- not sure if this whole entrepreneurial lifestyle is for you or deciding if committing 100% to your business is really what is best for you?
  • Giving Back- feeling like paying your good fortune forward or need some time to gain perspective?
  • Business- is there conference coming up, potential for entering into a new market, or a possible partnership of sorts?

How many have you checked off: 1-2, 5-7… how about all of them? Should embarking on your next adventure be sooner than later? Grab some advice from the YFE community at large by tweeting with us on Thursday at 9pm PST for #YFEchat. Find out more about it here.

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Gift Yourself: Accessorize!

May 11, 2011

To begin our “Gift Yourself” series, we are starting off small with accessories. Small touches to an ensemble that carry over to how you feel about yourself and how you represent your business. Keeping it simple, we are talking jewelry and shoes today and moving on elsewhere later this week. Read more about the “Gift Yourself” series in the post Gift Yourself: Comfort through Your Environment.

Are you an expert when it comes to interior design, gadgets, and other fun items that help ? Contact YFE to get featured- we’ve still got room! Send a quote, link to a product, or even a recent blog post to contribute to the community.

And now on to accessories (said in my best Oprah voice)!!!


Jewelry //

Jewelry that converts is a YFE’s best friend… sorry diamonds. Busy bees like us need to polish off an outfit whether it is our home office yoga pants or cocktail, networking event heals.

Stylist with Stella and Dot and YFE, Katie Hiccox, recommends checking out the Claire Necklace. “Wear it long or short, dressed up or down – this piece can add style to almost everything in your closet and won’t break the bank…. Wear it longer with jeans, your favorite tee and cardigan for your perfect weekend shopping wear. Or try it shorter to dress up your favorite cocktaildress.Finish the look with the Soiree Earrings in silver.”

Looking for something to symbolize your business, or your wee ones? Using your jewelry as a conversation starter is a great idea. For this, Hiccox suggests the customizable Charm Collection, “always a huge hit for sisters, grandmas, moms, aunties, and you’re BFF!”

Shoes //

The season’s hottest trends are being fulfilled by celebrity, young, female entrepreneurs like Jessica Simpson and Ivanka Trump. Living in your Nikes and Uggs is okay when you are full into a launch or beginning a new project, but making a habit of leaving the house in grunge mode can get old. Try on a pair of these, and get inspired by the women behind the look.

This black peep toe by Jessica Simpson has a trendy platform, slim heal, and nice height. At 30 years old, Jessica Simpson has spread her brand well into fashion with her collection encompassing not only shoes, but dresses, jeans, swimwear, fragrances, and even luggage to name a few. Do you remember what started it all after her singing career peaked? Dessert by Jessica Simpson launched in 2004 as her first try at a product line.

Along with black peep toe pumps, you can find numerous shoes that fall into the nude trend as well. Check out this nude platform that might fit your bill.

The last trend for this season that a YFE can get excited about is espadrilles. Ivanka Trump’s polka dot espadrille platforms are a mixture of cute and sophisticated that works for any young, female entrepreneur. Before joining the Trump family business Ivanka Trump loaned her name and know how to another company. Now at 29, Ivanka Trump is no longer known as the daughter of Donald Trump. She is married and expecting a baby, working with her father, but is also designing for her own line of handbags, jewelry, and shoes.

Do you use jewelry and shoes in your daily routine to boost your confidence or add some bling to your name?

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Gift Yourself: Comfort through Your Environment

May 11, 2011

Running a business can be uncomfortable. The only way I can really describe the discomfort is in comparing it to running. Add a couple kids into the mix and you’ve got potential for breakdowns and a huge drop in productivity. Inspired by my first Mother’s Day I wanted to give all young, female entrepreneurs out there some ideas to make your day to day a little more comfortable.

Why running? Running is something I love to hate. No matter what the distance or speed you are traveling at, there is always some point in the run that you think, “why the hell am I doing this?” Your heart is beating fast, you’re sweaty, tired, your legs are fatigued, and your mind begins drifting off to emails you haven’t returned and calls you haven’t made. You are uncomfortable, but you have to break through the pain and exhaustion to finish.

This is how I feel as I near the end of some workdays. I have and know all of the tricks to work from home with a baby and still be productive, but it really comes down to having the energy and desire to work. When I begin my day again in earnest around 8pm I’m uncomfortable. I’m tired and I want to just lay in bed and watch television. I’m uncomfortable, but I have to break through it to finish.

This is where changing your environment comes in. Running a business is amazing. Being a mom is amazing. It’s tough, but so rewarding, just like running is. When I run, to break through the discomfort I change my environment. I make sure I’m wearing the right shoes, I have my hair pulled back, I listen to music or an audio book, and I wear just the right arm band. Having all of these things right makes my run so much more effective.

Making small fixes to our environment helps ease discomfort and makes us so much more effective in our busy lives. Whether it’s another job, children, dating, or any other distraction from your business, setting yourself up for success in business is essential.

So, with that I am excited to roll out a few posts that highlight items that will excite, ease, or relax you in the theme of ‘Gift Yourself.’ What do you do to make sure your environment sets you up for success each day?

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