Years ago my sister and I were travelling in England when we drove our little rented camper van into a beautiful and quaint town in the Lake District and parked. We wanted to have a look around the main part of town, check out the shops, get something for lunch and generally enjoy ourselves.

In one shop I saw a set of placemats featuring watercolours of the Lake District. I loved them. They were very pretty and so unusual. I spent a long time deliberating about whether to buy them. "Buy them," Debra said as I put them back on the shelf. I told her that I really couldn't, they cost more than I thought I could afford. "You should buy them anyway," she insisted, "or you'll wish you had. You may not get another chance." She was right. I didn't buy them then and I never got another chance.

I have also never forgotten those placemats. I'm sure I would have received a lot of enjoyment from using them. However, though I did not buy them they had an impact anyway. I have never forgotten the memory of the incident and the lesson it contained.

That's the sentiment behind one of the new designs in my "Bra Pads and Panty Lines" Collection of List Pads. It says, "Sweetie, life is short. Buy the shoes." I don't mean buy every pair that you see, but do buy the ones that you love, the ones your eyes keep coming back to, the ones that are calling you to take them home because they will make you happy, and you'll be sorry if you don't. Life is short. Go for the things you really love, for they will give back to you much more than they cost you. Don't wait to live.

My new designs were created to make us laugh and feel good about being women and because they are about things we all understand like push-up bras and hairspray.

Take a look..

Wendy

For all the fabulous women you know - girlfriends, mom, daughters, cousins, office pals, click here to simplify your Christmas shopping. We ship within two days.

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The Key to a Sane Christmas – Keep it Simple, Sally
By Lisa Rickwood, BFA

If you're dreading the impending holiday season then you're probably an overburdened, working person dealing with a million things. This time of year can stress out even the most relaxed and serene individual. So what’s a person to do? Keep it simple.

Start with your Christmas list. Do you need to have every friend and neighbour on your list? Simplify and if you want to gift someone, phone them, take them out for dinner, run an errand for them or just visit them.

Next, keep a realistic budget and don't go crazy. Who needs the credit card bills in January?

Then, stop being a perfectionist. Instead of running ragged going to every store in town to find the 'perfect' gift, or killing yourself to host the 'perfect' house party, aim for 'good enough.' Grab the first appropriate gift you see and simplify the food for your house party by picking up store-bought food or hosting a potluck – keep it fun and simple.

Finally, take mini holidays and make time to do something fun. You might have a massage, go exercise, nap, rent a movie, go for dinner – the list is endless. Just be sure you do this – this act alone will preserve your sanity during the holiday rush.

If you remember anything this season, you'll only truly enjoy yourself and the company of others when you slow down, relax, live in the moment and 'keep it simple, Sally.'

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Lisa Rickwood, BFA is an accomplished visual artist and business/life coach who helps small business owners master stress so they can enjoy professional and personal success. Lisa is author of, Escape the Pace. For her FREE report filled with practical solutions to stress, visit: www.escapethepace.com

Sailing out under Vancouver's Lion's Gate Bridge is an experience to remember. My friend, Carol, and I set off on a cruise this fall for over a week of fun, laughter and being waited on. Dreamy!

When the ships leave Alaska in the fall and travel south for the winter (how smart is that!), they cruise down the west coast of Canada, the USA and Mexico. We hopped aboard the Radiance of the Seas in Vancouver. Well, we were hopping with excitement anyway.

Our first day's stop was Nanaimo, but since the whether was yucky and we've been there before, we decided to remain aboard. I booked myself in for a new hairdo, while Carol languished in the sauna and steam room.

Next port, Victoria. If you've never been there, please do yourself a favour and visit. It is so beautiful! Then we drifted on south and docked in the historic town of Astoria, Oregon before waking up the next day in San Francisco. We toured the city, lunching in a tiny street next to designer stores.
San Fran embraced our love of shopping. And let's face it girls, it's not a vacation unless it includes at least one new pair of cute shoes. Check mine out.

When the ship docked in Los Angeles, we were off to Disneyland for my first time ever! Carol made me ride that Screamin' roller coaster with her at the California park. (She says she didn't make me, but you should have seen the look in her eyes.) We flew back into Vancouver and met my husband Gord, who arrived from ten days in England visiting relatives just fifteen minutes after we did. How's that for clever planning?

Want a fabulous deal on your next vacation? Call Rocky at www.cruiseinternational.com. He's a friend of mine and you'll get special treatment if you tell him Wendy sent you.

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NEW! Something fun to enjoy! I've added a free e-card service to my website! Based on many of my printed card designs and some new ones, you can now send your friends, family, and any "Total Babe" in your life a free e-card! This is a great way to let someone special konw you're thinking of them. Try it out here!

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