The New Book is ALMOST DONE!

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Just wanted to shout it loud and proud! Book 2 is nearly done! I really can't believe I'm about to release my second book. I believe everyone has a way of self-expression that feels best for them, and for me, it's definitely through written word. And the fact that you guys actually like reading what I have to say is the cherry on top.

Time to send this baby off to my editor for a final round of edits and then we are ready to push PLAY!

Still not sure of our exact publication date but look out for the book on Amazon around the end of June. There will be events all around New York City this summer so be sure to sign up for the mailing list to stay update on everything!

Don't forget you can pre-order a signed copy and be entered to win an exclusive prize pack including a $100 gift certificate to Bloomingdales, a workout DVD from Chris Freytag, gift certificates to some of the best health & fitness coaches out there, a set of champagne flutes, and more!

Whew! Now it's time for a cocktail. Cheers!

I Love Being a Girl

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I love being a girl.

Pearls, lingerie, sexy panties, perfume, flowers, jewels, shoes, bags, the whole nine yards. There's nothing like looking and feeling beautiful. But I've noticed when I'm overworked and overtired, all of those things fall to the wayside. 

A couple of months ago, I was super stressed. Trying to do it all, and feeling like I was failing miserably made me want to dive head first into a plate of Chinese food night after night. I gained weight. I started wearing sports bras on a daily basis (yes, me!) and I really didn't put much effort into my outfits. I hated who I was becoming because it was just not me. I felt like I stopped harnessing all my feminine energy and I was burning out fast. Sometimes when we're working so hard at our jobs and in our business, our masculine energy can take over, and mine definitely was. And it was making me miserable.

After a serious self-care revamp, I emerged sexier, more confident, and more girly than ever before. I stocked up on all new makeup, totally switched up my diet and made sure everything I put in my body was Champagne Diet approved, bought new clothes including pretty panties and bras, and most importantly -- reconnected with myself. I learned that my strong and powerful qualities were amazing assets when balanced with my soft, vulnerable side. I realized that I don't have to "do it all" and constantly be in control. I can be the damsel in distress once in a while, and be okay with that. Sometimes, someone else can take care of me.

Making sure I spent time relishing in all my girly goodness helped me to channel that feminine energy that was eluding me. I felt playful. I felt sexy. And I never felt better.

So if you're feeling blah, I encourage you to indulge in some serious Girl Time. Go out and get a massage, get dressed up all by yourself in your apartment and cook yourself a fabulous dinner while sipping on champagne, or go buy new lingerie. Ask for help. Take a time-out from the power-housing. Whatever it takes to help you flex that feminine flair, do it.

And don't forget to wear your pearls.

How I Lost Over 20 Pounds Without a "Diet"

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My experience with dieting and weight loss has been a seemingly never-ending roller coaster ride. Up 10 pounds, down 15. Up 10 again. I lived in a world of extremes. It has always felt like I was either starving myself, in what felt like "diet jail," or in party mode eating everything I could get my hands on because I was finally "allowed" after I decided the diet was over. 

Sound familiar?

About 6 years ago, I lose 30 pounds just by changing my attitude toward food and life. I learned how to truly eat for my health, by incorporating whole, real, foods into my diet with an emphasis on organic wherever possible. I stopped eating anything processed, which included all those frozen diet meals I was previously living off (hello Weight Watchers pizzas!). I also decided I wasn't going to give up my favorite things, which included wine and champagne (and that occasional plate of salty french fries). Out of that experience, The Champagne Diet was born.

I kept that weight off for years -- until I got married, was juggling a full-time job, going to school at night, and building my business, all at the same time. Stress got the best of me and before I knew it, almost all of that weight came right back on. I remember looking at a photo of myself one day thinking, "Who is that girl?"

I knew something had to be done, and I also knew I was done with diets forever. I sure as hell wasn't calling Jenny this time. I immediately decided to truly start living "The Champagne Diet" again because I knew it worked. I figured, if I can do this again by doing what I did last time, then I truly had something here. 

The first thing I had to do was change my mindset. I couldn't panic, and I couldn't set time lines. I just had to make the decision to manage my stress and fill my world with healthy, delicious foods again. There was no time for laziness. It became my job to retrain myself how to eat for my health and overall wellness. And you know what? It was so much easier than I thought. Whole Foods became my playground again, and before I knew it, the weight was coming off. But more importantly, I was becoming happier and calmer than ever before. This time around, I experimented with eating a vegan diet, which I followed for about 2 months. I didn't stay with it for various reasons, but I don't consider myself a failure at all. Eating vegan helped me to incorporate some really healthy habits into my life, and I am forever grateful for that.

I've lost 22 pounds so far, and I am still working on about another 10 to get to my "happy place" where I look and feel best, but there's no rush for me. It's not about a size jeans or a number on the scale. It's about feeling healthy, hot, and happy. And I want to teach you to do the same.

My "Healthy is the New Skinny" 8 week phone workshop kicks off on Tuesday. I am assembling an amazing group of empowered, motivated women who want to learn to break the diet chain and start eating for their health. We're going to learn to celebrate ourselves and our bodies NOW, not 10 pounds from now. We're going to vow to buy ourselves cute clothes no matter what size we are, because if we don't look good, we won't feel good, and you've got to feel good to treat your body well.

If you want to learn more about the workshop, click here or email me.

Invest in yourself. You deserve nothing less.

xo
Cara

Pre-Order Your Signed Copy of "The Champagne Diet" Book and Enter to Win BIG!

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Guess what dahhhlings? I have decided to do an exclusive pre-order for personalized, signed copies of my new book The Champagne Diet: Eat, Drink, and Celebrate Your Way to a Healthy Mind and Body. This will be the only time you can get your hands on a signed copy for a while! 

Each book will be $25 which includes US shipping and everyone who pre-orders will be entered into a grand prize drawing to win a massive gift basket packed with delicious goodies including:

- A $100 gift certificate to Bloomingdales

- A Chris Freytag fitness DVD (I love her!)

 - Free coaching sessions from some of the best health & fitness coaches that I have hand-picked

- A pair of champagne flutes

and SO MUCH  MORE!

The pre-orders start today so if you're interested, email me at Info@TheChampagneDiet.com!


*Pre-orders will be taken through June 15, 2013 Winner will be drawn at random on June 20, 2013.

*List price of the book will be $12.99 on Amazon and through independent retailers. Signed copies will be $25 which includes shipping & handling fees.

How to Design Your Dream Life and Why You Have No Other Choice

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Yesterday I worked from home. I got up without an alarm around 8 am, and slowly made my way to the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. I calmly and leisurely allowed myself to wake up, listening to music and playing with my dog. By 10 am I was starting my workout, followed by a refreshing shower with my new lavender bath gel. Next, I checked emails, did some work, and at around 1 pm, I went to a local bistro to pick up a piece of freshly prepared lemon caper salmon (my secret to preparing amazing meals is letting the restaurant do half the work!) I came home and made my own sauteed organic spinach with garlic and extra virgin olive oil and had a delicious lunch.

I mean, how delicious does that look?

Why am I telling you all of this? Because while it was all going down, it occurred to me that I am able to live my healthiest, happiest life when I work from home. I eliminate my commute and I get to work in a space that I designed with so much care and personality that it inspires me every day. I have time to exercise and take breaks and stay relatively active throughout the whole day.

Knowing this empowers me to make all the necessary changes to ensure that those days happen as often as possible for me. Can it be my every day? Not right now, but I'm working on it. Rather than sitting around bitching that I still have to commute some days, I focus on all of the energy and inspiration I get from the days where I'm working and living in my perfect space. I don't dwell on the days where it feels like drudgery. I know they are few and far between. I plan all of my vacation time to create shorter work weeks for myself so I can be at home, doing what I love. I work harder and harder to design the life and work I want to do in this world.

See where I'm going with this? It's on you to design the life that serves you best. The life where you shine, where you feel healthy and balanced, and fulfilled. It's going to look different for each one of us, so only you know how to get there. But you've got to get there. There's really no other choice.

So start today. Make one move. Write one plan. Dream one dream.

And if you need a buddy to dream and plan with you, I'm here.

With love,

Cara

PS - Maybe your dream life involves giving up dieting forever and living a life of health and happiness (for real this time)? If so, you do NOT want to miss my next phone workshop. I only have 6 spots left. Get the scoop here.

Announcing the "Healthy is the New Skinny" Workshop!

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Summer is coming and if you're like 99% of the population you've stared at your ass in the mirror and thought, "How the f*ck did this happen?" You're probably cringing at the thought of putting on a swimsuit, and you're kicking yourself for eating one too many bowls of pasta this winter. You feel fat, so you've stopped buying cute clothes. You have so many things you want to do, but you keep putting them off until you "lose the weight."

Well you know what? It's time to stop the madness.

What if I promised you that you could look and feel fabulous, just by vowing to never diet again? What if I taught you how to eat for your health, and start going after all the things that make you sparkle NOW -- not 10 pounds from now.

My "Healthy is the New Skinny" workshop kicks off on Tuesday, May 21st and I have a few spots open. We'll meet every other Tuesday evening, via phone, for 8 weeks. We'll have open and honest discussions around yo-yo dieting, why we beat ourselves up over our weight, and why we need to stop, immediately. We'll have group coaching where we'll set personal goals to be our healthiest, hottest, happiest selves. There will be a private Facebook group for support and motivation.

Total investment for this 8 week program: $149

Workshop schedule can be found here. 

Interested? Email me at Info@LiveCreateSparkle.com to reserve your space! Seating is very limited so please get in touch ASAP to claim your seat!

xo
Cara

Sneak Peek at the Cover of "The Champagne Diet" Book!

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Okay, I thought I couldn't possibly be more in love with a book cover than I was with "Sparkle," but I am so OBSESSED with the cover for book 2!

What do you think??

 

The book will be out next month! Stay tuned for updates!

xo

Cara