This week I’m back in America.  You just can’t tie a gypsy down however hard you try!

In the past week, I’ve been participating on a weekend workshop in San Francisco and then this weekend I have another workshop lined up in New York.  And in-between workshops I’ve been playing on my brand new toy… my ipad.

Actually, it’s not just a toy.  I  say this because it was only after overwhelming proof from Greg’s brother, Michael, that Greg decided to buy me one – lucky me and it wasn’t even my birthday!  I managed to road-test it on the flight to San Francisco and I’m pleased to say, It passed the test.  For all you geeks out there, I totally recommend getting the upgrade and getting the 3G version – the extra bucks are worth it.

Greetings from Sydney!

Greg and I flew back into Australia on Friday, a bit earlier than planned but we wanted to acclimatise before the wonderful Annie Stoker event in Bondi Beach this coming weekend.

I have to admit, I do so love Bondi Beach! Isn’t it just a great place?  Makes me happy to be home.  That and the good coffee.  I do crave my coffee especially in winter.  Saying that, it’s hard to believe it’s the middle of winter over here because the weather is still fairly warm.  Don’t you just love Australia?  (And I hold nothing against the UK except the weather…..)

So now’s the time of year when they start to release the big blockbusters. Going to the cinema is such a treat.  Just out is The Karate Kid which stars Will Smith’s son, Jaden, as well as Jackie Chan who plays the eccentric martial arts mentor.  I went into the movie thinking nothing could match the original but I loved it!  The ironic thing is that the remake is not actually about karate at all – it’s set in Beijing and is all about Kung Fu.  Why still call it The Karate Kid though?

Who knows?  Still, it’s one of the best coming of age stories around and teaches us a lot about the power of restraint and mercy over violence.

Very philosophical.

I’ve just got back from Los Angeles where I spent a fabulous weekend reconnecting to my soul-self.  It’s so important we stay true to what we care about and what drives us – and staying in touch with my soul essence is something very valuable to me.

So there I was in a room full of hundreds of powerful women, but not powerful in a pushy way, but in a very feminine way.  You know, it’s such a shame that our culture no longer celebrates feminine power and that we have to go re-discover something that was so normal in so many traditional cultures.

It seems like the drive these days is to turn women into men and men into women.  But just because we can be strong and independent, doesn’t mean we have to give up being ladies!  And just because men can be soft and sensitive, doesn’t mean you have to forget your soul-self either.

And talking of being a lady, well guess where I went this week?! I popped into the MAC store in Santa Monica and treated myself to 2 new eyeshadows, 1 mascara, 1 studio fix, 2 new brushes, lip gloss for Hannah and two new lippies for me.  Not a bad stash for the afternoon and a very good way to get in touch with my feminine energies, don’t you think?  And men, I’m not saying you have to wear make-up but you can still be soft and sensitive too.  All of us can learn to get in touch with our soul-selves and the divine essence of who we are….

For those of you in the UK I hope you had a great Bank Holiday weekend and you made time to do lots of nice, relaxing things!  Remember, running a lifestyle business is just as much about the time off as it is the time spent working.

This weekend has all been about books for me.  I’ve been working on the marketing proposal for my new book, The Lifestyle Shift.  Who knew proposals could be so darn difficult?!  It’s harder than writing the book itself!

As a break away from the page, Greg and I have found ourselves gravitating towards the beautiful harbour here in Antibes.  It’s like stepping into a different world. You would not believe the size of some of the yachts!  They’re like mini-Titanics!  Still, it’s a lovely place to daydream and soak in the energy of abundance. 

Abundance comes in many forms.  Before I go, let me tell you about an extra special webinar I’m running on the 9th of June.  From conversations with many of you, I know you’re interested in running your own lifestyle business – a business you can run from the South of France, the mountains of Spain or even the foothills of the Himalayas.  It’s all about webinars!  Hop on this free webinar on the 9th June and I’ll share all their life-enhancing benefits with you!  Big Money from the Small Screen

I read a report in the paper the other day that the British are guaranteed a long, hot Summer.  Get the barbeques ready and the sunglasses out.  Who needs to fly abroad anyway?  This way you get to beat the ash.  So, what holiday plans have you got for this summer (or winter if you’re in Oz)?  Please do share the exciting ones with us – it always gives me ideas for my next vacation!

In a few days, Greg and I are flying out to Antibes in the South of France.  It’s not technically a holiday because we’ll still be working out there but it still gives us a chance to dine out on all that yummy French food.  Isn’t French food just the best?  I just love the way the French practically build their whole day around their meals.  I like that they place this at the centre of their existence.  It says something about how healthy they are – rather than placing their lives around their workload.

Holidays aren’t just an annual event are they?  In our business we permanently aim for the relaxed edge that holidays give us.  What you get out of holidays – the time to unwind and relax and get the work/life balance into perspective – we try to strive for everyday.  How can you bring the holiday into your work-life?  It’s actually more productive than you think….

Think about it this week as you soak in the sun in your lunch-break.