The Power of Small

Today author Linda Kaplan Thayer reminded me of the value of the little things in life. In her book, "The Power of Small," she argues that paying attention to details brings big rewards to companies and individuals. Thinking big is so 2008, she said.

"Think big, big picture, don't sweat the small stuff," she said. "Look where that's left us, big bankruptcies, big trouble. If just one woman had read the fine print we wouldn't be in this mess."
Take big problems and chop them into small pieces. Give yourself the opportunity for little rewards. Collect small change.

Stop and chat with your Barista.

"We look for the big moments. We rarely enjoy the small moments," she said.


"It's like throwing out seeds every time you do one kind gesture, one small deed, you don't know how it's going to flower."
Good advice.

30-Day Yoga Challenge: Day 1

It is time.
I am putting it into the universe that I am going to do yoga for 30 days straight, beginning today.
Part of the reason I am doing this is to bring down the price per class of my new $130 unlimited month-long membership at Yoga Center for Healthy Living in Brighton.
The other reason is that it's simply time.
It's time to shed the baby weight. It's time for me time. It's time to prove to myself that I can commit to something, see it through, and hopefully change myself in the process.
It's also time to return to yoga, the practice that has sustained me for the past 20 years. I have been a fickle yogini, but I'm back.
So, my husband and I worked out a loose schedule and I started the challenge this morning.
I have to admit I was anxious. I woke up at 5 a.m. and used the time before 8 a.m. Vinyasa to bathe and do a mini-pedi to get my toes up to yoga standards.
When I arrived at the studio, owner Lee Ann Louis-Prescott greeted me at the door. I hadn't meant to share my intentions, but she was so nice I heard myself blurting out my 30-day challenge. Lee Ann gave me a fist bump and a hug and proceeded to pay special attention to me in class - even introducing me at one point. I never expected such a warm welcome. It's an encouraging sign that the stars are aligned.
Lee Ann is all about classic yoga - fire breath, Sanskrit and all. Her class had lots of vinyasas, balancing poses and advanced options.
At 90 minutes, the Saturday morning Vinyasa is the longest class at the studio. If I got to Savasana there, I can get through anything.
But tomorrow I'm doing Hatha.
I am going to be sore!

Getting Saks-y

I went to a great fashion show the other day at Saks Fifth Avenue, sponsored by the Junior League of Birmingham. The show featured the latest fun trends, as worn by all the metro Detroit beauties that consistently model for Saks.

Basically if you want to be stylin' this spring, opt for feminine touches, safari-inspired looks, and cute sporty coats, like this Sinclair red bow trench, worn by Stefani of Bloomfield Hills.

Tribute to Doug Fieger

Doug Fieger performs at The Whitney in Detroit, 2005

Me with The Knack

This weekend brought sad news in the Detroit rock world with the passing of Doug Fieger, best known as lead singer of The Knack.

I was in elementary school when "My Sharona" came out and I thought it was the coolest song ever.

I was lucky enough to see The Knack perform that song and other hits during a private concert at The Whitney during Fieger Law's Christmas party in 2005. Doug was famed attorney Geoffrey Fieger's younger brother (pictured above).

The Knack rocked.

Here are some photos from the show, shot by Steve Kaufman, as well as Doug's yearbook photo from Country Day in Bloomfield Hills circa 1966.

I am proud that Doug was from The D, and that I got the chance to meet him.

Jenna Kator Handbags

The Mydols recently played a few songs at Next Stage Woman, a networking event in Grand Blanc. Judy Davids, our guitarist, was a featured speaker, along with handbag designer Jenna Kator.

I've been wanting to meet Jenna ever since I first heard about her handbags, which are all named after Michigan cities. It turns out her story is very inspiring.

Jenna, of Troy, said she was laid off from her job in advertising in December, 2008, right before Christmas.

The 32-year-old couldn't find work, and went through a dark period until her husband encouraged her to follow her dream.

"I had to reinvent myself," she said. "It was my opportunity to start my own destiny."

Kator had always loved fashion, and with the help of an international team decided to take a gamble and launch her handbag line. Her first collection was delivered in October, 2009, and her Spring 2010 line is expected soon. Kator's goals are to continue selling handbags through home parties, expand into retail stores, and have her products placed in a locally-filmed movie.

Her bags offer clean lines and sophisticated colors, and she calls them 'statement pieces.'

"They say when you have a great bag and a good pair of shoes, you'll have a nice day," she said.

Troy Signature Handbag in winter white, $79.

Housewife Picks

Wear It!
Not Your Daughter's Jeans

Don't Wear It!
Muffin top

Face It!
Rimmell Lipstick in "Temptation" (channel your inner Gwen!)

Smell It!
Aquolina Pink Sugar perfume

Mane It!
Cut and color by Irene at Flip Salon in Ferndale

Eat It!
FlatOut bread

Drink It!
Hot chocolate with butterscotch shnapps

See It!
Where the Wild Things Are

TiVo It!
Yo Gabba Gabba with Jack Black

Read It!
Diary of a Mad Housewife

Hear It!
Family Hootenanny compilation CD
(not just because the Mydols are on it!)

Click It!
Mydols.com

Use It!
Baking soda to clean your tubs and sinks

Experience It!
Preschool roller skating at Riverside Arena 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays (you can take strollers on the rink!)

Try It!
The new children's play area at Laurel Park Place in Livonia

Do It!
Avedon Fashion Photographs at the DIA through Jan. 17

Ciao CelloBella!

The Mydols practiced with CelloBella yesterday in preparation for the upcoming Garden Family Hootenanny on Sunday, July 12 at The Whitney. I have always loved the cello, dating back to the filmstrips we used to watch in music class at Beverly Elementary School, so it will be exciting to share the stage with cellist Alison Donohue (pictured above). Since the cello has a bass voice, I'll have to find a way to set my bass guitar apart within the sound.

At the Hootenanny, the Mydols will join CelloBella on "I'm a Believer," "You are My Sunshine" and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." Plus, we'll each do our own sets. It should be a great time.