vintage purse giveaway (it could be yours!)

hello all!  this is my first ever giveaway (and it's a good one)!  rachael, fellow blogger and total sweetheart from it's simple love, and i are hosting dual giveaways.  i'm giving away this adorable and super chic vintage purse from her etsy shop on my blog, and she's hosting a giveaway of my book and two (handcrafted) t-shirt necklaces on hers : )  lots of fun!

could it be cuter?!

it's simple love is one of my dailies.  rachael blogs about life, love, travel, music, photography and (of course!) amazing vintage fashion.  her personal style and positive outlook are to be coveted!  i strongly recommend stopping by her blog and vintage shop...they're totally worth a (prolonged) visit.

...wish i could enter...

so...on to the good stuff...how to win!

to enter vintage purse giveaway:
you must be (or become) a follower of my blog, lifestyle maven, and leave a comment below : )

extra enties:
+1 follow it's simple love (make sure you come back and leave an additional comment to let me know)
+2 blog about this giveaway or add a link to it on your blog (again, be sure to let me know)

remember to write a separate comment for each entry.  open to u.s. and canada residents only (sorry!).  the giveaway ends friday oct 15th, and the winner will be chosen at random.

thank you for entering & best of luck!  (p.s. i'll be totally jealous of whoever wins this purse...)

oh and don't forget to stop by it's simple love to enter for a chance to win a (signed) copy of my book and some very awesome t-shirt necklaces : )

Don't Worry, Be Happy : )

Did you know that you have everything you need within you at this very moment to be happy? You just have to recognize it and choose it. Yes, happiness is a choice. Sure, if you had a bit more money or weighed a bit less, maybe you’d convince yourself (or allow yourself) to be marginally happier for a short time, but what it really comes down to is your attitude.

Every day we are faced with a thousand little things that we need to take care of. We all have to go to the grocery store, walk the dog, go to work, make dinner, pay bills, etc., yet some people just seem to enjoy the ride more than others. Some people see life as a journey, enjoying each precious moment; others see it as a destination, always waiting for the future moment when they can “enjoy” life. When you think about it, doesn’t it seem a bit wasteful to put happiness on hold until some future date when the stars align, you magically lose 20 pounds and win the lottery? Because, chances are, that day will never come, or even if it does, I’m sure your hair will be frizzy or you’ll get in a fight with your husband… If you can’t be happy now, what makes you think you’ll be “happy when…”?

Happiness grows from the inside out, not the outside in. Choose happiness. Choose it now. When something starts to bother you, and you feel yourself slipping into that negative, dark space, take a deep breath and smile. It may seemed forced, but over time that smile will transform into a genuine grin : )

The Myth of Perfection

As I've mentioned, I'm currently working on my latest book (working title Health, Happiness & Home).  It's going to address how to live your best life by listening to your intuition, simplifying your life and home and seeking beauty in all things, including yourself.  Here is a taste of what I'm working on...

     The myth of perfection permeates our lives. We constantly measure ourselves and our lives against standards that no one (or at most very, very few individuals) can attain. Worse yet, when we fall short of these unrealistic ideals, we criticize ourselves and feel like failures. We believe that we have to be the perfect wife, sister, daughter, mother, employee, boss, lover, etc. in order for our lives to feel happy and complete.

     This idea that only perfection is acceptable; only perfection can be appreciated, only perfection can be loved drives many of our lifestyle decisions and goals. Yet, these goals, as important as they may seem, are often completely ego-centric and unattainable. We scrutinize every pound we gain and turn to unhealthy methods to lose weight, truly believing that if we could weigh a bit less (or a lot less), we would be able to get our lives on track and find that elusive harmony and true satisfaction we’ve been craving. We wish for more money, nicer clothes, a bigger home and better car, thinking that if we only possessed these tangible symbols of happiness, we would truly be happy. But, as physical as these emblems of success and happiness might be, they’re not real. They are not (and never will be) what truly makes us happier, healthier and saner.

     The problem is that the concept of perfection is flawed. The notion that only perfect, ideal, faultless beings are allowed to partake in what makes life miraculous and are the only ones deserving of true happiness is ludicrous! Nobody is perfect. No one has their act together all the time. The trick is to do the best you can with what you’ve got and have faith that if you believe that you deserve happiness, happiness will undoubtedly begin to make its way into your life.

So there you have it.  Just a little sample of what I'm working on.  Hope you enjoyed it!  And keep checking back for more : )

Book Signing!!!

I'll be at the Flemington Shop Rite on Rte 31 on Friday, December 11th from 1:30pm-6:30pm signing copies of my newest book, Well-Designed Living. Stop by to chat or to get a signed copy of my book! If you want to order a copy online, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com.

Hope to see you there!

Well-Designed ...

By Cailen Ascher Poles

Book Preview

Order your copy of Well-Designed Living today!!!

My Book!!!

Well-Designed ...

By Cailen Ascher Poles

Book Preview

Get your copy today!!!

Excerpt from "Well-Designed Living"

I've been diligently working on my book and am hoping to start distributing it by August 2009. Below is an excerpt to give you an idea of what "Well-Designed Living" is all about...

Introduction

Design is not an exact science. In order for a design to be truly successful, you have to listen to your gut, trust your instincts, and accentuate the best features.

This holds true whether you are designing your home, your wardrobe, or your lifestyle. It may seem like a strange concept to “design” your lifestyle, but it’s vital in creating the life you want and deserve.

Some people constantly feel that they are the victim of circumstances and that their life is out of their control. They feel trapped by their current reality, but our current reality is just that, current; it can start to change next month, next week, tomorrow, or even now as you read this book.

We are the primary players in the creation of our lifestyles. We sculpt and mold every element of our lives with both attention and neglect. The goal of this book is to help you create harmony in your life so that you feel fulfilled. Our bodies and our homes showcase what we hold dear, our priorities, and what we like and dislike. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to these two pillars of our lives, for without stability and confidence in these areas, our lives feel imbalanced and stressful.

The act of design may come naturally to some, but is often daunting, and it is often helpful to turn to a professional, a designer, for guidance. Let this book be your lifestyle designer to help you create your best life…starting now. I strongly recommend keeping a journal throughout this process. It’s a great way to record your feelings, goals, motivations and improvements.

With the help of this book, you will learn the art of
Well-Designed Living:

The Self
How to love and listen to your body.
How to let your authentic inner voice be your guide and live intuitively.

The Home
How to make your home a reflection of the
life you want.

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.