Lessons in Shopping
I know shopping online is all the rage these days. I get it. It’s convenient, easy and can be transacted while in bunny slippers and a robe. But sometimes, just sometimes, it’s worthwhile getting dressed and going to a store. My store of choice? CVS Pharmacy. For those of you unfamiliar with this store, it’s […]
Only in Canada!
Last summer I had the opportunity to attend a family wedding in the Toronto area. It was a godsend in many ways as I was still reeling from the U.S. election, (actually I’m still reeling, but that’s another blog) and I needed a new perspective. Canada is the perfect place to regain your world view […]
The Importance of (Nick)names
I grew up spelling my name. Every first day of school, I would sit in class with my heart beating out of my chest and my stomach twisting, waiting for the teacher to get to the “P” portion of the roll call, dreading the inevitable calling out of my name. “Karen Pelka?” “Here, but it’s […]
Sisterhood of the Traveling Orange Towel
In August of 2007, I traveled to Italy with my two cousins, Lisa and Kim, and my “adopted” sister, Sharon. It was my first time traveling to Europe and looking back, this was the first, irrevocable step to unleashing my gypsy spirit. It was also the trip that started our tradition of the traveling orange […]
Not Quite the Tattoo I Had in Mind
I’ve always wanted a tattoo. It’s been on my bucket list for years. And I knew there needed to be a good story behind it. That’s the most powerful kind of tattoo; a talisman of love lost, love found, of struggle or redemption. I just hadn’t found my story until I heard the words, “You […]
My Magical Story-Telling Christmas Tree
I have a magical Christmas tree. It may look like your typical store-bought, artificial tree with pre-lit lights, but that just means you aren’t looking hard enough. Look deeper, closer and begin to listen, for it has many stories to tell. More than 30 years ago, I started collecting Christmas ornaments from places I traveled. […]
Bumps, Humps & Lumps: My Road to Slowing the F*&# Down
I was a timid driver at 16. I remember driving into the neighborhood strip mall and not being able to get the car over the speed bump in the parking lot. I rolled up to the top and then, embarrassingly, rolled backward, requiring that I give it more gas to heave awkwardly and noisily over […]
Just Say “Yes”
It often takes more courage to contemplate a “yes,” than live with an automatic “no.” What can you say yes to today? How often in your life do you say no instead of yes? Is it your default response, with yes only coming after prodding, cajoling, greater thought or just plain shaming? In a time […]
Travel makes my feet sore and my heart soar
The cobblestone streets of old world European cities, days of touring their glorious museums, hours of transport dependent solely on your delicate soles and the allure of countryside hiking all require a good shoe strategy when traveling. Choosing footwear that is light, supportive and ideally waterproof while still trying to be stylish can be a […]
Operation Snagglepuss
When I was in my mid-40s, I began to think about the next stage of my life. My boys were approaching or in college, my career was going well, and I took the plunge and hired a financial advisor to help me plot my “retirement”. Trust me, this was one of the best things I’ve […]
The Pickup
As I was planning the logistics to and from the airport for my trip to Scottsdale, I was reminded of a story that happened a few years back. For those of you too young to know, it used to be standard practice to have my designated person (usually a family member or friend) park their […]
A One Way Ticket to Barcelona
As I exited the Corporate World in early July, I had 3 goals in mind. The 1st was to cleanse my mental palette, the 2nd was to restore my creative reservoir and the 3rd was to let my gypsy spirit travel the world for a bit and be reminded that I’m never lost, just exploring. I […]