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Woman to Woman: 1,000 Conversation Starters for Talking about Anything
by Kim ChamberlainWomen's conversations can cover a wide range of topics and may include much in the way of intelligent observations on life's complexities, entertaining observations, and a sharing of innermost thoughts. While conversation in mixed company can range along the same lines, there are many subjects that women feel more comfortable discussing among themselves in a mutually encouraging and supportive environment. However, getting the ball rolling is often difficult even among women when the topic is personal, controversial, or embarrassing. A Woman's Guide to Talking About Anything to Anyone provides a broad and stimulating range of conversation openers that give women the opportunity to have stimulating and enlightening sessions in ways that lead to expanding the boundaries of knowledge and building lasting relationships. The thought-provoking and insightful starters include such topics as: - family matters, - sex and love, - the business world at all levels - local, national, and international politics - hobbies and interests - health issues - personal and family finances - education Written by an award-winning communications expert, the book also offers a host of speaking tips and techniques to help women of all ages develop and enhance their conversation skills in terms of organizing thoughts and responses, appropriate modes of expression, and developing listening skills.
The Little Red Book of Love (Little Red Books)
by Kari Belsheim"At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet."--Plato"Who, being loved, is poor?"?Oscar WildeLove is all around us, and it has inspired the most moving words ever spoken or set to the page. Inside The Little Red Book of Love, you'll find a broad range of sentiments and musings on the topic of love.Love affects everyone in different ways. Inspire yourself and others with the words of: Dr. Seuss Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mother Teresa Marilyn Monroe Jane Austen Robert Frost John Lennon And many, many more!
Older and Happier!: Inspiring, Amusing, and Useful Advice for Men of a Certain Age
by Dag Sebastian AhlanderOf today's retired men, one third are reasonably happy, one third are dissatisfied, and one third have resigned themselves to their situation. After retiring, Dag Sebastian Ahlander, former Swedish Consul General in New York, learned the importance of relishing every age-despite setbacks and illnesses-in order to acquire wisdom and perspective and gain greater satisfaction for the years that remain. Drawing on his own experiences, Mr. Ahlander penned Handbook for Happy Old Men , offering 109 pieces of advice for making the change from Grumpy Old Man to Jolly Gent.Mr. Ahlander's suggestions for a better retirement include: Don't become a Micro Management Guru. Don't try to reorganize your wife's kitchen where you have never done a thing during your active years. You don´t have to comment on everything. Life is supposed to be lived, not commented upon. Don´t downsize. Now is your chance to enjoy the home you have spent a lifetime acquiring and arranging. Steer clear of your adult children´s big problems. You'll just lose sleep. But do help them with the small stuff-you have the time now for practicalities, they don´t. Smile and people will smile back at you. A red bow tie helps! Handbook for Happy Old Men is both a thought-provoking call to transformation and a practical guide to making the simple changes that make your life that much happier. Remember, time may be short, but life is long. It's high time to count your blessings and forget the rest. The choice is yours!
1,001 Pearls of Wisdom to Build Confidence: Advice and Guidance to Inspire You in Love, Life, and Work (1001 Pearls)
by Alan Ken ThomasConfidence is not something that most people are born with. It is crafted through hard work and dedication. The key to confidence is trust in yourself and always believing that you're capable of doing anything. In 1,001 Ways to Build Confidence, you will hear from writers, politicians, and many other people who have persevered through tough times and, because of their inner confidence, have been successful.You will get to read wisdom from all sorts of people, including:George WashingtonHelen KellerRalph Waldo EmersonAristotleVince LombardiEleanor RooseveltAnn LandersAnd many more!1,001 Ways to Build Confidence is the ultimate collection of wisdom that will single-handedly improve your confidence and show that no matter the obstacle, you have the capability to accomplish great things. The people included in this book are a great representation of those points, and where they have succeeded, so can you.
The Greenwash Effect: Corporate Deception, Celebrity Environmentalists, and What Big Business Isn?t Telling You about Their Green Products and Brands
by Guy PearseGoing green is the new black for big business. But how real is the climate-friendly revolution that's being advertised? Toyota would like us to think that Mother Nature drives a Prius, Ford wants us to "Join the Green Revolution," and McDonald's has painted its golden arches green. Facebook has even "friended" Greenpeace. All across the globe big corporations are spending big bucks trying to convince us that their policies, actions, and products are earth friendly. But are big brands and the celebrities endorsing them really as green as they claim?In The Greenwash Effect, Guy Pearse looks behind the corporate façade in the tradition of Fast Food Nation and No Logo-and what he finds will startle you. Nothing is sacred and no one is safe from scrutiny: not the World Wildlife Fund or Earth Hour, not Apple or Google, not Oprah or Leonardo DiCaprio. The Greenwash Effect is an entertaining and practical book that helps consumers to pick the truly green businesses from the greenwashers and to demand a higher environmental standard from all.
Mark Twain on Common Sense: Timeless Advice and Words of Wisdom from America?s Most-Revered Humorist
by Mark Twain Stephen BrennanRevered as one of America's greatest humorists and author of the "Great American Novel" (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn), the words of Samuel Langhorne Clemens-more commonly known as Mark Twain-resonate as strongly today as they did when he wrote them more than a century ago. A close friend of Nikola Tesla and heralded by William Faulkner as "the father of American literature," Twain's wit, wisdom, and influence continues through the present day.Printer, typesetter, steamboat pilot, miner, reporter, journalist, author, inventor, humorist, investor, publisher, lecturer-Mark Twain was known as many things during his lifetime and has had at least as many titles thrust upon him since this death, but perhaps what he is best known for is being a source of good old-fashioned common sense. Whatever the topic-whether science and technology, life and love, history and culture, travel and exploration, civil rights and human rights, labor and politics, or ethics and religion-Twain had much to say and many ways to say it. Here, culled from his greatest novels, speeches, letters, conversations, and lectures is the best wisdom and advice-humorous, sardonic, and insightful as always.
Chic-tionary: The Little Book of Fashion Faux-cabulary
by Malia Carter Stephanie SimonsChic-tionary is a darling little dictionary of fashion and beauty words you never knew existed. It takes its inspiration from the peculiar and amusing language of fashion people like Tyra Banks (smize), Man Repeller (arm party), and André Leon Tally (dreckitude), and contains more than two hundred made-up acronyms, abbreviations, and afflictions that are certain to leave an indelible glitter stain on the English language.Have you ever tried something on at a department store without bothering to hang it back up (fit it then quit it)? Or been saved by a Sephora when a last-minute invitation strikes and you're without makeup (serendipretty)? Are you a dark-haired maiden who's tired of letting blondes believe they have more fun (brunetiquette)?Other terminally chic terminology includes:accessorcismWhat needs to happen when you feel possessed to wear every piece of jewelry you own, all at once.bangoverThe morning-after remorse that occurs after getting bangs that are too short and don't behave.dresspassingWhen another woman invades your territory by showing up in the same dress as you.fête-abolismThe phenomenon in which calories consumed while standing and making small talk at a fête don't count.ideal body weightBradley Cooper on top of you.prisoner of wardrobeWhat you become when you turn down an invitation.. . . And more!
Conversation Starters: 1,000 Creative Ways to Talk to Anyone about Anything
by Kim ChamberlainLike an onion, a conversation is often made up of layers. On its face it may appear to be on one level, but peel away a layer or two, and you will find other issues lying beneath the surface.Providing techniques to analyse conversations, Conversation Starters will enable you to develop creativity by taking your brain to a space where originality can flourish, by enhancing problem-solving skills, and by improving conversation and listening skills. Even if you wouldn't describe yourself as "creative," this book will give you the chance to think and express yourself in innovative and productive ways.The book's one thousand conversation-starting topics offer easy ways to move away from traditional discussion themes as well as the opportunity to develop and enhance speaking and listening skills. They provide the opportunity to approach and explore issues and then to formulate and express your thoughts and responses in innovative and challenging ways. You'll discover new ways way to connect with others, avenues to help you learn new things and connect with other people in stimulating and satisfying ways. In addition to the conversation starters are tips and quotes relating to discovering and enhancing creativity while initiating and maintaining conversations.
Hardcore Inventing: Invent, Protect, Promote, and Profit from Your Ideas
by Ellie Crowe Robert YonoverYou've come up with a great solution to a persistent problem-an invention that will help thousands of people. But what do you have to do to turn it into a reality? Robert Yonover uses his experiences from the world of inventing and promotion to take you through the invention process step-by-step. Learn how to:Find the problem you can solveBuild a show prototypeCreate an attention-grabbing and memorable nameFind investorsSafeguard your intellectual propertyNavigate critical crossroadsLicense and market your inventionFrom your initial idea through a captivating proposal, Hardcore Inventing is an easy-to-use, informational, and inspirational guide on how to turn your idea into a success.
Conservation Directory 2015: The Guide to Worldwide Environmental Organizations
by Arlander C. BrownThe authority on natural resource use and management agencies around the world.Do you want to take action to protect Earth’s environment? Are you interested in learning more about wildlife conservation and environmental groups? The Conservation Directory 2015 is a great resource for budding environmental activists and scholars alike who want to achieve a peaceful, equitable, and sustainable future. This all-inclusive volume is an amazing resource that can help further these environmental goals.The new and revised 2015 edition of the Conservation Directory is the most comprehensive listing of conservation and environmental organizations yet published, with information on more than four thousand government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and colleges and universities, as well as more than eighteen thousand officials concerned with environmental conservation, education, and natural resource use and management.Each entry contains detailed contact information, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers. Also included are selected email and Internet addresses, descriptions of program areas, senior staff by name and responsibility, principal publications, and more. Entries are categorized by organization and state or country and are indexed alphabetically and by subject on topics ranging from acid rain to zoology. Each person listed in the directory is also indexed alphabetically.
Conservation Directory 2017: The Guide to Worldwide Environmental Organizations
by Lindsey BreuerDo you want to take action to protect Earth’s environment? Are you interested in learning more about wildlife conservation and environmental groups? The Conservation Directory 2017 is a great resource for budding environmental activists and scholars alike who want to achieve a peaceful, equitable, and sustainable future. This all-inclusive volume is an amazing resource that can help further these environmental goals.The new and revised 2017 edition of the Conservation Directory is the most comprehensive listing of conservation and environmental organizations yet published, with information on more than four thousand government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and colleges and universities, as well as more than eighteen thousand officials concerned with environmental conservation, education, and natural resource use and management.Each entry contains detailed contact information, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers. Also included are selected email and Internet addresses, descriptions of program areas, senior staff by name and responsibility, principal publications, and more. Entries are categorized by organization and state or country and are indexed alphabetically and by subject on topics ranging from acid rain to zoology. Each person listed in the directory is also indexed alphabetically.
Your Life Path: Life Mapping Tools to Help You Follow Your Heart and Live Your Dream, Now!
by Linda K. WattsYour Life Path provides a self-discovery–based personal growth and development toolkit. It applies the concept of life mapping, which is a simple, fun, and comprehensive method for reflecting on your past and "re-modeling" your future. This is the perfect book for anyone facing significant life transitions or who simply desires to gain greater awareness about his or her own life story. Your Life Path combines rich, well-illustrated discussion from the author’s extensive research and case studies with practical, hands-on creative tools that engage and guide the life mappers through a gradual, self-paced repertoire of journaling, active imagination, and creative representation tools in order to help them realize their value-driven goals and arrive at a better understanding of some of their most persistent inner conflicts. Dr. Watts's program helps life mappers strengthen adaptive strategies in order to enrich their life's journey and assist them in achieving their dreams.
The Dark Eclipse: Reflections on Suicide and Absence
by A. W. BarnesThe Dark Eclipse is a book of personal essays in which author A.W. Barnes seeks to come to terms with the suicide of his older brother, Mike. Using source documentation—police report, autopsy, suicide note, and death certificate—the essays explore Barnes’ relationship with Mike and their status as gay brothers raised in a large conservative family in the Midwest. In addition, the narrative traces the brothers’ difficult relationship with their father, a man who once studied to be a Trappist monk before marrying and fathering eight children. Because of their shared sexual orientation, Andrew hoped he and Mike would be close, but their relationship was as fraught as the author’s relationship with his other brothers and father. While the rest of the family seems to have forgotten about Mike, who died in 1993, Barnes has not been able to let him go. This book is his attempt to do so. Published by Bucknell University Press. Distributed worldwide by Rutgers University Press.
Divine Alignment: How Godwink Moments Guide Your Journey
by Squire RushnellIt's happened to you. You received a phone call out of the blue; or you bumped into someone who led you to a new job, a new relationship, or opportunity that totally changed your life. You probably even said, "Wow, what a coincidence I met so and so." But did you ever stop to ask what caused that person to be right there, at that exact moment, in your path? It was Divine Alignment: the arrangement of coincidences into a pattern of alignment so astonishing they could have come only from a higher source. In this inspiring new work, SQuire Rushnell shows readers how they can navigate life's thorniest hurdles, rediscover the deep meaning and impact of personal prayer, and develop the individual conviction and wherewithal it takes to reach their full potential and fulfill their most ambitious dreams by honoring the book's seven easy-to-follow steps. In his charmingly avuncular and wonderfully optimistic voice, SQuire shares moving stories from his own and others' lives to show the awesome strength inherent in what he calls God's Positioning System, or GPS. All of us, he assures readers, can use our own personal GPS to grow more closely aligned with God to become vastly more effective, successful, and fulfilled in our relationships, careers, and everything we do. *** DIVINE ALIGNMENT offers a comprehensive approach for living our lives in harmony with God--every minute of every day--offering a whole new paradigm for understanding the mysterious connections between people and events, challenges and solutions. GPS STEP 1: Speak with the Navigator GPS STEP 2: Listen to Your Own Inner Compass GPS STEP 3: Mapping Your Destination GPS STEP 4: Unshackle Your Baggage GPS STEP 5: Step Out in Faith and Believe You'll Arrive GPS STEP 6: Read the Signs, Recalculate, and Accelerate GPS STEP 7: Gratefully Arrive with a Full Well Within
Kick Your Addiction: How to Quit Anything
by Susan Shapiro Frederick WoolvertonIs a smoking, alcohol, food, gambling, Internet, drug, or sex addiction holding you back from getting what you want most? Over the past twenty-five years, renowned addiction therapist Dr. Frederick Woolverton has used his dynamic, empathetic approach to help thousands of addicts achieve long-term recovery-including himself. He sees the specific habit as less important than the underlying chaos and fear that motivate the urge to soothe ourselves with bad habits. The solution, he has found, requires only a better understanding of yourself and a change in attitude.Using real patient examples as well as research and his own experience, Dr. Woolverton and coauthor and former patient Susan Shapiro show how to thrive without self-medicating. Woolverton's specific instructions do not require an expensive therapist, rehab, a twelve-step program, or a higher power (though he does make readers aware of those viable options). Let him help you beat your addiction. When you conquer a toxic habit, you are leaving room for something beautiful to take its place.
Older and Wiser: Inspiration and Advice for Retiring Baby Boomers
by Dag Sebastian AhlanderOlder and Wiser! is the inspiring new sequel to Older and Happier!, Dag Sebastian Ahlander's joyful guide to turning retirement into a time of self-exploration. For many men, the years after sixty-five become the best of their lives-and with good reason. The office is left behind, the children have grown up, and you're healthy, alert, and free to do what you want. Still, as with any big life change, you may be looking for some words of advice and hope.Older and Wiser! reflects on the big things in life and the little ones, and contains practical suggestions as well as reflections on aging from the world's greatest philosophers, writers, and thinkers. With thoughts like "You're too old to die young," "You've retired from your job, not from life," and "Be careful when you spend more time at the pharmacy than at the wine store," Mr. Ahlander guides older gentlemen along the golden years of retirement.Baby Boomers are again defining a new age group, just as they once invented the modern understanding of the teenager. Now, they're proving to the world that old age will have to wait. This is your time now-to accomplish what you've always dreamed of, to do the things you like best. Live as you want to be remembered and enjoy the journey.
The Perception Myth: A Guide to Challenging Your Personal Myths and Discovering Your Inner Greatness
by Brad WheelisThere are millions of self-help books that all promise the secret to obtaining a happy life-a successful career, lots of money, loving relationships, a defined and firm sense of morality; whatever could possibly define "happiness" for one person. But nothing is possibly more subjective than happiness. Everyone thinks of happiness as something different, but what they think may not actually be true. Brad Wheelis struggled with an incorrect idea of happiness for years, held back by his perceived flaws, low self-esteem, and societal pressure to be perfect. Eventually, he realized that he had been chasing the wrong ideal.Today, Wheelis believes that a truly happy life is impossible. No one can be happy all of the time. But you can strive to achieve fulfilled lives that contain both happiness and sadness by making a series of changes: how your preconceived notions of fulfillment differ from realistic goals, what you want to accomplish for yourself, and how you can make those ideas come true. Making a conscious decision to transform your perceptions of both trivial and significant aspects of your life, one at a time, will lead you to your own kind of happiness and inner greatness. The Perception Myth combines personal memoir with a step-by-step approach to happiness for anyone who is afraid or does not know how to take risks. Fulfillment is around the corner; you just need to figure out how to reach it.
The Marriage Devotional: 365 Simple Ways to Celebrate Your Love
by Meera LesterHappily married people live longer, healthier, wealthier lives. And they don't fight any more or less than unhappily married couples. What's their secret? In this book, you'll learn the many ways in which couples can build intimacy and reinforce their commitment to one another--every day of the year. Inside this engaging, enlightening handbook, you'll find easy things you can do every day to make marriage as happy and fulfilled as it can be, such as:#10: Keep one another's secrets.Relationship experts say that intimacy is strengthened and marriage bonds deepened when couples regard keeping each other's secrets as a sacred trust. Keeping your word to your spouse makes possible the revealing of vulnerabilities, fears, aspirations, and dreams.#112: Have sex tonight. And again tomorrow night.Couples who have more sex report happier marriages, according to the American Sexual Behavior study conducted by the University of Chicago. #286: Stay friendly when arguing.It's a given that you can forcefully argue your side, so try switching sides to debate your partner's viewpoint. Ask your partner to present your side. Call each other by pet names to keep the conversation friendly.From impromptu trysts and new sexual positions to couples' retreats and joint acts of charity, these are marital tips and tricks that really work--no matter how long you've been married.
The Bridge to Growth: How Servant Leaders Achieve Better Results and Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
by Jude RakeA recent study revealed that only 21 percent of workers feel engaged and truly committed to their company’s success and goals. They don’t know how their work connects to their company’s goals or understand how they can help achieve them. Leaders have failed to fully engage workers in the development and execution of their company’s mission and goals, and ultimately its journey toward success. Too often, employees are over-managed and under-led. Jude Rake, a business leader with more than 35 years of experience leading high-performance teams, shows how servant leaders—those who serve employees by giving them what they need to fully engage and commit to achieving the company’s goals—use nine proven principles to succeed:Grow leaders and difference makers, not just followers.Build and orchestrate high-performance teams more powerful than the sum of their parts. Focus the organization on strategic priorities, simplify operations, and accelerate progress.Champion the people who purchase and use your products and services.Cultivate a performance-based culture of innovation.Communicate relentlessly.See the world through the eyes of others. Be the model you want emulated. Coach people to achieve more than they thought possible.The Bridge to Growth details how to use these principles to elevate workforce engagement, collaboration, innovation, and accountability to build a bridge from strategy to exceptional execution and results.
A Life of My Own: Meditations on Hope and Acceptance (Hazelden Meditations #1)
by Karen CaseyA Life of My Own offers direct and affirming meditations for daily access to strength, serenity, and insight in our relationships with chemically dependent people.A Life of My Own-- direct and affirming meditations offer daily access to strength, serenity, and insight in our relationships with chemically dependent people. Written with a broad-based spirituality and straight-forward style by the author of the classic Each Day a New Beginning, these reflections gently guide friends and family working programs like Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, and Coc-Anon to a better sense of themselves, Twelve Step principles, and what it means to joyfully live a life of one's own.
The Joy of Hygge: How to Bring Everyday Pleasure and Danish Coziness into Your Life
by Jonny Jackson Elias LarsenHygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) is a Danish word that describes the feeling of being cozy, comfortable, and at peace with the world. It’s almost impossible to translate to English, and it’s probably the reason that Denmark is one of the happiest countries in the world.According to the London Evening Standard, hygge takes us beyond mindful meditation and adult coloring books and introduces us to a comfortable, warm, relaxing lifestyle exemplified by those in Denmark.The Joy of Hygge is packed with recipes to warm you on a winter’s evening, craft ideas for decorating your home, and inspirational suggestions for enjoying the magic of everyday pleasures. Learn how to make your life more hyggelig by: •Creating a snuggly pair of hand-knitted socks •Filling your house with more light and nature displays •Building a cozy campfire for friends and family •Taking advantage of picnics, bike rides, and woodland walks •Appreciating the natural wonders that surround us every day •And more! Remember—a little hygge brings a lot of happiness.
The Spartan Way: Eat Better. Train Better. Think Better. Be Better.
by Joe De SenaNew York Times bestselling author Joe De Sena, founder and CEO of Spartan, the global health and wellness platform, leader in obstacle racing, and executive producer of NBC’s television show Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge, challenges you to live The Spartan Way.Determined to yank 100 million people off their couch cushions to start living instead of being passive observers of life, Joe De Sena has one ultimate goal: to help improve everyone’s physical and emotional health by teaching them the tenets of Spartan living from ancient Greece: simple eating, smart training, mastering resilience, and an all-out commitment to achieving a goal. Like Spartan training, living The Spartan Way requires endurance to reach your finish line, the goal that inspires and drives you to succeed no matter what obstacles are thrown in your path. De Sena believes you can gain that endurance in just thirty-six days by following the ten Spartan Core Virtues, timeless principles to help you embrace adversity and overcome any challenge, and making them a permanent part of your own personal core. The Spartan Core Values include:Self-Awareness—Know yourselfCommitment—Be dedicatedPassion—Discover your purposeDiscipline—Practice diligencePrioritization—Put your house in orderGrit—Push your limitsCourage—Face your fears and your failuresOptimism—Look for the positives Integrity—Act honestly Wholeness—Live as a SpartanDe Sena turned this philosophy into a lifestyle—and so can you. With The Spartan Way, you’ll discover your true north, unleash the warrior within, and transform your life to 10X your maximum potential.
Out of the Broom Closet: 50 True Stories of Witches Who Found and Embraced the Craft
by Arin Murphy-HiscockHow do you tell your mother you're a witch?Coming out as a witch isn't easy. You may feel misunderstood, rejected, even discriminated against by friends, family, and coworkers. If you haven't come out, you may be leery of criticism from those who don't really know what it means to be a witch. In this one-of-a-kind collection, you'll meet fifty witches just like you who reveal what drew them to the craft and how they dealt with coming Out of the Broom Closet. Inside you'll find inspiring stories like:Empowered by My Faith: Debra's belief in the God and Goddesses is strengthened when she asks for their guidance during energy-healing to save her son from a near-fatal gunshot wound Yes, We Are Working Professionals: Deb stands up against discrimination and shows her Wiccan pride during a meeting at workI Am Pagan and I Am Proud: Gwinevere explores her faith and strength when she becomes a published Wiccan author at sixteen years old An Exercise in Tolerance: Joshua risks at losing the woman he loves when he has to convince her strict Christian family that he doesn't worship the devilOut of the Broom Closet will give you the encouragement and inspiration you need to practice magick with pride and dignity, no matter where you are on the path.
The Magic of Mental Diagrams: Expand Your Memory, Enhance Your Concentration, and Learn to Apply Logic
by Claudio ArosWhen Einstein said we only use 10 percent of our brain, he was inviting us to explore all those capabilities that are waiting to be awakened. This book finally explains how to do just that. Mental diagrams are a simple, efficient means of activating all our potential. Upon sketching a mental diagram, we create a blueprint with shapes, colors, and figures to process information faster and to increase our ability to synthesize. This excellent, creative system of thinking allows us to obtain a joint vision of life’s daily problems in addition to strengthening all the areas in which our mind operates, like memory, concentration, logic, or intuition. In the pages of this book, you will discover: * The function of the human brain * How to create mental diagrams * Exercises to strengthen memory * Intelligence regarding personal decisions * Tests to develop intuition and creativity * Secrets of the great lecturers
The Bee Cottage Story: How I Made a Muddle of Things and Decorated My Way Back to Happiness
by Frances SchultzInspired by Frances Schultz’s popular House Beautiful magazine series on the makeover of her East Hampton house, Bee Cottage, what began as a decorating book evolved into a memoir combining the best elements of both: beautiful photos and a compelling personal story. Schultz taps into what she learned during her renovations of Bee Cottage--determining how each area in the house and garden would be used and furnished--to unravel the question of how a mature, intelligent, successful woman could have made such a mess of her personal life. As she figures out each room over a period of years, Frances finds a new path in life, also a continual process. She comes to learn that, like decorating a home, our lives must adapt to who we are and what we need at different points along the way. The Bee Cottage Story is part memoir, part home decorating guide. Frances discusses the kinds of useful, commonsense design issues that professionals take for granted and the rest of us just may not think of, prompting the reader to examine and discover her own "truth” in decorating--and in her life.