{Monday Motivation From Simone Biles} Out Dream Yourself

Published on August 22, 2016August 22, 2016 by Danielle YB Vason2 Comments

Today’s Monday Motivation comes from Simone Biles. Below is a picture Simone put on Twitter with that caption: “out dream yourself”. When you were a child, I’m confident that you believed that you could be anything you wanted to be. I dreamed of being the first ballerina firefighter. Even though people laughed when I said it, I never stopped believing I could actually do it. My parents supported that goal and I have a picture somewhere of me with a plastic firefighter hat on while wearing a pink tulle tutu. I didn’t become the first ballerina firefighter only because I outgrew that dream.
Somewhere along the journey to adulthood, many adults lose the ability or will to dream. We tend to make decisions out of fear. We stay tied down to people and situations that paralyze us into thinking that whatever dreams we have are just too far-fetched to come true. We settle for an ordinary life when we could have the life of our dreams.

For those who are lucky enough to skillfully dream. How many of your actions are supporting your dream? You dream to be debt free but you spend haphazardly. You want to work in a different field or for a different company, but you never apply for another job. You want to meet someone and hopefully fall in love, but all you do it go to work and go home. See my point? This is not me judging you. This is me sharing my observations myself and others of the millennial generation.

Simone Biles had a goal to win- To bring home the goal. She worked hard every day, she sacrificed, and she strengthen her skills to help her accomplish her Olympic dreams. In doing so, it seems as if she exceeded even her own expectations. Monday’s Motivation = OUT DREAM YOURSELF!

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

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{Every Woman Should Know} 10 Things Your Don’t Owe Anyone

Published on May 20, 2016January 2, 2017 by Danielle YB VasonLeave a comment

Have you ever had one of those weeks that tested you both personally and professionally? Well, let’s just say that this was one of those weeks. In it I learned that there is no greater peace than peace of mind. I also learned that sometimes it is easier said than done to be your authentic self, but you will always come out better for doing so. I came across this brief video posted by Power of Positivity that breaks down 10 things you don’t owe anyone and I must say that I have been tested by 4 out of the 10 in the past month. Life is gift and you should give everyday the chance to become the most beautiful day of your life; otherwise, what is the point? I hope that the video below inspires you to wake up, be kind, kick ass, repeat. Happy Friday Lovelies.

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{Every Woman Should Have} The Protection of a Slush Fund

Published on March 29, 2016March 29, 2016 by Danielle YB Vason2 Comments

This is not a typical savings post, but a post that might just save you. I learned a very adult lesson when I was just a teenager watching a friend’s mother pick up the pieces after a messy divorce. To my knowledge, it was he who messed up…..so how in the world did she have to downgrade the lifestyle that they built together and he upgraded? The simple answer, he probably had the better lawyer. They shared an account but she didn’t have an account all by herself. At 15 years old, I learned that life happens and not everyone gets the happily ever after they were expecting. More importantly, I learned that every woman should have a her own money. I vowed that would NEVER be me. That was the year I started saving my own money.

The Protection of a Slush Fund

Creating a Slush Fund for yourself isn’t a selfish act nor does it have to be a sneaky one. In this post, Fortune Magazine author, Jean Chatzky, cites a study conducted by Princeton Research Associates for CreditCards.com. According to the study, “7.2 million Americans (4.4 million men and 2.8 million women to be precise) have a bank account or credit card that their spouse or live-in partner doesn’t know about”. That kind of omission in a relationship is not my personal cup of tea. I believe in the “yours-mines-ours” approach where the lines are clear and the division of funds works for both parties. This “Yours-Mines-Ours” strategy is me taking an active role in my personal finances and joint finances. Gone are the days where women are expected to blindly allow their spouses to run their financial house without know how the money is flowing in and out.

Regardless of your relationship status, YOU have a responsibility of building your financial house on a stronger foundation. Be proud of that. Be clear about your expectations. Be smart about your money. Every woman should have a protective slush fund because no one can protect you like you.

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You’re married, so should you have your own slush fund?

5 Skills Every Person Should Have

Published on April 14, 2015January 7, 2016 by Danielle YB VasonLeave a comment

{Every Woman Should Know} How To Jump A Car

Published on November 24, 2014November 24, 2014 by Danielle YB VasonLeave a comment

I had to learn how to “jump” a car out of necessity. It was a reactive skill because for months, my then new Mercedes C-Class had major battery drainage issues. Instead of being a damsel in distress, I became the type of woman who could jump a car in 4 ½ stilettos thanks to my Dad and the Mr. Let’s be honest, what’s the good in keeping jumper cables in your trunk for emergencies if you don’t know how to use them? I remember years ago having to jump my car from my friends Mercedes SUV. Her instinct was to call AAA because she was sure I was going to blow up her truck. We both drove off happy and inspired. I was happy to be on the road again and watching me doing it for myself inspired her because she had always depended on others in situations like.

Check out this super easy chart as a refresher for a skill “Every Woman Should Know

What Was The 1st Car You Ever Had?

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{Quick Tips} Every Woman Should Know How to Be More Efficient.

Published on June 19, 2014January 19, 2015 by Danielle YB Vason25 Comments

Women wear several hats everyday and in a society where time is money, learning to be more efficient could be exactly what you need to become more organized, sleep better, and be a ROCK star in your career. I can’t think of one person who couldn’t benefit from these friendly reminders of simple lifestyle changes that could make a big impact on your well-being. Check it out!

Infograph Credit via Funders and Founders

What’s Your Favorite Tip from the post?

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Health & Wellness Tips that Every Woman Should Know

Wellness Habits Every Woman Should Adopt for a Healthier Lifestyle

Published on June 9, 2014December 28, 2018 by Danielle YB VasonLeave a comment

Still I Rise…

Published on May 28, 2014 by Danielle YB Vason2 Comments

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise.

Maya Angelou (April 4, 1928- May 28, 2014)

{Every Woman Should Know} How Much You Should Tip

Published on October 21, 2013February 27, 2017 by Danielle YB Vason3 Comments

pizza-margherita-2 Everyone has a different tipping policy, which was clear from the vibrant discussion on the SMC Facebook page. I for one will always tip, even if the service is terrible. When going out, always try to remember to keep cash on hand and your budget in mind. What does that mean? It means you need to consider the tip, parking fees, and any other areas where you will come out-of-pocket when you consider treating yourself and/or others. It may sound severe, but if you cannot afford to properly tip, then you probably cannot afford to eat at that restaurant or upgrade that massage.

Tipping Cheat Sheet

{Lifestyle} Tipping at a Restaurant: a minimum of 15% pre tax

{Lifestyle} Valet Parking: $2- $5 once your car is returned. Even if valet service is complimentary, you should still tip.

{Style Cents} Manicurist, Aestheticians (for facials), Masseuse, & Waxer : 15%.

Anna Sui - Backstage - Fall 2013 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

{Style Cents} Hair Stylist: 15-20%. You should ask for the tip to be split among those who served you.

{Travel Cents} Hotel Staff: $1 per bag for bringing luggage to your room (but a $2 minimum if you have just one bag).

{Travel Cents} Uber: Uber drivers don’t expect the customer to tip them because there’s 20% gratuity included in the fare. However, if you want to tip on top of the 20%, by all means.

Do You Tip Even If the Service is Bad?

{Business Cents} Every Woman Should Have a Professional Mentor

Published on February 14, 2013April 23, 2017 by Danielle YB Vason4 Comments

I know that everyone can benefit from a mentor-mentee relationship; however, I believe it’s even more imperative that every woman has a professional mentor…and a good one at that! While I know it is easy to assign that “role” to a public figure like Oprah, it is likely more beneficial to you and your career if you find someone who is actually willing to spend time with you. It was about four years ago when I realized for myself how important this type of mentorship can be. As I was transitioning careers, I decided to form a “dream team” of coincidentally women mentors. My theory was that alone, each of them had an ability or network that the other did not, but together they formed a diverse and complete dream team.

Things to Consider When Finding Your Mentor

Does your mentor have the time to spend with you? This, in my opinion, is the most important. I had a great dream team of movers and shakers, but it was also so very hard for some of them to squeeze me into their schedules. Although the intentions are good, you aren’t gaining anything from this relationship if you aren’t even spending time with them.
Is this someone who will hold you accountable? For you to truly succeed, you need to have someone who is so concerned about your goals and career path, that they aren’t afraid to be bluntly honest, call you on your “stuff” and maybe even kick your butt, if needed.
Are you learning tools that will help you get to where you want to be? The lessons may not always be explicit or intentional, but you have to be able to decipher how you can use what you are learning to thrive without compromising your character or integrity.
Are they respected in their field/company/community? I learned the importance of this when I was conducting a cattle call of interviews on a panel with other choreographers in Atlanta. A number of the young dancers assumed that their relationships with their mentors would help give them the extra edge. So dancer after dancer took the “opportunity” to name drop not truly understanding the reputation of their mentors in the industry. The lesson I learned: Just because your mentor is known, doesn’t mean that they are respected.