jessica mcdougall

When I was 16, I lost all feeling in my legs, and had to be in a wheelchair following back surgery for six months. Because of this (and my full recovery back to normal), I have much appreciation for my legs. It's amazing to find out what life would be like without them.

In honor of 12 years ago this month that I had surgery, I wanted to share with you what I am doing to get my legs ready for spring.

SKIN BRUSHING. Net-a-Porter.com suggests "Before your morning shower, rigorously brush your skin upwards with a natural brush to help lymphatic circulation. This will stimulatie toxin breakdown and reduce the appearance of cellulite."

SELF TANNING. Any other kind of tanning nowadays is silly (and harmful). There are many effective self-tanning products out there. This Oil of Olay product is one of my new favorites. It is a wonderful mosturizer, has a very light scent, gives skin a nice nice color, and causes no streaks. This will be in my spring/summer line up of body products.

MOSTURIZE. Kiehl's Creme de Corp is the best body lotion I have found to date. (And I've tried hundreds.) My skin is happy when it comes in contact with this drink. And they have a lighter version if this is too heavy for you.

GLAMOUR. The Michael Kors leg shimmer stick adds the perfect final touch to legs. It has a nice color, a hint of shimmer, and a delightful fragrance. I take it with me traveling (a true sign of whether I really like a product), and use it whenever I'm exposing my legs.

I took time this past weekend to pack for my next three trips (a 5-day trip to various states this week, Poland next week, and then Seattle the following week). This is my new packing strategy: I hang everything up, by outfit -- and then pack each outfit into its own plastic bag. I had the best time picking out old and new things from my closet to pair up, and came up with some great outfits. Having everything prepared will make the one-day transition between each trip so much easier. Bon voyage!

I received this picture with the following email from my mom today:

Jess,

Thanks for your Seattle schedule.  Looking forward to your visit. Thought you might enjoy seeing your Happy Bamboo thriving.  I just gave it some fertilizer yesterday, but it's looking good, started a new stalk thats thriving just like you!!

Love, Mom

I'm working on so many projects right now -- it's hard to even find the time to sit down and write for a few moments. Here are a few of the highlights.

The launch of Jeffrey's Little Green Book of Getting Your Way: I want to make sure all of the details are in order. I'm working on a spreadsheet that lists all of the specifics, who's involved, and what their deadline is. We'll all meet this Friday to discuss. The launch is April 24th.

My trip to Seattle in April: Making sure all my travel arrangements are dialed in. Typically Linda books all my travel, but for my personal trips, I like to make sure everything is just the way I want it. Hoping to see all of my family at home and visit lots of friends.

Helping our new cleaning queen (Belen) become acquainted with the job: She's doing an excellent job. And it's provided such a relief to me to find someone who can clean to my standards. She has the best attitude.

Working on the YES! course completion: Still lots more to do. Will meet with Mike (designer) tomorrow to firm up the details of the layout and get him rolling on the project. Then he and I will go back and forth until it's just the way I'm hoping for.

Coordinating with the publishers about Jeffrey's upcoming book projects: We're trying to come up with a schedule for the next two years in which Jeffrey can write what he wants. He obviously has a ton of input here.

Talking with remodelers about revamping a loft into a kitchen: I've been pulling pages from remodeling magazine for the past couple years. This will be the big project in 2008. A kitchen architect will come in to give me more ideas about the specific options -- and hoping that my mom will be able to provide some input when she visits this summer.

This is just a minor list of all the things going through my head.
And the best part is...I'm still smiling!

I've spent the last two days at home working on the YES! Attitude course workbook. It's reminding me why I love the YES! book so much -- and how much exposing yourself to positive information can impact your mood and attitude in general. I've felt great and been able to get a ton done. The course will be available from TrainOne, Jeffrey's online training company. It's based on the YES! Attitude book. The course was actually created before the book was in final form -- so now I am revising and updating the course to match the look, feel, flow, and overall appeal of the book. We plan to use this model for all future courses that will correspond with The Little Book series. I am so happy to be part of it.

Also spent time today researching copyright information. It's such an interesting topic to me. And because I deal with so much of Jeffrey's intellectual property -- I have a personal interest. We get many requests from people requesting permission to reprint Jeffrey's material -- and I want to make sure that we are in line with not only the laws, but also with what's in our best interest. If you're interested, there's some excellent case examples here.

In other exciting news:
1. I received an email from a long-lost friend back home the other day. And during my trip to Seattle I will be able to spend time with her. It's so fun to make connections with people you enjoyed spending time with. I've got an intense list of things to do while I am in Seattle -- including visit and meet my best friend Jessie's new little boy Noah, have dinner with my friend Stephanie, visit my facialist, spend time with my family, go shopping, and be there to support Jeffrey at his seminars in the Pacific Northwest. I'm really looking forward to it.

2. I am trying to convince my mom to join Jeffrey and me in NYC in June. I bought 3rd row seats to Phantom of The Opera (which she wants to see!) to help in tempting her! It would be so nice to be in the big city with her. (I hope you're planning on it, mom!)

So many of the things that I find in this world that I lust over are found in fashion magazines. They're where I find new web sites to browse, pictures of what's new in the fashion world, and new makeup and hair ideas. The colors and the feel of the glossy paper is always satisfying.

Here's the latest: an adorable little bracelet from Allumer -- packaged in a small matchbox with "light up my life" on the outside of the box. Simply delightful.   

The new bathroom is nearly complete. Still need to have the painters come -- and then the electrician can finish off the lighting. It's so fun to see how my original vision of the sink and green glass tiles on the wall came together so nice.

The open suitcase that you see on the right is a gem that Jeffrey and I found at the Metrolina Flea Market (the East Coast's largest antique fair, held monthly).

And the flowers are the newest addition (today). That's the local florist's creative collaboration of my request -- a tall, thin, all white, modern arrangement. I wish it would last forever!

Sometimes the best path to take in life is so obvious. And in others, its masked by various obstacles. I feel confident that I have made good choices in my life as of late. Although some in the past were jaded by the (bad) obstacles, I am happy with where I am now. Each new day is filled with challenges that make me grow. For that, I am thankful.

In other news: my mom and dad are babysitting Simon this weekend.

My mom told me on the phone tonight that he was asking where I was -- because last time he went to visit them at the beach, I was there. "Where's Zshessie?" (That's what he calls me.) Miss the little dude. I can only imagine how nice it is for Ali to come home to him after traveling and missing him.

Hope to see you soon, Simon!