Hi Reader, Happy Labor Day! While you may be sitting poolside or enjoying a day in your garden as you soak up the last days of summer, my kids and I are celebrating our favorite holiday: Allston Christmas! Every September 1st, Allston Christmas, my personal Super Bowl, descends upon Boston like clockwork. Thousands of students unleash chaos upon the city, transforming sidewalks into impromptu flea markets overflowing with discarded furniture and odds and ends. It's not just an event—it's my...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, my fellow food lover, Years ago, I boldly declared: kids should make their own lunch. Yes, make their own lunch. Cue the gasps, eye-rolls, and the occasional concerned “Are you sure about this?” from parents who thought I was either a little nuts or a bad mom pushing childhood out the door faster than a speeding rollercoaster. Armed with bon mots like “Marie Antoinette said let them eat cake. I say, let them make lunch,” and “If your kids can carry 4 AP classes and still find time...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Hello, hello, my fellow word nerd, It’s hot. And as a woman of a certain age, I’m hot for other reasons, too. But I digress… This heat got me thinking about icebreakers—those fun little questions that pop up in networking meetings to get the conversation rolling. A few months ago, I heard a great one: Would you rather be a talk show host or a talk show guest? Would you love to lead the conversation, ask big questions, and set the tone? Or do you prefer to share your expertise and let someone...
10 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Greetings, my fellow beach bunny — I’m excited to share a peek behind the scenes of a recent writing collaboration with Angela Todd — archivist, historian, and activist dedicated to bringing women’s stories into the spotlight. The challenge was clear: how to balance Angela’s deeply academic work with copy that clearly shows its value and impact. After seeing my draft, Angela said something that truly moved me: “Your copy convinced me of my own worth.” That says it all. Together, we...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Greetings and salutations,Reader, If you know me, you know I love a good manicure. The funkier the colors, the better. But it’s not just about the color itself—it’s about the name. I’m talking about shades like “Wocka Wocka” (a fiery summer red), “Less is Norse” (a moody deep blue), and “Berlin There Done That” (a sophisticated greige). Even the classic “Bubble Bath” had its moment before I graduated to bolder choices. Why do I love them? Because a great name makes an impression. It tells a...
17 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, As is my tendency, I’ll open up with a bit of storytime. My younger daughter, Ivy, celebrates a Fake Birthday. Fake birthday? Oh, absolutely. Fake birthday. Yes, this begs context. Here it is: Let me take you back 16 years, when Ivy and I were locked in a negotiation battle. She was digging in her heels about starting at a new preschool and insisted she would only begin there when she turned four. So, I did what I do best: I used my (super)power of persuasion to convince her that...
24 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, my fellow earthling, Someone recently shared with me the seven magic words they use to start conversations about their work. And it got me thinking: I’ve got a seven-word phrase too. A verbal recipe. A little conversation starter. One that works like a charm for anyone out there who refers people my way—whether for website copy, bios, newsletters, or other “what do I even say here” moments. Here it is: 👉 “What are you saying on your website?” Simple. Direct. Non-threatening. It...
29 days ago • 1 min read
Greetings and Happy August,Reader, Rather than start with the obligatory Greek chorus refrain of “Where does the time go?” I’ll dive right in, as I always do the first week of the month, and start a conversation. Or, in this case, stir the shit pot. 🥄 💩 🍯 What is the order of operations for you: Book, then movie? Movie, then book? Or does it matter? I took a super scientific poll on this topic a few years ago. Okay, it was a Facebook post, but holy bananas, I got close to 200 comments on that...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Let me guess—you’re finally ready to get serious about building a list. (Cue confetti!) You're thinking about how to get your message out there consistently, and you're wondering: Do I start an email list from scratch? Or do I launch a LinkedIn newsletter and ride the algorithm wave? Friend, I’ve been there. I’ve weighed this same decision with clients in real estate, finance, law, coaching, consulting—you name it. We’re all asking the same thing: Where do I begin? What’s the best...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read