In the classic show MTV Cribs, celebs would put on display—you guessed it—their cribs. Many of these home tours involved similar things: seven cars, a lavish pool with a grotto, fancy liquor in the freezer. Many Cribs VIPs would also introduce viewers to their personal shoppers and in-home chefs, and that’s when I would always get jealous. The idea of coming home to groceries in the fridge and a professional cooking up whatever I want truly seems like livin’ large to me. Alas, most of us aren’t born with a silver spoon in our mouths. But maybe that makes us more appreciative of the things and people we do have in our lives.

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One of my girlfriends recently recalled her time of being pregnant with twins, relating that she had to go to OB appointments on her lunch break so she didn’t tap into her paid time off. On the flip side, another friend just accepted a job that pays her to travel the world and write all about it. We lead different lives and may be at very different stages, but no matter your industry, one thing’s for sure: Women certainly wouldn’t turn down a little increased flexibility in our careers. Here’s to attaining that elusive work/life balance!

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One of the issues we like to explore with our featured women involves what makes them feel powerful. Their inspirations vary, but we’ve noticed a few underlying themes. Women who feel powerful often find a sense of ownership in a project or their company, even if their boss micromanages them or their colleagues are manipulative. They are able to embrace that ownership, in part, due to self-regulation. Instead of reacting emotionally, they respond to tough situations in thoughtful, positive ways. So, I’ll ask you, ladies: What makes you feel powerful?

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This weekend, I went to a very hip farm-to-table restaurant. The décor was light and bright and Instagram-worthy, for sure. The food held its own too. I mentally gave it five stars, but then I went to the women’s restroom. As I closed the sophisticated reclaimed-wood stall door behind me, claustrophobia hit—literally—in my knees. The space was comically shallow, making a port-a-potty seem like a penthouse. Today, we’re talking about what makes for good design, and I hope more restaurateurs take note that we ladies put significant value on a clean, charming—and spacious—powder room.

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I read a great column in which one entrepreneur shared his thoughts about business school versus real life. In biz school, the concept of competition reigns supreme. But the truth is that competing for better jobs, more money and extra attention limits your thinking. Instead of competing for what’s already created, create something of your own. Regardless of whether you’re in the business world, it’s a good reminder that life isn’t a competitive episode of Survivor. There’s enough opportunity to go around—if you’re willing to seize it or, heck, create a whole new sphere of opportunity yourself.

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Have you ever caught yourself inadvertently saying something sexist against your own sex? That’s right, women can be sexist too, even in minimal ways, like assuming a doctor’s a dude or your mechanic’s a bro. Personally, I eventually noticed I do this very thing. While playing an online video game, every time an opponent got me, I yelled out in frustration with a male pronoun: “He can’t do that!” or “His character is irritating me!” Sure, it’s a little thing, but it speaks to a deeper issue. And I’m working to rewire my mindset about such things. Today, take a little time to notice how you think and speak, and identify whether you’ve got some of these tendencies of your own.

The post Andra Petrosan: Whether You’re Playing a Video Game or Building One, Here’s How to Crush It appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

I checked out a TED Talk presented by a woman named Lisa Bu I’ve got to share because I think many of us can relate to her story. Lisa’s parents expected her to pursue a well-paying job, with little care as to its fulfillment. When she emigrated from China as a child, she discovered some wonderful adult advice from a source outside her mom and dad: books. Jane Eyre taught her independence, while Cheaper by the Dozen imparted efficiency. Books became her magic portal to other worlds and a way to connect with people. They provided her with a whole new point of view that impacted her life in a way she never could have imagined. With that, I bestow you with Lisa Bu’s final words from that TED Talk: May books be always with you.

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Have you ever watched that TV show Bizarre Foods? If you’re looking to shed a few pounds and resist the pantry, one episode will do the trick. The host, a seasoned chef himself, travels the globe discovering unique culinary delights. He happily devours tarantulas in Cambodia and coconut-tree grubs in Peru. There are some eye-opening edibles in English-speaking areas he gobbles up too, like swamp cabbage in Florida and everyone’s favorite Scottish delight, haggis. As they say, you are what you eat, but no matter your opinion of what others chow down on, it’s a great reminder that life is indeed bigger than your bowl of mac and cheese.

The post Daina Trout: She’s the Queen of Kombucha appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

Do you think much about how buildings are designed? Yeah, me neither. I’ll notice a lavish veranda or a shabby mezzanine but rarely more than that. I usually see what’s wrong with design. Take, for instance, a winding grocery store that somehow leads me past the cereal aisle three stinkin’ times on my way to the cashier, or the airport at which the journey to Gate A7 for a connecting flight practically requires a train, plane and automobile to reach—in the “generously” allotted 10-minute time frame. Today, let’s all open our eyes a little wider to the beauty and efficiency of the architecture we experience.

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Friends come in many forms. When you go through a challenging time in your life, you can more easily identify your friendships for what they truly are. Today, we’re talking about real-deal gal pals, like the girlfriend who texts you “Congrats!” at good news and shows up on your doorstep with a bottle of wine and an entire pallet of tissue at bad news. In our busy lives, keeping up with one another can be complicated and, at times, burdensome, but where would we be without our girl allies?

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