Summary: In this episode, I share what I’m learning from two thought-provoking books: Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam and The Creative Pragmatist by Amy Smilovic. We explore the power of intentional planning, sustainable habits, creativity, and making time for what truly matters. Along the way, I reflect on aging, curiosity, and the surprising disconnect between how we feel on the inside and what we see in the mirror.

✨ Mentioned in This Episode

📚 Books

Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam

The Creative Pragmatism, 2nd ED., By Amy Smilovoc

▶️ Videos

Tibi Color Wheel- This will COMPLETELY change the way you wear color by Christina Mychas

Amy Smilovic:  One, Ton or None

Style Class All Day: Tibi Color Math

Tibi Color Method: Bigs and Pigs

Tibi Styling Tip Big, Slim & Skin

🌟 Let’s Connect:

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Summary: In this episode, I reflect on a whirlwind trip to New York and coastal Connecticut for my nephew’s graduation, sharing thoughts on family, nostalgia, travel, and the emotional reset that often comes with returning home. Along the way, I talk about the books, movies, podcasts, and ideas that inspired me, and how sometimes stepping outside of your normal routine can help you return with a fresh perspective.

✨ Mentioned in This Episode

📺 Show and Movies

Girls: 2012 Series 6 Seasons

Julie & Julia

Mystic Pizza

Heatburn

Everything is Copy: Nora Ephron Scripted & Unscripted

📚 Books
Famesick: A Memoir By Lena Dunham

Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam

Heartburn by Nora Ephron

🌟 Let’s Connect:

• Instagram: @virginia.markman
• Facebook: @virginiacrablemarkman

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Summary: In this episode, I reflect on why so many of us feel mentally exhausted and disconnected, even when life seems full. Inspired by a podcast conversation about meaning and happiness, I talk about our obsession with productivity, the importance of slowing down, and the small everyday experiences that help us feel more grounded, connected, and present.

✨ Mentioned in This Episode

🎧 Podcasts
The Good Life Project: Arthur Brooks: Meaning in Midlife & Beyond

Am I Doing it Wrong? Practical Tips For Gratitude That Could Change Your Life (with Dr. Laurie Santos)

📚 Books
The Meaning Of Your Life: Finding Purpose In An Age Of Emptiness by Arthur C. Brooks

🌟 Let’s Connect:

• Instagram: @virginia.markman
• Facebook: @virginiacrablemarkman

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Summary: This episode takes you on a journey across Mexico, from the rugged beauty of the north to the lush landscapes of the Yucatán. I share stories, food, and cultural highlights, along with a deeper reflection on how travel allows us to step away, not just physically but mentally, and create space for clarity, connection, and perspective.

✨ Mentioned in This Episode

🍽️ Restaurants

Dos Aguas- Chihuahua, Chihuahua

Kuuk Restaurante- Mérida

Raza- Mérida

Where to eat, stay, and play in Mérida, the Yucatán Peninsula's Inland Gem- Condé Nast Traveler

📍 Attractions

Hotel El Mirador- Divisadero, Chihuahua 

Posada Hidalgo- El Fuerte, Sinaloa

Trasmuro Instagram: Where we stayed in Merida Youtube

Parque Barrancas- Divisadero, Chihuahua 

El Chepe Express

Zona Arqueológica de Uxmal

Tekit- Capital de la Guayabera

Celestún-Beach and Mangroves

Cenote y Hacienda Mucuyche

🌟 Let’s Connect:

• Instagram: @virginia.markman
• Facebook: @virginiacrablemarkman

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Summary: This episode includes a personal catch-up on life lately, including reflections on routines, caregiving, and finding balance. I share a few good Netflix series and podcast recommendations, then wrap up with a preview of our upcoming trip to Mexico’s Copper Canyon and the Yucatan Peninsula. It is a trip that we’’ve been looking forward to for months.

✨ Mentioned in This Episode

📚 Books

• The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
• Heartburn by Nora Ephron

📺 Netflix & TV

• The Beast in Me
• Black Rabbit
• The Big C

📰 Article

• The 30 Best TV Shows on Netflix Right Now – The New York Times

🎧 Podcasts

• The Good Hang – Amy Poehler (episode with Claire Danes)
• Don’t Listen to Us – Mandy Patinkin, Kathryn Grody & Gideon Grody-Patinkin
• Happier – Gretchen Rubin & Elizabeth Craft “One-Day Reads episode”
• The Good Life Project – Jonathan Fields  “Gretchen Rubin on the Empty Nest”
• A Slight Change of Plans – Maya Shankar
• The Happiness Lab – Dr. Laurie Santos “How to Stop Work From Taking Over Your Life”

🌟 Let’s Connect:

• Instagram: @virginia.markman
• Facebook: @virginiacrablemarkman

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In Episode 50, I reflect on my first-quarter goals—cooking more, being present with my dad, and intentionally creating social connection. From experimenting with new recipes inspired by Ina Garten to hosting our annual wine tasting inspired by The Art of Gathering, this episode explores how meaningful routines, shared meals, and thoughtful gatherings can bring a sense of little-p purpose to everyday life.

✨ Mentioned in This Episode

🎧 Podcasts

• Life Kit by NPR
  • How to Set Resolutions You Can Actually Keep (feat. Gretchen Rubin)
  • How to Build a Village (feat. Priya Parker)
• The Mel Robbins Podcast
  • Stop Wasting Time-(feat. Laura Vanderkam)
• The Happiness Lab
  • How to Find your Purpose (feat. Jordan Grumet)

📚 Books 

• Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
• The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
• The Purpose Code by Jordan Grumet
• 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam

🍳 Just a Few Recipes

• Creamy Corn Soup Recipe
• Anthony Bourdain’s Favorite Sandwich!
• Pasta Fajioli Stanley Tucci’s Favorite Soup

🌟 Let’s Connect:

• Instagram: @virginia.markman
• Facebook: @virginiacrablemarkman

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In this episode I interview my dad, Dr. John E. Crable, tracing how his love of wine began in Washington, D.C., in 1959. From Madame Marie’s French dinners to embassy liquor stores, Air Force travels, and shared meals with friends, he learns to taste, collect, and build a cellar— and he's still exploring new regions today.

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Summary: In this episode, I share some of the books, podcasts, and conversations that inspired me over the winter break—and how they’re shaping the way I’m thinking about goals and intentions for the year ahead. From audiobooks that kept me company on long runs to podcast episodes that got me rethinking resolutions, I dive into what stuck with me, what I’m trying to do differently this year, and why I think February might actually be the perfect time to reflect and reset. I also share some personal stories, including a childhood encounter with Gwyneth Paltrow, and how that moment came full circle with a recent interview on Amy Poehler’s podcast. Plus, I explore the power of intentional gathering, new routines, and bundling goals in a way that feels doable and meaningful. It’s part reflection, part recommendation list, and hopefully a gentle nudge to reconnect with what matters most to you this year.

✨ Mentioned in This Episode

🎧 Podcasts

• Good Hang with Amy Poehler – Episode featuring Gwyneth Paltrow
• The Oprah Conversation – Young Men Are Struggling Right Now featuring Scott Galloway
• Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus –
  • Ina Garten
• Life Kit by NPR
  • How to Set Resolutions You Can Actually Keep (feat. Gretchen Rubin)
  • How to Build a Village (feat. Priya Parker)
• The Post Reports – “The Trick to Making a New Year’s Resolution Stick”
• HuffPost’s Am I Doing It Wrong? – Goal-setting & habits episode

📚 Books & Audiobooks

• Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
• Notes on Being a Man by Scott Galloway
• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
• The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
• Diane: A Signature Life by Diane von Fürstenberg (2016 memoir)
• Glossy by Marisa Meltzer – Inside the rise and fall of Glossier
• The Dollhouse and The Chelsea Girls by Fiona Davis

🌟 Let’s Connect:

• Instagram: @virginia.markman
• Facebook: @virginiacrablemarkman

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After a much-needed break, I’m back and starting the year with a special episode featuring my two kids, Isaac and Alie, who are now living and working in New York City.

We chat about what it’s really like to navigate early adulthood in one of the world’s most iconic cities, from commuting, shared living, tiny apartments to budgeting, street finds, and what NYC has taught them about themselves.

It’s a warm, funny, and honest conversation I think you’ll really enjoy.

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Summary:

In Episode 46, I take you on a winding journey from the legacy of Jane Birkin and the iconic bag that bears her name… all the way to sipping wine in Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe. Along the way, I share thoughts on personal style, brand identity, and what makes a destination—or a handbag—feel truly special.

✨ Mentioned in This Episode

🎧 Podcasts: 

Style POV – Hosted by Gabrielle Arruda Style Spontaneity And , The Making Of An Icon: Jane Birkin’s Story With Mariza Meltzer

📚 Books 

• It Girl: The Life and Legacy of Jane Birkin
• Glossy: Ambition, Beauty, and the Inside Story of Glossier

🔧💫Websites: Wineries in Valle de Guadelupe

• Entrevez
• Vena Cava
• Hilo Negro
• Lechuza
• Concierto Enológico

📰 Articles:

NYT: An Unexpected Wine Sanctuary in Baja California

NYT: Millennials Answer the Call of Mexican Wine Country

📽️Videos

TikTok: Jane B’s Basket Bag

🌟 Let’s Connect:

• Instagram: @virginia.markman
• Facebook: @virginiacrablemarkman

✨ How to Leave a Review:
On Apple Podcasts: Search for She’s Working On It, scroll to “Ratings and Reviews,” and tap “Write a Review.”

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