Hello, My Charmed Ones, and welcome to the Vlogmas of Productivity!
Yes, I am doing Vlogmas 2023 this year, but with a twist. Instead of vlogging my days and how I’m spending my time celebrating the holiday season up until Christmas, I want to help get you organized and prepared for 2024 with a series of simple prompts and activities.
These daily tasks will move the needle and set you up for a balanced and successful year in 2024. I think the end of the year coinciding with the holiday season is bad timing because many of us are super busy with holidays, events, vacations, and added stresses. We face three huge deadlines at once – the holidays themselves, wrapping up our work for the current year, and preparing for the new year.
If you feel the need to prioritize and maybe give up on certain things that you had been looking forward to just so you can fit everything in, remember it’s not your fault. It’s the nature of the season. This Vlogmas series is here to simplify your year-end wrap-up and help you get prepared for the new year with quick activities, taking 5 to 30 minutes max each day.
I hope you join me for this Vlogmas series. Subscribe to my YouTube channel, and consider turning on notifications to see the new prompt daily. These activities will set you up for the best year ever in 2024.
Now, let’s jump into our prompt for day one.
Day One Prompt:
What are three words that you would use to describe 2023?
I love this activity because it helps you intentionally choose words or phrases to remember the year. They don’t have to be all positive; it’s about looking at the year holistically. A year from now, you’ll forget how you felt about this year, so these three words or phrases will help you remember it in a nuanced way.
Take a moment to write out your three words or phrases. If you have any questions or need coaching around this activity, leave a comment below. Feel free to share your insights in the comments; the community would love to read about them.
As the holiday season approaches, what better way to celebrate the magic of the Charmed Life Master Mind than by diving into literary treasures crafted by our very own community members? This Book Boss Gift Guide is here to enchant your reading list with works by three talented authors who are not only masters of their craft but also cherished members of our Charmed Life Master Mind.
Let’s embark on a journey into the realms of mystery, fantasy, and intrigue, all while supporting our fellow members. Get ready to discover captivating stories that will make the perfect additions to your holiday reading wishlist.
1. Thanksgiving Treachery (Holiday Cozy Mystery Book 7) by Tonya Kappas Link to the book
Join Tonya Kappas, a distinguished member of our Charmed Life Master Mind, as she weaves a cozy mystery that will transport you to the heart of holiday intrigue. “Thanksgiving Treachery” is the seventh installment in the Holiday Cozy Mystery series, promising suspense, charm, and a touch of seasonal magic. Get ready to unravel the mysteries that unfold in the quaint town of Bliss, where holidays are anything but ordinary.
2. The Broken Bond: The Chronicles of Discovery Book 1 by Lady Velvet C. Peterson Link to the book
Lady Velvet C. Peterson, a visionary in our mastermind community, takes us on an epic adventure with “The Broken Bond.” This fantasy novel, the first in The Chronicles of Discovery series, invites readers to explore a world of magic, ancient prophecies, and a broken bond that could change everything. Immerse yourself in Lady Velvet’s rich storytelling and embark on a quest that transcends time and space.
3. Death by Dissertation (A Cassandra Sato Mystery Book 1) by Kelly Brakenhoff Link to the book
Kelly Brakenhoff, a talented wordsmith within our Charmed Life Master Mind, introduces us to “Death by Dissertation.” This intriguing mystery, the first in the Cassandra Sato series, combines academia, humor, and a dash of danger. Follow along as Cassandra Sato navigates the world of academia and untangles the threads of a perplexing murder mystery. It’s a captivating journey that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Get ready to immerse yourself in these literary gems, authored by the brilliant minds within our Charmed Life Master Mind. Whether you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, fantasy realms, or academic intrigue, there’s a book here for every reader. Happy reading, and may your holidays be filled with the magic of storytelling!
And, if you would like to join the Charmed Life Master Mind, this is a great time to enroll as the Annual Membership subscription is currently on sale!
‘Tis the season to celebrate the female entrepreneurs who inspire us with their passion and dedication. Show your appreciation with these thoughtful and practical gifts:
1. Canvas Laptop Bag: A stylish and functional bag for her on-the-go workdays.
Make her holiday season brighter with these carefully curated gifts tailored to her entrepreneurial spirit.
Happy gifting!
Founder, Strange & Charmed 🌟
P.S. If you’re looking for more support in living your best, most organized and successful life, consider joining my inner circle private group coaching community called The Charmed Life Master Mind. Each month we meet for live classes, Q+As and monthly planning sessions, plus you have access to an on-demand resource library with dozens of classes, workbooks, planner inserts and other tools to help you craft the life you want to live. Click here to learn more and enroll today for instant access to all my best content and tools!
Well Planned & Productive Gift Guide for Busy and Ambitious Women: Elevate Your Productivity in Style!
The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate the ambitious, go-getter women in your life than with gifts that enhance their productivity and add a touch of elegance to their daily routines? Whether they are entrepreneurs, professionals, or simply masters of multitasking, these thoughtful presents are designed to make their lives more organized, efficient, and stylish. Here’s a handpicked selection of 20 gifts that are sure to delight the busy and ambitious women in your circle:
1. 2024 Master Planner: A digital planner system to help them plan, prioritize, and achieve their goals in the upcoming year.
2. Mug Warmer: Keep their favorite beverages warm while they conquer their tasks.
3. Wireless Charging Mouse Pad: Charge their devices seamlessly while working with this multitasking mouse pad.
4. Cork Board: A stylish cork board to pin important notes, inspirations, and goals.
5. High Vibe Bible: Give the gift of a strong mindset with this 90 day manifestation journal.
6. Amazon Jeggings: Comfortable and versatile jeggings for a chic yet relaxed style.
20. Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo: Effortlessly maintain a clean home with this intelligent robot vacuum and mop combo.
This holiday season, empower the ambitious women in your life to conquer their goals with these well-planned and productivity-boosting gifts. Wrap up the essence of productivity, style, and functionality, and make their holiday season truly exceptional!
xoxo,
Founder, Strange & Charmed 🌟
P.S. If you’re looking for more support in living your best, most organized and successful life, consider joining my inner circle private group coaching community called The Charmed Life Master Mind. Each month we meet for live classes, Q+As and monthly planning sessions, plus you have access to an on-demand resource library with dozens of classes, workbooks, planner inserts and other tools to help you craft the life you want to live. Click here to learn more and enroll today for instant access to all my best content and tools!
I appreciate you all more than you know! For the last 9+ years you have helped me make the life of my dreams a reality and I love helping you do the same!
My Annual Holiday Sale has officially begun, don’t miss out on 30% Off in The Charmed Shop!
As the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to set the stage for a productive and purposeful 2024. The Charmed Shop’s Black Friday Sale is just around the corner, and I’m thrilled to share three must-have productivity tools that will elevate your planning game and set you up for success in the coming year.
Step into the intentional and mindful world of productivity with our 2023 Advent of Productivity Calendar. For 24 days, starting from December 1st, unwrap a new and unique productivity tool each day. From goal-setting worksheets to habit trackers, this calendar is designed to infuse your days with inspiration and intention. Don’t miss the chance to bring a touch of magic to your daily planning routine.
Pro Tip: Gift this calendar to a fellow planner enthusiast, and embark on a productivity journey together!
Give yourself or a loved one the gift of growth with our Charmed Life Master Mind Annual Membership, now on sale for $333. Immerse yourself in a community of like-minded individuals, access a year of classes and coaching from me, and receive the 2024 Charmed Life Master Planner in both Print at Home and Digital PDF versions. This membership is a treasure trove of support, resources, and strategies to enhance your productivity and bring your goals to life.
Pro Tip: This membership makes an excellent gift for someone ready to supercharge their personal and professional growth.Purchase a membership for yourself and a friend for an instant accountability buddy you know in real life to go through the classes together!
As we gear up for the most wonderful time of the year, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news that will add a touch of magic to your holiday season and help you stuff your planner while elevating your personal development and productivity to the next level! The Charmed Shop’s Annual Holiday Sale is just around the corner, and it’s going to be an enchanting experience filled with exclusive discounts, delightful surprises, and more!
🌟 Save the Date: November 22nd – 30th 🌟
Starting the day before Thanksgiving and running through Black Friday, Cyber Monday and to the end of November, our holiday sale will be your ticket to a world of savings and joy. If you don’t already know, my Annual Holiday Sale is the biggest sale I run all year. But here’s the secret to unlocking the best deals: Make sure you’re on my email list!
Why Sign Up? 💌
Exclusive Discount Code: Subscribers will receive a special discount code delivered straight to their inbox. This code unlocks generous savings on everything you need to create your perfect planner system for 2024, master time and task management and manifest business and goal success in the New Year!
Seasonal Free Gift: Every year on Thanksgiving, I send my email list an awesome free gift to help them stay organized during the rush and overwhelm of holiday shopping- don’t miss out as this only goes to my email list.
Magical Content: The holiday weekend is not just about shopping; it’s about celebrating the spirit of the season. My email subscribers can expect some extra seasonal content to help them find balance in what can often be a very hectic time. This special content will only be going out via email during the period of the holiday sale.
How to Join the Charmed Shop’s Inner Circle
Are you ready to secure your spot in savings, goodies and more seasonal content?
Get On My List by Clicking Here: Good things are headed your way- keep your eye on your email for the discount code to shop the sale and the other goodies to come!
Follow me on Instagram: I’ll be sharing more behind the scenes of my Thanksgiving celebrations and holiday weekend fun on my IG stories!
Why Wait? Join Now! 🚀
The holiday season is a time for joy, gratitude, and giving. By joining our email list, you’re not just getting a discount code; you’re becoming a cherished part of the Charmed Shop family. I can’t wait to share the magic of the season with you!
The Ultimate Guide to a Functional Planner Setup: Your Roadmap to Organized and Productive Living
Welcome to the ultimate guide to setting up your planner according to the Functional Planning Methodology. In today’s training, we will explore the key questions that often arise when configuring your planner for maximum efficiency. Let’s dive in and unravel the secrets to a functional planner setup!
Watch the Full Video Training Now
How Many Planners Should I Use?
The simplicity of the answer might surprise you: one planner is all you need. While it might be tempting to follow influencers who flaunt stacks of planners, the reality is far more straightforward. Using multiple planners can scatter your information, making synchronization a challenge. There are exceptions, such as separating work and personal life or using planners for unique purposes like memory keeping. However, the core principle remains: one planner for one organized life.
Which Style of Planner Should I Choose?
Choosing a planner style involves considering bindings, sizes, and closures. Four binding styles exist: Rings, Discs, Spiral, and Book Bound. Customizable binders like rings or discs offer flexibility, enabling you to tailor your planner to match your needs seamlessly. Sizes typically range from full size (US Letter/A4) to half size (Half Letter/A5) to personal size (A6), each catering to different preferences and requirements. Closure options, including zip, button, elastic strap, or no closure, add another layer of personalization to your planner.
Which Inserts Should I Choose to Make My Planner Setup Functional?
To ensure your planner serves its purpose effectively, focus on three crucial phases: capturing information, defining strategic objectives, and tracking and allocating work. For capturing information, consider inserts like brain-dump, brainstorm, inbox, and note-taking. Define strategic objectives using inserts like vision board, annual goals, yearly project matrix, project tracker, and project plans. For tracking and allocating work, opt for inserts such as year at a glance calendar, month on one/two-page layouts, and week/day on one/two-page layouts.
Optional Inserts and Additional Information:
– Address and contact inserts
– Business planning inserts
– Financial planning inserts
– List-making inserts
– Meal planning inserts
– Meeting notes inserts
– Mindset and journaling inserts
– Password log
– Workflow trackers
– Activity, community, school, and work calendars
– Commonly referenced information
How Should I Organize My Planner Tabs and Sections?
The organization of your planner sections is a personal choice, designed to enhance your productivity. Consider arranging your planner based on the three functional planning phases. Starting with tracking and allocating work, move on to defining strategic objectives, and conclude with capturing information. Remember, the goal is quick access and ease of use, so customize your planner’s sections according to your unique needs.
In conclusion, your planner’s functionality is determined by the inserts within, not the superficial aspects like its binding or closure. Stick to what works for you, and don’t succumb to “shiny object syndrome” by frequently changing planners. The power of a functional planner lies in its ability to simplify your life, so choose wisely, customize thoughtfully, and watch your productivity soar.
Feel free to revisit this guide as often as needed, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Here’s to a year of organized living and unparalleled productivity!
Founder, Strange & Charmed 🍂✨
P.S. If you’re looking for more support in living your best, most organized and successful life, consider joining my inner circle private group coaching community called The Charmed Life Master Mind. Each month we meet for live classes, Q+As and monthly planning sessions, plus you have access to an on-demand resource library with dozens of classes, workbooks, planner inserts and other tools to help you craft the life you want to live. Click here to learn more and enroll today for instant access to all my best content and tools!
Reflections & Resolutions: A Guide to Your Annual Review
Dear Strange & Charmed community,
As the year draws to a close, we find ourselves at the crossroads of reflection and anticipation. It’s a time when we pause, look back on the journey we’ve undertaken, and prepare to embark on a new chapter. The transition from one year to another is a profound opportunity for personal growth and transformation. Today, let’s embark on a guided journey of self-discovery as we delve into our annual review.
Step 1: Reflect on Your Journey
Begin by finding a quiet space where you can sit with your thoughts undisturbed. Grab your favorite journal or notebook – this will be your sanctuary during this introspective exercise. Take a deep breath and reflect on the past year.
Journaling Prompts: What were your triumphs? What challenges did you face? What moments brought you pure joy? Write them down.
The act of acknowledging both the highs and lows of your year is the first step toward personal growth.
Step 2: Unravel the Lessons
In every experience, there are lessons waiting to be unearthed. Dive deep into your reflections.
Journaling Prompts:What have you learned about yourself, your dreams, and your relationships? What skills have you developed? How have you evolved emotionally and mentally?
Each experience, no matter how small, contributes to your personal narrative. Embrace these lessons; they are the building blocks of your future successes.
Step 3: Embrace Your Achievements
Celebrate your achievements, both big and small. Acknowledge the progress you’ve made towards your goals.
Journaling Prompts:What did you achieve this year? How will you remember this year? What special events happened that you want to remember?
Celebrate your growth, for it is a testament to your resilience and determination. Write a list of your achievements – let them serve as a reminder of your capabilities.
Step 4: Set Your Intentions
Now, shift your focus to the future.
Journaling Prompts:What do you aspire to achieve in the coming year?
Set clear, actionable intentions. These intentions can then be used during your annual goal setting process to guide which new targets you wish to set and achieve in the New Year. Your intentions, when backed by determination and commitment, have the power to shape your reality.
Step 5: Cultivate Gratitude
Gratitude is the cornerstone of contentment. Take a moment to express gratitude for the experiences, both positive and negative, that have shaped your year.
Journaling Prompts:Who and what are you grateful for from this year?
Gratitude amplifies positive emotions and fosters resilience. As you express gratitude, you invite abundance and positivity into your life.
Dear reader, your annual review is a compass, guiding you toward a future brimming with possibilities. Embrace the lessons of the past, set intentions that resonate with your soul, and cultivate gratitude for the journey you’re on. Remember, this is your narrative, and you hold the pen. May your reflections be profound, your resolutions bold, and your journey ahead be filled with joy, growth, and endless opportunities.
With heartfelt wishes,
Founder, Strange & Charmed 🍂✨
P.S. If you’re looking for more support in living your best, most organized and successful life, consider joining my inner circle private group coaching community called The Charmed Life Master Mind. Each month we meet for live classes, Q+As and monthly planning sessions, plus you have access to an on-demand resource library with dozens of classes, workbooks, planner inserts and other tools to help you craft the life you want to live. Click here to learn more and enroll today for instant access to all my best content and tools!
This article was first published on Strange & Charmed on November 10th, 2014 and is being repostedbecause every year I use this post to help me with my Thanksgiving meal planning and prep. So, I wanted to refresh the post this year with some fresh graphics.
With Thanksgiving a few days away, I thought it would be nice if I shared with you all my favorite holiday recipes for dishes I will be serving at my Thanksgiving dinner this year! If you are looking for a new recipe or some inspiration for meal planning, hopefully this will help you discover a new dish!
Appetizers
Since I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year for my family, I like to have snacks and appetizers out before dinner for people to munch on while they watch tv and chat! My husband has requested shrimp cocktail this year as well as a plate of his favorite cured meats to go along with the baked brie I will be making as a hot appetizer. Baked brie is one of our favorites and I love it because its super easy to make, but it presents very, very well. This is the sort of appetizer that’s great to bring along to parties because you can prepare it ahead of time and once you arrive at the party you can heat it up in the oven for a few minutes!
1/4 cup of preserves (apricot or raspberry work very nicely, but use whatever preserves you prefer, you can also omit this if you don’t like preserves!)
Directions
Preheat your oven to 425. Lightly grease a baking sheet and place your thawed puff pastry upon it. In the center, place your brie (removed from packaging) and top with preserves (optional). Wrap the pastry up around your brie working in a single direction until the brie is covered completely by the pastry, ensuring there are no holes or cracks for cheese to spill out of. Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes until the pastry is fluffy and browned. Make sure to keep an eye on the cheese to make sure it’s not melting out of the pastry excessively (a little spillage is okay, but if rivers are flowing out, remove it immediately!) Let cheese stand 5 minutes once removed from the oven and then serve with your choice of crackers!
Side Dishes
For me, a great Thanksgiving meal is made by the side dishes! Although I am hosting a small gathering of family, I still like to have lots of options! We will have the traditional mashed potatoes, a salad, rolls of course, but two of our favorite sides are always Corn Bread Pudding and Sausage Stuffing!
Combine all ingredients adding the bread mix last, into a large mixing bowl. Bake in greased bowl or pan at 350 for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. Should be a light golden brown on top. Let the pudding rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven!
1 16oz package of Jimmy Dean sausage (in the log style or use equivalent in Italian sausage style of your choice. I prefer the Jimmy Dean Sage Sausage, but that is just personal preference!)
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Box of Stovetop Stuffing (or whichever stuffing recipe you prefer)
Additional Ingredients on stuffing mix box or your preferred style of stuffing!
Directions
In a large pan on the stove, heat oil and distribute on the pan on medium. Place sausage in the pan of heated oil and begin to break it up with a wooden spoon or similar utensil until the sausage is in crumbled, bite size pieces. Cook sausage until browned, drain excess oil and move sausage to the side while preparing your stuffing mix. Prepare stuffing as directed. Once stuffing is cooled, incorporate the cooked sausage and transfer to the serving dish of your choice.
My Turkey via Thanksgiving 2017
The Turkey
If I had to venture a guess, I would say that Turkey is probably the most popular type of meat served on Thanksgiving, however, I have been to several Thanksgiving dinners where it was served alongside a ham or even lamb. I will only be serving one meat option on Thanksgiving, because, let’s be honest, its hard enough to get one meat right on Thanksgiving and turkey is a difficult bird to master! I, however, believe I make one of the best turkeys… ever! I’m just gonna say it, my turkeys are good! They are super moist, filled with flavor and golden browned by the time they exit the oven! I think this has to do with the awesome recipe I developed based off this Alton Brown recipe!
Ingredients
1 frozen Turkey (size doesn’t matter folks, but a rule of thumb is 2 lbs per person you’re feeding. I have made this recipe with a 16 lb turkey to a 23 lb turkey and they have all turned out great!)
1-2 Apples
1-2 Onions
Cinnamon (I prefer ground)
A few cups of water
1-2 Cups of Apple Cider or Apple Juice
Sage (packaged seasoning is fine!)
Rosemary (again, stick to the stuff you have in your cupboard unless you really want fresh!)
A bulb of garlic
1 stick of butter
Directions
Now, I just want to warn you, that for me, this is one of those recipes that is all about judgement calls. I don’t believe you can go wrong with anything except the cooking time, but just do what feels right!
2-4 Days before cooking, take your turkey out of the freezer and let it defrost in your fridge (the larger the turkey, the more time it needs, 4 days would play it safe, 3 is probably average, 2 days and I would worry about having some frozen innards still!
Day of cooking: Preheat your oven to 500 and make sure the racks of your oven are properly positioned to fit your turkey (there is nothing worse than having to mess with those once they are hot!) Remove the thawed turkey and place it in a completely clean sink (very important that your sink be as clean as possible and I would work with the turkey inside a large container of some sort as well)! Remove the turkey from the packaging and remove the neck and other misc innards from the cavity (if you have plans for those innards, put them aside, if not, toss them)! Rinse out the cavity with cool water to make sure there is no bits of ice or slush in there!
Place the turkey on a roasting rack that’s sitting inside a roasting pan. In a microwavable bowl, place an apple or two (chopped up), an onion (also chopped) mixed with a good amount of cinnamon and some apple juice/cider. This part is all eyeballing it! I like to make more than I think I need, because, trust me, this mixture will not go to waste, so maybe a good estimate is to make about 3-5 cups of this mixture! Cook it in the microwave for 5 minutes and you will start to smell all those lovely aromatics brewing together (that smell is what your turkey is going to taste like once this is all done)! Once that mixture is out of the microwave, spoon out the chunks of apple and onion into the cavity of the bird. Add additional apple and onion slices to fill the cavity if necessary!
Coat the skin of the turkey well with the canola oil. Take apart your bulb of garlic and skin each clove of garlic. Take your butter and cut it into multiple pieces. Then take a small knife and begin to cut deep slits strategically all over the bird. This part requires some thinking on your behalf as to where best to place these slits, because inside each slit you are going to place a pad of butter and a piece of garlic, which will then melt and soak into the meat of the bird. I probably make 1-2 slits on the legs, 1-2 on the wings, and 4-6 around the breast.
The last thing I do before I put the turkey into the oven is I like to put some water and a little bit of the aromatics liquid in the bottom of the pan (about an inch of liquid) along with any excess apples and onions I have chopped up already, and then I cover the turkey and the pan completely with aluminum foil!
Put this into the oven at 500 for 30 minutes.
When the 30 minutes is up, remove the turkey and the aluminum foil (gently, because you are going to put it back on loosely after this) and using the liquid from the aromatics mixture, baste the turkey! I also like to use a flavor injector to actually inject this juice mixture into the meat of the turkey as well, all over!
Lower the temperature on the oven to 350, recover the bird with foil, loosely, and put it back into the oven for the remainder of the cooking time! According to Alton Brown a 14-16 lb turkey needs 2- 2.5 hours of cooking time additional, but double-check that with the size of your turkey against this turkey cooking time-table (you can never be too careful)!
For the remainder of the time the turkey cooks, I like to remove it from the oven every 45 minutes to baste it and flavor inject it with the aromatics liquid! I do not count the time out of the oven as cooking time, I set my timer after the turkey is back in the oven! Also, as a note, during the last 30 minutes or so of cooking, I remove the foil from the bird completely, so that it can get that nice brown color and a crispy skin. You may notice that the skin of your bird may have lighter patches around areas that were sliced for the butter and garlic, and this is normal. You may also get streaking from the aromatics mixture because the skin of the turkey really only browns in areas that lack moisture, and you have been basting yours to keep the meat juicy.
Once the turkey is completely cooked and either the thermometer in the turkey has popped or your own food thermometer (always preferable) indicates an internal temperature of 161 for the turkey, you can remove it from the oven and let is rest for 15 minutes before carving.
I hope you have enjoyed reading about my favorite Thanksgiving recipes! Like I said, I will be making all these items and more this year! I would love to know what your favorite family recipes are and what you will be cooking up this Thanksgiving, so feel free to leave me a comment below! Also, if you use any of these recipes, I would love it if you took a picture and sent it to me on Instagram or Twitter! Happy cooking!
xoxo,
Founder, Strange & Charmed 🍂✨
P.S. If you’re looking for more support in living your best, most organized and successful life, consider joining my inner circle private group coaching community called The Charmed Life Master Mind. Each month we meet for live classes, Q+As and monthly planning sessions, plus you have access to an on-demand resource library with dozens of classes, workbooks, planner inserts and other tools to help you craft the life you want to live. Click here to learn more and enroll today for instant access to all my best content and tools!
