Strange & Charmed

My Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes

My Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes

This article was first published on Strange & Charmed on November 10th, 2014 and is being reposted because 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!

Baked Brie

Ingredients

1 piece of frozen puff pasty (thawed)
1 package of brie cheese, round
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!

Corn Bread Pudding

Ingredients

2 sticks of melted butter
2 eggs beaten
1 16oz can of corn (do not drain)
1 16oz can of creamed corn
8oz sour cream
1 box of Jiffy corn bread mix
2 Tbsp sugar

Directions

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!

Sausage Stuffing

Ingredients

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.

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!

Introducing the 2023 Advent of Productivity Calendar: Unwrap 24 Days of Functional Planning Tools for Your Perfect 2024 Planner Setup!

At The Charmed Shop, we believe that your planner should be more than just a collection of to-dos and appointments—it should be a powerful tool that helps you become the best version of yourself and achieve your goals. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce our latest creation: The 2023 Advent of Productivity Calendar! This first-of-its-kind Productivity + Planning Advent Calendar is designed especially for ambitious women who love planning and personal development. Imagine opening a virtual box every day and discovering functional productivity tools that will transform your 2024 planner setup. With 24 days of exclusive PDF downloads, this Advent Calendar is your ticket to a perfectly organized and motivated new year!

What is an Advent Calendar?

In case you’re new to the concept, an Advent Calendar is a delightful tradition that traces its origins back to the 19th century. Traditionally, it’s a special calendar used to count the days of Advent in anticipation of Christmas. Each day leading up to Christmas, a door or box is opened to reveal a surprise—a small gift, a sweet treat, or in our case, a valuable productivity tool! The Advent Calendar builds excitement and anticipation, making the holiday season even more magical. We’ve reimagined this cherished tradition for the digital age, bringing you the Advent of Productivity Calendar—a virtual calendar with 24 days of functional productivity tools to enhance your planning experience and make your 2024 planner setup truly extraordinary.

What’s Inside the Advent Calendar

Inside the Advent of Productivity Calendar, you’ll find a treasure trove of 24 unique PDF downloads, including a mix of inserts and productivity tools. From goal-setting guides and planner tabs to mindset worksheets and self-care challenges, these tools are crafted to elevate your planning experience. Here’s a glimpse of what awaits you:

Goal Setting Inserts
Motivational Dashboards
Printable Planner Tabs
Inserts for Popular Task Management Strategies
Mindset Work, Journaling Prompts & Affirmations
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A 30 Day Challenge

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More About the Unique Tools You’ll Unwrap in the Advent Calendar

What sets our Advent Calendar apart is its comprehensive approach to planning. We go beyond traditional time and task management, offering mindset-related tools that inspire introspection and personal growth. You won’t find these unique designs anywhere else—each one is exclusive to the Advent of Productivity Calendar. Plus, the incredible value of $250 worth of inserts for just $44 makes this calendar an unbeatable deal.

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Accessing your Advent Calendar is as easy as 1-2-3! Upon purchase, you’ll receive a PDF Welcome Letter with directions for accessing our private membership site. Here, you’ll find the interactive virtual Advent Calendar, where you can open a new box every day leading up to Christmas. Simply click on the boxes to reveal your productivity tools and download them to your computer. You can print these inserts at home or take the PDFs to your local print shop—flexibility at its best!

Countdown to Your Perfect Planner

Picture this: as the holiday season unfolds, you’ll be unwrapping a new productivity tool every day, setting up your perfect functional planner for 2024. It’s not just a countdown to Christmas; it’s a countdown to a more organized, focused, and motivated you! To enjoy this daily countdown experience, make sure to purchase your Advent of Productivity Calendar by December 1st.

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Happy Planning!

Creator of the Advent of Productivity Calendar 🌟

Business CEO Strategy

Festive Marketing Idea: Your Guide to Crafting a Business Advent Calendar

Festive Marketing Idea: Your Guide to Crafting a Business Advent Calendar

The holiday season is not only a time for spreading joy but also a fantastic opportunity for businesses to connect with their audience in creative and meaningful ways. One delightful marketing strategy that has captured the hearts of both businesses and customers alike is the Advent Calendar. Traditionally used to count down the days until Christmas, businesses have ingeniously adapted this concept into a powerful marketing tool.

Unwrapping the Concept: What’s a Business Advent Calendar?

A Business Advent Calendar is a marketing strategy that involves offering daily treats, deals, or content to your audience during the holiday season. It’s not just a countdown; it’s an experience. Whether you’re selling products or aiming to boost engagement on your online platforms, an advent calendar adds a touch of excitement and anticipation, creating a buzz around your brand.

Crafting Your Business Advent Calendar: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Define Your Goals:

Determine what you want to achieve with your advent calendar. Is it to boost sales, increase website traffic, or enhance social media engagement? Clear goals will guide your content and offers.

2. Choose Your Format:

Decide if you want to offer daily discounts, special product launches, exclusive content, or a mix of these. Tailor the format to your audience’s preferences and your business objectives.

3. Plan Your Content:

Create a content calendar mapping out what you’ll offer each day. For product-based businesses, feature your best-selling items. For content creators, consider exclusive tutorials, behind-the-scenes content, or engaging challenges.

4. Build Anticipation:

Promote your advent calendar in advance. Tease your audience with glimpses of what’s to come. Utilize social media, email marketing, and your website to create anticipation.

5. Engage Your Audience:

Encourage active participation. Run contests, ask questions, and encourage users to share their experiences with your calendar. User-generated content can amplify your reach.

6. Deliver a Memorable Experience:

Ensure that each daily offering provides value. Whether it’s a discount code, a freebie, or exclusive content, make every interaction memorable to leave a lasting impression.

7. Analyze and Adapt:

Track the performance of your advent calendar. Analyze data such as website traffic, engagement rates, and sales. Use these insights to refine your future marketing strategies.

Advent Calendar Ideas for Businesses:

1. Daily Discounts: Offer unique discounts on popular products each day.

2. Limited Edition Products: Introduce exclusive products available only during the advent period.

3. Interactive Challenges: Engage your audience with daily challenges or quizzes.

4. Behind-the-Scenes: Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business or personal celebrations

5. Collaborations: Partner with influencers or other businesses for joint promotions.

A Business Advent Calendar is not just a marketing strategy; it’s an opportunity to create a memorable experience for your audience. By adding a touch of holiday magic to your marketing efforts, you’re not only boosting sales but also fostering a sense of community and excitement around your brand.

So, as the festive season approaches, consider unwrapping the potential of an advent calendar for your business. Craft it with care, engage your audience with enthusiasm, and watch as the spirit of the season transforms your marketing efforts into something truly magical.

Get a Strategic Business Planner

Running a small business is a lot! It requires a cohesive strategy for time, task and business management if you want to be successful at it. Which is why tackling and managing all this work with a simple to do list or basic planner just doesn’t cut it.

If you have a hard time deciding what to work on for your business, feel like you’re always behind on tasks and projects, constantly dealing with emergencies and have no clue if what you are spending time on is actually growing your business… You need a better business planning system.

And I don’t just mean your business plan itself.

Sure that’s wonderful to have, but your business plan is the overall structure for the direction of your business- it’s not the strategic plan for you to follow everyday to reach your business goals.

Imagine getting to work each day with a clear plan of action, prioritized tasks, ideas organized at your finger tips, and feeling confident that the work you complete is positively impacting your business growth.

If you are ready to trade overwhelm for clarity, disorganization for structure, and hustle for strategy, I have precisely the tool you need to successfully manage and grow your business!

The CEO Strategy Planner is the Ultimate Business Planning Tool to Help You Organize, Plan and Execute on Your Business Vision. Get your ideas out of your head, onto paper, and get down to business with the CEO Strategy Planner! Click here to purchase your copy now!

Happy Holidays and Happy Marketing!

Warm regards,

Founder, Strange & Charmed 🌟

Business CEO Strategy

How to Create a Successful Holiday Promotion for Your Business

How to Create a Successful Holiday Promotion for Your Business

With the holiday season quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to quickly arrange for a holiday promotion for your business. The Thanksgiving to Christmas time period tends to be an extremely profitable season for online shops and businesses, with many retailers seeing exponential sales and traffic in this time with the aid of some well planned and executed holiday sales.

Now, if you have never planned out a holiday promotion, or have yet to do so this season, I’m here to tell you that the process is much easier than you think and doesn’t have to involve complicated marketing planning or lots of time and effort. You do still have plenty of time to pull off a successful holiday promotion without stress or extra long work days, but you do need to act fast to get your plan in place to maximize sales before Black Friday kicks off in a few weeks! In order to help make this process even more streamlined for you, I have also created a free DIY Holiday Promotion Planning Guide that you can use to plan and keep track of your promotion. CLICK HERE to get the FREE Guide and get started today!

Step # 1: Decide the logistics of your promotion

There are many types of promotions and sales specials you can run during the holiday season to drum up excitement for your business and increase traffic and check totals in your shop. You can do something as simple as create a special coupon code for a percentage off items in your shop, you can put together bundles of popular products that coordinate, or simply discount your best sellers. You can make your sale as simple or complicated as you’d like and do one or more of these things, but decide what works for you and your business and of course, plan out how long you want these promotions to last. I’d highly suggest running a sale on Black Friday at the very least. Personally, this year I plan to create some limited time only bundles, provide a coupon code to VIPs on my email list and social media followers, and I also plan to host a giveaway to entice sales during my promotion which will last 3 days from Black Friday to Sunday. If you don’t want to discount your products due to product constraints, you can also create non-sale promotions that include either a giveaway wherein customers during the time frame are opted in to win a prize. You can offer a digital freebie to drive traffic to your shop or even give a free gift with purchase. Think about what will work for your sales goals and business and outline the details of your promotion asap!

Step #2: Shoot your promotional images

If you run an online business, you know how important great product and styled shots are to driving sales. Once you know the parameters of your promotion, you can arrange for a quick photoshoot and get all your images ready for your shop, social media and any ads you may run. If you don’t feel confident in your photography skills or need help understanding how to take great photos that sell, definitely check out my Charmed Digital Styling Lightroom Photography Course. It’s a video module based course with 3.5 hours of content that you can watch while taking notes and arranging your own photos. In the course I teach you everything you need to know to quickly get your styled photography under control and streamlined to make shooting promotional images a breeze! I’d highly recommend taking the course if you need great photos for your holiday promotions, it will save you time and money in the short term if you are someone who pays for stock photos, and the course even includes photoshop tutorials that will teach you how to create promotional sales graphics and advertisements as well!

Step #3: Start spreading the news

Once you have your promotion planned and your images are ready to go, you can start sharing the news of your promotion through your various communication methods and continue to do so through the duration of your sale. I’d suggest starting to actively promote your holiday sale anywhere from 2-4 days before it begins using any and all methods you use to communicate with your customers. If you have an email list, you will want to send a list to your email a few days before the sale starts and give some previews of the sales to come, and if you use social media or YouTube, make sure you tell your audience in these locations as well. If you use any methods of advertising, you also want to get those set to go for about three days out from the sale to drum up excitement and provide a call to action to get new potential customers onto your list. Finally, if you have an affiliate program or even a network of friends who can help you spread the word, make sure you coordinate with them on promotional messages and details that they can share with their audience as well. It’s the holiday’s after all, so the more the merrier when it comes to cross promoting sales and specials!

That’s it! Three easy steps to a stress free and profitable holiday promotion. You still have time to get your promo planned and off the ground and I’d highly suggest planning something rather than nothing because failing to promote during the holidays means you are leaving a lot of money on the table. Make sure to grab my free DIY Promotion Planning Guide to help keep you on track!

Get a Strategic Business Planner

Running a small business is a lot! It requires a cohesive strategy for time, task and business management if you want to be successful at it. Which is why tackling and managing all this work with a simple to do list or basic planner just doesn’t cut it.

If you have a hard time deciding what to work on for your business, feel like you’re always behind on tasks and projects, constantly dealing with emergencies and have no clue if what you are spending time on is actually growing your business… You need a better business planning system.

And I don’t just mean your business plan itself.

Sure that’s wonderful to have, but your business plan is the overall structure for the direction of your business- it’s not the strategic plan for you to follow everyday to reach your business goals.

Imagine getting to work each day with a clear plan of action, prioritized tasks, ideas organized at your finger tips, and feeling confident that the work you complete is positively impacting your business growth.

If you are ready to trade overwhelm for clarity, disorganization for structure, and hustle for strategy, I have precisely the tool you need to successfully manage and grow your business!

The CEO Strategy Planner is the Ultimate Business Planning Tool to Help You Organize, Plan and Execute on Your Business Vision. Get your ideas out of your head, onto paper, and get down to business with the CEO Strategy Planner! Click here to purchase your copy now!

Wishing you a productive, successful week and holiday season ahead!

xoxo,

Founder, Strange & Charmed 🍂✨

Habits + Routines lifestyle Productivity

SEASONAL STRESS SURVIVAL GUIDE: Navigating the Holidays with Peace and Balance

SEASONAL STRESS SURVIVAL GUIDE: Navigating the Holidays with Peace and Balance

It’s November, and as the holiday season unfolds, it’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of festivities, responsibilities, and obligations. But fear not, for amidst the chaos, there are strategies to find tranquility and reclaim your peace of mind. Here’s your seasonal stress survival guide, designed to bring calm to the holiday storm.

TIP 1: PRIORITIZE YOUR MENTAL PEACE OF MIND

The key to a serene holiday season lies in managing your mental capacity. Here are three strategies to help increase your mental resilience:

Strategy 1: Meditate for 30 minutes a day!

Meditation is a powerful tool for calming the mind and reducing stress. To get started, check out these meditation apps I recommend: [Top Meditation Apps for Finding Focus]

Strategy 2: Embrace Gratitude

A gratitude journal can transform your perspective. Consider using a weekly gratitude insert for your planner, available here: [Weekly Gratitude List (A5 Sized)]

Strategy 3: Brain Dump Regularly with Your Planner

Utilize your planner to unload your thoughts regularly. The Brilliant Ideas Inserts can be immensely helpful: [Brilliant Ideas Bundle (Printable PD F)]

TIP 2: GET AN IMMUNITY BOOST

The holiday season often brings joy and love, but it also invites germs and bacteria. Fortify your immune system with these simple steps:

Strategy 1: Get a Flu or Covid Shot

Consult your doctor about getting a flu or covid booster shot. Many health insurance providers cover it at low or no cost. Stay protected and keep those around you safe.

Strategy 2: Harness the Power of Essential Oils

Essential oils like Saje Wellness Fortify Oil can strengthen your immune system. However, it’s crucial to use them properly. Refer to this Essential Oil Resource Guide for guidance: [Essential Oil Resource Guide]

Strategy 3: Take a Daily Multivitamin

Speak to your healthcare provider about the right multivitamin for you. A daily multivitamin can fill nutritional gaps and support your overall health. I take a women’s multivitamin plus extra vitamin c each day to keep my immune system strong.

TIP 3: STOCK UP ON SHORTCUTS

Simplify your routine with these time-saving strategies:

Strategy 1: Embrace Crock Pot Meals

Discover delicious crock pot recipes to save time and effort. Check out my video for inspiration: [Crock Pot Recipe Video]. For more recipes, join me on Pinterest: [Misstrenchcoat on Pinterest]

Strategy 2: Quick Go-To Workout Routine

Stay active with a quick high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout. Here’s a routine to get you started: [HIIT Workout]

Strategy 3: Invest in Time-Saving Cleaning Tools

Efficient cleaning tools like a robo vacuum [Amazon Link] and a Swiffer Sweeper [Amazon Link] can lighten your cleaning workload. Plus, save money on Swiffer refills by using paper towel squares for quick cleanups.

By prioritizing your mental well-being, bolstering your immune system, and embracing shortcuts, you can navigate the holiday season with ease. Remember, amidst the hustle and bustle, your peace of mind is invaluable. Wishing you a stress-free and serene holiday season!

Warmly,

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!

Business CEO Strategy

Craft the Perfect Gift Guide: A Step-by-Step Blueprint for Business Owners

Hello, Savvy Business Owners!

Creating themed gift guides isn’t just a way to celebrate the spirit of giving; it’s a powerful tool to attract your ideal customers and boost your sales during the holiday season. By curating thoughtful, themed gift guides, you not only provide valuable recommendations to your audience but also showcase your products in a way that resonates deeply with potential buyers. Here’s your step-by-step guide to crafting irresistible themed gift guides that will captivate your audience and drive sales.

1. Identify Your Ideal Customer: Understand your target audience’s preferences, interests, and pain points. Knowing your ideal customer’s needs will help you curate a gift guide tailored specifically to them.

2. Choose a Theme: Select a theme that aligns with your brand and appeals to your ideal customers. It could be based on occasions (e.g., “Gifts for a Cozy Winter Evening”), interests (e.g., “Gifts for Fitness Enthusiasts”), or demographics (e.g., “Gifts for Busy Moms”). The theme should resonate with your audience’s lifestyle.

3. Curate a Variety of Products: Feature a diverse range of products from your inventory that fit the chosen theme. Include your bestsellers, unique items, and exclusive offers. Aim for a mix of price points to cater to different budgets.

4. Add Personal Touches: Share personal anecdotes or stories related to the products. Explain why each item is a fantastic choice. Creating an emotional connection with your audience enhances the appeal of your gift guide.

5. Provide Detailed Descriptions: Write detailed descriptions for each product, highlighting its features, benefits, and how it can solve a problem or enhance the recipient’s life. Clear, compelling descriptions help potential buyers understand the value of the items.

6. Include High-Quality Visuals: High-resolution images and professional-quality videos of the products are essential. Visual appeal can significantly influence purchasing decisions. Show the products from different angles and in various contexts to give a comprehensive view.

7. Add Call-to-Action (CTA) Buttons: Insert clear and enticing CTA buttons or links that lead directly to the product pages on your website. Make the purchasing process as seamless as possible to encourage immediate action.

8. Promote on Social Media and Email: Share your themed gift guide across your social media platforms and email newsletters. Use engaging captions and eye-catching visuals to create excitement. Encourage your audience to share the guide with their friends and family.

9. Collaborate with Influencers or Affiliates: Partner with influencers or affiliates within your niche to promote your gift guide. Their authentic recommendations can reach a wider audience and drive traffic to your guide.

10. Monitor and Analyze: Use analytics tools to track the performance of your gift guide. Monitor the clicks, conversions, and engagement metrics. Analyze what worked well and what didn’t, and use this data to refine your future strategies.

By following these steps, you’ll not only create themed gift guides that resonate deeply with your audience but also establish your brand as a trusted curator of valuable products. Remember, the key lies in understanding your customers, offering genuine recommendations, and infusing your guide with the passion you have for your products.

Get a Strategic Business Planner

Running a small business is a lot! It requires a cohesive strategy for time, task and business management if you want to be successful at it. Which is why tackling and managing all this work with a simple to do list or basic planner just doesn’t cut it.

If you have a hard time deciding what to work on for your business, feel like you’re always behind on tasks and projects, constantly dealing with emergencies and have no clue if what you are spending time on is actually growing your business… You need a better business planning system.

And I don’t just mean your business plan itself.

Sure that’s wonderful to have, but your business plan is the overall structure for the direction of your business- it’s not the strategic plan for you to follow everyday to reach your business goals.

Imagine getting to work each day with a clear plan of action, prioritized tasks, ideas organized at your finger tips, and feeling confident that the work you complete is positively impacting your business growth.

If you are ready to trade overwhelm for clarity, disorganization for structure, and hustle for strategy, I have precisely the tool you need to successfully manage and grow your business!

The CEO Strategy Planner is the Ultimate Business Planning Tool to Help You Organize, Plan and Execute on Your Business Vision. Get your ideas out of your head, onto paper, and get down to business with the CEO Strategy Planner! Click here to purchase your copy now!

Wishing you a holiday season filled with successful gift guides and delighted customers!

Warmest Regards,

Founder, Strange & Charmed 🌟

Personal Development Productivity

Empowering Your Journey: Mastering the Art of Delegation

Hello, Amazing Community!

In the pursuit of greatness, it’s natural to want to handle everything on your own. After all, who knows your vision better than you do? However, there comes a time when the wisdom lies not in doing it all but in strategically delegating tasks. Delegation isn’t about relinquishing control; it’s about empowering yourself and others. So, if you find it hard to let go, fear not! Here’s a guide to help you master the art of delegation and unlock a world of possibilities.

1. Acknowledge Your Limitations

The first step to effective delegation is acknowledging that you’re human. You have limits, and that’s perfectly okay. Accepting your limitations is not a sign of weakness but of wisdom. By recognizing what you can’t do, you open the door to what others can contribute.

2. Identify Your Strengths

Understand your unique strengths and talents. What are the tasks that truly align with your expertise and bring you joy? Focus on these, and recognize that other tasks, though important, might be better suited for someone else.

3. Recognize Others’ Capabilities

Just as you have strengths, others have their unique talents. Trust in their abilities. Delegating isn’t a burden; it’s an opportunity for others to shine. By assigning tasks to individuals with the right skills, you’re allowing them to contribute meaningfully.

4. Communicate Clearly

Clear communication is key to successful delegation. Clearly outline your expectations, the desired outcome, and any specific guidelines. Be open to questions and provide necessary resources. The more clarity you provide, the smoother the process will be.

5. Start Small

If you’re new to delegation, start with smaller tasks. As you build trust and confidence in the process, you can gradually delegate more significant responsibilities. Starting small allows you to refine your communication and feedback loops.

6. Provide Feedback and Appreciation

Acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of those you delegate tasks to. Positive reinforcement creates a supportive environment where individuals feel valued. Constructive feedback, given respectfully, helps everyone grow and improve.

7. Embrace the Gift of Time

Delegating strategically isn’t just about lightening your load; it’s about gifting yourself time. Time to focus on what truly matters, time to innovate, time to nurture your well-being, and time to indulge in personal passions. Remember, your time is precious – invest it wisely.

8. Let Go and Trust the Process

Release the need for absolute control. Trust the process and trust the individuals you’ve delegated tasks to. Embrace the space you’ve created for yourself to excel in areas where your unique talents truly shine.

Dear friends, by mastering the art of delegation, you’re not just lightening your own load – you’re creating opportunities for growth, collaboration, and mutual empowerment. Together, we can achieve far more than any one of us could on our own.

With trust, gratitude, and the spirit of collaboration,

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!

Business CEO Strategy

Spark Your Social Media Presence: 30 Engaging Prompts for Q4 & the Holiday Season!

Hello, Visionary Business Owners!

The holiday season is the perfect time to infuse your social media with festive energy and connect deeply with your audience. To help you shine brightly in the digital sphere, here are 30 engaging social media prompts tailored specifically for Q4 and the joyous holiday season. Let’s elevate your brand’s visibility and make this season unforgettable for your audience!

1. Share Your Holiday Traditions: Invite your audience into your world by sharing your favorite holiday traditions. It could be a family recipe, a cherished ritual, or a heartwarming memory.

2. Spotlight Your Team: Introduce your team members, their roles, and their favorite holiday traditions. Humanize your brand by showing the faces behind your business.

3. Holiday Giveaway: Host a festive giveaway. Encourage participation by asking your audience to share their favorite holiday quotes or memories. Reward them with your products or exclusive discounts.

4. Customer Spotlight: Feature a loyal customer and their experience with your products. Encourage them to share their holiday-themed photos or testimonials.

5. Flashback Friday: Share throwback photos from your past holiday seasons. Show your audience how your brand has evolved and grown over the years.

6. Product Showcase: Highlight your best-selling or newly launched products as perfect holiday gifts. Explain why each product makes a thoughtful present.

7. Warm-up with a Recipe: Share a cozy holiday recipe or a special drink. Encourage your audience to try it out and share their results with you.

8. DIY Decor Ideas: Offer DIY holiday decoration ideas that align with your brand. It could be handmade ornaments, festive wreaths, or creative table settings.

9. Gratitude Posts: Express your gratitude for your customers, followers, or supporters. Acknowledge their role in your business journey and thank them sincerely.

10. Holiday-themed Polls: Host polls related to holiday preferences. Ask questions like, “Real tree or artificial tree?” or “Favorite holiday movie?” to encourage engagement.

11. Charity Spotlight: Shine a light on a charity or cause that your brand supports. Encourage your audience to contribute or participate in charitable activities.

12. Festive Workspace: Share glimpses of your workspace decked out in holiday decorations. Show your creative process and the holiday spirit in your workplace.

13. Fun Facts: Share interesting holiday-related facts or trivia. Educate your audience while keeping them entertained.

14. Book Recommendations: Recommend books related to personal growth, inspiration, or holiday themes. Encourage your audience to share their favorite reads too.

15. Holiday-themed Quotes: Post inspirational holiday quotes that align with your brand values. Encourage your audience to share the quotes that resonate with them.

16. Caption This: Post a fun or festive image and ask your audience to come up with creative captions. Reward the best ones with small prizes or shoutouts.

17. Spotlight Local Businesses: Feature local businesses or artisans in your area. Promote the spirit of community and encourage your audience to support local during the holidays.

18. Winter Wellness Tips: Share tips for staying healthy and balanced during the winter months. Offer advice on boosting immunity, staying active, and maintaining mental well-being.

19. Year-in-Review: Recap the highlights and milestones of your business throughout the year. Express gratitude for the support you’ve received.

20. Travel Dreams: Encourage your audience to share their dream holiday destinations. Facilitate a conversation about travel aspirations.

21. Gift Wrapping Ideas: Showcase creative gift wrapping techniques or offer printable gift tags. Help your audience add a personalized touch to their presents.

22. Inspirational Success Stories: Share inspirational stories of entrepreneurs or individuals who overcame challenges. Spread positivity and motivate your audience.

23. Pet-friendly Holidays: Share tips on making the holidays enjoyable for pets. Encourage your followers to share pictures of their furry friends celebrating.

24. Music Playlist: Create a holiday-themed Spotify or YouTube playlist. Share the songs that inspire you and invite your audience to add their favorites.

25. New Year’s Resolutions: Start a discussion about goals and resolutions for the upcoming year. Encourage your audience to share their aspirations and plans.

26. Creative Crafts: Share easy and festive DIY craft ideas. Provide step-by-step instructions for creating holiday-themed crafts.

27. Holiday Humor: Share lighthearted holiday jokes or memes. Laughter is a great way to connect with your audience.

28. Product Tips and Tricks: Offer creative ways to use your products during the holiday season. Provide tips for getting the most out of what you offer.

29. Virtual Event Announcements: If you’re hosting virtual events, workshops, or webinars, announce them on social media. Create excitement around your upcoming events.

30. Goals and Dreams for 2024: Share your business goals and personal aspirations for the coming year. Encourage your audience to share theirs too, creating a sense of community and anticipation for the future.

Get a Strategic Business Planner

Running a small business is a lot! It requires a cohesive strategy for time, task and business management if you want to be successful at it. Which is why tackling and managing all this work with a simple to do list or basic planner just doesn’t cut it.

If you have a hard time deciding what to work on for your business, feel like you’re always behind on tasks and projects, constantly dealing with emergencies and have no clue if what you are spending time on is actually growing your business… You need a better business planning system.

And I don’t just mean your business plan itself.

Sure that’s wonderful to have, but your business plan is the overall structure for the direction of your business- it’s not the strategic plan for you to follow everyday to reach your business goals.

Imagine getting to work each day with a clear plan of action, prioritized tasks, ideas organized at your finger tips, and feeling confident that the work you complete is positively impacting your business growth.

If you are ready to trade overwhelm for clarity, disorganization for structure, and hustle for strategy, I have precisely the tool you need to successfully manage and grow your business!

The CEO Strategy Planner is the Ultimate Business Planning Tool to Help You Organize, Plan and Execute on Your Business Vision. Get your ideas out of your head, onto paper, and get down to business with the CEO Strategy Planner! Click here to purchase your copy now!

Remember, social media is all about genuine connection and engagement. Tailor these prompts to your brand’s voice, and watch your social media platforms light up with festive interactions and positive energy.

Wishing you a season filled with meaningful connections and thriving engagement!

Warmest Regards,

Founder, Strange & Charmed 🌟

Habits + Routines lifestyle organization

Elevate Your Everyday: Embracing the Power of Your Daily Uniform

Hello, Beautiful Souls!

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, streamlining our routines can be a game-changer. One area where this simplicity truly shines is in our wardrobes. Enter the concept of the daily uniform or outfit template – a sartorial lifesaver designed to not only save time but also enhance your confidence and style effortlessly.

What is a Daily Uniform?

A daily uniform, or outfit template, is a curated set of clothing that you feel comfortable and confident wearing. It’s not about wearing the same outfit every day but having a consistent style that reflects your personality. By defining your daily uniform, you create a go-to look that aligns with your vibe, making dressing a breeze every morning.

Time-Saving Elegance

One of the primary benefits of having a daily uniform is the gift of time. Imagine waking up, knowing exactly what you’re going to wear without the stress of choosing from a multitude of options. This streamlined approach leaves you with more time for your morning rituals, setting a positive tone for the day.

Confidence in Every Stitch

Your daily uniform becomes an armor of confidence. When you consistently wear outfits that make you feel fantastic, you exude a natural confidence that can transform your entire day. Whether you’re rocking a power suit or embracing the chic simplicity of a dress, your outfit can be a source of strength and self-assurance.

Banishing Decision Fatigue

Every decision we make throughout the day, no matter how trivial, depletes our mental energy. Simplifying your wardrobe choices minimizes decision fatigue, leaving your mind clear and focused for the tasks that truly matter.

Daily Uniform Workwear Ideas

*Now, let’s explore three versatile outfit templates for the empowered working woman:*

Outfit Template 1: Sleek Professionalism

– Bottoms: Classic slacks in neutral shades (black, navy, or gray).

– Top: Crisp blouse paired with a tailored blazer or a cozy cardigan.

– Shoes: Comfortable heels or elegant loafers.

– Accessories: Statement necklace, a quality watch, and a structured handbag.

*Pro Tip:* Play with textures and patterns. A silk blouse can contrast beautifully with a textured blazer, adding depth to your ensemble.

Outfit Template 2: Cozy Elegance

– Bottoms: Fitted skirt (pencil or A-line) in a complementary color.

– Top: Chunky knit sweater in warm hues or neutral tones.

– Shoes: Knee-high boots or ankle booties.

– Accessories: Long pendant necklace, statement earrings, and a chic tote bag.

*Pro Tip:* Experiment with color blocking. Pair a bold, solid-colored sweater with a subtly patterned skirt for a sophisticated look.

Outfit Template 3: Effortless Charm

– Dress: A versatile, well-fitted dress in a style that flatters your body shape.

– Tights: Choose opaque or patterned tights depending on the season and your preference.

– Shoes: Ankle boots, flats, or heels, depending on your comfort.

– Accessories: Minimalistic bracelet, stud earrings, and a crossbody bag.

*Pro Tip:* Embrace monochromatic dressing. Opt for a dress and tights in similar shades to create a chic, elongated silhouette.

By building your wardrobe around these outfit templates, you’re not only saving time but also investing in your confidence and self-expression. Remember, your daily uniform is a canvas; accessorize, play with colors, and have fun expressing your unique style within the template. When you look and feel your best every day, the world becomes your runway.

Here’s to embracing the simplicity of a daily uniform and stepping into every day with poise and style.

With Love and Style,

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!

High Vibe lifestyle Mindset

Embrace the Harvest: Cultivating Balance and Renewal in the Autumn of Life

Hello, Beloved Community!

As the vibrant hues of autumn paint the world around us, nature whispers a profound truth: this is the season of harvest. In the same way trees gracefully shed their leaves, we too can release the burdens of the past and focus on the bountiful harvest of our efforts. The fall season serves as a poignant reminder that life operates in cycles, and now is our time to reap the results of the seeds we sowed in the earlier chapters of the year.

Embracing the Harvest

Consider this moment a pause, a chance to reflect on the journey so far. Every goal achieved, every hurdle overcome, and every lesson learned is a testament to your resilience and determination. Just like a farmer tending to their crops, you have nurtured your dreams and aspirations. Now, it’s time to acknowledge and celebrate the abundance you’ve cultivated.

Letting Go

Much like the trees gracefully release their leaves, it’s time for us to let go of what no longer serves us. Just as nature sheds its weight to prepare for renewal, we too can release the unnecessary expectations and burdens that weigh us down. Acknowledge that it’s okay to let certain things go – whether they are unattainable goals or external pressures. The true essence of autumn lies in surrender, paving the way for new growth in the future.

Prioritizing Your Focus

Autumn teaches us the art of prioritization. Just as nature sheds its leaves but retains its core strength, we too can focus on what truly matters. Take a moment to identify the key areas of your life – your relationships, your passions, your well-being. These are the roots that sustain you. Nurture them. Pour your energy into the people and pursuits that bring you genuine joy and fulfillment.

Finding Balance

In the pursuit of balance, understand that it’s okay to relinquish control over things beyond your reach. Autumn is a season of acceptance, of acknowledging the natural ebb and flow of life. As you release the need for perfection, you create space for serenity. Balance isn’t about doing everything; it’s about doing what matters most with unwavering focus and intention.

Renewal Awaits

As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, remember that within this natural cycle of life lies the promise of renewal. The energy you invest in what truly matters will bear fruit, fostering new growth and opportunities. By embracing the harvest, you not only honor your past efforts but also set the stage for a vibrant, fulfilling future.

Dear friends, as you stand amidst the golden tapestry of autumn, let this season be a gentle reminder that you are enough as you are. Your worth isn’t determined by the unrelenting pursuit of perfection, but by the love you give, the passions you pursue, and the authenticity you embody.

With a heart full of gratitude for the journey we share,

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!