Last year I wrote about a golden Easter egg hidden in a grocery delivery. A fifty-cent candy and a handwritten note from a Giant Direct employee named Imani, and how it became a core memory for my whole family. I've wondered since then whether that was a one-off. A lucky draw, one employee with a big heart on the right day. Then last month happened. The Trip I took my daughter, three of her friends, and one of my mom's friends to New York, a girls' trip, staying at the Kimpto

Last week we packed up the whole crew, my in-laws, my aunt and uncle, my family, Audrina's friend, and a friend of my boys', and headed to Lake Wallenpaupack. Before we left, I put together waterproof bags for all the girls, packed with a few things for the boat, and custom sweatshirts, each one with "LAKE" across the front. I tucked a handwritten note into every bag too. The note said something I say all the time, to clients, in keynotes, in my book: the best memories aren't

I made a reservation. That's it. That was my entire résumé at the door. I wasn't a critic. I wasn't a regular. I wasn't anyone's VIP list. I was a woman with a friend and a 7 o'clock table at Atlas, the restaurant inside the St. Regis in Buckhead, Georgia - a Michelin one-star, Forbes Five-Star dining room that has every excuse in the world to be intimidating. Instead, they made me feel like I'd been expected my whole life. It started before we ever walked in When they called

About a year ago, my friend Felicia got handed a white chocolate cowboy boot on a stage in Reno. Felicia runs High Mark Distillery, and I was there signing books for her Barrel Club investors. Jimmy, the guitarist hired to play that night, and his wife wanted to thank her, not with a card, but with something made for her. So before Jimmy's set, he called Felicia up and handed her that boot, filled with chocolates. Rugged. Bold. Her. Then they called me up next. I got a leopar

When people talk about creating unforgettable experiences, they often think about big budgets, elaborate surprises, or over-the-top moments. I don't. I think about ten seconds outside a Broadway theater. After seeing The Great Gatsby on Broadway, we joined the crowd waiting at the stage door. The performers began making their way down the line, signing Playbills and greeting fans. The girls were especially hoping to meet Corbin Bleu. When he reached us, Helana looked at him a

For as long as I can remember, riding in a helicopter had been on my bucket list. Not because I dreamed of owning one. Not because I wanted to post a picture on social media. I simply thought it would be an incredible experience. Years before that dream became a reality, I walked into a colleague's home and found dozens of leather, fabric, and finish samples spread across his dining room table. He was buying a helicopter. As someone who appreciates design and details, I was f

Last week I went to the Noah Kahan concert at Citizens Bank Park. It was everything you'd hope it would be. Great music. Great atmosphere. Thousands of people singing every word. But that's not what I've been thinking about today. I've been thinking about the wristbands. As we walked into the stadium, every person was handed a small LED wristband. I remember putting it on and thinking, "Oh, that's kind of cool." And then I forgot about it. Until the lights went down. Suddenly

Every time I travel, I’m reminded of one thing: experiences outlast everything. I don’t remember the hotel mattress firmness or the airport delays. I remember the toast at a vineyard in Napa where laughter spilled over like the wine in our glasses. I remember Florida street corners where my kids and I took silly photos and built memories that will last longer than the souvenirs. Travel is a crash course in loyalty.Think about it: You return to a favorite destination not becau

A few months ago, we celebrated my cousin Vienna’s bachelorette.It wasn’t just a dinner. It was an experience. We took over a private room at Bar Lucca where a sommelier guided us through six sparkling wines paired with a curated menu crafted just for our group. The room glowed with decorations, laughter, and champagne corks popping. But it was the details that made it unforgettable. Every guest received a personalized makeup bag with her name and a champagne split. There w

Last month, I had the privilege of exploring Kentucky, America’s bourbon capital, and what struck me most wasn’t the bourbon itself, but the experiences behind it. From sleek and commercial to warm and personal, we saw it all. But one place stood out above the rest: Castle & Key Distillery . From the moment we pulled up to the gates, it was clear this wasn’t just a distillery, it was an experience. Carved barrels greeted us with character. The sign at the entrance to their to

I got a text that stopped me in my tracks. It was from a former team member who now works nights and weekends at a restaurant. She’d just received a glowing review, one that mentioned the experience she created for guests. Her message said: “It reminded me that the lessons I learned from you will carry me through life. Prior to 2016, I may not have had as much fun with these people as I did and probably would not have thought to even attempt to create an experience for them…

Fall is here, and my calendar looks like a game of Tetris. The boys are in soccer.Audrina is in two shows and has four dance classes a week.Weekends are packed with games, vocal performances, and rehearsals.And somewhere in the middle of it all, I went back to dance too. Life is busy. Scratch that, life is fizzy . It ’s buzzing, bubbling, sparkling with activity. And if I’m honest, sometimes it feels like too much. Here’s the danger: when life gets fizzy, we tend to just mov