Enough time has passed I can look back on my divorce with some 20/20 hindsight (well at least I didn’t lose my mind in the process). Let’s be real, while you’re in the middle of the ongoing drama, dealing with hurt feelings, I can honestly say that I learned a lot—one must get something out of all that chaos. Divorce is a nightmare, let’s be real and not try to sugarcoat it. Having kids also complicates it even further because you are dealing with your own feelings of self-worth and failure (that’s a lame combination), all the while trying to navigate a peaceful solution. What fun!

It takes “adults” to be able to come out the other end in one piece and not blame each other for the falling apart of a marriage. I can tell you that deciding to divorce bites—at least in my case! It’s a hard decision to make and all that comes after is a process and a long journey—I would have rather gone on a journey to Six Flags. Trying to navigate the minefield is especially tricky since there are so many things going on at the same time. Can’t life ever be easy? It’s important to remember that blaming your husband for all that went wrong is not the solution—even though it feels great at the time! I had so many good zingers in the mix; I could become a comedy writer. I had to tell myself over and over that my kids come first and not to create a house of negativity. Considering the state of the divorce, it was hard, but we managed—I can pat myself on the back for that; my ex, too! What joy!

Dealing with the fallout is like walking on fire: it hurts, it’s raw and it takes a long time to heal. In order to get my aggression out, I joined a gym. There’s a comedy in the making. It certainly helps to see some hot guys working out and makes you realize the world is working at full capacity, even if it seems far away at the time. Nothing is more hilarious than trying to navigate the gym when you are in a state of rage, all the while hitting the boxing bag. I was so pissed that I nearly broke my hand hitting the bag, but luckily a very hunky man came over to show me what I was doing wrong—ahhhh, the world is looking up already!

And be sure to check out the new HBO series DIVORCE premiering Sunday, October 9th at 10pm with Sarah Jessica Parker and Thomas Haden Church. It’s the story of a very, very long divorce, the show follows Frances and Robert as they grapple with the fallout from their failing marriage, not just for themselves, but also for their children and friends, ranging from awkward public encounters to difficult private therapy sessions. You can find out more about DIVORCE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Have you or a friend ever gone through a divorce? Tell me about it in the comments for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card. Each comment will automatically be entered to win.

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So they say good behavior comes from one’s environment and your parents teaching you right from wrong. I say, “So, what if?”

I live my life as I see fit and feel empowered by my choices.  A smooth upbringing is great, but being confined to the norms can be boring. It’s great to branch out and test the waters and be your authentic self. We are the commanders of our own domain and must live by our choices. Living a positive life is the way to go.  That’s why I was drawn to the new TV show GOOD BEHAVIOR, starring Michelle Dockery, from Downton Abbey. It is great to see her step outside her comfort zone and play this fascinating character of Letty.  Letty seeks to improve but gets sidetracked by a mysterious and handsome man…more on that to come!

Letty is being let out of jail early for good behavior and she’s determined to live a better life, but her good intentions leads her down another path, all while knowing that she’s determined to do better. Amazing how life turns like that!

Life is a little complex sometimes; you can have all the best intentions in mind, but fate or happenstance changes the course of things in your day-to-day existence.  It’s compelling to see a new and nuanced character on TV bring so much energy and chutzpah to the evening. TNT has really come up with a great idea here. This makes for compelling TV.  

Now back to the handsome stranger, I love these types. The character of Javier is further reason to tune in.  He’s so bad that he’s good to watch.  Everyone loves the baddie on TV, it makes for fun TV viewing.  He’s not only mysterious, methodical and oh-so cautious, but he also has a professional code he lives by: a very sexy combination for a TV character. Nobody could ever imagine that this very handsome man with those very dreamy eyes would indeed be a killer; he’s so good at what he does, until he meets Letty. Then the drama begins.

With a cast of other interesting characters from Letty’s parole officer, to her mother and her son, you can’t help but be drawn into this great new show on TNT. 

So, I say, live your life on your terms and live up to the code you have for you.  Live your life by the positive choices you make and set out to live a balanced and nuanced life.  One should always life on their terms and not get pigeonholed into doing something they feel is not authentic to them.  Good Behavior is all about trying to live a better life, even if it can get muddled along the way. Remember, even when you take a wrong turn, you can always choose a new path. It’s like the old saying, when you fall off the horse, you get back up and get back on that horse. Words to live by! Tune in to see Good Behavior; you won’t be disappointed!

Sponsored by Good Behavior on TNT. Watch the 2-episode series premiere Tuesday, November 15 at 9/8c.

Learn more about Good Behavior on the Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

How do you live life on your own terms? Tell me in the comments for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card!

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This sweepstakes runs from 11/1/16– 11/24/16

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Do you have friends or family who suffer from debilitating cold sores?  A resounding “yes,” I’m certain. We all know someone or seen someone who suffers from this difficult and annoying problem. The oh-so famous “tingling” on the lip is the first sign that a cold sore is imminent. At this point, it’s downhill if you don’t take action quick.  

I believe in tackling problems head-on, so when my friend noticed she was getting a cold sore a few days before a job interview (nice timing) and I witnessed her putting ice on it to fix her problem, I advised her to take action and use Abreva®. When used at the first sign of a cold sore, Abreva® can shorten the healing time of your cold sore to as few as two and half days*. Why wait that long and suffer when you can use real medicine and shorten the healingtime and duration of symptoms?  In the world of cold sores, this is an amazing feat!

Wives tales are certainly nice at bedtime but they won’t solve a cold sore problem when it strikes, it will only prolong the pain and suffering of having a cold sore, this is a real drag.  Real medicine is needed to get to the root of a cold sore problem; Abreva® is the answer.

While lip balms, licorice, ibuprofen and chamomile tea are commonly known to alleviate the pain, along with myriad of other so-called quick fixes, they definitely won’t shorten the duration of a cold sore.  Take back your life and take action and use real medicine and debunk the wives tales.

There are many triggers that contribute to the appearance of cold sores caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus.  Unfortunately, there is no known cure for this meddling problem so utilizing real medicine that works to combat the problem at first sight is paramount . Further, you don’t need to go to a doctor to get a prescription; Abreva® is available without a prescription in the cough/cold aisle at all major drug, mass, pharmacy and grocery retailers.  

Common triggers are: Mental stress, being upset, an injury to the affected area, menstruation or intense sunlight.  Using real medicine like Abreva® is a necessary component to combat the problem.

*Median Healing Time 4.1 days.  25% of users healed in 2.5 days.

Abreva: Website | Twitter | YouTube

Do you or your friends/family suffer from cold sores?  Reach out and let us know in the comments to be automatically entered to win a $100 Visa® gift card.

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This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 12/1 – 12/31

Be sure to visit the Abreva Brand page on SheKnowsMedia.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

We are huge advocates of “clean air” within our house, a necessity if you suffer from asthma. So when I discovered Feline Pine™ Original Non-Clumping Cat Litter, I was jumping for joy. 

Feline Pine™ Original Non-Clumping Cat Litter is a fantastic product that brings the best natural odor control to your home with no added fragrances. This is a huge score for the entire family – and especially for me. When we went to adopt a cat, I was worried that the products out there for the litter box would send my asthma into overdrive, but Feline Pine™ Original Non-Clumping Cat Litter is 100% chemical free, as well as using the odor-fighting powers of 100% natural pine to eliminate the toughest odors in your home—and no new trees are cut to make Feline Pine™ products. Feline Pine™ is made from kiln-dried shavings reclaimed from lumber production. In my book, this is a great reason to switch to Feline Pine™ Original Non-Clumping Cat Litter. Along with the other excellent reasons of not having a stinky house from cat litter being another —a no-brainer.

Our sweet cat is part of the family, but dealing with the smell in the litter box can be a total drag. When visiting other homes with furry friends, my asthma would act up. This is particularly annoying because I can barely step foot in one of my best friends houses without feeling ill. I am not one to proselytize but I will surely be pushing her to switch to Feline Pine™! The highly absorbent pine shavings in Feline Pine™ bind directly to ammonia odors and send them packing for good. Plus, the pine shavings are gentle on my kitty’s paws. That’s makes my furry friend very happy! 

And Feline Pine™ leaves absolutely no messy clouds of dust in your home. Another great reason why I switched to Feline Pine™, as well as being pet-friendly. After all, who wants to clean up a cloud of stinky dust? Definitely not me! 

Tell me, have you had to deal with stinky and dusty cat litter in your home?  Send your thoughts our way and you will be automatically entered to win a $100 Visa gift card! And, to top it off, click on this link, and you will get a great coupon for Feline Pine™.

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This sweepstakes runs from 12/5/16– 1/10/17

After decades of singleton, I am getting married and moving to Paris:  Help!  He has a nine-year-old daughter!

Wow.  I actually can’t believe that I am getting married.  The reason?  I am a New Yorker through and through, and I focused on being a New Yorker for the last two decades since graduating college.  What does that mean?  I wanted to rise through the ranks of the advertising world and become the executive I became.  That meant 12- 14 hour days, dinners out at least four days a week and entertaining clients and prospective clients when they came into town.  On the weekends, I’d crash, but have the obligatory “must be seen” party or event.  But, one day early in 2016, I looked around as I was approaching my mid-40s, and asked myself what I had to show for all my sacrifice.  The pivotal question was:  Was it all worth it?

I had a dream to live in Paris, and life was passing me by without anyone to share it with.  So, I started to go on Meetic, a dating website popular for Americans to meet Europeans.  After kissing a few frogs, I met the man of my dreams.  Yes, he is a Parisian and at our ages, does not come without baggage.  He had been married before to a wretched woman but did manage to have a wonderful nine-year-old daughter, who will now be my stepdaughter.  I’ll call her Eloise.

Eloise is a fun, sensitive child who, no doubt, is feeling a bit uneasy that her papa is getting remarried.  Throw in the fact that I am moving to Paris to be with my Frenchman and can’t communicate French very well (my French is basic at best), and an odd parenting schedule that would require me to watch Eloise while my new husband is at work, and I am nervous.   I am so elated to be getting married, starting a new chapter in life, but my pragmatic side says prepare and work through marriage and parental counseling before making the leap across the pond.

Fortunately, there is Z Living’s newest show Altar’d (premiering January 17^th at 8 pm), which is all about transformations ahead of the big day!  Sometimes big life changes happen in pairs, as in our care.  While some engaged couples are looking to drop weight in the form of pounds or relationship baggage, couples who appear on Altar’d are separated to undergo inspiring 90-day transformations with the big reveal at the altar.  They share their powerful stories of self-transformation to inspire others. Co-hosts of the show, Chris Marhefka and Erin Stutland offer up tips on how simple changes to diet, exercise and self-care can lead to big transformations in your own life.

I’ll be watching and hoping that I get my answers (or at least learn about another couple going through similar experiences), how about you?

By CC Siegel

Like most people, I live a very busy life with work, family and children. “Stress” is my middle name sometimes, and when I feel a cold sore coming on—you know the feeling, that annoying tingling on the lip! This is the dreaded start to a cold sore; this is the last thing I need when I am giving a presentation to a roomful of people—a total downer.  The fact is cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1).  Sadly, once you have the virus it never leaves your body. Over 67% of the world population under age 50 has HSV-1(source). Being someone who loves to know the facts, it’s important to combat a cold sore with the best possible solution—that’s where Abreva® comes in.

Hey, let’s face it—all people have stress in one form or another. Stress is a huge factor in bringing about a cold sore, so I always take quick action and use Abreva®. Only Abreva® is FDA approved to shorten the healing time of your cold sore.  Most other products only provide temporary relief of cold sore symptoms.

Why would anyone want to have a cold sore on their lip longer than you have to? When used at the very first sign of tingling on your lip, Abreva® can heal a cold sore in 2 ½ days*.

Not only are there so many myths running around the Internet, one can get carried away with so many halve truths and suffer longer than they need to—does anyone really want to do that? The reality is that everyone should know what the cold sore triggers are: stress, fatigue, cold weather, excessive sunlight, hormonal changes, and dental trauma to name a few. Keep in mind that not everyone gets the same triggers.  Many myths exist as well. Knowing the facts on cold sores helps to stay ahead of the game, knowledge is always power! My favorite myth is that the cold sore cannot spread beyond the lip area…hello!!! The fact is that it can spread to other areas. By keeping Abreva® at your disposal, you are in control to take action to shorten the duration of a cold sore and the impact it can have on your daily life. Compare Abreva® to the competition, you will discover what I already know: Abreva® works!

Stop hiding and start living again! Life is complicated enough, letting a cold sore ruin your life and your appearance shouldn’t be one of them.

Abreva is available without a prescription in the cough/cold aisle at all major Drug, Mass and Grocery retailers.  

*Median Healing Time 4.1 days.  25% of users healed in 2.5 days.

Hey readers, what is your favorite myth you have heard about cold sores?  Enter for a chance to be automatically entered to win a $100 Visa® gift card.

Entry Instructions:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here

This sweepstakes runs from 2/23/2017 – 3/31/2017

Be sure to visit the Abreva brand Page on SheKnowsMedia.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!