Hey Creative Girlfriends - you inspire me!

Maybe it's Winter ... the cold, short days with little time or decent temperatures for outdoor activities. Maybe it's the long nights where I just want to stay under the covers for as long as possible. Whatever it is, sometimes it takes outside elements (be they natural, human, whatever!) to get inspired.

My friend Penny was over for our Academy Awards party last night. She, as you can see in the picture (she's on the right), is still growing out her hair from shaving it in solidarity with her friend going through chemo. Penny is totally herself - she doesn't worry about what others think and loves to make a creative statement by wearing jewelry she made or fun clothing she found somewhere. And last night she came sporting a long, dark ponytail! It was a clip-on, of course, but it was also 'so Penny!'

I appreciate how Penny doesn't take herself seriously and has such a creative style. She always inspires me. I want to make random crazy earrings after being with her (Penny mixes and matches earrings!). I want to go thrift shopping and exploring like she does with her girl scouts.

Who inspires you? As a creative woman, I always learn so much from my creative girlfriends. I'm blessed with knowing some of the best ... Jill MacKay, my BFF and an amazingly talented jewelry designer; Katie Hacker, my entrepreneurial sister and beading author and expert; Marie Browning, my Canadian girlfriend with over 1/2 million craft books in print ... I could keep going and going with creative women who bless my life. But, I'd rather have you think about it, then share in the comments ... WHO inspires YOU?

If you're up for travel, check out our latest podcast with BETH WHITMAN. Author of WANDERLUST AND LIPSTICK: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo, Beth inspired us all to travel and take adventures on our own. Listen in to our podcast interview with Beth and get inspired, by a traveling guru girlfriend! It may be cold outside, but what better time to get inspired to start planning a trip?!

TIP TUESDAY #11 - Creative Girlfriend Travel Crafts?

It's a little late for me, I leave tonight for Frankfurt, but I thought I'd ask for future reference for all of us travelers! This week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

Do you take your creative projects with you when you travel? If so, how and what?

Again, a little late for me, I'm taking off for a business trip to Frankfurt and Paris today and I have my web marketing articles, and two Christmas gift books - I'll check in from the road but please share tips among yourselves!

Just FYI, the December Girlfriendology Contest winners are announced on a new podcast - listen in for inspiring stories on why we're thankful for girlfriends. And there is still a week left in the January Contest - enter and win prizes (like Starbucks gift cards and a Girlfriendology Journal)! Thanks Girlfriends! Bonjour!

P.S. Just FYI, I highly recommend travel books by Marybeth Bond. Listen to her podcast for great girlfriend or personal travel tips. Check out her web site for the "Gutsy Traveler" and her travel books for women!

Get creative and get traveling - with your Girlfriends and Travel Expert MARYBETH BOND

Did you know that the growth in the travel industry is a result of women traveling and women's travel companies? Where do you start when you want to travel as a single female or with a group of girlfriends.

You're in luck! Girlfriendology talked with the #1 Women's Travel Expert in the World - MARYBETH BOND, the "Gutsy Traveler." Marybeth is the author of nine books (and more coming!) including: 50 Best Girlfriend Getaways in North America, A Woman's World and Gutsy Women. She's been on Oprah, CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, etc. and has won awards for her travel writing.

With Marybeth's ideas and information, you and your female friends will find the perfect shops and actitivies all over the globe. In our podcast interview Marybeth shared shared wonderful ideas from her most recent book (50 Best Girlfriend Getaways, published this year by National Geographic) - like the best cities to visit for girlfriend trips to shop, what destinations are best for bonding with your female friends or where to go to heal (from a relationship, from losing a job, etc.). Great info for women travelers! Think of the creative girlfriends you could travel with and the adventures you could have!

Listen to Marybeth's podcast or read one of her helpful, well-researched books. Then email us at Girlfriendology with any questions, comments or podcast requests.

Get creative with your travels and have a blast going with your creative girlfriends! Have wonderful, creative adventures - all over the world! And, thanks Marybeth!