Merry Christmas, baby! What do you adore during the holiday season? Hands down, my answer is surrounding myself with a great cast of characters: my family. We share the same kind of funny and not much else can come close to the benefits of laughing with the people you love. So go ahead, get your cast together, be a bit offbeat and laugh the night away. Cheers and love, JBD

Image via Pinterest

I think a lot. I think a lot about the fact that all of us are on this awesome planet for a time unknown. And when I remind myself of this fact, it inspires me to keep at everything that feels right…to trust myself and maintain balance within my life. At an early age I was taught (by example of my mom and dad) that if you don’t try, if you don’t ask, you’ll never know the magic that awaits you. So get out there and embrace the three P’s: patience, practice and perseverance. Your existence will thank you. xx, JBD

Images via Pinterest and dwell.

I’m spending Thanksgiving with some of the most I’m-drawn-to-you-every-day kind of people. Funny enough, I read the quote above right after I met with a centered, bright-light-of-a-woman earlier today. During our meeting, the topic of energy exchange and connections with those in one’s life came up. (More on all of that coming soon to JBD). In the meantime, give your time to those you cherish, those you laugh with, those who lift you up. Happy Thanksgiving!

Image Credit: HipHipGinGin

(on this day in 1960 John F. Kennedy Jr. was born)

“…an unwavering commitment to the poor, to the elderly, to those without hope – regardless of fashion or convention – is the greatest reward of public service.”

Quote Source: The late JFK Jr.’s speech at the 1988 Democratic National Convention 

Well…JBD recommends French Children Don’t Throw Food by Pamela Druckerman. Ms. Druckerman is hysterical, smart, full of wit and delight. This book throws the truth at Americans. How do you raise your children? How were you raised? The self-deprecating, effortless novel has solidified my desire to raise a child in Paris. While reading the tome, I recognized my own Mother’s parenting style; thanks Mom for the independent je ne sais quoi. And: merci to author Pamela Druckerman for sharing a provocative formula for all families.

What did you love to do as a kid? Over the weekend, my parents gave me a handful of old family photos. They brought back spectacular memories and got me thinking: who or what keeps you feeling young on days that feel long? The company I keep spark a spirit of joy and I’m a big fan of play. Allow yourself to live in the now. Walk around your city or town, take a class to learn something new, skinny dip, go feed the rabbits. Whatever it is, do it because it is fun.

(Photo: C’est Moi)

Did you watch the Emmy Awards last night? I have mixed feelings about award shows, even though I have worked in Hollywood for nearly a decade. Bits like the one Tina and Amy gave us last night make it worth our time. Smart, funny, well-spoken women will never go out of style.

How do you keep in touch with your best friends?

My mom marvels at how I’ve managed to maintain multi-decade-long best friendships from country to country, coast to coast. The funniest part, in thinking about it, is that my actual closest girlfriends do not use social media much, which is the complete opposite of my daily way of NYC communicado. Go figure! I realized, though, the secret to our never ending connection is speaking (at least) every couple of days, only for five minutes. I know, that sounds kooky, right? But it works. I call on my walk to the subway in the morning or they’ll give me a ring on a drive home from dinner out. Anything goes, and hearing favorite voices favors a brighter day, whether you’re in Cambodia, Cape Cod or Canarsie.