Starstyle®-be The Star You Are!®

Nothing says summer gathering chic and casual than wearing an aloha shirt. The precise origins are unknown, but commercial success began with celebrities wearing this Hawaiian fashion in the 1930’s. We can all use a little aloha. Wear yours today. We are living through a frightening, complicated international crisis. If we have learned any lesson from history, it is that we can win the victory when we work together with empathy, caring, and intelligence. It’s time to plant a Victory Garden in every household, urban, suburban, and rural. Growing even a portion of our own food will help us be healthier while creating a more sustainable lifestyle. Goddess Gardener shows you a simple way to get started. With the warmer days, it’s time for a home tune-up. What maintenance needs to be done on your house? Fix doors, windows, decks, etc? Get a list so that you can start working to improve your home for all seasons.

Wednesdays with Writers continue with author Victor Pollak and his book, Saving the Light at Chartres: How the Great Cathedral and its Stained-Glass Treasures Were Rescued during World War II . The book describes the rescue of the cathedral’s famous stained-glass windows as the war began and the career of Welborn B. Griffith, Jr.,who is credited with having saved the cathedral in August 1944 a few hours before his death. A mission of Be the Star You Are!® charity is to increase literacy and encourage the love of books. What a perfect time to start a family book club and involve the kids in a pastime that will benefit them forever. Cynthia Brian provides a few tips on how to make reading fun and reads the chapter, The Gift of Reading from Be the Star You Are! for Teens. With the impact of Covid-19, young people are confused on how the admission process will be. Counselors are confused, there are online testing glitches, and it’s challenging to plan. Stay optimistic and informed.

Wednesdays with Writers continues with Embracing the Magic Within, an empowering book written to remind us of the power we each behold by author Shelly Wilson. Through positivity, inspiration, words of wisdom and personal stories, Shelly aims to assist us with acknowledging this magical energy, so that we can create and truly live a life we love. For the foreseeable future, we are all grounded, but we don’t have to endure a perpetual Groundhog Day. Expand the quality of daily living by proposing the joys of gardening and being one with nature to your children, teens, and community. Go outside, meander, and explore with gardening activities suggested by Goddess Gardener Cynthia Brian. When the pandemic ends, workers will be seeking new jobs or even new careers. Many previous jobs will now be telecommuting and digital work will be the norm. Find out what skills you can gain now to be ready for the new workforce.

After being cocooned for weeks, wearing gloves, masks, personal distancing, and feeling the fear of possible infection of Covid-19, what will we do to prepare for the next pandemic? Wednesdays with Writers continues with our two guests. Kim Stanwood Terranova believes that we can all create our own destiny. We need to believe in ourselves and wake up to our inner greatness. Her book, The Technology of Intention: Activating the Power of the Universe Within You teaches the reader how to tap into this technology and unleash its power. We all have the power we’ve just forgotten how to use it. Intentions give us the pathway to consciously create our lives. Linda Rosen spins an intriguing tale of long-held family secrets, an emotional search for identity, and a painting that may just be the key to untangling the complicated past in her book Disharmony of Silence. In her desperate quest for family, Carolyn Lee, fitness trainer and amateur photographer, is determined.

Gardening is not a hobby; it is an essential part of being. Gardening is a survival skill and an art form. This lockdown has sparked an increased appreciation for the solitude and splendor of gardening. Goddess Gardener, Cynthia Brian, helps you cultivate artful gratitude. Two books will be discussed by author Carl Rollyson,,The Last Days of Sylvia Plath and The Life of William Faulkner. The Last Days of Sylvia Plath highlights how a writer can be shaped after their death and the subsequent fallout from posthumous literary editing. Rollyson brings together a vast range of source materials, drawing a sharp and convincing portrait of Faulkner. After millennia on earth with little impact, the inadvertent transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture happened within a few thousand years. Mixed Harvest by Rob Swigart is the story of the Sedentary Divide, the most significant event in human history. Before, humans followed their food; after, diet abandoned wild foods.

Todays Writer's Wednesdays, Cynthia Brian interviews two authors plus shines light on fashion. Climate awareness has morphed into all facets of our life. The fashion industry is getting on board the movement. How can we all be more sustainable and still be fashionable? Arthur Hoyle is a writer, educator, and independent filmmaker. His documentary films have won numerous awards and have aired on PBS. His second book, Mavericks, Mystics, and Misfits: Americans Against the Grain, takes the reader on a journey across American history through the lives of exemplary men and women whose stories capture the spirit of their time and place and reveal the American character. John Seibert Farnsworth is a nature writer based in the San Juan Islands. He is renown for writing about ecology from a storyteller’s perspective with a wry humor. Written in-situ, his book, Nature Beyond Solitude, explores the communal experience of nature at five west-coast field stations during a six-month sabbatical.

Social distancing in this COVID19 era has been detrimental to authors. As part of our Be the Star You Are! Disaster Relief Outreach program, Be the Star You Are!® has collaborated with the Authors Guild to showcase the new books launched by many authors from around the country in a variety of genres. Cynthia Brian interviews Jennifer Steil about her new book, Exile Music which explores an overlooked slice of World War II history, telling the story of a family of Jewish Viennese musicians who find sanctuary in Bolivia in 1939. Steil offers a beautiful meditation on the things we all hold dear - family, friendship, home. In segment two, author Joanne Rocklin showcases her newest picture book, Good Guy, Bad Guys, about playing pretend—and the joy of trying out being “bad” or “good.” This charming picture book is a timeless celebration of imagination and make-believe, showing readers that kids can safely try out good and bad personas as they play. Hosannas are Mother's Love.

Is coconut oil a legendary superpower? The taste is yummy and creamy. Is it better than using butter? Learn the facts from the American Heart Association. Then use it sparingly. The healthier we are the more we can enjoy our elder years and the more we can pass down the wisdom that each one of us has gained over our lifetimes. How can an integrative approach to medicine help us age gracefully? Dr. Bonnie McLean O.M.D., A.P., M.A., B.S.N, an award winning Doctor of Oriental Medicine is the author of Integrative Medicine: The Return of the Soul to Healthcare, and has been speaking on healthy aging for over thirty years and has the answers. Today on Wine Wednesday, sommelier Heather Brittany explores lesser-known red varietals from around the world including Tempranillo, Barbera, and Cab Franc. Grocery stores have aisles filled with hundreds of bottles of red wine, but why, with more than 1300 grape varietals, are those wines typically Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, or Merlot?

What keeps you motivated? During challenging times, do you have strategic things that you do to keep going when you want to quit? Cynthia Brian will offer a few tips on how to be up when you may be down. Cynthia Brian interviews author Dallas Woodburn about new novel, The Best Week That Never Happened. It is a love story set in Hawaii, with a dash of mystery and magic, about living each day to the fullest. Kirkus Reviews raved, This debut novel is captivating and moving. A dazzling, emotional story of love, loss, and living in the moment.” Dallas has developed a Book Club Kit that is available for free on her website, www.dallaswoodburnauthor.com for anyone who is interested in reading the book with a group! Wine Wednesday: It's Earth Day, so we're celebrating with the Bubbly!! Champagne, Cava, Prosecco... all the same right? Wrong! How do the bubbles get there anyway? Jump into the effervescent world of sparkling wine with sommelier, Heather Brittany. Celebrate Earth Day!

We may be mandated to stay at home but gardening is not canceled. If you have a pot or a plot, Cynthia Brian has tips to help keep you sane and safe while you enjoy blossoms, blooms, and bouquets AT HOME. We do have it in our power to begin the world anew. The Goddess Gardener’s April Gardening Guide provides a plethora of ideas to keep you occupied, safe, happy, and healthy as we navigate the next month together and apart. We won’t whine about the condition of the world, we will condition to the world of wine! Times are changing quickly, so the Mother/Daughter dynamic duo are trading in their tea-cups for wine glasses. Our “tea party” has been elevated with more fun. Join sommelier Heather Brittany for tips and sips of our favorite beverage from the vine along with food pairing ideas. It’s Wine Wednesdays and this week we’ll take a quick sip into wine basics. Plus, Heather will share her personal fave, Sauvignon Blanc, one of the most versatile varietals! Raise Your Glass!

What is the connection between Passover and Easter? The Last Supper was a Passover Seder. Both holidays are about the dead rising to new life. This week marks Passover and Holy Week culminating on Easter Sunday. Refresh your history of these commemorations. Elder abuse and elder fraud are rampant. If you have aging relatives, it is important to watch for signs that something is amiss. Educate your parents about scams, financial issues, and caregivers. Lawmakers are taking action to fight suspicious activities. Printemps est arrivée. A cavalcade of color has erupted in the garden. However mediocre, imperfect, untamed, and unruly, a garden is a personal masterpiece, a slice of heaven created by the person who wields the spade. Goddess Gardener, Cynthia Brian, offers an Easter gift gardening guide for April.

There will be no LIVE show today on StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!®! Or, will there? April Fool’s Joke? With all the fake news in the media, we are not about to add more, but we will tell you the origins of this jester holiday. Spring has sprung and it’s time to sow seeds. What are the essentials of gardening that you’ll need to dig deeper? You’ll discover tips to designing a personal project with the help of Goddess Gardener, Cynthia Brian. If your child is being bullied, what are the signs? Although we may not be able to control bullying, we can mitigate the inflicted damage. Find steps to help your child through the torment. “I know that the seeds I sow I will harvest, because every action, good or bad, is always followed by an equal reaction. I will plant only good seeds this day. Og Mandino

Are you feeling anxious about the Covid-19 virus or any other events happening indoor life? There are steps you can take to alleviate your stress and anxiety. Breathe! Are you a procrastinator? There could be genetic influences at work besides just not being organized or a planner. Dopamine could have something to do with procrastination. The Author’s Guild, the nation’s largest and oldest nonprofit professional association for published writers and journalists, details the underlying social, economic and technological factors contributing to the ongoing decline of author incomes.

Spring is on the horizon. The vernal equinox is only three days away. Other than the copious dancing daffodils, nothing spells spring more than abundant camellia blooms, the eye-catching Chinese fringe shrub, and the fragrance of both freesia and hyacinth. Garden chores performed in the fall is paying dividends now. Goddess Gardener, Cynthia Brian, walks you through the spring blossoms. www.goddessgardener.com Has your car ever been broken into? Do you know auto theft techniques that could protect your possessions? Taking precautions will keep your car from being stolen and protect your safety. When you open your medicine cabinet, what do you see? Over-the-counter medications can ease several everyday ailments. It is a good idea to have certain medications readily on hand. It’s also good to discard any expired pills or prescriptions. Find out what to keep and what to toss.

Times Up was born in Hollywood and the #MeToo movement has traveled the US. Harvey Weinstein has been found guilty of rape and sexual assault in Manhattan with more charges pending in Los Angeles. By speaking up and out, voices are being heard and changes are being made. Cynthia Brian will talk about actors rights as well as what can be expected in the shooting workplace with the new personal safety rules for auditions as well as on set requirements. SAG/AFTRA are at the forefront of new regulations and enforcement. If you are a thespian, you deserve to know your rights. Resources and guides are offered in this episode to protect you from harassment. Sexual Harassment Help HotLine-Women in Film: (855) 943-5463. If you are battling insomnia and you’ve tried everything, perhaps it is time to give CBD a whirl. Studies indicate that CBD is a safe and effective remedy to help sleep-deprived individuals get the zzz’s needed. (Always consult your physician before trying a new substance.)

It’s scary. The “novel coronavirus,” or COVID-19, has proven to be a formidable. The death toll mounts as people around the world are becoming infected. Could it become a pandemic? What do you need to know? You don’t need to feel thirsty to be dehydrated. Dehydration happens rapidly and can lead to serious problems, including stroke and even death. Learn what to do to keep yourself hydrated and healthy. Spring is still a few weeks away, yet, in California, the hills are alive with blooms and blossoms. Enjoy the sunshine, do a rain dance, and make compost.

We all have to wash our clothes if we are going to go out in society. But we also have to be concerned about the environment we live in, the toxins in cleaning detergents, and other matters. Find out how to do your laundry and still survive on this planet. Scams are ubiquitous these days for everyone, but seniors are especially targeted. The federal government is stepping in. AARP released info on the most notorious scams and the ways to avoid them. Interior designers and building contractors have trade secrets that make our homes more livable, pleasurable, safe, and beautiful. Find out a few tips that you can incorporate in your next DIY project from Cynthia Brian, ASID.

Do you know how to brand yourself or your business? Priya Florence Shah is the author of Devi2Diva, an emotional self-care book for women. She publishes award-winning blogs, eBooks, podcasts, online courses, and offers coaching and consulting to help her audience go from Unknown to Well-Known through her Online Branding Agency at BlogBrandz.com. Priya chats with Cynthia Brian about how we can all live our best life today. Negativity only shows us a warped view of the world. Instead of assuming the worst, wouldn’t you love to see life through rose colored glasses? You have a choice on your reactions. Instead of being stressed, feel the bliss. Minimize your unhappiness with research driven tips from empowerment architect, Cynthia Brian. The classic beauty of roses complements traditional and contemporary gardens. Many varieties are marvelously fragrant, repeat flowering, and easy to grow. Roses are the stars of our gardens bringing color, beauty, and pleasure year after year.

Fifty-Four Countries celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14 but who was Valentine, why is he a saint, and why do we celebrate love and romance? Hearts, roses, chocolate, flowers, and jewelry are all gifts for loved ones. Want to find out more? Did you know that a poor credit report can prevent you from getting a job, buying a car, or moving up in life? Being financially literate is critical for everyone. This segment is based on an article by Charles Schwab and offers information that everyone needs to know. Life and love began in a garden. Love is not only in the air. Love is growing in your backyard. Discover the benefits of your personalized, organic Love Potion #9 and be blessed with the beauty and seeds of this season.

Trevor Blake, author of SECRETS TO A SUCCESSFUL STARTUP, built three successful startups and sold them for more than $300 million. He talks with Cynthia Brian about his complete instruction manual that covers everything the budding entrepreneur or existing business owner needs to know to build the career or business of their dreams. 2020 is the Year of the Rat in the Chinese tradition. A Rat Year means new beginnings and renewals, a time for growth and success. Are you ready for more success, money, relationships, and advancements this year? We’ll discuss how to prepare to welcome the wealth. Are you attempting to downsize, purge, or declutter but your kids don’t want any of your “priceless” heirlooms? Re-sale value for antiques and collectibles has fallen as younger generations are not accumulating or collecting “stuff”. Besides garbage sales, there are a few ways you can still sell your furniture and things.