I'm so excited to temporarily break from our normal fashion lineup to share information about a friend who is launching an amazing site that is being launched with it's first focus: Project Detox. We may be in different life stages but all of us juggle a million balls at once and we may find that one of two things happen - we have no time to simply breathe or our personal/business goals seem to go on the back burner. Maybe you're all about your day job as you love a challenge, but when you leave the office, you're running to do your second gig - where you hope to become a pastry chef full time! These are situations that we have to deal with and I feel that it's important to share these issues on the site from time to time. So, before I introduce a soon-to-launch blog about infusing balance into every day life and filled with philosophies that I share, I am creating a challenge that started last night on Twitter that some of you may have seen.

There's a lot of talent out there and yet, in many cases, it's much easier to think of a million things you want to do while you watch time slip away. We all have excuses, but when you finally get going whether it's beginning to put your plan down or getting research done, you realize your idea has possibilities. Much like when you're exercising, it's a lot more fun to do it when you're in groups, I have created The Community Challenge which allows everyone to begin thinking of something that they have always wanted to do whether it's creating an entirely new business or launching a new component of one. From now until July 1st, send your Tweets to @cocoabebe stating - "I'm launching my own tote bag line #CommunityChallenge" or "We're adding new product assortment to our site for fall #communitychallenge". Starting July 1st we will work together in getting to our goals and finding resources to get it done! By Sept 1st, let's evaluate where we are and hopefully you've made a lot more progress and gotten beyond the "wouldn't it be nice" phase.

Each week via Kitten Lounge, I will share places to find resources such as great PR tools that you can utilize (I suggest PR Couture), look at how to create an easy but well rounded business plan (Lauton Chronicles), what social networks work best for what you're trying to do (Sikara Designs Group) and much more. Kitten Lounge's fan page will be updated to have a forum where you guys can exchange ideas as well. Feel free to Tweet your progress or get assistance from others as this is a challenge but one that we are all in together so that we can be successful but also fulfilled in our daily lives.

Recently my friend Keren, who has worked within the beauty and fashion industry for over a decade and who has worked with amazing brands like L'Oreal Paris to styling for Celebrities and Photo Shoots, told me that she wanted to provide insight into what it means to have the elusive life balance whether you're running multiple companies or are balancing being a mother who works full time but still wants to achieve a number of goals. I timed #CommunityChallenge for today as it worked well with the launch of Keren's blog and Journey which begins tomorrow. Throughout her week away, she will travel to various spas in the west coast in Arizona and California and they will be included within future Trendy Thursday posts to include within our beauty segment. I'm so excited to bring Keren in as a Guest Life Balance Editor, here on Kitten Lounge! She is definitely the essence of what #CommunityChallenge means - someone who works in the fashion industry, is a mother and comes with a lot of experience and know how; however, she is pulled in a million directions and is 'off-balance'. It took her hubby and son traveling overseas for her to not only take some much needed Me Time to travel but to finally get her interests on the table as well. I'm excited for this project and we will continue to check in on her as it goes from the planning stages to the launch but please take a moment to read on about Keren, her new blog and Project Detox in her own words (yes that is Keren with her adorable son, Etamar). Sneak peak at what's to come...

Speed of NYC. Commute. Pollution. Recession. Relationships. Full-time working Motherhood & Momtrepreneurism.

This Libra is way off-balance and is leaving the East Coast (and all else) behind to scour the West for equilibrium.

No life jacket required.

Just hiking gear, swimsuit & my BB Storm. (Ok, Ok ...and my poly jersey Norma Kamali convertible skirt that I dare not travel without)

'Project Detox' is Phase One of the ‘Journey into Myself’ in order to hop back on to the balance beam of life.

Step One: Send the boys away on a fun bonding trip for two weeks (aka perfect time to visit in-laws overseas)

 Step Two: Spend the first few days "having a plan and going with the flow"

 Step Three: Trade in the high-speed-pollution-infested NYC for a few days in healing-dessert-stillness of Tucson followed by the coastal hiking-alfresco dining-soothing waters of sunny L.A. Sure it’s only 7 days, but in Mommy Years--where one hour of Me time is like a full day massage B.K. (Before Kids)--this trip will feel like a lifetime and be life changing!

 Step Four: Chuck-out before you Check-in.

Chuck the Universal Mommy Guilt at the airport & know that your little one's perspective of Mommy Years offsets your own. One hour of quality time with the Real you is better for him than 2 full days of being with the stressed, busy & overworked version

 Step Five: Explore. Infuse balance into every part of your being. Get inspired ...& inspire!

 Keren Weinstein is a seasoned professional in Fashion & Beauty with over 12 years in Integrated Marketing, Advertising and Celebrity Fashion Styling.

If you haven't visited or don't know where your local farmer's market is, you don't know what you're missing! With so many amazing finds you could spend hours finding such things as avocado squash, thai basil and so much more. I love that you'll find items that you didn't even know about but will fall in love with! Right now the American Farmland Trust is allowing you to vote for your favorite farmer's market. Take some time to vote for yours or to find one that is much closer to you! Keep it local and support your farmers!

We all love to look our best but somehow when it’s the summer we all feel the need to step it up! Well starting tomorrow through Thursday, you can enjoy the Tracy Reese sample sale! If you’re one of the first 400 people, you’ll also get a free gift bag. As many of you know, Tracy Reese had many pieces that I enjoyed during her Sept show and her whimsical style is something that works for so many occasions so this event is not to be missed! In addition, you’ll be able to shop from her 3 collections – Tracy Reese, Plenty and Frock. If you need an excuse to shop (and you don’t want to feel guilty), the menswear line, Robert Graham will also be apart of this sale as well! Credit cards are accepted at this sale!

June 16-18

250 W. 39th Street

NY, NY 10018

212-398-9300

Hours:

Tuesday- 8am-7pm

Wednesday- 8am-7pm

Thursday- 8am-2pm