Growing up I used to wear a peace sign necklace. Then it was a smiley-face button. If we had a symbol for the 80’s, it must have been the dollar sign. Now in the 90’s, the motif of the moment is the angel.

Angels are everywhere: coffee mugs, calendars, greeting cards and garden tools. Little golden angel pins are perched on lapels and shoulders proudly heralding their popularity. There are countless books written about them, a hit TV show and several big budget movies with the angel theme.

Who can resist these beautiful creatures who represent only goodness and light? I started to think about my own angel collection. I’ve got an angel candle stick holder that is precious to me because it was a birthday gift from a good friend. I’ve got a pin that all of our community group members each received for being “such angels.” Although these angels things seem to be all around us like some sort of retail blitz, they serve as a reminder of the real angels in our lives every day.

The angel mom who stays up all night cutting out colorful shapes for the kindergarten art project. The angel friend who drives carpool so you can sleep in when you’ve got a cold. The angel neighbor who feeds your cat while you’re away. The angel mailman who comes to the door with a package on a rainy day. The angel child who hugs you and warms your heart when you didn’t even realize it needed warming.

Albert Einstein said: “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is.” Are we going to argue with Albert Einstein? These little angels in the stores are just showing us to open our eyes and recognize the angels all around us all the time. And maybe they’re also telling us to follow their example and be an angel as well. Their quiet message lifts our spirits and renews our faith.

There is a significant meaning behind the peace sign that seemed to get forgotten as the symbol became so saturated in our culture. Angels are too important and too pervasive to have their meaning get lost. Although angels have always been around us, now we are noticing them more, and honoring their presence in our lives.

So, as you sip your tea from your angel mug, think of all the angels that breeze through your day. Your joyful thoughts will be carried on angels wings to help make this world a better place for angels everywhere.

We’re all susceptible to the laws of nature. As we get older, those laws may work against us as much as for us. Recently I discovered how mysterious the law of gravity can be. I went to bed with a headache and woke up with a stomach ache.

Entire corporations depend on the law of gravity to keep their business afloat, so to speak. Cosmetic companies prey on our fear of visible aging by enticing us with their scientific formulas that make these fancy creams and lotions sound so necessary to our health and well-being. They think they can fool us by putting a wrinkle-free young model in their ads. Although we know she’s probably not old enough to babysit our kids, we buy the products anyway, just in case.

Alpha hydroxy, tretinoin, ethacyn, collagen, vitamin E… every day there’s something new on the market to help us fight the battle against the law of gravity. There’s no price we won’t pay to keep those wrinkles away. But why does this gravity war have to be fought in pricey department stores? Where are our comrades when we need help battling the credit card companies? It’s bad enough that I justify the expense by putting it in my family budget under “household maintenance.”

To further complicate the issue, the law of gravity doesn’t stop at the face. We must also be armed with neck cream, breast cream, body cream, and thigh cream. Those super-serious about the cause invest in anti-cellulite massagers and soaps. What’s the point of having a beautifully toned face if you turn around to reveal a sagging butt?

So then you have to get the exercise bike and stair master thing, with every intention of actually using them. Another industry now thrives on the threat of the law of gravity. Add to that list Victoria Principal and a slew of infomercial people. Extremists go the plastic surgery route, contributing to the population of overpaid doctors.

Should we give up on all this foolishness? We can’t. It’s gone too far. The American economy would collapse. Since the day Newton’s apple fell to the ground we’ve set ourselves on this course. Our only real hope is to make gravity our friend.

With our feet firmly planted on the ground, we must recognize that the law of gravity is not so bad after all. It’s actually the law of cause and effect that has us in a tizzy! Either way, we’ll just slather on the moisturizers and smile a sympathetic, wise smile when that young model in the ad develops her first wrinkle. Loyal cosmetics customers are converted every day.

The movie “Maleficent” comes out Friday. It is the story of Sleeping Beauty.  This made me think, can sleep really make you more beautiful?

The notion that a good night’s sleep enhances beauty has long been accepted, but there is also scientific evidence that “beauty sleep” is more than just an expression.

The study, from Sweden’s Karolinska Institute, was published in BMJ, a British medical journal. It set out to explore the effect that sleep has on how one is perceived, specifically on others’ judgments of an individual’s attractiveness and health.

A group of 23 participants, all between the ages of 18 and 31, were photographed twice: once after getting a full eight hours of sleep, and then again when limited to five hours of sleep followed by 31 hours of sleep deprivation. The researchers then asked a group of 65 untrained observers to rate the photographs based on healthiness, attractiveness and overall tiredness. The observers were unaware which of the two photographs in each pair was taken after a normal night’s sleep and which was not.

“Our findings show that sleep-deprived people appear less healthy, less attractive and more tired compared with when they are well rested,” wrote the researchers. “This suggests that humans are sensitive to sleep-related facial cues.”

While the long-term effects of poor sleep on overall health have been widely researched, this is the first study to provide evidence that in the short term, sleep deprivation does in fact show up as a discernible change in facial appearance.

Here are some tips for princes and princesses alike to get the sleep they need to let their beauty shine through:

TIPS to getting good beauty sleep from Princesses who KNOW:

1-   Set aside those glass slippers. Wear socks to bed.  Might not be pretty, but warm feet help you to settle in and fall asleep faster.  Feet also often feel cold before the rest of the body – so wearing socks reduces night awakenings.

2-   Keep a journal.  Before you lay down in bed, write down any thoughts you have. This help to stop your mind from racing – you won’t be worried about forgetting something, and your mind will be able to get settled more quickly. As one princess sings: “Let it go, let it go!”

3-   The Princess and the Pea. Is your mattress lumpy or uncomfortable? Get a new one!

4-   The bed should be for your royal sleep – not for work! Keep electronics out of the bedroom, and the bed. Look at the beds of princesses compared to the ones we sleep in today. They are draped beautifully, inviting sleep – where today ours are covered with smartphones and laptops!

5-   Keep a royal routine. In bed by 10 pm preferable – but the same time every night, and up at the same time every morning, preferably 6 am. Like Pocohontas, connected with and in harmony with nature’s time clock, the sun.

6-   Keep a bedtime routine or ritual – could include breathing, tapping, aromatherapy or a warm bath. Princesses deserve just a little bit of pampering. Find something that helps you to relax, and repeat it each night to prepare yourself for slumber.

7-   Wear an eye mask to block out the light. Keep the room dark, cool, quiet and comfortable.

More sleep tips at BetterSleep.org

Arianna Huffington is my hero. Really. And I’m not just saying this because I am one of her bloggers. Arianna’s new book “Thrive” is fabulous. She makes some great points from which we can all learn.

As an author myself, having written 7 lifestyle books to date, and as the spokesperson for the Better Sleep Council, I just want to open up a conversation about one particular subject: the nap pod. Arianna says that she has several of them in her offices for her employees. Google also has them, too.

These nap pods have been getting a lot of press lately. They are said to be the next, new, big thing. Some companies even have whole rooms filled with them. Employees are allowed, even encouraged, to take breaks throughout their workdays to utilize these pods and take a nap. How much does each one cost? Anywhere from $12,000 to $25,000 EACH! But unless employees are working swing shifts, or more than 8-hour days, I don’t think that nap pods, or nap rooms, are such a good idea.

What’s so bad about this, you might think? What’s wrong with a nap at work in the middle of the day?

Whether you are napping at your desk, in the back seat of your car, or in a luxury “nap pod” this is time you could be using more productively. Sleeping around, that is not in your bed, is just bad on so many levels – so let me just break all this it down for you – and I have a feeling that you will agree with me.

Why are people feeling like they need a nap at work? Because they are not getting either the quality of sleep, or the quantity of sleep, that they need at night. Simple science. When you get the sleep you need at night – you don’t NEED a nap during the day.

If you take a nap during the day, you are more likely to stay up later at night. So, you end up NOT getting that nighttime sleep you need, yet again. You feel a little groggy after your nap, have a coffee to perk up, and miss more sleep at night. And you can follow the dots to see what happens – this ends up becoming a habit, and gradually, eventually, your whole schedule is going to be out of whack. It’s not hard to imagine thinking: “oh, I can stay up a half an hour later and make it up at naptime at work.” Sleep doesn’t work that way, and neither should you.

Let’s look at the cost involved. It has been said that a lack of sleep costs businesses $63 BILLION dollars a year. These nap pods aren’t helping, they’re actually making matters worse by creating more of a loss of sleep at NIGHT, when it really matters. Plus, depending on how many employees a company has, and how many nap-pods a company decide to provide – you can do the math as to how much work time companies lose from each employee so they can take their nap – that’s all going to add up to lots of dollars.

Instead – isn’t it better, doesn’t it make more sense, to sleep at night, and be active during the day? Are we asking ourselves this very question – “How well do you sleep at night?”

Doesn’t it sound better to sleep at home, in your own bed, on your own comfy mattress, than napping in some “pod?” We are not robots! You can’t literally plug us in when our batteries are running low. We are human beings, and we are wired to sleep at night, when it is dark, and to be active during the day when the sun is out. That is the way nature intended it to be! And I have information – Ancient Wisdom, thousands of years old – that proves it!

Interestingly, most of what we know about sleep we’ve learned in the past 25 years. Relatively – this is “new” wisdom! And most sleep disorders have developed in recent history as well. During pre-electric times adults slept 9-10 hours a night, and kept their sleep schedules in line with both the seasons and the sun. But now experts say that one of the biggest distractions to sleep is our 24/7 access to the internet.

And now, many people both start and end their day in bed with their smart phone. Before their feet hit the floor they are checking their emails and social media pages. How many times have you checked your computer or smartphone today?

We’ve gotten ourselves into bad habits – and the first step is recognizing this! So let’s take a step back, let’s recognize some ancient wisdom, from the 5,000 year old Science of Life that is called “AYURVEDA.”

Ayurveda is the original form of medicine. Out of Ayurveda came Greek medicine, which then led to our current form of medicine known as allopathic medicine. And although Ayurveda has been continually practiced in India and Asia for all these thousands of years, it has recently become more known and practiced here in the west because of the popularity of yoga and meditation. Ayurveda is a sister-science with these two popular practices.

Ayurveda teaches us the nature of everything on the planet. And it teaches us how to live in harmony with nature. When we apply the principles of Ayurveda to our lives we can be our healthiest and happiest. The universe supports us. It’s like going with the flow. Everything is easier. We’re in the groove. We’re in sync.

Ayurveda tells us that just like there are seasons in the year, there are times during the day when the energy around us supports us in our efforts.

Let’s start at the beginning of the day:

6:00 am – 10:00 am – KAPHA time

When the sun rises, it is a signal to start our day, wake up, meditate, exercise, shower, and eat. Kapha time is gentle, slow and heavy, it allows us time to gear up for the day, to prepare for the day ahead.

10:00 am – 2:00 pm – PITTA time

During this time, our productivity is high and our intellect is strong. This is the time of day when we get our best, and our most, work done. It is also time when our digestion is the strongest during the day, so it is a good idea to have lunch, and have that be the largest meal of the day.

2:00 pm – 6:00 pm – VATA time

During these hours, our creativity is in full bloom. This is a great time to brainstorm, to problem solve, and to think up those big ideas that move us forward. Be a visionary, make plans, allow your creativity to have full expression.

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm – KAPHA time

By 6:00 pm, ideally, we will have completed our work day. This is time to have our second meditation, and then have dinner. Try to finish your meal by 7 pm. After dinner it’s a good idea to take a walk to aid digestion, and then relax. Read, visit with friends, listen to music. It’s even fine to use the computer or watch TV, with the caveat that all technology should be off by 9 pm, or one hour prior to bedtime. Use that last hour for a pre-bedtime ritual – maybe a warm bath, getting in your pajamas, reading a book.

If you don’t get to bed by 10 pm, if you’re on the computer or involved in a TV show and tempted to stay up later – you’ll get that “second wind” and it will be more difficult to fall asleep. There is a definite shift in energy at 10 pm.

10:00 pm – 2:00 am – PITTA time

By 10:00 pm be in bed, lights out and ready for sleep. The room should be dark, cool, quiet, and comfortable. Make sure your mattress is in good shape. Too often we splurge on things like big screen TVs and skimp on necessities like a mattress. But a mattress is an investment in our health and wellness. You can’t put a price on that. If you’re getting back aches, or you’ve had your mattress for more than 5-7 years, chances are it’s time for a new one.

During the hours of 10 pm and 2 am this is the time our bodies are getting the rest that they need to restore. We don’t need to do anything but snooze. Nature is at work, active in healing the body. We can rest easy knowing this.

2:00 am – 6:00 am – VATA time

These four hours are when we have our most vivid dreams. This is our mind at work, our subconscious and unconscious working out problems that we might not have been able to solve during our waking hours in the day. We definitely want to be asleep during this time to get these benefits.

And then at 6:00 am we wake up, and begin our day again, fresh and new!

This is the Ayurvedic lifestyle, and THIS is how we need to live our lives. When we do this we have tons of energy, we feel good, look good, are productive, healthy, we have better relationships, and all that comes along with it!

This is 5,000 year old SCIENCE. And some of you will say it’s just common sense. And it is! But when will be learn it? We’ve gotten so far away from it with all of our 24/7 technology – and we think we’re doing ourselves a favor with these nap pods but we’re very likely making matters worse.

So, I say – yes, continue with the meditation room and the yoga room for employees. There is definitely a place for these in the workforce. But I’d re-think the whole nap pod thing. I want to encourage people to live in harmony with nature, to get that glorious, restorative, necessary sleep at night, when it is dark – and to be active and productive during the daylight hours. This helps to keep us in balance, to be our happiest and healthiest.

I know this isn’t possible for everyone. Some people work night shifts, or double shifts. And for them the nap pod may be just the thing to help “re-charge” their batteries. But for the rest of us, let’s do the best we can, using the ancient wisdom that has been keeping the planet on course all these thousands of years. Live an ayurvedic lifestyle and experience true balance and bliss.

For more information about getting a good night’s sleep visit BetterSleep.org

Not Your Standard Relationship Advice

By Lissa Coffey

Author and relationship expert Lissa Coffey takes some standard relationship advice and explains how we might be doing ourselves, and our relationships, a disservice by following it!

1) “Don’t Go To Bed Angry” – This is just bad advice. What is the alternative? Stay up and fight? You’ll be much more clear-headed after a good night’s sleep. Agree to put the disagreement on “pause” and discuss in the morning.

2) “Practice Unconditional Love” – You can still love someone unconditionally and not let that person disrespect you. Oftentimes couples in a relationship take each other for granted, knowing the other one loves them unconditionally. Unconditionally does not mean excusing bad behavior.

3) “Relationships are 50/50” – well, SOMETIMES relationships are 50/50 – but most of the time they’re 70/30 or 20/80 or even 99/1! We have to give as much as we can when we can, because there will be times when we can’t. Overall it all balances out. Don’t just give your 50 and wait for the other person to step up. You might end up disappointed.

4) “There’s someone for everyone.” There are actually MANY people for each person. There’s no ONE person. We can have many soulmates out there. Instead of looking for the ONE – work on being the best you that you can be, so that you attracting the best pool of people. People are mirrors for us – so if you want someone kind, practice kindness.

5) “Don’t be selfish.” It’s not being selfish to let your needs be known. You can’t count on your partner to be a mind-reader, and you can’t act like a doormat. If you want something, or need something from the relationship, speak up!

6) “Give yourselves space.” When you’re having difficulties, it might seem like a good idea to take a break, to get some distance in the relationship. But this can actually make things worse. What you really need is honesty, intimacy, truthfulness. You need to share on an emotional level. You can only do this when you’re together, not when you’re apart.

7) “Be on the same page” – first of all, this is nearly impossible with any two people. It’s a super high expectation. There are many times when you will have to compromise, when you have to go along to get along. Sometimes there is no middle ground, so you have to take turns. Show your partner that you value their choices and their happiness by getting on their page at times. It’s good to mix things up, learn and grow from each other’s experiences and tastes.

8) “Talk it out.” Yes, talk it out – and then STOP talking. Actions speak louder than words. Don’t go back and rehash or bring up old “stuff.” Focus on solutions – not going over issues again and again.

The Better Sleep Council Participates in

Furniture Today’s 2014 Bedding Conference
Lissa Coffey to Talk ‘Selling Sleep’ In Orlando

(Alexandria, VA) – Lissa Coffey, Better Sleep Council (BSC) spokesperson and lifestyle, relationship and wellness expert, will discuss the importance of connecting with today’s consumers on better sleep issues. She will provide practical tips on how retailers can communicate better sleep messages to their customers during the Furniture Today Bedding Conference being held in Orlando, Florida May 14-16, 2014.

The Furniture Today Bedding Conference hosts bedding industry leaders representing retail, wholesale and supply sides from around the world. The conference offers expert panels on business insights, trends and key issues confronting mattress retailers including industry consolidation, advertising and merchandising strategies, e-commerce, and mattress recycling programs.

Lissa Coffey, Better Sleep Council’s spokesperson, is scheduled to participate in this year’s conference and will demonstrate how industry professionals can “talk sleep” and meet the needs of their consumers. A sought-after guest expert, Lissa appears frequently on television and radio and contributes to many national publications with her insightful and compassionate approach to modern-day sleep issues.

Mary Helen Uusimaki, the Better Sleep Council representative stated, “Consumers too often forget to make sleep a priority and that quality sleep happens on a quality mattress. The effects of a poor night’s rest can be detrimental, while conversely, the positive benefits of deep, restorative sleep can enhance our lives. We are thrilled to have Lissa’s help in conveying the message that quality sleep is literally the foundation to a healthy, active and fulfilling life.”

Coffey will share with conference participants the ‘selling sleep’ communication tools they need to educate consumers. The ‘selling sleep’ curriculum and messaging will offer retailers useful research-based information to convey to clients. For example, sleep is an essential element for people in order to reach their full potential, incorporating nighttime sleep rituals cue the body to settle down, and adults need for 7 to 8 hours of a sound night’s sleep in a quality sleep environment. While this may seem like common sense, when a retailer reinforces this information consumers will come to understand their sleep environment directly relates to their overall well-being.

Uusamaki stated, “In making a purchase as important as a bedding unit, consumers want to know they are getting the best information on the product itself and how to use that product to its full extent. Lissa will give retailers the authoritative information needed to elevate their knowledge and enhance consumer confidence.”

Ms. Coffey has made several appearances on “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” and other national and local TV shows. Most recently she has appeared in HGTV’s “Crowded House” and Hallmark’s “Home and Family.” She has been featured in Glamour and Woman’s Day magazines, among others. She has traveled the world giving presentations on her “Ancient Wisdom, Modern Style” philosophy.

No, this isn’t some spam ad for a crazy new facial serum or expensive injectable. I think we’ve learned by now that nothing you put on your face or in your face is going to make you stop aging. And really, some of what we’ve seen on the faces of certain celebrities make us want to run from these “miracle” treatments as they only make us look distorted and fake.

People age. That’s just the truth of the matter. Everything ages, really – it just takes a different amount of time depending on what it is. That cheese in the fridge gets a bit funky after a few weeks. But Mount Rushmore is still looking pretty good after all this time. Even rocks don’t last forever, they just seem like they do because they’re around so much longer than we are.

Time goes on. Hours turn into days and days turn into weeks and weeks turn into years. We can’t stop the calendar, and we can’t stop the clock. Or can we?

Remember when we were younger and everything seemed to take so looooong? Well, not everything. Maybe the school day lasted forever, but after school time with our friends went by super fast. We looked forward to birthdays and counted the days until we finally got to celebrate being another year older. And now, even though we see some friends rarely, when we do get together it’s like no time has passed at all, we pick up right where we left off.

Time is relative. It’s a man-made concept measured by the sun. We can’t stop the calendar, and we can’t stop the clock. Or can we? As we’ve learned, although the measurement of time is consistent for everyone, the experience of time is completely unique to each person, in each circumstance.

Every once in a while we have these amazing experiences where time stands still. It might be a beautiful sunset that takes our breath away. It might be watching a baby sleep, and storing that precious moment away as a memory. It might be getting lost in doing some work you enjoy – so much so that hours go by and it feels like mere minutes. And it might be lying in the arms of your beloved, matching your breaths, treasuring the feelings of comfort and connection.

When time stands still for us we are at peace. All is right with the world. We are engaged, relaxed, and happy. All of our cells and hormones are functioning and taking care of us without any effort on our part. We are unaware of the passage of time, totally living in the moment of “now.”

By now we are well aware of the mind-body connection. So, it stands to reason that when we mentally stop the clock through these glimpses of timelessness, that our body “clock” stops as well. This may be an unscientific concept, but I think that it’s true. And understanding this, we could consciously seek out these experiences of timeless awareness to keep ourselves looking and feeling young – to turn back the clock, so to speak. We can’t always predict when or how we are going to fall into these moments – but we can plan out our day so that have them on a regular basis. How? With meditation.

By setting aside just 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening to sit in silence you can take years off of the way you look and feel. In meditation, we let go of burdens and responsibilities and just sit. We allow thoughts to drift by and peace to take over. When practiced on a regular basis, meditation can help us to feel more centered, calm, healthy, and young. And when we feel that way, how can we not help but look that way as well?

Meditation can be built into our days in other ways as well. When taking a walk, pay attention to your footsteps. Imagine the earth rising towards your foot, loving every step you take. Feel the energy of the earth warming your body, filtering itself through the soles of your feet. As you breathe in the fresh air, picture this life-giving force distributing itself to every organ in your body, allowing it to renew and refresh your being.

When cooking a meal, pay attention to the colors and the textures of the vegetables. Breathe in the fragrances of the oils and spices. Listen closely to the sizzles that the food makes when it hits the pan. Imagine the service that went into the harvesting of the grains that now go to nourish your body. Focus on adding love into the dish with every stir of the spoon. And when eating, savor every bite, knowing that every morsel is serving you, benefiting you, feeding you body, mind, and spirit.

Artists know what this feels like, to lose themselves in their work. If you knit, or have a pet to play with, you know the feeling as well. Engaging the senses, feeling the connection all that is, and being present as activity occurs and you observe it as much as participate in it.

Meditation can lift you up if you let it. It lightens your burdens, and in a way it gives you a face-lift, too! You’ll be smiling more, stressing less, and walking with a little more pep in your step. You feel better, and because of this, you look better, too. The peace of mind literally shows on your face.

You could pay hundreds of dollars for the latest and greatest face creams. You could pay thousands of dollars for fillers or surgery. You could even pay to have your pictures photo-shopped every time you post to Facebook! Or you could try the no-cost way to look and feel younger. Meditation is an ancient secret that is a secret no more. It’s available to all of us, for free, as it has been forever. Partake of the nectar, and let your inner beauty, the eternal youth of your soul, shine through

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Jared Leto in “Dallas Buyers Club” (Focus Features)

ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
“The Great Gatsby” (Warner Bros.) Catherine Martin

ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
“Dallas Buyers Club” (Focus Features) Adruitha Lee and Robin Mathews

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
“Mr. Hublot”

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR
“Frozen” (Walt Disney)
Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee and Peter Del Vecho

ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS
“Gravity” (Warner Bros.) Tim Webber, Chris Lawrence, Dave Shirk and Neil Corbould

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
“Helium”
An M & M Production
Anders Walter and Kim Magnusson

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
“The Lady In Number 6: Music Saved My Life”
A Reed Entertainment Production
Malcolm Clarke and Nicholas Reed

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
“20 Feet From Stardom” (RADiUS-TWC)
A Gil Friesen Productions and Tremolo Production
Morgan Neville, Gil Friesen and Caitrin Rogers

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
“The Great Beauty” (Janus Films) – Italy
An Indigo Film Production

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING
“Gravity” (Warner Bros.) Skip Lievsay, Niv Adiri, Christopher Benstead and Chris Munro

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Lupita Nyong’o in “12 Years A Slave” (Fox Searchlight)

ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
“Gravity” (Warner Bros.) Emmanuel Lubezki

ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING
“Gravity” (Warner Bros.) Alfonso Cuar�n and Mark Sanger

ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN
“The Great Gatsby” (Warner Bros.) Production Design: Catherine Martin; Costume Design: Beverley Dunn

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (ORIGINAL SCORE)
“Gravity” (Warner Bros.) Steven Price

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (ORIGINAL SONG)
“Let It Go” from “Frozen” (Walt Disney)
Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
“12 Years A Slave” (Fox Searchlight) Screenplay by John Ridley

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
“Her” (Warner Bros.) Written by Spike Jonze

ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
“Gravity” (Warner Bros.) Alfonso Cuar�n

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Cate Blanchett in “Blue Jasmine” (Sony Pictures Classics)

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Matthew McConaughey in “Dallas Buyers Club” (Focus Features)

BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
“12 Years a Slave” (Fox Searchlight)
A River Road, Plan B, New Regency Production
Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Steve McQueen and Anthony Katagas, Producers

I recently worked on a pilot for a new HGTV show called “Crowded House.” If you’re a fan of those real estate shows, where the couple goes shopping for a new home (I LOVE those shows!) you are really going to dig this one.  It still has all the great information, but it also has a ton of comedy.  This show is a hoot!

Imagine 20 strangers tagging along while you’re trying to decide which home to buy.  That’s what Jason and Samantha, our two home buyers, had to endure!  And “Crowded House” is an appropriate name for this show, because there were so many people we often couldn’t all fit in a room.  You’ll see people peeking through the windows and doors.  And every single one of these people, who were dubbed “The Peanut Gallery” had an opinion on EVERYTHING!  Pretty hard to get a word in edge-wise.  But I did!

As you know, my take on things is “Ancient Wisdom, Modern Style.” So I had a lot to say about Feng Shui, Vastu, and the overall energy of each place. Here at CoffeyTalk my community loves all of this – over at Crowded House, I got mixed reactions – including eye-rolls that would normally only come from an impatient teenage girl! But I didn’t mind – it’s great to have a platform to bring this great information to the masses. And the proof is in the pudding, right!

I can’t wait to tune in on Thursday to see if the new homeowners took my advice.

The HGTV pilot “Crowded House” that I’m in airs Thursday! Here are the times, check your local listings for the exact channel and time:
EST
2/27 11:00 p.m.
2/28 2:00 a.m.
3/2 5:00 p.m.

CST
2/27 10:00 p.m.
2/28 1:00 a.m.
3/2 4:00 p.m.

PST
2/27 8:00 p.m.
2/27 11:00 p.m.
3/2 2:00 p.m.

There are some preview videos up on youtube – including 2 that feature me! self-balancing scooters
http://youtu.be/NBFfLzYeHBU  Feng Shui or Not
http://youtu.be/IVWFznQNdNw Preview

The Academy Awards are coming up this Sunday, March 2.  Now the official list of the presenters has been announced!

The presenters, including several past Oscar winners and nominees, will be:

Amy Adams
Kristen Bell
Jessica Biel
Jim Carrey
Glenn Close
Bradley Cooper
Penélope Cruz
Benedict Cumberbatch
Viola Davis
Daniel Day-Lewis
Robert De Niro
Zac Efron
Sally Field
Harrison Ford
Jamie Foxx
Andrew Garfield
Jennifer Garner
Whoopi Goldberg
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Anne Hathaway
Goldie Hawn
Chris Hemsworth
Kate Hudson
Samuel L. Jackson
Angelina Jolie
Michael B. Jordan
Anna Kendrick
Jennifer Lawrence
Matthew McConaughey
Ewan McGregor
Bill Murray
Kim Novak
Tyler Perry
Brad Pitt
Sidney Poitier
Gabourey Sidibe
Will Smith
Kevin Spacey
Jason Sudeikis
Channing Tatum
Charlize Theron
John Travolta
Christoph Waltz
Kerry Washington
Emma Watson
Naomi Watts