NEXT ACT FOR WOMEN’S 2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Happy Holidays!

I launched Next Act for Women in January, 2015, and am thrilled to report I will have published over 100 interviews, each one more inspiring than the next, when the New Year rolls in.

On this Thanksgiving weekend, I wish to express my gratitude to the women I interviewed for opening their hearts and sharing their journeys, along with wonderful advice and useful resources; they inspire those of us embarking on our own paths of self-discovery. And to my readers, thank you for embracing my mission with such enthusiasm.

As we celebrate the holidays, I thought I’d share the most popular books and products recommended via my site over the past year, all endorsed or produced by women in midlife. They make great gifts!

I wish all of you a wonderful holiday season and hope you’ll keep coming back for more inspiration and resources.

Gratefully,

Hélène

PRODUCTS DESIGNED/MADE BY MY SUBJECTS:

Ann Patrick O’Brien: Two-dimensional art

Carol Greenwood: Oil paintings

Chris Heisinger: Stained glass mosaic windows

Foxy G Knits: Hand-knit, one-of-a-kind shawls, wraps, and scarves

Haralee Sleepwear: Moisture-wicking pajamas, nightgowns, and pillowcases

Kuhfs: Design accessory to be worn on your boots, jeans, leggings, etc.

Laura Tanner Jewelry: Handmade artisan jewelry

Lazy Perfection Makeup brushes by Jenny Patinkin

Pocket Poppet: Packable clothing for women on the go

Puppy Hugger: C-shaped dog beds and other pet products

Robin Chocolates: Artisan chocolates, confections, and pastries

Sybil Sage: Mosaic art

Yasou Natural Skincare: Eco-luxe small-batch products

MOST POPULAR BOOKS RECOMMENDED BY MY SUBJECTS:

Getting the Job You Want After 50 For Dummies by Kerry Hannon

Work Reimagined: Uncover Your Calling by Richard Leider and David Shapiro

Best Home Businesses for People 50+ by Paul and Sarah Edwards

Finding Your Way in a Wild New World: Reclaim Your True Nature to Create the Life You Want by Martha Beck

Get the Guy: Learn Secrets of the Male Mind to Find the Man You Want and the Love You Deserve by Matthew Hussey

Have Him at Hello: Confessions from 1,000 Guys About What Makes Them Fall in Love . . . Or Never Call Back by Rachel Greenwald

Life Reimagined: Discovering Your New Life Possibilities by Richard Leider and Alan Webber

AARP Roadmap for the Rest of Your Life: Smart Choices About Money, Health, Work, Lifestyle … and Pursuing Your Dreams by Bart Astor and Gail Sheehy

Social Security For Dummies by Jonathan Peterson

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

The Encore Career Handbook: How to Make a Living and a Difference in the Second Half of Life by Marci Alboher

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country’s Foremost Relationship Expert by John Gottman and Nan Silver

What Color Is Your Parachute? 2016: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers by Richard Bolles

What’s Next? Updated: Finding Your Passion and Your Dream Job in Your Forties, Fifties and Beyond by Kerry Hannon

Great Jobs for Everyone 50+: Finding Work That Keeps You Happy and Healthy … And Pays the Bills by Kerry Hannon

BOOKS WRITTEN BY MY SUBJECTS:

Becky Blades: Do Your Laundry or You’ll Die Alone

Liz Brown: Life After Law: Finding Work You Love with the J.D. You Have

Judith Henry: The Dutiful Daughter’s Guide to Caregiving: A Practical Memoir

Dr. Nancy Irwin: YOU-TURN: CHANGING DIRECTION IN MIDLIFE: Over 40 Stories of People Over 40

Dianne Bischoff James: The Real Brass Ring: Change Your Life Course Now

Kathy Kaehler: Fit and Sexy For Life: The Hormone-Free Plan for Staying Slim, Strong, and Fabulous in Your Forties, Fifties, and Beyond

Susie Middleton: Fast, Fresh & Greenand Fresh from the Farm: A Year of Recipes and Storiesand The Fresh & Green Table: Delicious Ideas for Bringing Vegetables into Every Meal

Patti Sherry-Crews: Smoke Damage and Love with an Expiration Date: The Selkie Series Book I Dublinand Pairings and Patrick III: A Quest Tale

Corie Skolnick: Orfan and America’s Most Eligible

Tina Tessina: The Ten Smartest Decisions A Woman Can Make after Forty: Reinventing the Rest of Your Life

Densie Webb: You’ll Be Thinking of Me

You might also wish to consider a donation in someone’s name to one of these wonderful nonprofits, all launched by women in midlife:

• A New Path: Advocating for therapeutic drug policies
• A Night Out: Providing a brief escape to adult victims of domestic violence
• ARZU: Creating jobs for Afghan women
• Café Feminino Foundation: Raising women in coffee communities out of poverty
• CASA: Legal advocacy for children who are victims of abuse or neglect
• Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County: Animal shelter
• Impact 100: A Women’s Collective Giving Organization
• Kidsave: Finding adoptive families for older children
• LifeChronicles: Keeping memories of loved ones alive
• Love Dog Adventures: Animal therapy program
• Million Kids: Combating child sex trafficking
• Project Alive & Kicking: Advocating for stillbirth prevention
• The Doula Program to Accompany and Comfort: Providing comfort to the dying