Not only is 2020 the start of a new decade, it’s also a leap year! While those born on February 29 will surely be thrilled, hotels and properties around the world are offering packages so that everyone can celebrate this extra-long year.

Moxy by Marriott

Moxy Times Square, Moxy Chelsea and Moxy East Village in New York City are all offering special leap year packages. Guests will receive 29 percent off their rooms on Feb. 29, as well as two glasses of prosecco on arrival. For “leap day babies,” Moxy promises to make the occasion extra special with a free night’s stay and a whole bottle of prosecco (just make sure you have valid ID!)

Palmer House, A Hilton Hotel

Besides coming around only once every four years, February 29 is a special day for another, more romantic reason. Irish tradition has it that if a woman wants to propose to a man, doing so on Leap Day will bring them good luck! In this traditional and romantic spirit, Chicago’s Palmer House is offering a Leap Day Proposal Package. For $2,290, you can get the proposal scenario dreams are made of, complete with a photographer, champagne, dinner, proposal planning help, a rose-petal turndown service and discounts on future Leap Day stays and wedding packages.

Not quite at the proposal stage? No matter. Palmer House is also offering a 29 percent discount on room rates Feb. 29, as well as two glasses of prosecco and two original Palmer House brownies on arrival.

Viceroy, Los Cabos

If you can’t get away this month, don’t worry. There are still Leap Day deals for you! Viceroy, Los Cabos in Mexico is offering $29 upgrades to the next room type when you book a stay on Feb. 29. That means you can get away any time this year! Availability can be found here (but the deal is available only on Leap Day, so make sure to check back then).

Shanty Creek Resort

Now for something completely, weirdly different. To be treated to something special this Leap Day, you don’t need to be a leap year baby or have plans to propose at Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire, Michigan. You do, however, need to be named Brad. For reasons that remain a mystery, the resort has dubbed Feb. 29 “Brad Day,” and any guest so named will receive a free ski-lift ticket, $29 ski rentals, reserved seating in the Day Lodge for “Brads only” and other perks.

Carnival Leapster Birthday Cruise

For those enjoying the end of summer in Australia, Carnival Cruise Lines is offering 50 percent off online prices, free birthday drinks, cake, vouchers and a special party for leap year babies. It’s exclusively on its four-night Adelaide cruise departing from Melbourne Feb. 27. This really is a special deal–almost as if it only came around once every four years.

Refinery Hotel New York

Another New York City hotel is also offering extra-special treatment to “empowered women who want to get down on one knee.” Refinery Hotel is debuting a Leap Year Engagement Concierge. When a woman intent on proposing books the Atelier Suite, said concierge will help with the proposal and provide a photographer, champagne and chocolate—all 29 percent off ordinary rates. If you’re going to pop the question, might as well do it in style…and with a discount!

Welcome to the 4th annual Smart Woman Summit! 2019’s power career conference hits Las Vegas on May 7-8 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and Paris Las Vegas Hotel. This event celebrates all women in the meetings industry (and the men who support them) with powerful opportunities for education, leadership and camaraderie.

Join an accomplished, influential group of female leaders, entrepreneurs, CEOs and women on the rise to grow your career and network with like-minded peers and colleagues.

The Smart Woman Summit delivers actionable business strategies, tools for professional growth and stories of personal success to cultivate an empowered community of female ambassadors in the meetings industry.

Find out everything you need to know here.

 

 

Last week, Smart Meetings announced the winners of the second annual Smart Women in Meetings Awards. This week, we’re announcing the marquee event that honors these exceptional women: Smart Woman Summit. The summit is a very special opportunity for women in the meeting-planning industry to unite for an empowering event.

The summit will be held at the Denver-Ritz Carlton on April 28. It’s no coincidence that the event comes on the heels of Equal Pay Day, April 14. Despite dominating the event-planning industry, women still grapple with gender-based wage gap. Men make about 29 percent more than women on average, according to the Professional Convention Management Association’s 2014 salary survey, with male planners earning an average $102,222 and female planners earning an average $72,880.

We here at Smart Meetings profoundly admire this female-driven industry and strongly believe in our talented community. Plus, there will be perks. You can expect our Smart Woman Summit to feature world-class meals, refreshing cocktails and complimentary swag bag. Activities will include leading industry speakers, networking opportunities, honoree awards and expert workshops.

Can’t wait? Join us a day early on April 27 at Smart Meeting Mountain. The fun begins with 65 meeting planners.

To register and for more information: https://ww2.smartmtgs.com/l/218852/2016-11-15/2l37

 

Canvas Hotel Dallas

This renovated and rebranded South Dallas stay, revamped by Studio 11 Design, boasts 7,000 sq. ft. of event space and 76 guest rooms, just three blocks from downtown Dallas galleries, museums, breweries and coffee shops. The art-infused property features local talent, from paintings to plating. On-site Chef’s Palette offers up a dynamic menu based on local ingredients, to be enjoyed in the eclectic dining space amid the drama of heavy curtains, exposed walls and Chesterfield benching.

 The Advenire, St. George, Utah 

This Marriott Autograph collection property in the greater St. George and Zion National Park area is for the wanderer, exemplified by the hotel’s mountain-bike valet service. This may be the first time you’ve heard the term “pioneer chic,” but it aptly describes the 60 textured, upscale rooms with craftsmen furniture and splashes of color.  Hyper-local restaurant Wood Ash Rye features hearty, chef-driven fare representing the local environment and history, including Utah-made spirits in its craft cocktail menu. The property provides for intimate meetings in its restaurant, rooftop terrace and private dining room.

Marriott Philadelphia Old City

Formerly the Sheraton Philadelphia Society Hill, this property reopened, fully reimagined and rebranded, in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic district in January. The 364 guest rooms are modern, sleek and bright, while the restaurant and public spaces showcase Philly style with brick, leather and metals, making for a classic, urban aesthetic. The venue features over 20,000 sq. ft. of event space, including the grand ballroom, which holds up to 550 guests. Also new to the property is a spacious 4,000-square-foot contemporary fitness center.

 21c Museum Hotel Chicago

This hotel, the brand’s ninth, is situated in the city’s River North neighborhood, and has 297 guest rooms and 106 suites. Airy, modern rooms have large windows that frame the cityscape. Public spaces throughout the property provide cultural views, both framed and unframed, through rotating contemporary art and installations. The 10,000 sq. ft. of event space is unique not only for its natural light and fresh design, but also because it serves as a museum, open free to the public seven days a week when not booked, with complimentary docent tours.

In separate developments, U.S. Travel Association has protested a recent Homeland Security decision and painted a rosy picture for travel in the early 2020s.

Reacting to the Trump Administration’s decision to freeze enrollment in Global Entry and other trusted traveler programs in New York state over a state law that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, Tori Emerson Barnes, executive vice president for public affairs and policy for U.S. Travel, said today, “Travel should not be politicized.”

Suspending enrollment, she stated, “only undermines travel security and efficiency.”

That message was a dramatic counterpoint to the one delivered yesterday before an audience of stakeholders, media and policymakers in Washington, D.C., by U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow.

In his address, Dow portrayed a bright future for the American travel industry and expounded on strategies that can expand and strengthen the industry, including the following.

  • Promoting travel through trade by elevating travel’s role as a vital U.S. export in trade negotiations with Japan, the United Kingdom, the European Union and China.
  • Enhancing security by leveraging the industry’s commitment to creating a seamless travel experience by deploying biometric innovation, improving the Real ID Act through policy changes, alleviating security chokepoints and expanding successful trusted-traveler programs.
  • Spurring pro-travel commerce through economic initiatives and travel-friendly changes to the U.S. tax code, as well as investments in infrastructure and national parks.
  • Promoting a sustainable travel industry through innovation solutions such as Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) becoming the first carbon-neutral airport in North America, Colorado Tourism Office’s “Are you Colo-ready?” program and Visit California’s statewide Destination Stewardship plan, which outlines principles and sustainability opportunities and practices for industry partners.

“We’ve built a pretty ambitious agenda, but it aligns perfectly with an industry as ambitious and invigorated as travel,” Dow said. “We’re betting big on the future because we know what our industry can achieve if we unite behind a vision, join together to advance common goals and put our shared interests first.”

Customer service and experience is key to success for most businesses, but 60 percent of companies see their efforts as subpar, according to a recent study by Reuters Events.

The study, Reuters Events: CX Trends in Travel, which surveyed more than 650 travel industry professionals from hotels, travel agencies, DMOs, travel tech providers and more, shows that despite this discrepancy, companies are hopeful about the direction in which travel is moving, with novel ways to communicate with customers and the newer generation gradually becoming embedded in the travel industry.

AI isn’t the Enemy

Artificial intelligence is here to stay, but will it take over your job? Probably not. That’s what 91 percent of those surveyed believe. Almost half (48 percent) of the respondents believe that artificial intelligence is the type of emerging technology that will have the most impact on customer experience in the next three to five years.

More: 4 Ways Artificial Intelligence Makes Travel Smarter

Virtual customer assistants and chatbots—which technology companies in many industries are using—was identified as the second-most impactful technology (29 percent). This is an area where companies are allocating much of their funds, according to John Morhous, chief experience officer at Flight Centre. “We obviously feel quite strongly that things like chatbots, automation, new booking flows and different ways of interacting with customers, especially in mobile, are huge trends that are shaping the industry,” he says.

Customer Service Barriers

Thirty-four percent of respondents named lack of skills in the workforce as a barrier to providing an exceptional customer experience, which could be due to the ever increasing roles that require a broader range of skills. The study uses the example of a traditional IT tech master who previously made a living in solitude, but now needs to have customer service experience and the ability to build a brand and marketing story.

Budget constraints topped the list of things barring professionals from delivering on customer service, with nearly half (45 percent) saying this is the case.

As we all know, a happy employee typically results in a happy customer. Sixty-three percent of respondents said their employees takes job satisfaction seriously, but the challenges of the customer service industry often result in a turnover higher than in many other industries.

Customer Engagement

This is the age of social media, but email remains the main form of communication respondents use to contact customers. Increasingly, people are using Instagram, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp to engage with customers. For millennials, Instagram is becoming the main channel through which customers are engaging with properties and destinations.

Schofields, a United Kingdom-based research company, found that 40 percent of people under 33 years of age take “Instagrammability” into account when choosing their vacation destination. This explains why 35 percent of respondents in the Reuters study say they are trying to attract millennials as the greatest opportunity for growth.

Mental health in the workplace is gaining more attention these days as study after study is revealing how stress can negatively impact employee wellness and performance. As road warriors, there are ways that you can mitigate the strain on your relationships that frequent travel can cause. While you may love your job and don’t mind the travel, being away from family and friends can still take a toll in part due to something called ambiguous loss, which is a term that describes the uncertainty about how a relationship with a loved one may change due to separation. Below are strategies for keeping your relationships strong when your job keeps you apart.

See also: Survey: 26% Say Business Travel Erodes Relationships

Re-Entry

Over the years, I’ve heard common themes when it comes to successful relationships. One of them was how well, or not, road warrior couples navigated the re-entry period, that time when the traveler comes home. One would assume that this would be the fun and easy part, but often that is not the case. Jet lag, flight delays or expectations not communicated can be cause for tension.

More: How to Sleep While on The Road

What to do? Discuss how each of you prefers to come back together. You may want 10 minutes of quiet when you come in the door, but another traveler may want to be immediately showered with hugs, kisses and a recap of what they missed. The hardest part many people shared was the transition itself. We all get used to our routines. What time you go to bed or when you like to eat dinner may be different when on the road compared to what your spouse at home prefers. Merging those routines back together can be an adjustment and acknowledging it is half the battle.

Quality vs. Quantity

If you have kids at home, your spouse may spend several days as the solo parent which is hard. Finding a way for them to recharge upon your return as well as time for the two of you as a couple to reconnect is essential. Don’t underestimate the value of date nights, but it’s also important to be proactive in communicating while on the road.

How best to do that? Let each other know what is most meaningful. You may be fine texting a few times a day, but your partner may prefer a quick talk at night. Another idea? A note on the bathroom mirror as you head out town that says, “Can’t wait to see you again.” Even better? “Thank you for being my partner.” The key is to be creative and intentional and if you have a disagreement, try to address it before you head out on the road again.

Business travel is a way of life for many and while it might mean we can’t physically be there, finding ways to make sure we are fully present when we are is essential for the health of our relationships with friends and family. A little communication, empathy for each other and gratitude can go a long way toward that goal.

Megan Bearce is a licensed marriage and family therapist, coach, speaker and author of Super Commuter Couples: Staying Together When a Job Keeps You Apart. She is a sought-after speaker and writer on the topics of burnout, road warriors, mental health and perfectionism and has been interviewed as an expert on super commuting by publications including the BBC, SHRM, Forbes, MarketWatch, and CBS Evening News.

Kunal Juneja

San Francisco Marriott Marquis appointed Juneja director of operations. Prior to this, he was hotel manager for The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco. The Ritz-Carlton brand has taken Juneja to preopening projects all over the globe, including Africa, Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Grand Cayman and Santa Barbara, California. He also worked at Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, India, as assistant manager.

Stephani Kilroy

Kilroy has been named convention sales manager of Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board in King of Prussia, Philadelphia. She began her career on the East Coast, at Loews Philadelphia Hotel and Loews L’Enfant DC in Washington, D.C. Kilroy most recently worked at Residence Inn by Marriott Hamilton in New Jersey as director of sales. Her experience in the hotel industry spans various sectors, including full-service hotels, conference centers, and convention and select-service hotels.

Charles Head

Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, located on the Kohala Coast of Island of Hawaii, appointed Head general manager. He comes from Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel, in Oakland, California. Head served as general manager of Fairmont Kea Lani, in Wailea, Hawaii, when the property was named Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ 2015 North America Hotel of the Year. He’s also held high-level positions at Fairmont St. Andrews, Scotland; Fairmont Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada; and Fairmont Empress in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Greg Gooding

Resort at Squaw Creek in Lake Tahoe, California, selected Gooding as its general manager. He recently worked at The Wigwam Arizona in Litchfield Park as vice president and area managing director; before that, he served at vice president of operations at Pyramid Hotel Group. His career began at Westin Bristol Place in Toronto, where he worked his way up to hotel manager.

Brian Gray

Gray is now convention sales manager of Visit Wichita in Kansas. This is his first stint in the tourism industry, as he previously was a wine and spirits sales consultant. Gray was also a staff member for Tall Film Festival in Wichita. In 2015, he was named Salesperson of the Year at The Wichita Eagle, and in 2017, he was part of the Media Marketing Group of the Year for VIP Magazine.

Jennifer Boes

Boes is director of marketing communications and media relations for Greater Wilmington Conventions & Visitors Bureau (GWCVB) in Delaware. Prior to joining GWCVB, Boes worked at Marshall Communications, a Maine-based PR agency, as a senior account supervisor. Before Marshall Communications, she was the public information officer and tourism public relations director for Delaware Economic Development Office.

Kelly Teo

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills in California named Teo director of sales and marketing. He recently served on the opening team of two Marriott International properties, The Sanya Edition in China and St. Regis Hotel in Hong Kong. Teo’s sales and marketing career began at Hilton San Francisco & Towers, after which he worked with InterContinental Mark Hopkins in San Francisco as director as sales. He then served at The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey in California.

Travelers from all over the world come to Los Angeles, whether it’s for the impeccable, year-round sunny weather, the possibility of encountering celebrities as you tour the city, or the beautiful views of the sky-high architecture from a hotel rooftop during your meeting. Downtown Los Angeles doesn’t skip a beat.

Sleep Among the Stars

The 350-room Hotel Indigo Downtown Los Angeles has more than 22,000 sq. ft. of space for groups to meet. There are plenty of meeting places to choose from, including 12 meeting rooms, outdoor terraces and 18 Social, the property’s top floor cocktail lounge, which can be bought out. Metropole Bar & Kitchen is the hotel’s ground floor restaurant, serving everything from the latest to the traditional in culinary arts.

See also: 19 Insta-Worthy Spots in Los Angeles

Hotel Indigo Downtown is one of four buildings adjacent to the Metropolis development, a collection of high-end residential towers, and it is just a five-minute walk from L.A. Live and Staples Center, offering live entertainment. A couple more steps will find guests at Disney Concert Hall, LA Music Center, The Broad Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art and Orpheum Theatre. So much to see with often very little time.

Fun Awaits

Although the traffic can be a pain, one great thing about Los Angeles is its eclectic activities and entertainment offerings. A brief Uber ride will land you just about anywhere you want to go in the city.

More: Los Angeles: Meet a More Walkable DTLA

Angel City Brewery, roughly a 10-minute drive from Hotel Indigo, is a pioneer in Los Angeles’ brewing scene, having opened in 1997. The beer is incredible, and it has several outstanding spaces that planners can rent out for private events. The beer hall, which can accommodate up to 200 guests, has hosted events by several notable organizations, including Planned Parenthood Foundation and Keep a Breast Foundation. Pet donations and other community events have also been held there.

Hotel Indigo Downtown partnered with the brewery to create the “Business & Brews” experience; groups staying at the property have access to a VIP tour and tasting, during which groups will learn about Los Angeles’ brewing history and the story of the more than 100 year old building that houses Angel City, as well as a guided art tour, where groups can learn about the brewery’s relationship with Art Share LA and local artists. If your group would prefer stay on property, you can bring the brewery to them by having one of the beer masters themselves pay a visit to any one of the hotel’s meeting spaces to teach your group about the brewing process and how to beer taste like a pro.

The mezzanine, which sits on the second floor of the brewery, is for a cozier group. Accommodating up to 100 people, the mezzanine features comfy couches and cocktail tables.

Have you ever wondered where celebrities get their hats made? Baron Hats has made hats for celebrities, including Beyonce, Seth MacFarlane and Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as for many well-known films, including Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Dirty Harry and Django: Unchained. Groups staying at Hotel Indigo Los Angeles can go behind the scenes with Mark Mejia, the hatter behind the operation, to learn how it all goes down.

Hotel Indigo Downtown Los Angeles collaborated with Cartwheel Art, which gives a tour of Underground L.A., showing the history of the city and how it came to be what it is. It takes groups back to the underground tunnels of the city to the prohibition-era speakeasies of the time. Cartwheel Tours has various other tours, including Art & Artisans, Theatres & Golden Age of Hollywood and Architecture & Design.

Do you wonder why you chose event planning as a career? And if this is your true calling? Are there times you feel overwhelmed, overworked and over-extended? Find out what your day of birth and kiss sign are telling you.

Anita Miranda

Official Lipstick Reader Anita Miranda offers forensics and intuitive lipstick readings all over the world. Find your astrological sign below to see her readings on your personality and kiss, which have a strong influence on how you plan an event. Check your Kiss Whisper card for more insight. Then, you can better plan around your strengths and weaknesses, and pave your way to that incredibly amazing moment when you’ve pulled off the event of the year. Fall in love with your profession all over again—with a kiss.

Take the quiz: Learn your Kiss Archetype

Aries, March 21 to April 19

 Color: Red | Power Word: Wisdom | Kiss: Bold and passionate

Those under the sign of Aries are often dynamic and spontaneous individuals who enjoy having a full calendar. Independent, impulsive and passionate, the Aries is prone to action, though sometimes they forget to think before leaping. While they can be impatient and a little too aggressive at times, they also take great initiative and make grand leaders. The Aries is deeply caring and loves connecting with people.

Overall, the Aries planner is a great leader and thrives on being a hero, but they may have too much on their plate. Complete your project before embarking on a new one. Multitasking is not your friend. Stick to your schedule and be cautious of overfilling your calendar.

For Aries, the Kiss Whisper card says: If feeling a dry spell right now, this may be the time to prepare for what is next. Remember to use your wisdom to practice mindfulness, in spite of your ambition.

Taurus, April 20 to May 20

Color: Green | Power Word: Determination | Kiss: A little vanilla, but very soft and tender

Those under the sign of Taurus tend to be practical and grounded, and are more than willing to work hard to reach their goals. Stable, honest and understanding, the Taurus tries to see all sides to every story. Once they make a choice, they often stubbornly stick to their guns until they are satisfied. However, they will also stick by and support those they care for no matter what.

Overall, the Taurus planner is a hard and dependable worker but sometimes holds too fast to a specific idea. It’s fine to have a particular vision in mind, but remain open and flexible enough to change plans when needed.

For Taurus, the Kiss Whisper card says: The rock of the organization, planning events comes easy. It is working with a team that may be a bit of a challenge. When stuck making a decision, remember your intuition is spot on—trust it, remain determined and use that determination to practice mindfulness.

Gemini, May 21 to June 20

Color: Yellow | Power Word: Kindness | Kiss: Intentional and focused

Those under the sign of Gemini tend to have a dual personality, sometimes fun and sometimes serious. Adaptable, curious and enthusiastic, the Gemini is not afraid to change plans at the last minute. They can get a bit ahead of themselves, and take on projects that a bit too much for them. They are constantly searching for kindred spirits as they communicate and connect with everyone around them.

Overall, the Gemini planner is flexible, though they can at times take on projects too big to handle alone. Pay good attention to your limits, and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance.

For Gemini, the Kiss Whisper card says: Be generous and compassionate to yourself. When you exhibit kindness to others, it matters. Be careful of being easily bored. Use mindfulness as part of your self-care. This in turn will build stronger relationships.

Cancer, June 21 to July 22

Color: White | Power Word: Positive | Kiss: Lilting air kisses

Those under the sign of Cancer tend to be sensitive souls who search for the kindness within others and are lead by emotion more often than logic. Compassionate, understanding and supportive, the Cancer is a protective carer for those in their circle. However, they desire compassion in return, often needing support and reassurance from those closest to them. It can also be hard to become a part of the Cancer’s circle, as they need to feel secure, but they become a loyal friend for life.

Overall, the Cancer planner tends to be in tune with the client’s vision but at times must be the bearer of more logical choices. Remain open and supportive to the wishes of your client, yet stand your ground within reason, otherwise, you may end up in over your head.

For Cancer, the Kiss Whisper card says: You are known for your compassion, which may lead others to think you can do everything. Has a need to express feelings. Learn to say no with grace to protect your time and perform at your best. Practice mindfulness to know when to draw the line.

Leo, July 23 to Aug. 22

Color: Gold | Power Word: Intuition | Kiss: Flowing

Those under the sign of Leo tend to shine with the sun’s brilliance and adore being the center of attention. Self-confident, charismatic and generous, the Leo makes an outstanding leader. They can also be a little headstrong and prideful, particularly in regards to their accomplishments. But if you are a member of their pride, you will find a loyal and true friend.

Overall, the Leo planner is a confident, dazzling leader who is proud of their accomplishments; at times a little annoying to others. Don’t forget that too much pride can push people away, so moderate it with a little humility. Be the pride of the pack.

For Leo, the Kiss Whisper card says: Your intuition is a finely tuned instrument. Make sure to listen to it! You may desire to measure up to someone else’s idea of perfect—and you can often achieve it—but it’s also important to remain true to yourself. Let go of seeking outside validation. Practice mindfulness to know the difference.

Virgo, Aug. 23 to Sept. 22

Color: Brown | Power Word: Evolved | Kiss: Butterfly kisses

Those under the sign of Virgo tend to be practical and methodical, focusing on every small detail. Reliable, observant and studious, the Virgo has their life and dreams planned out to a T. They can get lost in the details and don’t like asking for help. The Virgo’s circle knows that they can count on them when needed.

Overall, the Virgo planner is a very practical planner who can focus too much on the small details leading to a delay in the project.  Remember to keep the big picture in mind and ask for a little help with those little details.

For Virgo, the Kiss Whisper card says: Your language is to feel needed and desired. You seek knowledge, to know everything about every little detail before you proceed. Sometimes those small details can wait, because you need to make a choice quickly. By practicing mindfulness, you can learn to be decisive and stop being bogged down by the specifics.

Libra, Sept. 23 to Oct. 22

Color: Pink | Power Word: Faith | Kiss: Sweet, tender and flirty kisses

Those under the sign of Libra tend to be peacekeepers who search for balance for all parties and hate confrontation. Understanding, fair and diplomatic, the Libra is also a romantic who possesses a natural charm. They can sometimes seem indecisive as they attempt to keep the balance. Within their friend groups, they make sure every voice is heard equally.

Overall, the Libra planner likes to keep things in balance, but this can lead them to being indecisive. Sometimes you need to just stop and make a decision. If you are still having difficulties, look to the client or your allies for assistance.

For Libra, the Kiss Whisper card says: You’re the peacemaker of the zodiac. It tips the scale when the people around you don’t get along. You love connections despise contentions. Use mindfulness to see hidden opportunities to create balance and harmony in your event planning.

Scorpio, Oct. 23 to Nov. 21

Color: Orange | Power Word: Kindness | Kiss: A killer kiss

Those under the sign of Scorpio tend to be mysterious and intense people willing to see things to the end. Brave, focused and ambitious, the Scorpio aims high and is determined to reach that height. Their intensity and dislike of dishonesty can make them jealous and suspicious. They can be very secretive, only showing their cards to those they fully trust. 

Overall, the Scorpio planner is determined and ambitious, but sometimes those ambitions lay well beyond reach. Keep your current limits in mind when planning, and work hard so you can reach those ambitious heights in the future.

For Scorpio, the Kiss Whisper card says: Your time to prosper is now. Take action! This may lead you to relocate. It may be time to relocate self-defeating self-talk out of your thoughts once and for all. Trust does not come easily.  Someone needs to take the initial step. While practicing mindfulness, remember a time when you were carefree, and applied your brilliance fearlessly.

Sagittarius, Nov. 22 to Dec. 21

Color: Blue | Power Word: Stand-out | Kiss: Lingering and experimental

Those under the sign of Sagittarius tend to keep moving, always searching for new ideas and experiences. Honest, optimistic and enthusiastic, the Sagittarius doesn’t fear the unknown and will follow wherever their curiosity leads them. They may be more than a bit impatient and impulsive. They are very honest friends, even if that honesty hurts.

Overall, the Sagittarius planner is enthusiastic and open to new and different ideas, though this can lead them down too unusual a rabbit hole. Remember to stay focused on the plan and put off the search for wonderland until you free up time. 

For Sagitarius, the Kiss Whisper card says: Follow your heart so you can witness your adventurous side rekindle and the doors of possibility open. Focus your attention on the career you really want in your life. Find the joy and laughter in your work. Look up the definition of “mirth” and apply more of it in your life while practicing mindfulness.

Capricorn, Dec. 22 to Jan. 19

Color: Black | Power Word: Deserve | Kiss: All-encompassing lip-smotherer

Those under the sign of Capricorn tend to be reasonable people who focus on the important details. Sensible, careful and ambitious, the Capricorn has the self-control to make solid, realistic plans for the future and the endurance to see them through. While practical, they are also stubborn and do not like being told what to do. They have no issues managing people and keeping group projects on track.

Overall, the Capricorn planner is sensible and makes solid plans, but they can also be unyielding to any changes in those plans. Remember that sometimes change is necessary and even the best laid plans could do with a little help from friends.

For Capricorn, the Kiss Whisper card says: Your biggest strength is the foresight to plan ahead. Now is the time to go forward into the bright future as you plan your events, even if it means doing things differently than you’ve done them before. Trying to control everything and everyone does not mean you have control. Practice mindfulness while letting go and allowing life to unfold in it’s own time. 

Aquarius, Jan. 20 to Feb. 18

Color: Silver | Power Word: Passion | Kiss: On the lips with two hands on the cheeks

Those under the sign of Aquarius tend to be a bit eccentric and hold strongly to their freedom. Curious, independent and creative, the Aquarius is a natural problem-solver, often forging a completely new and unique path to do so. However, their love of freedom can make them inconsistent and a little too unpredictable. Though they often have strong desires for alone-time, they also love to be surrounded by other people.

Overall, the Aquarius planner is a creative problem-solver who likes to forge a new and unique path, but sometimes that path can be inconsistent and too unpredictable. Remember that while some twists and turns are fine, the end goal needs to remain clear and easy to reach without becoming lost.

For Aquarius, the Kiss Whisper card says: Your unique view of life bursts with creativity and freedom. You communicate ideas clearly that can make for brilliant meetings. Don’t overthink things. You have a tendency to intellectualize. Bless others with your laughter and friendship.Use mindfulness to help you step out of the shadows and into the spotlight!

Pisces, Feb. 19 to March 20

Color: Purple | Power Word: Wisdom | Kiss: Lots of energetic, radiant vibrations

Those under the sign of Pisces tend to be both understanding and good listeners, making them great at giving advice. Compassionate, selfless and idealistic, the Pisces is often in search of emotional and spiritual harmony. A Pisces is a faithful friend who gives without ever expecting anything back. However, they can be a little too trusting and need to be careful or they’ll get burned.

Overall, the Pisces planner is a great listener and a great advisor, but they can be a little too trusting of others. Remember to pay attention to warning signs, and always have a back-up plan in case something falls through.

For Pisces, the Kiss Whisper card says: Your dignity is your strength, and brings you the respect of others. Be careful of ambivalence. When feeling strong, remember to be patient with others and cheer their successes. Everyone needs advice from time to time. Use mindfulness to help you decide whether you if you actually take it.

Anita Miranda, the Official Lipstick Reader, offers forensics and intuitive lipstick readings worldwide. For more of her kiss analysis, visit her at officiallipstickreader.com or [email protected].