Nora Ephron was an icon for women, for writers and for feminism. Her death marks the loss of a woman who afraid to explore deep issues of female friendship, death, divorce, single motherhood and unconventional love. Self-esteem coach and author of Feel Good Naked joined us with her favorite life lessons she learned from Nora:

1. Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.
2. Don’t serve fish to guests. If you must have fish, order it at a restaurant.
3. On greeting an acquaintance: don’t kiss them on both cheeks, it’s phony.
4. Everything matches black, especially black.
5. Don’t buy anything that is 100% wool even if it seems to be very soft and not particularly itchy when you try it on in the store.
6. The main course always disappoints.
7. Your hair doesn’t need to be washed every day.  Women who spend an hour a day on hair maintenance (washing, blow drying, etc.) spend 365 hours a year on this unnecessary activity that contributes to hair loss.
8. Spanx or girdles ruin your stomach muscles.
9. The most successful dinner parties are held around large round tables.

For more great lessons, visit Laure's website or check out her blog.