Sole Sister Sunday: Loren's Closet

It is my personal Sole Sister delight to bring you the AMAZING shoe close of Internet Business Power House & Entrapreneur Loren Ridinger.  Besides her obvious affinity for all things fabulous, including shoes Loren splits her time this way:

*SVP Of Market America

*Creator of Loren's World - A daily digital dose of motivation, inspiration and information.

*Fashion/Style Blogger At Fashion Cents

*Creator of Motives Cosmetics

*Creator of Cellular Laboratories Skin Care Line

*Designer/Owner of Loren Jewels

*Designer of the HSN hit Jewelry Line Yours By Loren

Not to mention the countless hours she spends travelling around the world to meet and motivate her teams! She is a total inspiration to me on both a business and a sole sister level.

She is also a mother and wife who in her "spare" time LOVES fashion and LOVES her shoes!!

I had a chance to chat with Loren about her coveted closet recently.

LG:  What is your FAV pair for summer? 

LR: My Valentino stud sandals.  These stylish nude color sandals with studs along the straps are versatile for casual daytime wear as well as a great sundress in the evening for a super chic look. 

LG:  What are your "Go To" shoes?

LR: That would have to be my Christian Louboutin Crystal Studded Booties.  I love studded shoes but by far, these are the ones I always wear.  You can’t go wrong with these fabulous shoes and the black studs make them more wearable than most studded shoes. I love wearing them with a simple black blazer, a white wife beater and a pair of my J Brand jeans in a light wash.  Super fashionable.

LG:  Your FAV Shoe Indulgence? 

LR: Christian Louboutin of course!  I absolutely love the signature red sole and Christian happens to be a dear friend of mine.  His personality is fabulous and he is super funny.  So whenever I wear his shoes, which is mostly everyday, I just have to smile thinking about him.  Love him.

LG: If you could give my readers one piece of advice as it applies to shoes (styling, purchasing, etc.) What would it be?

LR: Shoes are a very important component to any outfit.  Pair them up with beautiful jewelry and a great blazer and jeans to make your most fabulous shoes stand out.  You don't have to wait for the right occasion to wear them,  ROCK them daily.  .  Shoes define your personality so don’t be afraid to have fun with your style.  Most important tip:  Think about comfort if your a girl on the go like me.  There are fabulous designers who have comfy shoes, and if you need some added help, always use pads in your shoes to help keep those toes in place. 

Connect with Loren on Twitter - She is passionate about her brands and products and I'm sure would love to hear how Fabulous you think her shoe collection is .... but I think she already knows.

We are ALL Models

This post of mine first appeared in a guest blogger spot on Loren's World. Loren Ridinger is a business woman who truly inspires me and others with her relentless positive motivation for women in business and in life.  I had the honor of being a guest blogger on her fabulous site. You can see the original post HERE

Kaleigh Rain & I

As my daughter ages I see more and more how she takes EVERYTHING I say and do, repeats it, and mimics herself and her conduct after mine. It is a HUGE responsibility and I try to stay aware of what is going on around her.   

I wanted to share my post "We are ALL Models" as I think we all take for granted the impact our actions and words have on the people and the world around us.

My Daughter Kaleigh Rain. Age 4

We are all models, but not in the conventional sense that your mind automatically jumps too.  I’m sure as women at one time or another you have pictured yourself walking the runways of Paris or Milan with the likes of Karl Lagerfeld or the late great Gianni Versace who are proud of us as their muse of the moment.  Oh wait, is that just me?  Anyway we are all models in this life: ROLE MODELS. We are living examples to those around us.  

You would be surprised who is listening to what we say but to a greater extent who is really watching what we DO.  It is wonderful to be able to talk about intentions, dreams and goals but let’s face it folks, it’s just words until you have actions behind them.  Your actions speak volumes about the person you are and what you are trying to accomplish. People may be modeling themselves after you or you have as a role model inspired something in them to take action in their own lives.  It is the most apparent in children and they don’t even have to be your own. 

As part of normal child development and socialization children look to adults (parents and others) as models for behavior both the acceptable and unacceptable. Try to be cognizant of your actions, not just your words and set a good example for them.  They will in turn be your greatest teacher and source for personal growth to be a better person overall.  Be aware of your role model status, or even your potential role model status and it may force some introspection and self examination you may not otherwise do. Think about the concept of being a model in your everyday life even to strangers.

A great place to start thinking about what kind of model you are could be by the simple use of manners or politeness, participating in random acts of kindness or helping out a stranger for no personal benefit whatsoever. Even taking the time to smile at a stranger may set the tone for their day and they may model this kind of behavior and use it in their own daily dealings with the world. Think also about the people who have been models in your life or whom you model yourself after.  IT is a role that is very important in the grand scheme of your life and how YOUR actions impact the world around you.

No matter who your audience; ALWAYS put your best runway foot forward when you step into the world. Remember; you are strong, fierce and fabulous. You’re a MODEL!

WOMEN: Let's Stand Together

In celebration of International Women's Day I wanted to discuss how more WOMEN should celebrate WOMEN. Although our patriarchal society is largely responsible for our repression over the course of history, women also should be held accountable for their roles. We have made AMAZING progress over the years with with respect to Equality, Reproductive Rights, in the work place, and on a global scale. I feel, we as women should be allies and not competitors and could do better for each other. The mysogynistc undertones still exist across the globe when women deal with various forms of discrimination, degeneration, violence and abuse (largely from men) but women are also culpable to some degree.

The time is NOW to truly stand together in the sisterhood we all share. We have unique challenges and responsibilities as women and should be there as a supportive force to one another, not just today but every day.

In a world of uncertainty, here is what I can CONFIRM:

ALL WOMEN ARE

* Capable

* Worthy

* Unique

* Beautiful

When is the last time you helped out a female friend for no reason? or told another women that they have been an inspiration for you? do you support female owned businesses? or told someone you know they are beautiful? or a good mother? or applauded a female counterpart for what she has accomplished?

Lets celebrate WOMEN today and all that we have done and continue to do to better ourselves and our world. As a giant global team we can make the changes needed to liberate women all over the world to feel truly empowered and inspired and help each other to live up to our full potentials. The change in attitude and action starts with each one of US.

My top 2 Inspirational Women of the year:

Christy Turlington - Model, Mother, Film Maker and Women's Right Activist: Maternal Health -via Every Mother Counts. Her documentary and work abroad has and is continuing to make a difference in the lives of women and mothers everywhere.

Loren Ridinger: Business Woman, Mother, Jewelry Designer, who is on a relentless digital-quest to inspire women and empower them to be the best they can be, in business and otherwise.

‎"Inside of you is a smart, powerful, dynamic, capable, self-confident, alive, alert, fabulous woman! Let her come out and play. The world is waiting for you." - Louise L. Hay

Thoughtful Thursday: It's a Hard Knock Life

I had the honor of being a guest blogger on the web site LorensWorld.com (A Business, Information and Motivational web site created by Designer and Internet Mogul - Loren Ridinger). This piece was previously published there. I have been thinking about the concept lately and wanted to share it here again:

We all get “knocked around” by life via disappointments, circumstances or repercussions from the decisions we have made. If I had a dime for every time I have heard the phrase “it’s not fair”; or until a few years ago, a dime for every time I used it. The statement is true though, much of what is thrown at us in life could potentially fall under the “it’s not fair” category. But what if today we acknowledge this to be a truth, release the expectation of life being ‘fair’ and get right back up in order to move forward. I have found that one does not seem to be so disappointed if you have no expectations to begin with.

What if when life knocks you down, instead of lying there and playing your “it’s not fair” card you STAND UP and evaluate what you STAND FOR? And who you will Stand by? Or conversely who will stand by you? How you Stand up for yourself makes all the difference in where you stand in life. Turn life’s unfairness into the most invaluable item(s) you have – LESSONS. It can be a time for evaluation; not a ‘why me’ moment but what can I learn from this? How can I grow? You can stand up and be a teacher; lead by example and transform your circumstances into a positive lesson or a motivator to do or be better. The knock downs don’t have to be knock outs but can be viewed as an opportunity. Embrace the fact that life WILL knock you down, it is how you stand back up that matters. Like that old adage; if you stand for nothing you will fall for anything.

Check out this video on "How Winners Are Made" and make the conscious decision each day are you are going to let life knock you down? or are you going to get right back up again? It is all up to YOU.

What Doesn't BEND .. BREAKS!

This blog was originally posted in a guest capacity for Loren's World (http://www.lorensworld.com/ ). I wanted to re-post and share the actualy SONG that inspired the piece. See video @ the bottom and ENJOY!!

I was driving the other day and a track I had not hard in a long time came blasting through my speakers, called “Buildings & Bridges” by folksinger Ani DiFranco. I have always loved her music and how she, through her lyrics has given intelligent women a voice since the 90’s. The particular lyrics of this song struck a chord with me (pun intended)


“Buildings and bridges are made to bend in the wind to withstand the world, that's what it takes All that steel and stone is no match for the air, my friend what doesn't bend breaks what doesn't bend breaks”


The message was so obvious and clear (to me); it is those who cannot compromise, be flexible or embrace change in life that seem to have the hardest time and eventually, break or break down. The ability to compromise in life at work, in relationships and friendships is the foundation for success. Imagine a world that was so rigid, stubborn and unmoving when change is presented or anything that conflicts with its ideals.


Well that is the world that some people live in, sadly. I am not saying that you should not hold your position when there is something that you really believe in or feel strongly about but choose your battles. Many of what we perceive to be challenges or negatives in life is just change wearing a different cloak and it ends up not being worth our energy to resist or maintain our foothold in our current position.


Try taking a look at a situation from another’s perspective; it makes the opportunity to be flexible a little easier. Never underestimate the power of creative negotiations, there can be 2 winners you know! I think it would be fair to say that we all have our breaking points as human beings but I know I would like to extend mine by trying to be more flexible and open to compromise.


Change is the only guarantee in life (with the exception of death and taxes of course) so why be so resistant to it when it knocks on your door? Be open and your life transitions will seem a lot easier. We all have tough exteriors to be able to withstand what the world throws at us and to be able to live in a world that can be harsh at times, BUT to actually be successful in it we must find the flexibility that lies just behind those walls.

Style Maven Series: Loren Ridinger

My first Style Maven of the new year is Mother, Wife, Entrepreneur, Creative Director and Internet Icon who is changing the face of both the beauty and shopping industries. She is the SVP of Market America  with a distribution/sales force of approx 180,000 and a customer base of 3 million. She also has a fashion/style and beauty blog My FashionCents

Loren with Husband and founder of Market America JR Ridinger

Loren is the Creative Director for the cosmetics line, Motives by Loren Ridinger as well as the skin care line Cellular Laboratories by Loren Ridinger.

She also gives women a gift of luxury with her striking jewellery collection, Lorens Jewels. Items range from $750-$100,000 and has a large celebrity clientele. She has even partnered with her friend Kim Kardashian to create a collection of earrings called “Kim’s Kollection” 

She makes women look good via her brands but she makes them feel good and inspires them via her web site Loren’s World. She empowers women through positive affirmations and sharing her wisdom and information. Her motto: “You become what you think about all the time” . I truly believe in the power of positive thinking and perpetuating what you conceive and believe in your mind and heart.

I enjoy seeing her tweets with her positive affirmations and her "there is room for everybody" attitude.  It is truly inspiring for aspiring entrepreneurs (such as myself) to hear such encouragement from someone who has built her brands, continues to create and is living the life. She inspires me because she practices what she preaches in the public eye.

When she is not inspiring women and making us all feel and look beautiful she is helping others via her philanthropy work. Loren is the co-chair for Rally for Kids for Cancer Foundation  - Eva Longoria is her co-chair and friend. She also lends her kind heart, time and resources to many other causes and charity events.

The underlying thread to all her businesses is STYLE. I had the opportunity to ask her my Style Maven Questions:

LISA: Can you describe your personal Style aesthetic AND attitude about fashion?

LOREN: My personal style is modern, European inspired, I like to mix edgy rock n roll inspired pieces and mixed them with classic and vintage accessories. I will normally wear Balmain jackets and tops, mixed with Hudson jeans, Alexander MC queen booties mixed with a vintage Judith Lieber bag, Hermes bag and top it off with Loren Jewels. My attitude towards fashion is if it looks good wear it. Impulse buys are great but make sure you look good in them. I think it’s important to look good and feel comfortable then to wear something that does not drape your body well just because it’s a trend. I suggest to try to buy yourself a few classic pieces that with last forever. You will never go wrong with a chanel suit, a pair of Christian Luboutin pumps, Hermes bag, diamond studs, a pair of bootleg jeans this items will last your forever and will never go out of style.

LISA: What are the key components / pieces in your closet?

LOREN: Chanel suit, Balmain jacket, Hermes bag, Judith Lieber bag, Yves Saint Laurent sandals, Hudson Jeans, white & black tank top, Juicy Couture sweatsuits and the Jennifer ball bracelet from Loren Jewels.

LISA: How do you feel about Vintage Clothing and Accessories?

LOREN: I see vintage clothing and accessories as a work of art something that you can collect and wear forever. There is always history and a story behind a vintage piece, wether it is carried over from generation, a dress worn by an oscar winner, a designer dress that can no longer be found all these pieces tell a story and that’s what makes them so special.

LISA: What are your favorite Vintage pieces (Clothing and/or Accessories)? Do you only wear designer vintage?

LOREN: I am huge fan of Judith Lieber vintage bags I own over 20 of them, I also collect vintage jewelry it all started when my mother gave meone of my grandmother’s rings, I also collect several chanel vintage jackets and Louis Vuitton vintage bags. I don’t only wear vintage but I like to mix and match.

LISA: What are you wearing this winter? Tell our readers the key elements for

your Winter 2011 wardrobe

LOREN: This Winter a must have is a fur vest, leather leggings, fur Jackets and

uggs.

A Sample of Loren's Style:

I thank you Loren for all of the inspiration and for setting such an amazing example for entrepreneurs and creative women in general. You are a real MOGUL & a MAVEN xo

Loren loves a great bag! My Evolution Vintage pick for her.

Vintage Whiting & David gold metal mesh clutch