Why Don't You ...

Fashion fans will fondly remember the glorious Diana Vreeland and if you don't let me introduce you to her. She was the editor of Harper's Bazaar (1936-1962)  for 26 years and after looking at the Kim and Kanye cover this month words cannot express how much I miss her! She also worked for VOGUE and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I can't wait to explore the colorful career of Mrs. Vreeland in a future post. 

Not only was she at the helm of the most creative and cutting edge fashion publication at the time but she also wrote a monthly column called "Why Don't You" ... Giving readers fabulous and creative suggestions to enhance and brighten their every day life,  such as these as seen in  the March 1958 / February 1959 issue.

- Paint a map of the world on all four walls of your boys' nursery so they won't grow up with a provincial point of view?

- Cover a big cork bulletin board in bright pink felt banded with bamboo, and pin with colored thumb-tacks all your various enthusiasms as your life varies from week to week?

- Have every room done up in every color green? This will take months, years, to collect, but it be delightful—a melange of plants, green glass, green porcelains, and furniture covered in sad greens, gay greens, clear, faded and poison greens?

- Have two pairs of day shoes exactly alike, except that one pair has thin rubber soles for damp days? Any cobbler can put these on.

- Find one dress that you like and have it copied many times? You will be much more successful than if you try to produce the same effects each evening.

- Have an elk-hide trunk for the back of your car? Hermes of Paris will make this.

- Put all your dogs in bright yellow collars and leads like all the dogs in Paris?

- Order Schiaparelli's cellophane belt with your name and telephone number on it?

- Tie black tulle bows on your wrists?

- Have your bed made in China—the most beautiful bed imaginable, the head board and spread of yellow satin embroidered in butterflies, alighting and flying, in every size and in exquisite colors?

- Rinse your blond child's hair in dead champagne to keep it gold, as they do in France?

As a form of self love and following an over haul of my boudoir I took a page out of Mrs. Vreeland's play book and posed the question to myself, Why don't you ... have fresh white flowers in your room on a weekly basis? 

So I did just that. Each week since the end of May I have had a different white flower in my room.... just BECAUSE and why not? For a tiny weekly investment (that likely equates to a cup or two of Starbucks coffee) you can treat yourself and all your senses with fresh flowers in your room or home. It doesn't have to be flowers it could be any little thing you can do for yourself to practice self love / self care. A little gesture like this can go a long way.

So the only question remains; Why don't you?

Self Care: An Essential Service

I think the term Self Care should become a part of every humans vocabulary. People often confuse the term "Selfish" with "Self Care". I proudly carve out time for myself with none of "mommy guilt" or worries about being perceived as selfish. To me what is selfish is a person who runs themselves ragged and is a sub par parent, partner or friend. Someone who is so focused on what other's think that they spend all their time trying to live up to someone else's thoughts or the delusion that you have imagined in your head of what people are thinking. I know so many mother's who work so hard but find it difficult to take time to care for themselves and it sadly shows. 

It is my personal belief that if you do not care for yourself all other area's of your life suffer. There are several ways to care for yourself. Take a bath, go for a walk, do yoga, read, spend time with friends, take a nap, exercise, get a hobby, and more. 

When I can, I go to my favorite local spa for a treatment or two. In the beach side town of Cayucos, California is Illuminate Spa Owned and Operated by a gorgeous soul named Naomi. We have had the pleasure of working together for my eBoutique Evolution Vintage but I have also enjoyed several treatments at her lovely day spa. 

Naomi along with her friendly and professional staff have serviced both my husband and I. May I suggest the massage, facial AND the hot steam tent with dry brushing and mud application. Enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne, lavender or lemon water. Truly heaven. These treatment are affordable to all, it's just about prioritizing.  

Naomi Wilkinson -Creator, Lead Massage Therapist And Esthetician shared the following information about her spa and her personal mission.

Our wish is to help you experience radiant health, energy and beauty from the inside - out.  May this be a place for you to feel peaceful, uplifted and inspired to live your best life.  We provide organic beauty, indulgent spa treatments, therapeutic bodywork and a boutique created to illuminate you. Our staff is trained monthly with hands on technique, education and tips to perfect our signature illuminating spa experience. Come and enjoy the art of skin and body care.

We proudly offer; Eminence Organic Skin Care, Airbrush Tanning, Organic Waxing, Full Body Detoxifying Steam Sessions, Massage, Skin Care, Body Treatments, Make Up Services and Lash Extensions.

We invite you to discover the benefits of self love... A soothing massage, indulge in a facial, a customized airbrush tan, or try an incredibly relaxing steam session - it’s so much more than a temporary escape. It is an opportunity to exhale deeply, to relax completely and to nurture a healthier lifestyle.  We are happy to host bridal parties, groups, couples massage or events.  Looking forward to meeting you soon!

Beauty is the illumination of your soul. 

MEET NAOMI

Naomi Wilkinson is locally and internationally trained.  She is a California certified massage therapist and skin care specialist.  With over 1000 hours of massage training and over 14 years of experience working all over the central coast.  As well as an esthetic license with advanced skin care technique training and some Yoga training.  Specializing in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Shiatsu, Thai, Lomi Lomi, Ayurvedic treatments, Reflexology, Esalen, Prenatal & Spa treatments.  

Each session is a unique blend of east and west that is intuitive and sculpts the body with love.  She hopes to enhance the health and well being of each of her clients and that you will leave illuminated.  Her treatments are magical and therapeutic, you will leave in a blissful bubble of light. 

Naomi offers massage, spa treatments, facials, waxing, lash extensions and custom airbrush tans.

Naomi, is our lead skin and body therapist and personally works with each one of our staff to create an illuminating experience from start to finish. We hold monthly skin and body training to perfect each one of our relaxing and indulgent treatments. All of of wonderful massage therapist's and estheticians have there own style blended with a signature "Illuminate Spa" feel.  We welcome you to try each of our talented staff to find the perfect fit for you!  

Don't take my word for it, take some time for yourself and book a treatment now.

Get an Eminence Pumpkin Peel FREE in October!

Book a 60 or 90 minute Facial in the month of October, mention this deal, and receive a FREE Eminence Pumpkin Peel* Accelerate the exfoliation process with this enzyme peel that removes dead skin cells, reduces the appearance of pigmentation, fine lines and sun damage. This delicious purée of yam and pumpkin leaves skin looking firm, plump and radiant. 

*A $20 value

Brighter Days Ahead

Alice in Wonderland: Rear View. As seen by me 12/3/14

Central Park. New York, NY

Greetings my dear reader and digital strangers.  My blog has been dark for a while due to an overwhelming schedule with my children, travel, and a fashion adventure or two.

With only 3 days left in 2014 I. AM. BACK. I somehow got caught up in a life vortex and fell down the proverbial rabbit hole that left little time for sleep let alone one of my personal passions, writing.

Alice in Wonderland & me 12/3/14

Central Park. New York, NY

I am looking forward to brighter days ahead where I prioritize more things in my life that I take pleasure from, writing being at the top of the list. This is not to say that my family obligations, the holidays and travel have been dark or anything short of AMAZING. They have all been life changing, glorious and then some but I just feel the serious need to illuminate my own personal space with the things that I enjoy doing for myself. I constantly preach to anyone who will listen about the importance of self love and self care, two seemingly unattainable items in the life of a busy woman but I am here to tell you that they can be attained if you are organized, sadly something that I am currently working on and have yet to master. I have periodic moments when self-care is the program but as anyone with little children can attest they are the priority and 'my' time is few and far between.  When I get it I am usually to exhausted to maximize it's potential. I come third sometimes but with  two bio, two step children and a husband who I adore I am usually sixth or so. I gladly take this place in line and enjoy caring for everyone but it is time that I carve out pieces of my day that are totally devoted to MOI. My husband is a great support and help but I periodically loose myself in the service of others and feel that it's time to come up for air, compose myself and attempt to get organized. We can do it ALL, right? A looming new year always motivates me and shines a light on my habitually unorganized ways.

I am preparing a New Year's Eve activity for my family in the hopes of staying focused this year.  I am not a linear thinker and a total child of chaos theory. This visualization technique I hope will help me as I cannot follow lists, or carry out tasks for myself  in any order at all. As I type this I can picture the synchronized eye roll about goal setting for 2015. Like the diet I will be on until January 4th and then go back to carbs and copious amounts of champagne.

This is something different.

I'm creating a 2015 GOAL JAR. All of my goals will be written on colorful note papers and placed in the jar. The beauty of it is no expectations for a 'completion date', order or timeline so long as the jar is empty by years end. Once a goal is complete it can be removed from the jar, tossed, pressed in a book or pinned to a 'dream board'. There will be a master list of course but having this jar 'staring' at me with it's brightly colored goal's will serve as the ultimate reminder of the promises I am making to myself. At year's end I will be able to see my progress or the lack thereof.

Wish me luck. Brighter days ahead for us all ...

LaBlast into 2012

January is all about resolutions, goals and dreams for the year ahead. It is a month full of promise when you are completely motivated to make all the changes to yourself and your life.

One of my goals this year is to put myself "back on the list" and take more time for self care so I can be a better person for my family, friends and clients. One of my self care items is FITNESS! I am SO EXCITED to try the new DVD Dance Fitness series from pro dancer, fitness instructor, equality activist and friend LOUIS VAN AMSTEL available JANUARY 17th called LaBlast!

According to their website LaBlast can be defined like this: "LaBlast is an innovative partner-free dance fitness program created by world renowned dancer, choreographer and fitness expert Louis Van Amstel. The program is designed to be an affordable alternative to private dance and/or workout lessons. Classes are a one-hour cardio dance fitness workout using elements from several types of dance forms, including:

Cha Cha Cha

Disco

Jive

Lindy Hop

Merengue

Paso Doble

Quick Step

Salsa

Samba

LaBlast uniquely incorporates fitness routines and movements into dance training (sometimes with light weights for additional muscle tone and definition). Music is a key component to the classes, using a wide variety of genres ranging from pop, rock, hip hop, country and disco that creates a fun, energetic club-like atmosphere to workout in. The result is a high-energy experience that makes you want to dance!"

You know and love Louis from the ABC hit show Dancing with the Stars where he literally has transformed the lives of non-dancing celebrities into real dancers, while building their confidence, pushing them out of their comfort zones and having a BLAST!

Louis teaches LaBlast classes LIVE in LA and all over the country at gyms and retreats. Now in the comfort of your own home you can let Louis LaBlast you into a NEW YOU and a Dancer! I am excited to LaBlast my post partum pounds away with Louis. I love that Louis is helping people build self esteem, make healthier choices and HAVE FUN all at the same time! The program is offered in five levels- from Beginner through Advanced. Regardless of fitness level, dance knowledge, size or skill you will be able to benefit from LaBlast.

Check out Louis New Years message and a sneak peek at the DVD's

BUY LaBlast DVD Set HERE

Follow Louis on Twitter & Facebook

I'm ready to let Louis LaBlast my ass in 2012! You with me ladies??

Louis & I at a charity lunch - Summer 2011

Who Do You LOVE?

Upon the release today of Kimora Lee Simmons 6th fragrance: LOVE ME it brings up the very important topic of self love. Self love being the foundation for everything in your life; your self esteem, your other relationships and how you conduct yourself in the world. In my experience I feel as women we have issues with taking time for self care and self love. We have big "to do lists" for our daily lives; work, caring for our children (biological, step and/or adopted), taking care of our homes, extended family members, school; whatever our life circumstances may be. What we often forget is to put ourselves on that list. Sometimes we confuse self love with selfishness. I think it is a bi-product of how society has compartmentalized women and our vast roles. In my view taking time for self love and care is essential to our development and growth as human beings. We could not possibly perform at optimal levels in all other facets of our lives if our foundation, self love is not a strong one. I subscribe to and identify with much of what Kimora represents with respect to the empowerment of women. The notion of self acceptance and the concept behind this fragrance of self love. On the packaging for the scent she has a message:

"LOVE ME for the essence of who I am...

Admire Me for my strength and spirit.

Cherish me for my passion and drive.

Respect me for my aspirations that DARE ME to dream.

What's most important is that you LOVE ME... for me."

"Love yourself" ~ Kimora Lee Simmons

The scent itself is comprised of the following components (notes): An oriental musk fragrance including apricot blossom, tangerine, passion fruit, frangipani blossom, jasmine petals and tiger orchid, along with vanilla blossom and sandalwood.

I personally had an opportunity to be a tiny part of this fragrance planning process via a meeting with fellow "fabs" and the perfumista herself for an episode of "Kimora Life in the Fab Lane" (Season 4, Episode 2 :The Bling Sale is available for download on iTunes).

Cleverly we were asked to describe (in 200 words or less) How Fragrance enhances your Fabulosity. Here was my reply: "A fragrance enhances my Fabulosity by giving me an instant spritz of confidence. It is about making an impression without words. I can exude my fabulousness without a single phrase as the scent I choose is a reflection of my mood, feelings and personality. Fragrance does to the nose what fashion does to the eyes; Intrigues, inspires and reflects your inner goddess. It is a splash of sass and class before I step into the world. My scent is a part of my Fabulosity that I can leave behind. As I breeze through my life my scent is what I will relinquish along with a lasting impression. It will serve to inspire men and women that I come into contact with, each in a different way. It is an inspirational message for one’s olfactory senses. A mist of my fragrance creates a memory for those around me as smell evokes memory in a way that no other sense can. My scent is my first and most important accessory of the day!"

CHEERS KIMORA for spreading your message of self love and acceptance though every avenue ~ twitter @OfficialKimora, http://kls.com/, your book and now through your scent!

Ladies show yourself some love and pick up LOVE ME: for $17 for 15Ml ($28 for larger size) how could you not? Raise the glass to your self; for being who you are ~ FABULOUS and WORTH IT!