International Women's Day

We are ALL Wonder Women, yes ALL of us without exception. Women around the globe on a daily basis are achieving great things, loving and caring for children, are amazing friends, daughters, partners, educators, musicians, artists and contributors to the workforce. I feel like many of you sell yourself short based on the mirror society holds up and you shouldn't. 

International women's day is a great time to celebrate women and their achievements, big and small but it is also a day to question.  Why don't we celebrate women all year long? Why don't women receive equal pay for equal work? why don't women have access to proper health care? Why are women in the world denied basic human rights that are bestowed upon their male counterparts? Finally, what can We do as a community to bring forth change?

An Iranian woman shows Persian writing on her hands reading women should same rights as men. Photograph: Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA

I have spent most of the day reflecting on these issues as I read the endless stream of articles and posts on social media. I feel that as a community we can continue to make an impact and move forward towards true gender equality and the dissolution of gender lines.  For example, Voting, joining a community organization, even simple acts of kindness and support to other women, one at a time we can make a difference, like a ripple effect.

Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects. - Dalai Lama.

It is my hope and ultimate goal to empower and inspire women through fashion and personal style. I choose to stand with all women as an ally and never a competitor. I want to celebrate every woman's achievements as I truly respect any woman with pure intention who is putting forth effort in this life.

I often wonder what the world will be like for my daughter. The best we can do as mothers, teachers, and role models is to raise our girls to be proud individuals who think for themselves, question the status quo and not accept anything that does not feel right or serve her.

We can equip our girls to know that SHE is enough.

Thank you for being part of this gorgeous female tapestry. For inspiring me each day with your wisdom, bravery, heart and guts.

I cannot easily compile a list of women that I admire as it is ALL OF YOU. Know that we are ALL wonder women, together on this and ALL days!

Quote Me: Celebrating Women

International Women's Day is here again and it always makes me take pause and reflect on the amazing women who I admire, who came before me, who walk beside me and those who are raising the next generation of women. I wanted to share a few quotes (because I'm obsessed with quotations) about women that I was drawn too. We can be many things; bold, strong, fragile, emotional, glamorous, solid, vulnerable, intelligent, helpful, beautiful, scary, capable and MUCH MORE. We are the keeper of the keys, the givers of life and the most inspirational people I know.

The Sisters - Claudia Tremblay

What I also know is that women are WAY TOO HARD ON THEMSELVES. Give yourself a break and take some time today to reflect on where we have been as women, where we are and where we are going! 

“With the spread of conformity and image-driven superficiality, the allure of an individuated woman in full possession of herself and her powers will prove irresistible. We were born for plenitude and inner fulfillment.” ― Elizabeth Prioleau, Seductress - Women Who Ravished the World and Their Lost Art of Love

“I believe in strong women. I believe in the woman who is able to stand up for herself. I believe in the woman who doesn't need to hide behind her husband's back. I believe that if you have problems, as a woman you deal with them, you don't play victim, you don't make yourself look pitiful, you don't point fingers. You stand and you deal. You face the world with a head held high and you carry the universe in your heart.” ― C. JoyBell C.

"Everyone has inside of her a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!" – Anne Frank.

"There are two ways of spreading light. To be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it." – EdithWharton

"Do you want to meet the love of your life? Look in the mirror." – Byron Katie.

                                                                      "The Ages Of Women" Gustav Klimt, 1905

"I am willing to put myself through anything, temporary pain or discomfort means nothing to me as long as I can see that the experience will take me to a new level. I am interested in the unknown, and the only path to the unknown is through breaking barriers, an often painful process." - Diana Nyad

"Women are never stronger than when they arm themselves with their weaknesses." – Madame Marie du Deffand.

"The truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off." – Gloria Steinem.

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained."— Marie Curie, chemist and physicist

"If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we are not really living. Growth demands a temporary surrender of security." — Gail Sheehy, American journalist

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."— Oprah Winfrey

What are your FAV quotes? 

Celebrate yourself and all the fabulous women who surround you today and Always!

Further Reading:

International Women's Day Blog 2012

International Women's Day 2011

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

WOMEN: Who Inspires You?

In honor of International Women's Day I was thinking about women and how we all serve to inspire one another. Today I honor Women: the survivors, the contributors, the trail blazers and risk takers, entrepreneurs, mothers, creative thinkers and the bold women who never take NO for an answer! I hope today serves as a motivation to many to make their mark in the world, by creating something, helping someone, or just making a contribution of some kind to society or even your own home! XO Make it happen sisters: The time is NOW.

I wanted to take a moment and honor a few women who have inspired me personally, to various degrees and for various reasons.

Mexican Painter FRIDA KAHLO ~ Frida lived her life on her own terms and through her physical suffering and personal torment she was able to produce some of the most intriguing art of our time. She was a passionate woman who's perseverance has been very inspirational to me.

Singer/Songwriter - Entrepreneur: ANI DIFRANCO ~ Ani started with a guitar and a dream. After being cast aside by al the "powerful" mainstream record labels she started her own (Righteous Babe Records: http://www.righteousbabe.com/ )
After becoming a success on her own she gave the large record labels the middle finger (because of course they came knocking when they saw her profitability and talent). She has recorded 26 albums and released 12 official bootleg Cd's of her LIVE shows. I read somewhere she performs over 180 live shows a year. She is a mother and has fostered unique artists under her record label who often join her on her tours. I appreciate Ani's honesty in her lyrics and her eccentric approach to making music.

The Mother of all Model turned Moguls; Entrepreneur, ~ Kimora Lee Simmons Hounsou
Kimora overcame her humble beginnings and racial ridicule to become one of the most recognized faces in the Fashion business. She was a trail blazer in women's Hip-Hop fashion and build the Baby Phat brand starting with a single t-shirt in a Phat Farm fashion show of her then husband Russell Simmons. She then built an empire of fashion, fragrance, books, accessories and now has started her evolution into skin care and re-invention of the KLS brand (http://kls.com/). She has accomplished this while being a mother of three and wife. What I love the most about Kimora is her no-BS approach to business and life, her message and sincere belief in female empowerment and unity. She dontates her time and resources to several causes that help a great deal of women and children like "Make a Wish Foundation" (www.wish.org) and "Dress for Success" program for women (www.dressforsuccess.org),

Singer/Songwriter ~ P!NK (Alecia Moore) She overcame her past to create an amazing musical future. She is a no-nonsense, straight talking, real deal woman. A breath of fresh air in the homogenized, generic, plastic institution we call the music industry. I love her honesty via her lyrics and her compassion when it comes to the love of animals, being vegetarian and her work with PETA.

Artist/Activist ~ Yoko Ono
Her unwavering quest for PEACE and UNITY in this world and carrying on the dreams that she and John started in the late 1960's is nothing short of amazing XO

Animal Activist ~ INGRID NEWKIRK Her tireless work on behalf of the millions of voiceless animals is astonishing. Although their methods are controversial PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, she gets the job done!


Comedian, Animal Activist, Talk Show Host - Ellen DeGeneres. Ellen inspires me for living her life on her own terms. She is forever seeing the positive side of life as I'm sure she could laugh her way through anything. She is funny, witty and kind. The way she uses her influence and resources to help others always brings me to tears when I see her generosity through her show. She uses her show as a platform to address important issues (EX: animal rights, non-violence) and gives people a chance by having them on her show. She really knows how important it is to give people a chance at a break or a new start. She is a lover of animals and is vegan; her compassion is infectious.

Fashion Designer ~ Gabrielle Co Co Chanel She was a pioneer in womens fashions with designs and visions WAY ahead of her time. She forged her own path in the industry starting with a line of hats. she has paved the way for many creative female designers and created a fashion signature (The Chanel Suit) that is still relevant and CHIC today!

Media Mogul ~ OPRAH WINFREY ~ Although at times I don't share the same views as Oprah is there is no denying the level of success she has attained out of utter poverty. She left a traumatic childhood behind to become one of world most successful women. She has helped hundreds of thousands of people along the way through her philanthropy, her Angels network and though various other avenues. Her story and success reinforces my belief that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.



There are SO MANY others that inspire me I could never possibly contain them all in this blog. MOTHER'S around the world no matter what their circumstances are a huge inspiration. It is most difficult and rewarding experience and/or role. My vintage hat off to anyone with children, children with special needs, step-children or adoptive children. In the wise words of Oprah; "Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother". It is love, hard work, selflessness, dedication and perseverance that does. Many women this minute are battling illnesses and disease, losing job's, reinventing themselves, being abused by a loved one, trying to feed their children, enjoying success, getting educated, serving others and making a difference. I am inspired by all of these women all around the world. The women who lead by example and actions, who try to stay positive and forge onward in the face of adversity and negativity, who view NO as a motivational word instead of a detrimental one. It is a great day for reflection on what women have endured and accomplished, how far we have come and how far we still can go.

Be PROUD today of all you have endured and accomplished. You HAVE grown from where you were to where you are and there is still time and room to do so!

Today we also celebrate each other’s achievements, strengths & passions! We should stand together united and assist each other in making our dreams a reality ... We've come a long way baby! but there are still many suppressed and impoverished women around the world! XO EMPOWER & INSPIRE each other this and every day XO

WHO INSPIRES YOU? AND WHY? PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT!