tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20402317381011885832024-03-13T13:10:24.762-07:00Curva-Lishcurating life with style...Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.comBlogger352125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-12694360204623868472022-05-23T10:39:00.004-07:002022-05-23T10:39:42.602-07:00Living a Life of Proactive EvolutionOne of the hardest things to articulate to another human being is the depth in which evolution occurs in a person.
I really believe the reason this is so difficult to articulate is because we are so pre-wired to communicate in a way that impresses the person we are talking to...<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>You see, real life evolution is deeply personal.</b></span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>And what maybe a huge life shift to you may seem boring or mundane to the person hearing about it. </div><div><br /></div><div>So that really got me to thinking: do we choose to evolve because of real personal life satisfaction or is our real motive how impressed we think the people who learn about or know about the evolution will respond?? </div><div><br /></div><div>There's a difference. </div><div><br /></div><div>And we must challenge ourselves to know the difference because that motivation in our intentions is critical. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have been repeatedly challenged with asking myself the motivation behind my personal aspirations to evolve because like everyone, there are so many triggers, information and dialogue we're exposed to that subconsciously steers our minds towards outcomes. </div><div><br /></div><div>There's nothing wrong with being inspired but if the inspiration to evolve comes based on envy or jealously (of another person's giftings, skills, access or any other perceived advantage) , the real outcome of an evolution will never be achieved. </div><div><br /></div><div>So in that way, we all have to be proactive in seeking our personal evolutions so that it's not inspired by defaults of other people's lives. And therein will give you the deeply important drive to continue when it gets tough because every evolution is tough. It requires something more deep in you than what you've ever been required to have to do, think and behave. It's mental focus can't be over emphasized. </div><div><br /></div><div>So then why would someone choose to evolve, proactively? </div><div><br /></div><div>Because the only other choice is to choose to stay the same, in the safe harbour of life while also feeling like you are not living a life on purpose, with purpose, by your own design. </div><div><br /></div><div>In other words, you will never know what it means to live a life of fulfillment. </div><div><br /></div><div>And that, is worth it all. </div><div><br /></div><div>Be proactive. </div><div><br /></div><div>Live your life. </div><div><br /></div><div>Evolve.</div></div>Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-27397762310962421522022-02-08T11:48:00.003-08:002022-02-08T11:51:22.712-08:00Is Black History Month Still Relevant in 2022?I was raised in the South (or, some people consider Texas Southwest) so my upbringing was filled with both some of the most inspiring and miraculous accomplishments of African Americans while also being always reminded of the cruelties and barbaric nature of our country's history from slavery to police brutality today. <div><br /></div><div> This duality has shaped my lifelong thoughts on how at any given point, no matter what you are experiencing in life, it can be both amazing AND be littered with hardships, some completely outside of your control.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIK_FudSUccGjzJVbeHd0fm3uyDWZp6GK6HIFBNVGQc1436Wx0PxP1HrSdGEEV1-2ow8hjvpTrizZeHTxvL3rGWxnTqQTwEqChxoef70fAAmvP0ahCyzjjbcKia48hoYEGSG4Y3Fd4Lj90Y_bZOgQ-GGgJt_XYJItBQ6pjpD9zWowMB4cYrgivRbbX=s640" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="black dancers in hopeful stance" border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="640" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIK_FudSUccGjzJVbeHd0fm3uyDWZp6GK6HIFBNVGQc1436Wx0PxP1HrSdGEEV1-2ow8hjvpTrizZeHTxvL3rGWxnTqQTwEqChxoef70fAAmvP0ahCyzjjbcKia48hoYEGSG4Y3Fd4Lj90Y_bZOgQ-GGgJt_XYJItBQ6pjpD9zWowMB4cYrgivRbbX=w320-h170" title="Alvin Ailey Dance Company" width="320" /></a></div>
So when I think of Black History through the lens of this viewpoint, I really think it's sad that our American History, which has been so richly shaped by innovations and contributions by African Americans despite such a horrible past, has to be carved out so that those contributions aren't white-washed or lost...or worse, ignored in the name of ensuring that only one race gets credit for the vastness of America's greatness.
</div><div><br /></div><div>And it has not only been just African Americans. </div><div><br /></div><div>The contributions and impact of immigrants in building some of America's greatest and most pioneering products, services and technology can't be ignored because without it's highlight, we'd have to erase the very inventions that have made our modern day American lives brilliant. </div><div><br /></div><div>And I don't proclaim to know or understand the divergence of Critical Race Theory because in my world of arts, culture, business and food, there is not the polarizing negativity of race, politics, and religion. Diversity is apart of invigorating discourse of these cultural communities. </div><div><br /></div><div>But what I do know is that to not envelop the contributions of all who have made our country the model of hope, we are only telling a segmented part of our history. And unfortunately, the only way to ensure that the full story is told, is to highlight segments along racial lines.
Thus, Black History seems to be as needed and prevalent today as it was when first added to America's bicentennial (1976), which, ironically, is close to my age. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjetbeNn4Qx5JHM9kipQKDY5quA0_jYJBQILxEbh8XmmymOjYGjXQPYnGMCxo2oXRvGem5U1eslDE6QjO3l2dYbQglgbaljqGMX_x8AeG3fPt5eYSyNqVFXBcVCjwxTO6kevxi7-qsJ_T2spkpTBrA5J8eCvKxdPWHAh8MpxJYQDfSe0lyGRaLSKL1a=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="640" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjetbeNn4Qx5JHM9kipQKDY5quA0_jYJBQILxEbh8XmmymOjYGjXQPYnGMCxo2oXRvGem5U1eslDE6QjO3l2dYbQglgbaljqGMX_x8AeG3fPt5eYSyNqVFXBcVCjwxTO6kevxi7-qsJ_T2spkpTBrA5J8eCvKxdPWHAh8MpxJYQDfSe0lyGRaLSKL1a=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>My question is: will there ever be a time when Black History Month will be considered an antiquated idea because, dare I say, full acknowledgment of the full history of America will not be buried, but will be given it's full, truthful spotlight and while parts maybe ugly, what will hopefully overshadow the dark will be the hopeful light of an America of (all) the people for as our Ancestors desired, "We, the People..."</div>Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0United States37.09024 -95.7128918.780006163821156 -130.869141 65.400473836178847 -60.556641tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-43807792923824354702021-09-16T09:03:00.000-07:002021-09-16T09:03:16.139-07:00Stay Open, Continually Discover<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdgyuEunOO8x8ZJXLPgMpx1N_us2i2s6KSeHIf3NHQVF7GAwmJGtf2WG4qHq2l3T7CcmWNFR6hDolY8X8NWQkPmvG-8y2dYlEwfbvvuqlh8oBLf7_di1tmQSCmxzQ_SOQdcXcQcWYYiw/s2048/IMG_0330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdgyuEunOO8x8ZJXLPgMpx1N_us2i2s6KSeHIf3NHQVF7GAwmJGtf2WG4qHq2l3T7CcmWNFR6hDolY8X8NWQkPmvG-8y2dYlEwfbvvuqlh8oBLf7_di1tmQSCmxzQ_SOQdcXcQcWYYiw/s320/IMG_0330.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>Life discoveries never end if you stay open. </span><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Life is fun like that if you let it be. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Last night I discovered that I actually do like raw oysters. </span></div><div><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I’ve covered many food events and every time I tasted an oyster it was huge, grilled and packed with a bunch of stuff on top. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Last night I tried a small oyster in its simplest element with nothing more than lemon juice and a teeny bit of horse radish. It was dynamic. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Stay open my friends.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Keep discovering.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It’s the quintessence of life.</span></div>Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-48563008351743667842021-09-07T13:38:00.005-07:002021-09-07T13:51:23.010-07:00 The Freedom of “Not My Problem”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJCSKm9nUbZedRR5RU9i2kFeXK4u8qdiltSOseQdsPzuJoGlVXLLksBlK6wubQN3VXkvUlvu7oUPJM3bdMqx8j8nR59_tjQyppoWjXq-A3i-ONjLyI4iUeqThBx5GsYO-PdQwFsDntVs/s1920/image0+%252836%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJCSKm9nUbZedRR5RU9i2kFeXK4u8qdiltSOseQdsPzuJoGlVXLLksBlK6wubQN3VXkvUlvu7oUPJM3bdMqx8j8nR59_tjQyppoWjXq-A3i-ONjLyI4iUeqThBx5GsYO-PdQwFsDntVs/s320/image0+%252836%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">Last year, while the world went through an unprecedented virus that killed so many globally, we were also dealing with waves of racism, sexism and overall uncertainty with the economy and jobs.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">Like most people I know, I felt the brunt of the weight of every issue directly effecting me. And like normal, I wanted to reach out to help as many as possible.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">But it became too much.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">So as I sat back to assess my own place and health, I realized that I have a historical problem of assuming other people’s problems. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">It wasn’t just during the pandemic. The pandemic caused me to have to face the truth: I was carrying too much. And in carrying too much, I was declining.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">We hear all the time the saying “put on your oxygen mask first” but it was so normalized to me to carry other people's burdens and neglect myself that it took a pandemic for me to say to myself <b>STOP</b>.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">So I came up with a saying <b><span style="color: #800180;">“Not my problem”</span></b>. Stephen Covey has referred to intentions like this as the 8th Habit.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /><span class="s2"></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"><u><b>The 8th Habit of Highly Effective People have two central themes:</b></u></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">#1 Your freedom to choose is the biggest gift you were born with. And in <i>choosing</i>, you have to build in space between the triggering event and the choice you make. It implies that your end choice ends up not based on dysfunction or an emotional reaction, but is based on a free choice to do what's best based on experience, variables, understanding, etc.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">#2 You empower others by giving up control and handing them responsibility. Over the years I upgraded the latter part to “…handing them their (own) responsibility.”</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">You see, anytime you have a dysfunction that is not helping you thrive, you have to build in space that reframes your old habit.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">Just asking myself constantly in all situations: “Is this my problem?” has resulted in an immense sense of self empowerment. Can’t really explain it further because it’s been so life shifting that to articulate it in words is difficult.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">And please don’t let your take-away be that we all need to be selfish in our life. That is NOT what I’m saying. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">Of course, helping/supporting is great. But keep it in perspective and balance. Because guess what, when I’m carrying too much, I am not fully showing up with my gifting for the creative work I do. Being overburdened and creative do not coincide. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;">Let me give you an example of how this came up for me again this morning: I saw a ticketing agent ticketing six cars at once while I waited for the train. I knew everyone in the adjoining restaurant was going to have a bad day when they all finished eating. My habitual response was to go inside the restaurant and let the patrons know they are all being ticketed. Buuut, I asked myself, “Is this my problem?” I replied “No”. So I didn’t do it. And guess what, the train was running early and if I had gone inside the restaurant, I would have missed my train and also missed my first meeting.</p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;">And guess who would have had a bad day that day? All from me assuming a problem that had nothing to do with me. I was already nervous about my meeting and so missing it would have added a problem that I didn’t even need to have.</p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;">Let me give you another example...last Fall, as the world was aching to come out of the pandemic, I went to an outdoor restaurant for the first time in months. Seated near me was a Dad and his two children that included a teenage son that was treating the waitstaff like they were not worthy of respect (saying it nicely). It was an awful sight to see.</p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;">The Dad caught me glancing their way a couple times. The Dad then loudly inquires of me "This generation is crazy right?!? Can you come tell my son how he should be acting in public to wait staff?" I flat out said "No. That's your problem, not mine." The Dad seemed absolutely shocked in regards to my response.</p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;">To me, there is no way I was going to let a man who didn't discipline his own kids get in the way of me enjoying a beautiful Sunday during my first restaurant outing in months. That was my time. I needed it. And I wasn't going to spend it disciplining someone else's kid. No thanks.</p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">In summary, you are put on this Earth to make impact with your gifting. Don’t be distracted and overburdened with other people’s problems and get side tracked.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">The world needs you fully. Truly.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2">And everyone's problems is not yours to bear. Decipher. Because it's not (all) your problem.</span></p>Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-3261278873711167612021-08-25T11:00:00.003-07:002021-09-05T16:12:06.487-07:00Does Clarity Precede Support (and Failure)?<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yNy9vaUPZWfVO9l25pQ8SBRdOl9iaSb8wgIzIss4MGI40-X00zddIkF3moqsHK6i7g5v08-E2QKWyvcjRE6PsepcumrLnG27_WaLxJz0xU-gcE9sTe_pe-YjFWWrOW5f0JwcZyiTPEI/s1920/Image-1+%25281%2529.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Woman Asking Questions" border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yNy9vaUPZWfVO9l25pQ8SBRdOl9iaSb8wgIzIss4MGI40-X00zddIkF3moqsHK6i7g5v08-E2QKWyvcjRE6PsepcumrLnG27_WaLxJz0xU-gcE9sTe_pe-YjFWWrOW5f0JwcZyiTPEI/w320-h240/Image-1+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I've had the most interesting morning. On one occasion I reached out someone about opportunities and based on my understanding of their passion projects was what lead me to reach out to them. <div><br /></div><div>In this case, I knew a lady three years ago who I remembered was extremely passionate about children's yoga. She is the only person I've ever met who does yoga focused on children to help them deal with anxiety, stay active and meditate.
When I saw a LinkedIn job post from <a href="https://www.calm.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Calm</a> about children's meditation, a groundbreaking new role, I immediately thought of her.
And ironically, her cell number was still in my phone. </div><div><br /></div><div>I call her up and she was ecstatic that I mentioned this new <a href="https://www.calm.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Calm</a> job opportunity I had seen. She's going to apply, creating a win-win for both her and an app that I have adored for years. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm writing this post because based on my understanding of the passion/work of the individual played a huge part in me remembering them and sending helpful information. </div><div><br /></div><div>This got me to thinking: what if I wasn't clear about her passions/projects/work? Would I have thought to contact her? </div><div><br /></div><div>The short answer: No. </div><div><br /></div><div>Let's sit back from this...have you ever gave some mental time to how well you are communicating to your network what you do, leads you want, connections you want to be made? </div><div><br /></div><div>Like, really.
Think about it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Are you being clear, consistent and specific?
If you can't answer that with an easy Yes, then perhaps, just perhaps, the reason why you aren't getting leads, gaining traction, have a full pipeline, meeting your goals, evolving, etc is because of YOU. </div><div><br /></div><div>YOU.
</div>Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-6445554741954133332020-10-28T11:58:00.001-07:002020-10-28T11:58:12.726-07:00Recipe: Figalicious Roasted Brussels Sprouts<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryn37lpGuzbVh9OxAq6D7xgsdWWmS29NxKv9SdN-kO3jcOzuXCCD6CFHOpzO8RTjipCvT5uqGtLcRbjQJl06ncPBe19051MN3eL8vAzpTLjaFSBsYMhCB_VLxUKBxgWBwB6U9Qfz4Hzc/s1800/IMG_5313.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryn37lpGuzbVh9OxAq6D7xgsdWWmS29NxKv9SdN-kO3jcOzuXCCD6CFHOpzO8RTjipCvT5uqGtLcRbjQJl06ncPBe19051MN3eL8vAzpTLjaFSBsYMhCB_VLxUKBxgWBwB6U9Qfz4Hzc/s320/IMG_5313.PNG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texas Olive Ranch's "Figalicious"<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />In the middle of the pandemic, as more small businesses were closing, I thought about how I could help.</p><p>One of my ideas was to have an <a href="www.curatedxcurvalish.com" target="_blank">e-store</a> filled with curated products mostly from small businesses.</p><p>One of my favorite brands that I offer in my e-store to much success has been the fine balsamic vinegars offered by Texas Olive Ranch.</p><p>And of the 3-pack I offered at <a href="www.curatedxcurvalish.com" target="_blank">#CuratedxCurvalish</a>, filled with my favorite flavor Fig(alicious), Pecan and Jalapeño Lime.</p><p>For my favorite Fig(alicious) I created this printable for you to print out to uplevel your roasted brussels sprouts and make the most amazing side dish for the holidays.</p><p>Enjoy!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiNn9mKM-7fcTFHqikZpmT-1x7uEEjlUVmFupYIQMpRmPvQQ5FLq7lfwBTJkrH7FCNCCsJHomrUuBV4mud2Q-5Zp7KHPi7yISc0bo0T6NztBHwg6hNUID6CZ1-0WAJWuHga6PZiwUrQU/s1920/IMG_5527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiNn9mKM-7fcTFHqikZpmT-1x7uEEjlUVmFupYIQMpRmPvQQ5FLq7lfwBTJkrH7FCNCCsJHomrUuBV4mud2Q-5Zp7KHPi7yISc0bo0T6NztBHwg6hNUID6CZ1-0WAJWuHga6PZiwUrQU/w360-h640/IMG_5527.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-68949571148379538212020-10-25T17:51:00.002-07:002020-10-25T17:51:44.187-07:00Safety Now Comes in Your True Colors<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5OT_HkajNnRHzGj7OYuZa4u4Pr9m3kmE7mmxsLvbB1trQCZOp0IuWvfucfRm5lIKkyBxQnk0u5Vt2M1PB9W7Cy4bD6cjiaQeC_7Aw3HBmLKQ1YnsbF4PKjM966-nTTHI8jIbbx3w6SY/s1080/FEA77F28-5B7D-44DB-AA13-D720480DB134.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5OT_HkajNnRHzGj7OYuZa4u4Pr9m3kmE7mmxsLvbB1trQCZOp0IuWvfucfRm5lIKkyBxQnk0u5Vt2M1PB9W7Cy4bD6cjiaQeC_7Aw3HBmLKQ1YnsbF4PKjM966-nTTHI8jIbbx3w6SY/s320/FEA77F28-5B7D-44DB-AA13-D720480DB134.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fxo.co/9w7c" target="_blank">Banana Republic True Hues Mask ($9)</a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>No matter where you turn, everyone is chalking up 2020 as the worst year ever. </p><p>While I can agree in some regards, to just write off the entire year would miss some of the real changes that have come about this year.</p><p>An example is acknowledging culture.</p><p>I remember just a few short years ago when there was massive dialogue in the lack of hued fashion options for people of color.</p><p>And now, in 2020, we can see how that dialogue impacted changes still in brands like <a href="https://fxo.co/9w7c" target="_blank">Banana Republic</a>.</p><p>As we are still wearing masks to navigate these scary COVID-19 times, <a href="https://fxo.co/9w7c" target="_blank">Banana Republic</a> has not forgotten about its original commitment to inclusivity in its fashion offerings.</p><p>Bravo!</p>Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-77100607307927091812020-10-23T14:08:00.000-07:002020-10-23T14:11:32.454-07:00Revisting Your Archives to Create The Modern Version of You<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbO7fFW2IC5osd9ggAiGZ1Esme2KrvBsDzd19rD3OJuLbrlHK7mDF0ONSEGouTL6iV_RDJcvuhodQKg3b__HvRXeI0G_Sqf4HGBZGGGtF2K4arJnzaPsMRpy9GiDEItKwuc1nKPwSf0g/s794/image0+%252825%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbO7fFW2IC5osd9ggAiGZ1Esme2KrvBsDzd19rD3OJuLbrlHK7mDF0ONSEGouTL6iV_RDJcvuhodQKg3b__HvRXeI0G_Sqf4HGBZGGGtF2K4arJnzaPsMRpy9GiDEItKwuc1nKPwSf0g/s320/image0+%252825%2529.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fxo.co/9zqL" target="_blank">Balmain's</a> Olivier Rousteing</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For Curva-Lish, since I cover a few lifestyle verticals to articulate what it means to live a cultured life of style, I bump into many inspiration points.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This week, my inspiration has been two brands that are moving boldly forward by giving acknowledgement to what once was apart of their foundation and creating in its modernized future version of itself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is important because post-COVID lockdown, I think everyone is trying to determine how best to move forward. Everything has changed. Even with a critical upcoming United States election less than two weeks away, most people know that there is no going back to what was their lives before the pandemic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So what are we to do?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let me give you a unique idea inspired by these two mega-fashion brands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvwyeXwIFTYeEcbF7KK_UnQhi5Nr1JXNYYAdpZ4L3_GNEFHC0MBhrWkQZOyjUanvxi0qNs2YU8sLBll6kjZGS3SohQZpsBna08JnzqtayKfvj1-dnnkBcT5cx1ACJ6ijkGme7L_8Avh0/s1136/image1+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvwyeXwIFTYeEcbF7KK_UnQhi5Nr1JXNYYAdpZ4L3_GNEFHC0MBhrWkQZOyjUanvxi0qNs2YU8sLBll6kjZGS3SohQZpsBna08JnzqtayKfvj1-dnnkBcT5cx1ACJ6ijkGme7L_8Avh0/s320/image1+%25281%2529.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>First let's consider what Balmain Creative Director Olivier Rousteing has brilliantly done for his latest runway showcase <a href="https://fxo.co/9zqL" target="_blank">Balmain</a> Spring 2021.<p></p><p>He went into the Balmain archives.</p><p>Not pre-pandemic archives. I'm talking 45 year old archives from the vision that Balmain's original founder created.</p><p>Here are a few images from that Balmain archive:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsQ8ZN9NKvD104BAnJKGxjEfdrUDVYuwqgQ7posxJ-cPxvP84jyYuclCcVOGnkhZ4t8higHdW1ynuhMXs-c0CVAk25s2t_EE1wGB6eZrLPPUflqEOvrFvsvYMxncqn2LoOmyt24AaSmc/s794/image0+%252827%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsQ8ZN9NKvD104BAnJKGxjEfdrUDVYuwqgQ7posxJ-cPxvP84jyYuclCcVOGnkhZ4t8higHdW1ynuhMXs-c0CVAk25s2t_EE1wGB6eZrLPPUflqEOvrFvsvYMxncqn2LoOmyt24AaSmc/s320/image0+%252827%2529.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKRLdePuHqhKzKYOF6GqZtDAyxuHLriLdRjXg2D-bOFz9QoDbUKjw15GKSBrtlR20ASkALkzijb4l7KEwd0hZAAAlWQsKA1TfzHjnALAKpT8gFc_7nGvQ0ZxRH34IQ4M1cVdt8V1RqX8/s791/image0+%252828%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKRLdePuHqhKzKYOF6GqZtDAyxuHLriLdRjXg2D-bOFz9QoDbUKjw15GKSBrtlR20ASkALkzijb4l7KEwd0hZAAAlWQsKA1TfzHjnALAKpT8gFc_7nGvQ0ZxRH34IQ4M1cVdt8V1RqX8/s320/image0+%252828%2529.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4oFIdqV71mCBSgZ8sYif719Kd6iWJJgV1UWUxqznn4CfBEdXkgYQnRSljQkfbeoaoAvshrGuDAVLIdv6HFpk8ZgohdEYYuLafrByg90OrNP4JdqgMcjRM36tf00t5bm41StedwJ6z4v0/s640/image1+%252819%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4oFIdqV71mCBSgZ8sYif719Kd6iWJJgV1UWUxqznn4CfBEdXkgYQnRSljQkfbeoaoAvshrGuDAVLIdv6HFpk8ZgohdEYYuLafrByg90OrNP4JdqgMcjRM36tf00t5bm41StedwJ6z4v0/s320/image1+%252819%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Using the <a href="https://fxo.co/9zqL" target="_blank">Balmain</a> checked logos from the archives, Rousteing re-imagined the checked logo in a way that makes it both modern and at the same time paying homage to it's design beginnings.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtQsX56XsndAF-VRlu2evUJZp6iks8dRnjs9EF8CckKVBG8zI1T_Om11Qfsjdf_jD_Sd3Giaf8aC0MGKwaB3hYNirOQAt3uzQJ_TqB1pHulitG9HT9_cA47jNQ7wndskPCELsTsg3Ink/s796/image1+%252818%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtQsX56XsndAF-VRlu2evUJZp6iks8dRnjs9EF8CckKVBG8zI1T_Om11Qfsjdf_jD_Sd3Giaf8aC0MGKwaB3hYNirOQAt3uzQJ_TqB1pHulitG9HT9_cA47jNQ7wndskPCELsTsg3Ink/s320/image1+%252818%2529.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9J2f4UhYNSY5FRa0OaTJ23odMC2r_FzRq9DMgJdg4YuZM3jeBL30kcHCk5dPUAM2IohjjTmPrZ5zubDudEq_KsP5XEAl1ptZykkNT7YzhrFC16h4hpo3R4k8fbMqUzjFXxR0O3uymwc/s791/image2+%252813%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9J2f4UhYNSY5FRa0OaTJ23odMC2r_FzRq9DMgJdg4YuZM3jeBL30kcHCk5dPUAM2IohjjTmPrZ5zubDudEq_KsP5XEAl1ptZykkNT7YzhrFC16h4hpo3R4k8fbMqUzjFXxR0O3uymwc/s320/image2+%252813%2529.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDWM_rIzNAhgA7x7nc2bZHnUUSmvPiAyMlq1XXvyzkPnhrQtUB-Qn5y_DGVrNon_-4F-1YSi8XFAG1jJVytaDJTKt_S5ojfzzBib-w-QPgVaNbsJrC8_Fv1MmhyDpm9CrV5waPe3DiQ8/s793/image2+%252814%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDWM_rIzNAhgA7x7nc2bZHnUUSmvPiAyMlq1XXvyzkPnhrQtUB-Qn5y_DGVrNon_-4F-1YSi8XFAG1jJVytaDJTKt_S5ojfzzBib-w-QPgVaNbsJrC8_Fv1MmhyDpm9CrV5waPe3DiQ8/s320/image2+%252814%2529.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnpH00mMDW_PX02-CiN-Aupl2pvDCVOgxHTK5yHA8tNg8fQP9sPfJZorneaDUEJ_XhLQrYCth5dhIZmlG85WrmlSIAootFO9svncNzQU2goWzxygpcqRFT2rHER1g9j6GrQ_QSwtll3U/s640/image2+%252815%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnpH00mMDW_PX02-CiN-Aupl2pvDCVOgxHTK5yHA8tNg8fQP9sPfJZorneaDUEJ_XhLQrYCth5dhIZmlG85WrmlSIAootFO9svncNzQU2goWzxygpcqRFT2rHER1g9j6GrQ_QSwtll3U/s320/image2+%252815%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><p>So before I tell you what this has to do with you and me, let me give you one more brand example for what it means to re-visit the archives.</p><p>Kim Kardashian's <a href="https://fxo.co/9zqD" target="_blank">SKIMS</a> brand announced this week that they would be recreating the infamous Juicy Couture two-piece velour track suits that was made popular by the reality star and her friendship with Paris Hilton.</p><p>The first image defined a whole generation of 2000s pop stars and fans and the second image is the new <a href="https://fxo.co/9zqD" target="_blank">SKIMS</a> marketing campaign image with the two stars revisiting their roles in shaping a generation, including paying homage to the style of that time.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAaremI3dRL_2g5H0EuDgdR9k4maXsB1eXtf559P_gNyvSNtkK7xallmJAFfITK1GkUKNWTRtsH7MpTYuSpS2oiQVldHBzw2INdMVDkktIvsuKvUNbhhicd8xHLv4i4e_vRCss5K-yQc/s793/IMG_5357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAaremI3dRL_2g5H0EuDgdR9k4maXsB1eXtf559P_gNyvSNtkK7xallmJAFfITK1GkUKNWTRtsH7MpTYuSpS2oiQVldHBzw2INdMVDkktIvsuKvUNbhhicd8xHLv4i4e_vRCss5K-yQc/s320/IMG_5357.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hilton and Kardashian in 2000s<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0SmPdhTMPBID53fBxjXSU9NX9o2IEiwbjR2brS3U-UMgeEiJ4hEQDl2J7eIcUf2n8Fl6gIeM_LP7bsPjXIoJckSAU-UgNqqE8ohF0uGYs_WJXgOQq6KrQtzWi13P6KD0_PalS6EWv5w/s791/IMG_5356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0SmPdhTMPBID53fBxjXSU9NX9o2IEiwbjR2brS3U-UMgeEiJ4hEQDl2J7eIcUf2n8Fl6gIeM_LP7bsPjXIoJckSAU-UgNqqE8ohF0uGYs_WJXgOQq6KrQtzWi13P6KD0_PalS6EWv5w/s320/IMG_5356.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hilton and Kardashian in <a href="https://fxo.co/9zqD" target="_blank">SKIMS</a> 2020<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Soooo, when I thought about what it means for me to move forward in this still existing pandemic environment with so many uncertainties, I told myself, </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-small;"><b>"I should re-visit my archives and look at it with fresh eyes of someone who is surviving in an environment of so much uncertainty."</b></span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>We ALL have archives. No, it might not be a 45-year old fashion archive like <a href="https://fxo.co/9zqL" target="_blank">Balmain</a> or a 20 year old archive like a reality star but don't compare. </div><div><br /></div><div>We ALL have archives that we can refer to.<br /><p>It may be some archive (such as a journal) you had in your 20s when you documented what you had hoped your dreams and goals would be in your 40s/50s/60s.</p><p>It may be an archive of some drawings you made when you had hoped to be a professional artist but now that you are an accountant that doesn't seem do-able. Go back to those archives anyway. You never know what creative spin-off that may inspire in you determining what your future looks like. </p><p>Your archive re-visit will be the "modernized, experienced, having lived a few years since the archive" person. Those fresh set of eyes on your archive has the potential to be your biggest life opportunity full of possibility.</p><p>You reading this blog post right now is a manifestation of me re-visiting my own archives.</p><p>RIGHT before the pandemic and shut downs, I had everything in place to launch a Curva-Lish digital magazine with the lead stories being my media coverage of SXSW and the Dallas Arts Fair. I had intensely prepped for two months.</p><p>In a one week time period in March 2020, both these projects got cancelled in what seemed like overnight. I was so devastated I haven't really written any media coverage since then other than a random blog post in May, 2020.</p><p>So when I re-visited my archives, I realized that using this blog platform is one of the key communication channels in which I share the vision and perspective of what cultured life and style means. </p><p>It's always how I've defined Curva-Lish.</p><p>But now, moving forward, it's going to be the "looking to the archives, modernized version". </p><p>Hope you do the same.</p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>** All Balmain images credit to Balmain Instagram and all <a href="https://fxo.co/9zqD" target="_blank">SKIMS</a> images credit to SKIMS Instagram</i></b></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p></div>Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-90580026412629845572020-05-20T14:54:00.001-07:002020-05-20T14:54:53.674-07:00Who is Winning the Pandemic's Digital Lifestyle Retail Race?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3jgmXhxoGTH31qWvUh6OP3PHO3R5PbtQQ_0bYKtSWq0_-C8n89_nV-TX-xr7S6uFHoTjpJ5Py4I_Vc15RuIIVXOwnZ0-m5EARvwcxah_gzlK4Es6heVU2Vz6m9yfW08JoKGoAeowL8A/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3jgmXhxoGTH31qWvUh6OP3PHO3R5PbtQQ_0bYKtSWq0_-C8n89_nV-TX-xr7S6uFHoTjpJ5Py4I_Vc15RuIIVXOwnZ0-m5EARvwcxah_gzlK4Es6heVU2Vz6m9yfW08JoKGoAeowL8A/s320/shopping-cart-1275480_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; cursor: text; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; cursor: text; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; cursor: text; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Pier 1 just announced it's permanent closing, another once preeminent brand that has lost it's luster in modern consumerism, I was curious which lifestyle retailers are winning in the digital landscape during our pandemic times (excluding the obvious Big 3: Amazon, Walmart, Target).</p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; cursor: text; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; cursor: text; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are the numbers I ran according to website metrics for April, 2020 (and the brand's month over month change):</p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; cursor: text; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* Trendyol (Turkey): 115.0M (increase 47.6%)</p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; cursor: text; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* <a href="https://fxo.co/93yI">Sephora</a> (USA): 44.0M (increase 41.92%)</p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; cursor: text; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* <a href="https://fxo.co/93yG">Gap</a> (USA): 48.84M (increase 23.13%)</p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; cursor: text; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* H&M (USA): 81.68M (increase 18.0%)</p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; cursor: text; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* <a href="https://fxo.co/93yJ">Nordstrom</a> (USA): 35.62M (increase 17.86%)</p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; cursor: text; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; cursor: text; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>What does this mean from a lifestyle brand perspective?</u></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; cursor: text; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* USA based companies are dominating global shopping</p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; cursor: text; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* Sephora (with it's over 41% website visit increase in one month smack dab in the middle of the pandemic) shows that even despite a world catastrophe, beauty will always be a powerful category with women</p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; cursor: text; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 27px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* Gap appearing in the top 5 is indicative of many consumers shopping with the mentality of "Essentials"</p>Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-5839739202151538192020-05-12T12:56:00.004-07:002020-05-12T13:16:49.817-07:00When Your Problem Maybe You<div data-block="true" data-editor="1j7vv" data-offset-key="bdu02-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bdu02-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="bdu02-1-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSt1hlRQKmCD3bh00ALgx0BWbSpbeX8t8Jd7J5d9nFFK1Th1ox7SpK1ZV8Oz-2SUxGK7k1NpxGvlHmfXQHrVyG61VfJAi4Z7ik3zXGTbqGoawzpIZk1ysLE0SD1Q7Sv5div64LyDywQU/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSt1hlRQKmCD3bh00ALgx0BWbSpbeX8t8Jd7J5d9nFFK1Th1ox7SpK1ZV8Oz-2SUxGK7k1NpxGvlHmfXQHrVyG61VfJAi4Z7ik3zXGTbqGoawzpIZk1ysLE0SD1Q7Sv5div64LyDywQU/s320/freedom-2053281_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: rgba(88, 144, 255, 0.15);"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bdu02-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="bdu02-1-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: rgba(88, 144, 255, 0.15);"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bdu02-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="bdu02-1-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: rgba(88, 144, 255, 0.15);">I</span><span style="background-color: white;"> just received a notification from a lady who has one of those "buy my $1,299 program and you'll succeed" brands that said she's leaving Facebook because it doesn't have the high vibration that she wants for herself and the group.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="1j7vv" data-offset-key="8fvp0-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8fvp0-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="8fvp0-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="1j7vv" data-offset-key="esnr5-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="esnr5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="esnr5-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I can respect that but guess what?? If you look at her posts, SHE'S the one posting negative, instigating, divisive content and shares!</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="1j7vv" data-offset-key="10d90-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="10d90-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="10d90-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="1j7vv" data-offset-key="dnrvb-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dnrvb-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="dnrvb-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">When you are a grown person, at what point do you stop blaming others, media, or some other scapegoat and truly ask yourself: maybe it's ME!</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="1j7vv" data-offset-key="fko5b-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fko5b-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="fko5b-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="1j7vv" data-offset-key="10cqt-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="10cqt-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="10cqt-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Like, for real!</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="1j7vv" data-offset-key="3364b-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3364b-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3364b-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="1j7vv" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">At what point do you make self-care and self-awareness balanced and asking yourself: If I keep getting the same results in my life, maybe there is some dysfunction in my life that I need to face.</span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Do you keep losing friends? Maybe it's you.</span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Do you keep losing opportunities? Maybe it's you.</span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Do you keep missing your goals, no matter how earnest your intentions? Maybe it's you.</span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Surrounded by negative people that is always gossiping about other people's lives? Maybe it's you.</span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">Going on 100 dates a year and still can't seem to find "the one"? Maybe it's you.</div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">Does other people's achievements deter you from focusing on your own lane? Maybe it's you.</div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">Instead of looking for some scapegoat to blame...seriously ask yourself: </div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">Maybe</div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">it's</div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">you.</div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div data-block="true" data-editor="1j7vv" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOP7XoundiLsHrJSeHPut1IGfb4Ft74usOWG3BYibsV6fMg-3Hz-SITyiQzPEjR1OlLdTqRju74yVW6392UTpIal-k7kFxBAGhoXB0-hYDbXeTwjU_OdJJoCi4jS6oLS-vbcVzLZFvPGg/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dr. Lauren Ives, Licensed Psychologist" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOP7XoundiLsHrJSeHPut1IGfb4Ft74usOWG3BYibsV6fMg-3Hz-SITyiQzPEjR1OlLdTqRju74yVW6392UTpIal-k7kFxBAGhoXB0-hYDbXeTwjU_OdJJoCi4jS6oLS-vbcVzLZFvPGg/w240-h320/Dr+Lauren.jpg" title="Dr. Lauren Ives, Licensed Psychologist" width="240" /></a></div></div></blockquote><div data-block="true" data-editor="1j7vv" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">I asked my friend Licensed Psychologist Dr. Lauren Ives to weigh in: "In today's society people are quick to point the finger at others when really they should be taking a long hard look in the mirror. So the next time you want to blame others for your shortcomings, just remember that positive energy attracts positive energy...don't be the source of negativity in your life!"</div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">That's it! <b>"...don't be the source of negativity in your life!"</b> YOU get to decide. Not Facebook. Not your co-workers. Not your high school teacher from 30 years ago. YOU get to decide if YOU are the source of your negativity or not.</div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">And the easiest way to know that is to determine whether you are taking ownership of it or blaming everyone and everything else around you...thanks Dr. Ives!</div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">If you need help with identifying what is your "Maybe it's you" issue, check out <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=B01UB9KhfyY&offerid=462217&type=3&subid=0">Talkspace</a> and with the current discount code you can try it! </div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=B01UB9KhfyY&offerid=462217&type=3&subid=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3U7n_KZrw-vTfOKogNA1M7RnRQua5zbzw6l08qaHvJzpoEfXLLyvPARyc8Vw6bcNl8_g1D0teTYKGcqmEEAhmVPbwiB4_Zrj7mkKT-T8zH3TX-6xdio4h8Q_FXRhdXJ4Yu5Qkw8PYEPI/" /></a></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">If you are already on your journey but need further support, I advise checking out the <a href="http://www.coachfederation.org/clients/hiring-tips/">Coaching Federation</a> and their tips for <a href="http://www.coachfederation.org/clients/hiring-tips/">hiring a Coach</a> that helps you continue to move forward without the baggage of past dysfunction. </div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">If you don't know the difference between needing a therapist versus needing a Coach, check out my comparison included in my popular <a href="https://curva-lish.blogspot.com/2012/10/fall-into-new-beginnings-i-like-my-part.html">new beginnings post</a> (scroll down).</div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2nfd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">And again, don't be afraid to admit that the reason you aren't moving forward in life in a particular area is because: Maybe it's you.</div></div>Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-90141270443613418822020-05-02T20:07:00.000-07:002020-05-02T20:07:22.268-07:00The Future of Urbane Herb Gardening<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdS0uIADlu2iNbQkyj3DuUPIgwr1qkD70_jsmCgEheKe1-iBRa-EnVzZbOHE3wbMdTtcy_iEurfYUoEC1JDRLKpAKcDREJ55i53F6czFaiS0tF9RNmu4AdPSVOCnkd6CKZ_ypG79YwG0/s1600/FarmShelf+Pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdS0uIADlu2iNbQkyj3DuUPIgwr1qkD70_jsmCgEheKe1-iBRa-EnVzZbOHE3wbMdTtcy_iEurfYUoEC1JDRLKpAKcDREJ55i53F6czFaiS0tF9RNmu4AdPSVOCnkd6CKZ_ypG79YwG0/s400/FarmShelf+Pic.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the things I missed the most about attending 2020 SXSW (due to cancellation by City of Austin)<span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span>was doing media coverage on the <span class="_5afx" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; direction: ltr; text-decoration-line: none; unicode-bidi: isolate;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl _5afz" style="color: #365899; unicode-bidi: isolate;">#</span><span class="_58cm">futureoffood</span> </span>and how we will be eating in 10 years and beyond.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, the focus of my lifestyle brand is clearly on an urbane way of living: I'm literally obsessed with the migration towards city centers. The International Organization for Migration in 2015 estimated that around 3 million people are moving to cities every week. Approximately 54% of people worldwide now live in cities, up from 30% in 1950.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This means that from a lifestyle perspective, there will be a continued need for companies who are creating solutions for how the majority of us will be living in the future. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Two brands have/are creating solutions for how the urbanite will be growing vegetables and herbs: Gardenuity and FarmShelf.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtjMRvSFKB3xv7rPJpRm9Pep1ac-g84Q3-JeOyMeec6GsB6xRNmVrIsDI-E3XiHeEeWofgD1Gl-daM4hq4w_UhtJ0bQpG2grToCfCIdqbWK7DxD1W1EcUhTfmYsl_40snYPFBP_xFU2w/s1600/gardenkit_cocktail-top-3-800x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtjMRvSFKB3xv7rPJpRm9Pep1ac-g84Q3-JeOyMeec6GsB6xRNmVrIsDI-E3XiHeEeWofgD1Gl-daM4hq4w_UhtJ0bQpG2grToCfCIdqbWK7DxD1W1EcUhTfmYsl_40snYPFBP_xFU2w/s320/gardenkit_cocktail-top-3-800x800.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://gardenuity.com/">Gardenuity</a></span></u></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Gardenuity Co-Founder Donna Letier says it best: "Our mission is simple- we make gardening accessible to everyone."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Gardenuity does this by creating gardens that can literally be grown in their signature black bag that can be placed any many sized homes, but especially tiny balconies in urban cities.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">That may already be impressive but even more cool, <a href="https://gardenuity.com/">Gardenuity</a> creates specific bag gardens depending on what you will using the herbs/plants to make.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">These are my favorite garden bag options:</span></u></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 6px;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://gardenuity.com/gardenkit_caprese/">Caprese Salad</a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://gardenuity.com/gardenkit_cocktail/">Cocktail Herb Garden</a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://gardenuity.com/gardenkit_taco/">Taco Toppings</a></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And don't forget that <a href="https://gardenuity.com/">Gardenuity</a> also offers a one-time payment <a href="https://gardenuity.com/subscriptions/">subscription service</a> that takes all the guess work out of growing your seasonal herbs. Brilliant.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FqtArQCi9KOz8jzQ9cjYWOUTcr0ZxQnd3tntT_y1IF9Z8DgA-5E2e94mMG1r4fdKLqZ1FIcB_0_VeX0s9aVw8HGfTfyhTNWDQnNXckHE3ig3W9ZJCRYhahBl7GNsintA7ANzrKF1JRs/s1600/Farmself2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="640" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FqtArQCi9KOz8jzQ9cjYWOUTcr0ZxQnd3tntT_y1IF9Z8DgA-5E2e94mMG1r4fdKLqZ1FIcB_0_VeX0s9aVw8HGfTfyhTNWDQnNXckHE3ig3W9ZJCRYhahBl7GNsintA7ANzrKF1JRs/s320/Farmself2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><a href="https://www.farmshelf.com/">FarmShelf</a></u></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span class="_5afx" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; unicode-bidi: isolate;"><span class="_58cm">FarmShelf</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">is innovating the way</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span class="_5afx" style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: isolate;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl _5afz" style="color: #365899; unicode-bidi: isolate;">#</span><span class="_58cm">urban</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">homes and businesses (from restaurants to office buildings)</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"> around the world will have the ability to grow greens and <span class="_5afx" style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: isolate;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl _5afz" style="color: #365899; unicode-bidi: isolate;">#</span><span class="_58cm">herbs</span></span> (from a choice of over 40 options). Insert seedpods and crops grow 3x faster than outdoors.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">My focus is on the Farmshelf as a home solution. <a href="https://www.farmshelf.com/">Farmshelf</a> automates the hardest parts of growing a garden and with it's fast growing shelving unit can produce pounds of fresh produce per week. When you consider the costs and savings, it will be a major competitor for urbanites who frequently buy fresh herbs and produce at farmer's markets or pricey grocery outlets such as WholeFoods.</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21;">And the best thing is you can grow as much or as little produce as you need without wasting like when you buy normal store bought produce—</span><span style="color: #365899;">you harvest </span><span style="color: #1c1e21;">only what you need while the rest keeps growing. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><u>Here’s a typical week:</u></span></div>
<ul>
<li>8 heads of lettuce (ex: Romaine, Bibb, Butter)</li>
<li>8 bunches of herbs (ex: Basil, Chives, Parsley)</li>
<li>8 bunches of greens (ex: Kale, Arugula, Mustard)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
This is pure brilliance in innovation that also lessens waste, adds nutrition options AND saves money for people like me who frequently shops at weekly <span class="_5afx" style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: isolate;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl _5afz" style="color: #365899; unicode-bidi: isolate;">#</span><span class="_58cm">farmersmarkets</span></span>! </div>
<div style="color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /><a href="https://www.farmshelf.com/">FarmShelf</a> pre-orders going on NOW at $4,950 with only a $100 deposit required (compared to upcoming retail price of $6,450). Hit the link to learn more: <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Flnk.bio%2Fcurvalish%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3seZK1crNqy0YSLxM5_QXWbUf_OCXzeSVzb9ENyGVW1L-aQulD8paZWWc&h=AT0cfxyl0nmyMDIl1B6Ut3E0PezV4_lR9f4b7FyohlTRZ013Xj18YLMZy2KJuQxExL3cM1YA0EaQJuBoFZTVOtdCCTgHMkN2zQqVtC5543UpeyZ758186JJ6wkL8VyOW5CYXtvxGTJ2qZLw6WwR_N1zh8u8ROOKJG33uD6fTOWyJTg" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">lnk.bio/curvalish</a></div>
</span></div>
Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-55946577726054360562020-04-30T16:58:00.000-07:002020-04-30T18:16:27.459-07:00Your Go-To 2020 Summer Cocktail...It's Just Peaches!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPRbD4tOJbasXwj-qwViUBkj9XwbbfYx6o2QK4tdLfls724iZd2uwOSF3o7hn32HZbjo85IoOx536_Vu8oZv3EK_6HgS8SxogiNbwKVM0sQX4BRxkdVYlq5tRau-6CwoxbDNMXOpjt0s/s1600/WM+Peach+Drink+Pkc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPRbD4tOJbasXwj-qwViUBkj9XwbbfYx6o2QK4tdLfls724iZd2uwOSF3o7hn32HZbjo85IoOx536_Vu8oZv3EK_6HgS8SxogiNbwKVM0sQX4BRxkdVYlq5tRau-6CwoxbDNMXOpjt0s/s320/WM+Peach+Drink+Pkc.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://bit.ly/2SpjYq2">The Peach Pucker</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: , , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: , , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: , , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Every Summer I select a curated group of go-to cocktail drinks for the season so that no matter if someone stops by unannounced or if a neighbor has an impromptu porch sesh, I am equipped to have/bring a great drink!</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: , , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">One of my 2020 Curva-Lish</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: , , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> Summer Drink Selections is from World Market</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: , , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">: <a href="https://bit.ly/2SpjYq2">The Peach Pucker</a></span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: , , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><u>Why I love it:</u> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: , , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">* it's simple (just four ingredients), </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: , , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">* can be made family friendly (by skipping the bourbon</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: , , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">) and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: , , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">still tastes just as good, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: , , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">* it involves one of my favorite summer fruits: peaches!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: , , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: , , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">You're Welcome...<a href="https://bit.ly/2SpjYq2">Recipe HERE</a></span>Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-78015618840485507732019-11-16T16:52:00.003-08:002019-11-16T17:32:42.401-08:00Lee Radziwill & A Collection of Sophisticated Connoisseurship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lYIEGjsFs5o/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lYIEGjsFs5o?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Although I didn't grow up during the times of Camelot, I don't think there's anyone who is not at least somewhat familiar with the innocence, style and wit of what is known of the time during which the Kennedys lived the American version of royal life.<br />
<br />
And the person who had a front row seat was Lee Radziwill, dearest sister of Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis.<br />
<br />
With the death of Radziwill this year, it truly symbolized a time that will never be again.<br />
<br />
But luckily, select pieces from Lee Radziwill's estate were put up for auction last month by the stewards at Christie's.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #351c75;">‘Lee’s taste and style stands alone as a global symbol of sophistication and connoisseurship,’ says Christie’s Chairman Marc Porter, ‘embodying the elegance of a more glamorous era.’</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEPLSXK92do13ZxDmRxL1jU-8ahY-m6yuSR6s5sO-9kAwdWuDqyYXumQoBvcazT8iVhaZa5XBvMPKXJHAh67o9OyylZAX7JxMELiDaYXbdTjfQWYII5wFr9zPqT_W0gHAgjxfbD7OHM0/s1600/IMG_3015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEPLSXK92do13ZxDmRxL1jU-8ahY-m6yuSR6s5sO-9kAwdWuDqyYXumQoBvcazT8iVhaZa5XBvMPKXJHAh67o9OyylZAX7JxMELiDaYXbdTjfQWYII5wFr9zPqT_W0gHAgjxfbD7OHM0/s320/IMG_3015.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
What is so interesting to me about estates that go to auction is that they remind us of a different time when home, art and furniture purchases were transacted with a generational mindset. Meaning, pieces were meticulously collected so that the value would stand the test of time to be inherited by the next generation as objects of ancestral assets that told of the family's history.<br />
<br />
Sure, the Radziwills of the world only purchased what gave them joy and reflected their authentic aesthetics on life but IKEA did not exist in collections whereas the buyer was intent on the meaningful interpretation of their collective life.<br />
<br />
While I perused the catalogue of <a href="https://www.christies.com/features/Lee-Bouvier-Radziwill-Collection-10028-3.aspx?sc_lang=en&lid=1">"The Collection of Lee Radziwill"</a>, the thing that struck me just as much as the catalogue of <a href="https://www.christies.com/zmags/?ZmagsPublishID=7d2439a7&SaleTitle=&SaleId=27093&GUID=0http://www.christies.com/zmags/?ZmagsPublishID=7d2439a7&SaleTitle=&SaleId=0&GUID=&JumptoLot=">Betsy Bloomingdale (A Life in Style)</a> is how refined every object was of such an esteemed style and host icon.<br />
<br />
IKEA-generation, fast fashion, non-intentional buyers need not apply.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"I abhor the American idea of starting with a tabula rasa every few years and getting rid of everything. When I buy something, I do so with the intention of keeping it forever." -Lee Radziwill</span></i></span></div>
<br />
Refinement is not something that can be easily mix-mashed.<br />
<br />
Refinement can only come from an authentic place, that has brave style, life long, and original.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gyjIL7zRX4vcIubZ1BCPyoexteKV16XxLuxsk_eNB0DLG31_NL0jANJpxveO6v6Pdz5Fnvve6PLNoT0Rl0kklBm3zSIMA63I-vKTWbfGF3aNsLFCGWnLBV_ASvcxXZFDeRPhNsD9fNw/s1600/IMG_3019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gyjIL7zRX4vcIubZ1BCPyoexteKV16XxLuxsk_eNB0DLG31_NL0jANJpxveO6v6Pdz5Fnvve6PLNoT0Rl0kklBm3zSIMA63I-vKTWbfGF3aNsLFCGWnLBV_ASvcxXZFDeRPhNsD9fNw/s320/IMG_3019.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lot #1078 Circular Indian Silk Tablecloth (matched to wallpaper)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b><u>As a matter of fact, quotes by and about Lee Radziwill say it best:</u></b><br />
<br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;">On Authenticity: </i>"I have passed through the stages of ambition and I think the most serene feeling is to know you are being true to yourself." - Lee Radziwill response to Andy Warhol's inquire about her ultimate ambition<br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-weight: bold;">On Style: </i>"If I can really be said to have a personal style, I think it is reflected in my taste for the exotic and the unexpected." - Lee Radziwill<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="font-weight: bold;">Life Long: </i>Lee Radziwill's status as an icon of taste and style was built upon a lifetime in art, culture and society. - Christie's</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="font-weight: bold;">Original: "</i>She told me she'd never had an Hermes bag or silk scarf in her life. Everyone else carried them, so to her they were common." -Andre' Leon Talley</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPpQao89RfTVrY_y_s1tcEDbr2OsGx8dK_0zVKNAzc0QcH9fY9WDi_K-xln7HBCpKDpiLC4Y7mh6fZgHFVG36QQqQdVDSEs2lqn9Su3XsYb379Om1zPHYBuqWs8N9QtRdPTTYPVQlaRU/s1600/IMG_3018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPpQao89RfTVrY_y_s1tcEDbr2OsGx8dK_0zVKNAzc0QcH9fY9WDi_K-xln7HBCpKDpiLC4Y7mh6fZgHFVG36QQqQdVDSEs2lqn9Su3XsYb379Om1zPHYBuqWs8N9QtRdPTTYPVQlaRU/s320/IMG_3018.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lot #1017 Set of 15 Indian Reverse Painted Glass Pictures</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
To live a lifestyle worthy of a curated <a href="https://www.christies.com/?sc_lang=en&lid=1">Christie's</a> auction is one that inspires and opens the eyes to how a person lived with treasures that went beyond just buying.<br />
<br />
Curated objects tell us all a story of a life that will forever be encapsulated.<br />
<br />
Not in a museum.<br />
<br />
But pieces big (furniture) and small (jewelry) in hopes that the same Camelot magic can infuse our lives with something just as spectacular.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtLJ0nGuqJu7N2NDZr_WZRPlWeRYcKzFPpiyZ1YsYBnm3ciSLt-l2-u3-1U_SaD_ZVwTpXulhXv0kfCKb9HMW975JDN6WtMmPAHAlzKHEeUpAjrRX1w9n8UGRSp2PGPluYXZs1tI1jwg/s1600/IMG_3020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="640" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtLJ0nGuqJu7N2NDZr_WZRPlWeRYcKzFPpiyZ1YsYBnm3ciSLt-l2-u3-1U_SaD_ZVwTpXulhXv0kfCKb9HMW975JDN6WtMmPAHAlzKHEeUpAjrRX1w9n8UGRSp2PGPluYXZs1tI1jwg/s320/IMG_3020.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lot #1148 Three Enamel Bangle Bracelets (Hermes)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAegxYsDqL6fnCdW99M3h4TEFJkjWmPI_1CW2zG9HjVAzHTzYNBahAMiQ6N5le47qv45IxUTmaN97FfZKKwX92dnqHW7LF2nb34ARvIwju9mGOYbH6xMMWZEa5Nj9C8LAQg1xoWC5yVWk/s1600/IMG_3017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAegxYsDqL6fnCdW99M3h4TEFJkjWmPI_1CW2zG9HjVAzHTzYNBahAMiQ6N5le47qv45IxUTmaN97FfZKKwX92dnqHW7LF2nb34ARvIwju9mGOYbH6xMMWZEa5Nj9C8LAQg1xoWC5yVWk/s320/IMG_3017.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lot #1119 North European Rosewood Side Chair </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz91j0TtBXF19F9bArPRDLnZVs0q5hmib9tcmk_cAlcSb0RXQqXSsRhBVrB6R1DZmm9OjTLmkHfDrBz5ImrS9I9BFugX4nCkpArU_l5Rm4gf3jKx2kXwe4zGKelLS425vSJnI81gOtimE/s1600/IMG_3011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="640" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz91j0TtBXF19F9bArPRDLnZVs0q5hmib9tcmk_cAlcSb0RXQqXSsRhBVrB6R1DZmm9OjTLmkHfDrBz5ImrS9I9BFugX4nCkpArU_l5Rm4gf3jKx2kXwe4zGKelLS425vSJnI81gOtimE/s320/IMG_3011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lot #1077 Pair of French Upholstered Club Chairs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Or, as Martina Mondadori (August 2019) said: "<b>This is how I want to remember Lee, walking on flowers. A testament and inspiration for my generation and futures ones to come. Keep it simple, but don't settle for mediocrity."</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
For information on the results and prices realized from the Christie's "The Collection of Lee Radziwill" auction, go <a href="https://www.christies.com/Results/PrintAuctionResults.aspx?saleid=28136&lid=1">HERE</a>.Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-20478702840108292732019-11-14T12:44:00.000-08:002019-11-14T12:44:15.202-08:00The Timeless Style of the Iris<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57iOtBdNc40XxeQB0gDVpJDR65cBFjJl6zJwoiM6ri9x1JwLG9LZDthwE8jRGwsLGVZHka1WQlXkGODRWGrCq1vt5UiGqBaL4DvrHzCT_4Dd_g6ls_F5E5VLOpR-uBnSgmVdFm78jLc8/s1600/image0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="640" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57iOtBdNc40XxeQB0gDVpJDR65cBFjJl6zJwoiM6ri9x1JwLG9LZDthwE8jRGwsLGVZHka1WQlXkGODRWGrCq1vt5UiGqBaL4DvrHzCT_4Dd_g6ls_F5E5VLOpR-uBnSgmVdFm78jLc8/s200/image0.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Purple Iris</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In perfumery, the Iris is one of the most iconic raw materials and is considered to be the embodiment of luxury.<br />
<br />
The Iris is actually one of the most expensive raw materials in the world and can cost more than gold.<br />
<br />
There are many different types of Iris flowers but in perfumery, they mainly use the Iris Pallida, a majestic purple flower. The Iris Pallida comes from Italy and has a powdery, woody and dry scent, reminiscent of rice powders or talcum powers that takes you back to your childhood.<br />
<br />
It hides its olfactory treasure in its roots.<br />
<br />
It takes three years of growing and then three years of drying before it reaches its optimum quality.<br />
<br />
Its scent is powdery and multifaceted: it has delicious notes of violet and raspberry mixed with woody sand earthy notes.<br />
<br />
My friends at Sylvaine Delacourte mentions loving it because it's calm and melancholic. It has the kind of scent that reminds us of the smell of the earth after a rainstorm.<br />
<br />
Quick Quiz: Guess the Sylvaine Delacourte perfume in which you can find the Iris?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUdZDIH1u3TB0yfgpS24ufYef-NBy6Kx0H9IOPRNMstrOs4kW17DuWfVcPLIOKS5Y54NJmI7Rm7BrRy9q4SYOLzmEZTRs2yUehqrkcXM7QPIic3D83hqQKAqzokQZHLAe9Du02RhJGa0/s1600/image0-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="640" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUdZDIH1u3TB0yfgpS24ufYef-NBy6Kx0H9IOPRNMstrOs4kW17DuWfVcPLIOKS5Y54NJmI7Rm7BrRy9q4SYOLzmEZTRs2yUehqrkcXM7QPIic3D83hqQKAqzokQZHLAe9Du02RhJGa0/s320/image0-2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.delacourte.com/shop/products/13">Vangelis: Assured, Warm, Spicy</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2DBOubPZG_RTJeXWALF3uN60k3lJXHpk7SFZ759b1QvJQZi0Bs73SsCWoY9dJl8R0-PoqYivtZYpk8xK5Psp-HDBZBXaw-fEZ4OXhVrB8KdwzDWyIIu8s8fGsJOEY3evVUfK9cRO9jw/s1600/IMG_2965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="640" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2DBOubPZG_RTJeXWALF3uN60k3lJXHpk7SFZ759b1QvJQZi0Bs73SsCWoY9dJl8R0-PoqYivtZYpk8xK5Psp-HDBZBXaw-fEZ4OXhVrB8KdwzDWyIIu8s8fGsJOEY3evVUfK9cRO9jw/s320/IMG_2965.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.delacourte.com/shop/products/12">Vanori: Creamy, Bright, Comfortable</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLz1Rk9UKBF0wcpD7g8hqh5-MQKiCfM5QInrqT6AYm7OuEDYqTrXfLWmknjebsjrRWQ-TzFs7rBZez8vNePzwDgwuwE7e-I5fzimpTAqs88xn3-3-uMy1JcZW890TW17BCXFSeh3z_rJg/s1600/IMG_2966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="640" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLz1Rk9UKBF0wcpD7g8hqh5-MQKiCfM5QInrqT6AYm7OuEDYqTrXfLWmknjebsjrRWQ-TzFs7rBZez8vNePzwDgwuwE7e-I5fzimpTAqs88xn3-3-uMy1JcZW890TW17BCXFSeh3z_rJg/s320/IMG_2966.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.delacourte.com/shop/products/1">Dovana: Fresh, Light, Powdery</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
You can find Iris in the Dovana fragrance that's apart of the Sylvaine Delacourte Musk Collection! Dovana means gift in Baltic countries. It has notes of Iris, heliotrope, and ambrette.<br />
<br />
And, the Iris makes the Musk Collection powdery and soft, like cashmere to your skin.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XrLog_TxVzGaXtPaEnB-Gh7K5q1LR8z8PumlUbJPrGoxsc37Cmey6z72V4gbyJ4aaF3POCCyC-DZWPWiNJEdqPUAMLpkOQjjynfJ4y_iRJcXqQBQnOTYzc_6sKPvzof50uy4GZMlgPw/s1600/Iriss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="900" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XrLog_TxVzGaXtPaEnB-Gh7K5q1LR8z8PumlUbJPrGoxsc37Cmey6z72V4gbyJ4aaF3POCCyC-DZWPWiNJEdqPUAMLpkOQjjynfJ4y_iRJcXqQBQnOTYzc_6sKPvzof50uy4GZMlgPw/s320/Iriss.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Irises" by Vincent Van Gogh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Fun Fact: the Iris was the inspiration for one of the most famous paintings in history by Vincent Van Gogh titled "Irises". "Irises" held the record for the most expensive artwork of 1987 when it sold for $53.9 million USD, which would be around $100 million in the current economy.<br />
<br />
<br />Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-69719462516868669602019-09-10T18:53:00.002-07:002019-11-09T17:26:42.010-08:00A Fashion Icon's Timeless Collaboration To Be Bold Over<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFGFUYZA5OVxJLnBn4gZzwNgfjjiGB0Dwx3A_3FM_MDBdD22Ag5Ye_8fFa34iRMHsXlPJQfiyPf52eBAi4FUHmRXNC2sOjvFiCnYrYvEuoIGw3YWAvaboCOGf058NuwwbPAZCpf6O0z0/s1600/01-IrisApfelxBernardaud+%25E2%2595%2595+Iris+Apfel%252C+Photo+Keith+Major.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFGFUYZA5OVxJLnBn4gZzwNgfjjiGB0Dwx3A_3FM_MDBdD22Ag5Ye_8fFa34iRMHsXlPJQfiyPf52eBAi4FUHmRXNC2sOjvFiCnYrYvEuoIGw3YWAvaboCOGf058NuwwbPAZCpf6O0z0/s320/01-IrisApfelxBernardaud+%25E2%2595%2595+Iris+Apfel%252C+Photo+Keith+Major.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iris Apfel x Bernardaud Limited (Only 50) <a href="https://www.bernardaud.com/en/us/be-bold-over-sautoir-adam?c=jewelry">"Adam" Long Necklace</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
At 98 years young, fashion and design icon <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_Apfel">Iris Apfel</a> shows no signs of acting her age.<br />
<br />
And Thank God!<br />
<br />
...because that means the imaginative ways in which brands showcase their inspiration grounded in her authentically unique style from her global travels and finds creates the most brilliant reimagination and creation of pieces from even 300 year old brands like <a href="https://www.bernardaud.com/en/us/the-bernardaud-house/the-history-of-a-unique-brand">Bernardaud</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILUBQLMw9c6NEeSCqxPi2ahPDnqvSvJ80Egmth7rLObDgkobGxmvcdgPpSDYKjesuexAZz46Qimz6o7VJ1uwVNHZXiFOMMSHttd0SZvsXdDQFWFW8YuVO32JU7ybdK7ZOeHhHs-k3Al0/s1600/IMG_0321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="640" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILUBQLMw9c6NEeSCqxPi2ahPDnqvSvJ80Egmth7rLObDgkobGxmvcdgPpSDYKjesuexAZz46Qimz6o7VJ1uwVNHZXiFOMMSHttd0SZvsXdDQFWFW8YuVO32JU7ybdK7ZOeHhHs-k3Al0/s320/IMG_0321.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bernardaud Artisans Shaping Porcelain for <a href="https://www.bernardaud.com/en/us/be-bold-over-sautoir-perles-et-tubes-blanc?c=jewelry">Perles Blanc Necklace</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We have come to expect the fun, eccentricity of Iris well documented style but I don't think anyone would quite expect that a collaboration with Bernardaud would be such a, well, no-brainer.<br />
<br />
But it's only a no-brainer once you understand how the <a href="https://www.bernardaud.com/en/us/artists/iris-apfel">collaboration</a> came to existence (Apfel's gushing of her love of the brand to one of it's proprietors) and see how Bernardaud's commanding mastery of Limoges porcelain can be shaped and reflective of modern style AND Apfel’s signature bold style that doesn’t shy away from being noticed.<br />
<br />
Shy, minimalistic fashionistas need not apply.<br />
<br />
These pieces are for the bold, confident woman who can not only command a room but also not let a bold piece of jewelry overshadow her fierceness.<br />
<br />
And the only thing subtle you’ll get from some of the pieces in the collection are some pale pinks used on me necklaces.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhBRudrIk_s114QtFahZVIsAXeU07c4E2fXuPgdeI1lgX1m5Q3dLK0QVsE-IuH4wtiJ8wbmNTtZPSc49RIbx4ULFXjzwItJs09yzaQOIoxoSddlhX5gM1HX-ET7FK_WRA6He8q27vhw8/s1600/02-IrisApfelxBernardaud+%25E2%2595%2595+Iris+Apfel%252C+Photo+Keith+Major.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhBRudrIk_s114QtFahZVIsAXeU07c4E2fXuPgdeI1lgX1m5Q3dLK0QVsE-IuH4wtiJ8wbmNTtZPSc49RIbx4ULFXjzwItJs09yzaQOIoxoSddlhX5gM1HX-ET7FK_WRA6He8q27vhw8/s320/02-IrisApfelxBernardaud+%25E2%2595%2595+Iris+Apfel%252C+Photo+Keith+Major.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iris Apfel Signature Style Layerings: <a href="https://www.bernardaud.com/en/us/be-bold-over-plastron-perles-et-tubes-blanc-et-or?c=jewelry">1</a>, <a href="https://www.bernardaud.com/en/us/be-bold-over-sautoir-perles-et-tubes-noir?c=jewelry">2</a>, <a href="https://www.bernardaud.com/en/us/be-bold-over-sautoir-perles-et-tubes-blanc?c=jewelry">3</a>, & <a href="https://www.bernardaud.com/en/us/be-bold-over-sautoir-perles-et-tubes-blanc-5aa89840-6abf-4bcb-8d93-258838c7d33f?c=jewelry">4</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Most people would think that porcelain is a very formal material to use considering the fine tablewares produced by Bernardaud.<br />
<br />
But what you don't expect is how Bernardaud was able to capture the fun whimsy of Apfel's spirit in a fun collection at price points that is achievable for Apfel's die hard fans.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhixrB1Xgs_vErNGDBOj4Y4vY-QydXK71AGGLHv7-Ox_uihwZBU6cidOlO1wgwCazJ9mPi7o7tp2UGDqC57jw9PsDjse8_pxnCe7WGXskOb3x5quYiPcB6iRa2_siowB7n0Q03qHFA88/s1600/IrisApfel_BrocheChouetteNoire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1419" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhixrB1Xgs_vErNGDBOj4Y4vY-QydXK71AGGLHv7-Ox_uihwZBU6cidOlO1wgwCazJ9mPi7o7tp2UGDqC57jw9PsDjse8_pxnCe7WGXskOb3x5quYiPcB6iRa2_siowB7n0Q03qHFA88/s320/IrisApfel_BrocheChouetteNoire.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bernardaud.com/en/us/be-bold-over-broche-chouette-noir?c=jewelry">Chouette Noir Brooch Pin</a> (Availabel in Three Colors)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
But only if you act fast...some pieces in the collection are a limited run and I am very sure it will sell out and thus become Collector's items that only the fast acting were able to grab!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtVHkvKc43-vIZJukwBvYBSy3fjsLmtVVvtluzLulvbYgihOYsz2p7fenSAQ480yO6QJqcaYYKPR2DmD6WtKyQs_GJFSqMMX0gACgem0UnSk8hY_uV0h3Ea_1mYbopsM4swmO79-Dcc8/s1600/04-IrisApfelxBernardaud+%25E2%2595%2595+Iris+Apfel%252C+Photo+Keith+Major.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtVHkvKc43-vIZJukwBvYBSy3fjsLmtVVvtluzLulvbYgihOYsz2p7fenSAQ480yO6QJqcaYYKPR2DmD6WtKyQs_GJFSqMMX0gACgem0UnSk8hY_uV0h3Ea_1mYbopsM4swmO79-Dcc8/s320/04-IrisApfelxBernardaud+%25E2%2595%2595+Iris+Apfel%252C+Photo+Keith+Major.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chouette <a href="https://www.bernardaud.com/en/us/be-bold-over-broche-chouette-noir?c=jewelry">Left</a> and <a href="https://www.bernardaud.com/en/us/be-bold-over-broche-chouette-rouge?c=jewelry">Right</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=982114&u=672616&m=70683&urllink=&afftrack=">Advanced Mixology</a></div>
Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-59531932320906701042019-01-08T17:28:00.000-08:002019-01-08T17:59:40.667-08:00Matcha for the (Healthier) Win<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifp9IjMgRdLk-RRa02H7nBf6MRz2qUhDKN1aCNebNmsdFkCbVxl5PDf8ygYllU_F9AxhKGLNZS4v4xYm_D-58oKZk1J25ZNko3m5yXDLi9-BUjgBh3y1jQmwOMBgWbc8A3ig3YQxeyaMM/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="342" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifp9IjMgRdLk-RRa02H7nBf6MRz2qUhDKN1aCNebNmsdFkCbVxl5PDf8ygYllU_F9AxhKGLNZS4v4xYm_D-58oKZk1J25ZNko3m5yXDLi9-BUjgBh3y1jQmwOMBgWbc8A3ig3YQxeyaMM/s320/1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I know I am probably late to the matcha lovers club but seriously: I'm obsessed!<br />
<br />
Considering that a few of my favorite health focused Instagrammers have posted repeatedly about their love of matcha, I never associated it with something that everyday people could love.<br />
<br />
Due to its green coloring, I assumed it's like a few things health junkies lie about...how tasty cardboard or tasteless foods are and we're all missing out on how wonderful it is.<br />
<br />
But in the case of matcha, ummm, it really is delicious!<br />
<br />
<b>What is matcha?</b><br />
Simply: concentrated Japanese green tea in finely ground powder form, which makes it easy to mix in with any liquid from water to milks to vegan inspired food recipes (think<a href="https://www.tastingtable.com/cook/recipes/matcha-cheesecake-recipe-california-avocado"> matcha cheesecake</a>).<br />
<br />
<b>Healthy Benefits?</b><br />
Many, mostly due to matcha's concentration of antioxidants and just enough caffeine to notice an increase in your energy level (but no highs/lows like the caffeine from coffee).<br />
<br />
<b>My Matcha Love Affair</b><br />
I first encountered matcha about two months ago when I was in the Starbucks line waiting on my coffee and the barista yelled out a mobile order of a matcha water. It was a brilliant green hue and seemed a more refreshing take on our hot Texas day than my boring coffee.<br />
<br />
I ordered one and was instantly hooked. Meaning, no need to grow on me, no need to give me a minute. Instant.<br />
<br />
Since my first encounter, I have had a blast exploring all the ways in which matcha is used in drinks and foods. <br />
<br />
I had no idea!<br />
<br />
It's like being apart of some cool club, lol.<br />
<br />
And for this club, no need to be a health freak who thinks eating tasteless or cardboard textured food is cool.<br />
<br />
Currently, my favorite way to drink matcha is just mixed in ice water and a tablespoon of vanilla soy milk. <br />
<br />
Tonight, I had a special treat in ordering a matcha lemonade...serious yum!<br />
<br />
<b>Tip #1</b>: don't feel like your only options for matcha on-the-go drinks is Starbucks. I purchased a box of individual <a href="https://amzn.to/2M0V3o5">Rishi matcha premium Japanese tea packets</a> at WholeFoods, but here's a better price for two <a href="https://amzn.to/2M0V3o5">Rishi travel packet boxes</a> on Amazon!<br />
<br />
<b>Tip #2</b>: if you're like me and you like sipping on drinks, you'll need to stir your drink frequently as match powder has a tendency to float to the bottom. Stir frequently as you sip and you'll get a consistent taste.<br />
<br />
So whether you are busy running around town, need a quick pick me up (without a high/low crash) or a jetsetter that wants to be in control of your drink choice while traveling, these <a href="https://amzn.to/2M0V3o5">Rishi packets</a> make it super easy! (And fyi, I'm all about what fits my lifestyle and makes it easy for 2019!)<br />
<br />
Do you drink matcha? Have you tried it? Do you like it? Let me know!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-67844587512482498982018-10-23T12:23:00.000-07:002018-11-09T07:15:02.593-08:00Rewind: If It's Not Working, Create It!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5O0HNL1z50hjEzMNKzLA_XhT4sWqxOsuW1RYROGYA8y8nJnirO2vm9ml0lrwMVNRf3JU3cC59JjcsLTVqLnPOKEBiloJNNOK-v07s5qeZlgL-VYaTsfEPyM9fy9h_wDf-F9n9WFcTKKU/s1600/IMG_2157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5O0HNL1z50hjEzMNKzLA_XhT4sWqxOsuW1RYROGYA8y8nJnirO2vm9ml0lrwMVNRf3JU3cC59JjcsLTVqLnPOKEBiloJNNOK-v07s5qeZlgL-VYaTsfEPyM9fy9h_wDf-F9n9WFcTKKU/s320/IMG_2157.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fxo.co/6IaL">Trina Turk</a> <a href="http://fxo.co/6IaU">Desk Calendar</a> Re-Configured</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A while ago I blogged about how <a href="https://curva-lish.blogspot.com/2017/02/if-its-not-working-create-it.html">sometimes you have to create what doesn't exist</a> for you and this post is a rewind to remind you to always do and create what will allow you to live your best life.<br />
<br />
As a creative, <a href="http://www.thesupagroup.com/">entrepreneur</a> and blogger, my life doesn't fit into a nice little box.<br />
<br />
I require different needs when it comes to how I stay organized or my life gets out of control pretty fast!<br />
<br />
And when my life gets out of control, I miss appointments, project deadlines, details about clients, events, etc.<br />
<br />
In other words, my livelihood literally depends on me keeping my life and work as organized, balanced and prioritized as possible.<br />
<br />
That's where creating an executive notebook with parts from many different sources makes the most sense for me.<br />
<br />
I searched for a "perfect" planner literally for years before getting so frustrated that I decided to <a href="https://curva-lish.blogspot.com/2017/02/if-its-not-working-create-it.html">create my own version</a> of a perfect planner.<br />
<br />
For this post, I am highlighting the part of my executive notebook that gives me the 5,000 foot view of my calendar based on which part of my life it correlates to.<br />
<br />
My planner hack is to purchase <a href="http://fxo.co/6IaU">desk calendars</a> and fold them into my notebook. Not only are desk calendars (much) cheaper than regular calendars, they also give you a "layout" view of upcoming events, project deadlines, etc.<br />
<br />
And I'd also suggest you train yourself to use a color coding system (color pens work brilliantly for this) that correlates to the life or work calendar item OR use highlighters to color code the calendar item.<br />
<br />
So you could technically open your folded desk calendar and know within seconds whether you need to buckle down and get something done, whether you can attend an event, whether you are working more on a specific area of your life/work life (based on the color taking up the most of your calendar) and not enough on another area.<br />
<br />
Again, don't be afraid to take a part that works for something else and translate it to a system that can help you live a life by design and instead of feeling like life is leading you, you are leading your life. That's an empowering feeling that will keep you motivated, content and filled with joy.<br />
<br />
It's Curva-Lish.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKb5yfS-y-I885FOdclGagMeeeJclL_VABqMcN70khCj0jCW58WumuoOqhiFEeOutLkU5T90x9LUcbHshnBaPduWvfv56Ob17UMWoQfQkOCFB8dg1G9o44a5rsPW___4CtYkjEq1V9i8/s1600/IMG_2164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKb5yfS-y-I885FOdclGagMeeeJclL_VABqMcN70khCj0jCW58WumuoOqhiFEeOutLkU5T90x9LUcbHshnBaPduWvfv56Ob17UMWoQfQkOCFB8dg1G9o44a5rsPW___4CtYkjEq1V9i8/s320/IMG_2164.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fxo.co/6IaL">Trina Turk</a> <a href="http://fxo.co/6IaU">Desk Calendar from Target</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUf9k8Ptd7Wy6bhworhraWt9rF2d-Kp-Ty5jJdU7KVeuWVdsqGiBkRl9V6q9pmmo2NNmTbuUoqB9xURLRfV1Zxvw4I3DxYF9wT0GoDzWoslB_46MgaAR8SEwiPzBfOSed4Hibe8g_C0SQ/s1600/IMG_2163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUf9k8Ptd7Wy6bhworhraWt9rF2d-Kp-Ty5jJdU7KVeuWVdsqGiBkRl9V6q9pmmo2NNmTbuUoqB9xURLRfV1Zxvw4I3DxYF9wT0GoDzWoslB_46MgaAR8SEwiPzBfOSed4Hibe8g_C0SQ/s320/IMG_2163.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each Calendar Month Folded and Inserted</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5lq8NWsP-Bz3oWqSoEHvcrH4Su_CQbMt9HNcvAVe30K-tPVMcSRZEQVgKJb9FEFhw7PoVWMhVShJx5497Guef-LhuYiCpDyW3LgQn62OkUw6rotW4SjWM5LXLxUlzd6vq7Oufy29Ttw/s1600/IMG_2165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5lq8NWsP-Bz3oWqSoEHvcrH4Su_CQbMt9HNcvAVe30K-tPVMcSRZEQVgKJb9FEFhw7PoVWMhVShJx5497Guef-LhuYiCpDyW3LgQn62OkUw6rotW4SjWM5LXLxUlzd6vq7Oufy29Ttw/s320/IMG_2165.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy to Reference Months to Plan Ahead</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-6066235-12680984">Learn how to live with passion at TonyRobbins.com.</a><img border="0" src="https://www.awltovhc.com/image-6066235-12680984" height="1" width="1">Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-29478755826358118722018-09-19T09:33:00.000-07:002018-11-09T07:14:11.151-08:00Cultural Inspirations: Japanese KodawariI'm obsessed with learning centuries old wisdom and customs of diverse cultures and today I learned a really amazing Japanese concept that I wanted to share with y'all.<br />
<br />
I was reading an old issue (March, 2018) of <a href="https://www.foodandwine.com/">Food&Wine</a> and they had a fantastic feature on a the origins of Dashi, a deceptively simple rich broth of dried bonito and kelp that's the foundation of Japanese cooking that's also slowly disappearing.<br />
<br />
Chef Shinobu' Namae is incorporating the broth into his cooking techniques, replacing the veal stock that he has traditionally cooked with from his Western cooking training.<br />
<br />
The crazy thing is that technically, this broth is just two ingredients: seaweed and dried bonito "unami broth".<br />
<br />
Just two ingredients? Yes, just two ingredients.<br />
<br />
So what makes this broth so rich, culturally important and worthy of a feature in an illustrious publication like Food&Wine?<br />
<br />
It has to do with the patient and committed preparation method for those two ingredients, which is where the Japanese term Kodawari comes in to this post.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-small;"><i>Kodawari: an obsessive attention the the fine, subtle detail of one's craft that any artisan who takes pride in their work <u><b>must have</b></u></i></span></div>
<u><b><br /></b></u>
<u><b>The Two Ingredients</b></u><br />
* Seaweed: summarizing the Food&Wine article, there are people who forage for kombu and gather it one strand at a time. Since the region only has two summer months, the kombu is dried for three days AND then "...moved indoors for three years to refine and concentrate its natural glutamates." Artisans talk about Kombu like wine.<br />
<br />
* Katsuobushi: summarizing the Food&Wine article, the stages of smoking, fermenting and drying the fish is a three to six month process!<br />
<br />
So collectively, this broth is fairly easy to make (Food&Wine: "...as easy as making tea"), but the preparations and patience required to be able to get to the "simple" stage is one where Kodawari is required.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Living Kodawari</b></u><br />
Of course, all this fantastic breakdown to produce this centuries old cultural Japanese broth got me to thinking about how Kodawari fits into modern living.<br />
<br />
Or does it?<br />
<br />
As I mentioned above, Chef Namae featured Dashi because it's a method that is becoming extinct in place of convenience of powdered equivalents.<br />
<br />
But what about the fine art of being an artisan of a craft and the life satisfaction that comes from the obsession of pride in work?<br />
<br />
I'm not saying I by any means have the answer to this million dollar question but I even remember what it was like growing up with grandparents who had a valuable craft and the pride of earning a living from it.<br />
<br />
And your Kodawari doesn't necessarily have to be your earned profession.<br />
<br />
I once knew a man that was a busy sales executive and so in his down time, to maintain a sense of purpose in life and to alleviate the high stress, high pressure aspects of his job he had a wood shed where he made hand made furniture for his family, friends and neighbors. Although he was repeatedly encouraged to open up a shop or to monetize his passion, he never did.<br />
<br />
For him, his Kodawari did not require income (nor marketing, nor business plans). He was completely satisfied with a pride of work of making furniture that his family and friends passed down to generations.<br />
<br />
<b><u><a href="https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/master-dashi">Master Dashi Recipe</a></u></b><br />
And with the upcoming colder weather and holidays, I thought you'd love this Dashi recipe Food&Wine also shared...may it remind you to incorporate Kodawari in your lifestyle. You deserve to know what a pride in work as an artisan of a craft feels like...it's irreplaceable.<br />
<br />
Ingredients<br />
2 qt. room-temperature water<br />
1 oz. kombu<br />
1 oz. katsuobushi<br />
<br />
Pour 2 quarts water into a medium sauce pan and add kombu. Let stand until kombu doubles in size, about 30 minutes. Cook over medium-low until water is steaming and tiny bubbles collect on surface of kombu. Adjust heat to maintain water temperature below a simmer, and let steep for 30 minutes.<br />
<br />
Remove from heat, and add katsuobushi. Allow katsuobushi to settle at the bottom of pot, about 2 minutes.<br />
<br />
Pour liquid through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a bowl. Discard solids.<br />
<br />
<br />
And here are some of my favorite recipes using Dashi as a base broth...enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxcqS6gIecDgHO2-LnqzmhMROvzeB5YhLMGPXCKzxZDe0Equ30PW6irKBoeNIuKiWI9NG6HddEGXlB2GGxNajrH545n7DeGbq8NZW1FveZHCPAbmZu5TpU8sfWt4mFfqHyoE41o8O1us/s1600/image.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxcqS6gIecDgHO2-LnqzmhMROvzeB5YhLMGPXCKzxZDe0Equ30PW6irKBoeNIuKiWI9NG6HddEGXlB2GGxNajrH545n7DeGbq8NZW1FveZHCPAbmZu5TpU8sfWt4mFfqHyoE41o8O1us/s320/image.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/dashi-crab-and-tofu">Dashi with Crab and Tofu</a> (<span style="background-color: white; color: #686c73; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">© </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #686c73; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Fredrika Stjärne)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCFso8ByeUQve0hDvfLL3UoBy_xk3BYdRiKY_b6Z8kBCDSZxe6H2bq_yY5fA2YwuiHwKcO3qJydwLGjMHEoncYmy6qQfLPfsWkBywpDbKVK5nu5Gd4TSJBK9W0BfgFE8WE-HQFuosJjI/s1600/image.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCFso8ByeUQve0hDvfLL3UoBy_xk3BYdRiKY_b6Z8kBCDSZxe6H2bq_yY5fA2YwuiHwKcO3qJydwLGjMHEoncYmy6qQfLPfsWkBywpDbKVK5nu5Gd4TSJBK9W0BfgFE8WE-HQFuosJjI/s320/image.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/bok-choy-shiitakes-and-root-vegetables-in-dashi">Root Vegetables in Dashi</a> (<span style="background-color: white; color: #686c73; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Eric Wolfinger)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9R0-yz5kYqmqpuMSnGZ8jB7JW30fHwdbgC9r7BS1-m5YS-80qOEYFHtwr5vl7aua8fwI213OyddUs1j0vPAbhnRhCegYx9vTWhIKvLOi1lDFh3b_N_MP8UtjBbEsocfWsJws-YK1Jp0/s1600/image.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9R0-yz5kYqmqpuMSnGZ8jB7JW30fHwdbgC9r7BS1-m5YS-80qOEYFHtwr5vl7aua8fwI213OyddUs1j0vPAbhnRhCegYx9vTWhIKvLOi1lDFh3b_N_MP8UtjBbEsocfWsJws-YK1Jp0/s320/image.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/warm-soba-pork-shrimp-and-cabbage">Warm Soba Noodles with Pork, Shrimp & Cabbage</a> (<span style="background-color: white; color: #686c73; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">© Tina Rupp)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://bit.ly/2OSdc8u">Shop MM.Lafleur</a>Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-87874960480127289792018-09-18T13:31:00.002-07:002018-09-18T13:42:51.738-07:00Tabletop Level Up with Boxed Gifts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUB5NIM7OC2QIkOG__-YMtKnpp6jTAn3AbRYBACEdlTAI4sIEUWJ-35OQowau9iIMN_3It4LDGFT7CXTBEaU57N4Jqrr_0-tudztJBLT9EUEkEcBAbnjGs7uVlFUOcIjCacljHzApvI1I/s1600/Tabletop+gift+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="640" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUB5NIM7OC2QIkOG__-YMtKnpp6jTAn3AbRYBACEdlTAI4sIEUWJ-35OQowau9iIMN_3It4LDGFT7CXTBEaU57N4Jqrr_0-tudztJBLT9EUEkEcBAbnjGs7uVlFUOcIjCacljHzApvI1I/s320/Tabletop+gift+Pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture Credit Meghan Hess (Instagram)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have found that one of the most easiest and impactful ways to increase the overall aesthetic of your tabletop decor is using the power of a boxed gift.<br />
<br />
I was inspired to write the post after seeing another Instagram post in which this easy tabletop secret was used for a lunch launch by the event planners and organizers for Megan Hess, famed fashion illustrator.<br />
<br />
And this doesn't just work for launches. <br />
<br />
This works just as well for mom midday meetups while the kids are at school and you need some adult time.<br />
<br />
This works just as well for a nonprofit committee meetup in which you want to give a simple thank you gift to your hard working committee members or board.<br />
<br />
This works just as well for a few busy friends meeting up to celebrate life and you want to make them feel special for their loyalty and friendship.<br />
<br />
And you don't have to have a Chanel budget to achieve the same aesthetic.<br />
<br />
Here are some gift ideas to make this easy for you and I purposefully selected ones that had gorgeous packaging or comes in classy boxes so that all you have to do is place at each place setting or my most preferred way: put a bow or tie a ribbon around it!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVaiIL8yU5S7lQuBmqiFR0iwLuW6PjFvFlz-h8QHtKo7PNgFvQf_QngCRj9Ppq3tohP2oaqW3JS0I9E_qZrMe5aIFCLxrPcyJFw9Uy87nyWZaoAxiD847PMyCXefR9enwae5jXtUtiIs/s1600/No+Ka%2527+Oi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="473" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVaiIL8yU5S7lQuBmqiFR0iwLuW6PjFvFlz-h8QHtKo7PNgFvQf_QngCRj9Ppq3tohP2oaqW3JS0I9E_qZrMe5aIFCLxrPcyJFw9Uy87nyWZaoAxiD847PMyCXefR9enwae5jXtUtiIs/s320/No+Ka%2527+Oi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.farfetch.com/shopping/women/no-ka-oi-medium-grid-textured-pouch-item-12749767.aspx?storeid=10433&from=1">No Ka' Oi Quilted Pouches Made in Italy (only $32+)</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfd5rduRG8gS6mzeAUUY1z2fofyg1LBsud0XsKfwns5mYrI12M26joI3EKoZGU5w7U0PJRtpiuUzIKt9NNTF92bbnSIz5EbZrx7-w2w42pZ36T9PIRx0MLeQmOq9Tx_pPyC9ijshyphenhyphenptI/s1600/Gift2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="430" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfd5rduRG8gS6mzeAUUY1z2fofyg1LBsud0XsKfwns5mYrI12M26joI3EKoZGU5w7U0PJRtpiuUzIKt9NNTF92bbnSIz5EbZrx7-w2w42pZ36T9PIRx0MLeQmOq9Tx_pPyC9ijshyphenhyphenptI/s320/Gift2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fxo.co/69Nk">NEST Gift Boxes Available from Votive to Large Candles</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMViAP4aw3XQUpFiU1JZOmSxg2OQSmiWf4qdyA1OEJOtPHUoT2D0H4b5imwoyOSDoqGB83YWGv6gIJbR0EadXh3P099iIPyHNrv7BqFpXliEx5E5wEMJJEG4Xve9bbhZRHAJwLWMFChIg/s1600/Swell+Gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="452" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMViAP4aw3XQUpFiU1JZOmSxg2OQSmiWf4qdyA1OEJOtPHUoT2D0H4b5imwoyOSDoqGB83YWGv6gIJbR0EadXh3P099iIPyHNrv7BqFpXliEx5E5wEMJJEG4Xve9bbhZRHAJwLWMFChIg/s320/Swell+Gift.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://track.flexlinkspro.com/a.ashx?foid=1043793.138867663&foc=1&fot=9999&fos=1">S'well Gold Calcutta Traveler</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozKdadlmOhExn-89clNAN59PTWzjZQWkwIw_Oy-3iGKd0yN4bphg0MJqeLZBLWR6H5YbmUdat7p3Ov_DbNp9juE2daSZqcKVYNie8miB1m-udK8Ef8SK1qi7YZb8Od_EYBePP6ccTXqA/s1600/Fortnum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="472" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozKdadlmOhExn-89clNAN59PTWzjZQWkwIw_Oy-3iGKd0yN4bphg0MJqeLZBLWR6H5YbmUdat7p3Ov_DbNp9juE2daSZqcKVYNie8miB1m-udK8Ef8SK1qi7YZb8Od_EYBePP6ccTXqA/s320/Fortnum.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fxo.co/69Ox">Fortnum Teas Are the Best in the World</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGTVTB4xTHehQ2l0hVjZWsvMCmV5f5OIAjXS948Hoz16KJJsGwXJZKhj8VcAB6CJKZO_o5g4HovBr0yNW0trBXqRH7_pkkrSU3fex65zTG1gk6KntN0Ng8cMEHzm-lKwmgrGWHBuV4gk/s1600/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="390" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGTVTB4xTHehQ2l0hVjZWsvMCmV5f5OIAjXS948Hoz16KJJsGwXJZKhj8VcAB6CJKZO_o5g4HovBr0yNW0trBXqRH7_pkkrSU3fex65zTG1gk6KntN0Ng8cMEHzm-lKwmgrGWHBuV4gk/s320/0.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fxo.co/69Pb">Sugarfina Corona Bento Box</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQ9geqBPZOaiA-IrRA3_6JPCmjGEH1EfsRcI1TqrcABPEk_j2ipQ6b_coNMmR0f0G3GmJIFjatKOoLVEQmuwLGLWFyIjHz1VqlQi4GcLIlE5NLkcb2BrT198SH8ksOmXiZPlcbH7YwhM/s1600/1589_04203_mm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQ9geqBPZOaiA-IrRA3_6JPCmjGEH1EfsRcI1TqrcABPEk_j2ipQ6b_coNMmR0f0G3GmJIFjatKOoLVEQmuwLGLWFyIjHz1VqlQi4GcLIlE5NLkcb2BrT198SH8ksOmXiZPlcbH7YwhM/s1600/1589_04203_mm.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.brylanehome.com/decor/Marble-Mortar-and-Pestle.aspx?PfId=588822&DeptId=15213&ProductTypeId=1&ppos=21&Splt=0">Marble Mortar and Pestle</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-75259444358633162752018-09-14T12:34:00.003-07:002018-09-14T12:34:50.149-07:00Bringing on Fall with Lips to Envy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxJ-fyzMKZJy9GkiEsdmaeU0if-2No6IKmfJ6EsFDIteSAvht8_BHj_A5QiwBgltlVdw8xIIs-acPMSusTzXmPAfRcBrDKiBIYu5WR3i6i9oREN_Ani0Nd4H0peeeXbZJ2hwQIdEZebk/s1600/Lipstick+Envy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="640" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxJ-fyzMKZJy9GkiEsdmaeU0if-2No6IKmfJ6EsFDIteSAvht8_BHj_A5QiwBgltlVdw8xIIs-acPMSusTzXmPAfRcBrDKiBIYu5WR3i6i9oREN_Ani0Nd4H0peeeXbZJ2hwQIdEZebk/s320/Lipstick+Envy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As a blogger I bump into many beauty brands but one lipstick I keep coming back to is <a href="http://fxo.co/68MU">Estee Lauder's</a> <a href="http://fxo.co/68MT">lipstick envy</a>.<br />
<br />
It has the duality of being moisturizing while also long lasting considering I talk a lot as apart of my job as a curator and influencer.<br />
<br />
I though y'all might like to know that you literally can't go wrong with this brand and the color above is <a href="http://fxo.co/68MT">my favorite for fall</a>.<br />
<br />
The color shown is called <a href="http://fxo.co/68MT">Stronger</a> and is a matte sculpting lipstick in a perfect berry with a hint of brown.<br />
<br />
My skin tone is a medium dark brown and I wear this color from work to an evening out because being in the creative space, it helps me to present myself as someone who is not boring and who brings a bit of fun to everything I do!<br />
<br />
Ha!Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-41523446503015422282018-08-16T20:50:00.001-07:002018-08-19T17:11:37.298-07:00Mime Awards: Community Good and Performance Style<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3tpoZ_uygK80FhuEYliqVUGWwVPtC3URyApTdyoOWQryLEW4bXrjAVKiPwRa0YFUgZFbAY1NfywQPZ_0fHatRXgncp_p9nu1Bd6djWF46ukWWCTskO6oawT7-skIMqEBocl0eGD-fzw/s1600/IMG_5589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3tpoZ_uygK80FhuEYliqVUGWwVPtC3URyApTdyoOWQryLEW4bXrjAVKiPwRa0YFUgZFbAY1NfywQPZ_0fHatRXgncp_p9nu1Bd6djWF46ukWWCTskO6oawT7-skIMqEBocl0eGD-fzw/s320/IMG_5589.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Commentating on the Mime Awards Red Carpet</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
One of my favorite things to do is to write about the many different ways in which people live their lives based on the projects and activities that are the most important to them.<br />
<br />
Community and doing good being one of them.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #222222;">
I recently had the pleasure of being the red carpet fashion highlighter of the Mime Awards in Dallas, Texas which brought people from all over the United States to celebrate the best of this artistic form of dance.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphen0S6DCEi2MIYXDTsDgFdblDIbVxq0qyimHIwuwXkNqLFUNZP9Z1o5J7DCZzcuTGD-_LArVECjSdnjMbIFpGBFMOEIwLuGM5UWWvNvHOZxRlBlUJ3il27mcOGe_JVckh7bOKJnvufnzQ/s1600/E184CE3F-5794-44A3-A646-2C426850EF8B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="973" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphen0S6DCEi2MIYXDTsDgFdblDIbVxq0qyimHIwuwXkNqLFUNZP9Z1o5J7DCZzcuTGD-_LArVECjSdnjMbIFpGBFMOEIwLuGM5UWWvNvHOZxRlBlUJ3il27mcOGe_JVckh7bOKJnvufnzQ/s320/E184CE3F-5794-44A3-A646-2C426850EF8B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Mime Host Earl D. Thomas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
This was the 3rd Annual Mime Awards show and was hosted by Master Mime <a href="http://www.earldthomas.org/iammime.html">Earl D. Thomas</a>. The program is the featured initiative of the <a href="http://www.earldthomas.org/btf.html">Belinda Thomas Foundation</a> with the aim to expose others on how mime can be a form of expression that enhances the community.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The mission of the Belinda Thomas Foundation is to educate, enlighten and empower the youth of DFW by teaching life skills and college readiness using the art of mime as a platform.</i></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The awards show is the annual fundraiser that supports the I AM MIME Experience scholarship to graduating high school seniors in the DFW metroplex.</span><br />
<br />
If you're not familiar with what Mime is, here's a snippet of a performance that I recorded that brought the audience to its feet: <a href="https://youtu.be/0qD13X0hELs">https://youtu.be/0qD13X0hELs</a><br />
<br />
From the Mime performers to the gala attendees, the fashion was spirited and a real reflection of the heart and soul of the people gathered.<br />
<br />
Here are my Best Dressed Selections (Performers and Non-Performers):<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="https://jmcclurephotography.pixieset.com/thevendorphotographer/">* all photos credit to J McClure Photography</a></i></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>BEST DRESSED: PERFORMERS </u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zU0-hYVEUkuE65Vs0dYMkbJahoLKOjskoNe0XbPnMoAWgAQqpwKQbmnDBDCB1QHuJ9FZv-0pcKEIYmS8BfYEJ21rieV7pmN-K0Stx-l1rNmZm5I5j1NPjdpfbK3uFaAgEPcLRW25lrs/s1600/image4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="640" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zU0-hYVEUkuE65Vs0dYMkbJahoLKOjskoNe0XbPnMoAWgAQqpwKQbmnDBDCB1QHuJ9FZv-0pcKEIYmS8BfYEJ21rieV7pmN-K0Stx-l1rNmZm5I5j1NPjdpfbK3uFaAgEPcLRW25lrs/s320/image4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzp3bjgDo8onPRutIEth6ZgWWnajR6HqzV7eCdVQliT2HBCbzMLEuE0N0PBGeJ5ut1DRWHwGmdxVUornnho_K4uXcuAyPIifBnA5VScGsmBvaLtksRpjXRKf4cCHxSaW14zpI5gjU7ALc/s1600/image1+%25283%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="640" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzp3bjgDo8onPRutIEth6ZgWWnajR6HqzV7eCdVQliT2HBCbzMLEuE0N0PBGeJ5ut1DRWHwGmdxVUornnho_K4uXcuAyPIifBnA5VScGsmBvaLtksRpjXRKf4cCHxSaW14zpI5gjU7ALc/s320/image1+%25283%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuE_cCBKm4As61e_cOdAKXxyw_TBmzeNVfLYXS9StD4LnucGjKcInN1mT51Rr9QjZWBepN-4ZOL17a1ZRDC5U29oSm6J1u29zGSTp8RM4hMnyQk_NJGfA4gqfBBSAWJVNnT9anrTOUno/s1600/image3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="636" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuE_cCBKm4As61e_cOdAKXxyw_TBmzeNVfLYXS9StD4LnucGjKcInN1mT51Rr9QjZWBepN-4ZOL17a1ZRDC5U29oSm6J1u29zGSTp8RM4hMnyQk_NJGfA4gqfBBSAWJVNnT9anrTOUno/s320/image3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDigK2fUUJKf_eFL4DXbqm0f8Wg5onJBqfIS5A5w-7Xwsbd0GfEO9Idwvcl8NgUaBpZ9p69bMHTSsBcN4HchtqOhS6bdK5BBPxrGh90wudUI_5g4kdhbTUE1NYnMmc5e7N7iFNohLwYdM/s1600/IMG_7544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="640" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDigK2fUUJKf_eFL4DXbqm0f8Wg5onJBqfIS5A5w-7Xwsbd0GfEO9Idwvcl8NgUaBpZ9p69bMHTSsBcN4HchtqOhS6bdK5BBPxrGh90wudUI_5g4kdhbTUE1NYnMmc5e7N7iFNohLwYdM/s320/IMG_7544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>BEST DRESSED: NON-PERFORMERS</u></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkmUpwkRlT72P7WEaPa_195L38mNoAdCCwRQLaLovTmBslL7lG9wl9pBUWIyB9bJS3zwqnlCpkN7IzeEZVtRnnyDMWQop7VVAVxqI_amOMRKnxz5rWs_qDXtpXaKbyThILnP1h5eUPiI/s1600/242201AD-A8CC-4530-B0E0-AAD282CF6604.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="941" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkmUpwkRlT72P7WEaPa_195L38mNoAdCCwRQLaLovTmBslL7lG9wl9pBUWIyB9bJS3zwqnlCpkN7IzeEZVtRnnyDMWQop7VVAVxqI_amOMRKnxz5rWs_qDXtpXaKbyThILnP1h5eUPiI/s320/242201AD-A8CC-4530-B0E0-AAD282CF6604.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsTxMg44aZkLNgK1YZUG0w247UJQ0Eyuz5I6IOTVp8Y3dfrFrRewwzBEykeB_DqSZ8KCbGJcNbN5KkpRExNP9m-dwkdDgoRtMs61xPZnEyIQdF8e_B5Bk5vKd-LL2_hyphenhypheneX1zVup812z8/s1600/387C8F74-6405-4E8E-8EFA-4DF930367F6F+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsTxMg44aZkLNgK1YZUG0w247UJQ0Eyuz5I6IOTVp8Y3dfrFrRewwzBEykeB_DqSZ8KCbGJcNbN5KkpRExNP9m-dwkdDgoRtMs61xPZnEyIQdF8e_B5Bk5vKd-LL2_hyphenhypheneX1zVup812z8/s320/387C8F74-6405-4E8E-8EFA-4DF930367F6F+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="275" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTs9TMOaMuXxoJdPmG0pfDlNfXWol0FQ3cIvlOiCGTR0UlByhT1OiaPYlVwEcbddvTCRTKNzzMctBSYZyW-TOsmxKxYEsxEVsnCjwBQg5Q2OTlUMC1DgFQOfVczb1S1ezCriMZ8AotaFs/s1600/image3+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="640" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTs9TMOaMuXxoJdPmG0pfDlNfXWol0FQ3cIvlOiCGTR0UlByhT1OiaPYlVwEcbddvTCRTKNzzMctBSYZyW-TOsmxKxYEsxEVsnCjwBQg5Q2OTlUMC1DgFQOfVczb1S1ezCriMZ8AotaFs/s320/image3+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrv8sx0jvjJC4HKmkPkqIuW9qKJlPnPyX6QPu4WfyZb1HGcsyuJLQFbIaxcOBa8qnbBZhnaHc2hJk7_rWF1qTQj_WkvkVNac4IEp0ctzJmm0fbWhuMMBPJqMeVO-DHHKiM3YDGBfN8TZ8/s1600/image2+%25283%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="640" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrv8sx0jvjJC4HKmkPkqIuW9qKJlPnPyX6QPu4WfyZb1HGcsyuJLQFbIaxcOBa8qnbBZhnaHc2hJk7_rWF1qTQj_WkvkVNac4IEp0ctzJmm0fbWhuMMBPJqMeVO-DHHKiM3YDGBfN8TZ8/s320/image2+%25283%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDfJNI-GcLzGPaEnGeMGhQ_7dSblWDeDfyR71MuFfRY7aZEf17Gce7AIqtbidnevMD0tUbNLMXjGn56imwwaW3bLoT7_P8wZ45HIN1v5qGsiyr3YVXGyiOZafrndLnGhEmtJW4ZfB_Z8/s1600/image4+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="640" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDfJNI-GcLzGPaEnGeMGhQ_7dSblWDeDfyR71MuFfRY7aZEf17Gce7AIqtbidnevMD0tUbNLMXjGn56imwwaW3bLoT7_P8wZ45HIN1v5qGsiyr3YVXGyiOZafrndLnGhEmtJW4ZfB_Z8/s320/image4+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpaTQHvbm414zrkQDwZIqN-iIHtBjXgfa46MfzaMN3KVVVZMW-ArExz1dS_EDgZ-lDENEjqyjrtb9OIrYBQwSj6NRWIDYwKgEDyqt9yBQV5EocQA3t1emtkkak3tbhcOmW1a3sSsfRjk/s1600/FB302183-DAF1-4660-9844-2B54A11FA362.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="996" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpaTQHvbm414zrkQDwZIqN-iIHtBjXgfa46MfzaMN3KVVVZMW-ArExz1dS_EDgZ-lDENEjqyjrtb9OIrYBQwSj6NRWIDYwKgEDyqt9yBQV5EocQA3t1emtkkak3tbhcOmW1a3sSsfRjk/s320/FB302183-DAF1-4660-9844-2B54A11FA362.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Krw3moa1bnlrWhuHHHBxrHS8ChdmSi7utonRSSVLHLjvFGi1bTTi8m8JkO5s6co-5YzLjppsZypSslW8VsuCEjzMvte3wgx2WkcsmeLGRM3qJI151gf1iPo4_2JkIHz8I9i3yzVjq9A/s1600/image5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Krw3moa1bnlrWhuHHHBxrHS8ChdmSi7utonRSSVLHLjvFGi1bTTi8m8JkO5s6co-5YzLjppsZypSslW8VsuCEjzMvte3wgx2WkcsmeLGRM3qJI151gf1iPo4_2JkIHz8I9i3yzVjq9A/s320/image5.jpeg" width="228" /></a></div>
<br />
I left the awards show with such a sense of hope that no matter what's going on in our world, especially those things outside of our control, missions like this nonprofit is always a grounding experience that creates a lifestyle filled with knowing there's always a new day.<br />
<br />
I can't wait until next year!<br />
<br />
And for more information on The Belinda Thomas Foundation, you and go <a href="http://www.earldthomas.org/btf.html">HERE</a>.Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-17496461393102133112018-08-04T19:43:00.001-07:002018-08-04T19:45:54.884-07:00Handbag Chic to Uplevel Your Athleisure Game <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRVGRzD5gAXmz8cofhPLSuq-JJ-pPGIrlY0EgO5V0uwb74AEKowzfLUU9z58k1RRAsV6f-9BubstQFLFZkOU56JfvipWrMV16QL8jzn36jHPuKN3L28l42BX6Z_DQkaz0vDKSmpRAPvA/s1600/IMG_6948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="640" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRVGRzD5gAXmz8cofhPLSuq-JJ-pPGIrlY0EgO5V0uwb74AEKowzfLUU9z58k1RRAsV6f-9BubstQFLFZkOU56JfvipWrMV16QL8jzn36jHPuKN3L28l42BX6Z_DQkaz0vDKSmpRAPvA/s320/IMG_6948.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fxo.co/5yD1">The Whitney</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Most people who know me will assume hell has frozen over because I used the word Athleisure in this blog post.<br />
<br />
For the record: I hate Athleisure.<br />
<br />
Just sayin.<br />
<br />
Buuuuut, it turns out that Athleisure doesn't only have to be women wearing see through, cheap leggings.<br />
<br />
None other than Michael Kors has a new and gorgeous Fall handbag, <a href="http://fxo.co/5yD1">the Whitney</a>, that can uplevel your Athleisure look for Fall without resorting to nonstop leggings (available now for preorder; ships 9/2/18).<br />
<br />
Here are a couple of looks inspired by <a href="http://fxo.co/5yD1">the Whitney</a> that is uncompromisingly chic, comfortable and dare I say a bit badass!?!?<br />
<br />
You're welcome.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlUS66IBosdjniepCq9sRyzQZr0tCHIMIvagNRox7wWlUymsdCWf80DJRtDKIXNKoP2hBGk9vfsWj1aqmfhDk3eAVL7M9cGYcTLob2EfMuhDIN2lm28zx_rjNvCGFey3vHhKmKhukCBs/s1600/Image-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="583" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlUS66IBosdjniepCq9sRyzQZr0tCHIMIvagNRox7wWlUymsdCWf80DJRtDKIXNKoP2hBGk9vfsWj1aqmfhDk3eAVL7M9cGYcTLob2EfMuhDIN2lm28zx_rjNvCGFey3vHhKmKhukCBs/s400/Image-1.png" width="301" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkbD77mkMtE111B93lOTPo2uw1EkNr9NdlOcyKpasOpmPapW0wM6EWHmy0WW2GpuueKw0pz_OR9ki7xGxEOZCGbYcp5n5KCQ3VOW84tU0R7ci-XMGJBXj7SDJawj4im5aSPehORahsro/s1600/Image-1+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="578" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkbD77mkMtE111B93lOTPo2uw1EkNr9NdlOcyKpasOpmPapW0wM6EWHmy0WW2GpuueKw0pz_OR9ki7xGxEOZCGbYcp5n5KCQ3VOW84tU0R7ci-XMGJBXj7SDJawj4im5aSPehORahsro/s400/Image-1+%25281%2529.png" width="296" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-7898939628891454552018-08-04T13:02:00.002-07:002018-08-04T19:47:25.240-07:00Knowing Your Depletion PointI had a fantastic dinner meet up with a friend who is in their early 50s and we both were reminiscing about our past corporate lives that included much volunteering, serving on boards and being "on the scene".<br />
<br />
Since this is one of my newer friends, I appreciated the similarities in telling our stories of mental exhaustion, long work days, keeping teams motivated and moving forward while somehow also striving to balance our relationships with family and friends and serving our communitues.<br />
<br />
He was surprised to hear how much I used to do and he kept saying, "Que, how did you do it?"<br />
<br />
My response: "Well, technically I didn't do it."<br />
<br />
After seeing his puzzled look I explained how sure, it worked for a while because of my youth and sheer inner drive. But make no mistake, the warning signs of it all being too much started appearing: from hair loss to stomach ulcers to always being in a constant state of anxiety to worrying what people thought about me or whether I'd miss some major event that had the potential to change my life...and etc, etc, etc!<br />
<br />
It was neverending.<br />
<br />
And if you add to that the loss of both my parents in a very short period of time and other responsibilities, it is a wonder I was sane.<br />
<br />
He then asked me how did I "come to the light"?<br />
<br />
My response: "I reached my <b><i>depletion point</i></b> when I was on the highway leavinget my corporate job at midnight one night and I almost crashed my car from sheer exhaustion. After i kept falling aslerp at the wheel that night it took everything in me to will myself to the side of the road after hearing my tires repeatedly screeching from swerving at a high speed.<br />
<br />
And you may wonder how exhausted was I?<br />
<br />
So exhausted that I woke up at about 5am that next morning still in my seat belt in that car on the side of the highway and the car was still running (but was in park)."<br />
<br />
I continued to tell my friend how I sat there in my car and cried.<br />
<br />
I also told myself: no more.<br />
<br />
I had reached my <b><i>depletion point</i></b>.<br />
<br />
<u>Making Life Changes</u><br />
After that incident, it took me two and a half years but I slowly unraveled my commitments from my corporate job, my many volunteer assignments (which was especially hard because I had been volunteering since I was 14 years old), board commitments, one sided relationships, and unhealthy activities.<br />
<br />
I now know that for some people, like me, unraveling a life of expectations is one of the hardest things you'll ever do.<br />
<br />
Ever.<br />
<br />
You'll hurt some people due to their expectations not being met of who they think you should be and what they think you should do.<br />
<br />
You'll cry.<br />
<br />
You'll be in a steady state of confusion.<br />
<br />
Your ego will suffer.<br />
<br />
You'll feel like you're losing.<br />
<br />
You won't know if your life has purpose anymore.<br />
<br />
People will judge you as if you are just too weak to handle "success".<br />
<br />
I could go on but you get the idea.<br />
<br />
And these all may sound like the most horrible things you can imagine and no lie, at times it will as you're unraveling.<br />
<br />
But let me warn you: People who aren't aware of when they're getting to their depletion point do drugs (legal and illegal), commit suicide, do horrible things to others in anger, greed or in the name of self preservation and so many other awful things.<br />
<br />
Remember, you alone are the designer of your life. Meaning, what you do, how you do it, when you do it and where you do it.<br />
<br />
And I pray that you don't let your ego of what others think keep you from making the decisions and taking the actions you need to take to be okay.<br />
<br />
Your highest self is waiting...Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-77076439375639064822018-08-02T17:18:00.000-07:002018-08-02T17:28:52.275-07:00Get the Look: Al Fresco Dining (Jo Malone London)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnn2dpON53WSzLqHTm4JIduJ7RFMswjyNK7np__s8mVn5LvKG0bRGYUUuAi_6rEB7lCnS_s4WlmGwkWzjFdG0JIMDRJuDWg1xLCzmaaZS7fDlHP59jxBKv-l4VIBAKyQqT8SI_t-TPkkg/s1600/IMG_6790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="640" height="633" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnn2dpON53WSzLqHTm4JIduJ7RFMswjyNK7np__s8mVn5LvKG0bRGYUUuAi_6rEB7lCnS_s4WlmGwkWzjFdG0JIMDRJuDWg1xLCzmaaZS7fDlHP59jxBKv-l4VIBAKyQqT8SI_t-TPkkg/s640/IMG_6790.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Summer nights are the perfect occasions to gather friends, clients, team members, patrons and committees for pre-holiday dining before year end fundraisers, holidsy shopping, galas, year end projects and giving campaigns go into over drive.<br />
<br />
This Jo Malone al fresco dinner with perfect place settings and richly textured fresh flowers will guarantee you a super inspiring time of cammadarie before the holiday season!<br />
<br />
Here are my Jo Malone recommendations to recreate the place setting looks. And FYI, the black ribbon comes with any Jo Malone gift box, fine fragrance or candle purchase.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Jo Malone London Discovery Collection</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/link?id=B01UB9KhfyY&offerid=357944.4937759&type=2&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2FS%2F4937759%3Futm_source%3Drakuten%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate%26utm_campaign%3Ddatafeed%26utm_contentWomen%3AFragrance%3APerfume%26utm_term%3D5606344%26utm_channel%3Daffiliate_ret_p%26sp_source%3Drakuten%26sp_campaign%3Ddatafeed"><img border="0" src="http://n.nordstrommedia.com/imagegallery/store/product/large/15/_103019015.jpg" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="https://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=B01UB9KhfyY&bids=357944.4937759&type=2&subid=0" width="1" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Jo Malone London Travel Candle Collection</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/link?id=B01UB9KhfyY&offerid=357944.17132539&type=2&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2FS%2F4937761%3Futm_source%3Drakuten%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate%26utm_campaign%3Ddatafeed%26utm_contentWomen%3AHome%3ACandle%26utm_term%3D5606345%26utm_channel%3Daffiliate_ret_p%26sp_source%3Drakuten%26sp_campaign%3Ddatafeed"><img border="0" src="http://n.nordstrommedia.com/imagegallery/store/product/large/9/_103015129.jpg" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="https://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=B01UB9KhfyY&bids=357944.17132539&type=2&subid=0" width="1" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Jo Malone London Wood Sage and Sea Salt Fragrance Combining</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/link?id=B01UB9KhfyY&offerid=357944.4937756&type=2&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2FS%2F4937756%3Futm_source%3Drakuten%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate%26utm_campaign%3Ddatafeed%26utm_contentWomen%3AFragrance%3APerfume%26utm_term%3D5606342%26utm_channel%3Daffiliate_ret_p%26sp_source%3Drakuten%26sp_campaign%3Ddatafeed"><img border="0" src="http://n.nordstrommedia.com/imagegallery/store/product/large/8/_103043808.jpg" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="https://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=B01UB9KhfyY&bids=357944.4937756&type=2&subid=0" width="1" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Jo Malone London Intense Men's Collection</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/link?id=B01UB9KhfyY&offerid=357944.4928280&type=2&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2FS%2F4928280%3Futm_source%3Drakuten%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate%26utm_campaign%3Ddatafeed%26utm_contentMen%3AFragrance%3ACologne%26utm_term%3D5598908%26utm_channel%3Daffiliate_ret_p%26sp_source%3Drakuten%26sp_campaign%3Ddatafeed"><img border="0" src="http://n.nordstrommedia.com/imagegallery/store/product/large/12/_102811812.jpg" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="https://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=B01UB9KhfyY&bids=357944.4928280&type=2&subid=0" width="1" /></div>
Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040231738101188583.post-84854350594959299952018-07-30T20:56:00.001-07:002018-07-31T05:21:19.252-07:00Meditating Love and Happiness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fTWg1i_CZ3RWVRZ_mLqyL3ksLvTrUy-NAIuGACWqsZUPfiV_yF9EQCT9IiosrNTqQWLbeKasBsulIHHhYVWUgPQc3n50ENFnKsnoSLHzaCh3IoC32dgF6lvIvi10NsfA5S39HVyZato/s1600/IMG_6652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fTWg1i_CZ3RWVRZ_mLqyL3ksLvTrUy-NAIuGACWqsZUPfiV_yF9EQCT9IiosrNTqQWLbeKasBsulIHHhYVWUgPQc3n50ENFnKsnoSLHzaCh3IoC32dgF6lvIvi10NsfA5S39HVyZato/s320/IMG_6652.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I've recently joined a meditation and wellness group that meets up during lunch time on the 30th floor of a skyscraper downtown.<br />
<br />
It's so high up that you hear none of the hustle and bustle going on during the lunch hour of the downtown business district.<br />
<br />
I'm a novice at meditation and I'm in no hurry to learn quickly. Meditation naturally brings you to a level of awareness that causes you to be much more gentler with yourself than normal.<br />
<br />
What I loved about this particular session is we participated in a Love and Kindness guided meditation.<br />
<br />
It was especially welcome given the current level of divisiveness and misunderstandings going on in our world right now.<br />
<br />
The Love and Kindness guided meditation was after we spent several minutes getting centered and shutting out what I am sure is the craziness of the business day for each of us.<br />
<br />
This pre-centering was important because I learned it helps you be in a calm state to be the most receptive to the love and kindness visualisations.<br />
<br />
The Love and Kindness guided meditation started out with us selecting a person that we had absolute trust and little/no complexities within our relationship...I thought of my sister.<br />
<br />
So we were first asked to visualize these things for our chosen person :<br />
<br />
I hope you feel safe.<br />
<br />
I hope you feel a profound sense of peace and trust.<br />
<br />
I hope you live free.<br />
<br />
Then we transitioned to us with the person and made same affirmations as "we".<br />
<br />
We lastly visualized then that it was just us and repeated the Love and Kindness affirmations.<br />
<br />
What's interesting is that after we were done the instructor asked us how we felt or "what came up for us" during the Love and Kindness guided meditation.<br />
<br />
My response was that I realized that if he had started it with just me, I wouldn't have "received" the affirmations as openly. But wholeheartedly hoping it for my sister allowed her to be a gateway for me to then receive the prayer affirmations with no hesitation.<br />
<br />
Y'all, I was told by a therapist that I had a hard time with worthiness and it showed up again in this meditation session!<br />
<br />
And one of the major takeaways for me from this session was when the instructor says that one of the main reasons to meditate and pause is so that you switch from DOING time to BEING time so that BEING in time will inform how you DO time.<br />
<br />
In other words, getting centered will help you be more mindful and intentional with what you do with your time and life priorities, as opposed to anxiously living life like it's a blur of activity that you're not in control of...I think that's really powerful!<br />
<br />
I'm starting on this journey of meditation and am looking forward to it being a tool towards more self care and more self awareness in my life.<br />
<br />
I'll keep you updated as I learn!Curva-Lishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00706720087885970647noreply@blogger.com0