Feel Great in Your Skin

The best wardrobe piece is feeling great in your skin. Confident, sexy people are not necessarily the most beautiful in traditional terms, but they do love their bodies. With that love, the body can be dressed to bring that great feeling out.  Now the truth is that most people aren’t so comfortable in their skin and that’s ok. That can be worked on.

In my experience, the Nia movement and fitness practice is one of the best ways to have you love your body and life.  While some students arrive with physical goals, so much more happens in class that brings out their spirit.  Once the spirit begins to dance, much more can happen on the physical level too. Bodies begin to change, to strengthen, to tone, to become more flexible, relaxed and sensual. This juiciness is an excellent step towards finding a wardrobe that fits well and makes you feel your best.  A glowing face is always about what is on the inside. I happen to think it’s extra beautiful when the outside packaging matches the inside.  Dressing well shows a self-love, a care for beauty, respect for places and events. Dressing well can bring dignity and honour. It can help you step into and become any role that is important to you.

People work hard to transform themselves on the inside. My suggestion is that they follow it up on the outside too. And it will reflect back to bring great comfort in their own skin. Put on something that make you look and feel great tonight and notice what happens.

Joy of Fall Fashion

It is a rainy rainy day here in Vancouver, one that suits the month of November rather than August.  And so I can no longer deny that fall is arriving. Fortunately there is one thing that absolutely delights me about fall’s arrival and that keeps a smile on my face even when summertime comes to an end:  Fall Fashion.

Fall is the best season for fashion in Canada (and I suspect for other northern countries).  Rich colours, textures, layers arrive to adorn us.  Boots, scarves and gloves gleefully call out and offer their warmth.  Hats and umbrellas provide personality and protection.  Yummy knits provide patterns and the feel of hand-crafted fabric.  Yes, it is all coming!  Fall is warmth, luxury, coziness.

The leaves begin to change and we bring golds, oranges, reds and deep browns into our daily wear. The school year begins and millions of children wonder what to wear on their first day back to school. We hold onto a few summer items for the much desired Indian summer that continues through September while pulling out a sweater or two. Fall is a delicious transition time.  Why  not use this to add some flair to your expression, try a little something different or new in your wardrobe this fall? A deeply rich scarf, a bold and stylish hat, a colourful umbrella, red boots…endless ways to discover and express new aspects of you! Go on, I dare you.

The Charm of Old Montreal

I just returned from a trip to Montreal. Here are some photos…sit down with a cup of tea or coffee and daydream its beauty and charm…

And I happily bumped into a photo shoot that was happening as I strolled down the cobblestone streets! Parfait!

J’adore Montreal, c’est vraiment chic.

Sweet Shop in Portland

Yummy mummies have a darling shop to visit on NW 23rd Ave in Portland called ‘Duck Duck Goose’.  Well it can actually work for other women and children too! I almost missed walking in since one of their window displays showcased baby and toddler clothes which is primary what they sell. As adorable as they were, they wouldn’t fit me!  Happily I noticed their other window display that held edgy and sexy women’s pieces. Within seconds I was oohing and aahing inside. There was an incredibly pretty shimmering silver dress made of what seemed like reflective (mirror-like) plastic circles. Too small for me so I simply caressed it lovingly.

Then I found a sophisticated jacket with lots of details. What attracted me was the juxtaposition of feminine and masculine elements (ruffles, lines) together. The retail staff were absolutely sweet and helpful and let me know that a website will be up soon too.

I had hoped go to NW 23rd Ave on my trip since it’s such a sweet boutique street, but only had two hours before my train deparature and didn’t know if I could do it all – get there and back, pick up my things from the Hotel and then arrive in time for the train. Fortunately an angel, by the name of Barbara (fellow Nia Black Belt), volunteered to drive me there, so I decided it was meant to be. Shopping with limited time can stress out many people, however I find it perfect.  It seems to hone my attention to the right stuff so quickly or shows me that this may not be the day to shop. Either way, little time spent keeps me relaxed  and happy and sometimes I walk out with something I love.

I found myself wearing the jacket on the train later that day since the air conditioning was way too cold (so it’ll be a great piece for fall/winter). It was fun feeling rather stylish and glam travelling this way! The fabric felt soft against my arms. Comfort and beauty, a great combination.

p.s. It was a great price too!  http://shopduckduckgoose.com/

This moment

Decisions galore

so much activity

hard to hear myself.

Want a break

for peace and knowing

to show itself.

A Train to Portland

I’m taking the train to Portland, but there’s no wi-fi, so this will be posted later.  The train seems like an ideal place to write and blog. I think I could write endlessly.  Travelling has always been a time for me to reflect without feeling like there’s anything else I need to be doing. I can only read so much in a moving vehicle. I guess I could give it a go, write a book, you know  I’ve got time, at least to do some of it.  But I do want to sleep too. Waking up at 5 am is not my favourite thing to do. And shouldn’t I be preparing for my Nia adventure in some way? Like studying my Nia principles? Or listening to see if my Destiny is calling and what it is saying.  Oh boy, it seems like there’s much more to do than I thought.  I did bring a copy of “Flare”, that’ll offer some visual candy. Apparently the train is going to be full, so perhaps sleeping would be most appropriate now. Ok, let me close my eyes.  I hope I don’t miss some great views. On the other hand, maybe I’ll enter dreamland and create some of my own.

Hmm, we just traveled for a couple of minutes and know we’ve stopped.  No wonder this is going to take 8 hours!  All I can say is that this is far better than a long bus ride or waiting in the airport.  Trains are a great way to travel.  Ok, let’s get some shut eye. Talk to you later.

Dear Library

Thank you for being there for me when I needed inspiration, guidance, humour, information and so much more.

I love the library, it is definitely on my list of ‘best friends’.  It is where I go for regular doses of wisdom.  It is a sort of heaven for me and if I’m ever a philanthropist, they will be high on my list to support.

How many books do you read each year? My numbers keep growing. It feels like I could’ve completed some kind of degree by now.  I wish that I had noted down all the books I have read.  I actually checked with my library to see if there was some way they could print me a list from over the years, but alas they do not keep such information.

So I began noting down what I’m reading not long ago.  If I ever wanted to write a book for example, I can site my own influences!  Or maybe it’ll just be a list I read when I’m 80 yrs old and feel happy about?  Again, thank you dear Library.  You are a treasure.

The Fullness of Summer

How are you handling the fullness of summer?  Hopefully you are able to enjoy it thoroughly, especially in the northern hemisphere where it lasts a short time. My summer schedule has been hectic for the last five years due to some teaching that I do at this time of year.  As many times as I’ve managed the program, it still ends up feeling crazy. My other work continues, my birthday celebrations arrive, the fireworks competition is on four nights, and more. I find myself running from one thing to another and carrying it in my head no matter how much I write down and get done.

This year, I decided to label July and August in a way that gives me a sense of peace and clarity.  July to early August represents the fullness of summer. There is a bounty of things to do and the sun shines gloriously begging for us to enjoy it. Knowing what this time is, the best thing to do is ride it like one of those gigantic waves they have in Hawaii.  Go with the flow because it is flowing!

And then, the last half of August can be relaxation, reflection, and rejuvenation. I had a manager once that took the whole of August off to relax with his family. They took loads of books and did a lot of hiking. Back then, I thought that was a long time to just “hang out”, but now I think it sounds splendid.  A whole month to really let go, deal with boredom (!), and become so clear, that by September, work may sound like the perfect solution!  I actually don’t have a month I can take off at this time, but what I can do is sit with the August theme and soak it in as much as I can. Fortunately I’ll have some time away which will be the real key to feeling away from day-to-day life.

So try the recipe:  July – enjoy the blast! And August – return to your self.

Stress – Can we just let it go?

I happen to be at a very busy time, work is full-on and social events are piling up.  Trips to Portland and Montreal await.  And it’s my blogging day!  All in all, this is great.  Except…I’m wondering how I’m going to get through it in one piece?!  I want to enjoy the social events fully.  I want to do a great job in each of my projects.  And I want to be ready for my trips in body, mind and spirit.  I do want it all.

And so I find myself thinking thoughts that question how it’ll all happen and wondering what I’ve forgotten.  Meanwhile my body contracts, as if I’m holding myself together.  But today, I remembered what to do.  RELAX.  Yes, relax my brain and my thoughts and let them go. Write down what I need to do and keep at it all one step at a time.  And very importantly, relax my body.  Breathe.  Soften.  Expand out and enjoy.  And just like that I found some happiness.

The repetition of this relaxing is what reminds the body  and mind that this is a state that is possible.  And so, I kept pausing today to feel that.  By the time I got to teaching my evening Nia class, I was still relaxed and looking forward to teaching rather than tense, out of breath, and thinking about the next thing on my list.  The class helped me let go more, untie the entanglements within, and walk out peaceful and serene.

So I encourage you to try it during your busiest times. All you need is a bunch of moments of breath and attention. And if you can also go into your heart and feel for a moment, you will quickly find your presence.

It is almost midnight, but I am happy to do my blog post and my body is still calm. Now… time to relax my mind for the night, since tomorrow happens to be a special day.

It all begins in Childhood

Just met an old friend of the family at a birthday dinner. He knew me as a child. Tonight, he didn’t recognize me immediately since it’s been so long that he’s seen me.  I recognized him right away meanwhile, as he was one of the ‘uncles’ I grew up knowing.  Funnily enough, once he figured out who I was, he said he can never forget one memory he has of me from when I was young. Apparently my mom wanted to put a coat over my dress and I exclaimed, “I’m not wearing a coat, it’ll hide my dress!” While I know my love of style began at a young age, it was fun to know I was expressing it out loud!  :)

I often ask my students at Blanche Macdonald about their first memory of being aware of fashion, and so many tell me it was by the age of five.  How about you?