“Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.” - Veronica A. Shoffstall
Fralisa and I as we closed out the celebration
| Meditation session with Esther...relaxing. | Our day started off with, Spiritual Life Coach, Esther Alley teaching the women the power of meditation and connecting to their divine source. It is through this connection we are able to tap into our higher self, where the self-love really begins. The women had an opportunity to experience three different types of mediation styles because often we think of mediation as just sitting and being silent. The one that stood out the most was guided meditation because if really helps maintain focus.
| | The women working on their "Just Say Yay" project. | Next, was "JUST SAY YAY!!" with Creative Life and Retreat Coach, Kelly Morrison, Kelly walked the women through an art exercise that helped them acknowledge who they are and the gifts they bring to the world. I really enjoyed seeing the women get into their inner child and self-expression with the use of crayons, markers and power words. This activity was really introspective and impactful to many.
| | Photographer Sonja Morgan...captured the event and did a mini-photoshoot with each lady. Awesome! | Getting in front of a camera and feeling confident is not an easy for many women. When you have an amazing woman behind the camera cheering you on, it becomes easier. You forget someone is looking at you through this little hole. LOL
Sonja helped every woman feel comfortable and beautiful as each she stepped in front of the camera for her spotlight moment. | Belly Dancer's, Shelly and Nona, really rocked the house showing women that belly dance is a wonderful way to reconnect with your body and YOUR sexy. At the end of their session the ladies were able to do a 5-minute choreography. It was so much fun shimmying our hearts out!
Finally, we ended our day with a SOUL TRAIN DANCE LINE and reminder that we are ALL beautiful AND that a Madly In Love With Me celebration is in order EVERYDAY!!!
Thank you to all the ladies who chose to share YOUR day with us!!!
Happy New Year!!! Can you believe it is 2013? I hope your holidays were amazing! I wanted to take a moment and share one of the things I enjoy doing the most every year, DREAM BOARDS.
Dream boards have been instrumental in my life over the past 5 years. Something happens energetically when we put our goals down on paper. As a teen my father always told me to write my goals down but I never understood the power of that lesson. I don't even think he knew the power of what he was teaching me.
Today I ask , "What do you want to manifest in 2013?" Peace? New Career? New Customers? New Body? Health? Relationships? YOU MUST BE SPECIFIC.
What you THINK about, YOU BRING ABOUT.
Here's how to do it!Get yourself a bunch of magazine, print pictures from online, cut out words and quotes that touch and INspire you. Once you have pulled your photos and words, review and narrow them down to the ones that reallyresonate with you. Here are some other tools you can have on hand to make this process creative and fun: - Glitter, Glitter Pens
- Scrapbook background sheets, Construction paper
- Stickers, Glue sticks
- Markers, Colored Pencils, Chalk, Paints
You can organize these pictures/words on a poster board, foam board or in one of my favorite places, A VISION JOURNAL. I make my own Vision/Dream Journals. Buy an 8.5 x 11 journal from somewhere like Barnes and Nobles or use a scrapbook. You can glue your words and pictures throughout the journal. Then use the journal over the year to document your year's journey. HAVE FUN! Feel free to share your vision boards with me on Facebook.
 Today, a wonderful woman I know, love and respect, Molesey Knox-Brunson, sent me this email and I decided to share her beautiful insights. I pray they bless you as much as they blessed me today. The end is here...12.21.12 For years, it's been foretold that on this fateful day, our world will end... and it has. The world as we know it has come to an end. Universally, we're coming into an age of greater awareness. This time signifies birth and rebirth; an awakening to higher levels of consciousness; elevating to becoming who we are destined to be. Even though the Mayan calendar ends on 12.21.12, many scholars and scientist have overlooked a major Universal Truth: Time is circular, not linear. In this Universe, where one thing ends another begins. Instead of a doomsday forecast,12.21.12 energies are about awakening to who you are; stepping fully into the journey of becoming. Queen, it’s time to come out of hiding. It’s time to show the world who you are. I’ll give you the Divine Word that was given to me 4 years ago: Look over your life: Everything that you’re going through now and everything that you’ve been through to get to this point, write it down. Honor that. You’re about to go to a new place. You’re about to go from good to great.Little did I know, the journey would be an elevation of consciousness. Now, in this moment, it all makes sense. Queen, when the caterpillar enters the cocoon, she brings all of herself; she leaves nothing behind. She doesn’t omit the bad parts, the undesirable pieces, the scars. Everything that she is enters the chrysalis. Every bit of her is required for the transformation to occur. That’s her process of becoming. Don’t despise the days of your past because they were necessary for you to become all that you are about to become. Overcoming is how the Queen gets her wings. Order Molesey's Book Here!!
"As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence actually liberates others.
-Marianne Williamson"
 Photo: Fine Art America I have been reading Marianne Williamson's book, "A Return to Love." Many women quote her so I thought it was time I read the book. Can I say, I am loving it. Not all of her spiritual teachings resonate with me but I am the type of person that values others points of view. Much of what she writes can easily apply to anyone's life who is looking to understand their purpose. The quote above really connected with me as I am on a mission to help other women shine by shining my light. I have discovered the more I shine, the more the other women around me begin to shine. I believe the more we get back to the foundation of "why" we are in business, we will live a life grounded in joy and abundance. When we truly come from that INspired place of Love, we will reap what we sow.
When we operate from fear, our light is dimmed and the women we are called to serve miss out on our divinely inspired message. When fear shows up for me I like to bring to mind one of my favorite scriptures; "God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of peace, love and a sound mind." I find peace in that scripture because I am reminded that my thinking is not from above. The fear I feel is something I created in my mind because I am focused on me and not my purpose. When that reality sets in my spirit, I quickly shut off that thinking and step into the fear. My calling is great and so is YOURS. Every time a non-supportive thought shows up ask yourself these three questions:
1) Is this thought based on facts?
2) Is this thought grounded in truth?
3) Does this thought help me become who I am called to be?
Most likely the answer is, "NO" to all those questions so KICK IT TO THE CURB!!
I want you to remember that YOU were designed to SHINE, and brightly. You are not here by accident but on a DIVINE assignment, uniquely and masterfully created by Love (God) to transform the world.
Take some time to reconnect with your mission and purpose as we embark on a new year. Begin to create your abundance for 2013 now! Much love to all.
 When you’re making your videos NEVER FORGET you are the STAR of your channel. Just like you make first impressions in real life in the blink of an eye, people will decide quickly whether they want to keep watching your video or move on. By showing up like a STAR, uniquely YOU, in your videos, you're going to stack the cards HIGH in your favor. Here are FIVE secrets to looking like a STAR in your videos: 1. Add a little more of the beauty accessory called "makeup". When applying your makeup prior to the video, think of how much makeup you wear on a daily basis and then double it. The lighting is going to mute the coloring so you will require more blush, eye shadow, and eye liner than usual. The key to wearing more makeup is to blend, blend, blend! The lines of demarcation show up more clearly on camera, so make sure you blend. Before shooting the video, don’t forget to take a test photo to make sure your makeup looks ready for the limelight. 2. Have good lighting. Lighting is key. It’s your spotlight, after all! To ensure there are no unflattering shadows on your face, turn on the ALL lights, and bring in extra lamps if necessary. When using indoor lighting, one thing to pay attention to the temperature of the lightbulbs. Some lightbulbs emit a warmer orange-like light, while others emit a cooler blue-like light. Make sure any lighting you use shares the same temperature so it’s consistent on-screen. Another lighting alternative is opening the shades during the day for some diffused daylight – just remember, it’s diffused light you want, not direct sunlight! Direct sunlight makes people squint and produces shadows. Not flattering!! 3. Style your hair nicely. Just as you pay extra attention to your makeup, take care to make sure your hair is camera-ready as well. Use a little more hair product that normal to prevent fly-aways. Especially if you are filming in high definition (HD), any hair out of place will become more visible. 4. Pay attention to your background. Everything in your video is speaking to your brand, including your background. If you are doing fun videos like out on location or letting your audience in on your world spontaneity is okay. Just don't let that be the norm unless that is your brand. You’re a STAR, remember? Whether you stand for simplicity and elegance, or glamour and glitz, always choose a background that will reflect your brand. 5. Be personable. If you’re scared of the spotlight, pretend that you’re having a one-on-one conversation with one of your favorite people when speaking to the camera. That means smiling and lots of eye contact. People do business with those they know, like, and trust, so you want to make sure you come across personable so your audience can connect and subsequently, want to do business with you. Something I do to shift my energy is DANCE! Put some jams on and rock out for a minute and get in front of the camera and ROCK YOUR STAR POWER. ***Need some help? Check out my program "Simply Gorgeous: Celebrity Edition" at http://www.connectwithbeauty.com
On September 19th I joined Angela Minelli on her first Livestream call to promote her 90 Day Health Retreat. Take a listen to find out more.
 As entrepreneurs that are out to change the world, many of us work from home offices so we can juggle work and manage our homes. When you are your own boss, it’s easy to stuck in a pattern of waking up and making the 10-foot commute to your home office without bothering to change out of your pajamas. What does it matter, no one else will see you, right? I’m here to tell you why it matters.
The bottom line is this: You will feel better about yourself and be more productive if you have a shower, put on some nice clothes, and do your hair and makeup. For many of us who work from home, we face similar challenges like isolation, depression, and accountability. While this seemingly insignificant change won’t eradicate all your problems immediately, feeling better about yourself will make a significant difference to your success in the long run.
So do yourself a favor! Treat yourself to breakfast, a shower, put on some nice clothes, and make yourself up. Because at the end of the day, when you look good, you feel good, which will enable you to do good in the world. Now go get dressed girl!! :-)
 If you are serious about growing your business and your clientele, one of the best investments you can make is in networking. In any given metropolitan city, you will find tremendous women’s networking groups that meet regularly and allow female entrepreneurs and business owners terrific opportunities to meet, greet, and collaborate.
But what if you’re new to networking and the idea of trying to make small talk with strangers makes you panic? Here are three body language tips to help you maximize on your networking dollar!
1. Smile. Studies have shown that a smile can be recognized up to 30 feet away. Work that universal sign of friendliness to your advantage and make put a smile on your face! You’ll look far more welcoming and approachable that way.
2. Avoid crossing your arms. If your arms (and/or legs) are crossed, this can make you appear as though you closed off to new encounters – people will subconsciously pick up on this behavior. Instead, leave your arms at your side, or carry a clutch, business card case, or drink to keep your hands occupied.
3. Look for groups of 3+ people to join. If you happen to be arriving at a networking group alone (Bravo! You are in charge of your own destiny!), keep an eye out for groups of 3 people or more to join. A group of two can be too intimate. Look particularly for groups of people whose bodies are angled outwards, indicating they are open to more people joining the group and conversation.
4. Keep moving. Standing in a corner by yourself isn’t going to do you any good. With the first three tips in mind, start making your way around the room and look for opportunities to reach out and meet new people. If you happen to see someone else who is alone, go say hello!
As a closing note, don’t think you need to meet every single person in the room and thrust your business card on them. Make a modest goal to have 3-5 meaningful conversations with people at a networking event. Networking isn’t just a one time deal either, so schedule in time on a weekly or monthly basis to prioritize networking opportunities. As someone whose clientele has flourished because of networking, your business will be glad you did!
 A while back I was at a local firm where I was introduced to one of their consultants. This young man had a friendly manner to him and had evidently taken care to dress in a dress shirt, tie, and slacks and present himself professionally when working with clients. But there was one glaring oversight: head to toe, all of his clothes were wrinkled. In fact, they looked like they were just pulled from a pile of clothes on the floor.
Now you may think that a detail like wrinkled clothing could easily be overlooked. But imagine you are meeting a consultant you hired for the first time and he shows up looking half-baked wearing wrinkled clothes? Deep down, you may find yourself wondering, “If he has this lack of attention to detail in the way he presents himself, what else may he drop the ball on down the road?”
As professional women and entrepreneurs, we need to show up looking like who we say we are. Our words, mannerisms, and professional image need to be in complete alignment in order for clients to trust us and be willing to do business with us.
If you are a financial planner and showing up looking like a gypsy, do you think your clothing is going to give your clients the confidence they need to entrust you with planning their retirement? No. As a financial professional, they are going to expect a certain degree of decorum and tailored styling. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that you stifle the gypsy altogether – I’m simply saying there’s a time and a place for everything. And for the record, your pinstripe suits will do far more to garner your clients’ confidence that you can get the job done than an armful of bracelets and a broomstick skirt.
It is my purpose to help align women’s inner and outer beauty. If you are feeling out of sorts and out of alignment, you are in the right place. Right now I am getting ready to debut an exclusive program “Be YOU, Be BEAUTIFUL, Be BANKABLE™” that will help you attract your perfect clients by simply showing up as your authentic self. Let me help you take your beauty all the way to the bank!
NEW MENTORING PROGRAM UNVEILS: JULY 25TH @ 1PM PST
 For the last ten years I’ve pretty much been doing the same eye makeup and recently I have really wanted to mix things up. So when my good friend and makeup artist DorothyInez invited me to her Simply Gorgeous Eyes class, I was excited to access her genius and learn more. (You may remember DorothyInez as the makeup artist from the recent Sell Your Sole Consignment Boutique photo shoot.) With six of us in the class, DorothyInez demonstrated makeup techniques on a model, then gave us a chance to practice the new techniques on our own faces while giving feedback on our application. Her teaching style is really playful, informative, and encouraging which made for an enjoyable class.
Here are some great take-aways I walked away with:- Makeup can help you create the perfect face. Using the right makeup placement, you can draw attention to certain areas of your face and give the illusion of a perfect face.
- When applying eye shadow, look down rather than closing your eyes. When we close our eyes, it can cause our eyelid to scrunch. It may help to tilt your head back.
- When holding a makeup brush, hold it from the end for feather-light application. When you hold from the middle of the brush, you obscure your line of vision, blocking you from seeing your progress, and your application is too heavy.
- When you’re applying your makeup, relax! Do you have the tendency of opening your eyes really wide when applying your eye makeup? I do! Don’t forget to relax your facial muscles!
- When you clean your makeup brushes, squeeze them dry, then lightly reshape. No wringing out the water! Be kind to your brushes and they will last for a long time.
- Dark colors close down the eye while light colors open it up. For example, if you have small eyes, lining the waterline on the lower part of your eye with a white pencil will make them look larger.
- Before applying fake lashes, draw a thin line on the base of the lashes so there isn’t a gap between your natural lashes and the falsies.
- When applying the glue to the false lashes, let the glue dry for 30-60 seconds before application, rather than right away when the glue is still wet.
- Start applying the falsies from the outside of the eye in at the base of your lashes. Use closed tweezers to press down the lashes against your skin.
- Every woman is beautiful.
My Before and After---- I am amazed at the difference the falsies made.
At the end of the class I was feeling so glamorous! I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve worn false eyelashes so it was a real treat to play around with this medium.
Even DorothyInez who swears by MAC and Motives will use the $4 lashes from Target. One of the gals brought lashes from e.l.f. and they were really long and lovely.
What's your favorite makeup tip?
Written by Sarah Ward, Image Consultant, Cable Car CouturePhotography: Sarah Ward
Sarah Ward, AICI, is a dynamic, creative, impeccably dressed Image Management Consultant who is dedicated to beautifying the world, one person at a time. After executing her first makeover in the seventh grade, she has been helping women look and feel their best ever since. Please contact her for all your personal styling needs @ Cable Car Couture
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