Yes? No! No? Yes!: Say yes to life.

For many people there is still a belief that "I do" are the two words that open the gateway to a happy, safe and meaningful life.  I disagree.

I believe the gateway words are 'yes' and 'no'.

Our Yes/No Earrings

 Many greater minds then mine have mulled over the importance of these words eons
before me.

Mae West, who mixed her sex appeal, intelligence and humor brilliantly said "I only have 'yes' men around me.  Who needs "no"  men?" HA!

Our Mae West Tombstone Tote

Eleanor Roosevelt, who was named by President Truman as the First Lady of the World because of her humanitarian efforts,  said 

"Never allow a person to tell you 'no' who doesn't have the power to say 'yes'"

 I try to remember her wisdom throughout the craziness of everyday life.  

Gandhi once said "A 'no' uttered from the deepest conviction is better then a 'yes'  merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble."

I wish I had taken that to heart sooner.  I have found that many
 of my own, and my friends, personal relationships fail from
 this just as often as governments do. 

Pythagoras, the famous Greek mathematician,  said “the oldest, shortest words - 'yes' and 'no' - are those which require the most thought".   His math theory has more than stood the test of time so I would trust his thinking.

Finally, one of my favorite mythological and philosophical writers Joseph Campbell, who coined the infamous phrase "follow your bliss",
and who's definition of a hero's journey is replayed in
every Hollywood film, declared
"The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty 'yes' to your adventure. 

I honor all these thinkers in my yes/no line, which I created as much to help me with my own equivocation, as my desire to remind everyone else to 

stay true to their own 'yes' and 'no'. I find that people who are living by the truth of what they really want to say 'yes' and 'no' to,  have an inner and outer beauty that shows up in all areas of their life.

As Nietzsche, the great philosopher said, "there is no middle ground to life, you either said 'yes' to life or you have said 'no'.

Our Yes/No Coin Purse

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Be Happy

Benjamin Franklin was the 15th of 17 children,  with no formal education, and he could have easily found reason to be unhappy.

I quoted on my tote for so many reason but one is that instead of stopping and making excuses he reached for greatness.

  I love this quote from him.....

"The constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness.  

You have to catch it.  

Without continual growth and progress, 

such words as improvement,

 achievement, and success have no meaning." 

I am concerned that I am measuring happiness the same way I measure hunger.  You?

I never spend my day thinking I am NOT hungry,  but when I am hungry I notice I am starved (and I get cranky)! 

Happiness seems to be calibrated the same way.  When we are unhappy,  like when we are hungry,  we chatter and chatter on about it.  When we are happy we do not notice or give it nearly the same amount of air time. 

 Am I only turning my attention to what is not working verses what is working?  Are you? 

Life is a series of things not working; the air conditioner, hair dryer, the internet, friendships, marriages the list goes on and on.. I run my own company, I have projects, four kids, two dogs, family and friends....it is very easy to look through the list and find the pieces that have fallen off the rails.

I am going to start to embrace my inner Ben Franklin and take my right to pursue happiness with a vengeance.  Starting with my answer to "How are you?";  "I am happy".  I think the more we say it the more it will be true. 

"I'm happy", say it, even if you are only happy for that one moment when you acknowledge that someone in your life cared enough to ask how you're doing. 

People say it is never a good time to get married, pregnant, have surgery or go on a diet, ...IT IS ALWAYS A GOOD TIME TO BE HAPPY..we just have to do it! 

Catch the joy.  Notice the moments when you are content, when you are full enough.  When you are not hungry.  Share them with me.  Let's start a happiness pandemic! 

The Tombstone Tote in Grey

The Ben Franklin Tombstone Tote

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Judy Bentley - Designer Eye

Having been around the world of art and style my whole life, I can say with confidence that my dear friend, Judy Bentley, has one of the best designer eyes I have ever seen. 

Judy came into my life when she began working with my Mother on her home in Atlanta where they quickly became dear friends.  They manifested some of the most beautiful events, occasions and homes I have experienced in my lifetime.  Over the life of their friendship I have seen Judy bring to life homes in Hilton Head, Aspen, slick NY condos, my mothers gorgeous studio and Mothers home. The design details throughout all of Judy's spaces are breath taking and unique.  

Judy's work,  similar to my own line,  truly takes the style of her clients and makes it the best it can be.  She does not take a cookie cutter approach and apply it to all her projects.  If special, unique and beautiful is what you want, either for a fluff up or a total redesign,  I would trust her completely. 

You can read the full article on Judy and her designs here. It was through watching my mom that I learned about casting.  Featured in the article are two pieces from my mom's collection; a piece from the bronze basket series and one of my personal favorites, the red shield.  

Article in Atlanta Homes Magazine featuring Judy's work

My Mother's shield and basket.

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Guest Blog Post on Lion'esque Style!

Check out my guest blog post for Lion'esque on wrist stacking.  Get my top 5 styling tips to make your arm candy statement!

TIPS FROM THE DESIGNER: A HEATHER BELLE FALL HUED WRIST STACK

September 02 2013

No one styles Heather Belle's jewelry better than the designer herself. Every time we meet with her we can't wait to see her latest and greatest creations. In honor of her new product launches and the upcoming fall season, Heather gave us a few tips on how to master wrist decorating and even put together an exclusive autumn inspired stack:

1. Stack in odd numbers. Add to your arm candy in groups of 3, 5, or 7. The number 3 is playful .... I think a woman's outer style is only complete when her mind, body and soul are in sync.

2. Mix your textures. Textured leather, smooth metal and beaded bracelets make for a great stacking combo.

3. Tone on tone color combinations. There's something visually appealing about all different shades of blue together.

4. Make it messy. See how the stack lays when you have your arm down. It shouln't be perfectly neat. Mess it up, shake it up. Pieces should have movement.

5. Add something unusual. Add a little surprise to the stack. Something unexpected. Vintage pieces work great for this, you can mix them with something more modern or classic. Mix up your styles; pearls with rocker leather or classic modern style. Do something unique.

Make a statement that is as "Unique As You Are'!!

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