Trying Not to Be Slushy

I am not the most romantic.
My Hubs is certainly more romantic
than me. However, I LOVE 
being in love.

But love is so many different things
to different people.

For me it's not the roses, chocolates
or expensive gifts. It's must simpler than that.

Maybe it's:

*when you catch each others eye
in a crowd and know exactly what your
partner's thinking

*it's that lovely feeling of holding hands; that
warm, strong masculine grip that works every time

*it's knowing that no matter
how wrong you are about something,
you will always be defended (in public
at least ;-)

*it's knowing someone always has your back

*it's knowing that you don't need to
speak to feel each others presence

* it's when the word compromise
doesn't exist; it's just a given

*it's dancing in your pj's to your
favorite song and just losing
all track of the present 

I recently found this fabulous blog
that epitomizes all that is LOVE.

I cry every time I read the posts.

It really is unconditional love at it's most extreme.

You can't help reading the posts whilst

asking yourself "what if this were me?".

Pop over; I defy you not to shed a tear 

or two (you may need to read the post of 4

October 2011 to get the gist of what has happened).

Next grab your favorite drink and take

5 minutes to watch this lovely video; it needs no words

Happy Valentines Lovelies

Message to Hubs

p.s next week I hope to unveil my new website and
new blog/re-branding.
I would love your thoughts as I will
also be offering something just for my 
blog readers.
xxxxxxx

Meltdown Over

Hello Lovelies!

First a HUGE thank you for all the heartfelt

comments I got to my previous post.

Right up until yesterday I was receiving

emails from all over the blogosphere

from wonderful women just checking in ;-)

I can't tell you how much strength it has

actually given me.

I also took Dame Taylors advice;

I put on the vampish lipstick and

nail polish and pulled myself together.

However whilst attending my own "pity party" I: 

* learnt my meltdown was more about 
my fear for the people

I love than about my own fears.

*learnt it was more about my anger at someone
disrupting my cosy, happy life

*I learnt that I can lose my head about trivia,

but when it really matters I am "on it"

(as my Hubs so kindly told me)

* I learnt sometimes you just have to

"zap" the toxic people in your life; there is

just no time for discussions. 
You need to move quickly.

*I learnt to not push harder and harder against the problem;

it just gives the issue more energy

*I learnt to continue crafting my life as I wish; in a way that

brings real joy and pleasure

*I remembered not  to rent out my head space
to the gremlins that seem to move in during 
the night. The real estate
in my head is way above their budgets ;-)

*I learnt that sometimes you just have to surrender to what is,

to who people are and to their baggage. You just

don't have to accept their junk in your space

* I remembered just how blessed I am and
that this blip, was merely just that…….a blip.

*I remembered to just trust the wisdom of life, it

always works out as it should.

Happy Weekend Lovelies

xxxxxxx

It's Time For My Big Girl Pants

We are only 3 weeks into the year.

After a wonderful Christmas and New Year,

I was focused with game plan in hand,

and raring to go.

My New Year goals/objectives were

on track and I was making small

but consistent progress.

I was amped.

And then something unwanted and unexpected

comes along and completely knocks the winds

out of my sails.

My estranged and unstable sister shows up

after 10 years and instigates a chain of

events that sees me go into a melt-down, 
my poor Dad quaking with fear and my protective

but confused Husband

wondering can the family he married 

into get anymore crazy ;-)

It's left me raging with an anger I never
knew I had in me

It's left me so sad seeing the confusion

and sadness in my Dad's eyes

It's left me emotional watching my

poor Dad trying to keep

strong for me; a strength I know

he doesn't really have.

It's left me bloody angry that someone

who has not cared about anyone but

herself, suddenly feels the need to 

disrupt everyone's life and 

getting immense pleasure from it.

It's left me not having the energy to get 

out of bed, but knowing that that

isn't even an option.

It's made me realize blood is not
always thicker than water.

It's made me falter with indecision between

"she's mad, don't do anything", to

"I have to lawyer up if for no other 

reason but to 

protect the people I love".

It's made me determined but frightened;

this is legal territory I know nothing about.

But I will learn-I have too.

It's left me tossing about at night as 

I visualize scenes from CSI (of me

being handcuffed to Warwick ;-)

after being arrested for murder

It's left me getting up in a cold sweat.

It's left me feeling if I just 

take things one step at a time

I will come out of this the other side, 

(but still not totally convinced).

I know this calls for my
"big girl pants";-)

 I know it's  reminder that I  really can scrap 
with the best of them

if it means protecting the people I love.

I know how intensely

damaging hate can be (but I still

haven't worked out how to get past 

this one).

It's reminded me just how cathartic my
blog is. What started as a business tool
has now become much more than that.
I can sometimes bear my soul in
what is still a fairly anonymous way

Some would say take the high road.

But there are just some occasions

when you have to get down and 

dirty with the best of them.


It's made me realize that no
matter how I feel inside,
I will always put on my happy
face and sparkle for the outside world

This helped me maintain my sparkle
this week

It's made me accept
there are times when I just cannot
be "zen" about everything-but
that's not bad either.

More than anything

this week has reminded me 

what doesn't kill you

makes you stronger.

xxxxx

Furrrrrrrrr! It's Cold Outside.

Well this first week of Jan

has seen horrible weather 

just about everywhere, and I'm blaming

the weather on the "funk" I've felt all week.

London has seen gales and storms.

The US is experiencing a polar freeze which is making

its way (apparently) to the UK

next week.

Chanel

Spain has seen really horrible weather too.

However, whenever I am there I am 

overwhelmed by the number of women

who are proud to wear their fur.

Carolina Herrera

Even just going to the food markets for their

fresh bread and they are all adorned in fur.

Tom Ford

My late Mum has her few furs in storage.

"I'm keeping them for my daughters" she always said.

Lanvin

However her daughters are too frightened to wear them.

You see in the UK animal activists are "active".

Ralph Lauren

I was accosted once in Regents Street (London)

when I inadvertently walked past a demonstration

outside a fur shop . I had a coat that had fur around the

hood, and I was spotted.

Valentino

Thankfully I was not on my own and after a growl

from my Husband I was released.

But it has since put me off wearing anything that resembles

fur when I am in the UK.

I SO want this

However, when I am in Spain I don't have that fear.

OK, I do understand that Spain is a country that

considers bull-fighting an "art", but that's another

discussion for another day ;-)

Fur & Camel

So what's your thoughts?

To "fur or not to fur, that

is the question".

Mink anyone

As always I love hearing your opinions and views

and hope the first week of the year has been good to you all

xxxx

p.s If anyone is interested in upping their

social media strategy (as I did in December), may

I recommend the lovely Julie from www.sociallyaligned.com

She's an absolute doll and has the patience of a saint.

She also really knows her stuff. Just drop her line and

tell her Van sent you ;-)

New Year Dreams

Firstly HAPPY NEW YEAR Lovelies!!

I hope you all entered 2014 with a bang.

Always at this time of  year I think about where I want to be

one year from now.

For the last few years I've veered away from goals and resolutions;

I didn't want to feel like a failure when I didn't stick to my resolutions.

So I stuck with a mantra and focused on how I wanted to feel.

But I noticed something.

It was much easier to drift when I had no clear objectives;

 I didn't have to be accountable to anyone about anything. 

I could just do

as I pleased and "play" at progress.

I allowed myself this pleasure as I had made big changes

in my life in 2013 and I needed some time to re-set the balance.

However, this year I've decided the kid gloves must come off.

It's time to play big.

It's time to set objectives and I will work to achieve

them using the 80/20 rule.

It's time to stop wasting time with the unnecessary,

the time-wasting, the minutia details.

My new mantra (for my business objectives) will be:

Mantra 1:

Don't get me wrong, altho' I am thinking BIG

(and not keeping that fact to myself, which may be

a bad move) I will still nurture and renew as I go along.

On a personal level I have lots of little changes I would

like to make aiming

for the 80/20 rule:

*giving up wheat (currently reading the book

Wheat Belly and am horrified by what

I am reading)

*giving up the dreaded Diet Coke

*a green juice for breakfast every morning

*drinking more water

*making time to read 

(and not buying any more books until I 

finish all the ones I have. Does anyone else

buy books constantly? Is it a "medical condition"?

My husband seems to think so ;-)

*having one technology free day

*not checking emails until after 3pm

*stop the "compare and despair" that

platforms like Instagram allows to seep into 

the fibres of your soul

Did I say drink more water or chocolate?

I won't beat myself up when I make mistakes.

I won't label myself a failure just because one 

idea didn't work. 

But most importantly I will always try to be a 

better person than the day before

I will just work towards making things happen

However, I AM going to enjoy the journey also,

something I am guilty of not always doing ;-)
I usually battle my way to finish line 
only to move on to the next, big shiny thing.

And of course I won't forget to

try and sparkle all the way ;-)

I hope you will stay with me on
my journey.

I would love to hear what your thoughts, plans

objectives are for the forthcoming year.

xxxx

I Wish For You………...

It's that time again where I would

like to wish all my wonderful

blog friends a fabulous holiday season

More than expensive gifts, excessive indulgence, food comas

(all the things we really love).

I wish for you to just savor every minute.

Egg nog cupcakes

I wish for you to just lose yourself in the moment, 

whether it be in the hustle and bustle of a big family Christmas 

or in the tranquility of enjoying your own company; just be present.

I wish that you don’t worry about the next thing on your list, 

the next shiny object or the next place you have to be. 

I wish you the realization (amongst all the noise that invades 

our lives) that NOW is all we have.

Louboutin Christmas Tree

And I hope you enjoy it for what it is and make 2014 

the year you take this forward into your daily lives 

by savoring the moments that really count ;-)

Waiting for Santa

Sending each and every one of you

"holiday hugs"

Thank you  as always for being by my 

side in this very humble space  where I

cry, vent, rant……but always sparkle ;-)

p.s don't get caught napping like this little angel.

Do visit our first ever sale which starts on

Boxing Day (all details above in header)

p.p.s I am featured in the Rich Girls Club latest blog post. Pop over and 

see the most extravagant thing on my Santa list and the story behind it

What Have You Asked Santa For?

OK Lovelies.

Thought it would be nice to share what is

on our Santa list.

Now don't get me wrong. I am not

"expecting" all of these, but I

like to give Santa a clear idea ;-)

Quick but authentic Italian cooking by the lovely

Gino D'Acampo

I am not a great Nigella fan (even more so after 

reading all about her cocaine escapades).

BUT Hubs has been watching

her cooking series and making a list of 

which recipes he wants me to try (maybe I should

just buy the damn book for him!)

I love Tom Kerridge's food and love going

to his gastro-pub in Buckinghamshire

even more, especially as it is

the only gastro-pub to be awarded 2 Michelin stars

Jimmy Choo bag.

I've promised Santa I will never 

ask for another bag if he brings me this ;-)

My favorite Winter perfume- Zen by Shiseido

A Jimmy Choo passport holder. 

A new camera for taking product photos.

OK, I know it's not the most sophisticated camera

but I've only just about mastered working the microwave,

(don't even ask me how the Sky Box works).

So lets not push my technical 

mental  capacity and

keep it simple-eh?

NARS Velvet Lip Crayon

I just LOVE this gorgeous cushion

Bulgari White Gold Ring

OK, now I know I am "pushing it" a bit, but let me explain.

Santa bought me this white gold Bulgari ring a few years ago.

I LOVED it and it never left my hand…..except it did.

Last year I accidentally left it in a hotel bathroom.

I took it off to wash my hands, then was so

busy moisturizing with the lush cream I walked 

out without the ring. I didn't even realize

until I got home much later that night :-(

Santa's helper was not happy with me, which is why

I say I am "pushing it" asking for another-but you never know ;-)

So would love to hear what's on your Santa list,

whether it be what you really must have, or

just your wishful thinking.

However small, however ridiculous, however

big, do share ;-)

xxxx

p.s don't forget to sign up to our mailing list 

(just in the right side bar) if you want early access, 

and a higher discount for our first EVER sale.

You have to sign up to get the Hot List "treatment" ;-)