Faith Style

With the ascent of patriarchal ideas and ways of life leading to our current society, women and men have lost the connection to the Earth and the cycles of the moon. Before this began, the moon was used as a benchmark of time and as a guide to when the crops should be harvested. The moon was considered feminine as it contributed to the growth and reproduction that sustains all life on the Earth. This recognition led many to associate the Moon with Goddess energy, overseeing the Earth as the bringer of all life.

The moon is dark and mysterious and only shows its face when sunlight is reflected upon it. Darkness is the place where all things begin. Within the womb, the egg, and the Earth, darkness exists as the starting places of creation. Unfortunately our current age has created negative images of the dark associating it with witches, demons, and other negative thoughts. Night is also no longer night as we disguise it with artificial lights that reach deep into space. No wonder our Divine Feminine is lacking in our current state. Our Earth is crying to be heard. There is an urge now in these shifting times to resurface the recognition of the moon and offer attention to the Dark Goddess within all of us and to our connection to the Earth.

Even though the moon is much smaller than the Sun, it is much closer to us and is a vital factor in the Earths ability to support life. Most people are aware that the moon is the reason for the tides of the oceans we experience daily but unaware of the other elements it affects. Like the symbol of the five pointed star, the moon affects the four elements, Earth, Water, Fire and Air plus the divine spirit of creation, Us. It affects the Water through the pull on the ocean’s tides; the fire of the Earths molten core causing it to surge and recede; the changes in height of the body of air, the atmosphere that surrounds our planet, which contributes to the shifting weather patterns; and finally the movement of the Earths crust toward the moon. As children of this Earth and bodily comprised of almost all water, we too are affected emotionally, physically and spiritually by the power of the moon. We experience more injuries and emotions during full moons and less at New Moons. In karmic thought it is believed to be a great time to release karma during Full moons and manifest desires and goals during new moons because of the gravitation pull heightened when the moon is full. Females share the Goddess likeness in having the ability to create within our own wombs, and experience the lunar cycle through menses, our menstruation.

I didn’t realize until recently how few women realized how our bodies and emotions were connected and governed by the moon. What an awesome notion! We women are influenced by this huge celestial body and thus share with the Earth as Great Earth Mother who also heeds these cycles. Therefore if we left this Earth we would not experience a 28‐day cycle. We have an awesome power within our womb, physically and emotionally, that many are unaware of because in this day and age this cycle has been hidden, caused embarrassment, viewed as inconvenient and manipulated with regulating drugs so that it would appear to not exist. During menstruation instead of honoring and resting our bodies and our daily routine, we blame our actions on our cycle of PMS and go about our life as normal all while there is blood leaking out of us! Without speaking of the endless causes of why this has happened I prefer to offer this text to speak of the privilege we have as women to have to this ability to bleed. We have a womb! A womb that can create, cultivate and sustain life for 9 or so months. We have a menstrual cycle, blessed by the cycle of the moon Goddess, every 28 days.

In ancient times, women took their moon time to rest, meditate, release the unwanted and honour their bodies, while celebrating womanhood. The men respected this time as an honouring of the female creative force. Women and Men both understood the importance of allotting this time of sacred space for women, as they were the carriers of future generations. Since we experience blood flow as a result of no impregnation, symbolically, the blood was an offering back into Mother Earth to be recycled and renewed for the next coming cycle. Because there were no outside influences, like electrical lighting, contraceptive pills, or processed unhealthy hormone filled food, the menstruation cycles of
women within a tribe would correspond together with the dark side of the moon.

There is urgency now for women to join together and reclaim our Femininity, our gathering together in acknowledgement of our creative force within our wombs. The Earth is indeed feminine and acknowledging Her through Her female offspring is desired. We have the ability to aid in healing the Feminine energy lacking currently on this Earth plane. We can do so by honouring our bodies with rest, good food and allow the time of the month to come with ease and respect. WE can do so by joining with other women in community and circles for support, encouragement and advice as we march along this once forgotten path.

The power is within our wombs to manifest a new reality for females. It is not about getting those jobs that men have or fitting in to be equal where they sit. Instead we can carve new positions, a new Goddess seat for women and create unity, power and shared communication amongst all women that invokes and honours our Goddess likeness to Create, and Birth our dreams, our children, our futures and the future and health of the Great Earth Mother. I challenge with love every woman to look within the power of their belly and creative life force and spark joy, pride and gratitude for their unique ability to be in the cycle of the moon having an impact on this Earth.

The following poem is dedicated to the Great Earth Mother.
Circle in Her Name
I am that
That which births
Eternally,
Everything Whole.
I am creation
Mothering womb of time
Listen Clearly
I am coming
She will invoke I
Knowing truth returning to
Rights awakening being It
Rituals breathing of me
I will be born again.
So wake me from my slumber
Goddess circle of divine feminine
I am here
Ready to share and be honoured
U, circle of seeded women
The moon calls your tides
and invokes your cycles.
Return to my side and be in your gentle power.
I am the lady
Earth mother
Terra named
In me surrender
To your wholeness
And your divine perfection.
I am that
…….So hum…….
That which is everything,
That which springs from my womb.
SC 2009

If you spend most of your time driving your children around to a host of activities, your style may be lacking your once upon a time personal touch. There are many easy tips to looking and feeling stylish while being a Mama of 1, 2, 3 or more. A bit of prep work can make a world of difference every morning when you get up. I’m here to help prevent you from choosing sweats and yoga gear and running out the door. If you have the right basic items in your wardrobe, you can achieve high-end style and still get the kids where they need to go in record time. Here are 9 quick tips to looking like an Elegant & Sophisticated Mama.

1. Make sure your closet is organized. That will make it easy to find what you need quickly and easily.
2. Invest in stylish jeans that are easy to wear, feel good and compliment your body shape. Stick with dark washes with minimal details because they are a bit dressier and can work for both causal trips to the park and an evening out to a fun restaurant.
3. Be sure your clothing fits well. Baggy items add extra pounds and look like you don’t care very much. If you don’t like the size your at cut out the tags!
4. The one key item is the Blazer/Jacket, look for ones with seams or darts to show your figure to its full advantage or hide challenge areas. As soon as you add this on top of blouses, t-shirts and sweaters you automatically look more put together and polished.
5. Include skirts and dresses in your wardrobe. There are many simple cuts that work well for casual wear and are easy to move around in. Add a denim jacket for those chaperoned trips at school or heels for a girl’s night out without the fam.
6. Look for high quality fabrics, such as cashmeres, wools and silk-blends. These will dress up a pair of jeans quickly. And they stand the test of time.
7. Opt for ballet flats over runners; this choice will always look stylish. Now a days you can find a huge variety of flats in different colours, patterns, with details and/or trims
8. Add accessories to give your look some extra polish. Scarves in different widths and sizes are versatile and can be carried into any season. Pick ones that feel great against the skin and add a pop of colour or pattern to an otherwise monochromatic outfit.
9. Always wear lipstick. Even if you don’t have time to do a full face of makeup, this will help you look refreshed and vibrant!

Next time you’re running out the door ask yourself three quick questions 1. Blazer – check! 2. Scarf – check! 3. Ballet flats – check! And I promise you, you’ll feel fabulous, sophisticated and stylish. Just remember it’s you that makes the outfit so be sure to wear clothing and accessories that make you smile, that get you excited and represents your essence because when you do your Style confidence radiates to the people you see, including your amazing kids!

*As written for Sophisticated Woman and Mama

Let’s be honest and ask ourselves…

How many times have we sat at our desks, turned on our laptops or cell phones & mindlessly hovered over to the applications that pose no necessary importance or time sensitivity? How many times on weekends, vacations, essentially non work times do we check Facebook, Twitter or Email? Even when the interactions are not expected of us, we have a sense of dependence to maintain interactions with them. 95% of people on vacation check their email at least once, when we have a major deadline coming up, no matter how hard we try – it’s always a “quick check” of our online social spaces … Why?

How many times have we sat in conversations with others over drinks or dinner & while in mid conversation, mentally drift off into space thinking about who might be “poking” you on Facebook, responded to a tweet or maybe emailed you? Even when the person sitting across from us has taken the time to meet us with their physical presence, we value the surface level depth of conversation that is demanded of us in the virtual space. We’ve all done this before, and I’ve talked about this in a previous blog post as being “lost in artificial transactions” and somehow we manage to check the devices at least twice during the conversation … Why?

How many times have we met someone new, started a dating situation or even with lifelong friends have been unnecessarily frustrated over their slow instant message response time? Even when there is an ability to call, you send a text and expect the other person to respond in an appropriately instantaneous manner. Yet, if it was so important, we don’t call. We place so much emphasis on the instantaneous nature of text messages that we tend to check our screens several times over before we become so frustrated & value the relationship based on their instant messaging interactivity… Why?

There are more buttons here than on your face.

Jerry Seinfeld describes this scenario best with his interview on Conan O’Brien. “So is it true you don’t own a Blackberry? Oh no. I find that Blackberry people, their eyes, their pupils don’t focus… they always hold it in their hand, because that is what Blackberry commands them to do. And they listen to what you’re saying & they compare to what is on the Blackberry – which is more really more interesting here. I think there is more buttons here than on your face.”

But I’m Human in a Digital World.

At what point did our electronic devices become emotionally attached to our subconscious that requires more thought & attention than that of a newborn? When did we accept that the quantity of our online interactions were more important than the quality of our physical ones? And when did it become a negatively social practice to have delayed responses to text messages when there is no intention to place a phone call?

I’ve added the movie poster for the newly released theatre hit Avatar, because it sends a similar message in an awe inspiring way. A message about the beauty of a world so far from our advancement in technology; but when we watch this movie, we can’t help but be envious of the free spirited nature & connection with ourselves that the Na’vi possess – and for good reason.

But, it is because you are human that you possess the following qualities related to digital interactions – easily summarized in four e’s:

We all have a sense of ego: Showcasing status updates according to self defining tasks a day instils a sense of status, accomplishment, pride. Each time you update a status, a tweet, further enhances the image of reputation that you are coming to define – your virtual identity.  Most times, these updates/posts possess little to no self deprecating commentary positioning the ego in a desirable state.

We aim to maintain our sense of existence: With increased abilities to become “famous”, leaving your mark on the digital world has become much more accessible with “Internet Celebritcism” according to your niche. Telling others what we are doing, not only documents our accomplishments appealing to our sense of ego, but ensures that we are not left out of the conversation, belonging to a community, essentially building our prominent virtual existence.

We want to exercise our abilities: Once we become accustomed to the routine of touching, checking, tapping, unlocking our phones, the habit then becomes just that. There may not be of any obvious reason (ie incoming text, call etc) but just the act of ensuring our phone continues to live online, “checks us into” the digital world & certifies that we are doing any necessary damage control if needed & are alive and well in that realm.

We live in a realm of digital ecstasy: At what other point in your life can you define how people perceive you? First impressions are based on your hand picked avatar cropped and brushed to perfection. Your status updates are comments that you selectively garner that best represent your ideal character. The links on your twitter account are those that show you possess the knowledge & go to repository for all things relevant to your field. The digital world can sometimes pose as preferable to that of the real world because you have the time & ability to create the perception of self you desire.

Stop Pretending to be “Crazy Busy” and Start Living.

Edward Hallowell, author of “Crazy Busy” offers the explanation for the phenomenon of continued dependencies on electronic devices as a need to being perceptually busy. He explains that the generally accepted notion indicates that the busier you are the more enlightened life you lead. Indefinitely, the technology we’ve invented improves our human connections, and does not replace them. But it is when we let our electronic devices – and what he describes as a “curious magnetism” they exert upon our minds, that take control of us, forces us to consume more information & data points than necessary. They take over our lives & create the negative energy flow that causes more stress than improvement.

What I like about Edward Hallowell’s book is that he crafts terms for seen behaviours with very obvious symptoms we can all identify with. Here are the top 13 relating to our busy lives in the digital world.

Which ones do you find yourself guilty of on a day to day basis?

1)      Screensucking – Wasting time engaging with any screen (TV, video game, television, phone etc). How much time a day do you spend facing a screen?

2)      Leeches – Things/people that try to take your time away. How much time do you spend trying to make a failed project/engage in useless online interactions succeed?

3)      Email voice (EMV) – The tone of a person when they are reading email while talking to you on the phone. Many of you are guilty of this, but what you don’t realize is how much you are devaluing the conversation & relationship with the other person on the phone.

4)      Gigaguilt – The more storage you can keep (hence, gigabytes), the more you are expected to track/remember. Keeping track of everything is impossible and having time to please everyone is equally impossible.

5)      Kudzu – Clutter & piles that invade where we work or live, specifically email that we leave in our inboxes instead of deleting or moving to a folder because you’ll “come back later” when you never do.

6)      Junk Time – A person who spends time without intending to leaving insufficient time for what really needs to be done on thing such as instant messaging, celebrity news, voicemail, long winded people etc

7)      Telephone Tag – Resulting in no one wanting to pick up calls and calls back later

8)      Conversation Interruptus – Extended conversations have become a rare entity because of external electronic distractions

9)      Info Addict – Loses his/her ability to make a difference in life by trying so hard to keep up with all the differences other people are making, reading too much information not necessarily important all the time

10)   Human Moments vs. Electronic Moments – Human moments are increasing been replaced by electronic moments, less time is spent & preferred in each other’s physical presence  because electronic is hugely efficient, rapid and easy

11)   Pizzled – Combination of pissed off & puzzled when someone, without either asking permission or providing explanation brings out his/her cell phone to make a call or answer a call while you are together

12)   Fuhgeddomania – Forgetfulness and losing things are derived from data overload without structure in the environment (add lists, reminders)

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So what are ya waiting for?

Stop Clicking & Start Living.

 Want to make a change? Join us for the Honour Your Style Event tomorrow Wednesday January 20th starting at 6:30pm to begin the transformation. I’m offereing a complimentary Style Workshop, delicious food, cash bar, gift bags, a special performance by Fiona Suliman and prizes that include:

• 4 hrs of routine service by Mona Cleaning
• 3 copies of the popular Style Statement book by Carrie McCarthy and Danielle LaPorte
• a pair of tickets to Grace Kaya’s CD release party
• a makeup leasson by PeachGloss valued at $275
• 2 hr closet organization consultation by StreamLife valued at $200
• Aradia Fitness Party valued at $375
• Shawls & Scarves by Ronda B
• a Jessica Jensen leather journal
• a Kim Drosdick Sterling Silver Wire Choker valued at $225
• 3 month Ladies Who Launch Strata Membership plus $50 off an Incubator session
• DivaGirl Gift Certificate for $96
• a necklace and matching bracelet from Jenny Greco
• a Yoga by the Numbers session with Yoga Goddess
• 2 pairs of earrings from Erin Tracy Designs
• Plus much, much more!

Don’t miss out, come out to Local 511 Danforth Ave (at Pape). Driving: street parking available, taking the train: Pape Station and a 5 minute walk. 

A $5 donation is requested that will be donated to Yele Haiti. Please rsvp to s@faithstyle.ca to make sure your on the list.  I look forward to meeting you!

At a cocktail party, no one is going to walk up to you and ask, “What is your personal brand?”  Nevertheless as solopreneurs your customers are deciding whether or not to buy your product or service based on it.

Oprah Winfrey’s brand is not talk show host—it’s authentic living and self-improvement.  The same holds true for Martha Stewart. She is not a cookbook author or a television host, she’s a domestic guru.  These two women’s personal brands are the basis for their mega-successful corporations.

Branding expert, Dan Schawbel says, “ The future of personal branding is a marketplace, where the top talent receive the most visibility and everyone else sinks to the bottom.  We will be treated like products and be rated and commented on, where positive interactions equal new opportunities and negative ones diminish your brand value publicly.”

Most businesses aren’t REALLY that different. If you’re a realtor, you sell  houses; if you’re a chef, you cook food; if you’re a clothing designer, you create dresses….you get the picture.  However no one confuses The Corcoran Group with ReMax.  Similarly, folks who follow Mario Batali are probably not Rachael Ray fans.  Why?

The Corcoran Group is associated with high-end properties; in comparison, ReMax is the local yokel realtor.  Mario Batali is a chef and restaurateur who specializes in complex Italian dishes, whereas Rachael Ray, a self-proclaimed cook is famous for cooking meals— even a turkey dinner in 30 minutes. You will get the same vibe from Corcoran Group realtors in whatever city they operate in. When The FoodNetwork cancelled Batali’s show, “Molto Mario” in 2007 his fans moved with him to PBS.

That’s the market power of brands. People are buying not only your product or service but also the feelings about quality, values and effectiveness that your brand evokes for them.

Your Personal Brand:

What is a personal brand? It’s  how your audience perceives your worth, relative to people who provide similar goods/services.

The good thing is that a personal brand is that it’s yours to establish and shape.

The Goals of Your Personal Brand:

“Faith, whether it be in ourselves, God, Goddess, Buddha, Mohammad, or the powers of the Universe, is a potent and beautiful thing. It enables hope. It invites desire. It softens and strengthens and sings. As a feminist I want to be able to embrace and embolden every aspect of my life and my world. I want to be able to believe deeply and speak definitively. I want to be able to hope fervently and work my ass off for change”

I loved Danielle LaPorte’s post yesterday burning questions with ronna detrick: faith + feminism. It’s a great read, check out the full article.

Kitsch Boutique, the much-loved Forest Hill Village shop, sells dresses from a plethora of designers, many hard to find. Prices and styles run the gamut while retaining a high standard of quality.

Hours: Mon. to Fri.: 10:00am – 8:00pm; Sat.: 10:00pm – 6:00pm; Sun.: 12:00pm – 5:00pm

When it comes to looking your best, try one of these style strategies. You’re a perfect hourglass if you have:

• broad shoulders and a shapely bust
• hips and a butt that are curvy
• a smaller and defined waist

For the hourglass shape your fashion challenge is to keep your broad shoulders and wide hips balanced, while defining your waist.

• Make the most of your small midsection. Cinch dresses, jackets and sweaters at the waist.
• Choose a blazer that is shaped around your torso and hits at the hip, so as not to break up the beautiful line of your figure.
• Choose pencil skirts or high-waisted skirts that hug your waist and run smoothly to your legs.
• Pick mid-rise jeans, rather than low-rise jeans, to create a smoother line from your waist through your hips.
• Pick a pointy-toed shoe in the same colour as your pants to strengthen the vertical line of your hourglass shape and keep you from looking too horizontally curvy. The taller the better!

Tomorrow, January 14 at 5pm Save 30% off your purchase of $100 or more.

To redeem this one-time use off print this coupon