Living la Vida Oo La La (or Taking the Bull by the Horns)

I can't wait to tell you about my evening the other night. I was definitely going to post my freebie friday, but something came up, and so I have to get it sent out today. I think you'll forgive me when you hear what happened.

For years, everyone has been telling me how beautiful my jewelry is, and when will I start selling it. I have seen it as a very fun hobby. But as I mentioned in my profile and about my store, I decided that I truly want to create this new life where designing and making jewelry and therefore helping women feel beautiful is my calling or career. But, there has been a little part of me that has still questioned ... "Can I really do this?" Am I really going to make this happen?

Well, the answer is YES!! Last night my husband and I had a hot date, we went to see Woody Allen's new movie, "To Rome with Love." Funny, yes (especially the showering Italian - don't worry, no spoilers here), but not as good as the Paris movie, in my opinion.

Anyway, afterwards we were craving Italian food. So, we went to Macri's, which is an amazing Italian restaurant here. No greasy spaghetti here, there are TWO chefs in the kitchen and a whole assortment of gelato's made on the premises, need I say more? So, our waiter starts telling us about the Italian festival that will be coming up on July 20th and 21st. He gives us a brochure, and I see the tiny, tiny, little word "vendors" at the bottom. Before I give it any thought, out of my mouth pops "Do you still need more vendors?" YES, he says. I'll have the owner come over and talk to you.

Well, I, of course, had my Nook with me, so I was able to show him my Etsy store and a sampling of my jewelry. He loved them, gave a quote, I paid the bill, I got my invoice and receipt. And now I'm committed!! I will be a vendor at an event that generally attracts around 10,000 people!

WHAT HAVE I DONE? I can't decide if I want to jump up and down with delight, or stop long enough to let the fear set in. But, the primary emotion I feel is ... well, picture Sally Field at the Oscars, when she says "You like me, You like me, ... you really like me!" That's how I feel. And then the question begs to be asked ... why does it take a complete stranger to validate that I am a creative artist? Why do I shrug off the compliments and praises from people who I admire and love, and just consider them as being "nice." Someday, ask me about the word nice ... and to my sister Michelle ... that bit was for you!

So, in keeping with the brand new development and the excitement that I'm on the cusp of a new beginning, I've created the following Freebie. I truly hope you enjoy. And, I also pass along my best wishes that you are creating the life you want to live. Sometimes it just takes not thinking too much, and opening your mouth!

I love the picture in this Freebie. It is from a vintage hat advertisement from the 1920's. Not Chanel, but I would like to think that Coco wouldn't be offended. As always, feel free to click on the picture and download for personal use. I only ask that you do not mass produce or use for profit in any manner, without express permission from me. Of course, you may direct any and everyone to my site to download their own free copy.

Bonjour Mes amies ... go create some elegance in your day!

Love, Lorraine (a VENDOR, aka a Jewelry Designer)

Singing Our Own Song

I absolutely adore birds. Not necessarily in my house, but I love watching them outside and appreciating all of the beautiful colors, plumage, and songs that they sing. I grew up in Oklahoma in a large city, and really didn't realize there were so many birds (other than sparrows, cardinals, bluejays, and scissortail flycatchers) until my husband and I moved out into the country. I was immediately amazed at the amazing array of birds. Suddenly I was exposed to nuthatches (they walk upside down a tree!), chickadees, meadowlarks, hummingbirds, whipporwills (louder than all get out!!), and a myriad of other wonderful and beautiful birds.

As I thought of our journey to find beauty, I was reminded of birds. Each has it's own beauty, whether it is their song, their grace, their antics, their actual plumage, etc. So, when I did my new weekly challenge over at The Graphics Fairy (which you should definitely check out if you like free vintage prints and printables - the picture above is from her website), I decided to make a bird bracelet and earrings. Did I mention before that I LOVE to make jewelry?

Anyway, you can check out my entry at: http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/, my entry is number 50. (and if you like, please press the like button, *wink*wink*).

Here's a larger picture for you to see:




When I wear this bracelet and earrings, I'm going to remind myself of my own personal song, my beautiful plumage, my antics or things about me that might be funny or charming to someone else, and the joy that I can bring to others.

What makes you sing? What special antics do you have or do? What beautiful, or subtle plumage do you wear? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Bonsoir Mes amies. Until Next time ... a bien tot.

Welcome Mes Amies to my Oo La La Blog.

"Life is a garden. It is an opportunity. You can grow weeds, you can grow roses; it all depends on you."

I'm so excited to start this wonderful journey with you. I have decided to try to finally conquer the image or beauty insecurities that seem to plague many women in our society, and along the way, hopefully help other women come to terms with their own beauty. To start off, I wanted to share the above quote and gorgeous picture with you. I thought the butterfly appropos because they are such delicate objects of beauty - dancing their way through life, but they have to go through so much in order to get to that state. And frankly, let's face it, they start out as caterpillars, while inifinitely exciting for little boys to squish in their pockets, not terribly inspirational for the eyes.

In my lifetime, I have mostly felt like a caterpillar. I believe I know some of the reasons why, but I definitely know that I want to search out more and get rid of those weedy thoughts. I want my thoughts to be filled with roses, to refer back to the above quote. Why, now, when I'm in my late 40's would I grow (and no, that's not a typo) through this? Well, probably because I am a stage 3 breast cancer survivor and from 2007 through 2010 I spent most of my time just trying to physically survive. The past couple of years I have been bordering on the brink between the fear of living, the fear of dying, and the ultimate determination to live each day that I have to the best of my ability ... filled with happiness and hope. Also, I know that I'm alive still for a purpose. I want that purpose to be the means to inspire every woman that I come into contact with, to feel good about herself - to feel beautiful - to feel unique and essential in her own sphere of existence.

And while I'm writing that, I'm realizing ... why is it that we as women have such a difficult time seeing the best in other women? We do not, as a whole, often compliment someone verbally, but we can spend an inordinate amount of time mentally picking apart their faults? What is so wrong with acknowledging another's beauty? It doesn't diminish our own. In fact, perhaps if we can see and acknowledge the beauty in other women, maybe it would be easier for us to feel confident enough to acknowledge our own.

Okay, so that will be my first experiment and challenge to you. I'm going to keep a small journal in my purse and when I see another woman and have the opportunity to compliment her, on whatever I possibly can, I'm going to write down my thoughts and feelings about the interaction. What is the other woman's reaction? How does it make me feel about myself and my own self-esteem? Does it add or subtract. I'll let you know how it works out. And, I'd love to hear your comments as well. What happens when you do the same?

To close my first "epic" post, I'd like to leave the following quote and beautiful picture for you (and I) to ponder:

"Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical." - Sophia Loren