My Summer trip to Rhodes, Greece!

In July, I took a long overdue vacation to Greece. I’ve been to several places/islands in Greece, and this time I chose Rhodes. Several people had stated to me how fabulous Rhodes is, and they were all right on the button.

After the plan landed, I got my bags and got in the taxi that was waiting to take me to my resort. I stayed at the Lindos Grand Resort Spa which is actually located in Lindos, which is an hour away from the airport in Rhodes.

The resort was brand new and beautiful. The staff was also very friendly and helpful. Covid protocols were also strictly adhered to. I had a room with a private pool, which I HIGHLY recommend. I spent more time at my own pool than at the main pool and at the beach.

Lindos, Greece

The town of Lindos is about a 10 minute taxi ride, which costs between 10-12 Euros. There, you can walk around the picturesque town, which is full of shops, restaurants, and they also have an acropolis. You can walk up to the top or take a donkey ride for €8. But those poor donkeys looked so hot, tired, and overworked, if you can walk, then do that.

Like I stated before, the resort is brand new, so there were some minor things that weren’t fully completed. For instance, there were two light bulbs missing on my terrace. It was minor, and it didn’t bother me at all.

The beach is about a 3 minute walk from the resort. There is a direct path where you can walk, and they also offer a shuttle bus, as well. The beach has food and drink service, and lounge chairs specifically for the resort, which is cool. There are also water sports available.

I literally had a different swimsuit for each day I was there! :-)

The floor to ceiling windows were fabulous. It was very hot, but also a nice breeze. When you opened the doors, the air-conditioning automatically shut off, which was cool.

So, if you’re thinking about a planning a trip to Greece for relaxation and great weather, I would highly suggest the island of Rhodes and Lindos Grand Resort Spa.

The resort had fantastic views, and the aesthetics were great.

Let me know if you’ve ever been to Rhodes, Lindos, and/or Lindos Grand Resort Spa.

Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate it! XOXO

Check out my socials below.

How to get the most out of your wardrobe.

I chose the above quote for this blog because Macbeth and Lady Macbeth´s “clothing” is actually Macbeth´s new title of Thane of Cawdor. At this early stage in the play, they are thankful that they have the title and are not being greedy at this point. Let’s connect that with us literally buying our favorite pieces and caring for them so that they last and are not cast aside so quickly. (Am I reaching? Lol…just roll with me.)

Ok…we love are clothes and we want them to last. How do we do that? Let me give you a few tips on how to do exactly that.

Skirt: Gucci (about 4 years old)

READ THE LABELS:

Those labels are there for a reason. Make sure to check and see if your garment can actually be washed, or if it should be dry-cleaned. If you’ve ever washed something that should have been dry-cleaned, then you know about the possible catastrophic events that can ensue. Washing on the delicate cycle is always a safe bet, as well as mesh bags. I love mesh bags. They are perfect for delicates and anything else that may need extra tender love and care. Another thing you can do is air dry your garment. The dryer can cause shrinkage and put unnecessary heat on your clothes that may ruin them. So air drying is your best friend.

Sweater: Zara (last year) Jeans: Zara

Shoes: Miu Miu, Socks: Gucci

PROPER STORAGE:

How you store your clothes will add to their longevity . For example, hanging up your skirts and pants on proper hangers is something you should do. The right hangers can preserve the shape of your clothes, providing you hang them properly. I really like to use those special skirt hangers. You can also use velvet hangers that will prevent your dresses and shirts from slipping off the hangers, which can be really irritating. Also, keep in mind, some things should not be hung. For instance, cashmere sweaters. Hanging them might cause them to become misshapen, so I would suggest folding them.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY:

I realize that fast fashion is very tempting, and can be a good choice if you want to try a trend before investing in it. However, don’t overlook the fact that investing in quality pieces will stand the test of time. Often times, these fast fashion pieces are very inexpensive, and when you wash them, they fall apart. Threads start unraveling, hems come apart, discoloration, etc. So, what happens is, you end up wearing the item once or twice and you’re back ordering again. Contrast this with investing in a quality piece that costs more, but it will stand the test of time and you will get your cost per wear out of it….which leads me to my next point.

Boots: Alexander Mcqueen

COST PER WEAR:

Cost per wear simply means the cost of the item divided by how much you wear it. Now, don’t let the math intimidate you…lol. The basic premise is the value of the item is directly related to how much you wear it. If you follow this rule, you will be able to justify that high price tag, because you are getting the maximum amount of wear out of said item. I put this equation to the test when I purchase items that are pricey, but I know I will reach for it time and time again.

Well, those are a few of my tips. I hope I could help. Let me know some things you do, to get the most out your wardrobe.

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO

View fullsize

The Taming of the Corona......

What a time to be alive? I mean, I watch all of those apocalyptic movies that Hollywood churns out like there’s no tomorrow just like everyone else, but never really thought I’d see anything close to it in my lifetime. However, Covid-19 seems to have turned everything on its head, and hit the reset button.

The last time I checked the news, Switzerland was ranked number 9 on the top ten list of the countries with the most cases of Covid-19. We have put in place all of the safety measures such as social distancing, self- isolation/sheltering in place, and the closing of schools and businesses that are considered non-essential. There are tons of blogs and videos in cyberland giving tips and tricks on how to survive quarantine life, so this blog isn’t about that.

This is a short blog about my experiences while visiting the essential businesses here in Switzerland. Of course, my family and I have to eat, so I go to the grocery store when needed. And I also had to go to the post office the other day as well. The atmosphere in these two places was really strange. People were looking at each other like they were aliens, there were no smiles or laughter to be seen or heard (at least when I was there), and overall I just wanted to get in and out ASAP. Unfortunately, concerning the grocery stores, the big stores that do home deliveries are having the boom of the century, and therefore delivery dates are few and far between. Let me correct that….they’ve been non-existent.

Skirt: Gucci

My hope is that everyone doesn’t lose their sense of community because of this virus. That everyone doesn’t become so used to isolation and being isolated that we forget our humanity. So, if you happen to be out and about on essential business, it’s ok to smile at someone you don’t know (6 feet apart of course). After all, don’t forget, we’re in this together.

Tell me about your experiences during this time.

Thank you for stopping by!

XOXO

View fullsize

My real life version of The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood…

“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.”

— William Shakespeare

Sherri and I at my Sweet Sixteen birthday party.

There is a quote that says something like friends are your chosen family. OMG, how true is that. Many of us wish we could trade some of our family members in for a new and improved version of the same person….or take an even more drastic approach…..lbvs. However friends are different. We get to choose who we want to create memories and experience life with. And if you’re lucky, you and your best friend will have chosen each other. I have been lucky to find mine.

Over 40 years of friendship, that’s a rare gift! That’s how long my best friend and I have been friends. We used to live across the street from each other when we were just little girls. Fun fact: We’re actually just six days apart (I’m older), and were born in the same hospital. Our mothers were also friends before we were born. After we met, we were virtually inseparable. Even though we never went to the same schools growing up, we managed to do everything together. Where you saw one, you saw the other. “Oh…that must be Sherri and DeAnne”, or “DeAnne and Sherri are behind this”. It was like we were looked at as one entity instead of two distinct people.

In our very early twenties…..

Most people usually think of best friends partying and going out all of the time, and the two of us have definitely done our share of that. From teenagers to young adult women, we had a great time traipsing Chicago´s party scene…partying from the north to the southside…(we didn’t party too much on the west side….but we had our fun everywhere else…lol.) However, the extraordinary part of our friendship can be seen where we have gone through life’s major trials and triumphs supporting each other even after I moved halfway across the world. You see, throughout our friendship, there have been countless times where even though we were separated because of various stages in our lives, and because of tremendous distance, we have always reconnected like we have never been apart, never missing a beat, and many, many times wearing nearly the same outfit at the same time! :-)

In our forties……..

The cool fact is, we’ve just always been in sync. Even though I’ve been living in Europe for years, this has not lessened our friend/sistership in the slightest. In fact, it has grown. We have the best conversations via text, email, and through these apps such as Voxer, etc.., that can last for days. And even though we’ve been the greatest fiends for over 40 years, we still find out new things about each other, and we support the evolution and growth that we have experienced. It’s a rare thing to find a person to accept you as you grow and evolve…..with your evolving beliefs about the world and the people in it…..and we have spectacularly done this, without ever missing a beat.

View fullsize

I started this blog with a quote….so I´ll end it the same way…..with a quote I found on Pinterest. “ Some people just “click”. There aren’t many people in life that you just click with, and when you find those people, you just don’t let them go.”

Message to my BFF:

They hate us ‘cause the ain´t us. :-)))

Thanks for stopping by! Leave a comment about you and your BFF!

XOXO

2019 Fall/Winter Trend Alert: The Tall, White Boot

“VALENTINE
’Tis true; for you are over boots in love,
And yet you never swam the Hellespont.

PROTEUS
Over the boots? Nay, give me not the boots

VALENTINE
No, I will not, for it boots thee not.


”

— The Gentlemen of Verona Act I, i

I was sooooo skeptical about this trend. I had been hearing everywhere about how the white boot is so popular this fall/winter season, and that it is really very versatile and easy to wear. Wait. What?! How can a super white boot that seems like it would stand out, be easy to wear? I just found that hard to believe.

Well, after watching several fashion videos on Youtube showcasing white boots being styled with multiple outfits, I began to take a closer look at this trend. The first thing I did was think of an outfit that I could easily pair with the white boots BEFORE I bit the bullet and bought them. (Did you check out that unplanned alliteration?) After that, I thought of about two more outfits, which made a total of three, to justify the boot purchase. That’s a good tip, by the way. If you can find a minimum of 3 outfits to wear with whatever you plan on buying, chances are you will get your cost per wear out of that item.

So, after searching online, I found a pair of fabulous tall, white boots from Fendi. They came in a range of different colors and fabrics, but I settled on the white neoprene boots. I even caught a 30% off flash sale from Luisaviaroma which totally solidified my online purchase! I ordered them. They came.

When the boots came, I took them out of their box and drooled. Undoubtedly, they were fabulous. And I loved the modern heel shape. I decided to try the boots on with the outfit pictured: A No. 21 skirt, with a print that I LOVE, a chic Joos Tricot turtleneck, some blue tights, and a Rockstud Valentino pvc purse which was perfect because it didn’t clash with the printed skirt at all. I topped it all off with my beloved turband from Cult Gaia.

Let me tell you. I fell head over heels with these boots (like Valentine said in the Two Gentlemen of Verona quote above) and the outfit. I wore this outfit to work and my feet didn’t hurt ONCE. I’m a teacher, so I’m on my feet a lot during the day, and I had ZERO issues. I just felt fabulous, and now this is one of my favorite outfits. But wait. It gets better. While trying on outfits to go with these boots, I found SOOOOOOO many other fabulous options. It’s literally like those boots went with everything I tried on. NO LIE. The white boots actually behaved like a neutral, which means they damn near go with everything, making everything look even more fabulous.

The only problem I have now is not pairing them with everything, every single day, because they do stand out, and people will start saying, “She must be trying to get her money’s worth!”…….LOL.

Bottom line: I will be getting my money’s worth, because these boots are one of my best purchases of 2019. Shout out to Fendi!

How do you feel about white boots? What’s your favorite type of fall/winter boot? Let’s chat about it in the comment section.

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO

How dapper are you? An easy but effective way to add style to your fall wardrobe.

“I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit. Put your bonnet to his right use. ‘Tis for the head.”

— Hamlet Act V, ii

I know, I know…..sometimes you just don’t have the energy or patience to plan out a fabulous outfit. You just want to throw something on and go. However, if you’re a bit like me, you like to at least look like you’ve put some effort into your outfit, even if you really haven’t. If the latter is the case, I have THE perfect solution. Think about donning a fall cap. It can transform a plain outfit into something snazzy in one fell swoop.

The outfit I’m wearing in this post is a prime example. It´s basically a black turtleneck from Zara, and some blue jeans from Dolce and Gabbana that I’ve had for a while. I added this totally rad belt from Alexander McQueen that I’ve had for ages, and my cute gold chain Gucci purse. The belt and the purse are easy ways to add some pizazz to an otherwise simple outfit. The leather jacket and hat are the icing on the cake.

Drum roll please…………This cool hat is from H&M´s men‘s department. So, gals, don’t forget to check out the men’s section for things to wear. It‘s like doubling your search field….:-)

Let me know what your favorite fall mad hatter styles are down in the comment section. I´d love to know!

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO

I‘d rather be naked! (3 things to do when you have NOTHING to wear.)

“He wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat.”

— Much Ado About Nothing Act I, i

PC: me

Headband: Gucci , Dress: Vivetta

How many times a week do you stand in your closet and proclaim “I HAVE NOTIHING TO WEAR”…knowing good and well that this should NOT be the freaking case. (This is definitely a first-world problem,…and the sin of gluttony at the very least…..but don’t judge…lol. Before running to the nearest mall in despair (are malls still a thing)….or your nearest keyboard to order something cute online, check out my three tips.

TIP #1 PINTEREST

Are you still sleeping on Pinterest? Well, today you are going to get that app and get yo life all the way together. Pinterest is a powerful search engine that you can use for all kinds of inspiration, including fashion. I love to type in a particular looks, such as spring/summer outfits, or transition to fall/winter outfits. You can even get specific and type in boots, or leather coats, etc. Go ahead and create some boards and keep your looks on tap. That’s what I do. Check mine out for all kinds of swagalicious looks.

TIP #2 SHOP YOUR CLOSET

Don’t underestimate the depths of your closet. First, have a clear out. Donate or sell all of the clothes and shoes you know for sure you won’t don anymore. Take them to your local Goodwill, or sell them at a second-hand shop, or on apps such as DePop, Poshmark, or TheRealReal, for example. Now you’re ready to take a double take at all of those shirts, sweaters, and skirts, that got pushed to the back of your closet. That skirt you bought on sale, it’s a great color, great fit, still has the tags on it,…pull it out! What about that sweater you haven’t worn in a while, pull it out of your drawer and give it some love. Now, lets see what we can do with these pieces that we’re about to give new life to.

TIP 3 TRY DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS

After perusing Pinterest, you no doubt have several outfit ideas you can’t wait to try out. Instead of pairing the same outfit combinations you normally do, try something different. Pair different patterns, colors, add some new jewelry, etc. Also, try different shoes that you wouldn’t normally wear with the outfit you’re creating. All of this will give you the feeling as if you are wearing a brand new outfit. And the best part is, you didn’t spend any money, and you potentially made some money from the sale of unwanted clothing items. Now that’s a WIN-WIN!

BONUS TIP

There is also an app that I’ve recently discovered called Stylebook. With this you can upload your clothes to the app, and the app gives you wardrobe suggestions that you may not have thought of. There are also other features such as a calendar which can potentially help you take the guess work out of what to wear for the upcoming week. Give it a try! :-)

Those are my tips on solving the “nothing to wear” problem, and avoiding you just giving up and leaving the house in your birthday suit…lol.

Let me know if this is something you regularly do, or if you decided to give something I mentioned a try. Would love to hear from you!

Thank you for stopping by! XOXO

My Bali Travel Guide: Solo traveling

“To unpathed waters, undreamed shores.”

— The Winter’s Tale

View fullsize

Where I stayed

While in Bali, I stayed in a one bedroom AirBnB located in central Seminyak. The upstairs of the villa consisted of the bedroom, which was the bed, a TV, and a bathroom with a shower. Downstairs was a small kitchen, small dining table, a couch, and a small bathroom with only a toilet and a sink. There were doors that opened all the way to make the inside and outside one space, as well. Outside on the patio were chairs, tables, and a private swimming pool with luscious greenery. Truthfully, this spot was perfect for just me, but for two or more people, it would have been way too tight. The pictures on AirBnB made it appear much larger than it was.

Photos taken by me.

What’s Bali like?

Language: In Bali, there are many dialects spoken depending on which caste you come from. However, there is a common language called bahasa, that is kind of a newer language used to unite all of the different dialects so everyone can communicate easier. But fear not! Since Bali’s tourism industry is very strong, English is spoken everywhere, so you won’t have a problem in this area.

Getting around: OMG!!!!! There are soooo many scooters in Bali! That is the first thing I noticed while I was being driven (in a car) from the airport to my AirBnB. My driver informed me that because there really isn’t a public transportation infrastructure such as buses and trains, people mostly use scooters to get around because it’s cheap and easy. Taxis are also everywhere and easily accessible. However, it is recommended (by myself as well) to use Bluebird Taxis. These taxis are regulated, they use a meter, and you won’t get ripped off. Unfortunately, I was running late for something because my Bluebird Taxi I ordered couldn’t find my AirBnB (that’s another story…lol), so I hailed an unregulated taxi and got taken for a ride, if you get my drift…lol! From then on, it was only Bluebird for me! :-)

Back to these scooters! If you’re brave enough, you too can easily rent a scooter to get around on. But it’s nothing like riding around Mykonos, for example. That’s child’s play compared to Bali. Bali on a scooter is not for the faint of heart. There are very few to zero rules of the road that I noticed…so ride at your own risk, and don’t forget to wear a helmet! You will also get offered rides on scooters for money by the Balinese and their scooters, so that is also an option if you feel adventurous.

Tirta Gangga, Bali

Must-have Apps: Here are three apps that you need to download for your time in Bali and Southeast Asia period. If you need a taxi or scooter, if you need food delivered from your favorite restaurant, or even groceries delivered, these are the apps you need. You can pay through the app for cashless transactions, which makes everything easier. So, download these apps for a much more enjoyable stay in Bali. I was definitely happy I had them.

App #1 : Grab

App # 2 Gojek

App# 3 My Bluebird

Vegan yumminess! My falafel burger and sweet potato fries with tahini sauce. This was at a cafè called Kimsoo.

Currency: Rupiah is the currency used in Bali. You can exchange your home currency for theirs directly in the airport after you grab your luggage. This is safe and easy. You can exchange your money at various other places in Bali, but make sure that it’s an authorized vendor, otherwise you will get cheated. Because Bali is a poor country (in terms of wealth), your money will go far here. For example, 100,000 Rp = approx. $7…(at the time this post was written.) There are also lots of ATM’s around, too.

Some things to do: Depending on whether you just want to chill, or if you want adventure, you can find it all in Bali. I actually did both. The first few days, I went on some tours that I booked via AirBnB (yes, they also have what they call Experiences for you to book), and Viator. I went to the famous Gate of Heaven, the Water Garden, the Jungle Swing, coffee plantation, and the rice gardens. It was a long tour, but highly worth it. I even took a bike tour (something I do on all of my vacations if available). This tour was more strenuous than I expected…lol…but I loved it because we rode to Canngu, an area that I had wanted to see, and I saw parts of Bali that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. I highly suggest tours, especially if you are a solo traveller, because it´s stress-free. Most of the time they even pick you up from your accommodation. You can’t get more stress-free than that! :-)

Of course, if you just want to chill, you can hit up the beaches and the beach clubs. I would recommend Ku De Ta and also Potato Head. Massages are also offered everywhere if you’re in need of one. Also, other spa services are offered at many places on the island. And, these services are very inexpensive, too.

Miscellaneous: Restaurants are plentiful in Bali. You will find anything and everything, no need to worry about that. I’m a plant-based eater and found tons of eating options to accommodate me.

There are also dogs EVERYWHERE in Bali. One of my Balinese tour guides told me that the Balinese love dogs, and that every household has one. The dogs I saw appeared to be very independent, and didn’t seem to belong to anyone, but maybe that’s just dog- life in Bali……:-). None of the dogs seemed aggressive, they just did their own doggy thing. I did see an unfortunate accident where a poor dog got hit by a truck and became instantly paralyzed….:-(. This ties into the crazy driving situation in Bali that I mentioned earlier. So, just be careful if you do decide to rent a car or a scooter.

I chose the above quote from The Winter´s Tale, because in this particular scene one character is telling two other characters not to go off to some far away, possibly dangerous part of the world. I often come across people who tell me not to go there, or maybe you shouldn’t go alone, or maybe why are you going for so long, or why are ´not you staying longer, it´s not worth it….blah, blah blah. So many people have opinions about this or that….and because what you’re doing doesn’t seem or feel right for them, they try and deter you from doing what feels right for you. That is when you thank them, or not thank them for their input, and continuing to do you and continue to remember that you are living YOUR life, not theirs.

Please like, share, and/or leave a comment telling me about your experience in beautiful Bali!

Thank you for stopping by! XOXO

Damn! You are so skinny!

Recently, I went to a Thai restaurant to have lunch. I’d been to this particular restaurant several times in the past, however, this was the first time I had seen this particular waitress. As she was taking me to an available table, she exclaimed quite shockingly, “Wow, you are sooo skinny!” I’m going to assume that because English wasn’t her first language (it was quite obvious), that she didn’t realize using the term skinny has a negative connotation. And using it with strangers can come across as off-putting and rude. However, while taking all of that into consideration, and assuming she had no intentions of being rude to a paying customer, I simply smiled and said, “Yes, that’s true.”

Dress: Athena procopiou (I don’t think dress is available anymore.)

Shoes: Gucci Ace Sneakers

Purse: Gucci

Photo credit: BT

You see, this has been happening my entire life. I am really very, very naturally thin. I basically have been the same size my entire teenage, young adult, and now middle-aged adult life. I cannot tell you the countless times I´d been teased growing up because of my weight. As a child I was called Olive Oyl…remember her? :-) I was also a cheerleader from age 7-18 and of course those skimpy cheerleader uniforms just accentuated my skinniness even more. All of the other cheerleaders had curves by then, and I was still “straight up and down” as they used to say back when I was young. My mother even thought that after I had a baby, I would do as she did, and gain a lot of weight. She, too, had been thin as a child and as an adult before she had children. However, after I had my child, I snapped right back to the exact same size I had always been.

I guess people who know me and have known me my whole life aren’t really fazed by how thin I am. They don’t even notice. And quite frankly, most times, neither do I. But, in today’s society of enhanced body parts, my lack thereof, may seem strange to some people. And the fact that I embrace how I am, and don’t strive to look like what society deems is “perfect” at whatever given moment may also be a factor. I am naturally the way I am. And that suits me perfectly.

The quote above is Shakespeare´s Sonnet 130, and it is mainly discussing people’s perception of what beauty is. What is our standard of beauty? Why are we always striving to fit a standard that is ever-changing, and is quite frankly a hollow template that cannot possibly contain all of the greatness we are? This lady (the Dark Lady, she’s called) that the person in the poem is describing has none of the attributes that make a woman “beautiful”, and yet he is deeply in love with her. He basically is putting his middle-finger up to society and it’s bogus beauty standards.

I’m not putting my middle finger up to society in this blog post…lol…but I do want to stress that we should all be comfortable the way we are. If you want to change something for you, that’s great, but don’t try and fit into society’s fickle perception of who you should be at any given time. When those thoughts start creeping in…that’s when you get those middle fingers ready!!! ;-)

Thank you for stopping by….XOXO!

Do you have a signature scent?

“Monster, I do smell all horse piss, at which
my nose is in great indignation. (IV, i, lines 223-224)
”

— William Shakespeare, The Tempest

First of all, let me say HAPPY 47th BIRTHDAY to me…July 1st…Cancers rule…(ok…I’m done….lol)! And, secondly, let me assure you….I smell heavenly. No whiffs of horse piss, Mr. Shakespeare…lol. This post is all about scents…..signature scents to be exact. Do you have a scent that your friends, family, co-workers, etc. associate with you? Do you tend to go for sweet , floral, leathery, musky scents. or soft , fresh and woody smells? Now, I’m not a “scent specialist”. I’m not well-versed in the perfume lingo, however, I have found the particular oils, trees, and/or flowers that are a part of the scents that I love. I must say, that it took me a long time to find my signature scent. In my twenties, I wasn’t even into perfumes. My thirties were a hodge podge of trendy scents that didn’t appeal to me at all. Believe it or not, it wasn’t until my forties that I began to really hone in on what kinds of scents I really love and what smells good on me. Some of those scents are: patchouli, cardamom, sandalwood, jasmine, fig and vetiver to name a few.

Let me give you some EXCELLENT advice. NEVER buy perfume or cologne for someone that you don’t know very well. Perfumes are really intimate gifts. Giving a scent to someone you don’t really know, may result in said scent lying in the back of a drawer, closet, or gathering dust on a shelf. Or even re-gifted…lol…which actually is better than lying around gathering dust. Pretty bottles don’t make the perfect gift for someone. I cannot tell you how many gifts of perfume I have received, that after one whiff have gone to the perfume cemetery to be laid to rest. Don’t be the that kind of gift giver….lol. Let your gift of perfume live.

Absolutely LOVE Le Labo´s Santal 33. Apparently, the sandalwood in this scent works divinely with my chemistry. I love it. Also, at the Le Labo counter they custom mix the scent for you and tell you all about their philosophy while you wait. Finally, you can even personalize the bottle. Even though it is a bit pricey, you can take the empty bottle in and get 20% (I think) off your next bottle. How cool is that!

Hat: Asos

Jeans: Dolce & Gabbana

Top: Wayf

This Tom Ford is a really grown up and sexy scent. Apparently they harvest the jasmine flowers at night because that is when they are their most fragrant.

This scent from Jo Malone is so light and airy to me. The cardamom is divine. I can wear this and never get tired of it. I will say, that out of the two…this fragrance has the least projection…(learned that from YouTube…lol). It also tends to fade after a while.

Have you found your signature scent? Let me know which scents are your absolute favorites.

Thank you for stopping by! XOXO

What if knowledge is LITERALLY power?

“He would be crowned: How that might change his nature, there’s the question.”

— Julius Caesar, Act II, i

WARNING: I’m an out-of-the-box thinker kinda gal.

Carry on.

Have you ever considered this? Good ole Merriam Webster has nine definitions for the word power. In the above quote, Brutus was referencing the second definition: A position of authority, control, or influence over others. There is no need to expound upon that definition. We constantly experience the effects of it in various aspects of our lives. I, however, want to discuss definition number 6: A source or means of supplying energy: especially electricity. From this point on, open your minds and let me give you something to ponder.

Since childhood, we’ve all been inundated with the platitude KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Yeah, yeah, yeah…we all know that. And trying to gain more control and power in our lives is a big money maker in our society, Whether it’s paying for knowledge gaining esteemed letters after your name, paying for workshops and buying self-help books from other people who seem to know you better than you know yourself. Or better yet, joining the infinite amount of groups that require you to take an oath, perform a ritual of some kind to gain some “secret” knowledge the rest of us don’t know..i.e…Shriners, Knights of Malta, those Rosicrucians, or any of the other numerous fraternal orders out here. Or perhaps going to yoga, learning to meditate is more your thing (which is a good thing) all in an effort to gain more control and knowledge in your own life in order to manifest a life that society says you need. The only thing is, you’ll NEVER get the true answer that will free you and give you the power to empower you, which is your/our birthright.

BUT let me posit this: WHAT IF the phrase in a very popular book Genesis 1:3, Let there be light, actually meant that the people in power at the time actually monopolized how to generate electricity. (Pay close attention the letters in bold.) The descendants from these people, are now the only people to have this knowledge (the knowledge all of humanity once shared), and they now govern us today in the form of royal families and presidents worldwide….a.k.a. governments.

What do you think? Hard to believe? Not really. Without going into an extensive history lesson to cross all of my t’s and dot all of my i’s, it’s more than plausible. Think about it: You essentially go to work everyday to literally pay for power, that is free, so you can go home and flick on the light switch, open your fridge to find something to eat, then turn on your stove to make a nice dinner. Afterwards, turn on your laptops and/or computers to check in on my blogs..;-)..play Nintendo, charge up your electronic devices, etc. Mind you, all the while we are all paying for energy that these huge power plants all around the world are generating for free. Let that sink in a bit.

Most people would equate money with power. They believe the accumulation of wealth will ultimately lead to power.

Unfortunately, money became the poor substitution for true power.

If money = currency, and currency = current, then current = energy, which = power.

Knowledge really used to be power. That knowledge has been hidden.

You can’t be liberated without power...and you can’t have power without knowing how to generate it. And you will never have power if you are paying power companies for energy. Period.

True empowerment comes from more than joining a group and/or subscribing to a particular ideology.

Ok…I’m done soliloquizing….for now..:-)

To be continued at another time. So much more to be deduced through this one thought.

Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Thanks for stopping by…..XOXO!!

Get your clout up- CLOUT CHASIN‘

“Authority has always attracted the lower elements in the human race. They will submit to any indignity, perform any vile act, do anything to achieve power.“

P.J. O‘Rourke, Parliament of Whores

Photo credit: Yours truly

This is the word of the moment. I even think being a clout-chaser is an actual occupation these days. Correction: I know it is. I mean, look at the stats. If you achieve any amount of significant clout (this is a grey area, based on one‘s perspective…like most things), you are guaranteed anywhere from a modicum of money, respect, and power, to cascading throngs of it.

Necklace: Dylanlex (Gilded Phoenix)

Swag, courtesy of me

And isn‘t that what the majority of us humans seem to be socially engineered to crave. Attention. Attention which leads to likes and followers, which you pray to the social media gods will lead you to the Promised Land of Clout. What is causing people from all walks of life to de-value the low-profile aspects of our lives? Does everything need to be seen? Does everything need to be filtered through your Instagram lense? This filtered lense is quickly becoming part of our DNA. We don our filter/template that society has offered us without hesitation. As a matter of fact, we demand it. And heaven forbid if you show up without it. There are quite a few to choose from, too. Which one are you sporting today? I‘m wearing my 80‘s gold chain wearing rapper one today. The aesthetic is cool. I‘m feelin‘ it.

May get „some gold teeth and dance like Michael.“ At least that template is slightly rarer…;-) Hey, in the end, I know this post is ironic to say the least…maybe even sardonic in nature. The irony isn‘t lost on me. But just to put it out there…I‘m not clout-chasing…I‘m just soliloquizing…:-)

Thanks for stopping by…..XOXO

Comment something nice below…:-)

No affiliate links used in this blog post.