I found this fantastic pic at the Spooning in Forks blog:  http://spooninginforks.blogspot.com/2011_02_01_archive.html

Bella from the Twilight series vs. Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  Not even close.  Buffy wins.  Yes, there are parallels.  Yes, Buffy is in love with a vampire.  The vampire is in love with Buffy.  What is so much better about this love story is that Angel doesn’t stalk Buffy.  (Unless he is the soul-less version, Angelus.  BUT, Buffy also killed the evil Angelus.  How’s that for kicking a man in the ass when he needs it?)  Angel doesn’t see Buffy as a little child he may need to rescue.  He knows that Buffy can take care of herself and admires her for it.  Another hot quality about Angel or any man?

HE has her back.

In the scene prior to the scene below, he comes to Sunnydale to help Buffy save the world yet again.  To have her back.  When he arrives upon the scene, the demon Buffy is trying to kill has a bit of the upper hand.  Angel and the demon exchange testosterone charged words and then the demon says…so you here to help your girlfriend?  And Angel says:

“No.  I’m here to watch her kick your ass.”  So he relaxes, leans against a nearby wall and watches Buffy do just that.  He’s there IF she needs him.  Having her back.  Love it.

Later…Buffy has to let Angel go.  If she can’t save the world, she needs him to “have her back” if she fails.  This is her being vulnerable with the man she loves, but strong at the same time.  After all, the world needs her.  It’s not easy being the Super Heroine Bitch.

Buffy:   I’m cookie dough. I’m not done baking. I’m not finished becoming who ever the hell it is I’m gonna turn out to be. I make it through this, and the next thing, and the next thing, and maybe one day, I turn around and realize I’m ready. I’m cookies. And then, you know, if I want someone to eat m- or enjoy warm, delicious, cookie me, then that’s fine. That’ll be then. When I’m done.
Angel:  Any thoughts on who might enjoy – Do I have to go with the cookie analogy?
Buffy:   I’m not really thinking that far ahead. That’s kind of the point.
Angel:  I’ll go start working on the second front. Make sure I don’t have to use it.
[starts to leave]
Buffy: Angel. I do. Sometimes, think that far ahead.
Angel: Sometimes is something.
Buffy: Be a long time coming. Years, if ever.
Angel: I ain’t gettin’ any older.

PS:  The Angel series was about him earning the right to become human again.  So he can be with Buffy.

Your assignment at Bitch University is to watch and read the Twilight movies and books.  Note all the ways Bella is weak in life and with men.  Then watch a true Heroine Bitch in action:  Buffy Summers.  Watch Buffy the Vampire series and see how it launched a lot of copies that, in my opinion, don’t compare.

Love, Goddess

© S Stevens Life Strategies

]]> http://bitchlifestyle.com/2011/11/bella-from-twilight-vs-buffy-summers/feed/ 4 http://bitchlifestyle.com/2011/11/scandalous-women/ http://bitchlifestyle.com/2011/11/scandalous-women/#comments Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:28:30 +0000 Goddesspower http://bitchlifestyle.com/?p=3088

“Well behaved women rarely make history.”  Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

I saw that on the very top of a blog I discovered, Scandalous Women, and I knew I was going to fall in love!  And I did.  I want to share this sassy, fun and very interesting web site with you.  The author of this blog is Elizabeth Kerri Mahon. Two of her passions are history and writing.  These passions come together in her Scandalous Women blog, which is full of history’s most fascinating and flagrant women.  Famous Courtesans like Cora Pearl, who served herself as dessert at a dinner party, the truth about Anne Boleyn and oh so much more.  She reviews historical novels, has wonderful interviews and has a book!  Called…what else?  Scandalous Women:  The Lives and Loves of History’s most Scandalous Women.  LOVE!

Your assignment today at Bitch University is to explore this juicy website and enjoy.  Bitch it up and study in bed with some slightly naughty lingerie while sipping tea in an elegant tea cup.  Fluff up your hair, perfume your pulse points, light some candles and enjoy.

Scandalous Women blog and information on her book:  http://scandalouswoman.blogspot.com/

Love, Goddess

Private Coaching available…rock confident, sassy you!   http://bitchlifestyle.com/private-coaching/

© S Stevens Life Strategies

Cleopatra…

We all have our own version of Cleopatra deep within us.  What does yours look like?

I found this gorgeous picture of the Queen at the web site Mail Online:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1095043/Sorry-Liz-THIS-real-face-Cleopatra.html  It’s the result of taking ancient artifacts, extensive research and adding the magic of 3D imaging.  She truly was a beautiful and powerful looking woman!  I would love to have a few hours alone with her.  Soak in her knowledge.  Imagine learning from such an intelligent, fearless leader and seductress.  She wasn’t promiscuous.  She only loved two men in her life and they never owned her.  They worshipped her.

According to records, she did whatever she felt was necessary for Alexandria.  Because of this strong, confident approach, she was dethroned in favor of her younger brother, Ptolemy XIII, by a group of powerful court officials.  They felt he would be easier to handle than our Goddess Cleopatra.  Think that would stop her?

Please.

She paid attention.  She watched, analyzed and waited for her opportunity to take back her control.  When Caesar arrived in Alexandria, he and his Roman army swept in and took the power away from her brother.  Cleopatra saw the opportunity and took it.  This is when she decided to wrap herself up in a carpet and present herself to Caesar.  No shrinking violet, she demanded to be reinstated Queen, appealed to his ego and became his lover.  He gave her Egypt and she gave him a son.  From all accounts I’ve seen, they had a mutual respect and admiration for each other.

After Caesars’ assassination, she waited to see who would emerge as potential ruler of Rome.  Mark Antony, Octavian and Lepidus emerged triumphant politically.  The one she targeted was Mark Antony.  She studied his weaknesses and strengths and used them to her and Egypts’ advantage.  Like any good ruler would.  Unlike in the movies, it seems as though the love affair between Cleopatra and Antony wasn’t as epic as depicted.  He adored her for awhile and then it seemed as though later he exploited Cleopatra for her money.  Cleopatra only agreed if it benefited her.

Another part of her life that has been inaccurately portrayed in movies involves her suicide.  It wasn’t over her finding out that Antony had been killed.  When Octavian defeated Cleopatra and Mark Antony’s armies, Octavian’s triumph was carefully explained to her. He had no interest in any relationship, negotiation or reconciliation with the Queen of Egypt. She would be displayed as a slave in the cities she had ruled over.  She would not live this way, so she had an asp, an Egyptian cobra, brought to her hidden in a basket of figs.  She was royalty and would choose her fate.

From the web site Tour Egypt:  http://www.touregypt.net/cleopatr.htm

“What is often not associated with Cleopatra was her devotion to her country. She was a quick-witted woman who was fluent in nine languages, however, Latin was not one of them. She was a mathematician and a very good businesswoman. She had a genuine respect for Caesar, whose intelligence and wit matched her own. Antony on the other hand almost drove her insane with his lack of intelligence and his excesses. She dealt with him and made the most of what she had to do. She fought for her country. She had a charismatic personality, was a born leader and an ambitious monarch who deserved better than suicide.”

Homework:  In this post I’ve described some of the liberties taken with Cleopatra’s portrayal in movies.  I still recommend seeing the movie “Cleopatra” starring Elizabeth Taylor.  I loved how Cleopatra called Mark Antony on all his crap.  Brilliance we can all learn from. I really enjoyed watching her with Caesar.  They were my preferred couple.  So rent this movie, adorn yourself like a Queen, eat and drink only that which you adore and watch a strong woman in action.  How’s that for a fun assignment?

  Love, Goddess

Private Coaching available.  For more information:  http://bitchlifestyle.com/private-coaching/  Private Coaching limited to 10 people.

© S Stevens Life Strategies

Barbara Stanny-Money Inspiration.  Barbara Stanny grew up in the lap of luxury.  She is the daughter of one of the founders of H&R Block.  She was blessed with a huge fat trust fund.  She married and had her husband take care of things financially for her.

And did he ever.

Her husband took care of things so well for her, she wound up broke with the IRS knocking at her door.  You see, her husband spent all her money and then some and took off to Europe.  Leaving her to pick up every pitiful piece.  The final pitiful piece?  When she went to her father for help he said,  “No.”  Our girl had to pick up the pieces of her life.  She was the daughter of an H&R Block founder and she had zero knowledge of finances, zero idea how to take care of herself and was 200% broke.  And she, for the first time in her life, had to take care of herself.

And did she ever.

“Go where you fear because that’s how you grow.”~Barbara Stanny 

She fought back.  She looked at how she got there through self-reflection and went out, paid her husbands debts, learned about finances, straightened out her life and realized what was holding her back, held lots of women back.  Now she is a is a woman on a mission–a mission to motivate women to become financially empowered.  She used her experiences to write three wonderful books:  Prince Charming Isn’t Coming, grew out of her interviews with financially savvy women. Her next two books, Secrets of Six Figure Women and Overcoming Underearning focused on helping women go from financial survival to financial stability.  She coaches, speaks all across the country and has helped many many women.  I’ve seen her speak and was inspired by the bravery it took to take her biggest failure, turn it into success and the vulnerability she shared with her story.  A true Bitch doesn’t whine about a problem, she solves the problem.  And Barbara Stanny did this in true Sassy Bitch Style!  Thank you Barbara Stanny for reminding us that:

We ourselves must be transformed. That means enlarging our field of vision by thinking much bigger than we do now about how much more we can make, how much more we can do, and how much more we can be. ~Barbara Stanny, Secrets of Six-Figure Women

This means US knowing what we want, knowing we deserve it, and developing the confidence to have it, hotties!  Oh…and being ready for the bigger and better than we ever imagined possible.

Sign us up!  Love, Goddess

© S Stevens Life Strategies

“A violinist had a violin, a painter his palette.  All I had was myself.  I was the instrument that I must care for.”  Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker knew how to accentuate her exotic-ness.  She developed herself into “unforgettable.”  She did this by loving what she had, a killer sense of humor and found what was special about her and developed it:

“Beautiful?  It’s all a question of luck.  I was born with good legs.  As for the rest…beautiful, no.  Amusing, yes.”

What can we learn from the fabulous Ms. Baker?  How to make the most of what we have and REVEL in it.  How to make an undeniable impression.  Here are some of the methods she may have employed:

1. What is your favorite body part?  Own it like Josephine owned and danced her way through Paris on her glorious legs.
2. Develop a killer sense of humor about yourself.  Or a charming self-deprecating humor.  Find a healthy sense of humor about you and life.  It’ll help keep you sane when you hit the crazy train!
3. Develop that talent that people love and compliment you on.  Or find your talent/passion and relish it.  Think Nigella Lawson’s love of food and the soft, seductive manner she uses to seduce you into trying her delicious recipes.
4. The next time you go to a party, restaurant, etc.  Plan your entrance.  The outfit, the make up.  Relish making that entrance.
5. Charisma and je ne sais quoi comes from something deep within.  Something that is “off the norm.”  Something that people don’t usually see.  What is it about you that is deliciously different?  Work it, honey!
6. Think of stars and their outrageous wardrobes.  Dolly Parton, Cher, Elle Woods’ penchant for anything pink, Gwen Stefani’s platinum blond hair and red lipstick.  Notice how Jennifer Lopez embraces her va va voom.  Find whatever your beauty trade mark/love is and work it.  Play with it.  I have huge eyes.  That’s how I’ve started developing my Kim Kardashian eye look:  http://bitchlifestyle.com/2011/03/playing-with-a-new-look-kim-kardashian/
7. Embrace your imperfections.  Sass it up by flaunting them.  Decorate birthmarks with sparkle dust, out of control hair with accessories, work that curvy body by studying how celebrities like Salma Hayek, Marilyn Monroe, Beyonce, Kate Winslet, Scarlett Johansson adorn and love theirs.

Josephine looks so gorgeous in this picture because she did the work:  She was her own Cinderella story by developing herself, her beauty and her passions into the life she desired.  That’s how she got her nick name “A Parisian Sensation.”  Why not try adding a little Parisian Sensation in your life?  How would you do that?  Explore and play, beautiful!  Love, Goddess

© S Stevens Life Strategies

Carol Burnett-one of the most brilliant entertainers ever!

I loved watching reruns of her show when I was growing up.  This woman had her own variety show on television that ran for 11 years!  I loved watching her play different characters.  Old ladies, young ladies, crazy ladies, movie stars.  Her supporting cast was stellar:  Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence and Lyle Waggoner.

From the All Things Carol Burnett web site:  http://carolburnettfan.com/

She has received 6 Emmy Awards, 5 Golden Globe Awards and numerous people choice awards.  She received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2003 and has written 2 best selling books about her life.  Carol attended UCLA before heading to New York.  It was a rough beginning as jobs were tough until Carol staged her own musical revue, featuring her out-of-work roommates from a theatrical boarding house performing material by unemployed writers and composers.

That’s going for it her way, hotties!  And that’s when things started turning in her favor.  She was asked to guest on TVs ”The Garry Moore Show.”  This led to marriage and her own TV series. Talented, driven, professional.  Not afraid to ruffle feathers.  You know how I say, if you haven’t been scaring anyone, sass it up Bitch?  During the run of The Carol Burnett show, one of her famous co-stars, Harvey Korman, was rude to guest Petula Clark.  This was not acceptable to Carol.  Here’s a link to an interview with Carol about what happened:

http://www.accesshollywood.com/access-hollywood-live-what-is-the-true-story-behind-why-harvey-korman-almost-left-the-carol-burnett-show_video_1315836

What I want you to notice is how Carol calls him on it politely, acknowledges his problem, tells him what she wants and then sits back and watches his actions.  She doesn’t expect an apology, she expects action.  Notice the point where Harvey “back tracks.”  That’s a man admitting he’s wrong.  Also notice how much he loved being called on his crap by a woman he respects.  Harvey was a very important part of the show, but our lovely, sassy Carol would not tolerate disrespect.  Girl knows her power and how to talk to a man.

When you have a moment, or whenever you need a laugh, please check out these wonderful You Tubes of the brilliant Carol Burnett Show.  Here’s a link to a good one:  “No Frills Airline.”  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCz8he36hsk

Here’s to you Amazing Carol!  Love, Goddess

© S Stevens Life Strategies

One of my favorite sayings is:  If you can’t give to yourself, how do you expect others to give to you? It’s one of the hardest things you’ll ever learn to do. Loving every drop of gorgeous you, so you can receive it back. I’m about to share with you a wonderful article, “Receiving Love,” written by one of my friends on Twitter.  Cheryl voices this concept so beautifully, This Bitch shed a tear. That’s right.  Bitches definitely cry. (We are blessed with the gift of emotions-and allowing yourself to fully feel is essential to LIVING) Cheryl has a wonderful blog called “IntuitiveGoddesse.” http://intuitivegoddesse.blogspot.com Her blog tag line is: Strong, compassionate, fearless.  Right up a Bitches’ alley!

Receiving LOVE

I LOVE my life!

On this Valentine’s Day, I’m spending a few minutes thinking about how much LOVE
has transformed my life. I’m not talking about the kind that comes with
chocolates, flowers and wine – although I love each of those and won’t pass up
any opportunity to be on the receiving end of any gifting.

In our household, there doesn’t have to be a special day to celebrate the spirit
of Valentine’s Day.  I am blessed to have a family who, in spite of
various quirks and peculiarities, is very loving and supportive of my dreams
and passions. I am blessed and appreciative when I receive their hand-made
cards, the home-cooked meals, kind words and butterfly kisses just because.

Looking back, there was a time when I was the proverbial wallflower. I prided myself on
the ability to be available to others and showered them with love, gifts and
kindness at every opportunity. Believing it was better to give than to receive,
I closed myself off, refusing most gifts and kindness directed to me. I didn’t
realize how selfish and inappropriate this was because I had to be in control –
all the time – no matter the situation. If someone did something nice for me,
it meant that something was owed in return and I loathed having that
responsibility.

I insulated myself so others wouldn’t be able to see my vulnerabilities. I
pretended to be shy and aloof, when in fact; I craved the companionship and
joviality of others. In other words, what you give is what you receive. I got
plenty of comments and snide remarks from others who saw me as cold and
unapproachable – not at all the vibe I “thought” I was giving out.  I
can’t tell you how many tears I have cried lamenting my inability to be
gracious and accepting.

I remained fearful and closeted for many years because I was unwilling to trust
the Divine nature of this experience. It didn’t happen overnight, but it did
happen. Surrendering complete and absolute control over my life, I found I was
suddenly and overwhelmingly blessed with so many acts of pure loving generosity.
Opening to the fullness of living Authentically, I find myself continually
rewarded and surprised by the many blessings which have transformed my life.

I no longer cling to the fringes and now welcome the chance to interact
spontaneously with my surroundings. I no longer hide who and what I am –
instead I choose to live openly as a conduit to the Divine and surround myself
with like-minded individuals who have also chosen to reach out and connect.
This interconnectedness helps each of us to reach ever-dazzling heights.

My life is no longer black and white, with shades of gray. I’m living it in
full-color, surrounded by love. I let go of FEAR as an everyday companion and
replaced it instead with a sense of PURPOSE and an overwhelming desire to be a
part of that which I once shunned. I am fully supported and buoyed by LOVE all
around me, all the time.

The garden of my heart is beautiful, with flowers of all shapes, colors and scents.
Their intoxicating beauty reminds me of what I am here to do – to serve in
LOVE. Yes, occasionally, there is a stray weed which catches my attention.
Before surrendering it to Mother Earth, I gently pluck it out, thank it
for the lesson it has opened my eyes to and then allow it to be transformed and
its energies dispersed along the high winds.

With age comes a measure of wisdom. I accept who I am and understand I will continue
to grow and change throughout the seasons of my life.  My beautiful heart
center is now fully open and remains vibrant because I consciously emit what it
is I want to attract – beautiful souls and pleasant energies.  I know and
recognize the shared compassion and LOVE that radiates from saying the simple
words “thank you”.  I welcome gifts my family and friends choose to share
with me on this day. Most importantly, I appreciate the chance to experience
the LOVE they are gifting from their hearts.

New Affirmation:  I AM SURROUNDED BY LOVE AND I GROW IN ITS WARMTH.

Remember, it’s always about LOVE!

Cheryl

IntuitiveGoddesse Offers sacred readings and personal mentoring for women who want to have it all! Visit Cheryl’s site for more: http://intuitivegoddesse.blogspot.com/

Love, Goddess

© S Stevens Life Strategies

Bethany Hamilton-Serious inspiration, Bitches!

I am so in awe I don’t know where to start.  I just hope I do her justice.

We know the story of Bethany Hamilton, the beautiful blonde surfer who was attacked by a shark at age 13 and lost her arm.  I was watching an interview with her this morning.  Before the interview they showed her waiting to come onto the set.  She was gorgeous in her spaghetti strapped dress.  What struck me was how she worked the dress!  Woman owning her beautiful body.  She hadn’t said a word and I’d fallen in love with her.

Can you imagine…at age 6 you win not  one, but two surfing  championships!  This is a serious gift coupled with serious drive.  And then to lose an arm at 13 in such a terrifying way-while doing what you love.  Then 26 days later returning to competition. And then continuing that career and becoming a champion!  This is conquering fear and succeeding.

Amazing, amazing, amazing.

Please the next time you’re having a bad day and the “Powter” song isn’t working for you, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH476CxJxfg think of this amazing, spirited woman.  Visit her site, support her causes.  Both will make you feel better.

1. Watch her movie:  http://www.soulsurferthemovie.com/
2. Check out her web site:  http://bethanyhamilton.com/

I hereby pronouce Bethany Hamilton “Surfer Bitch Goddess.”  XOXOXO

Love, Goddess

© S Stevens Life Strategies

Have you ever longed to be someone else? 

When I was a little girl I longed to be a glamorous movie star.  A lot of us probably did.  When I got older, I loved soap operas and imagined the excitement of being a heroine or bad girl.  Never a dull moment and these women always looked fantastic.  As I matured, I started to admire strong women.  Like the ones we’ve discussed here.  http://bitchlifestyle.com/2010/09/carole-lombard-fiesty-and-fabulous/

Now?  I find a fault with all the women I wished to become in the past.  Things in their lives I would not dig.

1.  Cleopatra:  Someone always trying to kill her, then suicide by an asp.  Yuck.

2.  Movie stars:  Always being under a microscope, gossip, no privacy.  Yuck.

Which means I’d rather be me.  Most of the time.  (insert sassy smile here)  That’s confidence.  That wonderful state of being that’s sometimes hard keep in our day to day lives.  But there is a cool thing about wanting to be someone famous.  There’s something in them that you connect with.  Here are five of my favorites and what I connected to:

1.  Cleopatra:  I was facinated by her ability to lead…the confidence she possessed.

2   Judge Judy:  Speaking in a clear, bottom line way. 

3.  Carole Lombard:  The life of the party, warm, witty, glamorous.

4.  Elle Woods:  Disciplined, warm, loving, always looking fabulous. Her personal initiative.  She never judges.

I discovered what I loved so much in these women—were in me.  Waiting to come out and play.  Kinda cool, huh?  So who do you admire and why?  Is that a part of you that wants to come out deep in your soul?  What ways can you help her come out?  Copying a style?  Taking a leadership class?  Practicing speaking directly?  That’s a lot to think about.  Maybe just pick one woman and see what really turns you on about her and explore.

See…you really can have it all. (warm smile)

Share your favorites and why on our Facebook page!  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bitch-Lifestyle/205875411841

And visit the Amazing Women catagory on this web site for more inspiration.

Love, Goddess

© S Stevens Life Strategies

Courage is going for what you want.  While those who live in fear say “it can’t be done.”

Courage is embracing who you are.  It will be the warm hug when you’re low.

Courage is letting someone give to you.  Which is letting someone love you.

Courage is not having regrets.  It’s having learned something.

Courage is refusing to be a doormat.  It means you’re a strong, confident, sassy woman. THE definition of a Bitch.

Courage is correcting someone when they call your privates “Junk.”  Kesha:  “My glorious feminine core is one hot shiny sexy diamond!”

Courage is saying  Hell No!  to anything that mutilates a woman and her feminine core.  Anything that removes or alters her hot, shiny, sexy diamond.

Courage is smiling sassily and saying “Thank You…” when someone calls you a Bitch.

Courage is letting more women know about our hot, sassy, world changing secrets.

Courage is knowing when your Drama Queen is running wild.  And knowing how to tame her.

Courage is telling a man exactly what you want.  How, when and where.

Courage is giving birth.

Courage is staying true to yourself when dating or in a relationship.  If you give up your “things” for a man, you’re giving up YOU.

Courage is calling someone else on their crap.   And listening when someone who loves you calls you on YOURS.

Courage is loving yourself.  Every delicious, sassy, naughty ounce of you.

Courage requires some work.  Work that leads you on a journey of discovery, happiness and oh so much more!

Courage is … us, Bitches!

Love, Goddess

© S Stevens Life Strategies