Stunning…

I didn’t watch the Oscars.   Zero interest.  So the last thing I thought I would be doing today is writing about a dress!  When  I saw this dress on the news this morning, I thought it was perfect feminine glamour.  Love it. 

Is there a dress that blew your mind?  Why?  In the meantime enjoy Demi Moore in her Glamorous Glory!

Love, Goddess

© S Stevens Life Strategies

I finally figured out a system.  Part of this comes from one of the most beautiful women on the planet…my friend Spell Vixen.  She told me to have “certain looks for certain activities.”  I got it, but it sounded like too much work.  This was my process:  I would wear jeans and lip gloss for rehearsal.  Simple dresses for everyday, work etc.  Yawn.  I’m even boring myself remembering and writing about it!  LOL.  She has patiently tried to teach me for years.  I’m so lucky to have such a patient friend.  I have to say, I was never really enthusiastic about this whole process.  So I tired, but not consistently.

Finally…a few days ago I got it.  This was the second part:  Seeing the fun involved in glamour…and how simply it could be achieved.  I actually thought about my wardrobe and what I was doing that day.  I was going to rehearsal.  I have the cutest Calvin Klein summer dress.  Feminine but sporty at the same time.  Instead of just grabbing my usually shoes (the black ones that went perfectly with it) I really looked at the dress.  It was too casual for the shoes I usually wore with it.  Then I saw my cute Mudd flip flops with the funky fringe on them.  Perfect!  I did the same thing with my other accessories and make up and I felt so much more put together.  And it took only a few moments. 

Then I remembered my “Fun Beauty Scrapbook.”  It’s filled with things and ideas I’ve clipped out of magazines over the years.  Loaded with fun ideas I rarely do or have taken the time enjoy.  I opened it yesterday and got really excited.  I had clipped all these beauty swatches on how to achieve the following looks:  “Good Girl” “Seductress” “All American,” etc.  I’ve decided to do them all…finally.  Just play with those versions of looks I love in magazines.  Want to play with me?  Let’s play grown-up dress up together ladies!  Here are some ideas for you to play with…for you.  Discover and enjoy new or rusty facets of wonderful you:

1.  This is a fun link.  It gives you tips, pictures and ideas to channel another part of your luscious self:  http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/general/0,,20294359,00.html 

2.  Take a few items that make you feel “glamorous” and put them in your purse, in your car or a special drawer at work.  These items could include:  a hot red lip gloss, moisturizer in your favorite fragrance, shimmer powder, a special piece of jewelry, shimmer spray…you get the idea.  Put these things everywhere.  Instant glamour at your finger tips!

So in review, here are keys to “Everyday Glamour”

1.  Have different “looks” for different activities.

2. Focus on what fun it is to transform yourself to a complete “look.”  It can be a simple as changing your shoes or lip gloss!

Enjoy playing hot ones!  I would adore hearing any fun “personas” or glamour tips for us to try and share!  Love, Goddess

Solution: Get physical. One of my favorite things to do is kick box the anger out. Play some appropriate music and punch away those frustrations! Punch punch punch! It’s amazing how much better you feel getting rid of the anger. Then do something wonderful for yourself. Take a long hot shower and use your favorite beauty products. How does this make you feel? It makes me feel FREE!

2. Take a moment to relax.

Solution: Light your favorite candle. Close your eyes and breathe. I’ve told you how impatient I am. It’s really hard for me to do this. When I take the time I feel so much better.

3. Take an adult time out.

Solution:  Sit back and imagine being the heroine in your favorite movie. Or make up your own movie. Either way…the gorgeous star is you!

4. Take a nap.

Solution: Find a cozy place to be like a cat and snooze away.

5. Make some fun!

Solution: Plan a girls night. Go to Evite http://www.evite.com/ and find the perfect girly card. Here’s an example on my Face Book page:  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=585670826&ref=name

6. Laugh.

Solution: It’s amazing how much better I feel after a good laugh. Find someone to tickle you. Tell your funniest friend to tell you a story. Find and bookmark your funniest you tube videos so you always have it on hand. Here are a couple that always make me laugh:

From The Money Pit with Tom Hanks:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yil2jWQ5Oqg

Mr. Bean goes to Church:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bm9mhX1q4o&feature=PlayList&p=CB8A3ED3DBF3D4E6&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=21

7.  Let down your hair…literally.

 Solution: Close your eyes, take your hair out of the pony tail and shake it. If you have short hair you can still do this. Luxuriate in the texture and softness of your hair. If you think your hair is too short, pick another body part. Take a moment and feel how soft your skin is, massage your feet or slowly apply lip gloss.

8. Take it outside.

Solution: It’s summer. Pack a picnic or take a 10 minute walk during your lunch hour.

9. Turn off your cell phone, pager, PDA…whatever!

Solution: Push the little power button that says off. J

10. Give yourself flowers.

Solution: Go outside, pick daisies, or whatever is available and display it where you can see them. Extra credit for putting a gorgeous flower in your hair!

With so much love, Goddess

© S Stevens Life Strategies

1.  Today I feel incredibly beautiful.  And the goofy thing?  I have no make up on, nothing.  Not even my beloved lip gloss.  Not one smidgeon of sparkle.  I’m just higher than a kite on life.  I’ve had some fun success in my business and personal life today.  I’m basking and reveling in it.

2.  The sun is finally out!  For those of you in New England it’s been mighty dreary of late.  There’s nothing like the feel of warm sunshine on your body! 

3.  When I make someone else feel good, it makes me feel beautiful!

4.  Dancing, eating chocolate, making love, skinny dipping, blowing kisses, riding in a convertible…

5.  When I let someone I love go…and they come back.

6.  When I let something go…anger at someone, something, etc.   It’s hard to let go sometimes, but the weight that’s lifted makes my heart sing!

7.  After a really tough work out.

So looking forward to hearing what makes you beauties glow!

Love, Goddess

© S Stevens Life Strategies

See? There you have it. We are all perfect. There really is nothing else to say about the subject at this moment. I’m putting a big fat period on it.

“I am perfect.” Let that thought wash over you and any part of you that you don’t think is perfect. That’s outside noise trying to mar the perfection. It’s so jealous of perfect, stunning you. Laugh at the noise judging you. Blow them a sexy kiss!

This is my simple wish to you today. Embrace your beautiful perfection. Love, Goddess

© S Stevens Life Strategies

It’s time to bust wide open the image of “The Seductress.”  The Seductress in our society is all movie star glamour and modelesque perfection.  A ridiculous “standard” to live up to.  And we don’t have to.  We are unique, gorgeous and fabulous—The Seductress magic is in us. All we have to do is find the magic within us and display it to the world. KNOW that the creative magic buried within us: our singing, writing, cooking, financial brain or wit brings the world pleasure. In these blog pages I will share “Old” Seductresses with you. I’ll share the smart, sassy and artistic ones too. We start with someone “society” would never call a Seductress. Boy were they wrong! Her name? Pauline Viardot.

Pauline Viardot was an opera singer who was born in 1821. She had extraordinary gifts as a singer and had it all: A long happy life, domestic and professional success and was adored by some of the most distinguished men of her time. When Ivan Turgenev, a twenty five year old aristocratic Lothario heard her sing, he abandoned Russian and followed her around the world for the rest of his life. From the book “Seductress” by Betsy Prioleau:

‘She was one of the plainest seductresses on record…’ ‘Everyone who saw Pauline Viardot pronounced her “very ugly,” “strikingly ugly,” or “atrociously homely.” Dark and crude featured, she had hooded eyelids, a receding chin, a wide mouth with a heavy underlip, and an H shaped figure.”  Here is a link to photos of our fabulous seductress:

So how did she do it? She knew what she wanted, stayed focused on her goals, and was enmeshed in her Goddess given talents. The result? She created pleasure wherever she went and had a wonderful life.

Like Susan Boyle. The unexpected beauty of her singing. Unexpected because it was pure, raw Susan talent. Not one snitch of “commercialization” “other point of view” or “how can I make her look more American Idol,” in an ounce of her performance. And the world is fascinated. Charmed. Adoring of her. Just like the fabulous Pauline Viardot.

And “The World” is already trying to change her. Mold her. Take away the fascination of pure Susan. Have you seen the recent pictures, ladies? Let’s take a moment and desire her to stay exactly the way she is. And love her for it. While we’re at it, take a moment and love ourselves for our own unique inner beauty.

In honor of the breathtaking Susan Boyle and Pauline Viardot, let us stay true to our blessed fabulousness. Admire your gorgeous self in the mirror today, your smile, the curve of your hips. Decorate yourself. Dance to your favorite song. Hold true to you. It’s what I love about each and every woman, girl, person I meet!

With love and admiration, Goddess

© S Stevens Life Strategies

Rituals give us our power, intent, focus.
Rituals allow us to stop life and noise.
Ritual counteracts bad habits/distractions.
The most powerful rituals start out small. The power comes from the consistency.

While I was listening to her I thought of beauty rituals. How women love facials, massages, moisturizing and applying make up. Adorning ourselves with a gorgeous new gown. Painting our toes and fingernails with a splash of color. They make us feel so good and we feel so good after doing them. Because we’re so busy, it’s hard sometimes for us to do them consistently. We are bombarded by other things we “should” be doing. ( Laundry, errands, work, email, messages to answer ) Honoring and our unique  beauty daily helps block out the impossible “ideal of beauty” thrust upon us daily by society.

Let’s take time to honor our beauty everyday. Even if it’s just for a moment.  We are so worth it!

A. Make a list of how you honor your beauty everyday.  Styling your hair? Cleansing your face?
B. For the days you don’t have time or feel uncreative? I’m providing a list of ideas for you to choose from.

Beauty Rituals to savor:
1. Save perfume magazine inserts, keep them handy ( work, car ) and enjoy a deep whiff whenever you need a lift
2. Meditate
3. Light a candle and enjoy the dancing orange flame
4. Note one thing you were successful at today and revel in it
5. Apply your favorite body lotion very slowly and admire your curves
6. Take a 5 minute walk
7. Let a piece of chocolate slowly melt in your mouth
8. Take a few minutes and do a craft project that you love
9. Buy yourself flowers
10. Pick a spring flower and put it in your hair
11. Look in the mirror and enjoy your beauty. Notice how your eyes sparkle!

We are so lucky to be have been born! Yay! By focusing daily on our own beauty and enjoying it, we fall in love with ourselves a bit more each day. Love, Goddess

© S Stevens Life Strategies

She’s probably the last thing you’re thinking of today. After all, you just came off a long weekend full of celebrating, barbecues and relaxing. It’s a Tuesday that’s really a Monday and you are busy! Career, kids, errands, commuting. Some of you are probably reading this and thinking: Really Goddess, did you sniff too much fresh air this weekend? And you know what? For all of you out there thinking I’m a little crazy with this glamour stuff first thing in the morning? I think it’s cute. It makes me smile. Remember my Destine story from Miami? If I can work Destine in the name of fun and pleasure, can you maybe, just maybe bask in a little of your glamour today?

And I mean just a little taste. Some of you may want to go full out. And I humbly applaud you!!! Like fun, flirting and loving every inch of you, glamorizing takes practice. But what fun! Here’s your week to play with your gorgeous self. Experiment and discover what makes your inner fashionista purr. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Take some lip gloss, lipstick or even chap stick out of your purse and work it right now. Admire your self in  the mirror as you put it on. Seduce yourself in the mirror with it!
2. Spritz yourself with your favorite perfume that you only wear for “special occasions.” Because every moment you are alive you ARE a special occasion.
3. Take a few moments to enjoy yourself being the heroine in your favorite book or movie.  Eat something really glamorous: Brie, drink champagne or nibble on Belgium chocolate.
4. Take a few extra minutes tonight to take care of your beautiful self before you go to bed. Use your favorite body moisturizer, spritz on some shimmer, brush your hair and savor the feel of it.
5. Buy yourself flowers and put them by your bed.

 For extra credit: Bring something to work with you tomorrow that makes you feel fabulous. Those Chanel sunglasses, that bright red lipstick, a diva scarf. Whatever! Listen to your inner diva and let her run a little wild.

As always, I eagerly await what you discover during this “experiment with glamour.” And if you have yummy ideas? Please share with everyone! Love and a big red lipstick kiss, Goddess

 © S Stevens Life Strategies