WOOHOO! It’s officially Summer and as the temps continue to heat up, here’s a few tips for staying cool and looking fabulous, plus some inspiration for the week ahead:
Regardless of your hair length, it can get so sticky and uncomfortable, plus the humidity can have you looking like a wet mop during summer. There are so many ways to keep it off your neck without reverting to the boring old ponytail. This summer, the Retro 50’s look is everywhere from swimsuits, rolled up jeans, cat eye shades and headscarfs–which you all know is MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE! Channel your inner Old Hollywood actress like Sophia Loren or Audrey Hepburn and play around with scarves. Check out my Pinterest Board on headscarves for more ideas and inspiration.
Keep a bottle of aromatherapy hydrating spray nearby at all times during the hot months. I even keep a small travel size bottle in my purse! When you’re skin is feeling parched, spritz it on your face, neck, decolletage and down your arms. My favorite is the Rose Water by Heritage Products. There are also easy DIY recipes by adding your favorite essential oils, pure aloe vera juice, cucumber or lemon to distilled water.
I trust you are all having a beautiful weekend. I’m playing catch up after spending most of the week in Dallas. It was a wirlwind trip filled with playtime with the most precious toddlers, laughing over wine with dear girlfriends of 20+ years and of course, over-indulging in my fave food– TexMex! Something that has been resonating with me since my return to LA is how inspired I am by the women in my life. We seem to look for inspiration everywhere these days (I even base my blog + webseries on it) in the latest motivational book endorsed by Oprah, in movies, art, church or even on Pinterest. Sometimes all we need to do is look at the lives of our nearest and dearest. Inspiration is right under our nose and can so easily be overlooked and underappreciated. There were several beautiful life lessons I learned on this trip, but the thing that made the most impact was how powerful it is when a woman MAKES UP HER MIND to do something. Hold on to your hats boys… Hurricane Sally is coming through town! When mama makes up her mind… shizzle gets done!
I had so many thought-provoking conversations on my trip with women from all walks of life, but there are a few scenarios that inspired me the most. Remember a few weeks ago, I posted a blog about my friend Christine who recently went through 15-16 rounds of chemo. Well, just two weeks ago Christine underwent a mastectomy. On top of that, I was not aware that prior to her finding out about the cancer, she had torn a ligament in her wrist from yoga. She had what was suppose to be a simple surgery that turned into a nightmare leaving her with a permanent metal rod from her hand halfway up her forearm. She not only lost a breast in the past year she has lost the use of her hand and may never do yoga again. When you are in Christine’s presence you sense nothing but gratitude, bravery and strength. It overwhelmed me! She doesn’t feel sorry for herself and doesn’t play the ‘woe is me’ sad song. She put a smile on her face and made up her mind in the beginning of this journey that she would stay positive and get through it…SHE DID JUST THAT! She even got dressed up complete with a fab wig and attended Heidi’s birthday party only a few weeks after surgery! CAN WE SAY ROCKSTAR!?!
Another inspiring woman– a family friend, who has fluctuated with her weight for years, recently lost over 60 pounds and I barely recognized her. Hello Supermodel!! She not only looked amazing physically, but she was glowing and had a beautiful sparkle in her eye. We had an intimate chat and she explained how she was looking forward to starting a family and wanted to be as healthy as possible during her pregnancy, plus be a healthy and strong mom for her kids as they grew. WOW! SO INSPIRING! She made up her mind and lost the weight. Once and for all. I am so sick of hearing myself complain about “that 5-10 lbs”. Who’s with me? If she can make up her mind to lose 60 then surely I can make up mind and get rid of that stubborn 5. I have stepped it up with my workouts recently, but I am about to become hardcore BFF’s with the treadmill and achieve my goal already!
One more inspiring story I want to share with you was hearing that one of my dearest friends is about to close on a home. She has fulfilled most of her dreams throughout our friendship and then some, but one of her most important was to own a home. After searching and searching she finally found the one! Sometimes our dreams seem so far off in the distance or like they will never come to pass. If you set your mind, never give up, keep believing, keep praying and keep working towards it– YOU WILL ACHIEVE! Imagine yourself sitting in that dream kitchen. Never lose sight. Then one day you will wake up and actually be sipping that first cup of coffee in your new home.
Are you wishy washy? Do you battle with wavering, hemming + hawing and doubting yourself? I admit I can think a thing to death because I can’t seem to make up my mind sometimes. We play that mind game because we FEAR the outcome of making the wrong choice. I read something recently to the effect of “we are free to choose, but we are not free of the consequences of our choice”…so like most issues, the root of indecision is that dreaded four lettered F word– FEAR. Our minds are so powerful when we focus on the outcome we desire and make the decision that NOTHING will stop us from achieving it.
How was your weekend? Can you believe it’s already that time again? Yes, here are your Sunday Evening Affirmations! Every week seems to be flying by. That’s a good reason to take some time to pause and regroup every weekend. Now- this evening let’s all set our intention on having a successful week ahead before we ever see Monday morning’s sunrise:
As we wind down from the hoopla and fun of the summer swag bag giveaways, I want to thank all the sponsors once again and encourage all of you who won these great products to give us all feedback by posting on the Facebook page and letting us all know how you liked everything. I love doing some kind of at-home facial on Sundays and did a Beauty Sprinkles yogurt mask this morning and loved it!
I hope everyone enjoyed celebrating their Independence yesterday! Even if you aren’t American, we are all FREE on many levels. For that alone, we should all be truly grateful today. I sure am.
In today’s new webisode I pull out the big guns and attack an issue many of use deal with as women no matter if you’re a size 4. Due to birthing beautiful babies, poor posture or over production of cortisol due to stress– many of us are dealing with the dreaded MUFFIN TOP SYNDROME……..Grrrrrrrr! Fortunately, there are several tricks to camouflaging this body part we all despise. Check it out…
REMEMBER, I am loving spoiling you girls to death this summer with a fabulous Swag Bag Giveaway every week through August. All you have to do to participate is follow the SOS facebook page, make comments and be a subscriber of this blog! Here’s what is in this weeks bag- winner announced Friday afternoon:
This gorgeous journal from Luscious Soul
Face Serum by Sia Botanics
Beauty Sprinkles Vitamin Cocktail Mask
Colour Couture Tan Extender (one of my fave products ever)
These fabulous shades by StarStruck Eyewear
My final thought-
after learning that so many of you SOS sistas are cancer survivors and now watching so many hanging on for their lives due to this unforgiving disease- please make sure you ALL follow your dreams every single day! Life is precious. Life is short. Please do not waste time moaning and groaning about what “should have been”. Get busy living life.
If you have a brilliant idea for a small business designing jewelry….DO IT!
If you want to learn how to salsa dance….DO IT!
If you want to finish your degree….DO IT!
If you want to take a mission trip to Haiti….DO IT!
Trust me, I am guilty of getting stuck in the day-to-day crap and can make excuses like the best of them. That’s why I love Pinterest so much! I am a visual, artistic person and so inspired by the virtual vision boards we are able to create there. I highly recommend creating inspiration boards of all the things you want to see manifest in your life! Whether it’s on Pinterest or a collage of things on your fridge, make sure keep your dreams + visions in your sight everyday.
I am so thrilled to share this inspirational story with all of you! Julie Comeau and I connected on Facebook a few years ago and she asked me to be part of her motivational book which releases this year and is appropriately titled “NEVER GIVE UP”. I am honored to be part of her journey and honored to call her friend. Get ready to be inspired by this amazing woman!
“Never say you CAN’T, until you try. Transforming myself has been one of the most difficult things that I have ever had to do. I have lived with a leg injury since 2005 because I was given the wrong surgery and I have never been fixed. Since my first survival story made newspapers and radio back in 1999, my husband was my strength and he helped helping me through my physical challenges. Then December 28th of 2010, my husband was diagnosed with stage 3 gallbladder cancer. I had to now be his strength through his physical journey although I was still injured.
I had no clue where or how to start rehabilitating and transforming myself, until I saw an SOS post by the amazing Tiffany Hendra and Natalie Bolton with the 7 steps workout in the Spring of 2011. This was my new challenge and goal to become stronger, not only for myself, but for those around me that needed my help! I can honestly say that SOS saved my life because of the 7 steps webisode. It doesn’t matter how big or small you are or if you can walk or if you can’t for I am living proof that anything is possible. If I can say anything to you, it would be, MIND OVER MATTER and let your passion guide you!
If something in your life has impacted you to the point that you think that you cannot move forward…FOCUS on the things that you still can do and never on the things that you can no longer do. Remember that the only person in your life that can help you take that next step is……YOU!”
Author
Survivor
Motivational Speaker
~Julie Comeau~
{Before}
{After 2 months}
{November 2011}
{Watching the SOS webisode}
{WOOHOO- Julie now with that rockin’ bod}
I am so proud of you and inspired by your courage and strength. You and your hubby, Vince remain in our thoughts and prayers. To connect and support Julie, join her FACEBOOK FAN GROUP! I will post when her book releases so you can get a copy too.
Julie lost about 30 pounds over 2 months and has continued her new lifestyle of healthy eating and workout schedule all while caring for her husband and spending most of her days in and out of the hospital for his treatments. If you would like to kick it into gear and get leaner for summer, check out these 7 exercises from my sister, Natalie:
Also, I’m excited to share my sisters signature fragrance line called CORPUS DEI. Click the image link to right of blog for more info and to shop online. She can also develop your own scent for you!
All summer long, I will be giving away fun prizes from fabulous sponsors. Specialty gifts and jewelry from a unique boutique here in Cali, organic skincare products, makeup AND MORE! Can’t wait to share them all with you. Only requirements to enter is you must be a subscriber to this blog and you must check in on the FACEBOOK PAGE on a regular basis and join the fun convo!
Remember, you being the BEST you can be gives others permission to be the best they can be so never “dumby down” or allow others to dim your light. You are here to shine as brightly as possible! That’s one common purpose we ALL share. Let’s light up the world girls.
How is your June going? I hope it’s filled with long lazy days sipping ice tea (or a skinny rita) with your bare feet kicked up and the warm breeze on your face! Ahhhhh–writing that made me want to go get a big glass of ice tea! Has anyone tried a few “must rock” items from the last webisode? I recently hit a new TJ MAXX in the valley (woohoo- there aren’t many in the LA area) and they carry just about all 25 of the items I spoke about. They have the best selection of floppy hats I’ve seen! Go get you one asap! I took a day off a few days ago and rocked my floppy hat at the beach. It protected my face great, but unfortunately, I was so exhausted I fell asleep on my tummy and burned by tush. Take note!
The most common questions I have been receiving lately is regarding CLOSET ORGANIZATION! It seems we all have an issue when we step into this sacred space. For many, it sounds like you are entering the Twilight Zone or Purgatory! This must STOP! When I started producing my videos and came up with the name Sanctuary of Style it was because all of my girlfriends would come over to borrow clothes and we would “play” dress up. Remember those times when you and your friends would get dressed together for a fun night out? You help each other create a killer outfit and everyone walks out of the closet feeling beautiful, confident and sassy. Of course, we can’t have our girlfriends over every morning to help us get dressed, but we can certainly create that experience EVERY SINGLE DAY! I know you’re thinking– Yea right Tiff. Trust me, it’s true! With a bit of focus, effort and planning you can create your very own closet sanctuary. In this new webisode, I give you (3) simple steps to get your mind set in the right direction…
Are you following on Pinterest & Twitter? I’m creating some fun boards.
https://twitter.com/#!/SanctuaryStyle
Join me in welcoming the month of May! Woohoo! Summer is around the corner. I trust you all had a beautiful April. I’ve been busy setting up the new studio, did my very first speaking engagements, took the most fabulous girls trip and started a new volunteer program teaching a small group of homeless pregnant women! I swear, the minute I wrote that blog about getting out of your CZ (comfort zone) last month- opportunities opened up for me to take my own advice. Funny how that works! Getting out of your CZ awakens so many different emotions ranging from excitement to anxiety to pure bliss. Your spirit is truly IGNITED! Don’t get me wrong– I have been to the point several times this month where I wanted to literally “crap my pants” and had to just face the fear, put on my imaginary Depends Underwear and GO FOR IT! It’s very liberating and I highly recommend it!
Join me for the month of May- I challenge us all to START making the necessary tweaks to our life to make it a whole lot more AMAZING! My dear girlfriend Julianna Geldien shared a fantastic “to-do” list of 31 positive things we can all do to IGNITE THAT SPARK and I had to pass it along to you! Are you ready…..
I am BEYOND excited to start shooting webisodes again and thank you for hanging in there with me during this transition! I sense everything is going to a new level and I look forward to this next chapter with you all. Don’t hesitate to share any topics you want to see! I love getting ideas and feedback.
Remember, I’m all about giving you the tips to help you look good on the outside as well as “inner beauty” tips to help you feel good on the inside ! True, genuine and lasting beauty requires the dual-approach. We can’t focus only on our outer appearance and neglect our spirit! Cheers to keeping it balanced and I have made it my mission to help you do so.
P.S. Do your girlfriends a favor and invite them to join you on making the month of May simply AMAZING! Share it, Follow it, Tweet it, Comment on it!
P.S.S. Are you on Pinterest? How much fun is that thing!?! It’s such a visually stimulating creative outlet. Follow me: http://pinterest.com/sanctuarystyle
How was everyone’s March? I hope you are all enjoying the sunshine and fresh energy that comes with Springtime! As you know, we spent almost 3 weeks on the road and can I just tell you…IT DID WONDERS FOR ME! I know road trips aren’t for everyone, but if you put on your “Thelma & Louise” mentality (minus the final cliff scene) then it truly FREES YOUR SPIRIT! Living in the high energy city of LA can take a toll on a Texas gal so I make it a priority to escape once or twice a year. The break definitely makes me appreciate this one-of-a-kind, magical place that I now call HOME!
We packed up the SOS studio before leaving on our trip and I’m excited to announce we have found a new space! Woop Woop (hands in the air and hips wiggling)! So, this is where YOU come in…I would love your ideas and opinions on how I should design it! The webisodes are for YOU- so why not tell me how you want it all to look? I envision it with a similar look as my first dressing room and studio with the white built in’s, but I want to add more color this time! Perhaps a pink wall or a bubblegum pink chaise? I love the mixture of vintage and modern pieces too. Give me YOUR ideas. This will be a work in progress over the next month and I would LOVE LOVE LOVE your help in creating the new SOS home! I could hire a pro to help me, but I think this is more fun. Here’s a few ideas I have found on Pinterest…make your comments below! Let’s do this together…
If you are on Pinterest, check out the board I’ve created with these ideas and make sure to follow me! Pinterest-ing is my new fave way to unwind. It’s brilliant, fun and sparks creativity: http://pinterest.com/sanctuarystyle/the-sanctuary/
I’m excited to announce I will be a Guest Panelist at Life Coach, Kim Somers’ Willow Tree Women’s Circle on April 12th & 17th in LA and OC. The topic of discussion is “Power Women in Entertainment” with Award Winning Producer Kerri Zane, Peggy Tanous from Real Housewives of OC and more! We’ll be sharing our triumphs and setbacks along our journey in the biz! Only a few seats left at both events. Love to see you there!
To register, go to: http://www.kimlifecoach.com/WILLOW-TREE-WOMEN-S-CIRCLE.html
Who’s excited for the 2012 Academy Awards and all the red carpet glam this weekend? If you’re on Twitter, connect with me and share your two-cents on the red carpet styles. Follow me at www.twitter.com/sanctuarystyle
PLUS, I am learning Pinterest and slowly but surely creating boards! Like we have time for another Social Media account, but I totally get the obsession with this one! I admit I’m getting addicted and and love the creativity. If you’re like me and love Vision Boards, you have to join Pinterest and follow me at http://pinterest.com/sanctuarystyle . I created a board with my fave Oscar Moments. I love this shot of Audrey Hepburn & Grace Kelly…
Ok, I’ve been brainstorming for this week’s blog and the topic of STAYING BALANCED has come up quite often among my friends. It seems that everyone is feeling super crazy shifts and changes already this year. We always start off the new year with a full tank of motivation, but can putter out quickly and start running on fumes from our busy day-to-day routine. I don’t know about you, but I am not efficient, productive, creative or my happiest when I’m unbalanced. I have learned the tools, the boundaries, the steps to keep myself from getting OFF KILTER. If you’re tank is close to E (empty), here’s 10 ways we can keep our tank FULL and stay balanced & sane this year…
Staying balanced & sane is possible- no matter what is going on around us. It’s a choice! Decide to TODAY that you will do whatever it takes, you will use the necessary tools and you will set boundaries in order to keep from running on fumes! Cheers to sanity:-)
SANCTUARY OF STYLE 