I found this poem and thought it was perfect for the holiday, least we sometimes forget what is most important in life.
Real Love by Daphne Rose Kingma
For it is in loving, as well as in being loved, that we become most truly ourselves. No matter what we do, say, accomplish, or become, it is our capacity to love that ultimately defines us. In the end, nothing we do or say in this lifetime will matter as much as the way we have loved one another.
Until next year, please know that I am wishing for you to love and be loved this holiday season! Happy Holidays and a very merry New Year.
With the holidays are right around the corner, I'm excited. AND I'm also excited for the New Year. Here's why ...
New Year - New Image '08 Image Empowering Workshop Jan. 12, 2008 Las Vegas, Nev.
Registration is $30 per person. But if you read my blog, you can save $5 and I'll enter you in a drawing to win a free makeover. Just send me an e-mail within the next two weeks and I'll personally take care of it. It's the very least I can do.
What To Expect
During the Las Vegas workshop, I'll teach you how to attract quality relationships and business opportunities by investing 10 minutes of time in the morning. I'll show you how to reflect how you feel inside and bring those positive feelings outward where they can be seen. I'll share a few secrets about how to attract what you desire the most. And, you'll have fun too.
You'll also learn a few tricks about hair tips, mini-makeover consultations, and proven tools to help you shop for your body type. It's true. If you take home even a few of these tips, you'll look and feel 10 pounds lighter! Who doesn't want that?
Part of the workshop will be interactive. So if you would like to learn as much as possible, bring some of your favorite clothes — a couple of outfits and a few days of accessories. Then, I'll show you how to transform a few items into fresh outfits (there's nothing like adding an accessory to your favorite outfit to make it stand out). If you don't want to bring clothes, that's okay too. Whatever you feel comfortable with is fine with me.
So there you have it. Send me an e-mail today — stephanie (at) imageempowering.com — and I'll send you the registration form with the time and location. You're going to love it! (Of course, if you're not going to be in Las Vegas, I'll share some highlights right here.)
I really look forward to meeting you! Wishing you peace, love and joy in your life! :)
This post is to help men who want to give us the right gift this holiday season. Women, please share it with the men in your lives, especially if they are the kind who need a little help.
Dear men,
If you are reading this because someone asked you or forwarded the link, then chances are you have a woman in your life who care about you. She wants to tell you something. Of course, if you are reading this, then you already have a sense about what I am about to say.
It's not too late to get it right.
The holidays are fast approaching and you still haven't figured out what to give that special woman if your life. That's okay. We all know it isn't easy to dance around the subject of gifts, especially fashion.
Many men make the mistake of looking through the closet for sizes and then heading off to the store; any store will do, they think. What they don't know is that there is a section in our closest called the "fat section." The fat section is reserved for those days when we feel not so hot. And then there is the never wear it again section. Some outfits that we haven't parted with, but will never wear again. And then there is the ... oh, you get the idea.
Pick the wrong section and you could ruin the holidays. And there is not going to be a store open with a diamond big enough to make up for that one.
I know some of you are daring enough to shop for your woman, so just come right out and ask for her size. Some of you might even want ask what shops.
My recommendation is to pick out a gift or two from her favorite places and then place a gift card inside. This shows them that you put some thought into the gift, but gives her the opportunity to shop for herself, which makes sense because not all size 6 fit the same way.
Or, you might purchase some accessories, something from Lia Sophia perhaps. We're not talking diamonds; just something nice that she might wear everyday as opposed to special occasions.
Look for sales too. This month, Lia Sophia has a "buy two items at full price and get up to four items half off" sale. (The two full price items will be whatever cost least, the 1/2 price stuff will be what cost the most). If you do this, it will take some guessing out the gift buying but still show how much you care. Then, you can include a gift card or two to her favorite stores and help her avoid the hassle of returns.
Now go out and shop right!
Wishing you peace, love and joy in your life:) Stephanie
Just in case some men raise a cautious eyebrow, I've added a poll. If you are a woman reading this post, please vote it up so our men can get it right. And if all else fails, and she wants a make over, I do gift certificates!
We are not all created equal when it comes to dressing for our age; a 30-year-old and a 50-year-old cannot wear the same thing. It's something to keep in mind when considering trends.
For example, there are some trends, such as metallic, that work for the 30-year-old, but must be done in moderation for anyone over 40. It works for a younger woman to do a metallic baby doll dress or whole outfit, but more sophisticated women would be better off choosing metallic separates, such as a skirt or a top, and then pairing it with a flat, solid piece. The same goes for patent leather. Less is more for the sophisticated woman. And, the same can be said about a great pair of fitted jeans. If they fit in all the "right" places, it will take 10 years off your body.
Here are a couple more tips from a recent Oprah show that I think every woman should know.
First, if you have clothes that are 10 years old or more, including anything you bought more than 10 years ago or anything that was handed down to you that is more than 10 years old, it MUST GO! If your clothes are more then 10 years old, then you might look 10 years older then you actually are. Consider the obvious: OLD CLOTHES equals OLD LOOK.
Getting rid of old clothes is especially important if you are in any kind of leadership role. It doesn't even matter if you work or stay at home. Clothes that are old make a statement that says you are not important enough to spend money on. So if you are important, which I know you are, then it's important to show it.
Secondly, women need to know that it is a sad, sad misconception to think that blonde makes you look younger. If you are over 40, being bleached blond is not doing you any favors. So if you want to stay blonde, make it more golden to take a few years off. If you don't want to trust me, trust Oprah and her stylists — they said it too!
Things that are important at any age is that the matchy-matchy is outy-outy. There is no need for the shoes to match the purse to match the shoes to match the belt. There is just no need. Add some popular jewel tones instead and have fun shopping!
Image Empowering is a full-service image consulting firm that assists professionals, stay-at-home moms, and singles hoping to attract love. Whether you want to polish your image for any occasion, everyday fashion, or appearance, Stephanie Ann Bivona and her team have all the answers, one outfit at a time.
Stephanie Ann Vehon has more than a decade of experience as a business executive in Las Vegas. While she has many secrets to owning a successful practice that buys and sells other companies, she attributes much of her success to having the right image, which empowers her self-esteem and confidence inside and out.
She founded Image Empowering after friends, executives, socialites, and others began asking for her input on how to dress for success before attending special events, formal business meetings, and even dates. As a full service consulting firm, she now provides greater insight into developing a personal and professional image that goes beyond choosing the right attire because image empowerment, she says, happens from the inside out.
