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August 13, 2015
Your Place in the Cosmos

Screenshot 2015-08-13 16.57.01

Illustration of @MaisonValentino of @tistiswu in a
Valentino pre-fall 2015 Cosmo dress on instagram.

This week I have been feeling like I have been getting so caught up and taken over by all the things I need TO DO, that I have had less time to spend focusing on future goals and planning for that.

It is always the intention of businesses and individuals alike to expand and grow, and not just get caught up in the day-to-day. But here I am, getting caught up.  I think its super important to not beat yourself up if you don’t get all of your “To do’s” done in one day and to know how important it is to regenerate and regroup from the stress of the day.

For me, this illustration totally captures how I’m feeling and how a lot of us can feel at any given time.  Being overwhelmed by a wealth of possibilities, knowing there is so much out there, and so much we can and want to do, but where to start.  I love the ease and comfort of this girl sitting in her shimmering gorgeous Valentino gown and pondering the reflection of her own selfie.

All I want to say this week is to trust in your own capabilities and go on and conquer the world, because you know you are meant to.

Hope that inspires you!
Xoxo
Emily

Follow me on Instagram & Snapchat @EmilyBrickel

August 7, 2015
California Vibes: The IVY

 Screenshot 2015-08-07 11.19.15

This week’s illustration is inspired by scenes from our lunch at The Ivy in West Hollywood. I swear I have never seen a more gorgeous display of apples and oranges!

So this week my blog is a day delayed as I was helping my husband launch his new app PORTALBALL with Joe Girardi. It was a very exciting launch which included some early days and trips to Yankee Stadium for some private meetings in Joe’s office and making sure everything went smoothly for the launch day.  I’ve been finding myself super backed up in a bunch of work and feeling totally uninspired about how I am creating NEW work this week.  It seems to me this non-stop going, going, going drive is good while you’re in it, but it can definitely catch up to you.

If you are a creative like me, or even just taping into your feminine energy we need some time to reflect, rejuvenate and refresh. I stumbled upon this Marie TV blog when I was searching for some inspiration about how she is closing down her business for the next two weeks to let all of her employees have some downtime. She said that she did this for two weeks over the holidays and everyone came back so much more refreshed and inspired.  Taking two weeks off, a week or even a few days for me right now is a luxury that I don’t have (and I’m sure a lot of you don’t either) but what I will say is that everyone can take a full weekend off for sure. Typically, as an entrepreneur we tend to work a solid few hours on Sunday night but this weekend I feel like I really need a bit of a refresher.  Heck, maybe I’ll even take a lunch break outside today to get my juices going again.

Creating (and I am working on some really cool creative things right now) takes a lot of energy and to really give it your all it is important that you feed your soul.  Not to be cheesy but here is a quote that really brought me back to what my priorities are “If you’re always listening to the noise of the world it’s impossible to hear the whispers of your soul.” @MarieForleo

For me, as an artist and designer, I need that message from my intuition in order to create amazing things. It is super important I get back on the self nurturing program that I was on a few months ago. This includes, baths, meditation, time outside (especially while summer is still here!), exercise, listening to music and getting inspired.

I almost skipped my blog this week because I have so much other work to do, but writing and drawing for me are two of my favorite things to do and they really get my juices going again. It is an outlet that I can amp my creativity and get back in my zone.

How are you feeling right now and what do you need to get inspired? Do it!

Take time for you so that you can give it all you have.
For more on this topic see one of my favorite blog posts, and especially scroll down to #7 the Fountain Theory:

Hope that inspires you.
Now go on, take a walk outside!!!!
xo
Emily

www.etsy.com/shop/EmilyBrickel

Follow me on Instagram & Snapchat @EmilyBrickel

April 3, 2015
Wedding planning…. From a very honest bride to be.

Screenshot 2015-04-02 20.45.24
Unexpected pressures are real…TAKE YOUR DAY BACK!

2 months to go!
How to survive wedding planning and come out like yourself!

Apparently (almost) every little girl dreams of their wedding day, and If you haven’t been dreaming about it your whole life (because maybe you’ve been dreaming about other aspirations – like killing it in your career or other cool things you want to do with your life) then the media, and now social media sites will make you dream about it – “for better or for worse”.

Now, don’t get me wrong wedding planning is a lot of fun, but it is also a lot of stress.  This is supposed to be the most wonderful time of your life and your friends and family will definitely come through for you when it matters, well the important people anyway (that is a whole other story)  – but the criticism (and self criticism) along the way can be really daunting.

We just had my bridal shower this past weekend, and it was one of the best days ever!!!!  The love I felt from friends and family was so beautiful and overwhelming and I am so grateful!!!! I was showered with so many gifts, in the form of heart felt cards, hugs, kisses, spending time with my friends and family as well as things for our home and new life together. It was really so special and magical and I appreciate every second of it! It was such an incredible thing to feel how loved I am and how many people are so happy for Jordan and I as a couple getting married!

However, we are 2 months out to the wedding now and let me tell you, the pressures of looking your best are real.

I am being marketed to left and right, every half hour I get another email about having the perfect skin, hair, waistline, nails, dress, outfits, shoes, tan, décor, etc.  the list goes on and on.

Now I am definitely a glitz and glam kind of girl, I love taking selfies to show off my outfit and I love the instagram filters just like the next girl, but let me tell you – getting married, it’s thrown at you like a ton of bricks that you need to look like perfection.

PERFECTION is not REAL PEOPLE. YOU ARE PERFECT AS YOU ARE!!!!

I kind of have to vent and be honest, I can’t take it any more.  I have been officially brainwashed into obsessing about perfection and it’s not really healthy.  Of course we all want to look our best but I have been letting it get the best of me, criticizing every detail of how I look from my weight, my skin, my hair etc.  On a normal occasion I would be like, I look fine, I look great even.  Thinking about my wedding, it’s kind of a different story.

Not that I am a celebrity by any means, but on your wedding day with the guests, the photos, the videos and you being the center of attention, you as the bride are kind of the celebrity of the day.  If you had all of those eyes on you and a million photos to follow, you would feel pressure to look perfect too!

On top of that, people’s opinions have me criticizing every single move I make from the invite list, invitations, place cards, dress, décor and just about every other thing that I want to do. When did the wedding become something other than about the Bride and Groom? When did the wedding become about what everyone else wants and making everyone else happy but me?

It’s pretty daunting.

Weddings are supposed to be about celebrating the marriage and the life you are getting ready to have with the person you love.

Of course there is nothing wrong with the essentials, getting your hair, makeup and nails done for the big day, proper grooming, taking extra good care of your skin, normal dieting and working out etc.

But all in all, it’s not healthy to think you need to look like one of the“Real Housewives of your Wedding”

I think that as women, we have to deal with it both ways especially in this day and age, and especially that I just turned the big 3-0. We are bombarded with extraordinary women who are supposedly all natural but are completely photoshopped or physically altered. It’s a lot of pressure to keep up!

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.  On one side we are judged for “letting ourselves go”, gaining extra weight, looking tired, not put together, getting wrinkles, getting older – BUT on the other side we are judged for being vain, full of ourselves, looking over-done, having had work, being self absorbed, looking fake, and just about any other judgment you could throw at a beautiful woman etc.

Trying to attain a level of beauty put forth by our society is really hard and damn near impossible unless you are willing to shell out big bucks and be nip tucked to perfection or have an unhealthy relationship to food.  If getting work done is your thing, I am all for it if it will make you feel better about yourself, but do it for YOU, not for other people.

For those of you who are naturally beautiful and genetically gifted, it is definitely a fortuitous circumstance but you have to keep it up.  And still bear the brunt of getting judged for people ASSUMING you have had something done, or are fake even if you haven’t!

What is with this world. It’s crazy and overwhelming and really damaging to one’s self esteem.

I think as women we need to take our power back and embrace who we are, flaws and all.

I think the best part of all of this, is when my fiancé realized I was getting so caught up and going overboard he told me that fell in love with me just the way I am and wants me to get old and wrinkled, and will love me then too. I think that’s really what it’s all about. Realizing that your future husband loves you and that you are PERFECT to him RIGHT NOW (and forever).

I think all us brides just need a reality check and to realize that we need to stay true to ourselves, do what WE want with our wedding, dress how we want, act how we want and look how it feels good to us.

It’s time to take our DAY back.

If you are on this path, email me and we can talk. It’s so helpful to have someone else to talk to.

Women, support each other and know you are beautiful inside and out, no matter what.

That is all (for now)! Hope that inspires you to live the life you want to lead!
xoxo
Emily

 

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel

February 27, 2015
Perspective is everything….

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Illustration of Kendal Jenner at the Fendi Runway Show FW15

Perspective is everything….

From “black and blue” or “gold and white” dress bombarding the internet (if you have no idea what I’m taking about catch up on your social media feeds) to the biggest of fights, perspective is everything.

Tonight I gave a whirl to watercolor (something I haven’t touched in YEARS) and also played around with tablet sketches on the Samsung Galaxy Note that I have just been learning.

Obviously my hand sketches in marker and ink are the ones I am most comfortable and have a higher skill level at because I have done it so often, but its so important to step out of your shell for a bit, especially since I have been drawing a ton and also been exposed to so many other techniques this fashion week.

Here is the side by side comparison. Same artist (me), same photo, same night, different mediums and different levels of control.  See how there can be two sides of a story and two experiences of the same thing.

Trying new things always makes room for a fresh perspective.

What can you take a new perspective on?

Speaking of perspective… I’ll be getting a new one next week as I’ll be on a much needed work/wedding planning VACATION to our destination location! 3 months and counting people here it is! The stress of planning this wedding and everything else has definitely been catching up to me so I am ready for a rest and some nice warm weather!!!!!  Catch ya in 2 weeks people… I’m out for the count. You may miss my blog next week but be sure to follow my adventures on social media. (Links below). Ciao for now! xx

Hope that inspires you!

xo
Emily

 

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel

September 25, 2014
Custom making your dreams!

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Illustration from London Fashion week Tom Ford – Backstage!

Available on etsy in the next few days!

You have NO idea how excited I am!!!!
I am practically bouncing off my chair and I can’t contain myself.
I just went to meet with my sample makers today to check on my wedding dress and it is looking AMAZZINGGGGGGG. Dreams come to life, paper drawings coming to fruition. It is the thing I LIVE for – being a fashion designer – and I am so excited that I get to be blessed enough to go through this process again, this time with MY wedding dress.  It is even more spectacular then I could imagine and I am SO EXCITED!!!

I feel so free.  That’s what happens when you feel like your dreams are unfolding just the way they are supposed to be. It’s pretty crazy and it feels great.  You no longer have to push, you just show up.

The only way I can describe it is the difference between waiting for happiness and feeling like “you will just be happy ONCE this happens, WHEN xyz, AFTER you get this and that in order, ONCE you make the money, WHEN you have the man, AFTER you have that purse, etc…..”

…and feeling like “everything is happening exactly as it is supposed to and I am so extremely happy and grateful to be right here right now, and I trust the process. I know that I am shooting for the stars and I know I’ll get there and right now I’m enjoying every step of the journey.”

My mentor says it best “Those who are certain of the outcome can afford to wait, and wait without anxiety.” – ACIM.

Well I’ve been waiting!

If there is something you are waiting for that you know in your heart of hearts is your deepest desire : TRUST that the Universe will conspire to move mountains to make your dream happen.  Not because it is magic, but because it’s your JOB to share your gift with the world – and if you are NOT sharing your gift with the world, then you are doing it and everyone around you a MAJOR disservice!!!!

“Live your dream in your heart and let the Universe move everything to bring your dream to you. Feel your dream, feel the presence of the Universe inside you, KNOW that the Universe is guiding you, and then allow the Universe to realize your dream!” – The Secret.

I know this may sound crazy if you don’t already believe what I’m saying but try it for yourself.
Something like this always reminds me of what my mom used to tell me when I was younger and wishing my dream would come true (wishing for this my whole life)….  She said “All overnight successes are 10 years in the making”.

And it’s true. Not that by any means I have achieved all of my dreams as of today but I have achieved so much and I KNOW that my lifelong dream of being a fashion designer is something that I am living now, even if it’s on the small scale – that means the world to me. And one day I know that I will live it on the large scale, because that is what I have always seen for myself.

When the road was covered in an uncertain fog and I could no longer see 5 feet in front of me, it was scary, and depressing and disheartening.
Walking through the uncertain fog was even scarier, continuing to take baby steps even though I had lost my way was extremely hard and I felt like giving up, turning around and curling into a cocoon so many days BUT, the fog has lifted my dears. I can see my dream again and even though I don’t know where the road will take me, I know that from past experience if you hold tight to your dreams and never let go, the fog will pass and you too will be on your way – slowly but surely to living a life beyond your wildest dreams.  It can happen. All you need is faith.

Here is a sneak peak of me draping my wedding gown, the first major milestone in the process of designing and making my dress – one of the most EXCITING things in my life to date.   I am so excited, and I’m so excited for YOU to be with you on your journey to living a life of your dreams!

Screenshot 2014-09-25 01.58.10

Hope that inspires you!
xoxo
Emily

P.S. Check out my new branding on my websites:

And check out my first fashion line at 
www.RockHardAtelier.com
September 11, 2014
Make Time Your B*tch

Screenshot 2014-09-11 14.02.44

Fashion Week Recap illustration of: Rodarte, Diane Von Furstenberg,
Badgely Mischka, Oscar de La Renta and Narciso Rodriguez.

It feels like it should be Friday and it’s only Wednesday (as I write this). Jordan and I have been super busy the last few weeks. We were away for Labor Day weekend wedding planning and we got back last Tuesday evening. We hit the ground running with a short work week, Fashion Week streaming, a Friday wedding, a Saturday pop-up in store event for my illustrations, another wedding Saturday, working in the office Sunday to catch up, 2 news interviews for Jordan on Monday about the iPhone 6 release, another news interview for Jordan Tuesday, a fashion show, a dinner with a long lost friend, a fashion show after party (that I could not muster up the energy to attend) and now a baseball game at Yankee stadium where we got the opportunity to go on field as one of Jordan’s client’s guests.

It’s been crazy and I have managed to get a ton of work done on the go, and I’m still going strong.  I’m writing this as we speak while watching the Yankee game from our seats.

It’s all about the hustle. It’s all about the multitasking. And let me tell you what else it’s all about… It’s all about these game-changing habits to push though.

Let me guide you through your most hectic days.

1) Get comfy with your AM routine.
Schedule in plenty of time to stick to your morning routine. Keep the rituals you normally do like your workout, your time on the computer to read your news or blogs, time to feed the dog, make breakfast, get ready, clean up, etc. Skipping anything you normally do on an extra busy day will likely give you a kick-start of frustration and frazzlement (yes I created that word) before you even leave the house.

2) Wake up 30 minutes earlier than you really need to.
Not that you want to cut out any last minutes of beauty sleep you can get, but it’s worth it when you have some extra leisure time to plan out your day.  Use that time to slow down, take a longer shower, prep for a meeting or just get out early to grab a much-deserved Starbucks. Having that extra time on a hectic day will make you feel even more confident and ready to tackle the day ahead.

3) Catch some ZZZ’s
Nothing preps you better and gets you through the day like enough sleep. Numerous studies have shown how effective your brain lymphatic system is at literally “draining” out the stress toxins from your body. When you don’t get enough sleep you feel the difference.

4) Beautify with my fav products.
Kick up your beauty routine to fight visible sign of stress. I love Glamglow super mud clearing treatment here . Jack Black face buff here. It’s for men but I got a sample from Sephora and LOVEEED it, it scrubs dead skin cells and makes you feel awake with Vit C and menthol. I also love Sabon Facial Moisture Lotion in Dessert Flower here and my newest obsession is Vichy Life Serum here. This last one is perfect for behavioral signs of aging like lifestyle factors (city living, stress, UV rays, and lack of sleep. Time stands no chance when your skin looks like time stood still.


5) Make time your b*tch
Multitask the crap out of your day.
Any time in a car, waiting in line, or doing something that does not require your full attention: get some extra emails out, write your blog or any content/ documents etc. in your notes section of your smart phone and email it to yourself later. When home you can just copy and paste it into a word document and you’re good to go. Make lists, get ready for new clients, and basically check off your to do list. Anything is possible, from anywhere with the power of smart phones. Take advantage and make time work for you.

6) Listen to your body
Although I really wanted to go to the fashion show after party last night, I skipped it because my body was telling me to slow down. The dinner ran late, I had tons of work to catch up on and it just didn’t feel like I could handle another event that day with out possibly getting sick. Running my own business- when I sleep, my company sleeps, when I’m sick, my company is basically closed. I have learned to take care of my body so well that I don’t let that happen. So…. same goes for you. Trust your body and what it’s saying. If it’s tired, sleep; depleted, fuel it and so on.

7) Time is just an illusion.
When you think you don’t have time – you don’t. When you make time, you will always have it. Sound confusing? Read up on it Eckhart Tolle. He says : “Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time—past and future—the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.”  Time is NOW. Seize the day and make the most of every second. Create the time that you need and it will be there. Check out his book for a more detailed explanation here.

Latest Look:

A ton of people have been asking about my outfits and where I get things so I present to you, my Latest Look coming tomorrow!  Giving this a try!

Hope that inspires you!
xoxo
Emily

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel and my new account for all things fashion illustration @EmilyBrickelillustration

 

August 28, 2014
Stand Tall and Sparkle

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Illustration of JLo in Charbel Zoe Couture at the MTV VMA’s

There’s times in life when you just have to put the petal to the metal and go out there and DO IT.

With big risks comes big rewards, like I said last week. The SCARIER the better.

Jump in – face first into the unknown and trust that you will learn how to fly.

Fear feeds on doubt and indecision. Trust your gut and figure out what it is you want and need to do.

“Don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid not to try.”

Sometimes what you’re most afraid of is the very thing that will set you free.

I just made a huge decision in my life this week and honestly – it was the scariest thing I did in YEARS and also one of the most liberating, exhilarating and amazing experiences.

I committed to designing and MAKING my wedding dress!!!!!!!!!!!

One of the best things and biggest accomplishments I have ever created  in my life was start my fashion line (RockHardAtelier.com). One of the hardest things I have ever done in my life was NOT be able to continue to fund it in the last few years.  So I stopped.

I stopped LIVING MY PASSION.  I skirted around the issue and lived AROUND my passion.  I did the closest thing I knew how to, to draw, to illustrate. But that is only PART of my dream.  I know I am put on this planet to be a hugely successful fashion designer and to dress women all around the world and to make them feel gorgeous and empowered. This feeling is the truest most freeing, and certain fact I have ever known.

To stop in the face of fear, uncertainty and doubt has honestly been slowly killing me. Due to lack of funds – I was stopped temporarily. Due to being scared out of my mind of failure and EVEN MORE scared out of my mind of success I stopped all together and nothing has ever been the same.

If I have learned anything in this life it’s that IMPOSSIBLE is NOTHING. Right now I may not have the funds to support a major fashion line and company but I know that I can’t give up and I know that making this wedding dress is the truest form of expression of myself. It will be the most loving thing I can do to put my heart and soul not only into my future marriage and husband, but also to love and support myself.

I have been looking all over, trying on dresses, wanting to be able to purchase one, wanting to fall in love with that special dress and I realized – no matter how gorgeous or “perfect” the dress is for me – It will never be everything I want.  I will never be my design.

I have the permanent mind of a fashion designer – even if I try to shake it there will always be things I want to tweek, change or improve. I wakeup everyday thinking about what I WISH was in my closet and what I would design.

Fast forward so much stress, anxiety, suppression and pain – I realized that I need to just practice what I preach. I need to surrender to my calling and create the dress of my dreams.

And the process has begun. I just took a huge leap of faith, trusting that the UNIVERSE will have my back. And it DID. In a huge life altering way.  I got major signs along my journey. Everything from Owls made of sequins (something my grandfather used to collect was Owls), huge 530’s on buildings (our wedding date) and the exact lace I used to design one of my best friend’s and bridesmaid’s wedding gown 4 years ago. I know that I am on the right path and the Universe is CELEBRATING, letting me know that I am supported.  I know that there is just so much more to come.

This is what has been holding me back for so long. Fear. This is how I just busted through my blocks to living a life of my dreams.  Just DOING It. Going for it. Looking fear in the face and knowing that Inaction will be the worst thing I could do.

Take this journey with me now. Leap into your dreams with the faith that you hold buried deep down in your heart – the faith that you know is there – with the faith that built these NYC skyscrapers.  Stand tall and sparkle!

Hope that inspires you!  Like WOAH.
xoxo
Emily

P.S. Check out my new branding on my websites:

And check out my first fashion line at 
www.RockHardAtelier.com

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel and my new account for all things fashion illustration @EmilyBrickelillustration

August 21, 2014
You Get What You Give


Screenshot 2014-08-21 02.30.31

ILLUSTRATION OF LILLY GHALICHI

The Universe gives what you give.

I am currently sitting on my floor trying to unscramble my brain of all the things that I am stressing out about and I went on instagram for inspiration. This is what popped up: “The universe takes us as seriously as we take it”- Marianne Williamson via Gabrielle Bernstein – a quote on my instagram feed.

Thank you! That was all I needed.
If I am not sure on my decisions, constantly doubting myself, then how can the universe co-create what I desire?…. It can’t.

Try telling a restaurant what kind of food you want to order and if you can’t make up your mind and are too confused, adding ingredients, substituting ingredients, questioning if the ingredient is a good idea, etc.  – what do you think they are going to give you? They will have no idea what you want either until you make up your mind!

Making up your mind and committing to making a move or decision that is scary (big or small) can really drive you crazy if you go back and forth between what your heart says and what your head says.

Sometimes you need to sit down right were you are, close your eyes, take a deep breath, clear your mind and just be. The answer will probably come right to you (like it did with this instagram post- thanks Gab)

Trust in the universe and what you desire will be delivered.

Having faith means being unwavering and standing strong in your conviction.

With big risk comes big reward. If you are struggling to decide if you want to do, take a big leap. Feel the fear and do it anyway.  I have a huge decision to make, one that is currently scaring the crap out of me. And for no good reason too! I know in my logical brain that I have done this before, I know it can be done, I know I’m more than capable but still my fear voice is having a huge yelling fest of a party. F that.

Life is short. Easier said than done- oh I know all about it.

The pressure you put on yourself is likely greater than the pressure anyone else ever could. Go with it.
Nothing has to be perfect. It will be scary, but it will be so worth it in the end.

Trust yourself. Trust the Universe. Trust in God and the divine plan that is for you and you alone to take.

“You can’t live your dreams if you don’t take the steps to bring them into reality. ”

Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo
Emily. Now watch as I – shaking in my boots go practice what I preach!

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel and my new account for all things fashion illustration @EmilyBrickelillustration

May 29, 2014
Stop and smell the macaroons

Screenshot 2014-05-29 03.38.55

Sometimes you just have to listen to exactly what your body is telling you, and mine over the last few weeks has not just been telling me to slow down, it has been enforcing me to slow down by literally making me do just that.

Taking it easy has so many different levels and meanings to each person and with my life – I can never really stop because I run my own business so If I do – there goes my income – but I can drastically slow down when I need to and say no to things that are not inline with my purpose.

1)  If your body needs sleep – shut it down early (your computer or tv) and take a nap or get to bed early. A lot of times “sleeping on it” helps clear your brain of stress and reprograms you to make clearer decisions and do work more effectively.  Remember – work SMARTER, not HARDER or you’ll burn out.  Read more here.

2) Schedule time for “Me” (YOU!) like baths, extra time before breakfast for a work out, meditation, walk, or to read the newspaper or blogs. Even making time NOT TO RUSH when getting ready is a ritual that will really keep the wrinkles off.

3) Do something in your pleasure zone that is just for you. For me right now it is carving out time to read my current book “Unleash the Spirit Within” by Rebecca Rosen. If I do this at least a few times a week – I feel happy, rested and relaxed.  Laying in bed to read a book even for a half an hour is something that really lets me disconnect from any of the stresses and helps me feel good about taking care of myself. Think about what that could be for you.

Taking inventory of the things that are important to you is super critical so that you know where to focus your energy on and still get things done.

1) Make a list of your top 3 goals in life and if it doesn’t align with one of your goals – say no!

2) Figure out where you feel depleted or drained and lacking. Is it family, friends, work, romance or health? It will be different for everyone. Whatever it is make sure to spend some time working on that area. Balance is key and it will lead to a happy life.  At the end of ones life, people have said “I wish I spent more time with my family and friends” or “I wish I had put my dreams first” or “I wish I focused more on love” or “I wish I took care of my health better”– no one ever said “Oh I wish I had finished that research paper” or “I’m so happy I put everyone else first instead of me”.  It’s all about balance. Where you feel out of balance – you will regret later on. Fix it NOW!Your overall health and vitality is instrumental in becoming the vehicle by which you get to live your dreams. Eating for nourishment, and energy – not for taste and emotional satisfaction is key to your strength and wellness to get things done.

1) Take advantage of the beautiful (sometimes) weather, go for a stroll and stop to smell the roses.  Treat your body to the things it needs like sun, exercise, oxygen and nourishing foods.  Obviously we are all human and we crave some sugary foods so for me it has to be gluten and dairy free (hence the title of macaroons – my fav) but for you it can be anything that agrees with your body – in moderation.

2) Make sure you are getting the right vitamins and nutrients.  Food is nature’s medicine. If you are suffering with any type of DIS-ease then your food’s nutrients are lacking. Read this article about the truth about cancer and how to avoid it. It says: “When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.”  Now I’m not saying that you or I have cancer or (hopefully) will ever have it – but IMAGINE knowing how to prevent the worst possible health crisis and imagine what living this way could do for any type of dis-ease ever!!!  Getting all the nutrients your body needs can completely change the game in your health. Food was made to give us natural medicine before science ever evolved. Use what your mama gave you (mama Earth that is) and eat clean unprocessed foods to fight off health crises.
3) Meditate for oxygen, stress relief and many other benefits.  It helps release anger, frustration, grief and bitterness. It will also help you listen to your intuition and make the right choices for you in every area of your life. Read my last post for more info on that! 

And lastly,

-Your body is your temple – not a trash receptacle where you just pile junk into it. Treat it as such.

-The spring and summer only come around once a year. Stop and smell the roses and enjoy every second of this moment because it will never come again.

-Take care of your body FIRST so that you can overflow with things to give to others.

And now a quote from the Late Maya Angelou, RIP.

“You are the sum total of everything you’ve ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot – it’s all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.”
– Interview from the April 2011 edition of O, the Oprah Magazine (2011)

As always,
Hope that inspires you!
xo
Emily

Also don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel and my new account for all things fashion illustration @EmilyBrickelillustration

Hope that inspires you!
xoxo

Emily

February 20, 2014
Grow Towards the Sunshine – Real Beautiful

 Screenshot 2014-02-20 03.09.09

What is it that you are longing to do?

IIllustrations for Cindy Heath published in her new book REAL Beautiful: The Secret Energy of The Mind, Body and Spirit.  Read more about it at the bottom of my blog!

What part of your life do you just wish you could branch out and be your best self?

There is some dream you wish to achieve and some level you know you can ascend to but just haven’t gotten there yet.  Whether it be an out of this world aspiration of crazy heights that you keep to yourself as a deep dark secret, or just one step higher on the ladder of your journey that your loved ones know you are striving towards – know that you can do it!  Know that you are worthy of reaching your full potential and you are worth it RIGHT NOW, right as you are – even if you don’t believe me.

There are so many things in my life that I have huge dreams to accomplish and so many times I doubt myself thinking “Who am I to share my thoughts with the world, why does the world care about what I have to say? Does the world really need another artist, or another fashion designer?” I have had these very thoughts millions of times, some right when I was procrastinating making my next move, and some RIGHT AS I was writing a blog, drawing my art or designing an outfit.  But then, I get just one person telling me I helped them, one more person commissioning a custom illustration or getting the opportunity to be asked to create artwork for their book (Like Cindy’s new book REAL Beautiful that my art is featured in– click here to read more) and I realize that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.  It’s a hard voice to stand up against. We all have this doubt and sometimes the voice asking those questions is louder than others.  I have learned in all of my years of constant self-discipline, self-growth, education and experience to quiet that voice inside and sometimes (but not all the time) I don’t even hear it any more.

I am here to say it’s ok to take the step further. It is MORE than ok to have everything you ever wanted, but to get it you must be willing to invest in yourself.

As Marianne Williams’ famous quote goes: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God / the Universe. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God /the Universe that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
― Marianne Williamson

That being said, Invest in yourself. It may be scary. Heck, its HELLA scary, but oh-so-worth it when you take the leap. You are investing in your future!

Whether it be investing time, money, experience, dedication, total commitment, or all of the above, dig deep and do it.

CHANGE the way you think about the things you deserve to have.  In order do the things you want in life you need to change the way you do things now.

“The biology of change – is stepping outside your comfort zone. Taking on new ways to think is how you can serve the world. Change is uncomfortable and scary and it involves facing a lot of fear and insecurity. When we are uncomfortable we think something is wrong so we pull back and stop moving ahead but in doing so we quit on ourselves….Mentally emotionally and physically – celebrate the discomfort of change.”  – Marie Forleo

The only way to serve the world in a massive, better and great way is to step out of your comfort zone and really take the leap.

Know that you are worth it. – trust in yourself and say a big YES to yourself and the universe for more good things to come your way.

By investing in yourself you are planting and watering the seeds of your abundant garden to grow. By sowing your crop you will elicit the change from being curled inside your shell, buried underground to busting through the walls, through all the dirt and reaching up towards the sunshine.  You are the seed.  Invest in yourself.

Buy that book that you know will help you in some way (like Cindy’s book), spend that hour in the morning exercising, take that course, get your business plan together, update your website and spend that extra little bit of time, money or energy on yourself.  You are the fountain.  Mend your cracks so you can over flow with abundance instead of leaking all of that energy.Hope that inspired you!

More about the new book that I am so grateful to be apart of, creating all of the custom illustrations for Cindy and the powerful Kundalini yoga poses that guide you to shift your energy and help you embrace your inner power to achieve all that you dream of.

******
I am honored to share the insightful work of my friend Cindy Heath [R.N., BScN, women’s health educator, and energy healer] through her revolutionary book REAL Beautiful: The Secret Energy of The Mind, Body, and Spirit.  Cindy guides women to uncover the sacred science inside their physical bodies that can raise their vibrational energy to gracefully dissolve anxiety, depression, addictions, embrace the secret Beauty and POWER every woman owns, and so much more. Cindy shares some magical secrets that show women how to experience REAL Beauty, inspiration, self-love, bliss, success, prosperity, and the heaven on earth they have searched for and not found.  This book is a beautiful gift that will uplift and empower women like you across the world!

A message from Cindy about the REAL Beautiful Book:
“I have held the hand of a dying woman whose final words to me were, “I never felt good enough.” I have looked into the desperate eyes of a fourteen-year old girl near death from starving herself to feel perfect and pretty. My heart broke when my own mother told me just before she died that she felt she hadn’t managed her journey through cancer good enough.  My own personal search to feel good enough, my experience in caring for those at the doorway between life and death, the insight of enlightened spiritual masters, and a near-death experience have uncovered some beautiful and sacred insights, practices, and technologies that have divinely lit a path to the beauty, power, healing, magic, and miracles I have hoped for in life!  I offer these SECRETS to every woman on earth so they too can experience living and being REAL Beautiful like me!”

Get a book for you and every woman you LOVE today @ www.realbeautiful.ca/book .  Don’t forget to sign up to receive your SPARKLING HEART, free downloadable Illustrated Birthday Card by me, Emily Brickel for you or to send to one of your friends and a free WATERFALL MEDITATION that gets you connected to the Magic & Miracles that are waiting for you via Cindy’s teaching!

Know that you are REAL Beautiful always!
Hope that inspires you!!!
Xoxo
Emily

Copyright Emily Brickel Edelson 2018. All Rights Reserved