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December 10, 2015
Sparkle & Shine Darling!

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Myself, Mrs. Adrienne Bosh, Chris Bosh and my husband

and Chic Sketch business partner Jordan Edelson!

Well hello lovelies, it’s been a hot minute

but so much has been going on that I need to catch you up on!

Earlier last month I had the most amazing opportunity to do live Fashion Sketches with my company Chic Sketch for the one and only Mrs. Adrienne Bosh at the launch of her new and extremely sparkly Miami boutique “Sparkle & Shine Darling”.

We met Adrienne during the Forbes 30 Under 30 event in October and had a mutual friend that wanted us to meet – suddenly we were speaking about illustrations and her glam 5-day grand opening launch parties (with an invite list that read like a Who’s Who of Miami’s chicest ladies).

I think hands down this was one of my favorite brands – and female Entrepreneurs, to work with.  Everything in the store screamed #GirlBoss and I basically wanted to move in. And oh that glitter floor.

SPARKLE AND SHINE
Adrienne and her team are so sweet and amazing to work with. If you are in the Miami area – I highly suggest you go in and get a tour by one of her personal Sparkle Consultants.  This is the perfect spot to do some major gift shopping for yourself, a friend, your home or some little ones. I’m dubbing it the “Sparkly gold-and-pink Miami version of Henri Bendel’s” (my other favorite store on the planet). Click here for website!

How many times have you thought to yourself: Where can I go for some shopping, champs, macaroons and to host my next get together with my besties. Um, here. Thanks Adrienne. (Dying).

Although at first glance the pink and glittery vibe can be perceived on the surface as purely light hearted and sweet, there is a whole deeper meaning to this empowered and inspired movement that showcases women’s strength, power and substance and of course this makes us love Adrienne even more.

The fab mamma Bosh not only launched this new store while pregnant with twins, she also engages in some major charity work with her hubs, Miami Heat co-captain and forward Chris Bosh. Their organization Team Tomorrow Inc. helps fund raise for numerous Miami organizations and charities supporting children and families who are less fortunate.  Check out her feature here on Charity Buzz.  On top of this Adrienne has launched a viral social media campaign called “Today I Can” encouraging women and mothers to reach their dreams one day at a time.  All in a day’s work for Adrienne; let’s say we’re impressed!

Thanks so much Adrienne for all of the inspiration you bring to the table, to your store and to your community.  We are all now much more sparkly on the inside and outside.  That’s what it’s all about.

Check out some photos of the week long event:


Me sketching Chris and Adrienne!


Sports Reporter Donovan Campbell and Jessica Campbell of JessicaCampbellEvents.com


Fashion Blogger Jamie Cittadino of SunflowersandStilettos.com & my friend from High School


Couldn’t leave with out some prezzies for myself!

Check out Sparkleandshinedarling.com for a peek into her store!

GIRLCODE
Lastly, as fate would have it I was drawn to this Instagram post by my neighbor @SheWinks , a fab lash studio in my building. The post was for the book signing of GIRLCODE by The Champagne Diet’s Cara Alwill Leyba.  The insta image was about female entrepreneurs, there was gold, there was black, there was champagne and lashes and it was just an elevator ride away – I had to go.

I went, got the book, spoke to Cara and remembered that my mom, another female entrepreneur, was following her blog for years. Low and behold, the fab duo Julie and Ramona of She Winks, as well as Adrienne Bosh of Sparkle and Shine Darling were both interviewed in Cara’s book Girl Code. – a must read btw. (Insert serendipity music here).

“When love feels like magic, it is called destiny; when destiny has a sense of humor, it is serendipity.” – a quote from Serendipity the movie.

A SPARKLY CHAMPAGNE-FILLED SUPPORT SYSTEM
So, being a female entrepreneur is not a sparkly walk in the park, it’s hard and we definitely need our support system of like minded women. Especially ones who also enjoy the glitter, the fashion and who dream of a “Luxe Life”, like Cara talks about in her book.

I think it’s extremely refreshing to meet not only successful #Bossbabes but also to meet ones who have just as big a vision as me, and also who love fashion, want to indulge in designer items, do good, inspire others and live a life beyond our wildest dreams.

Gabrielle Bernstein is my mentor who promotes living your live to the fullest and achieving your wildest dreams, not feeling guilty for the pleasures you seek, not feeling ashamed or unworthy and mentally cutting the cord with those naysayers and haters. In a society where we are sometimes taught to be self-effacing – these were new ideas I had to get used to.

The girls in Gabby’s groups are also in love with fashion and want it all but seeing these women at Cara’s book signing decked in Chanel and loubs took it all to another level. It made my heart sing because until that point, it was just a theory that these women existed, are not catty and want to support other women.  I know we all have some jealous frienemies out there and to meet women who dress themselves up on the outside, and also dress themselves up on the inside is where it’s at and some place I feel like I belong.

Thank you to all of you. I really feel not alone and it has allowed me to dream even bigger and not to feel ashamed for wanting fashion and appreciating the finer things in life.

We are all entitled to live our highest truths and if you are put on this earth and whether you love fashion, travel, food or culture – Gabby, Cara and the metaphysical text “A Course in Miracles” as well as The Universe and all your fans up there WANT YOU TO HAVE ALL THAT YOU DESIRE, the FINANCIAL MEANS to do this, and the confidence to ACCEPT THESE GIFTS INTO YOUR LIFE and be GRATEFUL FOR THEM!

If you were taught to think small, like there is not enough to go around or that if you want these things you are being selfish – let go of those beliefs right now because YOU are creating your own boundaries.

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.”
― Henry Ford

Start thinking you can right this instant!

This is my journey to live MY truth and to do amazing things, as well as inspire lives along the way to LIVE THEIR VISION of their best life. Join me.

Hope that inspires you!
Xoxo
Emily

Follow me on Instagram & Snapchat @EmilyBrickel

August 21, 2015
Making it!

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Illustration of Chanel brooches in honor of Coco Chanel’s 131st birthday, a woman who really made it, in her own extraordinary way.

I have some really exciting news to share… I can’t share it yet! – But it’s good, oh it’s really good!  Sorry for the extremely vague non-announcement but I’m just itching to say SOMETHING! Something exciting has happened and I finally feel like my work and my time has been validated!

I can say I am really proud of myself and my hustle, and when this happened – something shifted in me. Sometimes as an entrepreneur and in corporate or even in relationships we all work and work and work and pull miracles out of our hats, work some more and rarely get recognized.  Sometimes, when that recognition hits – and it can even be someone saying to you after you explain what you are up to that “you’ve made it”, or whatever you needed to hear (I love you, Will you marry me, You’re Promoted etc), it can make all the difference.

Although I feel, as a “multi-passionate” entrepreneur you never really “make it” because there is always so much more you want to do – it is really nice to hear that your work is making a difference out there. After all, isn’t that what it’s all about?

Something shifted – and when it did, I let go of so much tension that I always carry around with me.  I felt like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I finally can feel free with a deeper sense of knowing.  The same thing happened when I got married to my soul mate & best friend Jordan less than 3 months ago. I just felt like everything was going to be ok, like I had roots that ran so deep I know I can with withstand any storm. That’s a deep love. That’s a security that I never really had.  I for one know that anything can be taken from you in a moment’s notice with no warning at all – I have been through the deaths of my dad, my grandpa (who became like my dad after my father passed away) and my parents and step-parents divorces.  I know things can be fleeting but for the first time in my life I am building my own family, my own career and it finally feels like I have made it to higher grounds. It’s a deeper spiritual trust and gratitude then I have ever had before.

All that uncertainty, all the fear, all the anxiety (well most of it  – ha!) felt unnecessary.  I could finally figuratively un-hunch my back and take a deep breath in and feel taken care of by The Universe. It’s hard to explain but when you go through life wondering what the future will hold and when you are standing on a step that each day you must CREATE the next step and worry or think about how it will suddenly appear and all work out, that feeling is seeing the staircase ahead of you, already built, KNOWING you can take a breather because all you have to do is show up and climb it.

Making it means something different to everyone.  They say “one person’s ceiling is another person’s floor” I don’t know what your floor or ceiling is but wherever you ARE if you are at the point in your life, where someone views it as their ceiling or a really amazing place to be, regardless of how hard you are on yourself; Take it in, accept it and be proud of yourself.

I don’t know how often we hear the praise each one of us needs to stay motivated. In the adult world, it some how seems not too often, so when you do get it, there is so much power in taking it all in and ALLOWING yourself to receive it.

The same goes for if someone says you look pretty today. If you feel gross, instead of regurgitating some self-deprecating retort, say THANK YOU and ACCEPT the praise.  I know it’s hard to do but continually accepting the little (or even BIG) victories and celebrating them is how you build a strong staircase to your dreams.

I know that we as a culture are taught to “not take what anyone says at face value”, to “ignore what they say” if it is something hurtful or fake or even “not go by what others think of you, go by what you think of yourself” – but SOMETIMES, someone says something completely genuine, deeply real and extremely proud and happy for you – take all in.

Count your blessings EVERY day, be deeply grateful for every single thing you have because if you are reading this, you too have SO much.  Think about the people in third world countries who are happy to have electricity for protection against crime. Really, deeply and wholeheartedly count and appreciate all of your blessings. That is how your life will transform and be in a place where you can accept the praise and create space for more wonderful things to take place in your life.

Hope that inspires you,
Xoxo
Emily

Follow me on Instagram & Snapchat @EmilyBrickel

July 9, 2015
Summer Love Adventure

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At this point in the summer,

you probably have plans to get away – and if you don’t – then you want to! We haven’t had that many great summer days in NY and this gloomy 75 degree weather in July is just not cutting it for me!

Dreaming of Paris
Fortunately enough it’s my favorite time of year – the Paris Couture Shows.
If you have been following my blog you know that I drool over these runway shows. It’s when fashions’ best and brightest show their most elite of collections. From intricate details taking hundreds of hours to the most eccentric pieces of art that are best suited for a museum floor; Paris Haute Couture is the shiznit.

If for some reason you are not fortunate enough to BE in Paris right now (ahem, that’s me!) I have been following vicariously through those fortunate few fashion insiders this week on their snapchat, of which I am now completely obsessed. (follow me @ EmilyBrickel on snapchat) and of course devouring the runways shows via Style.com.

Here I did some quick freehand fashion sketches of a few of my favorite pieces from Chanel and Alexandre Vauthier. Trust me I wanted to draw all night.

However, if you are not dreaming of Paris Couture like I am, maybe somewhere a bit more beachy is your style?

Beachy Keen
Swim week is up ahead, starting next week in Miami and ending in LA.
We are SOOOOO thrilled to announce that we (Chic Sketch) will be there live for LA Swim. I will be sketching all day so be sure to follow us @ ChicSketch on snapchat on July 23rd and my EmilyBrickel account for our week in LA starting the 19th as your behind the scenes view into our trip!

We have some exciting things on the horizon to make sure to also follow our instagram @ChicSketch and @EmilyBrickel.

Staycation Adventure 
Lastly, if you are not going anywhere anytime soon, I highly recommend you follow my new Summer Love Adventure. What this is, is a highly personal, extremely fun way to create your own adventure wherever you are. I admit I was feeling a bit down due to this less than ideal weather. Some days its 85 degrees and I’m swamped in the office, other days its 72 degrees on a Saturday and all I want to do is feel the summer heat. What gives?

I have made a personal commitment (and I am twisting my husband’s arm to comply with this fun plan) to create my own fate this summer.
It’s almost the middle of JULY people…. I hate to break it to you but that means we have about a month and a half left of summer before the craziness of September begins. Here’s my plan:

  1. Daily walks outside – (especially when it’s warm out). For me, I am committing to taking a walk outside before the sun goes down if it’s a nice day out. I don’t care how busy my day is, I’m committing to taking a lunch break or just an anytime break to enjoy the sunshine.

 

  1. Meditate – I want to get back to meditating, it really helps me relax, connect and de-stress. Summer should be relaxing and since I don’t have a relaxing few months ahead (we are prepping for big things!) I will bring the relaxation to me!

 

  1. Baths – Baths are the ultimate luxury for me. If I have the opportunity to take a nice long bath, I literally emerge with a new perspective on life. Adding lavender bath salts, lotions and potions (or bubbles) is the ultimate way to take good care of yourself and to look and feel beautiful inside and out.  Your skin will glow and you will be so much happier – which makes you look more beautiful too! Baths give me the time to focus on the sound of the water filling up, or the silence that I rarely get (especially since we are all so digitally connected 24/7) and that disconnection is another form of meditation for me.  I can get in tune with my intuition so well this way and arrive at solutions to questions I have been pondering, even come up with brand new ideas for just about anything!

 

  1. Working out – I am a makeup and heels type of girl, don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t be caught dead at a gym without a shower and makeup first (don’t remind me of how counter-intuitive that is please). It takes me too long to get ready for the gym, go there, work out, come home, and get ready again for the day. Total time suck for me. If that was the case I would rarely work out! ALAS, I reintroduce you to the workout DVD. No shower, no makeup required to work out in your living room with no one judging you – maybe besides my husband making fun of me!  This allows me to work out between 3-7 days a week depending on my circumstances like travel and how I’m feeling.  Here are a few of the DVD’s I have been sweating to for the last few years in order: Brazilian Butt Lift (this works and I used to train with Leandro in Equinox when I had my fancy corporate membership ages ago), Turbo Jam (fun but kinda old school), and 21 Day Fix (this has gotten me in the best shape ever. I have been doing its since last summer and have repeated the 21 day program multiple times for the last year, but some weeks not every day.) As all workouts create a plateau effect if you do it long enough, so its imperative to switch it up. I just ordered Tone It Up Beach Babe 2 (1 seemed not as fun and I plan on getting 3 once I get sick of 2).  I will let you know how that goes! Life is short – have a fun workout, a workout you get up and get excited to do!

 

  1. Create your own add ons! Make this as fun and adventurous as possible. Decide on at least one other thing you can do to make an adventure out of your every day life this summer. Take a bike trip, have picnic, get crafty with some summer DIY projects or lay on the grass and watch the clouds go by. Do something totally fun and inspiring that lets you to enjoy the summer, no matter what your 9-5 – or 9-9 looks like!  Every one is allowed to take a 30 minute break at the least, no excuses you! Work will still be there when you get back. Summer time is limited!

Try one of these or anything that floats your boat. Just remember do something that you look forward to.

On that note, I think I blabbed enough.
I’ve got a ton of work to do, so until next week!

Hope that inspires you!
xoxo
Emily

Follow me on Instagram & Snapchat @EmilyBrickel @ChicSketch

May 29, 2014
Stop and smell the macaroons

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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

January 23, 2014
Runway Couture

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Illustration of Elie Saab Couture

So this week is one of my favorite weeks of the year! Not only is it my fiancés birthday week and not only is MY birthday week next week but it is PARIS HAUTE COUTURE WEEK!

Seriously people this is what I look forward to all year in terms of fashion when couture week hits.

No fashion show can ever top Couture fashion because of the ornate details, intricate work and over the top theatrics that meshes satisfying our fantasy wardrobe mixed with denoting the trends for the following season.

This is big. Not sure if you guys know this but I have been “classically” trained in Trend forecasting at a company called Trend Union, based in Paris.  When I visited their Paris showroom I knew I had to work for them. And so I did, right when I got back to New York!  I trained with the best, Lee Edelkoort herself.

As a fashion designer, I always look to the runway collections to see what’s hot and what can be translated into the next season, among other things to spot and predict the trends.

So here you have it – my trend predictions and favorite musings from Paris Haute Couture week.  Normally I write about inspiration – but this is to me more inspiring than anything.  I hope you can see how runway translates in to a version of what we will all be wearing come next season (especially with fast fashion – even faster).

Croptops – but more boxy as opposed to skin tight.

Screenshot 2014-01-23 11.23.04 Sheer leg peekaboos

Screenshot 2014-01-23 11.20.31 White is still huge and look for pops of bright yellow.

Peplum in a different way

Screenshot 2014-01-23 11.35.12 Techy fabrics and cutouts

Screenshot 2014-01-23 11.51.43 Tribal and floral sequin appliques on sheer mesh.

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All photos by Giovanni Giannoni for WWD.com

Hope that inspires you!

xoxo

Emily

 

December 12, 2013
The Next Step

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Here you are. Right in between the step you were on and the one you are about to go to.  Right smack in the middle of making some big or small changes.

It can be somewhat concrete or it can be just a state of mind, but so many times in life – there you are – making that shift. Perhaps you don’t even realize it until you have some quiet time and take a look behind you.

There is nothing like realizing how far you’ve come or how things have transformed in hindsight. Sometimes it’s sad and sometimes it’s brilliant. Sometimes you can be nostalgic and sometimes you are looking forward with anticipation.  Occasionally you can be both, and right at the same time.

Whatever it is… take the leap of faith and trust “that one of two things will happen, that there will be something solid for you to stand on, or that you will be taught how to fly.” – unknown.

Hope that is exactly what you need to hear and hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

 

 

September 19, 2013
20 Tips To Hit Rewind On A Bad Day.

 

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Ok admit it, we all have them.  A bad day comes around every so often and although we have 24 hours to hit rewind sometimes we just want to mope in our bad-day-ness.

Well, this blog is here to save the day.  20 ways to press pause and reset your brooding. Don’t we all need this once in a while?  That’s ok. Mope, then snap out of it. A better day is just minutes away.

*Just as a disclaimer: bad things happen, and sometimes they are very serious. I am in no way saying that any situation can be changed with these tips, but it is your reaction to the situation that can change into a more positive mindset.

1. Look to the stars. Literally. Go outside, go to your window or look them up online (if the clouds in your area have taken up that valuable real estate). Revel in amazement. Realize that life is fleeting and any problems you have are just a flash in the pan. Tomorrow is another chance to change your reaction. It’s not the situation… it’s how you handle it. Believe (if you choose to) that you are being guided and that everything is happening for a reason.  Your shit is being brought up so it can be dealt with and healed.

2.  Play with your pet.  Cats, dogs, furbies, whatever – anything furry and cuddly will do the job.  Put it in perspective that these furry creatures are just here to love you and it is your job to take care of them and love them back.  Give them a ton of love.

3.    Meditate.  For amazing meditations go to http://gabbyb.tv/meditate or sit in silence for 5-10 minutes with a deep breath in for 5 seconds, and a deep breath out for 5 seconds.  Seriously, this helps me so much any time I am stressed or distressed about something.  Meditating often increases your intuition and also helps you connect to the guidance system you already have inside of you.

4.  Take a walk outside.  Being in nature really changes your outlook on life.  The outdoors helps us humans connect with an innate sense of affinity for other living things. It is in our DNA to feel a decrease in blood pressure, anxiety and stress just by being outside, even for a few minutes.

 5.  Change your breath.  This is a new one I just learned. Gabrielle Bernstein of Gabbyb.tv (the meditation link above) prescribes slowly blowing air out of your mouth at any time of anxiety and in through our nose. You can use this trick in the boardroom or in any stressful situation with little detection from others.

6. Pray.  No matter what kind of higher power you believe in, just give it up and pray.  You can even pray to the stress Gods if you so choose. Sit for a moment and ask for help.  I like to say “Please guide me to expand in love, abundance and success today and every day as we inspire others to do the same.” – I took this phrase from the book “The Big Leap” by Gay Hendricks and it helps my perspective on so many things!

7.    Work out.

 8.    Do something fun.

 9.    Go shopping / faux shopping. Nothing hits the spot quite like a little retail therapy for the soul.  If you don’t have the funds, faux shop – it is so much more fun than you think – trust me.  Go online or into a store and pick out everything you would buy if you had all the money in the world. Think about how you would wear it, what it would look like on, keep adding to your imaginary shopping bag. Feel how you would feel if you bought it and then put a bookmark in it until a later date when you have the cash, or indefinitely.  You can do this whole thing in your head, you don’t even have to touch a thing.  The act of buying these items in your imagination will cue up the attracting power of those things that you desire and tell your brain it’s ok to receive great things. The science behind this is that shopping releases endorphins, which lower stress.  Same with…

10.  Chocolate and wine.  So go ahead, indulge.

11. Do something good for yourself. Try amani/pedi, massage, read a book, do something you’ve been putting off that will make you feel good.

 12.  Inspire someone.

 13.  Hug someone.

 14.  Follow through. Pick one small step and commit to it starting today. You will feel so good that you moved forward with something and that you are in control. Make the commitment to add this new step into your life and continue to follow through.

15.  Write down your non-negotiables.  It’s so important to feel a sense of self-respect when you feel you have been wronged, so write down some non-negotiables that you need to be happy in business and personal life.  If you are having a disagreement with someone or are faced with a big decision, go back to your non-negotiable list and see what matches your priorities. This will make your stance, and your decision a whole lot easier.

16. Stop complaining. There are millions of people who have it way worse than you do.  Get grateful for what you do have, food, shelter, etc.

17.  Take a bath. Baths are very healing and recharging for your body, mind and soul. Add salt to detoxify your body of harmful built up chemicals, negative energy and other toxins.  Sitting in a warm bath can clear your mind and create space to form solutions to a problem you couldn’t solve prior.

18. Do that thing you’re afraid of.  Sometimes having a bad day is what happens when things don’t go our way. Take the reigns back in your hands and take a risk. Take a leap. It can be small but just flex your fear muscle and let it grow stronger.

19. Accept failure.  Realize everyone fails hundreds of times and the people who succeed are people who failed ten hundred times and got up again and again.

20. Look ahead.  Look to the future and picture your life in 5 or 10 years or even 5 days. Think about the amazing things you have in store, and if nothing is planned yet – create your map. “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” – Lewis Carroll.

Hope that inspires you to have a better day, now. You don’t even have to wait for tomorrow!

xoxo

Emily

August 1, 2013
Paint your life.

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Illustration of Christine Ryan of The Diva Dishes

Every now and again we get short hits of space in our projects, whether it be ending a previous project and starting a new or whether it be a summer vacation, a weekend get away or even just a bath and a night off where we can really clear our minds.

Having this space in our lives is crucial to paint the future.  You are your own Monet, with a blank canvas to beautifully paint your life with watercolors.

Now that I have gotten myself in the habit of really liking to plan my schedules and goals months in advance, it always is such a fun time to create where I will be going, or where my clients will be going.

When you don’t plan it out – life gets stagnant and life starts to happen TO you instead of happening FOR you.  It is so not fun to wander aimlessly through life when instead you could be the master of your destiny.  Just some simple planning really makes a world of difference.

What is it that you really want to accomplish but have put off planning?

Start small – make some goals for the next month to three months.  Figure out some really exciting things you want to do.

Get detailed – at the start of each new month, figure out exactly how you will accomplish your goals and write it out.

Check in  – go back to your goal sheet and check in with yourself though out the year and on a monthly basis. This will hold you accountable and help you remember what you wanted to complete.

When you are starting out you don’t even have to have specific dates (unless you want to).  Sometimes having specific dates sets you up for failure. Instead have more flexible goals like completing a task by the end of every month.

Whatever you plan, have fun with it and don’t get down on yourself if you don’t meet all of your goals.  There’s always next month to try it again. Painting your life is a process that takes time, practice and flexibility. Sometimes the universe just has bigger plans for you, and your goals get derailed.  Sometimes you meet your goals way earlier than you expected and have no idea what to do next.

Just take it day by day and enjoy the process.

If you need help with any goal setting, figuring out where to start or how to keep going in your business – I’m here to help.

I have been doing Fashion and Business Consulting for new and growing businesses for the last 3 years now with many successes (aside from my other businesses!).  All of my clients have been word of mouth thus far but in the Fall I will be launching a new website that focuses on these services so that it is easier to find then stumbling upon it on my current websites www.EmilyBrickel.com and www.EmilyBrickelIllustration.com.

If you are interested in Fashion or Business consulting please email me at Emily@EmilyBrickel.com

Thanks and cheers to the future!!!

Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

Copyright Emily Brickel Edelson 2018. All Rights Reserved