Articles Tagged with: glam
Home / Blog Archives
December 10, 2015
Sparkle & Shine Darling!

Screenshot 2015-12-10 17.56.23

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

November 13, 2014
Get So You Can Give

Screenshot 2014-11-13 13.05.52

Our new Holiday 2014 Cards Unveiled above and available NOW on Etsy!

Get so you can give…. I know your probably thinking; don’t I mean the opposite?
No.  I’m talking about putting your air mask on first.
I’m not talking about being selfish, I’m talking about nurturing yourself so that you have everything to give.  I’m saying to focus on tuning in, charging up your batteries and filling up your bank account so that you can give your time, energy and gifts to others; after you have enough to fund and fuel yourself.

I think that having a mentality of abundance BEFORE that paycheck comes in, having the faith that everything will work out and not feeling like the victim is key to having the life you want to live. I know it’s hard, but you have to trust that things are only given to you that you can handle and so that you can grow from those experiences.

I was not always in the position that I am in now, and I am only half way to where I really want to be.  However, I have learned that in getting stuck in the lack mentality brings more lack into your life.  Likewise, having a mindset of abundance, a feeling that there is more than enough to go around, a trust that we will be taken care of and provided for in the grand scheme of things, and a knowing that if I / you get something – that does not mean there is LESS to go around.  There is an infinite supply of LOVE, MONEY, TIME, HAPPINESS, SUCCESS and anything you could possibly imagine.  To believe that these are commodities that are scarce leads to the fear that “there is not enough for me” or that “there is not enough for others if I get.” This simply is untrue.

Has time ever stopped?  Is money not being printed right now?  Does the success of one person mean no one else can succeed? If someone is extremely happy, does that mean that no one around him or her can be happy?  Have the banks of Love ever run dry.  No. Of course not.  You may have thought at some point in your life that a person you love, was the owner of ALL of your love, and you could never love again after that person.  When time went on, as it always does, you discovered you could love again, maybe even more than you ever thought possible. This is true with having children I’d imagine. You have no idea you can even love MORE than you ever have, and yet – you do.  Love does not run out.  You must just continue to tap into it.  Everything is possible if you unlock your mind and heart to the possibilities that are out there for every one of us.

Give love to yourself FIRST, if you feel you are not getting the love that you want.  Give time to yourself FIRST, if you feel you do not have enough time for others. Invest in yourself FIRST, so that you have the riches to give to others after your boat is afloat.

Don’t forget this, and don’t forget to put yourself first in these ways because you are no good to the world if you do not love yourself, if you don’t make time for yourself and if you don’t invest in yourself.

Scrap the defeatist attitude; scrap the victim mode (if you are taking that up), choose to believe that these energies are plentiful, abundant, ever flowing and continually changing and reinventing themselves.   Choose to take ownership of your life, your happiness, your success, your time, your love and your world.  The holidays are coming. You have the power to live in an abundant world, if you only give to yourself first.

As always,
Hope this inspires you.
Xoxo
Emily

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel

NEW Holiday Cards available now on Etsy

These and more styles!!!

Screenshot 2014-11-13 13.04.05

July 10, 2014
Think Outside the Lines

Screenshot 2014-07-10 02.01.42

PARIS COUTURE WEEK EDITION
ILLUSTRATION OF GIAMBATTISTA VALLI COUTURE FALL 2014

Think about what you’ve been told, and what you’ve learned along the way. Think about all the rules you live by…. Now forget all of that.

Think about the time you were really young and you had not a care in the world, when you were free of self-judgment and free of feeling judged by anyone else. How did you act and what did you think?

What would you do if you were not afraid? If you could be 100% yourself all the time without being judged, being made fun of or feeling less than.

What would you wear? What would you say? What would you do?
Would it be the same as you act now or would it be completely different?

In order to bring our best to this life, we need to be uniquely ourselves – and not a carbon copy of anyone else.  It’s time to break out of your shell and dance on the shadow of your former self.

Go back to that time when you were young and you could do no wrong.

Life is short and we only have THIS MOMENT to be the change you want to see. We only have this moment to be living our dreams.  Start now.

Color outside the lines. Get messy, experiment, take chances, be free, consult your inner guru, judge with your gut, move with your heart, speak with your soul.

Live like theirs no tomorrow. Operate from a place of yes.

What if there were no boundaries…. What are you waiting for?

Hope that inspires you!
xoxo
Emily

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

October 24, 2013
Dream and Trust

Screenshot 2013-10-23 22.02.07

“Dream, for it is you who creates your world.”

“Because when you stop and look around, this life is pretty amazing!”

These two quotes really moved me when I came across them on instagram. It’s true – it is YOU who creates your world.

The energy and expectations you give off and set, are read loud and clear by those around you as well as the universe. You may not even be aware of it.

Like attracts like, so get out of your own way and try to always see the positive in a situation.  It’s normal to get down sometimes but buzzing off that low energy only attracts more low energy things to you.

Ever hear of when you are looking for a relationship, you never get one but when you are suddenly not looking, a relationship appears?  The same goes with anything. If you are holding onto something so tight, it will fall out of your grasp.  This reminds me of one of my all time favorite quotes about love.

“Love is like find sand, grasp it and it will quickly slip though your fingers. Cup it gently and it will fill the voids of your soul – as sand seeks to fill the spaces in your hands.” Unknown.

Everything in life can be applied to this quote. A goal, a business deal, a 5 year plan or just about anything.   Sometimes things don’t happen how you expect, or how you planned for it to happen. But sometimes, that’s when the right thing happens.  It can happen to teach you a lesson, make you stronger for the next test ahead, to give you perspective on a new situation or to close one door FOR YOU, so that you are lead to the right door.

Here is a good read if this is really speaking to you.

It’s not going to turn out the way you thought… it will be better.

Sometimes you just really need to hear something specific from a person in your life, but they don’t say it the way you need them to, they’re not there for you how you need them to be, or their time here is cut short by unforeseen circumstances.   It can be really hard to deal with, but trust and know that there is a story, a reason and a lesson that goes with it.  Look deeper than the surface to find out what is really going on and look towards the future to see what can only be known in retrospect.

Sometimes you just must trust and know that everything will work out exactly as it is supposed to, even if you don’t understand it right now.

A different job, a different relationship, a different hometown, a different story, you never know how it will end.

As long as you can take the lesson from it and have faith that you are EXACTLY where you are supposed to be RIGHT NOW, things will happen for the best.

“Take pride in how far you have come. Have faith in how far you can go.”

The only thing you really have control of in life is your REACTION to things.

Your positive and constructive reaction is what can change your life for the better.  Two different people can both loose one of their legs. One person will become a marathon runner with a prosthesis, the other will just be the victim.

“Have faith in your journey. Everything had to happen exactly as it did for you to get where you’re going next.” – Mandy Hale.

So, remember to still dream, to continue to plan.  Your dreams can still come true, but maybe it is a road you never expected would get you there.  Create your outcome. Create your result. How do you want it to end up with the cards you are dealt? How can you make the most of your situation, no matter how good or how bad? It’s up to you to navigate this journey.

And I will leave it off with my REALLY all time favorite quote, or prayer, the Serenity prayer that my grandfather used to say to us all the time.

“God (Universe) grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can and the Wisdom to know the difference.”

Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

Dedicated to Christine and Isabelle.

This illustration will be one of my New Holiday Cards!

—–

Specializing in Fashion, Health, Beauty and Entertainment Illustration, Emily is a published illustrator with works featured on NY Times Best selling author’s CD covers and books.  Emily also has a  consulting business where she works with multiple brands in fashion and other categories. Emily specializes in creative direction, branding and business development.

October 10, 2013
Autumn Glamour

Screen Shot 2013-10-10 at 1.59.22 AM

Something about the fall always makes me feel like it’s time to pamper myself.  The cooler weather commands us to focus on fall fashion, on our beauty routines and freshening ourselves up for a new season.

Fashion week, fall fetes, holidays coming up and more social gatherings in a new climate lend themselves perfectly to trying a new lip color or trend.

Everything about the jewel tone colors, the excuse to wear more makeup then in the summer months and the call to play around with fashion is so fun.  Halloween, thanksgiving and holiday parties are what’s new to prep for.

Adapt a new hair conditioner now to combat brittle strands before they arrive, slather on that skin cream to hydrate in windy and brisk situations and go to the local boutique or drug store to try on new fashion or beauty finds.

It’s just a great excuse to feel extra girly. To prep our shells for winter weather; skin, tresses and garbs.

If you’re not into all those frills, just take this as an opportunity to get really vivid, nutrient-rich autumn veggies to steep into a stew, or douse the tub with Epsom salt and hop in for soak.

Whatever it is that feels like luxury to you, do it. Treat yourself.  The end of summer solstice marks the preparation to get all our nuts in a row in order to hibernate and marinate in our situations.

This pertains to business as well.  Take a luxurious approach to your work and really dig into your vision for the future, gnaw into the bones of your dreams and set the course correct, or deeper to get there.

Relish in this time of year that really gets you ready to saturate yourself in earthly pleasures, dreams come true and frivolous things.

Take the time you need, do it for yourself. You deserve it.

Hope that inspires you to live a glamorous autumn in more ways that one.

Xoxo

Emily

September 12, 2013
Celebrate your Uniqueness

Screen Shot 2013-09-12 at 10.14.22 AM

 A unique take on my current illustration style!

So many times we judge ourselves by the standards of society, of our peers or of those who have come before us.  We are told by our elders to fit in, to conform and to “keep calm and carry on.”

We live in a society where exceptionality is celebrated by those from afar and resented by those who are close.  It is a confusing place to be for those who yarn to express their point of view, their talent or their natural limelight yet feel the need to stifle it for one reason or another.

In the short term, yes it is so much easier to just keep quiet, to not express your opinions, your gifts or your eccentricity.  It’s safer.  But in the long term – you are doing a huge disservice to the world and you are stifling your soul in the meantime.

We are each given our unique gifts and dreams that match for a reason, for the greater good and to share them with the world.  To make the world a slightly better place because you lived in it can only happen when you really LIVE your life – your unique life.

It takes guts, perseverance, and unwavering conviction to repeatedly silence your own doubts and the doubts of those around you alike – but it’s worth it.  Take a stand, deliver your point of view, execute your strengths and put to work your talents.

Trust in a divine design for you and your unique abilities, for you to share your thoughts and execute your passions.

It is with great relish that we taste the fruits of our labor.

It is with great savor that share our gifts with the world 

It is our divine purpose to use the gifts we were given.

If just one person’s life is better because you lived in it, or because you shared your uniqueness you have done your job.

Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

December 29, 2011
The glitter of Vegas – Getting inspired for New Years!

So inspired by Sean Paul’s new music video – Got 2 Luv U featuring Alexis Jordan!!!

I’m getting all hyped up about all the glitter and glam that goes into New Years Eve and this video is such great inspiration for NYE parties and dressing.

Check out this vid and it will get you pumped when you get ready on New Years Eve.

I mean check out those gold lips on the bathroom wall, and Alexis’ pheasant feathered frock. Or her sequined numbers.

This music video is making me miss vegas so much! Haze in the Aria and Vanity in the Hard Rock are two of my favorite hotspots, mind you I have not been there since this time last year right before the Cosmo opened, and I hear from my sources that Marquee is amazing. Can’t wait to go back!!!

As a designer, I am always so inspired by music and music videos, the color, camera shots and wardrobe are making me drool in this song!

I hope this inspires you as much as it inspires me to add some glam back into your wardrobe, take a few fashion risks and live this next year with GUSTO – hey, the Mayan Calendar may be right, the world may end (still not 100% sold on this though) and how terrible would it be if we as a society and as individuals failed to live this year, and each day as if it was the end of the world!

Ok, I’ll stop dancing… Running to my closet to prep my NYE glittery and glam look! Can’t wait to ring in the New Year 2012, I have a feeling its going to be GLAM- Tastic!

xoxo

Emily

Check out these inspiring stills from the video for beauty and fashion inspiration for 2012:

Copyright Emily Brickel Edelson 2018. All Rights Reserved