Style Statement -- Live by your own design

“Designer Jessi Arrington packed nothing for TED but 7 pairs of undies, buying the rest of her clothes in thrift stores around LA. It’s a meditation on conscious consumption — wrapped in a rainbow of color.” I adore her creativity and exuberance, we can all apply her message to our own style.

ps – On my last Treasure Hunt I discovered mens English brogues and a mustard yellow  & brown straw bag. Total $20. Tip – I carried my wardrobe wish list for guidance – keeps me focused!

I’m enthusiastically reflecting on my newly claimed Style Statement,  Timeless Feminine, and how it applies to parenting, especially since I have four children.

Words I’m marinading in are - philosophies, ideas, nurture, compassion, stories standing the test of time, considering what has come before and what is being created for the future, the importance of honouring spirituality and ability to sense the  truth of what’s happening.

I often use gardens as metaphors for raising children, like seeds full of possibility, we need to tend to them with the utmost care. We reap what we sow and remembering our intention for growing our garden, keeps us grounded. I am  in awe of how my children teach me and how rich my life  is with them. My youngest son reminded me of his wisdom last Christmas when he asked, “Mom, what’s your New Year’s Revelation?” My answer, “Nothing is as it seems.”

Before children, I judged mothers. Once, I saw a mother reprimanding her child in the grocery store for doing something wrong. I watched …judging. I know better now. Maybe it was low blood sugar, a lost soother, or mum got fired from her job.

Who was I to judge?

As a mother I have my  “moments,” but with less judgement. I don’t have all the answers and I’ve made mistakes. I do know when I parent from a place of authenticity, I  parent from my heart. When I parent from my hip it’s reactionary and ego driven, it serves me more than my child. When we take a deep breath, are mindful, we parent with acceptance. What works for me, may not work for you – that’s why parenting styles are as individual as our  Style Statements. When we live from our essence we feel real, at home, and who knows who we inspire.

By Rhonda Abdurahman

“Rhonda’s passion for personal development connects  people to their inner spark, inspiring them to move from “what’s next?” to living it. She balances this and her family adventures with Elastic Girl enthusiasm. She lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and four children.”

*Thank you Rhonda, it was a pleasure to create your Style Statement and have you be our guest.

*If you like to write, have a Style Statement, don’t but love style & authenticity, send me an idea, story, video, collage… I promise to review &  be in touch.

photo via Abby Sharp

This is the stunning home of my dear friend Kim: photographer extraordinaire, spiritual sister and magic maker. She is shrewd business woman with crazy creativity. Her Style Statement is Structured Magic. With a jazz of energy, ideas, and passion there needs to be structure. Kim’s shazam and pizzaz rests on solid grid lines.

Structured is, “sturdy, solid, tailored, attention to detail, well-engineered, ordered, and tidy.” The softness and crispness is so meditative (did I tell you mediation changed her life, magical) and the burst of lilac, blue and graphic is charming.

Note, the clever and gorgeous lilac floral arrangement, the contasting dark wood floors and framed art work to ground the room. Ahhh, don’t you want to move in?