“Book cases are a canvas to create your own painting –  whether you’re Modern or Traditional  fill with treasures, photos, cherished books and enjoy the view!”

Yesterday I had the thrill, once again, of being on Urban Rush, a Canadian entertainment talk show hosted by Fiona Forbes and Michael Eckford. I adore these two – welcoming, witty and smart, thanks for letting me share the set!

Also, thanks to Blue Owl for generously lending a few of their lovely pieces & thanks to fabulous Sarah for being a great schleper and assistant!

Feeling as thought you have nothing to wear and yet have a closet full of clothes. As our Manifesto of Style states Commit to Quality and it Commits to You.

What can you do to insure your wardrobe inspires and reflects you?

1. Do the math –  Why buy twice when you can buy once? You buy three pairs of shoes you find on sale. You feel like “they’ll do.” One loses its heel, one pair is uncomfortable, and you never wear the third pair. Total cost: about $300, which you may as well have donated to the Salvation Army, because that’s where those shoes are headed anyway. Or, you buy one pair of shoes made of Italian leather that fit you to perfection. Total cost: about $400. And every single time you wear them—which will be many times, because they will last for years—you feel great. You feel high-quality. You feel like you—and it shows.

2. Love it or Leave it. Wrong fit = wrong purchase. Keep moving, keep looking for the one clothing line that’s made for your body shape. ps –  it takes homework and time to feel and look good.

3. Buy for the present! Some pieces look great on the hanger, in a magazine, or on your sister but make sure  each piece you add to your wardrobe is right for you. Don’t make purchases with the intention of loosing 5 pounds, thinking maybe one day someday it will work. Those are mistakes!

4. Resale. Don’t be worried  you might  tire of a piece and  the cost may not be worth it. Quality pieces stand the test of time,  consider selling them to that fashionista friend of yours or on sites like Ebay.

5. Commit to Quality and it Commits to You. Quality clothing eliminates stress and adds ease to your daily wardrobe  choices. You deserve to feel like the best version of yourself!

Whatever you’re looking for, hold out for the best and treat it well when you find it. I’m holding out for the right purse – chic, functional without a big designer label, any suggestions?

Photo Credit: The Soul behind Tod’s Shoes

It’s easy to take the most loved and most used things in our life for granted. The people and things that are there for us day after day become regular or normal, and seemingly less-than-special.

But spring shakes things up. Every year, the force of life unfailingly says to the trees, “Hey! I’m here! We’re in this together! Here are some blossoms, some roots, some new shoots!”

Time after time, things renewed become beacons of faith and beauty.

Five Tips on how to “Make some Spring Happen.”

1. Look at your home and find one or two possessions that can be revitalized.
2. Inject life into them. Paint the bathroom (I love Farrow & Ball)  and remember select the color that makes your heart sing.
3. Make repairs – fix your bike, call to say that you’re committed to calling more often, make good on a promise to yourself.
4. Get the dust off and make some shine – get an old picture framed, call an old friend, nurture your soul and take that meditation class.
5. Begin an exciting perhaps intimidating project , add stretching to your morning ritual, stop one thing you find intolerable.

photo via Cup of Jo – one of my daily blog treats, check it out.

ps Cup of Jo gives fabulous weekly give aways!

This weekend I’m on my own with my little one, recovering from the flu and catching up on paper work. Have a lovely weekend, treat yourself and here are a few wonderful posts…

Simple sneakers for everyday, great price too!

Laura Linney is fabulous in The BIg C.

Loving this, Success with One Habit.

I’m always looking for books for my son. This won my heart, Mad at Mommy.

A sweet, heart felt video, Last minutes with Oden.

Watercolors for all you nature lovers.

Anne Taylor’s getting hip!

Growing Gracefully.

Enjoy a delicious treat on a wintery night.

Next week I turn 52, gasp!  It’s hard to believe it. Besides a few aches from carrying my almost two year old son and lack of sleep, I feel remarkably good. Honestly, I’m grateful for good genes, lots of  spiritual books and my Style Statement, all which support me staying grounded and feeling, say 40!

Instead of viewing myself as old, I’m  feeling mature. Comfortably embracing the hard edges and gentle curves of me, and surprisingly excited and ready for tomorrow.

Long live aging gracefully!  With passion and purpose, and a few of my favorite beauty tips…

1. Exercise – of  course it’s great for my body and allows me to enjoy my love of carbs but the greatest benefit is I’m happier, everything seems possible, and as my hubby says, “Happy wife, happy life.”
2. Sleep – did you know a 20 minute nap is like 5 hours of sleep? Hold the calls, not available at 2 p.m., I’m cat napping.
3. Face Cream – Olay. Great face cream and great story. “Olay is a product born from love, as it was created by a man as a gift for his wife.”
4. Lip Gloss – I never leave home with out a little gloss. Cheap and cheerful, it’s available at any drug store.
5. Smiles  - the best accessory you have and it’s free.
6. Threading – If I’m feeling a little frumpy, off I go to get my eyebrows threaded. An ancient Indian technique using thread to shape your eyebrows.  Wow, I look fresher and feel lighter, really about 5 pounds lighter. (and only costs $6!)
7. Fabulous Glasses –  I say blow the budget here! Every day I get compliments on my glasses, thanks to Della Optique.
8. Nail  File – Crystal nail files are the best, keeps my nails short and pretty.
9. BE YOURSELF –  Knowing my style , Refined Treasure, keeps me focused on what I value and how I show up in life.

And everyday, I remind myself of Joseph Campbell’s wise words, “The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.

ps – Photo is by my good friend Kim Christie for Canadian House & Home magazine, my home is being featured in the spring issue! Stay tuned.

I’ve made many shopping mistakes since I became a mother. PS, don’t shop when you’re tired, rushed and feeling heavy. This autumn, I decided to take a break from buying clothes, really, no new lace up  boots, slouchy knit sweater, or navy pea coat. It was tough at first, yes I  felt a pang of envy when I saw friends in their new attire. But after several months I was amazed how relaxed and grounded I felt wandering the shops.

Now when I shop, I keep these tips in mind. They support me in making the right purchases. And “right” means: I feel good, I look great and I communicate who I truly am. May these support you in enjoying the quest for your style!

1. Be kind to yourself. Leave your mean little voice, (we all have one) at home.
2. Shop when you have time and patience, with a supportive friend or ALONE!
3. Wear make up. The lighting in changing rooms is horrendous.
4. “Tight isn’t always flattering.”  What about about buying one size up. Aahhh, comfort and you look lighter!
5. Accentuate the positive. What part of your body do you love? Is it your grey-blue eyes, your long neck (you probably look great in turtlenecks), or your feminine ankles?
6. Determine if your skin tone is blue based or yellow based. This changed my life. Find two pieces of fabric: one silver, one gold. Drape each one under your chin and you will know instinctively which works for you. Silver is blue based and gold is yellow based. No more black for me!
7. Ingrid Bergman told her daughter, Isabelle Rossellini, “We can’t afford to be cheap.” It’s better to have one great piece  you adore, that lasts for years.
8. Finally, shoulders back, head high, wear your wisdom! Be You!

Photo Credit: Real Simple

Love this Blanket Carry All Tote!!

I’ve had a battle with food most of my life. Although I’m athletic and trim, I have a lurking fear of going hungry.

I grew up in a house where there was food for the kids and food for my dad. One side of the fridge had ice cream, pop, butter, pork chops and the other had  skim milk, margarine and ground beef. Hey I get it, money was tight but no wonder I developed a scarcity mentality about food. I was a heavy social eater – hovering like a vulture where ever food lay – chatting and eating, eating and chatting. I woke regularly with brutal hangover, a food  hangover.

My food  beast rears it’s ugly head at the bewitching hour for mothers – feeding your child at 5 pm. Rushed and hungry, I would have a mini dinner before dinner with my hubby. A little cheese & cracker, houmous, and chips all the while standing and multitasking. Sort of like mindlessly watching TV, I was mindlessly eating. I often couldn’t even remember what I ate!

Then I read an excerpt from Women, Food, and God by Geneen Roth.  A message of common sense blended with kindness, and as I read her guidelines my gnawing anxiety started to release it’s hold on me.

May Geneen Roth’s seven guidelines to eating more consciously inspire you;

1. Eat when you are hungry.
2. Eat sitting down in a calm environment. This does not include the car.
3. Eat without distractions. Distractions include radio, television, newspapers, books, 4. intense or anxiety-producing conversations or music.
4. Eat what your body wants. This is about listening to your body.
5. Eat until you are satisfied.
6. Eat (with the intention of being) in full view of others.
7. Eat with enjoyment, gusto and pleasure.

My eating style has changed,  it hasn’t been a huge haha but many lovely unfoldings. I remind  myself  that there’s enough food and I am enough.

My food beast is fading.

In high school it became clear to me that the idea of financial security was most likely a myth. Teachers told me about dwindling pensions, social security funds, and job longevity. Perhaps that is why I have never equated finding a “job with a solid company” with financial security. I feel that I have stumbled upon the simple recipe for financial security that seems to apply to every financially wealthy person I’ve observed. Here it is for your pleasure:

1. Know a lot of people. Spend time genuinely connecting with as many people as possible. This is real currency. If you end up out of work, you have an enormous network to alert.

2. Know how you can help all of those people. What can you provide, make, or do for all of these people to help them? Think of what you love to do or what you are really good at doing. Do this.

3. Know how to charge appropriately. Be confident in the value you provide and learn what the right rate is for this. It doesn’t always have to be cash, it can be trade. But be comfortable asking for what you need to make your efforts worth while.

That is all. At first it seems oversimplified… and perhaps it is. In my experience sometimes the simple truth can be the most profound. Enjoy.

* Ben owns a boutique music management and education company called The Artist Farm through which he helps musicians grow their businesses. He is also a blogger and personal coach, he offers “solution-driven conversation” combined with a kind heart and deep listening.

Your  Style Statement is as useful as you make it. It’s like a muscle that builds over time, enjoy getting in shape with these 10 Style Statement reminders:

1. Post  your Style Statement on refrigerator door, in your car or on the bathroom mirror.
2. Write your Style Statement in your day timer and use as a focal point.
3. Are you procrastinating? Apply your second word. Remember your second word is often a stretch, be brave and go for it.
4. Go through all your accessories and let go of whatever is not your style.
5. Watch your proportion. Style Statement is based on the 80/20 principle, too much 80% can create inflexibility and too much 20% leads to burnout.
6. Your second word is your fragrance, just the right amount is lovely & detectable but not overwhelming. Are you wearing your  fragrance?
7. Your foundation word represents your basics in the visual world – sofa, dining set, suit or dress. Keep this in mind when you’re shopping.
8. Your 20% is your accessories – jewelry, throw pillow or art. The twist that brings things to life, be creative.
9. Feeling uncomfortable? Ask yourself, “How can I apply my Style Statement in a graceful and powerful way?”
10. Read Manifesto of Style daily.