As we continue to navigate the ongoing challenges of this pandemic, there is more reason than ever to create routines (if not established already!) where you take time each day to reflect for yourself and your wellbeing – this can be done in a number of ways and no one way is the ‘right way,’ this is all dependent on how your schedule looks like and what you believe suits your schedule and lifestyle best.

Recently, I came across a series of guided meditations on YouTube that integrates affirmations into the guided meditation. I have found this to be especially centering for freeing the mind for me. I focus on the mantra that I am saying and nothing else. By doing this, I am able to enter into a deeper meditative state and have been able to achieve a lot of progress in how long and how deeply I can meditate for.

Meditation, for just 5 or 10 minutes per day can greatly reduce stress levels and also help clear a ‘cluttered mind’ that may feel distracted. During this time, given all that’s happening in the world, it’s only normal to feel stress from everything and I think we are too quick to be hard on ourselves about this. I think even before the pandemic, society, globally, was not going at a healthy pace. If this has given you an opportunity to slow down in some way and reflect on what lifestyle changes you can make in you and your family’s life in some way, then be grateful for this privilege and live into those mini changes – the little things can make a big difference!

I believe that wellness practices are for everyone – it’s not a luxury spa that’s exclusive to a any one group who can afford it – wellness practices are simple and easy to integrate into your everyday routine and you will feel and see the benefits! Each morning, I try to start with a 10 minute morning stretch on my yoga mat that is conditioning and warming up my body and letting energy flow into the body. There are a number of stretches that you can do to wake up, but stretching on a yoga mat is wonderful!

Once I am all ready and feel organized to tackle my day, I do some work and then take a break around 11am and do a 10 minute guided meditation, either on YouTube or I listen to Kundalini chants (Sat Nam) and use a timer for it for 10-15 minutes. Below you will find a few videos that I love to use for meditation and some words of affirmation that I believe are soothing and allow you be kind to yourself. We all need to see more of that in the world.

Words are powerful. I say affirmations like the following during my meditation everyday:

Boston native and proudly Greek American, Thea Vaporis, is a signed model with MMG in New York City and with New England models group in Boston. Thea is a professional makeup artist, running her own company, Khroma by Thea, which she hopes to launch as a makeup line in the future. She has danced ballet for 25 seasons and has taught dance classes for 13 years. Thea has also taught makeup classes at a beauty school and is passionate about the cause for clean beauty. Her multifaceted career in the arts is very impressive and it’s clear that Thea has many talents. I hope you enjoy reading my interview with Thea as much as I enjoyed speaking with her!

Follow Thea on Instagram: @tvapor & @khromabythea

Our Rosy Conversation

You are a signed model in New York and Boston. What have been some of your most memorable photo shoot experiences? 

My father was a photographer and I modeled as a kid up until I was a young adult.  Then, I went to college and beauty school and took a break away from modeling.  I was signed as a kid here in Boston and after my break, I really felt like I had not completed that chapter.  It was important to find representation and as a makeup artist and a talent.  I am signed to MMG in New York and New England Models Group in Boston and I could not ask for a more supportive team – they are amazing.  The market has really changed in the last 5 years.  There is room for girls like all of us and there needs to be representation. There’s room for that now, which I am super happy about. 

You are also a certified makeup artist and work professionally through your company, Khroma by Thea.  How long have you been doing makeup professionally?  What are some of your most memorable experiences?

I had no intentions of becoming a makeup artist. At 18, my body was kind of on the outs with dancing ballet.  I became an aesthetician and went to school for it in 2010. I fell in love with skincare and when I was in school, I was asked to be a model for Kryolan and they did all sorts of beauty seminars and would paint my face as a bride or for special effects… sitting in that chair, I thought “Wow I could do this.”  Through college, I worked as a freelance artist for green beauty brands and when I finished college, I decided to go into the corporate side and was a buyer and merchandiser for Walgreens.  After that, I actually went and taught at the school that I went to.  I’ve always been in beauty, had my toe in it, and now I think that by focusing on myself and my brand, I am able to share all that I have learned. 

The latest makeup project that I did was about bringing attention to the cause for ALS. An initiative launched by my friend, Zoe Bucuvalas, for her mother, Mary Bucuvalas, who is battling ALS.  Zoe launched a line of sports bras in support of her mother and 100% of the proceeds go to the Pete Frates Foundation (creator of the ALS ice bucket challenge).  It was so fun to glam her and her mom for that day.  Those kinds of events really overshadow any fashion shoots I’ve done. 

You also work for The Parlr, which is an innovative beauty brand concept: the world’s first salon / spa + portrait studio.  This seems like it has such a large market given how democratized modeling has become through social media. What do you enjoy most about this role?

I had discovered the Parlr on Instagram and was completely obsessed with the feed and the vibe. I am one of the makeup artists on the team and there was a soul connection between me and the team there. I work freelance for them and I am not there everyday, but I love being there and the vibe of their space is so unique.  What I love about the Parlr is I have noticed that they curate who goes with their vibe as clients and who works there. It’s a special place.

How has the pandemic affected the process of your jobs?  Social distancing in the beauty industry sounds like it can be quite the (necessary) challenge! 

I am really fortunate on the modeling side, social distancing is very easy.   For all of my photo shoots, I have been doing my hair and makeup and everyone in the fashion industry is so open and willing to adapt. I wish that a lot of other markets were like that.  As a makeup artist, I taught the state board certification for two years; I pride myself on being the cleanest guru makeup artist in Boston since I know the state board inside and out.

You have worked with quite a few clean beauty brands! What is most important to you when promoting organic beauty?

My journey with clean beauty started 7 years ago.  I went through a rough time, I was very sick.  I have three different autoimmune disorders. As a makeup lover, It was the hardest thing to put something toxic on my face, feel inflamed, and not feel pretty while you’re sick.  I was lucky enough to work with clean beauty brands like Jane Iredale and Inika Organics.  I work for Inika Organics now by creating content for them and this ties back into me being aesthetician and understanding skin and its ingredients.

I hope that people see that it’s not just a trend and that green beauty is here to nourish your skin.  It needs to be made sexier from a marketing standpoint, there’s this negative connotation of clean beauty not being glamorous and not having any performance, and that’s so not true.  I really hope that the clean beauty market grows substantially.  For example, I know a lot of great skincare comes out of Austria, because there’s an understanding there of what nature can do for your skin.

You have danced ballet and taught dance classes for many years!  How many years have you been dancing? What style of ballet did you train?  (I danced for 11 years and stopped as a teenager and can attest to how much discipline this takes!)

I have been dancing for 25 seasons! Dance has given me so many gifts. It has taught me teamwork, discipline, to believe in myself and know that I am never perfect.  I grew up in a Vaganova school, which is a Russian style ballet and it was very intense and having that mindset very early on taught me so many life skills.  I will forever be grateful for that training. I am not a professional dancer, but I am a ballet teacher and have been teaching for 13 years.  The connections that I have made with my students are lifelong and I will never stop teaching dance. It’s so fulfilling to me. 

I still take class every single week just for myself to get centered.  Dance always brings me back home.  Last summer, before COVID, I danced in Carmen as a principal dancer and it was the best show and the best music!  I have always loved the music and the characters in ballets.  With Carmen, there were so many facets to this character, the characters in this ballet are very much feminists; they want to go out and party and be in love, but they also want to be respected.  I was able to put my all into that role.  

What are some highlights of living in Boston and being a Boston native? 

I don’t take this lightly.  I really think Boston is one of the best cities in the whole entire world.  I have traveled all over the world and all over the US and what I love about Boston is that everything is tangible and everything is close to home.  There are world class sports and restaurants… contrary to what many people meet… Bostonians are very friendly when you get to know them… we are just uptight because there is a lot of traffic! I am really excited to see where Boston goes in the next five years and I think Boston is going to be shown in a light of really supporting the arts and fashion as well.  I am super proud to see that happening. There is so much history and culture and the history of this city is really unique. 

You are very proud of your Greek heritage! What do you want others to know about Greek culture that you value? 

I am a super proud Greek and I really think that our culture is very unique.  I am super proud of both of my sides of my family.  On my mom’s side, my great grandfather came from Greece in 1914 and he opened the first grocery store in Lowell, MA.  He was the first man in Lowell to have a car.  After 105 years, my grandfather closed it, it is now a historic site in Lowell.  My grandfather on my dad’s side was a very well known Greek Orthodox priest and he fought for civic justice in the 1960s.  He ran Hellenic College Holy Cross in Brookline, he published over 60 books and he spoke many languages. 

Those two male figures in my life showed me that our culture sticks together and our culture appreciates history and education. I will always support the Greek community and if anyone on Instagram who is Greek messages me, I automatically open it and respond back.  It’s like trying to find a long lost friend or a long lost cousin. You stick together and take care of your people. This world is so cut throat, you need to take care of your friends and your family. 

What is the best part of your Greek family being super close? It’s very similar to Italian families and that closeness sometimes runs contrary to American values with respect to expecting 18 year olds to move out etc. 

My dad is a deacon in the Greek Orthodox Church and my mom also works at the church.  I respect their traditions and I respect the traditions of our church. It’s my choice to stay at home until I feel that I am ready to get married. It’s an old school thing, but my parents want me to feel spiritually and physically protected. I have 3 younger siblings.  I am significantly older than them: there are 6 years, 10 years, and 12 years between all of us. At this time, I would never have a relationship with my siblings the way I do now if I had moved out.  I love that I am home and they are able to see me as an example and I am able to understand them as they grow up, too. 

 Given how multi-faceted your career is, where do you see your career in 5 to 10 years?

What’s so wonderful about the arts is that you don’t know what’s coming your way.  In the next 5 to 10 years, I see Khroma by Thea as its own makeup line and I am not going to stop modeling. I am really impressed where the fashion world is going and I am open to how it’s open and flexible and there’s definitely brands that I still want to model for.  It will just be more of the same as long as it’s still fulfilling. 

Also, another goal of mine in 5 to 10 years is that I really want to start teaching at classes at a university about women’s history, specifically about women’s fashion and the psychology between fashion and makeup in women’s lives.  That’s something that I see myself doing way into the future… When I’ve taught makeup history for classes at beauty school, women always have such passionate answers, and it’s so intriguing to me! 

What is your dream modeling job?

I think being in Vogue in some capacity would be a dream.  Also, working with a brand like Skims by Kim Kardashian.  I love the body inclusivity of that brand.  I would definitely love to work with some of the great makeup masters like Charlotte Tilbury or Pat McGrath!

Thank you, Thea, it was a pleasure!

From my perspective, sustainability efforts and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a landscape that includes NGOs/nonprofits, thought leaders, collaborators, and action takers bound by specific goals. There is incredible opportunity now for widespread cross-sector sustainability practice standardization, especially with regard to leaders (individuals and their respective companies) taking action for sustainability efforts.

I view one of my roles as a lifestyle blogger who is committed to spreading information related to sustainability efforts is to stay atop of sustainability goals, programs, and global actors and sharing out the most germane information which will keep sustainability efforts top of mind. I firmly believe that sustainability practices can be integrated into the core of business models, and furthermore, I see a future where a commitment to these goals can be seen at an enormous scale.

Below you will find a few of the organizations making a large impact on various populations and communities, with an emphasis on protecting the environment and supporting Indigenous peoples. These organizations embody rosy values which Rosy BVM will always stand for and these organizations fighting for a more sustainable, just, equitable, spiritually balanced world should continue receiving support in the future.

Rosy Causes

UN Women

UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. UN Women supports UN Member States as they set global standards for achieving gender equality, and works with governments and civil society to design laws, policies, programmes and services needed to ensure that the standards are effectively implemented and truly benefit women and girls worldwide. It works globally to make the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals a reality for women and girls and stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life.

Amazon Watch

Amazon Watch is a nonprofit organization founded in 1996, and based in Oakland, California, it works to protect the rainforest and advance the rights of indigenous peoples in the Amazon Basin. The organization partners with Indigenous and environmental organizations in campaigns for human rights, corporate accountability, and the preservation of the Amazon’s ecological systems.

One Spirit

The One Spirit mission is to help the Lakota meet the basic needs of their people and provide a culturally rich life for their youth. We support the Lakota in their goal of achieving food sovereignty and self-sufficiency in their communities.

One Spirit’s programs promote an intercultural relationship that recognizes that we are all related and that American Indians are an equal and valued part of our society.

On September 27th, 2011 the Tribal Council of the Oglala Sioux Tribe unanimously voted to formally recognize and support One Spirit and the One Spirit programs. The Tribal Council had been increasingly concerned about organizations and individuals who raise funds in the name of the Lakota people but have little or no accountability as to how the funds are spent or how much actually reaches the Reservation. The organization is honored to have the unanimous support of this governing body of the Lakota people.

Heaps Decent

Heaps Decent is an Australian organisation empowering diverse young people to express their creativity through music and multi-media. Heaps Decent currently offers ongoing music programs at multiple locations including schools, juvenile justice centres, drop in centres and studios as well as running distinct arts projects with partners such as Shopfront Contemporary Arts and Performance, the Sydney Opera House and the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Oceana

Oceana was established by a group of leading foundations — The Pew Charitable Trusts, Oak Foundation, Marisla Foundation (formerly Homeland Foundation), Sandler Foundation, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund — after a 1999 study they commissioned discovered that less than 0.5 percent of all resources spent by environmental nonprofit groups in the United States went to ocean advocacy.

No organization was working exclusively to protect and restore the oceans on a global scale. To fill the gap, the founders created Oceana: an international organization focused solely on oceans, dedicated to achieving measurable change by conducting specific, science-based policy campaigns with fixed deadlines and articulated goals.

Sustainability News Resources

CSR Europe

Sustainable Brands

The Global Goals for Sustainable Development

As we enter the first week of Fall (while time may begin feeling like a construct of the mind more than ever), we are indeed entering into the Fall season. Perhaps it’s with the spirit of the Thankgsiving holiday to come, Fall gives us the opportunity to reset our priorities as we approach the holiday season and reflect and be more grateful than perhaps other seasons. This brings me into the topic of this blog post: Gratitude is a practice. Gratitude is something that I seek to practice consciously everyday of my life. The more I practice it, the most fulfilled and rooted in purpose I find myself in how I view and feel in my life circumstances. It’s truly the “half glass full” versus the “half glass empty” analogy put into practice. When you recognize how much you do have in your life, it’s much easier to reframe what you then may think as perhaps lacking – when you see how much you have to be grateful over, you will remember this more frequently and it will give you a deeper sense of fulfillment.

Practicing gratitude becomes easier with time. You can do this as you wake up and it can be as simple as being grateful for the gift of living another day. You can also become more structured about how you want to practice gratitude: for example, I have a habit now where I write down at least 10 things (anything!) that I am grateful for in a journal each morning. This helps me realize how much I am grateful for and helps set a great energy for the day to come. There is scientific research that backs how beneficial practicing gratitude is for your health. According to Happify, gratitude can do the following:

People who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they’re thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and even have stronger immune systems.

The Science Behind Gratitude

There is science to this; for me, I even believe that my gratitude practice reduces my stress levels. I think this is significant because I am able to put things in perspective right as I am beginning my day and this doesn’t give room to fall into the trap of feeling sorry for myself or sit with any feelings of jealousy etc. I already have set my intention for the day: I act with gratitude. I hope this inspires you to reconsider how you integrate feelings of gratitude into your everyday routine and to always think positively; this benefits your health on an individual level, and further, on a community level, you give the best of you to those who are around you.

“If we consider that the human body is a universe within itself, it is only natural to conclude that we carry within us all the elements.”

― Masaru Emoto, Hidden Messages in Water

Japanese water researcher Dr. Masaru Emoto demonstrated how the human consciousness has a direct effect on the molecular structure of water. Dr. Emoto’s hypothesis is that water is a messenger: transmitting from one molecule to the next. He studied the aesthetics of water to different vibrations, freezing the water, and then studying it with microscopic photography. While his studies focus on the molecular restructuring of water and subsequent reshaping of water from different vibrations, one can make the assertion that hist studies’ results have outward and inward implications – outwardly, our vibration to the world impacts the world since Earth is covered with water. Inwardly, the experience of vibrations to the body is also significant because the human body is composed of roughly 70% water.

Dr. Emoto’s molecular images of water display a shocking but simple truth: sounds that are inherently “good” shape the water into a beautiful crystal display, exactly like a snowflake. Sounds that are inherently “bad” shaped the water into bacterial looking shapes. His studies created a tangible and visual explanation for the impact that water has within us and around us. Taking this one step further, these explanations have implications with our personal practices in life: practicing gratitude and positive thought generation does maintain health for your body and it also applies to the health of the overall planet.

Each person has a life force of energy [power] within them and water plays a role in how that energy [power] is used. Dr. Emoto was aware of the power of his studies and stated that practicing positive thinking into prayer by considering this thought: “No one particular religion has been able to secure the exclusive rights for the power of prayer. No matter who you are, we all have the ability to take advantage of this amazing and wonderful power. Once you realize this, you will then be filled with the desire to help others realize this as well. More and more people are resonating with this understanding, and this could result in a more wonderful future for mankind.” Dr. Emoto reminds us to be grateful and honor the power of our life force by applying it for good each day, for we are each pieces of one whole universe.

There is nothing more beautiful than appreciating the gift of life that we have each day. When I wake up, my first thought is reminding myself to be grateful for the gift of living another day and honoring that life force within me, which is so miraculous. We all need to do this more – engaging in a conscious connection to the miracle of our lives. It’s spectacular and needs to be celebrated each day. Nothing matters more in this life than honoring ourselves, our loved ones, our communities, and our Earth.

This leads me to what this blog post is all about: how water is the source of life and how the cultural phenomena of mermaids are a reflection of how we subconsciously (or consciously) recognize that connection. Water is sacred to me and it should be sacred to all of us. We don’t think of it enough, but we are united in the need for water being the most essential part of what allows us to survive and thrive in this lifetime. There is so much to love about water. Not only does it nourish our bodies, it cleanses our bodies, and even being near to it or hearing the sounds of water is good for our health and spirit. Mind, body, and soul… water is life.

Since I am a San Francisco Bay Area native, I am all too familiar with the trend of people attending Burning Man. To me, there is no worse way to dishonor our life force. I understand the experience is spiritually meaningful to people, but I see it mainly as a commercialized “trend experience” where people thoughtlessly go. I personally do not plan on ever attending, because I know in my heart that a dry, dusty desert festival is not honoring our life experience as being close to water does. Water is where all life emerges from. Let us all remember that, act with intention to honor that, and be sure to ensure a sustainable future in protecting water. May this be a reminder to you that recognizing the ‘simple joys’ of life are actually the most profound.

Crystals can serve many purposes. From jewelry to decoration to facial rollers and Gua Sha (the heart in middle is intended as a Gua Sha facial massager), these gemstones can uplift the spirit and bring its owner a deeper sense of spiritual health. To me, they are not just a ‘Millennial Fad.’ When I was a little girl I loved the crystals that I collected and knew that they were special. Now, I always have a rose quartz frog as a paper holder on my desk and a shell filled with crystals that I look at throughout the day, which I find to be spiritually uplifting. I sometimes meditate with a rose quartz in hand. If you also find crystals uplifting, but have yet to familiarize yourself about the benefits of crystals, the task for you is identifying which crystals speak to you and why.

For me, my three favorite crystal types are Labradorite, Rose Quartz, and Clear Quartz. I’ve included the meaning/symbolism of the three below. Furthermore, there are numerous crystals that you can identify with beyond those colors: there is Amethyst, Tiger Eye, Citrine, Jasper, Obsidian… There is something for everyone! It may not be the ascribed meaning to a certain crystal that speaks to you, rather the color or shape that speaks to you, and that’s totally fine!

There is a special connection between your Zodiac sign, the moon, and your birthstone. However, that can be your jumping off point in how your learn about which crystals speak to you. There are myriad reasons why you may connect well with a particular stone(s). Crystals are meant to help your cleanse, refresh, and center your energies, so that can be any combination of stones for you.

I think you can’t go wrong when you start familiarizing yourself more with crystals, there is only good to be had with nature’s wondrous gifts. Ideally, a deeper sense of appreciation and connectedness to your life force will be part of your journey with identifying your favorite crystals. Enjoy your gemstone journey!

Labradorite

Labradorite is considered a tremendously spiritual stone, especially helpful for people who tend to overwork. It helps an individual regain energy while aiding the body and spirit in healing itself. In the metaphysical world, labradorite is considered one of the most powerful protectors. The gemstone creates a shield for auras and protects against negativity of the world. Labradorite is said to temper the negativity within ourselves as well. Labradorite is known for its changing colors, so it is no surprise this gemstone is known as a stone of transformation, enhancing strength of will and inner worth. The gemstone labradorite is said to stimulate the throat chakra. Though not associated with any zodiac sign, supposedly the sign of Cancer is especially drawn to labradorite.

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz is the stone of universal love.  It restores trust and harmony in relationships, encouraging unconditional love.  Rose Quartz purifies and opens the heart at all levels to promote love, self-love, friendship, deep inner healing and feelings of peace.  Calming and reassuring, it helps to comfort in times of grief.  Rose Quartz dispels negativity and protects against environmental pollution, replacing it with loving vibes.  It encourages self forgiveness and acceptance invoking self trust and self worth.

Clear Quartz

Clear Quartz is the most popular and versatile healing stone of all the crystals. It is the most powerful healing stone thought to be able to work on any condition. It is known as the stone of power and amplifies any energy or intention. It is said to protects against negativity, connecting you to your higher self. Clear Quartz is known as the “master healer” and will amplify energy and thought, as well as the effect of other crystals.  It absorbs, stores, releases and regulates energy.  It balances and revitalises the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual planes.  It aids concentration and unlocks memory.  Stimulates the immune system and brings the body into balance.  Clear Quartz (Crystal Quartz, Rock Crystal) harmonizes all the chakras and aligns the subtle bodies.

“Love lights up the cells.”

Horst Rechelbacher

To me, there is nothing ‘cooler’ than appreciating natural beauty, experiencing the beauty of nature, and understanding you can be a responsible citizen of the world: integrating corporate social responsibility (CSR) into beauty is the way of a sustainable future — beauty is nature, nature is beauty… For Horst Rechelbacher, the late founder of Aveda, he understood this integration and created wonderful products that truly improve the health and wellbeing of people. Creating products that do this begins with understanding how our spirit, our understanding of how love drives us, can be molded into our reality: when we practice meditation and yoga, when we find our chakras more centered, we live more joy filled and happy lives as a result. This allows us to create wonderful things that brings more beauty into the world, because beauty truly does come from within. Horst knew this himself.

Growing up, I have had a special connection to this man who I never met and who passed away in 2014. My mother is from the same hometown as Horst: Klagenfurt, Austria. There is a special connection that I feel to him because I understand where he comes from. The only hair products I knew as a child were from Aveda. My mother loved to use the Aveda Brilliant humectant hair product, and to this day, the smell of that hair product immediately reminds me of my childhood and smelling my mother’s hair. Since I was passionate about learning about the benefits of natural beauty that Aveda espouses, I did a school project about Aveda and learned all about Horst Rechelbacher when I was a young girl. I studied how his understanding of plants, aromatherapy, holistic and natural medicine about apothecaries because his mother owned an apothecary in Klagenfurt all shaped what would become a giant brand, Aveda. Aveda is now owned by The Estee Lauder Companies as of 1997. Horst sold it for $300 million.

I attribute much of Horst’s successes to three things: 1) He was a product of the wonderful vocational training programs that Austria has to offer, which Horst began to attend at the age of 14. 2) He is a product of all of his learnings about plants from his mother who owned an apothecary in Klagenfurt which focuses on holistic and all natural health treatments. 3) He kept his spirit open to change: when the fast paced life of being a celebrity hair stylist began to wear on him in his twenties, he decided to reinvision the life he wanted to lead… which led him to study Ayurveda in India. In Sanskrit, the word Ayurveda means “The Science of Life.” This combination of factors with Horst’s energy and talents ultimately shaped Horst into creating such a brilliant brand as Aveda.

Horst Rechelbacher changed the face of beauty as we know it because he brought the concept of nature and beauty to market and pioneered the entire natural beauty industry. He also is a pioneer for the intersection of CSR and capital markets because beauty and nature intersect so beautifully. His niche in natural beauty unlocked a truth: responsible corporate activity helps preserve the integrity of Earth, nature and humans. We have so much to thank Horst for and there is still so much work ahead in many industries, which he paved the way for, and we must thank him for.

We all have a vision for our lives and sometimes our visions can feel unattainable. This is where positive thinking, goal setting, and a strategy to achieving your goals with the proper tools can take your far. A positive solutions-oriented mindset coupled with an adaptable strategy, you can achieve that vision! Your vision begins with writing it down. Write down your goals. This will take you far as it’s the first step in making your vision a reality. My entire life, I have loved making collages. It’s something I enjoyed in school for my art classes, but I have been creating collages since I was a little girl and gluing pictures into my diaries. I continue to believe in the power of having a vision and achieving it because I know it works.

People I have worked with often call me “Pollyanna” as I bring a positive mindset and outlook to most aspects of my life. I find that ironic because I had never heard of the character when I was growing up! About a year ago, I stumbled into a rare copy of the book from the 1940’s that was in a giveaway box in my neighborhood… The illustration of a woman on the cover of it has similar features to me. It was a fun reminder that a “Pollyanna” outlook can be powerful… when realistically applied. You can achieve anything you put your mind to.

Strategies For You

1. Write down your goals.
2. Create a plan on how to achieve your goals and stick to it. This can often become incremental and there will be subsets of goals – this is good! Remember to be realistic about how you can work towards your vision, while also having a holistic view of the results you want.
3. Celebrate some of your ‘baby steps’ towards your goals. Make sure to celebrate how far you have come, but remember not to get too sidetracked along the way! Recommit to your vision as often as possible to keep it relevant.
4. Adjust your sails when needed. The direction of your ship may change due unforeseen circumstances (this will happen!), so be sure that you can adapt, understanding any barriers to your vision and how willing you are to make sacrifices for your vision.

Tools To Achieve Your Vision

• Vision Board: Being visual about the images that you have associated with your goal is helpful — it’s top of mind and you can place your vision board somewhere close to where you sleep, so you can see it first thing when you wake up. The process of creating a vision board can take a few days. Write down the images that you generally want to see and start looking for them in magazines etc. You can start laying out the cut outs onto a poster board before you start gluing. I love vision boards and believe they can be powerful.

• Positive Affirmations or “Power Thoughts” as the pioneer of positive affirmations, Louise L. Hay, branded them. You can find many empowering books from Hay House Publishing or you can also reference my friend Natalie Glebova’s empowerment handbook, I Am Winning. It’s incredible what we can tell ourselves which can hold us back — i.e. along the lines of “I’m not good enough” thoughts can create barriers for yourself, when there are none! You have the power to change how you think.

• SMART Goal Structure: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely (Natalie Glebova used this methodology to reach her Miss Universe title!). You can structure all of your goals using this plan (you can download templates online) to help you along the way. I have used the SMART goal template both in my professional and personal life to achieve outcomes in a timely manner.

• Healthy lifestyle: relax and sleep well. All too often, when working to achieve our goals, people can easily neglect something so essential in helping us optimize our bodies – proper relaxation and getting good sleep each night. Perhaps a phrase made iconic from the film Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, it’s unfair to neglect our bodies for short term outcomes – our bodies need proper rest, so don’t underestimate how lack of good rest can you hold you back from performing at your best in life. This is invaluable in allowing our bodies to stay healthy. We should all commit to maintaining healthy lifestyles that prioritize good nutrition, a love of exercise (Our bodies were literally made to move! For me, taking a good walk even makes me feel brainier), and learning how to relax and maintain a good sleep schedule. This is essential in giving you the energy you need!

LoveShackFancy has opened a flagship destination on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. Described as “Marie Antoinette goes to The Beverly Hills Hotel,” this ultra-feminine and floral loving designer has also recently partnered with Target to launch a capsule collection with prices of less than $75 to be a more achievable price point as many dresses in the collection usually start in the $400 range. LoveShackFancy was started by Rebecca Hessel Cohen, a good friend of Aerin Lauder. Rebecca launched her company 6 years ago in 2013. A female founded and ultra-feminine brand is now gracing Melrose Avenue for all those who are florally minded.

There is a range of styles to choose from summer dresses to Bridal dresses; if you are seeking a range of bridesmaids dresses, look no further. Themes within the Bridal range include “Beach Bohemian” to “Garden Romance” to “Country Reverie,” so you have options to decide which goes best with your wedding’s setting. The ethos of this brand is appreciating nature and femininity, and who doesn’t love this feminine look?

xoxo Bianca