The Modern Venus Blog

Happy Autumn!

Today is the second day of autumn - yay.   Love the crisper weather, the clothes, the changing of the leaves.  Here is a perfect quote that sums up my feelings:

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."
— Albert Camus

No Love for Beth Ditto

I purchased this morning Love magazine, which is a new glossy published in the UK by the Conde Nast empire.  Its tag line says it is about "Fashion and Fame."   And yes, it's fabulous (also fabulously expensive, but anyway . . . ).

So I see the title "Love" on the second shelf of Barnes & Noble's magazine rack and I happily reach for it.  How surprised, then, that the magazine was wrapped up in hermetically-sealed plastic like it was a porno.  This is what it looked like (I scanned it):  

What obscene act could Beth Ditto possibly be doing on the cover to warrant such protection?   Indeed, when I opened the plastic, I saw that Love had placed a tasteful strip around the mag on its own (I guess it wasn't good enough for Barnes & Noble).  The cover obviously revealed a bit more curvaceousness of Miss Ditto - big whoop.   It looked like this: 

Last but certainly not least, under it all was Miss Ditto in her glory!   Voila. 

                                            

What in the world possessed B&N to cover up the magazine like it was some kind of porn?   Considering that B&N carries tons of magazines that flaunt flesh on its covers, why shrink-wrap Love magazine?  Is it because Miss Ditto is curvy and proud of it?    Is that something to hide?   Is there something wrong with a completely human body proudly flaunted by a strong woman?   I am very offended by this and must sign off now to send a complaint to Barnes & Noble demanding an explanation . . . I will report back when I get a response! 

Make it Pretty: Out with the Old, In with the New

It's New Year's Eve - 4 pm - and I sit with my (first but not last) glass of champagne for the evening!   2009 will undoubtedly hold much success and adventure for all of us . . . and I'm proud to announce that I am FINALLY getting to work on my first book, which I intend to have packaged and ready to sell by the end of March (such a good goal, no?). 

I am also proud to be launching a new blog dedicated to something I feel strongly about - the need for all of us to Make Things Pretty.   If it isn't pretty, and if you can't make it pretty, then I will usually say - "don't bother."  I mean, we can make everything pretty - even bills (put some stickers on 'em and they will look less intimidating)!

So for today's "Make It Pretty" entry (I'll let you know when this new blog officially launches) - what I want you to do today or tomorrow - but definitely at the very beginning of this New Year - is to make your knickers drawer pretty.  That's  right!  Dump any of your old knickers or bras that just aren't up to snuff.   That little rip in the lace, the faded color, the stretched out elastic - dump them.  Same for pajamas - I'm inspired to write this entry because I just threw away a formerly lovely satin menswear set (leopard with roses) that simply didn't make me feel good to wear anymore 'cuz it had various rips and tears and other signs of being well-appreciated (wink wink).  

 Don't think about it or say to yourself:  "oh, these are okay . . ." if they don't make you feel pretty when you put 'em on, it's time for them to go.  Better to have a small collection of special underthings than a giant drawer full of misshapen grannypanties.    And don't think that I mean you have to have a drawer full of garter belts and lace thongs - some of my favorites are beautiful super-stretchy boy shorts that look positively plain but feel super-cozy when they go on.  It's just that everything in your collection should make you feel GOOD when you put them on.  

And for extra credit, spray perfume on your collection every few days.  I do - I spritz a little Chanel  No. 5 on them every couple of days or so.  Silly?  Perhaps.  But it makes me feel special and glamorous and DECADENT.  And doesn't that always make one feel just a bit more pretty??

Happy New Year! 

Fab new website: RealBeautyIs.Com!

Ladies, there is an amazing new website on the block:  Real Beauty Is!   This website is dedicated to finding the beauty in everyone, in all ways, and in all our shapes and sizes!

Here is part of the mission statement from RealBeautyIs.com:

"We empower women to feel good about themselves by improving self esteem, accepting their bodies and defining beauty on their own terms.

The Real Beauty Is website brings together in one place the latest news, articles and inspiring stories.  Our interactive forum allows women to overcome the obstancles to feeling good and celebrating their beauty . . . We know that as each woman embraces her whole self, accepts beauty on her own terms and realizes her self worth, she taps into an infectious energy and spirit has the power to transform the world." 

Isn't this fabulous???

I'm also proud to announce that I'm an expert on this website (check out the homepage and scroll down and see my icon on the right and click on it for some of my contributions!) and I was a profiled "Real Beauty" on July 3!  Check it out!  I love how the website (and it's brilliant owner and director, Lori!) profiles women twice a week so you can get TONS of inspiration and positivity every week!  Membership is free - register and enjoy!!

Another Resource Regarding Loss of a Companion Animal

As many of you know, I lost my most beloved companion animal Grover in July.   Since then, one of my passions is providing compassion and support to individuals who have lost their companions or in the process of assisting them cross over.  I just found this new resource -- a hotline run by the University of Illinois Veterinary Center.  People         who are either grieving the loss of a companion animal or are anticipating         a loss are encouraged to call.  The line is active on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings 7-9 pm Central Time.          Our toll-free telephone number is:  (877) 394-CARE (2273).          If you are in the Champaign, Illinois area, our local telephone number         is (217) 244-CARE (2273).

The Helpline is staffed by veterinary students who understand         the importance of the bond you share with your animal friend and the emotions         involved when that bond is threatened or altered. The students have received         training by professional grief counselors and undergo continued supervision         by a licensed clinical social worker. 

If any of you want to receive training about how to support people losing their companions, you can actually get trained to do this (and can join me at this event!) at a conference taking place over Memorial Day Weekend in New Jersey by the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement.

Will to Make A Will!

The shock over the premature death of Heath Ledger continues to reverberate through Hollywood -- how could such a young man die so suddenly?   However, this happens as we all know -- and can happen to any of us -- therefore it is IMPERATIVE that you all take care of your financial affairs NOW.

I am particularly motivated to mention this today because I just read an article about how Heath Ledger's
will left nothing to his daughter nor to his ex-girlfriend Michelle Williams.  He simply neglected to update his will and thus, under estate law as he had a prior will made out a few years ago, Matilda Ledger is left with nothing from her father's estate (though the Ledger family has pledged to take care of them both which is wonderful). 

Don't wait to take care of your affairs and family!   Do you have a will?  Do you have life insurance policies?  Now may be the perfect time for you to start investigating what you should be doing to ensure that your family is always taken care of.  Find financial advisors and/or life insurance agents you trust.  On a mass-market scale, one wonderful source is Suze Orman's Will and Trust Kit.   I own it and am now re-inspired to complete the Will section of it, as my husband and I have dragged our feet on completing one.  Another wonderful financial resource for women is the financial brilliance of Barbara Stanny who does wonderful writing and coaching around women and money.  Definitely investigate if you haven't already getting life insurance -- my husband and I happily have plenty of life insurance -- you can get tons of it ($1 million or over) for less than $1,000 per year depending on your health and age -- so no time like the present to take these steps! 

Daily Tool: Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards

One tool I use at least twice each week are Doreen Virtue's
Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards.  Not a traditional tarot card deck, each of the 44 cards contains a goddess (Doreen picks a wonderful grouping of cross-cultural goddesses) who can guide you in various areas of your life.  For example:  you can pose a question to the deck, and after a shuffle and dealing, you will choose 3 cards that will represent your past, present and future regarding your question.   Every reading I've ever done for myself or a client has been remarkably on the money!   I love using tools like this which incorporate spirituality, mysticism, art and history.  Click on the links above to order! 

Replay: Getting Your Groove On Teleseminar

Modern Venus Ltd.'s "Getting Your Groove On" Teleseminar was a great success!  Guests sent brilliant questions, our Luscious Lifestyle Diva Shoshi was on the top of her game, and a great time was had by all! 

Now YOU can listen in on this call whenever you'd like -- and you can also download it to your Mp3 player!  Just click this link, follow the directions and you are all set!  Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

I love the promise of a brand spanking New Year, don't you?   Now is the perfect time for you to start new routines that can bring increased happiness and success to your life!  Here is a tip from the January 1 entry of "The Secret" daily calendar (you can pick it up at any bookstore, but hurry as all calendars are on sale!).   The principles enunciated in this entry are those I practice every day, and it's made such a difference to my life.

"Every night before you fall asleep, give heartfelt thanks for the wonderful day you just had (no matter what kind of day you had).  Think about the next day, and intend that it is going to be wonderful. Intend that it is going to be the best day of your life.  Intend that it is going to be filled with love and joy.  Intend that all good is coming to you and that everything is going to flow perfectly, etc.  Then when you wake in the morning, BEFORE you get out of bed, again declare your intentions for the day and give deep thanks as thought you received them all.  As you do this, you will begin to create your life deliberately, and you will experience firsthand the power that is within you to create the life that you want." 

Winter sunrise

Brilliant Holiday Planning

Though it is only September, the way our lives speed by, the holidays will come upon us very quickly.  Why not start outlining now who you will give presents to and establish a budget for gift-giving that you will stick to.  By starting early, you can buy both your mind and wallet some peace of mind.   You can even take the time to make presents by hand!  Knit something, plan on a bake-a-thon with the goods to be mailed to your friends and family, even mix up some delicious organic body sugar scrubs with essential oils (that’s my plan for this year!).   For more do-it-yourself ideas, check out ivillage.com.