Pas Possibility



I was going thru a past issue of Elle Decor and this caught my eye, in a story titled, Flights of Fancy:

"When an adventurous Californian fulfills her lifelong fantasy of owning a pied-à-terre on the Seine...."

"Pas possible" said the real estate agents when Pamela Mullin told them of her fantasy of having  a place in Île Saint-Louis.  The impossible became possible!

I want to hear about anyone living out their dream, especially when it involves a pied-à-terre AND Paris!  She must be a colorful character because her apartment sure is.  Can you imagine walking through the front door, what your first impression must be?




It's exuberant, it's whimsical and it's full of period furniture probably worth a king's ransom.
There is a joie de vie to the decor, the color, the taxidermy, the Hockneys (paintings above) that remind us to not take life to seriously.

The view of Notre Dame is to die for!



The article explained that Pamela had had a difficult childhood.  She came to America from Scotland with nothing.  She worked hard, then married a successful entrepreneur.  When that marriage come to an end and her children were grown, she decided it was time for an adventure, and it was to begin in prestigious Île Saint-Louis, an island in the River Seine in the center of the city.  I like the way this woman thinks!




When she found the apartment, it looked like it had not been lived in for quite a while.  For the next few years, Pamala embarked on the renovation herself.  With the help of friends, antique dealers and artists, small rooms were enlarged, the ceiling was lifted, pieces were accumulated from high end  stores as well as flea markets, but it wasn't perfect.  She sought out color expert Jean Parrot and hired interior designer Didier Benderli.  Together they injected the apartment with a jolt of energy.  Now it truly expresses Pamela's joie de vivre.




Another extraordinary view ~ the Parthenon, outside the bedroom window, OMG!  The (stuffed) tigers, from Deyrolle, seem to like it.  Pamala's life on this little island is fanciful and joyous.

Pinocchio sculpture by Hubert Le Gall.  I love how it is completely unexpected resting on the 17th century desk.







The tiny jewel box of a guest bedroom fully upholstered in a Pierre Frey fabric with custom bed and French and Dutch furniture is fit for visiting royalty.





Hold your dreams close ~ for they just may become "pas possible."

What dream do you hold close?





photos James Merrell via Elle Decor



SaveSave

Take Aways on Big Topics




I had a fantastic time in the desert with the MindBodyGreen  team and all the influencers, speakers, disruptors, healers, spiritual gangsters, makers and manifestors.  It is a world that is new to me, and to be  honest, my inner critic was going crazy on the first day.  I work out and eat right, but this was another level.  Most people looked like breezy boho Brooklynites or California cool, all fresh faced and sun kissed.  I heard that ugly inner voice inside my head saying ugly things:  You're older, you're heavier, you're not good enough.  Oh my, this was so unlike me!  Monsoon season began the day I arrived and right on cue it began to rain.  I did not realize it gets humid in the desert.  It rained for the 1st time in something like 109 days. They needed it but I was not happy. As the humidity rose and my hair frizzed, the voice in my head got more toxic, but as the clouds parted and the sun came out, my critical inner monologue disappeared too.  I told myself  I didn't just wander in off the street.  I was invited to be here.  I am knowledgeable in my own right and valued!  A few positive affirmations and some deep breathing put me back on track!  Nobody was judging me!  That was my lizard brain coming out to play in this arid landscape.  There are some great tools for tackling that pesky reptile. We often tell ourselves stories that are not true!  As I began to feel more comfortable and found everyone was so nice, I came to realize we're all on our own journey, everyone is trying to improve their own life and the lives of those around them.  When I explained what I do most everyone was fascinated and intrigued.  I settled in and settled down, and from then on I was fine.  Has this ever happened to you?


Max Lugavere and Jason Wachob

Danielle Shine


Meeting some of these thought leaders was truly inspiring.  Once you learn something, you can't ignore it.  You can't lock it away and pretend it doesn't exist.  You must act even if it's hard, since you care about yourself, community and the planet!






These are my takeaways ~

NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN LIVING A PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE

"The data show that a purpose-driven life is imperative for wellbeing. It drives how we eat and what we do and how we think. The take-home? The most important thing for brain health isn't necessarily your job or IQ or what you eat, it's your level of mental activity, and nothing determines that more than the people you surround yourself with and how often you set goals and work toward them."  ~Dr Dean and Dr Ayesha Sjherzai via MBG

"CLIMATE CHANGE IS FEEDBACK FROM OUR SYSTEM"

according to environmentalist Paul Hawkin.  Astronaut Ron Garan spoke on how the earth's atmosphere is actually quite thin. Our water is becoming scarce and is polluted.  Free radicals and  environmental toxins  are causing us great stress and diminishing our quality of life.  The earth has been raped of many vital nutrients. There's a big, daunting problems but 1 person's actions do have a ripple effect!

BE PRESENT

When you are doing something be "all in."  It's better for brain health than multi tasking. Be hyper focused for shorter periods of time.  Mental decline is the fastest growing illness we need to concern ourselves with.  Dementia is estimated to triple by 2050.  If you're aging (and you are) you need to understand the facts.

EAT REALLY HIGH QUALITY mostly plant based FOODS AND EXERCISE! 

You know it, now do it!  Don't even get me started on the conversations around gut health. There was some debate over meat.  



drinks with Dr.'s


Surrounded by the saguaros, we were nestled in the beautiful Ritz Carlton resort on Dove Mountain.  There is a healing vibe built into the decor and amenities in the hotel, which of course enhanced our experience.  If I haven't said it enough, our environment is one of the keys to wellness.

Each one of us knows, or needs to discover ,what is right for our mind, body and spirit. Knowledge is power.  When we know better, we can do better.





If you are so inclined ~ you can sign up here for the video content when it becomes available.



Every problem contains a possibility. It's a cue to do some investigating.  Is your inner voice or "lizard brain" playing a number on you? Want to get a handle on that, Consult with me.  Love to talk with you.




A Wellness Weekend




I'm off to Tucson, the Ritz Carlton at Dove Mountain to be exact.  Mind Body Green apparently has had these revitalize weekends for the past 4 years.  This year, I understand, they have opened up the invitation only opportunity to social media influencers and  kindred spirits in an effort to spread the wellness word. We all know word of mouth and our social media channels is the most powerful way to spread a message.  Their message is one of inclusivity ~ making wellness accessible to all ~
 YOU. WE.  ALL.  because we're all in this together!

I will hear from and speak to thought leaders, disruptors, doctors, yogis, mindfulness masters and more.  I love this new journey because being open to new experiences, continuing education and curiosity keeps you vital, relevant...healthier!


LINE UP







Follow along on instagram at #mbgrevitatlize and I'll be doing instastories as well.

It will be a total consciousness shift!  I can't wait to experience it ... so I can share it with you!


Dove Mountain Suitte



Now I must go and polish my turquoise jewelry.  The Southwestern aesthetic is a bonus!






Closet Confidential




I was in a client's closet a few weeks ago.  We were discussing the importance of purging.  "One thing in ~ one thing out" is a popular motto that I think makes a lot of sense.  I, not being a big "saver" of things, have trouble with the need to hang on to stuff that has no place in your present day to day.  It always amazes me how resistant people are to letting go of things, or buying clothes that you don't wear and a season later there it is with the tags still on, and they still have issues with letting it go. "I may need it someday, is a phrase I hear often. If you haven't needed it in a year, I got news for you~ YOU DON"T NEED IT!   One of the things I discuss with clients that I may be coaching around this is, "What does that article (of clothing) represent?   What is the emotional attachment?"

As we were going through her dresses, we noticed a few moth holes.  UGH, always such a problem!   I was researching where we might get the dress invisibly mended.  It is a dying art, but so necessary and worth every penny!

While repairing the damage is obviously a better option than buying a new dress, if it was an investment piece, preventing the moths from munching on your clothes is the best way to preempt the problem in the first place.

Coincidentally, I was reading the Keep it Chic blog and the subject of moths came up.  In the string of comments a museum trained clothing archivist gave a detailed answer that I thought was so valuable, I am passing it along.  None of us is immune to the damage moths may do.


From Julie Ann–
There’s no fool-proof method or quick and easy answer with moths. The long and short of it is that it’s going to be a major cleaning job.
First of all, you are right to take everything out of your closet and inspect it all thoroughly. Believe it or not, it’s not the little brown moths that do the damage. It is, rather, their larvae (gross!). So you’ll need to look for signs of the larvae. If there is actual larvae feeding on a garment, they can range from black-brownish to whitish, and are usually squiggly and moving. (So awful to witness — sorry!) Or, you might find a small, white tubular shaped case that the moth has made. You’ll usually find them hiding along seams, inside pockets, under collars, in and on linings, etc., so be sure to look in all of these spots, turn back cuffs, etc. A hole created by a moth will be eaten clean through — i.e. no fabric fibers left in the center of the hole. Furs will usually be ‘clipped’ down to the base and could be exposing the skin. (Moths eat any kind of proteinaceous fiber: silk, wool, fur, etc. They generally don’t bother with cellulostics like cotton or linen.)
The most practical way to kill the larvae is by dry cleaning, but I have been told by museum conservators that you must use a traditional cleaner that uses Perc — new ‘organic’ cleaners don’t use effective chemicals. Other options including freezing, or leaving the garments in the sun and brushing them out.

In terms of getting rid of an infestation, you have to thoroughly clean the entire closet. The moths love to hide in tiny crevices along baseboards and cracks in the floors, so you need to vacuum very well. Be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag after. 
Best to inspect any cracks / tiny holes with a flashlight. If your closet is carpeted, I really hate to say it, but they can be hiding under or in it (and eating it!). If it’s hardwood, be sure to mop or wipe down the floor as well as any shelving after you vacuum.
It’s really important not to let any dust bunnies pile up — moths are very attracted to those because they’re usually composed of hair and fibers from clothing. Moths love to hide in the dark (sunlight will kill the larvae), so be sure not to pack things together too tightly, which would give them places to hide. They are also attracted to humidity, so if your closet happens to be close to a bathroom, you should invest in some of those dehumidifying powders that come in little jars — you can just stick a couple in far corners of the closet.
Another big factor is not storing clothing that is dirty. Seems obvious, of course, but even if you wear a dress to dinner and don’t realize you may have gotten a spot of food on it — it can attract a moth. So now that you’ve had a little infestation, you need to be uber vigilant about how clean your clothing is. Perspiration, food, etc., — even if it is so faint we can’t detect it — can oxidize and attract pests.
For the time being, I would put your most valuable pieces in cotton garment bags (you can group several pieces in one bag) until you haven’t seen any signs of a moth in a while. Also be on the look out in the fall — they usually emerge in the late spring and again in the early fall.

Don’t waste your money on cedar blocks or lavender sachets — to be effective they need to be at high concentrations and inside tightly sealed containers.
Hmm … I think that is it! I hope some of the info is helpful for you. Also — be careful even with new clothing you’re integrating into your wardrobe. I once saw garment moths fly out of the pleat of a brand new Proenza skirt in Barneys (!!!).



Thank you Julie Ann ~  An ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure!