“We take what we love…and try to find a way to make money at it.  Twist it and turn it until we can’t find a trace of whatever we once loved.  What did you love?”    from the movie, “Hope Floats”

I’ve been thinking about this a lot since I saw the movie again last week.  One thing has been a constant love throughout my whole life has been my love of fashion magazines!  Of course I look through them, admiring the models that look completely unlike me, lusting over the clothes I know I won’t have, and the shoes I know would kill my feet, and the long, wonderful hair that could only happen in a wig, for me. But I realize that they aren’t about reality. They are dream sequences created by teams of artists, and meant to sell products, of course!  But, they are visually arresting, and also meant to inspire us!  To try something new. Express ourselves a little more. Have some fun!

Maybe you think it’s all vain, shallow, materialistic. Yes, maybe on some level it is – but humans are visual creatures. I think it’s vain and shallow when you focus on looks, and things, to the exclusion of everything else: character, values, intelligence, empathy, generousity or kindness.

Everyone, everywhere in the world, is affected by how things look.  I’m always inspired by the beauty in animals. In flowers. In nature. From our imagination. In art.  Aren’t you?  So why not be inspired by a beautiful fabric, or exquisite new shade of lipstick?  Or a perfect new detail in a shoe or purse that speaks to you?  Is this not art?

If  you feel uplifted, and more able to meet your daily challenges,  maybe (just maybe) because you feel like you can do anything today, you give a little bit more of yourself to the world. And that could be the flapping of the butterfly’s wings that will start the whole ocean-swell of kindness, or generousity, or an idea or charity that will change the world!

How we feel does color our reality. You can take that to the bank!  If a new lipstick, a beautiful pair of shoes, a new bra, or mastering the proportions of a Ramos Gin Fizz expands your horizons, increases your confidence, and improves your outlook on life, then critics be damned!

Do something wonderful for yourself. Sit down and read a fashion magazine for inspiration (buy a foreign Vogue, they have the most amazing photography and I’m never distracted by the words, since I can’t understand them!). Set a goal to tackle a new recipe this week. Find 6 reasons to feel great about yourself, and write them down. Think about what you once loved…and find a way to bring some of that back into your life.

Here’s a favorite recipe of mine to try:  The Ramos Gin Fizz  from ‘Garden and Gun Magazine’

• 1 1/2 ounces gin
• 1 ounce simple syrup (1:1 ratio)
• 1/2 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice
• 1 egg white (pasteurized)
• 1 ounce heavy cream
• 3-4 drops orange flower water
• 1 ounce chilled club soda

In a shaker, combine ingredients, except the club soda. Shake briskly to combine. Add ice cubes and shake again for at least 2 minutes. Really! This creates the drink’s silky texture. Pour into a tapered flute or a wine glass, top with the club soda, stir and serve.  This cocktail is the definition of sexy!      

XODonna