Sometimes the heart knows what the mind tries to ignore. On Saturday, I had planned to work on building the new SEW BROMO membership training and record the SEW MONEY podcast, but something deep inside of me said, "No." I called my friend Diah, whom I met in Bali when I was starting my business, to figure out what was going on in my head.
Read MoreIt is time for some strategic planning. It is easy to move by emotion but structured systemize growth is a matter of practical fact. I find myself being swayed with indecision so I will make the space to align a master plan to my dreams. A logical flow of steps and events that translate into effective implementation.
Read MoreProgress takes time. Often when I launch something new I desire to see the results and question whether it will work and then back out too soon. Everything that stands takes strategic implementation. Just because you put something you care about out in the world it does not mean it will land right away.
Read MoreI pulled out the sketchbook and started to draw. I am rusty in that it had probably been a few years since I intentionally sketched a garment. I have always encouraged founders to create many reference illustrations and to land on the one most likely to succeed concept. Then launch and learn by going to market to test the concept.
Read MoreI have begun my research into the world of Royal dressmaking. I am less interested in who they made for but rather what and how they made fine fashion. I guess when I embarked on my fashion industry crusade, my aim was to keep sewing machines singing. Now I see it is not about the factory system but old world dressmaking that is not found in a garment factory.
Read MoreI don’t want to type today, but I will type anyway. I had another one of those mental battles. One where I could not talk myself out of the emotional frustration. Last night I was meant to gather the things for the photoshoot and film, but I instead ate a box of Valentine’s Day chocolate and drank some French red wine.
Read MoreAligning with your passion is centered in joy. Not sure why, but as we age we deny ourselves childlike play as if it is surely meant to be left behind. Yet, through exploration and the dance with those heart flutters we find the magic that has been boxed up. Like a fashion archive dress living in a conservation box, we are denying the world the beauty of being our true selves.
Read MoreReshaping the inner world strengthens a level of courage that is hard to ignore. Mental training routines of self investment has instilled leaps that are without bound. What I mean is by showing up to the seemingly challenging tasks one is able to pull the power from within to do the work that has been ignored. Life starts to fall into place as you begin to reach.
Read MoreContinuity is queen. It is a a groggy morning from the weekend. The next area of interest I am exploring is filmmaking. I often wonder how much of the commercial production of a fashion house engages my interest rather than the joy of seeing fashion in motion through film. As I embark on the next layer of my interest I scaffold interests.
Read MoreI had plans that changed and gave me a day to play. For a moment I went through the long list of things that I had to do and decided instead to have an artist date with myself. What started with a quick vintage pick-up turned into an afternoon of dress-up. When I first arrived I was struggling to think of the looks I would put together, but as I explored the lovely pieces and spent time catching up with Cindi, I began to twirl with fashion styles with joy.
Read MoreThere is a beauty to an inner knowing that there are elements of yourself to discover. I have always known that I love creative writing, but often questioned what is the point. There is no point beyond doing the things you enjoy. There is also this resistance that comes with excuses clouding one’s ability to move forward.
Read MoreWhat needs to change today in order for you to be more present for your dreams? What small shifts can you tweak to make space to show up fully engaged to create change? I have to put the fashion house design work first. What ends up happening is that I prioritize everything else and then am disappointed when a month has passed and I have not gotten started.
Read MoreSewing and spirituality are my Sunday themes to ease into creativity and inner connection. I have exciting plans to paint an image as a gift, listen to a sermon by my uncle, roll out that yoga mat for a stretch and of course hit the gas on my sewing machine. I have begun to fill my days with things that make my heart happy.
Read MoreToday marks the 20th day that I have written in a row for this blog. These mornings have been hard at first, but now as I sit at 4:32am on a Saturday morning I feel blessed for these cozy moments of creativity. Yesterday, I was feeling rather nervous to launch the accelerator for SEW BROMO but when I woke this morning I feel happy and excited to welcome back previous members and new ones. So I will keep growing.
Read MoreThis is the part when I start questioning the process. We are launching the Fashion Innovation Hub learning portal and community and the Fashion Heritage Needle Trades Show has completed its fourth episode. It may feel like there is only dirt, but progress and transformation must germinate.
Read MoreTrust the transformation! As you continue to commit to progress, you have got to have faith that by doing the intentional work that results will take place. Now they may not be exactly as you wish, but have the inner knowing to move ahead even when the uncomfortable and unfamiliar emotions of uncertainty steps in.
Read MoreStumbling upon the words and showing up in your most awkward unprepared self is far better than leaving that idea on the shelf. A beautiful library of books untouched is like a lovely gown never worn. Try on this life even when the shifts do not feel right. Growth is confusing because the natural state prefers to stay the same. Don’t let the uncomfortable moments when moving forward convince you that you should turn back.
Read MoreSay no to the things that are nice, but do not align with your path. It is so easy to get side tracked for various reasons, but now is the time to stay laser focused. It is easy to waffle through time and years will pass and you will wonder where the dream went. It has been waiting on the road you ignored many miles back. If you need to turn around to reroute yourself then go right ahead, but stop grabbing at a life that was not meant for you.
Read MoreI don’t care how many times you have to stop and start this dream, but I need you to begin. I also need you to keep going. Do not talk yourself out of each step saying things that leave you in doubt. This is your once in a lifetime moment to show up and so let’s make it count. Let’s put aside the reasons it won’t work and let’s just do the work. Don’t let the noise of the world cloud the judgment of your heart. Let your inner magic win.
Read MoreEverything was all wrong, my hair was clinging to my face and it was so cold outside just before filming, but still I arrived just shy of one-minute from our start film time. I walked into the workroom and saw Jill working on a beautiful gown that looked like it could be from a book around the history of finely made fashion. I recognized the custom made flower from the New York supplier utilizing dye cutting methods that landed on floral sewn dresses.
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