Time: the best of times, the worst of times

My last post I wrote about the concept of time and how it seems to control so much of our life, not enough time… or let time pass and it will heal you. Both of which seem to be the case for my situation right now, not enough time to make this work and hopefully with time Ill feel better about it….

It is with the saddest of hearts Bona Clara announced their close on Jan 31st. Bona Clara was far from perfect but I didnt think we were that close to the end.

A heartbroken and shaking Jasmina told us one by one on Thursday morning, despite the previous days efforts to “do what it takes” we would not be able to continue Bona Clara and we would not be looking for outside funding. It took me a while, actually its still hard for me to swallow this being the right decision. Their was just not enough time to do this properly and Jasmina “wouldn’t be able to sleep at night, knowing she is asking us to sacrifice but can’t promise something like this wouldn’t happen again. Maybe its selfish, but I saw this being big for me, I saw my entire career here in front of me… I saw myself being Jasmina’s partner in this, she would be the face + I would be the voice, or maybe I would be the face…. no she would be the face, she would be the brain behind the amazing products, and I would be the funny voice that told reps they can do it!!!! I saw these reps, these founding leaders being in my wedding some day, or even introducing me to the wonderful Mr. Francesca… This is the one thing, I didn’t see coming…

We were told last Tuesday there was a problem, we instinctually said we would fight this, do whatever it takes, now its Wed night and I will only have 2 more wakeup’s to the best job so far, the job that took me from I cant do anything to I can do EVERYTHING, maybe I still haven’t started dating again or made a million bucks, but it made me happy, it filled my cup + I was able to be a little part of filling someone elses. I will post more on this later as I am really trying to just soak it all in, I have no idea what is next but I do know I am beyond grateful for the past 16 months.

For anyone interested in the “smarter beauty products” they will be on sale at 50% off through friday! Just go to the Bona Clara site for orders!

time

Some say time heals all things…

It has been the only band-aid for so many scrapes I have had in the past…

Then there are those situations that time can be the one thing you need more of …

There are circumstances where time cant seem to go by fast enough and then there are those instances when you just need more time…

It seems like no matter what, time influences all things…decisions and opportunity, resentment, and guilt.

There have been times for example, when I had that party at my Aunt and Uncles as a teenager when they asked us to “house sit” for the weekend, and they of course found out, and time just couldnt pass fast enough. Yes now its something we can look back at and joke about – but let me tell you that couldn’t come fast enough. I think back to the hurt of a break up, the guilt of a friend being mad at you, being sick, time never can go fast enough.

Now I feel like we just don’t have enough time to make things happen, I have this situation I cant talk about just yet but I do need to a bit to really get the whole “time” … It seems like the times you want to prove yourself are the times that you wish time would slow down.

Isn’t it ironic?

The New Line from STELLA DOT

So as I read everyone’s opinion on the new collection – I thought, well this is what they always say, the best line yet and as I looked I realized I am in LOVE with several pieces, not a million like usual but there are a good handful that I feel like are just made for me!

I was so excited to unwrap the double clutch which comes in 2 colors, this fab yellow and a orange/red.

It features our unique perforated technique inspired by our Avalon styles. In need of a touch up? Hello gorgeous! Simply unsnap and use the mirror to check yourself out! Voila, cards, lipgloss, and all your essentials fit right in either double zip pockets.

$89

www.stelladot.com/francescadesforges

Planning for my Planner

You know you are at a certain place in your life when you just cant wait for your planner to come in the mail. Actually, I take that back, you know you are at that place when you ORDER a planner online. As I fall deeper and deeper in love with my job at Bona Clara – I know how important it is for me to practice what you preach. Staying organized is an essential part of having your own business + because I seem to have my paws in SO many things – this becomes a necessity.

I was inlove and so obsessed with the polka dot one from Kate Spade but of course it was sold out…

Stay tuned for the one I picked 🙂 I cant wait to get it!

BostInno 50 on Fire

Bona Clara’s CEO was nominated for BostInno 50 on Fire for Bostons inventors, disruptors, luminaries and newsmakers across all industries.

Jasmina was one of the finalists so we got to celebrate with her and Boston’s brightest at the Moakley Courthouse which by the way was the most beautifully built building I have seen in Boston.

Jasmina didn’t win this year but we had a blast!!

Its all in the details

I hate to admit but growing up in a town just outside of Brimfield Ma with a mother who couldn’t collect enough antiques (which I considered junk), she would pull over on on any road if she saw a sign with furnature on the lawn, all I remember is thinking you are going to kill me with embarrassment… I was a bit jaded to just how cool some of the pieces you can find really are.

Fast Forward to me at 25… I am in an apartment in Boston with my BFFL + I am finally ready to start purchasing things here and there that I will have for a long time. My friend Lauren, an interior designer with the most amazing eye had a white hutch in her small apmt that she used for her tv and storage underneath. I was desperate for something like it! Naturally the next time I was home I told Memre what I was looking for, before I knew it she had canceled dinner plans and we were on the hunt. After about 5 stores I came across this beauty:

So, what do I do… wait another week till black friday + then purchase at $100 less than the asking price + beg good Ole Pepe to help a sister out + bring this piece back to Beantown.

It fits perfect in our large (very large for the Northend) living room with brick walls. The details are my favorite, I feel like such an adult actually investing in something other than IKEA.

Bringing it like Beyonce + the Piano Guys

I am OBSESSED with this video on Beyonce most popular songs done by a cappella group called Pentatonix – you have to check it out!

Which reminds me since we are getting so close to the holidays I cant stop watching these amazing men!

I LOVE when people do different things with their talents!

Thanksgiving – Served Family Style

We spent Thanksgiving as we usually do but this year seemed a bit better. We went to my mothers side first and stayed a bit longer than usual. Garrett was having a debate about who knows what, I was catching up, my mom seemed wide awake + there was an over all warm feeling 🙂

I am willing to bet some of that warmness came from the 2 babies Julette and George – which has brought so much joy to my Aunt Sue (my great aunt) as she has been spending tons of time with her first grandchildren.

Jules was a little cranky after her nap but still just as friggen cute as can be!!! I do love her so much, everything about her is so damn cute!

After my moms side, we headed over to my Dad’s sisters. My Aunt who grew up as one of two, married my uncle who was one of eight, and this was the year of the McDevitts. All of his siblings joined + we had a big dinner of 50!!! I was so happy by how the entire evening went, I think naturally we were a little nervous for there to be that many people but it was perfect, just goes to show when its family, it doesn’t matter how many… the more the merrier holds true. It doesn’t hurt that they have one of the largest and most beautiful homes in all of town.

It is amazing how fast time is flying …. how we are already in Dec (almost) and how this marks the 2 year mark since I have been diagnosed with Lupus. How far I have come since then and how many ups and downs there have been. I am a stronger woman for it… How was your Thanksgiving?

Chocolate Pudding Hybrid

I decided to get a bit creative with this mornings breakfast…I wanted to shake things up from the usual green smoothie routine… introducing the “superwoman” breakfast, Chia seed pudding! A mix of creamy, chocolaty, almond and banana goodness! Super easy and ridiculously delicious for long lasting energy and strength!

chia

Here’s a little background on the super seed that comes from the desert plant in Mexico, it dates back to the Mayan & Aztec cultures! Chia means “strength” and that exactly what it gives you! Perfect before your daily run or hike in the mountains 🙂 It has a mild nutty flavor and can easily be sprinkled on top of cereal, smoothies or even rice to give your meal an extra boost of healthy omega 3 fatty acids, protein, antioxidants, fiber and calcium. When the seeds are mixed into a liquid it gels into a tapioca-like consistency, which in theory expands in the stomach to help you eat smaller portions and ultimately shed pounds, Id say it’s an all around WINNER!

Here is my attempt at instructions:

1 Cups your choice of milk (almond, coconut, hemp, rice…)

2 Bananas (preferably with spots, Ill get to that another day…)

1 Tsp. Cinnamon

1 Tbsp. Maca powder (mood lifting, immune boosting, libido enhancing & energizing super root)

1-2 Tbsp. Cacao powder depending how chocolaty you’d like (heart healthy, protects our cells from free radical damage which helps fight the aging process, promotes good digestion, mental health, contains 4X the antioxidants than our “beloved green tea” and contains NO sugar in its natural form to name a few amazing properties!

Blend!

Fold in 1/4 cup of chia seeds to the mix… allow time for it to chillax in the fridge for at least an hour, I prepared mine the night before and served it in the AM (you get the best consistency the longer you wait… patience my friend)

To finish off this glorious dish slice up 1/2 a banana and sprinkle your favorite granola on top for added texture (I used Ezekiel granola)

Eat & enjoy your healthy power meal!

This recipe tends to make more than you can eat in one sitting, but tastes perfect as a snack for the next couple days 🙂

Hope you love it as much as I do!

Cheers to a happy/healthy life

Hippie-Hybrid

Clean eating, so what can you eat?

I recently read an article about Gewneth Paltrow and how eating clean has changed her bid, mood, skin and over all life. I mean I look st this glowing star and think whatever he is doing must work… But if you cut gluten, sugar, dairy and all things processed what in the world DO you eat?!??!? I have ordered one of her cook books so I will be sure to let you know. I mean, but look at her, she is flawless, her skin, her body, everything is perfect. I think by now I know, you cant put bad things into your body and expect to get anything good out of it.

She also said something I found to be very interesting. She doesn’t live by these strict eating regulations daily, instead this is something she does for 3-4 weeks at a time 4x per year, almost as a way to cleanse. This seems to be something I could put in the “possible” circle.

I have to include this last thought. Maybe it’s the writer but Gwen seems like such a cool gal, she joked that her friends call her for advice she thinks because she has been through so much herself – or she says “maybe it’s because I was the first to be able to afford therapy!

I love anyone who doesn’t take themselves to seriously. Have you ever tried “clean eating”?

« Older posts

Newer posts »

brandcheerleader

all the brands i love