Archive for June, 2011

Don’t Knock It, Rock It!


2011
06.28

Ok, dear people, one thing you should know about me is this: I love to boogie.
And I’ll do it anywhere, anytime the mood strikes me. Don’t care where I am or who’s watching.

Sometimes it inspires the most amazing conversations!

I was jammin’ to the oldies in Trader Joes (they always have the best music) when I came upon the sample station, the woman was SO friendly. And sweet!

She complimented my moves & my ensemble saying, “You know we have to tell each other these things because the men just don’t. Even if they’re thinking it they don’t say it.” Often VERY true. Sorry, fellas!

Then she said while pointing to her hair “Oh and I love the, uh, the white.” Referring of course to my gray hair.

“Oh, thanks!” I said. “I figured I might as well just rock it, you know?”

She said,”Oh my gosh! That is so true! And you know what? Seeing you do it makes me think I can do it, too! Cuz yeah – just rock it!”
Proving to myself once again that if we are comfortable with ourselves on the whole we can inspire others to do the same.

In fact, I had been pondering what to do about my rapidly whitening hair when I saw Stacy London in a Pantene commercial with a neat little strip of white in hers.
I figured if one of the Queens of Fashion could do it? So could I.

See how we influence each other?

To be honest I don’t super love the gray hair. It is sometimes a reminder to me that I’m not 19 anymore (nor anywhere near my 20s!). It is also an admission to others of the same fact.
But when I stop to think about it, I don’t really want to be in that age range anymore (no offense to my Sisters who are!). It was fine at the time but I am no longer there – not mentally and definitely not physically.
I have determined that I traded wisdom for curves (‘cuz, whoa! Where DID my boobs go?!) and I am at peace with that.

As women, if we are positive & supportive of each other there is nothing we can’t accomplish. We have successfully broken the glass ceiling & Xena-kicked our way into every industry.  There truly is nothing we can’t do!
We are independent, intelligent and liberated. 

So let’s take that final step and overcome these beauty obstacles that we often put in our own way. Let’s embrace our gifts & laugh about our flaws! Don’t knock it, rock it!
And keep supporting & teaching each other to do the same.

Wrinkles Rock!


2011
06.22

This is my bulldog, Roman. The best dog ever! He is the sweetest guy and a constant source of inspiration.

And now this!

Just sitting here minding my own business and he comes struttin’ around the corner in this saucy tee.
Apparently he’s putting his own stamp on the Imperfect Pearls line of products.

Well, I say bring it! We need more role models who are comfortable rockin’ their wrinkles. Regardless!

Core Values


2011
06.13

Angelina Jolie (WWD.com)

So apparently there is a new campaign out there. A Core Value Campaign. Hooray!!

Oh wait, it’s Core Values according to Louis Vuitton and the perfect example of what is SO phony about advertising. (Grab a notepad, people, this is important…)

Here’s the scene they want to entice you with:
“She’s barefoot, wearing her own clothes, no makeup and toting her own elegantly weathered monogrammed Alto bag. Yet Angelina Jolie looks radiant and completely in her element, reclining on a wooden boat in a verdant, lakeside landscape in Cambodia’s Siem Reap province.”

I’m not the first to say this but, they are selling you an image that doesn’t really exist.

No makeup?  Then what is all over her eyes, cheeks &  lips – heavy light and shadow?

The bag?  No longer made.

Radiant and completely in her element?  Maybe. But if she is so secure with herself, why all the plastic surgery? Or why isn’t she at least up front about it?

We need real role models.

I get that Ms. Jolie has done amazing things in the world and I applaud it. However, I have grown tired of having her image rammed down our throats as this amazing “Earth Mother” and natural beauty. She IS beautiful (duh!) but not natural. So either own it or quit raising the beauty standard that teenage girls & grown women are hurting themselves to achieve.

Here’s the thing: unless we determine what our real Core Values are, we are going to need Louis Vuitton to define it for us. (Say it ain’t so!)

www.ArtofManliness.com says it best:
“When you don’t know or you haven’t clearly defined your values, you end up drifting along in life. Instead of basing your decisions on an internal compass, you make choices based on circumstances and social pressures. You end up trying to fulfill other people’s expectations instead of your own. And before you know it, life has passed you by and you haven’t even started to live. Trying to be someone else and living without core values is down right exhausting and leaves you feeling empty and shiftless. Conversely, living a life in line with your core values brings purpose, direction, happiness, and wholeness.”

Hear, hear!

This Art of Manliness article goes on to coach you how to define your own core values. Do this! I’m going to and then I’ll post my findings. Whether you care or not!

As always… Rock it Real!

Call to Arms!


2011
06.08

This is the manifesto of Imperfect Pearls. The backbone. It’s what we’re all about. And now it’s out!

I wrote this piece 10 years ago and am so thrilled to see it come to video fruition it brings tears to my eyes! Silly maybe, but it’s an issue that is close to my heart.

All the women in this video are amazing. Each has unbelievable strengths and talents and are brave enough to step up to the camera for the whole world to see. ‘Cuz you know that’s where I’m taking this, right?!

Stay tuned because this is just the first of many videos.

Look out all you authentic women because I’m shining the camera on YOU next!

The Lovely Miss Reese


2011
06.05

What an amazing lady!

Rockin’ it Real at the MTV Movie Awards.

She can accept an honor with grace & style, correct an off-color joke with finesse and stay true in a Hollywood career that spans over a decade.

Not only that, during her acceptance speech for the Generation Award she took the time to inspire a younger generation that it’s cool to be a ‘Good Girl’.

I just want to say to all the girls out there, I know it’s cool to be bad. I get it … but it’s also possible to make it in Hollywood without a reality show,” Witherspoon said to a cheering audience. She continued, “When I came up in this business, if you made a sex tape, you were embarrassed, you hid it under your bed … and, like, if you took naked pictures of yourself on your cell phone, you hide your face, people!”

Bravo to you, my dear. We at Imperfect Pearls are cheering loudly for you!

Gettin’ Old? That’s Earned…


2011
06.03

 

“Hell, I’ve always been old. You know what, though? I don’t mind.

If my muscles ache it’s cuz I’ve used ‘em. If it’s hard for me to walk up them steps now it’s cuz I walked up ‘em every night to lay next to a man who loved me.

I got a few wrinkles here and there but I’ve laid under thousands of skies on sunny days.

I look and feel this way, well, ‘cuz I drank and I smoked, I lived and I loved, danced, sang, sweat and screwed my way through a pretty damn good life if you ask me.

Gettin’ old ain’t bad, man. Gettin’ old? That’s earned.”

Maggie McGlone, Maggie’s Bar

Movie: The Guardian

10 Worst Plastic Surgery Disasters


2011
06.01

http://www.oddee.com/item_96587.aspx

Okay, dear people, this is what I’m talking about when I say that plastic surgery can mess you up.

These examples, of course, are worst case scenarios but you know for a fact that these folks didn’t start out with this end goal in mind. (OK, the Tiger & Lizard dudes did but I have no issue with them. Clearly they aren’t slaves to conventional beauty standards).

It seems these people suffer from Body Dysmorphia. Defined as: an acute anxiety disorder that causes a person to develop an irrational hatred of aspects of their appearance. (Nothin’ a’cute about that!)

What can start out innocently enough can take on a life of its own. One plastic surgeon said of her craft,“It’s a bit like washing a spot off the wall. Once you do, the rest of the wall looks dirty.” My point exactly.

It seems that everyone in Hollywood has had some work done. In fact, bank on it. We hold them to ridiculously high physical standards. But now I know so many people, Everyday Janes, who have had work done. Say it ain’t so! And, in a lineup, these are always the least secure with themselves.

However, as women we are very aware of each other. Always taking notes. And when we notice an “improvement” in another woman’s appearance we start to question our own. I have heard women say “You know I never would have gotten breast implants on my own but so many of my friends have them, I’m starting to look ridiculous.”  Wait… WHAT?!

Up & up go the beauty standards.

I say, walk a new path. No, scratch that. Blaze a new trail! Get real. From the inside, out. You are more amazing than you know. Get to know it! Get to know you. The real you – the one you wanted to be when you were a kid.

Your Worth is Not Measured by Your Measurements. Don’t let anyone tell you different. Rock it Real!