3 Steps to Staying Positive

3 STEPS TO STAYING POSITIVE

3 Steps To Staying Positive

Article by Antiqua Lisha
Photo Credit: The Luxe Travelista
Magazine: Issue #26

This past week, I was thinking about this article and then a friend I met at the social Facebooked me with this question, and I thought if they are feeling this question bubbling within them, then I bet a lot of us wonder how to stay positive, after we have been hurt. 

The question: How do you stay so positive?

How does one change their focus in life when they feel like the odds are stacked against them? 

The problem: When they feel like they would just be better being alone then with other people because they are afraid of being hurt by people like they have in the past so many times.

My answer for them and you: 

This is challenging, I know, and what I do goes against the norm when it comes to HOW I stay positive even through life and people have hurt me in the past. 

Honestly, I like many of you stayed on this marry-go-round for years looking outside myself at the situations, people and patterns that kept me (like my clients) thinking I was less than or in need of change. 

Do you know that we are all showing up for one another like mirrors? We hear what we believe and attract who we are. That is not so easy to swallow, but it is powerful to digest. 

To stay positive and change your focus, start by asking yourself powerful questions: What about the people in the past hurt you? Then turn this question around and ask yourself where are you holding a false belief about YOU being that way. Every negative situation has an equal positive it's the law of polarity. 

Once you discover the gem in the patterns, people tend to totally disappear and new people show up – and you can put these 3 steps to defining yourself into action with ease: 

1| Decide who you want to be. (Do you agree with what your past showed you, or now that you see it do you want to reinvent a new way of being.)

2| Discover new ways of being.  We don’t know what we don’t know.  If you want to be happy, then discover WHAT makes you happy and put these habits into action. 

3| Listen to or hire someone to help me reprogram my belief systems and new situations.

Success That Sticks

SUCCESS THAT STICKS
Issue #26: Letter from the Editor

CEO/Founder: Angel Quintana
Photo: Dasha & Mari

Photography by: Dasha & Mari

In business, we’re often pulled in so many directions on any given day that a bill slip may slip through the cracks or worse, we miss a dog grooming appointment. And yes, while having a checklist, Google calendar, or your passion planner are mandatory tools to staying organized when you’re hella busy changing lives (and the world!), sometimes there are other important to-do’s on the Change Makers agenda.

When it comes to making a difference, the Club Members in this issue have that skill down packed. Their contribution to our culture and subcultures are pivotal as they embark on yet another season of improving the planet one person, one day at a time. That’s because, they’re Change Makers— they have slightly different priorities and know lil Bobo & Bandit will get groomed before the weekend.

Change Makers are chosen agents who take a stand for what they believe in and practice mindfulness and compassion 7-days a week, 365 days a year. Here at Holistic Fashionista, we are believe the “success that sticks”, starts with a daily practice of mindfulness. This daily practice usually involves rituals like: meditating, journaling, reading, exercising, or a combination of all the above. As the age old saying goes, “You cannot help another if you cannot help yourself”— that’s what makes the Change Maker so good at their job. They make themselves first priority.

Photography by: Dasha & Mari

This month we are honored to give recognition where recognition is due— to the Change Makers of the world who not only have made it their life’s mission to improve our experience with life, but who are prime examples in holistic leadership. Leadership starts from within and with daily mindful rituals, changing the world is truly possible.

If you too, have found yourself missing an appointment or getting down on yourself for being less than perfect, just remember we all mess up once in awhile. However, if you’re here to make big strides in our Universe, pat yourself on the back and remember this: sometimes you’ve got bigger tasks on your to do list and something’s gotta give.  It might not be your morning yoga or your mid-day meditation, but we know rituals are different than daily to-do’s, they are the fuel that breaths life into new beginnings.

ABOUT the FOUNDER

Angel Quintana builds holistic brands. She is the CEO and Founder of Holistic Fashionista, a marketing and consulting agency for holistic leaders looking to start and grow designer businesses. Acclaimed for her renowned Signature System©mentoring programs, Angel helps over-achievers launch strategic sales funnels to sell high-end, holistic products. Her non-traditional consulting style focuses on asking hard questions and listening attentively to clients in order to: write compelling sales copy, creative problem solve, launch killer marketing plans, and attract their Kismet Clients™.

While her tattooed exterior shows her creative tough side, it is her thoughtful approach to brand building that has won her thousands of raving fans. She is also the author of Funnel Foreplay, the little black playbook of sales strategies for a new generation of internet marketers who celebrate the art of business-to-consumer relationships without jumping into bed with cold leads. To learn more about Angel, visit www.AngelQuintana.com.

Fix Your Funk with these 9 Mood Boosters

FIX YOUR FUNK WITH THESE 9 MOOD BOOSTERS

9 Mood Boosters

Article by Amanda Egger
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #26

Sing
The act of singing releases endorphins, the brain’s “happy” chemicals.  Let your inner rock star out!  You can create a “my happy theme songs” on your iPod, sing in the shower or heck you could even write your own little happy tune.  Never mind if you don’t have the voice of an angel, Just Sing and release your happy chemicals.

Wear Pink or Yellow
Pink is associated with happiness & romance so if your feeling down in the dumps throw on a pink top and get happy.  In need of some cheering up throw on your yellow sweater and Cheer Up, Butter Cup!  Yellow is associated with inspiration and intelligence.

Play
Take part in an activity that makes you happy- such as riding your bike, swimming, baking, walking and of course Dance.  There is always time for a Dance Break. Have you ever been in a bad mood after you danced?  Shake your groove thang!

Hang out with your besties
Get your girls together (unless your friends suck & bring your mood down. Then go get new friends).  Have some fun with your friends. Eat, Drink & be Merry.

Be Grateful
Make a list of all the things in your life that you are truly grateful for.   Put your focus on what you have at this moment and you’ll surely feel happy with all that you have.

Wake up with a smile.
Wake up with a big smile on your face. By moving your muscles into a smile you will increase endorphins.  You could state a happy positive affirmation to yourself while you are grinning ear to ear.  It could be as simple as “I am Joy” or “My future is always bright and happy. I look at only the bright side of things.”

Laugh
Not just a little chuckle a great belly laugh. Ya know where you laugh so hard you could pee your pants.  You could go to the comedy club (ever see anybody leave there miserable?) Or you could watch some LMAO videos on youtube.

Send yourself Flowers
Research proves that flowers have an effect on a person’s emotional and behavioral state. Flowers are linked to immediate happiness of a person.  You don’t need to wait for somebody to show up at your door with a bouquet.  Call the florist and have them delivered to your office.  You could have the florist write a happy quote on the card.  Don’t want to spend the cash for delivery?  On your way home when you stop off to grab some dinner pick up a beautiful bouquet.

Plan a trip
“Anticipating a trip makes you happier than actually taking the trip.”  Research shows that people planning a vacation are happier than those who aren’t.   Grab some travel brochures and plan “your vaca” or you could create a board on Pinterest.  Have fun with it, plan it as if it is truly happening and soak up those happiness vibes.

Top 5 Surprising Benefits of Having Low Self-Esteem

TOP 5 SURPRISING BENEFITS OF HAVING LOW SELF-ESTEEM

Article by Jentana Lee Dabbs
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #26

Benefits of Having Low Self-Esteem

Believe it or not, having low self-esteem/self-worth is actually beneficial for some people and can make people more powerful. Self-esteem reflects a person's overall subjective emotional evaluation of his or her own worth. It is a judgment of oneself as well as an attitude toward the self.  Many people, especially women, are a bit challenged with issues in the self-esteem/self-worth department and they choose not to do anything about it, since they don’t recognize the impact that it has on their lives, however, here are 5 surprising benefits of having low self-esteem/self-worth.

Top 5 benefits:

1.    Weak men, can get a wonderful woman who will spend every waking moment trying to please him, regardless of his appearance, income level, physical or emotional abuse, or any other type of demeaning thing he will do to her, because a woman with low self-esteem/worth is on a mission to prove that she is good enough for him and she is blind in seeing that what he is doing is wrong.  

2.    Cheap, low level employers can hire talented people for very low wages, minimal benefits and sometimes even hostel work environments, because they know that for every confident person that stands up and say’s a firm “no,” there are about 10 people with low self-esteem/worth eagerly waiting to say “yes,” because they feel they “can’t” get anything better and their “lucky” for even getting this job. 

3.    People who are looking for someone to work for them for free while they profit from that persons free labor, can easily attract someone with low self-esteem with the “promise” that the free work will lead to exposure, credibility, more work in the future with good pay or possible full time paid placement in their organization, which sadly, rarely happens. 

4.    People who are looking to hire you as a coach, freelancer or whatever your independent business is, can get you for dirt cheap, regardless of all of the years and money you’ve spent on educating yourself, nor how good you are, because people with low self-esteem are afraid of losing the sale and/or being “disapproved” of if they ask for more money.  They have no idea how much they are really worth, because they lack personal self-worth.

5.    You’re making plenty of room for other peoples dreams to happen, because many people with low self-esteem, rarely make their dream a reality, they hold back with the belief of, “nobody wants what I have,”  “I’m not good enough to be paid for my services,” and they give up too soon, before they can even get a glimpse of their possibilities and how powerful they really are.

The truth is, if you have low self-esteem/self-worth, it actually benefits OTHER people who will take advantage of your weakness and NOT benefit you at all.   It also gives those people who take advantage of you more power, because you are giving them YOUR POWER.  Having low self-esteem/self-worth, not only hurts you, but hurts others and future generations, by keeping a cycle going of low wages, negative work environments, men degrading and disrespecting women, clients who expect cheap prices, people who expect quality for nothing and so on, because low self-esteem/self-worth people let them get away with it!

If you feel you have self-esteem/self-worth issues, then do yourself and others a favor; ignite your inner fire and personal worth, by getting the help that you need to do it because change is not easy alone, through workshops, hypnosis, coaching, books, invest in yourself, because once you raise your self-worth, your net-worth will increase along with it and you will not only be happier, but you will create a happier and prosperous future for everyone.

HOLISTIC FASHIONISTA RECOMMENDED!

Reaching your dreams takes guts, uniqueness, persistence and an assertive attitude that many women were never taught how to have. You want success? You want to lead? You want to be happy? It's time to put your big girl panties on and step into the spotlight with confidence, to make it happen on YOUR terms! No amount of business and marketing training is going to bring you success until you say “good bye” to the good, little girl attitude and “hello” to a woman on fire attitude! Download your FREE 3 part video training to “Ignite Your Assertive Power and Kick-Ass Confidence for Success, Leadership & Happiness.” This 3-part video will show you how to stop doubting your greatness and start living in your badass power, helping you create the money, relationships, career and general all around awesomeness you so desire. Download your FREE video today and start living!

3 Simple Ways to Spark Your Creativity

3 SIMPLE WAYS TO SPARK YOUR CREATIVITY

Article by Jeannine Chanin Penn
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #26

“Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.”— Pablo Picasso

When you watch a child approaching a creative project it’s a great reminder of how NOT to overthink something. As adults, professionals, people with responsibility, it is so easy to meticulously plan, over think and get very stuck in the process. Below, I’m going to share 3 seemingly simple things that you can do at least once a day to inspire creative thinking. Why do I say “seemingly simple?” Because, the majority of adults have a list of why they can’t. There really aren’t any good excuses. There are just excuses. I know. I’ve often made those excuses.  “I don’t have the time” is the number one excuse. “I’m not creative” is another common excuse people share with me.

I believe that Creativity is a Birthright. I say it, I practice it, I teach it and I believe it.

And here’s the thing, creativity and creative play increases productivity at work, stimulates your mind, reduces stress, deepens self-awareness, increases problem-solving skills and brings greater joy. All good reasons to justify the time you take for a little creative play.

3 Simple Ways To Act More Like A Child And Spark Your Creativity!

1. Play. Really play. From playing a game like Twister to inviting friends over for a home facial party with temporary tattoos and candy apples to taking out paint and painting with your fingers. Besides the fun factor, you will de-stress and feel connected to others which will absolutely re-energize you when you go back to the more serious business of life. 

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” -George Bernard Shaw

2. Get outside! When asked about a happy memory as a child, everyone, and I mean everyone, in the Creative Playpenn workshops I lead mentioned being with Nature! Walking, going to the beach, riding your bicycle, gardening… literally, stopping to smell the flowers can clear your mind and benefit your mental and physical health. 

“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.”- Frank Lloyd Wright

3. Make something. Whether you sit down and paint, sew a pillow, draw a picture or cook a new recipe… create something fresh and new at least once a week.  It will lead to self-discovery, expand your sense of freedom and self- expression. It may not be the thing that makes you rich or famous but it will absolutely bring joy to your life.

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." - Maya Angelou

Mompreneurs! 7 Business Building Skills You MUST Teach Your Kids

MOMPRENEURS!
7 BUSINESS BUILDING SKILLS YOU MUST TEACH YOUR KIDS
{So They Can Be Self-sufficient for Life}

Article by Heather Jadus
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #26

Business Building Skills You MUST Teach Your Kids

I have always been an entrepreneur at heart.

When I was 15 I bought a car even though I couldn't drive one yet. I wasn't going to make payments on something I couldn't use so I leased the car to my brother because his car was on the fritz. Brilliant, right? Ha!

I've always had money; sometimes more than others but always had it and never had to rely on anyone. This is a skill I plan on handing down to my kids so that they too will be self-sufficient when they grow. Teaching your kids entrepreneurial skills at a young age will set them up for success and build their confidence throughout their entire life. Think about it, who as a kid or an adult couldn't use the following skills:

1. Goal Setting: Every entrepreneur knows that you must set high yet achievable goals in order to be successful. Reiterating this to your kids will get them to focus on what their expectations of themselves are. Have them set a few goals over a certain period of time and also help them with some action steps and a clear plan of how to reach those goals.

2. Opportunity Recognition: Teach your kids to see how they can help someone solve a problem. My example above of leasing my car to my brother because I couldn't drive it was entirely my idea. I don't think I was taught that but I'm sure that you could open your child's eyes by getting them to think about how to provide people with solutions and perhaps even monetize it eventually.

3. Creativity: Letting your kids be creative and come up with ideas that are "outside the box" is a great way to broaden their marketing perspective. Don't shut down any ideas they have.  Let them play it through and see how it goes. Better to make mistakes and learn from them now rather than later in life.

4. Sales: Selling is an important skill that can be invaluable in life. Selling products, services or even yourself as a person is required for everyone at some time. I am big into consignment sales so my 4.5 year old daughter already knows that if she gives some of her toys to sell at the sale that she can take some of that money to buy something "new to her" from the sale. She finds it fun. She also knows that the toys that don't sell get donated to a child who might not have the money to purchase toys. Lots of learning going on there.

5. Communication: Communication is the key to relationship building and we all know how important that is to growing a business. Teach your kids how to say what they mean and ask for what they want. Also teach them that being kind to everyone is important but not letting people treat you poorly is just as important. If someone hurts them, they should be able to speak up.

6. Money Knowledge: Teaching your kids how to make money, what money can buy, how to save for things and the basic economics of how money works is key. I honestly cannot believe that they don't teach this stuff in a high school course. Things like balancing your checking account, opening a savings account and how saving now for retirement can look like in 50 years. Invaluable and powerful information to ingrain into kids brains at a young age.

7. Dealing with Failure: No business growth happens without some failures involved. Teaching your kids to try and try again to get to the goals they wish to reach is the only way to get there. Never give up. It's just not an option. EVER!

These skills can will help your kids no matter what age they are now and throughout their whole life.

What do you think? Is entrepreneurship a born with trait or a trained trait or both?  

Be Informed. Be Safe. Be Healthy.

HOLISTIC FASHIONISTA RECOMMENDED!

Roxy Grace is a girl who wants to spread the message to young girls that “Kindness is Cool”.  And how to be smart about the ingredients you put on your skin.  She’s also looking for young recruits to spread the word and learn about being an entrepreneur! 

The DIY kits available are lip balm, sugar scrubs and bath fizzies. Click HERE to get more info on Roxy Grace + also get a FREE lip balm sample and Use CODE: JADUSH02 So I know you found me here on Holistic Fashionista!

Dress for Success: Why You Should go Vintage!

DRESS FOR SUCCESS: WHY YOU SHOULD GO VINTAGE!

Why You Should go Vintage!

Article by Cinthia Singleton
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #26

Why buy vintage shoes? Well, there’s their originality, design aesthetic and those special details one just won’t find on most shoes today. Rhinestones. Kid leather. Filigree buckles. Leather soles. Hand-stitching. The shape of a heel. Goldfish in a lucite heel even!  And they can be a such value for the price. “They just don’t make them like they used to” holds true for so much vintage, the materials and craftsmanship often superior to many of today’s apparel and accessories.  So while a pair of couture slingback flats, even if caught on sale, may never be in your budget, a similar, well-crafted vintage version just fill the bill.  

And there are so many beautiful shoes online from which to choose once you know the #1 trick: compare measurements given in the listing to the measurements of a similar type shoe you own that fits well.

Measurements are generally provided on vintage shoes being sold online.  This means:

Your similar shoe’s measurement + Online vendor’s measurements = virtual fitting room!

So there’s an adorable pair of vintage slingback flats on Ebay (or Etsy, Rubylane, Bonanza, or maybe a independent vintage dealer’s website) they’re similar to those Manolo Blahniks slingback flats you adore that aren’t in your budget, so perfect maybe!

1| Get your similar kind of shoe out and tape measurer, and measure:

a. interior length, from heel to toe
b. across the ball of the foot. Interior is best for fit but if the listing shoes measurement being taken from bottom of shoe, get that too.
c. vamp, taken across the top from seam to seam. This is an important one as it tells you how much room available for your tootsie toes.

2| Now compare measurements between your similar shoe’s and those given in the listing.

3| Don’t use this measurement comparison technique with your foot but similar type shoes, i.e. pump to pump, platform to platform, slipper to slipper, sandal to sandal. Don’t forget that a shoe like cowboy boot or stiletto has a longer, more exaggerated toe. Knowing where your toe ends comfortably in that type of shoe helps with a good fit.

Now what if you want a vintage shoe but don’t like the idea that another has possibly worn a pair of shoes before you? Consider a deadstock vintage shoe, a vintage shoe that never left the department store or manufacturer’s stock!  Yes, you, too, can add a little vintage flair to your wardrobe.  

Now get on good foot and take that discerning eye and this new bit of mindful shopping to the online stores - there are beautifully-made vintage shoes awaiting you!

“a good shoe is like a good wine. These shoes are going to stay and last a long time.” - Christian Louboutin

HOLISTIC FASHIONISTA RECOMMENDED!

Vintage items have a soul and heart, and they are unique. We search high and low for them, mostly from the estates of some really neat people. So there's often a story about the item shared with you the buyer. We live with this stuff, it has meaning; otherwise it's just stuff. Shop now!

5 Success Strategies for Better Business Relationships

5 SUCCESS STRATEGIES FOR BETTER BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS
{in the 21st Century Global Marketplace}

Better Business Relationships

Article by Heather Rebecca Wilson
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #26

While everyone has been obsessing over knowing their ideal client inside and out, I’ve noticed that in a great deal of my interactions with other “global" entrepreneurs, many of us don’t know ourselves inside and out. When we can’t see ourselves clearly, or have a 360 degree view of our identity, this often leads to cringe-worthy moments when a well-intended comment actually has a negative impact on someone and can unnecessarily put the brakes on an exciting business deal or relationship.

“Cultural Competence” is the ability to work effectively across differences with curiosity, humility, respect, empathy, and without judgment. Unless you’re planning to only work with people who are exactly like you, whether it's joint venture partners, team members, or even clients, without this 360 degree view of your identity, your ability as an entrepreneur to lead others and transform the world with your unique message is on shaky ground at best.

"Cultural Humility" is an orientation that first and foremost, recognizes the inherent power balances that exist in our everyday lives and requires a commitment to ongoing self-reflection in order understand the experience of others. Your ability to navigate an increasingly uncertain, complex, and yet collaborative world is key to your success or failure in the global marketplace of the 21st century. Your ideal client might be just like you, or so you may think! Some dimensions of identity are invisible. So, how does one become culturally competent or humble? And what is identity exactly?

Identity is how you see yourself, how others see you (in the world of social psychology this is referred to as your “social identity), and your reaction to that outside perception. We are all born innocent. Identities develop over a lifetime. Additionally, they can be extremely complex and fluid. So, identity is the dynamic relationship between these elements and can be pretty darn complicated.

Your “social identity” refers to your membership in certain social groups and the implications of belonging to these groups. Social groups are defined by gender, age, ethnicity, race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Examples of this might be your place of work, a religious or spiritual community you are a part of, or a private club that you or your family belongs to.

Here’s the kicker: our self-identification with a particular social group may have no influence on how we are categorized by others. We are constantly evaluated by others in ways that make sense to them, not necessarily to us. This is a bitter pill to swallow for most everyone, but it is a reality that one must acknowledge to have an honest conversation about the role of identity in our global community.

Take some time to reflect on the following and make a new plan to up your game in this area:

Success Strategy #1: Know how you self-identify among the different dimensions of identity and how this affects the person you are today. These dimensions include but are not limited to: age, body size/shape, sexual orientation/questioning, family structure, socioeconomic status, language of origin, ability, sex, religion, race, and ethnicity (connected to race, but different; involves cultures, traditions, and geographical location). How have your identity related experiences colored the way you see the world? What are your core values? In what areas are you in the minority? In what areas have you benefited from majority privilege? Where might you have some blind spots? 

Success Strategy #2: Effective leaders understand that success is built on relationships. Make a concerted effort to educate yourself about how others who identify differently than you may perceive you and why that is. There are many resources available, especially on the internet. Educating yourself about the experiences and perspectives of others is YOUR responsibility. Lack of knowledge or awareness of the experiences of those who are not like you can often be misinterpreted as a lack of caring or worse, prejudice.

Success Strategy #3: Never assume. There is a time for asking questions and a time for just listening. Be discerning. Be present. Be patient. 

Success Strategy #4: Have a growth mindset as you embark on the cultural competence and humility journey. Know that you will make mistakes on a regular basis and be OK with that. If you do offend someone, hear them out when he or she wants to talk about it, make a heartfelt apology, and a genuine effort to do better in the future.

Success Strategy #5: Be open and honest about this new endeavor you are undertaking to become more culturally competent and humble. Let others know that this is important to you and that you’re interested in connecting with likeminded people for inspiration, support, and accountability. Start conversations. Be visible. Be vulnerable. 

Cultural competence and humility will help you navigate and stay relevant in this new world where consumers and potential creative partners are increasingly diverse, savvy, and in search of authentic connections with other people who “get it” and “get them”.