Our 5-Year Wedding Anniversary

Well, we may not be on an island in the Dominican Republic, but we're certainly going to have a wonderful time celebrating our anniversary. Though the special date is officially Feb 2 (We got married on 02/02/02 - how cool is that!), we'll be making an occasion of it for a couple of days. So enjoy the rest of the week, and I'll see you soon!

Self-Portrait Challenge: Resolutions ~ To Be Impeccable with My Word

This is one of the Four Agreements. On the Ruiz website, they offer this description:

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

At the centre of this resolution is my desire to be true to myself and to others and to only say yes to things that I honestly can commit to. If I am impeccable with my words, perhaps I won't have to eat them.

For more starshyneprodutions, go here.

For more self-portrait resolutions, go here.

Try Day: Making Magic Together

This is my last week as host of Try Day at Create a Connection. I've had such a good time connecting and exploring together, and I wanted to choose an activity that would honour that experience as well as the magic that Melba's created. So I'm asking everyone to participate in a very simple exercise of supporting each other's wishes in the blog comments including the simple phrase, "As _____ wishes for herself, so I wish for her also." My wishes follow, but if you want to share your own wishes and support more people's, you can read more detailed instructions here.

As I sit here writing this, I notice my own resistance. Like somehow by asking for what I want, I'm not appreciating all that I have. Maybe you recognize that feeling. I have to stop and remind myself that it's okay to keep wishing in the same moment I give gratitude for all that I have. And with a breath and that reminder, here are my wishes.

Jamie's Wish #1: Grow my comfort zone.


The wall. I've seen it so often. I feel like I can make a certain amount of progress and no further. It's like I get to a certain point with my dreams and then I just go blank. My brain goes kind of dumb (or is it numb?). I just *blink, blink* like a deer in the headlights. It's almost as though my abilities have a certain range and when I take one step too far out my comfort zone, I shut down. Hello, wall. I'm pretty sure that we all have a wall and that it moves farther and farther out as we gain in experience and confidence. But I'll tell you, from my current perspective this wall seems thick, tall, wide and heavy and not about to budge. Originally I thought my wish was to push past the wall. But I think I would just like it to move it out instead. I wish to grow my comfort zone.

Jamie's Wish #2: Share the Joy of Dance

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know how much I love to dance and that I believe the joy of dancing is a treasure for each of us to know. For me, dancing reminds me of who I am. It connects me intimately with my body. It awakens my sensuality. And it tunes me in to the frequency of the Universe's voice. Shaking your booty is soul-stirring!

And for me dance has also been a broken dream, the kind with sharp edges that you hide inside so no one can see you bleeding. When I was young, all I wanted with my heart and soul was to be a dancer. But I was (and am) a curvy woman. And I'm only 5'4". And I didn't have great extension. And I started late. And... and... and... There were a million reasons that I thought I could love dance but not be a dancer. That was a wound I didn't think would heal. And then I started clubbing. That stirred the embers and reminded me of who I was: a dancer. And then I saw Nia for the first time. And I cried. In fact, I cried for the entire first year that I went to class. I lots of healing to do.

And here's what I know. Dancing belongs to everyone. And that means me. And that means you. You are a dancer because you dance. Let's be dancers together.

Last year I started the Shyne Like a Star Virtual Dance Party. On May 1st, I asked people to take 15 minutes to just dance (alone, with others, in your living room, in your office, anything goes!) and people around the world participated. I hope you'll join me this May 1st for the 2nd year of dancing! And I am so thrilled that at justBe... I will be connecting us through a shared dance experience with Nia. I'm so excited that this year I know at least with those 2 things I will be sharing the joy of dance and that makes my heart soar. I'm wishing for abundant opportunities to share the joy of dance.

Participate in Try Day's Making Magic Together and share your wishes too! For full instructions and to participate, go here.

Photo Thursday: Candlelight

This week Krista invited us to explore candelight for Create a Connection's Photo Thursday. And what a perfect day to focus on warm light; it's the coldest day of the winter in Toronto. The picture above is from when we made ice candleholders, which were so very cool. And one of my favourite candlelit pictures is one I didn't take but I thought I'd share:

Create a Connection: Mug Swap

Today as I was coming home, I knew, just knew, that my mug would be waiting for me at the door; and it was! Here is the bee-ahhh-uuu-tiful handmade mug that Deb sent me for this month's Create a Connection mug swap hosted by Jessie. Isn't it just delicious? And how perfect could the colour be? My beautiful Sagittarian fairy (thanks, Suzie) seems to feel it's been designed specifically to go with her gown. It's certainly just right for being on my desk!

I love that Deb sent along with it some information about where the mug was actually made, Bybee Pottery in Kentucky, and that it's the same kind as her personal favourite. What a truly special treat! Deb and I were saying we were both surprised at how long it took to get here. Perhaps that's because it now needed a passport to cross the Canadian-American border ;)

The Terrible Twos (a meme in 2 parts)

Here is a meme I've seen here and there that I thought I'd jump in and answer. Something about the power of 2 grabbed me. Did you know Justin and I got married on 02/02/2002?

2 names you go by:
Jamie
Honey

2 parts of your heritage:
Latvian
Canadian

2 things that scare you:
deep water
the dentist

2 everyday essentials:
coffee or tea
time for me

2 things you are wearing right now:
a thumb ring
a navel ring

2 of your favourite current bands/artists:
Indigo Girls
KT Tunstall

2 things you want in a relationship (other than love):
"getting" me
a playmate

2 truths:
life is short
we are magnificent

2 favorite hobbies:
blogging
journalling

2 things you have to do this week:
go to knitting class
get my Mom a birthday present

2 stores you shop at:
Chapters/Indigo
The Bay

2 shows you like to watch:
Project Runway
Coronation Street (I can't link to it - there would be spoilers for me. We Canadians are behind the Brits)

2 things you'd buy if money were no object:
My dream home
A home I could turn into a creative self-development centre

2 wishes for 2007:
to feel creatively fulfilled
to feel professionally accomplished

Creative Challenge: Make Mistakes

This week's Create a Connection Creative Challenge is Make Mistakes. Good one, Leah! And it couldn't have come at a better time for me. This past Saturday Shannon and I took our first "Learn to Knit" class at Lettuce Knit. And above you will see that I've taken full advantage of my opportunity for making mistakes, hehe. The instructor for the class had such a beautiful prespective on making mistakes and how it's a part of the process and a marker of what you've done and where you've been. She encouraged us not to unravel our mistakes. She said, "Well, it's homemade." And I love that.

When I look at that scarf, I see that a real person made it, a person for whom this is a first-time experience, and she's finding her way. I'll always look at this scarf and remember the cold, cold morning of a day that started out really crappy but got better and better. I'll remember Shannon and I giggling in this class of 6 in a cozy space in Kensington Market, making jokes about if you knitted in Star Trek, you'd explain it with binary code. I'll remember I dropped my left needle about 67 times. I'll remember that even though my scarf has mistakes, or maybe because it does, that learning to knit has already been a great experience.

Way Late Photo Thursday: Weight

What weighs me down sometimes is the sheer number of things that are on my "to do" list. Add on top of that all the things I am longing to do and haven't started yet. Add on top of that some things I feel I "should" do. Add on top of that all of my current commitments. Yep, some heavy weight indeed. A heavyweight contender that sometimes knocks me out.

That's what has inspired my recent push to clear out anything that's not fully calling my name - clothes, "to do" items, commitments. There are so many glorious things in the world to do and experience, I want to clear the things I feel lukewarm about to make room for things that stir my soul!

See more Photo Thursday at Create a Connection.

Try Day #3: Snoop!

This week at Create a Connection's Try Day I'm asking you to become a snoop - and snoop on yourself! You can find the full explanation here. Here's my snooping.

Hmm... interesting. I wonder what's in this. Let's find out.

Before even looking at the contents, I would say the nature of the bag reveals that we're currently investigating a woman. Looking inside I see it's a woman named Jamie Ridler, a woman who works at some corporate gig. Look at that pass and the book about business. But wait, the library book is actually about starting your own business, so maybe she's considering doing that. What is that green thing?

Oh, it's a business card holder. This woman must like bright colours. Now, you can't read this on the pic but on the other side it has her name, and apparently she works in the field of coaching, interesting.

She's got this fancy nice wallet and a playful felt doggy change purse filled with coin. She's got a cellphone, but not a fancy one. The gloves are also playful, though clearly they could use a good wash. And the woman seems to enjoy pink. I notice she carries a ventolin, clearly an asthma sufferer.

These contents seem to suggest she's on the go. I see 2 lipsticks, which makes me think one is for daytime and the other for nighttime, meaning she carries this bag with her from dawn till past dusk. The apple seems to suggest a need to have food on hand too, another indicator of long days. As well as the business book, she carries a fiction book, a sketchbook and a datebook. You'd think she was worried she'd get bored. Does she spend a lot of time waiting? Traveling? Her datebook is already crammed with things for 2007. In contrast her sketchbook is virtually empty. I wonder why she bothers to carry it.

Ultimately I'd say that I see contrast in this purse. I see a business woman with some classic tastes and a woman with some artistic aspirations and a playful side. What do you see?

You can participate in this week's Try Day. For full instructions, go here. Just leave a comment when you've tried out this exercise and we'll come snoop at your place!

Getting to Know You: The Best & The Worst

I'm totally behind on this week's Getting to Know You hosted by Deb for Create a Connection. But I want to participate, so I'm gonna! Better late than never. I've really been enjoying reading other people's posts and that got me really thinking about my bests and worsts. By the way, I was going to start this post off with a "best" picture of me and a "worst" picture of me, but, um, I delete the worst pictures of me. So my cat Bascha is standing in. Thanks, Bascha! She'll never forgive me. She's rather vain.

Best and Worst

1. What's the best place you ever lived? the worst?

Worst: I'm a little surprised that after really thinking about it, I'd have to say that where I grew up, Bayview Village, ranks as my worst. I feel really guilty saying that. I loved being with my family. Our house was really nice. There are so many good memories from the time I lived there. Just looking at the driveway I think of how much playing was done there, how many conversations were held (sometimes with boys). I can see friends and family pulling up and driving away. I can think of making up dances and practicing in the living room. So in what way is it the worst? Really it's just about the fit in the neighbourhood, my fit. Despite the fact that I did make friends eventually, the move to Toronto from Montreal was traumatic for me and I just never felt that click of feeling at home in this 'hood. There was a richness, a snobbishness, that never felt comfortable. And for that, it even beats out the apartment Shannon and I lived in where the landlord walked in while we were sleeping.

Best: And the best? Truthfully 3 bests come to mind. I loved growing up in Montreal. It was a time and place of freedom, barefeet, the Woods and magic. I loved my 2-bedroom apartment at St. Clair West station. It was big and gorgeous and had gleaming wood floors and a sunroom. The kind of place I dreamed of living. But when I left my long-term relationship, I left the apartment too. Which leads me to my other favourite place: the apartment Shannon and I shared on Palmerston, my favourite street in Toronto and in a really cool neighbourhood. When I left the previous apartment, I found a home and freedom in that beautiful, big basement apartment, which was also unfortunately outrageously cold and mouldy. But despite that, because I was there during some of the very best times of my life, it is one of the best.

2. What's the best place you ever visited on holiday/vacation? the worst?

Worst: I'm very lucky that I can't really think of any horrible vacations. I hope that trend continues. Hey, maybe if we'd gone on our trip it would have been a contender, haha.

Best: Our honeymoon (and it's one of my all-time favourite pics too)

Everything was perfect from start to finish. We went to Punta Cana where the beaches are spectacular. We managed to get the honeymoon suite (Thank you to our travel agent, Ming) which was 2 levels and had a 4-poster bed and a jacuzzi. Every minute was joyful, relaxed and full of love. It was the best.

3. What's the best job you ever had? the worst?

The Best: The best job I ever had is life coaching. It is such a joyful thing to really help someone create a life that matters deeply to them and to be with someone as they honestly face their fears and their accomplishments, their heartbreaks and their triumphs. I feel honoured every time.

The Worst: The worst job I ever had was working as a sales clerk for Capezio and Backstage. Again, I didn't feel at home in what I saw as an elitist, snobby environment. I only lasted there a couple of months, during which time my wallet was stolen and so was my Walkman. The worst.

4. What's your best talent or ability? your worst?

The Best: Transformation. I think the thing I really love about theatre is turning nothing (and often a whole bunch of crappy stuff) into something beautiful and magical. I love being a part of people's personal transformations as a life coach. I love the transformation that celebrations and rituals bring to certains times in our lives. I love turning a crappy event like going to the hospital into a time for shared giggles and closeness. Transformation is my best gift.

The Worst: Being cutting. When I am really angry, I can have a quick, cruel and biting tongue. I have used it to hurt on more than one occasion.

5. What's the best decision you ever made? the worst?

The Best: Committing to Justin. Though, honestly, it wasn't really a decision. It was a truth the moment we met. So perhaps I'll say choosing to walk away from my doctoral studies. I had completed my course work and written my comprehensive exams when I realized that the world of the library and writing was not for me. Though I loved that level of thought (and still do), I wanted to be creative not critical. I wanted to be in the theatre not writing about it.

The Worst: In some ways I'd have to say staying with my previous partner as long as I did. I look back and see what an unhealthy relationship it was for both of us. But I think it was crucial to me becoming the woman I am now. And it led me to some of the deepest, rawest experiences of freedom I've had in my life. For all of that, I am thankful.

Bonus (so we can end on a positive note!): What's one good thing about you that isn't covered in the questions above, but that you'd like to share with the world?

I love creating safe and sacred spaces, the kind of space where people can feel free to cry or dance or say what they're ashamed of or what they yearn for, where they can shed a tear or their doubts, where they can try out their voice and their wings.

To participate or to read more of people's best and worst, just go here. And thanks, Deb. Those were great questions. They actually helped me know myself better. I hope anyone who read this got to know me too!

How things get brighter...

Well, it's been a bit of a rough patch, but I have to tell you there have been so many things that have brightened my days. For those of you who left supportive and encouraging comments, thank you. Please know that it made a difference and touched my heart.

Justin and I have cancelled our trip to Cayo Levantado, that 1-km island in the Dominican Republic. It was clear that the resort wasn't ready and people who are there now are warning people off. I am disappointed that we won't be celebrating our anniversary on the beach (especially since winter has seriously arrived in Toronto), but we've decided to tuck that money away and make it grow and plan an even more exotic and beautiful beach vacation. All in all we feel very good about a decision being made and hopeful that this will turn into something beautiful.

And speaking of something beautiful, though I will not be going to the sea, I am thrilled to say that I have just received this gorgeous work, "girl at sea" I ordered by Carla Sonheim. Isn't it awesome? (I'm sorry it's not a great photo. I would have loved to scan it but my scanners kaput)

I discovered her work about a year ago when I first found etsy. When I came across her "girls" and her etsy shop, I just fell in love. I've been wanting to buy one ever since. This one called my name. And Carla was so, so nice to me. This was actually sold out and so she creatively found a solution so that this could adorn my walls. I'm going out to frame it tomorrow, so I can hang it where I can look at it all the time. It really makes me smile.

And speaking of making me smile, when I looked outside my door today, this is what I saw:

And what I learned from these kids is when life gives you snow, pull out your sleds and enjoy the ride!

Try Day ~ Noticing Disruption & Change

Hosting Try Day this past week, I invited everyone to put on their intuitive ears and detective eyes and notice, gather and then glean from the things that caught their attention. I've posted about the visual things that caught my eye, but man, there have been rumblings that are talking directly to my gut!

Here are some loud messages that have come my way:

• Where I freelance, after the holidays my building passcard didn't work, my logon didn't work, and this week the company was sold.
• New reviews of the vacation spot we're going to in 2 weeks reveal that the resort is clearly not ready and below standard.
• There have been glitches in two of my current business dealings.
• I have been sick for a week.

Think change is coming? Interestingly, when I had my astrological reading this week, I said to Wendy, "It feels like I've been working towards these things FOREVER." To which she replied, "I have a feeling things are going to pick up shortly." Looks like she's right! I'll keep you posted.

Come and participate in this week's Try Day. It will be posted Saturday morning at Create a Connection.

Photo Thursday: Find

Well, for those of you who participated in last Photo Thursday where the inspiration was "sustenance", you may have seen a very similar pic at Krista's site! I thought her Boiley was so cool. I've been searching for a simple, health-full, winter-morning breakfast. When I saw Krista's post, I had to go hmmm... And then today I was out shopping for a mug for Suzie Q for the Mug Swap that Jessie is hosting and what do I see? Boiley! What a FIND! And I have to say, that I'm noticing all of the connections here a la Try Day!

This all sounds almost like secret code. But if you've been participating in Create a Connection, you likely know exactly what I'm talking about! Melba, look what you've started!

Try Day ~ Visual Clues

For last Saturday's Try Day at Create a Connection, I suggested that we look for clues in the world around us, that we open up our intuitive selves for signs from the universe. One of the ways that I've been doing that since I was a girl is by collecting pictures from magazines and creating collages. I collected these images throughout the week and today I sat down with a cup of tea and put them together.

I have to tell you I had such a visceral reaction when it was done. It felt so yummy to me. Clean, fresh, sexy, fun, independent, magical, elegant. I'd love to hear any words that come to your mind when you see it.

Working on this collage has inspired my theme for 2007: The Year of Clarity. I'm enjoying the resonance of that and its ripple effect through my choices and my awareness.

I'm looking forward to seeing more of what you discover. And I'll see you next Saturday at Create a Connection for our second Try Day.

101 Update

20. Get my astrological charts done - done!

Wow, what an awesome experience this was. I had my charts done by Wendy Guy of Evolving Door Astrology. For those of you interested, she does her readings over the phone, so you can be anywhere in the world. I sent her the required information (date, time and location of birth) and a bit about what I wanted to know. She sent my my chart ahead of time and then we did the reading over the phone. She'll also be sending me a cd recording of the call so that I can refer to it later. She's got great horoscopes on her site and an interesting e-newsletter.

Wendy did a great job acquainting me with astrology in a way I'd never thought of before, and she verified some things I have really been experiencing lately. The reading gave me some insights into my character and helped to identify some lessons for me to work on right now. It gave me a sense of the themes in my life and the direction things are going.

One of the things that made me laugh is that part of my life purpose, as influenced by Uranus, is to figure out how to do walk my path and manifest my dreams my own way. As I grow my practice and step into the life I truly want to be living one of the things that has become really clear to me is that when I read most of the general wisdom out there of how to do it, it just doesn't fit me. It's like trying on an ill-fitting garment that makes you feel down and depressed because it is neither comfortable nor does it suit you. Sometimes finding your own way is challenging. But I love the adventure of it, the surprises involved and mostly the great opportunity for authenticity.

42. Go vegetarian for a week - done!

I found this surprisingly easy to accomplish. We eat vegetarian at least a couple of times a week, so I had regular meals I could draw on. I didn't miss meat in the slightest (but it isn't barbecued hamburger season). To continue eating vegetarian, I realize that I would really have to broaden my horizons in terms of ingredients. For now, I hope to continue to grow in that area.

6. Get vent in the kitchen taken care of - done!

Now, I know this one doesn't sound or look terribly exciting, but we are thrilled that it's complete. Imagine, if you will, that before there was a silver tube running along the top of the cupboards and loosely adhered to the wall. And imagine last year when we had a mama racoon living in our chimney that she would sometimes push against this vent. We'd be sitting watching a movie and thing, good god, what's trying to get in? I'm amazed that she never joined us. And I am thrilled that where there was once loose functionality there is now a walled-in efficiency!

Updates

I realize that over the past while, I've mentioned a few things that I was working on, so I thought I'd list some updates. At the end of last year, I felt like my stuff and plans and gotten pretty out of control. Well, the time I spent organizing my stuff was well worth it. Remember when it looked like this?

And that's not even showing you all the stuff that's on the floor! The Getting Things Done book was helpful, but I found that there were some suggestions that I did not implement. The author recommends you not keep your to do list in your daybook, for example. But I find that really works for me. One thing that was great was how it encouraged you to look at everything, and I mean everything. It was a little overwhelming at times, but eventually I felt like there were no secret disasters waiting to explode and that was a good feeling.

I'm currently reading Organizing for the Spirit, which takes a really beautiful "get to know you" approach. The author looks at the process of organizing as a process of self-discovery, inviting you to get in touch with what is really important to you. This book was a lovely Christmas gift from my Auntie Laima.

At Christmas I was also inspired by something my brother-in-law said. He has a new approach to procrastination. Whenever he feels himself resisting doing something and feeling the impulse to procrastinate, he dives in and does the action right away. That way it is over and done and he's not carrying it around in his mind anymore. He said he feels so much freer since taking this approach. I believe it!

And as for last week's resolution about renovating my wardrobe, action has begun. I'm reading a bunch of Trinny and Susannah books for inspiration. And though I really don't like the language they use to speak about women's bodies, they do have a lot of good tips about buying clothes that are appropriate to your body. Yesterday I went through one drawer in my dresser and tried on every single item. I let go of anything that wasn't flattering or that was losing it's shape. It felt great, and it was easier than I expected. It made a big difference though to not do it alone. It helped me get out of my own rut and see things fresh. So there's a definite thing to add to the strategy list: enlist help when you need it!

Try Day & Signs

I am excited to say that I am the January host of Try Day at Create a Connection. I hope you'll check it out, jump in and give it a try. Today's post is what inspired my first Try Day suggestion.

At this time of year, you can usually find me with a black Uniball pen and a pad of graph paper making lists or with a big pad of newsprint and colourful markers making plans. This year though, things feel a bit different. I have a funny feeling that my next steps are best made by paying attention to the signs in front of me and following where they lead.

What's a sign? I imagine it's a bit different for everyone, but it's when something, often for some inexplicable reason, catches your eye, your heart, your imagination and makes you notice it. Sometimes it is fleeting. Sometimes it stays with you for hours, days, weeks, more. It could be a colour, a song, an article in the paper, a movie, a character, a coat. Sometimes its clues are obvious. Sometimes when you try to untangle it, you simply get more confused. That's a clue that it's time to notice, not to know.

I've been noticing...

I can feel that there's something whispering in my ear. It has something to do with the way I've been moved to tears by things I've come across where people engage in the arts and find great self-awareness, compassion for others and healing (for example, I was deeply moved by Shakespeare Behind Bars)

On January 1st, I pulled an OSHO Zen Tarot Card for the year and received the following message: "It's time to take a look at your own reflection in the pond, and make a move to break out of whatever you have been conditioned by others to believe about yourself. Dance, run, jog, do gibberish - whatever is needed to wake up the sleeping lion within."

And today: "You need to recognize that you are not the masks you wear and that to truly create what you want and need, you need to get back to who you are beneath all that." Dancing the Goddess Icarnate, Dorothy Morrison & Kristin Madden.

Seems it's going to be an interesting year.

What signs are are calling your name? Check out Try Day for some guidance on how to look for clues.

Photo Thursday ~ Sustenance

This photo represents sustenance to me on so many levels. On the most basic level, this is food. It nourishes and provides vitamins and energy so that I can live. The fact that strawberries are wildly tasty nourishes me with pleasure. And there is wine, which reminds me that to be truly nourished, we need more than just the basics. We need celebration and ease and shared good times, all of which are also a subtext for this picture which is from a Canada Day celebration at Shannon's shared by the two of us and my husband. And as if that wasn't enough sustenance, there is the way that we are fed by beauty and colour. That red on its own is perfectly delicious. And for all those many reasons, this photo is sustenance to me.

Thank you so much Krista for this great awesome inaugural prompt for Photo Thursday at Create a Connection. I'm simply reveling in this exploration!

Create a Connection: Getting to Know You

Melba has created this awesome blog called Create a Connection. There are activities to participate in every day! Wednesday's theme is Getting To Know You and the inaugural hostess with the mostest for this topic is Deb. Here's my response to her prompt. I found her questions really interesting, sensitive and inspiring. I'll look forward to reading your answers!

Getting To Know You ~ Take 1

1. I have never wanted to _participate in sports_ ; but I've always thought I might like to _create performance art_ .

2. When I was _7_ years old, I believed _in God_ .

3. If I was my own best friend, what I would enjoy the most about spending time with Me would be _my playfulness_; while what I'd find the most irritating would be _my tendency to think I'm right_ .

4. If the story of my life up to this point was being published tomorrow, it would be titled "On the Brink" and it would be dedicated to _everyone who ever believed in me_ .

5. When my time on Earth is over, and the people who loved me are remembering me, it would please me if they said _I loved her like crazy_ .

PS Stop by Create a Connection on Saturday too. I'll be hosting Try Day!

Self Portrait Challenge ~ Resolution #1 ~ Renovate My Wardrobe

I think it's been 2 years now that I've been saying I want to revamp my wardrobe. I feel like I'm going through a real transformation period, and I want my wardrobe to reflect the me that's unfolding.

Here are some first-step guidelines I'm going to follow:

• If it doesn't fit, donate it.
• If it needs repair, fix it or ditch it. (This one requires a firm deadline).
• If it needs special care, do it or ditch it.
• If I don't love it, leave it.
• Revision "my look."
• Figure out the key pieces that would give me the biggest bang and get them. (Of course that means boots, right?)
• Find a great hair stylist. (Strictly speaking, this isn't wardrobe, but if you love your haircut, everything else seems to be much better)

I've long believed that no clothing is neutral. I want to envelope myself in clothing that makes me feel comfortable and confident, strong and radiant, elegant and creative, beautiful and professional, sexy and ready to step into the life of my dreams. Wish me luck!

See more Resolutions here. Explore more of Starshyne Productions here.

Happy New Year!

To be who we are and to become what we are capable of becoming is the only real end in life.

Baruch Spinoza,

quoted in Organizing for the Spirit, Sunny Schlenger

In 2007, may you be all that you are.

With love, Jamie

And please check out Melba's new Create a Connection blog. There are daily activities to participate in, starting with a great swap organized by Jessie, the blog's first guest host. I'll be hosting "Try Day" on Saturday. Be sure to come by!