inspiration

Peaceful Warrior Quotes /  by Cynthia Catera

The way of the peaceful warrior begins by embracing all three selves- having your head in the clouds and your feet on the ground...

My most recent read, The Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior, by Dan Millman absolutely changed my life. The book tells the tale of a man on his own spiritual conquest and the trials and tribulations of his journey. Being we're all on our own journeys, this is very relatable. Below are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:) 

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Daily life is the training arena of the peaceful warrior. Spirit gives you everything you need, here and now. You evolve not by seeking to go elsewhere, but by paying attention to, and embracing, what’s right in front of you. Only then can you take the next step on whatever floor you are working.

 

As the ego dissolves into the arms of God; the mind dissolves into the will of God. No longer trying to control your life or make it work out in a particular way, you stop living, and start being lived. You merge with a larger purpose, the “bigger picture.” You become the Way,…by getting out of the way.

 

Yes, this world needs more compassion. But we all have different callings. Does this make villains of the rich or saints of the poor? I think not. Complex karmas are at work. Each of us plays our role. Each of us is born into life circumstances to challenge us and allow us to evolve. A beggar in this life may have been wealthy in another life. Inequality has always existed, and until the awareness of humanity rises to at least the third floor, it will continue.

 

The first step to change, is accepting where you are right now. Completely accept your process. Negative judgments about yourself only hold the pattern in place, because the Basic Self can get very stubborn and defensive. Accepting yourself gives the subconscious child in you the space it needs to grow. When it happens is completely in God’s hands.

 

Fear can paralyze you just when you need to act. That is dangerous. It contracts the body’s energies, and that contraction attracts the very thing most feared. The absence of fear is not bravado; it’s courage. Courage opens the space to act. You will still know caution when it’s called for.

Fear is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master. It pervades that daily lives of most people, moment to moment. You won’t miss it, I assure you. When you’ve conquered your fears by acting courageous in spite of them, life blossoms; you look out at a different world through the windows of the second floor

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Pray as if everything depended on God, and work as if everything depended on man. –Francis Cardinal Spellman

The organs weep the tears the eyes refuse to shed

He could only teach you what you had ears to hear, or eyes to see

#GIRLBOSS /  by Cynthia Catera

Being a fan of Nasty Girl and being an entrepreneur myself, I had to take a moment to read Sophia Armoruso's book, #GIRLBOSS.  An easy read, but super inspiring specifically because of Armoruso's unconventional path to success. Below are some of the greatest take-away quotes from the book in addition to outside quotes Armoruso includes:

Learn to crest your own opportunity. Know that there is no finish line; Fortune favors action

When you believe in yourself, other people will believe in you, too

Know your customer and know how to get free marketing (MySpace/FB/Insta)

To be, in a word, unborable...It is the key to modern life. If you are immune to boredom, there is literally nothing you cannot accomplish -David Foster Wallace

Playing by the rules, or at least some of them: The only way to support a revolution is to make your own- Abbie Hoffman

When your time spent making money is significantly greater than your time spent spending money, you will be amazed at how much you can save without even really thinking about it

Fortune favors the bold who get shit done

I never dreamed for success. I worked for it-Estee Lauder

On writing your resume:
We don't need people who just have ideas; we need people who can also execute them

The four worst words thou shalt never mutter " That's not my job"

Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people-Leo Burnett

When you don't dress like everyone else, you don't have to think everyone else-Iris Apfel

Clothing is ultimately the suit of amor in which we battle the world. When you choose your clothing right, it feels good. And there's nothing shallow about feeling good.

Confidence is more attractive than anything you could put on your body.

I remind myself that if I really want something badly enough, I have it within myself to make it happen.

Breaking the rules just for fun is too easy-the real challenge lies in perfecting the art of knowing which rules accept and which to rewrite-Steve Jobs


Fashion Inspiration /  by Cynthia Catera

A few editorials from W Magazine. With all of the germs going around in an open concept office, I often think, maybe the bubble is the next best accessory?! Cate Blanchett pulls it off quite well! :)

A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM /  by Cynthia Catera

With needed inspiration for Spring, and a little personal inspiration needed from this never-ending Winter, I decided to check out the new exhibits at the  FIT Fashion Museum. Since the 70's were making a full swing around for Spring, there's no one else besides Halston and Yves Saint Laurent to put you in the mood. Also showing was an exhibit of Lauren Bacall and "Faking it," an exhibit displaying counterfeits against the originals.  

Lauren Bacall Exhibit:

"Faking It" Exhibit




A Little Inspiration from Catherine Malandrino /  by Cynthia Catera

CATHERINE MALANDRINO

About a month and 1/2 prior, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to hear Catherine Malandrino speak at work. Being a fanatic of extracurricular activities of lectures and extended learning, I've attended a handful of similar events, some more less thrilling than others. But nonetheless, I was thrilled to meet Malandrino in person. Within minutes, I was captivated. Her poise, wit, and humor held the room for 90 minutes...and we all walked out creatively refreshed and energize.

She starts off with, Clothing is magic...it makes you feel a certain way.

With designing, you never start with the product, it always starts with the EMOTION. Bring the story linked to the clothes.

Malandrino then elaborated and stressed the originality of the product. Where is the emotion behind it? She has 4 GOLDEN RULES OF DESIGN:

1. Don't forget to DREAM

2. FACE YOUR FEARS-tackle them-and don't let them stand in your way

3. Service yourself with LOVE. Be able to FORGIVE & surround yourself with POSITIVE &STRONG PEOPLE. Give the best version of yourself...all the time...this will aid in CREATIVITY

IF YOU CANNOT GIVE WITHIN, YOU CANNOT CREATE

4. Never forget the POWER OF SEDUCTION

Being French, Malandrino suggests that Seduction is far more prevalent her native land, where the POWER OF PRESENTATION is a lost art in the States...that everyone is too efficient (hey NY'ers, does that ring a bell)

Malandrino grew up in the countryside of France and began her career of designing with sketching at the age of 10. Even at this early age, she recognized the POWER OF CLOTHES & DRESSING AS A FORM OF EXPRESSION. And this still resonates in her life today-needing to be seduced by her own design to be able to put it into the world. In her words, "Give the customer something to dream about. This is the essence of human nature."

Beginning in knitwear, and moving into couture, she tosses the ideas around of disposable vs. statement pieces and how, "Clothing is a great tool to build yourself. It must have both the balance of content & great fit." 

"As a designer, you must be nourished by the whole world and design for everyone."

Her checklist for good designers:

1. Designers must know their level of CURIOSITY (books, music, travel, where they get their ideas)

2. They must cultivate their own unique qualities.

3. Always reinvent

One of the fantastic memories Malandrino shared was the time she was first introduced to Diane von Furstenberg. At the time, DVF was staying on the top floor of the Carlyle Hotel. Catherine walks in, and Diane is lounging on the chaise, tells Catherine to undress, and put on the infamous wrap dress. 

DVF, "How do you feel?"

Malandrino, "I feel like a woman!"

End Scene....and the rest is fashion history.

Malandrino wraps up the lecture stating that it was a bumpy ride to success, but despite the difficulties, always keep positive, don't dwell, and don't waste your time thinking of the hard times....instead, FOCUS ON IMPROVING YOUR ASSETS. 

Putting her words to paper, makes me feels just as inspired as the day I heard her speak. Malandrino's words, just as her designs, are timeless in nature.