working through stress and being upset

Ooccasionally, while thumbing through beautiful things that make me feel amazing and blogging about it, I find that, I need to touch up on every day realities, which are often times swept under the rug.

Two of the most concerning issues for all women are stress and being upset. Mind you there are other issues, but if think about it, they all stem from being stressed and therefore becoming upset.

Recently, I’ve had several medical scares, which have literally  shocked the living daylights out of me. I mean, I feel I am in control and can manage most anything life throws at me. But apparently, although my mind can, my body can’t. Hence, stress and often times being upset over the fact.

To help myself work through the stress, I’ve decided to make a few changes, or actually to reinstate what I used to do to alleviate the stress and control myself from being upset if things get out of control.  Here is my list:

1. Buy the finest bedding possible and revamp your bedroom to make it a sanctuary.
2. Take a half hour a day to close the door and nap in the bedroom, in total quiet.
3.  Sign up for Pandora and listen to relaxing or spa music at least an hour while you work – at home or at a desk.
4. Have an array of candles on hand, while dining – no matter what part of the house.
5. Ask loved ones to give you space to re-evaluate whatever is bothering you.
6. Draw a bath and soak while listing to the sounds of a tropical rain forest on your i-pod.
7. Spend a Saturday morning – going for a walk alone and then stop for coffee afterwards at your local coffee shop and read a traditional paperback novel.
8. Go wine tasting or champagne sampling with a few girlfriends anywhere.
9. Get dressed up and go for a romantic dinner with your partner and have someone else watch the children away from home.
10. Plan a spa weekend getaway for you and your partner.
11.  Indulge in your guilty pleasure on Sunday afternoons.
12.  Make a list of things you are thankful for.
13. Watch classic films – based on your favorite parts of the world. 
       Roman Holiday,  Funny Face, An American In Paris
14. Have  a romantic evening at home with champagne and the finest chocolat
15. Walk
16. Visit a Museum.
17. Experience a new cafe or eatery.
18. Climb to the highest point in your city and enjoy the views.
19. Instagram and antiquate your photos
20. Remember: Nothing in life is worth stressing over or being upset from.

seeking simply therapy at the flower market

Wow, I have to say this week has been a challenge. It happens to the best of us on occassion. But when I came home after work and slept for over twelve hours the other night, I realized I needed something to change the mood I’ve been in.

So, on Thursday, I walked to the Flower Mart in San Francisco and admired the array of flowers on display so much that I actually brought some home and I have to tell you, I had forgotten how wonderful flowers make me feel.

this too shall pass – holiday depression

As I read the article here (in a nutshell) about holiday depression, I couldn’t help but wonder if these types of feelings exist throughout the world or simply in the U.S?   My guess is, mostly in the U.S.  and forgive me if I am going out on a limb about this.

But, having raised a family of my own and of course experiencing most anything you can think of under the stars, I could very well become say, depressed or even bitter during the holiday season, but I choose not to. I always wonder if that has anything to do with my upbringing of expecting the worst and coping with it rather than planning for the best.  Either way, I am tolerant and accepting therefore I am able to cope. 

What I am basically trying to say is, I understand everyone has problems and issues to deal with, and while some can handle them easily and methodologically,  others allow their fears to dictate their emotions. We pride ourselves, here in America, about being a strong nation and one who can rise above anything, so, while the holidays bring you down, find it in your heart  to turn to your religion to help you through it and look for the good in everything, around you, even if it’s just the bell toll  of the Salvation Army Santa standing in front of a department store, wishing you a Merry Christmas and most of all remember, this too shall pass.

give me a moment to feel this way

I think I am at a point in my life where I don’t feel so bad because I have to go to work, nor do I look so forward to the weekend. I normally understand my place in  society and go about doing all the things I need to do and want to do. But there are times I do imagine the following:

{Quote by Manya: Author of http://www.rawsilkandsaffron.wordpress.com}

if i could do it all over again

There are times, like most people of my age group, I contemplate the fact, if I were able to do it all over again what would I change. Although this adult game is mostly played over a glass of wine or two in my household with friends, I can’t help but wonder how other women feel about the question?

If I could do it all over again, I would have:

lived in Paris during my twenties and thirties

duplicated the Grace Kelly look for my wedding

Raised my children in the French countryside

Written  a novel years ago

followed my passion – acting

Became an inspirational speaker for women

How about you?

a day of pondering

I can honestly say the last few weeks I have been running  around (here comes the cliche) like a chicken with her head cut off, so today I have decided to take it easy by drinking calming tea and listening to my favorite i-tunes while I ponder over a few things.  I promise I will be back tomorrow.

{click here for photo credit}

fashion trend: white dress, black shoes

Black and white, my favorite fashion trend and probably the best staple any woman could ask for. Check out some of my favorite pairings.

Dresses
1. dolce and gabbana chiffon trimmed lace dress 1195USD
2. erdem cecile lace dress 2185USD
3. giambattista vallie jute blend dress 1670USD
4. donna karan drapped stretch jersey dress 1495USD
5. marc jacobs silk duches dress 1200USD

Shoes
6. jimmy choo morgan crystal embelished suede sandals 1095USD
7. yves saint laurent candide paneled suede pump 1140USD
8. giambattista valli embelished satin peep toe sandals 1355USD
9. giambattista valli chain bow two tone satin sandals 1105USD
10.brian atwood aura polka dot calf hair sandals 1370USD
11.valentino jewelry couture satin peep toe pumps 895USD

starting the new year in muir woods

By the 31st of December, I was completely restless, sentimental and somewhat anxious for the day to end. I honestly can’t pint point the why behind the way I felt, but I just did. So with champagne toast in hand at almost midnight, I did my normal countdown to (now)  with Ryan Seacrest in New York and then after watching the after party show, I went to sleep

After sleeping in on New Year’s day and then driving home in heavy traffic, back to San Francisco, I decided that if the weather permitted, I would  spend  day two of the new year somewhere outdoors.

So, of course on January 2nd, when  I saw the sun shining  and the weather  unusually warm  for the season, we got in the car and drove up to  Muir Woods, just 40 miles or so North of San Francisco and spend the day walking about the beautiful redwoods, while my friends and I contemplated how we foresee the new year to be.

Actually, while they talked, I took photographs. Check out some of my favorites.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The photographs are the property of http://www.rawsilkandsaffron.wordpress.com. Please do not borrow them without my consent. Thank you

having one of those weeks

Once in a while, we all have one of those moments, one of those hours, one of those days, one of those weeks and so on. Well this week, it seems I am having one of those…Maybe it’s the time change, maybe it’s the stress of the realities, not sure, but I think I will take the rest of the week to gather my thoughts and return hopefully refreshed and full of hope.

Thanks for your patience.

mental therapy: stop and smell the roses

I am not sure if many of you are familiar with the term ‘stop and smell the roses” well if not, just to give you a background. In the US we have alot of sayings to feed the soul but sometimes we forget to practice what we preach.

So, after a week of torment and undo stress, I decided last night, even though the weather is the worst in San francisco right now, to take a walk through my favorite neighborhood (Seacliff) and smell the flowers along the way, just to give myself the long overdue mental therapy I so very much deserved.

I must say it worked and when I got home and retired for the night, I actually fell asleep and stayed asleep through the entire night. Find something to escape to even if only for a few minutes out of your busy life. I highly recommend it.