Permanent. Obscure. Powerful. Our New Beauty

Posted on May 13, 2012 by georgia

Beauties,

“Permanence, however, is not one of beauty’s more obvious attributes”. This is one of my most favorite quotes by Susan Sontag in her essay, An Argument About Beauty.

I love this line because it seems to gives us a hard, obvious, truth – Beauty Fades. We know for sure that our looks will change as we get older and as time etches its way over our faces. We can say definitively that how we appear in our 30′s will be quite different from how we do in our 50′s. The physical body will morph several times over through out the years.

I admit, I’m that woman who looks in the mirror at the end of each day and I compare – my face at that moment (tired) and how I remember it to have looked in the morning (glowing). Today vs last year. Post vs pre babies. And then for the grand finale, I take out a picture of my mom at my current age and hold it up to the mirror – studying her face next to my own. And then I think, “Shit, she looked way younger than I do at this age. Oh Gawd, time won’t be as gentle on me.”

I’m 42, but I flash ahead in a panic to my late 60′s and I think for a moment about how my skin will look when my grand children will know me. I bet I’ll have deep lines around my mouth, thinned hair, eyes that confirm all these sleepless nights, and work, work, work weighted on rounded shoulders. I’ll most certainly look my age.

Of course I hope to defy the probable, and get lucky like my mom. She was a gorgeous young woman with an untouched beauty. Never much make-up. Always a red lip and an etched eyebrow. Loosely blown out hair. Nothing more.

Today, at 65 she’s aged, in the most gentle way, and exactly as we would have guessed. She looks fulfilled, happy and loving – stunning. That’s how her beauty translates.

Then I think back to the quote, “Permanence is not one of beauty’s more obvious attributes”. I try to understand it a bit differently. Maybe Sontag is telling us that beauty IS permanent. Like, as in EVERLASTING. Maybe the beauty we should be talking about is more obscure and harder to define, but with a permanence similar to the most stunning sunset. A beauty that begins first as an emotion and is housed deep with in – can become our most crazy-lovely power.

Although I’m a mere 42, I do think about aging. I think: I’d like to be that woman who wears her ‘way’ on her face.

-Jodie

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Hair is Cool, but the Soul Rules

Posted on April 29, 2012 by georgia

Beauties,

My girlfriend, Amhalise sent me this photo of myself. It’s me with short hair. My hair. Over the past year+ I’ve been rocking a weave. And when I tell you, it’s been good to me…I’m not underselling it. Liz, was the first to put it in. She and I labored over how it would be. We went for short and curly. Then short and wavy. Then mid length and retro. Currently, it’s long and straight. I love them all.

Initially, it was for convenience. I’m a mom of four and I dice up each day in many different ways. Time is precious and I care to spend the majority of it on family, business and the observation of anything that catches my eye. This leaves less time for the boudoir. And that’s cool, because really, Beauty Is Simple. We don’t need to labor to be beautiful. Yes, perhaps it is a process. But that process can be short and sweet. Once we’ve tapped into our inner mood, we can manifest that mood in so many ways – through our style, in our surroundings, throughout the world.

Hair is cool, but the Soul Rules!

-Jodie

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I’m Obsessed with The Beautiful…@GeorgiaNY

Posted on April 11, 2012 by georgia

Aundreus Patterson (I hope we're related!)

Beauties,

Meet Aundreus Patterson.  But perhaps you already know him.  Most likely, he’s somewhere you are-have been-will soon be.

Stage coach, fashion stylist, vocal coach, wedding singer, camp counselor, southern gentleman, urban entrepreneur, song writer, legend.

I met Aundreus at my brother-in-laws member’s only lounge, Parlor.  We were standing at the bar and a mutual friend intro’d us – life has never been the same.  Every week, I’m wondering what Aundreus will bring to the table…

-Jodie

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Renew, Refresh…Shift @GeorgiaNY

Posted on April 9, 2012 by georgia

 

Beauties,

Easter is about renewal.  The earth is waking from it’s long needed sleep and blooming with color and sparkle.  Right now is probably the most inspiring 3 months of the year.  Just when I’m totally fed up with the cold, dry air, (and with the extra effort it takes to stay pretty) here comes this flirty and fancy-free gal breezing into town.  Spring is that bf that I so need right about now.

She always promises love and action. And in response, I’m always stirring up the most grand of plans.  Spring tells me that The New is just around the corner and it is to be mine. Today, I’m about a shift and I’m just itching to move beyond the regular.  My girls and I are setting big plans – we’re going IN – on business, family, travel, exercise.  Ahhhh, SPRING. It is here and here we are.

My second mama, Bethann Hardison, sent this note to help remind me of the magic this time of year brings.

“Just wanted to say that this Full Moon needs your attention as it begins to descend. Take advantage and give thought to the changes you want in your life so when the New Moon comes we are prepared to usher along “the seeds” we planted. This is a perfect time to “shift” our dynamics.”

Often, Bethann is my compass – I look to her as a tangible idea of where I want to be in a few years.  I’m happy to share her wisdom with you. Let’s all pay close attention to the sparkle that’s swirling around us…and ‘use the moon” to get what is there – waiting for us.

Happy Spring!

-Jodie

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My Way: Kmart Fashion, Style Profile

Posted on April 2, 2012 by georgia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Become

Posted on March 28, 2012 by georgia

 

Become

Sometimes all I can hear is my own voice.  Everything around gets so quiet and it’s just my heartbeat, my breath, and that nagging, angry growl that is coming from me.  I hate my voice like this.  I’m listening to it as if it belongs to someone else. I’m listening to it in disgust.  Yet it’s mine, from my very mouth.  All else is drowned out and the loud bullhorn is blowing. I’m listening to the words and their tone and all I can think is, Who is this yelling? Who is she?  Was she ever loved by someone? Ever? Anyone?  Why is she so bitter, so hard, so full of fire?

And then, she is me.  And I am lost.  And the last 40 years have just wized by. I’ve become something that I hate, that no one could love, that they will fear – or worse – dread.

NO. That’s not allowed. NO. I’m not bending.  NO. Not in my house. Not on my shift. Not like that. We’re doing it this way. I’m not changing. Don’t question it. Just because. That’s how it is. It’s not for you to understand. NO. NO. NO.

Sometimes, I’ve become the exact thing I really didn’t understand when I was young.

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The Naked, Simple Truth @GeorgiaNY

Posted on March 21, 2012 by georgia

 

Beauties,

Friends can sometimes give the best advice.  @BevySmith suggested that each of us spend daily time in front of a full-length mirror, naked.

I agree.  We should each create a daily ritual where we spend just a few minutes with ourselves in the most literal and intimate of ways.  It’s important to know your body, the way you look and feel.  Even the way you smell.  It sounds way more bazaar than what I’m actually talking about.  Personally, I like to smell my arm, right at the bend.  I nuzzle my nose into that spot, then bend my arm – wrapping it around my face, inhaling deeply.   It’s my way of getting zoned in.  I appreciate that I actually have a unique smell and that I don’t literally smell like the rose oil I love so much. But instead, I smell like, well jodie.  No other way to describe it.

I start at the arm, but I check out my entire situation.  Top to bottom, front and back.  Some places are harder to observe with out making some sort of teeth sucking noise.  The always-difficult stomach is one of those places.  SMH. My legs, however, generate a smile. Arms, back, neck – all cool.  The butt and boobs can go either way all depending on my stress level.  (Stress – sleep = shrinkage. Not ideal). This being my normal self check-in. I do this every day.

For a maximum of 5 minutes each day I peep myself.  It reminds me I AM HERE. I AM NOT A BRAND NAME. I AM REAL.

There are a few minutes each day when we women benefit from self-examination.  Pure and simple vanity.  Look and appreciate as much as you can in 5 minutes and remember to be gentle on yourself.  Have a clear sense of your form. But always feel free to imagine it differently for a second – if that makes you smile too.  And then, move past the mirror and start your day  – never looking back.  Forget your form and be connected to your spirit – the spirit is way stronger and more flexible and will allow you to catch all possibilities.

-Jodie

 

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Life is Complicated. Beauty Is Simple @GeorgiaNY

Posted on March 11, 2012 by georgia

Ladies,

I’m a busy mom of 4 young kids, with little to no extra time. Often I’d find myself stranded in the wrong bathroom with the wrong product.  I’d finally wrangle all the kids into the tub to quickly discover all that was handy was my husband’s anti-dandruff shampoo. Not cool. Or even better, I’d finally steal my alone-time, probably the most important 5 minutes of the day, and all I could find was diaper cream!

What I now understand is, with out the right product, life is complicated.

But really, Beauty is Simple.  What we use in the bathroom should be simple too.

I love this Gold Cream we created.  I use it all over my body, on my kids, even newborns – everyone in my family LOVES it!  When I was pregnant (four rug-rats!), it helped keep me soft and my belly free from stretch marks, no joke.  Now, with kids, a business and a Papa Bear, I love it because it simply, quickly, does the trick. Soy butter and essential oils. That’s it. Face-Hands-Body, I’m good!

Enjoy!

-Jodie

P.S. Try Gold’s partner-in-crime. The Skin Wash we created is so perfect, you’ll thank me. Seriously. xx

 

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Dark to Light @GeorgiaNY

Posted on March 10, 2012 by georgia

 

From dark to light – in just moments.

At first, I’m not sure what the heck is going on…then the next moment, I understand the rhythm of the world.

Either way is fine by me. One gets me going, the other makes me smile.

-Jodie

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Collect the Random @GeorgiaNY: VisionBoarding

Posted on February 25, 2012 by georgia

Beauties,

Vision Board, Collage, Inspiration Board, Vision Journal, Pinboard– These days, we can’t seem to get enough of this good thing.

The Random collection

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been doing it everywhere and anywhere.  If I spend any considerable amount of time in one place…all I really want to do is Enhance…I work on walls, notebooks, binders and create collections that make me imagine. As a kid I’d stick up posters and album covers (think The Silvers, MJ, Sade, Prince).  As a young adult I’d do the same with articles and poems – my favorite being “nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands” -e.e. cummings.

Over the past 15 years, I’ve been obsessed with wallpaper as storyboard. Recently, I covered a massive 15’ wall with old portraits of loved ones dating back as far as the turn of the century.  And then another with The Random (including Fela, Michelle Obama, Emma Watson, and a note card that reads Thank You, Thank You, Thank You by Ellie Pyle).  Both walls are in my bedroom, so I never really have to leave.  I can sit for hours and from any chair or bed, I’m chilling.  In fact, this is where most of the magic happens! I’ve spent an entire day in this room and felt as though I actually did something.  I guess, because I did. Or, rather, my mind was in hyper-activity – all without the nasty side effects of illicit drugs.  If you venture into my hallway, I’ve created an irregular pattern of paintings that remind me to Live On The Edge – and I do.  Every day. A lifestyle of endless possibility starts off in my hallway.

vision boarding

Take a look at my house.  You’ll know immediately what makes me feel beautiful.  It’s the small things like lotions and potions, jewelry, art, books.  These are important to women (and I have no shame about that) because all that good stuff inspires us.  They trigger a sense of beauty deep with in.  Think about your favorite face cream.  The scent, the feel and the packaging all make for a best friend swirled into a beautiful little bottle.  I keep mine by my bedside with my favorite book, my prized jewelry, and my favorite flower. I ‘keepsake’ so that my thoughts are always on the right journey.

It’s important to keep visual reminders of what has happened in our lives and then of course to always show what it is you want.  Don’t worry about being too exact.  Just find things, anything that catches your eye and moves you.  Then capture and record it.  For the past, present and future, live visually.

See. Think. Wonder. Do.

-Jodie

 

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