This week it's short but sweet and oh so juicy!
As you know, Eden&Elle magazine is an avid promotor of 'everyday' women, and this of course includes BBW women. We endorse every shape and figure and applaud women who feel comfortable and sensual in their own body.
In each issue, Eden&Elle feature a monthly 'everyday' model that shows one doesn't have to look like a Barbie doll to pose semi nude AND look fabulous and sensual doing so!
We are therefore promoting the Ms. BBW MySpace 2008 Contest. If you would like to know more about this contest, like to become a contestant or vote for a contestant please click on the link below. If you are voting, make sure you reply to the comment of the person you are voting for.
Make sure your friends come and vote for you if you are a contestant.
Ms BBW MySpace 2008 Contest
The winner of this contest will be featured in an upcoming issue of Eden&Elle Magazine. A short interview with the winner will accompany photos of her as well.
Eden&Elle magazines' intention is to promote and share the fact that women need not have a so called 'perfect' figure to be happy, it's a platform for women to connect, help them understand they are not 'alone' and basically give them tools to help them feel better about themselves.
Keep your eyes peeled for the November 1st issue of Eden&Elle magazine, as usual it's packed with inspiring and awesome articles, an audio interview with Sheri Winston, who owns the Intimate School of Arts (yes, ladies and gentlemen, intimacy is part of sex and can be taught!) our wonderful writers and then some!
Click on the next link and get yourself a FREE subscription so you won't miss you very own Eden&Elle Magazine
Enjoy!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The new and improved......Me
No....I haven't washed myself with the latest laundry product, you know the kind.., when every second commercial is about how new and improved product "XYZ" is, just to try to stimulate you to buy it.
What I'm talking about is improving ones inner self, the subconscious mind.
Since the movie 'the secret' was released in 2006, we have been bombarded with all kinds of self help 'gurus', therapies and programmes to help us become aware of our inner selves.
The Secret sure opened up my eyes, it gave me several 'aha' moments, and it made me feel as if I wasn't abnormal anymore. Up till then I had thought that certain feelings I had were egotistical and basically just not done. I felt there was something missing but I couldn't put my finger on it, as if there was more to my life than how I was living it.
Yet, until then I had dismissed these thoughts because I felt guilty, and trying to talk about it to friends just made me sound like I wasn't grateful for what I had.(which I was, and am even more grateful about now)
I have watched the movie dozens of times since then and each time something else that was said hit home but it never moved me as much as the first time, when I experienced intense joy and sadness almost at the same time.
But this isn't me endorsing the movie at all, I'm just pointing out the moment that I realized there was much more to my life than I had seen so far. But now that I knew that, HOW was I going to be able to get inside of me to do so?
I scoured the internet for information that could lead to my enlightenment and came across a vast amount of possibilities, each and every one of them promising me that if I just followed their programme or joined their coaching team I would become 'enlightened'.
Now, over three years later, I must say that the most important thing I have learned is that improving ones inner self is a continuous journey, one that will most likely take a whole mortal lifetime and well beyond. I also learned that one doesn't always need a certain programme or therapy, there is a lot of free information out there, you just have to give yourself the time to let it reach you.
I have taken what feels good to me out of all the things I have read and heard and each day I find myself getting to know the real and improved me. It really isn't about the HOW one goes about it, it's the letting go of trying so hard to be who we think we want to be, for often that person is more likely to be who others want us to be.
So, if you feel good about wearing two different colored socks, or dying your hair pink, to the feeling good about staying home to raise the kids instead of being frowned upon for not having a career, I say...All the more power to you! for it is the people who are genuinely happy with their lives, who dare to put themselves first, that are enlightened.
They have discovered the secret which is actually very simple......when you are happy with yourself, then you live your life with joy, love and good expectations.
This attitude provides nourishment for everyone around them and these people in turn will begin to feel the joy, love and expect good. The ripple effect will become a tidal wave causing a gigantic positive commotion.
Of course, many will say, that is idealistic thinking, but I disagree. I truly believe if we all felt more love, more joy and expected only good things to happen to us, that the world would be a much happier and healthier place.
On the other hand, what would we have to complain about....... :)
What I'm talking about is improving ones inner self, the subconscious mind.
Since the movie 'the secret' was released in 2006, we have been bombarded with all kinds of self help 'gurus', therapies and programmes to help us become aware of our inner selves.
The Secret sure opened up my eyes, it gave me several 'aha' moments, and it made me feel as if I wasn't abnormal anymore. Up till then I had thought that certain feelings I had were egotistical and basically just not done. I felt there was something missing but I couldn't put my finger on it, as if there was more to my life than how I was living it.
Yet, until then I had dismissed these thoughts because I felt guilty, and trying to talk about it to friends just made me sound like I wasn't grateful for what I had.(which I was, and am even more grateful about now)
I have watched the movie dozens of times since then and each time something else that was said hit home but it never moved me as much as the first time, when I experienced intense joy and sadness almost at the same time.
But this isn't me endorsing the movie at all, I'm just pointing out the moment that I realized there was much more to my life than I had seen so far. But now that I knew that, HOW was I going to be able to get inside of me to do so?
I scoured the internet for information that could lead to my enlightenment and came across a vast amount of possibilities, each and every one of them promising me that if I just followed their programme or joined their coaching team I would become 'enlightened'.
Now, over three years later, I must say that the most important thing I have learned is that improving ones inner self is a continuous journey, one that will most likely take a whole mortal lifetime and well beyond. I also learned that one doesn't always need a certain programme or therapy, there is a lot of free information out there, you just have to give yourself the time to let it reach you.
I have taken what feels good to me out of all the things I have read and heard and each day I find myself getting to know the real and improved me. It really isn't about the HOW one goes about it, it's the letting go of trying so hard to be who we think we want to be, for often that person is more likely to be who others want us to be.
So, if you feel good about wearing two different colored socks, or dying your hair pink, to the feeling good about staying home to raise the kids instead of being frowned upon for not having a career, I say...All the more power to you! for it is the people who are genuinely happy with their lives, who dare to put themselves first, that are enlightened.
They have discovered the secret which is actually very simple......when you are happy with yourself, then you live your life with joy, love and good expectations.
This attitude provides nourishment for everyone around them and these people in turn will begin to feel the joy, love and expect good. The ripple effect will become a tidal wave causing a gigantic positive commotion.
Of course, many will say, that is idealistic thinking, but I disagree. I truly believe if we all felt more love, more joy and expected only good things to happen to us, that the world would be a much happier and healthier place.
On the other hand, what would we have to complain about....... :)
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The Disappearing Act
Many of you have written to me to ask what happened to the October issue of Eden&Elle Magazine and an explanation is long overdue.
As you may or may not know I sometimes work with other photographers and for the October issue I had again decided to give another photographer a chance to publish his work in Eden&Elle. Unfortunately, this person bailed out on me at the very last minute leaving me with no photo shoot to publish and as you know, Eden&Elle differeniates itself due to the photos of 'everyday' women.
Along with that, the main database with all the technical data and information crashed and all the articles that had been edited and were ready for publishing were lost.
And since 'bad' things seem to happen in threes (as the saying goes here in Belgium) that same pc was hacked and several passwords and other delicate information was lost, making it technically too challenging for me to get the October issue of Eden&Elle out on time.
Since the data was 'lost' (or hidden somewhere), I also couldn't get into the subscribers lists and it has taken until today to get everything back in working order.
I trust that you will eagerly be anticipating the arrival of the November issue and can promise you it will be a fun packed, uplifting and true to the heart of you all issue.
To end this week......
Often we are told that in order to change our lives all we have to do is change our thoughts. In theory that is simple but in practice all too many of us find this very difficult and challenging to do. So how do we get rid of our negative thoughts?
The video below shows you HOW you may be able to do this the 'easy' way!
Enjoy!
As you may or may not know I sometimes work with other photographers and for the October issue I had again decided to give another photographer a chance to publish his work in Eden&Elle. Unfortunately, this person bailed out on me at the very last minute leaving me with no photo shoot to publish and as you know, Eden&Elle differeniates itself due to the photos of 'everyday' women.
Along with that, the main database with all the technical data and information crashed and all the articles that had been edited and were ready for publishing were lost.
And since 'bad' things seem to happen in threes (as the saying goes here in Belgium) that same pc was hacked and several passwords and other delicate information was lost, making it technically too challenging for me to get the October issue of Eden&Elle out on time.
Since the data was 'lost' (or hidden somewhere), I also couldn't get into the subscribers lists and it has taken until today to get everything back in working order.
I trust that you will eagerly be anticipating the arrival of the November issue and can promise you it will be a fun packed, uplifting and true to the heart of you all issue.
To end this week......
Often we are told that in order to change our lives all we have to do is change our thoughts. In theory that is simple but in practice all too many of us find this very difficult and challenging to do. So how do we get rid of our negative thoughts?
The video below shows you HOW you may be able to do this the 'easy' way!
Enjoy!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Summer lovin'
Summer is coming to an end though here in Belgium one cannot really talk of a 'summer'. For the last two months during the entire summer school vacation, it has been quite chilly, with there being several occasions that I have had to light the wooden log fire to heat the house.
We haven't really seen the sun, for the clouds were so dense that the rays couldn't shine through, and I have had to find refuge in the tanning salon as otherwise my skin would not have been tanned even the slightest!
With September arriving, school also begins next week, with many preparations to be done and things to be bought on time and off course the September issue of Eden & Elle magazine will also be available online September 1st!
I'm really excited about this for as mentioned in June, the magazine was to receive an overhaul. We have done our utmost best to make the magazine more pleasing to the eye while keeping its' true intention 100% in tact.
I'm also very happy to say that even throughout the summer stop, many new readers subscribed and we would like to wish them all a warm welcome to our growing 'family' of readers!
I will keep this week short as there is still much to do so in order for you all to be able to enjoy the latest Eden & Elle magazine on September 1st but I wanted to give you a sneak preview of what's inside.....
With Debra sharing her thoughts on her travels to Europe, Steve teaching you his secrets on sales and Ekaterina talking about wonderful new techniques on keeping fit without doing sports, we also have an astounding photo session and indepth interview with an incredible and brave woman named Tine, just to name a few. To find out what this entails you'll have to be patient till next week but we guarentee it will have you thinking differently!
Talk to you soon!
We haven't really seen the sun, for the clouds were so dense that the rays couldn't shine through, and I have had to find refuge in the tanning salon as otherwise my skin would not have been tanned even the slightest!
With September arriving, school also begins next week, with many preparations to be done and things to be bought on time and off course the September issue of Eden & Elle magazine will also be available online September 1st!
I'm really excited about this for as mentioned in June, the magazine was to receive an overhaul. We have done our utmost best to make the magazine more pleasing to the eye while keeping its' true intention 100% in tact.
I'm also very happy to say that even throughout the summer stop, many new readers subscribed and we would like to wish them all a warm welcome to our growing 'family' of readers!
I will keep this week short as there is still much to do so in order for you all to be able to enjoy the latest Eden & Elle magazine on September 1st but I wanted to give you a sneak preview of what's inside.....
With Debra sharing her thoughts on her travels to Europe, Steve teaching you his secrets on sales and Ekaterina talking about wonderful new techniques on keeping fit without doing sports, we also have an astounding photo session and indepth interview with an incredible and brave woman named Tine, just to name a few. To find out what this entails you'll have to be patient till next week but we guarentee it will have you thinking differently!
Talk to you soon!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Forgive me readers for I have......
Heavens!
Have I become so religious that I feel the need to confess to you? No. With all due respect to everyone who is religious, and being a believer in God myself, don't worry, it's just my way of saying sorry for not writing for a couple of weeks.
So why the silence?
Well, to start with I celebrated my 40th birthday and contrary to what many people feel when that number comes up, I was really looking forward to this stage in life. Before you think I've gone nuts, bear with me.
The saying "Life begins at forty" has always stuck in my head, so sub conciously I grew 'older' happily with this thought.
Then of course, the fact that when one turns this age, one is settled down, has his/her career down pat, has more time for themselves because the kids have started school and of course, normally more income to spend on the good things in life......NOT!
I'm far from settled down (being single tends to play a role in that), am itching to start some new courses and workshops which have little to do with my current profession, have a young daughter who isn't really ready for preschool and being single automatically makes one the head of the financial household too which means the income is there to spend on the basics and not so much on the good things (though basics can be very good as well!)
But you won't hear me complaining. I love my life, the freedom that being single allows me to have, I get to spend lots of quality time with my kids, am fortunate to be able to do what I love when it comes to work, and have no real worries when it comes to my finances.
So, why on earth would I worry about a number?
Truth be told, I am a little vane, and I scrutinize my reflection in the mirror each evening for any wrinkles or fine lines in my face. To battle time, I have started using a special night cream for whats' delicately called, the 'riper' skin, and am more conscious of what I eat and exercise more. But I have always been this way, its just that hitting forty made me realize that there really is 'No Way Back'.
Still, I'm much happier than I was ten years ago, and appreciate the everyday things in life more than I did before. I think each age has its charm, and I've already decided that for my 50th birthday I'm going to have my long hair cut into something stylishly shorter and color it in a daring color that I'm too self conscious for now. In a weird way, I can hardly wait!
As for my work, with Eden & Elle Magazine on its' summer stop, I have more time to pursue other passions and gather new ideas for the September issue.
And lastly, I have been making more time for ME. It sounds selfish maybe, but think of it this way, if we do not make time for ourselves, to pamper ourselves and love ourselves, then why would anyone else want to do so?!
So, I say, go and enjoy your life. Play hooky for a day or two, follow your hearts desire and like the PepsiMax commercial says MAX YOUR LIFE : write down six things you have always wanted to do in your life but never dared, throw a dice and then do the number that comes up working your way down the list. Here is the commercial, sorry for all the native English speakers, its only in Dutch, but you'll get the idea!
Enjoy!
Have I become so religious that I feel the need to confess to you? No. With all due respect to everyone who is religious, and being a believer in God myself, don't worry, it's just my way of saying sorry for not writing for a couple of weeks.
So why the silence?
Well, to start with I celebrated my 40th birthday and contrary to what many people feel when that number comes up, I was really looking forward to this stage in life. Before you think I've gone nuts, bear with me.
The saying "Life begins at forty" has always stuck in my head, so sub conciously I grew 'older' happily with this thought.
Then of course, the fact that when one turns this age, one is settled down, has his/her career down pat, has more time for themselves because the kids have started school and of course, normally more income to spend on the good things in life......NOT!
I'm far from settled down (being single tends to play a role in that), am itching to start some new courses and workshops which have little to do with my current profession, have a young daughter who isn't really ready for preschool and being single automatically makes one the head of the financial household too which means the income is there to spend on the basics and not so much on the good things (though basics can be very good as well!)
But you won't hear me complaining. I love my life, the freedom that being single allows me to have, I get to spend lots of quality time with my kids, am fortunate to be able to do what I love when it comes to work, and have no real worries when it comes to my finances.
So, why on earth would I worry about a number?
Truth be told, I am a little vane, and I scrutinize my reflection in the mirror each evening for any wrinkles or fine lines in my face. To battle time, I have started using a special night cream for whats' delicately called, the 'riper' skin, and am more conscious of what I eat and exercise more. But I have always been this way, its just that hitting forty made me realize that there really is 'No Way Back'.
Still, I'm much happier than I was ten years ago, and appreciate the everyday things in life more than I did before. I think each age has its charm, and I've already decided that for my 50th birthday I'm going to have my long hair cut into something stylishly shorter and color it in a daring color that I'm too self conscious for now. In a weird way, I can hardly wait!
As for my work, with Eden & Elle Magazine on its' summer stop, I have more time to pursue other passions and gather new ideas for the September issue.
And lastly, I have been making more time for ME. It sounds selfish maybe, but think of it this way, if we do not make time for ourselves, to pamper ourselves and love ourselves, then why would anyone else want to do so?!
So, I say, go and enjoy your life. Play hooky for a day or two, follow your hearts desire and like the PepsiMax commercial says MAX YOUR LIFE : write down six things you have always wanted to do in your life but never dared, throw a dice and then do the number that comes up working your way down the list. Here is the commercial, sorry for all the native English speakers, its only in Dutch, but you'll get the idea!
Enjoy!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The Truth Will Set You Free !
A wonderful friend of mine and I were talking about ways to really get up close and personal with....oneself.
She suggested the following technique and believe me, it works, EVERY time. It can be confrontational but you do receive the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I'm dedicating this weeks blog to Paula Wood, and if you would like to contact her, just send me an email and I'll send it straight through to her.
*****
I thought I would share a little tool that I use. It's one that I often share with others...as I know that we all have our own answers...and rather than just think about the things that are going on inside of us that aren't working...this is action based and I find that it is way more effective...as it requires the person to stop and focus and really take action, rather than just think about it. Make sense?
Mirror work. That's what I call it. It's not an easy process, in fact, I resist doing it a lot of the time, because I know that I will come face to face with 'me'. BUT...it's very powerful.
What you do is go sit in front of a mirror...and get as close as you comfortably can. ( I sit in my bathroom sink). And then just look into your eyes...and don't stray.
And then just start talking to yourself. Start off with the things you don't like about yourself, or start saying the things that you pick apart about yourself or just whatever. And just start talking. Get angry or whatever shows up. Just let everything out...all of the things you use to beat yourself up or that you use to reaffirm your doubts. And just let things come out naturally.
Eventually the real you will surface and it will shift. Your 'you' will start talking to you...as you look into your 'you' eyes. You will then start seeing the beauty, the power, the divinity that is you and when you are all done...you won't be able to deny yourself anymore. (there's usually a lot of tears involved, as this process is really quite cleansing and eye opening).
By the time you get off that counter or out of that chair...you can't help but see yourself as the most amazingly beautiful creation and you will smile at yourself, the same way you smile at a child or anything else that touches your heart with joy. You will be your own joy!
This can take a little bit of time or a lot of time...I know I've spent a couple of hours in front of the mirror before...depending on just how much I was resisting myself. It is very powerful and cleansing.
*****
Thanks to Paula we shall all be sitting in our bathroom sinks staring at ourselves and FINALLY getting somewhere!
Hugs
She suggested the following technique and believe me, it works, EVERY time. It can be confrontational but you do receive the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I'm dedicating this weeks blog to Paula Wood, and if you would like to contact her, just send me an email and I'll send it straight through to her.
*****
I thought I would share a little tool that I use. It's one that I often share with others...as I know that we all have our own answers...and rather than just think about the things that are going on inside of us that aren't working...this is action based and I find that it is way more effective...as it requires the person to stop and focus and really take action, rather than just think about it. Make sense?
Mirror work. That's what I call it. It's not an easy process, in fact, I resist doing it a lot of the time, because I know that I will come face to face with 'me'. BUT...it's very powerful.
What you do is go sit in front of a mirror...and get as close as you comfortably can. ( I sit in my bathroom sink). And then just look into your eyes...and don't stray.
And then just start talking to yourself. Start off with the things you don't like about yourself, or start saying the things that you pick apart about yourself or just whatever. And just start talking. Get angry or whatever shows up. Just let everything out...all of the things you use to beat yourself up or that you use to reaffirm your doubts. And just let things come out naturally.
Eventually the real you will surface and it will shift. Your 'you' will start talking to you...as you look into your 'you' eyes. You will then start seeing the beauty, the power, the divinity that is you and when you are all done...you won't be able to deny yourself anymore. (there's usually a lot of tears involved, as this process is really quite cleansing and eye opening).
By the time you get off that counter or out of that chair...you can't help but see yourself as the most amazingly beautiful creation and you will smile at yourself, the same way you smile at a child or anything else that touches your heart with joy. You will be your own joy!
This can take a little bit of time or a lot of time...I know I've spent a couple of hours in front of the mirror before...depending on just how much I was resisting myself. It is very powerful and cleansing.
*****
Thanks to Paula we shall all be sitting in our bathroom sinks staring at ourselves and FINALLY getting somewhere!
Hugs
Friday, May 16, 2008
It's My Party and I'm having fun !
By the time people turn forty they will most likely have married or settled down, had kids, about 50% will have gotten divorced and either be in a rut concerning their work or heading for a burnout. Few are actually happy, love their lives and are capable to understand and appreciate that life is wonderful, full of opportunities and wonders.
I like to think that I belong in the last category. Sure, I have had challenges and less positive situations occur in my life but I have also always tried to enjoy it and keep an open mind to possibilities, learning something new each and every day.
I turn forty at the end of the month and I'm really looking forward to it. Not because it's an ideal excuse to throw a party, nor because of the gifts I may receive, but simply because I get to celebrate the fact that I probably have another forty years ahead of me in which I can enjoy my life, watch my kids grow up, love, work and play.
Isn't that something great to look forward to?
I don't dwell on the past, I also have learned not to live in far ahead future, but to take pleasure in the moment of now. Often we seem to forget that only now exists, that we can choose to feel good right now, no matter what may be going on in our lives. We forget to be grateful for what we have, and instead worry or are frustrated about what we haven't got. That doesn't mean I don't make any plans, what it does mean that if along the journey those plans change, I embrace those changes, not curse them.
Don't get me wrong, it's simple but not always easy and I too sometimes find it hard to see something good in a less than positive situation. But you know what? If I don't, the only person I'm hurting is me.....and I love myself too much to purposely hurt me.
That may sound egotistical, but think of it this way. What goes around comes around, and if you have no love to give, then you cannot receive it either. And you can only have love to give, if you genuinely care and love yourself. Treat yourself exactly how you would want others to treat you, understand that you deserve to be happy, respected and enjoy your life.
You do this and you'll be attracting that what you are giving out to the universe. The law of attraction NEVER fails, Like attracts Like.....and therefore you get what you give.
I am passionate about music, it's part of my life, and any song has a huge effect on the way that I feel. Have you ever wondered why most people, when they are sad, after a break up for example, choose to play love songs? How masochistic is that? It only makes them feel worse! When I do feel a little sad, I play fun, happy music. This immediately elevates my sadness and gives me a happier feeling.
The music video below is my all time favorite. I hope you'll enjoy it just as much as I do, and go ahead....sing and dance along.....who cares if someone is watching!
Enjoy!
I like to think that I belong in the last category. Sure, I have had challenges and less positive situations occur in my life but I have also always tried to enjoy it and keep an open mind to possibilities, learning something new each and every day.
I turn forty at the end of the month and I'm really looking forward to it. Not because it's an ideal excuse to throw a party, nor because of the gifts I may receive, but simply because I get to celebrate the fact that I probably have another forty years ahead of me in which I can enjoy my life, watch my kids grow up, love, work and play.
Isn't that something great to look forward to?
I don't dwell on the past, I also have learned not to live in far ahead future, but to take pleasure in the moment of now. Often we seem to forget that only now exists, that we can choose to feel good right now, no matter what may be going on in our lives. We forget to be grateful for what we have, and instead worry or are frustrated about what we haven't got. That doesn't mean I don't make any plans, what it does mean that if along the journey those plans change, I embrace those changes, not curse them.
Don't get me wrong, it's simple but not always easy and I too sometimes find it hard to see something good in a less than positive situation. But you know what? If I don't, the only person I'm hurting is me.....and I love myself too much to purposely hurt me.
That may sound egotistical, but think of it this way. What goes around comes around, and if you have no love to give, then you cannot receive it either. And you can only have love to give, if you genuinely care and love yourself. Treat yourself exactly how you would want others to treat you, understand that you deserve to be happy, respected and enjoy your life.
You do this and you'll be attracting that what you are giving out to the universe. The law of attraction NEVER fails, Like attracts Like.....and therefore you get what you give.
I am passionate about music, it's part of my life, and any song has a huge effect on the way that I feel. Have you ever wondered why most people, when they are sad, after a break up for example, choose to play love songs? How masochistic is that? It only makes them feel worse! When I do feel a little sad, I play fun, happy music. This immediately elevates my sadness and gives me a happier feeling.
The music video below is my all time favorite. I hope you'll enjoy it just as much as I do, and go ahead....sing and dance along.....who cares if someone is watching!
Enjoy!
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