The Real Glass Slipper

Earlier this week I saw a young girl with her mother searching for a Halloween costume.  I overheard the girl say, "but, mom I just wanna be a princess!"  The mother, in complete dismay at this idea responded, "I know honey but there are sooo many other choices..let's not decide too quickly! What about an astronaut?"  I loved overhearing this conversation.  I knew exactly what the mom was thinking & I knew exactly what she wanted to avoid.  The dreaded Princess Effect.  Ohhh, it  is indeed a controversial idea isn't it? And I would assume if you are the mother of a daughter it's something that weighs heavily upon your mind & often.  Quite a balancing act: Femininity & the modern girl.  I gotta say that I clearly remember watching Cinderella as a little girl.  I also clearly remember being completely horrified.  Do you remember how disdainfully EVIL the stepmother & the terrible stepsisters were?  WOW. The ugliness from within literally dripping off of them with each move & wicked gesture; every ounce of their being completely saturated with jealousy & shallow ambition.   I also remember how much I adored the mice,  Jaq & Gus & all of Cinderella's little friends who came to the rescue when she needed help. Together they made it all happen. They loved Cinderella because she possessed a beautiful heart & she cared for them & fed them & loved them even when the others paid them no attention.

I remember the party scene & that killer pale pink dress & the way she danced across the ballroom floor as if she had always belonged there.
I remember the shimmer of that glass slipper...
But that's all I remember.
I don't remember the ending or even the face of the Prince.
What did he look like?
What was his story?
I think he was wearing blue?
I don't think his character made me laugh or even giggle..
Apparently not much of a personality.
Just Sayin'

 I only remember the story of Cinderella as the story of  true friendship & the utter fabulosity of helping one another out when we need it most.
 Finding those people in our lives & surrounding ourselves with love..

 that's the real Glass Slipper.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Hepburn Hugs & Ric Ocasek Dreams

xo

Birdee Bow

glitter snow angels & snappy slope ensembles..

                                             view from my window 10/26/11

"When I no longer thrill at the first snow of the season.. I'll know I'm growing old. "
                                                             Lady Bird Johnson

There's something about the first snow of the season in a mountain town that makes me feel like every thing's gonna be ok.  It's a beautifully quiet calm in a sea of white serenity where all seems new again.  Ok, so it's also cold, seriously  annoying to get around in, completely inconvenient & something for which I never feel quite prepared. I admit I'm completely uneasy about the whole letting go of Autumn thing & falling into winter often feels more like a super hero style leap rather than the soft & gentle backward tumble of the snow angel scene in
 Love Story.

The first snowfall of the year has a way of making me feel small; small in the sense that life continues on in a forward motion whether or not I'm ready for it.  Whether I've reached concrete conclusions about the past or desired decisions about the future or whether or not I've even yet to reach for the North Face jacket in the back of the closet..yep,
 winter won't be waitin'

I hate to say it but,
She's ruthless..
She could NOT care less.
So, to her I'll just say, 
"Bring it!"
Oh, but first I'll say somethin' like, 
"Ima show you how quick a stylish girl can pull it all together"

(ok & then I'll say "Bring it!", but with a lot of attitude & in some super chic Hepburn inspired ensemble for the slopes)

Wishing you only decisions that light up your heart & perfectly outlined snow angels..in glitter
 Oooo yes, snow angels outlined in Glitter

Hepburn Hugs & Ric Ocasek dreams
xo
Birdee Bow

wings..they set us free

"I wanted to fly so you gave me your wings..."               Michelle Branch 

The more I live the more I truly believe we travel through this life on borrowed wings.  Those who pick us up when we're feeling low & those who love us through the beautiful & the ugly times too. I'm 100% convinced we can only soar when we're among those who somehow make us weightless.  After all, flying takes a lot of courage don't you think?  But it's also effortless. Maybe we never know when our feet have actually lifted off the ground..maybe that's the secret.  Maybe we're only supposed to recognize the magic of borrowed wings when our feet once again touch the ground. 

The longing keeps us breathing, keeps us sane, keeps us looking for all the rainbows while we stand drenched in the rain..

& If we're really lucky?
They come along again to set us free

Hepburn Hugs & Ric Ocasek Dreams
Birdee Bow

Beauty Between The Blinks

The Indian Summer of life should be a little sunny and a little sad, like the season, and infinite in wealth and depth of tone, but never hustled.

Henry Adams

Dear Indian Summer,

I have fallen for you & I am afraid to even blink..  In full swing, you are such a magical, beautiful & relaxing time.  I'm afraid if I close my eyes even for a second? You might disappear, but isn't that the way it is with all beautiful things? Perfect breezy afternoons of inspired writings, warm outdoor dining weather in the evenings & sun, sun, sun everywhere in between.  I would happily chase after your fleeting perfection forever.. Oh sure, I know that Metaphorically speaking, you are a reference to the late bloomers. The unexpectedness of bloom from that which has seemingly lost its' relevance. Maybe that's why you hold such a huge place in my heart. Who can say when ANY living thing has lost it's relevance?   I know you would agree, sweet Indian Summer, that relativity is in the mind of the beholder & unexpectedness is the key to all magic in this life. Thank You & if I do lose you between the blinks?  I'll be anxiously waiting...hoping you suddenly appear again next year.
 
Wishing you moments as unexpectedly stunning as an Indian Summer & a relevance without expiration. Beauty between the blinks..
Hepburn Hugs & Ric Ocasek Dreams
    Birdee Bow