Cookie Dough, Naked Women, and the Intrigue of Being Clothed.

"Dress sharply and they`ll remember the outfit; dress impeccably and they`ll remember the woman."
"A woman is closest to being naked when she is well dressed."
"To achieve great things, we must first dream"
Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel (19 August 1883 – 10 January 1971)


     "A white tee shirt and blue jeans, on a confident woman is intriguing, subtle, and down right sexy...  If you just want to see a naked woman, get a Playboy."


      There are little girls that grow up and want so badly to become Marilyn Monroe.   She was gorgeous...a blond bombshell.   Though I don't believe she set out to become a sex goddess per say, she was instructed to be provocative...her job was to make men want her...right at that moment.   She was set-up, as an "impulse buy".   Had she ever gone to the CEO of a giant corporation, (certainly a man at that time) he would've loved having her there...as eye candy.   I believe she did what she thought she was supposed to do...really what she was told, to make things work.   She knew what she needed, what she had and how to control it.   And she was very , very good at it.   
     Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel was among the first women on my list of "icons".  Chanel was photographed ( in Pearls thank you very much) as often as any celebrity.  Her posture was spot on and she was ALWAYS put together well...no matter if in a second hand mens coat, or a couture suit tailored by her own hands.   She lived her life with great confidence in, and respect for, herself.   It's because of the strength of character, that had she walked into that same office...she would have been taken seriously.   She meant business.  And she built an empire.  Today, over 100 years after her first collection premiered, she is seen as a legend for her business sense, her ability to design women's attire (that did not require a bustier), and she is credited with bringing "fashion" to an entirely new level.   Beyond ALL, she worked her tail off to get where she did...and Chanel remains one of the most highly respected collections, and is ( of course)  always in fashion.   
     Emily Frankel, is royalty.   As a professional dancer, she has natural poise.  Her silhouehette is a whisper in her dainty, yet bold frame.   Upon entering a black tie event, or running to the grocery store, she silently commands respect.  It's true that striking beauty will always render an audience speechless... She though, has come through trauma.   Saying she's "strong" is like saying a shark has sharp teeth.   Have you ever seen the skeletal structure of a Great White's mouth?   My heavens!!!    She wears clothing that is classic in it's construction, as gaudy is not her style.   And on her, it isn't required.   She's credited by the world as a dancer, a performer, and a choreographer.  She also ran her own company and she began with a dream as a child.   She followed it despite the obstacles she came head to head with.   Her faith and her will have kept life moving forward.   I admire her and respect her for soaring through, up, over and out of emotional difficulties, and for her determination  with regard to the physical curve balls she's been thrown.   
    The women I've wanted to resemble are not simply "impulse buys".   They don't give up easily when somebody tells them no.   It's never a done deal...unless they themselves say so.  They are women that walk into the CEO's office, and hold his attention...perhaps at first because of their beauty...or simply because men are curious when they see  tenacity in a women's eyes.   When the initial shock of         "whoa she's a knock-out" wears off...the cloth does not.   The man's brain will return to it's proper spot in between his ears...rather than his legs...and the graceful, sweet, gentle woman in front of him will have (in his eyes) transformed...into a force ~ that likely he'd rather not mess with.   
      My high school English teacher asked us one day, "what do you suppose is more of a turn on, a naked women, or a partially naked woman?"   At first, most people said "naked!"...   Triumph...those dim-wits.   After a moment, a raised eye-brow from the teacher, and a nod in my direction...I said this:
     " The fun in baking cookies, is getting to lick the bowl.  A sneak taste.  If you eat all the dough, there's nothing to bake...and then you'll likely puke."

Magic...Really.

 Whomever says "there's no such thing as magic"... I beg to differ.       Vehemently.

Dream sweet...angels-angels...

Quite Kindly,

Melli

Storm clouds don't always mean rain...Oz, and a lot of gray.

     The balance of life is so confusing...yet at the very same time, it seems to make perfect sense...which in itself, makes absolutely none.      Just because you see dark  clouds rolling in, doesn't mean a storm is on the way...sometimes it drizzles and the rain barely kisses the top of your head...   Then there are times when the sun is out and all of a sudden, boom, it's pouring and your drenched from a flash flood.    It's very difficult trying to figure out the weather...and it's exceedingly draining trying to figure out your life...let alone somebody else's.  
    As a child, I remember having a re-occuring nightmare...I was standing outside, looking into a swimming pool...and my family was chained to the bottom.   They were looking up at me waiting for help.   It was MY job (and mine alone) to figure out how to save them...   In waking life, always I tried my best...and in doing so,  very often found that ultimately I was using shades of gray rather than simply black and white.   There were too many feelings...too many hearts breaking, or confused, or even happy in being oblivious to those around them...   So much of my life had been (and still is to some degree) spent trying to "fix" others...make the world smile.   With my own family, it would seem I'm more of a pain in the ass when I think I'm being helpful...but the intention is good.

    There's an invisible tattoo somewhere across my head that says "No worries...I'll figure it out".   And 99% of the time I did...and 99% of the time, I do...even after a screw up.   My frustration with the world around me, gave me the determination to create beauty.     There was need for balance...I certainly didn't feel beautiful...and I was failing at "saving" everybody...although I must say that most of the time, I do have an uncanny ability to make others smile...even if it's after miles of tears.   In my experience, the very best therapy, outlet and fantasy I have to this day, is "figured out"through my sketching.    I'm not an artist in that sense...but I know what the designs will one day look like...and even then in black and white...I could see so much more than the grays...I could envision the color...the enchantment, and the sparkle.   When Dorothy went from Kansas into Oz, she experienced what I knew one day I would bring to life starting with these sketches.  

    Wishing you all the very best of luck, and magic, in being able to see how beautiful this world has the potential to be...   and of course, success in any journeys you find yourself on...and a healthy balance of compassion, and self respect along the way.   Quite Kindly...and really quite tired, Melli

I may be a cookie, a breath of fresh air...and a fantabulous quote from Goodfellas.

Ok my loves...please forgive the language...but in all fairness...well, it's only fair.  

"Now the guy's got Paulie as a partner. Any problems, he goes to Paulie. Trouble with the bill? He can go to Paulie. Trouble with the cops, deliveries, Tommy, he can call Paulie. But now the guy's gotta come up with Paulie's money every week no matter what. Business bad? Fuck you, pay me. Oh, you had a fire? Fuck you, pay me. Place got hit by lightning huh? Fuck you, pay me."

Henry Hill, Goodfellas (1990)

         Running a business does, in fact, require having a "tough as nails" hold on society...  To a degree...   While my goal in life isn't to be called "Dragon Lady" " Ice-Queen" or flat out "bitch and a half",  I do believe that at this time, I've earned the right to be called "a tough cookie".   Cookies are sweet, they are comforting, they come in many different flavors...and yes, at times, they do crumble...but I've decided that I'll no longer be "Soft-Baked".   So with regards to the above, I'll never again post it...I'll never again repeat it...and I'll NEVER again be in a place where I have the need to declare myself as the boss.   I just am.   ;)   

      "Silent power graces her face.

      An air of compassion is left in her wake.

      A sassy disposition keeps things real not fake...

     Was she a dream or were you awake?"

A few days ago, I got a text from a friend...then quickly another...both photographs...   Well, this is odd...   I've gotten pictures of people's pets, cars, new hair styles...blah blah blah...but she texted two photo's of herself...one with a belt and one without...

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!   I'M BEING ASKED TO HELP STYLE HER FOR LUNCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This may seem to be ridiculously superficial... to me though, it was more than a breath of fresh air.   It was a wake up call.   Of course I can help you!    This is what I do.  

    

     " Melli Style Tip"

     1) You can always remove something...a belt, a scarf, accessories of any kind...However (unless you are in fact a Harry Potter character) the odds of "Acchio X" bringing to you that bracelet, sweater, or hat you left at home, are highly unlikely.   NOT impossible...as nothing ever is.  ;)   To be safe rather than sorry...wear it, bring it, or have it stowed away with easy access just in case...