Light Bulb

I loove shopping...for my boutique that is. I finally figured out why even though I own a boutique, my husband has way way more clothes and shoes than me. It's only taken about 6 years, but I had an epiphany just now. I get so gitty about what I'm buying for the store, and spend a lot of my time looking, browsing and searching for the boutique, that I've been getting my shopping "jones" out that way. It's like the boutique is my personal shopping cart. I know this is real random, but it was as Oprah would say, "an A-HA moment"
Check out other items I just bought here

If you want to own your own business for the "Glory" you will be in for a rude awakening. Not to mention  an empty wallet.
The real motivation for having your own business should come from the  idea that you have something to offer to the world that is not yet being expressed in a particular way. And furthermore, you may have the "IT" idea, but that doesn't mean you are the person to execute it. Know your role, and play it accordingly. Life will run more efficiently this way.

You're not in Kansas Anymore

Dear Diary (lol),
I have been so bad about my writing. On the bright side I'm out of Kansas, and back in the Show me State. My 3 year journey to 3 different states/cities has been just that, a journey. It's funny how the places I thought I'd like the least, turned out to be places that  gave me much more. I'm a big believer that when you find yourself  spinning your wheels, it may be time to stop moving altogether. So although Manhattan Kansas was not the "it" place to be, it brought me some much needed  information. It's in the stillness that clarity can be achieved. One of the things I'm clear about is my desire and purpose to be heard and help. So I am moving forward and picking up my "pen" again,

OWN Documentary Premier is a Must See

www.crimeaftercrime.com

In case you didn't know I love watching, or reading any types of biographies.  Tonight I just watched an amazing documentary on the OWN network called Crime After Crime. It tells the story of Deborah Peagler who was wrongly convicted of 1st degree murder of her abuser/boyfriend/pimp in 1983. I won't give the storyline away, because this is a must see!  I guarantee you will experience every possible human emotion while watching this. I can barely comprehend what she endured. And it made me think about all that I have available to me , we all do, and how  wasteful of these opportunities I am. I was compelled afterwards to see how I can get involved and you should too! I'll keep you posted on how my efforts take shape. Watch it and share this story with others. This is what television needs to be about!

www.crimeaftercrime.com

Giuliana Rancic announces Breast Cancer

I'm not big on celebrity news or gossip but I was just sitting here watching the Today Show and  just saw Giuliana Rancic announce she has breast cancer. I was instantly empathetic to her emotions when you're told you have a "something" showing up in your mammogram.  It was about  5 years ago when a routine exam for me led to the discovery of a mass.  For me it turned out to be nothing, but because at that time I didn't have health insurance, it took almost 3 months to get the necessary follow-ups to find out. All those programs for breast cancer treatment and help, only applied to women over 35 or 40, and at that time I was 28. I hope those limitations have changed, and I hope she's going to be alright as well! The 36 yr. old reality star talks about how she will continue invitro treatments as well

  

Read her Entire story here

                                                        

I've been Robbed!

Well, while I've  been  contemplating my next move professionally, the universe came through on what is finally, my FINAL move with my home life. My husband has finally gotten his dream position which happens to move us only about an hour and a half from family and friends.   Last week while hosting a very Fun and Fabulous Ladies night at my boutique The Little Blaque Dress in St. Louis, I received a call from the husband. As I was yet again listening to my Watch the Throne CD  it only took him uttering  two words that  changed my life.

Distraction vs. Determination

The more I  hone in on what I want to do going forward, the more it seems I'm dragging my feet.  I was so inspired last week to start making regular entries rather it be on paper or on this blog. I had a couple of lines ready to add to my manuscript as well.  All I needed to do was finish up on some last minute ordering for the boutique and I'd be free to start these wonderful projects. Then, we started closing on our home (distraction). My email marketing service was acting a fool (distraction), and I formally announce that I am addicted to Words with Friends game on Facebook ( up til 12am distraction). So now, not only have I not been productive with what I deemed important, I'm beating myself up mentally, which is a defeating state of mind as well. Well enough of that! I think one of the worst things a person can do is wallow in pity. Whether it's others' or your own.  It's  great to be reflective and acknowledge a problem, but that's just a first step. Every breath of life after that is an opportunity to act.



This post is my action. How are you acting on your desires?

You shop Where?

I got instantly giddy when I came across these "Must Have" shoes for fall

The ankle boots just scream "FALL" with the fuzzy sweater- like fabric. Plus the gold heel is just the right amount of sparkle to keep these from looking like the typical sasquatch boots I normally see during the winter months. The leather platform shoe needs no explanation: Haute!
Both of these pairs are priced under $80.00 each, and more surprising to the label whores of fashion, both shoes arepart of the "Gold Collection" by Christian Siriano for Payless.
 Now I know a few of you may be raising your nose at the thought of being seen at a store like payless,but why? If you see something you like, and it's of good quality why wouldn't you buy it? I couldn't care less about what "they" say because at the end of the day "They" don't pay my bills or wlk in my shoes :)   And like their motto says..."Why pay more , when you can Payless?"

Panty Raid

So my husband hates the fact that I wear real panties. By Real, I mean  panties that actually do something like: cover my ass cheeks, have a crotch to well blanket the "goods" ect.
  Why don't people understand that contrary to popular belief the "Thong" is strickly  for laying across the bed as a presentation  to your man. Not for everyday all day use.  Can you say Monistat?
But I digress.
Thursday, I got hold of some info, so I'm passing it on: Victorias Secret has 7 panties for $25  and this includes their PINK Collection. I personally like the  cotton bikinis by VS and the hipsters by PINK. Caution: If you get the PINK collection be prepared to go up a size. I'm a Med. in the regular VS collections, but a Lrg. in the PINK collection ( yes things have spread just a bit lol)

 I got mines, and now I have a few more real panties. And for him, some "presentation" ones as well.

Sale Going on September 1 and runs through Monday, September 5, 2011. 

Click Here to Find a Victorias Secret Store Near You

Sincerely, Sonja: The Real Housewives

Sincerely, Sonja: The Real Housewives

The Real Housewives

Today as I was cleaning my house AGAIN I got to thinking about something. How come when I watch my weekly dosage of reality TV, mainly "The Real Housewives" or  random "Wives" of this or that, I never see them doing the endless routine of cleaning that I do on a daily basis. Now I'm not saying none of them do house work, but if you're going to say a show is about the daily lives of a stay at home wife, or wife in general, let's really get real. I have yet to see  anyone from  Basketball Wives dust a bookshelf, push  a swiffer, nor less even empty a dishwasher. I wonder if any of the Real Housewives even do any of their laundry? If so, why isn't anyone showing this?

Thoughts on Food

The Early Bird gets the worm
But the Second mouse gets the cheese!

Chew on That!

Mental Delay

For the last couple of days I've been stuck in a mental rut. It's that time of the year in retail where you don't want to stock up on super summer- like  fashion, but on the other hand it's 95 plus degrees outside. No one wants to see knits regardless of how pretty it is. So I'm stuck on what to bring in, what color should it be ect. ect.
Unfortunately this puts a stall on everything else in my life. I'm the kind of person that can do a lot of things, but not necessarily with optimal results across the board. It's bad, to the point that I'm dreaming about upcoming orders and  what I'm going to display, and where. Oh did I mention that I haven't done my hair in 2 days because I can't decide on a hairstyle because I'm obsessing over what to order for the boutique.
 What is that about?  I've often said

I'ma Learn you some manners

Where are the professional people of the world?
 I just had someone call my cell phone and say "Hi, Sonja?" Now I knew I didn't know her. The giveaway...She was white, and very few white people have my cell number (just being honest). I replied "Who's calling?" "Michelle" she said. "From what company?" I answered back, "Well actually I'm looking for BLAH BLAH"( protecting the name of the person NOT paying their bills).
So now I had to let loose. First your calling my cell phone asking for me by first name as if we have some sort of relationship, better yet like we even know each other: WRONG
Then you don't wanna say what the nature of your call is, and come to find out the person you're looking for is not even me?  WRONG AGAIN
So this is how I ended that: "Michelle, I'm not sure how you were trained in phone etiquette, but it's awfully unprofessional to call someone that you do not know on a personal level by their first name. Generally, you might want to address them as Mr./Mrs. Blah or how about starting with introducing who you are, where you're calling from and then proceeding. The person you are looking for does not inhabit my home, and I am not able to speak for them, however whenever you decide to dial this number again, please use the prior suggestions given or endure another sound like this...CLICK"( me  hanging up)
Is it me or is everyone just getting too relaxed in professionalism. You go to the bank and you don't know the Tellers from other Clients, cashiers that just hand you a credit card reciept and look at you instead of saying"Could you sign this copy please?" and my personal favorite, nurses with 6 inch nails with the city scape airbrushed on them,but wanna take any kind of fluid sample from my body. Really?? Good grief, if I ever were to catch my staff doing any of these things, they'd be fired! Oh that's right, I have.

Picture Perfect

Recently I made a post on my Twitter page that read "The Perfect man for you is not perfect". I had a few people comment as if that was a no brainer, yet they didn't have a man, or mate.  For those who are not seeking a mate, this is not for you. However, if you  have thoroughly enjoyed time with yourself and doing you 24/7, but now desire companionship, lean in closely.
Chances are you have already met him. Now before you twist your face in several knots while rolling your eyes consider this. Every man you meet is basically a sample of the man you eventually will be with. All the best parts of every man you've ever will be present in the one you choose to spend forever with. That's the good news! In other news all the stuff they did that really sent you to the edge will be present too. Obviously I'm not talking about betrayal, or cheating but I am speaking about him doing things that gross you out, not calling you at 9:00 on the dot or whatever little things that kinda bug you.
In my case my husband is to damn goofy! I should have traction as many times a day that I shake my head in disbelief of his latest comment. All while we were dating I always seemed to say that about him. I mean he's one of the most responsible people I know, but this man has got some kind of thought process.

Recently, he went to the grocery store, mind you he bugged me to write him out a list of things we needed. I obliged, since I was not in the mood to go myself. An Hour later he returns with only 2 of the 15 things on the list. Everything else was a substitute for what I actually asked for. He was told me the store was out of a lot, so instead of not getting anything he got me the closest thing to it. Now anyone who knows me  knows when I ask for a specific brand of something like Hillshire Farm Beef hot Polish links, it's usually because that's the kind I like...DUH otherwise I would have said just get some sausage.  But not my beloved, he got some random beef sausage because he just wanted to get me something. Under my breath I wanted to scream, he had just spent $50.00 on items we didn't need, or that I didn't like, and then followed with "Well, I'm going back on Tuesday". Great, so we can spend another $50.00 getting what was actually on the  list.

Mind over Matter, or Mind = Matter

This morning I was watching the Today Show. They were explaining how the mind works and how magnificent the brain is. We all know this in theory, but here's a little tid bit that might have you changing your thoughts on thinking.
In the human brain there are 100 billion neurons that send signals or information to the body to control their actions, this is the same amount of stars in the galaxy. Now, it could just be that my mystical thought process  that says there is a connection here, but consider this, if every physical thing that is on the planet is a manifestation of a preceding idea, or thought, than  could what we physically see or experience in our lives be a direct outcome of an underlying or even conscience thought?
How many times have you blurted something out, and then bam, it happens or appears?
For me I can say this. If I have thought it, dreamt it, or spoke it. It appears. Sooner or Later.
Here's hoping that Range Rover is up next!

How do I Look

I'm always amazed at how people perceive me. Everyone is always excited when I tell them that I have my own clothing boutique.  Most people respond like "wow", or "Man, I wish had my own business". As if it's all glamourous and good times.
Let me tell you. Yes, it is a true blessing that I am able to have a business. I am so grateful that I can do what I love as a means to earn income. I haven't wanted to change it yet.
What people don't think about are all the long days you spend putting everything you have into your business, and all the long nights you spend worrying when things are not quite going right. They are not aware of the strain it can put on your patience, relationships, and not to mention finances.  When things are good, you can pat yourself on the back, and when things are less than favorable, you tend to beat yourself up.  Through it all I always encourage people to follow their dreams, and if it is to own your own business be ready for the prior mentioned issues, take deep breaths, and stay focused.  I guess the real success is when others look to you for inspiration because you make it "Look Easy"

Sincerely,
Sonja

Technology is great when

it WORKS! What the hell, I just lost my entire previous blog. I went to make some changes to it, and before I knew it, I had changed it alright. It went from working to non existence in one click. Of course there is no way for me to get it back, because I 'm not a computer hacker, or  computer techie  that can find this stuff by typing keys really fast like in the movies.
Anyhoo, this rant is fueled by the fact that it's 11:30pm and another 4 inches of snow arrived today. Looks like the Groundhog is WRONG again!
Oh well another episode of the Golden Girls is on. Laughing before sleep, that's a good thing
Sleep tight.

Sincerely, Sonja