Diva Las Vegas!

Diva Las Vegas!!! That's right, I just returned from my first trip ever to Vegas and I am still floating on cloud 9 from my experiences. I had the absolute pleasure of attending David Neagle's ERS seminar at the MGM Grand. I have been listening to David speak for some time so I had a slight clue as to what the seminar would be about, but my, oh my, did it knock my stilettos off! Oh...and for the record...stilettos and the Vegas strip...Lord help me for saying this, but OUCH! Not smart! I've been home nearly 5 days and my poor diva dogs are still whining.
The ERS seminar was such a life changing event. No doubt you will be hearing more from me in the future on how this seminar impacted my life, but for now...I'm going to share one of my major ah-ha moments. It occurred to me how many times I have come just inches shy of accomplishing my goal. David used the expression that if you aren't standing on the edge, then you are taking up too much room. How many times do we hear that voice in our head telling us to go forth and immediately find a million excuses for why we can't, won't or shouldn't. Case in point...
So...I'm sitting at the bar ( okay Dodies...I can hear the laughs already), but truly...I just got in from a very long, late night and didn't have the energy to drag my weary diva self up to my room. I stopped in for just one glass of wine. While sitting at the bar, I looked over in the direction of the very first slot machine I had played the day I arrived in Vegas. The moment I said out loud in my mind that as soon as I finished this glass of wine, I was going to go play that machine...a woman walked on over to it, sat down, put $5.00 in the machine and won $1500.00! OYYYYY!!!! To say I wanted to kick myself is a total understatement...now I'm a bit peeved at myself. So I take my glass of wine ( which by the way I could have done minutes earlier ) and walked out of the bar and towards another slot machine. I was bound and determined to WIN! So I go to the machine just to the left of the one that just paid off. I played for a while...loosing, winning, loosing, winning and finally tired and walked on over to another machine. I put my voucher in, played a bit more and again that annoying voice came in my head and said go back to the last machine. So I cashed out and back I went. Play big I told myself...and so I hit maximum bet each and every time while quickly watching my money go down the drain. One last tap on the maximum bet button and the machine wouldn't spin...I was a $1.00 shy of making the maximum bet. The voice spoke again...this time it said..." Do you really want to lose another $1.00?" Foolishly I hit the button for just 2 lines ( the remaining credits in the machine ) and watched the spinning wheel stop on one, two and then 3 glorious Lions. I couldn't believe my eyes!!! Sadly, I could believe my ears however as there were no bells ringing, no musical fan fare...just dead silence. I hobbled away from my seat and on my way out of the casino I ran in to one of the employees. We struck up a wonderful conversation discussing how the casinos really were a metaphor for so many things in life. I shared my tale of woe with him. He asked me to show him the machine I had been playing and I walked him over to the machine that still had the 3 lions prominently displayed in the window. He got the funniest look to his face and then he said, Gina, had you played the maximum bet??? I told him the story and the look on his face turned apologetic. He then explained that had I spent that additional dollar I would have hit the $800.00 jackpot. It was that close...just one measly dollar away and I allowed that voice in my head to say STOP!
1 glass of chardonnay.....$8.00
15 minutes in a Vegas Casino possible winnings....$2300.00
Lessons learned......priceless!
I licked my wounds, returned to my room and got on line to confirm my return flight reservation. The screen asked me if I wanted to upgrade to business class. That little voice inside my head attempted to speak, but I stifled the annoyance and clicked YES. From here on in, my flights and my life will be on upgraded status! Life's too short to stop just shy of something wonderful. Play big to win big!!!
Diva~Heel Thyself!

Sole Sister~ShoeRay!!!

What a fabulous time Jessie and I had at the Sole Sister's recent Girl's Night Out Event. We had the honor of crowning the 2008 Flip~Flop Diva pictured at right. Long may she reign!!!

As an added bonus, the Sole Sister's High Heels ( Honey, Peach and Vegas ) participated on The Diva Success Network on July 3rd. I was honored to be presented with my very own Sole Sister's Charter. The new charter is appropriately named, " The Diva~Tantes ". I can't wait for us to form our chapter and start " Steppin Up " in true Sole Sister Style! I encourage all of you to check out the Sole Sisters at www.thesolesisters.com This fabulous group of women " stepped " in to my life about a year ago and their friendship is truly a gift and a blessing. What I love most about them is their philosophy that life is too short for woulda's and coulda's ( and ugly shoes)...you need to grab life by the horns and don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today. They empower and encourage women of all ages to STEP outside of the box. Their mission statement," We believe that good friends and our favorite shoes have a lot in common, both make you comfortable and provide just the right amount of support." How true!!! Their zaniness is uplifting, their zest for life is contagious and their support and encouragement is priceless!

Until next time...Diva Heel Thyself!

Who Are Your Grown Up Girlfriends???

On Thursday, June 19th, Jessie and I welcomed to the airwaves Jodie Fitz, creator of the web site GrownUpGirlfriends.com. It was a wonderful discussion of how we as women need to seek out and nurture our girlfriend relationships. I have been blessed beyond words to have the many girlfriends that I do in my life. I have numerous, " circles of friends" who support, encourage, entertain and sustain me.

It occurred to me shortly after our discussion that girlfriends are like seasons. Each different and each welcomed through out the cycle of our growth. I remember when my family was given a relocation to where we live now. Pulling out of our drive way for the very last time to follow the moving van, I tried in vain to hide my tears. I remember thinking that I was leaving behind some of the best friends I ever had and worried that I would never have a relationship like that again. Those women who I was saying goodbye to had been a part of my child rearing years. We all lived on the same street and had children all the same age who were best of friends themselves. We had been one another's support system. We encouraged one another with plenty of humor ( and on occassion large amounts of adult beverages ) as we faced the teenage years of our children. Many an hour was spent sitting on the front porch discussing the trials and tribulations. We had such a strong connection to one another built through the relationships of our children. Obviously this would be a connection I would never be able to share with new women. There would be no history. I was so saddened by this. I was both right and wrong in my thinking. In my new surroundings I soon made friends. In fact, I made very dear friendships with women who I can call on in a heartbeat and know without question that they will be there for me and I for them. My girlfriends from my past who were so very special to me were a part of my child nurturing years...my girlfriends of today are a part of my nurturing years. We have witnessed our own self growth and continue to witness it, encourage it, reach for it and celebrate it. The girlfriends of my past helped make me who I am today, the girlfriends of my present, help make me who I am tomorrow.

I leave you with one of my favorite passages from The Girl Friend's Bible written by Cathy Hamilton. "For no matter how occupied we become with jobs, men, children or the other concerns of life, we shall always make time for female bonding. For our camaraderie is our light and our salvation, and is exceedingly cheaper than therapy." AMEN to that!

Diva~Heel Thyself!

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Register

One day last week, I was out shopping with my husband of over 24 years. Our task, to find some new tops for the warmer weather to go with what my husband so cutely refers to as my, “ big girl clothes”. Having to shop most of my life in the juniors department has made the leap to, “ big girl clothes” difficult at times. I am a grown woman having to shop in a not so grown up world. It can be very frustrating. To add to that frustration…shopping with my better half. I turned to find him holding up a pair of the tiniest shorts, “ Hey Slim, What about these?” I glanced to look at what amounted to a wash cloth with a zipper and pockets and asked…where’s the rest of them? I then proceeded to point out the fact that I was forty-something years old and those were not appropriate attire for me. What do you mean he asked? They are in your size! Well, just because something is in my size, does not make it right for me. Needless to say, we both grew a little agitated with the other. He couldn’t understand my reluctance to wear the clothing he was picking out, and I couldn’t understand his reluctance to accept that I was a grown woman, not a hoochie momma. In all the years we’ve been married; his attire has basically remained the same. For non-work attire it’s either a pair of jean shorts or the same standard brand of Levi’s that he has worn since before we got married. Now I don’t know about you ladies, but this bothers me. Whenever he is in need of jeans, he simply heads to the Levi’s section and looks for the 501 style that he has worn for ages. I on the other hand need to pack a lunch and prepare to try on 501 styles of jeans! That is a whole other blog in itself.
Back to the teenie bopper clothing. No offense to the brand maker, but why in the world would I want to have the word JUICY written across my bum? JUICY? Firstly, what ever happened to truth in advertising? Lumpy, bumpy, jiggly or even saggy…now that would be more like it. How about, “ Objects in mirror are smaller then they appear?” Talk about a new form of, “ bumper sticker”. Honestly, not to be a prude or anything, but I don’t find the wording juicy appropriate for any age female derriere. But I digress from my original point. The following day while driving in traffic I was reflecting on the events at Macy’s the day before. I wondered, was my husband trying to turn me back in to a twenty something or is it that he can’t see the fact that I’ve grown to be forty something years old? Is it that in his mind and in his eyes I am still that same 19 year old he married? Was the whole incident the day before truthfully a compliment instead of an insult to me? I pulled my car off the exit ramp and once again headed back to Macy’s. I would surprise him by buying that off the shoulder top he thought looked so good. The washcloth with pockets…well, I saved that one for the 5 year olds that they would cover appropriately. I’m all for dressing to impress, but the impression I wish to leave is age appropriate. What do you think?
Diva~Heel Thyself!

Step One~Don't Wipe Your Feet Here!

June 12th 2008, Step one...the airing of The Diva Success Network. Jessie La Falce and I rolled out the welcome mat to our very first guest, Merci Miglino, Author of From Doormat to Diva! Could there have been a more fitting introduction?

Why was Merci's visit so perfect? Well, besides the fact that she knows a thing or two about " diva-tude ", her book From Doormat to Diva and the concepts that it shares is amazing! I literally felt as though Merci's writing was directed straight to me. I imagine that most women who read her book have the very same feelings. I took 4 pages of notes while reading through the e-book version. I have ordered the physical book because it is something that I want to have in my library to consistently refer back to when I myself lose site of my inner Diva. Merci shares that being a Diva is not only an okay thing...it's our right! A diva, according to Merci, " is someone who shares her gifts with the world". Now, that's a far cry from the negative conotations the word Diva can conjure up. Sharing your gifts with the world is exactly the premise behind The Diva Success Network. We all have gifts, we all have something that is worthwhile to say or do, but we often times do not give voice or action to those gifts. Why do we hide them??? If you worry that in giving the green light to you and your desires means having to neglect others in your life you are wrong. In fact, as I have shared numerous times on the show and in my writings that the day I finally gave myself permission to be who I had to be, my own family situation flourished. My entire family came to see me in a different light and as I continue to grow, they too grow. The fact that at times the house isn't 100% clean, tidy and perfect doesn't affect them in the least. It in fact is a testimonial to my living...really living in my moment and doing what I need to do and laundry, ironing and windows are not what I NEED TO DO. I mean I do...but they are not the measurements of my success as I used to believe them to be. In other words, they were excuses...they were some of the many " excuses " I had for not being able to do those things that truthfully I feared doing. What are your excuses? Can you identify them, define them and then LET THEM GO??? There is no such thing as " trying " to do something. You are either doing or you are not doing. I encourage you all to do just one thing this week that takes you out of your comfort level or identifies the path you wish to be walking. Then...take that first step.

With Passion~Comes Possibility...Here's to that passion!

Heel thyself Divas!!!

How Does One Walk A Mile In A Pair Of Jimmy Choos?

How Does One Walk A Mile In A Pair Of Jimmy Choos???

One beautiful step at a time! And it is with that thought that I am proud to start a new radio journey. Some of you may be familiar with the fact that I have hosted a show called Diva in the House-The Voice of Real Estate Staging for CSP. It in fact will be celebrating its one year anniversary on the 15th of June. Along that journey I discovered so many inspirational women...many living their passions and profiting. As I stumbled to learn the ropes along the way of this uncharted territory for myself, I also discovered things about myself and my desires to truly change my direction. Through some amazing events my vision became clearer, my desire stronger and my inner voice louder. I have often said that the journey is always more fun than the destination. The most important thing is to be open to the possibilities that present themselves. One such possibility was the launching of a new radio show. From thought to conception even that changed. Then one day, it finally all came together and it FELT right. The amazing thing is that the moment I put my thoughts out there in to the universe, everything and every body necessary to help make this happen materialized. Not only were they available, they were encouraging, supportive and excited. In numerous conversations I found one underlying theme...WITH PASSION~COMES POSSIBILITY and thus the birth of The Diva Success Network...a mastermind group on the airwaves. The Creme de la creme for Fem de la Fems.

I know there will be growing pains...but they aren't labor pains! They are all just reminders of growth. And as with any journey it starts with one step. One beautiful, glorious, high-heeled step. I hope that you will walk along with me and watch the transformations that take place.

Cheers!