Category: Fashion
Home / Design /
March 6, 2014
Distract me.

 Screenshot 2014-03-06 03.15.51

Why are you so distracted?

Illustration of Moschino Mixed Rose Print Satin Romper

Lately I have been so incredibly distracted and planning my social calendar way far in advance.  This year I have SO many things to focus on from planning multiple parties (I’m the Maid of Honor to my best friend since Jr. High and her festivities begin NEXT week!) like bachelorettes, bridal showers, family parties, my wedding, and all the little details in between. I am aware that it is fully justified to be distracted, however I have been noticing this in a rather interesting way.

Maybe being distracted has another meaning all together.

Sometimes when you are distracted, it is an external distraction like someone calling or your dog barking.  That means there is something you must address immediately.

Other times there are internal distractions like deciding to check your email or facebook an unnecessary number of times, wondering what’s on TV, strolling about to get a snack or getting the urge to google that random product you heard about earlier and even obsessing about details for your social plans.  All of these things can wait.

What I have noticed (or googled, while I was ahem…distracted) is that these internal interruptions could actually mean something.

For example, being sidetracked may be causing you to put off your paper, procrastinate on that new project or anything like that.

Sometimes your distractions really mean that you are subconsciously or consciously delaying something on purpose.

Maybe you are afraid of failing, afraid of succeeding, of finishing or moving on. Maybe you’re bored of what you are doing. Maybe you don’t feel good enough to do the job, or maybe your just doing the wrong thing in general.  Could it be our intuition telling us we are just not so into it any more?

The answer to any one of those above meanings is simple.  Get back to being inspired.  Change it up and divulge into the corners of your imagination and your dreams for what you want to be doing.

You just need to get more determined.

Figure out what’s NOT inspiring you so you can figure out what IS (or what CAN) inspire you.

You are in control and the world is your oyster. Decide the who, what, when, where and why of it and make it happen in your life.

Branch out. It’s all about the sticks. Each stick can build a shelter.

One small thing at a time can get you to where you want to be.

Take inventory of these little things to create your master plan and then get it out there to the universe!

Thanks for distracting me with this article Alexis 

Hope that inspired YOU,
Xoxo
Emily

February 13, 2014
Spice it up!

Screenshot 2014-02-13 02.09.25

10 things you can do NOW to get your sexy back.

There comes a time when a wakeup call is needed.

You create a style, a system, a path, a groove, a method to your madness. Although it works for you, it may not work for everyone and sometimes someone will come along to shake you up and get you on your toes again.

Whether it be the way you work, how you work out, your friendships or, on this Valentine’s day blog edition: your romantic relationships, and your (ahem) playtime  – you may have hit a plateau. A comfortable routine or a daily getup where you become predictable has many benefits – but sexy is not one of them.

Ever stop to think you may become boring to other people?  Are YOU boring yourself? Change the way you do things.

Get out of your own way and stop fighting your own growth!

We only grow when we get out of our box – when we challenge ourselves and get creative.

Here are 10 things you can do now to spice up your life. Apply this to ALL areas and don’t limit yourself!

The element of SURPRISE! This week do something unexpected.  Then make it an unpredicted habit.

1. (LOVE) Grab your man and take control.  Take advantage of a timeframe or scenario during your day that he is not expecting and get at it! Put on a little sexy outfit underneath your day time attire so you will be ready with an extra pinch of spice.

2. (FIT) Change your diet around and swap out meals to confuse your metabolism and burn more calories.

3. (WORK) Look up some new methods to organize your day, or try a new style of getting things done! (ahem my art! – new prints see link at bottom of post!)

4. (FAB) Go on websites like pinterest, polyvore or grab a good ol’ glossy mag and scroll/flip through some major fashion moments. Pick a style that you profess you would “never wear” and challenge yourself to see how you can take one element and shock people with your style (in a good way hopefully).

Have fun and see what works! “Life is a big experiment. The more experiments you make the better!” – R. W. Emerson

Turn it upside down. Flip the switch on your normal routine.

5. (LOVE) Make plans for this Valentine’s day or sometime soon at a totally new creative place.  Try for a new spot on the other side of town that you seldom haunt.  Get active with your hands and body involved.  (Maybe not what I’m thinking but you can try that too!) I mean try some indoor rock climbing, a pasta making class, or Japanese bbq where you cook your own dinner.  Getting the senses involved in a way that is out of commonplace will spark some curiosity and a sense of adventure.

6. (FIT) Get outta town! The same things for the above LOVE tip you can work into your fitness routine. Look up some new classes to take, youtube new techniques or trainers and bust you’re A$$.  Pick the moves you HATE to do and always try to escape. Those are the ones you really need to do. Challenge yourself and see what you’re made of.

7. (WORK) Get inspired by what you want to accomplish. Take an hour to step back and look at the big picture you are tirelessly working so hard to get to. Notice the path you have taken and see what works and what doesn’t. Take the to-do’s that you have not seen much progress with and try a completely different way of doing it.

8. (FAB) Switch up your look. If you normally wear neutrals, or brights – switch it up. If you generally go for a minimalistic look, go the opposite route and vice versa. Changing up your look with a few accessories, adding or subtracting layers or a new hair style is just enough push to turn your style upside down and turn heads down the street.

See what you’re made of!

9. (ALL) Challenge yourself TO THE CORE. Ask for 3 people’s trusted opinions of you and what you could change in order to grow and see what they have to say. You may not like hearing it at first but the world is bigger than your view of it.  Take these comments to heart and see what you can do to be a better lover/friend/boss/employee/person all year round.

10. (ALL) Make the spice rack easily accessible. If you don’t see it… it isn’t there? Maybe not so much, but of sight, out of mind? Yes.  Keep track of your little “spicy moments” in a way that is fun and easy like writing it on your calendar. Remember when you were little and your mom gave you a sticker for doing your chores? This is the grown up version of that. Engage a fun way of keeping track of your spontaneity by drawing a star on the calendar. This way you can look back and see all the spicy moments you created at a glance.

Too much effort? Don’t worry about it! Just shrivel up and get boring! K?

Oh, I’m joking… sort of…

Happy Valentines day, and remember – whether or not you believe this day was created by Hallmark to sell cards or by St. Valentine himself, it’s not just about YOU! It’s about showing others how much you love THEM. Step aside your ego and know that there is always room for improvement. Strive to get outside the box to add that pop of adventure and excitement to all things in your life and for all people in your life!

You decide how much effort you put into your personal growth and making others around you happy.

Take some of these tips to feel FRESH, energetic and SEXY – this valentines day and every day!  Commit to trying new things at least once a week and really stick to it to have a life that you love.  Fill it with invigoration and forego the stale patterns you may have picked up along the way.

It’s never too late to learn some new tricks!

Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

Do you like our new Illustrated Leopard print cards? We are trying something new – let us know and email us back at info@EmilyBrickel.com

Purchase now on etsy in the link below for  “Hey Valentine”, “Shine Bright” and “Thank you” cards and prints!

Shop here! 

xoxo

 

February 6, 2014
Harness the inspiration from within

Screenshot 2014-02-06 12.03.18

It’s that time again. Fashion Week is upon us and to me – it’s the stuff that dreams are made of.   I don’t know what it is about fashion but it literally never stops giving me chills when I see a runway show, details of a garment up close or another fellow fashion designer’s illustrations.  What is it that gives you chills?

To me, there is magic in the creation of each piece of apparel and there is an energy that I can really feel when I see any of the “behind the scenes”, even before I created my first collection or runway show.

I love seeing the sneak peeks of any of the designers that I admire so much and to see what goes into the final creation. Today I want to share some with you and help you harness a little inspiration of your own.

Even though this season I am not showing my own collection, I know that fire burns within me and it is what I am meant to do.  If “Plan A” doesn’t work, the alphabet has 25 more letters. I know there are so many of you who have this burning desire of a dream and I’m telling you never to stop.

Believe in your dreams and do what makes your soul SHINE!

“Dream big and dare to fail.”  – Norman Vaughan.

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, live the life you have imagined.” – Henry David Thoreau.

Just start, and don’t stop.

If you are thinking, wait its not that simple – then read on because it really is.  It is so simple, yet not so easy.  Follow along and you too will have the path to living your dreams! It takes time, perseverance, blood, sweat and tears but if you want it bad enough, it will be yours.

  1. Be Specific. Know exactly what it is that you want to do and write it down.

 

  1. Believe and trust wholeheartedly.  If you don’t believe it fully, stop right here and start to trust. The act of believing in something comes from within and the best way to get there is really to trust your inner voice, your intuition.  To sit back and to listen to what it is telling you.

 

  1. Create goals.  Now you need to believe that you not only can do it, but that you WILL do it.  Create goals, create a plan and commit.

 

  1. Take action NOW.  There is no time like the present. You can do it, so as the ancient greek goddess Nike said “JUST DO IT”.  *That was a joke. More like, as the company named after the greek goddess says!

 

  1. Review your progress. You set your goals, now keep track of them and hold yourself accountable.

 

  1. See it. Visualize it and decide exactly how it will look in your head.

 

  1. Have a support system. Tell your friends and family what you want to do. Read The Secret, and other books on accomplishing great things in life. This is your support system, the reinforcement that you too can live your dreams.

Hope that inspired you and believe me, it is a long and windy road. A path less traveled.  A path in which obstacles will be in your way and you will have to dig up the weeds, climb up the pathless hills and pave your own way.  But, as you look back on the path you chose, the path less traveled, know that you have become a trailblazer, with battle wounds to tell the tale.

Here’s a little bit of my inspiration and Happy Fashion Week!


Alessandra Meskita of Meskita


Jay Godfrey


Adam Selman


Rebecca Minkoff


Dennis Basso


Christian Siriano


Giovanna Randall of Honor

Carolina Herrera

Illustrations courtesy of Women’s Wear Daily

Hope that inspired you!
xoxo
Emily

January 30, 2014
Another trip around the sun!

Screenshot 2014-01-30 01.35.07

It’s My Birthday and my gift to you is 25% off all of my shops using code: BIRTHDAYGIRL Now through Feb 6th! 

So today is my BIRTHDAY and I am so grateful to celebrate another trip around the sun and to see what adventures this year will bring!

For some reason my internal clock always thinks the new year begins on my birthday (since technically it does on everyone’s birthday) and for that reason I always take some sort of inventory of my life and my dreams.

I would normally say that I turn 24 for the 5th time as my fiancé can attest, but this year I am proud to say that I will be 29 years old and in these last 29 years I can finally say I am truly proud of myself.  For some reason the inner wisdom of myself is really setting in hard core and I am so much more comfortable, happy and at ease with who I am and in my own skin.

29 sounds old to me, as you know this IS the oldest I have ever been so far, so its hard to fathm why the “old soul” inside of me has always felt like I was 24 my whole life (even when I was 5 and still now).

Yes the taboo stuff comes with getting older but so does the really good stuff and at least I still get carded everywhere I go, not to brag or anything (hehe).

One of my dear friends has sent me this amazing and inspiring article from the Huffington Post that I really want to share with you! I literally could not change a single word because her words of wisdom truly moved me.  This was posted by a fellow Aquarii on HER birthday this Sunday by Dawn Gluskin and it is really amazing. I was going to do my own version of this but I don’t even think I could have said this any better or any more eloquently. So cheers to us, all of us who can be grateful to get another year older.  Here are the 37 life lessons so far from a 37 year old on her birthday, (I couldn’t even take out some if I tried to make it 29 lessons – they are all just too good not to share)- Enjoy!

Top 37 Life Lessons So Far…

1. Happiness comes from within. We spend way too much of our lives looking for outside validation and approval that eludes us. Turns out, it’s been an inside job all along. Go inward.

2. Be grateful for everything. The good, the bad, the ugly. Our entire life is a precious gift. The pleasure, the pain — it’s all part of our path.

3. Subtle shifts in perception will transform your entire life. When feeling fearful, angry, hurt, simply choose to see a situation differently.

4. In being true to yourself, you can’t possibly make everybody else happy. Still, it’s better to risk being disliked for living your truth than to be loved for what you are pretending to be.

5. The world is our mirror. What we love in others is a reflection of what we love about ourselves. What upsets us about others is a strong indication of what we need to look at more closely within ourselves.

6. Everybody comes into our life for a reason. It is up to us to be open to the lesson they are meant to teach. The more someone rubs us the wrong way, the greater the lesson. Take notes.

7. Trust. In troubled times, just know that the Universe has your back and everything is going to be alright. If you’re not there yet, trust in hindsight you will understand. Your higher good is being supported, always.

8. Never take things personally. What others do is a reflection of what’s going on in their own life and probably has little or nothing to do with you.

9.  A walk in nature cures a lot. Taking in some fresh air and the beautiful landscape of this earth is amazingly head-clearing, grounding, and mood-lifting. Bonus: You can learn a whole lot about life in your observation of the awesomeness which is nature.

10. Hurt people hurt people. Love them anyway. Although, it’s totally okay to love them from a distance.

11. You have to feel it to heal it. Bring your fears and weaknesses front and center and shine a blazing spotlight on them because the only way out is through. The hurt of facing the truth is SO worth it in the long run, I swear.

12. Perfectionism is an illusion. A painful one at that. Ease up. Strive for excellence, sure, but allow yourself room to make mistakes and permission to be happy regardless of outcome.

13. Take the blinders off. Don’t become so laser-focused on your own goals and desires that you miss out on the beauty in life and the people around you. The world is stunningly beautiful when you walk around with eyes wide open.

14. Celebrate the journey. It’s not all about the destination. Savor all of your successes, even the small ones.

15. Forgiveness is not so much about the other person. It’s about you and for you so that you can gain the peace and freedom you deserve. Forgive quickly and often.

16. We are all incredibly intuitive. When we learn to become still and listen, we can tap into some pretty amazing primal wisdom. Listen to the quiet whisper of your heart. It knows the way.

17. Let your soul shine! Be authentic. There is nobody else on this earth just like you. Step into your truth wholeheartedly and live and breathe your purpose.

18. We are powerful creators. Seriously, bad-asses. With intention, focus, and persistence — anything is possible. Know this.

19. I am full of light. You are full of light. We are all full of light. Some cast shadows on their own brightness. Be a beacon of light to others and show them the way.

20. Don’t take life too seriously! Nobody gets out alive anyway. Smile. Be goofy. Take chances. Have fun.

21. Surround yourself with people who love and support you. And, love and support them right back! Life is too short for anything less.

22. Learn the delicate dance. Have big beautiful dreams and vision. Chase them with much passion. But, also hold on to them all ever so lightly. Be flexible and willing to flow as life comes at you.

23. Giving is the secret to receiving. Share your wisdom, your love, your talents. Share freely and be amazed at how much beauty in life flows back to you.

24. On that note, be careful not to give too much. If you empty out your own cup completely, you will have nothing left to give. Balance is key.

25. Say “YES!” to everything that lights you up. Say “no”, unapologetically, to anything that doesn’t excite you or you don’t have the bandwidth for. Time is one of our most precious resources that we can never get back. Manage it wisely.

26. Sometimes we outgrow friendships. It doesn’t mean they’re bad or you’re bad. It just means you’re on different paths. Hold them in your heart, but when they start to hurt or hold you back, it’s time to give space or let go.

27. Fear is often a very good indicator of what we really want and need in our life. Let it be your compass and enjoy the exciting adventure it leads you on.

28. Overcoming your fears is one of the most empowering things you can ever do for yourself. You’ll prove to yourself you can truly accomplish anything! Major self-confidence booster.

29. Our bodies are our vehicle to our dreams. Treat them with love and fuel them with the best health to feel vibrant and energized. But, never obsess over image. Looks are subjective and will fade in time, anyway. Feeling good, healthy, and comfortable in our own skin is what matters most.

30. Let those that you love know it often and enthusiastically. You can never say it or show it too much. Your time, total presence, love, and genuine concern for their wellness is the greatest gift of all.

31. The present moment is where it’s at. It’s the only one promised to any of us. Learn from your past & enjoy the beautiful memories, but don’t cling or let them haunt you. And, dream big and be excited about the future, but don’t become obsessed. Love this moment, always.

32. Life is full of highs and lows. We need them both to grow to our fullest potential. Just hang on tight and enjoy the ride.

33. We are all connected as one human family. Nobody is better or worse than anyone else — just at different stages of our journeys and dealing with life the best way we know how. Recognize that the other person is you.

34. Practice daily gratitude for all the blessings in your life, large and small. Not only is this a high vibe practice that feels amazing, in practicing regularly you are creating space for even more abundance — of joy, love, health, and prosperity.

35. We are not the center of the universe, although our ego can make us feel that way at times. Step outside of that way of thinking and see the world and other people’s perspective in a whole new beautiful light.

36. The world needs more love, light, and laughter. Go be love.

37. You are the guru. For much of our lives, we have been told what do, how to think, what looks good, what “success” is. You don’t have to buy into any of it. Feel free to peel back the layers. Think for yourself. Break the mold. When you stop doing what everybody else wants you to do and start following your own intuition, you will be ridiculously happy.

Here is the full link to that article by Dawn Gluskin.  

And now for all of you who made it all the way through that – A very special Birthday SALE for you! Get 25% off any purchases on my etsy or my website OR through me directly when you place a new order for custom work, prints or products!!! Use code BIRTHDAYGIRL from now until Feb 6th!

Thanks so much and Thanks Jessica for sending this to me <3

Hope that inspired you!

Xoxo

Emily

Shop on www.etsy.com/shop/EmilyBrickel or www.EmilyBrickelIllustrations.com and use code BIRTHDAY girl for 25% off now through Feb 6th! xo

January 23, 2014
Runway Couture

Screenshot 2014-01-23 01.47.06

Illustration of Elie Saab Couture

So this week is one of my favorite weeks of the year! Not only is it my fiancés birthday week and not only is MY birthday week next week but it is PARIS HAUTE COUTURE WEEK!

Seriously people this is what I look forward to all year in terms of fashion when couture week hits.

No fashion show can ever top Couture fashion because of the ornate details, intricate work and over the top theatrics that meshes satisfying our fantasy wardrobe mixed with denoting the trends for the following season.

This is big. Not sure if you guys know this but I have been “classically” trained in Trend forecasting at a company called Trend Union, based in Paris.  When I visited their Paris showroom I knew I had to work for them. And so I did, right when I got back to New York!  I trained with the best, Lee Edelkoort herself.

As a fashion designer, I always look to the runway collections to see what’s hot and what can be translated into the next season, among other things to spot and predict the trends.

So here you have it – my trend predictions and favorite musings from Paris Haute Couture week.  Normally I write about inspiration – but this is to me more inspiring than anything.  I hope you can see how runway translates in to a version of what we will all be wearing come next season (especially with fast fashion – even faster).

Croptops – but more boxy as opposed to skin tight.

Screenshot 2014-01-23 11.23.04 Sheer leg peekaboos

Screenshot 2014-01-23 11.20.31 White is still huge and look for pops of bright yellow.

Peplum in a different way

Screenshot 2014-01-23 11.35.12 Techy fabrics and cutouts

Screenshot 2014-01-23 11.51.43 Tribal and floral sequin appliques on sheer mesh.

Screenshot 2014-01-23 12.04.44

All photos by Giovanni Giannoni for WWD.com

Hope that inspires you!

xoxo

Emily

 

January 16, 2014
Moving past the roadblock

Screenshot 2014-01-16 11.25.00

Playing around with a new illustration style!!!

A lot of times, inspiration comes in the form of a roadblock.

There will always be a point of frustration that you will often times encounter and, it is in those moments when you just can’t see 5 feet in front of you, that you need to let go.

Sometimes an unexpected thing happens. For instance, you get an email from one person – which reminds you to call a totally different person.  You run late to a meeting and drop your coffee all over the floor only to look down and see a flyer hosting the most perfect event that you just are fated to attend.

A call from a friend, an unexpected encounter, a walk in the park, taking a new route to your destination for whatever reason, getting fired and breaking up with your boyfriend on the same day. These are all some sort of divine intervention.  It’s a big red flag urging you to change course when you are at a roadblock, at a time when you can’t see the steps to take.  These are the little things in life that we can sometimes miss if we aren’t paying attention, so pay attention and go with the flow. Trust.

Whatever it takes to see something differently, whatever it is – it is a miracle.

Stop and smell the coffee.  Take a whiff of those gorgeous roses / peonies.

The path less traveled is the one with roadblocks but you just have to look down in the brushes and deep inside of you for clues of where to head next.

Take it one step at a time.

Trust in your heart, and above all trust your gut and intuition.

You know when you need a break, to rethink something – or to call a friend. Succumb to the chaos that is the unknown and let life surprise you a bit.  You won’t be disappointed.

Have faith.

I am my own worst critic and there are so many things that I need to practice more of what I preach, but I am learning.  I am on this blog every week to experience and dig deeper into what inspires me, into what inspiration is, and to how it can be used to accomplish great things in your life, and everyone’s life that reads this.

This is crucial to explore your own progress, to chart your journey so that others who follow can have a trailblazer like you to follow.

Following your heart and intuition is the biggest gift we each as individuals can give the world.

What is your heart telling you to do?  Listen, trust and allow.  Only in hindsight can you see that you were then and are now being guided.

Marinate on that.

As always,

Hope that inspires you (To live your dreams and to live the best life you can live because you deserve it!!!)

Xoxo

Emily

 

 

 

 

 

January 9, 2014
Starting over

Screenshot 2014-01-09 03.28.20

So it’s already the first week of January 2014 and although I think new days are pretty good for starting over – New Year’s are really good for starting over.

Whatever it is, your image, your branding, your look, your priorities and your goals – now is the best time to start. And, if you fall off the bandwagon, the moment when you realize you fell off – is a good time to start again.

I love the start of things – it’s open to so much possibility and hope.  Hope for a great new year, amazing memories and life changing milestones.  Hope for a better tomorrow, a year of health, of happiness, of love, of peace, of a cure, of answers.

The mindset you have is really the way to accomplish all of your dreams and to attract a brilliant year and life your way.  I don’t know about you but I believe in the power of positivity, in “The Secret”, in “you get what you give”, in sending out positive energy to get positive energy and vice versa.

I believe in energy – inspired energy, and the conspiring of the whole universe to give you exactly what you wish for.

Each year I start out with goals for milestones and dreams to accomplish. Sometimes I hit them and sometimes I don’t. However, what I realized in this last year – and when I really started feeling true happiness – is that it’s really about the feeling that you have that will set your heart free and make you feel like you finally accomplished your goals.  This is something Danielle LaPorte recommends – acknowledging the feelings you want to feel for this year and marinate in that.  Not the goal – but the feeling.

For example I want to feel happy, loved, cherished, respected, butterflies, inspired, satisfaction, passion, joy, healthy, strong, fit, beautiful, empowered, courageous, determined, chemistry, connection, bold, authentic, safe, real, powerful, divine, blessed, humble, accomplished, like I make a difference, and excitement!!!

Feeling these would make me so happy – as opposed to (for example) loosing 10 lbs but still not feeling healthy or getting a great job but not feeling inspired or satisfied.  Do you see what I’m getting at?

If you could gain 5 lbs of muscle and feel strong, that is better than loosing 10 lbs and feeling gross.  Stop thinking about what society or what others view as success and decide it for yourself!

Perspective is everything.  It is 100% about not being the most beautiful, or richest girl in the world but FEELING like you are.  As opposed to being literally dubbed by magazines and society as being the most beautiful or richest girl in the world yet not liking what you see in the mirror, not thinking you are beautiful or having all that money can buy but having any riches of the heart.

Life is what you make it.  Make it what you want to feel.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”― Maya Angelou

Flip that on yourself. You may even forget what you said or what you did in the past – but you will never forget how you felt.  Use this to guide your future.

This week’s illustration is a tribute to the beautiful Olivia Palermo with congratulations on her recent engagement to Johannes Huebl

Hope that inspires you!

xoxo

Emily

 

 

 

January 2, 2014
Clear it out for a NEW YEAR

Screenshot 2014-01-02 01.44.35

Illustration for my client Salwa Chamsi Pasha of Amalya Events from Australia

Lately I have to say I’ve been feeling a little bit uninspired with my blog… my life has been so hectic and busy and I am having so much fun, working on tons of projects, with new projects in the pipeline for my art, consulting and more,… and so many things to look forward to.

I am engaged to someone who is my best friend, who pushes me to be my best and who makes me laugh on a daily basis.  I am planning the wedding of my childhood BEST Friend of over 15 years as her Maid of Honor, planning my wedding, expanding my business(es), spending time with family and friends and so many other amazing things!

2013 was really good to me! It was a year of such enormous growth, so many blessings and so many things to treasure.  Sure there were some sad and uncertain moments but those were the best ones that helped me grow so much.

I started this blog 3 YEARS AGO on NEW YEARS DAY to continually inspire myself and in turn, inspire others.  In these last 3 years I know from your personal emails and messages that I have been lucky enough to inspire so many of you and be that thing that you just needed to hear to keep you going.  I am so grateful for that and I just want to keep inspiring you to my greatest capacity.  That said, I feel like something has to change and I am not sure what yet.  Some times you hit an invisible plateau and at that point, it’s time to refocus and change paths in order to grow even more.

I just cleared out my stacks of papers, my piles of “to-do-someday” lists, hung up the new calendars, (wrote in all the birthdays, weddings, events– phewff there’s a lot) and brought myself to focus on my goals for the coming year.

I don’t know what kind of change is in the air… but I smell it, and man does it smell good.

If you have any input on what you think I should continue to blog about please let me know!

Who knows what the New Year might bring… But I know it will be amazing!

For you reading this, maybe there is somewhere in your life where you feel you are plateauing, in a place where things are going great but you know you can do more.  Call it out, get honest and sit and figure out how you can be of highest service for this New Year and the New Years to come!

Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

December 19, 2013
Take Out The Trash

 

Screenshot 2013-12-19 03.12.21

On a daily basis your body and brain go through so much, whether it be stress, emotional or physical exhaustion and anything that you put into your body.

Stress levels in your body do some major damage, which release actual toxins in your body.  Fortunately we are equipped to handle this and “take out the trash”. A system called our glymphatic system (named for a combination of the brains’ glial cells and the lymphatic system) basically is a functional waste clearance pathway for the BRAIN.

When I found this out I thought it was so interesting because many a time I have had brain fog late at night and have needed to “Sleep on it” for any small or large decisions that I simply could not process.  When your mom gave you that advice when you were young to Sleep on it, she was right.

New studies have shown (read article here) that “during sleep the glymphatic system washes away harmful proteins, including amyloid beta, which may cause Alzheimer’s disease. Brain cells actually shink by 60 percent during sleep, providing more room for fluids to rinse out the toxins.”

Toxins accumulate in our brain during the day anyway and added stress can really up the toxic level you feel. No wonder why stress affects our body so much. The stress hormones increase during moments of anxiety which adversely affects your adrenal glands, packs weight on around your stomach, wears you out, drains your system of B vitamins and raise your blood pressure.  The B vitamins in your body help make up our genetic material – which means hair color, and collagen, therefore a deficiency can lead to early grey hair and excess wrinkles.   Not the beauty regimen I recommend.

Luckily for us while we sleep our glymphatic system washes these toxins away – that is – if we get enough sleep.

So for your well being and the next time you push yourself to stay awake late at night when you really no longer can function, go to bed and take care of your body, and take out the trash!

Take care of yourself, especially at this time during the holiday season when there is extra pressure to get things done before everyone goes on break.

Cut the stress in your life by meditating or taking a long bath or shower.  Cut out negative influences such as pessimistic and energy-sucking people, jobs or situations in your life. Life is way too short to be stressed by outside influences on top of things that will come up naturally in your daily life. If you can prevent or at least minimize it you are doing a great service to your body and your future.

Eat clean, work out, and take care of what you put into your body.  Your body is your temple, not a garbage can so treat it well.

This is the fuel you need to accomplish all the things you dream of so take a deep breath, get 8 hours sleep and refresh!

Hope that inspires you!
Emily

 

December 12, 2013
The Next Step

Screenshot 2013-12-11 17.59.44

Here you are. Right in between the step you were on and the one you are about to go to.  Right smack in the middle of making some big or small changes.

It can be somewhat concrete or it can be just a state of mind, but so many times in life – there you are – making that shift. Perhaps you don’t even realize it until you have some quiet time and take a look behind you.

There is nothing like realizing how far you’ve come or how things have transformed in hindsight. Sometimes it’s sad and sometimes it’s brilliant. Sometimes you can be nostalgic and sometimes you are looking forward with anticipation.  Occasionally you can be both, and right at the same time.

Whatever it is… take the leap of faith and trust “that one of two things will happen, that there will be something solid for you to stand on, or that you will be taught how to fly.” – unknown.

Hope that is exactly what you need to hear and hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

 

 

Copyright Emily Brickel Edelson 2018. All Rights Reserved