Disney Ruined it for Everyone!

My bedtime story would usually end…and then the prince reached out his hand, helped the princess onto the horse and they would ride off into the sunset. I can’t remember my bedtime story ever ending with…and then my prince reached for the remote, turned on the ESPN channel and he stayed sitting on the couch... for hours. In this day and age, isn’t this ending more realistic?

I recently met someone at a cafe for a networking meeting. We both had a friend in common and he felt we could help each other in business. We connected over coffee and after a half an hour of chatting about work, our conversation turned personal and we compared notes on relationships, men and women, marriage and families. One of his comments has still stayed with me.

He said, “Disney ruined how women date and look for their mates. Women are still waiting for their prince on the white horse who can’t seem to find them.”

(photo from the movie Prince of Persia)

Shouldn't we be taught that relationships can be rewarding and difficult all at the same time? When I was a little girl, it never occurred to me that my Disney prince could have faults. If I wanted to be with someone exactly like me, then I should have just dated myself!

Disney teaches a fairytale image to little girls. Women tend to be focused on the magical wedding day and not as much on the marriage. It usually takes maturity and getting your heart broken, to learn that faults in a person can be a good thing. I believe there's a problem when you don't love that person, warts and all.

In college, I was given the best dating advice: ask yourself if you would leave your new puppy with your guy for the weekend. If you say no, ask yourself why you’re leaving the little girl in you, with him. Leave comment and let me know if you agree. Did Disney ruin it for everyone?

Face It: Growing Old Gracefully

Watching the Today Show is one of my every day morning rituals. I was getting ready for my day,

sitting in front of my makeup mirror, when I saw the segment about the book Face It: What Women Really Feel as Their Looks Change. I put down my mascara wand and was glued to the T.V. Two former models wrote this book about what beauty means to women of all ages. They discussed their thoughts on how society doesn't teach us about beauty with growing older. How do we grow older gracefully if we never discuss this?

Growing older as a woman is a much needed topic. I believe that acceptance of where you are in life is key.

And then one of the authors talked about her modeling days. She was only fifteen when she started to feel like she was aging. She was on a photo shoot with another model who was only two years older then her. After the pictures were taken another model came over to give some advice. Something about how she only had a few good years left and enjoy it while it lasted.

The model was aging at the ripe age of fifteen!

I identify with these two quotes from the book. It's almost as if the authors are speaking directly to me.

"Take back that power and you will feel more beautiful. Our culture has given beauty power over women. We are told who and what is beautiful. We know that youth is beautiful. Most people see babies as beautiful. But grandmothers can be beautiful as well. Some of the most beautiful women in the world are those who smile, engage and appear happy at any age. If you take back the power of what makes you feel attractive, you will become more attractive to yourself and others."

And
"Put your beauty in your identity, not your identity in your beauty. Your identity is made up of many aspects of yourself"

We don't often hear that our identity is made up of many different aspects and until we grow older. It's then that we realize we had a lot tied up in our looks. 

Change our definition of  beauty?

I finished watching the Today Show and felt torn. I wondered if I should continue to put my mascara on after being re-taught this lesson or stop what I was doing. I decided to continue because I know how I feel about beauty and what I want to teach others. Can I get a hall pass since I sat down and wrote this post about Face It! What are some of your thoughts about growing older gracefully?

A Day In The Life...

How do you appreciate every day? Well, taking a stunning ferry ride into San Francisco can help. Today, it was the battle of the brunettes vs. the blondes as our friends joined our adventure. My apologies East Coast as we've heard what weather you are about to go through. Unfortunately, this is how our week has been looking lovelies...

Riding a ferry into the Port of San Francisco to spend time at the ferry building has to be one of my most favorite things to do in San Francisco.

Ahoy Matey...our chariot awaits!

Being on the ferry is magical in all kinds of weather. Sometimes the Spring sun is bouncing off the water or the sun sets over the Bay to reveal pink skies or you can watch the fog rolling over the Golden Gate Bridge.

Not even a cloud in the sky! Sorry if I'm rubbing it in.

Hi Golden Gate Bridge and can you imagine the view that boat has?

Here's young Bella soaking in the beauty of the ride/day. Her favorite things to do at the ferry building are the Book Passage Store, get a cup cake from Miette Patisserie and pick up some cheese from Cowgirl Sidekick. Oh, what a life! Have you ever been on a ferry lovely?

Calling All Retro Fashionistas for Style Inspiration

I got my retro children's bella fashion inspiration from the lovely Couture Carrie. If you haven't seen her blog it's always filled with beauty, photography and we've been blogging friends for years :) If only I could dress young bella in dots, stripes, black & white with red accents every day. Tell me Bella... which is your favorite pic?

Girl Dress Brand New 2016 Fashion Europ Retro Print Princess Baby Girls 

Rockabilly Pinup Kids on Pinterest

Mod 1960's Style Retro Lauren black and white by faithworks4u

Retro Pinterest Toddler Fashion

Arch & Line TOKYO/ Arches, Tokyo and Children Style

Vintage Kids Clothes on Pinterest

Kira Kids.: Organic baby and Kids Clothes