The BC SPCA asked me to be locked in a cage with my cell phone and contact list, set a fundraising goal to kick start their annual Paws for a Cause campaign, and stay in the cage until my goal was met! I said “YES!” Why? Because loving animals and helping those in need is my most passionate calling. So, on Thursday August 25, I strapped on my Dior heels, grabbed my Vuitton purse and settled in to a cage in the Vancouver dog shelter for the afternoon. It wasn’t long before I was joined by a delightful, happy and loving little Chihuahua mix named Nugget ~ Later I found out the wonderful news that a family had filled out an application in the hopes of adopting her!
My afternoon got off to a great start with a $2,500 donation from a generous man and fellow animal lover. That set the precedent and I decided to aim high and set my goal at $10,000. My awesome team of Rebecca Bree Rawlinson and Richard Jolin and I got to work face-booking, twittering, calling, harassing, e-mailing, coercing, begging and pleading and by 3pm it appeared that our goal would be met!
I am so appreciative of ALL who donated to help this remarkable organization made up of people who devote their lives to animals, investigating horrific cruelty and finding homes for surrendered and rescued four-legged family members.
Please click here if you would like to donate now…
I am always so touched by those who don’t have much and who give anyway because they either want to support me, the SPCA or both. Along with my incredible personal friends and acquaintances, I am also so grateful to the small local businesses that I patronize and who in turn supported my fundraising efforts. A tiny gesture goes a long way to buying customer loyalty. Something to keep in mind as I further develop my own business. Donating to a good customer’s favourite cause is a two for one – making a difference for a charity and keeping a customer loyal and happy. Makes sense to me!
I want to give a shout-out to those local businesses that really “get it!”
Ashia Mode – One of my fashion favourites
L’Abattoir – A favourite restaurant
Travel Masters on West Broadway – My travel agency of choice!
Robert Bailey Interiors – The best in the world…
Sit Doggie Daycare - Where my baby goes to school!
Provide - A favourite for house and home
Marquis Wine Cellars – The best!
Trilogy Properties
Living Space Interiors – FAB!
On the Fringe Hair Design – Where I go every 5 weeks – LOVE Shannon
Studeo 55 – The BEST gym in the world…
So go ahead my dear readers and donate to your friends and clients causes when they ask ~ it is a gesture, no matter how small, that goes a long way. It is a great thing for friendship, business, charities, those in need and society in general.
Please be loving and kind to all living creatures.
Sending love and gratitude,
JS
A good friend of mine gave me this bumper sticker a few days ago. She knows me well. She knows that this speaks to me, makes sense to me and excites me. It reminds me that as women, we are powerful when we step outside of society’s expectations; we make history when we are not afraid to challenge the status quo or ruffle feathers along the way.
My friend is a fearless female. She lives by her own rules and is a champion at manifesting – this makes her one of my mentors.
I am not one for heroes, but there is a woman in history who comes close for me. She personifies the sticker quote. Her name was Beryl Markham – described as “impetuous, single-minded and beautiful, Markham was a noted non-conformist…” My kind of woman exactly. She lived in Kenya during the notorious “Happy Valley” era, was married three times and had numerous affairs, including one with the son of King George V and with Karen Blixon’s (Out of Africa) lover, Denys Finch Hatton.
Beryl Markham was a critically acclaimed author, a successful racehorse trainer and an aviation pioneer. She wrote the beautiful memoir West with the Night and, in 1936, became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic east-to-west and the first person to make it from England to North America non-stop. (She crash-landed in a bog in Nova Scotia and survived to tell the tale.)
I LOVED reading West with the Night and recommend it highly. I also read a biography about this remarkable woman, called The Lives of Beryl Markham by Errol Trzebinski. This author tries to dispute the fact that Markham was the true author of her memoir and goes into the salacious detail of her scandalous life. It only made me love and admire her more.
She was indeed fearless and courageous beyond measure.
I challenge you to follow your true path even if it flies in the face of “normal” – even if it means that you “rarely behave”…
You know by now that I love to quote Oscar Wilde and here’s another reason why: he said, “I like persons better than principles and I like persons with no principles better than anything else in the world.”
(OK so of course it’s a bit tongue in cheek…I know we need some principles but not at the expense of our freedom to live our truth.)
Misbehave my Darlings and make history…
xo
JS
Take for example my acquisitions from my recent trip to Bali (see images above). I chose these pieces because the Balinese are known for their carvings and these are beautiful examples that required immense talent and experience to create. The unique taupe and gray wood is Jacaranda.
Usually when I purchase such things, I do not know where they will go in my home. However, if I buy what I love and what moves me, the items themselves always seem to find the perfect location!
In the photo gallery above, you will see images of my two stunning carvings. The first one – the couple in the loving embrace – is of Rama and Sita, the Hindu version of Romeo and Juliet (but with a happy ending, I am told). The very artist who carved this piece is pictured hard at work on another creation (see second photo).
The beautiful kneeling woman was carved by a man who is since deceased (see third photo). His son and grandson continue with the tradition. I just love the incredible detail of the fabric of her dress.
When you travel, bring back something that evokes emotion and beautiful memories. Not to mention something that will be timeless and loved forever.
Happy Trails!
Jacquie
QUESTION
“Hi there Jacquie,
I love your response to Disillusioned Dreamer. I’m currently working on my exit strategy from the corporate world and your advice has inspired me to keep on going. I’m investing not only money, but time and energy as I prepare to take the leap. I don’t have a question, but rather a request for some words of wisdom from someone who has found success is so many areas of her life. I’m so proud of you.”
- Budding Entrepreneur
ANSWER
Hi Budding Entrepreneur!
All actions begin first with a thought; our thoughts are so powerful. The next step is making a decision…again, so powerful, as a single decision can change our lives. Next up is massive action — it sounds to me as if you are in this phase of your entrepreneurial journey, so kudos to you!
My advice to you is this:
1. Keep that exciting movie of the outcome playing in your head throughout this process. Make a concerted effort to close your eyes every morning and every evening and imagine how you are going to feel as a successful business person. Imagine what your business will look like. Imagine your employees, your customers, your income, your lifestyle. Make your movie so real, you can taste it.
2. Pay no attention to naysayers. I love how Wayne Dyer puts it: “Be completely independent of the ‘good’ opinion of others.” If you do seek advice, make sure that it is from those who have have already achieved the level of success that you aspire to. (I am good at dispensing advice on dreaming and manifesting but no one should come to me for marriage counseling!!)
3. Don’t wait for major opportunities – take Napoleon Hill’s advice. He said: “If you can’t do great things, do small things in a great way. Don’t wait for great opportunities. Seize common, everyday ones and make them great.”
4. When doubts creep in to your head, immediately move your thoughts to the fabulous outcome that you are working towards. Remember, you do NOT have to have all the answers. The Universal force will respond to your powerful thoughts and dreams by showing you little signs for how to proceed. I have occasional days when I feel almost overwhelmed by the dreaded doubt. Yes, I still do! On those days, I turn off all thoughts about my future, my business, my goals and I do three things: 1) I focus on the moment – I notice beauty and joy around me right now; 2) I make a list of everything that I am grateful for in my life right now; 3) then, I make some popcorn and watch a marathon of Rom Coms – Pretty Woman, You’ve got Mail, Must Love Dogs, Bridget Jones…you know the kind…basically I wallow, I laugh and I indulge. The next day, the doubts are gone and I feel like a new woman!
5. NEVER GIVE UP! Oh sure, you may have to make adjustments here and there when you learn what works for your business and what doesn’t, but NEVER give up on your ultimate dream. Keep dreaming. Keep listening to the omens. Keep taking action. It will all unfold as it should.
To end, I quote Albert Einstein: “Imagination is everything. It’s the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
Play that fabulous mind movie of yours as many times a day as you can. Get into it. Love it. Believe it. Truly believing is knowing. You can and will make it happen. Cheers to your fabulous life!
Sending you love and inspiration,
Jacquie
BE BOLD!! Your fashion and decor can be fabulous outlets for your creativity! Have fun, take risks and be completely unaffected by the “good” opinion of others…do what strikes you!
If you had told me that I was one day going to be the proud owner of a taxidermied peacock, I would have called you crazy. But the truth is, it was the first thing that I saw when I walked into a consignment store in Palm Springs and I just had to have it…go figure (see the peacock in gallery below)! Anyway, just wait ’til you see it set up in my home – it looks absolutely magnificent – and talk about a conversation piece!
And then there are these outlandish Givenchy shoes (shown below), the neon pink swing jacket and the studded clutch…let the conversations begin! Be sure to watch the video to see all these bold pieces…maybe they will inspire you to take some risks of your own!
About a week ago, I had a superb evening at L’Abattoir (217 Carrall Street, Vancouver). After all, it is hard to beat delicious food, champagne and the company of the fabulous Rebecca Rawlinson, my friend and fashion guru!
I chose ocean fresh halibut, thinly wrapped in bacon, and served with pea shoots and gnocchi, all surrounded by a buttery green pea sauce — OMG, anytime the words bacon and gnocchi appear in the same sentence, you just know it’s going to be good!
Our surprise dessert was local strawberry shortcake served with strawberry sorbet. These berries were mouthwateringly good (you know the kind that taste like real strawberries), picked at the peak of ripeness, sweet, juicy and intense.
L’Abbatoir is a cool space with a hip crowd. All our needs were met by our gorgeous and delightful waiter, John, and by owner Paul Grunberg, who is the consummate host.
Check out the gallery above for a few images of L’Abbatoir, including my halibut dinner and the shortcake!
Visit if you can!
JS