If I was bold........

I turned 42 a couple of days ago and birthdays are always a time of reflection.

In one of my all time favorite movies, Sex and Mrs X (If you're my friend, I'm sure I've made you watch the movie), Madame Simone asks Mrs X, who will you be? I would definitely be Madame Simone if I was bold! A woman who arranges love for others! Sigh......

It's a question I ponder on often. Who will you be Leonarda?

As with all women, I know who I would like to be. I have the answers. But do I dare? Do I honestly say who I would like to be? They say life begins at 40. I became a first time mother 3 months before my 40th birthday and I still have not recovered! On most days, I'm too tired to even ask myself the question. But really, who would I be?

If I were bold, these would be my answers.....

I would be a Femme Fatale. Even though I'm married and plan to stay married, my husband would be afraid to let me out of his sight, for fear of what my mischievous mind may be up to......right now, if I disappeared for a couple of days, he would be fine.....booooooring!

I would be a Diva. Who is a Diva anyway? A woman who knows what she wants, asks for it and get's it every time! Shouldn't that be every woman? Hmmm.......

I would have a massage every morning and maybe, every night.

I would live in 50 Shades of Grey........even though I haven't read the book yet....too tired.

In business, I would be a creator of dreams, like my dream mentor, Diana Vreeland. My head in the clouds. I would ask that before you became my client, you should know that you were embarking on the adventure of your life! You'll wear gloves, garter belts, only high fashion and always look like a movie star. If you're not up for that, don't even think about it!

And of course, I would be the ultimate role model!

I would have soirees in my home with equally bold women....and men and we would have the most exciting and provocative conversations at my dinner table!

You want me to continue? I don't think you can handle it.......

Oh, if I could be so bold......

Sigh........

Surrender And Full Circle

I go. I come. I go again and I return.

This time I make no promises. The most important thing is that I showed up today.

I'm here. For me.

It's been quite a ride! A roller coaster ride!

I think I've come back to square one.

Leonarda Renaissance Woman.

This is who I am.

I've tried so may things my friends. Tried to put myself in beautiful boxes.

Lady.
Lover.
Artist.
Mother.
Fairy God Mother.
Wife.
Wild Woman. 
Loyal and Loving Friend.
African Queen.
Woman of the World.
Lover of the High Fashion!
Lover of Luxury.
Lover of Flowers.
Mogul.
Designer.
Consultant.
Coach.
Confidante.
Florist.
Photographer.
Writer.
Traveler.
African.
American.

I've tried to be one at a time.

It didn't work.

Where has my wisdom been?

No answers needed. It's been a beautiful journey. And I have returned home.

I am Leonarda. My mentor, Leonardo. He did it all. So can I.

It just has to be graceful and elegant. Not scattered.....I've done that too.

I am reminded of the Master In The Art Of Living. I've shared this with you before......

He makes little distinction between his work and his play.
His labor and his leisure.
His mind and his body.
His information and his recreation.
His love and his religion.
He hardly knows which is which.
He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whater he is working or playing.
To him he is always doing both.

Time to play my friends!!!!!!!!

And stop taking life so damn seriously!

I am Leonarda. Renaissance Woman.

Pretty Pictures

I'm still not feeling well, but I promised myself. Every day for the month of March I will show up here.

So.....

I'm just going to share pictures, pretty pictures. They always have the power to make everything great!

Enjoy!

.....and I really really really want this bag!

A demain.

I Promise

 I've been in bed all day. The flu has hit hard, but I have promised myself. I am blogging every single day for the month of March.
I need to do this.

Today I experienced a gift, on my sickbed.

I will tell you more about the gift in good time, but for now......

I'm ready to make clothes again.
 Ready to serve again.
I've been running from making clothes for 6 years now.

I've distracted myself with motherhood, school, flowers, art, photography, coaching, other people's designs etc.
All of the above have become an integral part of my life and my future but today, I declare, I am returning to my foundation.
I'm ready to design for women one on one again.

There are details to be worked out. I need to find at least one tailor and seamstress to start. I need an assistant too. But the intention I feel is so strong, so clear and so sincere, I trust, with all my heart that these things will be sorted out and that I will find the people I need.

 My ladies all 'draped' up and ready to go!

Wish me luck!

Agian and Again.......

If you've read through my archives, you'll see that there have been breaks. I disappear for a while and then I come back again.
I'm here again.
The past couple of moths have been very difficult and I have every reason to justify my absence from blogging......It's not important.
I'm here again.
I've been contemplating the famous words said in so many different ways...
"The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and get  up eight".
 "Fall down seven times, get up eight"
I even found it in Japanese.

"For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again"
What about a woman? 
Out of curiosity, I googled "A woman falls down seven times" hoping to find some special wisdom on the topic for women.....I didn't find anything.
I wish there was a special process for women.
Sigh......

Well, I'm here to try again.

I do have something for us though.
Jennifer Lawrence did it in style for us last week....in a glorious Dior gown. And then went on to receive an Oscar. I'm looking hard for some inspiration here.....

Oh well. One thing for sure, it IS a beautiful sight!

See you!