In My Solitude Boutique Blog

February 1, 2008

Anything Is Possible!

It's just no longer attractive to watch The Secret as much as I did last year. I played the dvd so much that I knew what each expert was going to say without looking at the TV. Cue dramatic music..."The principle can be summed up in three simple words. Thoughts become things." Sometimes, when I needed to "attract" a better mood, I'd put on The Secret only to fast forward over the parts that irritated me. Other days, I'd childishly mimic the author's Australian accent and mock the opening line that says "A year ago, my life collapsed around me..."

But the truth is a year ago, my life did actually collapse around me and some of the principles in The Secret were really helpful as I tried to put it back together. My father has been suffering from prostrate cancer for about 8 years. Our darkest hour came in "07" when his disease metastized and his PSA reached 2000. He's 6'2" and dropped down to a scary 114 pounds. I was so stressed that I lost 25 pounds. Now I must admit, I thought I looked fabulous in my size 27 jeans until I saw a picture of myself that reminded me of a 5'10" hors d'oeuvre. Seriously, my head looked like a giant Teriyaki meatball and my body was the toothpick.

My dad isn't a big fan of western medicine, so basically my entire clan had to muscle him into getting hormone treatments. Miraculously, his PSA dropped from 2000 to 600 to 66 just one week ago and it's still going down. His doctors say the cancer is practically in remission and he's expected to live at least another two years. Isn't that just amazing? Throughout the year, I used the principles of the secret, albeit obsessively, as a tool to visualize my father's healing and express gratitude for every moment we had together. I also wrote down my wish for him and placed it in my Possibility Pillow.

Now, you would have to hold my dad hostage to make him actually watch the secret, but I believe he wanted his health to improve and by agreeing to undergo treatment it became his reality. What I experienced over the past year changed my life. Today, when I think about what's possible for each and every one of us, I know that we must hold fast to our heart's desire if our dreams are to truly manifest. Because it's no secret that "Whatever we think about and thank about we bring about."

Abundantly yours,

Evolyn

Are You In A Textual Relationship?

I love technology as much as the next person, but texting has just gotten out of hand. I know my own addiction to texting needs to be policed before I'm literally pulled over by the "PoPo." Thank God I have bad hand eye coordination because if I didn't, I have no doubt that I would be on the road risking my life to text the word, "OK" or "TTYL." I know I'm not alone because I got a lot of happy holiday wishes by text. While I appreciated the messages, I definitely missed the spirit of the season that comes with opening an unexpected card.

So, for Valentine's day I plan to do things differently and here's your chance to redeem yourself, too. Angela at Mielle Designs makes beautiful, handcrafted cards for all occasions and has created one that's perfect for Valentine's Day.

Angela is a mother of three who left corporate America and became a self-taught graphic designer. I met Angela before Thanksgiving at my cousin Yvette's incredible bake sale.

We bonded over her delicious desserts, especially the red velvet cupcakes. Yvette can make anything imaginable from pecan pie to flan, which incidentally was written up by The New York Times. She has a catering company called Root To The Fruit with her husband, Russell. Their food gets rave reviews, not unlike those Yvette received while acting with Al Pacino and other luminaries. Oh, I'm sorry... did I forget to tell you that she's a superb and highly trained actress? I digress. You'll be hearing more about the couple's sexy, food soirees in the future, but right now... Valentine's Day is upon us. So, why not order your sweet a homemade treat that's almost as yummy as well... you!

You can reach Yvette & Russell at Root To The Fruit or 818-241-5962

Dirty, Sexy, Store Brand Pancakes?
By Derek

Prada! Gucci! YSL! Ralphs grocery store? Sure designer brands are important when it comes to clothes, I mean just ask the Real Housewives of Orange County, but when it comes to food it means squat! Back in the day there was a real stigma when someone purchased a store brand food item. It was dirty and shameful like buying a dented can of tuna from the sale bin, but times have definitely changed! One of my favorite books, “Treasure Hunt: Inside the Mind of the New Consumer” talks about how more and more people are buying store brand items in order to have extra money to buy luxury goods. Sound familiar?

We all have a store brand product that we’ve come to love so why don’t you share yours with us in the comment section. One of my all time favorite products is Ralph’s Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle mix. It’s so good that even Aunt Jemima is scooping it up on the down low.

Guilt Free Chocolate
By Evolyn & Kim Mayhorn

I caught up with Kim Mayhorn by phone on her way to Atlanta to speak with the young women of Spelman College. As usual, she had a few new millennium munchies in her purse. You might think I'm kidding, but it's not unusual for security to scrutinize her snacks before she's allowed to enter the gate. If you recall, Kim is an artist, editor and vegetarian who’s diet is about 75% raw.

What did you eat on the plane?

A food bar. My favorite to date is the Spirulina & Cashew by Raw Revolution. It has no artificial ingredients or preservatives, and it’s gluten and dairy free. It's filled with cashews, dates, almonds, amaranth, spirulina, and sprouted flax. If you’re sensitive to nuts there are eight other flavors. The bars were created by a raw foods chef.

What is spirulina?

Spirulina is a superfood with many great health benefits. I also love the food bar because it only has 285 calories.

So, I guess I never have to worry about sharing my good chocolate with you?

Um no. I'm such a nutrition label junky. I never buy anything that has fructose corn syrup or trans-fats. However, I do eat Raw Revolution's chocolate bars. They make them with raisins, hazelnuts, and coconut.

That's great! But, let me just say for the record that if anyone buys me a Raw Revolution chocolate bar for Valentine's day there will be hell to pay! Are they sweet?

I think so. They use agave nectar, my favorite natural sweetener.

Where can I get a Raw Revolution Food Bar?

They can be found in most Whole Foods and healthy grocery stores. You can also order a pack of 24 on Amazon.com and save $12.

New At In My Solitude: Shoe Me Your Love
By Evolyn

I love to travel, but sometimes airports make me crazy. However, nothing makes me feel more pampered and pulled together than getting to my hotel, having a glass of wine and opening a well-organized suitcase. (Now, that’s assuming the airline can find my luggage.) My Seredipity shoe bags are key to staying calm on the road. They’re beautiful and festive and I use them to hold my shoes, delicate handbags, or even lingerie.

With a Serendipity shoe bag, you're guaranteed to have a colorful experience on your next trip abroad or to your closet. Each shoe bag is made of silk dupioni with a complementary cotton lining and drawstring. They can also be used to protect your favorite clutch or evening bag from unnecessary wear and tear. Each bag measures 15” H x 11” W and fit all women’s shoe sizes.

The Devil Wears Prada.. But Definitely Pays Less
By Derek

I’ve been posting dirt on myself like K-Fed selling out Britney, but I will NEVER admit to purchasing a counterfeit Damier canvas billfold wallet in a secret room behind a tee-shirt shop next to a chicken market on Canal Street in New York. (Talk about a run-on sentence!)

Oh and by the way, they have a carbon copy of that Botkier “Sasha” duffle that you’ve been wanting! Shhh!) We all know that buying counterfeits is wrong and that’s probably why I’m so obsessed with reading about them. You have to check out www.counterfeitchic.com for all of the latest news on lawsuits and arrests regarding knock-offs! If keeping up on the real deal is more your speed, then check out www.pursepage.com. This blogger is a girl after our own heart! She stays abreast of all of the “It Bags” so you can be of the moment without being maxed out.

Where's The Sweet Spot In Your City Or Online?

Aaeshah Robinson of Cleveland, Ohio says she got a great price on a refurbished camera at a website called Geeks.com She paid $59.99 plus $1.99 shipping for a digital samsung digimax U0CA505 with 5 megapixels and 5x zoom. The retail price of the camera was $199. Now that's a deal girls! If you have a favorite spot to shop...throw us a bone! I’m not asking for all of your goodies… just a little something for us to nibble on.

Ev

The In My Solitude Boutique Blog is updated on the 1st and 15th of every month. We love to read your thoughts so feel free to share them below in the comment section.