Free your mind and the rest will follow...

Shoulda, woulda, coulda, too fat, too skinny, too pimply, not good enough, don't have time, don't know how, I'm not worthy, I can't do that...and the list of reasons, or rather, excuses rolls on.

 

Hey, I've got an idea!

 

How 'bout we ignore all the BS and start whistling to a different tune?

How 'bout we pay some attention to finding the good in one another?

How 'bout we rise to the occasion and become the best version of ourselves we can possibly be?

 

Sounds grand! Then take my hand. Let's go on a glorious adventure, explore, take a chance and discover. Weeeeeee!

 

But how?!?

 

Rumour has is 21 days makes a habit so I figure we go for the 28 days of February and really give have a red hot go toward positive, lasting, personal change. Yesss, finally! A chance to free ourselves of the limiting (self imposed or otherwise) weeds choking our mental garden and leave us feeling, well, ordinary.

 

Let's take it nice 'n easy with just one simple focus each day. It's OK - I'll guide you with a daily thought or tip for the 28 days of February to help you along. 

 

So grab your watering cans and tune in daily. Forget ordinary, it's time to focus on the good stuff and live a life extraordinary.  

 

Loving you, loving me...TLT x

 

Tough Love Tamvakis-ism #07

Sing like nobody's watching. Better, imagine you're singing for 1000's of die hard fans & give so much they emerge from the best show ever.

Loving you, loving me...TLT x

Wise men say...

"There will be an answer, let it be."
- The Beatles

Wise men say...

"It's a dangerous business going out your front door. You step out onto the road and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to."
- Bilbo Baggins

How to floss with a feather boa.

I recently had the pleasure of taking a Burlesque class in the lead up to my dear friend's wedding.

Twenty women of various ages writhing about in skyscraper heels, sequined hats and feather boas whilst sipping champagne at regular intervals made for a couple of hours of giggle fuelled fun. We learned to pop, shimmy, bend and snap, floss with a feather boa and seductively remove a glove (among other useful tricks) all in the space of 90 minutes. Vunderbar!

By definition, Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects.

The unexpected learning for me (after our initial embarrassment subsided) is the corset clad art of Burlesque is perfectly synchronised (who knew?!) with life - filled with comedy, satire, cabaret, circus and all things tease.

Here are "Tough Love's Pearls of Wisdom" from the land of nipple tassles and garters.

• Take your time, slow it down, look around, make eye contact, smile
• Rhythm is all important, your soundtrack sets the tone - choose wisely
• Maintain great posture - you'll look and feel your best
• Allow things to ruminate
• Retain a little mystery
• Red lipstick is a sure fire way to make a girl feel great
• Ooh-aah...Say it out loud and rejoice when things feel good
• Floss gently and regularly (your teeth, preferably sans feather boa)
• An enthusiastic shimmy really does make you feel good - try it, I dare you

Above all - respect yourself and others, have fun and allow for some theatrics and glamour in your everyday. And in the words of one of Burlesque's best, Dita Von Teese -
“Ignore the critics… Only mediocrity is safe from ridicule. Dare to be different!”

Loving you, loving me...TLT x

For the love of vegetables!

The electric inter web has allowed for an uptake (and steady increase) of people standing up for the rights of the voiceless. i.e. dogs, whales, gorillas ...Britney Spears. Thing is, I've not heard a single soul stand up and represent one other important, voiceless player so I'm here to raise the issue - inhumane treatment of vegetables.

You heard right.

Forget Britney Spears, I care more about Broccoli Spears. Vegetables have feelings too!

So rather than chop the carrots (Ouch!), slice the cucumber (Eek!) or crush the garlic (Help!) try perfecting the art of Julienne, Chiffonnade, Jardinière, Brunoise, Macedoine and Paysanne. Oui! They are indeed actual (and tres magnifique!) techniques that will no doubt impress your friends AND show kindness to the vege-tables.

Meanwhile, the renewed focus on this simple and repetitive task allows the mind to rest, new energy to flow and ideas to emerge.

So let’s hear it for our leafy friends and get on board the ‘Be Humane to Veges’ campaign.

I smell a revolution people. Viva la vegetable!

Loving you, loving me...TLT x

One bad ass mamma you best respect!

On my recent visit to NYC I experienced Hurricane Sandy's (a real holiday treat) fury.

Although i'm blissfully aware (and in awe) of her almighty and powerful presence, Sandy was a stern reminder that there ain't no disrespecting the greatest Mamma of them all - Mother Nature. She dazzles us with her spectacular lightness in one moment, then humbles us with fierce darkness the next.

This Mamma so fat - she influences the tides!  

We get it girl - you're the boss. Respect. 
 

Meantime, as for Miss Sandy dropping in on my whirlwind (pun intended) tour of NYC I refer to Grease - the movie, not the television adaptation for Glee...

"Sandy, baby, I sit and wonder - why-e-eye-eye...
Oh why, you dropped in on me...Sandy baby."



Loving you, loving me...TLT x