Let me introduce you...

Bold and Audacious Women Interview - take 3!

We've had the pleasure of working with Danielle several times in the last couple of years and this woman kicks ass! A very direct, wise, powerful and refreshing inspiration. Enjoy her interview and check out her website when you have a chance...

name / biz info/website, etc...
I'm Danielle LaPorte. Tho' my birth name is Veronica Danielle (long story about how it came down to Danielle). I created http://www.whitehottruth.com/ because self-realization rocks (and because I'm writing a book with the same title. BTW, my first book is Style Statement; Live By Your Own Design.) On a weekly basis I do "Fire Starter sessions" with entrepreneurs -- a bit of tough love, some intuition and a big dose of start-up and social media acumen.
favourite part of your body?
My eyes. Especially with some black liner and Voluminous Mascara.

what was the last thing that made you laugh uncontrollably?
My incredible farting child has impeccable comedic timing.

3 words/phrases your friends would use to describe you/your style?
A friend emailed me last week and described my style as: "rockstar goddess with a swanky exotic backbone." Hell yeah!

fashion/personal inspiration?
Georgia O'Keefe...her austerity is divine. I also happen to like Geishas, monks and a lot of what Donna Karan does that is NOT black.

favourite tv show/movie?
The Piano. All time fav. Close runner up is Baz Lurhman's Romeo & Juliet.

sexy jeans or a flirty dress?
How about...flirty Kimono.

heels or flats?
Shit-kicking boots. Well heeled and as pointy as possible.

gotta ask - top 5 people you'd invite to dinner (alive or dead)?
Leonard Cohen, Jesus Christ, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Women Who Run With The Wolves, Oprah, John O'Donahue, late amazing theologian and poet

favourite colour combination?
I adore the desert turquoise with espresso-brown flecks - but I'd never actually wear that colour combo. In terms of clothing, my favourite combo is mocha with...more mocha.

phrase/quote that inspires you/makes your heart soar?
"Mama!" Only when my five year old is saying it, running to me for a hug -- doesn't have the same effect from construction workers.

piece of clothing that makes you feel sexy?
my shawl from India.

most recent clothing purchase?
brown flouncy tee from H&M.

what's on the 'i need to have it' list for spring/summer?
cork platforms and RayBan aviators.

upcoming projects?
I'm doing Fire Starter gigs in fourteen cities between now and the fall. I am crazy. Also, launching a stationery line.

final words?
Talk is cheap. Love is a verb. Authenticity is magnetic. And while I have your attention, check out: http://www.whitehottruth.com/

Ps...I love you Bodacious ladies. Thanks for a great interview.
Aww, thanks!

-- Danielle LaPorte
http://www.whitehottruth.com/
follow: http://twitter.com/WhiteHotTruth
cell: 604.418.8811
ENTREPRENEURS ARE HOT: "My Fire Starter Session with Danielle is the best investment I have ever made. Ever."- Sarah Bray, Web developer, Virginia Beach

Who's Celebrating Curves???

I just discovered this site and fell in love with all the beautiful curvy images! Hope you enjoy them too.
http://www.artmozaik.com/Curves.html

Bold and Audacious Women Interview - Take 1

I'd like to introduce you to...

Miranda Lievers - owner of Blue Olive Photography. The first of many interviews we will share with you featuring strong, independent and Bodacious women. Enjoy...

favourite part of your body?... My smile! Is that a body part?

3 words/phrases your friends would use to describe you/your style?... I have consulted - they tell me Sassy, Passionate, and Colourful

fashion/personal inspiration? Life is for living and what I wear has to agree with that… I go for comfortable and practical, try to never forget the accessories, and never *ever* take myself too seriously

favourite tv show/movie? For no thought required end of day winding down - Grey's and Gossip Girl. For movies that make you angry and joyous and cry - Away from Her, Kolya, Across The Universe, Atonement….

knee high socks or full tights? Definitely full tights, and in some sort of fun colour

sexy jeans or a flirty dress? Dress me up! I never used to be a dress girl but now that I have a few that fit me well (Bodacious, of course!) I wear them all the time

heels or flats? Definitely flats - I'm just not that coordinated, I think it's best that I remain as close to the ground as possible

gotta ask - top 5 people you'd invite to dinner (alive or dead)? I thought about this for a long time. On different days I would have different answers, but today I'd love to sit down with my grandparents when they were my age and all of my great grandparents (whom I never got to meet) when they had the wisdom that old age can bring. I'd ask them to tell me their stories.

favourite colour combination? At this minute, Black & Turquoise. This changes multiple times per day.

phrase/quote that inspires you? I will be who I will to be, I am who I have willed to become

piece of clothing that makes you feel sexy? I finally bought a real corset, something I've wanted for a long time. I think they are fantastic for making you feel great about yourself

most recent clothing purchase? A cute retro print shirt with a keyhole neckline, perfect for work dressed up or with jeans for a beer

what's on the 'i need to have it' list for spring? A decent light fitted jacket, probably black but with a bright colourful liner inside!

upcoming projects? Entreprenessa Magazine! I'm starting a magazine for creative entrepreneurs, and I am so incredibly excited for it. Get involved at http://www.entreprenessa.com/

final words? Simply, never take life too seriously and take a minute every day to be thankful for everything incredible in your life. Focus on what you can change rather than what you can't and keep smiling. Everything else will fall into place. Cheers!

Great and inspirational words, Miranda! Thanks so much for being our first Bold and Audacious Woman interview!

How to Look Good Naked!

Last night I watched two of my favourite shows - Dancing with the Stars and How to Look Good Naked. Both make me feel encouraged, make me laugh and show different bodies as beautiful. (I would have liked to see Steve Wozniak get voted off before Belinda Carlisle though!)

I LOVE Gok Wan and I know many many women who would love to have this witty, encouraging and stylish fella as their new best friend.

These shows continue to challenge the 'norm' of body type and size. Gok shows women - my size!!! - naked! and...beautiful! If you haven't seen the show, please check it out and let us know what you think.

Calling ALL Vancouver Entrepreneurs!

Press Release
Register
CRAVE business PRESENTS:
SHOP SYMPOSIUM 09

take a day off to work "on" your business, not in it.
Calling all Vancouver entrepreneurs!
This is a must attend event if you want to grow your business.
CRAVEbusiness is a social and resource network for stylish innovators who own their own business or dream of starting one. Through one-on-one consulting, workshops, and red-carpet access to sage and savvy experts, CRAVEbusiness gives you a fresh take on designing your work life.
All registrants will have the opportunity to submit a profile of their business to have it reviewed by a panel of experts (click here to get started).
In Spring 2009, CRAVEbusiness’s SHOP Symposium series marks its third year of providing an inspirational, educational, one-day conference designed to support independent business owners. Attendees include retailers, spa and gym owners, travel agents, yoga teachers, creatives, self-employed service providers, and consultants of different stripes.

The only conference of its kind, SHOP Symposium/09 teaches practical skills, offers wise encouragement, and builds camaraderie. This is accomplished through expert speakers, panel discussions, breakout sessions and vendors whose services support the unique needs of business owners not affiliated with large corporations or chains. “Independent businesses keep the marketplace diverse and add character and soul to our communities,” comments CRAVEbusiness founder, Melody Biringer, herself a life-long entrepreneur and independent business owner.

“Independent owners are particularly courageous. They need a community to support them, and this is the purpose of SHOP Symposium/09.”

TOPICS AND HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
• Online and Offline Marketing Strategies That Work
• Talk Back Sessions
• PR and Digital PR
• Social Networking
• Live Think Tank- Registrants can enter to win a free business evaluation by a panel of business experts
SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
• Danielle LaPorte / White Hot Truth
• Sarah Bancroft / Co-Founder & Editor in Chief VitaminDaily
• Judy Brooks / Blo Blow Dry Bar
• Jill Earthy / MomCafÉ
• Lorna Ketler and Barb Wilkins / Bodacious
• Stephen Jagger / Reachd

Event Details
VANCOUVER BC
When: Mon, March 30, 09
Time: 8am-5:30pm
Where: Vancity Theatre
Tickets: $85 USD per guest $70 USD each for two or more
Contact sherri [at] craveparty.com to become a vendor or a sponsor.

Something to do...

If you're going to be in Vancouver on Monday, March 30th, you should check out this Shop Symposium event! Barb and I are going to speak on a panel of "inspirational speakers" and there will be all sorts of great shopping, fun, inspiration - when we're all needing a bit of that! Check out their site and let us know what you think.

Thoughts...

We've had some fantastic media hits lately including this weeks' CBC Living Vancouver spot. (click on the box that says - LV 09.01.12 and go to the 9 1/2 minute mark. Not super easy but we think it's worth a watch) We also just learned that we are to be on the March COVER of the new Today's Vancouver Woman (formerly known as Shared Vision). How exciting and how scary! That's pretty much an 8 1/2 by 11 shot...of us...on the COVER! Eyebrows? Check. Hair? Check. Makeup? Apparently they have 'people' for that.
As always, when we're interviewed, our biggest concern is that they 'get' us. We feel we're so much more than a retail store selling clothes. We are about celebrating women, in the moment! We are about empowering women and discouraging the negative self-talk. We are about providing clothing options for women so they can have a style of their very own. We are about promoting a full and happy lifestyle that includes comfy and stylish clothes, accessories, scents that make you smile and walk a little taller down the street.
We hope you're having a great week and have some plans to "celebrate your curves" this weekend!

Last Minute Stocking Stuffer Ideas??? All under $20!

Here ya go...
Little i energy gum!
super cute packaging, Canadian company and has a shot of caffeine to keep the energy levels up! Only $4.~

Principessa Water Bottle $18.~
This gorgeous new aluminum water bottle has a dual cause. Help save the environment and lives as $1 from the sale of each bottle will be donated to breast cancer research. This eco-chic alternative to plastic is safely lined so there is no leaching and it’s BPA free as well.

Bad Girl's Stamp Kit - $11.95
Everyone in your bad girl posse will benefit from these 16 sassy Bad Girl stamps and a yummy pink and purple inkpad.

Enjoy a pocket Van Gogh with our Almond Blossom notepad! $3.~

Check out these links!!!

vervegirl
moderngirltv

Thanks ladies for spreading the word!

New Pioneers - We're honoured to be included!

Today we are being honoured by The Women's Enterprise Centre at a luncheon and book release. We are part of 100 women in the province that have been chosen as pioneers in business. It is quite an honour.
New Pioneers: Stories of 100 BC Women Entrepreneurs
This book, New Pioneers: Stories of 100 BC Women Entrepreneurs is a celebration of the pioneering spirit of 100 contemporary women entrepreneurs from around the province. At Women’s Enterprise Centre, we feel it is not only important to recognize and celebrate our entrepreneurial roots, but also essential to record those accomplishments for the generations to come.It is our hope that this book will build that awareness and encourage, influence, inspire, provide role models and motivate women and girls to consider entrepreneurship. The stories in this book showcase the successes and challenges which BC women entrepreneurs have faced. The book also highlights the support these women have received from friends, family members, women’s business networks and business service providers such as ourselves.

What's Possible!

We're in this amazing book!
And needless to say we feel truly honoured and overwhelmed that our story was chosen by Daryn Kagan as on of 50 True stories of People Who Dared To Dream They Could Make a Difference.

A couple of short quotes from the book...
...I love how Barb and Lorna throw the dictionary out the window! They don't let someone else's definitions of beauty, fashion, and size define them or their customers.
...I wish I could put their infectious laughs in this book. They are laughing at the critics and laughing with the joy they create for themselves and their customers.

What's Possible!
Like the inspirational website that inspired it, “What's Possible” shares stories about real people overcoming obstacles to achieve greatness. Its appeal reaches beyond the thousands of daily visitors to DarynKagan.com and includes anyone who has a dream. Daryn uses her skills from more than 20 years in TV news to tell stories that touch the heart. She also adds her voice throughout the book with “Daryn's Takeaways,” encouraging readers to apply the lessons of the stories to their own lives.

As the creator and host of DarynKagan.com , Kagan leads an inspirational online community. She produces a daily webcast of stories that “Show the World What is Possible.” Based on the radical idea that the world is a good place, DarynKagan.com has become a daily destination for hundreds of thousands of Internet users who seek news stories that inspire. Prior to heading into cyberspace, Kagan anchored both news and sports for CNN. Described by the Los Angeles Times as a “CNN mainstay,” She traveled the world during her 12-year tenure at CNN, and reported live on-site during numerous global events, including the war in Iraq from Kuwait. She also reported from Africa during a 10-day tour with rock band U2's Bono and U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, and provided CNN in-depth reports on AIDS and famine. Additionally, she has reported from across the U.S. covering numerous presidential elections, the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy, and the hunt for the Washington, D.C. sniper.

All we can say is WOW.
Barb & Lorna