On my morning stroll,  through the once-woods-now-golf-course,  I was thinking of some of the strong natured women I admire Kathryn Hepburn, my Grandmother Adele,  Amelia Earhart, Coco Chanel,           to name a few.

I think of them as icons of style, their own style. Each on remained true to her style                    throughout her life,  often in spite of public opinion.

At the same moment I was having this thought, I noticed the lilies of the valley and the May apples pushing through the rough of the course.  I noticed that they are being what they are despite the absence of the woods,     despite mowers that will soon come through.

It is after all their nature to be May apples and lilies of the valley. In the same way it is our nature to be who we are. The push of nature isn’t without effort like the hyacinth that pushed themselves up from underneath the rocks in my garden.

In the same way that remaining afloat in joy takes constant effort…so does being our true nature, despite the threats of annihilation or being the ‘odd one’.    Each of us being who we are naturally enhances the world and its beauty.  In a way it is a primary responsibility of our lives.

(… too much? …too deep?   What can I do, it’s my nature!).

Perhaps tomorrow I will wear that sequined scarf or put my hair in a top knot with my gypsy earrings…

Happy Spring my precious lilies,

Mary

Well~being is an inside job

And Beauty is a form of devotion.

If dress myself each day with gratitude

Beauty is what I see in the mirror

My thoughts create my sense of well~being

I have the choice in each moment how I respond to the world

If I choose love the world responds to that.

Life is short and time is precious

Relationships that support and uplift me are those I plan to nurture.

Relationships that deplete me shall be gently released.

I make lists now to help me decide what I really want to do

Not to dictate to me what I should do.

Grace and truth and joy are my birthrights.

When I listen to my inner voice~

I am my truest self

Awash in Radiant Well~ being

As the season begins to change and the light becomes a bit more indirect,  I’m finding my closet is calling me.  The call is subtle.  It’s evident in my response to my wardrobe.  There’s more effort to find an outfit that feels “right” and I’m searching for something different.  What I’m looking for  is a shift in color, in weight and in fabric.  It is time to put away the light colors and filmy textures of July/August.  Time to trade them for September/October’s midrange brights and deeper muted neutrals.   So in the laundry they went this morning- tonight I’ll fold and store.  The next time I see them will be vacation time or May/June.  Those pieces that I’ve had my fill of and those I never wore or put on and took off will be donated.  It’s time to add another layer.  So out come the jackets, sweaters and long sleeved tees.  It’s not quite time for my deepest shades that will be November/December, (the dark time).  Although this summer wasn’t hot and humid (my favorite), it was quite active and I’m ready for layers, and a little slowing down, a deepening in color and mood.  I realize now, after all these years, that when my wardrobe mimics the natural world, I feel more in tune with Mother Nature and more grounded in my days.

 Notebooks, satchels and folders

are stuffed with my favorite images,

color swatches and fabrics.

 Collected for their textures

and color combinations,

they thrill me with the possibilities.  

I  design.

It’s what I do.  

     I move my furniture,

I change my throw pillows and tapestries

 I rearrange indoor plants,

branches and stones-

regularly.

 Each season’s light and shadow

direct me

as I work nature’s palette. …

 clearer, now warmer,

cooler, more muted…

there…

my heart is contented.  

I am a designer.

 Its who I am.

Thank You to all who participated in the Wonderful SPRING SALE!!!

It is so meaningful to me that you support this LOCAL- SMALL business.

 It was a challenging Winter for The Leslie Studio and I’ve made some (exciting) changes to keep business flowing efficiently.  But ultimately I am in business because of YOU.  You and women like you who buy our products and use our services support this unique Studio.

 Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you for your business and bringing your friends, your sisters, daughters, mothers and grandmothers.  It is a honor to know 3 and 4 generations of Rosemary Leslie- Leslie Studio Women,  (Our eldest client is just celebrated her 92nd birthday!).  I am grateful to work in such a positive atmosphere with women who are open and trusting.   I will always offer my best service.

So many of you made appointments and we designed some sweet new looks!   I’m sure you’re smiling each morning as you dip into those gorgeous Spring colors!  I think the Spring/Summer palette is the prettiest in years with a good balance of warm to cool and mineral mattes as well as mineral shimmers. The lipsticks this Spring/Summer range from vibrant melon to soft fuchsia with soft reds in between.  Truly something for every woman.  Speak to me of your yearnings…

The Leslie Studio is presenting Girl Time!  

An afternoon or evening of indulging just you and your girlfriends!

Dates still available:  March 5, 6,or 7th.

We offer personallized do it youself facials

                  (including deep-cleaning, masques and finishing serum),

Parafin Hand treatments and we’ll finish with a mineral makeup application!

 You may bring in any special beverage or treats that you like.  We will provide our fabulous teas and

organic cookies.  Wear cozy-comfy clothes for this rejuvenation totally girl- time.

  Relax!  No Kids!  No Men ! Just your chicks!  

Cost:35$ limit 6    Call to book your Girl-Time  942-9322 

It isn’t quite time for Spring clothes; but,

a new lipstick and shadow 

 can breathe life back into a winter-weary wardrobe.

 Stop in or email  a current photo, we’ll choose the perfect something new for you!

Take care with you everywhere,

Love Mary

February we’re in the hungry time.

The ancient Celts said the Goddess Bridget flies close to the land now-  and as her wings dust the earth, you can hear her whisper … s o o n …s o o n !    Spring will arrive s o o n… but not now.

 And aren’t I glad.  I am not quite ready for Spring.  I AM ready for the promise of Spring.  I’m still moving slowly and sleeping long but I am getting hungry.          

  Hungry for a different scene.          

 A little something new.                

 A little something sweet.                                                                                        

 A little time with  the girls.

 Here at The Leslie Studio we hosted  wardrobe renewal workshops (and plan to continue them).  March is going to hold 2-3 more sessions call for scheduling, I’ll post more info an a week or so.

We are planning the Inner Journey Workshops (spiritual/earth-based) for groups of six to eight women.  The class will include journaling, yoga/breathing, readings, meditations and rich discussions.

Sign up over the phone 942-9322 or e-mail me

mary @thelesliestudio.com and we will firm up the dates and price.

 I look so forward to this series it has been in the works for quite some time and I’m ready to see it manifested.

Oh the practice of Yoga!  It isn’t just a class really or a routine.  It is a practice.  Each time I return to a class, I’m surprised by which area of my body had been in slumber and now has my full attention! Today it’s the back of my neck to the bottom of my shoulder blades.  I feel more space, more movement than a day ago.

In that I believe every area of the body relates to an internal story,  my shoulders tell my story of duty and responsibility, (the shoulders bear the weight of our world).  Yesterday’s Yoga practice has awakened me from the illusion that so much is on my shoulders.

 Really I’m fine and my life is delightful.  Those other thoughts that slipped into my consciousness are from the news and my fears of what I don’t want in my life.  I realize that I’m pretty much the opposite of those fears, those fears are not me. They are just thoughts in my head.  But as I allowed the thoughts to be there they  became part of my musculature. Tight shoulders, shortened neck and stiffness.   That crazy mind/body connection!  

 I’m not saying that when I practice Yoga I’m immune from strife but I do know that  when I practice living with awareness  I am able to respond to everything more gracefully.  The practice of Yoga is for me the practice of living;  alignment, engagement, release, awareness.  

It is a constant practice to stay afloat in joy!

Whew.  Okay, I said it.

Much Love,

Mary

     Well it looks like we made it !   The festivities, engagements and gift-giving  are over!   I was sneaking down ornaments one at a time.   After the New Year I  let go of the stealth and packed it all away.  

The holiday food is gone… the gorgonzola~ stuffed olives  were heavenly,  but  enough!  I’m ready for a break from all the richness.   I’m ready for veggies and green tea and oranges and yoga.

 January is time for refreshment in my surroundings and my body/mind/spirit.  It’s no wonder the stores sell organizers, storage bins and gym equipment in January. (I did had an ab machine once- it was a fabulous hanger for accessories).   It feels natural to simplify  after the excesses of the Holidays.  Time for a fresh start.

    I Feel FREER now.  With the holiday rush over, I have more space, more time.  And even in the face of the country’s ‘economic peril’,  I feel an inner freedom.   The year ahead is  virgin territory.   It’s time to dream in our best selves and witness each other as we strive to be our best selves.

 Have you noticed?  We’re all a little gentler with each other and are able to talk about our commonality within this economic situation.   We will make it through this. January/February is the time of hope.    Some worry… but   

•  A wise teacher swami chidvilasananda once said, “worry doesn’t prevent suffering it prevents joy”.  

• Helen Keller said,    ” To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate, is strength undefeatable”.

So I’m dreaming in my best self with good hair, some new styles, creative ideas for the studio and humor.

I feel strong,  Maybe I’ll paint the walls.  I’m thinking turquoise.

 We’re going to have a sweet year friends,  I can feel it.

XX,

Mary

Here it is, 5:30 p.m. and it is dark.  The plans I had to zip around after work doing this and that for the holidays are delayed until tomorrow’s free time.  I want to be home now.  The fire will be roaring when I arrive and in no time flat I will be changed into my cozies.  After some projects or food making I’ll snuggle in next to the fireplace and doze until bedtime!  I’ve traded in the party-girl clothes for velvet cozies … and it is good.  This is a  balanced time of the year for me.  I’m slowed down and happy to be in. I am after all an Earth Girl and it IS the Winter Solstice more dark than light- more inward than outward.

   And for the holidays I make things and bake more than I shop.  This year I even found myself thinking “I should be more uptight than I am” -crazy!  Dark chocolate seems to be  helping with that.  Baking begins tonight and this year the list includes chocolate dipped macaroons,  brandied pears, and cocoa-cayenne cookies… Mmmm.  

 I love winter.  I love this Season of Lights!

 I may enjoy a dram of Irish Mist to brace for the coming storm!

 I wish you Rest and Light.

XX,

Mary