Holograms and Healing

I have not been feeling as outrageous as usual of late.  Mostly, I am tired.  And if you've browsed my extravagantly worded archive, you'll realize that the last sentence proves itself.  

 

The most natural balm for my malady, more sleep, is not an option.  Baby Boyfriend and I have an ongoing quarter hour appointment every one-hunded twenty minutes which he refuses to postpone, and I can't refuse his blessed bald head.

During Baby Boyfriend's gestation, my inclination to avoid a three-eyed baby led me to avoid chemically produced medications in favor of CieAura therapy.  Last week I expanded my experimentation to their energy formula.

Although I am a vegetarian known to pilot a hybrid car, I can not keep a perfectly straight face when I tell you that CieAura includes a line of holographic stickers and bracelets.  

We all know that holograms are what transformed record executive Jerrica Bennet into Jem via the micro-projectors in her earrings.  And while a rad alter-ego would be awesome, I just wanted to be able to stay awake past 9 pm.

Below is what I have learned about CieAura's Hologram Therapy:

1) CieAura uses holograms because they can hold an immense amount of data.

2) The chips are activated by our human electromagnetic field.   They are transdermal, meaning nothing enters the body, and their effects are manifested via bio-magnetic transfer (similar to accupuncture)

3)  Since CieAura Chips do not introduce new drugs or chemicals into your body; they do not create anything that your body doesn’t already have. The CieAura Chips only influence the body’s existing energies to resonate at their optimum level. And they only influence those body energies that correspond to the formulas being used in a particular chip. Therefore this form of treatment does not manifest any negative side effects or adverse reactions.

And here are my testimonial results

1) Me and my nine month belly were able to remain dormant (or at least quickly return to dormancy following bathroom visits) during the majority of the dark hours with the aid of Rest Quiet stickers

2) I was able to stroll in pregnant appropriate heels without limping because my sciatic nerve pain was quieted and controlled with Pure Relief stickers

3) Last week, I was able to sustain 6 consecutive days without a two hour nap or a Coca-Cola Zero.  Thank you CX2 Plus holographic hot pink bracelet. Jem would be so jealous, it would totally match her earrings. 

So the Jem theme song basically sums up how I feel now.  I'm even considering acquiring a keytar to fully express myself.

Think it's the placebo effect?  Listen here:

Do you believe in non-traditional medicine?

Beauty-full Tuesday: Ashley in Wonderland

Today, my luminant little sister-in-law explores why we always want what we don't have when it comes to our curves, complexions, and coiffures  In other words, Ashley dishes on appearances.

Are blondes really living the high life?

Or do brunettes have a mysterious advantage.

A rather large forehead and particularly stubborn hair cowlicks. There were times when these items were all I saw in my reflection. My forehead called for bangs, yet my inherited hairline made fringe impossible.  I used to loop endlessly around this supposed conundrum. 

Then one day I realized there was absolutely nothing I could do about it; I could continue to feel self-conscious, or I could just accept it  as a reality.  I did accept, and I expanded my perception to include my uniquely green eyes, round rosy cheeks, and lots of other good qualities and talents that I could be grateful for.

Below is my self-tried and self-proven, 3 step method for accepting yourself as Beauty-full.

1.  Stretch your self-worth to include talents.  Physical appearance is a fickle mistress.  Even if you like what you've got now, give it fifteen years.  Learning a new talent is empowering and painting, singing, budgeting, and baking won't wrinkle or sag as you age.

2.  Accept a compliment. It makes me so happy when I give someone a sincere compliment and they don’t fight me about it. When someone doesn’t accept a compliment, it’s like they’re discrediting the complimentor's sense of judgment--which, in my opinion, is rude.

3.  May I suggest good lighting, if not throughout your entire house, at least in the bathrooms and where ever you get ready, (where you are at your most visually vulnerable.) Fluorescent, overhead lighting could make Miss America cry.

If we think of how negatively dwelling upon all our flaws effects us, then imagine how positively focusing on our strengths can influence us and the generations that follow.  Give it a try. It won’t even hurt.

Three Generations of Gratitude

Reachel Chittenden Winter, after whom I am named.  Bore 16 children, was widowed before they were out of diapers, and never raised her voice.  I blush to think how I disgraced her legacy at least half a dozen times today.

Grandma Elizabeth Bischoff Wakefield majored in English and signed this photo "Lots of my best love, Elizabeth."  These two facts taken in isolation could have secured my undying honor.  I covet every heirloom she ever laid a finger on, including her monogrammed silver, her art deco wedding ring, her calligraphy filled high school scrapbook, and her ballerina music box.  She passed away before I was Coco's age, and I hoard her things because I pine for the grandmother I never knew.

My own dear Mommy, Susan Elizabeth Wakefield Winters stitched her own mod wedding dress and minimalist veil with her own dainty fingers.   I want to pinch her polished pretty cheeks and tell her she is going to be the best mommy ever. 

What do you want your children and grandchildren to remember about you?

Hinting at Mother's Day

In case Andrew asks you...

Dear Empress: How can I nurse in normal clothes?

Dear Empress:

How can I make a regular wardrobe acceptable for nursing?  I want to easily breastfeed my baby without completely undressing or buying an entire wardrobe of nursing specific tops that I can only wear for a limited period of time.

Lady Liz

(All Because Two People Fell in Love)

::::::::::::::::::::

Dear Milking Mom, 

I can recommend four categories of traditional clothing that will allow cinchy chic access to la leche.

button-down:
the beauty of a button-down lies in its adaptability.  Expose the serving saucers and enshroud the rest.  It need not buttondown to hip, a handful of buttons on a henley is plenty.  Zippers and hook and eyes are just as advantageous, but my favorite alternative is a tie-neck blouse, the button-front's flirtatious cousin.

criss-cross wrap:
Not only will this option leave your core under the covers, it will also allow you to unveil a single teet at a time.

drapes & cowls
The extra fabric cloaks you and your sweet suckling's business.

wide neck
The neckline may scoop, dive, or lunge but make sure it stretches.  And possibly pair it with a nursing tank like Bravado's Essential Nursing Bra Tank.

Beauty-full Tuesday: NieNie

Stephanie Nielson of the NieNie Dialogues is visiting Cardigan Empire to help us launch a new body image series.  Beauty-full Tuesday features real women with real insecurities moving past them to beautiful.

Before my 2008 airplane accident, my heels were high and my belts were tight.  Comfort folded to fashion. 

I still love fashion, especially being feminine. Frills, slips, soft colors, and fabrics make me feel like a lady, which helps me to act like a lady.  And I've come to realize that I can be beautiful again.

But post-crash I have to prioritize comfort.   And my modesty is even more specialized.  High collars, long sleeves and skirts paired with stockings.  I have a lot of restrictions in selecting clothes that suit my new conditions. But you can still be darling, modest, and fashionable, even with issues.

Pretty isn't in a dress, a lipstick, or a perfect body.  Pretty radiates from a confident, feminine, comfortable soul.  Dress your soul in these qualities first, and you will look beautiful no matter how simply you are dressed.

Medallions for Motherhood

Your mother's collar may have been soiled with your sorrowed sobs.  Her eyelids may have been wrinkled with dreams of your happiness.  Her lap may have been stretched and softened to cradle your cultivation.  These are a woman's badges of honor, medallions of her motherhood.

Women are born mothers.  Motherhood doesn't ceremonially commence when a woman conceives a child.  She can bear children in her heart long before she ever (if ever) bears them in her womb.

:::::::::::::::::::::

Share a cherished fashion memory of your Mother and/or a bit of modern advice you wish she would implement.

:::::::::::::::::::::

Use the code MOMMY30 this week to purchase your Mommy a digitally delivered Cardigan Empire gift certificate for any fashion service at a generous 30% discount.