Gucci Earth Mother

It wasn't that long ago that my friend 'the decorator' coined the name G.E.M. for me. I have mentioned this before and ever since many of my beloveds call me the Gucci Earth Mother. I can admit that I see how she came to the name. For example, yesterday I strapped on my Blundstone boots (earth mother), grabbed my Chanel sunglasses (gucci), my Coach purse (gucci) jumped into my Suburu (earth mother) and headed to the beach to meditate by the water (earth mother) and then headed to Holt Renfrew (gucci). I can own that I am a complicated girl and a vast spectrum of contradictions. I guess I could pretend to be one or the other or I could pretend to be neither... but the reality is I am both and even more. If I had to claim one or the other, 'Gucci' or 'Earth Mother' ( yes, I am using both as adjectives) I would have to say Earth Mother. I am happiest in the outdoors, surrounded by tall trees and the sound of birds and water near by. Yet, when I am driving through Kits, I am quickly reminded of the days of yesteryear when I would be driving down 4th in my convertible, heading to some event at some chic hotspot. There is something about that time when I was very comfortable in the 'Gucci' domination of G.E.M. These days, the older I get and the deeper I fall in love with my family, the more I settle into the comforting nuances that find you when you come into who you were always meant to be. As more opportunities surface on the heals of February's Oscar buzz, I am faced with situations where I it feels like I am needing to define my stance on G.E.M.- it seems like I am a bit of an oxymoron. Wouldn't be the first time I was deemed a strange bird, nor will it be the last, but more than ever I am sure of who I am, who I am not, and who I won't become. I have received literally hundreds and hundreds of emails this past month from people with the warmest, most complimentary and encouraging words for me. Every message has been heartwarming and I could not articulate how truly meaningful and supportive these emails have been. The phone calls from parents of my friends, old co-workers reaching out has been so touching and unexpected. I have been humbled and re-humbled daily throughout this amazing journey and every single day I shake my head and pinch myself. My heart is bursting with white light and love. This is such a magical time and every blessing that comes is paid forward I assure you. This past week I was invited to participate in the M.T.V. Music Awards Gift Bags. I am honoured by the invitation and look forward to participating in future years. Right now I am focused on filling the ever growing mountain of orders that continually are coming into and filling up my in-box. In my spare time, (yeah right!) I have chosen to focus on my 'new way' to support the people in my community. I recently reached out to the Ovarian Cancer Agency of B.C. to offer a piece of jewelry for their silent auction at their latest fundraising event, Gala-Glam-Give which was hosted at the Birks flagship store downtown. If you have not been in this building you really must go to check it out. It is a gem of a building. The envelope of the structure is exquisite and the jaw dropping bling within is equally as lovely. Unfortunately, because of the venue other designer jewelry was not kosher to have involved in the silent auction; however, the organizers of the event were in need of thank you gifts for the volunteer models who were also local celebs that were doing their part in the name of the fight against cancer. I was happy to donate 20 necklaces for the models. It was another expense that was saved and monies that could be put towards cancer research. I was also contacted this week by the Canadian Red Cross who were looking for a donation for their silent auction that will be apart of their own gala fundraiser at Blue Water Cafe. I am happy to help. Tonight I was contacted by Music B.C. Foundation looking for support for their fundraising event. I am delighted to help my community and I appreciate that through the recent Oscar attention that my business has enjoyed, I have been enabled to in turn support these causes. Love is only good if you have it to give. Tomorrow I am meeting with another local artist Carla D' Angelo. I have been a huge fan of her work even prior to knowing that she was a local artist. I encourage you to check out her unique work at www.claudiaalan.com she is very talented. I am looking forward to joining forces with other artists for the greater good of our community. Stay tuned... this is going to be good! There is lots of good things on the horizon... I can hardly wait to fill you in. Stay tuned! Love & Light, t.

It's Oscars Night!

It was January 3rd when I returned home from our xmas holidays. I had big plans to get organized in my home and mind and to continue on the path of our incredibly family focused journey that 2010 had created. Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans. Within four days of returning home, the Red Carpet email came in and it has been the focus of my everyday since. The past 8 weeks has been the wildest ride I have taken in a long time. It has proven to be an incredible week on so many levels. It is amazing how defined time can feel when you have a deadline. I have a very vivid time line of happenings of the past month and a half. Being invited to have my jewelry included in the Oscar Gift Bags was absolutely a highlight in my career. I explained it to a friend that it was like I had arrived or that I was finally legit when people asked me what I do ( which i still think is the lamest question ever... i am not what i do- and i feel so sorry for those who actually believe that the letters behind their name give them anymore credibility as a decent person than those without) and I reply that I am a jewelry designer. Really, I am actually an artist first and jewelry is just my most successful medium. I am so grateful for the amazing opportunity that has found me. I have put every effort in maximizing every aspect of the benefits that can be derived from this situation. I have aligned myself with the PR GURU that has worked with me as a partner and together we have landed some incredible media coverage. This month I have been seen and heard on Global Morning News, Global Noon News, The Express, eTALK, Entertainment Tonight Canada, I was on the Cover of the Vancouver Sun, I was in The Edmonton Journal, The Ottawa Citizen, The Windsor Star, The Phoenix Star, 24 hrs, The North Shore News, The North Shore Outlook, The Mike Bullard radio show, News 1130, QMFM with Mike & Tara which will air tomorrow, and more local print that will come out in the next few weeks. It has been an incredibly humbling compliment to have been invited to be featured on all of those different media outlets. Every experience was amazing and I have learned a great deal. I mean quite honestly, to land the cover of the Vancouver Sun is quite an accomplishment. Even the 'Silver Fox' was a bit confused by it... he looked at the cover and his first words were..." How did you get a bigger picture on the cover than the Sedins? lol Seriously... so funny. The next round of media will be in the bigger magazines. I was contacted by the company that is presenting the Oscar Gift Bags and they informed me that their press release has gone out to all of the media/ magazines with photos and names of the gift bags and the contributors. So keep your eyes posted while you are perusing through the magazines in the next couple of weeks and watch for the gift bag and watch for the lariat on all of those lovely starlets! Let me know if you see anything! Beyond working really hard to prepare all of the jewels for the Oscars I have also seen some real life action. In one week I had 2 sick babes, 1 traveling husband, a root canal, a clogged toilet (thanks B.Man) , a sick dog, and of course the rest of life's dailies. It was full on and in the midst of all of it all I was watching my email stack up with dozens of orders from across the country. It was a range of emotion that only continued to seek extremes when the next week a friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer that has taken over her body. The week after that, last week I had one of my closest bff's get caught in downtown Christchurch where the earthquake hit. She actually watched the spire on the church collapse. So if you want to talk about polar opposite emotions... as I was watching my Entertainment Tonight interview I was also texting with my friends trying to source the latest information on our bff and her journey back to Canada. ( Thank God she is home safe and sound!) Although I try really hard to live in the moment I have actually been waiting for today to arrive for 8 weeks. I feel this huge relief. The work is done. The celebs have my work. The blessings I have bestowed are working their charm just by being in their possession. Now I need to trust that the love I have put into each piece will find its way to the person who needs it most. Tonight the Oscars will air. I had big plans for a red carpet affair for tonight but alas I am home with two sick babes who just need to have Mama envelope them in the warm mama love that seems to make feeling ill just a little more tolerable. No matter what I am or what I do, I am a Mama first and nothing I do could ever be more important than making these two little spirits feel loved and cared for. While some will be sipping Champagne tonight and donning their finest silks, I will be sipping left over chicken noodle soup that I will make for the kids tonight and that Champagne will be replaced with decaf Earl Grey tea. That is my speed and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to call these sweet spirits mine to nurture and to love. There is no other award greater or more valuable to me than having the honour of hearing them say to me "Mama, how come you love us so much?" Those words affirm that I am doing a great job by doing what I truly love most. I love to love my family. That said, eyes peeled for the lariats! ;) love & light, t.

Watch Entertainment Tonight... TONIGHT!

Tonight we will be featured on Entertainment Tonight Canada! If you missed our segment on eTalk lastnight you can catch it again today at noon! Good Times!

We are on ETALK Right Now!

For those interested: We are on ETALK right now on the eastern feed Channel 88. I missed our local airing, but if you have a the eastern feed you can catch us. We are on in the last 10 minutes of the show. You can see us around 10 to 9pm. :)

The Stars Are Aligned, We All Get To Live Our Passion.

I find it so interesting that even at the most hectic of times, a fresh snowfall can quiet even the wildest chaos. Waking up to the sound of a (almost) four year old's squeal that it is snowing outside may be the sweetest sound ever. It is the epitome of childhood bliss and anything that brings my children bliss, and my children's elation, is the foundation of my own bliss. I write today with mixed emotions. I am still amazed by what the past six weeks have brought to fruition. I have the Oscars excitement that is still alive and electric running through me. I have been approached by many amazing women who have unexpectedly reached out to offer support to me and my work. I have my amazing friend 'Di' who just had her documentary "Abandon Ship: The sinking of The Concordia" debut on the CBC. It is worth mentioning that her daughter was on that vessel when it sank so her accounting of the event is particularly raw & accurate. To watch this documentary it is evident that 'Di' is living her passion. My other friend 'Care' is following her passion and in the midst of realizing her own dream which I am blessed to be in the inner circle of development in that I am privileged to be a sounding board and a spiritual & creative support to her in this time of her beautiful manifestation. She is living her passion. I recently received an email from one of our s local sirens. I'll call her 'Bif' ;). She was so gracious and generous with her light and love when she reached out to me. She has indeed been a welcome and like minded supporter of women living their passion. 'Bif' is an icon for women aspiring to live their passion because she has long been living her passion. Moments ago I received another email from a fellow jewelry designer who I respect very much. I will refer to her as 'Sugar'. We have been sharing a lot of press these past few weeks and as I have said to her, it is a huge compliment to be in her company- and an inspiration to me as she too is living her passion. A moment ago I opened an email from one of my all time favorite Collingwood students. FYI- anyone who works with children and claims that we don't have favorites...they full of it! That is just a big ole' lie! Those little lovelies work their way into your heart and the space they've claimed only continues to grow and we, continue to grow more fond of them as the years go on. I will refer to this particular little heart stealer as 'CG'. Here is a perfect example of the next generation of amazing women living their passion. 'CG' was one of those students who had supportive parents, great friends, teachers who love her, and whose beauty is immense and shines from the inside out. 'CG' has always held a special place in my heart for all of the above reasons but she won my highest respect when she made an incredibly difficult decision when it came to deciding on which university to attend. Where her family all attended one University, and the hope was that 'CG' would follow suit and many of her other bff's chose another school to attend, 'CG' listened to her heart, followed her passion and was accepted to an incredible university overseas. It takes huge courage and passion to follow your own inner voice at such a tender age. Alas, 'CG' has the personal insight that I wish for my 'Miss. B' when she arrives at that age. 'CG' inspires me and she is listening to and living her passion. And now, here comes the mixed emotion... I also have a friend who I will call 'Em'. Em is the mother we all wish we had. To watch her parent her children you know she was born to be a Mama. She is the queen of play dates. The champion chef for feeding her family healthy, whole, organic foods. Her playroom is every kid's fantasy and her backyard a family mecca. Her world is obviously her family and her family shines for it. Today is 'Em's birthday. Where you might expect her to be spending her day filled with lunch with the girls, flowers, candy, balloons, big laughs, wine, dinner out... just a laid back, fun kind of day. I could see how you would expect that. Rather, she gets to receive her first radiation treatment today. There is no fun involved there. There is fear and anxiety and a deep hope for a miracle. Where the cancer has claimed her body, I am here to say I claim her body too. I knew 'Em' first and I am here to ask all of you to send her light & love and healing energy. She deserves to be healthy and her children, our children, we all deserve to be apart of the love she has to give. I believe if the stars are really aligned then 'Em's fight is really our fight and together we can be part of the story that ends with the sentence... " and that is how they turned the table and how THEY fucked cancer over!" 'Em' deserves to continue to live her passion, but more than anything she deserves to live. Love & Light and a big ole FUCK YOU CANCER..NOT THIS TIME...! ;) t.

Invitation to provide jewelry for Oscar celebs goes to . . .

Invitation to provide jewelry for Oscar celebs goes to . . .

North Shore Outlook - In the (gift) bag

North Shore Outlook - In the (gift) bag