Make Sure You Tell Them

People circle into our lives for a reason and a season. Life goes by so quickly.. my Grama always told me this & I never believed her (until I hit my forties).

In this age of technology & distractions we sometimes miss out on the present. (Put your phone down and pay attention to that person in front of you).

People come into our lives for many reasons. Sometimes they stay for a lifetime, sometimes just a season and sometimes they dance in and out. When someone walks into your life and makes an impact – TELL THEM! Don’t wait.

I had a dream the other night… One of my favorite humans left my life & walked away, into their next adventure without truly knowing how I felt about them. I woke up and all day was haunted by the feeling of lost & sadness. I was scared this was my reality. Yes, it was just a dream, but had I told them ENOUGH how important they were in my life and how deeply I cared for them?

Whoever just came to your mind, STOP and call them. Send them a video message. Ask them to lunch. Take them to coffee, send them a handwritten letter, FaceTime them or just hug them and don’t let go. Don’t wait another day!

We are here to make a difference in each other’s lives. Don’t let anything go UNSAID. Tell those closest to you how much you care for them and love them. Tell them how your life would not be the same without them in it! And most importantly, enjoy every precious day & moment you have with them.

You will thank me for the reminder.

Why I mentor kids

A dear friend asked my recently, “Why did you get started volunteering/mentoring kids?” I thought for a second.. that answer needs conversation over a cup of coffee..

My initial answer is LOVE. My heart is my greatest asset & greatest weakness. Part of the reason I’m on this earth is to love others & share unconditional love. I’ve been blessed to understand the true meaning of love, its purpose and experience many shades of love. We NEED love to survive.

I grew up an only child. I was loved. I was shown great love and taught about the importance of loving others. When I hit my 30s, it hit me hard!  I finally understood one of my purposes on this earth.. loving others (hard) especially kids in need.

I love kids, I have always loved kids and always found myself teaching kids. When my husband and I decided not to have kids of our own, I told him I wanted to volunteer. My decision not to be a mom helped me realize I wanted to be involved in possibly helping 1 or more kids that could use some extra love.

In 2009, I started volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank. I started a broadway dance class, tap classes & a performance/competition dance team. They won multiple awards & trips all across the country to perform. I can only hope I left them with love in their hearts & memories they will remember for a lifetime.

In 2016, I heard about a program called Kids Hope at my church. It’s one child, one mentor, one hour, one day a week. I was thinking about trying a one-on-one relationship in the future, but I knew I had to do this when I started crying watching the promo video.

For the past 3 years, I have had the privilege of mentoring 2 young boys that have taught me as much as I’ve taught them. Sharing my heart with kids in need have created some of the most fulfilling moments of my life. When they lean in and whisper in my ear, “I love you Miss Michelle..” or randomly grab my hand to hold.. (you know little boys – this is HUGE) it’s just makes my heart explode!

I want to make a difference in people’s lives. I am willing to stand in the gap for anyone that needs me. When any kid, teen or adult (who am I kidding), sees me and comes running for a hug, sends me a text from college, wants to sit down for advice, giggles or laughs uncontrollably because of what I did or said.. that’s why I mentor.  I have to.. my heart NEEDS to share LOVE!  (It’s why I’m here).

Michelle xo

It’s A New Year.. What Makes YOU Fierce?

It’s a new year and one of my favorite words is FIERCE!  It ignites my passion.. my desire to be strong.. my wish to be fearless.. my ambition to persevere and my goals of being unforgettable!

A year ago in February, my Grama passed away.  We were very close & I loved her with all my heart.  She was one of my most special people: my cheerleader, my mom, my voice of reason, my greatest sounding board and LOVED to watch me dance!  While I was back East for her funeral I stumbled upon a ballroom dance studio I had NO IDEA existed a few blocks from my home in LA.  I contacted them while in NJ (I swear Grama sent me to them) and the rest is history.. I fell back in love with dancing because of the owners Katie & Erick (below) and the wonderful instructors (the events & other students are just a bonus).

I started dancing at 10 yrs old.  I taught, performed & competed all throughout school.  I turned professional at the age of 19 and continued my career until 26.  I taught ballroom at a Fred Astaire studio from 22-24 yrs old.  I lived my dream of being a dancer and performing professionally all over the country.  But I hadn’t ballroom danced in about 15 years (even just for fun).

Dancing has ALWAYS been my heart, my love, my joy, my passion.

When I retired I couldn’t figure out how to enjoy it for fun.. so I gave it up.

Last February I walked into the studio (shaking & heart pounding – thinking WHAT AM I DOING? I can’t do this anymore!) I was greeted by one of the sweetest guys I have ever had the pleasure of meeting (or dancing with) and I haven’t stopped smiling yet!   In a year I have lost 25 pounds.. bought a dozen glittering gowns.. danced & sung more songs then I can remember, laughed uncontrollably (while dancing), felt like a princess (more than once) and entered my first EVER competition in December.

I am FIERCE!  I am having the time of my life.. inspiring others to dare to try something new.. sharing my joy, reminding others talent SHOULD be shared and hoping to become awesome in TANGO (my worst dance, in my mind) by this years end.  I am  not giving up!  I have over done it and injured myself multiple times last year.  But I’ve kept going. I can’t remember as much as I would like to or as quickly as I used to, BUT I AM FIERCE.  I feel good.  I’m graceful.  I’m happy.  I’m taking chances.  I’m NOT giving up!

What is it that you would LOVE to try this year?  What lights a spark in your heart? What do you do and no matter how hard you try, you can’t stop smiling (this is a problem for my TANGO).  Do that!  Try that!  If it scares you a little, it means there is a WONDERFUL treasure awaiting you on the other side.. it’s wrapped in a gorgeous package with a tag on it with YOUR name.. “YOU ARE FIERCE“.. It’s just waiting to be opened.. discovered.. shared.. and ONLY YOU can unwrap it!

Remember, DON’T let anyone or anything STOP you.. especially when you soul is whispering to you.. listen to it!  It’s usually IMPORTANT.

Please share your adventures & journey with me!  I can’t wait to hear what makes YOU FIERCE!(because you are)

A Different Valentine

With Valentine’s just passing, I wanted to share a different view..

I remember HS years filled with “secret admirers” and vases of roses, delivered carnations, love notes and surprise boxes of chocolate – and I giggle when I think about Valentine’s.  I was so naive and had no idea how the flowers or notes mysteriously appeared at my desk or in my locker. (Seriously!?!)

This week I was with my BGC dancers and I wished them a happy Valentine’s, followed by passing out hugs.  I was surprised at what I heard.  Junior High and High School girls were saying they HATED Valentine’s Day.  I believe alot of people feel this way, because they are alone.  (I hate the “forever alone” & “single awareness day” references). But I look at Valentine’s differently. I want to share with you what I told my girls.
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C is for Commit

Ask any artist the first “C” word that comes to mind – I bet it is Create.  When I sat down at the beginning of the year that is what I wrote down for my “C”.  Now it’s a month into the year, and I find another word not only in my mind, but on my heart..

Commitment – Saying something and holding true to your word.

Commit – Trying something new or uncomfortable (outside your box) and just going for it!

NEVER underestimate the power of words.  We have all been hurt but them, excited by them, let down by them or inspired by them.  I work with a lot of teenagers and I try to be very conscious of following through with what I say.  I don’t want to disappoint them by promising something & forgetting.  I hope to inspire them by showing them not only the power of a promise, but weight of a commitment.

Teachers, coaches and mentors are in a position to influence & inspire.   I have been blessed to re-connect with some of my most favorite mentors & teachers throughout my life, and yet again as an adult (gotta love Facebook).  I took the opportunity to say THANK YOU to them for their commitment & encouragement. They made a great difference in my life and I am sure in many others.  I have not forgotten.  It’s usually the little things we don’t think about that can make a HUGE difference.

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I am committed to encouraging & inspiring youth every day, whenever I can.  I hope one day to be someone they can come back to with gratitude.  I do it not for the hope of a thank you,  I do it because I know my commitment, love & encouragement will make a difference!

I also commit to trying new things this year. Why not?  What do I have to lose?  Don’t like it, check it off and I don’t do it again.

For my business, I commit to sharing & encouraging the “Be-Loved” theme throughout this entire month.  Not only does it allow me to create some great treatments & blends (for the artist in me), it allows me to pay attention to “the little things..”

Besides, who couldn’t use a little more LOVE?

#TellYourStory2014

A is for ASPIRE

aspire: great ambition; to soar!

I have always loved the quote:

“AIM for the Moon, Even if you miss, You’ll land among the STARS!”

For the New Year, I will aspire to see & share beauty every  day

and continue to inspire beauty in others daily!

#TellYourStory2014

Beauty gifts for Mom

I am enjoying the wonderful Florida sunshine on a business trip and stopped in to visit my folks. I NEVER know what to buy my mom – she buys everything herself! Sound familier?

I just finished a Live Beauty Chat with my mom on my Facebook Page.. Here’s the cheat sheet of gift ideas & the sampling of Mom’s gifts this year. Along with some of the boutiques I will visit online at Facebook to purchase.  Hope this helps you find the perfect gift for Mom this year!

Confession: I still have to order my gifts for mom. Think they will be late. Oops!  Sorry Mom.

Beauty Picks

January & February Celebrating Chocolate

Chocolate Facial

Introducing Michelle’s New Signature Facial: $149
A luxurious Chocolate Facial with a Chocolate Brow Design
and Lash Extension Flirty Flares
Strawberry scrub, hydrating chocolate massage & mask,
aromatherapy oil hand wrap, ending with a hot chocolate or caramel latte

“All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt!”

 

After Keratin Treatment

Linda’s Chocolate Scented Keratin Straightening: $150
Back by Popular Demand
All hair lengths

Formaldehyde Free
Won’t make your hair “poker” straight.  It adds protein to condition & shine
and take away the frizzies

If you wear your hair straight, even in the hottest, humid conditions it will stay that way.
If you curl your hair, it will hold the curl and be smooth as can be.  It lasts for 2-3 months without any grow out lines.