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If this name sounds familiar to you, it's because she’s one of my friends, a soul sister, and I’ve already talked about her in my article: Happy New Year 2022! Also, if you follow me on Instagram, her name and even her face must be familiar to you, since we interact together a lot.  Courtesy of Mari Curteanu - IG @maricurteanu I was recently invited to Mari’s podcast, The Lighthouse Podcast. In her mission to help people find well-being, Mari created this podcast this year to be able to share the stories of people who overcame unexpected fates, and thus illuminate this world with a glimmer of hope. Obviously, this message speaks to me a lot, that's the same reason why I created this blog and wrote my book “My Solo Wedding in Santorini”. So, I was honoured to be her guest. A simple and honest discussion enriched with the life lessons I learnt after my fiancé broke off our engagement, and after marrying myself. I encourage you to watch this episode – but also all the others! But back to Mari and the reasons behind the podcast idea. Life and well-being coach, she was born and raised in Romania under the communist regime. She married very young and went to live in her husband's country, Cyprus. Housewife and then mother, she learnt Greek and devoted herself to her son. But in an abusive marriage , she had the courage to leave and rebuild herself, she resumed her studies and became an accountant for a large firm. However, she knew that her potential lay elsewhere, so she moved to London, became a fitness coach and created Bodysome. However, life had not finished testing her and in 2019, she was discovered with a brain tumour. Three operations followed over a period of one year, during the COVID pandemic! Mari is much more than a survivor, she’s the very embodiment of resilience and “surrendering” - a notion that she’s particularly fond of. Drawing on her experience, she published her autobiography “The Wisdom of a Willow Tree” in 2022.  I met Mari in 2020 on Instagram, just before she had her 3rd brain surgery. Our friendship was immediate. Love at first sight! I believe we know each other from a previous life. I went to visit her last year in London, not only did I have a wonderful time with her, but I also met her family, all incredibly kind and caring. Above all, I was able to see and touch this willow tree, which inspired the title of her book… Since my Solo Wedding in Santorini, I keep saying that I meet extraordinary people, Mari is certainly one of them! She has been unfailingly supportive in the publication of my book and inviting me to her podcast, once again shows her incredible generosity and kindness. If you've read the acknowledgments of my book, you know she's mentioned:  I encourage you to follow Mari Curteanu on her social media:  Check out my previous Podcasts: My Solo Wedding in Santorini: previous articles My Book: LINK And here's an easy access to all my content: Linkt.ree I'll be in the United States next month, precisely to see other friends, coaches and mentors, that I've met online these past few years. Many exciting adventures await me and I'll be sure to tell you all about them when I return (if I return...). In the meantime follow me on Instagram and Facebook!! Love & Joy, L.
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We’ve just celebrated International Women's Day, let’s continue to honour them every day, but also, all the little girls we were before. Without them, we wouldn’t be the incredible women we are today. We sometimes forget that these little girls gave us the courage and the strength to become who we are. My little me gave me imagination, creativity, curiosity, and tenacity. I give her today my gratitude, my forgiveness, and my unconditional love. Let’s be kind and compassionate with our past versions of ourselves, and let’s embrace our true fabulous selves! This week I posted a video on my social media with an excerpt from my book, I put it below for you. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” -Eleanor Roosevelt Be true to yourself and expect the very best to come! I am a dreamer, a feminist and an activist. I never fail to share my opinion, especially when I'm invited to Podcasts. In fact, during the Women Awakening Podcast with Cynthia James, I talked about my childhood, my Solo Wedding in Santorini and my book. Listen here: LINK APPLE LINK SPOTIFY  During the Spinster Life Podcast with Amie Kolbing, I mentioned the self-publishing of my book but also single life, as well as parenthood for all, having frozen my eggs myself. Listen here: LINK APPLE LINK GOOGLE LINK SPOTIFY Topics I've mentioned many times on this Blog. My little me passed on a lot of values and qualities to me, and I'm very proud of her, as much as I'm proud of my current self! Read my previous posts: Read my previous posts from the Superwomen Series:
And of course my Solo Wedding in Santorini, all the articles: HERE My book, finalist of the Wishing Shelf Book Awards in the UK: HERE I can't wait to discover the woman I'm going to become in the next few years, but also all the women I'm going to meet! Love & Joy, L. Last month, I celebrated my birthday, I told you about it in my article Happy Me. Well, if I love this day of the year so much, apart from the fact that I love celebrating myself, especially since my Solo Wedding in Santorini, it's because I don't age. Even better, I rejuvenate! That's what my friends and family keep telling me. Recently, one of my aunts, who hadn't seen me for a year, said to me, "You have to stop at some point, because you look 20 now!! » Certainly, my aunt is very generous, and I don't wish to look that young ahaha. Nevertheless, for proof a photo without filter, without editing, without makeup, just me on July 1, 2022 after my shower!  My 40th birthday (2 years ago therefore) was a turning point in my life, not that I dreaded this date, on the contrary since I had to celebrate it outrageously (but the pandemic prevented it), and obviously I was stunning (reread my article Turned 40), but on that day I chose a new challenge, to fulfill one of my wedding vows, the one that said “I would never stop being a better version of myself.” Since My Solo Wedding in Santorini, I adore myself all the time, it’s absolutely impossible for me to diminish myself. When you love yourself, it is for life! However, this time not only aging wouldn’t affect me, but I chose a new quest, that of youth. An adventure that would transform me and make me meet extraordinary people. (Pictures below of my birthdays from 2017 to 2021)  From there, I signed up for courses, seminars and other videos, I wanted to know everything about nutrition, fitness, neurology, epigenetics, energy, and I continue because I find it fascinating. Of course, as with any learning, it takes dedication, determination and discipline. But all this doesn’t work without the right motivation! And as far as I’m concerned, I had 2 essential reasons: 1/ I still want to be a mother one day and although I froze my eggs in Madrid, I don't know if I will use them or resort to other procedures or adoption. Reread Gift from Science 2/ My dearest dream is to go to the planet Mars (Read In the Air 2) and for those who have been following me for a few years, you’ve already received your invitation. For others, here it is: When I was 20, if someone had told me I’d look this fabulous, I wouldn't have believed it. It must also be said that at that time, I was overweight, insecure, trying to succeed in all areas to conform to standards and society. Today, I can say that I’ve never felt so good, not to mention the fact that I’ve never been so fit and healthy, no more glasses, no more medication or dietary supplements, no more migraines, sleep trouble nor health problem, a healthy mind in a healthy body. I’ve already shared a lot about my beauty and health routines: I encourage you to read them again: And I really don't miss my glasses... (Photos from 2011 to 2016)  Obviously when you decide to stay young, there’s no chance of not talking about exercise! I never saw myself as a sporty person, overweight from a very young age until I was 27, playing sports at school was my pet peeve and I voluntarily avoided it for a good part of my adult life. No chance of dragging me to a gym, but confinement has been good since online classes have developed and especially my passion for dance and ballet – an entire chapter is dedicated to it in my book “My Solo Wedding in Santorini" - has introduced me to Lydia Melmeth, my current fitness coach and former dancer of the Queensland Ballet. I encourage you to follow her on Instagram and her YouTube channel, she now lives in London and teaches at the Royal Ballet and in many fitness centres. Yes, remember, I talked about the Royal Ballet in my Article Happy New Year 2020! Keeping my 2 motivations in mind and my iron discipline, from 30 minutes/week in 2020, I practice today 5h/week! If I can do it, you can too! Thanks to Lydia, her energy and her very varied classes, I learned to do grand pliés as well as squats. And speaking of squats, impossible not to mention the extraordinary Pauline Adeleke, to whom I dedicate all my squats!! Pauline is 70 years YOUNG, as she likes to say (I love it!) and lives in New York. Although she has already lived several lives, 2 years ago she created her own business to help people of her age to stay in shape. She’s a real mine of information and her energy is contagious! Especially her attitude towards life is a fabulous example to follow, for her, age is just a number, and one should never limit oneself on this basis. Neither too young nor too old, anything is possible with determination. I have huge respect and admiration for her, she’s my new role model and I like to call her SuperWonder Pauline! I love this woman so much! Follow her on Instagram and on her YouTube channel Ageless Fitness Lifestyle, where she distils her fitness and nutrition tips. I can't remember which of my teachers mentioned this, but several years ago a study was conducted with a group of elderly people with all sorts of age-related symptoms and disorders: osteoarthritis, Alzheimer's, low muscle mass etc. They had them live for several weeks in a house with 70s decor, which reminded them of a past time in their lives. At the end of the experiment, their health had improved, and some symptoms had even completely disappeared, without any special diet or medication. Because of their environment, their brain believed that they were younger and their metabolism with it. Incredible but true! Like nature, if you have strong roots, the right environment, good care, you will bloom again and again... And I feel like I'm blooming better and better, year after year. But for me the absolute secret is to have fun and do what I love! Anything that makes me smile is good for my cells. Moreover, this summer I decided to regress completely and practice the activities that I loved to do as a child: horseback riding and golf. Plus, they're outdoor activities, which is a bonus. There’s no age to start something new, in fact, I took my dad for his 65th birthday to have his first golf lesson and he loved it! And last week, to relax after the launch of my book - the past 2 months have been intense to stay polite - my sister invited me to a beautiful spa. A very handsome young man, the sexiest of the 4,000m2 of aquatic space, only had eyes for me, despite the lovely young ladies in microscopic bikinis. Proof that my method works and that there’s no age to be fabulous!! Do like me, live life to the fullest so that it has no hold on you! And even more to discover about me and my life in my autobiography “My Solo Wedding in Santorini”: LINK FOR THE BOOK By the way, this article is an addition to my Superwomen Series: read here. Have a fabulous week! Love & Joy, L.  Although the month of June shines a light on the LBGTQIA+ community, you know how much I encourage you to keep an open heart and mind throughout the year, and above all to be yourself! Also, I wanted to go back to my previous articles, update some information and talk about my actions… I’ve been an ally my entire life and any chance I have to spread more love, I take it. This photo has been taken at the end of my ceremony – My Solo Wedding in Santorini – a sign from the Universe that I was loved and protected. And everyone should feel that way.  If there are 2 major matters that are very close to my heart, they are marriage and parenthood for all! Moreover, as a guest of the "Spinster Life Podcast", I spoke extensively about these topics (link in my article 5-year Wedding Anniversary and at the bottom of the MEDIA page). Everyone should have the right to live their life as they see fit and have access to the same rights as everyone else. Unfortunately, the reality is very different, and I was confronted with it harshly in 2018 when after My Solo Wedding in Santorini, I wanted to freeze my eggs in France as a single woman. Some countries (including France at that time) prohibit this practice. I told you about all this, as well as this Australian discovery by Dr. Debra Gook in my article: Superwomen 5. And since September 2021, the procedure is allowed in France for single women who are between 27 and 39 years old, a start of progress. During the podcast mentioned above (check Media), I spoke in detail about the freezing of my eggs in Madrid and you can also find all my adventure and procedure in my article: Gift from Science.  With my Solo Wedding in Santorini, I definitely changed the codes and proved to everyone that our life belongs to us and that only we know the ingredients of our happiness. Read my articles: Just as same-sex marriage should be legal and recognised everywhere in the world! I had given you a lot of information on this subject in my article: Superwomen 3. On this Saturday, June 25, the pride parade takes place in Paris, I take this opportunity to wish a great day to my friends! Last year, I explained the history and characteristics of the rainbow flag to you in my article: Happy Pride.  The best way to eliminate discrimination and make our world a better place is to first love yourself. It is what enables us to love others for who they are without prejudice or judgment. So, lead by example and be proud! You are amazing!! Previous articles:
Series : Podcast link: HERE  No article next week, this is my Birthday, yeahhhh!!! And I'm working really hard on the last steps of my book's publishing, release date to come soon! Check my Instagram to stay updated... Happy Pride in Paris! Happy birthday to my godchildren! And have a great week everyone!! Love & Joy, L. International Women's Day is in a few days, on March 8, and like every year, I’m writing a special article for the occasion. This week, I choose to pay tribute to all these women, whose names we don't necessarily know, but who every day elevate, inspire, support someone... Whether they are the muses of great artists, the wives of influential people, or the mothers of great people. We owe them a lot! So, thank you! There are no great men without great women behind them I'm sure a lot of names come to your mind, or even you know someone in your life who makes this world a better place just by being there. Many women have helped me build my personality and many more continue to guide me to become a better person. I wouldn't be who I am today without them. And the list is far too long to name them. Obviously, my Solo Wedding in Santorini wouldn’t have happened without their influence on my life. Not to mention the valuable guidance I currently have for my book! Every day, they live in me and emanate the light that I share...  And in these troubled times, I’d like to pray for all those women who are fighting for their freedom or for others'. Freedom, is precisely symbolised by a woman in the magnificent painting by Delacroix, "Liberty leading the people" and which is exhibited at the Louvre Museum in Paris (read my article Louvre 2 to find out more). This magnificent painting, repeatedly censored and sidelined, is nonetheless one of the most reused and visited artworks in the world. Because we can’t silence freedom, hide it or destroy it, it is our essence, our divine birthright!  My 8-year-old goddaughter gave me a white rose for Valentine's Day, and I'd like to give it virtually to all women around the world, as a symbol of love, peace, communion and hope. You are not alone...  Read my previous posts from the Superwomen Series: Happy International Women's Day! Love & Joy L. Videos:
Today, there’s the LGBTQIA+ pride in Paris, as a fervent ally of this community I wanted to honour them this week! Long called gay pride, today we only say pride, to bring together everyone and no longer just homosexuals. And for those unfamiliar with the term LGBTQIA+, it means: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and more, as the acronym can have even more categories, in its full form: LBTQQIAAP One of the A's stands for Ally, like me, for all those who support equal rights. But if you only remember the first one, that's great! (The photos in this article were taken in Paris in June 2019)  While many cities around the world have already celebrated it, more will take place in the summer, an event always eagerly awaited and even more so this year as many were cancelled last year. The first march took place in June 1970 in the United States, to commemorate the Stonewall riots in New York. Indeed, on June 28, 1969, a police raid took place at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village (NYC). A bar frequented by gay and transgender people. Recall that at that time in New York, it was forbidden to serve alcohol to homosexuals, as well as to cross-dress. Only this time, the police face a rebellion. Five days of riots followed. 2,000 participants and 400 policemen were reported during the first night. This event undoubtedly gave birth to the LGBT movement in the United States and around the world.  This is why June is considered Pride Month in many countries, and every year since 1970 more and more cities around the world have joined the movement. You probably noticed this month, small multicoloured flags on the internet, social media, some store windows ... This is the flag of the LGBTQIA + community. It was created by an American, Gilbert Baker in 1978. The first 2 flags were hand-stitched & dyed by the artist and used in the march of San Francisco on June 25, 1978. Each colour represents a particular word: Red LIFE Orange HEALING Yellow SUNLIGHT Green NATURE Blue HARMONY Violet SPIRIT Originally the flag had 8 stripes, the pink (sex) and turquoise (magic) have been removed to facilitate mass-production. However, the colour brown (inclusivity) and black (diversity) were added in 2017 for more inclusion towards people of colour. The video below tells the story of this flag very well: In my article Superwomen 3, I talked extensively about same-sex marriage around the world, as well as the right to parenthood, and all the inequalities that still exist. I recalled in my article Superwomen 5 that lesbians in France are not allowed to freeze their eggs or to have IVF (in-vitro fertilization). In recent weeks, there has been a lot of talk about donating blood, because in most countries in the world, homosexuals and bisexuals are not allowed to donate blood or under certain conditions such as several months of abstinence before blood donation. (Australia, United States, France…). The UK made a change to their law about ten days ago, allowing people in a monogamous relationship for more than 3 months to donate blood without restriction. France is expected to allow anyone over the age of 18 to be an unrestricted donor next year. Still too many laws are unequal and inadequate today, it is up to everyone to support equal rights for all.  Today is also the birthday of my godchildren, Hannah and Noam, the twins of 2 amazing dads! I witnessed the difficult journey for them to become a family, the laws, the disappointments, the failures and finally these 2 miracles. Love has no gender, colour, religion, border. Love is Love. So today, I'm not just celebrating their birth, but also determination, courage and love ... I am proud of you, I love you!!  Reread my articles from the Superwomen Series here: LINK. But also, all the articles of My Solo Wedding in Santorini: LINK. No article next week, it's my birthday on the 1st of July!! I'm going to celebrate for a few days... Next Post: Saturday July 10 Happy Pride!! Love & Joy, L. Since last week I spoke again about my egg freezing in Madrid, I thought an update on this very personal topic was a good idea. As a reminder, I received this Gift from Science one year after my Solo Wedding in Santorini. And for this article, I’ve chosen to use my photos of clouds, all the photos are mine, like for my article Meditation. The sky is a great source of artistic inspiration and to me it represents hope. Hope I wish to radiate and spread in this patriarchal world ...  First of all, I’d like to point out that in June 2021, France is still one of the 3 countries in Europe (Austria and Malta) that don’t allow egg freezing for singles and lesbians! In 2019, a law was passed to allow all women to use this procedure, unfortunately this law was rejected by the Senate recently, and right now we have absolutely no idea when it’ll be possible one day ... As we celebrate Pride Month for the LGBTQ + community of which I’m an unconditional ally, it seemed important to me to recall this system anomaly. At the present time it seems unthinkable that single women and lesbian women can’t freeze their oocytes and use IVF!  However, women who rebel, like Teresa Xu, a 31-year-old single woman who went to Chinese court in 2019 - another country that bans freezing for single women - to demand equal rights. Unfortunately, again, no hope was obtained. An injustice even more outrageous since Chinese men can freeze their sperm, which is not the case in France, no gender discrimination on that side (good or bad, the debate is open!). After 40 years of IVF (in-vitro fertilization) and 30 years of freezing technique, we’re moving too slowly. And more and more women who travel to foreign countries (myself included) to have this type of procedure, which is sadly reminiscent of the case of abortion. Not to mention that the cost of treatment and travel is not accessible to everyone.  Incredible women who never stop fighting for our happiness, Australian Dr. Debra Gook opened the world's first egg bank in 1994 at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne (Australia). After 5 years of intense research, she’s the one who discovered the technique of freezing oocytes. Despite this great advance, the medical world was reluctant, yet the practice of freezing sperm dates from the 1970s ... Then another woman, Dr. Eleonora Porcu, Italian, decided to follow in her footsteps, followed by Dr. Nicole Noyes in the United States. Thank you to all these women, and the men who support them, who support us, for making a difference and offering future generations the freedom to choose!  Reread my previous articles: And I’d like to highlight my Superwomen series: Keep your head in the clouds, the only place you see the sun, stars, and rainbows! Love & Joy, L. As we close this month of March, which is also a celebration of women's history #womenshistorymonth, I’d like to pay tribute to Elsa Peretti who left for another realm on March 18 at the age of 80.  Photo Credit: @elsaperettiofficial IG Famous jewellery designer and designer, she was born in Florence (Italy) in 1940, and grew up in Rome and Switzerland. After studying interior design in Rome, she became a model in Barcelona (Spain) before moving to New York to work for the famous American fashion designer Halston, followed by many others… She rubbed shoulders with the biggest celebrities, Andy Warhol, Liza Minelli, Cher, but also the greatest photographers. In 1975, she was even immortalised by Helmut Newton! In 1974, she became a designer for Tiffany & Co. and revolutionised the jewellery industry by making silver chic and precious. Tiffany & Co, an American company founded in New York in 1837 and you know I love this city very much (reread Spring in NYC). No less than 30 timeless and modern collections with among the most famous: Open heart, Bean, Bone cuff, Lacquer bangle ... She who loved to travel (alone) was inspired by know-how and techniques from around the world. She also created many accessories and objects for the home ... "Style is to be yourself." Elsa Peretti Her creations for this house belongs to history, several of them are part of the permanent collections of the largest museums:
You can find her collections for Tiffany & Co by clicking here: LINK. Elsa Peretti was also a philanthropist, in 2000 she created the Nando Peretti Foundation (NPF), a foundation in honour of her father. Countless projects have emerged in favour of the environment, education, women's rights ... An artist with a big heart. The first time she liked one of my Instagram posts, I felt so blessed. To tell the truth, I don't know if it was her or someone from her team who saw my photos, and yet it's like somehow we were connected. She's the kind of woman I wish I had in my life. I’d have loved to meet her. Maybe in another incarnation. This woman will be my inspiration forever ... I'm lucky enough to own one of these famous Bone cuffs, I only wear it on very special occasions, and I wore it during my interview for the late night show in Athens. The embodiment of strength and femininity, this cuff represents to me the modern elegance of an independent and visionary woman. And to tell my Solo Wedding in Santorini on the biggest Greek TV channel, this jewel was essential for me, like a kind of talisman, a protection. Check the Article: TV Interview - Behind the Scenes I also wore it in Paris for the beautiful wedding of gay friends (reread Superwomen 3). It was written in the 2016 Tiffany catalog: Bold and powerful yet feminine and unpretentious, just like the women it was created for, the Bone cuff has become a mainstay in the world of fashion and design. An incredible woman who has crossed ages, and has never stopped building / rebuilding herself, always staying true to who she was. A great example of how creativity, art, can transcend a human being and vice versa. Keep shining Elsa, you are now a star among the stars!  @elsaperettiofficial IG Reread my Series Superwomen:
Have a wonderful week! Love & Joy, L.  International Women's Day is coming, and I never miss an opportunity to speak out on this day of the year. You now know my series Superwomen, articles in the form of a manifesto where I unveil my beliefs and values, my support for women, but also for the LGBTQ community, in favour of equity & equality for each luminous being on this planet. After February - re-read last article - in which I mentioned my ability to bounce back and pursue my dreams, today I return to my dearest wish, to someday visit Mars. I have already mentioned it several times: And then, with the perfect landing of Perseverance on Mars recently - the new exploratory robot from NASA (US National Aeronautics and Space Administration) - I was even more eager to share this special interest with you. Below are images of Perseverance sent just after landing (Photo Credit: NASA): So today I’d like to highlight these women who have helped change our vision of the future by changing our perception on Earth! Valentina Tereshkova, Russian, was the first woman in space in 1963, just 2 years after the first Russian man, Yuri Gagarin. Until today she remains the only woman to have flown solo! As in many fields, they had to show perseverance, courage, and compromise to combat stereotypes and ignorance. Yet since the 1960s, it has been proven that women are more resistant to loneliness, pain, heat, cold ... Despite this, it took almost 20 years for this to happen again with Svetlana Savitskaïa in 1982 (a Soviet again), then the first American, Sally Ride in 1983, and a French in 1996 Claudie Haigneré. As a reminder: Astronaut = American astronaut Spationaute = French astronaut Cosmonaut = Russian astronaut In the future, let's count on NASA's Artemis mission, including 9 women out of 18 astronauts, to make the first woman walk on the moon. But also, Alyssa Carson, 19, the youngest astronaut in the world in training, for NASA, who should be one of the first astronauts on Mars! Have you seen the movie the Hidden Figures? Incredible one (2016) that received numerous awards. Based on a true story, it tells how a group of 3 African American mathematicians contributed to several NASA missions in the 1960s. In fact, NASA just named one of their buildings Mary W. Jackson after one of them. The Series Away on Netflix with the fabulous actress Hilary Swank, commander of the first space team to Mars. But also, the Series Right Stuff on Disney Plus, recounting the beginnings of NASA and the first American in space. Based on real events, the story is set in the 1950s during the cold war, and aptly shows the mentalities of the time and the struggle of women for more respect!
Even today, remember that only 10% of astronauts in the world are women, mainly due to a lack of candidates. The ESA (European Space Agency) has just opened applications to everyone, no age limit but you must have a degree in medicine, science or engineering. Don’t hesitate!! My childhood dream was to become an astronaut, today I know that I’’ll go to space and more specifically to Mars, as a tourist! And yes, I don’t fit the admission criteria unfortunately, but my mission is here, to share my story, My Solo Wedding in Santorini on our beautiful blue planet, and maybe I'll continue to share it beyond in the future 😊 Courage is simply the willingness to be afraid and act anyway. Robert Anthony  Inspiring people to be themselves & to stretch their limits, is the mission that I’ve chosen to take with pride. My Previous Articles:
My video in honour of Women's Day. You’ll find it also on my social media & on this website! Remember the time when women weren't allowed to wear pants or to be a doctor (and it's still the case in some countries)... At the end of this article, the video of the last spacewalk, on March 5, 2021, from the International Space Station for repair. For the occasion, a duo composed of a woman and a man! Kate Rubins from NASA and Soichi Noguchi from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). Women & Men, be a dreamer, for yourself but also as an example to show the world that anything is possible! Sky’s the limit... Happy International Women’s Day! Keep shining my babes, we are all stars!! Love & Joy, L.  Tomorrow March 8 will be International Women’s Day, although I’m not waiting for a special day to celebrate us, as my Superwomen Series can attest, I obviously wanted to share this pride with you this week. The very first one took place in 1909 in the United States, however it’s in 1977 that the United Nations officialised this day. During the vows of my Solo Wedding in Santorini, I had a thought for all women, and I said: "A thought for all young ladies, women, spouses, mothers around the world, being a woman is our strength." If we are many to be sure of it, let's use this day to let the world know it! Sexism, misogyny, discrimination, violence and torture will never silence our voices, because there’ll always be another woman to testify, protect, claim. Sisterhood is very real, women who support each other, but not only, many men who are also by our side. So, thank you to all those who fought for us, who do so today, and to all who’ll fight for our children. And in memory of them, today I’d like to speak of an exceptional woman, a woman with an immense courage and a limitless audacity: Joséphine Baker. She was born American (in 1906) but died French (in 1975). Her real name was Freda Josephine McDonald, woman of colour, in a racist and divided America, she was involved in every fight as a: woman, artist, resistant, mother and activist. Attracted by dance and cabaret from a very young age, and to escape poverty, at 14 she danced in a troupe, then at 16 left for New York, it was finally in 1925, spotted by a rich American woman who puts on a show in France - the Revue Nègre - that she arrives in Paris. Her success was immediate. Avant-garde, she didn't care about conventions and followed her convictions; the first international Black star, she sung all over the world, and she used her fame many times to defend what seemed right to her. Thus, she helped the French Resistance during the Second World War, later, she militated against racism in the world. Therefore, she adopted 12 children of different nationalities. She was also, alongside Martin Luther King for the Civil Rights Movement. No matter what you want to do in life, believe in yourself and in your dreams ... As a child, my great friend Barbie helped me build myself, and yes, we can be a feminist and love Barbies! One of my favourites was Barbie Business with her pink suit and briefcase. At 6 years old I dreamed of being a businesswoman as much as a princess, we have every right to be all. I’d like to remind here, an intelligent woman can also be beautiful and attractive!! Today the brand goes even further, and many jobs are represented, including firefighter, astronaut, engineer, airplane pilot ... Read my articles: 
French law prohibits me from freezing my oocytes, I went to Spain. I would not let men decide my life. It belongs to me just like my body. Reread:  I wish one day, every human being on Earth, will have the right to dignity ... Have a great week! Love & Conviction, L. P.S.: And when the world is saved by a woman! How not to speak of this woman who created my obsession for this word: empire! A few years ago, when I was developing a personal business project, it was Helena's journey that inspired me and made me want more. The executive summary of my business started with this introduction: Helena Rubinstein moved from Poland to Australia in 1896, with no money and little English. Today, thanks to the magnificent exhibition "The Adventure of Beauty" which took place in Paris in 2019 at the MAJH, I’ll make you discover her story and why she's a great source of inspiration for me. Believe me Helena Rubinstein is a woman to know… A complex and determined woman, she’s undoubtedly one of the pioneers of feminism. Born Chaja Rubinstein in Cracow (Poland) in 1872 in a modest Jewish family, she refused an arranged marriage and the life they wanted to impose on her. In 1896, at the age of 24, she took the boat alone for Australia. In 1902, she created her first Valaze face cream, and a year later opened her first beauty salon in Melbourne (Australia). Passionate about fashion, she dressed in Chanel, Poiret, Worth, Dior, Balanciaga, Rodriguez, essential according to her as an ambassador of a beauty brand. Collecting art from 1908, she was friends with the greatest artists: Chagall, Dali, Picasso, Marcoussis… An exhibition with her collection of African art is currently in Paris at the Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac till June 28, 2020. I put a video at the end of the article for you (sorry it's in French but you can enjoy the images). She also contributed to many museums and was also the model of many works of art. In 1914, she left Europe to open her first beauty salon in New York. She therefore collaborated with the greatest architects, interior designers and artists. All her life, art was an important part of her creativity. Famous names were in charge of her salons, shops, adverts but also of her residences. With great attention to detail and innovative, she never stopped inventing, among other things, she’s responsible for the classification of skin (dry, normal and oily), sunscreen, mascara in a tube and beauty salons... Between 1915 and 1918, her business expanded in the United States with the opening of a factory and the first school of beauticians. In 1939, thanks to the collaboration with the inventor of the first waterproof mascara, Helena created the event by organising a nautical ballet to introduce the product. Huge success. A year later, this is the opening of a male beauty salon in New York! For Helena, beauty was a weapon in the fight to make women equal to men. By feeling beautiful in her body, a woman gains self-confidence, she feels bold and becomes emancipated. "Beauty is nothing without taking care of the body." Helena Rubinstein Taking care of the body, so obvious for her, not only facials, but also massages, dietetics, breathing and physical exercise. She even created her own gym class “Rubinstein Rhythmics”. Science serving beauty, essential to innovate, be credible and listened to, she visited her factories in white coat. Above all, she understood how to use the image in the service of business: marketing! But Helena was also a philanthropist, in addition to Art, in 1953, she created a foundation for the education of disadvantaged girls. She loved beautiful things, fashion, jewellery, art and science. She travelled a lot, set up her salons and left her legacy in Melbourne, Sydney, Vienna, Paris, New York, London, Tel Aviv ... A citizen of the world, a superwoman. Married, mother of two, divorced and remarried to a man 23 years younger, she didn’t forget to be a woman behind the business woman. She died in New York at the age of 93. The Helena Rubinstein brand was officially created in 1920. 100 years old this year! Had the young Chaja ever imagined such an adventure and such a heritage? We can only respect her audacity, her decadence and her perseverance! Read again my other articles from the Superwomen Series. I don't have an empire yet, but I'm working on it more than ever, and My Solo Wedding in Santorini will certainly leave my mark in the memory of many people. Good week everyone, take care of yourself! Love & Beauty, L. In my series Superwomen that you now know, I keep mentioning people who show exemplary courage to create a better world. I have largely mentioned in my article Thank you, how important and beneficial it is to thank people. I’m going to continue today. Mother's Day will be celebrated in France tomorrow and I wanted to take the opportunity to pay tribute to my mother, but also to all those women who are still part of my life today and are in my heart like my other mums.  My mummy, a brave woman who put love before all and everybody. A woman who fought against her family, racism and prejudices to build the family and the life she wanted.  Women have always guided me and served as role models, nothing surprising while in my turn I want to show the way to new generations and be an example. Catherine: a very elegant woman who showed me that you could be a mother and a businesswoman. She saw me as a newborn, growing up and becoming the accomplished woman I am today. A golden mentor who supported me in my studies and my career choice, and showed me the way to follow. Laurence: my professional mother, I always called her like that because she’s the same age as my mother and has always supported me well beyond her role as my manager. An extraordinary example that you must be human to be a good leader, and my course of action throughout my career. Once she told me that if I wanted to have a child, I shouldn’t worry about my responsibilities because she would replace me if necessary ... How many women would like to have such a support?!? Debra: my Australian mum! While I was 10,000 miles away from my family and friends, alone in a new country and city, both in the office and at home, she took me under her wing and considered me as her own daughter. She attended my graduation in Australia, a great moment of pride in my life and an unforgettable memory. Françoise: my French mother in Brisbane who taught me to shout to exteriorise my emotions! I don’t go on a rollercoaster ride without thinking of her, and theme parks have become my favourite place to evacuate frustration. Try, you won’t regret it! Marie-Paule: Christmas without her is not Christmas! Protector of traditions and family values, she always helps people in need. She took me at home while my ex-fiancé had just left me, I will be eternally grateful. France: my Tahitian mother with incarnate wisdom, full of positive energy and who always has solutions for everything. I speak to her when I feel down, she always has the right words to boost me! Thank you all for being here for me and for guiding me in my quest for happiness and serenity. A year ago I was in Madrid and I started the treatment to freeze my oocytes, I don’t know if I’ll be a mother one day, but there is no doubt that I would like to bring to others as much as these women gave me in my life. Becoming a mum can be a difficult journey and being a mom is an even bigger challenge, but the joy and satisfaction of contributing to this world by raising a new generation, is an exciting choice for many of us. Read or reread Gift from Science. Women, mothers, expectant mothers who everyday help, raise and support others; a strength, a courage and that maternal instinct that we don’t honour enough, don’t change anything, you are wonderful! Happy Mother’s Day to all these Superwomen! Love & Joy, L. New article from the Superwomen series, previously I mentioned those women who do male jobs "Superwomen" or those who fight for their personal beliefs "Superwomen 2". Today I'm not really speaking of a woman, but I'd like to talk about a person who fully assumes his femininity, and who contributes every day to changing mentalities: RuPaul Charles. Famous American artist born in San Diego on November 17, 1960, he continues to surprise us with his many talents: drag queen, singer, dancer, actor, producer, director ... In 2017, he was among the most influential people in the world in the Time 100. He doesn’t care if he’s called he or she, and he works both in his feminine and masculine form. Moreover, he considers being a drag queen as a political act to change mentalities. I’m heterosexual and I’m an ally of the LGBTQ+ community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual etc.). Last week, I had the chance to attend the wonderful wedding of gay friends in Paris. Ceremony where I was able to exhibit my magnificent Arturo Rios blue fascinator, chosen by my followers (article Hat Designer). Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2013 in France, it is also legal in 24 other countries of the world, and since December 2017 in Australia. The first country to authorise this is the Netherlands in 2001. This legalisation is in progress in Austria and is planned in Switzerland, Mexico and 8 other countries. Regarding same-sex parenting, 27 states around the world allow full adoption for couples. However, for MAP (Medically Assisted Procreation) and surrogacy, far fewer countries are concerned. In France, surrogacy is prohibited, and MAP is only allowed to heterosexual couples (in other words, lesbians and single women are excluded). Positive changes are expected soon though... Spain is the European country that practices IVF the most, not surprisingly, with a more flexible legislative framework, and also, it’s the leading European country for egg freezing (read article ). However, surrogacy is prohibited. Greece doesn’t only allow surrogacy but gives full rights to attended parents from conception. The surrogate mother has no rights over the child. Unfortunately, this only applies for the moment to heterosexual couples and single women. After 40 years of IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) and more than 8 million babies (yes million!), Laws are slow to become more homogenous around the world and exclude too many people from parenthood. I’m the happy godmother of 2 adorable twins, girl and boy born from IVF. I know how difficult the process was for their 2 dads. Why do prejudices and ignorance push us to put people in boxes. I’m not an object and the world is very far from looking like a box! I’ve always been androgynous, my short haircut proves it, my style too. As a teenager, I stole the clothes of my father that I mixed with mine. That doesn’t stop me from being feminine, quite the opposite, my solo wedding in Santorini shows it. I assume all aspects of my personality. My friends say that I have more balls than some men, so let’s speak out loud and reveal my convictions. Sex by gender or sexuality shouldn’t be grounds for discrimination, harassment and persecution. The difference should be synonymous with tolerance, sharing and enrichment. I’m for gender suppression, man, woman, transsexual ... How important? We should all have the same rights as human being. Equality for all, whether for work, salary, marriage, parenthood ... June is the symbol of the Pride month for the LGBT community and Gay Prides take place around the world. Me it's every day that I find them fantastic. I would like to pay tribute to all those who have the courage of their identity and their femininity, to the superwoman who is in you!! Love, L. Here is the 2nd article of the Superwomen Series, if you missed the 1st article click on the following link: Superwomen. Are we born brave or do we become brave? This is the question I would like to ask some women, especially Ruby Bridges. On November 14, 1960, Ruby, 6 years old, was the first black child to join the William Frantz Elementary all-white school in New Orleans, Louisiana (U.S.A.). She had to be accompanied by federal marshals by order of President Eisenhower, because the local police refused to protect her. The first day at school, she spent it with her mother, in the principal’s office, unable to access her class because of protest. In the first year, only one teacher agreed to teach her and Ruby was the only student. Ruby was not aware of the story that was being played and how this event was going to determine her life. This accomplished woman is now leading the Ruby Bridges Foundation created in 1999. Far from having traumatised the child she was, she fights for "tolerance, respect and recognition of all differences". Some people can therefore show exemplary courage without realising it, and that from their youngest age.  I often say that courage comes from determination. When you want something more than anything in the world, you fight for it, sometimes going beyond the prejudices and the misunderstanding of your loved ones. It reminds me of Queen Christina of Sweden (1626-1689) who renounced her throne and country for her religious convictions. Her desire for freedom dictated her decisions and neither her family nor her compatriots could restrain her. A fate all drawn and glitzy but not the one she wanted. She has shaken up propriety and monarchy, accepted criticism; when you know what you want, and you are determined to obtain it, nothing seems impossible. A destiny is chosen for us but we decide another one, that’s courage for me! Like Christine, everyone can discover courage in themselves, just have the right motivation, a dream that makes you fight to achieve it. Of course, this is reminiscent of Martin Luther King's famous speech of August 28, 1963, "I have a dream". Being sure of your right and your convictions to face the whole earth, to brave hate and stupidity, to follow the path that we trace despite storms. I like this quote: Grow through what you go through. In their song Superheroes (song at the end of the article), the band The Script gives a definition of superhero that I particularly like: When you've been fighting for it all your life You've been struggling to make things right That’s how a superhero learns to fly Every day, every hour, turn the pain into power This assurance in my decisions and choices have determined my courage several times in my life. Not to mention respect and love that I have for myself. I refuse to accept a future that is not mine, a future dictated by relatives, society, stereotypes, politics, religion, the media ... Love yourself, respect yourself, listen to yourself, accept who you are, and pursue your dreams. This is for me the combination of courage. So, what are you waiting for releasing your bravery and for becoming your own superhero!! In my previous article "Unicorn" I mentioned that there were already plenty of superwomen. I had to mention a few, so here's the first article in a series about brave women. Today is the 14th of July or Bastille Day, the national day for the French. To celebrate this event, as a very old tradition firemen organise a ball in their fire stations all around the country. I grew up in a fire station, as a fireman's daughter, I know very well how difficult it is to be a firefighter. If these firemen are often considered heroes, well these firewomen are superwomen! Prove her worth in a man's world is never easy, no matter what the job is. The last time I went to San Francisco (U.S.A.), I discovered the photograph of Lillie Hitchcock Coit, a teenager who became an honorary member of a San Francisco brigade in 1859, after helping firefighters on a fire.  Women have always helped put out fires, whether in the countryside or in boarding schools. Their participation had increased during the two world wars, yet most countries in the world didn’t recognise firewomen as professionals until the 1970s. Joey Lawrence @joeyldotcom, a Canadian photographer based in New York paid tribute to New York firefighters in a series of remarkable portraits. One of them is the portrait of Jackie Martinez, she was the 29th woman to join the fire department in 2006. Today, New York has 72 women against 11,000 men! In the United States, there are today more than 6,500 professional firewomen and approximately 40,000 female volunteers. In France, firewomen were finally accepted by a decree of 1976. In 2016, about 14% of the volunteer and professional workforce are women (36,000 women), but only 3% are officers. Fifteen years ago, India accepted the first female firefighter, end of 2017 they were about 3,000. In addition, this year, a new milestone, a woman took her duties as a firefighter in an Indian airport. Courageous women who brave prejudices and push back the limits of intolerance and inequality. Women who accept their dreams and fight to achieve them. Finally, a hero is like an angel, he has no sex when it comes to saving lives. So, let's pay tribute to those women and men who risk and sadly give their lives for us! I also want to wish a Happy Birthday to my friend Axelle, another important woman in my life. Have a good Bastille Day everyone! Song: Free by Emeli Sandé |
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