Set your goals, plan your route & score.

It’s always a time of reflection as the year comes to an end. I think about how my year went, what was right, what was wrong and who affected me for good or bad.

Assessing the year is vital to set clear goals for success, as it allows you to look back and know what or whom you want to carry forward into the next year.

Set your goals, plan your route and score…

As you plan your route you’ll begin to see a clear vision of what you want and what you don’t want. Knowing this will definitely lead to a happier more fulfilled life.
“Goals are not only necessary to motivate us; they are essential to really keep us alive” – Robert H Schuller

Over the weekend Andrew Weissman sent an to the Market UK team which I absolutely loved. It wasn’t anything in depth about work just something he ran across and wanted to share to encourage and motivate. This email is actually what inspired this post as I thought it would be great to also share with my own network.

This is what was shared. Enjoy

60 TIPS FOR A STUNNINGLY GREAT LIFE by Robin Sharma, author of the international bestseller “The Leader Who Had No Title”.

Ultimately, life goes by in a blink. And too many people live the same year 80 times. To avoid getting to the end and feeling flooded regret over a live half-lived, read (and then apply) these tips:

1. Exercise daily.

2. Get serious about gratitude.

3. See your work as a craft.

4. Expect the best and prepare for the worst.

5. Keep a journal.

6. Read “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin”

7. Plan a schedule for your week.

8. Know the 5 highest priorities of your life.

9. Say no to distractions.

10. Drink a lot of water.

11. Improve your work every single day.

12. Get a mentor.

13. Hire a coach.

14. Get up at 5 am each day.

15. Eat less food.

16. Find more heroes.

17. Be a hero to someone.

18. Smile at strangers.

19. Be the most ethical person you know.

20. Don’t settle for anything less than excellence.

21. Savor life’s simplest pleasures.

22. Save 10% of your income each month.

23. Spend time at art galleries.

24. Walk in the woods.

25. Write thank you letters to those who’ve helped you.

26. Forgive those who’ve wronged you.

27. Remember that leadership is about influence and impact, not title and accolades.

28. Create unforgettable moments with those you love.

29. Have 5 great friends.

30. Become stunningly polite.

31. Unplug your TV.

32. Sell your TV.

33. Read daily.

34. Avoid the news.

35. Be content with what you have.

36. Pursue your dreams.

37. Be authentic.

38. Be passionate.

39. Say sorry when you know you should.

40. Never miss a moment to celebrate another.

41. Have a vision for your life.

42. Know your strengths.

43. Focus your mind on the good versus the lack.

44. Be patient.

45. Don’t give up.

46. Clean up your messes.

47. Use impeccable words.

48. Travel more.

49. Read “As You Think” by James Allen
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1577310748?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwrobinsharc-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=1577310748

50. Honor your parents.

51. Tip taxi drivers well.

52. Be a great teammate.

53. Give no energy to critics.

54. Spend time in the mountains.

55. Know your top 5 values.

56. Shift from being busy to achieving results.

57. Innovate and iterate.

58. Speak less. Listen more.

59. Be the best person you know.

60. Make your life matter.

PS. Harrods, Hamleys & Laura Ashley recently joined uk.Shop.com check out the site via http://www.SourceShopEarn.com and start getting cashback for your normal store purchases.

Online shopping just got even more exciting.

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Fashion Phonetics

With so many fashion labels out there, pronouncing them in public can sometimes be a bit embarrassing. I’m a great fan of fashion and also work in fashion and I aint afraid to admit that I sometimes pronounce some of the designer names wrong! So I thought I’ll school ourselves on the phonetics of some of our favorite labels.

Dries van Noten: dreese van know-ton

 

 A Belgian fashion designer and an eponymous fashion brand. The designer once said “I’m a little naive but I don’t like the idea of showing things that you don’t sell in a store” after being asked his view on haute couture. All designs are ready to wear and available at retail. His work tends to feature  prints, colors, original fabrics and layering.

Salvatore Ferragamo: sal-va-tour-ay fer-er-gar-mow

Before his death in 1960, it is said that it was through his scientific and creative approach to shoes that spawned the innovations of the wedge heel and cage heel. Check out this link for more information on the renowned shoe designer: http://www.designboom.com/history/ferragamo.html

Balmain: bal-ma 

Pierre Balmain founded his exquisite namesake Parisian fashion house in 1945, dressing the likes of Ava Gardner and Brigitte Bardot. After his death in 1982, a slew of designers took the helm including Oscar de la Renta, and now it’s the turn of elegant French designer Christophe Decarnin. 

Maison Martin Margiela: may-zon mar-tan mar-jel-a

 

Eclectic fashion label by Belgian-born designer Martin Margiela, who worked at Jean Paul Gaultier before launching his own label in 1988. A leader of contemporary style, the elusive designer – who has famously never appeared on the runway – has now handed the creative reins to an in-house design team that continues to push the boundaries between art and fashion. 

Phoebe Philo: fee-be f-eye-lo

 

Phoebe Philo is an English fashion designer who was previously the designer of the fashion house Chloé where she worked as Stella McCartney’s assistant and was deeply influenced by her. She is currently the Creative Director of Celiné.

Falke: fall-ka

Founded in 1895 this family ran footwear (tights, socks etc) brand is still standing strong. Currently operated by the 4th generation of the Falke family.

Giuseppe Zanotti: ji-sep-ee za-not-ee

From attention-grabbing cutout wedges to demure daytime flats Giuseppe Zanotti has something for every shoe fanatic. His hometown of San Mauro Pascoli in Italy has a long tradition of shoemaking so footwear was in his blood. Zanotti’s high-fashion debut was at Christian Dior and he has since consulted for Roberto Cavalli, Missoni and Vera Wang. In 1993 he set up his eponymous line, which is now the go-to for stars like Kylie Minogue, Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Lopez. Step out in vertiginous heels and flat sandals all featuring the designer’s signature statement-making beaded, cutout and studded detailing.

Rodarte: row-dart-ay

 

 A fashion brand of clothing and accessories founded by two sisters, Kate and Laura Mulleavy.

Alber Elbaz: al-bear el-baz

Moroccan-born Israeli fashion designer who is the Artistic Director for Lanvin in Paris since 2001.

Sonia Rykiel: son-ya rick-eel

Iconic French designer. The sweater is her symbol and she was crowned “Queen of Knits” by the Americans in 1967.

Hermes: er-mez

 

No need for an introduction or description. Just know Hermes is the Creme de la creme when it comes to handbags. The Birkin Bag used to have a waiting list of up to three years but has apparently since been scrapped early this year. Prices for the sought after hand-made bag start at £4,200 for a basic leather model, and rocketing to up to £80,000 for a crocodile version.

Herve Leger: her-vay le-j-air

Sexy must have figure hugging dress worn by most stars on the red carpet. If you see a picture of a celebrity in a tight figure hugging dress guaranteed its gonna be one from this label.

Proenza Schouler: pro-n-sa shoe-ler

Is a high-end line of women’s apparel founded in 2002 by Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough, who co-design the label’s collections.The pair originally met in 1999 while studying at Parsons School of Design. During school, Hernandez interned at Michael Kors and McCollough interned at Marc Jacobs. The brand name originates from the designers’ mothers’ maiden names.

Narciso Rodriguez: nar-see-so rod-re-gez

 

Narciso Rodriguez is an American designer who first put himself firmly on the fashion map in 1996 when he designed a simple bias-cut wedding dress for Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Michelle Obama also wore a dress from Narciso Rodriguez’s spring 2009 collection when she joined her husband, Barack Obama, appearing for the first time as president-elect of the United States, on the stage at Grant Park in Chicago.

Loewe: low-ev-aye

 

 Spanish luxury brand specialized in high quality leather goods and accessories since 1846

Lanvin: lon-van

See Alber Elbaz

Hussein Chalayan: who-sain sha-lie-on

 

A British/Turkish Cypriot fashion designer who graduated from Central Saint Martins in 1993. Renowned internationally for his innovative use of materials, meticulous pattern cutting and progressive attitude to new technology.

Marchesa: mar-key-sa

British-born Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig launched their label, Marchesa, in 2004. With eyes fixed firmly on the red carpet, their modern glamorous evening wear has gained high-profile and fabulously dressed devotees such as Scarlett Johansson, Anne Hathaway and Sienna Miller.

Hope this helped you as much as it helped me.

The world according to Karl

As part of his guest-editorship at Metro World News in Paris, Karl Lagerfeld gave his opinions on Adele, the Obama’s and Russian men plus other topics of the week:

On Lana Del Rey:

I prefer Adele and Florence Welch. But as a modern singer she is not bad.The thing at the moment is Adele. She is a little too fat, but she has a beautiful face and a divine voice. Lana del Rey is not bad at all. She looks very much like a modern-time singer. In her photos she is beautiful. Is she a construct with all her implants? She’s not alone with implants.

On the Greek economic crisis:

Nobody wants Greece to disappear, but they have really disgusting habits — Italy as well.

On Russian women:

If I was a woman in Russia I would be a lesbian, as the men are very ugly. There are a few handsome ones, like Naomi Campbell’s boyfriend, but there you see the most beautiful women and the most horrible men.

On M.I.A. flipping the bird:

Nowadays people give the middle finger quite quickly — it’s not the best behavior. Everybody does that, what’s new about that? It’s just become a bad habit. People in magazines are 50 percent bimbo and 50 percent pregnant women.

Continue reading for more quotes on his views plus his answers to personal questions about sex, death, and pets???

On the Obamas:

Yes he does [deserve to be re-elected], especially because of Mrs. Obama. I’m a big fan of Mrs. Obama – and her face, I think, is magical. He would not be there without her. Mrs. Obama is not a fashion statement, but she has other things to do. My favorite thing about Mrs Obama was when she was asked if her skirt was not too tight and she answered “Why you don’t like my big black ass?”* I want [Barack] Obama to win because there is nothing better anyway, and especially because of her.

I never voted in my life. I will never vote. I know too much about politics from what’s going on backstage. To vote you have to believe all that garbage that they promise you, and they can’t keep those promises. If someone gave me an Obama pin, I would just put it on.

On being politically correct:

Be politically correct, but don’t become a bore for that. People should be sensitive in these matters, but not make so much noise. Be politically correct, but do we have to know your opinion?

Well, now we know his.

* In case you were wondering whether she ACTUALLY said this, the answer is no: “Mrs. Obama never made that statement,” says Kristina Schake, Michelle Obama’s director of communications. 

Here’s some more statements he made when he answered some personal questions about himself. 

Do you have much of a sex drive?
Huh? I want you to repeat that.

Do you have much of a sex drive?
No, I’m not very much interested in that. But it’s not a question of time, people can make quickies you know. [laughs] If you ask this kind of question, you get this kind of answer. [laughs]

Quickies can be fun.
Good, good, good! I find you talk like Europeans. [laughs.] I think sex is an overrated subject.

But it’s the French way, though.
You know, I’m not French. I’m a bloody German.

When was the last time you were in love?
I don’t know. I like freedom … Relationships happen for everybody, it can never be a problem. But it’s not really my main thing.

Of course, they talked about other subjects, too, like whether Karl watches TV:

I like to be on TV but I don’t watch TV. I have no time for that.

Who has influenced him during his life?

Influence has another name, and that’s called copying. You see? It’s in the air, I don’t know. I’m like a TV antenna.

On why he doesn’t keep pets:

They die so I don’t like them. The drama is I had two I really liked and after they died I don’t want another one. That’s too depressing.

And speaking of death:

I think it’s like a sleep where you don’t wake up. You don’t remember before, you don’t remember after. The only thing is I don’t want to be seen dead, huh? So anyway, over, over. The batter is finished, huh, puft.

You gotta love him…. he’s soo random

Wednesday Wisdom

Happy Hump Day.

I can’t wait till summer…..

Wednesday Wisdom

Happy hump day. X