On Being Bold

I've had this idea for along time.

I have listened to the idea get louder, then softer , then louder than before.

I have played with trying to manifest my idea for years. But it never really worked out.

Then the Red Sea parted. It was time.

When something is suppose to come to fruition, that is how it usually happens for me.

After all of these years what feels like swimming upstream, I finally decided (eight short months ago) to stay in the boat and face down stream. No more holding onto the branches on the side of the banks. I even made a pact with my team to stay in the boat and make sure no one was going to paddle the other way.

So far, it is working.

Things are popping.

I met this guy who introduced me to this other guy, who told me to call this woman who was an expert at what I wanted to learn, and needed to learn to get this thing going.

And now, I am sitting at the Westin in Seattle, ready to present my idea, my new product tomorrow.

I feel excited, scared, and ready.

But mostly, I feel Bold.

Just staying in the boat...

Terry Hatcher Rocks...

Ok, so who's the Bravest girl I just saw on Oprah?

Terry Hatcher.

There she was, a gorgeous 45 year old, single Mom letting us all in to her world at 5 am..

Watching her self made video of getting up while still in bed was shocking.

I could feel my nose start to crinkle up and my eyes go narrow.

Was I cringing?

Did I want to see her without any makeup?

Yes and No.

It was that similar feeling I get when I know I am about to see a car crash.

One eye is open and the other is kinda shut and yet I can't help but look.

I wasn't sure I wanted to see the real thing.

Did she just shatter the Hollywood Bubble that no one ever really shares about?

And on Oprah no less?

Uh Yes.

So there she is, makeup free.

Suddenly, I start to feel braver myself and I have not done a thing!

I travel with her to her set where I watch her transform to her Susan character on Desperate Housewives.

I started to feel liberated!

How many times this past week have I asked my 11 and 13 year old, "don't I look better like this?" as I pulled back my skin by my cheekbones, trying to reverse gravity.

"Windblown , Mom, stupid idea", they said every time.

"But technology is there for a reason", I wimper, knowing that I doubt I could really go through with it.

Then Linda Evans said something spectacular on the same Oprah episode.

She said that, it is easier to become less critical about yourself then change what you are critical about.

I felt one of those Sighs coming on, the exhale when you know you are hearing the Simple Truth.

The absolute irony is a few hours before all of this, I was at the NY Fashion Trade Show launching my new Spring 2011 Collection. I saw someone who I know had "work done".

She still looks like herself, quite amazing and "fresh" as people like to say.

I actually went up to her and asked her for her doctor's name!

She gave it to me and I quickly jotted it down on a napkin and tucked it away in my bag feeling like I may have just won the secret lottery.

I was so happy just to have it, like fresh ammunition to fight against another day of aging .

And yet, deep down inside, I can't really admit that I would use it.

After watching Terry, I felt more courageous again. I love that when one of us does something brave, we too can feel more brave.

So tomorrow, I will head back to my Fashion Trade Show again.

But this time, I will not be as nutty about my laugh lines, eye lines or any lines!

I have people like Terry and Linda to thank for that who remind me what I already know.

It will always be an inside job.

And right now, in this moment we are Perfect in our Imperfectness.

9/11

There is not a cloud in the sky today.

The sun and breeze makes me feel like summer may linger just a little longer. This is exactly how I felt nine years ago.

It was a day where I felt safe leaving my apartment is Astoria, Queens.

I loved my Patriotic outfit, that day. I was wearing my new Fall red 3/4 jacket, favorite white button down shirt and navy flare bottoms. I had no idea how meaningful that would become to me a few hours later.

There was a bounce in my step as I was walking around the city, running to a meeting at the Empire State building. I saw people gathering but had no idea why. I even took a swim before my meeting. It wasn't until I was walking into the changing area and saw people crying that I had a clue of what had just happened. In total shock, I swam a few laps until it suddenly crashed into me. the thoughts were so horrific, I tried to block them. I jumped out of the pool feeling incredibly guilty and full of shame for swimming in the first place! What was I thinking?

I went from shock to clarity and ran out to meet up with my husband (married at the time) on a street close by and made a plan for me to head back to Queens to get to our children. I remember him saying that I should stop and get food, water and cash in case we needed to leave for safety with the kids. He was staying behind.

Right at this very time as I write this, nine years ago, I was walking over the 59th St Bridge with a group of survivors covered in light grey ash back to Queens. There were hundreds and thousands of people walking. There were no cars, only buses and a few vans on the bridge going very slowly.

I was listening to everyone's story and was amazed how they made it up 60 blocks to get the bridge. There was a real sense and understanding of how we are all Connected. A beautiful black van with gold lettering called Golden Touch (the name was not lost on us) picked us all up to drive us to the other side. As we landed in Queens and started walking, four fighter jets came out of nowhere and swooped right over us. We hit the ground as we were all not sure if they were on our side or not. There was much confusion at the time as there was talk of more planes in the area that were not accounted for.

I walked this young girl home, who was a graphic artist who happened to be working near the Towers that morning. I felt so grateful to be able to walk her home, knowing she was safe.

There were people that I know, one dear friend who lost their lives this day, nine years ago.

I know it touched all of us no matter where we were on that day. If you're like me, you know what you were wearing, who you were with, and who you spoke to.

It was a day that we remembered what was important to us, our priorities were clear and our hearts were open, full of Compassion and a sense of Great Community.

To all of the people who lost their lives and to their families and friends that were touched by this hideous and tragic event~ my Prayers, Thoughts and Heart are with you today. You are not alone.

Up Late..

Up and cannot sleep.

The rain is finally here!

Never thought I would be so happy to hear thunder coming.

We need it.

I've been wondering if grass that turns to straw ~ will it ever be its green fabulous self again?

I am also wondering why I cracked open the baked Ruffles (sour cream and cheddar no less) this late. Midnight Snack..gotta love it.

xo S

Designing on Deadline

Each day I tell myself that I have to block the time to be creative.

Sometimes it works.

Tick Tock is so loud in my ear, that I find myself doing everything but sitting down and getting to it. Like right now.

I have a show in less than three weeks and I have only a few samples back out of 23 that I put in so far.

Not a lot of time to make any changes, plus make an extra sample set for LA.

But in that soft quiet spot, I know it will all get done.

It always does.

I am told I design best under pressure without too much thinking.

So off to sleep I go.

Its Launched Me! Fashion Academy Inc. Begins....

Hard to believe three months have gone by, it's past midnight and I feel like writing again.

I have been in launch mode for a few months now with Fashion Academy Inc.

It has been just one of those things, as usual, bigger than me.

From having the requests to teach a little over four months ago to actually having it all come together as well and smoothly as it has happened makes me realize, once again, that I am here to show up, pay close attention and do what feels right~ TRUST!

I have said a gadzillion times to anyone who will listen, "Follow your golden gut". Lillian Vernon said those words at The Learning Annex many years ago. It made quite an impression on me. I have followed that advice sometimes out of being Bold and sometimes out of complete Fear and not knowing what to do next.

It works either way.

So that is how it all happened.

I had a Top Designer Contest for tweens and teens back in November. Parents and their daughters came to me asking me to mentor, teach what I know about the industry and fashion design. From there, it was so easy writing the curriculum . I tweaked it as it went along and I am a fly by your pants kind of girl anyway..so it just worked. My team of incredibly talented women and men rallied and here we are in the midst of the first Workshop after selling out pretty quickly. I spoke at all of the local High Schools. I was a guest on The Wendy Williams Show, Channel 1, The Weekend Today Show, which helped tremendously. The Newark Star Ledger was very generous in doing a write up as well. I am very grateful for their support!!!

Just posted the next workshop for July 24 and 25th on my website as we had a waiting list! I had no idea that in this small town of 7500 people, we could bring people here for these workshops. Seats are still available. I love that people want to travel from Texas to Milltown New Jersey!

Check out www.sallymiller.biz for more info and register now!!!

This is a fun ride....

I LOVE Wendy Williams and her Team!!!

I just had the BEST time on the Wendy Williams Show.
She is REAL DEAL and her staff reflect that in every way.
Check it out and look for the video clip on my site soon..more to follow on this..

Getting ready for Wendy Williams

I really wanted to have something posted for tomorrow.

I will be getting up before the crack of dawn as a car service is picking me up super early to avoid any delays due to a snow warning. Wendy Williams, here we come!

Just so we're clear, I am not a morning person and no, I don't drink coffee anymore.

Had to give the good stuff up over a year ago. Boo hiss, so have a cup for me.

I'll be sipping on my green jasmine tea.

I have only heard the BEST things about Wendy. I have heard that what you see is what you get, and that she is the Real Deal. Her staff LOVES her! The fitting last week could not have gone better.

I should have been in bed an hour ago just to get a decent amount of sleep.

But just wanted to share, that I am really pumped.

Live tomorrow...here we goooooo...how fun is this?