Vision Boards

Have you ever made a vision board?  You cut out pictures and words and paste them on a board to create a visual interpretation of what you want in life.  Its a great manifesting tool but its all about the future and puts what you want outside of yourself, because you don't yet have it.  I've made vision boards and the things on them really do come to be, but its usually in a way that I really didn't expect or even want in the end.  Like wanting to meet a Frenchman so we could live in France one day but he lived in Boston, which was no where on my vision board!  Still I rationalized Boston was at least closer to Paris!   The move back east took me away from my family and friends and in the end was not at all what I really wanted but perhaps it was just what I needed.   The move to Boston showed me how much I need to be close to my family and friends.   If I move to France would I really be happy?

My friends Ana and Cynthia were over for a Memorial Day BBQ yesterday and we made vision boards, differently.   First we thought about what we want to manifest in our lives and we asked each other what was the feeling we wanted from having those things.   I want to manifest living in a farmhouse in France.  The feeling behind this was more difficult to define.  I love the quality and pace of life in France, that you can be a short train ride away from  the vibrant, magical city of Paris and also experience the medieval villages, rolling hillsides covered with sunflowers or lavender and taste amazing food and wine in the terroir.  The respect for living close to the land and dedication to the art of living in every aspect are the things I really love about France.

Identifying the feeling perspective was very important because you can more easily manifest those feelings by changing things slightly in your life right now, rather than wait to achieve some huge goal out in the future.  The question comes to mind, do I really want to own a farmhouse in France?  Of course not! To deal with real estate issues, renovation costs and then be so far away from family and friends to even enjoy it makes the whole goal of owning a farmhouse in France seem less appealing.  But I don't really need to own a farmhouse to have the feelings I want to achieve.  I have friends who live on a 200 year old farmhouse and vineyard in the Burgundy region.  I can stay with them for a few weeks and help out on the farm and vineyard and manifest the true feelings I am longing for without too much investment.   My experience will always be with me and I can bring elements of the lifestyle I love back to my home in Southern California.  Like cooking French food with my neighbor Julietta who is French and makes beautiful jewelry at her studio and boutique,  Mon Bijou .  I will plant lavender in my patio, whose scent reminds me of Provence and place a long farm table outside under the sycamore tree for outside meals.  In these small ways, I can bring France to me and create my dreams.  I am also booking my ticket to France for 3 weeks in September to help with the grapes and chickens on my friend, Maria Cuny's vineyard.   Ah life is good!

Vroom, vrooooom

The Rallye des Princesses  (Princess Rally) begins this weekend in Paris.  Its a ladies dream trip of a lifetime.  In a hot vintage car, you and your best girlfriend, drive throughout the countryside in France for 6 adventurous days.  Beginning in Paris and through small mountain top villages on windy roads past chateaux and lavender fields all the way to Monaco.

I remember viewing all the hot vintage autos lined up at the  Place Vendôme  when I was Paris in May 2009.  All the chic cars and the chicer chicks driving them.  Its a regularity race, meaning no speed but you have maintain an average kilometers per hour throughout the entire course to win.   Stay in castles and 4 star inns, eat amazing food and drink wonderful wines, but not when driving :)

Who wants to take this once in a lifetime excursion with me?  I am planning a group for 6 women next year. You don't need your own hot rod.  I'll make all the arrangements to sign up for this event and rent the hot vehicles to drive.  We'll also spend a few days pampering and shopping in Paris before the rally and a few days on the Côte d'Azur basking in the sun.  Sign up for a spot, details will follow!

 Start learning how to drive a stick!

Rallye des Princesses video

Driving and Dreaming

Still dreaming of my farmhouse in France...but first I have to learn to drive a stick shift car.  My ex-husband tried to teach me to drive a stick while we lived in Germany.  He took me to the Alps, got out of the car and traded seats with me; got out his book and said :ok, drive.  I was trembling and threw the gears from first to fifth and blew out the catalitic converter before even turning the bend.  Not a good start.  And I haven't gotten behind the wheel of a manual vehicle since.  But if I want to get around in France, I think its a good idea to give it another try, what do you think of driving around the country in this sweetie?

                                         Vézelay

Life on a Vineyard in Burgundy

Had a delightful conversation with Maria Cuny an her husband Yves.  You can see her in a video on her vineyard here  Maria Cuny's vineyard in Burgundy.  Maria reminded me that I left my coat there, so, of course I must go back and get it!  They are happy to welcome me to their farm and vineyard even as soon as next month!  But I think I will go in September.  Its a beautiful month and it will give me some time to prepare.  Not sure what my objective is  yet.  But I want to see if there is any opportunity for me to live there for a few months at a time, come back for a few months and make this part time living in France business work!

Visualize with all Your Senses

After a few days of melancholy I decided to do something to boost my spirits.  Nothing like an expensive new Beverly Hills hair style at Frederic Fekkai. A sexy Frenchman cut my locks and a sexy Italian man did my color.  While sipping champagne, I was transformed.  Worth every penny!  Oh, I got to speak French, they are all from France there, of course, and so charming!

My coach Carolyn Braddock, from Ojai gave me an assignment...to imagine myself one year from now...engage all my senses; sight; smell; taste; feel it as I gather information about my journey.  I used to dream about living on a farmhouse in France overlooking the Mediterranean.  The Frenchman took me to Cabris, a town above the Mediterranean with magnificent views and stone or stucco homes with tile roofs and colorful shutters.  It was a scene right out of my dream.   I can still feel the ocean breezes and the hot Provencale sun and smell the lavender fields and olive trees growing wild on the hillside.

Last September I stayed at Maria Cuny's vineyard in Burgundy.  I was so happy peeling organic apples and quince for confiture.  The vineyard is featured on my Taste of Burgundy Tour.  I want to go back there and help on the vines.  I will call her today and see if I can arrange to stay with her later this year.   I think I am getting closer to my goal!

Legal Schmegal

Empty Promises."Oh, we'll get married and you'll have a French passport. You'll be French!!!" Boy was I seduced by that line. Anyway, no time to dwell on the past. I decided to do a little research about the legalities of living part time in France. Here is a link to some information Rick Steves - How to Live in Europe: There is something called the Schengen Zone, where I can only live for 3 months at a time and I have to prove that I have enough income and also have adequate health insurance. Ok, that's doable, I think. My friend Audrey of The Audrey Johnson Show told me: "I believe you have great ideas. and you are brilliant. You just do not trust yourself. Well, I need to start. I have lost everything, you know, I am completely starting over. Except I have the most important things. My health, my family, my friends ...and my dreams!

Don't Let Go of the Dream

My dream was to live part time in France, part time in California. Exactly 3 years ago I met a Frenchman. Shortly after we got engaged and then I moved to Boston. It wasn't France but I reasoned I was closer to France but it was too cold, too far and I was too lonely. 6 months ago I moved back to California to pursue my goal once again: to live part time in France and part time in California. The Challenge is to create a lifestyle that supports this goal. Any ideas out there?