Styling this event was such an amazing experience. I had the privilege of working with some of the most talented entrepreneurs.  Vintage Cabaret, Lucy’s Boutique, Sweet Trash, Envie Intimates and Channers.

In order to style a successful fashion show, it takes weeks of preparation and a talented team of creative individuals.

Alicia Cowan, my right hand girl was at my side each step of the way. Her fashion background and attention to detail was indispensible. I don’t know what I would do without her.

Makeup Team: Ashley Martin, Misti Cousineau

Hair Team: Kari Fisher, Dee Lander

Wardrobe Team: Alicia Cowan Assisted by Marcella Granick

Photography: Anne Edgar

Here’s a peek from behind the scenes.

The concept for the fashion show was Mad Men inspired. I’m obsessed with the fashion from the 50′s. It’s classic, feminine, strong and beautiful.

My vision was to showcase how to wear vintage clothing with a modern twist.

Menswear in the 50′s was also very stylish. I just love how sexy a man looks in a well tailored suit with a beautiful dress shirt. Detailed with gorgeous cuff links. Makes me melt.

To end the show.. a little surprise.. a touch of sexy lingerie. The audience was most surprised. I love surprises.

Warm Hearts of Africa Committee:

Mike Gregson, Sonia Ryan, Dan Girard, Alicia Cowan, Dan Levine, Eva Lewis

Thank you to all of the volunteers, our clothing sponsors, models and to my very talented team.

Our event was extremely successful. We raised a total of $33,000. Our goal to build a new school has been fulfilled.

Thank you for your support and generosity.

I can’t wait to let you know when we will be breaking ground on the new school.

I’m humbled to be part of this cause.

My team and I are looking forward to next years event. You will not want to miss what we have planned for you. xoxo

Sonia

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Product Review- Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash

I LOVE mascara, this is one of the products that I will never leave the house without applying.

I was pretty excited to try the Buxom Lash. The hourglass- shaped brush looks cool, but does it really hold the ideal amount of mascara to ensure every lash is coated evenly as promised?

I’m warning you now, I don’t give out false complements about anything, especially makeup.

What do I look for in a mascara:

1. Waterproof or water resistant.  I’m a bit of a sap… so I want to make sure that if the tears start a flowin’, my mascara is NOT going to run down my face.
2. Lengthens and Thickens Lashes- Bigger is always better!
3. No Clumping- No explanation is needed here.

 

I have been using the Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash for a week now and to be honest, I knew after the first application that this mascara was not going to make my favourite list.  It just doesn’t deliver the promised outcome of longer, fuller lashes from root to tip.  If you are looking for a basic mascara that adds a bit of length to your lashes, then this product would suit your needs.  It doesn’t clump, which is awesome, but it didn’t give me the WOW lashes that I wanted. I expected much, much more. Sadly, I would rate this mascara a 4/10.

 

Xoxo

Sonia

 

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It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves- in finding themselves.- Andre Gide

 

I know, I know this post is very late in being posted. I have not forgotten about you. I know you are dying to know what I’ve been up to, LOL!

I decided that it was time for an adventure. Many of you know how much I love to travel. I’ve been very fortunate to have traveled to many beautiful countries in the last few years.  Thailand, Korea, China, Malaysia, Philipines and Cambodia.  I am so very grateful for those experiences.

Now that I am single, I felt that I needed to get away from it all and have my very own adventure.

I feel so blessed to have so many amazing people in my life, especially my girlfriend Donna and her hubby Larry. They have property in the mountains in Panama and were planning a trip there. This is not a typical, sit by the beach type of vacation. It’s the travel into the mountains and take out the ATV’s into the jungle type of vacation. HELLO!! I’m in!!

 

 

Panama is beautiful. The richness of the landscape and the depth of colour was captivating.

My first day on the mountain we went on a ATV ride through the jungle and found this beautiful waterfall.

No swimsuits, no problem… skinny dip or wear your bra and panties.. yep, that’s what i did, LOL.

Water was cold but soooo worth it. I could have stayed there all day. Talk about living in the moment.

I am such a big foodie and let me tell you, Panama did not disappoint. Look at all the yumminess! Great wine, great food and even better company!

The adventure continued with a day at the beach.

 

My favourite moment from my trip was one evening after an amazing dinner we took our music out onto the dock and danced under the stars.

It was only a matter of time until we were laying out on the beach chairs looking up into the star filled sky. It was breathe taking and humbling. In that moment I was overcome with emotions of happiness, a touch of regret and a new excitement for my future. For me, I find it so hard to be vulnerable and in that moment I felt like I could finally be free to let myself feel exposed and let the hurt and the pain that has been holding me back ease away and let it all go. It’s amazing how when we make the concious choice to not let certain things affect us in a negative way, no matter what, they lose their hold on us. We are the powerful ones.

Funny how a night of dancing under the stars and then a little bit of star gazing can feed your spirit and soothe your heart and soul.

It was through this adventure that I have found my softer side again and have allowed myself to expose and honour it.

 

I hope that you let the spirit of adventure guide you to new experiences.

XOXO

Sonia

 

 

 

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The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others- Mahatma Gandhi

 

When I first heard about Warm Hearts of Africa foundation, it resonated so deeply with in me that I knew that I needed to be a part of it.

You know when you get goose bumps all over and you fight back the lump in your throat? Yep, that’s what happened to me. My heart was racing since secretly I have always wanted to go to Africa and help those in need.

But my family life has never given me the opportunity to make this dream become a reality.

When I met Mike Gregson, one of the founders of the organization, his passion and excitement for the cause was contagious and inspiring.

 

We all want to be part of something bigger then ourselves.

Warm Hearts of Africa has been empowering those in Malawi through small business development, education and the strengthening of health care.

Due to the generosity of those who have contributed to the Warm Hearts of Africa foundation,

Nkhamenya Hospital built a $120,000.00 outpatient clinic.

St. Paul’s Private Secondary School has books, desks, electricity, and running water.

The James Vatistas Memorial Bursary is sending 50 students to school at St. Paul’s as well as providing them breakfast.

Dwize Community Center received a new roof. 
Construction for the Tikondone HIV Community Support Center is now complete.

The current project is the land purchase and construction of the new St. Paul’s Private Secondary School. 
$65,000.00 project. We are halfway there!

 

When I heard about the fund raising event that would be held at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery on November 24^th, 2012.  I couldn’t wait to be a part of it.

What will I be doing to help and support this event?

I am the Creative Director for the fashion show.

We are creating a fabulous show, featuring vintage and vintage inspired clothing.

It’s been such an incredible experience.

We will be featuring clothing from Cabaret Vintage, Lucy’s Boutique and Sweet Trash. OMG, I’m dying, I can’t wait for you to see all of this amazingness!

 

It’s going to be a fabulous evening filled with fashion, food, live music, silent and live auctions.  Come and join us! Please help us support those in need by purchasing tickets, donating and attending this event.

Click here to purchase your tickets today!

Can’t wait to see you there.

xoxo

Sonia

 

 

 

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Have you ever felt like the Universe is trying to tell you something? It may have started with the tiniest of whispers; which you chose to ignore. Then the Universe’s voice gets a little bolder, loader and stronger. So much so, that you start thinking that maybe, just maybe something doesn’t feel right. Yet you ignored the warnings and talked yourself out of it. Finally, the Universe grabs you by the shoulders, yells in your face and gives you a great big “WAKE the F#@* UP and STOP this CRAZINESS!” shake!!

Well, if you haven’t guessed already, that happened to me! I think I’m still suffering from a severe case of “Universal Wake Up Call Whiplash”.
Let’s be honest, I had more than a few lessons to learn. Let me tell you, some of those lessons I had to repeat more than a few times. Apparently I was NOT getting it! It was time for the Universal shake down/take down.
The biggest lesson I needed to learn was to stop waiting and start living.
Ouch! Seriously, that was painful. Wait a minute, wasn’t I living? Or was I just going through the motions and living a life that wasn’t authentic to what I wanted or deserved?

As it turns out, I was waiting… Waiting for soooo many things. Wanna know what I was waiting for?
Here’s the list:
Waiting for my kids to get a little bit older to become more independent, so that I could pursue my career and wouldn’t feel guilty for leaving them. Waiting for my husband to return home from his very frequent business trips. Which took him away from home almost 9 months out of the year for the last 12 years. (Yep, that’s a biggie.) Waiting for my business to launch and become successful; to then turn around and put my business on hold while we moved our family to Korea for a year and a half. Waiting to come back to Canada and RE-Launch my business. Waiting for the “right teachers”. Waiting for the right clients. Waiting for myself to acknowledge my own self worth. Waiting to forgive myself. Waiting to have the courage to say enough is enough! Waiting for someone to make a decision. Waiting to feel safe. Waiting to be myself. Waiting to be truly happy. Waiting to be loved.

How is it possible that I’ve been waiting this long to finally realize that I’ve been settling for less then I deserve?
Well, NO MORE! This girl is sick and tired of waiting. I’ve decided to give myself the gifts that I’ve been waiting to receive.
I’ve learned that if you can’t love yourself, then how can you expect anyone else to love you the way that you deserve? Yes, I’m going to be selfish; and guess what? There is nothing wrong with that! I’m going to celebrate ME! I will become a better mother, partner, friend and business owner, by knowing myself better and living an authentic life.

Most of you know that I turned the BIG 3-5…. Ok, ok, it’s not the BIG ONE, but for me, it felt like it was a pivotal year in so many ways. As I looked around at my empty beautiful house, I realized that this was not what I wanted. Have you ever been in a relationship where you felt alone? It’s truly the loneliest that I have ever felt… I can almost say that in that moment I felt abandoned.

Hello Universal shake down!!!

How much more time was I going to waste waiting? Hmmmm, as I write this, I’m wondering how many people are reading this and can totally relate?

Ok, now what?
In fully acknowledging the lessons that I have learned, I MUST take action. I can’t just sit back, hope and want these changes to happen. I need to change, to be bolder, daring, and braver; I have to take action!
Are you ready to hear my plan of attack?

Ok, here it is… it’s a 12 Month journey of self discovery and celebration!
Recently, my girlfriend sent me a quote that I had written a few years ago.

Here’s my quote:
“I have found the permission within myself to let my light shine. I have awakened dreams for my future that I thought were lost! I’ve taken back my power to protect myself and to feel safe and significant.”
Sonia Ryan

When I read it, I cried. I asked myself, “Where did this girl go? What happened to her? How can I get her back?” Because, I really loved her!
I’m getting her back by doing something every month that I’ve always wanted to do, and yet never made the time or allowed myself to experience. Some challenges will be small and others are HUGE! Not like jumping out of a plane or anything! Actually, I wrote that off my list 6 years ago. LOL! This journey is really about honouring myself, my dreams and pushing myself to new levels.

You might be wondering why a Makeup Artist is blogging about her personal journey and posting it for the public to read?
I’ve been in the beauty industry for almost 10 years and I have worked with SO many women. I feel that many of us sacrifice so much of ourselves for others. We allow ourselves to stop dreaming and stop honouring our own personal truths. We put our lives on hold for everyone else and then expect them to make us happy, to make us feel loved and beautiful. I can’t tell you how many women have sat in my chair and shared their hopes, dreams and life challenges with me.
If only one person reads this blog and feels inspired to be brave and make the change that will honour themselves, then that will be truly amazing!

I feel true beauty begins on the inside and this journey will allow me to finally see the true beauty that lies within me. I hope that you will enjoy the lessons that I have learned and allow yourself to be Bold, Brave and Daring.
Stay tuned for my first challenge!

Xoxo
Sonia

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