Bringing back to the forefront of what makes a man, well, a man.

Christmas is coming up. Easy way to give a hint or two!

Is it too early to start a Christmas wish list? I WANT this coffee-table book of nothing but Shoegasms – page after page of Louboutin heaven.

It’s been 20 years that Christian Louboutin is synonymous with the shoe desert that every woman craves. Who can deny the signature red soles, which in the beginning were painted with red nail polish! Monsieur Christian Louboutin has the touch that makes women of all ages weak in the knees with a simple glimpse of his master piece heels.

To celebrate his 20th anniversary, next year Louboutin will be releasing a coffee-table book that is sure to fly off the shelves, peaking into the life of the 47yr old with an intimate look at his art (and by art I mean SHOEGASMS).

The coffee-table book contains images of his famous designs, behind the scene look at his creative process, and even a highlight interview with the designer discussing the shoes that played a crucial role in the shaping of the Christian Louboutin empire.

It’s said that the book is just as classy as the heels he designs – bound in pink faux leather, with a fold-out cover and of course, amazing pop-ups.

I think I’ve been really good this year, I know I’m early but please Santa add this to my list.

I’ve always been immersed in art. Coming from an artist-filled family, my first ‘real’ introduction was at the age of 9, when my uncle- a Visual Artist- gave me a Paul Gauguin book for my birthday.

Gauguin was a French Post-Impressionist artist, a very important artist during the Symbolism movement.

Gauguin became very frustrated at some point in his career by the lack of acknowledgment from Europe, which he called “artificial and conventional.” He traveled in seek of greater inspiration and his travels landed him in Tahiti. Gauguin (like any man), was instantly drawn to the women of the island. Most of the women he painted resembled the women of the Philippines, so I was able to relate and admire his work that much more.

Two years prior to receiving this book, my parents took my two brothers and me to live in the Philippines for five months. It was very important for them to ensure we understood where we came from and knew our people.

I remember looking through the pages, appreciating the colours, the shapes, and the moods Gauguin set. With strong women figures in my life, even at the age of 9, I could see and feel how the ‘tropics’ influenced my interpretation of Gauguin’s work, allowing me to recognize the emotions and settings he captured in his work.

Inspired by these experiences, I mainly experimented with illustration and painting.

In 2004, I decided to expand beyond the pencil and paintbrush. I enrolled in school for Graphic Design wanting to elevate my artistry and learn the techniques of computer generated art and design. After passing the first year with flying colours, computers came heavily into play. The fun art fundamental classes given in first year were gone. I love graphic design and truly admire those that practice the discipline but it wasn’t for me. Halfway through my third year, I sat frustrated everyday in front of a glowing screen, so I decided to drop out.

I wrote off any form of art. The experience was so aggravating, I didn’t care to practice anymore.

In 2007, art was reintroduced to me as a therapeutic experience. I dove wholeheartedly into artistic practice to help me get through a very hard time in my life. The initial experience was very emotional. My vision for my art was very specific and with high expectations, I was very scared to begin. It was a battle within me and I worked really hard to break down those walls. It was the best thing I’ve for myself as a human, a woman, and as an artist.

To me, art is an expression of emotion. It can activate views and impressions but more importantly, it can also stimulate sentiment.

Art has been my longest love affair. To create art is to be committed and commitment…well, it’s scary! It takes patience, honesty, humility but most of all, love and hard work. It’s a relationship of its own.

Opening yourself to art allows for you to discover not only great, but amazing things within. I strive to be extraordinary in every aspect of my life and will continue to challenge and push myself to reach ultra-amazingness.

I completely believe that art and creativity lies within everyone. It can be executed in different ways and forms and I believe that once you allow yourself to honestly tap into your creativity, only then can you become an amazing artist.

EDITORS NOTE:

Tiffany Naval is founder and Creative Lead of SEVENTYSEVEN. SEVENTYSEVEN is a creative consulting company that tailors its services to the visionary. With experience in creative & brand development, project management, and special events, Seventy Seven & Co.’s vision coupled with its robust Rolodex of award-winning freelance artists incubates clients’ original concepts to life!

A few weeks back I was given an advanced copy of Iyanla Vanzant’s new book titled “Peace from Broken Pieces” – How to Get Through What You’re Going Through. I was really excited to read this book as I have been a fan of Iyanla’s for many years. The title immediately caught my attention, as I felt it couldn’t have come at a better time. I am also healing from past pain, letting go of it and establishing a new ME. Every page I read reassured me that once again, Iyanla’s words came at the right time, almost as though they were to encourage me that this healing process wouldn’t be easy but would be worth it. Thank you Iyanla for speaking your truth and sharing your stories with us.

It is in store on Monday and I recommend every woman purchase a copy.

I have read almost every book Iyanla has written and this has got to be in my favourite list. Once I was going through a difficult time and My Mr. bought me all of her books, knowing she was one of my favourite authors.

While every book I read of hers was touching and moving, this one proved to be emotional, personal, touching, honest sharing of her life. A reoccurring theme in the book is – how cultural pathological patterns are ingrained in our lives, and how we can notice them and break their repetition. Through this she shows us how much damage these patterns can be to our lives.

She inspired me, by showing me that there is hope through hard times, and that patterns can be broken by relying on your personal inner strengths.  When I read this book, I felt she was speaking to me, I feel that many other women will feel the same as well.

Iyanla Vanzant is one of the most brilliant author and motivational speaker, whom although I don’t know personally, I feel I have gotten to know over the years by reading her books.

I recommend this book to every woman, this is one of those books you pull out again in time of need to carry you through. This is what “In The Meantime” is to me as well.

Here are some of my favourite quotes from the book.

Sometimes when you fall down, you just have to lie still, and hope that no one runs over you. If they don’t and you lay there long enough, taking care to be very still, breathing slowly, refusing to whine, God will lift you and perform a soul surgery.

When you are starting your life over, with a new sense of self, who you once were is going to challenge you. When, however, you have made up your mind that the old you is dead and buried, when you have embraced a certain level of clarity about who you are and are not, as well as who you are choosing to be, you have a different response. You recognize that the new you has a different character, a different posture, a different presence than the old you had.

This book was a suggested read by my book club – for this month. I didn’t know what to expect but was looking forward to reading it. I loved every second of it and breezed through the 339 pages in 3 days. I could not put it down ! From the moment I purchased it, everyone in the bookstore commented on how great of a book it was. Shilpi Somaya Gowda is the author – and did a phenomenal job, painting the picture of this story.

A lot of the book references and takes place in India. I have never been there but felt as though I could see all the beauties and sights she painted with her words. I felt a very strong emotional tie to the story, where I often had to ask myself how a book could make me feel so connected to the characters.

I am really proud to say that Shilpi was born and raise in Toronto. The inspiration from this book came  from a summer she volunteered at an orphanage in India. While I don’t like giving away too much from the books I read, this books tells the story of a little girl who was given up for adoption in India, and adopted by an Indian father and American mother in San Francisco. The story follows as Asha – the little girl- grows up wanting to know more about India (where she was born) and find out more about her heritage, culture and the family that gave her up for adoption.

I saw this book is AMAZING ! If you are looking for a great read pick it up, I promise you will not be disapointed.

Over the weekend, I was browsing in a book store when I came across this book.- The Power of Less by Leo Babauta. Wasn’t what I was looking for but I picked it up and took note of the title, came home did some research. Leo Babauta is the same man who wrote the famed book  I am always amazed when I meet people that live fulfilled lives with less. It is something in the way they prioritize certain things that always leaves me wanting to know how they do it. I will be going to purchase this book tonight, as I think it fits perfectly in my self-renewal process and will help me maintain my new habits.  Stay tuned for my take on it.

He also has available on his site a free e-book titled Thriving on Less

Here is some information on the book I found on his site The Power of Less – check out the site as it has tons of other great resources available to help you.

Do Less. Get More Done.

With the countless distractions that come from every corner of modern life, it’s amazing that we’re ever able to accomplish anything. The Power of Less demonstrates how to streamline your life by identifying the essential and eliminating the unnecessary — freeing you from everyday clutter and allowing you to focus on accomplishing the goals that can change your life for the better.

The Power of Less will show you how to:

• Break down any goal into manageable tasks
• Focus on only a few tasks at a time
• Create new and productive habits
• Hone your focus
• Increase your efficiency

By setting limits for yourself and making the most of the resources you already have, you’ll be able to work less, work smarter, and focus on living the life that you deserve.