Ooh La La...

Here it is November – some say the greyest and most gloomy of all months.

Last year at this time holiday plans were in the making, not to our favourite destination, but at least somewhere warm.

I’ve always admired some of the fashionable attire that colleagues bring back from their Winter travels – not so much the styles but brighter, more impactful colours;  and sometimes weighed down with  more bling than one would see at any festival!

I myself am a jewellery hound – a trait which I must surely have inherited from my ostentatious grandmother; resulting in much head shaking and tongue wagging on the part of my immediate family who are more conservative. So imagine my absolute glee when my sister and I came upon a shoppe named Ooh-La-La, and better still, within walking distance of where we stayed.

Wrought iron benches and lush potted palms adorned the front entry patio – and gentlemen sat there glumly – backs to the store, awaiting the worst. Visa-City here we come!! Grandmas and their daughters solemnly coached younger girls in the niceties of layering bling so that everyone shook, rattled and rolled as they moved along. Velvet-covered trays, one for each customer, were a lovely touch too – how pretty and dazzling all the baubles were when piled thereon!

A colleague has just e-mailed that she has already picked up some goodies for me – she’s a beautiful woman who doesn’t need bling to dazzle, but nonetheless does like a little extra adornment now and then. Ooh-la-la …I can hardly wait till Spring when she returns!

On being a friend...

Recently, one zinger of a discussion about the definition of “a friend”. It was pointed out that, from one person’s point of view, that I use the adjective “friend” perhaps too casually…

                                                                                                           

We all know the clear difference between the feeling of “friend” or “acquaintance” – or additionally “colleague”. How does it feel to a person being introduced, as an example, as “this is my friend June” compared to “this is my acquaintance June” or “this is a business colleague June”? To me, the interpretation is tangible – perhaps it would be most lenient and appropriate to just say “I’d like you to meet June”, or “I’d like to introduce you to June” – without adjectives that categorize.

Adjectives are, hopefully, a wisely selected description.. A “bosom pal” is truly out of fashion, but the connotation is there of a deep, fulfilling relationship with that special someone.  Some partners feel that their “other half” is more than a friend, perhaps a “best friend” – other couples value and hold close the special feeling that they hold their partner in such esteem and affection that the other is a “cherished companion”.

The process of “being a friend” to someone is ongoing … we’ve all heard of people that come into our lives for “a reason, or a season” – while others are long-lasting relationships that survive the ups and downs of both people. I have been truly delinquent in caressing and fostering friendships – and am piercingly aware of my shortfall. If my best friend dies tomorrow, unless I post this to her sooner, the depth of my affection, regard, and dependence on those reciprocated  feelings will  not be so fresh that she could almost reach out and touch them.

National Friendship Day ( having been declared in 1935 by the U.S. Congress as the 1^st Sunday in August) has passed – but my beloved companion and a true friend – who just happens to be my husband -has jolted me into awareness and action. Time for a reminder… not only to my bosom pal but to others whom I hold near and dear to my heart, but perhaps haven’t actually said the words aloud.

Corporate Colours...

I was reflecting just the other day about how so many members of the working force can be identified by their corporate colours!  Never having really considered this before, the thought had merit, at least to me!

Years ago the trend for ladies, and eventually the fellows as well, was to have their “colours done” –  enhancing our confidence when buying clothes with the determination of Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter shades and hues.The psychology of “being” a colour also became popular, the ones that come to mind are Blue, Orange, Gold and Green.

For front desk or other “front line” employees, sometimes the purchase of specific items reflecting corporate branding and selected specifically for work attire can be included as a personal expense. Some employers provide uniforms – all reflecting the corporate colours.

This past weekend, wearing the colour red which reflects franchise branding, I actually found myself searching for the perfect backdrop of Fall leaves which would enhance the red in some new photos! While it is true that any form of print advertising is to either introduce or re-acquaint myself with readers, it’s not all about me! We’ve all heard the admonition that “you’re known by the company you keep”; this is true not only of people but of business.

And the best part of all is that I absolutely love red!