The Power of a Pink Chanel Wallet

This post is all about 3 life lessons I learned from purchasing a pink chanel wallet.

The past few weeks have been an absolute whirlwind for me.

I made a lot of personal life changes, moves in my career, decisions around my mindset. It has been a complete up-level of my life all the way around. And while I love sharing all of these things on my podcast, I can’t help but feel compelled to blog about them today because, I love this blog and I love blogging so so much.

Here are a few valuable life lessons I have learned in the last few months…

LIFE LESSON #1: I’VE GOTTEN BETTER AT TRUSTING MYSELF.

I’m big on following your gut, your intuition. It’s something I work on building every single day. I have a long history of doubting and second guessing my decisions and a few years ago I made a commitment to become more decisive. I always learned that the wisest and most wealthy people were excellent and making quick decisions.

However, sometimes, I find myself making the decision quickly, then second guessing it. My mind goes quickly into overdriving thinking about how I feel about the decision that I just made. And honestly, it’s the biggest waste of time.

So, a few weeks ago I decided that it was time for me to upgrade my wallet. Up until this point I had been keeping all my cards in a small card holder but my cash would float around my purse. It made me feel completely disorganized and overwhelmed.

My aunt took me to the Chanel store and encouraged me to upgrade my wallet. As I shopped for wallets I was drawn to this beautiful bubble gum pink Chanel wallet. I literally could not take my eyes off of the color. BUT, everyone was encouraging me to go for a black wallet as it is the most classic choice and will always work with whatever bag I carry.

And while that sounded very rational and wise…I didn’t want the black wallet. It did absolutely nothing for my soul. It’s a one thousand dollar wallet, I mean this isn’t like a cheap wallet I just had no soulful connection with it. That pink wallet literally sang to my soul.

While my rational brain was telling me, go with the black wallet..the smarter choice. I went with the pink one! And I, for the very first time ever, decided to trust my decision. Not second guess it, not overthink it…just trusted my initial gut feeling.

I learned so so so much about life during this process. Everyday when I pull out that wallet, I get so happy looking at it. I love the color, I feel proud of my purchase and I have that connection with my wallet and trusting my own decision. It was 100% the right move for me. And honoring yourself in that way…is quite possibly the most important up-level for you internally!

As someone who struggles with trusting my own decisions, this was a big moment for me. As you get better at trusting yourself, your relationship with yourself grows. Your ability to make decisions give you confidence, helps your career in terms of strategy. It showed me that I am ready to make the next level moves in my career because I have developed the ability to trust my instincts.

The prettiest pink rug sits in my new home office with a perfectly pink shell chair.

LIFE LESSON #2: I RELEASED THE NEED TO WORK SO HARD. I’m a Capricorn through and through. My personality loves working hard and I love to please and impress people. I get major satisfaction from being successful at something. I got my real estate license in record timing, joined one of the TOP real estate teams in my city and found myself working 40+ hours a week, busting my butt to work with the most luxurious homes in Houston.

However, as time went on and I looked around at most of the other top agents I noticed that the work/life balance didn’t really exist. The real estate industry can be very motivating and exciting. However, I lost the joy of being inside these luxurious homes because it is a hustle that never ends. It’s all work and very little time for a personal life.

The people around me were sacrificing relationships, time with children, happiness and joy. And honestly, I thought to myself, I’ve learned in my almost 40 years of life, life doesn’t have to be this way.

So, I decided to let go of the hustle, aka the need to be the best and moved onto my own. Where I can control my schedule and move forward in my career in a way that works for me. The first and most important thing I did was create a home office that motivates me to get up and do what I am most passionate about. A home office that inspires me.

So, I turned our little guest room into a pretty pink cocoon. To completely support me in being happy while I work. I am so passionate about creating a HIGH VIBE HOME to support you in the life you want to design for yourself.

And here’s a little secret, the month that I made the decision to slow down and work on my own…I made more income than I EVER have before in my business. MIND BLOWN. When you’re happy, you glow from the inside out. That energy is unstoppable and you will become MAGNETIC to success and opportunity!

LIFE LESSON #3: THERES ROOM FOR EVERYONE!

You know, I used to be the biggest Starbucks girl. Who isn’t, right? It’s a classic, go-to coffee spot and always gives me just the right cracked up dose of energy I need for my day, especially as a working mom. However, I drove by Dunkin Donuts the other day and remembered how I used to live near a DD in Manhattan and always liked their coffee too. In fact, I actually like the DD iced coffee better than I liked Starbucks. So, now my go-to is Dunkin Donuts coffee when I am on the go in the mornings.

And you know what I realized…..While Starbucks may be on every corner and pretty much have monopoly on quick morning coffee. I NEED Dunkin Donuts. I freaking love Dunkin Donuts branding. It’s pretty and pink and orange. It makes me happy when I look at all the pink everywhere while waiting for my coffee. I thoroughly enjoy my morning when I see the pink on my coffee cup.

Which is such a reminder for anyone in business…there is room for you at the table! And actually there is probably someone out there who isn’t really into whatever is already out on the market. There is someone out there who needs what YOU bring to the table. The way you do it may be JUST what other people have been waiting for.

Let this be a reminder for any of you who have been sitting on an idea or a dream. God is trying to do something through you, for someone else. Never feel like the market is too saturated because there is no one like you. If you would like to get some inspiration in becoming your own boss and launching an online business, check out my Online Boss Academy.

Hope you enjoyed this blog post. I love you!

xo, Ashlina

Luxe Living: 8 steps to a super confident Summer!

I thrive on routines and schedules, so allowing the flow of Summer ease without giving up my work or creative endeavors. It's important to stay in tune with your dreams + goals so you can feel more confident in your life and about your days. 

The topic of confidence comes up a lot in my coaching sessions so I created a love letter with 8 ways to have a more confident Summer. When I sent this love letter out,  I received the best response from this letter so it felt appropriate that I make it into a sweet blog post. 

ONE: Look in the mirror.

Try to fall in love with what you see. You may not be bathing suit ready and that’s okay. Just pick out one thing you like about yourself and highlight that! Say for example you have great legs and you feel good about them. Get yourself some pool side dresses that show them off, pick out some fun shorts that highlight them. Get some great lotions that keep your legs smelling great and shiny. Take yourself on hikes and walks to beef them up even more. Be grateful for them! Get excited and proud of your legs. Your hair, your teeth, your shoulders. Whatever your one thing is, have a SUMMERTIME love affair with it.

TWO: Embrace being uncomfortable.

We can’t always be good at everything or have it all figured out but we can find the joy in things that are uncomfortable. It can be such an exciting adventure. When you can handle the uncomfortable things that life brings, it gives you a sense of calmness in the craziest of storms.

People are always attracted to that person because they offer a sense of strength. Can you imagine how it must feel for Hilary Clinton to be running to become the first female president of the United States. Something about that really speaks to me as a woman in business for myself. I am challenging myself to not be afraid of doing something that hasn’t been done before or out of my comfort zone.

Why not try a new class, sign up to a new volunteer opportunity, take your kids on a small road trip and learn something new with them, switch sides of the bed with your significant other. Shake up things in your life, get uncomfortable and see how that creates some confidence in you this summer!

THREE: Create your calendar.

Sometimes when we don’t know where we are going, we don’t have that sense of assuredness that we feel we need to be calm and confident. So take out your calendar and start filling yours up. Call up an old friend you haven’t seen in forever and book a lunch at a place you have been dying to try. Summer is always a good time for a fun road trip with friends, or a great time to have friends over and try a new recipe.

Take a class for a new language or create a list of books you MUST read this summer. Here are a few of my favorites. Put it on the calendar. There is something about seeing a full calendar with things to do that gives you a sense of pride and confidence. Also, when you always have something to look forward to next, you kill the FOMO vibes and have a constant sense of excitement about you. How awesome is that?

FOUR: Confident Smiles.

Put a smile on your face at all times! Even if you have to fake it till you make it, smile at everyone and everything. Smile at your coffee mug in the morning if you have to. If you are out and about, smile at the grocery store, smile at the people next to you in line at the airport, smile at everyone you come across. Smiles are everything!

FIVE: Enriching and Empowering conversations.

Have you ever had a friend or a mentor that you could just talk to for hours? Where you get really deep and the conversation is exciting and empowering. Have more of these! I think its important to surround yourself around people who light you up, see the best in you and have your back.

I literally live for these conversations and I LOVE being this person for my coaching clients. They give you a feeling of connection like you aren’t alone in the world. Make more time for these people in your life. Perhaps take a trip to a local winery with one of these friends and make a super fun day out of it.

SIX: Let your love flow.

One way to spread love to people is through food. I love to have people over and cook for them, something about preparing food for another creates a bond between you, its a sharing of love. This gives a sense of family, togetherness and its totally a beautiful thing.

Having a sense of connection to others gives you a feeling that you belong and are needed. As women this is essential for our wellness. You don’t have to be the best chef or the ultimate hostess to do this ( see some easy recipes here ). My sister and I love to make extra special breakfasts and lunches together. It’s just a small thing but it makes our whole day feel exciting and fun.

SEVEN: Find your element.

My element is water. Anytime I can be around it, I feel better about everything. I feel so confident because I am in my zone. If yours is heights, take a trip to the tallest building in your town and look out from the top and take in the view. If you love the earth, go to your local park and read a book and have a picnic. Whatever you feel you need to really connect with nature, I highly suggest doing it. It will give you a sense of balance, restore your wellness and give you a glow.

EIGHT: Invest in your sanctuary.

Now of course I add this to the list because I believe in the importance of a space that supports you in being the best version of yourself. A space that helps you create the life you dream of. I just took on a new E-design client, who hired me to help her create a master bedroom that is like her and her husbands favorite hotel because they are ready to start their family and have a baby.

She believes in the power of her environment and is changing up her space to help her achieve her dreams. What would a newly styled up home office be like for you? Or a backyard patio for dining outdoors with family and friends? Whatever you want to create for yourself, use this summer to invest in your nest!

images via: Oprah.com | me | Heidisbridge.com