I wanted to share a story with you written by my friend, collegue, and now client, Evana Maggiore.  She is the President of international School of Fashion Feng Shui and author of the book, Fashion Feng Shui.  We are raving fans of each others work!

She uses the 5 elements of water, wood, earth, fire and metal to help in identifying your natural style and coloring in wardrobe.  I know as a creative entrepreneur who works at home and makes some "public appearances" at meetings and events, what I wear is an important marketing element as well as it can support or shift my energy to give me more confidence and creativity.

Evana has a beautiful story of how she helped me add some "intentional" energy of the metal energy to step into intentional prosperity energy.  It is simply fascinating ANd it works!

En-JOY!

Guest Posting:  Story by Evana Maggiore

The Magical Handbag

Soon after I arrived in Tampa for the AICI (Association of Image Consultants International) Conference, I bumped into a couple of friends who were on their way to the adjoining mall. "We have to buy Laura a new purse," Gerina had announced. "Wanna come?" Not one to bypass a shopping excursion - especially when it involved spending someone else's money--I eagerly accepted their invitation.

Laura wanted to upgrade her basic black bag, not only to harmonize with her Earthy body colors but also to add the Metal energy that would affirm her intention for prosperity. Although Laura was well versed in the Law of Attraction and FFS's concept of wearing clothes that would attract her desires into her life, she had been shopping for 9 months and just had not found the right bag. Plus, she felt anxious about spending the money it would take to do so. As she explains it now. "It felt as if I didn't deserve it. I would go to that fear place of thinking that spirituality and materiality don't go together Vs. the joy that a beautiful bag brings along with the fine craftsmanship and the metal energy that attracts wealth."

Our first stop was in the handbag department at Nordstrom's. As we perused the selection and pulled various bags for Laura's inspection, she continually balked at the price of each. "I'm not used to paying more than $100 for a purse," she complained. "These are all way too expensive. I can't afford to invest that much money in a handbag!"

One bag stood out from the rest. It's golden leather shimmered with inherently prospeorus Metal energy,  yet its soft structure and creative-but-casual styling honored Laura's innate Water-Wood personal energies. Its price tag, however, at over $400, reflected its Michael Kors lineage.

"No way," Laura protested.

"Laura," I prodded."Did you ever consider that your scarcity attitude toward handbags might be inhibiting your own abundance?"

"You are kidding--aren't you?" she replied.

I proceeded to tell her the story of the man who went shopping for an overcoat with his wife. Business had not been too good lately, so when he finally found one that he loved, his wife warned him that it was much too expensive. "If I buy this coat," he told her, "I will feel so fabulous in it that it will pay for itself." Sure enough, not long after his "leap-of-faith" purchase, the man received a contract worth much more than the price of the coat.

"So, Laura," I counseled, "it could be the same for you. Think of this handbag as a prosperity totem."

Dismissing the idea, Laura suggested we look elsewhere for something "more affordable." Georgia and I deliberately headed her toward Neiman Marcus, full knowing that their selection would be at a much higher pricepoint.

"Why would someone ever pay $1000 for a handbag!" Laura exclaimed when she eyed the tag that accompanied the bronze Prada clutch. I maneuvered my Chloe bag out of her view.

"Those Nordstrom price tags are looking pretty good, aren't they?" Gerina teased. "Let's see what Dilliards has to offer."

Nothing in Dilliards' handbag department could not compare to the vision that we held for Laura and the gold Michael Kors bag. She did however, pick up an "everyday" purse while we were there. Interestingly, she spent about $100 on it.

"Why don't we just go back and take another look at the bag in Nordstroms, " I urged. "Just to be sure." Reluctantly, Laura agreed.

The moment she slung the Kors bag over her shoulder, Gerina and I could see that Laura had resigned herself to the price. "It does look great, doesn't it?" she questioned. "Purr-fect!" Gerina and I responded in unison. "OK, I don't think I should do this, but I'll buy it," Laura announced.

Do I even need to finish this story? Needless to say, since then, Laura has attracted new clients and generated MORE than enough money to pay for her beautiful (and now beloved) magical handbag.

The End

Laura's Comments:  Ok, now was it really about the bag? Not really.  The bag was a symbol of my committment energy, focus and and claiming my prosperity consciousness. It was also a structure for identifying and letting go of some scarcity beliefs.  And I did get 2 Platinum Style clients within a week of enjoying in this bag!

You can get Evana's book, Fashion Feng Shui or check out her Personal Enrichment Courses at her website.