What comes to mind when I say the word “muse”? Do you think of Greek goddesses and fairies? Do you think of an artist painting nudes of his lover? Do you envision … yourself?
According to the dictionary, a muse has two official definitions, first “(in Greek and Roman mythology) each of nine goddesses, the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, who preside over the arts and sciences.” And second, “a person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist.” {source: Google}
The truth is, you don’t have to be the mistress of some brooding artist to be a muse. You can, and I encourage you to, say hurray for the muse that is within you. Awaken her, and invite her to the party. Let her inspire those around you, let her inspire you. We are creative, by nature, as women. We are born to create – life, homes, art, work. Heck, our very lives are works of art. What will your muse inspire you to create?
“I am my own muse.
I am the subject I know best.
The subject I want to better.”
–Frida Kahlo
Below are a few ideas to awaken your inner muse, along with some quotes from creative and inspiring individuals. Along the way, you’ll see some gorgeous little photos of yours truly, wearing gorgeous little things from Maison-Close. This sexy French lingerie brand is ALL about the muse, and has inspired me to create this post. In fact, I’m hosting a special online giveaway and an in-person event at their beautiful boutique in NYC. Get the scoop at the bottom of this post!
(This post is sponsored and made possible by the gorgeous French lingerie brand, Maison-Close. Their seductive lingerie and accessories are perfect for awakening your inner muse. With a wide range of types of lingerie (bodysuits, bras, catsuits, slips, etc.) and some of the most amazing accessories I’ve ever seen, there are endless possibilities to tempt your muse to come out and play.)
Be curious
Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it is a wonderful way to awaken your muse. When looking for inspiration, sometimes you really do have to go looking for it. Curiosity, to me, can be both intuitive and/or intentional. And, I feel the more you intentionally practice curiosity (do it on purpose), the more it becomes intuitive (you do it just by nature). In almost no time at all, you’ll be seeing yourself and those around as muses on a regular basis.
“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things,
because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
-Walt Disney
Be curious about how things work, why people think the way they do, what makes something beautiful. Be curious about yourself. Get really curious about what makes you feel alive, what you’re afraid of, who you really are. Look deeper. Take notice. Ask questions. Do the research. That curiosity may take you down a new path and inspire you beyond your wildest dreams. Plus, curiosity breeds understanding, and understanding breeds compassion, and compassion breeds love. And we – our whole world and each one of us – needs more of that right now.
“Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder,
spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.”
-e. e. cummings
Style notes: Above, I’m wearing a long sleeve Music Hall bodysuit, the Villa Satine bra in 32D, and the ultra adorable Le Félin lace cat ears headband from Maison-Close. The bodysuit is a sheer tulle veil-like material with flowing sleeves, and a panty bottom. It comes with detachable garter straps, in case you decide to pair it with some thigh high stockings! I am in love with this bodysuit. It is sheer glamour and extremely comfortable. I added the lace bra underneath the sheer top for a bit of support and coverage. I love the plunging neckline and eyelash lace! Plus, it comes with removable pushup padding for optional va-voom. And are you as in love with these lace cat ears as I am? They are so purrrfect! Enter my giveaway so you can pick out your own Maison-Close pieces below! Photo by Laura of Own Your Sexy. Make up and Hair by Zuleika Acosta.
Explore your dark side
I have an entire board on Pinterest called “Moody”, and it’s usually evoking a deep, dark, almost creepy mood. These images strike me as extremely inspirational – mostly because I do not live in those dark places often. They excite something in me because they are foreign, elusive, and downright scary to me. And in the way some people love horror movies – because of the thrill, the shock, and the pupil widening terror they induce – I love to explore those dark moments we all have. Often I find myself steering away from them out of fear. I crave that “hurray” of positivity and light. Yet, following those dark moments has often given birth to some of the most beautiful things I’ve ever created.
“We all need to look into the dark side of our nature –
that’s where the energy is, the passion. People are afraid of that because
it holds pieces of us we’re busy denying.”
-Sue Grafton
Heartache, despair, jealousy, frustration, self loathing, fear – these are all part of being human. They are part of who we are. And if we allow ourselves to safely explore them – invite them in, even – they can lead us to something beautiful. Much art in the world has been created out of darkness. In fact, it’s been suggested that these dark times in the United States (well, around the world) of fighting and social injustice may lead us to one of the most powerful showcases of art. Gorgeous songs are written because of heartbreak. Powerful paintings are realized because of depression. New inventions are created because they solve a painful problem. Admitting and making friends with the darkness can lead to beauty.
“The more we deny that we have a dark side, the more power it has over us”.
-Sheryl Lee
I caution you. Please do not think that I’m suggesting in order to be creative you must live a painful life. I believe the opposite is true, actually. And the whole “tortured artist” stigma is far too romanticized for my taste. What I am suggesting, however, is to embrace all the facets of your feelings and your inner life. Mama Gena calls it “playing all 88 keys on your piano”. We can play just those few, muted, simple notes in the middle of the keyboard over and over again. Or, we can use all of the keys and create a beautiful masterpiece. And that includes shining a flashlight and exploring the dark parts life.
Style Notes: Above I’m wearing a Hotel Diva quarter cup bra, the Music Hall bolero, the Les Mystérieux mask, and the Villa Satine skirt from Maison-Close. I’m a big fan of old Hollywood glamour, and this look is the sultry, French, boudoir version. The bottom cup portion of this bra only covers a quarter of the breast, which means the sheer lace decorates the nipple. This billowy bolero has the same sleeves as the bodysuit up above. It’s a great addition to this look, and can easily be worn with a cocktail dress or evening gown, which is a huge hurray for every wedding I’m attending this year. And this pencil skirt is so sophisticated – even with the sheer lace panels down the side. They offer just a glimpse of what’s underneath without giving away the whole secret. And this birdcage tulle mask is on my must-have list. It’s such a mix of naughty and nice, and playful and dark. Enter my giveaway so you can pick out your own Maison-Close pieces below! Photo by Laura of Own Your Sexy. Makeup and Hair by Zuleika Acosta.
Find the Beauty
Beauty matters. It’s an important element of the human experience. And there is something beautiful in nearly everything. How you see it is up to you. We are each walking around through life wearing different filters on our eyes and hearts. We each see every thing and every moment through that filter. And it colors the way we interpret what we see and experience. What if you could fine tune your filter to find beauty? What if you decided to start shading each moment by asking “Where is the beauty here?”
“There’s always a sunrise and always a sunset and it’s up to you
to choose to be there for it,’ said my mother.
‘Put yourself in the way of beauty.”
-Cheryl Strayed,Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
Beauty is a subjective word. What each of us finds beautiful varies. So get to know for yourself – what is beautiful to you? To me, watching a sunset or sunrise, or the falling snow is pure beauty. Or adorning myself with gorgeous jewelry or lingerie. Or singing a few bars of the most amazing song. Beauty is all around you. You have to decide to show up for it. You get to find it, create it, and fine tune your filter. That filter will help you see things in a more inspirational light. And your inner muse will gravitate toward that light.
Feel the Force
Inside each of us is a power. It is there, at all times, and we have the choice of deciding when to tap into it, and how to use it. We can use this power, this force, in constructive and creative ways. We can tap into it and inspire ourselves and the world around us. Being a muse is being a force of inspiration. A force inspires action. It pushes, it guides, it pulls, it insists, it entices, it beckons, it conjures, it awakens. Feel it? Go with it. Tap into it. Awaken your muse and let her shine.
Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets;
art deserves that, for it and knowledge can raise man to the Divine.
-Ludwig van Beethoven
Style notes: Above I’m wearing the La Directrice dress from Maison-Close. This stretchy, silky smooth dress is curve hugging and daring. The sheer mesh and lace back have a dramatic dip that just about lets you see a peek of the booty. And that overlapping lace at the top is just as sexy. Plus, the sheer sleeves have a demure illusion of being covered, but the seam and lace cuff trim remind me of back seam, lace top thigh high stockings. For your arms. YES, PLEASE. And don’t even get me started on the front. This daring front plunging sheer panel is perfectly placed for ultimate glamour. Hurray doesn’t even begin to describe this dress. Enter my giveaway so you can pick out your own Maison-Close pieces below! Photo by Laura of Own Your Sexy. Makeup and Hair by Zuleika Acosta. PS: That gorgeous Venus hand mirror was a gift I found in the “Treasure Box” at the 2016 Wild Woman Fest, from an anonymous sister.
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Your Turn: How can you awaken your inner muse? What do you want to create in the world? Who do you want to inspire? How can you inspire yourself? Why is creativity important? Journal, free write, and leave a comment here!
And, you can awaken YOUR inner muse with Maison-Close! Enter my giveaway for your chance to win a $300 USD shopping spree to their online or NYC boutique.
Plus – You’re invited! Get the scoop on my special event at the Maison-Close Boutique in NYC on April 22nd. Hurray!
The photos in this post were taken by Laura Boyd of Own Your Sexy. Great lighting, zero airbrushing, wonderful hair and makeup, by Zuleika Acosta.
