The Olive Branch

Sitting outside in The Meatpacking District on a sunny day in New York City is top of the charts! It's hard to believe that ten years ago, when I lived in the neighborhood, it was nothing but slaughter houses, Florent Restaurant (which was open all night), and ever-so-fabulous trannies on every corner.

Today, the Meatpacking District has transformed completely and is a destination for great restaurants, great nightlife, and great shopping. The James Hotel and Jimmy's rooftop bar is another great NYC hot spot.

Watching the scene about wedding rings there got me thinking how funny it is to see such differing opinions on a man's wedding ring. I don't know of any chic woman who forgoes the band or the diamond for that matter, LOLl! But with a man, it's true that some wear a band and some don't. So Sonja and I felt that the kind of women that would hit on Reid while wearing a wedding ring is not a quality woman, whereas if he was not wearing a wedding band a woman of quality would never know he was taken and could potentially peak his interest. So we disagreed with Aviva's reasoning. I love that Jon likes and wears his wedding ring, and he does so with pride. But at the end of the day, I suppose a man needs to make his own decision whether or not jewelry feels right for him (funny enough Reid didn't mind wearing a ring). Of course, we all know that a wedding band can't stop infidelity, in the end only the person can do that.

Sonja is a whole lotta fun! She just cracks me up! She is really very funny, and I like hanging out with her socially. Her sense of humor is unequalled, and I appreciate that so much because she has not had an easy time of things the past few years. I am genuinely so happy that she's asked me for advice on her business ideas. The very prospect of helping her to build a brand that could potentially afford her some breathing room is exactly the kind of thing that gets my motor running!

While I believe that Ramona tried to be of help to Sonja by taking time to meet her in her office and  lending her expertise to a friend when she didn't really want to be there, I was more interested in first understanding the business Sonja was looking to build and getting that sorted out with the hope that Sonja would walk away from our initial meeting energized and excited. I may have sounded a little pompous in my talking head, but it's totally the opposite. I was actually eager because I genuinely understood Sonja's vision and know I could help her see it through. It's going to take a lot more than three hours a day, but as much work as it will be, it will be fulfilling to see her succeed with it! Sonja has a great concept and vision for what she wants to accomplish and now she just has to roll up her sleeves and go for it! She can be the next Martha Stewart. She just has to believe it!

Ramona's Guide to Business

At Ranjana Khan's party (celebrating the launch of her new jewelry collection for The Limited), all the ladies look stunning. It was a beautiful party and Ramona looked especially glamorous. For the record, I do not hold anything "against" Ramona, it's not that deep for me. I just can't find that natural "groove" with Ramona. It just doesn't come easy for us and I have had trouble connecting with her. If it happens, it happens but until then, we share mutual friends and I have no reason to remain anything less than polite and gracious. Maybe, if my first encounters with Ramona were more like Carole's I would feel differently, but Ramona seemed to be competitive with me from jump. I am not interested in any games, although she seems to have me targeted as such. Further to that, I was never "mad" at Ramona for "telling me I talked to much." Other than stirring the pot, I have no idea why Aviva said that. Ramona and I had our exchange about it, I articulated that I felt strange that Mario and Ramona would choose to enlighten me with their "constructive criticism" upon first acquaintances, and that is that.

It was very nice that Ramona did finally put out an olive branch to me, showing some humanity over the recent loss of my Dad. I had been incensed by her reactions, especially when sharing vulnerabilities with her, (and maybe it's just all in her delivery). Let me tell you, that apology was a moment that surprised us all, and I was very appreciative about it. But after watching the show, was it only because she now knew I had invited some of the girls on a trip to London and she wanted to go?

Ramona's Genuine Apology

I love London. It is such a great city, I have really enjoyed spending time there through the years, but as of late, it was always for work. So when Jon suggested I extend the trip and invite a few of the ladies with me for some fun I thought it sounded like a brilliant idea! And I was looking forward to a work/play trip that would be light because I would have a lot to balance and a fun get away from life's pressures. I was excited that Sonja and Carole were immediately on board! While I am learning more and more about Aviva and her fears, and I was thinking that, unless Reid came, her phobias wouldl hold her back. And after our visit to Jimmy's I don't know if a flat with bunch of women would be so comfortable for Reid. . .

So would you invite Ramona to London? Keep in mind that the main purpose of the trip was for my international sales meeting which was scheduled to take place there. (We distribute Yummie Tummie shapewear throughout Europe and Australia and I was going to London to present the new collections to all of our distributors.)

I am curious to see what you think. . .

As always, thanks again for the feedback, Tweets and posts! See what I am up to on my Facebook page, YummieLife.com, and HeatherThomson.net.

See you next week!
xx. Heather