Tears & Tulle Talk

Tiffany wore the original rainbow tulle skirt during Tears & Tulle Movement Season 1, Week 8. 

🎤IN TIFFANY’S WORDS.... 

I was 26. In the past 12 months, I had had my second child, moved across the country, experienced multiple “unexplainable” health concerns, enlisted government assistance to feed my babies, dealt with isolation in my new home, moved back across the country to live in Grandma’s basement, and watched as my husband did everything in his power to find a full-time job and…..failed.

I was physically and emotionally depleted. I had assumed that after grad school, we would be well on our way to the American Dream—house in the suburbs, job with benefits, security and stability.  Instead, my husband was getting nothing but local freelance jobs, we were stuck in Grandma’s basement, and as my grandma’s health declined, my mom and I became her caregivers.

That lasted for 4 years.  I had my third baby during those years. The week his first tooth broke through, my grandma lost her front tooth. The month he started eating solids, we started blending her food. Within weeks of taking his first steps, my grandma lost most of her mobility. Parenthood is hard, but caregiving was next level hard. It was excruciating at times. I wondered why God was silent and why we couldn’t seem to move forward. 

If only I could have seen.

16 years later, though: I see. 

I see that not having housing expenses for 4 years gave us the capital to start our own business, and access a better life than we imagined. 

I see that my extended emotional turmoil gave me the drive to become an expert on emotions, and to help anyone I could to not feel so alone.

I see that learning caregiving taught me empathy and boundaries, and that I’m stronger than I ever felt.

I see that feeling inadequate in those days taught me to fight for my feelings of enough.

Every. Day.  I see that the hard things have become my wings.  At first, they were so painful to grow! They were heavy on my shoulders. I didn’t understand, and I didn’t want them. But now, I do understand.

And now, I fly.  

Visit Tiffany's super fun Instagram page at @redlicoricelife

www.instagram.com/redlicoricelife

Jess wore the original rainbow tulle skirt during Tears & Tulle Movement Season 1, Week 24. 

IN JESS’S WORDS...

When you have a dream, you expect those closest to you to support you, encourage you, lift you up to your highest self and empower you to be more than you thought possible. You anticipate love from people in your life because you’ve been there for them, you’ve played the part of a supportive friend or family member. And yet, when it is finally is time to step up and take a leap of faith into the unfamiliar, you’re met with fear and backlash. You’re given a boatload of someone else’s insecurities masked as concern or anger or resentment.

Being bullied by those you love for finding the strength to be your true self is the storm that tries to shutdown your shine. Don’t listen to them. Don’t fight back. Don’t even bother to acknowledge the behavior. When someone shows you who they really are, it is your job to pay attention and believe them.  Believe bullies. Then cut their toxicity out. Eleanor Roosevelt once said “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.“ If you listen to a bully, they are given the attention, the power, the control... and they will hurt you. If you rise above a bully, they no longer exist. I say, let the bullies stay stuck in the storm. I’m rising above and chasing rainbows. And I’m choosing to shine in bright screaming color in every moment of my life.

I made my choice a few years back. I stoped allowing myself to be their victim. I took their opinions and threw them in the trash where they belong. I focus solely on what bring joy to the amazing clients I serve and those I love, including myself. Changing my mindset has been the key to every ounce of success I have ever had. When there is no room for someone to come in and steal your shine, there is only room for love and sparkles. Choosing myself has been the greatest gift of my life. Nothing can compare to knowing myself and being confident in the magic of what sparks my joy.

Leave toxic people behind.

Toss toxic opinions in the trash.

Make room for self love.

Take harbor in joy.

Shine bright and be unapologetic.

Live the life you deserve.

Darkness has no place here, only joy and rainbows.

Charmaine wore the original rainbow tulle skirt during Tears & Tulle Movement Season 1, Week 23.

🎤IN CHARMAINE’S WORDS...   A couple of weeks ago I opened a package to find a sea of rainbow tulle gently tucked away inside. Just looking at the skirt made me smile from ear to ear, and I almost couldn't wait to put it on. As hard as it was, I waited until the day of my photo shoot to wear it so I could have the full experience of the skirt all at once.  The second I slipped it on I felt magical, strong, and like the main character of a wonderful story that was just beginning. I floated around The Forks - a major tourist attraction in Winnipeg and my favorite place to be. It was a sunny day but even the darkest of clouds wouldn't have prevented me from dancing and enjoying my moment. As people walked by they would smile and offer sweet compliments, making me feel that much more special.  Pairing the rainbow bundle of sunshine with a black tank top made me feel a sense of power. 2020 has been a roller coaster of a year for many of us, and I'd be lying if I said I haven't been affected but this year's events. But the pairing of black and rainbow reminded me that no matter how much darkness there is in the world or how many personal struggles we face each day, there is always light and love out there for us to embrace and experience. We just have to be willing to see it.

https://youtu.be/cm0JCHOGCKM

http://www.hustleandcharm.ca/about

Paige was the very fist participant to wear the rainbow tulle skirt! 

Podcast Video Link:

https://youtu.be/BRRJAowAItY

https://paigemajor.com/

Podcast Episode 012 The Tears & Tulle Movement Season 1, Week 21, Participant Emmy Wu!

In Emmy's words:

Sighting a rainbow has long been believed to be a positive sign of things to come.⁣ ⁣ Every time I see a rainbow, I remember that I’m not alone, and that something much bigger is at work around us… And recently, rainbows have been appearing in my life.⁣ ⁣ I’m part of Gina Bell’s Tears & Tulle Movement, where this rainbow skirt is traveling to 52 women who are showing up in the world and connecting with their unique color... And the skirt has arrived at my door.⁣ ⁣ Unboxing this skirt felt surreal as I contemplated my assignment: use the skirt to express what it means to show up in our own brilliance despite darkness and set-backs. And to be honest, I found this extremely hard.⁣ ⁣ We are living in unprecedented times when so many lives have been turned upside down.⁣ ⁣ Even for those lucky enough to have not been directly impacted by the virus, there’s a very real presence of grief and restlessness in our collective consciousness.⁣ 

⁣𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗜 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀?⁣

 I recognize my own privilege being able to take shelter in my own home… and know this is not possible for many others.⁣ ⁣ I’m grateful for my business being able to continue online… but honor the businesses who have lost income and have to make big pivots in order to keep moving forward.⁣ ⁣ And all the essential workers who put themselves on the front line every day …

 ⁣𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗿𝘁, 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳… 𝘀𝗼 𝗜 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀.

⁣ ⁣These images speak to our isolation indoors and the longing to be outside, with community. The rainbow skirt represents hope, and always a part of who we are as humans.⁣ ⁣ It’s also about individual perspective.⁣ ⁣ You see, rainbows are simply droplets of water reflecting and dispersing the sun’s rays, and yet this incredible display instills a child-like wonder in everyone.⁣ ⁣ It’s about choosing to slow down, pause and recognize the beauty and hope that’s available in each moment… despite any challenges and hardship.⁣ ⁣ That’s what makes us human. And that’s what makes each one of us brilliant.⁣ ⁣ 

To being human in these times,⁣ ⁣

Emmy ⁣ ⁣

Tears & Tulle Talk Podcast Episode 011 with Trailblazer, Claire Cregger.

In Claire's words:

 I had original planned to have the photoshoot out in the mountains. But due to our unforeseen circumstance I can’t. But I have told myself no COVID-19 is going to stop me and plus I don’t like missing deadline lol Thank you so much Gina for asking me to be featured here at As a Woman of faith, Life coach and founder of Broken But Beautifully Made. I have always believed that even in the midst of any pain or chaos. if we just spread a little more joy, laughter, positivity we can get true all of this together and come out 10x stronger than before!

Remember life is like a box of crayons. 

We all have the opportunity to make a difference in the whole picture! 

Podcast Episode 009 The Tears & Tulle Movement Trailblazer Participant, Lesley Dixon chatted with us about her Tears & Tulle moments, her love of sand magic, and her amazing tribe of inspiring women!

In Lesley's words:  Deepening your feminine energy sacred sand magic by Lesley  I held this sacred sand art event to call in my tribe and to acknowledge this powerhouse of energy that's in our body, our yoni.  Thank you beautiful sisters who answered the call to come and deepen their feminine energy with me.   My heart is so full and what an honour it was to spend time with you all connecting to our Yonis, to our creative wombs, to our life force while connecting to Mother earth, Father sky and Grandmother moon on such an auspicious day in the cosmos. What beautiful universal alignment 🌟🌌✨ With so much gratitude to my tribe for their space holding , for us having the maiden, mother and crone as well as the next generation all present as well as our ancestors who walk with us.   And thank you my friend for talking into the freedom we have as women in this beautiful country of New Zealand we live in to do exactly as we did here today, without persecution. Thank you to all those women who have come before us , paving the way so we may be where we are, right here, right now with this freedom.     We have the power to end this happening in this generation, this pivotal time on earth. . To support each other and not tear each other down and together we will rise...!!!!  And lastly thanks for your support for the #tearsandtulle project. Empowering creative women to share their creative messages around the world. It felt so wonderful to be my amazing creative self surrounded by all that love from you all. Thank you 🙏❤🌺

Podcast Episode 007 The Tears & Tulle Movement Season 1, Week 10, Laura Maria Healey!

Maria's thoughts on wearing the original skirt:

Thank you so much for including me on this journey of the rainbow skirt! ⁣ ⁣ I was eager to get the photos done as quickly as possible since you told me from the beginning that the next recipient was planning to wear the skirt for NYE. ⁣ ⁣ As soon as I took it out of the box, I put it on and headed out to the alley with my son and my iPhone for him to capture my photos. It’s been pouring here in SoCal for the past few days but it dried up just in time to get outside for some portraits. ⁣ ⁣ He did a pretty good job of making me look happy and show up in the darkness in this skirt despite the fact I was crying only an hour before it arrived at my door. ⁣ ⁣ I paired the skirt with my favorite black sunglasses and also with a black faux fur jacket I've owned for 20 years but never had an excuse to wear. I’m also rocking my glittered tank that reads “Don’t let your sparkle fade,” a red lipstick, and a comfortable ponytail. ⁣ ⁣ I’ve had plenty of experience with showing up in the darkness so I’m quite well-versed in picking myself up and putting on a smile and getting stuff done. I’m a single mom but I choose this life and I’m happy. I work a lot and I also try to make time for writing on a daily basis. ⁣ ⁣ I have so many stories to share and I look forward to reassuring others that they aren’t alone in their experiences. ⁣