Dear Diva,

I have missed you so much. Life swirled up around me and I could barely catch my breath. Now that the rush has settled to a steady stream, I was so present to how I missed my girlfriends and I went to check the site to see where I had left off. I was appalled!! So I took the weekend off to Diva-size my life a little bit.

The first thing on my to do list is to reconnect with you. While trolling for an idea of what to write about, I received not one, but two of those forwards from my brother. Now one I can handle, as long as it’s good and doesn’t have a curse attached to it. You know, if you don’t send this in the next 13 seconds to everyone you know all sorts of foul things will happen to you. Those I delete immediately and thank the sender for thinking of me. Sometimes though they are amazing. So back to my story. I read and copied the message and created a new email which I sent to myself and blind carbon copied my friend’s emails, so they won’t be subject to spam. One hazard that all those forwards create.

Then the dreaded moment came that I opened the second one, cursing him under my breath. Two at the same time, come on! You see, the older I get the more Irish I become. I cry more, laugh more a have a respect for the old ways, superstition. I throw salt over my shoulder when I spill it, say company’s coming when I drop the knife and look for money when my palm itches. So don’t tell me something magical will happen at the stroke of 12 when I share this message with friends.

Once, a dear friend in a very bad mood said, “Don’t send me any more of those stupid forwards,” so I haven’t. While I truly can understand that frustration, I don’t handle it in that manner anymore. When a friend sends me the gazillionth message that blocks my email service, I smile and say a quick prayer and thank him or her of thinking of me. That’s really what’s going on when your friends send you those forwards, may they be funny, in poor taste, good ones or great ones. Know that you are loved and that you were in your friend’s thoughts if just for a moment and now, she is in your thoughts. Pretty great, as long as you don’t send it to me. I’ll accept all the blonde jokes you find, with love. Oh, back to the second message, it made me cry it was so lovely. You’ll find it at the end of the newsletter.

If you are in LA area through May 18th check out a great play,Prelude & Liebestod, this Sunday 5/11 and next weekend 5/17 &5/18 is the last show. (Sat. at 5pm, Sun. at 7pm) at the Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Theatre. It promises to be a great night with a sizzling sexy plot. Note: This is a play for mature audiences and has adult content. Tickets are $15 For more information and to reserve your tickets, call 818-700-4878. Post a review on our blog, the distinctivelydivadish.com and I’ll send you a surprise. Congratulations to our Diva, Sherry Netherland who is co-director and co-producer of this wonderful play.

Remember Ace Young? Our Diva Beauty Expert Kay Young's talented son (who was in the top 7 of Americal Idol) is a guest on Monday night's episode of Bones, on Fox. This is one of my favorite shows and of course, my favorite singer. Ace has a new album coming out soon, check it out at www.acemusic.com

Have a great month. Keep reading, more goodies will be on their way,

Maureen O'Crean
Founder, Distinctively Diva
Co-author, I Am Diva, Every Woman's Guide to Outrageous Living

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Thank God For Friends

Girlfriends, where would we be without them? Probably in a dark, stinky cave, licking our wounds and crying in our beer. Girlfriends are truly God’s greatest creation. He made them truly in the light of his own image. Girlfriends tell us the truth when we need it and can take it, they whisper back their wisdom and gentleness when we’re at our breaking point and bring us back to the world of the living when the dark clouds have passed.

Celebrating everything with your girlfriends is one of life’s finer gifts. Whether it is a quick lunch and shopping, a movie or a night on the town, making time to thank your girlfriends is always worth it. Don’t you think if we put as much into celebrating friendship like we did birthdays and other holidays, life would be just that much sweeter?

Let’s take a break from the ho’ hum and have a Girls Night In, Diva Style. I met a sweet Diva when I was in Florida last month who hosts regular monthly Diva parties. A wonderful idea! I just think we should rotate from house to house to spread the joy. Let’s have a Mad Hatters Tea Party this month. As the flowers start to bloom, we can have a wonderful garden party on a Saturday or Sunday High Tea with our friends.

High Tea is usually served from 4 pm to 6 pm and was started by a great Diva who got hungry in the afternoon. The Tea delights should be savory and then sweet. For serving size, 3-4 tea sandwiches per person, 2 scones and 3-4 sweets. While there are many stories that abound about the origins of High Tea, the most common one is this. The British custom was to eat 2 meals, breakfast and dinner. The 7th Dutchess of Bedford, Anna Maria, would sneak some tea and breads in the afternoon to stave off hunger. Pretty soon she started inviting her friends to join her. The tea trays are set up on 3 levels. The bottom level holds the savory sandwiches, the middle scones and lemon curd and Devonshire clouted cream, and sweets on the top.

Here is my menu and recipes, which I’m sure you can top. Split up the menu for some great help and everyone wears a hat! I decorate my table with fabulous hat boxes from antique shops, thrift shops and the craft stores.

Here are some great menu items for the Tea. Make yours fancy and special and by all means spread the wealth and the work among your friends. Not a hat wearer, you say, then it is a fine time to make a quick stop at your local thrift shop or consignment shop. When we can step out of the boundary of our everyday life we invite new magic to come and play with us. Wonder lives in the unexpected, so let your self go.

The Diva’s Mad Hatter Tea Party Menu

Divine Strawberries – Grand Marnier® and White Chocolate (recipe from Take Five: The Diva’s Guide to Pampering, 30 Days of Self Care)

Succulent Strawberries and Dark Chocolate

Tiny Tea Sandwiches

White Diamonds: Cucumber & Arugula on white

Hearts Explode with Chicken Salad

Sam Spade’s Devi led Egg Salad

Choosy Clubs Tuna Melties

The Queen of Hearts Fruit Tarts (Buy mini-tarts at Whole Foods)

Mini éclairs and cream puffs (Buy Frozen in the Market)

The Royal Court Scones with Fresh lemon curd and Devonshire cream (order online)

Assorted English and Herbal teas, lemon, milk and sugar cubes

Download your recipes and recipe card template online at www.distinctivelydiva.com/fun.html

Don't forget to let us know how your party comes out.



Every Mom is A Diva and Every Diva is a Mom

Make this Mother's Day one to remember. We have tons of fun things to do and give to Mom and those women who have made a difference in your life. Go to www.distinctivelydiva.com/fun.html



Thank you for spreading the word and telling your friends that there is a place where girls can just be girls and Divas too!



Remember that email that made me cry? Well, here it is, but grab a tissue first.

A Return is Requested....You'll see why!

Breakfast at McDonald's

This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through until the end! (After the story, there are some very interesting facts!):

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology.

The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called, "Smile."

The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.

We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.

I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.

As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me,he was "smiling".

His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance. He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.

The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.

I held my tears as I stood there with them.

The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.

He said, "Coffee is all Miss" because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).

Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.

That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action.

I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.

I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.

He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said,"Thank you."

I leaned over, began to pat his hand andsa id, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope."

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said,"That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope."

We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.

We are not church goers, but we are believers.

That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand.

I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it.

Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class.

She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed.

In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.

I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.

Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to

LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.

There is an Angel sent to watch over you.

In order for her to work, you must pass this on to the people you want watched over.

An Angel wrote:

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

To handle yourself, use your head.

To handle others, use your heart.

God Gives every bird it's food, but He does not throw it into its nest.

Send it back, you'll see why !

A Box of gold
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
with a secret inside
that has never been told
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
This box is priceless
but as I see
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The treasure inside is
precious to me
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Today I share this
treasure with thee
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It's the treasure of friendship you've given me.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
If this comes back to you
then you'll have a friend
for life



Start Dreaming About Travel Divas!!!!!!

Did you know that we have a travel agency? No Kidding, one of my dreams is to create Diva Destinations. To start you need a travel destination intention. Mine is to go to Las Vegas and see Cher live at Cesears Place. Tickets are pricey, and I'm worth it. Let me know if you want to play! Sign up below to stay in the Distinctively Diva Travel loop and if you book your travel through us, you'll get a diva surprise as our thank you. Visit us at www.distinctivelydivatravel.com Want 2 surpises? Sign up below with your address and we'll send you a Diva surprise. By the way, I never share our personal info with anyone and if I have your address, you can be surprised. It's just tons of fun to receive a little unexpected goody in your mailbox.

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Check out our travel site, please visit www.distinctivelydivatravel.com


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      The Diva Word for the Day is WICKED. Every good woman deserves a little dash of Wicked in her arsenal. Wicked to me means unexpected, unpretentious, fun and a little naughty. Wicked, in appropriate measures, is the spice of life. Wicked can also mean great fun, outrageous living, and a hilarious time. Can you think of something Wicked that you love? For me, The Witches of Eastwick, strawberries dipped in dark chocolate and a foot rub are just wicked. Join the fun and do something wicked for yourself this week.

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