I’ve cleared my inbox of almost everything, except for today’s modern-day icon, Alexandra Franzen. If I French Kiss Life, this lovely lady French Kisses Words.  Sensuality, brevity and magnetism ooze from her words, a rare feat these days. Whether you’re indecisive or want to figure out how to introduce yourself to your hero, Alexandra’s your communication muse.

As a modern day icon, her communication philosophy is simple:  “Whenever you open your mouth — or place your fingers on the keyboard — you have an opportunity to add to the love in the world, or subtract from it.”  And, she’s on a mission to inspire people to change the world through words.

I feel lucky to have had the chance to interview Alexandra, and today, we’re going to dig into her mind and find out what makes her tick on all things mind, style, body and writing.

MIND

What’s your superpower?

Distillation.

I’m freakishly good at taking rambling, bumbling ideas and making them crisp + precise. It’s practically a compulsion, at this point. A helpful one … I hope!

Favorite question to ask to get the conversation going?

What was the BEST part of your day?

What book would you give your 13 year old self?

A collection of poetry by Rumi, with a handwritten note from my future self.

The note would say:

“You don’t know it yet, but you’re an artist and a poet, too. Congratulations.”

What are you currently reading?

Re-reading: Love Poems by Pablo Neruda.

Skimming: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.

Savoring: The latest issue of Real Simple magazine.

BODY

What’s a part of your body that you celebrate?

My shoulders. I usually have one (or both) exposed.

What is your daily beauty routine?

I don’t have a rigid routine, but I’ve recently discovered the glory of the curling wand (like a curling iron for your hair, only better!)

I’m also newly infatuated with faux eyelashes, and I recently taught myself how to do a perrrrfect “cat eye” with black liner. Very bombshell-tastic!

Your can’t-live-without beauty product?

Sheer, shimmery lip balm. Gloss is too sticky.

STYLE

Heels or flats?

Flats! (Unless someone is driving me around town!)

What is your signature style element?

Big, fabulous hair. Usually deep red. Always coiffed.

Favorite store?

Helmut Lang is my totem animal.

A fashion rule you love to break:

Neon is always in vogue, as far as I’m concerned…and white after Labor Day? Absolutely.

TASTE

You can have any meal on earth.  What shall it be?

A warm hunk of bread, a wheel of Brie, fresh grapes, dates and apricots and a smattering of grainy mustard. Followed by a shot of espresso and a sea-salt caramel. Or three.

Champagne, Beer or a Green Juice?

Champagne with a dash of elderflower liquer.

Sweet or salty?

Both!

LIFE

What is the most luxurious moment of your day?

The first few hours of the morning — which I usually spend working from my “besk” (bed + desk).

Life would be nothing without:

Pheromones.

Success is:

Leaving the planet in noticeably better condition than you found it.

When you think of money, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

Possibility.

Your top 3 tips for dealing with overwhelm?

Simplify, simplify, simplify.

CULTURE

Here’s a round-trip plane ticket, gratis! Where are you going?

Scotland — to bathe in sacred waterfalls, explore ancient ruins + learn a few sea shanties.

Always in your carry-on luggage: 

My laptop, my iPod, hand sanitizer, lip balm, a water bottle, a pack of Orbit gum, a roasted vegetable wrap that I grabbed in the airport terminal (usually soggy + mediocre — one of these days I’ll remember to pack a proper lunch!).

Plain, train, boat, motorcycle, or car?

Train. Pure romance!

HOME

How do you want your home to feel?

Luxurious, well-appointed, simple, clean + sexy.

What’s on your bedside table?

A stack of books, my diary, a pen, a Voluspa candle and a tall glass of water.

FOR WRITERS

What do you do when you’re feeling uninspired to put pencil to paper?

When I’m uninspired, I don’t write. I do something else. Once I stop ‘trying’ so hard, inspiration inevitably returns.

Your writing hero?

Oscar Wilde — forever!

Finally . . . please tell us what you’re most passionate about right now!

Right now, I’m tremendously passionate about …

Eye contact. Flirting. Over-the-top gratitude. Hand-written letters.

Saying thank you.

Even when you don’t “need” to.

Just because you want to.

ALEXANDRA FRANZEN wants to live in a world where emails are short, love letters are brave and every “thank you” note is scribbled by hand.

As a positivity-charged blogger + writing instructor, she’s been spotlighted on The Daily Love, The Daily Muse, MindBodyGreen, Fast Company, Forbes and The Huffington Post.

Her first book — 50 Ways To Say You’re Awesome — is available now, wherever fine + fabulous books are sold.

Her virtual homebase?  AlexandraFranzen.com.

I loved Alexandra’s book, 50 Ways to Say You’re Awesome, so much that I bought 3 copies.

And, I’m gifting a copy to 3 of you!  All you must do is:

1.  Choose someone that you think is AWESOME.

2.  Tell them why they are so AWESOME in the comments section.

3.  Send them the link to the blog post so they can read your declaration of their awesomeness.

4.  If they respond to your comment, you will be eligible for the giveaway!

5.  Three readers will be chosen by the end of the week!

By the way, YOU, yes, YOU are AWESOME!!!

Love, Kisses & Awesomeness,

Tonya