I’m feeling inspired this week, and I’m embracing that feeling and looking for more inspiration in any place I can get it. More, more, more! Sometimes inspiration can come from interesting places and I have an interesting place to highlight today … a certain personal brand shall I say.

Iris Apfel … a long-time fashion icon who is now 99 years old and still influencing generations. Including me.

She’s famous for her fashion, her wisdom, and her interior design work. All three of which I am inspired by and aspire to as well. If you know me, then you know I’m a big fan of patterned and flowered shirts. My husband and I are completely into home design. And I’m a big shopper. Thank you Iris for inspiring all of that.

I would also add another element to Iris’s resume … marketer. Just look at how she has brilliantly positioned and marketed her own personal brand for decades. And still does at 99. That’s inspiring. That’s an aspiration.

One of the things I love about the Iris Apfel “brand” is her quotes. She’s known for her quotes and folks have done “top ten” lists of them many times over. They’re fun. They’re meaningful. They’re inspiring.

One of my favorites …

“When you don't dress like everyone else then you don't have to think like everyone else.”

And this one …

“I'm just inspired by being alive and breathing

and meeting people and talking to people

and doing things and absorbing what's happening.”

And then one more …

“If you're not interested, you're not interesting.”

So inspiring. Such an aspiration for how to live.

Iris Apfel is also the author of several books on fashion, style and life. Being an author was something that I always aspired to be as well. I recently picked up a signed copy of one of my favorites from her:

A national treasure. An incredible brand.

What’s your experience?