Future Positive

In the game of golf there is a term I love called Future Positive. It refers to your mental state as you play the game and more specifically right before you hit your next shot. Each time you step up to hit, you can either tell yourself, "Don't mess up this shot" (which is focusing on what you don't want to do- mess up the shot) or you can tell yourself, "I've got this and I am going to hit it straight." We get what we think about, so I try really hard to catch myself when a negative thought comes floating by. And instead of latching onto that thought and making it my own, I release it and replace it with a positive one. I do this in all aspects of my life.

(Disclosure: This site uses affiliate links. All products are chosen at my discretion and promoted as other blogs promote products that reflect the lifestyle of the blogger, brand, and ethos. I only post brands and items I support.)

Let me give you a real life example. Summer is a busy time and lately I have been feeling overwhelmed with everything I have and want to do each day. My instant thought is, "I have too much to do and not enough time!" I stop and recognize how that thought is not making me feel good, and then I choose to replace it with a new thought: "I have enough time to do it all, and everything is working out perfectly for me." This thought calms my mind and limbic system. It helps me then approach my day from a positive mindset instead of a lack mindset, and guess what... I do get everything done and it works out perfectly. 

Can you relate to this? Stay positive my friends, it will change your world like you never imagined!

ECO OUTFIT

Parker Vintage Cutoff Jeans, AGOLDE, $128 #100%cotton #naturalfibers

Mallory Off the Shoulder Lace Top, Walter Baker, $74 #100%cotton #naturalfibers

Berri Platform Slip-On Sneaker (similar to ones shown), Matt & Nat, $54 #vegan 

Photos taken by Cole Buckhart at String Lake in Jackson Hole, WY. 

Trailblazer

We drove up to String Lake in the late afternoon. It's June, but somehow still feels like early season. The mountains are snowcapped and the parking lot is surprisingly bare. I can hardly contain the joy in my heart as I hike the familiar trail. Memories of fly fishing, singing silly songs to keep the bears away, and packing a picnic lunch to eat along the rocky shore flood my mind. Trails all around Jackson and Grand Teton National Park hold pieces of me and my childhood within them like magical time capsules. Maybe that's why when recently asked what my favorite outdoor activity is I answered, "Hiking." 

(Disclosure: This site uses affiliate links. All products are chosen at my discretion and promoted as other blogs promote products that reflect the lifestyle of the blogger, brand, and ethos. I only post brands and items I support.)

I grew up hiking, and although I always enjoyed it, I remember the moment it shifted for me. Shifted into something both cathartic and soul-filling (is that a word? I am making it a word! Who doesn't want their soul to be filled?). I was visiting my friend Tanya (the fab lady behind A Boy Named Sue) in Hong Kong to work on a photo shoot for their site. Each day we did 4-5 hours of work, and then we would head out on a hike... in the middle of Hong Kong! I had no idea that such a metropolitan place had access to hiking, but Tanya did. She knew all the trails and confessed that is was the only thing that kept her sane. She also disclosed to me that she often schedules a 'hike meet-up' rather than a coffee or drink to get her exercise in while catching up with friends or new collaborators. It's genius, and I have since adopted her athletic rendezvous practice.

Last year, when I lived in LA, I remembered Tanya's beautiful balance of urban life and nature, and even though the ocean was so close, the hills called to me. The Santa Monica Mountains provided the terrain and hiking them became the best part of my day. I read a book called Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It, and took the author's approach to seeing the root of everything as love- beginning with self love. On the hike up I would churn the Universe and think about all the things I wanted to solve in my life and how. And on the way down, I would let it all go, and repeat one simple phrase over and over again: "I love myself. I love myself. I love myself." I called them my Love Hikes. And, man, were they powerful. I still do Love Hikes, and Rendezvous Hikes, and lately I've returned to the old classic- Appreciation Hikes. Lost in awe of the beauty around me, my mind goes from one thought of appreciation to another. 

So, when Micah from Haumeya got in touch to see about collaborating to feature their eco leggings, I felt a hiking post was perfect. Made from 65% plant-based fabric made from wood pulp, their leggings are incredibly soft while retaining their shape and elasticity. My favorite part is the sideways pocket in the waistband in the back. Designed to keep your phone snug and secured, it allowed me to be hands-free with comfort and ease. I'm a fan. Interested in getting a pair for yourself? Check out their Kickstarter page to pre-order a pair. 

If you find yourself in the Jackson Hole area, these are a few of my favorite hikes: Cache Creek, Death Canyon, Ski Lake and the Old Pass Road. And, if you are in the West LA area, check out Los Leones, Temescal Canyon, and Mandeville Canyon. Also- please share your favorite hikes in the comments section below! 

ECO OUTFIT

CROPPED TEE, The Lost Travel Tshirt Company #tencel #ecofabric 

PLAID BUTTON DOWN, IOU Project (similar style), #fair #artisanmade 

LEGGINGS, (gifted) Haumeya #plantbasedfabric #social #local #ecofabric

FLYKNIT SHOES, Nike #recycleable #zerowaste

NON-TOXIC SUNSCREEN, BeautyCounter #nontoxic #natural #zinc #physicalblocker

NON-TOXIC BUG SPRAY, Four Elements #nontoxic #natural 

Photos by the talented Cole Buckhart, in Jackson Hole, WY. Many thanks to Haumeya for sponsoring this post. 

Morticia Adams

I've never been one to 'celebrate' Halloween, but I will admit that some of those classic movies and characters that seem to make a comeback each year hit the spot. From BeetleJuice to Death Becomes Her, and The Adams Family, I have fond memories of staying up late with friends during sleepovers and scheming costumes to trick or treat in. Fast forward to today and I find myself taking fashion cues from the icons- among them Morticia Adams. Though, not a literal translation into a costume, I was excited to create a modern look inspired by Morticia. 

(Disclosure: This site uses affiliate links. All products are chosen at my discretion and promoted as other blogs promote products that reflect the lifestyle of the blogger, brand, and ethos. I only post brands and items I support.)

I suppose all I would need to take this from an everyday outfit to 'Rad Costume' status is a pair of heels, white body paint, eyeliner (for eyes and eyebrows) and some lipstick. Hmmm, maybe I will indulge in the make-believe of Halloween after all... Hope you all have a fun and safe one! 

Eco Outfit Details

LONG SLEEVE LACE SHIRT DRESS, Reclaimed Vintage #upcycled #reclaimedfabric (This piece is currently on sale for $25! Snatch it up!)

LONG SLIP DRESS, (similar to one shown) Averti #madeinUSA #local #silk #naturalfibers

BUCKET BAG, Baggu via Amour Vert (gifted) #naturalmilledleather #madeinUSA

ANKLE BOOTS, (similar to ones shown) Charlotte Stone via Amour Vert

Photos by Felicia Lasala. 

FMG TV: Five Tips for Successful Thrift Store Shopping

Thrift store shopping can be intimidating for even the most seasoned shopper. Yet, unique gems and steeply discounted designer goods make it well worth it. Watch this short video to learn my five tips for a successful trip to the secondhand store.

(Disclosure: This site uses affiliate links. All products are chosen at my discretion and promoted as other blogs promote products that reflect the lifestyle of the blogger, brand, and ethos. I only post brands and items I support.)

And, as always, please feel free to weigh in with your own tips and favorite thrift stores in the comments. Here are my go-to thrift stores:

SECOND TIME AROUND, New York City- Nolita, NY. When I lived in NYC this was a staple for me. A great place to bring items and pick up a couple while they sift through your pile. I always found it best suited supplying that certain piece I needed to make an outfit work. Great for basics and wardrobe builders. 

WASTELAND, Los Angeles- Melrose, CA. Where the cool kids and social media mavens like Gigi Hadid and Kendal Jenner shop. Perfect for incorporating the LA vibe into your wardrobe with a range of mainstream to designer fashion finds.

COMMON THREADS, Boulder CO. A really great curation of contemporary and designer fashion wares. I usually pick up a pair of shoes and a top or two when I visit.

MOSS, Austin TX. For those who care about fashion with a capital F. This designer resale store puts every other secondhand store to shame! Such a lovely space and curated to a T. Everything is in premium condition and hits a super high style standard. Plus, the gals that work there act as personal stylist to guide you. 

The Sun Also Sets

I feel like the Universe has been trying to deliver a message to me lately... Well, one message with two parts. The first part is that change is constant in life. And, as I am learning, change is an agent for growth. Change can be scary and hard, and sometimes even painful when we are experiencing loss, but it wouldn't exist in this world if it didn't serve a purpose. That purpose is to fuel our growth- as friends, lovers, family members, leaders, inventors, etc. To get us to look inside and introspect and to also adapt as we reach for our dreams. The second part is that in order to embrace change we have to be willing to leave things and people who no longer serve us behind. It isn't because they are bad or wrong, it is just because we are entering into a new stage where we may need new resources and experiences to keep growing and evolving. I find it very hard to let go. I always have. So this is my current test. To embrace change and with it allow for past comforts to fade away. As they say, onward and upward!

(Disclosure: This site uses affiliate links. All products are chosen at my discretion and promoted as other blogs promote products that reflect the lifestyle of the blogger, brand, and ethos. I only post brands and items I support.)

Eco Outfit Details

DENIM BUTTON DOWN, American Eagle #secondhand #naturalfibers

JEANS, Acne Studios #naturalfibers

HAT, borrowed from a friend #sharedfashion

BEADED BELT, borrowed from a friend #sharedfashion

Photos by Cole Buckhart in Jackson, WY.