Ruffled Denim

July 9, 2017

"Face fear and it ceases to exist" is a favorite quote of mine. Whenever I am starting something new, or headed out to an event without a wingman (or wing-woman), I feel those first pangs of discomfort. They warn me that I am about to embark on something that could possibly be uncomfortable. I've learned to acknowledge that warning (usually my ego talking) and say, "thank you for your concern, but I think I'll try this thing anyways, and see what happens."

(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'm learning and growing all the time. I'm beginning to believe that that is what life is all about. Expansion of ourselves through experience and desire. If you are on the Abraham Hicks boat, you'll resonate with that. I've been exploring their view on life and it feels really good to me. To see every day and every opportunity as a way to expand who we are. Good experiences and bad- they offer us value if we are ready to receive it. Sometimes that is way more easily said than done, but I still like to keep it floating around my mind.

The water may not always be calm, but if we dive in, I think we will find the experience more exhilerating than we could have imagined.

You can't experience new lands from the confines of your comfort zone. -Jen Sincero from You are a Badass at Making Money

ECO OUTFIT:

STRAPPY CROP TOP, Cossac (gifted) #madeinEurope #local #sustainablefabric

FRAYED HEM JEANS, I used a pair of hand-me-down jeans and this DIY Tutorial to create my own pair of on-trend jeans. :)

TREE NECKLACE, Haumeya (gifted) #social

Cossac reached out to me to collaborate and I instantly felt that the brand might be too cool for me (haha)! I'm thrilled Cossac is in the eco fashion space creating cool girl pieces that are super easy to wear and made ethically. I have a feeling we will be seeing more Cossac in my wardrobe... As long as I up my coolness factor. ;) Definitely check them out!

Photos by Mr. Cole Buckhart at String Lake in Jackson Hole, WY. Many thanks to Cossac for sponsoring this post.

Trailblazer

June 26, 2017

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."

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.

What to Wear on a Resort Vaca: Part 3

December 27, 2016

Winter is in full force, and although I love the cooler temps and the many layers, a mid-January trip to a tropical locale has me daydreaming. If you are lucky enough to have an upcoming trip on the calendar (what a way to start 2017!) I hope you will find my series on What to Wear on a Resort Vaca helpful. Part three is all about what to wear to dinner. If you missed parts 1 & 2, you can check them out here, and here.

In hot climates, you wear next to nothing all day- just to stay cool. So dinner is a special time to show off your style and take things up a notch. Remember, you're on vacation so stick to flat sandals and little makeup to hold onto your relaxed vibe. Jewelry and a statement clutch, like the one featured here from Seek Wander Share, add a little something extra without trying too hard.

I hope you've enjoyed this series and that it comes in handy as you pack for your any warm weather getaways in your future. Please share your own outfit picks and tips in the comments below. xx

eco outfit details

PASTEL CLUTCH, Seek Wander Share #madeinGuatemala #handmade #artisanmade #fairtrade #ethical

MAXI DRESS, Free People #madeinUSA #naturalfibers

SANDALS, K Jacques #madeinSaintTropez #handmade

JEWELRY, (similar to shown) assortment of pieces from Reve en Vert #reclaimedmetal #fair #handmade #local #ethical

LIP GLOSS, Youngblood Cosmetics #nontoxic

Many thanks to Seek Wander Share for sponsoring this post. Photos and video footage by the talented Felicia Lasala.

Patching it Together

November 7, 2016

This past weekend I attended the Awesome Women Entrepreneurs conference at Wanderlust in West Hollywood. What I loved most was the intersection of spirit and business. I don't know if it's a female thing and just a natural disposition we have to operate from a place of intuition and connectedness to do business, but it was wonderful to acknowledge and affirm the importance of both aspects.

The speakers were fabulous and the reading list super helpful. In case you weren't there, I've included my personal takeaways here.

Danielle La Porte- Her name has surfaced in my circle before, but I haven't yet studied her work or taken in her wise words. She gave an amazing talk on the stage that left the room buzzing with power and potential. I picked up a copy of her book The Desire Map, which is all about get clarity on what you want and setting goals that align with your soul. Can't wait to start! She also wrote the Fire Starter Sessions, which I had heard of and also would like to read.

Kate Northrup- Coincidentally (or not so) I was reading her book, Money: A Love Story, before I signed up to attend the conference. I've found it to be a great resource for looking out how you FEEL about money which subconscious instructs how you make it, manage it, and even value yourself. I fully recommend this book! The loudest message I heard was, "Your financial well-being is directly linked to your ability to be of the utmost service in this world. Your commitment to financial freedom is a commitment to the betterment of all beings."

Radha Agrawal- The co-founder of DayBreaker (a get up and dance 6:30- 8:30am sober dance party to start your day). Radha's energy and pure passion for her purpose to create businesses that make the world and everyone's experience of it better is so inspiring and contagious! Radha is a serial social entrepreneur and such a great example of where following your heart and curiosity can lead. I am going to my first DayBreaker event on November 16th in West LA. Join me?

Eco Outfit Details

RAW-HEMMED JEANS WITH BUTTERFLY PATCHES, Reclaimed Vintage #reclaimedmaterial #naturalfibers

PATCH POCKET BLOUSE (similar to one shown), Reclaimed Vintage #reclaimedmaterials #vintage

BLAZER (similar to one shown), Eileen Fisher #organic #fair #ethicallymade

ANKLE BOOTS (similar to ones shown), Everlane #transparent

SUNGLASSES, c/o Article One #ethicallymade #handcrafted #madeinItaly

Photos by Felicia Lasala. Special thanks to Article One for sponsoring this post.

Morticia Adams

October 31, 2016

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.

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!