Little Help...

This past week I was in London- one of my favorite cities in the world! I traveled alone and stayed at a co-work/ co-live space called Roam in Chelsea. This was my first co-living experience, and it was pretty great. It felt like a cross between the Real World and Soho House. Lots of creative and entrepreneurial people living and working out of London. Good people to work beside, have an end of the day chat with, or even grab a drink. And, as I found out, call upon when you need help.

(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.)

(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.)

If you've ever been sick (I mean bedridden, can't even walk up the stairs, might throw up at any moment sick) while alone in a foreign country, you know how hard and scary it can be. This is exactly the situation I found myself in after getting a round of food poisoning. And, what I learned is this- you can ask for help. A complete stranger (also staying at Roam) went to the store to get me electrolyte water and plain crackers. And another very new friend who I also met at Roam went to the pharmacy and brought back activated charcoal (which, btw, I will always bring with me whilst traveling from now on). 

In the past, I was not one to ask for help. We Eagan's pride ourselves on pushing through and being strong. Yet, this time I heard my intuition nudging me to get some help. And to accept it, without guilt or shame. It was kind of a big deal for me. And I'm so grateful to those who did help when I needed it. Sure, I could have gotten through it on my own (maybe?) but it was nice to ask and get some of the support I needed. To better take care of myself. 

Be willing to ask for help, and offer to help when you see the chance.

I'm happy to report that I've recovered and am seeing this otherwise challenging experience as a new beginning. A sort of reset button to keep my body clean (inside and out) and healthy. Onwards and upwards!

Eco Outfit:

TOP, NIA #zerowaste #local #ethical

TROUSERS, NIA #zerowaste #local #ethical

JACKET, The Sway #upcycled #ethicalproduction

BOOTS, (similar to ones shown) Rag & Bone #madeinItaly

My friend Merica, from NIA, sent over pieces from her new collection and I fell in love with them! So soft, incredibly comfortable, and very stylish. What I liked most is how well they wear together- almost like a jumpsuit, but easier to get in and out of. The pattern and design are top notch and I can't wait to see what else she comes up with!

Photos shot in Boulder, CO by Kimberly Johnson of Kind Honey Photography.

Make Space

I was having dinner with a couple of remarkable ladies the other night, and our conversation veered towards a vulnerable place. Through the natural flow of conversation we found ourselves identifying and speaking up for the need to make space. I'm not talking about cleaning out your closet, though I'm a fan of that too. What we were connecting to was the real and necessary human need we have to create enough space in our lives and minds to gain clarity and ask ourselves what we truly want from this 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.)

It was a powerful realization. I had been sharing my story of how I moved to LA last year and had an extremely challenging time. It was one of the hardest years of my life, to date. Yet, with that experience, I found my way and without a road map I began to make space for myself. I made time to read. I hiked almost daily in the Santa Monica Mountains and would prompt myself to think about what I wanted to do next on the way up, while letting it all go and simply appreciating the view and the fresh air on the way down. I wrote morning pages, and listened to smart and interesting podcasts. I attended conferences and dinner parties with inspiring people. Somehow, some part of me knew that I needed to push myself to expand and create more space to see what was possible. 

And through this make shift process I found myself again. With clarity and focus I received guidance from within. It was (and still is) incredible. It wasn't until I was sharing this at dinner and one of the women pointed out the value of creating that space that I realized how important the process was. Or that my doing it created a model for others. I want to do some version of it regularly. It's a way of checking in with our truest selves, I think. How about you? How do you make space for yourself and align with what's truly wanted of you in this life?

ECO OUTFIT DETAILS

For this look, I pulled this dress from Penny Lane Cooperative. PLC is a local store in Jackson, Wyoming that showcases work and products from local artists. It's fantastic! The owner, Andi Keenan, has done an amazing job of curating a clothing boutique in the front of the space and housing pop-up stalls featuring a variety of local artists and producers in the back. As an active member of the community, she uses the space regularly to host how-to parties (they recently had one about making essential oil blends and beauty products!) and community events. 

I'm thrilled PLC is part of our small town scene, and can't wait to engage more fully with this special place. Check out their EVENTS page to see what's on deck!

Photos by Cole Buckhart. :) 

Wait for it...

When I was fourteen, my Grandpa gifted me a fly fishing lesson with an outfitter called Reel Women. They taught me how to tie on my first fly and cast from ten to two, with just the right amount of pause on the back cast. I don't remember if I caught a fish that day, but I do remember loving the motion, serenity, and one-pointed concentration of fly fishing. I was hooked, and have been doing it every since.

(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.)

One of the things I love most about fly fishing is the game of it. You have to choose the right fly that the fish want to eat, cast it out to them in a natural way, and then allow it to float in the water (sometimes for long stretches) and wait for a fish to take the bait. If I were limited to two words to describe fly fishing I would say: presentation and patience. 

I feel like I'm learning this lesson of patience and waiting in my life- not just on the rivers and creeks. I've been doing Jess Lively's Flow With Intention Online course this month (I did it the first time in February) which is all about finding flow in your life.  She says to find alignment before action, and to wait for inspired action. Sounds easy. In real life, it can be tricky sometimes. The waiting game- especially when you're an entrepreneur- feels like a death sentence. Yet, I can actually feel my intuition nudging me to just wait and see. To trust the timing and maybe just this once flow instead of force... So, my fly is cast on the river of life and I feel myself fluctuating between being very zen and totally freaking out about the wait. But I'm waiting. Waiting until it feels like the right time to take action, and even learning to enjoy the process. 

Eco Outfit Details

BARCLAY TOP, Aventura $75 #organiccotton 

BRAMWELL VEST, Aventura $99 #ethicallymade

For this post I partnered with Aventura and loved learning about the brand's commitment to creating every day pieces with a country twist while upholding ethical and sustainable practices. If you live in the mountains, or have a trip coming up- definitely check them out!

We shot these photos at Astoria Hot Springs, which is where I learned to swim when I was little! I'm thrilled to share that the Trust for Public Land’s efforts to revive Astoria Hot Springs Park, as a new 100-acre, public park, centered around an innovative, affordable new outdoor public hot springs facility succeeded! To learn more about how you can support visit AstoriaHotSpringsPark.com.

Photos by the one and only Cole Buckhart. 

Go Your Own Way

I'm currently enrolled in Brooke Castillo's Self Coaching Scholars program. Jess Lively (one of my favorites in the self growth sphere) interviewed her on the Lively Show podcast (many thanks Eunique from Stranded On Land for introducing me!) and I felt like, 'That's my coach.' I'd been curious about life coaching and felt like the topic kept coming up amongst my girlfriends. I wanted coaching on how to go above and beyond my current potential and put some effort in that space to see what I could unlock. It takes work, and the work is worth it.

(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 really enjoying SCS. Brooke is a no nonsense lady with a big heart, and she provides amazing structure and a model to work through on the daily to get in the right mindset to achieve your dreams. If you need a kick in the butt to get going, you should listen to her podcast on productivity. Talk about getting shit done!

Everything was going great and then this last week I kind of hit a speed bump. So much of what Jess talks about on the Lively Show is about flow, and I did her Flow With Intention Course in the spring and it set me on a totally new trajectory for which I am very grateful. I feel like I'm having to balance the action oriented structure of SCS with the 'go with the flow' approach that Jess shares. This past week was challenging. I struggled to find my way and what felt like the 'right way' of working. 

Luckily, I went on a walk with my friend Liz Gibbs, who simply stated that we can take in the advice and methodology of others and then we have to make it our own. The good news is, we really do know how to make it our own. Just listen to yourself and you'll feel the guidance. She reminded me of this, and I felt it right away. 

Brooke's structuring is a little overboard for me, and that's okay. I can be inspired by her methods and then apply them as they work for me (ie: planning out each week instead of the entire month). I do the same with what I am getting from Jess. I do think that finding that good feeling before I act is important, and I'm leaving room in my schedule for that, while balancing my 'to do' list from Brooke. 

It feels important to have goals and things we are invested in and building or working towards. At the same time, I think it's necessary to enjoy life in the current moment and allow time for the things and people we enjoy. I'll admit that finding the balance isn't always easy, but being aware of it and putting attention there feels like a step in the right direction. In the end, I hear Fleetwood Mac in my head telling me to... 'Go your own way!'

Eco Outfit Details

LEATHER JACKET, The Sway, $600 #upcylcedleather #ethicallymade

KNIT DRESS (similar to one shown), Everlane $38 #ethicallymade #transparent

BAG, Ona Villier $145 #handmade #artisanmade #ethicallymade 

BOOTS (similar to one shown), Everlane $225 #madeinItaly #ethciallymade #naturalfibers  

Looking for handmade, high quality bags that you can afford? Enter Ona Villier. Their bags are artisan made in the Mediterranean using bovine leather from Spain and Italy. FMG readers can take 20% off when you use the come 'welcome20' at checkout. 

Trust Yourself

I was recently chatting with Betsy Hosp, the author behind an upcoming book called Power of One Woman. She had asked me some questions for her book, and in the process sent me time traveling back to my youth. To my teenage years where I was exploring who I was and who I wanted to become. I don't know if you felt this way, but for me thirteen was a hard ass year to get through. Never had I felt so unsure of myself and how I wanted to present myself to the world. Plus hormones. Despite the hardship of that year, and trying to 'fit in' while being true to myself, I learned a valuable life lesson. I learned to trust myself. And, in some form or another, have been doing it ever since. 

(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 say 'some form or another' because it hasn't always been straightforward. There were times I felt far from myself and unsure of what I wanted. Yet, it always came back to me. I think when we are quiet enough and sit with ourselves long enough, we hear the guidance we are seeking... from non other than our very own selves. 

I believe there is a greater part of ourselves that is plugged directly into the Bigger Picture (what some may call Source, the Universe or God), and that part of ourselves (souls, spirit, etc) has our wellbeing in mind, and knows exactly what we truly desire and is orchestrating events around us to bring those desires into fruition. All we have to do is tune in and let that part of ourselves do the guiding. I apply this across the board! From picking out the clothes I want to wear, to the food I want to eat, to the words I type in a blog post or email. You know what I'm talking about, right? It's that inner tug you feel that nudges you to say yes or say no. Or an inspired thought to reach out to someone, or pick up a copy of the newspaper where you later read an article that speaks directly to you. 

I truly believe we all know what we want. We do. Put all the BS and excuses aside. If you keep expectations, judgements, and social norms out of it, you can more clearly follow yourself and trust that you know exactly how to create the life and the YOU that you are craving. 

Eco Outfit Details:

WORKOUT CROP BRA TOP, Cotton On Body (gifted) #ethicalsourcing #ethicalproduction

SHIMMER CROP TIGHT, Cotton On Body (gifted) #ethicalsourcing #ethicalproduction 

Cotton On is a brand that came onto my radar last year. They're an Australian brand that is quickly expanding across the globe. As an Australian brand, it was no surprise to learn they have a strong ethical and environmental commitment as a company. They ensure ethical and transparent production with their manufacturing partners as well as considered environmental actions to cut emissions and participate in recycling in their distribution logistics. 

Cotton On Body asked me to collaborate with them for their August sustainability campaign, and I'm excited to showcase their eco efforts. While they are not an 'eco brand' I commend their commitment to actively incorporating eco and ethical standards as part of their brand DNA. By 2018 they've vowed to source all cotton aligned with the Better Cotton Initiative. When big brands make commitments like this, it really moves the needle. Nice work Cotton On Body! 

Photos taken at Slide Lake in Jackson Hole, WY by the talented Mr. Cole Buckhart.