Posts tagged mindful living
Mused: Sweet Summer Solstice
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Today is summer solstice (in the northern hemisphere) - the longest day of the year.  It's officially summer.  Kapha season is over, and we may be ready for beaches, barbecues, and fun in the sun.  Well, maybe not.  I have been feeling incredibly inward lately.  Perhaps because I miss the ocean while living landlocked in the desert, which is a new experience for me.  Or perhaps it’s because we are entering Cancer season, and I'm feeling like I need a crab shell right now.  Regardless, it has been a whirlwind of a time with many shifts and a bit of chaos.  Finding comfort is a year-round task, not reserved just for cold months.  Yet in the summer, we generally want to transform comfort into ease.  Fluidity.  Movement.  Effortlessness.  Life does not always give this to us; however, we can use our objects and surroundings intentionally, in order to pause and practice presence (with ease).  Here are some objects to practice with, as well as a playlist for fluidity and perhaps some fun.  I've included a suggested practice in the first featured item of this round-up, and you can browse the Holiday Self-Care Guide for more rituals ideas here.

Brittany Bogan is a Los Angeles based artist.  I recently came across her work and felt immediately captivated by her use of color, texture, and shape.  You can find more of her work here.

Observe a work of art.  Whether it’s a piece you own hanging in your home, or a work pictured in a book, sit with it for 20 minutes.  Set the timer.  Allow yourself to be in an awareness state, which means that you will be observing what comes up without judgement.  This is a neutral practice.  Journal after the experience.  I suggest doing this once a week with the same work for one month, so that you can track the evolution of your experience.  

I first tried on Nu Swim four years ago at one of my staple Los Angeles stores, Passenger.  It was my favorite and most-worn suit until it unfortunately went missing in Palm Springs on my way to NM in the fall.  After originating in California, Nu Swim is now based in New York and manufactured sustainably in the USA.  Their pieces are made with regenerated synthetics, mixed with natural materials "that can be worn as an uncomplicated second skin."  Their fabrics are incredibly comfortable, durable, and truly feel like second skin.  I’ve been loving the new color-ways, and this specific suit gives that pop of liveliness I’ve been feeling I need right now. Wear it to the beach/pool/river, or under your favorite pair of slouchy denim.

Winden is a jewelry and accessories company by my dear friend, Becca.  I own the barrette shown above (that’s actually me pictured in it), and I wear it on the regular.  It's the perfect small accessory for summer to keep hair off of the face when dealing with the heat.  Winden is based here in Santa Fe, and every piece of jewelry is made my hand using recycled materials.  The barrettes are made in France using plant-based plastic.  Becca is a true artist and not only designs the pieces herself, but also works with her hands using metal and stone to create the original designs.  I often find her working in her studio when I go to visit her at home.  She is meticulous as they come, and I respect and honor her process.  Browse more items here.

I came across Lady White Co. while shopping in County Ltd. in Silver Lake.  I got to know one of the founders, Taylor, a bit because I frequented the store.  I love to support businesses owned by people who are not only passionate about what they do, but who also live by the lifestyle they are prescribing.  The brand started off as a t-shirt company, and has since expanded into sportswear.  I own one of their tees and hope to acquire some more pieces.  The sweatpants shown above are made of 100% cotton fleece and perfect for chilly summer nights here in Santa Fe.  The thermal is also 100% cotton and milled in Los Angeles.  It's rare to find basics made in interesting silhouettes, and this is something I value, as my wardrobe is made of transitional basics.  All of their pieces can easily be unisex.

Klur is a female, black-owned “botanically based collection of high-performance skincare and multi-purpose self-care products.” The founder, Lesley, who also happens to be a dear friend of mine, formulated the line based on her clients.  She's been a working esthetician for 10 years and has a wealth of knowledge on every ingredient in her line.   Klur is not only an ethical and sustainable company, but also an inclusive one.  All products are unisex and made for all people of all ages.  Here is an excerpt from their site:  "we believe that sustainability not only means addressing the long-term impact on our ecosystem but that we must also make products that meet the demands of everyday life."  I love this.  There is no point in accumulating and accumulating products that aren’t meant for everyday use.  Klur is a highly active, yet simple approach to clean beauty.  I use the Gentle Matter cleanser and Symmetry Fluid every single day.  The Skin Soil pictured above is the perfect addition to a summer skin routine, in order to remove excess residue from sweat.  I hope to incorporate this gentle exfoliator as well as the Brilliant Light serum into my routine soon.

I love a good summer knit.  There may be no better feeling than drying off after a dip in the ocean or a pool as the sun is setting and pulling a knit over your swimsuit.  Ply Knits “is a series of gentle, essential knitwear made by Carolyn Yim at her family's third-generation factory.”  Carolyn uses mostly recycled or deadstock yarn to make Ply’s beautiful pieces.  The simplicity and attention to detail in each piece is enviable.  The Eastern T-Shirt, shown above, comes in a few different color combinations.  Browse more here.

Shaina Mote is one of my absolute favorite fashion brands.  This female-owned and designed company creates the most effortlessly elegant pieces that feel current yet timeless.  I gasped when I saw this sheer top on my Instagram feed, as the introduction to the Air Collection, made of deadstock silk organza and satins.  Shaina Mote is a sustainable brand and all pieces are designed and made in Los Angeles.  They “are dedicated to fair, American made production," and “have centered [their] ethos and practices around supporting the local economy and nurturing the trades and skills found within domestic garment manufacturing."  Enough said (or rather, written).

I love the name of the ceramics studio, Salad Days, because it shares the name of an album title with one of my favorite artists, Mac Demarco.  Salad Days Ceramics are handmade by Lucy Coote in Berhampore, Wellington.  She makes wheel thrown and hand built pieces in her home studio, with a focus on function and tactility, in order to create pieces for everyday use and enjoyment.  All pieces are made from stoneware and earthenware clays.  These jugs are simple and stunning and perfect for cold summer drinks.

F. Miller Skincare is owned by my dear friend, Fran Miller.  Yes, I have a lot of dear friends, and three of them are featured here today.  My friends make cool shit.  This past fall, Fran sent me one of her tie dye tees made from 100% organic Egyptian cotton.  I basically live in it. She uses natural materials to dye them with, such as sandalwood and avocado skins.  Each tee is one of a kind, and I featured the Marfa above.  Also browse her amazing line of skin/beauty care.  

Don’t forget to listen to the playlist here.

In Process: A Poem
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It is with my cup of tea that I take an inward breath before exhaling

It is while pouring the hot water that I experience the welcomed warmth of steam enveloping my face

It is how putting pen to paper transforms stagnation into fluidity.  

Our objects help us to be in process

They allow us to work with our hands

To find beauty in the mundane and meditation in the minutia.  

Our objects enable us to touch, to feel, to be in our bodies

The sensual experience of sliding a ring against the soft skin of a finger, 

of intertwining legs in warm linen sheets, 

of touching lips to the smooth ceramic surface of a mug

This is in process.


In process there are no shoulds or should nots

only inhales and exhales

even through the hardships

the heartbreaks

the messiness

the misunderstandings

In process there is breath

and therefore, breadth.

In process we experience

the small moments that teach us 

the presence of being alive 

and being alive does not always feel the way we want it to 

as it can be heart wrenching, unkind, gruesome, and painful

but in the presence of whatever arises, we come back to the essence of truth -

Objects are inanimate without us

home is inherently within us 

bring them inward 

to guide yourself home 

as even here, you are

in process.

In Her Shoes x St. Agni
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KNOWING WHAT YOU DO NOW, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

"To dive in. To be bold and fearless and unapologetic in my own skin. To not be so afraid to completely draw outside of the lines. I drew on the border, teetering on the edge, but I would tell myself to go way past that border. I’m so sick of ‘should-ing’ on myself - no more!"

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WHAT ARE THREE THINGS THAT ARE INSPIRING YOU RIGHT NOW?

"Boundaries. Less Stuff. Old art books. Also as a bonus - chairs (always). "

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WHICH ELEMENT OF YOUR WORK DO YOU THRIVE OFF THE MOST?

"Childlike creativity. Being able to create from that space of total intuitive drive. It’s the thing that scares me the most, yet I trust it more than I fear it because it only gets me closer to my truth. I really love creating in secret. Alone. When no one is near, and I can create without self-judgement. "

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WHAT DOES BEAUTY LOOK LIKE TO YOU?

"To me, beauty without intention really isn’t beautiful. It feels empty. We can emphasize the marriage of beauty and intention by realizing that they are the same. That beauty comes from mindfulness, from nature, from slowing down, from our hearts. Beauty looks like truth."

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I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with and being photographed by the lovely Claire Cottrell a few weeks ago for St. Agni - a Byron Bay based ethical fashion company specializing in shoes and clothing by Lara & Matt Fells.  Their pieces look seamless because they are not only beautifully and thoughtfully designed, but also easy and wearable.

You can find my interview - which includes my career path, music I'm listening to, my morning ritual, and more - on their journal here.  I'm so grateful to be apart of their In Her Shoes series.  

Photography:  Claire Cottrell 

Interview Intro:  Erin Watts of The Atelier

Clothing + Shoes:  St. Agni

Mused: Winter Whites (& Lights)
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I love warm, creamy white tones, but I don't forego this color palette in the winter.  I embrace it.  Perhaps because I live in Los Angeles, and we don't get snow here.  Whatever the reason, the items pictured above are soothing and cozy for the colder months.  For those of you who are afraid to wear white, I added a few light neutrals into the mix.  I am someone who spills and cannot keep things clean, but I always have Dr. Bronner's with me, and it works wonderfully for getting rid of stains.  Browse all items below while listening to this dreamy playlist.

Pansy is my favorite underwear brand.  I don't wear underwire bras for health and comfort reasons, but I would live in Pansy regardless.  Their pieces are soft (visually and to the touch) and beautiful.  All of their products are made ethically of organic cotton.  You can purchase this set or others here.

This rug from Faire Studio looks like the coziest place to meditate, practice breathwork on, or simply walk across.  I love the texture and pattern, and if you're looking for something even simpler, they offer a pattern-free version.  Their rugs and pillows are sustainably made with recycled materials - designed in Paris and woven in the Iberian mountains.

If I could only own one item of clothing, I would get rid of everything but my Kamm Pants (I realize I'd then be topless, so I'd have to keep a Pansy bra as well).  Kamm pants are my absolute favorite staple in my wardrobe.  Yes, they are an investment, but they will last, and you will wear them multiple times per week (I live in mine).  They are classic and chic, and you can wear them casually with sneakers or dress them up with heels (also to mention, they're incredibly comfortable and durable).  I am loving this style (the Ranger) for the colder months, when I want my legs to be protected.  If you're apprehensive to wear a true white but want the same look, here they are in naturalJesse Kamm designs her collections here in Los Angeles, where the clothing is also produced.  

Lite + Cycle is a beautiful company that creates fragrances for the home and body made of therapeutic-grade essential oils.  They also donate a portion of every sale to charities that help bring solar-power light to communities around the world in need of electricity.  Their candles are designed with so much attention to detail - purchase here.

I love small bags that feel like second skin.  Especially this one,  because it ties around the waist -  it will stay with you.  Are Studio bags are designed and hand-made in Los Angeles.  Here is the Disc photographed by Alexis Nelly.  

Leaves and Flowers creates handcrafted herbal infusions and premium small batch teas.  I've been drinking their sleep tea all winter.  I steep it with my tea infuser before bed every evening.  Not only is it potent, but it's also beautiful and fragrant - it's smooth, warming, and minty.  You can purchase it here.

You may already have picked up that I love ceramics.  Anything with an earthy texture will get me.  The Terra Surface mount from Cedar and Moss is no exception.  It lived in the kitchen of my last home, and I miss it dearly.  It comes in many colors, but my main crush is for the "bone" finish.

Tune in here.