I’m honored to be featured on one of my favorite websites, Self Practice. If you don’t already frequent the site or follow along on Instagram - get on it. The founder, Lauren Trend, is a dear friend, and she is truly a wonderful human being. I am always inspired by her content, but mostly by her commitment to her own practice, in order to inspire others to create their own practices. There are so many beautiful intersections with the work of Object & Us. Interview below, and you can view it here.
Name: Paige Geffen
Occupation/Business/Creative Outlet: Interior Designer, Art Director, and Founder of Object & Us
Starsign: Leo (sun), Libra (rising), Gemini (moon)
Favourite Number: 21
First thing you did this morning? I made myself a hot reishi drink and went outside to view the beautiful landscape here.
What does 'wellness' mean to you? I see wellness as a holistic practice, yet there is no perfection. We don't graduate, so I believe we are constantly working towards wellness. 'Wellness' has become a trendy commodity, but it's something that cannot be bought. No matter the amount of herbs and healthy foods you buy, wellness comes from within. To me, wellness is about taking care of myself despite how messy life may be, despite how many supplements or items I don't have access to. Lately it's been about grounding in the midst of groundlessness.
Products found in your shower/by your bath? Every product by F. Miller skincare, Lesse Official face serum (need more!), Dr. Bronner's lavender soap
Three things that can always be found in your kitchen cupboard? Nettle & Oatstraw for infusions, Cinnamon, Himalayan Pink Salt.
Favourite kitchen utensil? This spoon from Wild Poppy Goods - I use it to scoop herbs, adaptogens, to grab the last bits of ghee from the bottom of the jar
Favourite Travel destination? I spent a month in Copenhagen 8 years ago, and I have been itching to go back. I honestly haven't traveled much for leisure in a long time, but I just moved to the countryside outside of Santa Fe, NM, and it's breathtaking here. I'm on an unknown, indefinite adventure. I highly recommend moving to a place you've never been before - it's exhilarating.
Currently reading? When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron, and An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin
Currently browsing (.com)? Locations for an upcoming shoot, and googling images of Timothee Chalamet ;)
Favourite breakfast food? Vegan/Paleo biscuit-like bread (I substitute flax meal for eggs in this easy-to-make box) or buckwheat with cinnamon & ghee, and breakfast sausages - in the spring/summer I make my go-to smoothie (avocado, blueberries, chard, almond butter, coconut butter, cinnamon, water).
Three items in your make up bag? 14ecosmetics foundation, a brow brush, some form of liquid/cream blush (still searching for the right brand).
An album/mix that calms your nervous system? Joni Mitchell's Blue. I have her lyrics tattooed on my forearm, and my dog is named after her. I am starting to tear up writing this. She is such a vision of freedom and independence, and I believe her voice can move mountains and bloom flowers simultaneously. Also, Moon Safari by Air, anything Cat Power, anything Jon Brion. I could go on and on...
An album/mix that hypes you up? Swim by Caribou, It's Album Time by Todd Terje, anything Arthur Russell, Sebastien Tellier. Again, I could go on and on...
Most commonly used apps on your phone? Instagram, Spotify
Favourite form of movement/exercise? Hiking, walking, and dancing - I like to keep it simple.
One thing you'd like to incorporate into your day/week that you're currently yet to? Yoga - I used to practice and stopped when I was advised by doctors to limit my exercise due to health issues. I feel ready to start again.
Nighttime rituals? I live by my rituals, and the work of Object & Us is rooted in rituals. I wash my face and put on a face oil, listen to theta waves and/or a calming playlist, write a gratitude list.
I feel most creatively fulfilled when... I'm cooking a meal for myself, I'm taking photographs (usually of still life's), I'm writing for Object & Us, or lying naked and thinking of/doing nothing and simply feeling connected to my body.
I'm currently working on... owning my darkness and embracing all of the parts of myself I was taught to be shameful of. I'm working on being whole in my magnificence, which means honoring the grit. I'm opinionated, I'm sharp, I'm fierce, I rage. Someone recently told me that rage is apart of love and that I am so full of love and so full of rage. This duality is what drives me to do anything creative. This is also the duality of sexuality. I'm also working on embracing my desire - for lust, for love, for life. I don't mean chasing it, but meeting it.
This time last year, I wish I knew... that ultimate surrender and giving up my ideas of what I felt I wanted would lead me to the most unexpected, terrifying, and beautiful places
I'm grateful for... my inner voice, the warmth of the sun on my face, my best friend and soulmate Joni (my pup), Lauren Trend (seriously).