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!"

WHAT ARE THREE THINGS THAT ARE INSPIRING YOU RIGHT NOW?

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

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. "

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."

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

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 natural.  Jesse 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.

When shopping this holiday season, whether for yourself or others, I highly suggest shopping consciously.  What does this mean exactly?  To me, it means shopping sustainably and/or from independent designers/storeowners.  I’ve put together some beautiful products for you to peruse, along with a "not-so-holiday" playlist because there's more than enough holiday music going around.  Listen here.

The last time I saw my friend Meredith, she was wearing a pair of the most incredible velvet socks.  They’re by Simone Wild and made in Germany.  I instantly fell in love.  I wanted to pet them, yet simultaneously steal them off of her feet.  I’m obsessed!  I love that they add not only holiday spirit to any outfit, but also coziness and warmth.  I’m about to buy myself a pair.   You should too - purchase here. 

Figs Underwear recently launched with a beautiful collection of undergarments, objects, and loungewear - all to encourage women feel sensual and confident in their bodies.  I am crushing hard on everything, especially on this stunning olive robe.  Their products are made here in Los Angeles.

Linen is my favorite fabric.  I wear it and sleep in it.  If I could, I would build myself a hut made of it.  I love its imperfections - its rich yet worn texture gives it the perfect lived-in feel.  If you can’t already tell, I love things that are slightly undone (perhaps because I am always striving to forego my perfectionism).  Linen allows me to be a little messy.  It’s also made of natural fibers, which makes it a sustainable fabric and a great choice for environmentally sensitive beings (ehem me).  Deiji Studios is a bedding and loungewear company based in Byron Bay, Australia.  They source their linen from France and stonewash it for ultra softness.  Their linen is environmentally friendly and hypo-allergenic.  I love this striped sheet set for a bit of character. 

My esthetician, Hayley, introduced me to Pai Skincare a couple of years ago, and I have been obsessively using their products since.  This mask is the most luscious, healing, and yummy mask I’ve ever used.  It leaves my skin feeling soft and looking radiant.  It’s incredibly hydrating and calming, which is perfect for skin after being exposed to the cool, dry air of winter.  You can purchase it here.  All of Pai’s ingredients/products are sustainably sourced and ethically made, and free from parabens, alcohol, phenoxyethanol, petrochemicals, detergents, and artificial fragrance.  

I met Agnes Baddoo this past weekend at the Echo Park Craft Fair, and I fell in love with her bags as well as her warm personality.  Her bags are made of leather and will age beautifully with wear and use.  She’s based locally in Los Angeles.  Shop her collection here.  

Sheldon Ceramics is a pottery studio in Los Angeles, and all of their pieces feel so earthy and warm.  They hand-make every piece and formulate all of their glazes from scratch.  I absolutely love their Farmhouse Spice Jar.  It’s petite and rustic, and I want one to house every one of my individual spices!  

This beret is tres chic.  Need I say more?  I don’t need to, but I will tell you where to get this baby and what it’s made of.  It’s 100% wool with an elastic band inside for extra comfort.  Clyde is a New York City based company, and their products are handmade in a small factory in New York State.  I’ve tried on and touched their hats in person, and they have a certain finesse to them that I find are missing from other brands - they are truly special.

“Our way: Exceptional quality. Ethical factories. Radical Transparency."  You can find this quote on Everlane’s website, and it’s damn true.  Everlane’s products are incredibly well-made in eco-conscious and ethical factories.  They even reveal their cost per item, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.  

For Black Friday, rather than having a sale (Everlane’s items are already on a “sale” price model), they encouraged shoppers to still purchase, but for a greater purpose.  The profits went to their denim factory in Vietman, Saitex, in order to provide clean, healthy meals to its workers.  They partnered with Freight Farms, which basically creates hydroponic farms in shipping containers (read more here), in order to execute the mission.  THAT is an incredible gift to our earth and its people for the holiday season.

I not only believe in this model, I also champion it.  I’ve given up fast fashion for good.  No more Zara.  No more cheaply made crap just so that I can enjoy a fleeting trend for one season, while many other people (and the environment) suffer in the process.  I’ve been implementing this for over a year and a half, and I haven’t looked back.

This year for the holiday season, I’m not caving into the massive holiday sales.  Why?  Because I will end up buying things I don’t need.  I am not straying you away from getting those incredible timeless boots that are half-off - that saves you money on a major staple.  But I do suggest to not shop on a whim, even if it means “scoring” things on sale.  I spend more money on individual items and end up spending less money overall.  How?  Because the items I purchase last, and therefore I need less.  Since I’m fulfilling my truest wants by only acquiring what I absolutely love, I don’t feel the constant need to consume more.  I’m only human, and of course I want things, but this want is quieter than my ethical philosophy.  

Here is Everlane’s philosophy:  “At Everlane, we’re not big on trends. We want you to wear our pieces for years, even decades, to come. That’s why we source the finest materials and factories for our timeless products— like our Grade-A cashmere sweaters, Italian shoes, and Peruvian Pima tees.”

Pictured above, I’m wearing this cashmere sweater, and these gorgeous Italian shoes - paired with vintage Levi's and a vintage blazer.

You can transform your lifestyle by changing your relationship to your things - your home items, your wardrobe, or both.  We have relationships with our objects, whether we are aware of this or not.  If you need help implementing this philosophy or a philosophy that works for you into your life, feel free to inquire about a session.  A friend of mine calls it “object therapy,” yet it’s ultimately about strengthening your relationship to yourself.   Spots are limited.