Posts in mindful objects
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.

Objects and Attachment: Letting Go
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In my ten month (unintentional) nomadic period, I traveled with just a suitcase.  The rest of my clothing was sitting in the warehouse of a specialty cleaning company, waiting to be picked up.  When I packed my suitcase last February, I had no idea I’d be living out of it for more than a few weeks.  I had mostly jeans and t-shits, a sweater, skincare, and a few books - that’s it.  Wearing the same exact thing four days of the week became so normal, and having choices while on such a crazy journey would have probably overwhelmed me.  My physical appearance/how I presented myself was something I simply did not have time to care about or pay attention to.  

Once we settled down in the cottage in Topanga, I was so excited to receive my clothing.  When it came, I was incredibly let down.  I sorted through everything only to realize I didn’t want most of it.  Typically this would be such a freeing moment, but we had just paid an exorbitant amount of money (money we can’t just throw around) on the cleaning fee.  I felt sick.  I could have used that money to pay off debt, acquire some new things I actually need, donate, etc.  What’s interesting is that I already did not own very much because I had been simplifying my life and ridding of things for a few years.  The more I get in touch with myself, the more I know exactly what I want - items that make me feel the most comfortable, authentic, and free in my skin.  Some items, like this vintage YSL blazer, absolutely serve that purpose.  Only the pieces I collected in the year prior to living out of a suitcase (with the exception of a leather jacket I've had for years), were pieces I decided to keep.  After sitting with the emotions, moving through them, and understanding that when I dropped my clothing off to be cleaned months prior, I couldn’t have anticipated the future, I was able to fully let go.  I couldn’t have known then, that in a short period, I would go through an experience that would detach me so deeply from my stuff.  

When I got the download for this website/venture, I wanted to explore that we can curate our lives with items that speak to who we are, in order to live with more intention and mindfulness.  That’s absolutely true, but what’s even more important is that our things have nothing to do with shaping who we are.  When we shed our attachment in order to see our objects as tools for connection, rather than as symbols of identity - the real work starts.  I will be re-opening sessions soon to aid you with this process, so stay tuned.  In the meantime, feel free to get in touch with any questions you may have.

Nourished: Warmth of Winter
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Regardless of the outdoor temperatures, winter is a season of warmth.  Of coziness.  Of self care.  Of going within.  It’s the time of year where I feel the most inclined to stay inside, rest, recuperate, reflect - in order to learn from the past and set intentions for moving forward.  Pictured above are some objects keeping me cozy, grounded, cared for, and a tad indulged.  Sometimes when staying in I get too antsy and restless if I completely let myself go.  So while I may be hanging in my underwear and rocking bedhead, I like to treat myself with yummy scents, soft fabrics, and fresh florals.  Living with intention doesn’t always have to hold deep meaning.  It can be incredibly simple, such as small acts of nourishment for healing or joy. 

This lovely Maison Louis Marie role-on was a holiday gift, and its scent is soothing and soft yet slightly invigorating.  It has been a comforting scent to wear at home, while still giving me that boost to commit to self work and self care.  

My new (but old - vintage) jacket has been truly keeping me warm and cozy.  It is incredibly soft and comfortable.  I got it from one of my favorite stores in LA - Passenger.

This brush has been keeping my dry skin at bay.  I use it before showering, and it’s a small but worthy act for my sensitive skin.  It’s an easy way to detoxify and turnover new skin cells.

These beauties really have nothing to do with grounding and staying cozy, but I’ve been delighted to see them in my home.  They are a lovely winter white, and I have them on hand for when I absolutely have to leave my little cottage to be apart of the world (I am truly embracing hibernating/going within).  Along with this sweet and simple ring.

You can find more of my favorite items here, and I'll be adding more soon.

Stripped: No Compromise
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No compromise.  None.   I don’t mean with others, but with myself.  With my desires.  My truths.  My being.  I will not compromise.  This is my vow to myself - that I will not take less than what I need, what I know I deserve.  I will not deny my body, my inner self of what she requires.  This is essential to her wellbeing, I’m finding.  

I have said yes in my life too many times because I thought I should, even though she knew not to.  Yes, I will show up to this party for my friend even though I feel like complete shit.  Yes, I will sleep with you because it will be fun, even though I wish you were someone else.  Yes, I will take this low work rate, even though I know I deserve more.  Because what if I let my friend down?  Because aren’t I supposed to be enjoying myself?  Because what if more money won’t be coming in?  This is not the voice I want to feed.  This voice is the conditioned one.  The one who feels shame for being an artist.  The one who is scared to draw outside of the lines too often.  The one who was told she could do anything she wanted within the confines of certain rules.  The one who felt misled because why couldn’t she do anything she wanted without limits?  

Boundlessness.  That is what I’m seeking now.  I used to think this meant saying yes to everything.  If I say yes to everything, I will be led to exactly where I’m supposed to be.  I have said yes in my life to things I knew I didn’t want.  I’ve also said no to things I knew I didn’t want.  I would always second guess myself when saying no.  What if I’m supposed to go to Canada to work on this movie set for this amazing actress, instead of spending time building my own career?  Why did I say no?  This is the torture I would put myself through, even though I said no to pursue my own passion.  So I spent an entire year intentionally saying yes to see what would show up for me.  To sort of “test” it out. 

In 2016 I was working on a great freelance styling gig for a great company making great money, until it wasn’t so great.  Until I realized there was a lot of sliminess going on behind the scenes.  Until the person working above me verbally accosted me, and my body responded by being in a constant state of anxiety and fear when I was in the studio.  When I watched the same thing happen to another employee, that was it.  I left.  I was listening to my body, and I could not show up any longer in such terrible, negative energy.  And then I went back.  Because I was asked to.  Because I was experimenting with saying yes.  Because I knew I needed to show up to see what would happen.  My anxiety did not dissipate.  It worsened.   Eventually, I was sort of “phased out.”  I was not meant to be there any longer.  The universe took care of the situation for me.   Many things like this happened in that year, and it was all confirmation that my intuition always knows.  She never fails me.  

Discernment.  This is what I learned so deeply through these experiences.  I have always had a very strong intuition and even what I would call a gift of discernment.  Yet, I still would question myself.   No more.  Because I want more.  No does not mean turning down opportunities or shutting myself off from the world.  It means no, I will not compromise my truths for anything or anyone - not even for my own fears and uncertainties.  Saying no does not always look pretty.  I said no to a moldy apartment that was making me sick, even though it meant couch surfing and being away from my man and our dog.  I said no to every potential new home that didn’t feel right, even though it meant being being without a home.  I said no to working for disrespectful clients, even though it meant also saying no to money.  And yet, I feel stronger in myself than ever before.  I trust that I will be taken care of, without compromise.  

No compromise can always be applied to objects of attainment.  Why purchase or obtain (even if it’s free) something unless it’s 100 percent in line with what you need, deserve, and love.  If you apply this concept not only to your moral compass, but also to your Object Philosophy, you will begin to weed out the objects that don’t serve you and bring in ones that do.  

Stripping down to the root of who you truly are will always help you to collect more mindfully, and more importantly, to connect more intentionally to your things, your rituals, and yourself.  If you need guidance with this, you can book a one-on-one session here.  Feel free to get in touch with any questions.