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.

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.

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.

Powerlessness.  I am powerless over people, places, and things.  Yes.  All I can control is how I respond.  Yes.  I am powerless to the will of the universe, and when I try to control everything, I become too hard, too stiff.  The world around me becomes too small.  

Somewhere along the way I misdirected my own power.  I became so intent on always doing the right thing.  To listening to some outside force.  What does the universe want for me?  Where am I supposed to be?  How is it supposed to be? In doing so, I stifled myself from making any forward movement in my life.  Big decisions became seemingly impossible, and indecision lead to inaction.  I was suffocating in my own idealist righteousness.  

But what about me?  What about what I want?  I forgot to trust my own desire.  I recently had a thought, a deep knowing, that I am conscious enough to follow that desire.   To do what I want.  To trust that I will be held regardless of what decisions I make.  That I can only do my best.  That indecision is more detrimental than making a “wrong decision” because without decision, there are no lessons.  No growth.  Taking risks - when the risk involves acting from our truth - allows us to know ourselves better.

Just like our decisions, our objects can either take us further away from ourselves or they can bring us closer to who we truly are.  They either create separation or connection.  We can give away our power to our objects by purchasing them or using them for the wrong reasons - to look cool, to fill a void, to complete us in some way, etc.  When we misdirect our power, we can veer from our truth in small ways or in big ways.  Are you holding onto something that's no longer serving you?  Perhaps something an ex gave you?  Or a gift from a friend that you really don't like?  Why are you keeping it?  Maybe you don't want to let go of the past, or you don't want to offend a loved one.  Your power (in the examples here) is directed at longing for a different time in your life or at people pleasing.  When you get clarity on these questions, you can start to clear out things that are simply taking up space in your life - physically and energetically.  

You can make simple, small steps to start directing yourself on a clearer path of truth.  Choose items that connect you to your center rather than items that create distance between yourself and your authenticity.  If you're acquiring something new - how will this object serve you?  Will it be apart of a daily ritual (mug for morning tea, incense holder for meditation practice, dish for hand soap)?  Is it to fill an empty shelf?  If so, did you see an picture on Pinterest and hunt for something online in order to re-create the image, or did you happen to stumble upon something unique at a flea market that you felt drawn to?  

With the holiday season here, we are urged to consume through Black Friday sales and through pressure to buy multiple gifts for friends and family members.  Purchasing in a frenzy in order to make quick decisions or to score items on sale is not a mindful practice.  The key is to slow down.  To quiet the needing, so that we can collect, rather than consume.  

I am available for one-on-one sessions to help guide you on this journey.  Learn to strengthen your connection to your objects, and in turn, to yourself.  I have a limited amount of open spots for the remainder of the year.  Book your session here.   Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.  

Photograph by Lauren Moore