on creativity

OPG 4.0

October 16, 2017

After much dreaming and developing, the new OPG is here. While I designed all of my past sites, this is the first that is a truly custom site created from scratch (as opposed to customizing a pre-existing template.) All of the details are hand drawn, and every pixel was carefully considered. My partner in this project was Lindsay of Made To Thrive – I can’t say enough good things about working with her and am extremely grateful for her knowledge, expertise, and support in making this project come to life. Thank you Lindsay!

Creating a custom site was an investment that took literally years for me to take the leap to make, but to have it in this iteration feels like a creative weight lifted. Investing in ourselves, be it an item, experience or otherwise goes so much deeper than the thing we’re investing in: it’s a mindset, and where the magic happens.

Of course, with creative growing pains comes the fact that now that the site is live, so much of my vision has changed since I first dreamt it up three years ago. Note to self to not take so long to realize a vision next time! Oy! Can anyone else relate to this? Sometimes it can take so long to complete a project that you get to the finish line and realize you’re in a different place from where you were when you started. But its all part of the process: to begin somewhere, without knowing what the end will look like or where the path will lead, and to invest in yourself anyway knowing that your preferences, goals, and insight will ultimately change along the way. Starting somewhere is the risk we all must take. If we don’t take step one, how can we ever take step two? There’s a lot I have to say on this topic and much more I want to share on the creative journey in general: tips, insights, and even a full e-course on working through an idea and growing your concept of personal brand. Stay tuned!

Today, there are a few different sections I’m excited to highlight about this new site:

Under Journal, there’s still the classic single post view, but now all the archives are now also easily searchable by section. No more endless scrolling or buried posts!

And the Essentials pages are filled with favorite brands and products that I get asked or emailed about on a regular basis. Rather than sending the same links over and over, I wanted to home these recommendations in a simple way, while serving as a reference to go back to– because does anyone else’s minds go blank on good places to buy things just when they’re in the market to find something specific?!

I feel it’s important to note that my goal here is not to feature a bunch of “stuff” – because I actually believe we need very little. In my own life, I’m not that big of a consumer, but I do appreciate investing (there’s that word again) in quality goods that will last and last. It’s ok with me if they cost a little more if it means I’m going to feel good every time I use it. As Virginia Woolf wrote, “Vain trifles as they seem, clothes have more important offices than to merely keep us warm. They change our view of the world and the world’s view of us.” While material things on one hand can only fulfill us so deeply, they also have the power to transform our every day. That’s why, when I find a brand or item I like, I’m very loyal and tend to not switch things up. I’m for sure a “uniform” person will wear and use the same things day in and day out. These types of items are the ones I’ve curated here– I hope you’ll find some favorites you love too!

And I must mention my favorite essentials page, Field Experts. Looking for an animal communicator, an spiritual astrologer, or a holistic health expert with both east-west knowledge to support your wellness journey? Here, on this growing list of trusted contributors, is where you’ll find them. The best thing about these experts is that they can be accessed from anywhere is the world, no matter where you live.

Lastly, About is where you can find more about me and my intention for this community, and under Work Together, see the direction I’m taking my business and the types of ways we can engage. It’s my goal for my offerings and this site to truly be of service, so please do reach out with questions or any thoughts!

With that, please do explore the site and enjoy.

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modern gypsies

The Modern Gypsies vol 2: Anelise Salvo

October 1, 2017

In thinking about what being “one part gypsy” means to me, I feel drawn to creatives and independent thinkers who spend their life on the road or have otherwise embarked on soul-calling journeys, and the lessons, surprises, joys and life-changing realizations that have come as a result. Through sharing these stories, it is my hope to inspire all of us how to think outside the confines of our own box and rethink the 9-5 conveyor belt culture.

Last month I introduced Allison Kunath, and today I’m so excited to share the dreamy life of my sweet friend Anelise Salvo. I met Anelise nearly 4 years ago in Palm Springs when both attended Designer Vaca, a retreat held at the Ace Hotel for female graphic and web designers to learn, grow and connect. Immediately drawn to her sunny and laid back demeanor, it came as no surprise to learn she was from sunny and laid back Santa Barbara! We’ve stayed in touch ever since and I’m in constant admiration of her genuine kindness, open heart and sense of adventure, not to mention her killer design sense.

But it was a few years ago as we were talking about all things work + biz, both us looking to get out from behind the computer screen more, that she told me about her and her husband’s plan to move to Tahoe that I knew she was seriously on to something. It was the most brilliant move, and since then I’ve seen her bloom into an enviable world traveling mama, spending half the year in Tahoe and the off season doing the stuff of dreams like sailing around Europe and road tripping across New Zealand with her most adorable family. A very cool example how to have the best of both a rooted home and life on the road, her story, below!

Name: Anelise Salvo

Hometown: Santa Barbara, California

Current Location: I am currently in our rented VW van in the South Island of New Zealand with my whole world and travel buddies; my husband Tyler and babe Costa (9 months). We have been living in the van for about 5 weeks and basically living our days through the navigational beacon that is the CamperMate app. It has so much amazing information (in case you are thinking of doing the same trip!) that has helped us choose where we are going to sleep, park, shower and pee, ha. All the essentials. We are nearing the end of our trip at which point we will be going to Santa Barbara for a few weeks to see family and then back to Tahoe to start our summer season! My husband is part owner of Tahoe Sailing Charters so we spend mid-April through October dwelling in North Lake Tahoe and the rest of the year we travel about. We choose a new place in the world we want to explore and then go there. We also spend a lot of time in Santa Barbara and Seattle visiting family since we basically are homebodies in Tahoe during the summer.

What brought you to where we find you today?

We were living in a tiny bungalow in downtown Santa Barbara; my husband was working 7 days a week and I was in the second year of starting my location-independent business so I was never not working. We were tired and saw no light at the end of the tunnel. We had at that point gone through our first devastating miscarriage and it felt like life was just shitting all over us. We didn’t know what to do, but we knew we couldn’t sustain life as it was and we saw our future in Santa Barbara looking super tough and not filled with the things we loved – mainly traveling. We had a “come to Jesus” moment and realized that our priority in life was family, travel, freedom, work less, do better work and work for ourselves. Once we made that conscious declaration in the living room of our casita, I swear the universe heard us and said, “I got this”. We got a phone call within a week with a business opportunity that at first scared me and rubbed me the wrong way – my immediate response (no joke, it was instant) was “No, no, I’m not moving to Tahoe, what would I do there. I mean it snows, right? There is no ocean. No. No.” Then we started to unpack what this opportunity would give us. We would be able to be seasonal dwellers in Tahoe (and for the record, Tahoe is the most magical place that I feel so honored to call home) for the summer months, Tyler would be partner so he would be working for 6 months of the year part time and earning more than he currently was in Santa Barbara. Once we analyzed the prospect laid out in front of us it was clear that this was the move we had been dreaming of. A year of negotiations later we moved to Tahoe City and started our seasonal dwelling. This is our second year living this way and we pinch ourselves daily because it is so good; we love it and feel so incredibly grateful to have this lifestyle. We both cherish our freedom in work and our daily life and hold that up as a non-negotiable. We get to spend our days doing things we are passionate about and raise our family together as full time parents.

What parts of your lifestyle are traditional? Which parts are not?

I think the only traditional parts of our lifestyle is we live in a condo for part of the year and we sport the mini-van, ha. The rest is non-traditional, but I think that how we customized our days to fit our life goals is becoming more and more common which I get so excited about! I love seeing families breaking the norm and creating a lifestyle that feeds their family’s soul and brings them joy.

How do you afford life on the go?

I work year-round from wherever we find ourselves and now that we have a baby in tow my limitations for work-load have shifted so I am constantly making tweaks to make my work and life compatible so one doesn’t overtake the other. My husband works from April – October and earns his full salary in those months.

What sacrifices have you had to make for this lifestyle?

We live far away from our families and that is the hardest part, especially now that we have a baby. But we have created such an amazing community of friends in Tahoe that feel like family and we make it our top priority to visit family whenever we can.

Any advice for others wanting to do the same?

Choose your career based on the lifestyle you want. We wanted freedom in our day-to-day and boy do we have it. Sometimes it’s almost too much that we need to set schedules or else things slip through the cracks because there is no one telling us to do X or make sure deadlines are met. I would also say it’s so possible! Whatever you want your lifestyle to look like, it is possible, it’s just a matter of MAKING it happen!

What is the most important item you travel with? My laptop + external hard drive.

Tell us a high and low moment from your adventure so far.

The high has been our flexibility and freedom to go and do whatever we want, when we want. I love that I got to spend my pregnancy in Italy eating pasta and gelato everyday (and yes I totally recommend it) and I love that we are able to take our son to new places, into new cultures and meet new types of people every day. It’s such a gift that I hope one day he will appreciate. The low from our current adventure so far is non of us are sleeping because we are sharing a bed in the van and the normal “just let him cry it out” doesn’t really fly when you are parked next to a dozen other campers 🙂

Any logistical tips you can share?

1. Housing in your main residence. We are currently renters in Tahoe and through a property managment company have ski-leased our house for the months we are away from Tahoe so we have someone else paying our rent and we will have a house to come back to when we return in April. I would highly suggest hiring a property managment company to do all the correspondence with the renters – it’s been such a dream situation. We just staged our house for renters and haven’t thought about it since October. Genius.

2. Internet. Since I rely almost 100% on fast internet I have found the best way to guarantee I have unlimited access to internet when we are traveling is to pay for an international plan through my US carrier. I have purchased plans, hot spots, and routers in other countries, but something always seemed to fail. A part of me hates to be so reliant on the internet, I wish I could say I just unplugged and soaked it all in, but ultimately I chose to be location-independent with this career and that is just one of requirements of the job I’ve learned.

3. If you plan on living in a van with your baby, consider the sleeping situation. We did not expect him to crawl when he did so our plan for the crib in the van didn’t work. Ultimately, we all suffered through so many consecutive rough nights of sleep.

4. Take it all in as a learning experience and one big experiment. Nothing goes as planned, but that is the best part of it all! We like to think that this lifestyle is teaching our son to be flexible, adaptable, interested in new experiences and different types of people. That right there makes all the inconveniences and challenges worth it.

Best travel tip for traveling with a babe?

Don’t be ridged in your scheduling or expectations. Have a plan but know that it probably won’t go the way you envision it and that is okay! Being able to bend when you need to makes traveling so much easier on all involved.

I travel for the … cultural exposure and expansion of mine and my families perspective on the world.

Where can we find you online?

Website // anelisesalvodesignco.com

Instagram // personal @anelisesalvo | family adventures @voyagersfound | designer @anelisesalvodesignco

Pinterest // @AneliseSalvo

Facebook // facebook.com/anelisesalvodesignco

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modern gypsies

The Modern Gypsies vol. 1: Allison Kunath

April 1, 2017

This is the first in another new series I’ve been dreaming about sharing in this space for a long time. As OPG is rooted in my love for global inspirations and non-traditional lifestyles, it feels important to share stories from those who are living life on their own terms.

In thinking about what being “one part gypsy” means to me, I feel drawn to creatives and independent thinkers who spend their life on the road or have otherwise embarked on soul-calling journeys– and the lessons, surprises, joys and life changing realizations that have come as a result. Through sharing these stories, it is my hope to inspire all of us how to think outside the confines of our own box and expand beyond the 9-5 conveyor belt culture.

As the first in the Modern Gypsy series, I’m thrilled to introduce a long time insta-crush of mine Allison Kunath, who happened to be a Venice neighbor and also spent several months in the same beach town in Nicaragua as we did!

For years, I’d been following her for her dreamy pastel color palettes, process shots, and geometric and blind contour illustrations, but really became intrigued when she started posting images during a creative sabbatical in Mexico. From there, I’ve watched her continue to expand and explore, finding canvases in all she sees. From walls to pools, sand to skin (even turning a surf bruise into a starry galaxy!) Allison is the kind of artist who inspires me to soak deep into my surroundings and turn it all into art.

Name: Allison Kunath

Current location: Venice, CA // Coming off 6 months in Central America, capped by a road trip from Nicaragua to LA

For a living I… Make visual art.

What brought you to this point in your life? I began my professional life as a graphic designer when I moved to Los Angeles in 2009. Over the following few years I slowly transitioned from the world of digital art back to my first love of analog art. I went from having an agency 9-5 with an Etsy shop on the side to freelance design and commissioned fine art. Currently, I’m saying no to most commissions to make space for my studio explorations that mainly attempt to illustrate different elements of my personal evolution. I use the work both as a tool to better understand myself, and to share what I learn along the way.

My creative process in three words: I love this question. Had you asked me this a year ago, it would have been quite different, and I’m curious how it might change in the future. At the moment, these feel solid: Breathe, Trust, Play

When I get stuck I… Mix it up. I work in all sorts of styles and mediums, and part of the reason is that it helps me to stay energized and inspired. When something isn’t feeling right, the best thing for me to do is experiment with something completely fresh. A 180 usually helps clear the blockage and teach me something I needed to learn.

Themes I keep coming back to are… I could explore connection and communication for the rest of my life. Generally speaking – I think these are ‘save-the-world’ kinda words. Add more healthy connection or clear communication to any situation and it’s likely to improve. But on a personal level, my fascination with connection starts with the connection I have with myself. A lot of my work is in response to meditation, and reflections on who I am being in this life – all with the aim of greater self awareness. This foundational connection with myself impacts every other relationship in my life and leads to work that also explores love, sex, community, and cosmology. The work itself is a form of non-verbal communication, but I’m also really interested in spoken language, and all the other ways that we express ourselves. Anytime someone wants to share an understanding of themselves that doesn’t quite meet the eye (or is curious about the me below the surface) I’m all in. That type of understanding makes me feel super alive.

I’m so inspired by your creative sabbaticals. Can you tell us about some of them and how it all began?

It started this time last year when I went to the Yucatán for a residency. I had been internally brewing a shift in my work for nearly a year, but at that point I only had the first hints of where I wanted to take it and hadn’t found a way to break through. During my time in Akumal (30 minutes north of Tulum) I was surprised by how easily new explorations came through. It’s similar to the allure of social anonymity while traveling – in the same way that you can introduce yourself to a stranger in any way that you see fit, I got the opportunity to approach my process from a brand new angle.

How have these sabbaticals changed you or affected your life? Your art?

Depending on the environment, the work changes by sheer necessity. Being forced to work in different ways naturally brings about fresh results. Additionally, in the past I thought that in order to make good work I needed to be hunkered down in my studio in LA. I think as I was growing up, I never actually believed that I could be a professional artist, with my own proper studio. My career accelerated when I moved my work into my first studio that was separate from my home – and I started to associate success with the studio. The sabbaticals have reminded me how silly it is to slap generalized conditions on anything. I expected that it would be distracting, and hard to motivate in such idyllic places. Turns out, my inspiration lights up and the work really thrives. I’ve got a better understanding of how much of productivity is a simple choice, which means I may never have to vacation again – so long as I continue to choose to make it work on the road.

It’s very cool how you’re able to beautify and leave your mark on the places you’ve spent time. How do these commissions come about? Does the work bring you to a location or does the work come once you’re already in a place? Any favorite pieces?

It’s a mix of both. Often times, I travel with a project in mind. My recent trip to Nicaragua was initially meant to be a month long, but thanks to connections made in the first couple weeks of my stay, I ended up sticking around for four months. I had a great time working on all the pieces I left behind in Nicaragua – but I’ve got a particular soft spot for the pool mural I painted in San Juan Del Sur.

Any advice for others wanting to work and travel like you do?

For me, what used to stand in the way of travel was the thought of putting my creative work on hold. If you work independently, or your job can be done remotely – make it a priority to test out working from a place that’s been calling you lately. Prove to yourself (and if necessary your employer) that you’re able to keep work flowing on the road. Once the ‘I can’t take time away’ excuse is no longer valid, the world is your oyster. If you’ve got a job that can’t be done remotely, and isn’t generous with the vacation days – just remember that there’s always someone who’s found a way to explore with less money and less time than you have. Travel was something that felt out of reach for me until quite recently, but like anything, it’s just a choice of how you want to prioritize it.

What parts of your life are traditional? Which parts are not?

I suppose most of my operational life is traditional. The taxes, the utilities, the groceries, the car, the apartment. (Noticing a money theme here…) But I think it’s safe to say that the rest of my life is based on challenging convention. Not with rebellious or contrarian motives, just so I can try to catch it when tradition attempts to make a choice for me that I’d prefer to make myself.

What sacrifices have you had to make to live this kind of life?

Seems that most of my life is based around the pursuit of greater freedom these days. That means that sometimes I go without some of the things that used to represent ‘stability’ for me. Things like the fact that my paychecks don’t come at regular intervals, I don’t keep all of my belongings at any one address, and sometimes I go a long time without seeing people that I love. I’m getting better at maintaining a solid sense of stability from the inside out – but some days can feel rocky and lonely.

I remember seeing that you celebrated your birthday one year by asking for creative feedback from friends and just loved the concept. Can you tell us more about this? What inspired it and what was the experience like?

I think feedback is a really effective and important tool for growth, but if it comes at the wrong time, in the wrong way, or doesn’t come at all – the opportunity can be totally missed. So a couple of friends and I sat down and came up with a list of questions designed to draw out some pretty raw feedback about the strengths and weaknesses of whoever’s in the hotseat. Responses to the questions are written on paper and shuffled before they’re read aloud to keep the answers anonymous and encourage the real stuff to come out. I was in the hotseat for my 29th birthday party, and the experience was pretty beautiful. I learned a lot about the ways my closest friends view me, which was pretty darn warm n’ fuzzy. But there were a few answers that really surprised me and made me reflect in a new way, which is 100% the goal.

What does freedom mean to you?

I feel the most free when I know how I feel, I’m able to express it honestly, and I accept whatever’s coming out.

What does abundance mean to you?

Trusting there’s always enough. Knowing I’m always taken care of.

Where can we find you online?
instagram : @allisonkunath
website: www.allisonkunath.com

on creativity

Studio Sounds vol 4: Drip Drop Electro Pop

March 31, 2017

I’m trying something a little different with this playlist- all songs of the same genre meant to stream into one another for a seamless groove. Inspired by the idea of “April Showers”, this is a quick beat, high energy flow complete handclaps, cymbals, electronic waves and perhaps even a triangle or two- a cooling desert heat mist for your eardrums if you will! Too abstract a description? Take a listen and tell me if you get it, I had fun with this one 😉

In other news… WERE MOVING TO OUR NEW HOUSE THIS WEEKEND!!!! It’s definitely not what I expected but came to us out of the blue in a crazy universe way we just couldn’t ignore. Story to come! In the meantime, hope you enjoy these tunes.

on wellness

Modern cannabis use and how hmbldt vape pens are changing the game

March 22, 2017

I’ve never been a fan of synthetic medications and found I often respond better to traditional plant remedies. While there is certainly a time and place for western medicine, for everyday ailments I tend to go for natural options because for me, the lower tech/ less processed, the better.

Chamomile to help fall asleep, cacao or maca for energy- these are a few I use most often. But of all the natural remedies I utilize, cannabis is the one I have the most appreciation for. Why? Well for one, it’s benefits are incredibly diverse. Secondly, it’s easy to consume and its effects are immediate.

If you’re picturing hitting a bong and hacking your lungs out in a smoke-filled room or passing a joint while feeling either super awkward/paranoid or dissolving into uncontrollable laughter while eating way too much junk food, I don’t blame you. This is the vision (and experience) many have of smoking weed.

At our house though, the reality is much tamer. While some may enjoy an alcoholic drink to chill out at the end of a long day, my preference is to brush my teeth before taking a hit or two of vaporized cannabis oil and drinking a big glass of water while watching a favorite TV show. It’s clean, calorie-free, and an immediate mood shifter. When I’ve done this around friends who don’t smoke they’re always surprised and say- wait, that’s it?! The expectation is that the “event” is much more than it is.

But however misunderstood pot has been in the past, I’m really excited to see it become legalized and commercialized. Because pot today is very different than it was 15 years ago, and I hate to see so many missing out on the many merits of this natural solution for today’s most common ailments like overwhelm, anxiety, stress, sleeplessness, or the desire for more creativity, energy or joy.

Here’s the tricky part though: in order to have a positive pot experience, it’s important to consume the right strain, in the right dosage, via the the right method for the right setting. And of course, with all the outdated or false information surrounding this beautiful plant, the hardest part is knowing what those “right” elements are for your needs.

Enter hmbldt: a new cannabis vape pen company, recently named one of the 25 best inventions of 2016 by Time magazine.

Launched in 2016 out of Humboldt county, California, hmbldt has created a beautifully designed line of cannabis vaporizer pens intended to offer users a consistent experience without accidentally getting too high.

With 6 specialized formulas made from pure organic and bio-dynamically farmed cannabis oil and packaged in a sleek white tube, it’s the perfect entry product for those looking to see if cannabis could work for them.

Looking for help falling asleep? Try the Sleep formula. Want to relax? Calm is your answer. Can’t get rid of a headache? The Relief formula could help. And if you’re just looking for a bit of uplift to make an evening or adventure more fun, Bliss is the one to try.

For those new to cannabis, it doesn’t get simpler than this. Except it does– the coolest part of these pens is that they vibrate after you’ve inhaled what they consider a dose (2.25mg, with a recommended two doses per hour). For me, one dose of Bliss feels like half a glass of wine. Three doses, a stiff drink.

Another unique quality of these pens has to do with two main compounds found in cannabis resin- THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). You may have heard of THC before- it’s the component responsible for psychoactive effects, or in simple terms, it’s what gets you high. CBD on the other hand, lacks the cognitive side-effects of THC and essentially exists to balance them out. However, having a very similar molecular makeup, CBD offers many of the same benefits of THC, only it leaves you completely clear headed. (It’s for this reason that CBD-forward strains are more often used for medicinal purposes, and you may notice CBD oil popping up in your favorite wellness brand’s products.)

Hmbldt’s science-forward approach uses different ratios of these compounds to offer varied formulas more apt to give you that fun high (bliss) or simply mellow out without getting you high at all (calm). And if you forget which is which, all the info is clearly labeled on on the box, offering unprecedented transparency in the cannabis product world.

If you can’t tell by now, I just love these pens. Always drawn to essentials, hmbldt is a clear winner in my book for keeping things simple and offering users the magic of cannabis as it was meant to be enjoyed. And funny enough, while it’s been said that pot is the gateway drug, for the first time I actually agree- only now, it’s not as a bridge to more dangerous drugs, but instead a path back from synthetic to natural medicine.

Hmbldt Vape Pens / $100 each.

Reviews of each formula below for help choosing which might be right for you:

Relief

This is the pen I try first, when I have a migraine that will not go away. I wasn’t sure how it could actually take away the pain- would it work like aspirin? I take 2 doses and am pleasantly surprised to find it serves more as a distraction tool than anything else. The pain is still there, but rather than fixating on it, my mind is able to wander to other thoughts, and I’m grateful to escape from headache hell.

Bliss

This is the formula that’s most like the Jack Herrer strain of cannabis oil we regularly vape. I take 1 dose and feel bright, interactive and chatty, while still being able to think sharply and get things done effectively. Likely a Sativa blend (brain high) I’d say this is good for social settings- it shouldn’t make you feel paranoid or too in your head, however it also has the highest THC levels which means it will get you higher than the other formulas.

Calm

It’s been a stressful day. I take 2 doses and don’t feel high, but I feel a warmth spread through my body as though someone has laid a heavy blanket over me, or perhaps a lead apron at the dentist. My body feels heavier. My breathing and heart rate slows. I’m able to separate from the stress of the day while remaining present, focused, clear headed and calm.

I also try this pen at 5am after waking up at 3 and not being able to fall back asleep. Typically I wouldn’t smoke at this time of day because I don’t want to feel stoned in the morning, but this pen does the trick- not only did it unwind my racing mind enough to fall back to sleep, but I woke up feeling refreshed.

*This is the pen I expect to like the least, but love the most.

Sleep

As someone who has major trouble falling and staying asleep, I have high (ha) expectations for this formula. While it doesn’t knock me out, 3 doses has me feeling very introspective and in my head- likely an indica blend (body high). This means it’s not the ideal formula for trying to follow a movie plot or having a conversation, but perfect for when you’re alone and wanting to drift away.

on being

Where you are is not who you are

March 10, 2017

When I saw this quote several months ago, it resonated deeply and I’ve been holding it ever since.

So often we define ourselves by what we have, what we have accomplished, and by “what life has done for us recently”. It can be easy to minimize our past successes and forge ahead with newer and bigger aspirations, often with despair or annoyance for the middle ground we stand on. As a recovering perfectionist, this is something that comes up for me a lot.

Acceptance. I’ve never liked the word. It’s always felt like another term for settling- a concept I try keep as far a distance from as possible. And patience? Also not a fan. These words yell STAGNANCY to me, and make me feel very uncomfortable. I prefer decision, initiative, resourcefulness, manifestation. I believe we’re each responsible for creating our own reality, and that waiting idly by is not a stance for success.

Which is why anyone whose had a conversation with me in the past couple years knows my deep frustrations with our living situation and how it’s affected the rest of my life. Despite our best efforts to make our Spirit House (ha) appear for nearly 3 years now- it has not.

The backstory: when we found out I was pregnant in Nov of 2014, we thought we’d move out of our 600 sq ft Venice Beach apt soon after. But then figured what’s the rush? and decided to save money and wait until the spring, so we’d still have time to nest before the baby was due that summer. May came and went. We weren’t ready to move to the other side of town where we could afford the size home we wanted; I was afraid of being isolated with a newborn and wanted to be near friends and in our walkable hood. So we stayed, agreeing that newborns don’t need that much space. I nested by borrowing a co-sleeper from a friend, getting rid of the guest bed in my office, and replacing it with a rocking chair, a baby dresser doubling as a changing table, and a bookshelf to hold his sweet little toys. It was fine and cozy in those first months, and I felt very bohemian-minded in all my light living-ness.

Then in January, we left for Nicaragua, expecting we’d move when we returned in March. We loved our time abroad, but it was another temporary living situation without the comforts of a home. We returned to LA with a speedy little crawler and two anxious dogs who made their upset to be back in a small space clearly known, especially with Ben impeding on their limited floor space. It was more cramped than ever and stressful for everyone but we stayed sane by focusing on buying a house in LA- however the universe kept slamming doors in our face to the point that it became laughable.

By then it was June and through a series of happenstances it became clear that the reason we hadn’t found a home in LA was because we were meant to move to Ojai. We were overjoyed at this turn of events, and so grateful to have a direction- except for that our house wasn’t showing up there either. We moved anyway. Leap and the net will appear, right? Packing up everything we owned into a pod, we found a furnished month-to-month rental as a landing pad. It was not one of those cute earthy cottages nestled in the woods as I’d envisioned, but it was literally the only option that didn’t fall through.

We were thrilled at first- we had way more space than in Venice, loved the incredible neighborhood with its cute nightly ice cream truck, the dogs were visibly more relaxed with their new indoor-outdoor access, and the hot tub, orange tree, and complete privacy through every window was just the “new” we needed.

We thought we’d be there a month, maybe two. But six months later… hello!! We’re still here. And all the lovely things I mentioned above? Their novelty has worn off. We still have zero of our things and crave to be in a space that feels like our own. We miss everything from our bikes to our garlic press. (While I try not to be too attached to “things”, wow has this past year taught me which ones make life so much better!) I’m writing this post from a folding table with a towel draped over it the corner of the guest room/ office/ dog room. Ben still sleeps in a pack’n’play, and his room motif is leopard print. Our bodies and sleep are suffering from couches and beds that aren’t meant for long-term living. I could go on. But while I’m harping on the aesthetics, that’s not what it’s really about. I mean it is- to an extent- but more than that, it’s about how hard it’s been to stay patient, waiting for that moment when we can finally let go of that “sitting tight” feeling, for when we can finally relax, set down roots, and truly make a home.

And it’s about how much I’ve let my living situation define me. How much I’ve let that nagging voice saying our house is never spacious enough, bright enough, “us” enough, welcoming enough, good enough- prevent me from leading the kind of life I wish to live.

Through all of this, I’ve sometimes thought about that “how to have a beach body” print as it relates to a house: “How to have people over for dinner- have them over, give them dinner.” It really is that simple! And yet–

Why then do I still feel like our entire life is hinged on finding the perfect spirit house? The funny (annoying) thing is that in order to bring something into your life, you must be living as you would if you already have it. We’ve all had the experience of thinking “I’ll start doing this WHEN (fill in your own blank)- but the universe doesn’t work that way. Only when we’re grateful for the things we have are we able to receive the things we want.

Acceptance. Although in the past I’ve considered it as an excuse for passivity, I’ve now come to understand it not only as an important sanity preservation tool, but also as a vehicle in the process of manifestation. That it’s possible to both acknowledge desires and make strides toward them without railing against the truth of the present. And how important it is to live where we are in life even when we don’t love it- and most of all when don’t even like it.

Besides, there is something to be said for transitional time, and Danielle Laporte’s Love the Egg You’re In, says it perfectly.

And as obvious at it seems, it really struck me to appreciate that I am not the same person or in the same place in life as I was when I lived on Drew Street at age 11. Or at Uni House apartments at 19. Or on Clement Ave at 22, or whatever place we live when I’m 46 or 83. That this moment, the one where we live in what we jokingly call our 2-star hotel, with Ben’s leopard print room, his home when he was 20 months old, and everything else that goes along with this time in our life is so fleeting. The moment we’re in now is just our setting, not our reflection.

So if you too have been letting your circumstances define your sense of self, remember:

We are constantly evolving and life is always flowing. Relationships will change. Bodies will shift. Your mind will expand. Belongings will be acquired and purged. Your income will go up and down and up again. Houses will get bigger and smaller. Your preferences will surprise you, your circumstances will evolve. But you, the one who has little to do with any of this, will remain through it all as the witness, the memory keeper, the engine, the life-liver. Where you are is not who you are.

on creativity

At home with Melissa Parke Rousseau of M.Parke Studio

March 6, 2017

You know how some people have a talent for putting things together in the most organic and effortless way? Melissa is one of those women. A soulful friend, artist, energy worker and herbalist, what unifies her many talents is the deeply emotive thoughtfulness she brings to all she does. You can see it in everything from her professional offerings to her home and personal style – they all feel fully grounded in her essence, offering a gentleness and comfortableness that makes you feel instantly at ease.

Earlier this year Melissa welcomed me into her home to capture details of her life + home in the hills of Topanga. Her words, below.

At my core, I am … an artist + creator, guide, intuitive healer, + visionary.

For a living I… see, interpret + share beauty.

You have a gift for creating spaces full of soul. How would you describe your home’s style or method of decorating?

Thank you! My nest is definitely a combination of family pieces, vintage, and travel finds. But I tend to get overwhelmed with too much clutter and even too much color, so I’ve paired it all down to my absolute prized possessions or collections. I adore all whites, creams, and earth tones :: they are so incredibly calming for me, but I do mix them in with color, but in it’s most faded + worn form. And I have an obsession vintage rugs…I love rugs and how they ground and warm up the space.

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On a good day you can find me…painting, creating, dancing, photographing, cooking, making tonics + healing food for my friends, guiding women with breath medicine, singing, snuggling with my love + Yula.

How does your external environment play a role in your internal creative process? When my nest is clean, I can create. And when it’s not, I am totally dysfunctional on pretty much every level.

My current obsessions are… daily herbal infusions (nettle, comfrey, schizandra, hibiscus, linden, jasmine, rose to name a few in constant rotation), medicine crafting, my Spirit Soak Deep Earth + Skin Food blends for my ritual baths every night, living in the canyon, painting, photographing my beautiful + inspiring friends, being inspired by and collaborating with the ones I love.

In my past life I sense I was… a green witch.

My must-haves for getting work done include…my morning routine of meditation + breath work, a super healing tonic, tons of water, movement, music, space shifters like copal + frankinscence :: my daily herbal infusions :: this sets me up for optimal production + flow.

When I get stuck I…blast music, dance, sing, take a shot of tequila.

I am inspired by…. color, white space, earth, petals, leaves, my mother, sunsets, sunrises, clouds, birds, water, desert, forest, mountains.

I stay motivated by…being in nature as much as possible. She is an endless source of inspiration, love, + energy.

My closet is full of…. My closest is 90% vintage, and then filled in with pieces from my grandmother, along with my mother’s old purses. A few of my favorite designers are Isabel Marant, old Helmut Lang, old Alexander Wang, Annie Costello Brown for jewelry, and I’ve been loving what the Doen women have been creating.

My style is evolving into… more of a uniform, more streamlined, more modern, much more tonal dressing, earth, desert colors, more wide leg pants with vintage lace tops, blazers, + a hat. But I do love an 80’s style dress with some amazing vintage slouch boots and my hair in a top knot with long earrings. And I’ll always have a variety of bohemian, super comfortable dresses that I can just throw on with sandals.

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I nuture myself by…staying in the present power + healing of my rituals :: morning rituals to set the tone for the day, Spirit Soaks, breath medicine, massages, homemade facials, connecting with my tribe.

My best ideas come to me…in my dreams.

Themes I keep coming back to are…celestial + cosmic :: love :: divine feminine power :: waves :: sky :: tonal colors :: metals :: motion

In my next life I’d like to…be completely free from severe illness.

The best piece of creative advice I’ve been given is…create for yourself, no one else, and if they don’t get it or you, they were not meant to.

My creative process…starts in my head, gets tossed around for quite some time, months, perhaps even years, before ever coming out of my body and birthing on to canvas or paper or in a design. Once it is finally flowing out of me however, it is in full blast until it feels complete.

My work motto is…really simple, just pure LOVE :: it encapsulates absolutely everything right now for me.

The most frustrating part of my process is…when I have the idea in my head but am unable to find the compatable materials to bring it to life.

The most satisfying part of my process is…the fluidity of being totally entranced by a piece of art that I’m birthing.

Coming up next for me is…continuing to hold space + guide women in their breath medicine journeys, diving deeper into my herbalism apprenticeship, collaborating on photography projects, a joint art show with my dear sister Julia Corbett, and introducing the first product in my line Parke Rituals :: Spirit Soak, ritual herbal bath infusions.

Connect with Melissa:

IG :: @m.parkestudio

P :: www.pinterest.com/mparkestudio

WEBSITE :: www.mparkestudio.com

photos by one part gypsy

on creativity

Studio Sounds Vol 3 : Spring Instinct

March 2, 2017

Playlists have returned! And now on Spotify instead of Soundcloud, which I hope will make easier for you all to access and enjoy. I initially named this one “Back At It”- it’s what I’ve been blasting for the past month while I work on new posts you’ll start seeing soon. Vibrant beats to groove to and get you through the busy day- listen here!

on being

Lunar Guide- moon phases decoded

November 30, 2016

Were you able to see the supermoon earlier this month? The way it was set in the sky, we happened to have a view of it from our bedroom window around the time we were going to sleep and it was pretty magical to lay down with the glow shining in between dark branches in the yard.

Moving to Ojai, also known as the “Valley of the Moon” (it was originally called Awhay by the native Chumash, meaning “moon”) we’ve felt so much more connected to the sky than when we lived in LA. It’s actually one of the reasons we moved here, reminded by our time abroad of how important being in nature is to us after so many years of living in the city.

In Nicaragua we had a daily ritual of spending each evening in the balmy windy roof, watching the sunset, trying to see the first star come up, and then later, watching the moon rise and observing its phase while stargazing and talking late into the night.

I don’t think either of us had ever paid so much attention to the sky before- as in, literally looking up at it for several hours each day- and it felt so instinctual to feel close to it in this way. Disconnection from nature is a huge contributing factor to feelings of sadness and loss of direction, and being attuned to the moon is one small way to bridge that gap.

Despite that Western culture for the most part disregards it, our moods, cycles, and rhythms of life are naturally timed with the moon. So even though our calendars are timed to the work week and Christian holidays, Ben doesn’t sleep so well when the moon is full. Che is far more energetic and begs for night walks. Emotions seem more intense than other times of the month.

Typically I’ll be reactive, noticing the behavior and then thinking “oh it must be because the moon is full” and making adjustments from there. But wouldn’t it make more sense to try and be proactive instead? Like making sure to provide Che with extra exercise during the full moon days, or putting Ben down a little later than usual while mentally preparing for a few nights of not-great sleep. It just seems natural that if we know in advance what states of energy to be prepared for, we can be more receptive and flexible to what comes up, making our daily life flow that much more easily.

How else would our lives feel different if our schedules were consciously synced to moon energy? Below, a guide to the lunar cycle- what each of the moon phases are called, what they indicate, and how to be most aligned with them.

NEW MOON | The New Moon is a time for dreaming, for exploration with unlimited potential. Create freely using your intuition; don’t let past experiences influence what you believe possible. Because there’s still more information to be revealed, refrain from making commitments or promises. Instead, focus on your intentions and coming up with new ideas. A great time to celebrate beginnings, start a new project or focus on personal growth, consider this your time of germination.

Journal, reflecting on the past month or the month ahead. List your goals and intentions.
Attend or host your own new moon circle with like-minded friends.
Focus on low-energy activities, even trying a day of fasting. “Be” rather than “do”.

WAXING CRESCENT | Sprouting through the earth, so to speak, the Waxing Crescent moon is a time of breakthrough. Use your fresh, light, excited energy to declare your intentions to others, make contacts, gather information and build on your ideas. From the big picture to the details, you want your plans to be well thought out and fortified against inevitable ups and downs to come.

Map out your new workout / monthly budget/ healthy eating/ new project plan.
Share your intention with a friend or on social media for accountability and support.
Focus your energy on research, using not just the internet and books but personal connections and your broader network as well. Who could be a good resource for you?

FIRST QUARTER | As your work gains momentum, plans may begin to solidify and initial visions take shape. Good news of course brings excitement and enthusiasm, but see how even challenges can stimulate. How can you become more efficient and productive? Now is the time to move forward. In this time of push and pull, look for ways you can steady and ground yourself by sending down roots. Halfway between the new and full moons, this is not a resting place, not a time for reflection. Your attention is required– take action.

Be prepared to go with the flow and see potential setbacks as opportunities. “Hope for the best and plan for the worst”.
Stay active, and remember to hydrate, eat nourishing foods and take moments for yourself throughout the day to support stamina and mood regulation.
Avoid swinging too far in any direction- aim for subtlety, balance and an even keel instead. “Slow and steady wins the race”.

WAXING GIBBOUS | While efforts may begin to shine, this is actually a time of gestation. Practice patience, tie up loose ends, streamline, and take care of what you have. It’s a positive period of powerful growth, of shifts and changes. Put your energy inward, and focus on blooming.

Avoid scheduling too many meetings during this phase, you’ll want some quiet time to focus on all that’s on your plate.
Take care of what you have- pick up the house, walk the dog, prep food for the week, reply to outstanding emails. If you’re feeling restless, look around to see what other types of busywork could improve your immediate surroundings.
Extend this care to others, being helpful and of service where you can.

FULL MOON | This time of the month is when energy is amplified and at its peak. Use this powerful time to recharge not only your crystals, but your own body’s energy as well. With so much illuminating power, new information has now been revealed. The time is ripe to honestly assess your efforts since the new moon, and either celebrate what you created or acknowledge what didn’t work. Your intuition is strong during this phase, trust it and allow your new perspective to emerge. The flower has become the fruit.

Create a gratitude list and speak your thanks aloud.
Take a hot, salty detoxifying bath, releasing behavior and thought patterns that do not serve you.
Try a high-intensity workout, harnessing your strong energy to sweat and wring your body out.
Camp or hike under the full moon, soaking up its creative and energizing light.

WANING GIBBOUS | Where the waxing moons represent action, giving, doing, the waning moon represents releasing, undoing, receiving. In this way, the Waxing Gibbous moon is like the harvest. Also known as the “disseminating” moon, which means “to disperse”, now is the time to put your energy outward. Phone calls, emails, friend dates, thank you notes, donating old clothes, sharing foods from your garden, inviting friends over for a meal- give back and let go.

Volunteer, donate or give back to your community in a way that feels good to you.
Create something (food, craft or otherwise) that you plan to give away.
Share your knowledge for free- taking a coffee date with a person who wants to ‘pick your brain’ for example, or otherwise pay it forward.

LAST QUARTER | This is the late Fall of the lunar cycle, when everything is in breakdown, beginning to decompose and transitioning into compost to nourish new life later on. Not an ideal time to begin something new, use what you’ve already created to make adjustments or correct your path- or decide to let go of it completely. Similar to the First Quarter moon, this phase marks the other side of a halfway point. Use it to reflect and identify your next direction. An excellent for tying up loose ends or marking the end of projects come to a close, your work is done.

Prioritize completing lingering items on your to-do list.
Take a hard look at past mistakes and find the silver lining of the lessons they have offered.
Find one area in your life you can completely close out- anything from paying off the last of a debt, submitting a project that’s due, or finishing the leftovers in your fridge.

WANING CRESCENT | The Waxing Crescent moon is sometimes called the “Balsamic” moon, a word that means a restorative time for healing. Turn off. Replenish. Mediate. Look inward. Ask yourself questions, recognize accomplishment, and reflect on what is next. See if you can avoid making plans during this time, and focus on self care. This will put you in the best possible position to flow into new intention setting with a clear mind in the coming days of the next new moon.

Try a 1-3 day technology detox.
Surrender to the hand you have been dealt in this moment.
Find one thing to release in your life- a habit, a person, an object, a grudge, a responsibility- in order to make more room for new possibility and opportunity.

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How might you apply these concepts to your own life? To creative pursuits? To parenting? To caring for our bodies? Keep in mind that the time between a new and full moon is around 2 weeks, so try consider these suggestions on both a micro and macro level: some intentions may be able to bring to fruition within the 2-4 week timeframe, others will be a longer work in progress. Experiment don’t worry about align your life perfectly with the moon– we do live in a modern world afterall. But see if you can stay aware for a full lunar cycle and let me know if you notice a difference!

For an easy reminder of the current moon phases, there are tons of beautiful calendars out there, here are a few of my favorites:

one | two | three | four | five | six

You can also add the moon phases to digitally to your google calendar here (click the button in the bottom right)

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on being

4 tips for living a more balanced life

November 16, 2016

If you’re a working Mom or entrepreneur, and you don’t yet know about Hey Mama Co, you should! Building community in cities worldwide, Hey Mama is not just an online network of inspiring and helpful hustler mamas, but offers in-home and partner events as well so you can build connections in real life too. I’m grateful to be a part of this community, and today, in one of my favorite interviews so far, I share with them my perspective on conscious living, how motherhood changed me, and some of my life’s biggest lessons. Read the interview here!

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