morning inspiration

I just found this awesomeness while looking up the store hours of Reform School- a super cute craft & design boutique in Silver Lake: Year of Mornings 3191 miles apart. It has tickled me pink for a few reasons. For one, I was just recently inspired to do a photo series on my morning walk to yoga, as well as of random things in my great studio. Then, it's a collaboration of two women that are from Portland! One is from Portland, Oregon and the other is in Portland, Maine. What are the odds? I am beyond excited for my upcoming vacation to the Northwest and I have never been to Portland. Mostly, I am excited about this concept because despite their distance (3191 miles apart), they seem to be in sync on any given day with the subject matter they are inspired to shoot. I LOVE it. And I can't wait to buy this book immediately, as well as register for Photography 101 at the Art Center and buy my new camera.

prosperity

alchemy union

Infinite 8

The number eight turned to one side is the symbol for infinity. There are also eight limbs of yoga, which are practical guides from Patanjali (a saint who is considered the father of yoga), to a person’s personal development to achieve the harmony of the mind, body and spirit. The number 8 is also considered a very lucky number for prosperity and everlasting abundance. The beginning is the end and the end is the beginning.

Peacock

Peacocks are revered around the world as a symbol of wisdom, love and luck. The Tibetans consider the peacock to have alchemical powers due to its ability to literally eat and be nourished by poisonous plants. Because of this the peacock is a powerful symbol to help us transform the poison in our lives into something beautiful.

Lotus flower

The Lotus flower symbolizes divinity, fertility, wealth, knowledge and enlightenment. The Lotus is also associated with the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, who brings prosperity, purity and generosity. The Lotus flower grows in muddy water and rises above the surface to bloom with remarkable beauty. Om Mani Padme Hum, meaning, “Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus” is the sacred mantra of the Tibetans..

Lady Bug

Ladybugs, or Ladybirds as they are also known, are best known as emblems of luck and overall good omens. They are considered symbols of protection in Ireland as well as a harbinger of true love. It is said when a Ladybug lands on you, that your wish will come true.

White Elephant

White elephants are revered symbols of power, prosperity and good fortune.

A white elephant also appears as a guardian of temples and of the Buddha. The white elephant is also considered to belong to the Hindu god Indra. He leads the Devas (the gods who form and maintain Heaven) and the elements such as fire and water.

Horseshoes

The horseshoe invokes the crescent moon, the sacred shape of the moon goddesses Artemis and Diana and so invites their protection. The Moon is a female shape for receiving blessings. It is a fertility sign (for the wealth of your wallet!). The seven nail holes in a horseshoe invoke the traditionally lucky number 7. The Horseshoe is also positioned facing up the gather the luck from the heavens.

Evil Eye

This nazar or “evil eye” is a powerful symbol of protection common in Turkey. It offers the power to shield the wearer from negativity by stopping and reflecting the energy back to the source.

Dragonfly

Native American’s believe that dragonflies are a symbol of renewal after a time of great hardship. They are a sign of prosperity. In Japan dragonflies are symbols of courage, strength, and happiness. The dragonfly symbolizes change ..They are fantastic flyers, streaming light, turning and changing direction always heading somewhere better.. Their colors are a result of reflecting and refracting the power of light. Dragonflies are reminders that we are light and can reflect the light in powerful ways. How we see the world is a reflection of how we think. Shine your light in all the corners you encounter for life illumination.

music of the spheres

I am so excited- coming back from yoga this morning, I had a feeling I should check the mailbox. I ordered a demo CD last week from Music of the Spheres, Inc., "the Stradivarius of Windchimes" and sure enough, there it was in a beautiful glossy black CD cover envelope. I want to add chimes to the blog so that one can drift off further into the ether as one steps into the mineral forest. Hooray!

sesame seeds & coffee

today is day 38 of my 40 day Kundalini Yoga bootcamp and meditation. I only slept 4 hours. I am proud of myself that I have come this far and was able to get out of bed and go to the Rec Center for class. but the last days are the most challenging and it's where it counts the most. I have done a 40 day meditation before and there is always something that surfaces to challenge your commitment. I succeffully completed 40 days last year in September-October and even managed to stay committed during a trip up to San Francisco and Sonoma to get my Balinese wood.

this time it's different. I am waking up monday-friday at 6 am to go somewhere and practice. and I continue on the weekend on my own. the challenge of getting out of bed no matter what time it is has always been my weakness. I love sleep. dreaming is my world. but since I have stayed focused on my mission to complete these 40 days strong, I have found that my days are turning into a dreamland playground and life is magical all around.

I treated myself to comfort food Silverlake Coffee Co.- style after class this morning: a perfectly toasted sesame seed Brooklyn Bagel with egg and cheese and a mocha. i'm finally getting used the the idea that it's ok to indulge in life's little pleasures, even after a cleansing yoga class. it's overcast outside and the moisture in the air is cooling. but in my world today, the energy and light that I have been cultivating is carrying me through, along with a little caffeine buzz and yummy goodness to boot. "may the long time sun shine upon you, all the love surround you and the pure light within you, guide your way on."

local art

I woke up this morning earlier to walk to yoga - finally I did it! I got to walk by the lake, hear the ducks quacking, see them take flight in a group over the glassy water. It was 6 am and there was activity all around. It took me the whole 15 minute walk to adjust and become present. All of the sights and sounds were sensory stimulation overload. I needed to focus on each step and make sure I was not going to step in a surprise left from Fido on the walkway. Through my yoga and tai chi practice, I am learning that there is always magic around the corner when you least expect it because you "show up" - even when it's most difficult. This morning was not particulalry hard to get up at 5:45 am, as opposed to the other day when I ambitiously set my alarm for 5:30 and it felt like a weight was dragging me back into deep sleep. But the surprise was there waiting for me anyway when I approached the Rec Center.

There are murals everywhere in Echo Park. Grafitti as well. The colors are especially bold and bright, paying homage to the local Latino heritage. On a brick wall of a buidling just west of the Rec Center, radiating blue and purple and gold, was Shiva with her swirling hands opening and welcoming me to my morning meditation. I wish I had my camera. And, I wish I would have listened to the voice this morning telling me to put the camera in my bag as I reloaded the battery from charging overnight. But ego stepped in and said, "I don't need the camera for anything, I'm just going to yoga." It's always that nudge that tells you what you need to know in order to be prepared. But I didn't listen.

It's ok. I am waking up. I am taking the step. Now I know. Always be prepared. And as I walked home, I happened upon so many other inspired would-be photos and then that is when I decided that my next endeavor will be a photography class. And I will treat myself to a good camera. It's time.

summer scents

anyone who has been in my boudoir will attest to how much I am a sucker for fragrances. It's definitely a personal style and especially a seasonally inspired fetish. this summer, I am addicted to:

* this beautifully packaged dual roll-on perfume oil by Sage: Garnet & Amethyst. How perfectly mineral forest! I actually bought this in San Francisco about 5 years ago and it has always been eye-candy in my collection, however I haven't completely fallen in love with it until just a couple weeks ago when I broke it out for the first time this season. it's one month into summer and the heat is on. these perfume oils are highly concentrated and you only need a little to go a long way. they are sensual and natural and the fragrance adjusts to your skin as different layers and notes surface throughout the day. it is simply a delight.

"a sensual floral with Moroccan Red Rose and Blackberry layered with sweet Lilac, Gardenia and African Violet."


* Premier Figuier by L'Artisan Parfumeur. If you want a fancy French perfume but without it being heavy, overwhelmingly potent and alcohol based, this is the line for you. Natural fragrances is what this line is all about, yet totally luxurious at the same time. Over the years, I have moved away from classic French perfumes and have grown totally obsessed with the more natural and essential oil based fragrances, mainly because I have developed allergies at different times of the year for some odd reason, or even maybe just depending on my mood, but for whatever reason, they are too overpowering and tend to make me almost nauseous.

scent family: under the fig tree

"Green like its sweet-smelling leaves, milky like the sap of the tree, fruity like the soft flesh of the fig; woody like its branches and trunk…It is unique as it conjures up an image of the entire tree. As surprising as a first kiss, as caressing as shadows on a bright, sunny day, Premier Figuier has captured, in its bottle, a whole host of summer memories… exactly under the fig tree!"

* Bulgari's Eau Parfumee Au The Blanc (White Tea) will always remain a quintessential summer scent. totally romantic and feminine and will make any guy purr like a kitten.

olfactive family: woody floral musk

"artemisia: reassuring; white tea: precious; musk: inner soothing"

* Jo Malone has scents for every season and I am quickly amassing quite a collection of her bottles. British designer extraordinaire, she travels the world in search for the perfect blend of herbs, fruits, resins, and spices. layering them is the best part about them. White Jasmine & Mint was my springtime fancy (so fresh and clean), however layered on top of Blue Agava & Cacao (think Mexico: cacao, cinnamon, agava nectar), this is the perfect summer combo. ay caramba!

design overdose

OMG, my brain is hemorrhaging! I found the link to Design*Sponge and have died and gone to heaven. I have been glued to the computer for an hour and must get up but can't seem to peel myself away. There are endless links on this blog and I could literally get lost in cyberspace and never come back. Thank you Jamila of eleven eleven for turning me on to this!

the cloud that followed me home

i stepped out of yoga at the Golden Bridge last night and the most enchanting sun-lit cloud was hovering in the sky before me. when I got home, there is was - it had followed me home.

the simplest salad

summertime calls for light and simple preparations. it's just too damn hot to create elaborate meals, and it's really hard to digest heavy foods. i got to make my favorite "3 herb salad" the other day for my parent's house warming party and indeed, it was just the perfect combo of simple and light and yet so tasty, it was a huge hit! i snagged this recipe from a french girl i worked with at the Beverly Hills Hotel. basically it goes like this:

-tear up butterleaf lettuce leaves into a bowl (washed of course)
-chop italian parsley, fresh mint and cilantro and sprinkle over the lettuce (don't be afraid to use plenty of herbs)
-drizzle your favorite olive oil
-squeeze fresh lemon juice to taste
-freshly crack some sea salt and black pepper (also try himalayan sea salt or lemon pepper if you're feeling funky)
-toss to coat and enjoy right away so the leaves don't wilt.
-yum!

now i had no idea how simple salad can really be until i went to a yoga class at the golden bridge last night, a sunday night class, and was so pleasantly surprised that we were served a well deserved dinner after an incredilbly challenging class! mung beans and salad. utterly simple, and completely divine. it doesn't get easier than this, however it may require a bit of effort to procure a couple of key items that make it all worthwhile. of course, the goodness in "simple" is derived from the quality of the items, so this is where a bit of effort comes into play. here are the only ingredients you need for this impeccably delightful garden treat:

-organic field greens (baby greens or a spring mix will do, however doesn't "field" sound so summery?)
-your favorite olive oil
-apple cider vinegar (i guess it should be organic, right?)
-now here's the secret ingredient: Braggs Liquid Amino Acids - replaces any need for seasoning, plus it is packed with nutrients and gives the dressing the most delectable flavor ever! you can get this at whole foods or any natural food store.
-it's that easy and it's to die for. toss some alongside a cheese omlette, a piece of grilled chicken, a grilled cheese sandwhich, whatever you have in the fridge!

and finally, day 3 of being inspired by simple salads - my friend Ellie gave me some salad seasoning called Goya salad and veggie seasoning and told me it is the best dressing ever, just add fresh lemon juice and oil and presto! so i had some fresh butterleaf lettuce, live on the root and some grilled corn left over from the weekend.

-butterleaf lettuce, tear up leaves
-grilled corn, cut off the cob
-olive oil
-fresh lemon juice
-Goya salad seasoning

triple yum.

summertime

I have neglected my creative flow the past few months and as summer expands, I am finding that I have been on hold for some time now, but for what? There has been so much to be inspired by: Chinatown, night-blooming jasmine overhanging my entryway, my 40 day Kundalini Yoga Bootcamp practice and meditation at the Rec Center in Echo Park (hooray!), ice cream at Pazzo Gelato, the Hollywood Bowl with friends, moving my family into the new Ratsiu Residence in Huntington Beach, potential love around the corner, my blooming business as the Rental Girl, and heading out to Portland (for the first time!), Seattle and San Diego for a long overdue vacation. I met my new yoga teacher's wife Jamila the other day and fell in love with her website, blog and business concept eleven eleven. I was so happy I got to tell her how much she inspired me and how dedicated she is, it's no easy feat to keep up a blog with so many exciting and beautiful bits of random things. So I am committing to keeping up with my creative side and no matter what, remind myself (and anyone else who cares to read along!) of what makes life so beautiful, big or small. It doesn't have to be a long blog entry - even if just a word about what makes my heart sing. Just to stay connected to the Source. And with that, I will note my latest new find today at one of my favorite coffee stops: Cafe de Leche in Highland Park, the "chai-chata". Chai and horchata mixed - could there be anything more delightful? And it was iced. Yum. Definitely worth trying, as I was on my way to get a Mexican Mocha which is to die for as well. One last thing, I finally stopped by the Fifth Floor Gallery in Chinatown and talked to Robert (the owner, who works in the tool crib at Otis and who I know from the wood working class I took there a couple years ago) about mineral forest. Crossing my fingers for whatever there is in store for me there!