Currently...

  Well, Monday is here again.  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  I thought I would share another list of my current loves/happenings..

Listening to: Black Chandelier by Biffy Clyro.  On repeat all weekend, yes I am slightly obsessed right now.




Feeling:  Inspired.  My head is full of things I want to make and do.  Just making time for them is the main problem right now.  I did come up with a new bath salt recipe this weekend, I am calling California Dreaming.  Will share recipe soon!

Doing: Hooping.  Did quite a bit of it Saturday evening and yesterday.  I love it, but I need lots of practice!

Reading:  The new issue of Amulet Magazine.  Beautiful, inspiring.  This is the second issue, and to be honest, I did not think they could outdo themselves after such a beautiful first issue.  But it is so wonderful, worth every penny.

Laughing at: Shit New Age Girls say.  I know it has been going around for awhile now, but it still makes me crack up every time.  Only because it is SO true.   PS-I love your feathers.....

Watching:  Game Of Thrones.  Yes, I am one of the millions obsessed with this show.  So good, every week.


What are you guys into these days?

This moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. A tradition started by Soulemama.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

The gift of self care

The idea of self care is a pretty new one for me.  I am pretty good at treating myself to little things here and there, or if I really want or love something. But the idea of doing something for my body to keep it in balance is new to me.  I have always thought taking time for myself to do things that felt frivolous  made me selfish.  I am trying to get over that and starting to realize that if my mind, body, and soul are not in sync and at peace, then I am not only not good to myself, but I am not 100% for those around me as well.   For the past couple months I have been noticing a lot of the women who's blogs I read and love have been treating themselves to a tea consultation from the beautiful Lindsay of Whole Body Alchemy.  As a tea lover I was so intrigued by her offering, so I decided a couple of weeks ago to treat myself to one.  Let me tell you that this was one of the best decisions ever.  Lindsay uses a Ayurvedic based intake form with questions to make an herbal tea blend to match your dosha, and make a blend that keeps your specific dosha balanced.  I answered the questions as honestly as possible, and the next day she sent me my results back via email, and let me tell you it was spot on.  I don't want to get to specific, as each persons is different and tailor made for your own body.   A couple of days later, the most beautiful package arrived at my door.  Let me tell you this package was filled with so much love and intention, even before I made my first cup of tea I could feel the warm, love filled energy that surrounded all the offerings inside.   The most beautiful box of tea,  a lovely bundle of fresh herbs, a hand painted rock with my key word "embrace", and the most wonderful smelling soap sample from her Fat Virgin Soapworks shop.  Each package also comes with a beautiful tea ritual.  

This is such a personal package packed with healing energy, if you are thinking about treating yourself to something special I cannot say enough good things about this entire experience.  Lindsay is a true weaver of healing and magic.  Check out Whole Body Alchemy here, and check out all the wonderful offerings she has. 

Do you practice self care, what does it look like for you?

The best kind of weekend

This past weekend was one of those ones that leaves you with a smile on your face, and feeling very grateful for so many things.  It was a full one, but it was all so wonderful and full of adventure and beauty.  It all kicked off Friday night with one of my best girls birthday celebrations.  We gathered at her new place for some birthday fun.   It has got to be a good sign when this is the sunset that kicks off your weekend:

For her birthday Juli had arranged for one of her friends to do henna for all of us girls.  Let me tell you I LOVE me some henna, and her friend was so talented.  So many beautiful designs, and she did them all freehand.  

Aren't they beautiful?  Below is the end result, all of us together.  It was a great night of good food, music, and laughter.  

Happy birthday to my soul sister!  I hope your 33rd year is filled with all the love and happiness in the world, I cannot think of anyone who is more deserving. 

Later in the weekend, my husband and I decided last minute to head up the mountains to explore.  Juli decided to join us too.  We intended to go to Julian and walk around a bit, but then we saw the turnoff to go to Palomar Mountain, and in about two seconds we decided to go for it.  Also, Juli had never been even though she grew up here in San Diego!  It was on her birthday list of 34 things to do before she turns 34 so we checked that one off for her, and even on her actual birthday. 

    

We headed up the mountain and with about 15 minutes to spare before they closed we got to go into Palomar Observatory.   Palomar Observatory is an active research facility operated by the California Institute of Technology, and it houses the famous 200 inch Hale Telescope.  It is a pretty amazing place. We got to go inside and had time to walk around the grounds.

Pretty little pollinator outside the Observatory.

We then headed into Palomar State Park and wandered around on a few trails before it got dark.  I am glad we ended up there on such a beautiful day.  The weather was so nice, (hello tank tops and sandals!). 

Doane Pond with lady luna in the background. 

We were lucky enough to be graced by these beauties.  

Us with the birthday girl.

Dear San Diego, I love you big time.

It was the perfect end to a beautiful weekend.  I even managed to finish getting the garden planted on Saturday (thanks Juli for your help)  We now have tomatoes, kale, two kinds of squash, corn, and beans planted.  

You know, it is weekends like this that leave my heart feeling so full, and it definitely left me feeling refreshed even though there wasn't much rest that went on.   I hope you all had a beautiful weekend, let's rock the crap out of the rest of this week!!

This moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. A tradition started by Soulemama.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Flower power

This year one of my goals was to discover and visit places in San Diego that either I have never been to or haven't visited since I was very young.  I take for granted what a special place this city is, and I don't want to to do that anymore.  I want to take full advantage of the gifts Southern California offers.  This weekend a group of us decided to visit the Carlsbad Flower Fields.  I have not been there since I was a teenager, and I am so happy we went.   In the words of the Flower Fields:

For over sixty years, Mother Nature has transformed the rolling hills of North San Diego County into one of the most spectacular and coordinated displays of natural color and beauty anywhere in the world. The nearly fifty acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers that make up The Flower Fields^® at Carlsbad Ranch, in Carlsbad, California, are in bloom for approximately six to eight weeks each year - from early March through early May - literally bringing the famous fields back to life. This annual burst of color, which has become part of the area's local heritage, is also one of nature's official ways of announcing the arrival of spring here in Southern California.

Or in my own words, straight up MAGICAL.  

Let me tell you that these pictures do not do this place justice.  The fields are the most vibrant colors and full of so much beauty.  We went on this awesome tractor ride around the whole sixty acres, it was an fantastic tour with lots of history shared. 

I have a soft spot for ranunculus flowers, and to see this many in every shade imaginable was truly awe inspiring.  

Yellow will always hold the number one spot for me though.  This truly went on for as far as the eye could see.  It took all my strength to not jump right and there and go for a frolic.

The sweetest little fairy garden, complete with the story behind fairies and where to find them.

The hubs with me and our nephew.  Seriously are we not the luckiest auntie and uncle ever?  The cute factor alone is enough to melt my heart, not to mention he is such a sweet little boy with such a beautiful spirit. 

If you are ever in the San Diego area and are looking for something unique and fun to do, I could not recommend this place enough.  It was such a fun day spent with so many people we love.  I could not ask for anything more. 

Boston

I had a much happier post that I was going to put up today, but then events in Boston yesterday left me feeling like I needed to say something.  I know we all feel it, the sadness that comes when people attack humanity with their hatred.  I tend to carry it around with me for a long while after a horrific event like this happens.  Nightmares, tears, a heavy heart.  I feel it in every inch of my body and it makes me doubt the love that I know outweighs the hate in this world.  Events like this no matter on what scale leave me shaken to my core. 

 We had a dear family of loved ones who were there yesterday, one was running in the marathon and the rest of the family was cheering him on the sidelines.  When this all happened I immediately called and texted to check on their safety.  We didn't hear anything back for two hours and during that time both my husband I were worried sick about them. Scanning the news and web for images of them hoping that we would see them and that they were safe.   We finally heard that they were ok, and had made it to the airport and were on their way back to California.   A huge sigh of relief, but still that hole is there for everyone else who wasn't as fortunate as they were.  Then I came across this post by Patton Oswalt on Facebook. 

Boston. Fucking horrible.

I remember, when 9/11 went down, my reaction was, "Well, I've had it with humanity."

But I was wrong. I don't know what's going to be revealed to be behind all of this mayhem. One human insect or a poisonous mass of broken sociopaths.

But here's what I DO know. If it's one person or a HUNDRED people, that number is not even a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a percent of the population on this planet. You watch the videos of the carnage and there are people running TOWARDS the destruction to help out. (Thanks FAKE Gallery founder and owner Paul Kozlowski for pointing this out to me). This is a giant planet and we're lucky to live on it but there are prices and penalties incurred for the daily miracle of existence. One of them is, every once in awhile, the wiring of a tiny sliver of the species gets snarled and they're pointed towards darkness.

But the vast majority stands against that darkness and, like white blood cells attacking a virus, they dilute and weaken and eventually wash away the evil doers and, more importantly, the damage they wreak. This is beyond religion or creed or nation. We would not be here if humanity were inherently evil. We'd have eaten ourselves alive long ago.

So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety misogyny, hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think, "The good outnumber you, and we always will."

And you know what he is right, the majority of humanity is inherently good.  People were running to help, not knowing if it was safe or not to help people they have probably never met.  If there is one positive thing that comes out of events like this, it is that people come together and rise up to help each other.  I try to carry that with me when I feel my doubt in humanity crawling in.  

Last night I said a little prayer and lit some sage for everyone, humanity as a whole. I re read the post on Facebook and I am so thankful for it showing up when it did and to Mr. Oswalt for putting those words up for all to read.  I hope people found solace and hope in it as I did. 

"The good outnumber you, and we always will."

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. A tradition started by Soulemama.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

A circle of Women

I pinned this image a long time ago to one of my boards, and it keeps coming back to me.  I love it and every time it comes back to me, I think HELL YES!  I am so lucky to be surrounded by a beautiful tribe of ladies who I love with every fiber of my being. They are my soul sisters.   I was thinking though, how many beautiful souls that are out there that I am connected to even though we have never met.  All the amazing women I have met through blogging or the Apothecary Circle.  These amazing women  hold me up and encourage me even they probably don't know they are.  Could you imagine how amazing this world would be if all the women helped each other instead of the pettiness, jealousy, and backstabbing we all so often see?  I don't know if it is just me, but lately it feels like the world is finding a new sense of kindness when it comes to groups of women.   I hope to hell this is a trend that is really going to start showing itself more.  I am telling you, we would be a force to be reckoned with!

A Soothing soak

Happy hump day to you!  I wanted to share a recipe for bath salts I made last week that turned out pretty great, if I do say so myself.  Over the past 5 years I have suffered from eczema.  Especially on my hands and I also get "hot spots" on my legs.  I would say mine is moderate, but it is painful none the less.   I notice it more of course in the winter, and when the days go from cold to hot or vice versa really quickly.  I wanted to make something that would soothe my skin, but also smelled good.   This mixture definitely did the trick.  I think it would work great for sensitive skin, or if you just want a relaxing soak.

                                        

I don't really measure when I make something new (helpful right?) but I think you could take these ingredients and mix in what you feel is right for you.  So these are really just roundabout measurements.

2-21/2 cups epsom salt

2 cups organic oats

handful of lavender, chamomile, and calendula flowers.

chamomile oil

sweet orange oil

lavender oil
Rosehip seed oil

I took the lavender, chamomile, and calendula and put them in my mini food processor and gave them a quick chop.  I like to leave mine a little on the  thicker, but I think next time I would even grind them a little more.   Dump in a large bowl and add all ingredients.   Mix well and then add essential oils.  I used about 10 drops of each oil.

This made quite a bit, I filled a 20 oz mason jar full, and also gave some to friends to try out.  I would say it made about 25-30 oz total.   I want to open an herbal shop in the future, and I like to use my friends as guinea pigs.  (Thanks Juli-I love you!)

I add about 2-4 oz to the bath depending on how strong I want it.  Just remember any time you are bathing with epsom salts, you want to drink a lot of water before and after your bath.  Those salts suck a lot of toxins out and if you are not careful can dehydrate you.  Also, don't soak for longer than 20 minutes.  Let me know if any of you gorgeous ladies out there try this, I would love to hear what you think.  

Run or Dye

This past weekend, I participated in my first 5K!  It was definitely out of my comfort zone, but I have always wanted to do a 5K.   It was called Run or Dye and they call it the worlds most colorful 5K.  I had no idea what to expect, but it ended up being super fun, and so crazy.  Plus, each race in different cities benefits a different charity.  The one here in San Diego benefitted the American Lung Association.  Upon registration you are given a swag bag filled with all sorts of goodies, including one big pouch of color.  The color they used is corn starch based and is the same color they use in the Holi Festival in India. 

My cousin and I pre race, look at how clean we are!

This was waiting for the race to start and when the color started flying freely in the air.

This was before the pure craziness, in some spots you could not even see the sidewalk at all.

As you go through the course there are color stations marked with big banners in the coordinating color. They have volunteers that throw colors on you as you pass by, and they also have a ton of volunteers cheering you on and giving high fives  you along the way.  

My hair post race, I am glad I followed the directions and put leave in conditioner in my hair.  I am still sporting a sizable green splotch on my scalp.  

Our group post race, we did it!!!  

Post race dance party, it was high energy and a lot of fun!   I highly recommend participating in this if it comes to your town.  It was super fun to do it with a group of family and friends, we had a great time!

This moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. A tradition started by Soulemama.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Retreat into her pages

This week has felt off, overwhelming.  To much going on, and dealing with unseen circumstances that have left me feeling stressed and empty.  Whenever I feel this way, I tend to retreat into the pages of Mary Oliver poems.  Last night I filled the bath up extra hot and took her in there with me.  Her words speak to all the places in my soul, and I always feel myself breathe easier and I feel more grounded after spending sometime with them.  I thought I would share one of my favorites with you. 

Photo taken by me on our road trip last summer

Sleeping in the Forest

I thought the earth remembered me,
she took me back so tenderly,
arranging her dark skirts, her pockets
full of lichens and seeds.
I slept as never before, a stone on the river bed,
nothing between me and the white fire of the stars
but my thoughts, and they floated light as moths
among the branches of the perfect trees.
All night I heard the small kingdoms
breathing around me, the insects,
and the birds who do their work in the darkness.
All night I rose and fell, as if in water,
grappling with a luminous doom. By morning
I had vanished at least a dozen times
into something better.

Easter beauty

Easter was so wonderful this year, well it really is every year but this one was exceptionally beautiful.   We woke up bright and early and decided to start our morning with a hike at a nearby trail, with some of our good friends who we don't get to see as much as we wish we could.

  

We even ran into the Easter bunny!

It was such an awesome way to kick off the day, and so nice to spend some time with nature.   Being outside and in nature has always been my favorite form of worship.  I feel most like myself when I am outdoors and soaking in all mother nature has to offer us. It makes me not only feel connected more to myself, but to all living things.  

Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect.

Chief Seattle, 1854

  After our hike, we headed up to our families house about 45 minutes from where we live.   They live in a beautiful part of San Diego County, and I love visiting there.  It is out in the middle of nowhere and it is so peaceful and quiet.  

Not a bad view to wake up to everyday.

The cutest niece and nephew ever.  The brother is pretty handsome too.

Wild Poppies growing on their property.

The egg hunt is on!

The husband making new friends.

It was a beautiful afternoon spent with the people we hold most dear, just how a holiday should be. I hope you all had a happy Easter.  Also, happy April to you all!  I cannot believe a new month is already upon us.