Sezane Winter Favorites

Gift Guide for Her

Half my wishlist and half my favorite things, this is a gigantic list of ideas for her this holiday season!

Gift Guide for Him

Is it just me or are men the toughest to get gift for? Maybe it’s just the men in my life. Regardless, somehow I have come up with over fifty awesome things at lots of price points that bound to inspire some good gifts for the guys in your life. And don’t worry, not a tie or drill bit in sight!

Gift Guide for the Toddlers

What is more fun that celebrating the holidays with little kids? Nothing in my opinion. I have been healing my inner child with all the magic making and can’t help indulging a little with the gift giving.

Since my family is trying to adhere to the “something they want, need, wear, and read” rule of gift giving, I’ve channeled all my browsing into a mega gift guide. I’ve included a lot of the things my toddler absolutely loves on this list like the Yoto Mini player, these ball pit balls, and this kitchen set, so feel free to ask me questions about any of them!

Fall Shopping Lust/List

Fall is my absolute favorite season to dress for. Maybe its the New Yorker in me, but the layers and earth tones are absolutely my vibe. Plus an astrologer once told me that my birth chart showed I had an obsession with boots and, well, she wasn’t wrong. With the coming of a new season, may favorite one at that, I was doing a lot of (browser) window shopping. Several of these pieces I sat on for weeks before pulling the trigger. While some, after thoughtful consideration, remained abandoned in my cart never to make the expedient cardboard clad trip to my door. This post may be a bit late for some (chock that up to parenting a toddler), or maybe just in time for some tres chic holiday gifting. Either way, here’s what’s caught my eye!

This perfectly dramatic dress

These super affordable curved leg chinos

This nostalgic ring

These ever-so chic sunnies

This effortless jumper

This rich suede bag

This modern-day Chanel inspired piece

These practical, yet beautiful boots

These practical and cool clogs

This versatile day-to-evening bag

This classic wardrobe workhorse

November 6th

This morning I woke up at 3am and see the US election results. While I am disappointed, I think a little part of me accepted that this was a likely outcome. Despite my hopes this election is a validation of what I already know to be true from my own lived experience and work in social justice , that white supremacy and misogyny have yet to be extracted from what is the fabric and foundation of this country. The connection between white supremacy and capitalism is inextricable, and while I hoped for a different outcome at the top of the ticket, I also know that the no matter who is President so much work that remains. The path to an equitable and just world is very long. so I start today grieving, redetermined, and modestly hopeful because all is not lost in this election.

1. Checked in on friends and family

2. Made a cup of tea

3. Unsubscribed from marketing emails and text messages

4. Became a member of the working families party

5. Found a new independently owned bookshop to visit today to fill my cup

6. Cancelled non-essential work meetings

“Little drops of water make the mighty ocean.” -Julia Carney

My Bag Obsession Continues...

Oops, she did it again.

I bought another bag, but in my defense I did declutter a couple from my collection first. I have been an avid vintage Coach lover since my early twenties. In fact there are several bags that I found for STEALS over the years (i’m talking $30 and under), that I sincerely regret rehoming during my minimalism fueled purge sessions. All this backstory to say, I have added an beloved heritage style to my collection, and that is the Dinky.

I’ve loved this simple east-west style bag for ages, but haven’t loved the idea of the vintage crossbody version. That is why the reimagined style caught my eye. It comes with two shoulder straps, one being a chain (perfect if I ever leave the house after dark again), and a slightly longer leather shoulder strap. I loved this bag so much I even managed to film not one but two videos about it!

Summer 2024 Closet Additions

I’ve been on a quest to rediscover (or redefine) my style postpartum over the past several months. I recently completed a style workshop which was fun and somewhat helpful, but what has helped me the most is just wearing what I already own. I pulled out my spring a summer clothes a few weeks back and as I cycle through different pieces I have noticed gaps. Mainly, I have been craving variety, print, and pattern. I am also back to focusing on ease and function over polish, especially for the summer.

I’ve been doing a bit of shopping and I’ve had to unsubscribe from J.Crew’s email because their releases this spring and summer would have my wallet empty otherwise. When I did decide to look for some feminine cotton pieces to round out my wardrobe, these is what I selected.

1. The Clio top looks like the perfect dress up or dress down piece and I truly need tops that aren’t ribbed tanks or simple tees for summer. I seriously considered the Clio dress in black but I have enough black dresses and the top will be more versatile for my lifestyle. If it comes out in an olive or periwinkle I can’t gurantee I won’t buy it though!

2. I did not need a bathing suit, but I definitely fell in love with this gingham one. And if I am honest, I just don’t feel comfortable in my pre-baby swimwear anymore so I thought I’d treat myself to something that will hopefully make me feel happy in my current body. I love that the bum has good coverage but it is still sexy with the plunging neckline. I am hoping the texture and pattern also feel interesting and pair well with my overside linen shirt cover-ups.

3. This is the dress I have been searching for. I’ve wanted a floral print in a breezy cotton. Maxi or midi style that was sleeveless but ot spaghetti straps. I didn’t know it would take months to find the perfect one but I think I have! Bonus that it has a high slit so it doesn’t feel like a muumuu.

4. I have a very beloved summer hat with a massive brim but it isn’t practical with a toddler on my hip. I can’t count how may times I whacked him with my brim on our first beach day of the season! This chic bucket hat still has good coverage, but shouldn’t cause such havoc. It comes in so many colors too (I seriously considered the olive!).

5. Isn’t this brown dress divine!? I haven’t purchased this one (yet) because I am uncertain if one-shoulder makes sense with a young toddler who is still nursing. I might just het it anyway though becayse this dress feels so elegant and special to me.

Indyx Style Workshop: Week 4

This week in the style workshop we are distilling our style inspiration down into just 3 words as a sort of “North Star” for your personal style. I liked this practical reasoning the most:

“It provides great guidance when styling an outfit. Say you have a pair of jeans, a tee shirt and some loafers that perfectly fit into your “classic”, “relaxed” style, and your third word is “edgy”, so you opt for a leather jacket over a blazer. It’s styling, made easy.”

After taking the style quiz the three words that resonated the most were clean, classic, and casual (alliteration intentional!).

My Three Words

Clean

Clean speaks to the simplicity and minimalism of pieces. I don’t like a lot of visual clutter nor do I like fussy clothes. Keeping simple always makes me feel more confident and comfortable through the day. Styles that come to mind when I think “clean” is Scandinavian sculptural or architectural style. Brands like COS and Arket come to mind.

Classic

I naturally gravitate toward more “classic” pieces. I noticed a lot of Americana references and timeless looking French girls in my inspiration images. It tracks because since my early twenties I have gravitated toward the lists of essential French wardrobe staples and classic capsule wardrobe lists. Brands like Buck Mason and J Crew exemplify this.

Casual

Casual is where my lifestyle comes into play. I am a toddler mom living in breezy LA working from home most days. Tons of tailored pieces, no matter how much I adore them, just won’t get the same level of use as the easier throw on pieces. Brands like Ozma California and AYR are the epitome of casual for me.

Intuitive Parenting

In a world of gentle parenting, attachment parenting, and even snowplough parenting (had to Google that one!) I have come to my own conclusion that a one size fits all parenting style is nothing but false hope for parents.

Maybe that’s a little harsh, and I have barely a year of experience in this department so take my opinion with a grain of salt. While many parenting theologies have lots of merits (gentle parenting I have found particularly refreshing), I don’t think any style can give you a specific roadmap for your child. Every child is unique and the greatest gift you can give them is acknowledging that and being ever adaptable.

What I’ve found the most steadfast tool in my early parenthood is my intuition. In a world bombarding me with information, and the inevitable pressure to raise and nurture this little person “perfectly” it was easy to second guess what my gut instinctually wanted to do. Since before my baby came out of my womb, my partner and I were making a multitude of micro decisions for his well being on a daily basis. What can I eat, what side should I sleep on, how much rest versus activity, what fibers for his clothes, bedding, diapers, the placement of his cot. So many decisions. In the grand scheme of things, so many of these were inconsequential or at most provided an incremental benefit (but still decisions I’d likely choose over and over again anyway).

When it came to mortal safely I should have realized just how powerful my intuition would be from the very start of his life. I won’t get into details here but like looking back on our birth story, if my inner voice hadn’t been so loud and alerted me that something was wrong we may not have been so lucky as to get him here safely.

Since, with my gut has proven me correct time and time again from discovering my son’s severe food allergies that his physicians could not figure out or even choosing his childcare when I went back to work.

When I first when my husband and I first began planning our parenting journey I envision myself to be a crunchy, Montessori mom who made all of his food from scratch, only purchased developmental toys (you know the type), and never sleep trained. But then I was gifted with a beautiful picky baby who much preferred eating out of food wrappers, was obsessed with balls, and showed me the kind of parent I needed to be for him. I’ve learned to tune in to him, his needs, and his interests. I’ve learned to advocate on his behalf and relying on my natural given gift of intuition.

Every child is different every family is different and there are millions of decisions you make over the course of a day week or month in order to make each one of those I found it’s so much easier to assess in the moment versus planning based on arbitrary information that sounds good in a ideal world. Being flexible and ignoring the “shoulds” from the world and my own head has relieved so much of the pressure of comparison. Armed with information, but ultimately deciding based on his needs, I can trust that I am doing the best I can for my little guy.

And the best part is that the presence and attunement it takes to hear my intuition as a parent beautifully trickled into all aspects of my life .

Indyx Style Workshop: Week 3

This week in the Indyx style workshop they walked us through”editing up” and “editing down.” This was the first time I look at my style inspiration boards and thought more deeply about similarities. Typically I would look at individual pieces I liked and could add to my wardrobe to complete a look. But this week I looked at it through the lens of what is it essence of the image that I liked, and what were the through lines and patterns between the group of images. It was interesting what I discovered.

Editing Down

A few things stood out in my inspiration board and most of them were unsurprising. I pinned a lot of denim looks and that makes so much sense considering what I reach for in my closet 90% of the time. I also noticed a lot of button ups, layers with jackets, knits on the top, and simple crossbody or basket bags. Somethings that surprised me were the number of skirts that I pinned. I don’t wear a lot of skirts, I think I only own 3 of them actually, and when I do story them out they feel a bit fussy. But a long, gathered cotton skirt is something I’d like to try this spring and summer to give my denim a rest now and then.

Another pattern I identified is a lot of white bottoms for spring and summer. Unfortunately for this phase of my life with a young toddler I don’t think that’s practical at all. There are just way too many sticky fingers and spill happening these days and I think light bottoms would just stress me out. I also noticed a lot of the inspo images are a little oversize and slightly disheveled in its styling. To get that casual effortless look I’ll need to be very intentional and polished in my styling. I love the slicked back buns and minimal jewelry. I also noticed that the open oversized button downs were almost always paired with a fitted tank or tee underneath. A lot of my tees are also relaxed so maybe this year I try out a couple of more fitted ones.

I’m starting to realize that ideal style is a bit of California coastal with a touch of minimalist city girl, and a splash of French countryside. If I infuse an element of that in every outfit I think I’ll find enough interest in each outfit and still feel like myself.

Editing Up

It was unsurprising that this exercise revealed my love of neutrals pretty blatantly. One thing I did not expect was to crave primary pops of color. In some images there was a deep cherry red, or a cobalt blue and I realized that’s severely lacking in my wardrobe. A fun scarf, shoe, or bag could easily inject more personality and give a somewhat basic outfit a lot more personality. A bit of pattern out side of my beloved mariner’s stripe could do the same.

The last part of the exercise was fun for me. I made a list of designers and brands that align with the style aesthetic I am cultivating. I won’t lie, I already have a list of brand I love lingering on my notes app. I use it to search for items preloved so I know which search terms to use. After this exercise I think the list has become more refined. They range from classic Americana heritage brands, to relaxed and organic Cali vibes, and timeless French and French inspired brands.

• Vintage J Crew, Ralph Lauren & Esprit

• Buck Mason

• Balzac Paris

• Apiece Apart

• Ozma California

• Sezane

• DISSH

• AYR

• Modern Citizen

• TIBI

• COS

Week 3 was fun, while it wasn’t a lot of action, there was tons of insight. I’ll see you back here for week 4!

If you want to join the Indyx app (it’s free!) use my referral code GINASTOVALL and we’ll both get $10 credit for styling services.

Styling Session: Floral Dress

Play dress up with me as I figure out how to integrate this floral midi dress into my wardrobe!

Look 1

Shoes: https://shopeitheror.com/

Basket Tote: https://bit.ly/3ZqZuwE

Look 2

Denim Jacket: https://bit.ly/44jh4qq

Mansur Gavriel Bag: https://bit.ly/4djWY3m or https://bit.ly/3UySYVo

Green Croc Sandal (similar): https://bit.ly/3Wgb5Ri

Look 3

Trucker Jean Jacket: https://bit.ly/4aTwq74

Mansur Gavriel Bag: https://bit.ly/4djWY3m or https://bit.ly/3UySYVo

Basket bag (similar): https://bit.ly/3WiLBTn

Crossover Sandal (similar): https://shopeitheror.com/

Look 4

Breton Top (similar): https://bit.ly/49OExBb or https://bit.ly/44fbsh3

Tank Sweater: https://www.solosix.co/

Straw Tote: https://bit.ly/3WiLWW9

Crossover Sandals: https://shopeitheror.com/

Look 5

Blazer (similar): https://bit.ly/3xOONvK

Blazer 2: https://bit.ly/3U8n2Ed or https://bit.ly/4aKdEiZ

White Sneakers: https://bit.ly/3VQEZbJ

Phone Pouch: https://bit.ly/3Wea38s

Look 6

White Shirt: https://bit.ly/3hkY0UL or https://bit.ly/3Itr1Jc

Flattered Bag: https://bit.ly/3vWhkPB

Ballet Flats: https://bit.ly/3xAKm7R

Look 7

Leather Jacket: https://bit.ly/3MyGXts

Demi Lune Bag: https://bit.ly/4dibOaH or https://bit.ly/3y6bwn2

Green Croc Sandal (similar): https://bit.ly/3Wgb5Ri

Look 8

Short Coat: https://bit.ly/3uml5Nx

Bag: https://bit.ly/4beUstv

Lug Boots (similar): https://bit.ly/4aSZQTr or https://bit.ly/3UaF62k

Boots 2 (similar): https://bit.ly/3WjxI7E

Look 9

Black Turtleneck: https://bit.ly/4aTDzoi or https://bit.ly/4dipmmt

Bucket Bag: https://bit.ly/3T5VDmf or https://bit.ly/4dippPb

Loafers: https://bit.ly/3uIiFVM

How I plan my outfits and track my wardrobe ~ Indyx App (free): https://www.myindyx.com/

Use my code GINASTOVALL for $10 credit for styling services (I'll get a $10 credit too!)

Style Workshop: Week 2

It’s week 2 of the Indyx Style Workshop and it’s all about collecting inspiration. You’re not gonna have to twist my arm to scroll Pinterest for inspiration! I already have a 2024 style inspo board going (you may have seen it if you’re subscribed to my newsletter), so I have been adding to that. One thing the workshop mentioned was to go brad and consider why I like each image I am pinning. Maybe it is a certain element or possibly just a vibe it gives off. That added thoughtfulness is something I hadn’t considered before and I think I am already gleaning more insight into why I like what I like. A few take aways so far:

• I like unfussy clothing and styling.

• The clothes need to be comfortable and made from high quality materials, even in the inspo pics.

• Layering adds so much dimension, but it isn’t somethign I’ve mastered in my personal style.

• Pops of saturated colors are so much fun!

• Accessories make the look, bags, baskets, scarves, and sunnies are what I am attracted to most.

• So much denim and pants overall. I love dresses but am very choosy it seems.

If you want to join the Indyx app (it’s free!) use my referral code GINASTOVALL and we’ll both get $10 credit for styling services.

Style Workshop: Week 1

I recently have become obsessed with the Indyx app. It’s a tool that helps you index your entire wardrobe, create outfits, and track how much you wear, all for free. It also has paid features that include a personal stylist and support for setting up the app (if you sign-up use my code GINASTOVALL and we’ll both get $10 credit for styling services).

Since I started using it about a month ago I have gotten so creative with my existing wardrobe. And that’s the whole point of the app… to show you what you own, and inspire you to get the most out of you wardrobe hopefully encouraging you to buy less and more intentionally.

Another free feature of the app is a multi-week style workshop. I started it last week and thought I’d share here as a sort of accountability measure and for posterity! Week 1 was all about setting intentions for the workshop, here are mine below…

Set your intentions

• I want to use more of my wardrobe.

• I want to have fun getting dressed each day.

• I need to eliminate clutter in my wardrobe, it just makes me anxious and makes it harder to see what I own.

• I want to (re)discover my personal style postpartum.

Set a commitment

I won’t fall for the the sunk cost fallacy and keep things in my wardrobe I don’t love and use.

Identify and release any negative or counterproductive beliefs or “rules” 

I am releasing the idea that a versatile and efficient wardrobe ias filled with basics and neutrals. I want to get comfortable injecting a bit of added interest through color, pattern, texture, and silohuette.

Unfollow accounts and unsubscribe from emails that don’t support this journey 

I recently unsubscribed from nearly all marketing emails and have been maintaining “inbox zero” for a few weeks. My next step is to audit the social media accounts I follow to make sure they align with the type of content I want to consume and aren’t just selling me on things I don’t want.

Spring Wishlist: 2024

Spring has sprung and I am in the midst of rediscovering my personal style post-baby. Nearly 16 months postpartum I am finally feeling more like my pre baby self, physically at least!

I’ve been lusting after a few new things in my wardrobe and I think to celebrate my second Mother’s Day I may splurge a bit. Here’s what has caught my eye and stuck in my mind.

Everlane Day Glove: I wanted a earth tone alternative to my black pair that I’ve been wearing all winter. I have a caramel color that I’ve nearly worn into the ground so this cocoa color is the perfect new addition. (Spoiler, I bought them!)

Emilia Dress: this dress looks like the perfect throw on piece and the color is just stunning.

Madewell Crystal Tennis Necklace: I may have been influenced by this one. I am really into layering necklaces and think this would complement some of the pieces already in my little collection.

GLDN Poet Pallete Studs: I have fallen head over heel for these studs. The colors and the romantic shapes tugged at my heart strings. I sat thinking about them for two weeks before deciding this would be my official Mother’s Day gift to myself this year.

Le Filet Market Net Tote: honestly I just want a new one as my old market bag in the natural color is pretty stained. This vintage blue color caught my eye and would be a find little pop to my neutral outfits.

Massimo Dutti Woven Bucket Bag: I definitely do not need a new leather bag, but I definitely do want a woven leather one and I am a huge sucker for green bags overall. That coupled with the unique shape and clever closure has me one click away from ordering.

French Hemp Fisherman Sandal: These shoes are all about the nostalgia. I’ve been considering a pair of Gardenheir clogs for a while but have been unsure of how I would style them. These sandals I could immediately imagine going with tons of summer looks I already own. And as a bonus they come in kids sizes too so I’m seriously considering getting my son a matching pair!

Eclipsing

There’s some thing about an eclipse that physically reminds you that we are on a planet within a solar system surrounded by many other celestial bodies that are incomprehensibly bigger than us.

As much as I tried to resist the lure of astrology, I have been a low key fan since the days of monthly horoscopes in the back of Teen Beat magazine. I saw a post from Amy of @sistervillage on Instagram about the eclipse and new moon and it got me thinking.

In the post Amy asserts that the Aries Solar Eclipse that happened on Monday represents new beginning and as is an opportunity to boldly move towards your goals. It’s a time for reflection and doing the inner work to get there. The caveat being that in order for something new to come into your life, some thing (or things) need to be released. Specifically whatever has been holding you back. This is what piqued my interest the most. I’ve been reflecting on what holds me back from my goals and it always comes back to me. I get in my own way by trying to do all things “perfectly” all time.

In the past I’ve dug into my perfectionist tendencies and they are all rooted in the subconscious belief that I must be perfect in order to be worthy. There a a multitude of things from my childhood I’ve identified as contributing to this belief, but instead of rehashing that I am focusing on rewriting this script on the deepest level. Whenever a feeling of “I don’t deserve this” or “I’m not good enough” creeps in I interrogate why I believe that. There root of that feeling always dissipates after deeper reflection. Thankfully these feelings are fewer and further between these days, but not eradicated. Just a few days ago a stressful situation threw me into those feelings of self doubt but the recovery seems to be swifter and smoother the older I get.

This eclipse came at just the right moment for me. Like the sun, moon, and our planet, it’s a time for me to align with my highest self. A reminder to get out of my own way and continue doing the inner work as opportunities arise.

Nori Press Steam Iron Review

If you’re like me, you may have avoided wearing an item of clothing before simply because it needed ironing. I only drag out the ironing board when I need to press several pieces. Actually, it were being honest, I detest taking out the ironing board so much that I’ve taken to throwing a towel on the bed and doing my iron there. All the complaining to say that I am trying out a new iron sans board!

Cue the Nori Press Steam Iron, this little gadget looks sleek and had some power to it. It's basically a high-tech hair straightener for your clothes. It's also lightweight, and because it doesn't require an ironing board, it feels like a minimalist solution to save space and clutter.

I was skeptical at first, but I put it to the test with a heavy cotton button up with persistent wrinkles and it did a great job. The steam is consistent and I only needed a pass or two over each area to get it crisp. For easier jobs like a summer skirt or blouse this is ideal. I can see myself packing it for trips, using it for photoshoots, and pulling it out at home for single garment touch ups.

I don’t see myself pulling this out when I have a ton of items to iron for a few reasons. The water reservoir is on the smaller side, so you might need to refill it for bigger jobs. Also, because of the size of the plates, it's not ideal for huge items like bed sheets. I’m also not sure if this would be more comfortable ergonomically to use for extended periods when compared to a traditional iron.

Overall, I'm impressed with the Nori Press Steam Iron. It's not going to replace a full-size iron for everything, but for most use cases it will work. This is particularly great if you don’t have frequent need for an iron and want to save space at home or if you’re on the go a lot and want to look crisp. Also, the clever branding doesn’t hurt either (Nori is iron spelled backwards!).

Traveling Plus One

Fresh mountain air, a luxe cabin, and nothing on the agenda. Sounds like a perfect plan until you throw in one miserable 15 month old who hates the car seat, loves his routines, and has molars that decided this trip was the perfect time to start making their appearance.

When I booked this getaway, just a couple of hours outside of LA, I envisioned it being an experiment. We haven’t travelled as a family since our son was born. He hasn’t spent a night away from home since we brought him back from the hospital. And while all three of us are homebody’s, eventually we’d like to get back to traveling. So this short trip to the mountains would be a litmus test for how ready we are to venture away as a trio.

The baby would be on spring break from nursery and my old friend would be visiting from Amsterdam. What better time to get out of dodge and enjoy the burgeoning spring season? I made my lists of what to pack and planned out our little one’s meals. He has a few severe food allergies so bringing along the essentials would assure he’d have all he needed. I mapped out what his routines would look like outside of our home, naptime, bathtime, and bedtime being the critical ones. I research travel cribs, packed toys, toiletries, and layers. And I found the perfect family friendly cabin that met my standards visually and comfort wise and met our families need for all the baby gear. I controlled for as many factors as I could and kept expectations low. Worst comes to worst we could turn around and head right back home.

We timed the drive with his nap hoping he’d fall asleep in the car. He’s never slept in the car, but one can hope. We didn’t even make it out of our neighborhood before we had to pull the car over to nurse. He did sleep though, and we only had to whip out the boob two more times en route to get him to stay asleep. 15 minutes before arrival he woke up done with his car seat and that’s when we resorted to a little screen time. Why subject everyone to 15 minutes of blood curdling cries when we’ve made it this far?

The cabin was lovely, and baby boy was obviously happy. His teething pain and frustration with sitting for so long melted away with the prospect of exploring a brand new (not baby proofed) environment.

The day faded into evening and we ventured out to a local farmers market before the mountain mist fell and made being outside unbearable. Back at the cabin we relaxed until the baby fell asleep, easily without his typical routine I might add. And then we lit a fire and cooked a feast of a dinner. After a bit of lounging and warm showers we joined in on getting some sleep.

The next morning our little guy was up early and therefore so were we. After a leisurely breakfast we headed lakeside to explore the shops and hunt for the next meal. It was far colder than we hoped and a severe weather advisory has been issued so we knew our trip would be cut short so not to risk getting stuck in the snow. After cocoa and Belgian waffles we headed back to the cabin for nap time. This nap time proved to be far less successful than bedtime and I had to nurse our guy to sleep and was held hostage with him in bed. So much for that overly researched travel crib.

While we snoozed my husband began packing all the miscellaneous things and pretty soon after waking we were off again. This time the impromptu drive back was rescued by “Hey Bear” (iykyk), and a midway nursing break at a gas station - del taco combo drive through.

Suffice to say, the adults were harried by the trip, although there were pockets of rest and relaxation in between chasing after a toddling tyke. But despite this trip not feeling anything like similar trips of the past, it was such a great learning experience. We learned to let go of what ought to happen and take each moment as it comes.

Plus, seeing our little guy explore a new place with such enthusiasm and then return and revel in our home with even more enthusiasm is putting a smile on my face even now as I type this.

The Vernal Equinox

I don't know about you, but the past month has been a doozy. I am not usually one to look to the cosmos for explanations, yet recently I have been hoping there is something to blame for much harder life has been as of late. I'll spare too many details aside from saying that out home has been plagued by illness and some very close people to me have been facing some of the worst life has to offer. As I try to keep my life afloat and support those I love I've been clinging to the fact that winter always turns to spring (as on of my favorite buddhist teachings says).

In fact, today is the auspicious vernal equinox. After watching this TikTok, I decided that I would use the coming of spring as a fresh start on my new year and leave the woes of February (and early March) behind. The start of spring has always been special to me. My beloved grandmother's birthday was the first day of spring (give or take a few hours depending on the year). Like a budding flower breaking through winter, she was always hopeful and ever resilient. Her youthfulness even as she faced the ailments of old age was a constant reminder that I can take on the challenges of life and still find joy in the everyday. So in celebration of what would have been her 90th, I am declaring the coming of this season a chance for me to reset my intentions for the year.

Ebbing More Than Flowing

I’ve been a little MIA because these season just feels like survival. When I get in this space life gets whittled down to the necessities, family, my health, work, friends, and the daily requirements of keeping life going. I used to get down on myself when these times came, feeling like I wasn’t doing enough or not managing my time correctly. These days I realize that life is full of ebbs and flows and I can either struggle to speed them up or slow them down, or I can ride them as they come. Lots more riding them these days and that feels fantastic.