THE GOOD STUFF
Welcome back to The Good Stuff. I’m having a lot of fun pulling these together for you every few weeks! Keep sending me what’s lighting you up, let me know by hitting reply to this email. How do you treat yourself during the holidays?
Here’s what I’m into this month…
Sweet treats are a must for me this time of year. My favorite indulgence is always Pecan Pie and my favorite local version belongs to Oakland’s Mariposa Bakery. I look for a certain consistency when it comes to Pecan Pie and Mariposa really gets it right for me. Firm for a wet bottom pie, a little chewy and not too sweet with a really nice crust that beautifully balances the filling. Gluten free, dairy free - but not vegan (eggs) this pie checks a lot of boxes, but mostly it’s absolutely delicious. If you are Vegan + Gluten Free, this Pecan Pie Bars recipe is delicious! I've made it a few times and it's a great substitute for pie :)
I’m a huge fan of the EVA collection from Birkenstock. Perfect for those of us who can never get enough of the great outdoors. I love that you can wear these for gardening, to the beach, for a short walk, even in the rain and simply hose them off before you head back in the house. I’ve been wearing the EVA Arizona style for the past few years and was delighted to learn that all the features I love about the Arizona are now available in the Boston clog style. My favorites are the black and khaki green colors.
My skin has been going through some things! Anyone else? Moisture has been hard to come by and it seems like whatever I put on my skin sinks in and disappears in a flash, leaving my skin a very expensive version of dry. I’ve had my eye on Oak Essentials, Jenni Kayne’s skincare collection since it debuted maybe a year or two ago. I’ve used Egyptian Magic on my skin for years, but recently not even this superpowered balm has been enough. Oak Essentials ran a really great promotion in November so I jumped on it ordering their Moisture Rich Balm Collection. It does not disappoint. Clean, organic when possible, non GMO and now Leaping Bunny Certified Oak Essentials delivers beautiful results without the gross stuff. I’m so impressed with the Cleansing Balm, Hydra Eye Balm, and Moisture Rich Balm. These are hero products for me and manage to keep my finicky and super dry skin glowing all day. And just in time for winter.
I have a few pieces from Rachel Pally. I really enjoy the look and feel of her linen blend fabric. It washes well, wears beautifully all day and travels with ease. While the designs themselves are wardrobe basics in mostly neutral colors, they make great foundational pieces for a sustainable and very wearable seasonless wardrobe that can be made unique with key pieces. I have a few dresses and a top and pant set and they just seem to work all the time. I love layering them in the winter with sweaters and coats and wearing them on their own during the warmer months. Plus, most of her designs have pockets and an open neckline to showcase your shiny adornments.
All of a sudden I need readers. Yikes bikes! It kind of crept up on me. Like really fast! Which is hilarious because I’m nearly 48, so it’s probably about time, right?! I looked around for a pair at a variety of prices, but truth be told, I’m a glasses snob. I have worn a vintage pair of Oliver Peoples for the past 5 years and the weight and beauty of the acetate has spoiled me rotten. So I was kind of ruined for the lightweight readers at the end of the aisle at CVS even though they do the exact same thing. I decided to give Caddis a try and WOW. They have the weight and beauty of my everyday glasses and feel more like a statement than an afterthought. I settled on the new Dobro style. The best part? If you fall in love with your reader frames you can order them with your prescription and in most cases even sunglasses and progressives with blue light filter lenses!
What are you into this month?
xxx
LAS
SOLAR TRANSIT
12-26-23
Gate 58
Gate of Vitality
On December 26, the sun gracefully traverses GATE 58, known as the GATE of VITALITY. During this celestial transit, you're invited to embark on a deeply introspective voyage of self-discovery. GATE 58 offers a profound opportunity to delve into your inner realm, particularly focusing on how you inspire others to take joyful action.
Venturing into the uplifting realm of Human Design Gate 58, we encounter the vibrant energy of Joy that beckons us to explore the very source of our happiness. This transit serves as a guide, reminding us that to truly bask in the radiance of joy, we must courageously confront the origins of our unhappiness. In doing so, a profound transformation occurs, gifting us with the strength to not only navigate life's challenges but also to extract joy from the sheer essence of being alive.
Gate 58 provides a beacon, illuminating the path towards internal exploration and self-awareness. By delving into the depths of our emotions and understanding the core of our discontent, we unlock a reservoir of empowerment that allows joy to naturally flow through our existence. It becomes a celebration of life, an artistry of living that transcends external circumstances, reminding us that joy is not merely a destination but an inherent aspect of our journey.
On the contrasting end Human Design Gate 58 takes on a different hue. Here, the energy of seeking joy undergoes a transformation into an external quest, a pursuit reliant on outside factors rather than internal cultivation. In this scenario, the delicate balance tips, and stress and pressure loom large, casting shadows on the potential for joy. The emphasis on external sources dims the brilliance of our internal well-being, allowing the chaos of external influences to overpower our serene sense of joy.
Gate 58 unfolds as a dynamic interplay between internal exploration and external influences, weaving a narrative of self-discovery and resilience. It serves as a reminder that joy is not only an outcome but a conscious choice, urging us to navigate the intricate tapestry of our emotions and experiences to uncover the authentic joy that resides within the core of our being.
Here are some journaling prompts to deepen your understanding and engagement with this transit:
Explore the origins of your current joy by reflecting on specific moments or experiences that bring you happiness. What patterns or themes emerge?
Identify a recent instance where external pressures or stressors overshadowed your potential for joy. What steps can you take to shift the balance in favor of joy?
Consider the people in your life who bring you joy. Reflect on the qualities or dynamics within those relationships that contribute positively to your well-being.
Explore any resistance you may have to facing the source of your unhappiness. What fears or hesitations arise?
NEW PROMPT!!
Do you know about Tapping? It can be an effective addition to energy work and nervous system regulation. Many of my Mentorship clients include Tapping as part of their daily ritual. You can learn more about Tapping and how to do it by hitting the button bellow.
EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping Prompt for this transit.
“Even though it is hard to let go of the past, I now choose to release it and embrace all the joy that is available to me right now, and I deeply and completely love and accept myself..”
Have a great week exploring these transits! Ready to learn more about your Human Design? Hit the buttons below to schedule a reading with me and download the free Human Design information sheets to learn more!
FULL MOON
12-28-23
Cancer
Gate 58
Gate of Vitality
The potent energy of the Full Moon beckons us to delve into self-discovery, urging us to identify and release aspects of our lives that no longer align with our intentions. This particular Full Moon graces us within the emotional and nurturing embrace of Cancer, a cardinal water sign. It is accompanied by the influence of the 4th House, a realm that defines our sense of family and belonging. Aligned with the Moon, the emotional landscape of the birth chart, this celestial event encourages us to navigate the depths of our emotions.
Anticipate a profound and emotion-laden experience during this Full Moon, seamlessly intertwined with the foundational aspects of the 4th House. Here, the focus on roots, security, and family creates a harmonious synergy with the Moon's wisdom. Together, they illuminate the path towards a deeper understanding of our needs and emotional well-being—an opportunity to resonate with the essence of familial connections we hold dear.
In connection with this full moon, consider delving into what needs releasing to align with an internal sense of belonging. Trust that you belong. We all belong and the ways you feel the need to prove yourself, or feel you lack self worth and cannot belong are not your truth. Reflect on what requires healing, letting go, realignment, or heightened awareness, enabling you to embrace and surrender to a sense of sovereignty and belonging within yourself first. This lunar event beckons you to explore the depths within, allowing the light of release to pave the way for nutrition yourself and being in receivership of care from those around you.
Journal Prompts for this Full Moon:
1. Delve into your roots, exploring the influences that have shaped your sense of belonging. How do these roots influence your current relationships and connections?
2. Reflect on the concept of security in your life. What aspects contribute to your sense of security, and are there areas that need cultivation or release?
3. Consider the emotions surfacing during this Full Moon. Are there patterns or themes that require attention, release, or transformation?
4. Explore the need to prove yourself and any feelings of lacking self-worth. How can you release these notions and embrace the truth that you inherently belong?
During this Full Moon through reflection on roots, security, family dynamics, and emotional depths, we can release what no longer serves us and align with a profound sense of belonging. These journal prompts provide a guiding light for delving into the depths within, allowing the transformative energy of the Full Moon to illuminate our path towards emotional well-being and the essence of familial connections we hold dear.
THE CREATIVE
Welcome to a new little Newsletter feature. Twice a month I will be sharing quotes from the books, Art is the Highest Form of Hope and The Creative Act. I find perspectives on the creative process to be so meta when it comes to life. We are a creative process and everything we do is subject to the same rules. Creation is non-linear. It's messy. It moves forward and backward. And also gets stuck. Often times we do not realize the purpose of a singular creative process until years later. Creativity likes to surprise us.
“Popular success is a poor barometer of work and worth.” - Rick Rubin
In 2017, as I finalized the pitch for my guided journal book, "These Three Things," to send to my agent, a fortuitous encounter altered my perspective. I stumbled upon a documentary interview with Michael Stipe of R.E.M., and his insights provided much-needed clarity. At the time, I grappled with concerns about the evolution of my work, the book's message, and whether the final product would align with my vision. The fundamental question loomed: Was I striving to be an author for the sake of authorship, or did I hold a deep conviction about sharing the specific message and vision encapsulated in this book?
A good question for any of us in the creative process.
In the documentary, Stipe shared R.E.M.'s approach to their music and vision. The band maintained a steadfast trajectory throughout their career, occasionally intersecting with pop culture. Stipe emphasized that their moments of widespread fame were instances when the world collided with their vision, not the other way around. In this case he was referencing the widely popular album Out of Time.
This realization served as a form of medicine for me, offering a reprieve from the expectations and judgments inherent in the publishing process.
Stipe's words granted me the perspective to detach from the uncontrollable elements of the journey—whether the work would be deemed popular or resonate widely. The collision with popularity was beyond my planning, a stroke of luck or, as Rick Rubin notes, “In order for a work to connect commercially, stars must align and one of them relate to how good the project is. This alignment, elusive and unpredictable, cannot be orchestrated.
The absence of commercial success does not diminish the profound impact and quality of the work; significance can exist independently of popularity.
A parallel narrative emerges with Nirvana's iconic "Nevermind" album. While universally acclaimed and commercially successful, the band, as a creative collective, viewed it differently. Their follow-up album, "In Utero," marked a departure from the overproduction of "Nevermind" and aimed to authentically represent their sound. Despite being less popular, Nirvana considered it a truer reflection of their artistic intentions—a poignant reminder that creative authenticity may not always align with popular acclaim.
In essence, these narratives underscore the importance of staying true to one's artistic vision, irrespective of external pressures or expectations. The collision with recognition and success, when it occurs, should be a natural convergence with the artist's intended trajectory, not a deviation forced by external forces.
