it can come in so many shapes and forms, and it can last for however long or however short it wants to.

sometimes i feel like i am living in a bright, white, radiating halo bubble of inspiration that is just there and allows me to be in true inspirational flow and feels like it will never go away. in that state of mind, i feel ALIVE and clear and excited about every new idea that flows through my body, knowing that i am connected to my deepest core and to something beyond myself.

that is when i come up with new ideas for the blog, my brand, the podcast, yoga sequences to teach, etc. and when questions i have about my personal life + my career are resolved in my mind with crystal clear clarity.

then on the flip side, inspiration can dwindle and sneak away just as curiously as it came. for me, that inspiration-suck usually happens when i am overtired, overworked, and moving through life at a super rapid pace that doesn’t allow me to slow down and reconnect. it also happens when i don’t listen to my gut, ignoring it in favor of pleasing someone else or trying to go with someone else’s flow when i know that “flow” is not right for me.

those are some key reasons why my personal inspiration tends to fade, but it can happen for other reasons too. like for seemingly no reason at all! that is the most frustrating – when i am alert, rested, and ready to kick ass and create – and the ideas just don’t flow.

that definitely happens to the best of us. we can call it writer’s block, energy blocks, lack of focus, feeling blah, lack of clarity, whatever it is you connect to the most… but it happens. ALL of it happens to me, and quite often!

i’ve learned over the years to ride the wave of inspiration and not get too attached to the when, why, or the how long questions about what it is or how long it will stay. luckily i have a flexible lifestyle where i am able to ride that wave, so that when i am not feeling the creation process i can get other stuff done that is still productive – but anyone in any lifestyle can do the same.

it’s all about trust, instinct, and living on a soul level.

what i call a soul on fire lifestyle.

finding your flow & maintaining that inspired state of mind //

i am no expert on harnessing your inspiration and using it to its fullest (because we are all so different!) — but i feel like in my own personal life and in my own personal body, i am. because really that is my top priority in life, to figure out how to be the best version of myself, where i am nearly *always* in my flow, so that i can inspire others to do the same.

that’s pretty much my mission these days but that’s a story for another day.

so i have a few techniques for how i find my flow and maintain it more and more often. some of my personal techniques may seem a little spiritual & woo-woo to you, so just know that you can tone them down and turn them into something meaningful for YOU because we are all different!

START BY ASKING YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS?

+ are you an extrovert or an introvert?

and this is not a question asking “are you social or antisocial?” but rather do you gain energy reserves off of being around others, or do you build up more energy and inspiration when you’re alone? do you leave big groups feeling inspired and full of ideas, or totally mentally depleted and ready to crawl into bed? when you’re home alone, do you get bursts of creativity and feel inspired to get shit done or do you just feel like a lazy couch potato?

chances are, you can relate to all of the above at certain times or another. we all get tired and want to veg the F out sometimes.

but whatever you feel the MOST of, that’s what you are. i am a cross between the two… as i am definitely an introvert in the sense that my best work and creativity happens when i am alone and have endless hours to just do ME, and also in the sense that big groups and events that last for long periods of time deplete the living shit out of me.

HOWEVER — sometimes my biggest, hugest bursts of inspiration come from bouncing energy and ideas off of someone else, or in deep conversation with someone who just gets it. this week i had the pleasure of having lots and lots and LOTS of soul-on-fire moments and experiences with people, and all of those situations left me SO FULL of inspiration. so i do have that extroverted side of my personality where i can take in other’s energy and harness it to feel inspired + alive, but it has to be a certain type of person. a “high level communicator,” as my therapist would say — someone who GETS it and can go deep.

+ whichever answer you had to the above, can you move forward without too much attachment to it?

the reality is, we are a society that LOVES labels. i felt amazing when i learned that i was an introvert and an HSP (highly sensitive person!), but getting too attached to those labels isn’t necessary. i do sometimes love, love, love spending the entire week soaking in other people’s energy. in fact, what i love most right now about my job is not the being home alone writing (which is sometimes my favorite), but rather the connecting with inspiring humans and interviewing them for my podcast.

i can’t get enough of it, or of them!

and everything i am learning from these amazing humans from gabby bernstein, to morgan haley, to jason & colleen wachob of mbg, to people i have spoken to super recently who’s pod episodes are coming out soon (emma mildon, kelsey patel, maryann dimarco, and so many more!) is REALLY opening me up to so much more that is so far beyond the surface.

and that is what is really exciting to me right now — everything there is to learn. i am in a spirituality phase, and feeling crazy inspired and open to all of the beautiful things the universe has to offer when we open ourselves up to it. so i think that means that my life right now is meant to be more extroverted than usual, and i’ll take it.

i spent several years in an introverted, writing bubble which was awesome and so fulfilling – but life is always shifting and evolving, so i am embracing the RIDE.

+ does the way you spend your time excite you and fill you with aliveness, or does it deplete you and fill you with dread? in simpler terms: does it liberate or, or does it hold you back?

it might seem like a silly question, but so many of us spend time doing things we DON’T want to do! i was a “yes” girl for so long — i didn’t want to disappoint anyone. it lead me to end up spending so much time doing things i did NOT want to do, which made it almost impossible to say “yes” to what i really, truly, DID want to do.

i think a lot of us are filled with fear about making changes. cutting toxic people out of our lives, saying no to toxic situations, staying in vs. going out, admitting to ourselves that we don’t like our job or our boss… it’s all scary and hard. so we avoid it.

but that means we are ignoring our authenticity and our deepest desires to move forward and create MORE and be in our flow! we all deserve to feel that true liberation vs. the limitation.

so… how do you spend your time?! does it excite you? especially your free time – who are you spending it with? are you carving out time for yourself?

i am finally at a place where i wake up full of excitement and ease for the day ahead of me – even my crazier days with tons of commitments. because i simply do not allow myself to do things that i don’t like or be with people i don’t like… it’s just a waste of my time and makes it impossible for me to live in the flow.

+ do you have spiritual or self-care practices? what are they, and are you consistent enough with them that they can make a difference in your life?

the second part of this Q is the most important! consistency! i am working on a whole, huge post about spiritual and self-care practices, because they have changed my life. and the consistency with them is truly what changed and shifted things for me.

i’ll just get into it briefly now, but here are some of the things i have been doing that have awakened a whole new, FAR more inspired and excited side of me: kundalini yoga, reiki, acupuncture, meditation, crystal healing and crystal meditation, breath work, vinyasa yoga (always a staple for me), saging my space and using palo santo, essential oils (this is my fave diffuser), speaking with intuitives & mediums and tapping more into my intuitive side, taking long baths with essential oils, infrared sauna, cryotherapy, therapy, reading, reading spiritual texts, journaling, and becoming super aware of what i want + what i need.

so, yeah. that’s a LOT of self-care, and that’s not even the half of it. living my life this way awakens my soul and makes me so happy. it makes me feel connected to the universe and so aware that there is so much more out there for us… so much more. we just need to connect to ourselves in order to connect to the light that is meant for every single one of us.

and then find that consistency — so set yourself up for success by signing up for a program, a fitness / yoga studio, a meditation series, what have you!! there is so much out there to learn & soak in.

+ do you have a community or tribe around you that supports you finding your flow & living your most abundant, radiant, fear-free, beautiful life?

this is BIG!!

whether you’re a natural introvert or extrovert, we all need our tribe. our people. they are everything. we are creatures of community, and without that stable community around us – we are missing out on a huge, gorgeous part of our fullest lives.

a few suggestions…

+ the soul on fire podcast tribe on Facebook is SUCH a fun, open, wellness-minded, fitness-loving, AWESOME group of people that has been really exciting to be a part of and watch grow. join & introduce yourself here! people have been meeting up in diff cities, doing yoga together, making friends, and hanging out. i LOVE IT & i also post all the soul-on-fire podcast new-ness in there, and more!

+ gabby bernstein’s free video training that will intro you to a whole new world of creating abundance for yourself, dropping the fears, and living your most authentic life. check it out & opt into her mailing list for ALL OF THE FUN STUFF! she’s amazing, and on a personal and professional level she has profoundly impacted my life and my worldview.

+ gabby’s SPIRIT JUNKIE masterclass!! you can get on the waitlist *NOW*! this will help awaken you to your purpose in life, and is for those of you who are READY to make the shift but don’t know where to begin. gabby & i will be with you every step of the way. if you sign up before june 29th, you will get a ONE ON ONE Skype call with me to discuss your goals and set up a step-by-step action plan to bring those goals to life. go here to check it out, opt in & step into your light.

+ come to the GOOD fest in LA next february! i am teaching yoga, some of my favorite humans are leading guided meditations and teaching kundalini, and i am teaching yoga AGAIN (with my babe sophie jaffe) and there will be so much fun community stuff, yummy food, and people to meet. it’s going to be incredible and i can’t wait! use code TBB10 at checkout for $10 off of your ticket!

+ join a gym or yoga studio in your neighborhood! my orangetheory LA community has changed my entire life and social circle here in LA, and same with all of the yoga studios i go to (especially habitat where i teach and corepower which i LOVE!). studios have events and workshops that are great places to meet new friends who have likeminded interests and will keep you inspired on and your A game.

post-orangetheory fitness last night with my bex! bestie since college turned total fitness nut with me.

i know this was a long post!! and i so want to keep going. but i will save the rest for another day and leave you with… gabby’s spirit junkie master class (do it with me – it’s going to be a HUGE game changer!), her free video training, the GOOD fest in feb, the soul on fire podcast tribe on FB, & of course my podcast + this bloggy!

i will always try to keep bringing the inspirational content that sets your soul on fire — i hope. comment below & tell me your thoughts on this style of post and if you’d like more of it! X

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The funny thing about a day in the life for me is that it changes EVERY DAY, so whenever I try to describe my typical day to someone, I end up throwing in bits & pieces of all different types of days as I explain to them. Photo shoots, travel days, writing days, book promotion days, interview days, beach days, marathon training days. And then they’re like, “WHAT? Your life is CRAZY.”

Sometimes it is. Sometimes it isn’t.

So I figured it might be fun to start a weekly (or bi-monthly, we’ll see how much you guys like this!) “Day in the Life” post that is written the actual morning before the day that I post it starts. It’s Friday morning right now, 9:06 a.m., and I am going to tell you guys what TODAY is about to look like.

If that’s not a real glimpse into a day in the life then I don’t know what is!

A Day in the Life // Friday: August 5th, 2016

I suppose I should start with last night to set the stage!

Last night I went to a Gold Rush event for Equinox, an awesome challenge they put on for their members to potentially win a “Gold” membership. The Gold membership includes a LOT… So it was pretty obvious as to why peeps were dragging this massive AF boat across the sand to try to beat everyone else’s times. I have been an EQ member for a long time, and even though I am a HIIT/yoga girl for the most part — I LOVE having a gym where I can just workout and do my own thang and chill in the spa afterward. Plus, Earthbar. (The smoothie place attached to the gym.)

Of course I hopped into the boat to do some yoga. I didn’t participate in the challenge because I already have an EQ membership that I am happy with, buttttt it was fun to see my Equinox peeps and reminisce about all of the fun stuff we’ve done together over the years. (Like my APP LAUNCH PARTY, circa Nov. 2014!!!).

After the event, I went to my fave plant-based Thai restaurant by myself, which I love to do every so often, especially after an event where I have to be so “on.” Then came home to read & snuggle with Hudson.

Now let’s talk about today (!!!):

8:00 a.m.: Woke up to my alarm, cuddled with Hudson, and got out of bed a few minutes after to feed him his breakfast! I have switched up his daily feeding schedule, and now that he eats *less* (I found out I was over-feeding him, FML) he never lets me forget that breakfast happens promptly when my alarm goes off. I also remembered when I woke up that I had a dream he already turned 2 years old, which I found strange because his first birthday was July 6th. I kept wondering in the dream HOW a year had gone by so quickly?!?! Thankfully it’s only been a month… I have not lost my sense of time entirely. Only my subconscious has.

8:20 a.m.: My morning routine. Wash my face (with my Rodan + Fields “Unblemished” products for those who have been asking!), brush my teeth, scrape my tongue (get rid of those toxins, baby), clean Hud’s litter box (yeah, I’m one of those psychos that does this EVERY morning), meditate on my yoga mat for 10 mins.

8:40 a.m.: Make green tea & iced cold brew with almond milk (I’ve linked to my fave organic brands). Put them on my desk & proceed to make two Instagram stories to show off my NEW DESKTOP computer & my new desk set up. I turned my desk diagonally into the corner of my living room yesterday so I have a view of the outside without the sun harshly shining in on my full desk. Pretty stoked about it.

9:00 a.m.: Sit down to check emails, download Spotify on my new desktop & answer some texts that I got late last night. I turn off my phone at a certain hour every night so I can zen out & read, so I always have texts that I wake up to in the morning! If I didn’t I would be sad, haha. This morning it was my brother Jeff, my friend Jordan Younger (yep, SAME name), some texts from Twitter (I get updates when people tag me), J. Albrecht and my BFF’s Alexi & Katie. The reason I am being so detailed about it is because I feel that a huge part of me is who I am because of my friends & family. They are everything to me, and when I have good days and bad — I am in constant communication with many of them. Their support means the world, and I like to reciprocate that always.

9:06 a.m.: Started writing this post, and made the executive decision with myself that I would work out at 4 p.m. today instead of my usual 10:45 a.m. The creative juices are flowing and I don’t want to interrupt them!

9:45 a.m.: Will probably finish up this post around then, and get back to emails for a few. Then I will sign some contracts my management is waiting on, type some captions for some sponsored posts, and then make breakfast.

11:00 a.m.: After I eat breakfast I will sit down to work on my upcoming “Business of Blogging” eBook. (You can preorder HERE.) Working on big projects takes time & diligence, man. I practically underestimated that all over again even though I know quite well after writing my book! Funny enough, I think this new computer will give me the extra kick of inspiration & motivation I need to get it done so it can be in your guys’ hands! I can’t WAIT to share.

1:00 p.m.: I have an interview with the amazing Katie Horwitch of WANT (Women Against Negative Talk) for her #WANTcast podcast. I am beyond stoked to chit chat with her, especially because she moved to New York a few months ago so I haven’t seen her in a while & we always have the best talks. You guys will have to tune in when it comes out. She is the goddess in the middle of this photo we snapped when I spoke on her last WANT panel!

2:30 p.m.: Okay, DON’T JUDGE ME. At 2:30 I am speaking to an animal communicator on the phone. This is something I have done twice before, and both times it has blown my mind and it feels like I am communicating directly with Hudson. I like to check in with him and see how he is doing, especially because I have been traveling a ton lately and I want to see what his thoughts are about that and that he knows I will always, always come back for him. Call me crazy if you don’t believe in psychic/medium/communicative/energy or powers… But after trying it, I am ALL about it. I think some people have a gift, and this communicator I speak to totally does. I’ll write a whole post on it if you guys are interested. Just tell me if you are!

(P.S. Last time I spoke to Hudson through the communicator, he told me he was glad I knew HOW beautiful he was, and how soft and silky his fur is. He also told me he knows that he is a king. And he does not appreciate when I make household decisions without including him. #LOL.)

4:00 p.m.: OrangeTheory workout! Cannot wait to get my sweat on, do some sprints & lift some weights after a week of mismatched workouts due to travel & crazy sched!

5:00 – 7:30 p.m.: Will shower, get ready & hopefully get a little more work done so I can go into the weekend stress-free!

7:30 p.m.: Dinner at Gracias Madre with my dear friend Jordan Dorso. The Jordan to my Jordan, as we always say. I cannot wait to see him. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but we were attached at the hip for many years, and life has taken us in slightly different directions for the last couple of years. So when we DO get to sit down and be together, I cherish it more than words can say. He’s mah boy!

Then the rest of the night is open! I may go out, I may watch the Olympics with some peeps, OR I may come home and read the book I have been OBSESSED with since I started it a few days ago… I Know This Much is True, by Wally Lamb. READ IT. And maybe listen to the Beautiful Writers podcast that my lover Laura Conley told me about yesterday! I listened to ep. 1 and already love it.

This is basically a VERY typical day in the life. Nothing super exciting or out of the ordinary about it… But I happen to love days like this. Where I can be flexible, set my own schedule, throw a workout in wherever I please, have some fun things to look forward to, but also lots of time to do creative and let the ideas flow. It makes me feel like a real blogger instead of a run-around-town-doing-everything blogger media fitness overcommitted person. If that makes sense.

What are YOU guys up to today?! This weekend?! DO TELL! 

Had to say it a bunch of times because I’ve been sort of MIA for the last week ish, I know. But I promise that doesn’t mean I haven’t been working my butt off to create fun new content for you guys!!

I am currently working on a travel VLOG for TBB TV  to show you guys everything we did in Austin, Texas last weekend. If you follow me on Snapchat (@jojoyounger), then you already know that I vlogged there too, hehe. Like a lot a lot.

One of my favorite shots from Austin: looking out over Ladybird Lake seconds before a massive downpour!

(PS “vlog” = video blog, if ya didn’t know. Needs to be in your lingo repertoire, because I am about to be using it a lot.)

And if you’re not a Snapchat person, then… Spoilers: Austin was a BLAST. Even rode a mechanical bull. And yes, I got bucked off in under 10 seconds. LOL.

I’ll refrain from telling you everything else I’ve been working on this week even though I desperately want to share ALLLL the deets with you, but you’ll see shortly.

Now, for the topic of this post! COPPER WATER BOTTLES.

Guys. Copper water bottles.

First of all, they are so cute & will make you want to reach for more & more water every day because they’re so eye catching.

Secondly, this one is only $17 on Amazon. And this one is $28, if you feel like splurging on yo health. (Honestly they look the same to me and I have the $17 one and I LURVE IT.)

Butttt that’s not the main point. There are tons of reasons to drink out of a copper wattle bottle, and I’ll tell ya why.

( Shoutout to my gal pal Geri Hirsch for writing this post on copper water bottles that went straight up viral — I’m so glad I discovered it so that I can share this realness with you guys now. And shoutout to Suzanne Hall for intro-ing Geri to the copper water bottle life. #girlpower #womeninwellness #copperwaterbottlelife. )

9 Reasons Why You Need to be Drinking Out of a Copper Water Bottle

1. AYURVEDIC HEALTH BENEFITS UP THE YIN YANG! That’s right, my new-old favorite traditional Indian practice strikes again. According to Ayurveda, water stored in a copper vessel has the ability to balance all the three doshas in our bods. (I’m a PITTA when in balance, if you were wondering.) It does that by positively charging the water.
2. It’s Better for Your Digestion! Copper has properties that stimulate your digestion, kill harmful bacteria & reduce inflammation — which is also why it’s a great natural remedy for tummy probs, indigestion, and ulcers.
3. D E T O X I F Y I N G. Copper helps cleanse and detox your stomach by regulating your liver and kidney function, absorbing your nutrients from food and helps you properly eliminate waste. The best time to drink it (by Ayurvedic standards) is first thing in the morning and warm.
4. Anti-Aging Benefits! Copper is a great natural remedy for anti-aging because it’s packed with anti-oxidants to fight off free radicals. It also helps with the production of new & healthy skin cells. Score & SCORE.
5. It’s good for your THYROID. This one was awesome for me to hear because I’ve had some thyroid problems lately. Apparently one commonality among people with thyroid diseases is that they usually have low levels of copper in their body. Who knew?  Copper is one of the most important trace minerals the thyroid gland needs to function optimally!
6. Skin health. Since copper is the main component in the production of melanin, drinking from a copper water bottle can help with melanin production that helps the body stay safe from sun damage and also helps healing from scars and blemishes. Plus, staying hydrated is great for your skin in general.
7. Cardiovascular health. What what!! Important x 3874239084. Copper helps minimize the risk of heart disease by preventing accumulation of plaque, and also helps dilate blood vessels to allow better blood flow to the heart.
8. Stimulates yo brain. Copper is known to have brain stimulant and anti-convulsive properties (prevents seizures), that do a world of good for your brain.
9. It’s CUTE & will remind you to drink more water throughout the day. Sounds silly, but it’s true. I grab it all the time because its so much more eye-popping than my other water bottles so it keeps me more hydrated throughout the day.

ALSO, a couple of words: Copper is not innately used by our bods so you don’t want to OVERDO it with the copper water bottle drinking. 2-3 times a day, interspersed with your other water vessels.

It’s such an all natural way to stay on top of our health with NO added stress / medication / lifestyle change, & that is why I love it, love it!

We can all incorporate this awesomeness into our lives!

X

PS… SO STOKED to share the Austin vlog with you. Like dying. Subscribe to YouTube so you can see it when it goes live!

Thoughts on the copper water bottle?!? Get one for yourself HERE. 

Inspiring quotes are essentially just the words of others who believed in themselves enough to go for it. To be connected to that creative side of yourself is to let your full potential run free & be liberated… So that YOU can create and be the badass magic maker that you are. And to me, that’s the best feeling in the world.

Heading to Plymouth today in lovely little Nor Cal to go wine tasting with three of my lifelong BFF’s. Couldn’t be happier. Follow along on Snapchat (@jojoyounger), and there are sure to be photos on the bloggy come Monday!

Some wonderful & inspiring quotes to keep you on yo A Game this weekend and always:

 “Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.”

― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

“The artist never entirely knows — We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark.”

— Agnes de Mille

“The whole culture is telling you to hurry, while the art tells you to take your time. Always listen to the art.”

— Junot Diaz

Hope you love as much as I do. Now… Go create & be your fab selves this weekend. XO

I don’t know what I expected to see… Perfect days that included jet-setting to Europe or frolicking around a beach in the tropics. Meeting the love of your life or attending a blowout red carpet event. Suddenly waking up with the vocal talent of Adele or with the rock hard abs of a fitness model. I didn’t expect any of that, but somehow it also took reading the unity in your responses in order for me to see how much power there is in the simplicity.

One of my lovely readers, Trista, wrote this poignant response in the comments section of the post:

“As I read through many of the responses to your question: What is your perfect day? I realized that so many of us have many of the same desires. Several readers wrote that their perfect day includes sunny weather, feeling well rested, enjoying delicious meals, soaking in quality time with loved ones, and getting to be active. It is pretty incredible to think that no one envisions lavish escapes via private jets to an exquisite island when they describe their perfect day. Clearly we all have little perfect pieces in all of our days that, when strung together, create the absolute perfect day. Simple, but powerful.”

How freaking awesome is that? We are envisioning our perfect day, and it seems like to the vast majority of us that day simply includes waking up well rested, sipping our morning coffee, spending time with loved ones, engaging in things that inspire us (reading good books and blogs, journaling, meditating, yoga, stretching in the morning), hitting up our favorite restaurants, cooking heathy food in the comfort of our own home, breaking a sweat and having nowhere pressing to be. I thought I was an old-soul weirdo for ending my perfect day with an early night in reading a good book or cuddling on the couch with someone I love. But it seems like we all love and crave that type of simplicity, and that makes me extremely happy to hear.

It mainly makes me happy because if our perfect days are so attainable, that means that a lot of us are already leading lives that we love — or at least that ultimate contentment is within VERY close reach. Sure, it can be hard to block out a full day to have no external responsibilities… But having days like those are so necessary to our health, happiness and wellbeing. If you’re like me and have the tendency to overcommit, start thinking about what you say “yes” and “no” to, especially when it comes to your free time.

What if you could block off a day or two every single week that would be your exact perfect day? A beautiful balance of getting rest, being active, spending time with loved ones, doing things that feed your passions, eating well and doing what you need to do to feel inspired?

And the cool thing is — the contents of that perfect day are allowed to change. Sometimes you might need more you time, more rest, and more reflection. Other days, you might be in the mood to be surrounded by people who lift you up and to be super active. I have “perfect days” that consist of doing absolutely NOTHING other than reading books on my couch, watching Netflix and cuddling with Hudson. I have other perfect days that are more outwardly productive, active and social as can be.

It’s a balance.

Surprised to hear me say that?

Honestly, thank you so much for sharing your perfect days with me. It is not only inspiring to read what makes you guys happy, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling for me to hear that many of the things I cherish most in life are also cherished by you guys. In the fast-paced world we live in, I think it can be easy to undervalue the art of simplicity sometimes. Just because our perfect days include it, doesn’t always mean that it sounds most exciting or glamorous in the moment.

But it is glamorous. It is glamorous to be in love with your life, whatever that looks like for you. And if nothing else, that’s what I want for myself, for you and for all of us. Creating space to be happy means that we unlock our full potential for creativity, loving those around us and being our best selves.

Thanks so much for sharing with me, and if you haven’t shared yet — feel free to share YOUR perfect day below! I will never get tired of reading what you have to say.

And as for the winner of the MZ Wallace giveaway, even though ALL of your perfect days are so incredibly awesome, I am choosing miss Trista Johnson as the winner. Her perfect day included an amazing mix of inspiration and taking action in her own life — and her observation about all of our perfect days being rooted in simplicity inspired this entire post. If you want to read her response, head to the comments section of Tuesday’s post & search for her name!

Lots of love! I hope you all find yourselves having a perfect day this weekend.

Before I get into the whole perfect day thing, I want to tell you about the sponsor of this post — the fab MZ Wallace. The backpack & purse I am rocking in this post, from my perfect Malibu day, are both MZ Wallace. They are an NY-based accessory brand that combines functional luxury with distinctive design for women who lead a dynamic lifestyle. Hellloooo, who does that sound like?! Moi. And probably you too! Dynamic lifestyle all the way– if you’re not leading one, you better start.

The line was founded by Monica Zwirner and Lucy Wallace Eustice, both of whom were born & raised in Manhattan (my DREAM). Both ladies worked in fashion for several years before linking up to create MZ Wallace, because they both saw a certain functionality factor missing from the accessory world.

They also just launched MZW Fitness, which I obviously am a h-u-g-e fan of. (Read about why co-founder Monica loves yoga here; I LOVE THIS… Especially because I also practiced at Jivamukti when I lived in NYC!). They have everything from the Metro Yoga bag to a custom barre3 tote (you KNOW how I feel about barre3!) & their bags promote functionality on top of how cute they are.

* We are doing a GIVEAWAY at the bottom of the post. Just comment telling us what your perfect day looks like AND follow @mzwallacenyc on insta, and I will choose one winner to receive a free MZ Wallace bag of their choice! X

Below, I am wearing the Metro Backpack & gazing out over my favorite pier… Malibu Pier baby.

Okay, so now let’s talk about why it’s important to be able to envision our perfect day.

Take it from me… I think I have got to be the most anxious, OCD person in the entire world. When something I’m stressed about starts to take over my mind, it feels like there is NO going back from there. Ask anybody who knows me! My friends & family can definitely tell you that if I get something in my mind that “NEEDS” to be done, I will completely re-navigate my day (or life) in order to make it happen.

Same goes with making things NOT happen — if I decide I need to get something out of my life & make a change… I take that very seriously. If I feel like I need to clean out my closet, I will cast aside all other responsibilities and purge my entire closet of things I don’t need until I feel better.

Or if I need to tell someone something that’s on my mind, I simply cannot, cannot wait. It can be bad sometimes because often that very moment is not the time to get into a full-blown serious convo about something bad OR good… So it’s something I’ve had to work on quite a bit over the years.

It’s WEIRD, I know. I’m not telling you that it’s normal! But if it happens to be something you can relate to, then this is your post.

What is your PERFECT day?

If you can close your eyes & envision an absolutely ideal day, then you’re already in a great position. Part of being able to calm yourself down in a stressful situation means being able to visualize the types of places, sensations & thoughts that make you calm. It’s very similar to what I tell people about creating a life/career path that you love– if you know what you love to do, then all you have to do is make it happen. A lot of people who through life without ever fully realizing what it is that makes them happiest.

So basically, knowing what your perfect day looks like gives you a leg up.

My perfect day looks a little something like this…

Wake up and cuddle with Huddy in bed for a nice long while before I have to get out of bed to do anything. Hudson’s silky fur and motorboat purrs (literally, he has the loudest purr EVER for such a tiny kitty) make me feel so calm and grounded and I love to soak in that morning time with him. Then I’d have a glass of warm water with lemon, listen to some good yogi music and get ready for the day. Then I’d meet a friend for coffee at Alfred’s Coffee down the street from me, and we would sip on our almond milk lattes or matcha teas and chat. Afterward I would go to an OrangeTheory HIIT class or a yoga class, and then head home to shower. After showering and having a protein-packed green smoothie, I would most definitely 100% go to the beach with my dear friend & photographer Danika in tow. We both love Malibu… So Malibu would be the beach of choice, for sure.

While we were there we’d take tons of photos. The photo aspect fits into my perfect day because not only do I love to capture the moment, but it also makes the day productive because the photos would knock out a bunch of content for the blog. That productivity factor is huuuuge in my vision of a perfect day, because being productive is one of my favorite feelings in the world. Especially when that productivity aligns with already having a great time doing something I organically love to do.

To keep the perfect day going, Danika & I would meet friends at Malibu Farm for an early dinner and watch the sun set. Then I would head back home to Brentwood to snuggle with someone I love on the couch and watch a good movie! There might also be a pretty hike in there somewhere earlier in the day, but you get the gist.

THAT is the definition of my perfect day.

And THAT is the day that alllll of the photos from this blog post captured.

Below I am wearing the Medium Metro Tote in Black Paint Colorblock while shopping for some produce — it doubles as a great grocery bag!  

Since I am so clear on what my perfect day looks like, I am able to close my eyes & channel that happy and calm energy whenever I’m feeling stressed. Sometimes it works better than others (let’s just say I had a bit of a mental breakdown on Friday — will write about it if you guys are interested), but most of the time the technique works wonders.

So… tell me your thoughts! What does your perfect day look like? I will be reading through ALL of your answers, and I will be choosing a winner to receive a FREE MZ Wallace bag of your choice! Do tell. Also follow @mzwallacenyc on IG to win. Your perfect day?

Plus, I’m extra pumped for today because I am spending the day with my dear Kelly LeVeque, who happens to be my friend, running buddy (LA Marathon training partner in crime!), my neighbor AND my nutritionist all rolled into one.

Someone asked Kelly & me the other night at our running team practice how long we’d known each other, and we both kind of said, “Uh, two years, one year, three years? A few years? Not sure, it feels like forever!”

It really does feel like this girl has been in my life for far longer than she has, because she has had such an impact on me, she has taught me SO MUCH about science/my body/balancing my blood sugar and metabolism, and we kind of sort of have all the same goals in life and know way too many of the same people.

It was truly only a matter of time before Kelly made her way into my life, and I am SO GLAD that she did. I thought it would be fun to give you guys a glimpse into who I turn to when I need an extra kick to stay on the healthy train and when I’ve needed reassurance and guidance throughout my recovery process.

If you live in LA, I HIGHLY recommend her services. She even just traveled to Maui to speak at a wellness event there… she’s badass, what can I say?

Also, I think everyone needs someone in their life who can say, “Should we run the LA Marathon this year even though it scares the sh*t out of us? HELL YEAH WE SHOULD.”

Thanks Kelly for being that person for me and so much more.

Q&A with my gal below!

Q: Kelly! Tell us your full name & business title, for those of us who don’t yet know ya.

A: Be Well by Kelly – Kelly LeVeque

Here we are havin’ a blast with our OTF crew Laura + Jonathan!

Q: I am consistently inspired by women who follow their hearts, pursue their passions and live a life that they love. YOU are one of those people. What inspired you to become a nutritionist and wellness coach?

A: I fell in love with Health and Nutrition at a young age, my friends and family have leaned on me for nutrition support for as long as I can remember. From health magazines in junior high to pubmed studies in college, my love for biology has never been satiated.  My favorite class at USC was nature of human health and disease and had I listened to my heart then I would have started Be Well right out of college. However, I spent the early part of my career in the medical field, specifically in cancer and genetics. Finally hitting my breaking point with the disease epidemic, constant misinformation and just straight “I love this and I want to help people” passion I went back to school and I took my hobby full time. I haven’t looked back, moved full force in the direction of my dreams and feel so blessed to touch the lives that I do.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of what you do?

A: My clients, they truly are a gift to me daily. I empathize with them, empower them and rejoice with them when they hit goals. It isn’t about me, its about them. when they lean in and learn with me, the biology always sets them free.

Kelly rockin’ her TBV !!!

Q: You’ve taught me so much about regulating my blood sugar (thank you!). What are your top tips for my readers about stabilizing blood sugar?

A: I love science! Balancing blood sugar with healthy fat, wild protein and fiber rich vegetables will have you eating less overall, feeling relaxed around food and keep you in a muscle sparing fat burning space. Honestly, the best part of blood sugar balance is you stop obsessing over food. Food freedom through biology is my goal and a measly bar or calorie conscious breakfast isn’t going to get you where you need to go in the long run. Start your day with a #bewellsmoothie or four egg veggie omelet with avocado, feel satiated and go into lunch balanced.

Q: Biggest nutrition pet peeve? (I.e. “Fat is so bad for you!” or something like that.)
A: Such a good question! I can’t decide if “fat fear” or a “bad smoothie” is worse. Fat increases insulin sensitivity, increases brain activity, gives your body the precursors for hormones that keep you skinny, hydrates the skin and keeps you happy. I probably eat 6-8 tbsp of healthy fat daily. The good news is my clients are no longer fearful of fat. Its harder for me when a really skinny girl posts a bikini pic with her smoothie…….ingredients “coconut water, 1 cup pineapple, 1 cup mango, 2 dates and a banana” – she is genetically skinny folks, for the rest of us, we might as well add rum. I just feel a visceral need to stand up for the ladies out there trying so hard to feel strong and lean. Sadly, 100% of that fructose is metabolized in the liver and turns to fat 20-30x faster than glucose.

Q: If you could say one thing to a person struggling from an eating disorder but doesn’t know where to begin recovery, what would it be?

A: Tell someone. Ask for help. You aren’t alone. Eating disorders are a control mechanism. Everyone is controlling something in their life in some way. You have chosen food, lets break down the self inflicted rules and work through the “why”? Then, let’s let the science set you free. We can sit down and talk about kombucha, fruit, red meat and all the controversial and fad foods….I can break down the “good” and “bad” for it all. When you see both sides of the story there are no longer rules; just intuition, feelings and really living life.

Q: Favorite meal?

A: I love food. I basically just want to know the science so I can eat whatever I want. My last meal would be a buffet… Bandera BBQ Salmon with Avocado Cucumber Salad and Slaw… M Cafe Salmon Salad with Peanut Kale and Slaw (I love slaw)…

( FOR THE RECORD, I (TBB) AM OBSESSED WITH BANDERA SALMON TOO! OBSESSED. )

Q: Favorite indulgence?

A: Homemade snicker doodle ice cream sandwich….enough said. Gluten free cookies, full fat creamy wonderland.

Q: Top 3 pantry/refrigerator “must have” items!

A: Coconut Oil, for coffee, freezer fudge and roasted veggies like carrot fries. Cans of Wild Salmon for a quick protein bite and walnuts, I can whip up a divine walnut butter that tastes like cookie dough.

Q: What’s in your gym bag?

A: I need to get a gym bag. My trunk however is a real mess; yoga mats, kettlebells, tennis shoes, Trader Joes nut packs and old water bottles. Don’t ask me to think ahead, I am a real fly by the seat of my pants kind of girl and you can absolutely be healthy on the fly.

Q: How important is a consistent fitness routine on top of eating well when it comes to overall health?

A: Muscle mass dictates metabolism, it helps control blood sugar and working out helps you deal with stress naturally creating happy endorphins. I encourage my clients to stay consistent more to avoid the binge & cleanse cycles that happen when we feel out of control and out of shape. When we workout we sustain clean eating results and maintain progress. A clean diet can only take you so far, working out keeps the scale at your achieved goal.

Q: Tell us what the BE WELL principles are!

A: Transforming our mindset, nutrition and body is a journey, you must enjoy it and love on yourself. Don’t count calories. Eat whole foods that induce satiety like mineral dense protein, healthy fat and fibrous vegetables. You are human, focus on balance not perfection. Balance is found with intentional movement to eat clean, sweat and even enjoy a glass of wine with friends. Accept who you are, love who you are and build a lifestyle focused on health, not some abstract idea of “perfection.” Punishing yourself for “failing” is unhealthy, unproductive and breeds disappointment. Instead, set realistic goals, make them habit and enjoy the heck out of your balanced life!

Well, there you have it, folks! SO MUCH wisdom and so many great tips from the fabulous Kelly LeVeque. I work with her often and even I just learned a ton from reading through this interview. Everyone do yourselves a favor and check out this babe’s work. Also, who’s a fan of me doing more partnership posts with Kelly?! I know that this info is SO USEFUL and I want all of you to have access to it. Kelly, thanks for kicking ass, GF. Can’t wait to get into marathon shape with you… EEK!

Take a deep breath, relax & remind yourself that feeling overwhelmed is just part of the process of living life and getting comfortable in the messiness – and it’s sure as heck a lot better than being bored.

I’ve had to remind myself to chill out about my emotions and reactions to things a lot over the last few weeks. As you may have seen on my Instagram, I am very convinced that this past weekend’s lunar eclipse has had me feeling all sorts of energies & releases to a highly intense degree that I’m not really used to.

( I will do a whole separate post on the moon and how fascinated I am by how much it can affect our bodies, our minds and our spirits (is anyone else fascinated by this?!?! Like what the heck how cool and powerful and semi scary because of the power and intensity at the same time…) SO intriguing. )

But regardless of where our flood of emotions comes from, we all know one thing about it: it COMES. Sometimes the feeling sneaks up on you and sometimes it’s a gradual build up when issue after stressor after unexpected project after annoying person after obsessive thought piles up and up until you can’t take it anymore and you kind of break.

I won’t get into far too much detail, but I had one of those weeks last week. Everything seemed to be going wrong… From my kitten Hudson developing an infected abscess on his tummy (so sad) to me locking myself out of my apartment more times than I can count to lots of sleepless nights to my cousin’s dog passing away to forgetting about a big deadline I had and lots of other little annoyances. And then, on a much more real note, my dear brother in law, who has been in my life since I was young and is my real brother in my eyes & one of my best friends, lost his father suddenly.

That put everything into perspective for me and also cast an even darker shadow over the week– I kept asking myself whatttt is going on?! Why are all of these tragic, upsetting and frustrating things happening to me and the people I love and when are we all going to get a break?

And after days of struggling and staying up all night with Hudson because I was such a wreck that he was going to die in his sleep from his minor abscess infection (#newmom), something hit me:

CHILL THE F OUT.

Chill. Out.

It was time to start letting that shit go. All of these upsetting things were happening, yes, and I had no power over fixing them. The only thing I had power over was my reaction to them. I am not the kind of person who can wake up in a shitty mood several days in a row… I just can’t. If I do, I make it my mission to turn that mood around. I’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen and try to feel better, because letting that depressed feeling envelope me isn’t really an option in my mind.

Here are a few things I do when I absolutely know I need to Chill the F Out:

A) YOGA. I won’t go into too much detail about this one because you all know that yoga is my saving grace, helps me breathe, clears my head & gets me out of a funk simply by moving my body and releasing that negative energy. If you want to hear more about this,  I am happy to write a full post on yoga again soon. I could talk about it for days.

B) Switch Things UP!! If I’ve been spending most of my time around people and I am feeling super overwhelmed or stressed out, then I know its time to switch gears and spend some time alone. Seriously– when I feel this way I know it’s a good idea for me to not even answer my phone calls for a day or two (sorry peeps I do love you, I swear) because I need that time to be ALONE and to let that negative energy release. I spent a day like that at the end of last week and it was so therapeutic, I can’t even tell you. Alternately, if I’ve been spending more time alone due to work or mood or anything, then I switch it up by making plans with people that I love and feeding off of their positive energy. Sometimes all it takes is a slight little change in what you’re doing to change your attitude.

C) Being kind to myself & making healthy choices: I always feel my best when I am exercising consistently, eating well and sleeping well. If any one of those three things is missing, I feel very thrown off. I know that my lack of sleep as a new kitten mama has been throwing me off, so I have made it a point to try to sleep better and chill out about Hudson in the middle of the night because the truth is he is FIIIINE and I know that. I have to take care of myself first and then I am able to best take care of my kitty baby and everyone else around me.

D) JOURNALING! When I was looking up different ways to deal with the flood of emotions I was experiencing from the full moon, every single resource said this: Journal, journal, journal. Write your heart out. Funny enough, this bloggy is pretty much my journal anyway so you guys are getting to read my emotions + reflections firsthand most of the time. Pretty fun, right?! But seriously… Getting your emotions down on paper helps so much. For me at least, I can think more clearly once I start getting the excess down and out.

E) Good music. Music has always helped me calm down when I really need it most. Hearing someone sing a song lyric that is so on point to how I feel makes me feel so much less alone in whatever way I’m feeling in that moment– plus the beauty and creativity behind good music is so inspiring and soul-soothing. Blasting good music is a must.

F) Family!!! I know I am always writing about the importance of friends and family and good people in your life, but when you’re really down in the dumps… Family is more helpful than words can describe. When I was super upset last week about everything going on, I called my house and talked to my dad and then my mom one after the other, and I immediately started feeling so much better. Their words aren’t a cure-all, but they are so comforting and they know me SO WELL that it’s hard not to feel better after talking to them. Share what you’re feeling with those around you, because it really helps.

Has anyone else been particularly overwhelmed with life the past few days/weeks? If so, would love to hear your tips for dealing! I could always use a few more tricks up my sleeve.

Create + Cultivate gathers the next generation of curious creatives, entrepreneurs & business leaders to enlighten, entertain and inspire across multiple categories such as fashion, design and business. Many of the speakers & panelists were top bloggers, celebs & writers that I have admired for years, and a few others were my friends who are amazingly cool & inspiring enough to entertain a room full of curious creators who are killin’ it.

Also, while I was there I was freaking out because what a lot of the bloggers were saying on stage about their experiences are exactly what I find myself saying to my readers, friends and other growing bloggers all the time. Seeing such distinct similarities between my daily blogging lifestyle and those of Julia from Gal Meets Glam, Geri from Because I’m Addicted, Shea from Peace Love Shea, Devon from Devon Rachel and more was an outstanding and eye-opening feeling.

Naturally, the decor was unbelievable (I mean, hello, a room full of bloggers & creative cultivators… what’s to be expected?), the Photo Booth was a BLAST (especially because it was hosted by my Be Social PR babes a.k.a my management company), the pop up shops were on point, the SUJA was a’flowin’ (I think I spent more time hanging out with Sam in the Suja booth than anywhere else!) and even the break time activities were pretty glam… I mean that literally, there was a glam squad onsite!

The only thing I could possibly complain about, and this is only because my sensitive tummy makes things a nightmare for me sometimes, is that I was running on zero food all day because I couldn’t eat any of the snacks or the lunch that was provided! (I just started on the FODMAP diet to try to cure my latest tummy probs.) But that’s my own fault for not bringing my own snacks or being more prepared… Whoopsie.

Here is a walkthrough of my day & some of my biggest takeaways from the experience:

A) The first person I saw when I was walking into the conference at the ripe hour of 8:30 a.m. was the beautiful Betsy Jones. She had been at my Orange Theory event the night before because of our mutual friend & yogi master Laura Conley, but we didn’t get the chance to meet. We both recognized each other on the street from the event the night before, and we couldn’t help but freak about how serendipitous the run-in was. She is a killer woman, and I am so glad we got to hang throughout the day yesterday! And of course we snapped this selfie to send to Laura!

B) After checking in & exploring the cool digs, it was time for panel #1: Julia Engel, Geri Hirsch, Gabi Fresh & Vanessa Flaherty. I loved hearing them speak and talk about their inspirational stories from transforming blogging from a hobby into a business for these top bloggers. The best part of this experience was finally getting to meet Julia Engel from Gal Meets Glam, since we have chit chatted back and forth for a long time & I totally idolize her and all that she has grown her blog into!

C) After that we had a panel on the art of styling/branding, where we were introduced to the app “A Beautiful Mess,” where after much trial & error (lol Kaitlynn & Priscilla!) I came up with this “digital business card” which I used precisely zero times yesterday but perhaps I will start using it from time to time. I got super into it and it reminded me that I need to get back to my crafty roots more often on the bloggy.

D) After that panel discussion we had a lunch break whereeee unfortunately I wasn’t able to eat the food they had because of my tummy, but I did have a blast in the Photo Booth… You know I love a good photo booth!

E) Next was small group mentoring where we got to pick two different mentors to sit down with and ask all of our burning questions! I met with the incredible Devon Rachel & Erin Weinger from Pretareporter. They were both super cool, down to earth, authentic and sweet. I loved their personalities and it was easy to see why they have both become so successful. I also loved hearing Erin’s story about how she came to start working at The Hollywood Reporter, especially since it included juicy tidbits about her shamelessly introducing herself to some of her journalism idols which eventually won her jobs at their companies. Yesss for being a persistent, confident go-getter! I am all about it.

F) In between every panel I bounced back over to the Suja booth because for 1, my love Sam was working the booth and I wanted to hang with her, and for 2, I desperately needed hydration and sustenance because I was starting to get dehydrated & hangry.

G) The next panel was headed by YouTube sensations Mr. Kate, Chriselle Lim & more! Super interesting for me since I am working on growing my YouTube and am currently in love with anything and everything on-camera! They had some great tips. One of their tips was how Snapchat is the newest up & coming form of social media and connection. (On that note, add me on Snapchat!!! I’m @jojoyounger. I’ve been having a blast with it.) Also, I found out that the lovely girl behind Mr. Kate went to LMU just like me– smallll & amazing world!! I love love the connection.

H) Next were the absolutely sensational Julianne Hough, Whitney Port, The Fat Jewish & Shea Marie. I adore each & every one of these rockstars– both the IG stars and the actual stars! Hearing where they all came from & their thoughts on the art of Instagram was super cool. And The Fat Jewish had everyone rolling on the ground laughing.In fact… I also took a selfie with him post-show and sent a bunch of texts to my friends who love him. He was hysterical and most definitely unlike anyone else I’d ever met before. Don’t mind my green tongue… I told you that all I had to eat that day was Suja juice!

I) After that were Aimee Song & Alex Taylor of Who What Wear which was fun to watch because I know Alex personally and she inspires me to no end. And Aimee is an awesome, kickass, successful blogging businesswoman whom I also adore!

J) Anndddd there was more, but then I absolutely had to bounce because I was dying of starvation at this point and needed some major food in my life. Also, my awesome friend & graphic designer (she designed my TBB logo!) Jess Hannah spoke, but I was in a different track so I didn’t get to see her! However, just for fun & in honor of her massive accomplishment, I am sharing this hilarious old photo of us from our high school days. Clearly we thought we were ravers.

My main takeaways from the day…

1. “BE AUTHENTIC!!!” -Everyone who spoke, especially the killer Julianne Hough + Devon Rachel who were both super passionate about authenticity. My JAM!

2. Don’t get ahead of yourself by taking on too many projects too early. Wait for the best things to come, and if you work hard then they will. –Julia Engel

3. Snapchat is going to be the next big thing. -Almost everyone who spoke, especially Geri Hirsch + Mr. Kate

4. “Having a real job, is like, so 90’s.” – The Fat Jewish. LOL I agree

5. Don’t ever respond to haters. Just delete & report abuse! -Whitney Port

6. It’s not ALL about video quality, sometimes a good “day in the life” vlog shot on your own computer is just as wonderful, interesting and endearing. – Chriselle Lim + Mr. Kate

7. I need to bring snacks with me everywhere I go… haha, but really.

8. I want to start speaking at more conferences/panels!

9. Being around like-minded individuals inspires me and makes me incredibly happy.

10. I love hanging with my blogger babes… Hi, Kaitlynn!

In conclusion– follow your dreams to create & cultivate. They WILL come true if you put in the time, effort, work, love, passion and energy.

Feeling more inspired than ever to kick ass with TBB + keep creating fresh, new, fun, aesthetically pleasing and well-written content for you all.

But really… Thank you for reading. Without you, there would be no bloggy!

Xox, TBB

It’s more of a free flow than my usual posts. I hope you enjoy. Happy Friday, lovelies.

Today I feel lucky. I feel lucky to have skin on my bones and to be present in this body and in this crazy, sweet, mystifying puzzle of life. I feel lucky to be rooted on this earth and to have the ability to walk, run, swim, bend and jump. I feel lucky to be surrounded by people who make my heart swell with love and who I can wrap my arms around and who make me smile until my face hurts. I feel lucky to have passions that ignite my soul and make me hustle through the day and make me ache for more. I feel lucky to wake up in the morning and fall asleep at night and dream about the wild and odd things that make my subconscious dance. I feel lucky to have fingers that can write and eyes that can see bright blades of grass and ears that can hear the rolling waves crashing into the shore. I feel lucky to have a drive that pushes me to seek newness and a heart that’s okay with the discomfort of the unknown. I feel lucky because sometimes I feel so full with love that my heart seeps happiness into my whole body, and even though life makes no sense I know in my soul that this universe is a beautiful place to exist.

I know I don’t always get it. I know I don’t always do things right. I panic over lost keys and I yell in traffic and I stress over things I can’t control. I get devastated about the evil things that go on in the world and I question what we are all really here for in the first place. I second guess myself and criticize and dwell on things I want to change. I don’t always choose the precious moments over the superficial ones, and sometimes I keep driving instead of deciding to hop out of my car at sunset to run onto the beach and take a dip in the waves.

But one thing I do know is that the more I let go of the questions and the unease and the fears and the striving for perfection and the preoccupation with things that are not in my control, I feel lucky. I feel calm. I let my heart make decisions that my mind is too programed into the specificities of humanness to make. When I let go I can just be and the world makes more sense and I am reminded that beauty in one single moment far outweighs sadness for any given stretch of time. My heart can buzz in tune with the earth and no matter what I am surrounded by I feel whole and complete.

I focus, I love, I receive, I listen to my heart and I reflect and I act on my impulses and I let the saltwater and the pen on the page heal me. I trust in myself and I believe that the universe holds a certain truth we may never know and may never need to know. To be happy; that is our purpose. And to love. To love a whole lot.

Today I feel lucky. Do you?

xx, Jordan

1. Spontaneity ▷▸▹►

Now that I am back in LA for good and my hectic summer is coming to a close, I have more time to vary up my schedule and sneak things in that allow me to reflect in new ways. I have always been a person that tends to feel pretty stifled by an everyday routine, and even though my current routine is one that fluctuates daily and allows for a lot of wiggle room… I still crave a certain element of adventure and spontaneity to shake things up.

Two days ago I was driving to yoga for my fav 6pm class, and something came over me. My drive to yoga is pretty much a straight shot to the water; so the closer I got the closer I was getting to the ocean and the gorgeous light of the not-quite-setting-yet sun. Normally nothing deters me from yoga, but when I parked at the studio I left my mat and towel in the car and ran (yes, RAN!) right down to the ocean. It was a pull. My heart knew I needed it and it cleared my head in the best way possible.

There was a small part of me that was panicked to stray from the “routine” of my very favorite yoga class… “What if I regret it? I’ve never regretted going to a yoga class…” so it felt even better to show myself that just because I do it all the time doesn’t mean I need to do it every day. My heart lead me to the ocean, and I felt instantly more calm and more in tune with myself and the universe. It was needed.

2. Top Buns ▷▸▹►

Y’all know I love a good top bun, and any variation of it. Anything that allows me to throw my hair up on top of my head and not have to worry about it getting in the way or getting tangled is pretty much my best friend. Lately I have been especially into the top bun, and it’s probably because my hair has gotten REALLY long. Like longer than it’s ever been I think. It’s definitely past my elbows. (Sidenote: It’s about time! I’ve only been growing it out since Fall 2011…!) 

Anyway, I’m so into the top bun right now that it’s even going to be on our new “Things I’m Loving Lately” TBV Apparel tee. That’s right, we have new designs coming out next week! Which brings me to #3.

3. New TBV Apparel Designs ▷▸▹►

Our new designs are coming out next week… hellll to the yes! We have been dying to get some new designs out for months now, and with my whole rebranding, name change, book & app, the designs were put on hold for the summer. Our newest tee is the “Healthy Checklist” tank, which I absolutely adore, but these new designs officially take the cake as my favorite tees to boot. Any guesses on the phrases we have up our sleeves?!

 4. Collaborating with awesome people ▷▸▹►

My good friend Sophie & I are hosting at event with Racked Fitness at Equinox in West LA today at 3:00 p.m. There will be a rockin’ yoga class taught by Laura Conley, and afterward I will be selling TBV Apparel t-shirts at a 10% discount and Sophie will be selling her Philosophie superfood powders. Come hang out, sweat, sip on some smoothies & shop!

5. Going to Bed EARLY! ▷▸▹►

I know, I know, right? Who am I? I’m the girl who once claimed she thrived off of staying up until 4:30 in the morning to write/read/party (whoops) and then sleep in until noon. I used to feel like my creative potential was somehow “unlocked” in the wee hours of the night when everyone else was asleep and there was nothing going on to get distracted by. There was also that minor problem of insomnia and extreme anxiety that kept me awake for hours on end…

Well, lately, I have been going to bed no later than 10:30 p.m. most nights and waking up (with no alarm clock!!!) by 7:30 a.m. This weekend I stayed out pretty late all three nights and my internal clock still woke me up by 8, so I think my body is officially getting used to the shift. I feel like so much more of an adult… and I feel way better rested overall. I’m pretty thrilled about it.

6. Finding new food photography locations ▷▸▹►

My new apartment has WAY more space than my NYC apartment (surprise, surprise), so being on the hunt for new places to set up food photo shoots has been kind of a blast. My latest discovery is our balcony. The lighting is gorgeous and it doesn’t take a whole lot to make the food look ridiculously appetizing. With the book & app deadlines on rapid approach, food lighting is on my mind quite a bit. Next thing I know I’m going to be in the middle of the street laying in the grass trying to snap the perfect photo… can’t say I haven’t done that before. ; ) 

7. Loyal friends / followers / readers ▷▸▹►

Long story short, some crazy internet troll called me a “narcissistic c*nt” (among other things) on Instagram yesterday. At this point you’d think I would be used to it, but this time it wasn’t even about veganism. It was about my recipes being “too simple.” I made the mistake of responding, annnddd so the downward spiral began. So many amazing followers / friends / readers commented back defending me, and several people reported the idiot to Instagram, and also the Whole Foods because they were using Whole Foods’ logo as their profile photo. #karma (do these people not understand how idiotic & angry they sound?!)

 8. FLANNELS! ▷▸▹►

I. Am. So. Obsessed. With. Flannels. Right. Now. I fell in love with this look on Lauryn’s blog a few weeks ago, and ever since I’ve been on the hunt for some perfect pieces to pair with a black maxi or my fav boyfriend jeans. So into it.

9. Waxelene products ▷▸▹►

Ummm, Waxelene rocks. You know I am always on the hunt for all-natural, organic, eco-friendly products – especially products I use on my face! I am super picky about what I put on my skin… I don’t even wear makeup 95% of the time for that very reason. Waxelene products contain no petroleum and no hydrogenated oils, and they have a patented aeration process so your skin can breathe. They have a lip tube and a petroleum jelly alternative for your skin. Because I’m the queen of chapped lips, this lip tube has been my best friend as of late. (Tip: you can also use the petroleum jelly alternative to remove mascara! Helllooo Saturday night BFF.)

 You can find Waxelene products here, and also at Whole Foods, Bed Bath & Beyond, and CVS.

10. This article & this romper & this snackie ▷▸▹►

No, I didn’t write the article about yoga, but I might as well have. I agree with all 18 reasons on the list! Namaste to that. And this romper… to die. You’ll see me wearing it in the next week, because I definitely just bought it. And the snack… Seriously? Plus the food photos are amazing + I’m obsessed with Molly’s blog.

What are YOU loving lately? Any fun plans this weekend? Whooo’s ready to join me in a TBV Apparel #countdown?!