On the roof of my home away from home – The Standard East Village. 360 views of utter perfection

Shop Free People Dress || Shot by Jennie Finken

Sometimes you just need a screen break! I even took half a week or so away from email… And boy was that a treat. But the nice thing about my job and being so ingrained with sharing my life with all of you on the Internet, I’ve still been posting up a storm on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and have been interacting with you all there! I also got back to my emails this morning, and WOAH BABY am I blown away at the king, inspiring, insightful things you have been writing to me. What a lucky, lucky blogger gal I am. But for real. I think I have the best job in the world.

There is SO MUCH I want to write about today, but for the sake of being sliiiiightly cohesive, I am choosing a topic. But I am also making notes on the mounds of other things I want to share. Today’s topic is pretty much an NYC recap mixed in with how freakishly happy New York City makes me. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again (and again and again): New York is my spirit city. It makes me feel alive, present and charged with energy in a way that no other city has yet to make me feel. The closest thing to it is MAYBE the energy of San Francisco… So I guess my soul relates to a fast-paced, urban, walkable kind of city. But really, nothing holds a candle to NYC.

I mean seriously, the city makes me dance in the street. It’s just that good.

My schedule was packed to the BRIM on this trip. I got to do so many incredible things book-wise, like meet with a bunch of great journalists, magazines, authors and media outlets (Seventeen! Shape! DailyBurn! Andie Mitchell! Kathryn Budig! So many more!) and show off our advanced reading copies of Breaking Vegan. I attended a BEAUTIFUL WEDDING in Central Park for my dear friends Paul and Jeff (see below), ate at heavenly places like Buddakan, Pure Food & Wine, Peacefood, Oatmeals, Chalait, Bluestone Lane and Souen, and got to catch up with so many amazing people that I love.

But the point of this post isn’t really to go into great detail about all things New York. If you follow me on Instagram or if you know me at all, then you know I love (A LOT!) New York. I lived there for a year and there’s a big part of me that believes I may move back at some point — and I have been pretty successful at being semi-bicoastal ever since I moved back to LA.

Make Your Own Magic

What I want to talk about today is making YOUR OWN magic, in any city that you live in or that you visit. In other words, being happy wherever the heck you are – since many of us don’t have the opportunity to jet to NYC whenever we feel like we need a little boost of inspiration. In OTHER words, making your city your bitch. (Excuse my language, but it’s kinda perfect here… You have to admit.)

New York makes me really happy. So happy, in fact, that every time I leave the city I get a little depressed. I actually cried a little when my plane touched back down in LA, and I don’t even dislike LA. I actually really like it. But I feel so deeply connected to New York, and my heart and mind blossoms so much every time I’m there, that it’s hard not to mourn the departure a tiny bit each and every time.

(The good news is, I woke up the next morning with a huge appreciation for the sun bursting through my windows, my palm-tree lined street, and being a stone’s throw away from the beach. Oh, and my family and close friends in LA, of course. But I was still missing NYC and yearning to book another trip back.)

I love it, but I also moved back to CA for a reason, and I knew there was no reason to be so down about not being there after just having had a wonderful, productive and incredibly fulfilling time in NYC.

Basically, my belief is that we should all be ridiculously happy everywhere we are, in every moment, in any city. I am someone who is DEEPLY effected by my surroundings. If the energy of a person, place, or thing is not fully positive, then I feel off. I soak in the energy of my surroundings, and I harness it into everything I do. That’s why I have a particularly hard time (read: zero tolerance) for negative people, unnecessary shit talking/complaining, uninspiring atmospheres and even for dimly lit rooms (laugh if you must).

When I got back to LA a couple days ago I really got to thinking: “What do I need to do in order to feel that magical feeling NYC sparks within me, even when I’m not there?”

And all of the sudden the answer seemed incredibly clear. I know what I like about New York: the energy. It sucks me in. I thrive off of it. So if in California I surround myself with people who radiate that type of energy, projects that excite me to no end (the book, the blog, TBV Apparel, fun collaborations, yoga/exercise that I love), and make a point to recognize and acknowledge what I love about the city I live in each and every day — by actually IMMERSING myself in it and soaking in the goodness it has to offer, then the magic is there.

It’s not that hard.

Laughing with my sweet Tara in NYC… My spirit twin!

Same in Sacramento, where I am sitting right now as I type this! I had a moment when I was driving through Central California farmland to get from LA to Sactown yesterday (where I did happen to get lost for over an hour after I pulled off the side of the road to take this Instagram photo…) where I said out loud on the phone to my mom: “How are Tupman [miniscule farm town in the middle of CA] and New York City even part of the SAME PLANET, INHABITED BY THE SAME HUMANS? It literally makes no f*****g sense to me.”

Yeah, I was a little angry due to being very lost and turned around. I will admit. But still.

Even there: there is beauty. A lot of it, actually. The rolling landscape, the ease of life, the absolute nonexistence of materialism, zero fast-paced stress, etc. There is magic in mid-California farmland just like there is magic in bustling downtown NYC. Sure, some people will prefer one over the other, but there is magic everywhere and no two places are the same. It’s kind of like no two people or no two bodies being the same.

If you’re looking for negativity, you’ll probably find it. If you want to be sad and bummed out and annoyed that where you live doesn’t feel as cool and inspiring as New York or doesn’t feel as relaxing as a place like Costa Rica or Hawaii… Then you WILL be sad and bummed out and annoyed. If you want to remedy that, it takes a bit of work. Take the time to think about what it is that you desire about that place, and recreate it for yourself right where you are.

If you are looking for community and connection? Join a group in your area that is interested in something you love. If you’re looking for an inspiring atmosphere, go to a late night coffee shop with a cool vibe… I promise you will feel a little recharged just by being somewhere new.

Because after all, you have the rest of your life to go to these different places and different cities. You only have right now to live in the moment.

I still have a long way to go to fully live in the moment all day every day, but I am trying! Trying hard. It’s so worth it. And I’m not saying there is anything wrong with travel… travel ROCKS. I travel all the time and it’s another thing I thrive off of. I fully support planning trips and having them to look forward to — but there is also this little thing called the in between. In other words, life. And it’s oh so important.

Who’s with me?

Time to make our own magic!

PS, Free People Dress. Cutest ever:

Ah, I have been home all week with the intentions of cranking out some major book pages… but, alas, I was hit with a weird combo of slight stomach flu + rampant acid reflux + TBB App Launch Party planning mania + a sudden immediate desire to respond to any/all emails that have been sitting in my inbox for more than a week. Can you tell I’m a good procrastinator? And being sick on top of it is just no fun.

But I’ll tell you what IS fun… This week’s Loving Lately roundup! I’ll get right to it.

1. TBB App Launch Party Raffle Prizes  ▷ ▸ ▹ ► Ahh, I am SO excited about all of the amazing brands we have on board to give away fun goodies at The Balanced Blonde App Launch Party at Equinox next Thursday night. As far as giveaways go… we’ll be giving away a Nutribullet Rx blender, Nutribullet superfood and protein powders, Philosophie superfood powders (on top of a Philosophie smoothie bar at the event! Eek, so thrilling!), TBV Apparel of course, a month’s supply of Suja juice (+ a case of 21 Suja juices in the smaller raffle), Vix Swimwear, a TSC book by the lovely Lauryn Evarts, Bon Affair organic champagne and wine and more! (BTW, that’s a $1,300 value right there… Holy smokes!! EXCITING-NESS.)

2. Lonnggg Hippie Gypsy Flowing Braid-worthy Hair  ▷ ▸ ▹ ► When I stopped being vegan and started incorporating more protein into my diet, my hair literally grew four inches overnight (okay, maybe not overnight, but in a matter of two ish months and that’s insane for me). Not only did it grow fast but it also got immeasurably thicker, glossier and healthier looking. I didn’t even realize that my previous diet had taken such a toll on my poor hair! It has been so much fun to have super long hair again… especially because it was only a couple years ago that I chopped it all off and had a chin-length bob that I desperately tried to like even though I really missed my long hair the whole time. Check it outttt, dudes. I am pretty darn stoked on it.

Having long hair also makes me want to try fun hairstyles like this Celtic Knot… Thanks for the inspiration, Byrdie!

3. Making My Own Magic  ▷ ▸ ▹ ► Do I sound like a Harry Potter professor and/or a hippie love child and/or a broken record yet? I know I’ve talked a lot about this lately, but I have been feeling its importance so powerfully lately. I wrote this post on Monday about the beauty and importance of falling in love with our lives, our jobs, our bodies, ourselves, our day to day… everything. I find it SO unbelievably important, and I am continuously reminded of that in hearing all of your responses about the post. I feel super duper lucky to be making my own magic happen with the bloggy right now– but, as a wise friend and I recently discussed, luck doesn’t just HAPPEN. We create our own luck by how hard we work, how much passion and love we put into what we do, and having the confidence and consistency to bring our dreams to life. That’s what I hope for us all… and it’s a daily effort!

4. Tattoo Ideas  ▷ ▸ ▹ ► I have yet to share my current tattoo on the bloggy that I’ve had for the last three years. It is my zodiac symbol, meaning balance, and I got it in Florence in the Fall of 2011 when I was living and studying there. One of these days I will do a fun photo shoot revealing it so you can all see, but I have to find a way to make that possible without being super scandalous since it’s high on my rib cage and that would kind of require me to be topless. #scandal!! Anywho, my mom and I have been brainstorming ideas for our latest and greatest matching tattoo… it will be very small, simplistic, timeless and classy. No full length sleeves around here (even though I can certainly appreciate those on others!). Any ideas?!?! It’s been hard for us to agree on something. I like sentiments along the lines of breathing, living in the moment, making magic (duh), togetherness, yin + yang-ness (she is the yin to my yang), etc. She likes the idea of a small heart to symbolize our love. Ideeeaaass!? The below is cute but not totally me…

5. Bai 5  ▷ ▸ ▹ ► I am always looking for healthy liquids to sip on during the day that aren’t full of sugar and that aren’t going to hurt my tummy. I’ve never been a soda person (thank god), and you know I already drink cold-pressed juice like its my job, and sometimes a girl needs something else to sip on. I have been super into this yummy Bai 5 naturally sweetened antioxidant infusion drink lately because of its delicious taste and fab nutritional properties. The peach flavor is by far my fav and it reminds me of my beloved Snapple from childhood that I later learned was full of fake crap and nasty additives. Bai 5 also makes a delicious cocktail/mocktail mixer… AND they will be on hand at The Balanced Blonde App Launch Party next week! Score! Ps… 5 calories + only 1 gram of sugar per serving (not that I’m a calorie counter, but you know what I mean). Not bad, eh?

Ps… add in some lemon + fresh pomegranate seeds + sparkling water and have yourself a heavenly midday mocktail!

6. Reflective Moments  ▷ ▸ ▹ ► We all know what it’s like to lead a busy life jam-packed with work, social events, exercise, family, projects, and always being on the go. Seriously, who have you not met that doesn’t say, “I’ve just been SO BUSY lately I don’t even know what to do with myself!” It’s cool if you say that. I say that… all the time. But sometimes it is SO important to take a step back and reflect. Lately I have been having some really powerful reflective moments during my yoga classes and I am so grateful for them. Only when I step back am I really able to pay attention to important things in my mind that I sometimes miss when I’m amidst my usual routine. And it is super creatively stimulating to take a step back, reflect, meditate, breathe, etc. I had a particularly amazing night of reflection the other night that I am still buzzing from!

6. Healthy Family Members  ▷ ▸ ▹ ► I walked into the kitchen yesterday to find my dad making this delicious salad for himself to bring to work for lunch. Greens, berries and toasted almonds! So many delicious, nutrient-dense foods from the earth. My parents eat a very healthy diet, which I am so grateful for, but for some reason seeing him take the time and effort to make such a nutritious salad hours before he would even be eating it made me stop and think about how awesome it is to be surrounded by people who understand and appreciate the benefits of health and nutrition. Coming from someone who is determined for her loved ones to live forever… it was a pretty great way to start my day. 

7. These Fall Fav Looks  ▷ ▸ ▹ ► From one online shopaholic to another (I’m assuming…). PS, the kimono is a piece from my Halloween costume believe it or not, and the hat I have been pairing with every outfit I’ve been wearing this season. 

8. This powerful video  ▷ ▸ ▹ ► 50 adults and 50 children are asked “What Would You Change About Your Body?” The adults each have a difficult time choosing just one thing to change, while the children all ask for superpowers like cheetah legs and wings to fly. It’s very moving… and will make you think about when the last time you were truly comfortable in your body was! Let’s all channel our inner little kid, yeah!?

8. This super informative article  ▷ ▸ ▹ ► “Gluten-free” is such a buzz word these days… but what the heck does GLUTEN actually mean? People ask me this question almost 5 times daily, and for good reason. It is a frickin’ confusing subject! Many products that claim to be gluten-free are not, and many products sometimes are and sometimes aren’t (oats, flours, couscous, etc.). Here’s your new go-to guide!

9. Using Suja juices in my smoothies  ▷ ▸ ▹ ► Sometimes adding anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 of a green juice into a green smoothie along with your fresh greens, banana, berries, ice and perhaps plant-based protein powder of choice SERIOUSLY does the trick to adding some flavor, great consistency and nutrients. I have been pairing Suja with a bunch of my green smoothie and juice recipes lately from the app, and ummm, let me tell you, WINNING combo! There it is hangin’ with The Balanced Blonde App!

 10. This S’mores cake  ▷ ▸ ▹ ► This chick’s blog is one of my absolute favorites, and even though I have been suffering from some unpleasant acid reflux and tummy probs this week, I have been drooling over this s’mores cake. It even prompted me to make a little s’mores-esque snack of my own with graham crackers, almond butter and chocolate chips! 

Well, off I go to work on Breaking Vegan for the rest of the day! Sending you all so much love! PS… What are YOU loving lately?! I wanna hear!

Sounds crazy and kinda scary and perhaps unrealistic and like something you’ll consider doing tomorrow or next year or in five years or your next lifetime?

Yep. Know the feeling.

Believe it or not, even though I am super spontaneous in many ways and I have made some huge, life-altering decisions that have lead me to writing The Balanced Blonde full-time and building a business & brand out of the bloggy; I am also the queen of ROUTINE. Not routine in the sense that I like to follow a specific schedule, because anyone who knows me knows that that is absolutely false, but routine in the sense that any form of huge change terrifies the living daylights out of me.

When I was young and one of my parents would get a new car, or god forbid they would redo our kitchen and then our entire house (happened so many times!!!), I would get extreme anxiety and wish endlessly for everything to go back to how it had once been.

Maybe this has something to do with the fact that I went to the same school with the same people for fourteen years straight, but the thought of big changes in any way, shape or form totally terrified me. If they even got rid of a painting in our house I demanded to sit and talk to it and let it know that it wasn’t ugly… it was just moving on to its next adventure. (Okay, maybe I was a little crazy.)

This penchant for sameness followed me into college when I missed home desperately and always felt a lot more comfortable in the comfort of my hometown than I did at my university. Don’t get me wrong, I loved college, made tons of friends and thrived in the social and academic atmosphere, but if I had the luxury of picking and choosing I would have chosen home over school any day of the year.

In the years since then, I have learned so much about myself. So much in fact that sometimes I look back and think what the hecckkk, I can’t believe I used to do so many things I didn’t like and hang out with so many people who didn’t 100% fulfill me or lift me up. But that’s what growing up is for (excuse the cliché there, but it’s true)… it’s for learning what works for you and what doesn’t work for you, what you love and what you don’t love, what makes you ridiculously happy and what makes you feel kind of “eh.”

And now here I am, looking back on the last year of my life and realizing I have made some HUGE changes in favor of living my happiest life and being as comfortable and content in my own skin (and career) as I can possibly be. I left grad school, I transitioned out of my vegan diet, I moved from NYC back to LA, I distanced myself from a few people I needed to distance from, got closer to others, enrolled in a health coaching program, and even started turning down certain opportunities in favor of having more time to pursue what I DO love. And those are just a few big things… I have done plenty on a smaller scale too.

 As far as small scale goes, the biggest change I have made in the past few years is how much time I spend alone. When I was in college, I spent about zero minutes of the day being alone. If I was alone for a full hour at a time I freaked out and immediately made up for it by filling the rest of my week with back-to-back plans and commitments. Now I spend a TON of time alone (or at least try to whenever I can swing it!) and I absolutely adore it.

I take time out of my day to meditate, exercise alone (usually), listen to music, read, go on walks, breathe, take baths, write for pleasure vs. for work, stretch, relax and most of all to THINK. And usually what I find myself thinking about is how freaking happy I am with the way things have been going.

Sometimes making changes in your life requires doing things that other people in your life simply don’t understand. For instance, I drove home to Sacramento this weekend (6 hours from where I live in LA) because I felt like it and because I felt like it would be a smart choice so I could work on the book all week. Virtually no one completely understood why I would do that so impulsively, but I knew how right it felt so I was able to feel super good about it.

If you feel like you want to make a change in your life…. From something as serious as starting to get over an eating disorder or change your career path, or something as small as spending five minutes each day alone with your own thoughts or adding a new workout class into your routine, DO IT.

You have the power to make a change in your life. You are in control, and you deserve to be ridiculously and utterly happy every single day. I know it’s scary and it might require some extra work in other areas (picking up a side job, doing the dirty work of ending a relationship that is no longer serving you, making the plans to make a big move happen) but it is SO worth it.

Basically I started eliminating the time that I spent dreading doing things that felt like either social or work obligations… and started filling that time with things that totally served me. And this morning, even though I was a little stressed about the amount of work I have ahead of me this week and a little annoyed at myself for leaving a bunch of things I need in LA, it hit me that those things are tiny and trivial and when I stop and think about my life and my week overall… I am freakishly happy.

Everyone deserves that happiness. All the time. Let’s do it.

Also…. This is what my book, Breaking Vegan, is all about. It is coming out next October and I am so excited it’s almost ridiculous. I will be working on it all week… wish me luck, and feel free to send encouraging emails. They help more than you know!

SO much love to all of you!

 Have you ever felt like you wanted to make a huge change but didn’t know where to begin?!