My Tis the season for gifting and while this year is looking a little different for everyone, holiday gifting doesn't have to be difficult! Check out my recommendations below for gifts for everyone on your list. These items will support small businesses and are eco-friendly options, meaning you can feel good while you shop. 

FOR THE SELF CARE EXPERT
Gift the goodness of skincare to this dear one. Try a face mask that is good for all skin types or gift make-up basics like a neutral highlighter, makeup brushes, and versatile eyeshadows. My recommendations are cosmetics and brushes from Alima Pure and skincare products from Shop Good. 

FOR THE SENTIMENTAL ONE
Gift the sentimental one in your life with a one of a kind piece. I am thinking jewelry... Try a pair of earrings, necklace, or ring. Depending on your budget, select a beautiful handmade piece of silver or gold that can last a lifetime. My top picks are from Borcik Jewelry which donates a profit of every purchase for mental health awareness, or the one-of-a-kind pieces from Notch + Fletch. 

​FOR THE FOODIE
You can't go wrong with a good matcha or coffee! Pair this with a reusable mug and bamboo straws for the perfect cafe feelings while at home. My recommendation is Yodha Matcha, Holy Matcha, or Voila Coffee. 

FOR THE FASHIONISTA
Accessories are the perfect way to this persons heart. Try a wide brimmed hat, sustainably made handbag, or sunglasses. My recommendation is a pair of sunglasses from Rainbow OPTX or bag from Minor History. Rainbow OPTX creates lenses with the mindfulness of color therapy. Get a pair in any color which will have an associative way it improves their life. The frames are super cute and I have a code FAITH10 which can get you a little discount. Minor History is an amazing company that makes non-toxic, plastic free leather handbags and accessories that are so beautiful. The bags are dyed with plant based materials that are safe for humans and the earth alike. These are high quality and will last a lifetime with love and care. 

FOR THE THOUGHTFUL ONE
Offer this special person a little me-time, so they can focus on themselves and relax. Pair an amazing scented candle with a book for a winning combo. ​I recommend an all-natural essential oil candle from Slow North and NYT best seller. 

FOR THE ONE WHO HAS EVERYTHING
You can't go wrong with a good bottle. My recommendation is Pau Maui vodka. Made from water and fermented pineapples this Hawaii made vodka is slightly sweet, smooth, and fragrant. Naturally made and gluten-free. Pair with mule mugs or a set of handmade glasses and you're set! ​

​It's been a long time since I talked about my job on the blog but I have had some questions about it and thought it was a good time to share.

About two years ago I made a very difficult decision to leave behind my traditional career path.

​I am a cultural anthropologist and spent nearly a decade working on both my degree, internships, jobs, and ultimately building a career for myself in museum work. And guess what? It turned out to be the worst time of my life both personally and professionally.

While I worked hard towards decolonization and the efforts towards restructuring the industry with a group of amazing colleagues, I found the museum world overall to be a corrupt and emotionally draining space. It is after all a world built upon (for hundreds of year) stolen objects from various cultures, masking itself as educational and enriching.

Old mindsets are hard to change, and I found myself at odds and with my back against the wall several times. I worked for an organization, that shall remain nameless, which claimed to be doing the work towards decolonizing these spaces, they still do claim this. They call themselves an industry leader... though the things I saw and heard as an insider taught me otherwise.

The reason I kept going for so long was because I worked with some of the most amazing and brilliant people I've ever know. These wonderful humans worked their asses off in the industry, trying to break barriers everyday, and many of them still are. These good people and myself went into the work with the best of intentions, but had to face “no’s” every single day, all the while being asked by the people in power to present a facade and image of active decolonization work. Work I don't believe was actually being done. But again, that's my opinion. 

After several years, it had taken a toll on my health and mind. I saw real people, specifically the indigenous community I worked closely with, both on the reservation and off, being treated in poor ways and I couldn’t take it anymore. It also brought to light the lack of representation of people of color and Natives in museum leadership. As a woman of color who can pass as white, I found this to be a very gross part of the industry. I was made part-of and overheard many conversations within the hiring and promotion decisions that made me want to throw up. Racism and prejudices in business are so real! 

I actively worked with HR and sought out both mentorship and conversation with the leaders in the business about better practices. Basically I was asking them to practice what they already said they were doing. I mean... they were claiming these practices in national magazines, newspapers, journal articles, and on the news but inside it wasn't actually what was happening. Afterwards, I was penalized and targeted for this.

At that point, I left a higher paying role and title, and took a job at a different museum to try and continue the work elsewhere, but found the industry overall to be too stuck in its ways. Too many white and white-appearing people in power who claimed to be allies, while making decisions from the top-down that would continue oppressing the communities they claimed to be working for. I hated feeling like I had to "play the game" in order to potentially get one small victory. 

Decolonization in itself is an act of admission of ignorance and wrong-doing. These are based on Euro-centric ideologies that continue today due to how deeply colonialism has affected our day-to-day practices. This was a place I found very few people in power would actively acknowledge, although it's what they would go on the news and do an interview about. 

What had I spent all of those years working towards? Had I even done a thing to help?

These were hard questions to ask myself and reflect on. The toll this took on me actually hurt inside. I found myself with a bitterness and anger at the world I had never felt before. Mostly, I felt lost. But I knew what I needed to do.

I had to QUIT MY JOB.
​
With no clue what I was going to do next, I decided to remember all of the things I still loved and wanted to just get back to enjoying life again. It's not all a dark and hard place. I remembered how much I loved music, fashion, home decor, and crafts. Parts of myself that made me a full human. So I sought out experiences that would be focused on those things, and something amazing happened. 

I found myself in a new career which went back to one of my first loves: Fashion.

For the past two years I have worked as a fashion stylist and spend my weeks styling real clients of all budgets, body types, and ages from all 50 states. I work for an amazing company that has a diverse executive team, as well as one of the most inclusive and diverse staff I have ever seen. I have worked from the comfort of my home everyday and have been so lucky to find a job I not only truly enjoy, but can honestly say I LOVE.

I found that the empathy, love of different cultures, and how uniquely different people are, which made me want to be an anthropologist in the first place where being applied more in my fashion career than they ever did in my jobs at the museum. Best part is most of the time it doesn’t even feel like I'm working! 

Being privileged enough to spend the majority of my waking hours doing something I love makes me feel a deep gratitude for life, and the diversity of the business has helped me regain hope that our world can move in the right direction. I wish for every person to find their bliss and passion. 

XO, 
Faith

The best ways to get cozy this fall. 

Stay at home orders have continued now for over six months and as we head into another season I have a few must have recommendations to make getting cozy at home easier than ever.

1. The Best Fall Candles
If you live somewhere where it's still warm like I do, make your house smell like chilly fall days. My top recommendation is Simply Bare Candle Co. This is a woman run business that makes non-toxic coconut apricot creme wax candles with a wooden wick! The scents are divine and come in fall favorites like my two favorites Vanilla Pumpkin and Autumn Air. Use promo code Welcome10 for a little discount at checkout! 

2. Seasonal Skincare
Fall is notorious for introducing us to drier colder weather that come winter can begin to wreak havoc on our delicate skin. The best thing you can do starting in fall is upping your skincare routine by hydrating and moisturizing. My go to this fall is the Butter & Me Butter Melt. This is a zero plastic, 100 % natural, lotion bar that makes me feel so soft and amazing after my shower. Also the smells are unreal!

3. Comfy Loungewear
Being stuck at home doesn't mean you can't look cute! If you're tired of shopping online or putting your mask on and heading to the actual store, let me be your personal stylist! As you may or may not know, I am a fashion stylist and work with the amazing Stitch Fix company. With no subscription or associated fees you can sign up online, fill out the fun quizzes and personalize your own style profile, then order a personally styled box of 5 pieces of clothing, shoes, or accessories whenever you'd like! Best part, I can gift you a $50 giftcard to try it out. This credit can be used on anything in your first box, plus we can chat about any fun styles or items you'd like to try out. Personally, right now I'm loving a good pair of leggings, a soft tunic, and a cargo jacket with booties for running errands or walking my pup. 

4. A Hot Cup of Tea
It isn't fall if you aren't switching over to a hot cup of tea. Since fall can blow some nasty allergens in the air, I recommend an Organic Nettle Tea. If you haven't had nettle tea you're in for a treat. It tastes similar to green tea and can be drank on its own, or made into a tasty latte with a milk of your choice and a little Manuka honey. Not only that but nettle is highly nutrient dense with Vit.C,B,K1, calcium, iron, and magnesium and anti-inflammatory.  

5. A Good Book
I don't know about you but quarantine has given me way to much screen-time. I already worked from home before, but Yannick and I have found ourselves watching way to much TV and spending more time than ever on our phones. After a while I knew I needed to be more conscious about detaching from the screens so I ordered some good books. If you're more of a movie person usually, I recommend reading authors who have adapted their books into TV or Films like Jenny Han, John Green, and Celeste Ng, so you can read and then watch! 

They say unconditional love raises our vibration. That on a normal day, we don't walk around with a heighten awareness, but that maybe, just maybe, the right person will bring that glow out.
2018 has been the first year in my life that I have felt that glow.

And what a welcome feeling it is after the emotional pandemonium I experienced last year. Changes at home, in friendships, and with the dysfunctional political situation that is a continuing cycle.
TBH… I went into the first two weeks of January feeling demoralized and freaking emotionally/physically exhausted still. But I realized something about the New Year. I realized it was, for me, a really good time to wipe the slate clean and move forward with my life. I was healing and it was time to reset.

I thought to myself, even after everything, I wanted to and I needed to reflect. I wanted to feel some gratitude towards that time in my life, no matter what.
 
So, I did that and it ended up testing my personal strength. I fell apart a few times, but I always chose to rebuild myself. I became a bit more honest with myself and I saw (some of) my personal flaws very clearly for the first time. I realized I still have a lot to learn about humans, which is funny because I am an anthropologist. Here I was thinking I knew as much as I needed to… (Which on the other hand, is probably because I’m a Virgo.)

Something funny started to happen after that. I made a vision board and then I set goals for myself. And a few things manifested, I got my website up, I started making new amazing friends, and I found out I believe in forever-crazy about you-love.

And this is where Yannick makes his grand entrance into my life, just like all the romantic movies. I was working at the museum and I saw him in the front lobby. Now… there are a lot of people who walk through Balboa Park everyday and I never look twice, but I couldn’t help but stare at this man. He was Gorgeous, and yes it’s with a capital G. I went up to Yannick, we had introductions, and we started to talk. I started to get nervous, and I knew it wasn’t just my lunch digesting or something. My left armpit always gets really sweaty and my crystal stick wears off extra easily when I’m having a nervy b.

I politely excused myself, making some excuse about having to get back to my desk to wrap up my workday. He asked me to grab a drink when I was off my shift, and after “checking my calendar” (to seem aloof and cool) I accepted his offer.

The rest is history and since then I have happily built a life with someone I consider my friend and the best lover in the world. I have trust in someone for the first time. 

Yannick completely loves me, is kind, and is honest with me. He’s made me feel like I can be my absolute truest self, and that I know I am truly loved for exactly who I am. With him life often feels effortless, we share similar perspectives that make our lives and personal goals mesh together. And most importantly, we both know we want to be together — no matter what. There are no games or rollercoaster rides on our commitment and love for one another. It is such a simple thing that means so much. 

For a long time I really believed I’d never be married, have children, or do any of the traditional things. I never thought I’d trust someone enough to make those commitments. I guess that’s the funny connection between trust and love. You have to be willing to trust in someone to love them. I never understood how intertwined those two were until recently.

If I was to give my unsolicited advice on love, I’d say beware feelings of jadedness and fear. Embrace them when they come but keep your heart open to the possibility of things working out for you. All you have to do is believe!! (cue Disney music.)

Thank you Harini for these amazing photos. Everyone follow her on instagram @harinisaphotography

PS. Yannick, I love you. I can’t wait to continue creating our legacy together. 

In my life I have been inspired time and time again by individuals who manifested a dream into something real. I was taught from an early age that no one, except yourself, could make your dreams come true. No one was going to show up at your house and hand you everything on a silver platter. But by combining hard work, some gumption, a little sweat, belief, and laughter you could accomplish anything.

Community has always played a big role in my life. I have received an abundance of support and love over the years from the different networks I have found myself included in. Through my personal journey I have been so blessed to meet other motivated and strong individuals of color.

As a mixed girl, and one who is white appearing, my sense of self has floundered for most of my life. I was often bullied at school for being “adopted” by my dark skinned mom, who had me as a teenager. Honestly for most of my life, I let others define who I was, because I had no concrete way to describe my ethnicity. I never knew my biological father, though I knew he was Native American and some kind of European.

My only real family is my maternal side. With most of my formative years spent with my mom’s parents, Pop-pop Identifying as African American and my Nana identifying as Puerto Rican. I grew up in a house and in neighborhoods full of different skin tones, hair textures, and languages. But it all left me hazy and with no idea of how I was supposed to define myself. Society told me that my skin tone was a privilege- that I was reaping the benefits of it each time I stepped out of my home. But the same thing that gave me privileges to the outside world, made me feel very isolated. Well into college I felt like a trivia question every time I met someone new, often being introduced by friends with a “Guess what race Faith is, you’ll never guess but try anyways!”

But despite being able to pass for different races, depending on what color my hair is this week, or how I dress, or what language I use. I found people to be initially restrictive with me, until I proved I was “enough” to be considered a part of their community. Which ended up making me second guess my own damn self over and over again.

Today I realize, Identity is understanding who I am in the world, and it’s split up into two parts, one is how others understand me, and the other part is how I understand myself. But no matter what someone else sees of me, I am a person of color. My experiences and culture have defined that for me, not someone’s perception of my skin tone

While the classifications of these things have played a big part in my life, so has the support and inclusion from various social groups. Over the years I have met so many talented entrepreneurs, actors, musicians, and creative people of color. Some of these I have admired from afar, others are close friends.

With that I’d like to introduce 5 people-of-color run businesses that have inspired me and are just some of my favorite! The business owners are all socially, politically, and environmentally conscious individuals. They are inclusive, strong, and share a common goal of solidarity and equality. These are the type of companies and brands I love to represent and I hope you all support them as well!
 

I have been sick this weekend.

For the first day or so I could keep my mind right. Made little mental lists of why it is good to take a break. I reflected on how nice my apartment is, how soft my bed feels, thought about everything wonderful I’ve been doing lately.

And then boom, I wake up from my 4th nap and I am tired of being in bed. It’s the weekend, I was supposed to be in Mexico lounging on the beach with my mom. My friends are out, things are happening, I’ve been invited to parties and events.

So why the hell am I in bed? Sniffles or not I’m getting up! But I still have this cough, and I don’t have much energy. So after a shower, a hot meal, and some tea. I wind up right back where I started.

Except this time, my headspace is nothing but negative. Which is no place for the healing, calming vibes I need.

I start to get more and more discontent. Then I realize why am I doing this to myself? Isn’t this a time for self love and care? What’s wrong with a little rest!?

I am currently still in bed battling with this but I thought maybe if I make a list of the 5 ways to stay positive (when you have a serious case of FOMO) it would help me out.

1. Listen to your favorite songs.
Turn on that Jason Mraz, or maybe you prefer Bryson Tiller, or Phil Collins, or Mariah Carey. It don’t matter who it is as long as you can belt out with it and forget your worries for a few songs. Added suggestion: pick happy songs...

2. Treat yourself to your favorite meal.
I don’t care if it’s a 5 Star steak dinner or a Wendy’s frosty. Order yourself something that will instantly soothe your soul. It’s not called comfort food for nothing.

3. Get dressed up!
Nothing makes me feel better than getting dressed up and serving some looks. Honestly even if you just go out for a coffee or to the grocery store for 30 minutes but feel foxy it will help.

4. Complete something on your todo list.
I think we all have those little things we procrastinate with on our to do lists... maybe it’s cleaning your closet or returning that brand air-mattress you bought at costco last June. Just get up and do it!

5. Talk to a friend on the phone.
More often than not, when we are feeling FOMO, we are really feeling lonely. But the truth is we always have someone who cares. Call a friend and just ask them about their week. You never know where that can lead, maybe you’ll end up meeting up for drinks, one of you will come over and watch movies, or just get wrapped up into chatting for hours. Remember true friends are the family we choose and they want to support us when we are feeling at our worst.

No matter what you choose to do in those down moments, something productive, even if small, will always make you feel accomplished and have you focused away from what others are doing and on what you can do for yourself! If you’re loving yourself and nurturing your happiness then you will allow yourself to feel comfortable in the days when you aren’t a social butterfly. Missing out is okay once and a while, and sometimes keeps us out of big trouble (or from getting a massive hangover.)

Bye for now, from my bed,
Xx
Faith
​

I am BLESSED YALL.

Months ago when I decided to rebuild my brand from scratch, I can admit I was nervous and uncertain. Everything about my self esteem was rocky at that point but I was slowly rebuilding and beginning to see myself in a new light.

It really all began when I was in London last December and took a hard look at myself. It was the first quiet moment I had, had in the months post my break up and the consecutive fall out after. It was in that moment that I had my Britney Spears 2007 moment and went to a hair salon. I said CHOP IT OFF AND MAKE ME BLONDE. Mentally I wasn’t at my best, but... little did I know that, that one move was going to kick start a fire in me. I have always experimented with my looks but I never knew that one haircut and some time away could transform my life.

Since then things have been a whirlwind. I began my website and went through my Instagram... It was a visual representation of everything I'd done right and the things i'd been misguided on. Slowly I started picking apart my life from the past two years and began erasing, with clear intention, the pieces that no longer fit. And with those few decision, I completely fell into my own.

At the speed of light everything I had wanted manifested into my life. An amazing new roommate, new friends (who are so full of empathy, love, and motivation) and a meaningful and beautiful new romance, all which fell into my lap in a matter of weeks.

I also began traveling every weekend again, a habit that brings me so much joy. I started to remember who I was again, and through going to events, networking, and most importantly meeting strong and badass women, I just felt positive and good. The transformation was both visual and spiritual and I knew it was in work, when people around me started to vocalize that they noticed. 

At at one event in particular, I was introduced to Christina. Hilarious, beautiful, and sweet (and a hell of a force to be reckoned with.) We connected after over instagram and I started to read her blog www.growwitheflow.com. I suggest checking it out (seriously go... but wait until after you finish reading this post.) She is an entrepreneur focused on travel that bring women of all backgrounds together. Her company is called Wildflower tours, and here’s the best part: I GOT TO ATTEND THE FIRST GETAWAY.

​​

 I was so excited to connect with the other women attending the trip. Everything was planned for us, I received the itinary and was like.. woah!

We gathered together on Friday night in our suite at the Hyatt Palm Springs, and set out our intentions for the weekend. This is when I went...  DAMN the women here are AMAZING!

We had Christina of course, then Taylor, the hilarious, real AF, hottie beauty blogger, and creator of California Bloggers, a community of creatives and professionals in California. Next, Kenesha, a style maven, slayin' model, stylist, and recent East Coast to West Coast transplant. Then Carmen, a badass, "quit-my-job- cause i'm a boss ass bitch" and laugh-out-loud funny cutie. And last, but not least Kayla, gorgeous, sweet, and motivated chica, who... did i mention? used to be a fucking Marine! OVERALL this was a group of educated, sassy, sweet, and funny women. I was like hells...YESSSSSS, my people!

Saturday can be described as a tornado of fun. And I need to give a shout out to all of the amazing sponsors from our weekend away. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Suja Juice, Health-Ade Kombucha, Rebbl Organics, Justins Nut Butter, That’s It Fruit Bars, Holl & Lane Magazine, Ritual Energy, Wild Hearts and Halos, Paru Tea &  Coola!

And a special shout out to Notch and Fletch jewelry www.notchandfletch.com for setting me up and making sure I was all beautiful for this trip. 


Photo: Myself wearing Mini Hula Earrings with Sleeping Beauty Turquoise and a New Lander Stacking Ring. 
​

OVERALL WILDFLOWER TOURS GETS A 10/10 REVIEW 
and I can't wait till the next one.........

I leave you all with some photos.
and in the words of Tay "See Ya" 

When I was 15 I was introduced to the Law of Attraction. It was an eye opening experience and led to a lot of research, a ton of reading, talks with friends (and science experiments but we can discuss that another time) and finding new ways to bring joy into my life.

Over 10 years later, with many bumps along the way. I know that life is not meant to be a struggle or miserable, no matter how bumpy it gets. Everyday is meant to be joyful and the Universe has no limit to what it can provide. You can have it all, I can have it all. Since we are purely reveling in energy (and the energies of others) at all times, it really is just a matter of being in the right mindset. Surfing on the preverbal waves of gratitude and abundance.

With that being said...
Here are my top 5 daily ways to tap into your inner joy and positivity:

1. Embrace the first good thing of the morning! Find something every morning to be excited about. Did you get a bomb ass parking spot? Did your partner clean the dishes? Are you having a fabulous hair day?? Finding one thing to be grateful for in the morning will have a ripple affect. Watch that energy completely channel into what you attract for the rest of your day!

2. Become one with nature! Go for a walk. Sit out in the sun, even if just for a moment. Buy yourself a beautiful bouquet of Flowers for your house! Cook yourself a fresh meal and really smell the herbs and ingredients! Soak it all in, the possibilities are endless on this one.

3. Make a to do list! Taking a moment to put out your intentions for the day will not only kick start your productiveness but will also whisper to the universe what you want to accomplish!

4. Listen to a really good song! Dance your ass off! Sing as long as you want! Pretend you are in a music video... starring you. Not only does this help in a traffic jam (hello SoCal) but it also makes you feel sooo amazing. Personally my favorite to belt along to is Justin Timberlake...

5. Eat healthy and drink healthy! Having fresh foods and lots of water will always make you feel good physically. And if you feel good on the inside and outside, that will only help you mentally! Eat something you love that is also nourishing and delicious! My go tos are watermelon, blueberries, and lots of green tea!!

Changing my lifestyle to include these habits was such a defining step into making my life the best it can be!

​What’s the most important and fun part of your daily routine??