female warrior in black

(image via here)

During the past couple of weeks I have delved pretty deeply into some serious research on hormones and all the wonderful and intricate things that entails.  One very major take away that has stuck with me is that your emotional life GREATLY affects your hormones and menstrual cycle.  As an example, perhaps you are feeling a creative block or stagnation in your life; it is possible that you might be having increased PMS or trouble conceiving.  Another example is that you are feeling too much pressure at work to be more masculine, pressure to be a good mother, spouse, friend or employee, etc. that you develop irregular periods or extreme fatigue.  Now on the surface this all seems to make sense but sometimes we want such a clinical explanation for what we experience that we do not always check in with ourselves about the blocks in our lives.  I find this perspective exciting and relieving because it means what I do can really change my life and my health!  Isn’t that super sweet?!  Being a woman is such an amazing journey and as I get older I am trying to embrace it instead of feel ashamed of it.  If you are experiencing low libido, irregular periods, PMS or menopause I have two wonderful book recommendations for you. Women Code and Woman’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom.  Hopefully you’ll love them as much as I do.

I have also written about this topic before in one of my favorite posts here: What Phases You?

[posted by Farrell]

 

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(image via here)

 

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CARING for my new kefir grains. I will take tips from anyone who wants to share!

DREAMING of getting some new bedding from this Matteo sample sale this weekend. 

THINKING about privacy and technology after watching the Ed Snowden documentary, Citizen Four.

 

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HEARING Paul Simon’s Crazy Love, Vol. II over and over in my head and welcoming it fully.

READING the new book I picked up for $3 at Melrose Trading Post: Matisse by Jean Guichard Meili.

DREAMING of a wide range of future lives.

We hope everyone enjoyed their weekends. Here are this week’s pics:

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Farrell – Los Angeles, CA

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This thing stole my heart at the Melrose Trading Post

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Beach time with the Book Club

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Laid on the beach for an hour and kept thinking to myself, “this is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

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Lauren -Los Angeles, CA

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NYC friends + weekend in Los Angeles + “Daisy Miller” by Henry James

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Melrose Trading Post finds

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Trying to score some spicy fruit street snacks

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F:  What is a California look that you like?

L:  I’m not sure I actually really like this but I do think it’s interesting that you can see people dressed for all four seasons in one day here.

F:  Where else are you planning on visiting in the next month?

L:  Next month I’m going to Mexico City with a couple dear friends.  They’d been planning a trip and invited me to join.  It is super unexpected and exciting.

F:  What is your favorite thing you did this week?

L:  I went to three super challenging yoga classes this week.  The first made me feel so out of shape.  The second made me feel exhausted.  But the third made me feel strong with the potential to get so much stronger.  It was hard but awesome.

F:  What is the next salad recipe that you will make for us?

L:  I guess you and I both bought green apples so that will be the starting point.  I also got beets the other day, and we still have some walnuts.  I’ll probably pick up some blue or goat cheese to go in it and maybe even some blueberries if they’re looking nice.  Oh, and mixed greens or even spinach.

F:  If you could pick one word as an intention right now, what would it be?

L:  Connection

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1.)  Why You Hate Work (via the New York Times) was sent to me and my team by our boss this week.  It really makes you think about what is important to you in your workplace.  -Farrell

 

2.)  Cate Blanchett (via Porter Magazine) in an enjoyable serious of bright, interesting and colorful photos.  She’s one of my favorites.  -Lauren

 

3.)  In A Relationship (via Vogue ) is one of my favorite short films that I have seen in a while!  Check it. -Farrell

 

4.)  The Locals’ Guide to Santa Monica (via Refinery 29) is helping me get the lay of the land out here and adding items to my list of places/things to check out.  -Lauren

 

5.) Dancing Nana is something I have watched numerous to crack me up throughout the week. It is a dancing grandma. I want to be just like this grandma.  -Farrell

 

6.)  At 90, She’s Designing Tech For Aging Boomers (via NPR) …and I guess I want to be just like this grandma; innovatin’ and dancing with my sister.  -Lauren

Since Lauren has been here I have really been trying to make our house a home.  It can be hard because neither Albert or I really like to get “things.”  We like to live a simple and minimal life.  We struggle with purchasing things unless we REALLY love them and in turn we end up mostly with random items and hand-me-downs.  There is also a bit of an identity crisis that comes up when trying to decorate your home.  You really have to ask yourself, who am I?  What do I like?  So far, there have been a couple of things I have seen that have kept me inspired and ready to chug along with the process.

Image found via Remodelista

Image found via Remodelista

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Image found via A Beautiful Mess

Image found via ABJ Glassworks

Image found via ABJ Glassworks

Image found via Bohomixology

Image found via Bohomixology

I will keep you all posted on the apartment transformation! It is the little adjustments that count.

[posted by Farrell]

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(image via here)

 

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CATCHING up on one of my favorite podcasts & sources for new music, All Songs Considered.

STARTING to read The Cleveland Anthology which I received this year as a Christmas present.

RELYING heavily on this moisturizing skin & lip care regime during these winter months.  So necessary, even on the West Coast.

 

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LAUGHING at this hilarious skit from SNL about the streets of Bushwick.

DRINKING hot lemon water and spraying this throat spray to make sure I don’t get that nasty flu that everyone has.

LOOKING forward to our group meditation that we have organized at work every day.

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My mom and I met each other in Denver, CO late last week and took a quick road trip through Taos and Santa Fe on our way to Albuquerque. I’d never been to New Mexico (or southern Colorado) and loved seeing this landscape for the first time. I’d love to go back again and spend more time.

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Taos Pueblo:

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Santa Fe:

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We ended up spending our morning in Santa Fe at the New Mexico State Capitol Building which, in addition to simply being a gorgeous building, has an incredible art collection.  I can’t stress enough that any visit to Santa Fe should include some time in this building!

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IMG_5253Til next time!

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[posted by Lauren]