Always remember, wherever you go...there you are.The NOW is the finest peice of jewlery you'll ever own.

Greetings from London!
So sorry I havent posted in quite a few days but I didnt have a computer in Paris and decided to detach from the world wide web for a couple days. Instead I roamed the beautifully antique streets of my favorite city in the world. I saw family, dined at the best Parisian steakhouses, and shopped for a few fantastic items. Just to share--I bought a beautiful camel fur lined coat for new york, an army green supply jacket, 2 beautiful new pairs of high heels, knit leggings etc...ALL ON SALE! sales in paris are everywhere and I was just thrilled about it. As many times as I go to Paris, it is always so refreshing for me. The class and sophistication that is just in the air is really transformating. It also reminded me that there is a world outside of my little bubble, because sometimes I get so wrapped up in whats happening at home, I forget about the beauty of the world and life on the outside of what I think is important. Now I'm in London and have a week filled of FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY, and maybe a little bit more shopping if im lucky :) Given the inspiration that europe is giving me I'd like to share some new tidbits with you. As the subject suggests, Wherever you go...there you are. I am trying in every moment to fully be present in Europe. This means detaching from what i think are problems at home, not trying to imagine what is happening in other places, and just fully being in the moment because really this moment, like all moments are gifts. Treasures, gems, the finest peice of jewlery you'll ever own. And like a fine peice of jewlery, you are better off NOT losing the present moment. It is the only place you even have a shot at happiness--i dont want to believe it most of the time, but it is true. As human beings we live in imagination or in memory, yet what is real about reliving yesterday or predicting tomorrow. what about today? Are you just going to give up the oppertunity to have a day full of joy, light, bubbly laughter and pure bliss and happiness. I think not :) Stay on your path, keep unfolding the layers of this beautiful journey! And remember, just be in your life. Enjoy what you have--let it be enough. Be comfortable in your skin, love yourself through all your discomfort. Its a practice, strive for progress not perfection. We're on this road together :)

To see a world in a grain of sand, and heaven in a wildflower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour. -William Blake

there will never be any more perfection than there is now-Walt Whitman

xo

Add some COLOR to your life!

So as I get ready to jet set to Europe I leave you with some parting life/beauty advice: Add some color to your life!

Although "lipstick" might remind you of the imprint of your grandmothers lips on your cheeks on Christmas, it actually is one of the best beauty tools out there. The Fall 2010 runway shows incorporated a great variety of lip stains in their collections letting us know that lipstick is young again! So go out and try a Red, Pink, Dark Purple. The lip color always looks chic when matched with shoes or a detail color of one's wardrobe but never wear a lip stick the same color as a solid colored frock or blouse. Like in life: everything in moderation. The striking lip color is only going to attract more attention to your ensemble and add an edginess and spunk to your look. And as always, the advice to add COLOR to your life does not only apply to your face. Smile for 5 more minutes today than you normally would. Go call up a friend who hasn't heard your voice in a while. Go take a jog in a park that you rarely go to. While you're there, go ride the swings and get reconnected with the innocent little child within you. Remember that laughing is the best medicine. Clear the clutter in your room, its sure to clean emotional clutter and remind you of all the fun jewelry and clothes you couldn't remember you had! Put down your phone for the afternoon, and actually look up at the sun and the sky and the people. Just people watch while crossing the street or sitting at an outdoor restaurant. Order the most colorful salad you can think of. You know what they say: the more colorful, the healthier. You'd be surprised to know that most people want to be CERTAIN they are miserable than RISK being happy. Today...be that risk.

Will miss you all but will continue posting from Europe!

Off to Paris I go.

Stay true to the trendy Buddha in you!

all my love <3>

I love myself first so I may be capable of loving others. Every Day is a new day with a new beginning and a new end. I greet every moment with renewed enjoyment. I have the power to find my Path in life. The courage to pursue it. The passion to achieve it. Just for today I will try to live through this day only. Just for today I will try to be happy. Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my luck as it comes and try to fit myself to it. Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.

The healing power of music

Hi lovelies!

Thanks for coming to visit me at Fashion & Love & Buddha this afternoon! Hope all is well.

Last night I attended a fantastic concert at the Hollywood Bowl. The concert featured male and female duos including She and Him, the Bird and the Bee and the Swell Season (one of my favorite artists in the WORLD). I was reminded of the beautifully healing power of live music. Being a dancer, art is a huge part of my life and I really find so much solace in art on a daily basis. The truth and honesty in music, dance, theater, and movies really inspires me to be more authentic about who I am and who I want to be. Art also helps me deepen my relationship with myself, appreciate my past, and then let it go. It is a way to transition from moment to moment, day to day in the most authentic way.

Here's my playlist for the day, of the most authentic, honest, healing and insightful music I have :)

1) Falling Slowly- Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova

2) In your arms- The Swell Season

3) You only disappear- Tom McRae

4) Warning Sign-Coldplay

5) Jar of Hearts- Christina Perri

6) Vienna- Billy Joel

7) Everybody's Changing-Keane

8) Fall Away-The Fray

9) Someday you will be loved-Death Cab for Cutie

10) Let Go- Frou Frou

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. ~Berthold Auerbach

There is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is. ~William P. Merrill

I'm sending you all healing thoughts, full of joy health and happiness, whatever that may mean for you.

Your body is a temple

Hi readers!

This morning I went on a beautifully energizing hike on Runyon Canyon in LA and it inspired me to write a post about health and fitness and the spiritual concepts behind why we work out and eat right. It is through our bodies that are able to generate greatness in the world. Therefore we must feel comfortable in our skin, and feel as though an aura of pure healthy energy surrounds us. Also, exercising has made drastic improvements to my mood, as it does to most people. The vitamin D from the sun, sweating out toxins and negative energy, working your muscles, drinking cold water, and eating a healthy meal are all ways of showing yourself gratitude and appreciate, not to mention extremely self-fullfilling. I'm going to start blogging about something that has proven to be a life-saver: self care. Oftentimes we search outside ourselves for things that we think will fill us, or make us happy. How many times have you said to yourself: "well I'll be happy when..." And how many times have you realized that the list of things that need to happen before you're "happy" is annoyingly infinite. So try something new today. Say "I'll be when...NOW." Because as the old proverb says "there is no way to happiness...happiness is the way" and there is no time better than the present to start loving yourself, taking care of yourself, putting light and joy and freedom into your life. True happiness should not be conditional on an event, situation, or another person. Look outside, go into nature. The universe is yours if you just open your eyes to its beauty and magnificence. Don't worry if this makes no sense to you at the moment. I promise there will be many more entries about this.

Here are some spiritual books I recommend...sure to brighten up your life :)

THE POWER OF NOW

THE ULTIMATE HAPPINESS PRESCRIPTION

ALL MY LOVE :) ENJOY THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY. YOU DESERVE IT.

I am not a human DOing I am a human BEing.

Good afternoon! I am writing you from Tahiti...haha just kidding! But the picture on the right acts as a reminder. How many things have you DONE today? How much have you ACCOMPLISHED? How many thoughts have gone through your mind causing you to feel uneasy or impatient? Considering that my answer to these questions is more than the amount of curse words in Eminem's latest albums, I think its time to relax for a moment. Oftentimes, we feel such an urgency to DO DO DO. In exchange, we feel run down, disconnected and stressed. We forget to just be. Give yourself the challenge in this very moment to do nothing, think about nothing and just sit with yourself. Completely terrifying right?! I know! But its a practice and leads to more happiness and sense of calm than anything else. The antsy-ness that consumes us is entire mind-made. Yes, there are often things we must do, errands we must run, responsibilities of this sort. But the way in which we approach these tasks is a choice we get to make in every moment. You are going to have to fulfill these tasks whether you suffer or not, so why not do it with a smile and a light heart. In my experience, we are so attached to having something to do that having nothing to do seems horrific. And at the dismay of many of us, summer leaves us much time where there is nothing to do. Stay busy with things that interest you but remember to take time in the day to just be. just be. just be, and enjoy life. Here are some things I do that help me slow down and enjoy the present moment when I feel like I need to DO something.

1) I make a list of the 10 things Im grateful for. This helps me stay grounded.

2) I take a walk around the block. I watch my breathing. I take in the sun. I feel the calmness of the air enter into my body.

3) I take 10 deep breaths. I let my lungs expand and further accept what is. I am in this moment, and I am okay and filled with joy and light.

So whenever you are doing anything that is causing you stress or overwhelm remember you have a choice. Take life lightly, and do things with ease. Use the above tips to slow down and be fully in the Now. You'll be surprised at how much more you enjoy whats in front of you.

Hope you all aren't baking in the sun

With much love

xo

Enlightment demands that you take responsibility for your way of life. It is that quiet acceptant of what is. All you get is today, and next week maybe. But today for sure. Live and let live, and let go.

Clogs are like relationships

Hey blog readers!

Welcome back...

While flipping through a People Style Issue within the comfort of my air-conditioned living room this afternoon I had a revelation. Clogs are like relationships. No no, the Los Angeles heat wave has not gotten to my head. While this platform has ravaged all the runways, been spotted on all the A-list celebrities, and dominated every store front in southern california it is also the epitome of the perfect relationship. The Clog, footwear traditionally worn by workers in factories, mines, etc for protection has become the newest and most sought-after fashion staple, and the foundation of the functional relationship. What do we look for in a good clog?

1) A sturdy bottom preferably in wood or cork...a material that will not falter.

2) A comfortable and gentle material for the top of the foot, one which tries not to damage the pedicure you just spent 20 dollars on.

3) And a creative and fun design to make wearing the clog a fashionable and INDIVIDUALISTIC experience instead of "wow, those shoes swallow her entirely" experience.

Now take a boyfriend, or a girlfriend. You want someone stable, someone who can support you when you need help or when you're feeling a little fragile on your feet. Someone who keeps you warm with their love and care and protects your heart. But lets face it, we all know that we can't fully rely emotionally on someone during a relationship. We need to be able to stand on our own, and let our choices and our path define who we are...instead of letting someone else define us. The clog is a statement piece. So are you. Unique, multi-faceted, practical, artistic, humble, and full of life. The shoe doesn't dominate you. Neither does your partner. You find a perfect balance between one and another the same way a clog looks balanced with cargos and a loose tee. And you know what, the clog will go out of season, it will no longer fit. Similarly, make the most of what comes and the least of what goes. Let people come into your life, and let them leave. Trust that everything is happening exactly as it was always meant to happen.

I'm off now, going to try to get some Michael Kors clogs on sale! I leave you with this affirmation and a lot of love.

xo

Dont be in denial about the darkness in you, but don't be in denial about the light in you either. Expand your thinking, diminish your problems increase your love, decrease your fear. Laugh more, and you'll cry less.

Hello Blogging World

Helllo!

Welcome to my new blog: Fashion & Love & Buddha. Seems like an odd, obscure mixture...I know! But trust me on this one, they are way more intertwined than you could imagine. As I finished my senior year in high school and now get ready to head off to New York City I am growing up a lot. And learning a lot, about myself, life, and what it takes to be happy and survive in this crazy world we live in. I've learned that the most important relationship you'll EVER have is the one with yourself. Because first thing in the morning, and before you go to bed...and all the time in between, you are always with yourself, therefore liking the person that you see in the mirror is truly the only way to joy. I started this blog to hopefully share some of the discoveries I'm making as I continue on the Path. I'll be blogging about everything that plays a part in my life: God, Life, Happiness, Relationships, Love, Clothes, Art, Traveling...EVERYTHING. Your feedback is really key here so please feel free to share with me anything that is on your mind or inspires you or you want me to blog about. I hope to end every post with a quote, affirmation, or something positive. So cheers to the first of many.

"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be"-Benjamin Franklin

xo