5 hard truths when moving abroad..

After 2 and a half years in Switzerland, I have a lot of talking to say! First and foremost, I probably chose one of the most special places on this planet lol and special in a very strange, unique way… Switzerland is a total 360 from where I initially came from, and there truly is nothing like this tiny country. So as deeply connected my points below are to myself, they may not be everyone’s experience, but I think every expat can understand what I am saying..

1. Gonna start off a bit head on here, but living and maneuvering a place like Switzerland, is very very lonely. You really learn how to survive on your own, which in the end, is something that I have a lot of gratitude for! Why? Because loneliness comes with self sustainability, growth, better coping skills, and a deeper relationship with your self. The slowness of this country, lack of openness, and finding friends easily are the reasons to thank for that lol

2. Letting go & embracing NEW. I think this took me 2 years to understand, I was S T U B B O R N. I held onto my old life/ways for a long time, and I wish I knew this earlier. At some point while living abroad, you just got to reach the point of letting go, and embracing things that aren’t familiar. It was terrifying for me at first, but makes up for great learning about the real world and yourself! You realize there is so much more to understand about this place called earth.

3. Embracing awkward moments and failing. I cant even count on both my hands and toes anymore how many times I have completely failed or made mistakes in the past two years. I have been through 3 different salons, an insane amount of speeding tickets (lol), fines, jobs, and relationships. Phew, thats a lot! My perspective is that, this is totally MY experience, and I am jumping in feet first. How the heck am I supposed to know EVERYTHING? I try my upmost hardest, and I really have my faith in the universe. I am realizing making mistakes is human, and it’s the picking yourself up and taking responsibility that is the real test and lesson.

4. The world gets a whole lot smaller! After experiencing another country, you meet so many expats from ALL OVER, and some are even on their 3rd or 4th country. I cant even imagine 🤯 You realize, this truly is a personal experience- nor good or bad. & living around the world is something that a lot of people do! Countries and people have their own cultures and different ways of life, which is okay! America is the way that it is, and Italy is the way that it is for reasons and histories. and theres a deeper, more vast understanding of this world, that you dont get told but only through actually experiencing it..

5. Your life will literally never be the same again. The experience of living in a different country completely changes you. Identity crisis 101 lol the last time I went home, I had a whole reverse culture shock (which is TOTALLY a thing), where I felt a new sense of self. It was sooo confusing being back home and around old friends. I didn’t know how to act lol I also felt so different. Luckily, I have the coolest family and friends, and a lot of good convos.

All in all, through the challenging moments, and in the bigger picture, I know I am living my life and chose the right decision. I have gained so much experience and tremendous knowledge that can easily be overlooked, but I know will be totally worth it, once I get to where i want to be one day. Life is truly a journey, and moving to Switzerland has been the most humbling experience.

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How I turned the volume up on my natural curls into a Red Carpet Look..

Two weeks ago, I was invited to a red carpet event in Zurich! It was a super last minute invite, and at first I kinda freaked out with what I was going to wear and “SHOULD I GO STRAIGHT OR CURLY?!” haha I feel like thats always the question.. and I always lean more towards my curls because I feel most like me with them and really do love them.. So for everyone asking how I got my curls the way I did, here is my breakdown.

When I initially started doing my curls, I was thinking I would go for a more sleek, modern look, and was actually going to give myself a really bombshell blowout. I started putting a lot of moisturizing cream (all product will be listed below) to give some hydration and grit in my hair. Then I realized quickly, “Why the hell am I straightening my beautiful curls, I wanna go allll natural and sexy!” so I quickly re wet my hair with just the shower head! *Key tip* I always start out with drenched hair, typically straight out of the shower, or I will respray my hair down with water, so its dripping wet. I still had a bit of the cream in, which I think was actually a good base to start with and kept them softer!

As my curls were dripping and slightly covered in washed out cream, I went in with my sticky texturizing spray! I like to use curl sprays for my natural wave over creams, gels, and any other curl product, because they are just so easy to work with, and I get all the benefits of no frizz and it doesn’t hold down my hair! I couldn’t find my usual curl spray (72 hour Nutricurl by Wella), so I grabbed my next best option that is so versatile (listed below). I sprayed that really well, and layered it slightly, then started scrunching all the product and working it into my hair. Making sure my sides were well scrunched since they fall easier. Then flipping my hair back, and parting it on one side, and scrunching more. After it was pretty tightly ringleted, I went in with the diffuser (blowdried downward to not create any frizz). Dried it probably around 80% dry and then let sit and got more ready..

After about 45 mins later, I went back to my hair and felt like it needed something to spruce it up, and really complete the look! So I went in with this gritty matte pomade all over. I focused on giving my bang some volume and that glammed 50s look, and covered my curls in this textured cream that really just amplified my natural curls into a red carpet look. I put all my hair back to sleek it even more, and I felt finished ✨ its like it all came together, and I was so happy to have kept my curls for this exciting night ahead of me 😍

Do you fight over curly or short hair often? What are your curly tips? Feel free to tell me below :)

p.s. video below only plays on desktop 🥲

Products used

Hair:

Bumble & Bumble- Bond-Building Repair Treatment & Bumble & Bumble Texture Spray for scrunch

Ysl diffuser sock

Loreal El Seve Cream

Makeup:

Eyeliner- Sephora long lasting blue eyeliner

Foundation Laura Mercier

Benefit- Blush Eyeliner- Loreal Voluminous

Clinique Pop Matte Lipstick- Clove pop

LONDON CALLING ✨

Last weekend, one of my biggest dreams came true that I have held super close since I was 16 years old! The icing on the cake was that I got to do Hair for a Chanel Haute Joaillerie Show at the British Museum, but the best part of the experience… that I have been wanting for basically all of my life…… was to make it to LONDON 😝

My love for the UK runs deeeeep. It all began when my family from Scotland sent over a big bag of candy to me and my brother when I was around 7 years old, and I had my first Crunchie bar! Mind= blown! Everyone needs to try a Crunchie bar at some point in their lives!! Then around age 12, after my parents divorced, two cousins who I had never met before from England, came to California, and stayed with my dad for a little over a year! Once again, not only was my mind blown by *all of it*- their style, the music the they listened to, their humor! Getting to know them & connecting with new family that was so enriching which I didn’t even know I had in the first place…. my whole world opened up a little! Not to mention, their visit was also during a really intense time in my childhood, which I think just made everything that much better.. And lastly, the summer I was 16, I got to go to the UK for the first time ever! When I say that I became obsessed…phew wee 😅😅😅 it was like I finally found a piece of me that finally made sense. From my Aunt Diana Jeans witty banter and drinking tea with her in her garden, to how fun it was shopping at Selfridges in LONDON, to my cousins letting me sip a beer behind my dads back at 16 at dinner hehe, I dont even know! I just finally felt not only accepted, but really connected to this place and my family there.

So when I got to London last Saturday, I was really just focused on the show, and being prepared- I guess pre show jitters. I also got to work with a hairstylist, Davide Barbieri, whom I have been wanting to work with for a verrrrry long time!! The experience was everything I dreamed of and more. Davide was so nice, and even let me take full creative direction over a model, and that was def a opportunity that made me a little nervous, as I haven’t done anything fashion for over a year, but also really fucking cool! 😅 It was just so amazing to get creative again, with a lovely team at the British Museum. It was all around a BIG night for me. I didn’t realize until after the show, when I looked at my wristband, that this was something that I have been dreaming of for years! I’ve done quite a few big jobs in my career, but this personally, takes the cake for me. Even Kylie Minogue performed, how London can it get!!! Unfortunately, there was no photos allowed during the event, but I have a few that I will save forever and share in this post..

Anyways, taking time to look over my achievements is something that makes me feel super uncomfy, but this one made it a bit easier, and also was so deep. I have to say, I am pretty darn proud of myself for this unique journey that I have created, and all the struggles I have some how overcome! I hope this inspires you a bit to really stay true to your unique qualities and what lights your soul up, and to put it out into the universe and believe. The universe is truly working for you, and what better life to live, but yours truly!!!! 😭✨🫶🏻

Health Beauty & Castor Oil

As someone that has been doing hair for over 10 years, and has worked with Celebrities and Fashion idols, I would have to say that beauty can really come from the inside! Kind of like energy, beauty is a feeling that someone holds, and is reflected exteriorly. And just to clarify, I find beauty captavating just as much as I find gritty cities or rough people interesting and intriguing. I think we all have qualities inside that can be highlighted, and after working in fashion, it has really expanded my horizons to the depths of humans, and where the beauty lies!

Health is where I find true beauty! Vitality & wholeness is something that I find truly beautiful and refreshing for everyone, and something that I would love to see everyone hold and have of their own. I was recently thinking that a good example of vitality is when you are on a really great trip, and you’ve finally had time to rest and connect back to yourself/life! That will no doubt show outwardly and uplift your outer appearance. That is a certain energy that you hold within that literally GLOWS 🌟

This whole post was meant to be about how amazing Castor Oil is, but I really think I needed to preface how important our health is, and I just like to discuss!!🍴 hehe Anyways, Castor Oil!! Castor Oil is a stable for everyone to keep in their bathroom or health cabinet. Castor Oil is made from a bean, and is a super thick oil that has been used dated back to the Ancient Egyptians. Not only does it have Anti-Microbial AND Anti Inflammatory properties, but also works with our body on a molecular level and stimulates. I first got into Castor oil because of my Lymphedema, and I heard it really supports the lymphatic system. I have lymphedema on my right leg, and use castor packs mostly on my neck since it doesn’t circulate naturally as well up there. It’s crazy how un-stiff my neck gets after and just overall less inflamed- its amazing, and will sometimes use it on my scar as well! It just stimulates all the liquid, and can even induce labor! 😲

Castor Oil is also a game changer for cramps! Ever since I moved to Europe, my periods have been actually frighteningly, significantly worse (which could be for a number of reasons- one reason, I think, is that I am really going through a whole process inside and out and another is the winters!) Working out, especially running on the treadmill + Castor Oil Packs are significantly helping though!! I have gone a few cycles without extreme cramping ever since I started to implement both of those.. My intuition to this is that my body/ female parts need to be stimulated to either get stronger or detox stagnancy and toxicity. I can literally feel my ovaries ache while im on the treadmill during fitness, which I feel is a really great thing, and I kinda love it after- I feel cleaner and more connected! Our bodies are really something..

Another way I like to use Castor Oil is for moisturizing and hair growth! The Anti Microbial properties make it great for hydrating and acne remedies (I wish I knew about this in High School!) and the molecular structure really helps stimulate hair growth. Apply to Scalp, Eyebrows, and Eyelashes and be consistent- you will DEF see results in a month or two. I also like to mix with rosemary oil, and really give my scalp a good, self-care :) massage- they both have really great properties for stimulating hair growth! especially around the hairline where its a bit thinner..

Feel free to do your own research on Castor Oil, because there is a ton more uses- I even saw for arthritis help! This is just an introduction to the amazing product, and some ways I like to use it! Let me know in the comments if you are interested in wellness/beauty topics or any questions you have!

My history with nature..

(This post was inspired by Zach Bush)

My relationship with nature has always been this adventurous, yet maternal feeling. Growing up, I was constantly outside playing with my neighbors catching moths, digging in dirt, kicking balls on grass, riding my bike- pretending like I am going to the grocery store. I always played sports as well, which I think played into this relationship. In high school, I was a waterpolo player, and really loved the Ocean and being in the water. It was such a release for me especially during this time in my life which was really hard. The water was something that I knew I could let it all out in everyday, and then come out an hour later feeling cleansed and new.

Then when I was 20, I lived with my Aunt in Switzerland for 3 months. I think this time was a whole new lesson in nature, I saw a whole new side of it. The nature here is just so strong, it kinda hits you in the face and makes you stop and bask in all it’s glory. There’s moments where I am just “Wow, how is this real!“ .. Also not to mention, learning and feeling the element of woods and forest- it can actually scare me sometimes it feels so strong!! My Swiss roots have taught me SO much about the magic that nature holds and offers. I’ve always said, there is a lot of indigenous intelligence running through the roots of Switzerland, as well as in my family. For example, my Aunt rosali, who is approaching her 99th year, knows everything there is to know about roses. Where to trim them down (after the 3 leaves). That you can never repot a rose bush in the same spot. And just that every time they grow, they bring some new mystery and beauty with them that you just cant help but try to figure out…

Then in 2018, I started to really feeeeel nature for the first time. I dont know what and where this came from, but during this time I started walking outside ALL of the time. I would walk maybe 5-7 days a week, after work mostly, along the beach in Long Beach. I loved this time alone and being by myself outside. Sometimes I would walk to work, which was a good hour walk there and back.. I would put my headphones in, watch beautiful sunsets, and my mind was in such a calm, yet stimulated place. A lot of my healing and ideas came from this time…

My relationship with nature currently is in such a deeper place. I have plants that I talk to sometimes (lol I dont know if this is normal, but I feel like they’re my friends 😂), I need to go outside at least once a day in the fresh Swiss air and take my deep breathes- its truly medicinal. I get excited to notice new things and colors and textures on my walks. and I just feel so much sadness thinking about how she’s struggling now and endlessly still gives.. My relationship with her has taken on emotions now, which in my mind is kinda weird, but in my heart I truly feel it.

I see a lot of similar traits between Females and Nature. The beauty to begin with, the act of always giving and never asking anything in return (for all the mommas out there), the grace, the healing nature offers, the intelligence of her system, and the change & transformation she’s going through. I wish all can experience the depth of what I am talking about, it truly has held me together and given me SO much courage. I know she always has my back..

Kundalini pt. 2

As soon as the music told me to let go, I was ready 🍴I fell into the trance, all from breathing in and out, in and out, repeatedly. It felt like I was deeply meditative and inside my body, wandering around, looking for the the parts that were stuck and old. I really had no sense of time during this, I was really into it! Side note: i’m an avid meditator. Its something that I need to do on the daily because it helps me so much. Falling into this meditative trance has been easier and easier the more I practice, and I think i’ve got it down! which acutally helped me during this experience..

So as i’m laying there, I started to feel like a ZAP feeling on my scar. Before we did this, I had told Andrea that I wanted to focus on this scar from a childhood surgery that I should have never gone through & left me with lymphadema on my right leg. (Hence why I’m so against a lot of western medicine 😁) I know that theres a lot of trauma held in that area, but to be honest, I kinda forgot that I made such a big point about it. When I felt the zap feeling it made me come back to consciousness, and I opened my eyes, and saw that she was over my scar with a pendulum! I could not believe I really felt this stone on my scar, and that was the first moment when I was like wow! I really do feel things happening..

From there she told me to relax, and continue focusing on breathing. My breathing was not just any ordinary breathing. I was breathing HEAVILY. My inhales were deep through my stomach, and my exhales were deep through my throat and verbally. She wanted to hear my exhale, my release. So I kept excentuating the exhale through my throat. This started to create a vibration throughout my body. After a while I started to build this vibration and it became more consciously apparent that my body was vibrating. I slightly woke up from my meditative state and really felt the vibration in my hands and feet. It was another moment of wow, I think this is working..

I continued breathing and exhaling energetically, and I started to get very emotional all of a sudden. I started feeling super overwhelmed and serious sadness filled my head. Andrea took notice and started encouraging me to continuing breathing and working through it. TEARS WERE RUNNING, let me tell ya. It was a full body experience. Although I feel like I still couldn’t quite grasp what was coming up. After a few minutes it did pass, and I stopped crying, and felt this big relief. I opened my eyes and thought we were done 😂 Andrea encouraged me to continue focusing on my breathing..

So I did just that. I feel like after the first mini experience, I started to understand what was going on. From my exhale and vibration gaining more and more momentum, it was shaking things out of stagnancy, and pushing them up through each chakra. I started to understand this new awareness of my body, like a whole new perspective.

So I began again with my breathing. I almost felt like the awareness I found, made it more difficult the second time around because I was aware of it now? Idk if that makes sense, but once I fell into it, my awareness would come back bc I would realize I was aware of this new awareness 😅 my mind playin tricks on me now lol our brains are really a funny thing… but I think understanding our bodies and the more you do these meditative excercises, the better you get at tapping into it.

And I also knew I could do it now. So I started again. Before I knew it, I fell deep into my body as I continued this rhythm of breathing. All of a sudden I started to feel really emotional again. (Side note: I am a huge feeler and a lot of times I feel things so much but cannot understand them logically, I’m very much in my body 😂 so I think something I will learn in the future is to connect my mind and body into a better balance, so I can really understand these traumas coming up for me instead of just feeling them and then ~releasing.

Anyways, tears started flowing and it started to get more intense. I think it was the intensity and it reaching my throat that made me “wake up” It was just too much for me to get it through my throat, I couldn’t keep the vibration going ☹️ I remember waking up a bit and looking at andrea and kinda like “help mee” I need an extra push, I felt… but then I was just done.

And that was okay. I was proud of myself for even tapping into it! After that, Andrea slowed down everything and I went into deep meditation. It was SO nice! You know that deep meditation that just feels like pure * bliss * ?! ahhhh that was it! integrating everything, feeliing my body without the intense breathe, and just taking a second to go through the whole experience one more time. After a few minutes I had some really hard feelings come up again! Now that I think about it, there was no momentum in my body pushing it out, so I kinda just sulked in this thought for a while. Then all of a sudden I just stopped crying and opened my eyes haha it was like a sudden “okay, that’s it”.

All in All, I think I was ready for this experience and will definenlty do this again soon.. I felt more clarity after, really relaxed and not so on edge about things.. I felt more in the moment. I’m so interested in my subconscious and really figuring out who I am right now, and really living with full conscious embodiment of myself. I think theres a lot that i’ve uncovered, but also a lot more really deep things that I still want to confront and get to know, so I can own them and heal them. It’s all such a story at the end of the day, but this was an experience I would recommend for anyone looking to heal energetically and body awareness!! ❤️❤️

Would you ever be interested in doing something like this? Is this weird or scary to you? Are you aware of your body and the intelligence it holds? Comment below, all questions wanted :)

If you are interested in this experience and want more information, I would LOVE to put you in contact with Andrea. Her ability to help and deepen peoples awareness to their own energy and body is profound, not to mention this is totally her passion!! ♥️ Give her a follow and a dm @andrea_angelina_wolf on instagram

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my FIRST kundalini experience.. pt. 1

I have always had a very strong intuition since I was a child, and was pretty much always a free spirit! But in 2018, things got WILD.. spiritually. I’m not sure if its because I was meditating day/night and something opened up in my brain, which opened up my world? OR maybe it was what astrologers would call, my “Saturn return”? I really question this often!! I actually had an uber driver, when I was in my early 20s, tell me that my late 20s were gonna be really special times lol I still dont know what the answer is to why my years of age 27-29 were just magic! maybe you do ?

The beginning of 2018 felt a little different, nothing too out of the ordinary- although I was in the middle of turning all of my Swiss Citizenship papers in. And the end of February was really when things took off. I remember it was over a span of a week, and three of the biggest events in my life had taken place. Overwhelmed was an understatement! The first event was moving out on my own, and moving in with 4 boys in Long Beach, which was really the best time of my life thus far. (I warned you, I am a very freee spirit! lol) The second was in the sector of work, and I booked my first celebrity client. To this day, I still can remember how nervous I was! And the last major event, was my interview at the Swiss Consulate for the last step of my Swiss Citizenship process. Craziest part, was that I only had a month and a half to study for it, and you bet my a$$ was at the cafe making flash cards every night in between all these other huge events...

So yea, after the end of February that whole year was pure magic and my life sped up massively. Things just kept moving! Work, opportunities, travels, memories, synchronicities.. And I guess my self development did as well. Overcoming all of these scary and major opportunities, I really grew a sense of self and like I have figured out the tools to do literally anything. It was a pretty powerful time for me, and I can go way more in depth with it, but that deserves a whole other post!

So my background with spirituality was already pretty fueled before I got into doing this Kundalini experience. I kinda knew what it was, but not fully, and I actually thought it was something more sexual now that I think about it lol i’m also already a pretty private person with certain parts of myself, and Kundalini did seem a bit overwhelming and intense. I met Andrea, my friend and Kundalini teacher, by pure coincidence. She reached out to me via email for a hair appointment, meanwhile served me during our email exchange at a cafe in Zurich, later to realize we had already met days before during her hair appointment. OH, and we also both share the SAME bday. ( coincidence & crazy? I agree!). We def clicked on spirituality convos and she told me she does Kundalini and that we should have a session… I was easily curious. Moving to Switzerland, I had a lot of intention of healing and coming back to my authentic self here, so I knew this was all part of what I put out to the universe! 🙏🏻

It was a rainy morning and I had a long train ride from Luzern to see her. I walked in to her lovely flat and it was an instant vibe check, Andrea just has this strong gift of feeling and empathy, and she instantly calmed me down from my hectic morning over tea and cacao that she had brought back from Tulum. I told her I was a big baby with new things, that I am nervous about whatever I was about to get into, and that I literally had noooo clue what to expect. She told me its going to be great and that she won’t go too hard, and brought me up the stairs to a cozy, safe set up she made with tons of pillows and blankets, really good music, and some Sage/Palo Santo burning.

I fully trusted her with this whole process, but the beginning was really tough for me. After grounding ourselves with tea & cacao, we started getting the hang of belly breathing. That’s where your whole body is completely relaxed and your breathe is strictly through the belly. I have soooo much tension in my shoulders/neck, so this was difficult for me to not move my upper body. The breathing started to get deeper, and breathing out was starting to really work the throat.. This is where I was very much struggling . I think the biggest part of healing, and also why it can be so challenging (for me at least), is because theres a major part of surrendering to that thing that is stuck and needing attention. My throat and throat chakra have always been a place in my body that reacts when stressed as well. The surrendering part was in the breathing out, and I just couldn’t quite fully let myself go. Andrea kept pushing me a bit, saying things like.. “It’s okay to let go” & “let it out” so lovingly and calmly 😭 and also kept accentuating the breathe out with her hand on my throat. But I still was holding on. I can pretty much cling to something until I kill it- no joke, its the stubborn bull in me. I am the biggest clinger I know lol but the truth of what was keeping me tight locked was that I was embarrassed of showing myself, and the fear of what would happen if I did let myself go and not have control any longer..

Once I realized in my head that that was the reason why, it felt so small. I was like okaaaay, at some point, I have to figure this out, and stop wasting time. Plus, this is what I came to do! I naturally focused more on getting into the music and moving my hips, and like magic, the song literally said “Let go”. I opened my eyes and looked at Andrea, and very excited shouted “did you hear that ?!?!”. I felt safe and protected in that moment, like someone from above directly told me, positively, “Let go”, and thats just what I did…. :)

Have you ever had a moment of big release? or how about big relief? relief is quite literally one of the best feelings in the world… tell me about it below, or if you are interested in this story, give me a like! :)

**Disclaimer!! If you are thinking about doing Kundalini or any type of energy work, I would please make sure that you fully trust the person and go to someone professional. This work is very sacred and works with deeper layers of your subconscious and energy field! It’s incredibly deep and transformative, and all of this work should be kept in an honest approach ❤️

Childhood Reminders 💕

We are on the way to Milan today, and I just found out that a radio legend from Los Angeles passed, his name was Art Laboe. RIP 🕊 I really feel like this is the end of an era with his passing and my childhood growing up with oldies, lowriders and happy, simple times 💔 I had a really unique childhood. As I am currently realizing that it was filled with quite a bit of trauma, there was a lot of very cool, valuable and beyond special parts of it! Growing into a family of music and entertainment self made entrepreneurs made originality and business exciting!! It was also always a good time, which I think had a negative side too, but it also kept the ball rolling which was a positive. My dad took me to concerts where his artist would play, and I got to go to Wango Tango like every year. I was around music legends that were following their passions and love for music, but also dealing with the business side. It was expansive and I learned so much being around different cultures, people, types of music, etc. I feel like these lessons set me up for the big world of fashion and being able to work in an environment handling different types of people and coming together for the purpose of making something into reality. It scares me seeing all of this overly sensitivity these days… I feel its tuning out and canceling important matters of Life, reality and truth, authenticity, and turning everything into one way. This is no bueno. We need to stop running to canceling and extreme sensitivity and also learn to embrace different realities, take responsibility, and learn how to cope!! Theres so much beauty in the differences and owning who you are.

These were the beautiful parts of my childhood, even through all the lessons and trauma. I feel really lucky when I reminisce on this side. I am really lucky for the things I have gotten to experience and the knowledge I have gained from it! What are some of your best childhood memories? I would love to know!

La Musica 🎶

I recently watched this podcast of Dj Real Black Coffee talk about his music, and how he uses it as a healing outlet for himself and his fans. Im very intrigued at all the new avenues that are available for healing these days and music is a huge, everyday one for me, so I figured I would write a post sharing my appreciation to my life long connection with music. Also my family history with music Is just so dang cool..

My grandpa on my dads side, Arthur Walker, was born and raised in Liverpool, UK. Now for starters, Liverpool is where record shops were first created, also where the Beatles grew up, and a great deal of amazing musicians and music came and still come out of this magical city, that I have YET to visit… My grandpa migrated West when he was in his 20s to pursue bigger dreams and explore more of this big, yet tiny world. He first landed in Ontario, Canada where he met my Grandma; they quickly relocated to Los Angeles to become famous movie stars.. Theres a lot to my grandpas history that I still have yet to put together and get more information about because he died when I was 1. I really wish I got to meet him and ask him sooo many questions, sometimes on my days of struggling here (in this new country and move), ill strike up a convo with him and just say hey. I find it so interesting that I am kinda set out on a similar journey than his, yet just the opposite direction ❤️ and in a way I feel his presence and connection at times when I reach out…

After landing in California, my grandma opened up her own record shop called Norwalk Records and my grandpa quickly started his own record label and had a warehouse in Fresno, California. He would work swap meets and was a bonafide hustler/ MC for local radio stations. Working in the music scene up in Northern California, my grandpa came across a fresh new Mexican Mariachi band, and soon helped found the band, Los Tigres Del Norte- one of the most tradional, authentic Mexican bands to this day. If you ask any hispanic person if they know Los Tigres, they would literally ask you “Eres tu loco??” bc this band is rooted in Mexican culture. Los Tigres used their music to speak about the hardships of being a Mexican immigrant in America, drug trade, family, and life back then. They really had this deep musical connection with their fans, it was a moment in Mexican history. The fact that my grandpa saw this them from the very beginning kinda blows my mind. I feel like he saw real musical talent in a genre so outside of what he was aware of, and I just think that is SO cool..

Music is and will always been one of the biggest outlets for me.. It’s gotten me through some pretty tough times, opened my mind up, brought feeling and creativity, taught me more about myself, connected me with people, and even talks/ guides me at times. That last one probably sounds a bit crazy to some, but I swear some of the songs/lyrics that come on my shuffle really connect deeply in the moment. I feel so lucky to have this appreciation for such a powerful tool, and will always cherish this gift passed down to me..

What’s some of your favorite music? Genres? Artists? Tell me in the comments, I always love music recs :)

Empathy & Magic

Idk maybe its because I am transitioning to another country/culture, but i’m seeing how mentally flexible we are as humans, and it makes me feel more connected to this world. I feel tremendous feelings when I listen and watch on the news that humans of other cultures are going through world history trauma. Do you too? A part of me feels like maybe i’m feeling too much ? But I think that’s what society wants us to think. It’s scary! The depth that is. Especially when everyone is so disconnected and has perfected numbing themselves. I feel like the odd one out and now the “brave” one when it just feels like the normal ((yet extremely difficult)) thing to do.

I think we have to come to terms that our “fears” are in a certain way, just a distraction. We can overcome the trauma and fears now. It is here! This opportunity has came! Be grateful bc its huge.

Have you noticed the amount of healing taking place? This new concept is spreading like wildfireee. The concept is happening mentally, physically, and spiritually around the world- to humans in places of poverty to humans that are from well respected backgrounds, and everyone in between. We are finding out so much more information, and ways to heal deeper on all 3 levels. It’s a new world the level of health we can achieve now. I believe there is no coincidence to this. I believe that this is happening because of this global shift that has occurred recently. I’ve seen it in beauty- with peoples glow ups and the “new, healthy version” resonating physically that they look like a new personl! i’ve seen it in babies, and how they are way more advanced from an earlier age. and i’ve experienced it during a very special time myself, but thats for another post ;)

All I ask is… take a moment everyday for the next 30 days to stop & look within. You deserve true health too, and the ability to move past the daily pains you carry/ have been carrying. Dont be afraid either, the world of possibilities has arrived and ain’t leaving, its just gonna spread like wildfire ❤️

In the comments below, let me know if I’m crazy or you too have gone through a change or shift lately?

Travel Wisdom

I had this little piece saved from a note that I wrote coming back from a trip with my boyfriend from Puglia (where he is from). Puglia blew my mind & flying always makes my mind so free and run wild! I dont know if its something in the clouds, or just being so high up, but wowzers I am in dreamland sometimes. I even remember the first time flying to Europe and Dont Panic by Coldplay came on my iPod while crossing the Atlantic. it was such a moment for me at 16, exploring the big world for the first time :) Pure magic ✨ ooh the nostalgia…

the more I travel, the more I realize that there are laws bigger than the ones that affect our daily life. There are laws that govern the laws that we have now. Laws that take up much more impact and meaning than the ones that shall I say are “man made”? these laws are the laws of the universe- they’re deeply ingraved in humanity. For example, within these universal laws, i have learned that the universe seriously always supports me. Simple as that. When i fully trust with love, it comes back protected and ten fold. From buying one way tickets and throwing myself out into the universe/ to not having an agenda & having my trips unfold into experiences that I can’t even explain/ to meeting people who are completely different from me, but always finding something to connect with / to people I barely know offering me a comfy place to stay when I didn’t have a plan/ to facing fears like being brave enough to walk through a new city alone just to get back to my hotel room. Growing up in OC and having all 4 of my grandparents come from different countries, it made me feel more like second generation than American, even though I was born there. My mom raised me with an openness to culture and the world & always taught me that the world is something to explore and not to be afraid of (another universal law :))) which I will forever pass along.. and for the people who still can’t wrap their heads around these ideas that aren’t tangible or able to see, I ask you to book a ticket and trust..

P.S. one thing that traveling has taught me, is that how is it that every culture has its own rules and traditions, and they are soooo different! Like especially in Europe where all theres so many countries put together… Coming from the US, it really made me think about the systems of the world and if there is truly one Real system..

How do you feel about the idea of a Universal Law within our collective? What governs you? Do you follow more of your own intuition, or maybe your culture, or a system? Would love to hear all about your experience on this in the comments below!

the meaning of beauty...

Beauty is a word with multiple meanings, it has multiple ways it is expressed, and marvelously, it is all around us. Beauty has different variations and can be defined individually, depending on what the person considers beautiful. Beauty can be a colorful sunrise, a moment in time, or naturally, a beautiful face!

I think of beauty when I see happy faces, connections between people, finishing looks on clients, places that are so amazing pictures cant capture it, parts of cultures that are completely different from mine, basically the little joys of life.

Every culture has its own standards of beauty and I love learning about them. I'm intrigued at what makes something beauty from one culture to another, and if there is even a "universal understanding" of beauty!?

I also would love to explore what women use during their beauty regime, and the tricks and tips that help make them feel beautiful.

Some beautiful things I've found...

Ombres, Ombres, Ombres

A hairstyle that my clients have been and still are constantly requesting is... the ombre. Ombre started to get popular (again) in the early 2000s when , Aaliyah debuted her dark roots to blonde ends. who knew!?

Many of my clients come in asking for Balayage thinking that is a type of ombre. Although there are many different looks of "ombres", Balayages are actually a technique! It was created in France, meaning a free-hand technique. Balayages are fun, creative, and are customly applied to each client.

It is very important for me to get a good consulatation with clients before doing an Ombre process. There are many different types of ombres depending on how light the client would like to go, and the placement of color! Some ombres may take more than 1 process to get the acheived look. Thank the lord for Olaplex and Brazilian Bond Builder for helping stylist get lighter with less damage.

Here are some of my clients Ombres, what do you think?!

work with what your momma gave you!

T•E•X•T•U•R•E•

Hair Texture varies from straight to wavy, to curly to kinky... and all in between! You can change your hair texture by heat or chemically reconstructing it (but there's nothing like those natural curls!)

I love working with textured hair, and believe that products and oils are essential when styling with this type of hair. Naturally, curly hair is a little dryer and needs a daily oil at least once a day to keep your curls hydrated and FRIZZ FREE!

Many of my textured, curly haired clients come in and say things like "I don't like my curl" or "I straighten my hair every day", and this leaves me questioning why they wouldn't want to embrace their beautiful curls?! I have came to the conclusion that maybe a reason why they don't embrace their natural texture is because they're not quite sure how to work with them!

Depending on the persons curl pattern and desired look, is where products come in! I use a range of products from conditioner, coconut oil, curl creams, and even salt mixed with water for my curls. I also use an daily oil in the morning and at night to keep my ends hydrated.

A few tips I have for styling your luscious curls are 1) the diffuser attatchment on your blowdryer works wonders! It's a great way to dry your curly hair and really gets the ringlet pattern. 2) The more you scrunch your hair when its dry, the more frizz will come out. It's key to scrunch your waves when its wet with product, and either let it air dry or use the diffuser. 3) Curls do not like heat because it damages the hair pattern and literally breaks your hair after regular use. Heat shouldn't be used on your hair every day, and if used, don't forget to apply a heat protector!

Curls are making a comeback, so embrace those waves!

P.S. Check out the @shaiamiel or the curl doctor for amazing photos!

My One True Love: Traveling

Today, it feels like the world is changing and becoming more confusing by the minute. The more I watch the news, the more its gets to me! Even through this crazy time, i think it is still important not to lose sight of what makes you happy and positive! So in the midst of all the chaos, i think writing a blog post about why traveling is the most amazing, beneficial, LiFe ChAngInG, positive, growing experience you could possibly have...is a excellent idea!

My first time traveling out of the country was when I was 16 years old. It was the summer of 2006, and my life was changed...foreva.

First stop: Die Schweiz. Being 16 years old, and never leaving the country, I had no clue what to expect from a tiny place in Europe called Switzerland. When we got of the plane, all I could see was greeen and tiny cars. Hmm.. what in the world!? The food was sooo different than my norm at 16, all I would eat was french fries (this was before I figured out my love for food and obviously cheese). My Aunt Rosli would take me in her amazing garden every morning. She would teach me how to treat the earth well and the benefits/blessings we can get from it. Me and my cuz, Jay, would adventure around grandpas house, ride bikes to the city, and play soccer at the park where we met a few friends. We spoke to the friends with a German to English dictionary and met up just about every evening. Rafael was Jays friend and competition in soccer. Even though we couldn't understand one word we were saying to each other, I had a major crush on Rafael. He was dreamy and looked like Cristiano Ronaldo at 16. One night after soccer, he blew me a kiss when I waved goodbye! My friend was a neighbor to my grandpa named Any, whom I kept in touch with through msn and still visit to this day! The food, people, cities, literally everything was so different from mine. I was so intrigued and it was just an introduction to this amazing world. I realized people and places can be so different, but can offer so much at the same time.

England was a little different than Switzerland because I was already introduced to the culture but it was still a place I've never been before! I. Fell. In. Love. With. England. England was the best. time. ever. I went with my dad and my aunt (which was tootally different from my mom) and we spent one week in London, and the Second in Manchester (where my family lives). London was amazing- the food, the shopping, even walking around the city was just plain fun. The history in England is so rich and rooted, I learned history that was older than my own countries history! Props to my dad for making us go on the Double Decker tour bus 3 times in a row...while it was raining!! I think a major part of my trip was Manchester and meeting all my family for the first time. I felt a major connection to them from the beginning, and I loved their humor! They were lovely people, that wanted to sit in the backyard with a cup of tea and a little rain... and just talk. They introduced me to Crunchie bars and Meriengue Nests, and even tried to give me a Mexican beer at 16 ( my dad wouldn't let me, but I snuck some in the kitchen hehe). Spending time with them made my trip loads more special, and I will forever have a connection to beautiful England.

When I came back from England, I was so excited about my travels and my new found passion for new places, people, food, etc. I started dressing different, changing my itunes account to United Kingdom (Lily Allen and English dance music were my jammms), and dreaming about crunchies and going back one day. I've only seen a minor part of the world, but at 25, I am so grateful and want to see so much more. Today, traveling is so much more accessible than it used to be. All you need is to save some money and do research, and you can go there (so do it!). I have so many memories from my travels, sometimes i look back and cant believe how things happened. I will never forget these memories and value them so much. The world can teach you many important lessons about yourself, what is has/people have to offer, and understanding life a bit more. These things that the world has to offer is so much more than negative comments or whats going on in the world. It's real value, real advice, and makes you feel something! <3

that teeny tiny, very important voice

I believe following your passion starts with that little voice inside of you that only you can understand! It's so tiny, but can make the biggest decisions in your life. It's that feeling that speaks to you and lets you know if its right or if its wrong... It's always there and everyone is lucky enough to have it.

This year is my 7th year doing hair, and I can't even believe I have gotten this far!(also how old that makes me feel......)

In the beginning, it was more of a simple decision to go to Cosmetology. I have always loved hair/beauty and also health, but was still doin my thang as an 18 year old. Just my interest in beauty was a good start to learn more, but also began my journey.

Its pretty amazing to me that we all have our own interests and voice. I would be the worst nurse in the world! I do not have the strength for it, nor could I work with needles, and that is exactly why I am a haistylist/traveller/gypsy.. (JK, but seriously). And let me tell you how thankful I am for those nurses..phew!

I am so grateful to have chosen my journeys in life, and wouldn't trade them for anyone elses! Doing hair is really a passion of mine, and has shown through my work and where i've been with it. I still want more from my career and am determined to get there with my little voice! It just keeps growing when i listen..

those late night thoughts...

Does life ever feel like a game to you? One lesson after the other, trying to get stronger and better at life but there is always something to learn or get through. Sometimes it test you on anotha level, like when it rains it pours.

And then surprisingly, like you didn’t believe you would ever get through it, you get through it! phew.. how did I ever get through that? and then the next lesson comes and your like i don’t think i can get through this one but i do remember getting through that one time that I never thought i could…

Makes me ask what is the point of life? Why does everyone assume life is supposed to be peachy-keen and happy all the time when it literally isn’t.

I like to live and live in feeling everything that comes my way. I think theres something more than the pains of life! I think there is a beauty of getting through it and evolving! We are so strong when it comes down to our core, we have everything we ever needed inside of us! <3

P.S. Thank you Bon Iver for the motivation behind this post.

So, you got your hair done...now what?

Hair is a major part of our image, and needs attention just like our bodies, skin, nails, etc. Its called, Takin Care of Your-Self! Healthy, shiny hair is one of the first things people notice, and it also can leave a lasting impression on people. When we look good, we feel good, AmIRight, ladies?

Although diet, hormones, and a healthy living help make up hair and its growth, there are plenty of simple ways that you can take care of your hair exteriorly.

Every Day Oils:

Its so easy! I would recommend this 1-2 times a day, depending on your hair texture (curly/wavy hair def twice a day). Its mostly needed on your ends where your hair is a little older and worn/dried out. (Your hair closest to your roots already have natural oils on them as well, so focus more on the ends). You can put it on after the shower which helps detangle your hair and leaves it smooth. Oils nourish your hair, help seal the cuticle, and can offer a heat protector!

Say no to Drugstore Products:

If you have already decided to spend money on your hair service, don't forget to spend a little money on a good shampoo & conditioner so your service doesn't go to waste! To clear up why it is so important to use professional products on your hair: 1) Drugstore products contain waxes that instead of deliver all the good stuff to your hair, it instead coats your hair strands with wax, and doesn't deliver the nutrition within. It also starts to build up on the hair and leave accumulated wax which is tougher to get off...yuck. 2) Drugstore products tend to strip not only your natural oils, but also your color (toners especially). If you are wondering why your hair color isn't lasting and feels dry, check your shampoo and conditioner! 3) Even though Salon products are a little more of an investment, they are more concentrated so they deliver better and also last longer!

A few other tips to keep in mind...

Make sure to give your scalp a good scrub and massage. I remember learning about this in Cosmo school. The reason why massaging you scalp is important is because it stimulates blood circulation (hair growth gals) and also cleans your scalp.

Always look for a Sulfate Free Shampoo. Sulfates are a littler harsher on the hair, (most cleaning products have sulfates in them!) and tend to strip the moisture and natural oils. Plus sulfate free shampoos tend to last a little longer.

Try washing your hair less. 2-3 days is a healthy amount to keep your ends from over-drying, and your scalp healthy! If theirs build up, a little baking soda with some shampoo could leave your hair squeaky clean..literally!

Dry-Shampoo and Texture sprays are your new bff. Try them, embrace your natural texture, and keep your hair healthy with less heat/less over-drying! woo.

Heat Protector- Can not stress this tip enough if you use heat daily. Many products even come with heat protectors in them, which is a double bonus! But also note, using heat every day is damaging as well- this is where texture sprays come in handy (see above).

In salon conditioning treatments- these treatments are stronger than what you can buy from the store. They help deliver moisture and also seal the cuticle down with heat! Really great idea, every few months, and esp in the summer when you're hair is exposed to more things ☀️

If you have any questions or need recommendations on any products, feel free to message or comment :) Now take care of your hair, girl!