Author Archives: Emily

SPOKEWOVEN Dreamcatchers

June 16, 2018

It was an Instagram dream catcher romance – but oh – so much more 🙂

I discovered Genga’s glorious massive dream catcher’s at my friend Joy’s jewelry shop and was blown away. I had to know more. WHO MADE THESE?!!

And that’s where it really started. Joy said OH my friend Genga – they are all custom made to call in what you need in your life.

Well, let’s just say, I went a-callin.

A good IG stalk. A website stalk – a love letter – and I was hooked on Genga. This amazing woman, mama and artist living in Brooklyn and making these inspired works.

I had to have one. Two. THREE. Fine…I require many.

Genga and I discussed the process. You don’t just ask for ‘Whites to match my couch.” No, no, my friends. We discuss what we really need to call in. To let go of. And yes, sure, what colors light us up. What textures. Simply all of it.

Then Genga gets to work.

There are crystals. There are hand dyed fabrics in beet juice. There are evocations. Feels.

Then – there is an arrival. A special package comes to the door. And it is perfection.

In fact my blush, white and a little gold dream catcher was so ME, that my daughter immediately said I MUST HAVE IT MOM PLEASE!!!!

And ya know what. I let her have it. Because I know, she needs me. She needs more of me. She needs to feel me. And this dream catcher really is me. And as of today, it hangs above her bed.

And I watch over her while she sleeps. I stand guard. We stand guard.

From Genga:

“SpokeWoven began from the depth of my soul. After experiencing some heartbreaking and cataclysmic life changes, I needed to redefine myself. I had to rebuild and tap into my most intuitive and vulnerable self to realize this dream of creating. Through the support of my closest friends and loved ones, SpokeWoven was born. The people I have created pieces with and had the absolute pleasure of knowing is an experience that has opened my heart and transcended my spirit to a place of love I never thought I could find. The dreamcatchers are my guardian angels and I feel forever blessed by the universe for shining its light on my craft. Thank you for visiting. I look forward to creating with you.”


At the Urban Cowboy Air B And B

SPOKEWOVEN

shop

custom

The delight that is Genga.

SpokeWoven is about creating an experience, developing a vision and channeling intention and energy through the making of a Dreamcatcher. I believe in the power of people creating energy and bringing a vision to reality through collaboration. More than an artisan craft, the making of dream catchers is a creative process with a very spiritual connection–a connection that is able to grow organically, heal and help discover new realms of your conscious and unconscious and enrich your mental and physical life.

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There are smudge wands too!

Genga collaborated with Indego Africa, teaching women from Rwanda the healing art of making dream catchers, in-turn empowering them with skills, industry and new business. She has also worked with Make A Wish Foundation to make a dream catcher as a wish for a mother of a child who was terminally ill. 

MRS. JONES : dresses to live like your on vacation made in mexico for women by women

June 6, 2018

mrs. jones is a bad ass.

mrs. jones is capsule collection of dresses. each design will have its own individual look and vibe. completely vintage inspired, but updated for the bad ass women of today. mrs jones is a rotating gallery of style, there is not one look. you may see the body return but done in totally different fabric, color or print to give it new life.

carol is the free flowing, eat whatever you want dress but still look amazing. you will get stopped in the street. strut away. the carol dress silhouette creates a waistline on every body type.

from mrs.jones : the carol dress is named after the amazing, strong and passionate woman I am lucky enough to call mom. carol’s version “retirement” is raising millions of dollars for senior citizen housing and the state of california’s mental health care system. carol is a bad ass.

made in mexico by a woman owned and run factory

mrs. jones is a small batch run collection of dresses. each design will have its own individual look and vibe. completely vintage inspired, but updated for the bad ass women of today. mrs jones is a rotating gallery of style, there is not one look. each drop will be themed after the mood of the moment. we only make a small run of each dress. you may see the body return but done in totally different color, print to give it new life, so be sure to follow us on instagram for new release dates.

dreamt up by nichole moss aka mrs. jones, fashion has always been an obsession of her’s and this is her vision of what happens when a california girl accidentally becomes a new yorker. feeling the void in the market for dresses for women that are older but not old, nichole decided to create dresses for women like her. women who are not ready for the 40-something uniform and really are over skinny jeans and tee’s. this is her love letter to us.

Kelp Jerky is going to be your new favorite snack and here’s why

June 4, 2018

 

 Snacking is life.  I am never not snacking. I am snacking, not meal’ing.

I’m over protein bars and faux sugar treats. Nuts? I eat way too many. Veggies only go so far. I tried this magical snack and I was hooked. A high-protein, plant-based snack that’s not a bar loaded with sugar or a mushy soy snack? Look no further, there’s a new kid on the block called Kelp Jerky, and it’s going to be your new favorite go-to snack. 

We tried Kelp Jerky and loved its chewy texture and exciting flavors like Turmeric Thai Coconut, Sesame Sea Salt, and Maple Rosemary BBQ!  

The main ingredient in Kelp Jerky is, well, kelp. Often called “the superfood from the sea”, kelp, which is a seaweed, is full of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, amino acids, omega-3 fats and fiber, including zinc, magnesium, iron, potassium, copper, and calcium (10x more than milk!). Kelp supports your body’s ability to absorb water and is a rich, natural source of iodine that helps to stimulate a healthy metabolism.

And did you know that kelp is also one of the only foods that expands in your stomach, making you feel fuller, longer?! Thank you!

Lastly, kelp is one of the most sustainable sources of food on the planet so kelp jerky is a snack choice you can feel good about too beyond just its human body benefits.

Kelp Jerky is a brand new snack that’s launching this summer. The company behind this new snack is AKUA, and they are currently raising funds on Indiegogo to support their launch. You have just 1 week left to pre-order Kelp Jerky on Indiegogo before the campaign ends. Click here to get your hands on some!

 

MISS GRASS. WEED CHIC. NOT YOUR MOM’S AND CANNABIS

June 3, 2018

Our friends from Miss Grass share some incredible facts about moms and cannabis. A cool infographic (so good!) and article to clue you in to how cannabis has become a leading healing medicinal for mamas that comes with many benefits, even financial ones such as this CBDfx coupon to keep medicine as cheap as possible. If you’re a mama and you want to try out some different cannabis you may have never smoked before, try something new such as an online dispensary like Xpress Grass online dispensary, providing many different cannabis products for medical and recreational users.

Written By Anna Duckworth. Anna is Miss Grass’ editor-in-chief.

I’m a Mom and I Use Cannabis

Moms have been using cannabis for millennia. But for a whole slew of reasons, there’s a lot of shame around that right now. We surveyed over 200 moms to understand what it means to choose the plant.

This topic of mothers who use cannabis is a contentious one.

It’s particularly timely because women, many of whom are moms, are the fastest growing cannabis consumer demographic.

And while health officials maintain that pregnant women should not consume, the stigma surrounding that recommendation seems to follow women well into postpartum.

Even after giving birth and the breastfeeding is all over, the shame around cannabis and motherhood runs deep.

Like many recommendations from health officials, these ones aren’t coming from a substantial body of research on the subject. Instead, they come from the absence of research. And that makes some sense. Exercising caution is always the safe bet. But it’s worth noting that the absence of data here is really a matter of funding, which for cannabis research, is especially difficult to come by unless your hypothesis sets out to prove the negative effects of the plant. (Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks about this issue a lot in his CNN documentary series “Weed”, which everybody should watch.)
That being said, women and mothers have been using cannabis to different effects, in different ways, at different times in their lives for thousands of years. As legislation evolves quickly right now, a moment of reckoning has come to pass. People are beginning to have access to the plant for the first time in nearly a hundred years, it’s working its way up the ladder of social acceptability, and at the same time, nobody wants to be liable for the health and wellness of society. So those who are interested in using cannabis may Visit this website. So for now, all we have is a tiny pool of research and anecdotal evidence.A recent study conducted by the University of Colorado’s School of Medicine and Colorado Health found that “70% of randomly selected Colorado marijuana dispensaries recommended cannabis products to treat nausea in the first trimester.” The study was conducted with secret shoppers. Of the 400 dispensaries visited, 277 budtenders recommended cannabis as a treatment for these pregnant women.It’s not easy to sift through the litany of inconsistent messaging out there. And while Miss Grass is not here to give medical advice, we are here shine a light on these conversations. This topic is one of many that highlight the complexity of this plant and all that it represents. To talk about cannabis is to also talk about agency, politics, race, and class.

As part of this exploration, we surveyed over 200 moms and spoke face-to-face with others to better understand that experience, the stigma, and what it means to choose the plant. Here is some of what we learned:

  • 55% of mothers hide their cannabis use from someone in their lives
  • 62% of mothers have experienced discrimination for their cannabis use
  • 82% of mothers use cannabis as an alternative to alcohol, at least some of the time
  • 100% of mothers see the plant as a way to tap into their maternal instinct, to be more present with their children

Kanya Iwana — Photographer, Los Angeles

moms and cannabis

“I’m a mom and I use cannabis. Motherhood is just one of my full-time jobs. I also work as a photographer full-time too. A lot of physical labor goes into both of these—from picking up my toddler to rigging my equipments. Topicals help my muscles relax after long and physically demanding days.”

Sarah — Lawyer, Brooklyn

moms and cannabis

“I’m a mom and I use cannabis. Discovering CBD was definitely revolutionary to my sleep during early motherhood. I was having a lot of anxiety going to bed at night knowing that I would have to be up in a few hours (and a few hours after that) for feedings. I was really hesitant to use the sleep aids I had relied on in the past—ZZZquil, Benadryl, etc.—because I didn’t want to be too groggy or not hear my baby when she cried. A CBD vape was the perfect solution. I would take a few puffs before getting into bed at night and it helped me relax just enough drift off to sleep but still wake up alert enough to take care of the nighttime feedings.”

Natasha Amrita Singh — Henna Artist, Seattle

moms and cannabis

“I’m a mom and I use cannabis. It’s the only thing that has worked for my PTSD and anxiety, while simultaneously allowing me to feel like myself. It has given me the opportunity to remain a present mother and entrepreneur, but has also stimulated me as an artist, and given me the ability to think quickly and creatively. Cannabis has done nothing but enhance my life. I’m a mom, and I use cannabis.”

Paiton Hagans — Restaurant Manager, Richmond, Texas

moms and cannabis

“I’m a mom and I use cannabis. It’s not just a plant, it is my everyday medicine and allows to me to be the best mother I know how to be. It heals my chronic pain, eases my anxiety and depression, helps my migraines and opens my third eye to the truth of the world.”

Joanne — Natural Beauty Entrepreneur, Puerto Rico

moms and cannabis

“I’m a mom and I use cannabis. It represents hope for me. It make me feels better. I use it to relax and reconnect with my inner self, to be conscious of what I need, and to let go of the things I don’t. It helps me connect more easily with my daughter and to enjoy playing with her.”

Keira Fae Sumimoto — Blogger + Advocate, Irvine, California

moms and cannabis

“I’m a mom and I use cannabis. I consumed cannabis before having a baby, halting my consumption while pregnant and continued after giving birth. Cannabis gives me perspective, a sense of calm, and relief. Cannabis helps me be a better person and I will be sure to share with my daughter the wondrous properties of the cannabis plant. The future starts with our children and the stigma will end with us.”

Chris Lopez — Breastfeeding Apparel Maker, Los Angeles

moms and cannabis

“I’m a mom and I use cannabis. Three months after I had my baby, depression set in and it affected everything. I’d tried antidepressants in the past and knew they were not for me. I wasn’t sleeping. I isolated myself from everyone and everything. I was having trouble nursing. Now I have a one year old daughter who still nurses and I medicate daily. I’m no longer ashamed or fearful to say that because I know what kind of a mom I am. As a mom of two, I realize how vital is it to stay present, patient and calm for your tribe and thanks to cannabis, I have help finding my center when things get crazy. I don’t always need it to be present and positive but most days it makes a major positive shift in my overall perspective and vibe.”

Anne-Marie Cloutier — Artist + Hairstylist, Toronto

moms and cannabis

“I’m a mom and I use cannabis. The last few years have been filled with wonderful changes that have brought be to redefine my life and my relationship with my child. Cannabis has allowed my innate desires to come through. I can be at peace with who I really want to be and be able to relate and connect with my children. As a self-employed hairstylist, my children are part of every single aspect of my life, and I want to show them the best version of the world I live in. I have a soft spot for micro-dosing THC oil. It makes everything softer and much more vivid.”

This article does not serve as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always speak to a healthcare professional about what’s best for you.

BAXTER OF CALIFORNIA UNVEILS NEW “LIFE LIVED TRUE” CAMPAIGN WITH JULIUS CEASAR

May 29, 2018

The stunning men’s grooming barber shop Baxter Finley Barber & Shop, 515 N La Cienega Blvd LA unveiled a gorgeous visual campaign, an exploration of LA’s subcultures and it’s nothing short of incredible. I am obsessed with everything from Baxter, Julius and the incredible photos by Marcus Holt.

Head Barber Julius Ceaser

INSPIRATIONS: With these hairstyles and choices of products, I took the time to really try to understand the culture in which Baxter’s Live Lived True campaign stood for. Once that was made clear, I brought out a strong focus in building imagery that can be interpreted through hair to truly accentuate each individual’s own unique personality. In Today’s world, its almost an “anything and everything goes” type of expression, but it is important to let that translate almost instantaneously. Social Media gives the attention span a very short window, so the delivery of style must be intricate yet legible on the surface. With these looks, I made sure to not alter the individuals away from their genuine lifestyles, but made sure to bring their strong features to the forefront. Nothing is worst than style that reads off forced: you can see the discomfort in it all. One’s hairstyle and how they choose to present it to the world is definitely a prominent expression of freedom and life lived true.

HOW TO’S/NAMES:

RODNEY-  “THE SOPHISTICATED JIMI”

The Sophisticated Jimi brought back the nostalgia reminiscent of Woodstock and revolution, whilst pushing the envelope with a modern twist. The hair was set to bring out the natural fullness in curls by using Clay Effect Style Spray blowdried with a diffuser on medium heat low speed and lightly combed for a laser sharp side-part. As a musician, its important to find inspirations from the legendary forefathers of the game, and innovate new waves for today’s era. This pertains to not only through developing iconic sounds, but custom-tailored imagery…even with the choice of hairstyle.

ALEX PEDRO -“MANCHESTER SHAG”

The resurgence of longer hairstyles have been quite evident, and feeling like a rockstar has always held its place in prevalence in culture. Cut past the shoulders with added medium to long layers, and topped off with a soft fringe to frame the face, the Manchester Shag immediately yells out leather jackets and indie shows. This amazing hairstyle is meant to look free of worry, but with ideal attention to minuscule detail. Clay Effect Style Spray diffused in with towel damp hair is a great choice to pull out those layers and have them sit nicely on a modern approach to a classic shag.

ALEX CUTLER- “SUNSET SLICK-BACK” 

Paying homage to classic Southern California sunsets and kick-push culture, the Sunset Slick-Back is meant for those on-the-go, while still looking good all at the time. The hair has been cut to be easily styled in a multitude of forms to fit whatever occasion sees fit. For everyday get-up and go styling, Clay Effect Style Spray  applied liberally into towel damp hair and blowdried with medium heat high speed using a vent brush and locked in with the cold setting, and followed by a hand applied finish of Cream Pomade. A more sleek look can be achieved by simply applying  Soft Water Pomade to towel-damp hair for a manageable shine and amazing hair.

REBECCA -“TEXTURE EL NATURALE”

The care-free and accentuated raw edge approach renditioned thru the Textured El Naturale, fits well with today’s visual artists. cut short and square with the purposeful texture and wispy outline; the delivery of this confident look can work quite well with those that choose to be different without forcing it too heavy. A light amount of Clay Pomade emulsified into the fingertips and palm can be applied onto towel damp hair followed by natural air dry to carry out a low maintenance hairstyle that is easily manageable throughout the day.

Agency:  Exposure
ECD: Tom Philips
Art Director: Mitchell Lyne
Producer: Clark Jackson
Production Director: Sammy Green
Portrait Photographer: Ben Grieme
Videographer: Max Cutting & Sam Greene
BTS Photographer: Will Richter
Video Editor: Max Cutting
Hair (Cut & Style): Julius Cvesar
Skin/Grooming: Ananda Tuyes