dream machines and wishful thinking

Hey there, sunshines! I can't believe we're already nearing the end of October! Time really is flying this year - or is it just me? I've got a great Tarot Diary for you today. Some of my favorite Tarot Cards are the most misunderstood cards in the deck. So, in honor of my favorite spooky time of year, let’s talk about the 3 spookiest, most vilified, and most misunderstood cards in the Tarot: The Devil, the Tower, and Death.

Whenever I’ve done a reading for someone unfamiliar with the Tarot deck, they get wide-eyed when they see one of these cards. And if they’ve got all three? Forget it. Total. Meltdown. Of course, getting all three of these cards in one reading can mean big things in your life, but it’s not always bad news. Let’s dive in.

The Devil: This is the card that always FREAKS people out. The Devil has some scary connotations, and the image on this card is pretty freaky as well. This card usually represents feeling stuck. It can signify addiction, co-dependent relationships, or some other kind of inner turmoil. That can seem like scary stuff, especially if you are coming to terms with it for the first time. However, my friend Veronica pointed out something about this card: the Lovers in the card seem like they are chained to the Devil, but those chains are huge. They can easily take them off from around their necks and leave this situation. So, what this says is: You have the power to change. You can break your chains, and change your situation. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, if you can only remember to walk towards it.

The Tower: Another scary image - a dark background, lightning/fire, a crumbling tower. This card definitely means that something is going to get all shook up. But it doesn’t necessarily mean trouble or harm. Rather, it means that your foundations will be shaken - a big change or realization will take place that may break down your ideas about something. And change can definitely be scary! The truth can be scary, too. But there is no need to fear the Tower. The next card in the Tarot story is the Star: the card of Hope. You got this.

Death: Okay. Just the name of this card is enough to shake anyone to their core. But then you see the picture: the Grim Reaper. You think, oh shit. Is he coming for me? But the Death card simply represents an ending. When I moved out of New York, I did a reading for myself and my roommates, and I pulled two cards: Death, and the World. Our time together in New York was ending, for sure, but a new world was opening up for us to start a new journey. And that is what this card stands for: with every ending, comes a new beginning.

There you go. There's really nothing to fear here. Change and endings can be terrifying, but they are a natural and necessary part of life, and can lead to better roads ahead. So go ahead and get that Halloween reading, and rock the rest of this month out!

If you've been following me or my blog at all, you know that last week, I launched the crowdfunding campaign for my ethical clothing line Sunshine & Bravado via IndieGoGo. This is my first produced collection, it's sewn by women in Kentucky and hand dyed by me using natural, plant based dyes right here in Columbus, Ohio. All of the fabric is sustainably and ethically sourced, mainly organic cotton and hemp, and mostly grown in the USA.

Whee!

And if that wasn't enough, I'm also pairing up with TWO different non-profit organizations so I can donate a portion of clothing sales to their causes. They are:

Survivor's Ink, a Columbus based non-profit which helps survivors of human trafficking reclaim their bodies, by covering up scars and brands with tattoos. [photo via the Guardian]

and Love Yourself Project NYC, an NYC based art therapy nonprofit centering on self love. [photos via their website]

Hell yeah!

Here's a rundown about the campaign:

The campaign goal is $3,500.

This will cover factory patterns & samples, beautiful fabric, dyes, labor, legal costs, and upgrading the website to support e-commerce.

If you donate to the campaign, you can choose your "reward". Rewards include personal thank you postcards, limited edition screenprinted tote bags, and a pre-sale of the full run of the collection. This means that you will be able to own a piece from the collection WAY before everyone else!

This collection is carefully designed to flatter and fit a wide range of sizes and body types.

This collection is seasonless, which means that it is not particular to a certain season, weather, or time of year, but the styles are meant for layering and wearing all year round, not for being a slave to the fashion system!

This collection is made in the USA, which means it is creating jobs and making sure that garment industry workers are working in a safe environment, being paid a living wage, and doing what they love.

Other Ways You Can Help

If you are unable to contribute financially right now, I totally understand (though even one dollar helps!) Here are some other ways to help if you are feeling the vibes of my mission:

Get the word out about the campaign. Share photos, share my video, share the link on social media! Tell all your friends! This will not be possible without you, and any tiny contribution or act of sharing counts.

Use the Indiegogo Share Tools!

Get in Touch

[email protected]

www.sunshineandbravado.com // @sunshineandbravado on Instagram

#sunshineandbravado #ethicalfashion #fashionrevolution #whomademyclothes

This collection has been my dream for a long time, and I've been working on it for almost a year. All I want is to see this collection come to life, to create jobs and work with nonprofits, and to share it with the world.

XOXO Nikki Dee!

what's your biggest dream?

Last week, I pulled a Tarot card from the Starchild Tarot deck, asking the cards to send a message for us. The card that I pulled was Temperance, which definitely felt relevant to me.

I actually woke up thinking about this card on Friday for some reason. Temperance is allll about balance. There is a lot of crazy fire energy bouncing around right now, with summer, the New Moon in Leo, and the summer harvest holiday of Lughnasadh quickly approaching. So the idea of balance comes into play - how can we balance ourselves within our crazy lives? How can we make sure that we are being productive and putting good things out into the world, but also taking the time and the space to relax, tune into our emotions, and be present in our relationships?

In the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, Temperance is represented by an angel, with one foot in the water, and one foot on land. They are pouring water between two cups. Cups and water in the Tarot both symbolize love and emotions. Take a moment to meditate on this question: do you feel secure and centered? Try a grounding exercise, or take a ritual bath - I'll post a ritual bath tutorial tomorrow for you to try.

Temperance could also mean that you are flourishing in life right now. You are striking a fantastic balance, feeling present in you relationships, and truly killing it at work. Rock on! You're doing great. Balance is the key. In a full reading or Tarot spread, some cards that reinforce the Temperance card's ideas of balance, tempering, teamwork, and integration are: The Two or Three of Cups, the Two or Three of Pentacles, and the World. If you are feeling a sense of conflict in your life, and see a card such as the Tower or the Five of Wands within your spread, then Temperance may suggest that compromise and moderation are the answers to your conflict.

And because I'm sure you're wondering... my lipstick in these photos is Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Rock Steady, and my nail polish is from Essie. Stay tuned tomorrow for my ritual bath post. I hope you're having a lovely August! <3

xo Nikki Dee

What part of your life feels the least in-balance?

On Wednesday, I journeyed out to a bookstore and picked up one of their last copies of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I started reading it yesterday, and, well, I finished it this morning. Any kind of Harry Potter release always gets me super excited. I'm a Gryffindor, of course - full of adventure, fiercely loyal to my friends, and brave - sometimes to the point of recklessness.

But anyway, between my Gryffindor love and the New Moon in Leo, I am SO READY to harness some of this fierce LION energy! I'm already embracing Leo season with my actions - standing up for myself and others, indulging in some self-care rituals, boosting my confidence, and trying to be a more generous babe - but now it's time to throw some of that energy into my style.

I am definitely trying to infuse my style with some Lion energy here! Leos and Gryffindors both LOVE drama, so I amped up the drama with a combination of jewel-toned, baroque patterned pom pom shorts and a statement necklace. I'm letting my hair do it's big fluffy natural mane thing, and even wearing sparkly flat sandals. Some gold jewelry, red lipstick, and a comfy, casual tank top round off the look. Here's what I'm wearing:

AE Don't Ask Don't Tell Tank - oops, did I wear this last Friday, too?! I promise, next Friday I'll wear something completely different! It's just soo comfy and goes with everything, it really gets a lot of wear from me! I'm being more eco-concious by wearing the same thing over and over again, right? That's what I'm telling myself...

Baroque Pom Pom Shorts - I got these from a local boutique in Columbus, so they're not on the web...but I get tons of compliments every time I wear them, so I tried to find some similar styles to link for you guys. Here's a cute similar pair from ARIZONA brand, and another similar pair from BooHoo. Here are some black and white shorts with a baroque pattern, and I even found a bright red pair of pompom shorts from Bloomingdale's! Or, since it's getting towards the end of summer, you could check out thrift and consignment shops near you. I bet you'd find something great.

 Red beaded sandals from Matta New York - they don't seem to have these anymore, but you could try their Koli Flat, which is beautiful and handmade in Italy. I also found these Sam Edelman gladiators, which have a similar flair; this comfy-cool looking pair of sandals from Laidback London, and these Gei Gei sandals which are quite similar.

My lipstick is Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in the color Rock Steady - a deep, comfortable red. VERY Gryffindor. As for the necklace - I made it myself, for the Alternative Fashion Week Columbus show in June. It goes really well with the Lotus Collection. If you'd like one, just let me know! Send me an email at [email protected], and we'll work something out!

Surprise! I pulled a Tarot for everyone today. Temperence. I actually woke up thinking about this card. Temperance is all about balance. How can you bring more balance to your life? Are you taking care of yourself, and indulging in self care every day? What are you spending too much time worrying about - and what can you focus more on? Try to shed some light on your emotions. Maybe a salt bath, followed by a mini grounding ritual, like eating bread or rice, meditating holding a stone, and being more aware of the world around you, will help things come into better focus. So this weekend, be sure to take care of yourself and remember: balance. Oh, and because I know you're wondering - my nail polish is essie brand polish in the color "play date", and you can find it here. Haha!

xo Nikki Dee

Did you read Harry Potter and the Cursed Child? What did you think of it? Should I write a review?

What are you wearing today?

Are you feeling fantastic lion energy right now?

It's AUGUST, which means that we are well into one of my favorite times of year: LEO SEASON. As a Sagittarius, I have somehow attracted a crowd of Leos into my life, and most of my best friends are Leos, which means that they were born between July 23rd and August 23rd. So of course, August is a month-long PART CELEBRATION every year. Because as we all know, Leos love to be the center of attention. So when that birthday month of fun comes around, the air is full of big, loud, red-hot Leo energy. And we have just passed through the New Moon in Leo, which means that it's time to embrace our collective Leo spirit.

So how can we all embrace Leo season this year? Simple: light up the world, babe.

Leo is a fixed fire sign, so Leos are blazing-hot with passionate energy about the things that light their fire. Leo energy is all about taking what you want, abandoning all doubt or negativity, and bursting with confidence. Leo energy is beyond confidence - so be sure to work on some self-love practices that build your confidence.

Try some of these:

This Secret, Saucy Trick to Getting Your Power and Confidence Back that I wrote about last summer.

Write down 25 things that you love about yourself.

Complete these 5 Self-Confidence rituals from MindBodyGreen.

Be a little bit selfish - say HELL YES to things that you want to do, and HELL NO to things that you don't.

Leos take pride in their presentation, so why don't you try a new makeup trick, put together an outfit that you wouldn't normally dare to wear, or put on some statement jewelry and bask in the compliments.

 Give your mane some love. Try a scalp massage, new hair color, or deep conditioner. All of the Leos I know really have great hair!

Surround yourself with uplifting scents. Try wild orange oil, summery jasmine, or tangerine.

Treat yourself to a self-love talisman, and gift it to yourself in a special ritual. Leos love gifts - especially shiny and sparkly things. Why don't you gift yourself some shiny golden jewelry; a boquet of sunflowers, zinnias, or marigolds; or a gemstone or crystal that represents fire or the sun, such as amber, red carnelian, tiger's eye, or sunstone.

Really pay attention to your feelings. Leos do things from the heart, so this is a great time to tap into your emotions and your inner light.

Grab some of that SUN energy! Charge your crystals and Tarot cards in the sunshine, and make sure you're getting plenty of Vitamin D.

Now that you're feeling great, remember that Leos are incredibly generous. They show their love in big, flashy ways. Here are some ideas for ways to be generous this month, and show your love:

Tell someone you love them. Heartfelt and easy!

Take a friend out on the town.

Give a gift. Flowers, sparkly jewelry, a bottle of champagne, movie or theatre tickets, a hand-painted scarf, or a home-made manicure are all very Leo-esque gifts.

Do a random act of kindness. Check out Uncustomary's list of 103 Random Acts of Kindness for ideas!

Now, it's time to party! Blaze on, babe. It's going to be a great month!

What's your favorite time of year?

Have you ever heard the phrase, "leave it better than you found it"? Well, it's definitely obvious that we are not doing that with our own planet. I've been called a "tree-hugger" my entire life, and I take it as a compliment. I went on to study Sustainable Design at University, and I’ve become familiar with an amazing, truly massive group of people invested in the same thing: being global citizens. What does being a global citizen mean to me? It means being an active and aware member of the planet, creating community wherever you can, and making sure you take care of your earth.

Living an eco-friendly lifestyle can seem daunting, difficult, or even uncool, but once you get started, it becomes impossible to stop thinking about your footprint on the planet. Luckily, there are lots of people who want to share their knowledge about how you can living a more sustainable life. So I’ve compiled a master list of my favorite resources on sustainability, eco-lifestyles, and sustainable fashion. It includes films, books, and awesome blogs to gain inspiration and knowledge from. Whether you are an eco-lifestyle guru or a true beginner in learning about the environment, there is something on this list for you.

Books:

My list of books is going to be a series of links which will take you to the Amazon page for each book, but of course if you can get these books from a library or from a friend, that's a good way to go. You can grab an e-book from Amazon, too, if that's more your style.

Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things

I definitely recommend starting with this book. It is one of the first really informative resources that I found on sustainable design. It was assigned to me as required reading in design school, and it taught me a lot about product lifecycles and the planet. And, the book is made out of recycled plastic, so it’s a sustainable resources in itself – and you can read it in the bath.

Sustainability: A History The Story of Stuff: The Impact of Overconsumption on the Planet, Our Communities, and Our Health-And How We Can Make It Better

this book is actually on sale for $11.56 right now on Amazon, and there is a really cool YouTube animation video that goes along with it, which you can watch here.

Small Is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered No Impact Man: The Adventures of a Guilty Liberal Who Attempts to Save the Planet, and the Discoveries He Makes About Himself and Our Way of Life in the Process

No Impact Man, aka Colin Beavan, also has a fantastic documentary and blog documenting his journey to a no-impact, sustainable lifestyle. Definitely one of the must-reads/must-watch/must-subscribes on this list, and a triple threat at that!

Naked Fashion: The New Sustainable Fashion Revolution Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion

Blogs:

No Impact Man and No Impact Project.  No Impact Man is Colin Beavan's personal blog, where it all started, documenting his journey on the road to living a "no-impact" lifestyle on the planet. The No Impact Project is his organization which came from the movie, No Impact Man. I recommend starting with the link "change yourself", and moving on to tips on how to, "change the world".

Ecotextile News. Ecotextile news is great for fashion designers, textile artists, and people interested in fashion. It shares news about fashion tech, sustainable textiles, and the changing scene of ethical fashion. They also post jobs opportunities in the ethical textile industry, and are a great source of information for anyone working in the fashion industry.

Ecouterre, is a website that serves the future of fashion design and promotes ethical and sustainable practices in the fashion industry. They also say they are, "dedicated to showcasing and supporting designers who not only contemplate cut, form, and drape, but also a garment’s social and environmental impact, from the cultivation of its fibers to its use and disposal. Our ethos: To follow the evolution of the apparel industry toward a more environmentally sound future, as well as facilitate a conversation about why sustainable fashion matters."

Trash is for Tossers is the blog of Lauren Singer, founder of The Simply Co. I actually went to college with Lauren at The New School, where she studied Environmental Studies while I was studying Sustainable Fashion Design. She lives a "Zero Waste Life" in Brooklyn, New York, and her blog is a great, down-to-earth resources on making your lifestyle a more sustainable and waste-free life. Come here for DIYs, videos, and a great comments section.

Moral Fibres: a British website started by a woman who wants, "to show that sustainable living can be a part of everyone's daily life, whether you wear sandals or prefer a more substantial footwear, without compromising on style."

Eco Chick: "Because Mother Earth is a Woman". Eco-chick is an online magazine that covers all aspect of ethical fashion, beauty, and even travel, specifically for women.

Groovy Green Livin: Lori is a, "recovering attorney" and mom who shares her advice on how to live a more earth-friendly lifestyle.

Eco Warrior Princess: is a website created by Jennifer Nini, an Audtralian writer who "raises awareness of the social and environmental impacts of the fashion industry, promotes responsibly-made fashion, advocates policy that is beneficial to our environment and inspires the masses to “go green.”" She also has an incredibly gorgeous Instagram feed...

Film:

Some of these fims are on Netflix, some on Hulu, and some you might just have to download or grab from Amazon or your local library. So I'm not going to link them, just list them.

The True Cost: A Documentary Film

The Age of Stupid: A Documentary Film

Thread: A Documentary About the Ethics of Fashion

The Future of Food

FLOW: For Love of Water

No Impact Man

There are tons of great resources out there, but these are some of my favorites to start with. I'm sure this list will grow over time, and I'll probably eventually permanently link it somewhere in the site's navigation. For now, though, I hope you enjoy taking some time to learn a few new things about the planet and the way people are living and taking care of it in new ways. And if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for things to add to the list, please let me know in the comments!

xo Nikki Dee

What are your favorite resources for sustainable food, design, fashion, travel, and knowledge?

Did you discover any new favorite facts, resources, or writers from this list?

It's been a while since I've written an outfit post! To be honest, my lack of outfit posts has been due to a combination of feeling uninspired and feeling like posting photos of my outfits isn't serious enough in today's political and social climate. But then I remembered that adornment has always been a sacred ritual, it is empowering, and reflects my own choices and beliefs. I've been trying to support more ethical clothing and jewelry brands, and to play and experiment more with the way that I present myself. With the launch date of my clothing brand Sunshine & Bravado Clothing's launch date looming close, I've been putting some extra thought into the way that I want to run my blog. I want this to be a safe haven for rebels-with-a-cause, bohemians, and punk-rock tree-huggers all over the world. I want to share insights on my self-love journey, craft therapy techniques, and knowledge of living a more ethical, sustainable, and badass life. I want my clothing line, my Tarot readings, my blog, to all reflect each other and come from an honest, exploratory, adventurous, and brave place inside my heart. I'm truly super-excited to begin this new chapter of my life, blog, and brand. Are you with me?

Moving forward, there might be some experimentation or change on the blog, but you can expect to see a general formula of posts three times a week. There will most likely be a post on Monday with themes of adventure, sustainable living, and self-love. On Wednesday, there will be posts about craft therapy, magic, and Tarot. And on Friday, there will be an outfit post, a link love roundup, or a review of a product that I love and recommend. Hooray for organization!

Now, onto the outfit post!

My new home in Columbus feels like something out of a Sophia-Coppola soaked dream for this native New Yorker. I'm renting a little town-house, which was built in the twenties and sits halfway in between a busy city street and a rugged, woodsy hiking path. There is all manner of flora and fauna in my charming little neighborhood, including a tiny garden hidden between my building and the next one. I never really looked too closely at it until today, and decided that it was the perfect spot to take some photos.

What I'm wearing:

clothes

Don't Ask Why ribbed crop tank in natural, the softest, comfiest ribbed tank and it's a crop, which is my favorite silhouette with a long skirt. I like Don't Ask Why/AE because they are a fairly transparent company, and they don't Photoshop their models.

Reversible wrap skirt, that I bought from a vendor at a street fair in NYC a few years ago.

Necklace from baya designs in Franklin, Tennessee. Handmade, sustainably sourced materials. They make truly gorgeous, badass, bohemian, Southern style jewelry. I might be a little bit biased because I know them ;] but they really are the real deal in awesome handmade jewelry.

Sandals from Matta New York, ethically hand-crafted and hand-beaded in Italy. They are pretty flat, I am thinking about having a rubber bottom put on them. I definitely recommend this for any new pair of shoes to help them last longer.

makeup

FACE:

CoverFX Blemish Treatment Primer. It's a light gel primer, and this, along with the derma-e Purifying Charcoal Mask, and Jurlique Balancing Day Care Cream, have totally and completely transformed and saved my skin.

I picked up the charcoal mask at my local health food store and it had INSTANT effects. My skin was immediately smoother and clearer. Seriously amazing. As for the Jurlique cream, I recieved it in the mail as a sample from Sephora when I bought my new Clinique Mascara, and decided to give it a try, because I love samples. It is a dry oil, which means it sinks right into your skin and doesn't feel oily AT ALL. It makes my skin feel really soft and even. I can be a bit skeptical about face products, but since my skin has been changing lately I've decided to give some new things a try. I definitely recommend these three products for combination or oily skin.

EYES:

Clinique Lash Power Longwear Mascara - I am a total brat when it comes to mascara. I hate the feeling of having something on my eyelashes, and my eyelashes are naturally stick-straight, AND I have oily eyelids, so I had basically given up on wearing mascara. Actually, I hadn't worn mascara at all in over a year, even at my friend's wedding. But I recently saw a review online for this Clinique Lash Power mascara, and I decided to give it a try. This is a tubing mascara, and I can't feel it on my eyes at all. It comes off pretty easily in little flakes with warm water and a microfiber washcloth - no smudgy raccoon eyes. It sat in my Sephora.com basket for WEEKS, and I'm glad that I finally decided to buy it.

LIPS:

Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in ZZ Cream - When I bought my mascara, I really cashed in all my chips to get a ton of samples to try. Luckily, I placed my order with a coupon that landed me with a sample palette of 24 different shades of the new Vice lipstick line by Urban Decay. Since I'm coming out of a beauty slump, I'm challenging myself to try a new shade of the Vice lipstick every day. (You can follow along on my Instagram if you want to see!) Today I'm wearing ZZ, which is a soft lavender color that I bet would be flattering on anyone.

Bombay kitty was enjoying some sunshine in the garden, too. :] So that's my comfy and bohemian, ethical style for today. I wore this outfit to work from home, run errands, make homemade vegan cream cheese, and drink a beer while doing laundry. And, of course, to frolic in the secret garden next to my apartment. I hope you are having a beautiful day!

And if you're in New York, go see my friend Anna to get a free Tarot reading from Precious Metal Bar in Brooklyn tonight! She's there every Friday!

And everyone should join me tomorrow for Mary England's FREE webinar, How to Avoid Burnouts and Breakdown while Achieving Your Dreams. Yes, please, I need this. And I bet you do, too! See you there!

What does ethical style mean to you?

Hey there, sunshine! This summer I'm starting to include some guest posts on the Sunshine & Bravado blog. Keep an eye out for posts by some of my friends and amazing writers, artists, entrepreneurs, and all-around rad people. This week, I'm featuring a lovely list by blogger Cassandra Key-Lyons. A few years ago, Cassandra quit her nine-to-five job in order to give herself the freedom to write full time, and make her life into the sparkly image of her dreams. She blogs about her magical life over at The Sacred Middle, but today she's treating us to a list of 5 Happy Hacks to beat a gloomy day into sparkly submission. Enjoy!

A few days ago, for no particular reason at all, I fell into a funk. All I wanted to do was bury myself under my leopard-print sheets and sulk. I think that’s okay sometimes, to just laze in a daze and wait for the mood to pass, but on that particular day, a deeper part of me didn’t want to be a bump on a log. I told myself, “If I don’t do anything but bum around, I’m going to feel even worse.” Instead, I did some of the things I’ve outlined below. I’ve thrown in a few extras for good measure. If you’re feeling less-than-stellar or just want to have a few tools in your box for another day, these little happy hacks will give you the boost you’re looking for.

Get Into the Music

Open up your music player and put on your favorite tunes, create a playlist, discover new music. I love Spotify for finding artists I’ve never heard of before. Right now I’m listening to the Retro Lounge Tiki Exotica playlist and feeling like I’m on a tropical vacation. Go ahead, search for something wildly different or turn up your go-tos and take a dance break. It’s okay - no one is watching.

Move Yo Self

That dance break you’re taking will feel so good, but so will any kind of body movement, even if it’s just circling your joints. There’s that whole “an object in motion stays in motion” thing, so when you’re not feeling productive or in a slump, get moving. Just a little bit will do or you can go all out with a one hour workout session. Whatever feels good to you. Just remember that it will probably be hard to get going, but once you do it’s likely that you’ll keep going.

5 Minute Anything

I’m a huge fan of micro movements. Do one small thing or pick a task and do it for only five minutes. This works well if you’re dreading an item on your to-do list and that’s what bringing you down. You can accomplish it with micro movements and feel good about being productive. Just like the whole object in motion thing, once you’ve done something for five minutes, you’ll probably keep at it. The end result is a big sigh of relief.

Random Acts of Kindness

The great thing about doing something nice for someone else is that it makes you feel good too. Give someone a compliment, pay for the meal, volunteer, surprise someone with a gift or a phone call, show gratitude, give a hug, leave positive affirmations on pieces of paper around town. The possibilities are endless! Do one nice thing today and I promise you’ll feel better.

Journal

Ah, writing therapy. You have served me well. Any time I’m angry/sad/confused/name-an-emotion, I write about it. There’s something about getting those feelings on the page that makes them less obtrusive. It’s like I’m digging around in my own head, cleaning out the musty spaces, then opening a window to let in the fresh air. If you’ve never journal-ed your feelings, give it a go. You won’t lose anything by doing so, except the gloominess, of course!  

every once in a while, i feel the need to completely overhaul my life. at some point this month i woke up and realized that i was no longer taking any steps of progression, to the path of where i want to be and where i should be headed. i don't really know where i'm going to end up in life, but it helps to have goals and to be conscious of the efforts that you are making to create your own world.

a new roommate moved in with us this week - my boyfriend's mother. with anyone else it could be weird, but i've had so many roommates over the years, and it's nice to have some laid back maternal energy in the apartment. the three of us have done some cleaning and re-organizing...and my studio has been turned into a bedroom, but i have a new place to work - an old table right in front of the kitchen window, covered with plants. it feels exactly right. being surrounded by plant life gives me energy, and the sun shining through the window makes me feel like things are going to get better.

i haven't been writing much lately. i've felt like something has been weighing me down, so all i can do it go to work, come home, struggle to fall asleep, struggle to wake up. it's a pattern that often hits me in winter, and it becomes a daily struggle to deal with the realities of my everyday life. it can be difficult to deal with cycles of anxiety or depression, but something always creeps in to remind you that better days are ahead. the weather is turning. i realized that writing has always been a great way for me to process what is going on inside my head and in the world around me. if you don't have some kind of journal, whether it's an old fashion leatherbound journal, a moleskine notebook, a blog, a word document, or even the notes on your phone, i suggest you try it. just write whatever comes into your head. My friend Gala Darling mentioned recently that she misses the free-form writing days of Livejournal, and I agreed -- so expect to see more journal entries, poems, opinions, and works-in-progress on my blog.

speaking of the blog, i've done a complete overhaul on that as well. do you like the new design? i feel like it encompasses how i am feeling now, and showcases my work a bit better. i pulled a Tarot card last night, and it was The Fool, who i'm going to write about in the Tarot Diary shortly...The Fool makes me want to go on an adventure, start over, look at things with new eyes, and believe that anything is possible.

it's time for some spring cleaning. what small changes can you make in your life? how can you rearrange your space to suit your creative needs? do some deep cleaning, surround yourself with plants, and light a candle. sit down, join me for a cup of tea, and let's talk about your deep fears, your deep desires, and the tiny things that you are embarrassed to admit that you want. it's okay to not have or even want a one-track life. you can be anything and everything that you are.

you just need to make some space for yourself. we are all making space for ourselves in the world, and we end up sometimes intertwining with other people's spaces. that's okay, too. we're in it together.

‘Tis the season to feel shitty?! I feel like everyone I know has been ill in the past few weeks -- and now I seem to have caught a bug! Yech! I hope that my dear readers have stayed bright and healthy, but like me and my friends, maybe you weren’t so lucky. Between headaches, an achy body, and a horrible cough, you might be wishing to sleep for the next week straight. But I’ve taken my sick day home to compile a list of ways to feel better and entertain yourself until you are back on your feet. Trust me, it’ll help!

1. Drink lots of tea. There are often days when I want to just stay home and sip on tea all day - well now I have an excuse! Being sick is a good time to experiment with different teas, as well. Why don’t you try making homemade ginger tea? You can find a good, easy recipe here.

2. Catch up on some reading: read a book (or three...). Here are some good ones:

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)

The Princess Bride

A graphic novel like The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Eric Shanower)

Or , you can always read the Harry Potter series again.

3. Cuddle with a hot water bottle -- or your pet! - and make a blanket fort to lounge about in. Don’t do anything too strenuous- stick to stretching, meditating, and groaning. Surround yourself with soft blankets and giant pillows and take lots of naps.

4. Watch an entire season of an indulgent TV show on Netflix. I recommend BBC's Sherlock, Parks & Recreation, or Once Upon a Time.

5. Invest in some fun tissue packs: and brighten your spirit. Or try reusable tissues and handkerchiefs?! If you can, get the softest kind possible, maybe even with lotion in them -- your skin will thank you later!

6. Refresh: I know it’s tempting to wallow, unbathed on your couch, but you’ll feel much better if you take a cleansing sea salt bath and brush your hair. Alternatively, take a eucalyptus scented shower. I’m too lazy and broke to buy real eucalyptus branches, so I usually just pour a few drops of eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils into the bottle cap and place it in my shower.  Or make some DIY eucalyptus shower discs!

sick day by nikkidee featuring Circo

7. Gloss: Have you ever heard the phrase, “look better than you feel?” When I’m sick, my first reaction is to wear pajama pants all day, but I swear by the uplifting powers of stylish sweatpants or yoga leggings, and a big cozy sweater to help me look good while staying comfortable. And, you can usually take advantage of your immobile downtime by conditioning your hair, trying a new face mask, and painting your nails.

8. Rub Vicks on your feet: It sounds wacky, but my mom swears that it works. Just rub some fix on the soles of clean feet and cover up with warm, fluffy cotton socks before you go to bed.

9. Eat healthy foods, like chicken and veggie soup, green smoothies, applesauce, and orange juice. I love to make pastina (tiny, star-shaped pasta) in chicken broth and add some chicken, celery, and carrots. Simple sandwiches are great to fill you up -- try chicken, tomato, and spinach on focaccia bread. Or whip up a healing smoothie with strawberries, ginger, banana, and apple cider vinegar.

10. Basically, spoil yourself: Aw, babe, you’re sick. :( Poor you! When you’re sick, you basically have free reign to be coddled. Most people I know barely have the luxury to take one day off... so spend your sick day at home resting, recovering, and not doing any work!

I’m off to drink some peppermint tea, put on some fluffy socks, and watch Love Actually… I hope you feel better, babe!

‘Tis the season to feel shitty?! I feel like everyone I know has been ill in the past few weeks -- and now I seem to have caught a bug! Yech! I hope that my dear readers have stayed bright and healthy, but like me and my friends, maybe you weren’t so lucky. Between headaches, an achy body, and a horrible cough, you might be wishing to sleep for the next week straight. But I’ve taken my sick day home to compile a list of ways to feel better and entertain yourself until you are back on your feet. Trust me, it’ll help!

1. Drink lots of tea. There are often days when I want to just stay home and sip on tea all day - well now I have an excuse! Being sick is a good time to experiment with different teas, as well. Why don’t you try making homemade ginger tea? You can find a good, easy recipe here.

2. Catch up on some reading: read a book (or three...). Here are some good ones:

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)

The Princess Bride

A graphic novel like The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Eric Shanower)

Or , you can always read the Harry Potter series again.

3. Cuddle with a hot water bottle -- or your pet! - and make a blanket fort to lounge about in. Don’t do anything too strenuous- stick to stretching, meditating, and groaning. Surround yourself with soft blankets and giant pillows and take lots of naps.

4. Watch an entire season of an indulgent TV show on Netflix. I recommend BBC's Sherlock, Parks & Recreation, or Once Upon a Time.

5. Invest in some fun tissue packs: and brighten your spirit. Or try reusable tissues and handkerchiefs?! If you can, get the softest kind possible, maybe even with lotion in them -- your skin will thank you later!

6. Refresh: I know it’s tempting to wallow, unbathed on your couch, but you’ll feel much better if you take a cleansing sea salt bath and brush your hair. Alternatively, take a eucalyptus scented shower. I’m too lazy and broke to buy real eucalyptus branches, so I usually just pour a few drops of eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils into the bottle cap and place it in my shower.  Or make some DIY eucalyptus shower discs!

sick day by nikkidee featuring Circo

7. Gloss: Have you ever heard the phrase, “look better than you feel?” When I’m sick, my first reaction is to wear pajama pants all day, but I swear by the uplifting powers of stylish sweatpants or yoga leggings, and a big cozy sweater to help me look good while staying comfortable. And, you can usually take advantage of your immobile downtime by conditioning your hair, trying a new face mask, and painting your nails.

8. Rub Vicks on your feet: It sounds wacky, but my mom swears that it works. Just rub some fix on the soles of clean feet and cover up with warm, fluffy cotton socks before you go to bed.

9. Eat healthy foods, like chicken and veggie soup, green smoothies, applesauce, and orange juice. I love to make pastina (tiny, star-shaped pasta) in chicken broth and add some chicken, celery, and carrots. Simple sandwiches are great to fill you up -- try chicken, tomato, and spinach on focaccia bread. Or whip up a healing smoothie with strawberries, ginger, banana, and apple cider vinegar.

10. Basically, spoil yourself: Aw, babe, you’re sick. :( Poor you! When you’re sick, you basically have free reign to be coddled, especially if you’re forced to work while sick (I hope you don’t work in a restaurant!!!)

I’m off to drink some peppermint tea, put on some fluffy socks, and watch Love Actually… I hope you feel better, babe!

‘Tis the season to feel shitty?! I feel like everyone I know has been ill in the past few weeks -- and now I seem to have caught a bug! Yech! I hope that my dear readers have stayed bright and healthy, but like me and my friends, maybe you weren’t so lucky. Between headaches, an achy body, and a horrible cough, you might be wishing to sleep for the next week straight. But I’ve taken my sick day home to compile a list of ways to feel better and entertain yourself until you are back on your feet. Trust me, it’ll help!

1. Drink lots of tea. There are often days when I want to just stay home and sip on tea all day - well now I have an excuse! Being sick is a good time to experiment with different teas, as well. Why don’t you try making homemade ginger tea? You can find a good, easy recipe here.

2. Catch up on some reading: read a book (or three...). Here are some good ones:

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)

The Princess Bride

A graphic novel like The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Eric Shanower)

Or , you can always read the Harry Potter series again.

3. Cuddle with a hot water bottle -- or your pet! - and make a blanket fort to lounge about in. Don’t do anything too strenuous- stick to stretching, meditating, and groaning. Surround yourself with soft blankets and giant pillows and take lots of naps.

4. Watch an entire season of an indulgent TV show on Netflix. I recommend BBC's Sherlock, Parks & Recreation, or Once Upon a Time.

5. Invest in some fun tissue packs: and brighten your spirit. Or try reusable tissues and handkerchiefs?! If you can, get the softest kind possible, maybe even with lotion in them -- your skin will thank you later!

6. Refresh: I know it’s tempting to wallow, unbathed on your couch, but you’ll feel much better if you take a cleansing sea salt bath and brush your hair. Alternatively, take a eucalyptus scented shower. I’m too lazy and broke to buy real eucalyptus branches, so I usually just pour a few drops of eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils into the bottle cap and place it in my shower.  Or make some DIY eucalyptus shower discs!

sick day by nikkidee featuring Circo

7. Gloss: Have you ever heard the phrase, “look better than you feel?” When I’m sick, my first reaction is to wear pajama pants all day, but I swear by the uplifting powers of stylish sweatpants or yoga leggings, and a big cozy sweater to help me look good while staying comfortable. And, you can usually take advantage of your immobile downtime by conditioning your hair, trying a new face mask, and painting your nails.

8. Rub Vicks on your feet: It sounds wacky, but my mom swears that it works. Just rub some fix on the soles of clean feet and cover up with warm, fluffy cotton socks before you go to bed.

9. Eat healthy foods, like chicken and veggie soup, green smoothies, applesauce, and orange juice. I love to make pastina (tiny, star-shaped pasta) in chicken broth and add some chicken, celery, and carrots. Simple sandwiches are great to fill you up -- try chicken, tomato, and spinach on focaccia bread. Or whip up a healing smoothie with strawberries, ginger, banana, and apple cider vinegar.

10. Basically, spoil yourself: Aw, babe, you’re sick. :( Poor you! When you’re sick, you basically have free reign to be coddled, especially if you’re forced to work while sick (I hope you don’t work in a restaurant!!!)

I’m off to drink some peppermint tea, put on some fluffy socks, and watch Love Actually… I hope you feel better, babe!

On November 1st, 2015 - El Dia de Los Muertos, or as some call it, All Souls Day - I created a special altar. It was an an altar to honor and remember my ancestors, angels, and guiding spirits. I added photos of my great grandmother Mae, and of my godfather, my "uncle" Eddie, who was a firefighter in NYC. I added small tokens such as my great aunt's scarf, votive candles, notes, crystals such as amethyst to aid with psychic connections, and a rose in a jar, among other things. I focused on both masculine and feminine energy, calling and honoring those in my life who have passed on but who still affect me. I have always been able to feel the slight presence of my great grandmother watching over me, ever since she passed away when I was a young child. I remember sitting on the floor of her Staten Island apartment, quietly reading books and watching her knit, and being filled with a sense of calmness and a desire to make things.

I asked for guidance and wisdom, and I shuffled my Tarot deck.

Originally I had only meant to pull one card, but I couldn't stop myself from pulling three - interesting considering I was focusing on three main spirits in my life. The cards I pulled were: The Hierophant, The Chariot, and The World.

The Chariot has become something of a magnet card for me lately. I have pulled it in several spreads over the past couple of months, more than any other card. I think that this is an important time in my life for me to make decisions that will steer me in the direction that I want to go in. I believe this card came from my godfather, telling me to work towards becoming the person that I want to be.

The World is also a card that comes up for me fairly often, ever since I even started working with the Tarot. I know that expanding my mind can only a good thing, that I must create balance to experience wholeness, and that taking pleasure in life, and using my talents as gifts, will lead to fulfillment. I believe this card was sent to me by my great-aunt Jenny, who loved her family and loved to travel.

Lastly, the Hierophant. I believe that my great grandmother, my Gram sent this to me. I am still figuring out what it means for me, but I know that life is a series of teaching and learning, and that I love to lead. She may have been telling me to look around for life's little lessons and opportunities to help. Altogether, these cards convey a message of guidance, to listen, to learn, and to pay attention to what is open to me - because ultimately, I am the designer of my own life and the world is at my feet if I see what the Universe has provided to me.

A week after this reading, I traveled to Woodstock, New York to both teach at and attend Veronica Varlow's The Moon and The Mountain Retreat, or Magic House Retreat. I was in the interesting position in being able to both lead and follow that weekend, to host and to attend, to teach and to learn. On the first night of the retreat, we all came together in a circle and Veronica read a card for us. I had the Hierophant once again, and I smiled. Veronica said, "You have the Hierophant, obviously! You are both teaching and learning this weekend." And I took that message to heart. I opened up my heart and mind to make connections and learn new lessons, and I let my energy flow out in a river of light to put my story into my workshop in order to teach as well as I possibly could. I honored the rituals and lessons of the weekend and devoted my positive heart energy to the other women in the circle. I will keep teaching, and I will keep learning, because they are equally important.

love, magic, and pine needles,

Moving to a new city can be hard. I miss my friends and it can be difficult to make new ones, in a place where everyone seems to know each other and you just don't know where to go. So when Veronica Varlow suggested a spell to magnetize or call the right people to me, I was eager to try it. I had a lot of reasons for wanting to call people to me: new customers for my projects, collaborators, friends, a support network in my new city. But mostly, I was just lonely. So, here's what I did for my calling spell: I went for a walk in my new neighborhood, exploring the pretty streets that I hadn't met yet. I said hello to all of the streets. I walked to the edge of the bike trail in the woods and put out energetically that I was searching for stones to help me with my spell. I picked up 7 stones over the course of my walk, put them all in the pocket of my coat, and wandered back home.

I have a shared backyard -- meaning, I live in a condo/apartment and I share my backyard with my 7 neighbors who live in my building. I was a bit nervous that one of them would see what I was doing -- sitting on the ground, arranging stones and lighting candles, talking to the wind -- and thinking that I was a weirdo, but with some encouragement from my Witchery coven babes, I decided to do it anyway. I arranged my stones in a circle, lit a large white candle, and started talking out loud to the energetic forces of the universe, whoever they may be.  I wanted to call people into my life, and to be honest, my spell was kind of vague. I thought about picturing customers, friends, a coven, but I wasn't sure where to begin. The only thing I was specific about was this: I wanted to call in someone that would help me be happy, and I wanted it to be someone that I could help, too.

Well, my spell worked pretty well, because someone new entered my life exactly 7 days after I did my spell. And that someone was not what I expected at all. In fact, she is a cat. I think I may have "accidentally" called in my familiar.

Bombay was a rescued stray kitty who had just turned up at my local cat welfare center. She was a street kitty, missing most of her right ear, terrified of other cats, and only a year old. When she saw me and my lover, she immediately head butted her cage and stuck her paw through the bars of the cage door. When I opened the cage, she climbed straight into my lap. It was meant to be, though I didn't know it at first. Her skittishness of other cats made me a bit nervous at first, but I've always taken time to warm up to the people in my life who I love the most. After a little while it was clear that Bombay had to come home with us.

I am absolutely delighted with the outcome of all of this. In just a few weeks, Bombay has warmed up completely to her new home - in fact, she is a downright troublemaker sometimes! - but she always know when I need her. And she has already helped me in numerous ways since she entered my life. And I helped her by getting her off the streets and into a little family that loves and cares about her immensely. Bombay and I are very similar, in that we have been through a lot and can be a little bit cranky and mischievous, but when someone takes a chance on us and shows us love, we are really just soft little bundles of light on the inside. What I learned from Bombay is that we might not know exactly what we want, but we will always get what we need if we figure out how to ask.

How to let go of things that don't serve you - and clear more room for awesomeness in the process!

Life is too magical to do things that make you feel bad I would probably never be described as a "practical" babe. I am such a Sagittarius that no one would ever mistake me for a Capricorn. But I know firsthand what it's like to face the realities of life. Financial problems and other blocks can make us feel stuck, trapped, like we're stuck to the wheel of a slow moving truck rolling down the street for miles. It can make us feel like we don't have any choice but to plod along, or to live with stress and mess. But I believe that no one should be doing things that they straight-up hate. Life is too damn short, too weird, and too magical to do things that make you feel terrible all the time. And it has always been the case, for me at least, that I find some magic RIGHT at the end of being stuck and wanting to give up.

It's okay to change your mind about something - you don't have to feel embarrassed about feeling let down

I recently quit a job that wasn't serving me. It seemed like a great job on paper, but in reality, it wasn't what I expected. I was super excited about the opportunity at first - I hyped it up, told my friends and family, almost used my new job title as a descriptor in my instagram bio...well, I lasted three and a half weeks at this job before I quit. I worried about the job market (I had a backup job but it didn't guarantee many hours, as well as my art which doesn't quite pay the bills right now.) To be honest, being a millennial with a full-time job felt a bit like a miracle, and I felt like I should be thankful for the opportunity at all. And, I was thankful and glad for the opportunity - it just turned out not to be a good fit. I felt a little disappointed in myself for not "sticking it out" and "powering through". But actually, why would I keep doing something that wasn't working out? It's okay to change your mind about something. If leaving a job feels like the right thing to do, don't worry about what your ego is telling you, or what other people may think of you.

Your priorities are your own - don't let your ego, or other people's opinions, affect your decisions for yourself. It's your life.

One of my requirements for a job right now is that it doesn't take time or energy away from me working on my art, and this job was making me so exhausted that I could barely make myself dinner at night, let alone work on creative endeavors. My point is, that sometimes you need to let go of things that aren't serving you in order to make room for things that will. This is something that I need to be reminded of a lot, apparently...because we are so conditioned to accept things as they are, because "life isn't fair" and "no one likes their job" and other sayings that make people complacent and unhappy for no reason. If you can change something in your life that isn't working for you, I always say go for it. You will be happier in the long run, and you are clearing energetic space for the things that do need to be in your life. And now, that position is open and available for someone who might fit the job a lot better.

Clearing out the things that don't serve you creates space for things that do.

When your energetic field is overcrowded, it can be hard to feel and experience life as fully as you should. You may feel stressed and uninspired. Anything that feels like a complete happy relief is going to be a good, energy-clearing decision. I felt a little guilty about leaving my job at first, but now I'm scoping out a few job options. And most importantly for me, I had to spend more time working on my artistic pursuits, which meant that I had the creative juice and mental energy to build and focus on my new subscription box service, Magic Box! The universe always provides!

If you're interested in learning more about Magic Box, I have the Pre-Order page up on my Etsy site right now! MAGIC BOX PRE-ORDER. For 15-25 dollars a month, I will send you a personalized box of amazing, magical goodies straight from Sunshine & Bravado Studio to your front door!

When I first moved into my new apartment a few weeks ago, I couldn't wait to set up my altar in my new space. You can see where my priorities are when it comes to my home. Altars have been a part of my life for a long time. When I was a tween, I came across some Pagan/Wiccan texts and was reading lots of young witch stories. I always knew that there was magic inside me and in the world, but finding these stories made me feel like there might be a real process to make magic happen.

I had a little shoebox that I decorated, and inside it held some of my magical objects. There was my notebook (for notes and spells), a large brown feather, a small candle, some stones. These were the foundations for my first portable altar.

I had also seen altars and shrines in other people's apartments. Having an altar permanently in your home is a great and sacred way to draw good spiritual energy into a space, set your focus, and reinforce and ground your intentions. To make an altar, you should first choose a good space. I like to choose a flat surface in an area that I will see every day. I also like low spaces that I can face from a chair or the ground, for rituals and meditation. Next, clear the space using sage, incense, essential oil spray, and/or bells, with the intention to cleanse the physical and energetic energy of your altar space. Clean the surface with a natural cleaner and place down an altar cloth if you like.

Next, decide what objects you will include on your altar. Many people like to choose a theme, idea, deity, or season for their altars. I have a main altar in my studio, which I use for meditation as well as some rituals, but is also represents my creative spirit. I always burn incense or candles when am making things and working on my studio, and I keep specific crystals, card, objects, and herbs on my studio altar depending on what I want my focus to be. I also have a small love altar in my bedroom, which holds two red candles, rose petals, crystals, a photo of me and my lover, and my copy of How to Love by Thich Nhat Hanh.

I used to work in a clothing boutique in Soho New York, and we kept an altar for Ganesh. Part of my morning opening duties were to make sure it had fresh flowers, and an orange or apple, and a coin next to the idol. We also kept incense and a candle burning. You can choose to put any symbol of your faith or anyone you would like to honor. Besides candles, crystals, and incense, I also include tiny Buddhas, flowers, fortunes, oracle cards, photos, and drawings! Choose items that are personal to you and that you feel a connection with.

A traditional way to set up your altar is to use the elements of nature: earth, fire, water, and air. You can use different objects to represent the elements, such as a candle for fire, a vessel or a shell for water, a feather or fan for air, and stones or sand for earth. Many of my friends also enjoy using the seasons or holidays, such as Mabon (autumnal equinox) to decorate their altars. I am playing with this idea by creating an autumn/Halloween altar space in my (nonworking) fireplace. Right now it has pumpkins, candles, orange leaves, and sunflowers!

Arrange your altar in whatever way feels right to you. Light some candles, add some fresh flowers and fruit, and create an intention of daily ritual. Keep the space clean and dust-free, rearrange whenever you feel like it, and keep the energy positive and moving. Meditate in front of your altar daily if you can. Congrats, you've made your very own altar space. Enjoy it!

When I first moved into my new apartment a few weeks ago, I couldn't wait to set up my altar in my new space. You can see where my priorities are when it comes to my home. Altars have been a part of my life for a long time. When I was a tween, I came across some Pagan/Wiccan texts and was reading lots of young witch stories. I always knew that there was magic inside me and in the world, but finding these stories made me feel like there might be a real process to make magic happen.

I had a little shoebox that I decorated, and inside it held some of my magical objects. There was my notebook (for notes and spells), a large brown feather, a small candle, some stones. These were the foundations for my first portable altar.

I had also seen altars and shrines in other people's apartments. Having an altar permanently in your home is a great and sacred way to draw good spiritual energy into a space, set your focus, and reinforce and ground your intentions. To make an altar, you should first choose a good space. I like to choose a flat surface in an area that I will see every day. I also like low spaces that I can face from a chair or the ground, for rituals and meditation. Next, clear the space using sage, incense, essential oil spray, and/or bells, with the intention to cleanse the physical and energetic energy of your altar space. Clean the surface with a natural cleaner and place down an altar cloth if you like.

Next, decide what objects you will include on your altar. Many people like to choose a theme, idea, deity, or season for their altars. I have a main altar in my studio, which I use for meditation as well as some rituals, but is also represents my creative spirit. I always burn incense or candles when am making things and working on my studio, and I keep specific crystals, card, objects, and herbs on my studio altar depending on what I want my focus to be. I also have a small love altar in my bedroom, which holds two red candles, rose petals, crystals, a photo of me and my lover, and my copy of How to Love by Thich Nhat Hanh.

I used to work in a clothing boutique in Soho New York, and we kept an altar for Ganesh. Part of my morning opening duties were to make sure it had fresh flowers, and an orange or apple, and a coin next to the idol. We also kept incense and a candle burning. You can choose to put any symbol of your faith or anyone you would like to honor. Besides candles, crystals, and incense, I also include tiny Buddhas, flowers, fortunes, oracle cards, photos, and drawings! Choose items that are personal to you and that you feel a connection with.

A traditional way to set up your altar is to use the elements of nature: earth, fire, water, and air. You can use different objects to represent the elements, such as a candle for fire, a vessel or a shell for water, a feather or fan for air, and stones or sand for earth. Many of my friends also enjoy using the seasons or holidays, such as Mabon (autumnal equinox) to decorate their altars. I am playing with this idea by creating an autumn/Halloween altar space in my (nonworking) fireplace. Right now it has pumpkins, candles, orange leaves, and sunflowers!

Arrange your altar in whatever way feels right to you. Light some candles, add some fresh flowers and fruit, and create an intention of daily ritual. Keep the space clean and dust-free, rearrange whenever you feel like it, and keep the energy positive and moving. Meditate in front of your altar daily if you can. Congrats, you've made your very own altar space. Enjoy it!