BEHIND THE SCENES…

BULLET POINTS: Forty-something expat, licensed esthetician (California, USA circa 2004), artist, apothecary, writer, and decorator. Also…journaling, sky-watching, tree-hugging, skin-pampering, self-caring, furniture rehabilitating, domestic goddess in training, real food consuming, magic believing, inspiration chasing, rule-bending, fun following, vibe trusting, feminine feminist, witch of the woods.

PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE: I’ve had many dreams and aspirations, worked in many fields, and lived what feels like many lives in my 47 years…

I was born in California in the seventies, a beach-going, book-devouring, roller-skating child of the eighties, and a teen - then a teen Mom - of the nineties.

Southern California is the land of day spas and wellness clinics. It’s also the land of Hollywood, the beach, the desert, and the mountains, all within a day’s drive of one another. Finally, it’s a cultural melting pot of art, food, music, strip malls, mall malls, and ever-changing pop culture vibes.

Growing up in this environment, I was always dreaming of what I might become one day: artist, writer, fashion design, costume design, set design, actress, and makeup artist with my own range of cosmetics are a few that come to mind.

It’s said that life and work experiences shape who we become, and this is so true for me.

My Mother was and is an artist, a creative powerhouse, and a domestic goddess. She always had us at the library for story time and book perusing. She also had at the beach constantly, and she kept us busy with any sports, activities or crafts our little hearts desired.

As a teen I could be found working at the mall slinging pizza in the food court, or wrapping gifts at the Hello Kitty store. I’ve tended bars in some charming yet chic world-cuisine cafes & restaurants. I’ve blended smoothies and Pina Coladas for pool lounging guests at a destination resort. I’ve worked behind the desk in wellness centers, day spas, salons, and leisure centers in the US and the UK, and at the customer service counter in luxurious auto dealerships.

On the flip side,, my first job after arriving in Scotland was housekeeping at a small boutique hotel. I stand my ground in my opinion that the world would be a better place if everyone had to take a turn housekeeping. I also helped customers find the perfect crystals, incense, and oracle cards in a crystal shop. Lastly, I’ve sold my handmade products at craft markets and had a shop of my own. Every experience at every job has been valuable.

Somewhere in amongst the mouthful that is my work history, I made it nearly all the way through cosmetology school to the realm of hairdressing. I’d had aspirations of becoming a color specialist in a Bourjois salon - you can probably spot this aspiration from a mile away if you pay attention to my hair vibes through the years. For various reasons I ended up leaving school, deciding to return later for my esthetician license instead.

I’ve got this whole skincare backstory, here’s the bite-sized version…

After earning my diploma and license - where at that time, we learned next to nothing about caring for your skin naturally - it took me a few years of trial and error before I was able to repair my own congested skin. You see, besides being a stressed-out single Mom - stress 100% contributes to breakouts - I’d also had some skin incidents that devastated my skin for years. As I figured out how to fix it, I decided pursue other work.

Later, between my positions in automotive, I found myself working in the checkout line at an upscale health food store for a brief spell. It was a short-lived experience, but it’s where I discovered the magic of natural ingredients - both in skincare and in the kitchen. These discoveries led me to the solutions for my skin, and making my own skincare. at home.

I also started cooking with more whole foods, which brings me to meals. Before this, as I was tending bar in the fabulous establishments I mentioned, I experienced some amazing world cuisine, all of which starts with natural, whole food ingredients.

These days I often find myself trying to recreate dishes (and drinks) inspired by the menus from those memorable places.

Lastly art, and the creativve side of things Growing up in the Los Angeles area, with my Mother and Grandmother both being artists, I was naturally drawn to art and writing. While I was in high school, I was lucky enough to wrangle several scholarships to attend some classes at ArtCenter College of Design (Pasadena). I adored art, but life had other plans in store for me. My graduation ceremony was on June 13th, 1995. Exactly one year later my beloved daughter entered my world with a halo and a scream .

When I became a Mom, my focus on creative ventures moved to the proverbial back burner as I focused on parenting and staying afloat. Pursuing art may have had to take the back seat but it was never forgotten. You dont lose your creative spirit, you simply put it to the side as needed when life takes certain turns. Here I find myself all these years later, more creatively inspired than I’ve been in my life, ever.

Going down memory lane makes me think of all the different ingredients and materials I’m regularly working with in life and work…blending skincare potions, ingredients in cooking, baking, and beverages In the visual elements of living, mixing and using different paints and materials to paint and decorate with.

A side note, as a former bartender, I’m grateful for how well-trained I became in the art of making good old-fashioned cocktails. I adore making a tasty, delightful beverage, particularly when my trusty shaker and tons of ice are involved. In my humble opinion, creating something retro and lovely to pair with your seasonal dining vibes is a facet of life that should be preserved. In moderation of course.

The way I see it, all these different interests and experiences have been like a pot simmering away, melding together like ingredients.

The last five years being all about opening a shop and trying various incarnations within it (during Covid), then closing after moving further into the countryside. Followed by taking a year to lean into living more quietly, creatively, naturally, and following whatever makes me and my man sparkle & shine…these have been the final ingredients, making a perfectly creative, tasty dish of life.

On that note I find myself whole-heartedly and deliberately walking towards making what I can make, and sharing what I can. The plan is to capture and distill here, what I’m doing in skincare, and in living an inspired, balanced, creative, and quiet-but-colorful life

It all feels connected, because it is.