books
Almost done with James (Percival Everett), have about 60 pages left.
I went to the bookstore to pick up The God of the Woods (Liz Moore)—I've heard amazing things. But on the way to the checkout, a display on rest and unplugging stopped me in my tracks. Sabbath (Wayne Muller) caught my eye, and I’m already halfway through. Written in 1999, yet it feels like it was made for 2024. Exactly what I needed!
looks
Last Sunday, I woke up bright and early so I could get to the Rose Bowl Flea Market.
It was the tail end of a long heat wave in LA, but I knew I had to go. I’m working on a guide to the market, and since it’s only once a month, the chances to explore and connect with new vendors are limited. So, despite the heat, I made it happen!
This time, I stopped by a stall selling $10 leather and suede jackets. Maybe it was the 7am vibe or the rising heat, but nothing really caught my eye. I’ll swing by again in a few months, but it was a bit of a letdown.
I did a big lap around the large vintage/second hand clothing area and found a couple hats (this was on my list going on), and a sick jacket.
After the market, I spent the day with my sister before her evening flight. Having her here for over a week was so special, and I treasured every moment. I can’t wait to see her as a bride in December.
The weekday flew by, and every day pretty much looked the same! Walk/hike and home tasks in the mornings, and work in afternoons.
Here are some scenes from those days:
Kicked off the weekend with my favorite activity — a family hike with my husband and pup.
I’ve gotten the hiking outfits down to a uniform that works for me — Live the Process workout bra, Vuori pants, a tshirt, Patagonia jacket, and Salomon hiking shoes.
After the hike, we got my favorite sandwich in all of LA from Bub and Grandma’s, showered, and took naps on the couch. Total bliss.
That evening, we met up at a friend’s house for a Mexican Independence Day celebration of sorts.
A couple of years ago, I downloaded Bumble BFF and met two amazing women—both close to my age, married, and fellow Latinas. We’ve gotten quite close, and I feel really lucky to have a close group of friends, especially ones I made as an adult. We sometimes invite our husbands to our hang outs hehe.
On Sunday, I woke up a ball of anxiety. That’s been happening a lot lately (more on that below), so we picked up chai lattes and went for a walk at a nearby park.
There's something about seeing kids on bikes and scooters, laughing and having fun, that instantly lifts my spirits. Sometimes, you just need to step outside and soak it in.
Ended the day and the weekend with a yummy home cooked meal, a neighborhood walk, and some puppy cuddles.
*items marked * were generously gifted to me
&bonus
I’ve recently noticed that my anxiety levels have been creeping up. Two years ago, I started medication to manage anxiety and panic attacks, and it helped tremendously.
My husband and I are planning to expand our family next year (yepppp!!! so exciting!!), and after consulting with my doctors, we decided it was time to taper off the meds. I felt stable and ready, so a few months ago, I gradually and carefully stopped (under supervision, of course). But now, I’m starting to feel the effects.
This week, I realized my anxiety has increased. It’s been a chance to revisit all the tools I’ve gathered throughout the years to help manage this.
Getting dressed every day is on that list, believe it or not.
Taking walks is too. It can be a micro walk (up and down my driveway), a lap around the block, an hour-long neighborhood walk, or a hike.
Spending time off my phone, especially social media. I use the app Opal for scheduled time blocks off the social apps.
I’ve also returned to therapy, and it’s been a game-changer. That one hour a week is an invaluable time to work through anything that comes up.
Most importantly, I’m reminding myself to practice kindness and compassion with myself. This transition is challenging, but I’m taking it one day at a time.
If you’re struggling with mental health, or have in the past, I’m sending you a great big hug. Thank you for the space to share this — this community means so much to me.
Outfits are so good as always! Sending you a big hug back💓
1. I need to plan a Rose Bowl flea trip with you asap 2. Sending you many deep, grounding breaths during this season of anxiety <3