I just found out I’m a Demon. Yep, that’s what renowned Vedic astrologer, Carol Allen, told me moments after glancing at my chart. She also told me I’m ruled by the “hasta” constellation, which in Hindu, translates to “hands.” Huh. Vedic astrology is the traditional astrology of India that emphasizes the “temperaments” of individuals. Apparently […]
A few months after launching a new business, I decided to begin sensorimotor (aka ‘traumarelease’) psychotherapy. I often over-deliberate when making decisions, but occasionally jump in headfirst unaware of all implications. This was such a time. In fact, my therapist said had she known what we would uncover, she would’ve recommended we wait until Essentiel was […]
My relationship with cars is complicated. I learned to drive at 13 while my dad sat in the passenger seat, smoking a joint and reading the newspaper, only to look up occasionally and yell something like “Yield!” The first time I heard that word was entering the freeway while yelling back, “What does that mean?!” […]
When a New York Times reporter asked for an interview, my only request was that my age not be mentioned. I didn’t want my ‘coming out moment’ announced in the largest newspaper in the world. I could foresee the headline: Middle-Aged Model Makes It in Manhattan. I wanted the article to be about my work […]
What’s a tragic topper to a global pandemic, horrifying murders of innocent black brothers and sisters with escalating violence, economic collapse and record high joblessness…? The sudden loss of a dear dog in the middle of everything. 2020 has certainly brought a motherload of misery and rocked the world. Once in a great while, something […]
One of my grandmother’s repeated phrases was, “We’ve got a lot of living to do.” Her enthusiasm for life was as refreshing as a child’s – Even as a 95-year-old who had lived through WWII, the Depression, the untimely death of three sons, and an exceptionally unhappy husband. Despite having experienced no shortage of heart […]
I haven’t blogged since this time last year when I launched a skincare business and it’s felt like I’ve been sprinting full-speed ever since. I had no idea what this new undertaking would require of me. Had I known, I probably would’ve stayed safe (and stuck) inside my comfort zone. I once had the naive […]
I’m often asked how I care for my skin and my motto has remained the same for many years. One word: Moisture. No, I don’t use some fancy caviar crème on my hands, or sea urchin oil on my feet, or dab my eyes with snake venom and nightingale poop. (Those are actual ingredients found in […]
Like millions of other women, I have often lacked the courage to stick up for myself in abusive situations. My insecurities have been something I’ve hated about myself, sometimes even more than the bully himself. I was always a nice girl. In school, I avoided getting my ass kicked by kissing ass. At home, I […]
When I was younger, all I wanted was to be a mother. In high school, my dream for the future was to find the right guy, get married and have kids. Surely that would be the quickest road to my ultimate highway to happiness. Days before I turned 25, my dad died of a drug […]
