April Edition 2021

just begin

issue no.11 april 2021

Photo by Samantha Diaz

who we are

“If you Just Begin you'll never have to question if you didn't start...”

Our philosophy is to JUST BEGIN on whatever makes you happy. Just Begin Magazine celebrates all that’s good in the world. With our platform, we provide a place for entrepreneurs, creatives, and writers to share their story.

We are on a mission to inspire change for...

The Environment & sustainable practices Community Holistic living Inspiring stories Women Creators Travel

contents

WHAT WOMEN CREATE WYN 317 Sisters Katrina Bilanchone Maureen Langan

HOLISTIC LIVING Guide to Declutter Your Home this Spring Ayurveda body type quiz Not All Vaginas: The Organicup Experience Easy Lifestyle Habits to Stay Healthy, Happy, and Fit Monthly horoscopes by the Tarot queen “Bloom & Sustainability in Honor of Earth Day”

WORKPLACE WELLNESS How to Stay Healthy in The Office

TRAVEL Photo by Samantha Diaz

Beverly Hills: The Luxury Travel Guide Coral Gables: The Locals Guide

SUSTAINABILITY Shop sustainable, fashionable, and Peruvian with The Peruvian Alps Composting: Turning Trash Into A Garden’s Treasure Sustainability is Not a Hippie Thing. It's a Survival Thing A New Generation of Green Living

BE INSPIRED An Environmentally Friendly Voice On A “305 MISSION”

THE EARTH HAS MUSIC FOR THOSE WHO LISTEN.

Photo by Samantha Diaz

meet the team

Melissa Diaz Editor in Chief

Samantha Diaz Chief Designer & Photographer

Miriela Diaz Executive Director

Anailis Diaz Senior Writer & Editor

Kaitlin Dowis Illustrator

Claire Muselman Contributor

Melissa Cancio Contributor

Eddie Ortiz Editorial Intern

Ana Maria Chapuk Editorial Intern

Anjuli Sharpley Creative Strategist Intern

Barbara Estrada Creative Partnerships Editor

Ajhada Gabriel Editorial Intern

editor's note Welcome to our April 2021 issue which happens to be our 11th (my favorite number) edition!

This might be my favorite issue yet. In honor of Earth month we focused on sustainability and the businesses who are fighting to make a difference.

As well as highlighting the businesses who are helping the environment this issue can be utilized as a resource for those who are looking to make an impact.

I am so proud of all the contributors who invested their time in to this special issue.

Thank you, Melly

when you realize HEART & EARTH

are spelled with the same letters, it all starts to make sense.

JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE

Photo by Dorian Ash

FLOWER OF THE MONTH

Illustration by Kaitlin Dowis

@liv.collective

the DAISY When someone is talking about a daisy, what specifically do they mean? Usually, they just mean a small white round flower with a round yellow or blue center. When botanists refer to daisies, they mean an entire group of plant species in the plant family called Asteraceae, which also includes aster flowers, ragweed and sunflowers. Daisies can be found in many parts of the world, including North America, Europe and Africa.

The daisy’s message is, ultimately, one of hope and renewal. In sending daisies, the sender hopes the viewer will see the world as they once did as a child.

At first, it can seem that there can be as many meanings for daisies as there are species of daisies. However, the most generally accepted meanings are: Innocence, especially with white daisies with yellow or pale centers.

Purity – also shown by daisies that are as white as possible.

New beginnings, which is why they are often found in bouquets for new mothers or as gifts for children.

True love – because each daisy flower is really two flowers blended together in harmony.

That the sender can keep a secret. Keeping a secret is one way a person can exhibit that they truly love another.

flower of the month illustration by Kaitlin Dowis

SUSTAIN

ABILITY SUSTAIN

ABILITY

SUSTAIN

ABILITY just begin magazine | 53

Shop sustainable, fashionable and Peruvian with The Peruvian Alps

Written by Ajhada Gabriel

Fashion is a fast-paced, ever-changing industry and some companies often abandon value, comfort, and environmental awareness for profit, but “The Peruvian Alps” have come to restore worth and safety to consumers, while showcasing pride for their country, Peru.

Just Begin Magazine interviewed one-third of the clothing brand, Sebastian Lam Lau, who is in charge of sales, public relations and marketing matters. He is very active on the digitals as he’s who is sending and checking emails, chatting with people through calls or text, and handling social media.

The rest of the team are Orietta Chong Massa and Mario Rangel Hurtado. Orietta is the creative mind as she is in charge of designing the collections, establishing the brand identity and making the clothes. Mario is in charge of inventory, production and logistics. He is often on the go, frequenting the workshop, visiting suppliers, and observing the statuses of production. Though everyone has a set role in making the brand happen every day is still different, no workday is typical or repeated, and they enjoy it.

The “Peruvian Alps” was legally established and registered in December 2019 when these three best friends and college graduates in Lima Peru, who were passionate about fashion, wanted to build a clothing brand that was: “different from the others...and proud of its origins.” - Lam. The comfort apparel brand is tailored for chilly and warm weather and centered around sustainability by using alpaca fiber.

Alpacas were desirable to the founders because Peru holds 80 percent of its population, which makes it an abundant fiber and resource to employ. It’s not wellknown to the textile industry as opposed to more famous counterparts like cashmere and silk. The brand’s main goal is to “position the country [Peru] as a global standard, for fashion and fibers,” said Lam, while in doing so they contribute to Peru’s economic development and placing the country on the mainstage for fashion.

It’s no mystery that the fashion industry engenders ample amounts of waste, Peruvian Alps aims to have the lowest environmental impact possible.

By minimizing water consumption when washing fibers, utilizing fully sustainable packaging and substituting cotton for plastic, they are not only verbalizing sustainability, but implementing it as well.

“We try to achieve the [a] sustainable brand every step of the process...We don't just say that we're sustainable and putting [put] it on social media… we really embrace it fully.”

While The Peruvian Alps team is pursuing their shared passion, challenges are always expected, especially when running a sustainable clothing brand. Aside from the sacrifice of choosing costliness to achieve sustainability over profit, the brand finds it challenging to position themselves and make a name for themselves as they are new players to the crowded fashion market.

Continually contriving content for collections is also a challenge faced by the team.

Demands to be up to date with fashion trends are pivotal to maintain customer loyalty so they always have to be prepared for upcoming seasons of collections, even right after a collection launches.

“Every year it’s a race, our deciders must be really updated on fashion trends…what things customers like…don’t like,” said Lam Aside from all the challenges, the team’s favorite aspects of running a brand is the freedom.. Orietta, Mario, and Sebastian have all worked for established fashion companies and are aware of how the production process works, therefore they took the pros and cons from their experiences. They also value the process and how along the way mistakes will be made.

“Every person that has a company or startup makes mistakes, and that’s the beauty of it.You dust yourself off, change the way you were doing things and make it better.”

As of the second week of April, in preparation for the grand opening, what’s set on The Peruvian Alps heart is changing the outlook of Peru as strictly gastronomic or commerce (trade) related, and instead be the reason Peru becomes a standard for fashion and a hub for talented designers who deserve the same recognition like the fashion capitals of the world, Paris, London and Milan.

With every purchase, the goal is to help local Peruvian artisanal workers, and support alpaca products. “This generation have [has] a sense of consciousness…[they] are more aware of their buying, so we will love that our customers realize their impact and all the ways they can impact the world by making the right choices when they buy clothes.”

The Peruvian Alps values being able to help the environment and prioritizes it in every aspect of their brand. “We acknowledge the costs, we are aware of it, but we accept it and embrace it because that’s who we are.”

COMPOSTING: TURNING TRASH

’

INTO A GARDEN S TREASURE

PHOTO FROM @MIAMICOMPOST

WRITTEN BY EDDIE ORTIZ WRITTEN WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE GREEN HAVEN PROJECT (@GREEN.HAVEN.PROJECT) AND MIAMI COMPOST (@MIAMICOMPOST)

For urban gardeners and home gardeners alike it might be distressing to know that you are literally throwing away the vital resource that could give your garden exactly what it needs. What is this unseen green thumb producing miracle resource? Your trash. Over 30% of all food ends up in the garbage can for any given household. This seems like a waste and it is in more ways than one. Food waste can be transformed into a valuable source of nutrients for a garden which can in turn feed you and save you from a pricey grocery bill. The best part of it is that anyone can do it with just a few simple guidelines. For the purpose of this article I’ll be focusing on the easiest form of composting.

WHAT IS COMPOSTING? Composting is the process of decomposing food waste or organic matter into its more basic components.

Which sounds like it might be complicated, but in actuality it’s easy enough to do at home with just a little bit of patience. Organic matter breaks down overtime naturally but what composting does is create the ideal environment to speed up the process and produce a usable material for gardening and farming. The end product is called, you guessed it, “compost”. Compost looks exactly like you would expect fertile soil to. It’s dark, rich, and looks ready for planting.

It is a little more complex on nature’s end than it sounds as it involves microscopic organisms such as bacteria and fungi to work. There are some negative connotations of the word bacteria but when it comes to gardening there is such a thing as good bacteria. In this instance however, the bacteria is not consumed by you, it is consumed by your garden.

According to Quinn Metoyer of Miami Compost, “Through compost, the bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms inoculate the soil and break down nutrients found in the soil into a plant available form. They have a symbiotic relationship with the plant. The plant brings them carbon (from the CO2 they absorb in the atmosphere during photosynthesis) in the form of carbohydrates, sugars, proteins, etc. And the microorganisms bring them other nutrients (nitrogen, potassium, zinc, calcium, etc.) and water. It is similar to us, we drink kombucha to inoculate our guts with bacteria that break down the food we eat into a form our body can absorb.

When we eat a banana, the microorganisms break that banana down into simple sugars, potassium, and fiber for our body to absorb and use as energy.” These same principles apply to both plants we eat and plants we don’t eat such as decorative plants like trees, shrubs, and even lawns.

HOW DO YOU COMPOST? It’s not as complicated as you might think, all you really need is a container that is 3x3x3ft, preferably with a lid. Place it in an area where it can stay dry and out of the sun.One of the key components for a successful compost pile is nitrogen. To produce nitrogen utilize “green” food waste and yard clippings. Another chemical necessity for compost is carbon. Producing carbon can be accomplished by using “brown” materials such as branches, twigs, leaves, and other tree products. That being said, it’s important to properly balance the amount of nitrogen and carbon. Place organic compostable materials inside and do your best to have a ratio of one part green materials for every two parts brown materials.

WHY SHOULD YOU COMPOST? Composting reduces the amount of money that would otherwise be spent on groceries or fertilizers. It also helps to reduce unnecessary waste and methane emissions at landfills. When organic matter is improperly decomposed in landfills it creates pockets of harmful gases.

Furthermore, composting is an effective way to maintain soil quality. Compost is better at retaining water which reduces the amount needed to water plants and contains the nutrients that plants need to prosper. This replenishment of the soil means you’ll be giving back to and getting from your land. Most importantly, when you compost you know that you’re choosing a green alternative and not ingesting trace elements of chemicals left behind by synthetic fertilizers.

The next two important components of composting are air and water. To ensure proper airflow try to create alternating layers of green and brown materials. Also do your best to break up your compostable materials. Adding water is simple, just lightly moisten the compost, there’s no need for it to be damp or dry. During warmer months aerate your compost by mixing it around with either a large stick or a shovel. In the winter aerating should take place in intervals of three weeks.

The composting process will generate heat as the materials break down. This means that the inside of your compost bin could potentially reach temperatures of up to 150 degrees.

*photos from @miamicompost

This heat is derived from the microorganisms at work breaking down the materials. Quinn Metoyer says, “The idea is that the heat generated by the microorganisms in the compost will “sterilize” any weed seeds, pathogens, and insect larva that may be present so in a thermal system ideally you can add whatever organic matter you’d like as long as you insure the temp gets up to around 150 degrees for a couple days. This idea can be a little complicated for someone just starting out so leaving out meat, dairy, and animal waste is wise for a new learner.” If you stay consistent with these practices you can expect mature compost in about four weeks.

WHAT IS COMPOSTABLE? Compostable materials include most organic waste like food, fruits, vegetables, and just about anything else that comes out of the earth. Processed materials will also work, for example, cardboard and paper are still compostable. However, glossy or colored papers should not be used as they may contain chemicals. It’s best to break them up either by shredding or tearing to improve the composting process. Some of the more surprising things that are still compostable are egg shells and hair or fur.

WHAT YOU SHOULDN’T COMPOST? If you noticed that instead of calling this section What Isn’t Compostable, like the prior section would suggest, there’s a reason for that. While there are things that will never decompose over time most organic matter will eventually decompose. However, that does not mean it’s a good idea to compost them. That being said, avoid things like meat, dairy, and bones. They can attract pests, the smell would be rancid, and the bones would take too long to decompose.

In this same fashion it's a bad idea to include larger or denser materials like branches which wouldn’t break down at the same pace as the above mentioned compostables. When it comes to yard trimmings in general take the time to consider whether or not they have been treated with pesticides or other chemicals.

It’s also important to realize that anytime you add yard trimmings to your compost bin that you could inadvertently spread the seeds of any given plant. Therefore, it’s best to separate any plants you might consider to be intrusive like weeds. Interestingly enough, pet feces do not work in the same way that commercial fertilizers might. This is due to the fact that often they carry parasites and pairing that with anything meant for human consumption is a recipe for disaster.

UTILIZING YOUR NEW COMPOST Before even thinking about utilizing your new compost you must ensure that it has matured. Immature compost can attract pests and damage your plants. It should be a dark and rich color, with no odor, crumbly, significantly reduced in size, and have no recognizable scraps. Quinn Metoyer puts it plainly, “I think the best tool to determine if we are composting correctly is our nose! Compost should never smell rancid or bad throughout the process. If it does, that means we need more air (turning) or more brown material.”

After confirming that it is in fact mature you can feel free to mix it into your potted plants, garden beds, place it around trees, or even on your lawn. Your plants will receive the vital nutrients they need and in turn produce some of the finest crops you’ve ever had.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS! M i a m i

C o m p o s t

@ m i a m i c o m p o s t

T h e

G r e e n

H a v e n

P r o j e c t

@ g r e e n . h a v e n . p r o j e c t

Sustainability is Not a Hippie Thing.

It's a Survival Thing.

Written By Anjuli Sharpley

In 2018, partners Martha Balaguer and Pamela Barrera opened Miami’s first sustainable, bulk-bin store, Verde Market. Since then, Verde’s owners expanded their business to Wynwood, South Miami, and are in the process of opening a new store in Fort Lauderdale.

Verde seeks to eliminate the waste associated with grocery shopping by encouraging customers to bring their own refillable containers and purchase zero-waste products. With affordable items ranging from toothpaste tablets to laundry detergent on tap, Verde has quickly become one of Miami’s most successful and essential sustainable businesses.

What is your biggest goal as a company and brand?

-To save bottles from the trash.

What have you learned as a business owner in Miami?

-Every day there is a lesson; for everyone it is difficult to own a business. If I have to hit it harder or work harder, I will. For everyone it is hard to own a business- male or female- that’s never been a problem. If you find the positive things about being a woman and use your strengths as a woman you will also advance.

Have you faced any difficulties owning a smallbusiness during a pandemic?

-Well, this type of business is not about Covid. It’s always difficult, as I’ve heard, to open a business in Miami. The process is very tedious, permitting takes forever and a lot of money; meanwhile, you’re waiting. With Covid, people not going out of their houses always affects a business. That’s the main problem, traffic is reduced, and sales went down.

Landlords didn’t help at all, but the government helped small businesses a lot.

Why is sustainability important to you?

-It is important to create awareness to people of how we consume and can make things better for future generations. It’s not fair that we don’t think our actions don’t have consequences, so we need sustainability for all. Toothbrushes- all of the brushes from the 50’s- are still around. There are more microplastics in the ocean than fish and stars.

It’s not just about sustainability for future generations, think about all the animals and the environment.

What products would you suggest to customers?

-Personally, I love everything and every time there is a different one. Right now, I cannot live without cacao nibs. The facial cleanser is amazing, the laundry detergent is fantastic, the dish soap is wonderful, the kombucha, the raw honey…... Every single hour of my life, I consume these products one way or the other, even the toilet paper. We rotate the kombucha’s every week, my favorite flavor is the ginger mint.

What small steps can people take to become more sustainable?

-Instead of buying plastic bottles of water, refill your water bottles. Boil your water or filter it. It’s easier than a lot of people may think, but we have a job that it is not too hard.

South Miami 7304 SW 57 Ave, Miami, FL 33143

What are your future plans for Verde?

-We opened our South Miami location one year and two months ago and are currently working on opening one in Fort Lauderdale. We are 95% sure we are opening there soon.

Midtown 2328 NE 2nd Ave, Miami FL 33137

A NEW GENERATION OF GREEN LIVING

Written by Melly Diaz

Plants make people happy. A simple, yet true statement you will see on the glass window of Andromeda District as you walk in to this green haven.

Andromeda District is a company focused on sustainability using the most natural product you can find: plants. Founded in 2010 fresh off the real estate bubble, it has since blossomed into a company that has covered 120,000 square feet of space in greenery. That includes the largest green living system in the US in Nashville, TN. On top of that, all of Andromeda's plant holders are made in the US and made affordable.

"We wanted to create a space that was really friendly and could help people design their own natural spaces" explained Jonathan Taylor, Founder of Andromeda District.

Jonathan went to school at UMass in Boston. After graduation, he & his brothers decided to evolve the plant holders that his parents had originally created, and scale them in a way that could make them suitable for green walls.

Jonathan left his job in 2012 to spend his full time on Andromeda.

"Architechts, real estate companies, & interior designers in the US didn't know what green walls were yet. So, we had to pioneer the way for green living systems here and create awareness first" Jonathan said.

"We did a lot of working lunch, invited architechts, interior designers, brought them lunch & educated them on what we are about."

Now, those very people are some of Jonathan's biggest clients, and Andromeda District developed into what it is today with a beautiful new store now open in Coral Gables.

When asked what advice he would give to someone starting a business, Jonathan said, "First, you have to connect with your passion. Being passionate about your work is important. Also, you are going to encounter challenges. Have resilience & have faith."

There is a lot that needs to be done in the world in terms of sustainability. The more green living systems we can cover our urbanized, polluted lands with, the more we can help our planet heal & return to nature.

"Come here with your floor plans, come here with your ideas, and we help you put your vision together to create unique habitats"

CONNECT WITH ANDROMEDA: Instagram: @andromedadistrict www.andromedadistrict.com

WATCH NOW ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Meet Meg Daly, the Pioneer of Miami's New Underline

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AN ENVIRONMENTALLY

FRIENDLY VOICE ON A

“305

”

MISSION

By Barbara Estrada

Climate crisis, global warming, and climate change are all terms we’ve been hearing if you’ve been around the planet long enough to know it’s a problem. When it comes to ground zero for climate change, to some, it is still relatively foreign in the 305.

I’m talking about Miami. The city I was born and raised in for 18 years of my life.

And, the culture for being environmentally conscious is not something that comes second nature to many people in the United States.

We’ve moved past the idea that climate change doesn’t exist, at least most Americans and the global population.

However, a dangerous misconception that lingers is, “what should we be doing?”

Gabriela Rodriguez, a Program Coordinator for The CLEO Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to climate crisis education and advocacy in Florida, sheds light on the other side of the current solutions that are combating climate change.

“We have a lot of solutions to the climate crisis but some of them aren’t as good as you might think. For example, carbon capture might actually perpetuate further damage on the BIPOC communities,” says Gabriela. “We need to implement solutions that black, indigenous, and Latinx folks aren’t harmed any further and to ensure their protection.”

A green energy economy that uplifts all communities is something that Gabriela has set her sights on while climate change continues to threaten the world. For the past two years, she has helped develop and manage CLEO's youth programs.

One of those programs is called Climate Resilience Schools.

Much of her work focuses on bringing climate change education and empowering young people in middle and high schools across the Sunshine State for advocacy, especially to those in underprivileged communities.

Now, she will begin her master's degree in climate science and policy at an Ivy League university, like Columbia University and Yale that she’s been admitted to, to equip her with the skills to create campaigns, lead grassroots advocacy, develop policies, and strengthen education at a community level.

While Miami continues to develop luxury real estate and sea-levels threaten the city from severe flooding, communities of color like Little Haiti, Overtown, and Liberty City are the ones suffering the most from displacement as a “temporary solution” to the climate crisis. However, we shouldn’t fall “We are filing a gap that doesn’t need to short here. be filled because the state should implement a science standard and equip As climate change intensifies, so do natural schools/teachers/administrations with disasters. Hurricanes are the next thing that the proper skill sets to talk about climate South Floridians will also need to worry change,” says the 21-year old, Miami about. To put this into perspective, the facts native who has become a local organizer and figures don’t lie (to list a few): to the place she loves as well as co-host of the podcast, House on Fire.

Beyond her work at The CLEO Institute, she works closely with two local groups: Sunrise Movement Miami and GenCLEO. Through her activism, Gabriela has helped pass multiple Climate Emergency Declarations across Miami-Dade County.

In the last six months, she has doven deeper into her passion for the environment and despite certain people calling her a “climate activist,” she claims the title “climate justice organizer” as a better term for her work today.

Gaby started off as a student at Florida International University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability in 2021.

1. According to studies conducted by the Risky Business Project, $15 billion to $23 billion of property here could be underwater by 2050.

2. Miami-Dade County contains 26 percent of all U.S. homes at risk from rising seas, according to Zillow.

3. Five to 6 feet of sea-level rise by 2100 is likely, and likely catastrophic. An inundation of this magnitude would physically displace 800,000 residents of Miami-Dade County, according to Climate Central.

With April being a significant month to those looking forward to Earth Day, as a reader of this digital magazine, a shift of decision-making while on this planet needs to take place.

Make sure to do your research, follow non-profit organizations in your area, contact activists and organizers that have the educational resources as well as knowledge to educate you but most importantly, don’t stay passive.

"At the end of the day,

the environment is

an escape but

ultimately when we

protect Mother Earth,

we also protect the

people and the places

that we love."

INSTEAD OF. . .

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

TRY. . .

WHAT IS THIS TEACHING ME?

POETRY

POETRY

POETRY

POETRY

POETRY

POETRY just begin magazine | 01

For Mira

By Skylar Tibetts 1. Mix the dough ingredients together. At first, everything is thick and dry and makes very little sense. There’s a certain type of love that can only be felt with your hands, my grandmother says as she kneads, her fingers thin and practiced. I remember this later as I run my hand over the rim of his sweater, brown like bread but knitted.

2. Let it rise at room temperature for 2-3 hours. I almost double over looking in the mirror, this process making me much more delicate than I remember. Suddenly I am a real girl, bathed in white and dusted with the kind of purity that can only breed creation. Only the act of making something could cause me to feel this much like a woman. The mirror again; I think of God and how she talks to me in the form of dough, rising.

3. Use right away or refrigerate. It’s always time that changes the state of things, and never vice versa. I can commit myself to that: blaming the clock. This is the same as sculpture, first built, then letting the air press and do the rest of the work. If the cold slows down let me sit outside in the dead of winter and just feel it.

4. Shape into 2 loaves or 1 boule. Rest as oven preheats. There’s a single good knife in this house and we all know it’s the white serrated one so we use it for just about everything. Then there is the cast-iron hanging on the wall: how I once forgot the rules and washed it with soap.

The butcher’s block in the corner, consistently covered in crumbs and topped by a dull desk lamp, sulking. My face is hot with oil and I sizzlesteamslideup the window above the sink, prop it open with a sealed can of dog food. I turn and shut the oven quick.

5. Bake until golden brown. Gently, I tap the mirror and listen close. Beneath the glass I squeeze my

Poetry of the month

Photo by Dorian Ash shotsbydorian.darkroom.tech

RUMINATIONS ON YELLOW

BY DAGNY SAFON

“I LEARNED THAT NEARLY ALL CULTURES HAVE CONSIDERED YELLOW IN ISOLATION ONE OF, IF NOT THE LEAST ATTRACTIVE OF ALL COLORS. I PAINTED EVERYTHING WITH IT.” --MAGGIE NELSON I. I never thought I’d be in love with the color yellow.

II. When I was a young child, it was too primary. Purple and pink were edgier, although more “girly”, and thus were better choices for a six year-old’s favorite color.

Yellow, with red and with blue, sang of little-kid play places and books on the ABCs. When I was six, I wanted more than that. No six year-old wants to be six.

III. My older brother’s favorite color was always green, and my younger brother didn’t seem to have as many opinions at the time. Both of my parents sang the praises of various blues. (Cobalt for my mother and periwinkle for my father.)

IV. I had successfully identified Hanukkah colors to be blue and yellow, but only when they were placed next to each other. (I was drawn to these more than the red and green of Christmas.) Still, blue was always first, the main, the most important, and yellow took the supporting role.

V. When I fell into adolescence, yellow was a painful reminder. The color that separated me from my paler friends. Of course, I looked down at my forearms and saw more amber than yellow, more wetted sand, more brown eggshells, maybe the wood of a number-two pencil, what is hidden underneath the thick layer of bright paint. But yellow, with the garishness of the Ticonderoga itself, was nevertheless the word.

VI. Yellow was the accompaniment to wider noses, slimmer eyes. It was yellow that told me to try to be the funny friend because you aren’t going to be the cute one. For the second time, yellow was not seen.

Both too obvious and too invisible.

VII. I’ve suspected in the past that I have mild color blindness. I wear a yellow tank top that all my friends say is indisputably orange. My roommates tell me that our big couch is olive-colored, when I have always identified more of a muted gold. I find it confusing because I have always loved colors: color-coding my notebooks, arrays of paint tubes, getting my colored pencils in the right order within the cardboard Crayola box.

VIII. So perhaps it is less of a blindness and more of a longing. I am surrounded by blues and corals and my bones ache for yellow, my hips call for it. I look for yellow in my clothes, in my homes, and in my skin (perhaps). I am still unsure of this.

IX. I started to fall for yellow when I was re-reading through my favorite copies of my favorite books, and the sight of the brightly highlighted words still made me suck in my breath, I felt a warm rush of understanding toward my younger selves. I fell in love with the color yellow when I let myself bake on the rocky beaches in Glacier, Montana, when I felt sixty-degree warmth on my forearms, was massaged by the smoothed pebbles under my shoulder blades, and saw only golden light through the back of my eyelids. I fell in love with yellow when I fell in love with myself. Began to, at least.

X. Our love affair is an imperfect one. There is scratching and yelling and sometimes shoyu tears. On days when the salt seems to outweigh the sweetness, I call my mother. She knows this salt as thoroughly as I, has lived in it since she moved away from her goldenrod childhood with plumerias in her front yard and pineapples that grow naturally and sunlight visible through palms, since she moved to the so-blue-it’s-almosttranslucent Boston for college. The east coast is different. She reminds me of eating pork belly at Nānākuli beach, eating salt and submerging ourselves in it. The sand at Nānākuli is yellow, and burns energy into my heels.

XI. A child may use a yellow marker to draw sunlight, but sunlight’s job is to make other things visible, not to itself be seen in color. It is invisible, except when I am driving down the familiar gravel road and dust is thick in front of my windshield, when the rounded leaves overhead filter the light and allow it to streak through. It is rare that I can see the sunlight, in itself. When I do, I rejoice.

APRIL JOURNAL PROMPTS Your biggest dream What place do you consider your home?

What are you most grateful for?

How are you feeling today?

Your life story in five sentences A place you have never visited Describe kindness Happiness is...

Where you want to be?

One thing you need to start doing

WHAT

WOMEN

CREATE

WHAT

WOMEN just begin magazine | 01

W

T

W

H

A

C R E

A T E

MEN O

Just Begin Magazine highlights the creative spaces of extraordinary women through inspirational stories.

Each issue will inspire and motivate creativity.

The Sister Duo

Behind WYN 317

Written by Melly Diaz

Say hello to Michele and Danelle Pino the sister duo behind “WYN 317” an eclectic art gallery in Wynwood, Miami.

WYN 317 is an authentic space where fresh, upand-coming, mid-career, and established native and international artists intersect with local legends.

Like most businesses WYN 317 didn’t happen overnight. Michele and Danelle were actually in completely different industries before the gallery opened.

Michele was an Assistant Regional Counsel and Danelle was in Nursing school. In 2012 they traveled to London and Danelle convinced Michele to visit a street art tour— that was where Michele’s love for street art began.

In 2013 Danelle was in her last semester of Nursing school but had always had a passion for street art and decided to take the semester off. Out of pure luck she found an available 400sqft pop up location in the heart of Wynwood. The longest anyone had been in that unit was 1 month. Danelle was able to convince the landlord to let her lease the unit for 4 months but little did they know that they would stay in that location for 5 years!

When it was time to expand they moved to their current 6,000sqft location a couple miles north of Wynwood in 2018. Within this new space they have room to showcase multiple art pieces at a time, a shop, outdoor space for events, and an apartment upstairs to house artists when they are in town and want to create while they are here.

Their love for art came from their late father who was what they say a “Renaissance Man” . He was an attorney who had a passion for painting and writing.“I think he created a new painting every weekend,” Michele said.

Unfortunately, their father suffered a stroke and was left paralyzed on the right side of his body. After a whole year of going by without being able to paint a week before his passing he decided to pick up a paint brush and complete a painting. In honor of him they plan to open a non-profit in his name to help stroke victims with art therapy.

When asked about the challenges they have been through, their advice to anyone who wants to break into the art gallery industry is: -“If you can’t start big, start small” like they did with their first location which led them to their new larger space.

-Find a mentor that you admire and learn from them.

-Go to as many networking events as you can and connect with people.

With art changing constantly they certainly keep up with the times as they will be hosting Miami’s first NFT (nonfungible token) showing during the Bitcoin conference happening on June 4th-5th, 2021. Guests will be able to walk around the space with headphones to be able to hear and also see each art piece.

If you are a Miami native or visiting I urge you to visit and support WYN 317 and connect with them below:

@WYN317

WWW.WYN317.COM

UPCOMING WYN 317 EVENTS

Katrina Bilanchone

Miami Yoga Girl

How did the idea for your business come about?

What are the daily changes you face as a female entrepreneur?

It started with a class in college, I fell fiercely in love with Eastern Philosophy. I took my first teacher training out of pure curiosity, I was hired right away and the momentum just never stopped.

Male clients- hands down. I have to constantly filter out the male clients that really want a private yoga class from those that have ulterior motives. I've had private male clients that the entire time are flirting, asking me to stay longer and just not respecting my time. They don't value my expertise but I find that male instructors/trainers are taken more serious in the fitness industry. I think that is changing, there is no denying that on a Universal scale shift in consciousness is happening.

What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur?

As a college student I worked many mundane jobs, I sat in doctors offices seeing my fellow peers miserable, robotic, and uninspired. I was only 21 when I started and at the time being a yoga teacher wasn't really considered a career but I went into it fully. It was the first time ever that I was excited to come into work, to stay extra hours, to be at the studio on my days off.

When its fueled by passion it doesn't feel like work. It was a hard career to kick start because at the time I had never seen it done the way that I had envisioned it for myself.

How did you come up with the name for your company?

So at the time the biggest yoga account on Instagram was Yoga Girl and I said alright well then I'll be Miami Yoga Girl. There you go.

How did you raise funding for your venture?

I had the help of my grandfather, at the time I was only 21 years old. But now a lot of my funding comes from my clients, that took years and years to build and retain.

What makes your business unique?

I'm in the business of connection and all connection is unique. But I do feel that I have a natural ability to connect with other's, on a deep soul level. I'm not hiding behind a screen, Im out in the community and I'm showing up for my community.

How do you market your business, and which tactics have been most successful?

Instagram and word of mouth. Don't underestimate good ole grassroot marketing.

Instagram without a doubt is very valuable but it's about being in the right rooms at the right times. I've picked up clients sitting at coffee shops, at big group dinners, and at the gym where I train. The funny thing is some of the them are not even active on Instagram. I've learned to not put all my eggs in the big Instagram basket. I try to attend events that are in alignment with what I do. Don't be a big Instagram celebrity and in real life be a little hermit crab. Connect with your community.

What kind of culture exists in your organization, and how did you establish it?

A culture of radical collaboration and support. I am so so lucky and blessed to have found myself in such a supporting tribe. Women supporting women on all levels. Whether or not it's referring each other or showing up for each others events/projects- it's all so beautiful. I established it by changing my circle, I started to spend less time with people who weren't in alignment with my values. I can't preach something or better said teach my students a mindset that my circle themselves don't believe in.

Can you describe/outline your typical day? (Routines, Rituals, that you live by) My first client is usually around 7:00-8:00am depending on the day, then on some days I teach a morning group class. My afternoon window is usually for weight training or pilates.

I may have some meetings. I carve out computer time to create flyers/promos for my events. Then I always have a night group class. In those gaps I take a yoga class myself.

How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?

At first it was very alarming to everyone.

Today it's much more accepted and in fact encouraged! However, going from an International Relations & Political Science major to a hippie going to India was a big scare to the family. But going against the grain has been the best thing I've ever done. You don't always need a map, you can come up with the route yourself.

What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?

Losing momentum, therefore losing clients or classes. Instagram definitely makes you feel like you have to be going 1000 miles an hour all the time. You didn't post something today?

Oh you must not be doing anything interesting.

It's exhausting. Documenting is important but I remind myself that its direction over speed.

When I feel anxious I meditate, I practice yoga, I lean into my resources.

If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?

Take it more seriously sooner! I had so much self-doubt and conflict-ion. Will I be the poor artist my family fears i'll be? I wish I knew then that designing your life is a CHOICE not a luck of the draw.

How do you define success?

Happiness and everyone's definition of that is different. Come up with what success looks like to you, let go of societal conditioning and generational programming. It's also ever evolving, my definition of success has changed quite a few times.

What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?

Best piece of advice I ever read, wish I could tell you the author: Be irrationally optimistic.

I read it in the business section of The New York Times so it's freaking good advice!

What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?

Know who and who not to listen too.

Sometimes the people who love us most can misguide us, they may project their own fears onto us and un-motivate us. Have you ever had a friend be like oh look at her now she's a "photographer" haha... not very supportive. The thing is MOST people don't go for it.

The creative process and freedom. I get to build my brand, I decide what message I want to deliver that day, what meeting I want to have. I want to lead a book club? Who's going to stop me?

Networking, which has become such a buzz word- I know. I don't know of any empires that we're built alone. I actually read a great quote "if your dream can happen without the help of others you're dreaming too small"

@MIAMIYOGAGIRL WWW.MIAMIYOGAGIRL.COM

Women in Comedy

Maureen Langan

By Eddie Ortiz

Being neither a comedian nor a woman, I don’t have much room to speak on these issues. So, I interviewed the vivacious, eloquent, and honest, Maureen Langan. A New Jersey native, Maureen has gone from her hometown to all across the US and abroad with her stand up performances. She is an award-winning broadcaster, international standup comedian, and Tedx Talk speaker.

What Advice Would You Give To Women Getting Into Comedy?

“Dance with poles while you have the body to do so,” responded the quick witted comedian, setting the stage for the rest of the interview. “I want to say, be smart, craft your work, and be the best writer and performer you can be and that will lead to success. And it may. But, so too, can dancing with poles. Hey, a club will hire you whether you can craft a joke or not as long as you can get butts in the seats. That’s the bottom line.”

Maureen’s tongue-in-cheek sense of humor sheds a light on what can be a harsh reality in the world of comedy. While her sarcastic witticisms may be interpreted as bitter, they come from a place of honesty. With her experience in the field comes a very three dimensional understanding of how the game is played. Yet, throughout our discussions she stays true to her belief in having a work ethic and the merit of determination. As much as she wanted to hammer home a message purely of hope she understands that things aren’t as black and white as we’d like to imagine.

“I have worked with very talented people who have done well, and I have worked with people who are sloppy and don’t even show up prepared. My core beliefs are authenticity, hard work, correcting, doing your best, caring about the audience, caring about the work you’re doing, but invariably the people in charge of booking are looking to fill seats.” This doesn’t necessarily mean that the most talented people are being showcased. People with any amount of either celebrity or notoriety can take the spot of a hardworking individual.

Have You Witnessed Internalized Misogyny In Comedy?

“I’ve seen comedians go, ‘Oh god she’s such a chick comic’. Other women say that! Don’t put down your own gender. I think when a woman stands out and is accepted by the male world, that’s wonderful but that should not be the goal.” Criticizing others in the hopes of earning the approval of the majority isn’t uncommon. As Maureen tells me, in some instances women try to distance “I know the proper use of semicolons, but Kim themselves from their own identity in an Kardashian got the book deal. It was a picture book, attempt to emulate the majority. which is really a photo album, but still…”

“I’ve heard this a lot, ‘I’m one of the guys’ or ‘I fit in with the guys’. So what? I fit in with the How Would Someone Earn That Celebrity? guys. I have three brothers. That’s not a “Comedy is a business and club owners want to fill problem, but they are not the standard of seats and sell drinks so they can make a living. I your success.” can’t blame them. And if the above does that, so be it. The bottom line is that comedy is a business - so if you have a national TV commercial or can get How Would A Woman In The yourself on a sitcom (as if that’s an easy thing to Industry Help Other Women? do), or even have notoriety - you will get stage “As a woman, if you see another woman with time.” less power, bring them along. I mean that in In the meantime, “You have to build up some sort of any business, let her shadow you, mentor heat around you where a booking agent can see her. I wish I had asked for more mentors. you and think, ‘she’ll get butts in seats’. They want When I was younger I thought that was to make money, they don’t care how good your asking too much, now I see it as flattering.” crowd work is. I had to share the stage one night in Finding a mentor in the comedy industry can Midtown Manhattan with the Naked Cowboy. The be a difficult but worthwhile endeavor. “Honor Naked Cowboy plays a guitar clad only in his yourself, watch comics that you admire. I underwear in New York’s Times Square. Is he a have a great deal of respect for comic and good comic? He’s NOT a comic at all. But he’s Conan writer Laurie Kilmartin. She works her ass off. She is incredibly generous with famous.” her knowledge and she supports and refers The message here isn’t to throw away your other women. principles and do anything you can for attention. It’s more of a preparation for one of the many realities people must come to face when entering comedy What If There Are No Mentors should they pursue the limelight. “It’s different for Available To You? everybody in this business, I don’t regret getting into it at all. The toughest thing to overcome for me was the expectation that hard work would equate to success.”

“How do we empower ourselves? The more I work, the stronger I am. The more I can bring other women along, the more successful we become”. While some may believe the only people with the ability to change anything about the disparity between male and female comics would be higher ups. Maureen Langan believes that women have the power to create the change necessary to bridge the gap between men and women in comedy.

While the path to comedic success seems fraught with obstacles, especially for a woman.

The description of the challenges Maureen has faced in her tenure as a comedian is not meant to dissuade but to prepare those with aspirations in this field or any other. In her own words, “I just want anyone going into it to know that it’s not a clear trajectory. There is no path other than the one that you create for yourself and that is the truth. You know if you get a master’s degree in accounting you know where that track leads. In comedy, there is no track.”

So How Do Women Overcome These Barriers?

Help the gal next to you. when someone asks you for a comic, refer another woman. Refer that woman, help that woman. Don’t feel special because you’re the only woman in a group, bring more in. Consciously, if someone says ‘do you know a good accountant?’ think of your female friend. If they say, ‘do you know a good doctor?’ think of your aunt. Think of the women in your world that you could pass on and help them in their businesses or their lives.

Recommend them, buy from them, support their stores. Do you understand? That’s how you help women get more power because success and money equals power. It’s the same thing with minority owned businesses.

Now you’re helping bring everybody up, whether it be ten dollars at a time, one referral at a time, or one gig at a time. That’s how you support one another.”

“We are 50% of the population. We can do this.

So I can look at what is “unfair” or frustrating about the business or I can stay focused on doing the best work I can do and let it lead me where it does. I have been so fortunate to work all over the world. I have made friends from South Africa to Winnipeg. I have learned the difference between a Scotch from Islay and one from the Highlands, and I have eaten cheese in the Swiss village of Gruyere (only because that’s all they served). And all of this is because of comedy. Am I famous? No. Am I rich? Yes.” “Can we do better? Damn right. So go out there and support another woman and ask her to support you!”

Maureen Langan is available to host/emcee/keynote speak at corporate or organization events. She can tailor her Tedx Talk, about inclusivity and diversity, specifically to each event and she brings with her a great standup comedy show whether in person or online.

You can subscribe to her podcast, Hanging with Langan, at www.Patreon.com/MaureenLangan.

She interviews an eclectic array of people ranging from academics to alcoholics.

Instagram/Twitter: @MaureenLangan Facebook: MaureenLangan

HOLISTIC

LIVING HOLISTIC

LIVING HOLISTIC

LIVING

NOT ALL VAGINAS: THE

ORGANICUP EXPERIENCE

WRITTEN BY BARBARA ESTRADA

It’s not often you come across a story that focuses on vaginas and periods. For months into 2020, I kept hearing women in my life talk about wearing a period cup. It’s sustainable, eco-friendly for the environment, and comfortable. These are all things I love.

My curiosity pushed me to pull the trigger on my first purchase of a period cup. I decided after talking with a dear friend to purchase the OrganiCup. However, I seemingly felt like I did not make the cut for wearing a period cup.

When purchasing, most cups will have different sizes according to your vaginal size. The female anatomy and getting to know your reproductive anatomy is important for so many reasons beyond being safe during sex.

You may say, “I know what vagina looks like just by looking at it.” And, my response would be, “that is your vulva.”

The vagina, which is also referred to as the birth canal, only refers to the flexible inner canal that runs between the uterus (the womb) inside your body and the area outside known as the vulva. Your vulva, as you already know, is the visible area outside the body that’s made up of the inner and outer lips, clitoris, urethra (the pee canal connected to the bladder), and the outer entrance to the vagina.

Now that we’ve briefly addressed the anatomy of the vagina, my vagina was not having it when I tried to insert my period cup. It kept falling out whenever I tried to insert it or it wouldn’t even go all the way up no matter how I folded it. I went on YouTube to watch how it looks, inserting a period cup up into the vaginal canal to get a visual idea. I prompted my leg on the toilet seat, squatted, and even tried standing. My hands would get pretty messy and bloody from the several forced attempts. Nothing worked.

Too much information? I know, but vagina stuff really does get serious when you are in serious cramp pain and you’re holding onto a sustainable solution that really has you second guessing.

Some of my period cup user friends laughed. I rolled my eyes in sheer frustration and thought I had a faulty vagina.

I bought Size A, which is recommended for those who have not given birth vaginally. OrganiCup comes in three sizes: Mini, Size A, and Size B. After learning OrganiCup’s 90-day money back or size guarantee, I then switched sizes after contacting the company but rest assured - there was nothing wrong with me.

Once I received the smaller size, the mini, I gave it another try. I folded it like instructed through the several videos online teaching vagina owners how to get the job done. To my surprise, the mini size inserted much better than Size A. In the recycled carton, the directions are printed on how to disinfect and insert the period cup details every step along the way upwards into your vaginal canal. The idea of inserting a piece of soft, medical grade silicone may sound scary. “What if it gets stuck?” Breathe easy.

The medical grade quality allows for this cup to be to use in the body free from harmful chemicals, toxins or coloring. It’s also allergy certified so the user, like myself, won’t develop an allergy or negative reaction. And, an added “moral layer” as a consumer, it’s cruelty-free, Vegan certified by the oldest vegan charity/society in the world, The Vegan Society.

Now, what does my funny experience teach us?

Despite my struggles at first, don’t give up on being better to the planet. Consider alternatives outside of traditional menstrual care. I learned that not all vaginas are made the same and every vagina is unique.

GUIDE TO DECLUTTER

YOUR HOME THIS SPRING

WRITTEN BY SAMANTHA DIAZ

Being surrounded by clutter can make you overwhelmed, stressed, and unable to relax. Don't worry if you are having a hard time decluttering your home. Living in a home that is decluttered, clean, and organized feels fantastic. I'm sure that we can all agree that it feels great, but the more challenging thing is learning how to declutter your home. I have some great tips that help me keep my house clean and decluttered and also some hacks for cleaning that work for others.

KEEP A SPECIFIC PLACE FOR JUNK

There is no way around it. You are going to have some clutter that you will get every day that you can't avoid.

The key is to create a system and place it so that you can keep it under control. Get a basket or create a space in an empty draw specifically for all this incoming junk—things like mail, paperwork, kids' papers, and more. There will always be something! We don't want to sort through the types of things right when we get them but can't just throw them away. Instead of piling it all on your counter or table, simply place them into the new place you created. Then once per week, go through it and clear it out.

SET RULES FOR YOUR SPACES

To keep your home decluttered, you will want to know exactly how you want each space to look at its best. This becomes your baseline. Make it your new rule to try and keep a space looking this way as much as possible.

If you have a specific way that you want your bedroom or living room to look, it will be easier to achieve this by setting a rule. This rule will help you to keep things in order and others in your house too.

FOCUS ON ONE ROOM AT A TIME

Pick just one room that you want to declutter at a time. If you try to declutter too much at once, you will get overwhelmed and even give up. So stay focused on one room, then when you are done, move to the next. Seeing the first space looking clean and decluttered will help motivate you to keep decluttering the rest of your home.

So instead of getting overwhelmed, you will get excited.

KEEP CAUGHT UP ON LAUNDRY

Nothing makes the house look more cluttered than laundry. I love to do just a little bit of laundry every day.

This has eliminated my laundry day (since I am doing it every day), created more time, and made my home look much less cluttered. Make it your goal to start doing at least one load per day and see how much less cluttered your house will begin to feel.

WATCH WHAT YOU BUY

When you are making a new purchase for your home, consider if this new item will make your space cluttered.

This will keep your home less cluttered and make it less that you have to go through and get rid of overtime. Be picky about what you buy and bring into your home.

DON’T JUST BUY MORE STORAGE STUFF

Many people have made the mistake of buying a bunch of storage bins when they are getting ready to declutter.

I know that I am guilty of this mistake in the past! More storage is not always the answer. You don't want to hide the clutter away, because evenly it will creep back up on you. The key to decluttering is to get rid of it. To minimize what you need to have in your home and your storage containers. Step one should be eliminating clutter. Only after you have gotten rid of the unnecessary things should you go out and buy containers, baskets, and organizers. You will want to purchase these things, but save them for last.

AYURVEDIC BODY TYPE QUIZ

WRITTEN BY MARI DIAZ

Did you know that our bodies are all a unique combination of each of the 3 Doshas (body types)? Take this Ayurvedic body type quiz to determine your type. An imbalance of the doshas is what results in illness. To sustain an equilibrium, medieval Ayurvedic medical texts bear down the importance of a proper diet using six primary tastes: pungent, salty, sweet, astringent, sour, and bitter. If you want to balance your health with the right diet, knowledge of your predominant dosha is critical.

A LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT AYURVEDA

Long ago, before advancing modern medicine, insightful men from India came up with Ayurveda, traditional therapies, and other practices to uplift wellness. To achieve wellness, the principle of Ayurveda works to equate the three elemental doshas (also known as mind-body types) of Pitta, Vata, and Kapha within the body. These doshas are derived from the five elementswater, earth, fire, ether, and air. Each is predominantly composed of two elements.

VATA = AIR + ETHER PITTA = FIRE + WATER KAPHA = WATER + EARTH WHY DO BODY TYPES MATTER? It is vital that we know our body types to diagnose, treat, and maintain optimum health.

The three body types reflect qualities of nature.

Understanding your unique dosha combination and your constitution can help bring out your congenital intrinsic strengths and disclose your weaknesses and challenges too. It is thus a fundamental step towards self-discovery. To reveal your Dosha, this Ayurvedic body type quiz uses information about your basic personality – your nature as a child and your basic principles for most of your life. If, say, you have been sick during childhood or as an adult, think of how your life was before that illness. If you display more than one quality in each characteristic, settle for the most applicable one.

Your answer to objective physical characteristics should be obvious. However, mental traits and behavior are usually subjective.

Thus, your response will be inclined towards how you have felt and been most of your life or in recent years. The Ayurvedic body type quiz below (take it honestly) will help you determine your dosha type.

QUIZ TIME! 1. How would you describe your body stature?

This includes your height, body build, muscle development, and size. Are you tall, short, thin, stout, or thick? How would you best describe your body frame? Maybe you have a symmetrical build with fair muscle development.

Vata: tall or short height, narrow bone.

Pitta: strong build, good muscle tone.

Kapha: curvy shape.

2. Weight

What effect do your eating habits have on your body weight? Some people eat more but still don’t put on weight. Is it easy for you to gain or lose weight?

Vata: slim, it’s hard to put on weight.

Pitta: moderate weight, it’s easy to drop weight as well as to put it on.

Kapha: a tendency to be overweight. Weight is quickly gained, and it is very difficult to lose it.

3. Skin complexion (color and texture)

Is your skin dark? Is it rough or smooth?

Vata skin is thin, tans easily, fresh, fine-pored, it doesn’t blush easily, slightly dry, wrinkles early, has dark circles under the eyes.

Pitta skin is delicate, oily in “T” zone, blushes easily, has broken capillaries, has peaches and cream or coppery tone, has whiteheads, changes in pigmentation, freckled, it has allergic reactions.

Kapha skin is thick, well-hydrated, ages well, slightly oily or excessively oily, has blackheads, sweats easily, has enlarged pores and cystic acne, puffiness under the eyes, has pale/white tone.

4. Hair

Depending on your dosha type, your hair could be dry, brittle, or fine. Do you have abundant, thick, and oily hair?

Vata hair: stiff, curly, dry.

Pitta: thin, mostly straight.

Kapha: thick, shiny, long, can be straight or wavy.

5. Sleep pattern

Some people are light sleepers, while others are deep sleepers. Do you awaken quickly in the morning? Or do you struggle to get out of bed?

Vata: hard to fall and/or stay asleep.

Pitta: don’t struggle to fall asleep, but don’t stay asleep for long durations.

Kapha: fall and stay asleep without struggling

6. Stress management

Stress is normal in our day-to-day lives. However, we each cope with stress differently. Do you become withdrawn and/or reclusive under stress?

Vata: increased susceptibility to anxiety.

Pitta: a tendency to irritability and anger.

Kapha: fatigue, lack of vigor, slow reaction.

7. Temperament

Are you easy-going and accepting or are you lively and enthusiastic by nature?

Vata: melancholic temperament.

Pitta: choleric temperament.

Kapha: phlegmatic temperament.

8. Decision-making

Your ease at decision-making will vary depending on your dosha type. This may also influence how well you handle stress. Are you usually calm and collected or are you tensed at the slightest provocation? The category of Vata dosha is built to process things more quickly.

Hence, they are the best at decision-making.

Vata: problematic decision-making.

Pitta: fast and decisive decision-making.

Kapha: carefully thought out decision-making.

9. Your energy type

Different doshas exhibit different energies around them. You will observe that some people are more lively, talkative, or active than others.

Vata: energetic, creative, active.

Pitta: ambitious, brave, confident.

Kapha: calm, slow, lazy, confident.

To read the 3 dosha types in detail, go to

www.justbeginmag.com!

EASY

LIFESTYLE

HABITS TO

STAY

HEALTHY,

HAPPY, AND

FIT

WRITTEN BY SAMANTHA DIAZ

Take a holistic approach to wellness that nourishes the body, mind, and soul. Don’t wait for a special occasion to make lifestyle changes to reach a short-term goal. Do it now for lifelong wellness. Do you feel like your body is a mystery? Do you feel stuck and overwhelmed? Do you feel like you’re “falling apart”? Are you comfortable in your own body? Are you at peace with yourself? What if I told you that, by eating real food, being active, and practicing self-care, you could reduce the risk of illness, build strength, increase energy, boost confidence and increase happiness.

Healthy living and radiant health are available to every single one of us. Old habits can be hard to break, and making changes in your life for the better will not happen overnight, but the good news is that it doesn’t have to be complicated.

MAKE A COMMITMENT TO CHANGE, NOT A QUICK FIX OR FAD DIET: Exercise even if you only have 15 minutes.

Eat real food. Choose whole, nutrient-dense foods from the earth and seek to eliminate or minimize processed foods.

Remember the main goal isn’t a daily 10-mile run or hour strength training session. The main goal is to do something active.

Focus on how you want to feel instead of how you want to look.

Enjoy time outdoors. Nature nurtures well begin in ways that can’t be duplicated. Get outside to re-connect and re-energize.

Recharge mentally and physically with a good night’s sleep. Getting enough sleep isn’t only about the number of hours. Getting good quality sleep on a regular schedule is also essential to waking up feeling rested and rejuvenated.

Do what you love. Be passionate about life and make time for the things that bring you joy.

Make being active fit your life. Consider time, location, and the things you enjoy doing to stay active.

Include a variety in the ways you’re being active. A variety of different exercises and activities helps you to avoid boredom and increase the benefits by varying the stress level in which your body learns to adapt.

Make self-care a priority. Learning to listen to yourself and giving your body, mind, and soul some much-needed love and care is an essential part of living your best life.

Listen to your body. Tune into your physical and mental feelings and trust your intuition.

Instead of coming from a place of “I shoulds”, truly connect to what your body needs the most.

JUST BLOOM

WRITTEN BY CLAIRE MUSELMAN

Self-development and growth can mean many different things for people as we are multifaceted, multi-emotional, multi-dimensional humans with complex structures. How do we figure out what it means to bloom? I have been pondering this question since 2016.

Over the past five years, personal growth and development have been at the forefront of my mind. How to become better equipped as a mother, a leader, a professional in workers’ compensation, and a plethora of other avenues.

What I failed to realize is that blooming truly is stepping into our most authentic selves to reach our full potential or as some call it, our power.

One element we forgot to acknowledge during this process is finding our happiness along the way. It is the journey along the process of blooming that enables the power within to fully accept ourselves and become exactly who we were meant to be.

Each of us is here with our own mission in life.

Align this mission with passion and purpose, you ignite your soul as well as those with whom you encounter. This formulates our energy.

Energy is one of the most powerful feelings to read between people because exchanges are made leaving one with increased energy because of the interaction or depletion. There is no middle ground or neutrality. We are all charged beings looking for the power of human connection.

How do we come into our power? How do we find ourselves happiness? And how do we blend the two? To bloom is to radiate from within, sharing a beautiful color with the world that inspires and fills others. It allows the possibility to exist within others and leaves people feeling fabulous, ready to take risks and make adventures of their own. To get to our core and find the root of what we exist, the process of unlearning.

We come into this beautiful world with curiosity and seeking to understand why things are the way they are. We lose this curiosity as we experience the world through society and scripts that date back way before we were here in existence. To unlearn scripts means we must understand the unconscious stories that exist inside us and then we must take these unconscious scripts, transition these elements to the present, and actively change the language we speak to ourselves to move into a new platform of existence.

While looking down these different avenues of finding what truly inspires us at our core to reworking our generational and childhood scripts can seem like a lot of work, the steps to forward progress stem from the basics to bring us into the best version of ourselves to dig deeper. Beginning with foundational building blocks can help set the stage for the first part of your bloom journey.

Where do we begin? Start by getting quiet.

When we get quiet, we get clear. Clearing our minds is incredibly powerful. There are so many distractions available to the human mind and the human mind is already distracted approximately 50% of the time as it is. Taking time to clear your head can help focus on the areas of your life you want to change to feel happier and increase how proud you make yourself. Getting quiet through yoga, walking, or meditation allows for thoughts to enter your head and allows you to simply and purely be.

Exist.

Hydrate. A clear mind and a significant source of blooming come from proper hydration. Think of the power of water when you look at plants and flowers. Water has a major impact on their growth, development, and bloom… and it does for you too!

Starting your day with the proper hydration and taking active steps to continue the replenishment of fluids throughout the day will help you feel alert, awake, and engaged. Try carrying a water bottle with you wherever you go, taking frequent sips throughout your day.

Water is one of the easiest things for you to improve your health and yet also one of the easiest things to be forgotten about or not done leaving you feeling lethargic, groggy, and tired.

The next time you feel a mid-day slump, take a moment to go consume a tall glass of water. It will make a difference!

In addition to hydration, the food we use to fuel ourselves for activity and cognitive function is important to radiate and shine. To bloom, and feel like your best self, think about how you are fueling your day. I know I can always eat more vegetables, and when I eat more plant-based foods, I feel fuller, longer, and a good kind of full.

What we eat and what we drink to fuel our bodies can help our cellular function in the same way we can make poor choices causing inflammation, bloating, and heaviness. Create awareness with your eating habits and take small steps to create effective, lasting change.

Add spinach to your eggs in the morning, or a side salad to your lunch. These small changes over time will lead to strong blooming from the inside out. Fueling our bodies for success helps keep our energy levels up to create and inspire greatness within ourselves as well as others!

Pay attention to your energy and take stock in the levels of energy throughout your day through how you spend your time. We are all allotted the same 24 hours each day. How you use your time matters. Do you ever reach a flow during your day? Are you more energetic in the morning or mid-day, perhaps in the evening? What sparks the energy in your daily environment? Can you increase what causes this spark?

Finding what helps set you into a state of purpose-fueled charge starts with awareness.

Figuring out what helps increase or what depletes this energy is also imperative to determine who and how you are spending your time. You can then adjust your day to prioritize tasks and meetings based upon your control of flow. Small adjustments can make large impacts over time in productivity.

People will help provide energy or they will deplete your energy. Look around you. Who do you choose to focus your energy? Do you surround yourself with friends and family who support your goals and push your purpose forward? Do you feel anxious when certain people call? Do you dread going to family dinner or brunch with the girls? Figure out what excites you and then drill down to determine why. We have one life to live and it should be to our best ability in a happy, powerful, blooming manner. Many times, we feel obligated based upon the length of friendships or relationships based on family when they may be depleting us on a regular basis.

Once you have assessed your relationships, it is time to set boundaries. Boundaries are a way of loving yourself and establishing accountabilities to ensure you are treating yourself with respect. Holding yourself to what works with your life from family to friends, recognizing when you need time alone, or when you need time with friends, all of this adds up over time. If the pandemic taught us anything, it is the power and the importance of human connection. And while the human connection is so important and necessary, there are times you may need to recharge. We live in an instantaneous world where there is always an expectation to be on. Learning what you need to disconnect to recharge and understand the email, text, or message can wait until you are ready is a freeing element we should all find ways to experience.

Aside from people, what activities and events do you feel most alive?

Do you love the feeling of running because it clears your mind and you feel free? Or do you feel strength through lifting weights? Do you love approaching your yoga mat on a daily or weekly basis? Or do these activities cause you dread? Finding out what makes you feel good so you can incorporate it into a routine will help fuel your fire and nurture your surroundings to help you bloom into the best possible version of yourself. It is not selfish to find things that make you feel good as the residuals are long-lasting. Find an activity you truly enjoy and set a minimum goal of doing it three times per week for a minimum of 30 minutes. Do this for ten weeks and reassess.

You may surprise yourself with the power of how this leaves you feeling. Think of this, 30 minutes, three times per week for ten weeks. You can do it!

And the last, seemingly imperative necessity to bloom, sleep. Did you know five hours of sleep per night is considered chronic sleep deprivation? We really need to be getting at least seven hours of sleep per night. Our cognitive function, emotional intelligence, and bodily function are all impacted by the rest and rejuvenation we prioritize in our lives. We must make it a priority. Sleep helps our cells heal and repair. To bloom, sleep must be one of your top priorities to come to find your best success. Not only will your body thank you, but your friends, family, and colleagues will also too.

How to bloom in 2021? This is the year we focus on the inside and learn how to take care of ourselves in a prioritizing way. Starting with a quiet mind reduces stress and frees the creativity in our souls. Focusing on proper hydration and nutritious food that fuels us, and focusing on our energy in the activities we do and the people we surround ourselves with can help us find the time and resources to BLOOM. Proper rest and sleep will be the ending foundational blocks to move you into your bloom stage to be your most beautiful, radiating self. The world needs you to find what makes you come alive. Be kind to yourself. Take care of yourself. If you don’t, who will? This is your year. This is your time to shine. Now is the time for you to bloom!

“Bloom

&

Sustainability in Honor of Earth Day

”

Written by Melissa Cancio

Life offers so many opportunities to grow throughout every experience. This year, my word is GROWTH. Kind of ironic, right? And to add onto that, Earth Day is my second favorite day of the year after my birthday!

There are so many ways you can contribute to our earth, here are a few that you can do at the comfort of your local community: shop eco-friendly use reusable bags, cups, and straws thrift shopping reduce your carbon footprint unplug appliances This year, I wanted to focus on the greens. Since I’ve been making a mess in the kitchen, I thought why not? I’ve come up with a few super plain and SIMPLE recipes to help encourage you to #GoGreen. Disclaimer: this means that something green is involved in each dish.

Here are some of my faves: zucchini sliders green smoothies green eggs and ham While I’m on the topic of growth, in the kitchen, I wanted to touch up on how my word of the year, *growth.* It has helped me in so many ways. My mental health is still a little wonky but definitely working on it and probably because I want to graduate from my master’s already! I’ve been able to partner / do collaborations with my blog, Plane and Cheesy, and build on my relationships!

I think Earth Day brings the best in people. You’re willing to help out in your community, make a difference, and educate yourself more with all kinds of facts. Even if you only need a few tips, I’m here for them. Don’t use/buy plastic straws, try planting something or buying a plant to take care of, and eat some greens!

Let’s do this thing!

Xo, Mel

HOROSCOPES

April 2021

The stars bring a lot of grounded fiery energy this month with Aries season and Taurus half away. We have a few opportunities to start new projects thanks to Aries but maybe more homey creative one because Taurus, of course. We have the communication planet Mercury in Aries and Taurus, Aries New Moon, Venus in Taurus, Taurus season, Mars in Cancer and dios mio so much more! Do not panic they are all beautiful events for self transformation and growth. Ready to mastermind your journey con las estrellas? Find your sign and be inspired to live your sweetest life.

ARIES

March 21 - April 19

TAURUS

April 19-May 20

GEMINI May 21-June 20

AQUARIUS January 20February 18

Fiery nena starting April 3rd Mercury is in our sign, the leader of the pack. Yeah we are first but don't let this energy make you a bossy talker. Hold space to be calladita, and take the lead when it's something you know 100%. We also have the New Moon in our sign on the 11th, a great time to manifest new goals that we can work hard for all year long and not just for the next season. On April 14th Venus will be in Taurus till May 8th, use that goddess of amor energy to….

Taurus this is your month, your season and your time to teach everyone how to stay home and enjoy the chancla vibras! But can a Mars in Cancer (4/23-6/11) rain on your home parade? Maybe, just learn to have a good balance of enjoying home activities and going outside for some vitamin D will do. On the 11th we have the Aries New Moon, a phase to manifest new goals but make sure they are goals that are grounded to your values. Then from the 14th till May 8th Venus is in your sign! This transit will inspire others to live in luxury like ya'll do so it will come easy for you to indulge more but also…..

Gemini use that inner Aries fire to communicate your niche from April 3rd-19th. Make sure not to clash with others, offer space for communication and listen.

Celebrate the Aries New Moon on the 11th with some new intentions! What does your airy soul seek? Is it still connected to your NY goals? It's ok to set new ones, just make sure they come with mucho mucho amor. Geminis that are in some entanglement are about to get serious thanks to Venus in Taurus from 4/14-5/8 it's a transit that can help us see….

This spring season and the earthy vibras this month has can bring your airy spirit to a much needed intuitive flow. The Aries New Moon on the 11th offers hard work and dedication towards your goals, but also taking the lead more passionately. From the 19th till May 3rd Mercury in Taurus helps you decipher your priorities and what can stay on hold. The 19th as well we enter Taurus season so enjoy the grounding vibras that's going to deliver us back from the crazy energetic field Aries brought. Use this season to take it slow, check what needs more attention and……

CANCER June 21-July 22

VIRGO

August 23September 22

SCORPIO October 23November 21

CAPRICORN December 22January 19

Watery sis let's enjoy all the fiery, earthy energy this month to help live your best life. April 3rd till the 19th Aries in Mercury will have a lot of strong hard head chusmas trying to over talk and command the room, but use your soft gentle self to inspire them to tone it down and give you room to speak. On the 11th we have the Aries New Moon and it's a perfect time to recheck that goals list to make sure it's aligned to what you love. Then on the 14th till May 8th Venus in Taurus is all about doing loving things for our higher self so you're open to receive…...

Earthy mija this spring season will help you flourish beautifully! April 11th new moon in Aries is the time to manifest new intentions because it's in the leader sign (Aries) and the first season of the equinox. All good starter energy that amplifies your goals. You'll have some time to relax and take care of yourself under the Venus in Taurus transit starting 4/19-5/8. The first half might be goal oriented but don't worry you'll have lots of self care, spa, and luxurious pampering! It's all about being super extra and loving it!....

Spring time and Aries season are here to get you excited to manifest alignment into your journey. Get excited to cultivate prosperity which your intuition has been hollering for! April 11th new moon in Aries is pouring new goal energy but ones that you've been thinking about. Listen to your intuition and go big! Then Mercury enters Taurus from the 19th- May 3rd, make solid game plans for la luna goals you're trying to manifest and stay focused. This astro event is helpful for investing immensely on……

Capricorn this month fire and earth energy is what we need to set you up for the perfect primavera. April 3rd-19th Mercury in Aries guides us to communicate more in the areas you're talented in. At the same time, let others have their moments when necessary. The Aries New Moon on the 11th brings us to reminisce on your season (the beginning of 2021).

Are we still excited to manifest NYE goals or are there new ones brewing deep down? Taurus season starting on the 19th helps us smooth out these thoughtful manifestations.

We get to invest more….

LEO

July 23-August 22

LIBRA September 23October 22

SAGITTARIUS November 22December 21

PISCES February 19March 20

Leo, use the spring time to manifest your newly intentions.

April 11th the Arie New Moon is here to help you achieve your passions so make sure it sparks your fire. Venus in Taurus on the 14th-May 8th also has a lot of passion and energy to do things we love! If you've been putting yourself out there for love this transit will help you get ese anillo.

Then Taurus season starts on the 19th which will help you get ground with the new intentions you're....

Libra, learn to balance your communication scales during the Mercury in Aries on the 3rd till the 19th. Some heads might bud because people will want to be the louder voice. Don't argue with them, dejala...just learn when to pitch in and listen. Aries New Moon arrives to manifest new goals but make sure to really voice your wishes! From the 19th till May 8th Venus in Taurus shines some splurge on me time, and…

Fiery hermana let's enjoy the fire season, spring time and then get grounded once your passionate intentions are out there! April 3rd 19th Mercury in Aries can cause a lot of fire signs to take the lead too strongly. Especially when group discussions occur, remember to let others shine too! The Aries new moon on the 11th is the start of goals that come with passionate intentions.

Are you excited and motivated to work really hard towards your manifestations?! Mercury in Taurus (from the 19th- may 3rd) can help you create that focus and put more energy to Intuitively mermaid feel the spring time vibrations creating loving manifestations this month. Aries New Moon on the 11th is the night to look at la luna and connect with taking the lead in your journey and cultivate new goals. Venus in Taurus from April 14th - May 8th is the time to connect with your inner diosa, pamper her, feed that love energy and who knows you might take the next big step in your love journey. We enter Taurus season on the 19th so here's where you connect with the earth and ground yourself deep. Ask your spirit, "what do we need to invest in more now?" and shift to....

WANT MORE?

Read the full horoscopes on Sisther Pravia's website or schedule a one on one reading!

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WORKPLACE

WELLNESS WORKPLACE

WELLNESS WORKPLACE

WELLNESS WORKPLACE just begin magazine | 29

HOW TO STAY

HEALTHY IN THE

OFFICE

Many of us are working long hours in sedentary jobs. We barely move from our desks and, if we do, we take the lift or just pop out for a sandwich. This is taking its toll on the average worker and now there is a much greater focus on wellness ideas for the workplace, some of which are explored in this post. Much has been written these days about the dangers of spending too long sitting down.

You may even have heard it said that “sitting is the new smoking”.

Sitting for too long is said to cause the following: obesity high blood sugar increased blood pressure abnormal cholesterol levels excess body fat around the waist

You get the general picture. I’m sure you’ve seen pictures of state-of-the-art standing desks where you literally stand in front of your desktop to work or even desks where you can walk and exercise at the same time.

But how many businesses can afford to supply these to their staff? And what can you do when your job involves sitting down all day at a computer? Perhaps you work in a call center or have an office role.

Not only does sitting for too long come with all the long-term risks mentioned above, sitting in a chair that does not properly support your back can give you problems, and then there are the general fatigue and lack of mental alertness, which a lack of fresh air brings. Add in tired, gritty eyes and possible dehydration if there’s no fresh water to hand or you don’t get time for a cuppa, and it’s a recipe for poor health.

WELLNESS IDEAS FOR THE WORKPLACE HAVE A HEALTHY BREAKFAST Start the day with a healthy breakfast with some slow-release carbs (e.g., porridge) or some protein (poached egg on toast). The sugary cereal will do nothing to keep you feeling full for very long.

SNACK WISELY Try to avoid the usual sugary sweets, cookies, and cakes. On the other hand, don’t be a total misery and always refuse the doughnuts and cupcakes the office birthday party might offer.

You don’t have to eat all of it and don’t forget to return the favor. You don’t have to buy one for yourself. Bring some fruit, cubed cheese or some almonds to snack on which should keep you going till lunch.

TAKE A BREAK FROM THE SCREEN Protect your eyes by taking regular screen breaks roughly every 20 minutes or so. This can be something simple like gazing out of the window for a few minutes. If you’re questioned, you can say you’re just refining your mastery strategy for business domination.

CLEAN YOUR DESK Yes, I know. It’s not your job, but since your keyboard, mouse, and phone harbor germs, viruses and bacteria, frankly, I was pretty happy to give my desk a weekly once-over with disinfecting wipes – particularly the phone!

There’s something immensely satisfying about it, too, because you can go through your filing trays and sort out that clutter of paperwork you’ve been avoiding at the same time.

ASK ABOUT HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING These days, many businesses train staff in-house to take on vital roles such as first-aiders and fire wardens. There is also a growing need for workplace health & safety experts, ideally located in-house as part of the management team. The staff's working conditions can be consistently monitored and adapted as the business grows.

TRAVEL

TRAVEL

TRAVEL

TRAVEL

TRAVEL

TRAVEL

A Brief History of Coral Gables (As told by a UM student) CORAL

GABLES:

A LOCAL

GUIDE

written by Ana Chapuk

The alluring city of Corals Gables is more than just the homebase for the University of Miami. Coral Gables, officially known as the city of Coral Gables, is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, located southwest of Downtown Miami. The city was developed by George Merrick during the Florida land boom of the 1920s. With an original layout that was inspired by the works of landscape architect Frederick Olmstead, who designed New York’s Central Park. Coral Gables is almost an escape from the polarizing hustle and bustle of the rest of South Florida. Its Mediterranean feel community combined with its remarkable amount of historical character should be enough reason to be put on everyone’s to-do list when visiting the magic city. .

SUNSET

PLACE

The perfect place to get dinner, watch a movie at AMC Sunset Place 24, or go on a shopping spree. It is a stunning open-air shopping destination. Tea & Poets is my favorite shop in Sunset Place. They offer tea, poetry and a little marketplace with local goods that you wouldn’t notice by just walking past. I would take a step inside next time you’re in the area.

MATHESON

HAMMOCK

PARK

This park sits on a peninsula that extends into Biscayne Bay. The park has mangroves and all different types of Florida native trees. The park has its own full-service marina with a dock and a bayfront restaurant- Redfish by Chef Adrianne. (It’s good, I personally can tell you from experience) When the sun sets, it is THE perfect spot to watch the sunset with your favorite drink in hand.

HAVANA

HARRYS

Havana Harrys has the biggest menu I have ever seen in my life. It is considered a “Cuban fusion” restaurant with meals that range from classic Cuban food to seafood as well as burgers and chicken fried rice.

Their grand selection of milkshakes are to die for. My favorite flavor is Dulce De Leche.

BOOKS

AND.

BOOKS

Bookstores are becoming a rare commodity these days with everything going digital. If you are a bookworm like me Books & Books will be your sanctuary.Books & Books is one of the leading independent booksellers in America and was actually founded here in Coral Gables, FL in 1982

by Mitchell Kaplan. This bookstore has expanded since opening its singular location to now having 8 stores across Florida but visiting the original one is truly unmatched. The great thing about this location is the array of author events, their happy hour special, their coffee selection and weekly live jazz music.

COCONUT

FARMERS

GROVE

ORGANIC

MARKET.

This neighborhood staple is only open on Saturdays, which makes waiting for weekend plans fun. This farmers market is located just barely outside of Coral Gables in Coconut Grove. There are different stands with merchants selling fresh fruit, clothing boutique pop-ups, CBD paraphernalia, and mushroom coffee. It’s really a local experience like no other.

BEVERLY

HILLS: THE

LUXURY

TRAVEL

GUIDE

written & photographs by Samantha Diaz

Beverly Hills is such an excellent spot for exploring the surrounding cities, and it was such a beautiful, relaxed place to spend a day during our time in California. The city itself is like an island surrounded by Los Angeles and West Hollywood and drew us in with its reputation for being one of the world’s most luxurious shopping destinations.

When we passed the “Beverly Hills” street signs, we could see a difference between Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, which we’d just come from. The buildings became more ornate, the cars on the streets were significantly more luxurious (we’re talking custom Maseratis, Aston Martins, Bugatti with suicide doors and solid gold rims, Maybachs, Lamborghini and beyond, which is a dream for people who love exotic cars!), and the landscaping is much more luscious.

We walked around the area to photograph everything and share it with all of you here, without asking to stop every five seconds. Beverly Hills was gorgeous, and I was so happy to visit finally! We stopped by various storeslike Hermés, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Chanel, and Christian Louboutin and were welcomed warmly at each location, even places where we didn’t buy anything, so I can’t say enough good things about shopping in this area. So, if you’re in the area, this is worth a trip over by itself.

Even if you don’t plan to shop in the area, the architecture, site seeing, and posh surroundings are reason enough to, at the very least, spend a dreamy afternoon here in Beverly Hills. All of Beverly Hills is unique in the sense that it’s an oasis of luxury and a hub for high-end commerce and lifestyle, and yet there are a few pieces that stand out even further in their extravagance. We found ourselves on Rodeo Drive, the exclusive shopping district everybody mentions when talking about Los Angeles (even though Beverly Hills is an independent city). It is not only Rodeo Drive; the elite business district extends to the streets that lie a few blocks in either direction of the road as mentioned above. The area is known as the “Golden Triangle.”

We then visited the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel, and everything was green, blooming, fresh, warm, and beautiful. The Beverly Hills Hotel is one of the most famous hotels located in Beverly Hills's heart on Sunset Blvd. The hotel's color scheme is iconic, with its peachy pink and green/white stripes. The hotel is considered a landmark and is known for its beautiful landscaping and design. This hotel is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to! Granted, it's not exactly where you go for a budget trip — as it costs around $1000 a night. Welp. It's a splurge for sure, but it's worth the experience. However, you can still visit this hotel without having to stay there – you won't necessarily have access to the pool and some other areas. The hotel grounds cover 12 acres, including their breathtaking gardens and pathways that weave around the bungalows.

There's also the citrus lounge outside of the pool area, a beautiful spot to have some morning coffee and girl chats. What I love so much about this hotel is the little hidden areas around the grounds that make for beautiful photos. Plus, the stone pathway between the bungalows was so stunning. The gate and greenery had such a "secret garden" feel to them. But, my favorite part of the pool area is the descent — I was OBSESSED with these greenery arches over the stairs. The pool area is seriously stunning. Technically you're not allowed to take photos in this area for privacy reasons, so to make sure we weren't breaking the rules, we ensured no one was around.

We also got to eat at the Cabana Cafe, which is a fantastic café. I had the ahi tuna tartare, which was delicious! If you have been to the Beverly Hills Hotel, I recommend going and checking it out.

Always take the scenic road.

Photo by Samantha Diaz

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

"WOVEN PORTRAIT"

Using photographs, varying textures, and handwritten notes from her childhood, Dagny weaves a new portrait that integrates her childhood self with her present.

DAGNY.SAFON44@GMAIL.COM

@DAGNYS_ARTACCOUNT

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