girlcrush series vol. 5: la dee da.

when it comes to describing sarah, there's not much i can say other than that she is little miss sunshine. i don't think i've ever met anyone like her. everything about her is enviable to me, but more than anything, i crave and covet her attitude and lifestyle. this is a girl who wakes up in the morning and seems to have the world at her fingertips; she does what she wants, when she wants, and lives a life full of spontaneity and joy. if there's anybody that makes me want to sell all my earthly possessions and live in a van on the beach, it's sarah. for starters, she lives in san francisco, which is the place where i've recently focused all my vibrational energy on living. she makes art. she takes photos. she goes on adventures. sarah, to me, is the picture of the nomadic existence that i wish i could live. and hopefully someday will.

name: Sarah Fredricks

age: 23

where do you live? The city by the bay, San Francisco

what do you do? photograph, write....getting gigs with those any way i can. i just graduated with a psychology degree so im looking for something long term with that. hopefully in abnormal psychology cause im a little strange myself, and i always recognize :)

website: http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenlegos/

signature drink: coffee for breakfast, coffee for lunch, coffee for dinner, coffee in my sleep, i live for cofffffeeeee.

who/what inspires you?: i suppose the california culture inspires me, the sun, the sand, the easy laid back, breezy appeal, coming and going as you please, loving the moment, not hurrying to be somewhere necessarily but living in that moment alone. there's a lot to be said about feeling emotion then and there, and not imagining or wishing you were elsewhere. i always want to capture warmth in my work, and i always look to the california lifestyle for this. who inspires me? well at the moment, i just saw the movie grey gardens, based on edith and edie beale. two crazy, eccentric ladies, who arent afraid to be themselves in any way. i aspire to edie's fearlessness...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJBankObN0s

something i'm struggling with right now is trying to figure out what in my life gives me that goosebumps-tears-jump-up-and-down-on-my-bed passion. i find that this is common among twentysomethings, so...

have you found your passion?: honey, i feel you on this one. each day can be a struggle, sometimes. i dont think we are EVER meant to be fully "comfortable" with who we are and why we are here, so as far as passions are concerned... there are many! I'm passionate about LIFE, and always being hit with a new experience. I live for novelty, I hate cyclical events, despise them so! If i get bored with something, I know I gotta change it up a bit. That way, it always remains fresh! Take for instance, today...i sewed (for the first time mind you), it was just something I woke up and said to myself, 'hey! I want to sew', so I did it! I try never to set limitations, so everything is always within reach. Tomorrow I want to go hiking, so that is exactly what I will do!

how would others describe you?: warm, sweet, strange.

what is your biggest insecurity?: i'll sometimes look at other people's talents and work and think, 'hey, i wish i could do that,' but then i remember i possess talents of my own, and i can't be good at EVERYTHING.

what is your most prized possession?: a polaroid camera my grandma passed down to me. i really dig old, worn things with character but it means even more that it was in the family. and..it takes damn cool pics.

my dad always tells me that there are three things that influence your life: people you meet, books you read, and goals you set and achieve. so...

who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?: my mom, the woman can do everything! and when i say everything, i mean everything. it's miraculous, i swear. she can transform like madonna. one day she can teach a spinning class, and the next day she can be teaching calculus, and the next day gardening, sewing, painting, you name it. i suppose it's where i get my novelty seeking from.

what book(s) have influenced you?: the electric acid koolaid test by tom wolfe -because it's damn groovy, and it makes me want to seek freedom to the fullest. the bell jar by sylvia plath- because it makes me feel okay to be sad. Luuanda (short stories) by Jose Viera- because all the boy characters are smitten for the girls, and are left speechless in their presence. it restores my faith in men i suppose.

what are your goals? which of those have you already accomplished?: oh man, so many! but for now...i'm in a huge transitional point in my life, so i'm trying to keep it simple. seeking soul-fulfilling work is one, but not settling for less than that. getting a vender spot at the renegade craft fair next year, selling my crafty goods. getting more gigs and photography shows. and just, taking time to MYSELF each day to come back to reality and ground myself.

how do you maintain a positive attitude?: this sounds silly, but i manifest positivity for myself, others and the world. i wish the best for everyone, i smile, i open doors, i say thank you. there tend to be a lot of negative people out there in the midst of it all, and it can be hard not to follow along sometime. but then i remember; i live for loving what i do, and those who are important to me and i have so MUCH to be grateful for.

ive also learned to steer clear of people and places that can bring me down, this means, people who dont want to or cant help you move forth in life, and places that just arent positive places for the soul.

words to live by: la dee da.

check out sarah's blog here, and see for yourself why she makes me smile so big.

mood music: zach lipkins - cultivate your light

girlcrush series vol. 4: heart of gold.

jolie is in my personal top five "realest people i've ever met" category. she's honest and high-minded, with an overall dynamic personality. she's also a shoe and handbag whore (more on that later).

i met jolie during high school. i remember having classes with her and always being overly envious of her style. one day, junior year, she came in with a monroe piercing, and i just about lost it. i think there are probably like, three people in the world that can pull off something like that, and although i am not one of them, jolie was. she had and still has an inimitable style -- partnered with her impeccable taste and flair for putting outfits together -- which to this day, makes me feel like that gawky teenager in hollister jeans and volatile sandals. don't judge me.

jolie is my girlcrush not just for her fantastic fashion sense -- or because she finds out about the best bands before anybody else, or because she talks me out of crushing on guys that we both know are completely wrong for me -- but for her sharp, biting wit and neverending willingness to keep learning and keep growing.

name: jolie

age: 24

where do you live? EL LAYYYY

what do you do? advertising/marketing

website: http://twitter.com/jolienguyen and http://room285.wordpress.com

signature drink: gin and tonic. i keeps it real.

who/what inspires you? my parents and the thought of failure.

have you found your passion? i have interests... but a passion? ask me again in a year. if it hasn't changed, i'll tell you what my passion is.

how would others describe you? hard-working biyatch... but with a heart full of gold. ♥

what is your biggest insecurity? question number 2. i know what i like, love, want..... but im not quite sure what im passionate about. (and yes, there's a difference). im someone nearing my mid-twenties and i think i might be facing a mid-twenties crises. im no longer a kid and adulthood is very real... only it's still kind of hazy. im waiting for my moment of clarity.

what is your most prized possession? photos from summer 06 in espana! oh. and my handbags :)

who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why? my mom's side of the family. every single one of them. they are some of the most intelligent, hard-working people i have ever met and had to go through so many obstacles to stand tall in their respective careers. i admire them and aspire to be as successful as they have been.

what book(s) have influenced you? Positioning by Al Ries. it's a marketing classic! it's the only book from school that i keep on my bookshelf.

what are your goals? which of those have you already accomplished? my goal is to inspire others. whether it's my career path, my shoes, my whatever. i want to inspire! i also want to fill my passport with stamps from around the world. both are currently in progress....

how do you maintain a positive attitude? surround myself with loving and supportive people and realizing that things could always be worse. whenever i have a problem, i know i can turn to my amazing group of loved ones and they'll be there to help find a solution. sometimes, all they do is provide a shoulder, and sometimes, that's all i need.

words to live by: 'it's not how good you are, it's how good you want to be' - paul arden

mood music: jay-z feat. adele and kanye west - never chasing pavement (urban noize remix)

girlcrush series vol. 3: art star.

i met my next girl crush, allie, through a group of mutual friends. the first time we hung out, we were wearing yarmulkes. um, i should explain why. we were at a bat mitzvah-themed bar crawl for our friend amanda's birthday, and what's more authentic than a yarmulke?

anyway, allie probably has one of the most uplifting, adventurous, encouraging spirits of anyone i've ever met. she's given me such great life advice lately; for instance, the other night she told me that she would help me find a new hobby, to keep me busy and help me to not think so much. i think she should just give me one of hers; the girl embroiders, sews, makes jewelry, even does ceramics. also, i'm pretty sure she invented the "fox hunt". if you need to ask what it is, i assume you've never been on one.

i'm excited to have her as my girl crush, but i'm even more excited to have her as my friend. i think you'll see why after you read her answers -- talk about inspiring. to say that i wish some of allie's optimism, confidence, and upbeat energy would rub off on me is an understatement; i think she's officially my new role model.

name: Allie Don't-Call-Me-Allison Emily Felton

age: really? 23. but I feel about 7-and-three-quarters.

where do you live? Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA

what do you do? I am the girl with too many hobbies. art education major. shop girl. optimist.

website: little mint fox

signature drink: As I told the bartender the other night "I'll be keepin' it tight with a gin & sprite."

who/what inspires you?: This is really what my blog is all about. I feel like inspiration is something that a lot of people overlook. They allow themselves to become bored when in reality, there are so many things that can spark a little fire under your ass. I think what inspires me the most is that no matter how shitty a day has been, no matter how dreadful tomorrow may seem, people will never stop creating. Life does not stop and wait, so if you stop to wallow around, you're going to have a lot of catching up to do. I am in constant kids-first-time-at-Disneyland type of awe, and although I may subdue it at times, I will always allow it to get the best of me. Inspiration, tally ho.

have you found your passion?: If anyone has at my age, they're full of shit. My mom would say I've got a new passion every month -- this month it's textiles, May was ceramics, June was bookbinding, etc etc. Whatever it is from month to month, life is surely enough to be passionate about. You don't have to have that one trade or craft to hold your passion. The people I admire most are those who are passionate in all that they do, I'm trying to get there.

how would others describe you?: Absolutely bat shit crazy. But really? I have no idea. I've been told I'm moody, loud, ghetto (I mean, I can do the Cry Baby. youtube it.), creative, interesting, immature, blah blah blah. I don't really listen to it I guess. The only thing I really hold myself accountable for is the biggest compliment and challenge I have ever gotten: Heather Duncan told me I have a really big heart. I try every single day to stay true to that.

what is your biggest insecurity?: Well seeing how the question asks your "biggest" insecurity, and i'm having to think so hard, I have no idea. Shouldn't it be hanging over my head, stalking me like the SF fog? I suppose my biggest insecurity is my self-awareness. I know I'm loud (i have no volume control, what-so-ever) and that can bother people. I used to be a real big fibber. But I think since I've moved away from home and I've been humbled by such a big city, I have finally begun to feel like myself. I also think that working retail, and literally on a daily basis hearing absolutely gorgeous women say "I hate my _____." has put things in perspective -- not only physical insecurities but personal/mental insecurities just need to be tackled. I have chunky "tree trunk" legs. I have a funny big right toe. Just means I need to wear more short dresses and sandals. No one will tackle your insecurities for you. We all know with even an infinite amount of flattery from someone else, our insecurities are our own. Maybe I should be more insecure about SOMETHING, shit, I know I'm not perfect, I guess I'm just too consumed with all the lights and pretty colors to care anymore.

what is your most prized possession?: A small wooden box that sits atop my desk. It holds old photos of my parents and big brother, new photo booth shots of my friends, drawings from Chloe P, and postcards sent from places I've never been.

who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?: It's a tie. My mother. A proud lioness. There isn't anyone stronger than her. I mean, really, she can lift just about anything, I've only seen her get sick maybe 3 times in my whole life, and I witnessed her go through one hell of a ten-year torture chamber relationship and come out of it with all of her nuts and bolts. She is an amazing artist, and I'm PRETTY sure they based the show MacGuyver on my mom. She can make, literally, anything from scratch, and it's gonna look damn good. My mom is always ready and waiting for the next set of punches, and not only will she roll with them, but she will be a white-knuckled ball of fury punching right back. As I get older people tell me I look, sound, and behave more like my mom, and I think of it as a wonderful, wonderful thing. What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger, and we say bring it, betch.

Heather Duncan is the other, for very different reasons. She taught me how to grow up without ever really "growing up." She is my former boss, forever my Boss Bear. She helped me figure out who I am and encouraged me to do whatever it is my little heart desires, and was my number one cheerleader when I decided to move to San Francisco. She would take me to Peets Coffee for reviews and I would get nervous and cry every single time because I valued her opinion so much, and still do. I no longer see her on a daily basis, but I still think about her on a daily basis. Always hoping to make Mama Bear and Boss Bear proud.

what book(s) have influenced you?: The Graduate. At my age, people face days filled with tough decisions frequently. I have found that sometimes the confusion, stress, and overwhelming pressure can be solved by only one thing: jump into a pool with all of your clothes on and just drift.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. If you love them, give them whatever they want. Just know you must be prepared to give them whatever ELSE they want. And sometimes you really just need to sit down and draw a picture of your family and hang it on the fridge. with a cookie. and a glass of milk.

what are your goals? which of those have you already accomplished?: Finish school (at some point, no rush): getting there. Make myself a dress: almost there. Eat more vegetables: trying. Create a new adult bevrie: Done -- Gin, limeade, mint, salt -- not sure what to call it. Learn how to make my mom's sauce: I still have my training wheels on. Smile more, get more belly laughs in a day: day b'day.

how do you maintain a positive attitude?: Being grateful is a learned habit. Be grateful for the great moments, the bad shit, the "hits you like a size 13 stiletto at a drag queen show" realizations, everything. Pretty much everything is laughable, and if you arent laughing, you better start. Once you realize that this life is too good for a heaven to exist as something better, positive is the only way to go, dude. Live the dream. Nobody likes a sourpuss anyway.

words to live by: Work hard and be nice to people. Everything in moderation. Don't be a menace in South Central while drinking your juice in the hood.

i demand that you read her blog, and follow her on twitter.

mood music: free energy - something in common