Etsy Artist of the Week

I really love this Etsy artist!. I've bought several of her screen-print t-shirts - one with windmills, another with hands in namaste, one with a California bear, and another with the Eiffel tower.  Today I'm showcasing her talent and her contribution to recycling/repurposing.

About the Artist, ZenThreads:

Welcome to our "GREEN" custom screen printing shop! Our vintage and urban inspired goods are hand printed to orderOur vintage and urban inspired goods are hand printed to order.

We use a printing process which is free from harmful environmental chemicals or solvents. Not only is it safer for the planet and our shop, but water-based inks look and feel like they're part of the garment. Your items will come pre-wrapped in a reusable drawstring cotton bag, hand screened with our logo. Ready to give as a gift, or keep for yourself!

Malas for Charity in September

For the week of September 7-14, I'm donating 54% of all sales of mala bracelets from my store to charity in honor of  the Global Mala and in memory of several dear friends.  The Global Mala is an incredible yoga event that will be going on across the world on the weekend of September 24th and 25th. Click on the picture below to see more malas (for women and men) from my store or to purchase a mala bracelet.

I've gone to California many times to study yoga with my teacher, Shiva Rea, the coordinator of this event, (photos are all throughout this blog - scroll down). It is very close to my heart.

California Part V: Shiva Rea

Oh yeah, my reason for traveling to CA - more yoga teacher training w/ Shiva Rea. This time it was for the pre and post-natal training.
I braved the LA traffic on the first morning to be able to take a class w/ this wonderful yogi, Erich Shiffman. When I asked for this photo, this is how he responded. What a teddy bear. Definitely worth the traffic!
Shiva organized a celebration of Navrati, complete w/ this Lantra mandala, which took all day to create and was destroyed that night after the celebration. It is symbolic of the creative and destructive nature of mankind and how the pain in our lives gives way to divine creation.
The almost-completed Lantra.
Some wonderful friends I met along the way. Post-celebration, sporting our bindis and peaceful smiles.

California Part IV: Venice w/ family

My mom, niece, and me, enjoying Sunday morning breakfast at an outdoor cafe.
Watching the sunset outside our apartment window.
Watching Harry Parry outside our apartment window.
Sunset on the beach.
Dinner in Santa Monica.

California Part III: More Venice

Oh, I'm not done yet...
I was missing my chihuahua, Moondog, about then.
Van Gogh replica on the boardwalk.
The entrance to Venice Suites, my great hotel.
The ceiling at the entrance.
A Rasta guy w/ a very strong opinion about our government. Notice the trailer in the background. Lots of the vendors on the beach drive their trailers to the beach to sell things. Because parking isn't allowed on the beach at night, they drive up the block to park and sleep before doing it all again the next day.

California Part II: Venice Beach

Well, what can I say, it's Venice. Lots of unique people, artists, homeless, performers...
Harry Parry, the infamous turban-wearing, roller-blading, Jimi-Hendrix-inspired Venice mainstay. I see him every time I visit.
A view from my apartment window. The "candle guy" and other artists.
One of the many homeless, this elderly man slept outside of our window. People brought him food every day which he shared with the pigeons. There was one white pigeon that would sit on his lap and eat out of his hand.
I liked this guy's tattoo.
Look at the kid in his pjs skateboarding on a Sunday morning. Doesn't get much better.

California Part I: Newport Beach

I had the pleasure of traveling to California recently for some more Shiva Rea training. I talked my mom into coming with me. Our first stop was Newport Beach to visit my niece. Here are some of the pics:

Pigeon at Bolivar Peninsula.
Crazy waves that my mom and I came upon.
Lifeguard at the famous, Wedge.
Surfer dudes at the Wedge.
Even crazier waves.