A Day in the Life: Frankenstorm: Hurricane Sandy's cleansing

Long Beach, NY 

Under water already

photos courtesy of Jeanmarie Walsh

living in NY/Long Island is usually pretty cool but every now and again, you come face to face with just how vulnerable we are due to our location.  we are literally an island surrounded by water. well, duh you maybe saying but, in most circumstances, it's great to live near the shore; today, however, we see the negative aspects of living near water.  we are in the midst of experiencing Hurricane Sandy aka Frankenstorm and as you can see from the pics above of one area of Long Beach , the water has taken over what is normally shore.  Long Beach residents and anyone living below about half a mile from me, were told to evacuate for their safety.  we haven't even felt the full brunt of the storm and Long Beach is already under water.  thankfully my LB family are all safe, and all my other friends are also safe in their homes or in the homes of loved ones.  despite the possibility of the loss of belongings, all of us are enjoying the day(s) off from the usual grind.  i have already baked some muffins (check instagram for pics), chosen a family movie for movie time and enjoyed some much needed extra sleep.  the unexpected free time may even afford the time to get creative!! 

the storm has forced many of us to have to stop our regular routine.  though it may be inconvenient for some, we have to remember that water is one of Mother Nature's tools for cleansing.  we also know that the earth is living and breathing just like us.  ...so just like we would embark on a juice fast, the earth's cleansing comes in the form of storms and natural disasters.  it is easy to buy into the fear surrounding these disasters but, instead of focusing on all the things that can go wrong, i invite you to take the time to tune into the energy of the storm and appreciate the earth's choice to shift energy.  take the time to thank her for cleansing and also for passing you and your loved ones by in the process.  this is even the perfect time to consider what you, like the earth,  may need to cleanse out of your own life.

if you are in the line of the storm, here's wishing that you are safe and sound and that you remain unscathed by Mother Nature's path to healing.  xo Sesheta

A Day in the Life: Life's a Beach

Labor Day has come and gone and now it seems like the weather has officially cooled down some.  whether we want it to or not, the summer is drawing to a close.  if you can't tell by now, i am deeply saddened to see that warm weather go, lol.  i have even considered moving to a warmer climate.  (i haven't officially given that idea up - it has just been pushed back on the timeline.) considering that that isn't happening anytime in the near future, i am going to remember the pic from above.  as the weather gets colder and our layers of clothing increase, i am going to be dreaming of what it felt to be laying on the beach watching my sons play in the water.  

this trip in particular was part of my last of summer hurrah.  i planned a day for us to go enjoy the beach one more time before the school year began and the season officially ended.    we chose a beautiful day and there were hardly any other people on the beach.  it brought me joy to watch my three boys play in the water.  that was exactly what i had hoped for all of us - time to connect with Mother Earth so that we could be healed by her warmth, cleansed by her water and renewed by her air.  we had a great time and they all told me that they were glad we went.  in the words of my four-year-old, "this was a great day."

...so as the weather reminds me of how un-summer it is, i will use this picture to bring all the summer memories back.  hopefully, it will keep me going until summer rolls around again! xo Sesheta

Daily Outfit: Beachy Keen

Saturday may have been the last real beach day before the weather starts cooling down and I was determined to make the most of it. Can't let the partly sunny-partly cloudyness get me down! I bring you my beach casual outfit. Nothing like a super soft flowy Rachel Pally maxi dress for a late summer day. Add a straw hat and I am ready to go. My man and I cruised down to the beach to check out the last of the Quiksilver Pro festivities...and to wiggle my toes in the sand as much as possible. We even got to see some of the amazingly talented girls of the Roxy team in action. Followed it up with a late lunch at the local creperie- I love days like this!

(Rachel Pally Dress- Shopbop, Bikini in Cerise- J.Crew, Hat- Anthropologie, Pineapple Drop Earrings- MavenFresh)

All in all, it's been such a lovely summer that went by too fast. And remember when I told you earlier that surfing is something that I have never ever tried? Well a couple of weeks ago I entered this contest at my yoga studio to win a surfboard and a prize package from ZICO and guess what? Is karma trying to tell me something? I don't know if I was more excited about the win or that Joseph Encinia ( 2011 World Yoga Champion) posed with us for the pic! Side note: please ignore the fact that I am a sweaty mess... the reps presented me with the board AFTER class was finished. How convenient! Haha thanks to ZICO and to my friends at Bikram Yoga LB! The studio is beautiful, the people who work there will become your friends, and trust me, it will change your life. Go there now.

PFM Confessional: The Quiksilver Pro Comes to My Town

I admit to never, ever trying to surf. In fact I love the beach, but rarely go swimming in the ocean unless it's super hot and that's after I already looked for the closest outdoor shower. And the only name from the surf industry that would make me think twice is Kelly Slater. But I was never one to shy away from watching sexy guys riding waves, or a chance to shop the latest Quiksilver collections. So when I heard that the Quiksilver Pro surfing event was coming to NY and was going to be held in our very own city of Long Beach I was...well...curious. For me enthusiasm is highly contagious, and it didn't take much time before I was riding the wave (get it?) of excitement that was pulsing all over town. I mean come on- we heard A-Rod & Cameron rented a place down here to catch all the happenings. My spirits did come crashing down when the Long Beach bigwigs announced the cancellation of the festival portion at the last minute. Bummer. I was really looking forward to the bands that were lined up, esp Matt & Kim, Flaming Lips, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and Taking Back Sunday. Feel free to judge me. Anyways, the finals are tomorrow morning so my man and I headed down to the beach to check out the current situation. Excitement was in the air! Surfers and camera crews were out in full effect. The Quiksilver/Roxy boardwalk shop was packed with goodies. Plus the sky was just looking so darn pretty. I do love this city of mine. 

 

  

 

 

(Rachel Pally Dress- Shopbop, Bandeau in Neon Pink- Ooh La La, Splendid Striped Cowl- Anthropologie, Gold Havaianas- Gilt Groupe, Hot Pink Chain Link Earrings- MavenFresh)