January 12, 2015
I know hardly anything about makeup and still don’t know how to deal with my curly hair, but skincare? Skincare I know and love. Ever since I received my first Clinique 3-Step kit, I’ve been diligent about scrubs, moisturizers, SPF, eye cream, and everything that goes along with it, and part of my morning routine involves reading about other people’s routines on Into The Gloss‘ Top Shelf column.
Here’s a little rundown of what I use, what I love, and what you should try:
January 9, 2015
Kate and I first met on a press trip, and soon after we exchanged info, we realized we had a lot in common—a love for travel, writing, natural beauty, and healthy eating. I know, one could say you can throw a stone and find people like that in Southern California, but I really connected with Kate’s thoughtful, meditative style. She seemed smart, focused, and talented. A quick glance at her excellent writing-photography-DIY site, and you’ll see that all of the above rings true.
In the spirit of the new year and healthy starts, you should check out her inspiring post on her daily wellness routine and details about a book she’s writing (!). And in the spirit of my 7 Questions With series, Kate talks about the opposite of a creative block and why her North County neighborhood is so dang special…among other things.
Name: Kate Bello
Age: 35
Neighborhood: Leucadia, Encinitas
Job: Writer/Photographer/Blogger
What did you eat for breakfast today?
Homemade banana ice cream with dates and cacao nibs.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Being creative. Everything that I truly want to do comes back to that feeling of being a kid again when all I did was draw and make up stories. Now I take photographs and write stories.
The worst?
I put a lot of pressure on myself, which is something I need to work on.
How do you tackle a creative block?
Honestly, I rarely have a creative block. I have the opposite problem where I think of way too many projects I want to do. So, for me, I have to tackle decision-making and really only choose projects that deep down I want to do as opposed to what I think I should do.
What are you currently reading?
Just finished Wild. Loved it. Now I want to do something drastic and crazy in 2015.
What’s your favorite spot in the city and why?
Hands down, Leucadia. This place reminds me of my childhood in Ventura, CA. Can’t beat the laid-back vibe.
What was the most awesome thing about today?
Hmmm, the fact that I’m here in beautiful San Diego, that I have people I love around me and that I haven’t given up on my dream.
Thanks, Kate! You can also find her on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
January 7, 2015
As goal-oriented as I am, New Year’s resolutions used to feel so forced to me. But now that the new year aligns with our move-to-San-Diego anniversary, it seems more fitting to set a new intention for the next 12 months. It’s a time when I take stock of what I’ve accomplished, where I’ve faltered, and how better I can live this now not-so-new San Diego life. I have a bunch of resolutions on the docket, but here are three biggies:
Cook more, eat out less. I don’t drink, I’m not a concert-goer, I rarely go to the movie theater, and I definitely don’t shop much—so where is all my money going? Eating out. I had always thought I was so good about eating in, but after I looked at my last few credit card statements, I realized that all these lunch dates and dinner excursions are adding up. Part of that stems from the fact that I work from home and cabin fever is sometimes inevitable. I also try to justify extraneous grocery purchases—fancy tomato sauces or sesame oil that I’ll hardly ever use—by rationalizing that hey, I’m eating in! But I need to be less tempted; I don’t always need dessert and I shouldn’t snack just because I’m bored. I also need to plan non-dining activities with friends. The funny thing is I’m fortunate enough to eat out for free thanks to my day job as a freelance travel and food writer, so I’m certainly not deprived. I’m aiming for two (paid) meals out and 2-3 coffees per week. There are bigger things worth saving for in my opinion like travel (see below) and eventually, a house.
A trip or two. Everyone is all, “I want to travel more this year!” but I’m coming from a slightly different point of view. I’ve traveled a lot in my life. In fact, I spent 2011-2012 backpacking around the world, so I’m really not one to say I’m deficient in this department. But last year, we traveled only for weddings, to see our families, and one great but work-related trip to Palm Springs. For someone who spends her money on mainly just food or travel, I do feel like I’m missing out. Since both Eaman and I are self-employed, finances are not what they used to be, but I’d really like to save my pennies (see above) to go on one California road trip and one Hawaii trip. Or maybe combine those two to do something bigger like Cuba or Brazil.
A yoga headstand or handstand or tripod headstand or forearm stand. I started a regular yoga schedule last summer, and while I’ve seen progress in a few poses (crow and sidecrow), I’m still scared to death of being upside down. I think it’s rooted in my many years of classical Indian dance training, where the focus is about being very grounded. But I need to just get over myself. It’s really not about the physical. As many things, it’s all mental.
January 5, 2015
And what a wonderful break it was.
Now that I work for myself, the holidays is usually the only time of the year I feel like I’m actually on vacation; everyone else is so out of pocket, that I’m forced to be, too. I thought it’d be filled with more work, but the time ended up being a really fulfilling San Diego staycation.
For better or worse, Eaman and I tend to put a Type A spin on fun, and so we had a to-do list of fun things to do over the holidays, and we covered pretty much everything. Movies, hikes, beach (like Windansea Beach, above) coffee, pumpkin cream cheese cupcakes, time with my girlfriends, Christmas light-gawking—I couldn’t have asked for a more fun two weeks. A couple days ago, we were actually a little, dare I say, bored because we had ticked off all the to-do’s and realized that each day had been so gratifying that, how could we top it? Clearly, a good problem to have.
Here’s a glimpse of the fun:
