tag:www.gypsygirlsguide.com,2010://1 2010-03-11T01:03:56Z "One day you finally knew what you had to do and began..." (Mary Oliver) Movable Type 4.32-en tag:www.gypsygirlsguide.com,2010://1.246 2010-03-11T00:38:21Z 2010-03-11T01:03:56Z

I can get used to this... :) *** Just wanted to stop by and say "ola, amigos y amigas!" I'll be back in a couple of days to share my thoughts on "worthiness" and host a fabulous giveaway for Brene...

Gypsy Girl *** Just wanted to stop by and say "ola, amigos y amigas!" I'll be back in a couple of days to share my thoughts on "worthiness" and host a fabulous giveaway for Brene Brown's new DVD. Hope you are all well and thriving. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughtful insights on my "how to play" post. More to come... xo ]]> tag:www.gypsygirlsguide.com,2010://1.245 2010-03-08T01:25:06Z 2010-03-08T04:44:22Z

Dear baby, You are now the size of an avocado, which couldn't be more timely, since we are spending some time in Mexico, munching on lots of chips and guacamole! This week was a week of firsts for you....

Gypsy Girl Dear baby, You are now the size of an avocado, which couldn't be more timely, since we are spending some time in Mexico, munching on lots of chips and guacamole! This week was a week of firsts for you. You were on a plane, you went out of the country, you tasted delicious red papayas, you had lots of coconut water and you swam in the ocean for the first time. Your dad keeps spoiling us rotten and I continue to feel great with lots more energy these days. I love having your company all the time. While your dad goes surfing, we go for long strolls on the beach or we wander through town taking photos. I seriously cannot wait until you're here. We are going to have so much fun as a family. Your dad and I keep staring at every little kid, trying to imagine how you're going to look like and planning for all the places we are going to take you and all the things we are going to show you. We have one more week of sunshine and play coming up. Hang in there and let me know if the sun is too hot for you. Momma is desperately trying to get a little tan. ;) You'll understand it someday... It's in our Brazilian genes, we just love the sun! Muchos besitos, Amor ~ xo]]> tag:www.gypsygirlsguide.com,2010://1.244 2010-03-03T20:46:31Z 2010-03-05T01:01:37Z

"Psychically, it is good to make a halfway place, a way station, a considered place in which to rest and mend after one escapes a famine. It is not too much to take one year, two years, to assess...

Gypsy Girl "Psychically, it is good to make a halfway place, a way station, a considered place in which to rest and mend after one escapes a famine. It is not too much to take one year, two years, to assess one's wounds, seek guidance, apply the medicines, consider the future. A year or two is scant time. The feral woman is a woman making her way back. She is learning to wake up, pay attention, stop being naïve, uninformed. She takes her life in her own hands. To re-learn the deep feminine instincts, it is vital to see how they were decommissioned to begin with." Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Women Who Run With the Wolves. Don't you love that book and quote? So goood. I love how it sounds "the feral woman". So where have I been? Well, like I said, there was resting that needed to be done, especially with a baby in the making. But the truth is that by the end of last year, I had also reached a point where I began to feel very conflicted in regards to my blogging. I began to compare myself with others and I began to feel pressure as if I was on some sort of race to accomplish and to be seen as "an accomplished ...". I began to miss the roots, the blogging for pure self expression, the blogging that was juicy and filled with soul. Then I kept having conversations with blogger friends or reading blogs that discussed business, competition, copying of artwork and ideas, and I got really frustrated and overwhelmed. Nobody talked about soul anymore. :( On one hand, I felt proud of all of our accomplishments as artists on the rise, but on the other hand, I felt like some of us were losing a bit of our heart, our balance and our integrity along the way. I felt hurt and I felt like an "ass" for trusting the net, for believing that every single person I'd meet through blogging would be honest, reliable, friendly, loving. I was reminded that online relationships can be just as volatile as in real life when it comes down to money. Isn't it a given that whenever business comes into play, an animalistic survival mode kicks in and some lovely tender creatures suddenly show their sharp teeth? I've struggled with that truth on the daily basis as a producer, and now I've realized that I won't be able to shy away from it here in this community as well. So I felt sad because there was once only love and promise in this circle, but now also deceit, judgement, resentment. During my break I wondered if we could make it back to the time when competition was not the word of choice. When opportunists were a minority amongst daydreamers. When we met soul mates versus profitable alliances. Of course these are somewhat bitter and generalized statements that have mostly surfaced as I've become exposed to the business side of blogging. And I know it is not all thorns... But I did feel this negativity last year and when I realized I was part of it (even if in a small way) by becoming overly concerned and protective about my content, my stats, my comments, my work and my ideas, I took it as a sign that I needed a big break to re-prioritize and reevaluate what I really wanted to get out of this experience. Here are some questions I began to ask myself: What does Alex really think when all the input is turned off? Does Alex value a blog that is solely based on self expression or indeed Alex is just jealous of those who can make their blog a viable platform to promote their business or themselves? Does Alex want to have a personal journal or Does Alex want to use blogging to shape her creative business? Can it be both? Does Alex think promotion and marketing are not honorable? Or Can Alex market her work with integrity? Does Alex want to invest in her online image? Does Alex want to invest in online relationships whether they are centered in business or friendship? And what did I conclude? Well, these are all things I want to discuss here one by one as we go. I do want you to know that I love blogging, though. I love the sense of community. I love your emails and comments. I love most of everything that blogging has brought to my life. I love that blogging keeps me motivated, creative and accountable. I love that it makes me feel part of a fantastic movement of artistry and self empowerment. I love that it has brought me a sense of belonging. I love that most of us are women, running with the wolves, fiercely hunting to feed our dreams, unapologetic for our hunger. Am I totally living an out of space experience or do you ever struggle with some of the same issues too?]]> tag:www.gypsygirlsguide.com,2010://1.243 2010-02-28T22:35:42Z 2010-03-05T01:00:30Z

Dear baby, It's been already fifteen weeks since you've started growing inside my belly. But would you believe me if I told you that I knew you were there since the very first day? Yep. Somehow I always knew....

Gypsy Girl Dear baby, It's been already fifteen weeks since you've started growing inside my belly. But would you believe me if I told you that I knew you were there since the very first day? Yep. Somehow I always knew. I told your dad on the very first day (or the day after), but he laughed it off, of course. So remember this: your momma does have a strong intuition. A couple more weeks went by and l could tell things were different... I was having crazy dreams and also feeling an unusual thirst. Then right at week#4, I decided to take the pregnancy test to confirm my suspicion, and sure enough, I was right. It was a great moment to see the stick turn blue. Your dad was with me and we both stared at the blue lines for a long while, letting the news sync in. Just like that, our dream had come true. The following weeks we embarked on a journey of reading dozens of baby books and trying to catch up with all sorts of information. I also started feeling really tired and sleepy, so the three of us spent several days just resting, reading, nesting and hiding from the holiday buzz. This phase was hard in a way, because we wanted to tell the entire world about you, but we felt like protecting our wee family as well. We decided to savor those moments just between us, your grandparents and a few good friends that are like family to us. Everyone was so excited to hear about you! You were loved from the very first moments of your life. As of week# 12, I got some of my energy back and saw you waving at me during the 1st nuchal ultrasound. That was one of the best moments ever. I must confess that I let a few tears roll when I saw how perfect you already were in all your 2" of glory. That week we broke the news to the world on facebook and it was a total lovefest. You were thoroughly celebrated! I truly love being pregnant and we just keep falling in love with you, week after week, more and more. Your dad kisses my belly and talks to you all the time. I try to take care of myself with regular walks and yummy nutritious food. Your favorite treat must be our morning fruit shakes, because I wake up craving them everyday. Other than that, you don't make me have any weird cravings yet, but you sure made me loose all the enthusiasm for Indian food, which I usually love. I don't mind it though. I am actually very happy to be eating what feels good to you and I've also been okay with avoiding my beloved caffeinated beverages and red wine. There will be lots of time to enjoy those. Right now I really can only think about doing what nurtures us and is best for you. This first picture was taken in the Mission District at the end of week#15, here in San Francisco where we live. I decided to document the belly growth by showing you week by week, the colorful life you will be born into. Keep up with the good work in there. We love you so much. xo *** Indeed I have been quiet, dear readers. But as you can see, my words for 2010 were "Nurture" & "Grow"... And little I knew it was going to be so right on! The idea was to nurture what really matters, nurture myself, my family, my home, grow my portfolio as a photographer, grow my community, grow spiritually, etc... All that and now what is really showing already: THE MIGHTY BELLY. So I am back to the blog. This week I'll elaborate more on what's been going on in my life and in my head. The point is... I'm here now and I've missed you.]]> tag:www.gypsygirlsguide.com,2009://1.242 2010-01-01T00:49:53Z 2010-01-01T01:17:11Z

So, what do you know? My last lunch of the year turned out to be at my favorite vegetarian Chinese restaurant and a new tradition was born! From now on, on the last day of the year, I'm always...

Gypsy Girl So, what do you know? My last lunch of the year turned out to be at my favorite vegetarian Chinese restaurant and a new tradition was born! From now on, on the last day of the year, I'm always going to draw a "cookie" fortune for the new year. Here is what I got today: "You are capable, competent, creative, careful. Prove it." I simply love it. A lovely fortune to carry with me in 2010. *** While I was slurping my noodles, I was also observing the lovely family sitting across from me. That's when I overheard the 7 year old chat with his dad: "Dad, to be or not to be. that's the question? Who said that?" "That is a phrase written by Shakespeare, a famous playwright." "I think it's the most stupid question ever.." said the boy. "Of course the answer is to be!" "Oh really? And why is that, son?" "Because... (big grin) Because to be is an adventure!" no joke! *** Here is my wish for you in 2010: I wish for you "To be" Your most authentic pure self Capable, Competent, Creative, Careful, Caring Happy Happy Happy xo ]]> tag:www.gypsygirlsguide.com,2009://1.241 2009-12-29T20:50:39Z 2009-12-29T21:28:44Z

It's totally her fault that I've started taking square pictures of my feet! But how could I resist a snap of these cute bowling shoes? That's right! For my b-day I wanted nothing less than a good game of...

Gypsy Girl It's totally her fault that I've started taking square pictures of my feet! But how could I resist a snap of these cute bowling shoes? That's right! For my b-day I wanted nothing less than a good game of Bowling, something I had not attempted in some 15 years or so. Yep. I know... When I first told my husband that's what I wanted to do at 37, his face featured a giant question mark. (Uh?) And up until the last minute he kept asking me... Bowling... Really? Really. And it couldn't have been better! Let me tell you... Among kids and teens, we rocked that Alley! Hell yeah! Well, okay, not quite :) But we did score a few strikes! Most importantly, we were having so much fun that we kept ordering game after game after game. It was exactly the kind of lighthearted fun we both needed, and the kind of fun birthdays are all about. As the end of 2009 approaches, I can't help but feel giddy about all the fun I had this entire year. Fun totally requires commitment, but it is well worth it! So I know there are many things on your list for 2010, but if I can suggest one thing, one word, to incorporate in your life, no matter what your do, that word is FUN! I'll check back soon about the new blog starting in January as well as my word for 2010. In the meantime, enjoy these last few bits of 2009 ~ xo ]]> tag:www.gypsygirlsguide.com,2009://1.240 2009-12-26T19:09:19Z 2009-12-27T01:35:49Z

I hate to say it, but I'm not much of a christmasey girl. I mean, I do love the smell of a real christmas tree, christmas lights, ornaments, baking cookies and cuddling by the fire. But the thing is,...

Gypsy Girl I hate to say it, but I'm not much of a christmasey girl. I mean, I do love the smell of a real christmas tree, christmas lights, ornaments, baking cookies and cuddling by the fire. But the thing is, I've now spent about half of my life away from home and family, so for me (not to be a downer or anything), the best thing is to avoid the hype and just be merry in the snow or at home with my hubby. And I looove that. We spent some lovely days snowboarding and now we have a couple of more days of nesting at home. It's quite delicious really. No stress. No crowded stores. No traffic. No rush. Just the two of us, some jazz playing, and the cuddly winter inviting us to slow down and be merry. I did want to thank you though, for all your Christmas wishes, gifts, all the cards with your pretty faces on it, your kids cuteness, your holiday letters... I sincerely enjoy every bit of it. In fact, one of my favorite rituals is to open each card and take in the magic, one by one. I am very grateful that you make the time to nurture our friendship, and that you stop by this blog and fill my life with goodness throughout the entire year. Much love, peace, joy, success... and no stress, to you and yours! xo ]]> tag:www.gypsygirlsguide.com,2009://1.239 2009-12-18T21:39:44Z 2009-12-19T01:56:28Z

*Polas Inspired by my friend and pola queen, Susannah Conway. Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment and happiness. Shades of golden yellow carry the promise of a positive future. Yellow will advance from surrounding colors and instill optimism and energy,...

Gypsy Girl *Polas Inspired by my friend and pola queen, Susannah Conway. Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment and happiness. Shades of golden yellow carry the promise of a positive future. Yellow will advance from surrounding colors and instill optimism and energy, as well as spark creative thoughts. Even though I am absolutely frustrated with the SX70 'lemon' I got on Ebay, I still carry it in my bag every single day. Even though the images almost always come out overexposed (regardless of me dialing it all to dark or adding filter), I still keep shooting with it, believing that it will get better somehow... Or perhaps that I will get better at it... Even though it sucks to get a bad shot, the good ones, make up for it. Even though most pics are only blurry bright squares, I still love them all, and keep them in a little box on top my dresser. A collection of mistakes and failures. Lessons. Tiny tales of hope. Life is full of disappointment. Very true. But still, I could never give up on it. Despite the setbacks, the turns, the sorrows... Each day I find myself wanting to open up more, risk more, try again, over and over.... I'm convinced that it is through that tiny crack of optimism that love seeps in. ]]> tag:www.gypsygirlsguide.com,2009://1.238 2009-12-09T17:20:46Z 2009-12-15T19:03:48Z

Jen Lee, force of nature. This year has been a whirlwind of adventures in a perfect flow, and I've felt the effects of the seasons on my body, mind and soul, more than ever before. I went from the...

Gypsy Girl Jen Lee, force of nature. This year has been a whirlwind of adventures in a perfect flow, and I've felt the effects of the seasons on my body, mind and soul, more than ever before. I went from the dark, cold winter, of a lifestyle that was killing me, to a new life full of sunshine and possibility. It was hard at times, but it was not short of powerful moments either. My Spring was dynamic, magical and invigorating. I had tons of ideas, I started the Shining Star portrait sessions, I revamped my blog, I took a ton of gigs as Photo Assistant, I learned a lot, I felt connected, I made new friends and I made things happen. I fell in love with my life and (dare I say?) with myself! Then, Summertime came around, and the heat was on. I got some more lovely Photography clients and shot a ton, even though I continued to assist other photographers. I also had fun scouting for locations, shooting up and down the coast and in the countryside. I shot shot shot and I did not share that much, because that's just how I rolled. I was out and about, I was having the time of my life and nothing else mattered except doing, learning, immersing myself in the experience. That was when I dived in deep and ended up finding my passion for Fashion Photography. The word I chose for my year was "Embrace" and it was through that "Embrace" that everything came together for me. Suddenly, all that nonsense of quitting my job and going through internal crises was validated, logic, perfectly done. When I was in action, shooting Fashion, I felt in a sort of trance as I combined my best skills as a producer, leader, artist and photographer. It felt right. I felt whole. Now, that is one scary thing to admit at midlife: to say that you found something that you want so badly, something you believe that you can do, yet something that seems so far out of reach. Why not something simpler, easier? Less competitive? I don't know. I just know that I fell in love, madly in love, with how I feel when I am shooting Fashion, from beginning to end, from Prep to Shoot to Post. Love Love Love. Sigh... In that same breath, the support of a community and the best nurturing friends, helping me rise above those moments of doubt. So good. Then I blinked, and it was Fall. A season inviting me to slow down, to enjoy some quiet time and introspectiveness. A season of deep sensitivity, grounding and changing. A season of a bit of romance (husband shouts: finally!!) and also, blues (husband shouts: already?)... Ultimately, a season of nesting, collecting stories, storing inspiration for the winter, spending time with my girls, and finally, bidding farewells and letting go. As we approach winter, friends, I'm feeling ready to let go of Gypsy Girl's Guide. This doesn't mean that I will stop blogging, it just means that I am ready to follow this new path that is calling me. I just don't want to stay boxed inside a name anymore. (How gypsy of me, no?) There will be a new blog and a bit of change of pace. But still... It's always going to be the way of the gypsy. Always a life filled with adventure. Always a colorful journey. Always wholehearted. Stay tuned... I'm planning on a few surprises and I can't wait to share them with you. xo]]> tag:www.gypsygirlsguide.com,2009://1.237 2009-12-07T18:10:56Z 2009-12-09T17:09:25Z

San Fran Graffiti Alley ~ Here is a fantastic 3 day plan to cure winter blues: Day 1 chatty girls + pizza + wine + dark chocolate Day 2 polaroid geeks + hot dogs + alameda flea market +...

Gypsy Girl San Fran Graffiti Alley ~ Here is a fantastic 3 day plan to cure winter blues: Day 1 chatty girls + pizza + wine + dark chocolate Day 2 polaroid geeks + hot dogs + alameda flea market + newfound treasures Day 3 a slow morning + girls with cameras + sunshine + san francisco Repeat at least once ever month, in order to prolong the duration of blissful symptoms throughout the winter. It worked for me :) ]]> tag:www.gypsygirlsguide.com,2009://1.236 2009-12-05T00:21:32Z 2009-12-05T17:49:27Z

Messy offerings, Manzanita, 2009 Two small offerings today: You must check out this lovely book: We feel Fine (via one of my favorite yoga teachers, Dina Amsterdam). My photography post at Shutter Sisters today. Come by :) And while...

Gypsy Girl Messy offerings, Manzanita, 2009 Two small offerings today: You must check out this lovely book: We feel Fine (via one of my favorite yoga teachers, Dina Amsterdam). My photography post at Shutter Sisters today. Come by :) And while you are at it, check out the sisters wish list for December! Lots of great gift ideas for us photography geeks! Have a great weekend, friends ~ ]]> tag:www.gypsygirlsguide.com,2009://1.235 2009-12-02T22:23:56Z 2009-12-05T17:50:38Z

Swoooooon! I'm dreaming of feathers & fringe and pretending to be an 'angel-like' bohemian girl on top of a cliff contemplating mountains, canyons, rivers and infinite possibilities ahead. So I ask you... Would you stop whatever you are doing,...

Gypsy Girl Swoooooon! I'm dreaming of feathers & fringe and pretending to be an 'angel-like' bohemian girl on top of a cliff contemplating mountains, canyons, rivers and infinite possibilities ahead. So I ask you... Would you stop whatever you are doing, worrying, planning ~ for a just second ~ to take a break with me and fill up on that fresh breeze? Ahhh.... Feeling better? Yeah Me too. :) * Photography by Jenny Porkka for Level Magazine ]]> tag:www.gypsygirlsguide.com,2009://1.234 2009-12-01T02:13:45Z 2009-12-05T17:51:15Z

Ocean Beach, San Francisco, SX70 Polaroid. "Sometimes, it's just the slant of sun the morning, or a reunion with an old friend. Sometimes it's just good coffee, or a compliment a stranger offers looking your way. Whatever it is,...

Gypsy Girl Ocean Beach, San Francisco, SX70 Polaroid. "Sometimes, it's just the slant of sun the morning, or a reunion with an old friend. Sometimes it's just good coffee, or a compliment a stranger offers looking your way. Whatever it is, you realize you've had enough. The fine focus you keep giving your little frustrations. The casual fuming you fan out about your bank account, your job hunt, the condition of your body. All of this adds up, or rather, subtracts into, a flimsy existence, a half-life, an embattled, embittered center of disequilibrium. How can the world not suffer under your dark cloud? How can the bathroom mirror rid itself of all those grey smudges? How can the lemon tree on your back deck not plummet from neglect? Arrows in your foot, at your back, in your heart. Something loveless and uncertain clinging to your neck, dragging you down into the mud. Enough. The light is changing. You are a light capable of change. There is a glow in you hungry for air. There is air in you fiery and free. The street you have been walking leads to nowhere in particular, to a dense dark wood that is better left unknown. Do not mistake that darkness and density for opportunity, for eventual renewal and your ultimate heroism. Turn around. Look up. A sky awaits, an impossible, possible blue. " A light capable of change - poem by the talented Maya Stein, who I was soooo lucky to meet recently. Thanks for saving me from my blues, Maya! ]]> tag:www.gypsygirlsguide.com,2009://1.233 2009-11-23T17:25:42Z 2009-11-24T19:45:11Z

I've been sick for a week and woke up this morning still feeling achy with a sore throat. Not at all the way I like to start the week! :( Since I have very little energy at the moment,...

Gypsy Girl I've been sick for a week and woke up this morning still feeling achy with a sore throat. Not at all the way I like to start the week! :( Since I have very little energy at the moment, I decided to quickly post a slideshow for you, with my photographs for Plum Pretty loungewear, featuring model Alex Haag. I love how this 2 day shoot turned out. It was really awesome to combine my skills as a producer and photographer in order to make it happen. I loved scouting for locations and working with the entire team from concept to post. So much fun! It was about time I shared more with you! Besides, nothing like great loungewear on sick days, right? Plum Pretty certainly has a wide range of colorful styles suited to lift spirits in both hemispheres. *Click Here To Start* Let me know what you think about the slideshow and also send me any health tips, tea ideas, recipes, natural remedies!! I need it. Thanks, everyone :) Have a great week! xo *** A few tips for the slideshow: When the slideshow comes up, click on the tiny square on the bottom right in the navigation bar, to go full screen ~ optimum delight! You can pause the music, if you like. Just roll the cursor below the image and you'll see the play/pause button.]]> tag:www.gypsygirlsguide.com,2009://1.231 2009-11-16T16:37:47Z 2009-11-16T20:40:23Z

Photography by Waldemar & Max This weekend I took a writing class with the amazing Laurie Wagner, and as a result of that, I am starting this week very inspired by storytelling. {I love Waldemar & Max's editorial featured...

Gypsy Girl Photography by Waldemar & Max This weekend I took a writing class with the amazing Laurie Wagner, and as a result of that, I am starting this week very inspired by storytelling. {I love Waldemar & Max's editorial featured here and their idea of collaborating to create "fashion stories" together. Aren't these shots amazing? More shots at their blog.} Also, I wanted to invite you to play with me this week and practice storytelling. I'll explain... Photography by Waldemar & Max One of the things we did in the writing class is what Laurie calls "story slices". Instead of proper introductions, we went around the circle and each one of us said something completely random about ourselves, our families, or something we saw or experienced, past or present. It was so lovely and way more meaningful than knowing someone's name, occupation, etc. You totally get a sense for who a person truly is by learning something that is simple and true about them, by getting a slice of their life. My random slice for you today is this: "I've been carrying my new SX70 camera with me all over the place for one week, looking for the perfect shot to start with. Yesterday, I finally said "screw it" (there is no perfect time or perfect shot, as a matter of fact)... Which resulted on me going through the entire first pack of tz film, simply shooting my breakfast! Yoohoo" And you? What is your story slice today? Please delurk, people! This is the best way to do it. I want a random slice of you ~ ]]>