[Witty Title Here]

Driving stick in San Francisco

February 25, 2014 by Cassie

I bought my new car, Sheila, just a month or so before moving to California.

When I got her, I envisioned lots of day trips and road trips along the West Coast. This weekend, I had the chance to show Sheila what San Francisco is all about.

When I began to get serious about moving to California and going to grad school, San Francisco felt like a real possibility. The last time I visited four years ago, I was enamored. Northern California is one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

To think that San Francisco is only a five-hour drive away from Los Angeles is kind of mind-boggling to me. You know what else is mind-boggling? How frighteningly steep the hills are—especially when you’re driving stick.

My first car was a stick shift, so I’ve always had an appreciation for the art of getting into first gear. But parallel parking on a steep incline was never part of my training. I might’ve had a mini panic attack over the summer when I was parked between two BMWs on a hill in Runyon Canyon and wasn’t exactly confident that I’d be able to get out of the spot without causing some damage. John gave me a crash course in using the emergency break as a back-up then (and no damage was done), but San Francisco was the real test of my abilities.

There’s something special about zipping around a city as a visitor in your own car. Even though Sheila was embarrassingly filthy (bird poop, bug guts, desert dust, etc.), I was proud to take her around town. We visited Golden Gate Park, drove along the Embarcadero and struggled with directions when we realized you can’t make left turns anywhere. We even parked on one or two of the steepest hills San Francisco has to offer. Though I handed John the keys and let him sweat it out when we parked here.

The weekend went by fast, but knowing the Bay Area is just a few hours away means we won’t go another four years before we visit again, and that’s pretty cool. I’ll share more pictures later this week, when I do my monthly photo roundup.

Do you know how to drive stick? Has anyone ever driven stick in San Francisco?

Filed Under: Photography, Travel Tagged With: driving stick, driving stick in san francisco, hills, los angeles, manual, northern california, potrero hill, road trip, san francisco, stick shift, travel, west coast

The “Lucky” Ones – An interview with circus performer & entrepreneur Sarah Morgan

February 20, 2014 by Cassie

I’ve been following today’s interviewee’s blog for a couple of years now and have always loved her style & insight. Now, I’m happy to introduce to you Sarah Morgan!

Two years ago, Sarah Morgan quit her job and ran off with the circus. Literally. And as a web designer, business consultant, entrepreneur, blogger, aerial instructor and, yes, circus performer, she’s spent the past couple of years encouraging and teaching others how to follow their own passions as boldly as she has—while wearing many hats.

Sarah’s blog, xoSarah, is a showcase of both her aerial artistry and web design prowess, and through it, Sarah has established herself as an authority on solid web design and blogging how-to. She just recently published her second ebook, How to Double Your Blog Traffic in 90 Days (or Less!) and launched the Badass Babes Blog Club + E-Course for bloggers who want to amp up their own online spaces. When she’s not dominating the interwebs, she’s swinging from aerial silks as part of The Weird Sisters trio.

Welcome, Sarah!

Your talents are so varied! But let’s start with joining the circus. How did you get into aerial arts, and when did you decide to make it a profession along with your fellow Weird Sisters?

I randomly signed up for an aerial class just over four years ago as something fun to do and trained for about two years before we began to perform. Over the next year we ended up booking a lot of shows and at the same time my design business had grown enough that I was able to make those my full-time occupations. Soon after I added teaching aerial to the list as well.

How do you discipline your body to stay fit for such a physically demanding job? Do you have a regular routine you abide by?

I teach six to eight classes a week, so just going to work keeps me in shape for aerial. Since I’m in the air so often it’s more about injury prevention than building strength or flexibility. My routine is what we cover in class: cardio, abs, climbing, skill-building, stretching.

Describe the most interesting/random/weird event you’ve ever performed in.

We perform at a giant Halloween show every year called Theatre Bizarre. It’s not weird at all to me, but the random person off the street might be totally shocked by what they find inside. Contortion, burlesque, suspension, fire spinning/eating, strange sideshow acts—there’s really no way to describe it, it’s something you have to experience. This past year we performed as super sexy bearded ladies and fit right in. Here’s a video.

On top of all that you also have your own successful web design business. How do you juggle these two very different jobs?

Calendars! I make sure to schedule everything and have five calendars to keep track of each aspect of my life. (That sounds nuts now that I’ve written it down, haha.) I don’t adhere to a super strict schedule for design work, which keeps me from feeling overwhelmed, but I know what needs to get done and when.

What are some of the biggest challenges that come with your professions? Do you ever experience self-doubt?

Personally, because I have two full-time jobs, it’s making sure I schedule my life in a way that I have time to take care of myself. Today I had rehearsal for three hours, then I came home and worked, and then I go back to the studio to teach and rehearse for two hours tonight. I have enough work to put me in the air or in front of my computer 16 hours a day every single day, so I’ve gotten really good at saying no and taking on only what I can handle.

I generally don’t feel self-doubt, which makes me sound like an over-confident jerk I’m sure. I suppose that if I’m going to do something I’m just going to do it, and worrying if I’m not good enough or going to fail isn’t helpful. I’m aware of both possibilities, but I deal with it after the fact instead of letting it slow me down or stop me from what I want to accomplish.

What was it like making the leap to total self-employment? Are you happier on this new path?

I had gotten to the point of being so unhappy at my corporate job I was essentially a real-life version of the movie Office Space. When I decided I was going to leave about 9 months before my escape, I became super motivated and excited to work on my side hustle. I prepared enough in advance that when my last day at work arrived I didn’t have any worries. It felt extremely freeing and I’m so so much happier working for myself.

If you could live by one mantra, what would it be?

“Whether you think you can or think you cant, you’re right” – Henry Ford (there’s that no self-doubt thing again!)

What are some of your favorite books? Favorite blogs?

I really loved Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek. It’s about marketing your business by sharing why you do what you do instead of what you do. AKA “I’m passionate about helping creative businesses build online homes that allow them to share what they love” vs. “I’m a web designer who makes beautiful and functional websites.” It really changed the way I market my business and my blog.

For bloggers I’m always inspired by Alexandra Franzen, Marie Forleo, The Middle Finger Project and Betty Means Business—lots of badass ladies talking about building powerful online empires.

Thanks, Sarah, for sharing your story! Have any question for Sarah, or just love what she has to say? Let her know in the comments!

Filed Under: Interviews, People, The "Lucky" Ones Tagged With: aerial arts, alexandra franzen, betty means business, blog, circus performer, design, entrepreneur, interview series, maria forleo, middle finger project, q&a, sarah morgan, sillygrrl, simon sinek, start with why, The "Lucky" Ones, web designer, weird sisters, xosarah

Visiting the Santa Monica Pier

February 18, 2014 by Cassie

Do you ever play tourist in your own city or town?

I have. Now, it takes little more effort than walking out the door for me, living in a new city—though there are some weeks when I don’t do anything aside from my apartment-to-school-and-back routine. (A reminder to all: daily monotony will creep in even in your dream locations.)

That said, for the most part, I’ve made adventure a regular part of my routine. John and I are even taking a trip up to San Francisco this weekend, which I’m giddily anticipating. This past weekend, however, it was all about Santa Monica. The Santa Monica Pier, in particular. Usually when we head to the beach, we head straight for the beach. But I wanted to go where the tourists go to people-watch and pretend like I was on vacation.

It was fun splashing under the boardwalk and watching people happily take photos with exotic animals. The crowds are crazy, but the views are worth it.

Filed Under: Life in Los Angeles, Photography Tagged With: beach, beachfront homes, boardwalk, georgian hotel, life in Los Angeles, santa monica, santa monica pier

Love where you live

February 16, 2014 by Cassie

No matter where you live, it’s easy to daydream about someplace better.

Someplace bigger, or more charming or closer to the beach. It’s fun to fantasize, but there’s a nice sense of peace that comes with loving where you are now. And if you’re not currently loving where you live, you have the power to do little things to change that. And for me? It comes down to appreciating those little things.

I grew up in two separate households (and split my time between the two) as a kid, and the places I lived in college were of course temporary. Even during the three years I lived above my mom’s garage after college, I spent a lot of time back and forth between there and John’s house. As a result, I’m really good at living out of a suitcase.

Now that I’m living with John in a place where we plan to stay for at least a couple of years, it’s been both gratifying and overwhelming settling in and getting things in our apartment just the way we want them. There were the basics we needed to go out and buy—like dish towels, a full-length mirror, spoons to supplement our collection of exactly three, a plunger for the temperamental toilet and on and on. And then there were the battles of deep-cleaning every corner and ledge covered in sawdust from the new floors and clearing out the overgrown weeds in our tiny garden space.

Then finally: the fun stuff. Scoring an old side table to repurpose. Planting things in the newly cleared garden. Finding the perfect spot for an oddly shaped mirror. I’ve loved decorating and making the space ours. It’s so important to make wherever you live someplace you love, even if it’s only temporary. I wish I’d done that in every space I’ve lived.

There are still a lot of empty walls in this apartment. (Finding something you like enough to hang on your wall is hard—and often expensive.) Cleaning is an endless cycle in this dust-prone place. And staying clutter-free is tough in just a few hundred square feet. Oh, and never mind the fact that we’ve yet to finish repurposing that old side table I mentioned. There are plenty of other projects just like it waiting to be done. And I won’t lie: I’ve managed to kill a couple of plants in my attempts to become a quasi-green thumb.

It’s not perfect—Design*Sponge probably won’t be contacting me about a feature. But instead of lamenting the fact that it’s not photoshoot-ready, I’m doing everything in my power to make it lovable. In a lot of ways, it feels like home.

So what do I love about where I live?

I love that I’m within walking distance to Trader Joe’s and about half a dozen bars and restaurants.

I love that we’re nestled between two gorgeous hills with beautiful old homes (the kind I fantasize about) and secret stairs.

I love my ritual of lighting candles and turning on the party lights every night while John plays records and I blog.

I love the kickass breakfasts we eat several days a week.

I love having curtains on the windows. And rugs on the floor. (I’m convinced both are key to making a place feel like home.)

I love being able to leave the door and windows open during the day.

I love listening to our neighbors’ weird conversations in the bathroom. (The walls in there are paper-thin.)

I love the hummingbirds who flit to and from the feeder outside the kitchen window—I call them my “hummingbuddies,” because they’re awesome.

And I love that it’s ours.

Do you love where you live? What do you love about it? (Or what could you start doing to make it more lovable?)

Filed Under: Thoughts on Life Tagged With: apartment living, cooking, garden, hummingbird, life in Los Angeles, little things, love where you live, settling in, style

On Valentine’s Day, show some self-love

February 14, 2014 by Cassie

I’m going to make a political statement here: I like Valentine’s Day.

Big surprise—I have a built-in date with my boyfriend, with whom I also happen to be celebrating my five-year anniversary today. (Our first date was the week before V-Day, so we conveniently made it an official, easy-to-remember anniversary date.)

But honestly, even when I was single, I always enjoyed Valentine’s Day. It’s an excuse to wear bright red lipstick, eat cupcakes and tell someone you like—either romantically or not—that you think they’re pretty cool.

And whether you’re single, taken, or too busy dominating the world for labels, Valentine’s Day is also the perfect excuse to show a little self-love. That goes for all of you who would rather skip over this holiday entirely, too.

How can you show some self-love today?

Get some exercise. Today, I plan on either going for a nice hilly run or trying out the yoga studio up the street. (I bought a Groupon for 16 yoga classes for $55!) Get a little sweat going, and you’ll feel happy for the rest of the day.

Try something new. Take the scenic route home. Check out the coffee place that just opened down the street. Cook a new recipe you’ve been meaning to try. Spark your adventurous side.

Give yourself permission to veg. Hey, it’s Friday. It’s been a long week, amiright? Put on the sweatpants. Eat the Valentine’s Day candy. Binge-watch your favorite show on Netflix. Even if you have a dinner date planned, I recommend following it with this.

Treat yourself. To a book. A fresh basil plant. A new shade of nail polish. A bottle of wine (or two).

Stay off Facebook. Or don’t. But if you do log on, “like” a few mushy statuses like the generous person you are. Otherwise, no complaints when you come across those “best boyfriend everrrrr, no wait, I mean FIANCE! WE’RE ENGAGED!!! LOVE YOU POOKIE” statuses. Either stay offline completely or be happy for someone else’s (slightly obnoxious) love.

I’m taking a poll: Do you love or hate Valentine’s Day? What do you have planned? Finally—how are you gonna show some self-love today?

Filed Under: Thoughts on Life Tagged With: anniversary, date, exercise, Facebook, self love, single, taken, valentine's day

Found in L.A.: The best flea & farmers markets

February 11, 2014 by Cassie

The best thing about Los Angeles flea markets and farmers markets is that they’re open year-round.

What also makes them so damn special is that a lot of the produce you’ll find is locally grown and is therefore often reasonably priced and incredibly delicious. As for the thrifted clothes, furniture and accessories… well, you’ve got a lot of L.A. style to choose from.

This post… well, it only scratches the surface of the flea and farmers markets L.A. has to offer, but I couldn’t wait any longer to share photos from the few I’ve had the chance to check out. I’m a little biased toward Silver Lake, but their twice-weekly farmers market it just a mile up the street from me. The novelty of this, as you can imagine, has not worn off.

The Silver Lake Farmers Market is the epitome of a neighborhood market done right. Most of the vendors are regulars, but many of them also switch out a lot, so there’s always something new to check out. I love this spot because you can buy fresh fruit, flowers and vintage clothing all in the same place. It’s been a great way to meet people who live in the neighborhood, and it’s a fun spot to people-watch. (And yes, there are LOTS of hipsters.) Very casual, friendly vibe. It’s open every Tuesday and Saturday.

I also had the chance to check out the Melrose Trading Post in West Hollywood, which is a flea market lover’s dream. You have to pay $3 to get in, but you can literally get lost it’s so huge. The market is open every Sunday, and you can find everything from valuable antiques to what looks like junk out of some guy’s closet.

And back to my neighborhood (because I don’t have to venture very far to get to the good stuff)—the Silver Lake Art, Craft & Vintage flea market is another spot worth checking out every second Saturday of the month. It’s much smaller than the others with a decidedly quirky vibe. It’s also perched just above a community garden, where there are always groups of people getting things done. (There are also chickens… on Sunset Boulevard.)

There are countless others throughout the city, it’s overwhelming. This post could easily have a follow-up with a part two. And part three. And so on. I’m looking forward to checking out more.

Angelenos! I’m looking for a new adventure. Where should I head next?

Filed Under: Found in L.A., Life in Los Angeles, Photography Tagged With: best la farmers markets, best la flea markets, community garden, farmers market, flea market, food, life in Los Angeles, locally grown, los angeles, Los Angeles transplants, melrose trading post, micheltorena, shopping, silver lake, west hollywood