The Process of Living... a modern beach bungalow

If you are currently bundled up in a colder climate, wearing two layers of socks and doubling up on frizz serum, I apologize in advance for the overload of warm-weather posts that are going to be flooding your screens this week from folks, like me, in southern California. Since we don't have actual seasons here (something I miss from our days in Colorado... but not enough, ya know?) the weather is basically what everyone talks about 90% of the time out here. Californians tend to take their "perfect weather" pretty seriously. I kid you not, there are people driving around San Clemente with license plate frames that read "the world's best climate". I may disagree, we don't have nearly enough rain, fog, or 60-degree days for my liking, but I dare not complain.

That said, there are fewer things more charming than an adorable coastal cottage done right. Natural textures, soft colors, plenty of houseplants, and casual furniture capture a laid-back lifestyle without being overly "beachy". Here are a few lovely bits of inspiration for a modern beach bungalow, can't you feel that balmy breeze? I'm slathering on the spf70 just thinking about it. 

images via 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

GET THE LOOK: modern beach bungalow

shop the look: one, two, three, four, five, six

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Enjoy the process!

Hailey

About the Process: Handmade Malas From The Himalayas // Habitation Co.

It seems like everywhere you turn these days someone is sharing a new tool or concept for helping us stay focused throughout our days. From day planners to devotionals, essential oils to e-courses... focus seems to be at the front of everyone's minds and being "more mindful" is on everyone's list of New Year's resolutions. 

Remember the old ClipArt graphic of an idex finger with a tiny bow tied around it? This was the universal symbol for "needing to remember something important", inspired by the odd physical act of tying a string around your finger to serve as a visual reminder, that I'm assuming people did before pencils, or iPhones, or whatever. But whether it was a reminder to pray for a loved one, make a doctor's appointment, or to not act on an old habit, every time you saw the string, you were reminded of that thing. 

While there are many tools we can use today to help us remember important things, by far the most beautiful I have seen are the prayer beads known as "malas", traditionally worn around the neck or wrapped around one's wrist. Historically, the beads themselves were blessed by monks in remote villages along the Himalayan Mountain range, and presented to their wearer as a tangible reminder of a specific idea or meditation such as "patience", "forgiveness", or "peace". Today, they have become popular accessories in yoga communities and for individuals simply wanting to wear a tangible reminder of their intentions and desires. Similar to rosary beads, the idea behind a mala is that as each bead is passed through one's fingers, a prayer or mantra is repeated until you reach the beginning. 

Not only do I love the cultural and historical significance of malas, I also think they happen to be absolutely beautiful both as personal accessories and home decor, so when my friend Lisa approached me with the idea of carrying her newly designed mala bead necklaces in the shop, I was beyond excited! They are simple but stunning, all one-of-a-kind, and made of aromatic sandalwood, natural beads, and semi-precious gemstones. Read more about these new beauties below, and head over to the shop to pick out one that speaks to you!

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Almost a year ago, I had the immense pleasure of visiting India for the first time, and while the country itself was vibrant, thrilling, and wild beyond my greatest expectations, I was also able to meet and travel alongside some of the most incredible women I have ever met. One of those women, Lisa Kumari-Conlon, also happened to be responsible for coordinating the logistics of the trip – like where we slept, ate, and could each spend a small fortune on the very best souvenirs.

image via AboveTheClouds

I mean, really, did you expect me to not instantly befriend this woman?

Lisa’s dad, Steve, founded Above the Clouds, a boutique travel agency, in 1982 and spent the following three decades growing it into a premier resource for adventure travel to Southern Asia, India, and South America. In 2013, Lisa took over the day-to-day operations of ATC and has since expanded to include Tales From Above The Clouds- a thoughtful collection of handmade, sustainable, and ethically- sourced jewelry and accessories, including our new one-of-a-kind Mala Bead necklaces.

image via AboveTheClouds

Lisa, making trekking look good since 1990. 

Each of these malas has been lovingly assembled by hand in the USA with beads and semi-precious gemstones acquired along the trails of the Himalayas and in parts of Indonesia, during Lisa’s many treks and visits over the past few years. All of the beads used in these necklaces have been repurposed from old malas that were given as gifts or found in the rural monastic communities throughout the region.

Nomadic tribes have a long history of trading precious and semi-precious stones along their herding paths across the great Tibetan Plateau that stretches from Western China to Kashmir, India. Today, bead and jewelry making is still a vibrant part of their ancestor’s culture and a way of life for many people in that part of the world.

image via circleofblue

Traditional malas have 108 beads denoting the auspicious belief found in Hindu and Buddhist beliefs that are indigenous to Eastern and Southern Asia. Our malas feature unique patterns of aromatic sandalwood, rudraksha, raktu, and lotus beads, with turquoise, malachite, and lapis gemstones. The plush tassels add movement and playfulness, reminding the wearer to not be weighed down by the world.

image via AboveTheClouds

While mala beads have been used historically in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, they are becoming popular tools for prayer and meditation in a variety of beliefs. Although they are designed to be worn around the neck or wrapped around a wrist, we think our malas look just as beautiful as decorative objects, whether hung on a wall or displayed on a shelf or tabletop!

image via AboveTheClouds

Shop Our Collection of Handmade Malas:

Pear & Thyme Diamond Fizz

2015 is coming to a close and what a year it has been! Sure, I would love to do a long cliche recap on all of the highs and lows and memories that are packed tighter than a sleeve of thin mints (mmm, thin mints...) into the past twelve months. But truly, I am just ready to celebrate tonight, and ring in a new year, a fresh start, and many more moments ahead... and I want you to, too! Whether you plan to dance the night away, bang pots and pans in the street at midnight, or go to bed at a reasonable hour- mostly so you can watch the first broadcast of the 127th Rose Parade like yours truly, I want to say thanks for being a part of our little shop's story this year, to wish you a very Happy New Year filled with peace, love, and joy. Oh! But a few bubbles never hurt, so to ring out the old, and in the new, here is a pretty twist on a classic cocktail, topped with chilled bubbly, fresh thyme, and pear! A definite crowd pleaser, for parties of any size. 

Ingredients (makes one)

2 oz. gin

Juice from 1/2 lemon

1 tsp sugar, plus more to rim

Fresh thyme sprigs, pear slices

Chilled Champagne or Prosseco

To Make:

Rim glass with sugar. In a shaker, combine lemon juice and sugar 'til dissolved. Add ice, gin, 1 thyme sprig, and 1 pear slice, shake well. Strain into glass (no ice), top with bubbly!

Happy New Year!

Hailey