3 Simple Ways to Spark Your Creativity

3 SIMPLE WAYS TO SPARK YOUR CREATIVITY

Article by Jeannine Chanin Penn
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #26

“Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.”— Pablo Picasso

When you watch a child approaching a creative project it’s a great reminder of how NOT to overthink something. As adults, professionals, people with responsibility, it is so easy to meticulously plan, over think and get very stuck in the process. Below, I’m going to share 3 seemingly simple things that you can do at least once a day to inspire creative thinking. Why do I say “seemingly simple?” Because, the majority of adults have a list of why they can’t. There really aren’t any good excuses. There are just excuses. I know. I’ve often made those excuses.  “I don’t have the time” is the number one excuse. “I’m not creative” is another common excuse people share with me.

I believe that Creativity is a Birthright. I say it, I practice it, I teach it and I believe it.

And here’s the thing, creativity and creative play increases productivity at work, stimulates your mind, reduces stress, deepens self-awareness, increases problem-solving skills and brings greater joy. All good reasons to justify the time you take for a little creative play.

3 Simple Ways To Act More Like A Child And Spark Your Creativity!

1. Play. Really play. From playing a game like Twister to inviting friends over for a home facial party with temporary tattoos and candy apples to taking out paint and painting with your fingers. Besides the fun factor, you will de-stress and feel connected to others which will absolutely re-energize you when you go back to the more serious business of life. 

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” -George Bernard Shaw

2. Get outside! When asked about a happy memory as a child, everyone, and I mean everyone, in the Creative Playpenn workshops I lead mentioned being with Nature! Walking, going to the beach, riding your bicycle, gardening… literally, stopping to smell the flowers can clear your mind and benefit your mental and physical health. 

“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.”- Frank Lloyd Wright

3. Make something. Whether you sit down and paint, sew a pillow, draw a picture or cook a new recipe… create something fresh and new at least once a week.  It will lead to self-discovery, expand your sense of freedom and self- expression. It may not be the thing that makes you rich or famous but it will absolutely bring joy to your life.

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." - Maya Angelou

Almond Butter Stuffed Dates with Coconut

ALMOND BUTTER STUFFED DATES WITH COCONUT

Article by John Scardina
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #26

Almond Butter Stuffed Dates with Coconut

Serves 4
Ingredients:

16 Organic Medjool pitted dates
1 ounce organic almond butter
1 ounce of organic slivered almonds
1 ounce organic toasted shredded coconut
1 ounce organic coconut milk cream (the thick portion for whipping).

Preparation:

Sliced open pitted dates and fill each date with almond butter. Top with a small amount of Coconut whipped cream, (the solid portion of a can of organic coconut milk). Add a sprinkle of toasted coconut and some slivered almonds. Enjoy!

Mastering Mindfulness: Unleash Your Creativity

MASTERING MINDFULNESS: UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY

Mastering Mindfulness:  Unleash Your Creativity

Article by Jennifer Nesbit Holt
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #26

It's true...When you become more aware of the internal and external world around you, creative flow in your artistic trade and life are limitless. Living ON purpose and with intention exponentially expands your awareness so you can move into a more curious space between the rules of life.
 
Mastering mindfulness is simply the art of being present.  With the fast-paced existence of the modern world many feel like this is unattainable, but in actuality it is a chronic thinker's best friend.  Mindfulness opens the door to consciousness and heightens your thoughts and feeling by trained observation (and it's not that hard).

90 Seconds To A More Mindful YOU
To see the truth of 'what is' and get out of your thinking brain takes a shift in your approach to any given situation.  One suggestion to step into the space of awareness is to check in with your breath.  Are you breathing deep enough?  This seems like a no-brainer, yet most of us don't take the time to focus on our breath.  A free tool of cleaning out mental cob webs holding back your creativity resides in a deep 4-6 count inhale and even longer count exhale. This technique can take less than two minutes.  As a creative person, your ideas and work require space to breath and new ideas to flow.

Roar of Silence-  Sensory Awareness
Most of the time creative blocks form because you're caught in a vicious cycle of fear, negative thoughts and bad habits.  You think you know truth when your imagination runs wild, but most of the time you are fueling your anxiety and stress with perceived truths about others and the world around you. A simple technique to bring you out of this mindset is to discover more awareness by observing the sounds around you, smells of the environment, taste of the air, feeling or sensations of touching a surface in your space, and what you see in the moment. Find your phone and set a timer for one minute. Spend this brief time birthing a new perspective.

Take a new direction, Become More Creative
You cannot grow or create if you are unwilling to expand. Make new associations by pushing yourself to learn how to experience the world. You can literally form new synaptic connections in the brain by introducing yourself to new ideas, people, culture, food, and places. If you are stuck in your work, try taking a self-care/exploration day. Taking time to care for yourself, inside and out, exploring nature and travel are 3 excellent ways to overcome your creative blocks.

Slow down, cowgirl, and tune into your intuition! When time takes a long pause you can gather the most valuable lessons and appreciation for your beautiful world. Clearly being able to hear your voice of intuition and higher-self sets you up for living in pure alignment with your soul's purpose and your creativity can then flourish.

Mindfulness is not about being still, it is about noticing, without judgement, what is happening in the moment. Mastering mindfulness is as easy as stepping outside of your comfort zone to experience life, and in turn, unleashing your creativity.

View fullsize

HOLISTIC FASHIONISTA RECOMMENDED!

For The Overachieving Professional Artist & Creative. Ready to reclaim your artistic confidence and creativity!? Stop critiquing and editing yourself. Push past the creative blocks standing in your way and redefine your artistic reality.

Stop Resisting + Maximize Your Creativity To Rediscover Your Creative Edge With This FREE Effective Golden Tool Of Transformation! Grab your FREE Overcome Creative Blocks Kit here.

The Mind of the Matter: Kundalini Yoga and Mindfulness with Sarah Bladen

THE MIND OF THE MATTER:
KUNDALINI YOGA & MINDFULNESS WITH SARAH BLADEN

Kundalini Yoga and Mindfulness

Article by Rheba Estante
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #26

International journalist Sarah Bladen was an Editor for OK Magazine in Europe who lived a jet set life mixing with famous personalities in the most luxurious and glamorous places around. The worlwind lifestyle of first class travel, fun filled adventires, and weekly interviews with celebrities were exciting but not so much mindful. Three years ago, everything changed when Zen entered her life. 

Bladen left her job, ended her engagement, and endured the passing of her father. These three excruciating heartbreaks transformed Bladen’s life from fast paced and feeling empty to a substance infused existence resulting in On Cloud Zen. Her grief led Bladen invite, welcome and cultivate mindfulness when she healed her heartbreak through Kundalini Yoga.

What Bladen experienced as a result of mindfulness was a present moment awareness that was possible from the shedding of inner emotional baggage, old beliefs, habitual patterns, distractions, all of which remove a person’s ability to stay present in the moment. Rather than perceive the world through clouded lenses. Kundalini Yoga, through its practices of meditation, chanting, specific yoga movements called “kriyas”, and mindful eating, provide a foundation for discipline the mind and releasing toxic thoughts from one’s consciousness. For mindfulness to cascade a person’s entire existence, an inside out cleanse of all that isn’t that, is mandatory.

The practice of Kundalini yoga begins with changing what you put in your body. A diet overhaul is often required. Since becoming a Zen Meditation and Mindfulness Coach, and Chakradance Facilitator, Bladen has developed a wellness practice based on the principles of Aryuvedic healing. One of the first things that Bladen counsels her clients to do is begin eating according to their body type. In Aryuveda, there are three main “doshas” or body types: kapha, pitta, and vata. This is determined by the physical structure of a person’s body, key characteristics of their appearance, and patterns in emotional temperament. 

Mindful eating the Aryuvedic way requires knowing exactly what the best food is to put into your system. Mindful eating is also about being able to detect subtle cues from your body as it adjusts to a diet.

“Your body is used to a certain way of eating and so all this fresh food is probably a shock to the system! When anyone changes their diet or starts doing kriyas there will be changes,” counsels Bladen.

Bladen also recommends her clients integrate these new eating practice gradually along with practicing regular Kundalini yoga kriyas and meditation.

“If your food choices were very different from before, I'm guessing it will be working hard to eliminate toxins. Once you overcome the tiredness stage then you will see far more energy.”

When she first began vegetarian Bladen felt very tired and found that she needed to balance it with the occasional fish dish plus organic meat once per month. Being mindful and paying attention to her body’s response to regular Kundalini Yoga and Aruyvedic eating was a tremendous help to Balden in the transition to a ore mindful diet.

“Do listen to your body. If you are not used to doing all the kriyas that can also be heavy going forward. Make sure you get enough sleep, try napping too, and please take it easy with the kriyas we well,” advises Bladen. “They are quite powerful. What is happening is a good sign because you are changing your lifestyle into one which will ultimately give you long term benefits. You just need to get over this initial slump. You can have the occasional indulgence, just don't binge on anything .”

Bladen works with clients and brings her passion for Zen while spending time between London, Dubai, and India, through On Cloud Zen. She continues to work as a freelance writer to bring these words of wisdom to fruition of other mindfulness seekers in the world.

Featured Interview: Sofia Guajardo {Founder of Cocoon}

FEATURED INTERVIEW: SOFIA GUAJARDO
Founder of Cocoon.mx

Interview by Angel Quintana
Photo Credit: Mariana Garcia

Photography by: Mariana Garcia

In this month’s issue of Holistic Fashionista Magazine, we’ve featured breathtaking designs from the founder of Cocoon, Sofia Guajardo. With over 10 years of experience in the jewelry business, Sofia makes jewelry and accessory for people who seek statement pieces. Carefully designed and distinctively handcrafted using silver, mixed metals, unique quartzes, rough semi precious stones and other decorative natural stones in her in-house workshop. As a result, she offers unique pieces that embrace her Mexican roots and are influenced by geometric forms, nature and astronomy. You can find more pieces from her current line at www.Cocoon.mx

Photography by: Mariana Garcia

How did the brand start?

I just wanted a fresh start! I just wanted to have new light and colors. I've been doing jewelry all my life but never done big and bold designs. So I started with a couple of pieces for myself and loved the way it started to look and I Just took it from there.  

What is your current role at Cocoon?

I am the owner and designer. I lead our small team, we are 7 people in total, everyone has a special role. We all help each other out to and bring our best to the table, I would never do it alone, it takes a great team as the one we are so Cocoon can be what it is. 

What is the inspiration for this season's collection?

It's all about Art Deco and mixing it with a lot of geometric shapes.

I love the boldness of your designs. What pieces would you suggest for an entrepreneur looking to have new head shots done?

You don't want to overdo it, so I would suggest a thin choker. Keep it simple!

We are obsessed with the equestrian headpieces. Do you ride horses?

I'm so glad you like them!   I've ridden horses since I was a child, I still do. It calms my soul.  
Being in touch with these creatures is very special. The pieces are my tribute to them

Photography by: Mariana Garcia

If you could give one piece of advise for those seeking to pursue a design business, what would it be?

See the world, travel as much as you can to inspire your mind.

Unleash Your Creativity with Aromatherapy

Unleash Your Creativity with Aromatherapy

UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY WITH AROMATHERAPY

Article by Darlene Dunn
Photo Credit: Mariana Garcia
Magazine: Issue #25

Are you stuck in rut? Are you unable to find a solution to a problem? You can get the push you need to spark your brain in the right direction. Here are three scents that can help you unleash your creativity:

Cinnamon :: Ever notice how mulling cider can stimulate your brain in the fall? Why wait for the fall to use cinnamon. Put cinnamon sticks around your work area, brew some tea with a cinnamon stick or diffuse some cinnamon oil.

Citrus :: Like orange or grapefruit- Citrus is energizing and increases alertness. Place a drop or two of the oil in your shower and breath it in during your morning shower, you will be ready to tackle the day! Cut up some fresh citrus and breathe in the aroma and then eat it! Again, you can diffuse it as well.

Rosemary :: This is one of my favorites, I grow fresh rosemary and will cut a sprig and pin it to my lapel and breathe it in throughout the day. It enhances my productivity and my mental alertness. You can also diffuse this oil but I much prefer the fresh cut rosemary- it is super easy to grow!

Take a deep breath and inhale these wonderful scents and unleash your creativity!!

In An Entrepreneurial Rut? 5 Ways to Deal With the Boredom

IN AN ENTREPRENEURIAL RUT?
5 WAYS TO DEAL WITH THE BOREDOM

Ways to Deal With the Boredom

Article by Cinthia Singleton
Photo Credit: Mariana Garcia
Magazine: Issue #25

Boredom. It happens when life slows down to the point of… flatline …  and we find ourselves chomping at the bit for the next thing to impose itself upon us like a gale force wind. But boredom is safe too, doesn’t ask for much, just that we keep to our known, habitual course… and… FLATLINE. 

So how then do we get out of that safe and predictable place AND experience our best life AND feel like there’s safety net below us?

1 :: Set your body clock. Do things that take your mind somewhere, i.e. meditate, prepare a meal, walk or play with a pet, garden, journal, nurture others, do a puzzle. Simple activities like these, performed on a schedule, help us feel anchored to Earth.

2 :: Know that expression Use it or lose it? It’s true. Keep busy. If you let the ennui of your bored state settle in, you’re losing the a) ability to accept change as good and 2) capability to spring to action when the Universe dispatches something to knock at your door.

3 :: Boredom SHOULD be a part of our lives so accept its occasional visits but not it. Think of it as your soul’s winter, a time of dormancy when you prepare for planting season; and a temporary, passing state. Helps us rest. ‘Bores’ us into a state of innovation. Also irritates us enough to challenge complacency with the status quo. It’s also an important indicator of a deeper problem, i.e. depression. [ Signs of this are sadness, lack of interest in things that used to thrill, feeling worthless, feeling isolated, etc. Seek professional help if this is you, please. We need you whole! ]  

4 :: Don’t bottle it up. I’M BORED. Say it, loud and proud. Just make sure you can shout from those same rooftops how grateful you are; slowing down enough to BE bored is a luxury. Knowing life, it can all change in a New York minute, especially if you’re open to attracting new adventures and opportunities to fill its place.

5 :: Think of ways to knock the dust off yourself. Ever think that the boredom could be that, dust? Take a walk. Go left instead of right. See what’s around that corner that’s familiar or different. Like that coffee shop? Well, go to the other one today.  

If you can stand and stretch in your bubble of boredom, no need for Steps 1-5. But it’s not likely. Boredom is self-absorbed and claustrophobic after a time. So enjoy it while you can and get ready to transform that bubble into a cocoon, little butterfly. 

“Is life not a thousand times too short for us to bore ourselves?” Friedrich Nietzsche

Featured Interview: Mariana Garcia

FEATURED INTERVIEW: MARIANA GARCIA

Interview by Angel Quintana
Photo Credit: Mariana Garcia

Photography by: Mariana Garcia

In this month’s issue of Holistic Fashionista Magazine, we’ve featured beautiful photography from Mariana Garcia of Mariana Garcia Photography. Mariana is based in Monterrey, Mexico focusing on portrait and editorial photography. She is the co-founder of Porcelaine Project Studio and Creative Director of P Magazine. You can see more of Mariana’s work at www.MarianaGarcia.org

How would you describe your photography style?

My photography is a mixture of editorial, portrait, documentary and architecture, I try to do everything with an aesthetic and artsy eye.

You have a very powerful way of telling a story with your work, what inspires your most?

LIFE, every life stage is different and exciting. I love and try to travel every time I can, that helps me to be inspired as well. 

Photography by: Mariana Garcia

When did you begin taking photographs?

I have been interested in photography since I was a kid, I used to take portraits of my pets, and later in high school I took professional courses.

As I grew up, I decided to study graphic design and I did photography as a hobby, after finishing school and working a little while on design assignments, I realised that I wanted to do photo as a professional full time job… that was 6 years ago.

You have an incredible way of capturing a women's sensuality and sexuality. Can you take us throw your creative process?

Photography by: Mariana Garcia

I try to search for the perfect model for every project/story, I usually work on a moodboard before my sessions, so I try to follow my first ideas but also work in new stuff and improvise at the moment of the shoot, making a good link and having good communication with them helps me understand every person’s own sensuality.

The most important thing to me is to achieve an aesthetic mood and always taking care of the model’s integrity.

What piece of advice would you give a new photographer looking to go into business for themselves?

Being an independent photographer has its pros but it requires discipline, so work hard, develop a personal method for yourself, learn from every person, from every project to be better on the next one … and travel as much as you can.

What was your career aspiration during primary school?

Keyboard Musician, Magician or Photographer :)