Beautiful morning light I enjoyed this morning
My friend Jenn shared this with me this morning from Yoga Journal. I thought it was amazing and wanted to share it with all of you! Enjoy!
Here’s to 365 new opportunities to practice being you. To practice being the beautiful, rad inspiration you are. How will you love more abundantly this year? How will you live more loudly? How will your kindness change your heart & your hood? How will you celebrate YOU this year?
Happy New Year!
As 2011 comes to a close, it almost feels as if I am already living the life I want to lead in 2012. Sure, I would like to exercise more, take more quiet time for myself and probably a few other “pledge-like” claims you would find on many a New Year’s resolution list. However, overall, I am entering into 2012 with many of my grander to-do’s already well on their way (though certainly not yet perfected). It has been a year of change and transition, a year of self-awareness and growth and a year filled with both pain and hope. I enter into 2012 with unbelievable gratitude and excited anticipation for what is to come.
I am thankful for my amazing Adesso team that helps me do what I love every day. I am thankful for my beautiful little girl who makes me smile and reminds me that love IS all you need. I am thankful for my family and dear friends that provide me with support, love and kindness. I am thankful for my “coaches” and “cheerleaders” in life (you know who you are) for helping me find my way. I am thankful for feeling whole again.
As we enter 2012, I am excited to continue to share with you the happenings at Adesso and in my life. I am honored that this adventure continues and look forward to communicating the wonderful new projects we have planned. I am grateful for all of you that continue to support Adesso and all that we do. Grazie mille!
Here is to happiness, creativity, curiosity, growth, adventure and laughter.
Tanti auguri! Buon 2012!
My great aunt's ode to Ganesha
Like most people I encounter these days, I am juggling the end-of-the-year madness presented by the holidays, finishing up those pressing things at work, my daughter’s impending school break, many fun activities on the calendar, travel and just a general wrapping up of loose ends. It feels like one massive balancing act this time of year. I have been making sure to take the time to do a few crucial things that are helping me ride the rollercoaster of this season!
Here are the five things that are helping me get by this time around the old holiday/end-of-the-year bend:
1. Taking 20 minutes each morning to get centered. No matter what I have on the docket (and it seems to be a never ending list these days), I am carving out 20 minutes each morning to breathe, set intentions, be grateful, say I am sorry and just get focused. It makes a difference. A list is a road map for the day, but we cannot get too far down that road if we do not have our head screwed on straight. It makes a nice, peaceful start to the day.
2. Juicing. My dear, life coach friend and yoga teacher, Anne, suggested making a juice in my Breville with pineapple guavas (10 per serving), grapefruit (2 per serving), lime (1 per serving), lemon (1 per serving) and orange (1 per serving). This concoction is tart and sweet and really is a great start to the day. I also have been trying to get in a green juice every day. I am still a huge fan of Kimberly Snyder’s Green Smoothie, which I try to work into my days as well (previous seen on our blog here). During a time when holiday foods are tempting and we are on the run, these options provide us with the key nutrients our bodies need to keep going and stay healthy.
The Daily Green Juice Concoction
3. Laughing. There is too much going on right now to take it all too seriously. I had an unbelievably hysterical dinner party with friends last week and it was the best medicine. We laughed and laughed and laughed. I woke up the next day feeling rested and ready to tackle my day.
Mario Batali's Beet Green Soup Recipe
4. Eating well. Aside from the juicing, I am trying to work in lots of salads and green veggies these days. However, I am not shying away from my favorite foods. I eat pasta multiple nights a week and just try to make sure that I accompany it with a healthy dose of vegetables. I recently made pasta with Cavolo Nero (lacinato kale—one full head) sauteed with garlic and topped with some shredded pecorino romano. It was so simple, but delicious. Another simple favorite to make this time of year is Mario Batali’s Beet Green Soup. It takes no time and is so amazing!
A Simple Kale, Garlic and Pecorino Pasta
5. Surrounding myself with good friends. Need I say more except possibly mix this with some dark chocolate and #3.
I am looking forward to things to come in 2012. It is not about resolutions. I am excited to continue to practice what I have learned in 2011 and just continue to work on being the best version of myself possible.
Happy Holidays! Happy New Year!
Chris Sewell & Kenny Osehan
Chris Sewell and Kenny Osehan are the hip, talented and fun owners of The Presidio Motel and The Agave Inn in Santa Barbara and The Hamlet Inn in Solvang. They also run The Supply Room store at The Presidio Motel, which features unique clothing, jewelry, accessories and more by their well-edited collection of designers and artists. This incredible couple is definitely bringing a new, much-welcomed energy to the Santa Barbara scene. The New York Times’ Travel Section featured The Presidio Motel and The Supply Room in their recent “36 Hours in Santa Barbara, California.” After our big “Enlightened Heart: An Artisan Collective” event for the Tribal Trust Foundation on Friday, December 2, the Adesso team will be heading to Chris and Kenny’s “Deck the Halls” event this upcoming Saturday, December 3rd at The Presidio Motel. It was a blast last year and featured many of our local favorites. We are excited to have them in our artistic Santa Barbara community and look forward to seeing what they do next!
We have asked Chris and Kenny some questions to get some more insight to how they get their inspiration and keep on doing the next great thing!
The Presidio Motel in Santa Barbara, CA
Fill in the Blank
Name: Chris Sewell and Kenny Osehan
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Astrological Sign:
Chris-Aquarius
Kenny-Cancer
Style icon:
Chris – Steve McQueen
Kenny- Diane Keaton in Annie Hall, Tilda Swinton, Patti Smith
Doppelganger: Chris’ childhood nickname was opie because he looked so much like opie from The Andy Griffith Show. The only well known asian actress is lucy liu and Kenny says she definitely doesn’t look like her. So for now Kenny claims to be doppelganger-less.
Dream Destination: There are so many continents we still have yet to step foot in…China, India, Africa, South America, the list goes on…
Most Treasured Possession: our home
Pet: none
How would you describe your style in 5 words or less?
Chris- casual with a little fun
Kenny- colors and shapes having a party
The adorable patio and gazebo area at The Hamlet Inn in Solvang, CA
Favorites
Magazine:
Chris- Fantastic Man
Kenny- Acne Paper, Gentlewoman
The Adesso Zola Necklace, Available at adessoshop.com
Color:
Chris- chartreuse
Kenny- salmon pink and tan
Scent: anything woodsy and musky…nothing too heavy. Burning leaves by CB I hate perfume, Wonderwood by Comme des Garcons, and No.3 the spirit of wood by Cosmic Wonder Light Source.
Designer: Alma Allen
Alma Allen "California Marble" Sculpture
Piece of clothing:
Chris- his Our Legacy suit he just bought from Mohawk general store
Kenny- Mara Hoffman dashiki, Lauren Manoogian pullover blanket sweater, and Dieppa Restrepo Gaston loafers…all from The Supply Room, of course ; )
Dieppa Restreppo Gaston Mocha Patent Leather Loafers (Available at The Supply Room at The Presidio Motel, Santa Barbara)
Locale: Big Sur, CA
The Coast of Big Sur, CA (Photo courtesy of Deetjens.com)
Questions
If you could have one super power what would it be?
Chris- to have the ability to design/create amazing architectural structures
Kenny- teleportation
Which accessory do you never leave home without?
Our wedding rings
Any tips for our readers on how to add accessories to their wardrobe?
Don’t be scared to wear something outside your usual comfort zone if you really love it and only buy things you love.
What words or phrases do you most overuse?
Like, rad, awesome
What quality do you most admire about a person?
Chris- when people can be cool, calm, and collected especially under pressure or in front of an audience.
Kenny- Modesty, non-judgemental, fearlessness
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Chris- “don’t shit in your own backyard”
Kenny- “chew with your mouth closed”
The French Press Owners Julia & Todd
What 5 places are a must visit in your hood + why?
“The French Press because the people there are rad and the drinks are awesome. Warbler Records & Goods because the people there are rad and their records and goods are very carefully curated; therefore awesome. Municipal Winemakers…rad people, awesome handmade wine and the most aesthetically beautiful and well designed space in Santa Barbara (in our humble opinion). Julienne–rad people and awesome food that’s locally sourced and the most progressive in town. Douglas Preserve…rad views, awesome walk. Loon Point because it’s the cleanest and least populated beach. See overuse of “rad” and “awesome”? We can’t help it.”
Warbler Records & Goods in Santa Barbara, CA (Photo courtesy of the Independent.com)
What California road trip would you most recommend? Where to stay, visit & eat?
“From santa barbara, go north to Big Sur. Stay at Deetjens. Eat at Post Ranch Inn or at least have a sunset drink there, breakfast at Big Sur Bakery and dinner at Deetjens. Visit The Henry Miller library…see a band there if you can. Get a massage and soak in the tubs at Esalen. Go on a hike and to the beach. Keep going north to San Francisco. Visit the MOMA and the de Young Museum, make a stop at one of our favorite shops, Gravel and Gold. Hit up UnionMade Goods for some great men’s denim. Eat at Burma Superstar and Tartine. Have a drink and a dance at Little Baobab. Keep going north…make a pit stop at the Heath ceramics factory in Sausalito. After that, head to Tomales Bay for a picnic and oyster schucking at Tomales Bay Oyster Company or for oysters already shucked and prepared go to The Marshall Store. Head to Point Reyes for the night and have dinner and Osteria Stellina. Grab some cheese the next day at the Cowgirl Creamery.”
A rustic cabin at Deetjen's in Big Sur, CA
This or That
Silver or Gold – gold!
Morning or Night -
Chris is morning
Kenny is night
LA or NY – NY, but we do love LA since it’s so convenient to SB. If we were picking a city to move to though, it would definitely be New York.
Heels or flats – Rachel Comey heels. They are so comfortable.
Gratitude
1. My Goose girl
2. The love of my friends and family
3. My health and that of my loved ones
4. Pineapple guavas
5. Florence Welch and Adele
6. The desire and motivation to create
7. Coco and Pharyll
8. Laughter
9. The ability to say “I am sorry”
10. Gratitude
11. Good food and the times spent with loved ones breaking bread
12. A growing trust in my intuition
13. Hope
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