Welcome to 2019.

We made it! Hello, 2019. The blur of the holidays are over. I got sick for three weeks in December, which really knocked me out. My heart is grateful for the time with my family, but I am so happy to be back at work in Los Angeles. The start of a new year always feels so electric to me. Buzzing with possibilities + limitless potential. To be honest, 2018 was a tough year. The highs met me with the absolute lows. It is funny how our brain can trick us. Wanting us to only remember the moments of rejection and loss. Enjoys painting vivid pictures of our failures and unbearable habits. I ended 2018 wondering what the hell I even accomplished in 365 days. Angry, I let another year slip by, punishing myself for not hitting my lofty goals. When I started scrolling my camera roll and my journals, I began to notice the little steps. Glimpses of my little successes. The everyday wins. There WERE undeniable moments of blissed out joy. Those snapshots get lost when we look at a generalized sweeping version of the year. It was a year of questioning and frustrations, but damn did those struggles illuminate the type of woman I am AND becoming. I could see more clearly what I wanted to share + create + develop within my art. I craved to tell more stories, and continue to peel open and reveal myself. I am my toughest critic. I often want to be perceived as being confident and unshakeable. But when I let myself off the hook, there so much more nuance. Stepping out of the pursuit of perfectionism will always bring me closer to myself. When I push the doubts aside, my eyes immediately see how beautiful my life is and can be. I challenge you to do the same. To cut the bullshit, and realize that what you bring to the world is effortlessly + uniquely rare. There's only one YOU. And the only thing stopping you from getting what you want- is yourself. 

So, 2019 is about faith. I want to confront my fears head, look them straight in the eye. I want to run towards them, even if I might fall flat on my face. I will bandage my wounds, and get back up stronger than before. The risk is worth it- and no excuse is worth compressing my wildest dreams. 

 My short list of 2019:

1) Take my acting career to the next level. Book more. Get into better rooms. Work on filming my own content. Stop making it precious. I will fail and go for it again. 

2) Continue to write on my blog, and expand East West Edge. Share not only fashion, but more travel, fitness, and daily musings. 

3) Be kind- to myself and to the people surrounding me. Allow the potential to be surprised, and not be so judgmental. There's no benefit in being so hard on people/myself. 

4) Stop comparing or caring about others opinions. I go through phases in my life where this comes so naturally to me. But it takes commitment and work. Confidence shines, when you know who you are and what you want. And not allowing others to influence that truth. 

5) Read more. One book a month. Even if it's an audio book. Get off my damn phone. 

6) Make my home a space that inspires me. I moved into my house three years ago, and have barely decorated. I always made travel a priority for my finances, BUT this year I want to make an effort to make my home feel like home. Rooftop furniture, hang photos + art, scout flea market for vintage pieces.
7) Practice gratitude everyday. Write a list- even if its scribbled in my planner or journal. My happiness always stems from counting my blessings.
8) Put my health first. Don't run myself down. Eat foods that fuel me. Drink less. Lift weights. Focus on getting stronger verse thin.
9) File paperwork with my dad to help get Italian citizenship.
10) HAVE FUN. Don't take everything so seriously. Stop stressing about the future and enjoy where you're at in the present moment. Overwhelmed = state of mind. It's a choice. So soak up this beautiful life in Los Angeles.

Self portraits shot January 1st, 2019.