minimalism

Where I Find Inspiration

One of the questions I get asked most frequently is, “Where do you find inspiration?” My usual response involves a nod to nature, travel, friends, family…. What I rarely respond with (for fear of boring the inquirer) is this: poetry. I’ve always found inspiration in poetry. I love how closely poets look at our world…. Read more »

How Decluttering Led to Realizing a Lifelong Dream

“IT IS THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING A DREAM COME TRUE THAT MAKES LIFE INTERESTING.” – PAULO COELHO IT ALL STARTED WITH A DREAM… I wanted to be a writer as soon as I was able to read at age four. I loved meeting new characters and plunging into their worlds, and I wanted to create… Read more »

Can You Stop Shopping…for an Entire Year?

I recently read an awesome article in the NY Times entitled “My Year of No Shopping” by the writer Ann Patchett (Bel Campo, State of Wonder). It’s fantastic. The longest I’ve gone without buying a single item of clothes, shoes or accessories was two months. Yes, it was refreshing to press that pause button on… Read more »

Why I bought nothing at the new mall

The mall in Century City has been undergoing a massive $1 billion makeover, and last night, some of the more famous new spots finally opened. One being Mario Batali’s Eataly. The other being Apple’s new location near the huge, shiny Nordstrom. And oh, the French boutique Equipment with their buttery silk blouses, which I absolutely… Read more »

Will STUFF make you happy?

I’m embarrassed to admit that when I was a kid, my number one fantasy went like this: I wake up, and my parents tell me we have to go to Toys R Us to “run an errand.” When we get there, all the employees are standing around and smiling at me. My parents then inform… Read more »