What I Loved & Learned: October Edition
A collection of things that brought me joy last month, concepts that particularly piqued my interest, and a new journal practice I've been doing daily.
Reporting live from my favorite coffee shop in LA (Verve on Melrose), with an iced cold pistachio matcha in hand (& an iced pistachio latte for later). I wonder if the founder of Tache knows that I rank coffee shops exclusively based on weather or not they serve pistachio milk? (Tache barista blend, to be specific.) Someone let her know.
Buckle up as I attempt to cover everything from lip liner to the old testament in a sub 5 minute read.
I truly feel overwhelmed with gratitude for how beautifully life has unfolded lately. Sometimes I find myself feeling a bit hesitant to post the sheer extent of happiness I am experiencing, partially in fear of drawing evil eye… and somewhat in fear of causing others pain who are in a lower moment? But, I ultimately have landed at the conclusion that as long as the intention is pure and good, neither matter. My intention is simply to share, to hopefully inspire or expand, and to help people (especially those like me a year ago, in extreme pain and hopelessness) understand that there is purpose to their pain. And, to hopefully show them how good life can be.
Ok, so- October was a whirlwind of a month. LA, Montecito, Dubai, Tel Aviv, London. Back to LA.
I love doing these little recaps. Perhaps we will start a monthly cadence with them. I’m not sure. Writing is truly my favorite thing… and sometimes I think that turning your art, or a source of any joy really, into work… can remove said joy from its very existence. But perhaps I’m wrong, and perhaps this is another example of me leaning away from structure, when in truth structure is the very thing I need to channel my fire into something productive and beautiful (cue: visual of using structure to have fire heat a home, rather than let it burn it down with no structure). Anyways, let’s dive in. I’m sure you’re busy.
What I Did
Some highlights-
Spent time with friends in Montecito at San Ysidro Ranch, my favvvorite spot, for the Palm Tree music festival (cue: me in a puddle in David’s arms dancing to Slow Dancing In A Burning Room).
We hosted a Sukkot party in LA - one of my favorite things about LA is the Jewish community here. 🫶
Attended my amazing friend Rebecca Minkoff’s Female Founder Collective Summit in LA, with so many other incredible entrepreneurs.
Hosted a manifestation experience at my home filled with meditation, visualization, journaling, scripting, community and sharing. It was truly the most magical and meaningful night… and I can’t wait to do it again soon. It was also the night I announced the launch of my new brand and method, How Good, which will consist of a podcast, a course, a community and events. If you want to read more about where the name came from, read this. Even while writing that, I had ZERO idea that How Good would ever turn into a brand.
Went to the launch of Sephora’s Storefront platform, where they featured one of my best friends Ashley!!! She never ceases to amaze me.
Went to Tel Aviv… <3 The gorgeous markets, getting to enjoy Israel with my mom & David’s parents, such special moments playing Rummikub with my mom, & a really really special seminar with 1300 Israelis in a room and Idan Raichel joining us with a surprise performance… it was all a dream.
Soaked up a little bit of London for a girls afternoon as my mom, David’s mom, Gillian (my right hand) & I hit Harrods, Selfrides, and Claridge’s for tea.
Got back to LA in time for some trick or treating on Halloween <3
Now, back in the flow of a much simpler, slower paced life for a few weeks of working, working out, eating healthy & resting before travel kicks off again end of next week!
What I’m Loving
I love things. I’ve always loved things. And beyond loving things, I love sharing the things I love, that no matter how small or trivial they may seem… are the source of some level of joy or ease in my life. So, here are a few of the things I’ve been loving lately:
I was resistant to The Rhode hype for a while, and then caved and decided to try (almost) all of it. A lot of the products are great, but the one that has quickly risen the ranks as my go-to lip product is the Lip Shape in the shade Press. It’s the perfect warm-pinky nude, & even when I have gotten my makeup done for events lately, I’ve had Michelle use this.
I also use it with with this lip stain,
sometimes layered with this lip liner from Farah Homidi on top in Deux for a more defined edge
& almost without a doubt… this Victoria Bekham lip balm in Colette.
These tea cups are from Amazon & literally $14 each, but bring me such joy when I drink coffee or matcha out of them in the morning.
This chic Rummikub set (by Rummiklub) was the star of the show this trip. From Dubai to Tel Aviv… this gorgeous & impossibly easy-to-travel-with set kept us entertained, and off our phones. Some of my favorite memories were playing Rummikub with family and friends. And even though I LOVE the Rummiklub founders dearly Laura and Marni, I mean every single word and you should buy this set immediately, before it sells out (again).
I’ve recently changed basically the entire way I do my skin makeup (thanks to meeting miracle worker Michelle DeLorenzo), so I’ll reserve a more in depth dive into that routine for another post. But for now…
1) buy these drops, immediately - I mix shades II & IV.
2) mix a drop with your concealer (I use shade L2)
3) mix a drop with your blush, warm on the back of your hand, and apply for the GLOWIEST cheeks of all time (that don’t even need a highlighter).
This sweat set from Prisca Vera has become my new travel go to. I don’t think I’ve ever had so may people ask me where it was from. Not only is it giving early 2000’s Juicy/Baby Phat, it is so insanely comfortable I can’t even tell you.
Not sure why I’ve slept on slick backs for the majority of my life, but nevertheless… here I am. Most days lately, if you see me you will be seeing me in a slick back… 20% because I love the way it snatches, 80% because it’s just so fucking easy. Slick back essentials:
Mini Mason Pearson brush. Mandatory. Worth every penny- sorry.
The Chris McMillan Wand (+ bobby pins, + above said brush) carried with me throughout the day, to tend to whispies.
This stick to slick it into place, while doing something good for your hair too.
This gel, duh.
Working on How Good. I can’t wait to share more with you soon!!!
What I’m Learning
Let me preface this with the fact that I was a borderline atheist until a few years ago. My spiritual journey is a story far too long to fit within the confines of this post, so we can save that for another time. But my point is that wherever you are (or are not) on your spiritual journey… or on your religious journey (regardless of which religion)… there is so much that you can learn from the bible, old testament, torah etc without “believing”. The same way that there is much to be learned from all books, even fiction, there is surely information for you to learn from a book written thousands of years ago, no matter who you are.
Lech Lecha- last week’s torah parsha. It translates to “go forth”, “go for yourself” or perhaps more accurately “go to yourself”. I think that I’m going to create a second post soon, completely focused on Lech Lecha (comment if you want it). On my Instagram stories, I posted a picture of my handwritten notes about this week’s parsha, and so many of you wanted me to type up/share all of my notes filled with gematria, everything I underlined and highlighted from different sources, and a glimpse into scribbles from my texts with my rabbi and most learned friends, so I think that’s what I will do :)
But for now… here are the cliffsnotes.
The 1 sentence version of this story is basically: a story of embarking on a challenging and uncertain journey to leave old patterns behind, to discover our true selves, to discover certainty in the process, and to discover the miracles in store for us.
The land was “promised” (to Abraham), but only promised if he stepped forth on an uncertain path, with confidence and certainty. Certainty & trust is what made the land promised.
a.k.a…. Move forward confidently, even when you have no idea what the fuck is coming next.
More specifically, the unknown/uncertain is actually the most exciting time, because it means that you are standing in front of a million doorways and have the opportunity to shift to a new destiny in that moment, & to choose through which doorway you enter.
Transformative journeys are require us to leave all that is familiar, and courageously step one foot in front of another, even when we can’t see the path ahead. While still believing, that the destination will be beautiful. And that, in turn, makes the journey beautiful, too
This can include leaving physical spaces like the homes/towns we grew up in, etc but more so… leaving generational cycles, patterns we are stuck in that are holding us back, friendships and relationships we’ve outgrown, and beyond.
Some quotes which encapsulate this parsha… “The obstacle is the way” -Ryan Holiday, “As you start to walk on the way, the way appears” -Rumi.
What I’m Thinking About
It isn’t often that I learn a new practice or tool that essentially immediately becomes part of my daily routine. But in London a few weeks, ago over coffee with my friend Mimi Ikonn, she taught me a new journal practice that I have utilized almost every single day since.
“I am…”
“I have…”
“I choose…”
“I allow…”
“I receive…”
I’ve been thinking a lot about why time exists, and the concept of free will in entirety- perhaps more on that for another time. For now, I cannot recommend this book enough.
Where To Next?
LA this week, Chicago and NYC next week (keep an eye out on my stories for a NYC event !!) then back to LA, then Miami at the end of the month.
I want to hear from you!
I love hearing from you- whether it’s via DM, here or email. Let me know what you want more of, less of, and any questions you have for me.
Til next time-
xx,
Hannah