Monday Muse: Phoebe Sherman

Please join me in welcoming this week’s Monday Muse, Phoebe Sherman. Phoebe is a yoga teacher, an artist and an entrepreneur/creator of Girl Gang Craft. She’s a lady boss working it all! Phoebe is also a guest on an upcoming episode of the Titanium Blonde Talks Podcast.

1). What lead you to create Girl Gang Craft?

Girl Gang Craft was created by accident. I was gathering a group of ladies to put on a craft show at our friend’s Bike Shop / Cafe (Luckyduck Bicycle Cafe) and somehow I ended up making a website and an instagram. The rest is history! We’ve kinda exploded since.

Since then Girl Gang Craft has expanded to so much more than a craft fair. We have a clothing line and an accessory line designed by me. Our uterus line brings in 10% to Planned Parenthood and we have given them over $1200 to this date. We hosts workshops and community events, and help women build their brands. We do logo design and web design and help women run businesses to be the best they can be!

2).  Where do you go to experiment?

I think I don’t experiment enough. I would love to paint more for fun. What keeps me sane though is my yoga practice. I am a Mysore Practitioner, so I get up every morning ( ok maybe 4 mornings) and go to the yoga studio and do my thing. It is a vigorous physical practice. I am also a big sun lover. When I need to reset I just go lay down on my driveway and soak up that afternoon sun. Having time to myself makes me much more creative and focused after.

3).  What do you purposefully leave undone?

My bra clasps when working. heheh jk.

I am learning to leave more things undone! If I have a do to list, I tend to want to get them all checked off as soon as possible. I’m learning it’s ok to pace myself and do a little less.

4). What is the best purchase you have made in recent memory?

My big girl computer!

5). How has your past shaped who you are?

As an avid feminist and artist I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing right now. I even studied feminist studies and art in college! Somehow I’m actually doing something in both fields. As someone who has had a difficult relationship with my body, I am happy to be creating a body positive, feminist community.

6). How has failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?  Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?

I think yoga has taught me that everything is a practice. My business, my relationships, my day to day, we’re all just trying to do the best we can. I have learned to not be so hard on myself, I have learned that this whole life is a practice and all you can do is show up with integrity. I strive to slow down always, the Virgo in me has a hard time with that!

7). If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what would it say and why?

Fuck Trump! ? That’s all I can think of right now. Or perhaps something more positive. My favorite quote is “Well behaved women rarely make history” -Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. I’ve had a small pin with that on it since I was like in 2nd grade. I think we need to be loud and question everything. We need to deconstruct what we think is fact. We need to strive to be better and speak our truth.

8). In the last five years, what new belief, behavior or habit has most improved your life?

That I am highly capable and that I am able to manifest anything I can desire. But also with some knowledge that I am able to do these things because of my privilege. There is a meme by @riseupgoodwitch “Maybe you manifested it, maybe it’s white privilege” which is sooo true. I am so so lucky to be where I am today and to center myself to bring in abundance. This  is an absolute direct result of my privilege. That being said, I do believe in my power to create and manifest.

9). What is your biggest challenge, issue or stumbling block in your daily life?

Doing too much!

10). What three things are foremost on your mind right now?

Usually food. Then my to do list. Then food. :)

11). What does approaching a breakthrough feel like?

Breakthroughs seem like a big word. I think of small victories.

I am just content to look back at all I’ve accomplished this past year as a whole. Girl Gang Craft is turning one and we are having our biggest event yet August 12 in Oakland at Classic Cars West with 52 vendors. I am so happy to be able to foster a positive nurturing community. I cannot wait to see what is in store for our next year. We are manifesting events in multiple cities. I can’t wait!

Thank you Phoebe for sharing your wisdom and insight. You can find Phoebe on her websites:

https://www.girlgangcraft.com/ or http://www.phoebesherman.com/

Below are a few of her photos and stay tuned for her interview on the podcast coming soon!

Monday Muse: Brittany Hoogenboom

Please join me in welcoming today's Monday Muse, Brittany.  I met B several years ago on Instagram in some yoga challenge.  So much has changed over the years since we met.  She has embarked on a whole new career path and 9 days ago we got to finally meet in person after talking about it for all this time.  Please join me in welcoming her to the blog today!

1). You have made a big change in your career life recently, what sparked the transformation for you?

The freedom of living my truth and knowing that I am supported not only by my inner being but those around me sparked the transformation. Living my truth has also brought financial freedom and financial wealth in a way that I never imagined. I am more excited about my life than ever before and the fact that I get to spend everyday doing what I do, connecting to source energy, guiding others to do the same, loving life, spreading love, dancing daily, being my own boss, this life is so magical.

2).  What mistake would you make again?

This question is like a paradox. There are no mistake that I would make again because all the mistakes made were divinely planned at the time they were made for growth in that moment. I am transcending my being to align with the highest vibration of myself and if it chooses to have me make a mistake again to learn something over in a new light I receive it by going with the flow.

3). Where do you feel most nurtured?

I feel the most nurtured in my own skin every moment I take a second to reconnect with my breath or dance. When I am smiling and beaming gratitude for all of life.

4). What is the best purchase you have made in recent memory?

The best purchase I made was Thought Cloud CBD and I fell so much in love with the Cannabis medicine in that form and for the company that I joined their affiliate team!

5). How do you build endurance?

I use affirmations and dance. Life endurance comes from connecting with yourself through gratitude and everytime I move my body to music I give thanks for the fact that my body is able to move in the way that it does and that I am living in this life doing what I am put here to do, to spread Divine Love.

6). How has failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?  Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?

Like one of my hero’s Anjua Maximo  (@the_electriclife)  said “We fail up.” Failure gives you opportunities to grow! There is no wrong failure! Choose to grow from that space by reaching for the light in a new direction.

7). If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what would it say and why?

haaa I love this question it was say “I AM A MAGICAL MOTHA FUCKER” because when people would drive by to and see it they would be repeating that affirmation to themselves and fuck has passion in it, with that intention of course.

8). In the last five years, what new belief, behavior or habit has most improved your life?

It would take me years to write all of that but one thing that has truly transformed my life is the understanding of how the law of attraction words in EVERY area of life. From money to getting your kids to listen! The Universal Law of Attractions is POWERFUL and I don’t think many people realize how powerful it truly is. I live my life like a vision board and I am grateful to be able to do so because I am attracting all that I want in my life in the name of Divine Love.

9). What is your biggest challenge, issue or stumbling block in your daily life?

My biggest challenge is continuing to align with my truth and keep my boundaries and create the life I want through my words and actions in my marriage because my husband doesn’t put as much conscious energy into his life so I keep reminding myself to listen to my heart, to listen to my intuition, to transmute and create from the law of attraction even if he doesn’t choose so. I AM mastering it and I continue to create all that I seek and want in my life and all that is seeking me at the highest vibrations. I trust in my higher self and occasionally I catch myself letting his worries pull me out of that vibration and I have to talk myself back into a alignment.

10). What three things are foremost on your mind right now?

On my mind right now is growing my business by expanding the 4 week coaching/mentorship session because this is the most exciting thing in my life right now and I am excited to have more and more people join me! I get to go visit one of my best friends, Christina (@Christina_Sutra) who I have met on instagram. I literally booked my ticket as I was answering these questions. Weaving my dreams into reality. I am excited to continue to weave my dreams into reality. I am excited to guide millions and millions of people to self love and connecting with their highest truth to live their truth, and I am excited to become a young millionaire while doing so.

11). When are you the most observant?

When I taking a deep breathe and in a space of gratitude

Brittany, thank you so much for sharing with us!!  Stay tuned Brittany will be on an upcoming podcast episode soon!!

XO

Titanium

Monday Muse: Anjua Maximo

Please join me in welcoming this month's Muse, Anjua.  Anjua, is a Life Coach, Speaker, Entrepreneur and a Mama.  I love her thoughts around what balance looks like for her, check out her interview for her wisdom.  

1). What lead you to create your physical fitness center? 

When I first began as sensual dance instructor in LA I knew that some day I wanted a place of my own. Little did I know that the vision would come to fruition in Cleveland, Ohio.  At the heart of it, having a studio meant a chance to create a space where people felt a part of something very cool but not exclusive. The studio was to act as haven for those people seeking community, good music and good vibes. By hiring both instructors and a front of house team that were aligned with our values of community, personal growth, fun – to name a few – we also knew they would also impact our guests. Then the guests would hopefully take that impact through out their day with them. The power of energy transfer between humans is what I like to think of it as.

2).  When are you most observant?

Not sure. I feel like I’m observant most of the time. I feel things deeply; I am in gratitude over the tiniest details and moments that are beautiful to me. I naturally have always been inquisitive and wonder how things, people work.

3).  What role can silence play in a conversation?

I have a little thing I write on a paper and eventually taught myself to remember when I first began coaching others, which is W.A.I.T. – Why Am I Talking? Many of us are waiting for out turn to speak and it’s actually in the active listening that you get the most information about what is ACTUALLY being said/felt by the other person. 

4). What is the best purchase you have made in recent memory?

My gray tulle skirt for under $30 on Amazon. Always loved tulle skirts J

5). When have your instincts led you astray?

Never, it’s only when I don’t follow that I find it’s always lead me astray. Your instincts may lead you to a decision that is challenging or even difficult but I don’t believe it will lead you astray.

6). How has failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?  Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?

I’ve learned that failure is not a dirty word. It can be tough, painful even but with a different mindset it can be the very thing that can actually lead you to your success eventually. I’ve learned to work with failure by accepting that it will be part of almost every experience where risk is involved. I came to use those failures as education. Why didn’t it work? What can be done differently next time? What do I need to come to terms with and let go of? What do I need to stand my ground on? So you use it all to learn and grow from. I also learned to let go of one of the biggest fears around failure, which is, what will others think. Well usually the people who had the most to say about my failures were not out there taking risks of their own, so I learned to not listen to that set. To borrow loosely from Brene Brown; if you’re not in the arena slaying with me please shut the fuck up.

7). If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what would it say and why?

Compassion

Empathy

Love

Why would you accept anything less? Why would you give anything less?

8). In the last five years, what new belief, behavior or habit has most improved your life?

That balance does not exist in the way we’ve come to believe it’s supposed to. I no longer see it as everyday being a success if every quadrant of my life got what it needed. It’s just not possible to achieve that daily and because of that many of us feel like we’re failing all the time at balance. What I’ve come to realize is that balance is going to be a little different everyday. Sometimes my kids will need my attention and I’m ok with that meaning that I may have to miss an event at work. Vice versa, some days my kids have learned mom and dad will be working a lot that day so they won’t get as much of our attention. But they have come to trust that they will get it ten fold when I am focused on them. It’s a give and take daily but if all the most important parties involved are enrolled in your process then it gives them an opportunity to support you in the ways you truly need to make it all work.

9). What is your biggest challenge, issue or stumbling block in your daily life?

Currently it’s committing to more sleep. It really makes a huge difference and it’s just a matter of my breaking a few habits I am holding on to.

10). What three things are foremost on your mind right now?

Taking care of my business, helping it grow to the next level.

Making sure my kids have a fun summer off their screens as much as possible.

Getting comfortable with not knowing exactly what my next steps are beyond GrooveRyde.

11). What does approaching a breakthrough feel like?

Collapsing

Falling down

Breaking down

Letting go, standing up, and stepping into your truth.  

Thank you Anjua for sharing your truth and wisdom.  You can her on Instagram:  @the_electriclife.

Monday Muse: Laura Brown

Today we welcome Laura Brown from Of Spirit and Bone.  Laura offers intuitive tools for deeper living that include taro readings, intuitive dialog and energy work, a modern therapy option and manifesting sessions.  I found her on Instagram awhile ago and I love her posts, she does a daily taro interpretation and also does deeper dives on her blog.  You can find more about her at her website:  https://ofspiritandbone.com/ 

Thank you Laura for sharing your thoughts with us in your interview.

1). As an intuitive reader, tarosit and coach, what should people better understand about you?

Ha! That I am really not interested in being liked for being liked sake. In my job I have to touch on some difficult topics and deliver some hard truths. In the very early days of my career I was often caught like a deer in headlights when I would come to these moments of challenge, fearful that once I told someone something they didn’t want to hear they wouldn’t like me. But the truth is you can hate me now and love me later, which most find they do because today truth is a pretty valuable commodity.

2).  What’s one thing that you feel sparked a pivotal moment in your life?

I would say that being pregnant with each of my kids sparked pivotal moments in my life. I really was overtaken each time with that Empress, fertile energy that is very inherent during this time. I accomplished more and stretched (literally and spiritually) beyond comfort zones to evolve as a woman but also as a spiritual business owner.

3). Who inspires a sense of adventure within you?

My husband. This man has energy to spare and is always down for an adventure, lemme tell ya! He helps to pull me out of my overly cautious demeanor and try new things. He reminds me that while I am here I better make sure to explore and taste absolutely every inch that this life has to offer.

4). What is the best purchase you have made in recent memory?

Sky diving with my husband. It was something we always said we wanted to do together and the opportunity arrived, and we jumped on it. I am not sure I will ever do it again but for those brief moments of soaring through the air I touched on that essence of being absolutely limitless. I mean, if I can jump out of an airplane is there really anything else I can’t do in this life?

5). Where is your favorite place to be a guest?

The Magnolia Hotel in Downtown Denver. It’s our families favorite place to have a little staycation. We schedule an in-room massage, explore downtown and eat the best food so that when we come home it’s with lots of love, relaxation and appreciation for a pause to our hectic schedule.

6). How has failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?  Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?

The failure of my relationship to my son’s father was the greatest challenge and blessing I’ve encountered in my life. It’s what catapulted me out of smallness, got me to deepen my spiritual practice and ultimately led to me to where I am now which is married to the man of my dreams with a family, home and awesome business. I find that this “failure” like much of the others I’ve experienced in my life taught me something rather invaluable about who I am and what I am capable of. I have learned to look at failures as lessons of where I am meant to grow at this time and that has helped me to see beyond the veil of emotion and towards the bigger picture.

7). If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what would it say and why?

TRY.

I think that this tiny word is such a powerful affirmation for life. It doesn’t matter if we fail. It doesn’t matter if we fall flat on our ass. It matters only that we dared to try.

8). In the last five years, what new belief, behavior or habit has most improved your life?

In the last 6 years I have made meditation a daily practice for me. I resisted meditation BIG TIME. Even in my line of work as an Intuitive Reader & Coach I spent many years pish poshing the idea of meditation with the excuse that I just didn’t have the time. I found, however that making the time for this simple practice proved to be life changing. Not only am I much better in my work but I am much better at this whole life thing with meditation in my life!

9). What is your biggest problem, issue or stumbling block in your daily life?

Time management! Ha, I am sure this is something many understand all too well but as a work from home mama with 3 kids, a busy career, a home that needs tending, dogs that want their walks and a rich desire to live this beautiful life to the fullest I have to be very careful to balance. And balance is such an organic, living thing, is it not? It’s not static and its always evolving which is why every day its sometimes a challenge for me to simply find my balance in the waves.

10). What three things are foremost on your mind right now?

The state of this country, my desire to raise conscious children who feel connected to their potential and a desire to love all of the people in my life to the fullest extent of my ability.

11). When does bravery become foolhardy?

Oh, such a good question. I think there is such a delicately fine line between the two! I think for me, however, that bravery becomes foolhardy when I act from a place of ego and not the heart. When ego is prompting my choices I often find myself with egg on my face. But when my heart is leading the way? Well I’ve taken many crazy leaps into the unknown and the bravery paid off.  

Thank you Laura for your down to earth and honest answers!  And yest time and the management of it are foremost on the minds of most of the women I interview and just talk to in my day to day life.  If I could figure out how to fix that for the women I know it would be a HUGE win!

XO

Titanium

Monday Muse: Eleanor Macnair

This month we welcome Eleanor Macnair to the Monday Muse interview series.  She is an artist who uses PlayDoh to recreate photographs.  Yes the PlayDoh of your youth used to create photographs, which she photographs and then tears apart to start all over again.  I can't remember how I found her, but I was drawn to her use of the medium and her skill at recreating the works of art.  When I contacted her about potentially being a part of this interview series, she kindly agreed to participate.  She has her work in galleries all over the world and lives in England.  I hope you enjoy reading her interview and I hope to convince her to be a guest on the podcast to dive a little deeper.   

1). How did your journey to re-create photos with Playdoh start and what was your inspiration?

Strangely it all started at a photographic pub quiz in the summer of 2013. The quiz was run by artists MacDonaldStrand – and one of the rounds was to remake a photograph in Play-Doh. So I really borrowed their idea, but they don’t seem to mind! There followed a chain of events which lead to me experimenting by posting a few images on tumblr which quickly proved popular. It’s never been an intentional art project but more of an experiment – although I never thought it would go this far. One book and nearly 6 solo exhibitions later I’m still not sure where it will end.

2). How many containers of Playdoh do you go through in a year?

After I have shot the models I take them apart and reuse the play-doh. The practical reason for this is play-doh does not last for long out of the jar – I usually have about 24 hours maximum to work on a model before the edges crack and dry and they start to fall apart. I like the idea of the models being ephemeral and disposable – a sideways comment on our disposable, throwaway age. The result of re-using the play-doh means that I don’t get through too many pots – apart from white play-doh as the colours can bleed into each other and so the white needs to be refreshed every so often. I think in all I have about 300 pots. Some of them I have been reusing since the start of the project.

3). When you feel your creativity is lacking or unfocused, what do you do?

Each model takes around 7 hours and then the time to shoot afterwards, so it’s quite a feat of concentration. I usually find the most difficult thing is to decide which image to do. I always allocate the time to the project and then just make myself sit down and do it – so there is personal discipline involved. I like to listen to podcasts as I model as it helps to keep my mind focused.

4). How has failure, or apparent failure set you up for later success?  Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?

I’m never fully happy with the finished images but I always (or nearly always!) post the models on my Instagram and my blog anyway. I think it’s important to show where you go wrong as well as the times when you nail it. People get scared to experiment and feel that they can only project a perfect image online – I think it’s more interesting to show both sides.

5). If you could have a billboard anywhere with anything on it, what would it say and why?

Perhaps ‘Do as you would be done by’. My parents were never religious but I remember my mum told me at a young age that she kind of believed in this saying, and it’s stuck with me.

6). What is your biggest problem, stumbling block or issue in your daily life?

Not enough hours in the day and not enough hours for sleep.

7). Who inspires you to be your best self?

Everyone! Friends, people I read about in books, see on the street. I think being open to many different ways of living and being and realizing that none is necessarily right or wrong – just finding what works for you.

8). What would you be doing right now if money wasn’t part of the equation?

I would probably move to the countryside, travel more and spend all day making play-doh models! My income is currently from freelance work combined with play-doh print sales – so I’d like to give up the other freelance work. But then again, I think that grafting is good for you. I suppose I try not to fantasize about having lots of money because it would make me unhappy with what I’m lucky enough to already have.

9). What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

I’ve done ballet from a very young age and I’m not sure if it’s absurd or not but it’s something that if I no longer do it I feel like a part of me is missing. I love the physicality of it.

10). What three things are foremost in your mind right now?

I’m due to have a baby in June so that is pretty forefront in my mind right now… and international politics aside I’m wondering what play-doh model to make next and what to make for dinner.. So nothing at all profound!  

Thank you Eleanor for sharing a glimpse into your process.  As for your answer to question #10, I can assure that having a baby is a most profound experience, I wish you all the best.

XO

Titanium