Tag Archives: Mary Beth LaRue

project 30 – jacki

13 Mar

Jump.Mountains.TemescalJacki, 30

What would your 30 something self tell your 20 something self if you could?

Oh my, I would tell her so many things. Dear 20-year-old Jacki Carr, slow down, girl. You are a tidal wave of emotions and you are so quick to react with an aggressive ego. Take a moment to pause, access your breath and gift yourself with the beauty of choice. And for the love of women empowerment, you call yourself a feminist yet you don’t’ support all the women in your life with your whole “girls don’t like me” story. Drop it. Yes, I am calling you out. Let your guard down, open your heart and stop being scared of girlfriends – they will lift you up, hold you close and teach you. Be willing to learn and stop being a bulldozer. You are a contribution by being you, stop the force, start the flow. Now. Love, 30-year-old Jacki Carr

What do you wish you took more seriously in your 20’s?

Honestly, I wish I took human connection more seriously. I broke my own heart and the hearts of others recklessly. I was so quick to change friend groups and jump when things got vulnerable or hard. I was super fun to hang out with at bars and parties, but hard to crack into deeper. I met beautiful, amazing human beings in my 20s and definitely was stuck in trying to fit in verses being my true self, so everything felt a bit contained or trite. I know this now.

What do you wish you took less seriously in your 20’s?

Well, I have a moustache tattoo on in left index finger to remind me to take life less seriously and laugh more. I can say, at times in my early 20s, I took my career very seriously and let it overtake my life’s focus while allowing other goals, like relationships, travel adventures, and fun to fall to the wayside. It was intertwined with value ($$) and self-worth. It is a true practice and continued journey to explore, this one.

Favorite memory from your 20’s?

WOW, choose one favorite, so hard!  My favorite memory would be a huge family trip to Greece.  I grew up in a Greek school and my amazing parents, 2 younger sisters and I finally made the trek to hang on some beautiful beaches, explore islands and eat a lot of feta.  We all left with matching tattoos!  I said it!

In your early 20’s where did you think you would be (work, live etc) by 30?

Oh this is great. At the start of my 20s, I had packed up my life from Indiana University and moved to LA with my best friend. I was going to start in the PR & Entertainment industry to get my foot in the door and then eventually do Marketing & PR for NIKE Women’s Sports. I also was going to be married at the ripe age of 24 with kids before 30 because I had claimed I did not want to be an “old Mom”. I wanted to marry a doctor and rock a big rock on my left hand. Seriously, who is that girl?

And where were you by 30? What did your life look like?

At the age of 30, right now, I reside in Venice Beach, CA and I am recently engaged to a total stud and we co-parent 2 rescue dogs, Bear and Moose. We are practicing until we are ready to parent human kids (soon, but later). In case you were wondering, Chris is not a doctor and nor is my ring a huge gawdy rock. It is nature inspired and honest and delightful, both the man and the ring. I own my own coaching business, Goals on the Rocks where I coach clients to live a life of their most rad design all over this Globe via phone, SKYPE or mountaintop. I also co-founded Rock Your Bliss, a yoga and blisscrafting movement with Mary Beth LaRue. I have a powerhouse family and incredible group of women and men in my life that hold me accountable, rock me to a higher possibility and allow me to be raw and fully me in the shiniest and well, darker moments.

Were you ever worried that it wouldn’t all fall into place?

Is this a trick question? HELL YES I was worried. My 20’s were an emotional roller coaster. There were these crazy reality check moments, like when the Credit Card company is calling at 3am or you oversleep for work on your last strike or you get rid of your car and your job moves your position to Beverly Hills and you have to the take the Los Angles Public Transit system. Let me tell you, putting that heavy navy blue BeachCruiser on the front of that bus bike rack is not for the faint of heart. And don’t even get me started on the dating mess… a different blog, a different time. So yes, there was massive fear, worry and doubt.

What is the greatest gift about being a woman in your 30’s?

W – I – S – D – O – M…I feel this peace and calming in my soul that must only come with age. The tidal waves of emotion have subsided and I am (still) learning to ebb and flow. I have a tool belt to rock my personal power and I have major goals to make my mark. And let me tell you something else, my body responded immediately to this wisdom, this peace, this calm. Both my physical body and my emotional body, I feel light and I feel connected more than I ever did in my 20s. Bring on the 30s!

When you look out onto the horizon. What do you hope your life looks like at 40?

I am so excited to become a Mother, create a home and one day host Christmas. My fiancé and I are moving to Colorado to build our life in Boulder with a connection to nature, daily hikes and a lot of flannel. I see a flourishing and purpose-filled coaching career that leaves me feeling whole and inspired. And yes, I do see an airstream and karaoke in my future, whether I include it in my speaking engagements in the future, you will have to see. And I see fun with family, great friends and red wine.

What’s a quote/ saying you try to live your life by?

I have a choice. Always.

connect with jacki / Website / rock your bliss /  Facebook /Instagram: @jackicarr

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project 30 – mary beth

17 Sep

Reading answers like Mary Beth’s remind me why I started “project 30”. I love learning about such interesting and brave women and her answers where just soooo good. My favorite line was most definitely…”You can never be too much of yourself. I want my “me-ish-ness” to overflow at the brim.” Yes, please. I met Mary Beth about six months ago through mutual friends and I am so grateful to run in the same circle as her because I really look forward to getting to know her even better. Enjoy her answers…

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What would your 30 something self tell your 20 something self if you could?

to always play.
to be kinder to myself.
to slow down.

What do you wish you took more seriously in your 20’s?

I wish I would’ve taken more seriously the time I had to be NOT SO SERIOUS! I would’ve traveled even more, messed up even more (I know you are probably shaking your head, mom), put myself on the line even more. but the beauty of it? I am doing all of that right now.

What do you wish you took less seriously in your 20’s?

my body. I struggled for several years with body and eating issues, and believed that the only way I could be lovable was if there was less of me. I think about that now and it honestly brings tears to my eyes. I’d take that twenty-year-old by the hand and we’d sit down in a cafe for mochas and talk of abundance and healing. You can never be too much of yourself. I want my “me-ish-ness” to overflow at the brim.

Favorite memory from your 20’s?

Getting on a train leaving from Iowa city to new york city for an internship at jane magazine. I had two suitcases and wore a denim mini skirt and frye boots. I had a regular seat on the train for this 36-hour journey next to a Jamaican rapper named militante who let me cover up my freezing legs with one of his sweatshirts. I remember when we finally pulled into penn station and I rode up the escalator truly seeing new york for the first time. It was a summer of endless adventures and deep learning about myself. Oh, and a lot of white bread and peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

In your early 20’s where did you think you would be (work, live etc) by 30?

My soul thought I’d be here. california always felt right and I visualized the way I’d look and feel a lot like I do now (minus the pms-y rage weeks and moments of major self-doubt). My head, on the other hand, kinda thought i should stick in the magazine world and have a normal life. im-fucking-possible. ha! (you don’t have to put in the f’ word if you don’t want to !)

And where were you by 30? What did your life look like?

well, i just got here. I have been thirty for less than a week.
thirty is – married to a lumberjack of a man with a beautiful soul.
cutest bulldog in the world named rosy.
job of my dreams teaching yoga, writing & life coaching.
Venice cottage about a mile away from the beach with a farm table, italian lights and fresh flowers (these elements were in EVERY visualization i ever did about my future.)
girlfriends that inspire me to no end and feel just like family.
oh, and my first tattoo!

Were you ever worried that it wouldn’t all fall into place?

oh yes! I still am. but my favorite poem of all time is by hafiz and speaks to fate and being led. I truly believe we are not in charge but it is up to us to live out our destinies fully.

The place where you are right now
God circled on a map for you
wherever your eyes and arms and heart can move
Against the earth and the sky,
the beloved has bowed there-

The beloved has bowed there knowing
You were coming…

-hafiz

What is the greatest gift about being a woman in your 30’s?

I honestly looked forward to this birthday and decade more than I have any other. I look forward to a sense of inner power and wisdom and fully coming into my own. I feel really strong, like I can take on the world. I spent a lot of my twenties apologizing and doubting myself. my thirties are going to be about speaking and living my truth, even when it rocks the boat a bit.

When you look out onto the horizon. What do you hope your life looks like at 40?

more and more of this but with a couple of beautiful kiddos. and maybe another bulldog.

What’s a quote/ saying you try to live your life by?

Ishvara pranidhana
it’s the tattoo i have in sanskrit on my forearm.
it means surrender to god or give it up to god.

find MB elsewhere: twitter / website / blog / instagram 

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inspiration, gratitude & surprises

31 May

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image via one part gypsy

what inspired me this week?

– a wine & watermelon margarita fueled Friday afternoon with new friends Mary, Jacki & Lindsay and old friends Rachel & Erin. It was an epic afternoon in the sun. They are a seriously soulful and interesting group of woman.

– my new personal essay writing class at Writing Pad with Taffy Brodesser -Akner. There really is nothing better than spending a few hours once a week with other writers.

– yoga class with Tamal on Tuesday night. Every time I leave his class I wonder why I don’t make time for it everyday. I swear it changes my whole perspective.

– the new healing crystals (pink opal, serpentine, blue topaz & aventurine) that I bought in Sedona. I sound like a total hippy, don’t I?

– the book “Why We Write

– the book “How To Write A Screenplay in 10 weeks”. You know I love goals.

what am I grateful for this week?

– I think I found Frank!!

– finding a new therapist I loooooove.

what surprised me this week?

– everything you need always shows up exactly when you need it. Why do I forget this?

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“In order to lead a fascinating life- one brimming with art, music, intrigue and romance- you must surround yourself with precisely those things.”

inspiration, gratitude & surprises

10 May

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This week has been a really interesting one for me. I’ve been on a pressed juicery cleanse for the last four days. Today is day four of five. For a girl who loves to eat, I seriously can’t believe I’ve lasted this long on just juice. It seems impossible, really. Yes, I have done this cleanse before but only for three days. This time around I decided to take it up a notch and do a five-day cleanse and make it a level two. It’s been pretty intense actually. The first two days I was soooooooo miserable- I had a constant headache and could have slept all day. Not helpful when you have to work. But on day three I started to feel better- I actually felt buzzed and energetic! Something else really interesting happened to me while I was juicing this week- I HAD NO ANXIETY. Instead I felt incredibly present in my body, my heart and my thoughts. It is an empowering feeling.

This week has also been interesting because I had to make some big decisions about the direction of a project of mine. I’ve been led one way but I recently realized that it felt like the wrong direction. Making a choice to re-direct was hard for me but (fear-based thoughts around it) but I knew it was the right one. Another lesson in always trusting your gut.

*side note- I won’t be posting for the next week. Have a deadline to finish, a friend coming to stay with us and a trip to Sedona. But I ‘ll be back in a week!

What inspired me this week?

This beautiful post by Mary Beth La Rue. I’ve had these moments before and there is something so powerful in realizing you are exactly where you are meant to be.

This Is Water– WATCH THIS!

The garden Brian planted outside our bedroom window- It makes me so happy to wake up to! Oh and the love Brian has for his tomato plant may be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

my girlfriends Rachel and Sophie who have been on cleanses this week as well…we’ve kept each other going!

Brian’s project 30 post

What am I grateful for this week?

My health. Clarity of thought. Calmness of mind

What surprised me this week?

I’m pretty driven when I want to be- I can’t believe I’ve lasted this many days on just juice and no caffeine.

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“There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself; comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty.”

– Steve Maraboli

inspiration, gratitude & surprises

22 Feb

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Hello weekend! This should be a busy but fun one! This afternoon I am taking myself on an “artist date” to a chinese medicine healer. Does that constitute as an artist date? Maybe not, but I find it all terribly interesting so I feel like it might be, right? I was walking in our new neighborhood the other day and came across the Yo San University and thought…what the heck is that? So I called and learned it is a school that teaches traditional chinese medicine and that they offer a two-hour intake appointment with their interns for a ridiculously low price. So I thought, why not! I mean, I don’t sleep great most nights, I suffer from anxiety and I always feel like my body temperature is off. Too much information? Sorry. I have tried the western route recently for these things and don’t necessarily feel better. I also find natural remedies ( I truly believe what you eat is what you are) and chinese medicine (I’ve done acupuncture before and loved it) very interesting, so I booked an appointment. Expect a post about is soon.

Saturday I am back at it on this whole wedding dress mission. Who knew it would be so damn hard to find a white gown to get married in? Luckily my mama, step-mama, Taline and Rachel will be on hand to give opinions. Then I am going to head to a heart-opening workshop with the lovely Mary Beth LaRue at Studio Surya. Then I am taking Brian out to dinner for his birthday!! My favorite human is turning 31!! Brian, get ready for a fun night out on the town:)

Sunday I am going to Taline’s house for a visit, then I’m heading home to make Brian and my brother, Nik, dinner. I’ve decided to start a new series on the blog called “Sunday night dinners at 425”. My hope is to tackle a new recipe every Sunday as well as have different friends/family over each week. I’m pretty excited about it! Look out for the first post on Monday! Oh and of course we will be watching the Oscars after dinner. I’m a sucker for the Oscars!

Oh, and lastly an update on one of my goals for the year- I signed up for a six-week course in ballet! Can’t wait to get back to the barre.

Have a fabulous weekend!

What inspired me this week?

Brian’s project, Willowbrook MLK Wellness Community was nominated for a big award! Please vote for it!! That boy put so much hard work into it. He inspires me everyday with his vision.

I picked up “May Cause Miracles” by Gabrielle Bernstein this week and I looove it.

This post by the talented Katie Devine

I may not be a mama yet but honest writing always inspires me – This post by Reverie

Yoga class last night with my sweet friend Rachel. I really needed it

A moment of self-compassion can change your entire day. A string of such moments can change the course of your life” – Christopher Germer. I’ve been really hard on myself recently for a bunch of little and big things so this quote really resonated with me.

The journey is all there is, really. The future never comes, because it’s always the present moment.”– Pema Chodron

What am I grateful the week?

My life- that’s a big one, huh? But, I have heard so much sad news this week about illness and death that it has left me really grateful to be alive

That Brian was born 31 years ago and chose me to be his partner in life.

The fact I got one FULL day to write at home this week. So needed

The talented, inspiring, gorgeous and smart ladies in my life

What surprised me this week?

My love affair with thin mints has been reawakened and it has led me to a very dark place

How much my attitude towards life can change from one day to the next. It always reminds me to ride the wave

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find me elsewhere:  instagram @kate365, twitterfacebook

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Lastly, a little song to start your weekend with…it always makes me want to dance

inspirations, gratitude & surprises

8 Feb

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I had a lot of big plans this week. I was going to blog every single day (I still have so much to tell you about our Nepal trip!!) I was going to tackle a few writing assignments. I was going to finish unpacking our office. I was going to clear the hallway of empty boxes. I was going to research wedding stuff. You know what I did with all those big plans?? Nothing! I did a whole lot of nothing with all of them. I did plan a girls cocktail party for next Saturday night (should be fun!) and I did buy new counter stools for our kitchen. Sooooo there’s that. I also went to bed most nights at 9:30. 9 friggen 30! Clearly 30 is the new 90 in this house.

This weekend I’m going to try on wedding dresses! Yipeee! Happy Friday!!

What inspired me this week?

THIS short video by a six-year-old

new favorite blog alert- Mary Beth LaRue

A Return To Love

cute post– kiss on top of the empire state building

What am I grateful for this week?

My momma- she’s super fabulous and my best friend.

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What surprised me this week?

When a seagull took a huge shit on my head at the beach. SOOO RUDE and TOTALLY SHOCKING

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find me elsewhere:  instagram @kate365, twitterfacebook