Zen Chic for your (Beginner's) Mind, (Old) Soul & (Hot) Body

After celebrating its 50th anniversary last year, San Francisco Zen Center (SFZC) is kicking off another 50 years of spiritual engagement and community building when the new guest season opens on April 26th at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. Nestled in a mountain valley inland from the Big Sur coast in a remote part of the Ventana Wilderness, Tassajara was chosen for its resemblance to mountain temples & monasteries in Japan & established as the first Zen training monastery outside that country by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi - founder of San Francisco Zen Center and author of the popular Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind.

While Tassajara is closed to the public eight months of the year for private Zen practice, when spring blossoms and its gates swing open, it attracts yoga lovers, hot-spring enthusiasts intent on getting their soak on, zazen (meditation) seekers & artisan foodies - all looking to unplug, head off the dirt path (14 miles worth & 4-wheel drive accessible only) & soak up the serenity, taking a chance at self-discovery and indulging in second helpings of vegetarian cuisine.

Tassajara's new eco-retreat center - designed by architect Helen Degenhardt of JSW/D Architects to raise the bar on green development - will host disciplinary retreats in six specialty areas: Body Mind, Mindful Living, Spiritual Practice, Practice, Engaging Earth and Creative Expression.

For 2013, the Tassajara guest season dates are April 26 - September 9.

BRING SOME ZEN HOME (TOP): Buddha - VivaTerra; horseshoe pendant necklace - Adorn by Sarah Lewis; chrysanthemum slippers - VivaTerra; Tai Chi uniform - Tai Chi Tranquility; Decleor Voyage a Madagascar candle - feelunique.com

- Lesley Scott

(Tassajara photos by Margo Moritz via JSW/D Architects)

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Since You're Ever-Evolving, Adorn Yourself Accordingly

Whether your vibe is uber-feminine, a tad edgy, handcrafted but haute, or elegantly eccentric - or perhaps a generous smidge of each - you want accessories that look like you & you alone. And it's you that Taryn Reed has in mind when she designs her signature stone necklaces, dangle & drop earrings & cuff bracelets & bangles.

I recently received this unusual druzy choker necklace sporting a waterfall fringe of silver chains festooned with smokey quartz. Of course I wore it the very next day to a presentation I was giving. And given all the comments devoted to my spleniferous taste in bling (thank you, Taryn!), I wonder if anyone remembers a single word of wisdom from the actual presentation itself?

Ah well, at least I looked good.

- Lesley Scott

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Kabbalah Yourself Ab Fabulous

"He told me, to my great amazement, leaning across the dining room table, how God's sweet letters were also the powerful tools whereby He created light and everything in the universe: establishing the earth, suspending the sun and moon in the firmament for signs and for seasons, for days and for years. I would imagine these primordial letters, the symbols that brought forth not only the universe but, to my even greater astonishment, my very own existence, announced in the heavens - Aryeh Alexander ben Shelomo! - phosphorescent figures forming in the deep dark closet of space".

- from "The Far Euphrates" by Aryeh Lev Stollman

This exquisite passage in one of the best books I've read in a long while jumped instantly to mind when I saw Rachel Brown's eyecatching custom-jewelry based on the ancient spiritual teachings of Kabbalah. "Kabbalah reveals the spiritual teachings of the universe and hidden secrets of the Torah," explains the Kabbalah Center student (fellow Kabbalah fans Madonna & Demi Moore own some of her pieces).

"My jewelry is based on Kabbalistic meditations composed of the 22 letters of the hebrew alphabet which Kabbalah recognizes as the DNA of the universe; thus, my pieces are engraved with hebrew letters expressing variations of these meditations. The spiritual power behind these meditations connect one to 'mind over matter,' total control of one's life, and to a realm of bliss where no chaos exists. Simply scan the engraved letters on my jewelry with your eyes and the energy emanates to your soul and throughout your existence. Kabbalah states that the "eyes are the windows of the soul", so that when you scan the hebrew letter combinations a spiritual technology takes place as the soul connects to and downloads these energies."

Rachel Brown's lovely work is available at Donna Karan and her Urban Zen store, PURE Yoga West, Adam Marc Jewels, Anik, Warren Tricomi Salon at The Plaza hotel & RachelBrownJewelry.com.

- Lesley Scott

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Peep-toe Pumps that are Pretty as a Picture for my Date with Valentine's Day

Ask not what you should do/wear/eat/send for Valentine's Day - but what it can do for you. As in it's a most excellent excuse if ever there was one to "freshen" up your winter wardrobe a bit. I just received this absolutely adorable pair of "Benefit" pumps as a Brand Ambassador for Aerosoles. They're comfy thanks to the patented flexible rubber sole, but still sophisticated and stylish. And fun!  As soon as I tore open my package, my mind was already scheming about all the different ways I could wear these during spring & summer and all the way into early fall. Starting with, of course, Valentine's Day! This matching but not "matchy" Felix Rey "Kissy Face" clutch would be my first find, 'cuz how cute would the shoe & bag look with a cuffed boyfriend jean, slim tee or button down & raffia- or straw-fedora?! However, first things first: Valentine's Day cuteness. This frock nicely keys off the two-tone red & neutral color scheme of the shoe - and to add a bit of edge to all that sugar, I would go with a suede or leather jacket in a similar neutral shade.

GET THE LOOK: pumps - Aerosoles "Benefit"; dress - Oscar de la Renta; metallic-suede jacket - Donna Karan; heart-charm bracelet - Lanvin; red fabric-rose brooch - Avalaya.com

- Lesley Scott

...& PREVIOUSLY AS AN AEROSOLES BRAND AMBASSADOR:

Cute boots for winter walkin'

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Don't State it, Wear it Around Your Neck & Scream it Without Saying a Word

This knock-out minty fresh resin & crystal necklace from T + J Designs is picture-perfect, both for your image and at just under $70, your bank balance, too. Rack up some serious style miles by wearing it now with a chunky-knit sweater & later with a floaty feminine frock. Ka-ching!

- Lesley Scott

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Just Monkey'in Around! 20 Great Monkey Themed Accessories, Home Decor & Gifty Goodness

I was recently introduced to a fab new social network organized around the various things people are passionate about, including sports, TV, crafts & of course, fashion!. Sulia's subject-based approach makes it easy to connect with experts & other enthusiasts on topics you find interesting. Life lifestyle & fashion in my case - plus Stacy London's personal shopping company, Style for Hire, sponsors the Fashion Channel. (If you want to follow my doings directly there, here's where I "live" on Sulia.)

As one of Sulia's first fashion contributors - part of a small, hand-selected group - I handpick & opine upon whatever dings my raccoon-like radar for anything shiny & fabulous. Like monkeys. This week I thought it would be fun to monkey around a bit with some cool jewels, homey finds & other stylish simian shenanigans.

#1 Hermione de Paula monkey + florals scarf
#2 Ballon Blue de Carter monkey watch
#3 gemstone-encrusted monkey pendant necklace
#4 Christopher Kane monkey dress
#5 Christopher Ross brass-monkey belt (insanely awesome!)
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#7 a Feng Shui friendly brass monkey perched upon a peach
#8 fine porcelain monkey cup & saucer
#9 monkey cameo ring
#10 silk tie with a sock-monkey print
#11 organ-grinder monkey table
#12 a Steampunk "man monkey" wallet-cig case thingy

#13 beaded bracelet with silver monkey charm
#14 cashmere monkey hoodie for your Mini Me
#15 Rasta Monkey "pilot" cap ... with pom poms!
#16 marzipan monkey atop a giant pile 'o bananas & yummo cake
#17 knitted sock-monkey bag
#18 kitschy/fun monkey & palm tree salt & pepper shakers

They had me at "Brazen" & "Cheeky" for #19, *Brazen Hussy* nail polish by Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics.

But for #20, I wasn't monkey'in around any more. These gorgeous Yunnan golden monkeys now number less than 2,000 and are almost extinct. To help, donate to the Nature Conservancy's project to protect the golden monkeys from both illegal hunters and destruction of their habitat.

- Lesley Scott

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A Short but Chic Chat with a Fashion Insider: Barbara Adler, Jewelry Designer & Model

Is Barbara Adler a model-slash-designer or more of a designer-slash-model? Regardless, whenever the hyphenated Angeleno isn't working her magic in front of the camera, she usually can be found putting in long days on her eponymous line of jewelry. Currently, her Cali-casual chic collection features a bumper crop of really cute & diamond-festooned monkeys & bananas. Bananas also loom large in her personal life as the wife of music industry exec Cisco Adler of Bananabeat Records.

Modeling & designing...how do you do juggle both?

It's not easy and it's 24/7. I'm either working 10 hours on set or working on my jewelry line 10-12 hours. I don't know what to expect day to day. I keep a schedule and check off everything from my list day to day to keep organized; fortunately, I love challenges and multitasking. My friends call me Superwoman.

Models get to travel all the time. What do you consider your most inspiring or awakening moments?

Skydiving in Mexico. Stepping off the train into Paris. Watching the sunrise in Hawaii. Riding on a speedboat at sunset from one island to another in Palau. Meeting my husband in New York.

Please tell us your favorite...

...local place to eat? Sugarfish. It's simple, affordable & delicious.

...boutique? Fred Segal.

...L.A. based designer? Jeremy Scott

...jewelry designer? Loree Rodkin

...model? Kate Moss

...go-to beauty product? Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

As a working model, what is your secret to great skin?

At night before I go to sleep, I make sure I wash all my makeup off. But mostly I focus on maintaining my skin from the inside by drinking a lot of water and eating clean, especially whenever I get booked on a big beauty photoshoot.

And lastly, can you dish on what we can look forward to with your new jewelry collection?

Old Hollywood. It's a surprise!

- interview by Kelly Croteau

About Kelly:  She recently interviewed Hollywood stylist Anya Sarre as well as fashion insider Laurie Pike of mystyle.com for Fashiontribes. Her work has also appeared in Ask Miss A, Project Lena & Malibu Magazine. She recently interviewed Pose co-founder Alisa Gould-Simon, one of Refinery29's Top 30 Under 30.

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Give Breast Cancer a Big Middle Finger ... Stylishly

When it comes to cancer, the gloves are off - and the cuffs on. This stylish Fuck Cancer x Jennifer Fisher x College Fashionista Cuff, retailing for $225, donates 20% of the proceeds ($50) to Fuck Cancer, a movement which educates people about how important it is to prevent the disease, detect it early and most definitely not keep things on the DL.

Available through February 28, 2013 exclusively at JenniferFisherJewelry.com.

- Lesley Scott

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Glamorous Emeralds for Your Glamorous Life

As nature's most abundant hue, lush green is associated with renewal, prosperity (it is the color of money, after all), growth...and glamorous emeralds! A popular choice of gemstone by rich royals during the fashion-conscious Renaissance period, it was recently crowned 2013 Color of the Year by Pantone, putting it back in the limelight & onto A-list runways such as Lanvin. The key to rocking emeralds for a colorful touch of everyday luxe is to wear them casually as if you inherited them from a fabulous eccentric aunt with great taste in jewelry & a lot of it. These pretty pieces (how sassy is that pave cocktail ring?!) are from 1800LooseDiamonds diamond jewelry - 1800LooseDiamonds - a family-run affair located in Los Angeles where they (obviously) carry more that just diamonds and also specialize in custom jewelry. Plus fam-friendly customer service...which, in this day & age, isn't to be underrated.

- Lesley Scott

[Note: This was written in partnership with 1800LooseDiamonds.com. The words & editorial selections are mine.]

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Some Ways to Get What You Want This Year

Whenever a new year dawns, it's so easy to make grand resolutions...which are often the same ones you made last year. And the year before that. And...

Instead, make this the year of less "grand" and more "do". Here are some tried & true tips from Diane Lang, a psychotherapist, author & expert in the fine art of positive living:

(necklace: source)

1. Say yes to no. If you feel overwhelmed or stressed, it's okay to be selfish. After all, if you feel tapped out with nothing left to give, you won't be much help to anyone. Put yourself first in order to be able to be there for others.

2. Say "thanks!" Not just for the material stuff but for that wonderful abundance of love, warmth, comfort, care & empathy you receive every day. The more room you make for being grateful, the more you'll find you have to be grateful for.

3. Be the change. Instead of focusing on what the world has done for you lately, try the reverse: see where you can inspire, help, empower & generally give of yourself first. You'll not only become a role model (whether you wanna be or not), but a better mentor, friend & member of the global village.

4. Nothing ventured... The opposite of stale & stagnant is variety and creativity. Start challenging yourself to take more risks, both small & not so, to quickly banish the word "bored" from your life.

5. Be positive. There's a reason when you laugh, the world laughs with you & why you cry, you do it alone. Being positive - in thought, action & energy - is contagious. Besides, you deserve nothing less.

6. Set goals, but back them up with action. Goals are great as long as you do something about them. For every goal you set, write down what specific steps you'll take to get there. Even if it's just the first step, start your journey and the next step will become clear. And after that, the next. Celebrate each milestone as you accomplish them, all the way to G-O-A-L!

7. Be here. Now. The past is gone and the future hasn't yet been writ. Leaving the present moment in its fleeting perfection. How are you gonna spend it?

8. Focus on your own mess first. Time spent trying to control others is a waste of your precious time. Let go of that pipe-dream and enjoy your own journey in all its messy, fabulous glory.

9. Be you & only you. Forget those pesky Joneses and keeping up with them or anyone else. Be grateful for your own company and cherish it by spending time alone. Find out what you like, dislike, enjoy, wish you could spend more time doing (or not be doing) and generally become more aware of who you are.

10. Live a little. The trouble with expectations of life that are unsuitable is they get in the way of having fun living the life you actually have. And maybe, just maybe, what you have is A-okay, from your fam to your job to your friends & life off the clock. So-called "simple" things, yes, but often rich beyond measure.

- Lesley Scott

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