Love Is The Answer

The purest, sweetest love I've ever felt was from my Grandma Rose. She was my paternal grandmother and passed away before I turned eight. Growing up as an only child and having divorced parents, she was my favorite person. The major influence in my life. She taught me to tie my shoes, we watched Golden Girls together, drew pictures, etc. She passed away suddenly from an awful disease, Flesh-Eating Bacteria. I remember understanding she was gone. I didn't cry and at her funeral, my dad lifted me up to see her in the casket. I put a poem I had written for her in there and kissed her cheek. Her face was cold and I told him she wasn't in there any more. Her soul had departed. As the years went by, I knew she was my guardian angel and always in my heart, but it got harder and harder to remember her. 

Being the intuitive person I am, I can connect to beings that have left us. I can feel the presence of those who are gone, but I could never connect with my grandmother. It's now been over 15 years since my grandma died and I strive to be half the woman she was. She had a heart of gold and there was no one quite like her.

Recently, I was spending time with a dear friend and I found myself getting emotional. It took me a few days to realize why this was. I found myself having bursts of tears...happy ones. I felt an overwhelming amount of love. There are all kinds of love. I've given love and received it, but it's truly rare to feel something so pure and unconditional. When I try to remember my grandma, I realize that the memories really are fading as time goes on. That's just part of life. I still feel the love I have for her and she had for me. I realized I was so emotional because for the first time in 15 years, I felt that love again, from my friend. I feel so blessed to first of all had my grandma in my life, but to feel the same kind of love again. 

It reminds me that this kind of love is out there and of the good that exists within all of us. Sometimes, we don't show it or see it in others, but it's there. 

As the song goes, love is the answer....Always come from a place of love. 

Have a beautiful week filled with lots of love and blessings!

As always, if you have any questions, leave a comment below or feel free to email me at TheZenFashionista@Gmail.Com 

To subscribe to my blog, you can click the subscribe tab at the top of this page, comment, or give it to me personally. I really appreciate it!

Until next time,

XOXOTheZenFashionista

Yom Kippur Resolutions 5779/2018

Today, is Yom Kippur, a Jewish holiday, which is known as the day of atonement. It is the holiest day of the year, a time to reflect. For me, it's about much more than just apologizing for our actions and promising to do our best to change our ways, but it's a spiritual cleansing. 

I've had quite the year...and there is nothing I would change from it, because it's all led me to exactly where I am right now. Sure, there were some messy moments, but I took something from each interaction and experience. 

I am choosing to let go of what does not serve me any longer. We are all on different life paths. What holds true for us today, may no longer tomorrow. What is right for us, may not be for someone else. We are constantly evolving and that is OK. As I move forward and into this new year, I wrote a list of resolutions; goals for the person I'd like to become. 

Here are some of my resolutions for the year 5779...

• Speak up - For so long, I thought it was better to keep quiet. If someone upset me, it was better to let it be...I wanted to avoid conflict. This year I have spoken my truth and used my voice. It's empowering. It also has made others close to me uncomfortable, and that has been hard, but I know that everyone in our life is there to serve a purpose. Sometimes, when we start vibrating at a higher frequency, it no longer matches the energy of people around us. It's up to us to recognize that and let go. And in some instances people just fade away.

• To surround myself with people who bring out the best in me (and vice versa) - One of my mantras is the quote, "Energy flows where attention goes." I've noticed myself at times falling into patterns of gossip, depending on the people around me. I really want to be more conscious of the energy in my space and what I am focusing on. 

• Connect more to G-d and source - I feel so much more balanced when I listen to my intuition and connect to both my higher self and my faith. 

• Tap into my creative side - I'm excited to be delving back into studying fashion. And want to take some drawing classes. 

• Blog more frequently - I want to create more content. I have a lot of ideas and feel inspired to post on a variety of topics.

In the coming year, I strive to be the best I can be, love myself unconditionally, and always count my blessings...I have so much to be grateful for.

I pray for peace, understanding and lots of love for one another, as we move forward...

Gmar Chatimah Tova! May you be inscribed in the book of life. ️

We have 105 days left until 2019 - What is something you'd like to accomplish?

As always, if you have any questions, leave a comment below or feel free to email me at TheZenFashionista@Gmail.Com 

To subscribe to my blog, you can click the subscribe tab at the top of this page, comment, or give it to me personally. I really appreciate it!

Until next time,

XOXOTheZenFashionista

Welcome To New York - My Summer Adventure

For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to travel to New York. If you look back on some of my posts, it was always mentioned as a place I wanted to visit. I finally made it happen this summer. I planned a birthday trip for both my mom and me!

It all started when I was scrolling on my Instagram and noticed that Luann De Lesseps had added more dates for her cabaret show. I have to admit, a guilty pleasure of mine is The Real Housewives of New York. I've been watching since it premiered, when I was 12 and have been hooked ever since. I came up with a plan; where we'd stay, found reasonably priced airline tickets, etc and pitched the idea to my mom and voila! We were going!

I thought I'd share with you some of the highlights of the trip! Of course, I took lots of pictures of my food. :P

On the plane....ready for takeoff!

 We landed bright and early - before 8 AM!

I found us an Airbnb that was located close to Times Square. We walked around and stumbled upon this little restaurant called Sliced. Breakfast sounded great and the prices were super reasonable. They're known for their open faced sandwiches. We figured the food would be just ok, but it was super tasty. Great portions as well. We ordered their egg salad small toast and their red quinoa salad. The food was made quickly and very fresh. They also threw in a little dessert. 

Having studied fashion, I wanted to check out Fashion Institute of Technology's museum. 

Currently, they have an exhibit called, Fashion Unraveled. 

 There was a lot of art that I passed by on the street. I really loved this piece.

I had to check out Diane Von Furstenburg's flagship store!

I went to Chelsea to see Mary Boone's Gallery. We also explored the Chelsea Market....So cool! It has a giant food hall and many unique shops.

For dinner, we went to Beauty and Essex. When the one in LA had first opened up, I really wanted to go. It didn't end up working out because of how long the waits were. I was excited to go to the one in NYC. If you go, make sure to check out the bathroom. :P

We took a walk at night to see what Times Square looked like all lit up. It's just like in the movies....It's truly the city that never sleeps. 

Whenever I travel, I love to check out the vegan spots. Eat by Chloe is my fave! I am constantly craving their mac and cheese. It's made with cashews and sweet potato and it is topped off with a shitake bacon. I love everything I have eaten here. They have locations in other major cities such as LA, Boston and Providence and are even in London. By Chloe is 100% vegan and plant-based and offers salads, burgers, pasta, breakfast options, fresh juices and a variety of baked goods and the most delicious ice cream.

Writing that paragraph just made me want their food soooo badly!

Of course, I was looking forward to Countess Luann's show, but what made it even more exciting to me was the fact that it was being held at 54 Below. It's literally located in the basement of the former Studio 54. I loveeeee me some Studio 54!

The next day, we went to brunch at a place I found on Yelp. It's a cozy little spot known for seafood. They have "hidden bathrooms" with bookshelves as doors which I thought was neat and the rest of the décor is kind of nautical. The place has an elegant, but casual vibe and the staff were super friendly. We ordered the Eggs Scandinavia (An eggs benedict with smoked salmon) and their chocolate chip pancakes. 

My mom's pick was for us to do a Radio City Music Hall tour. It was pretty cool...Learned a lot of historical facts. 

 Walking through Times Square 

 That night we had tickets to see Bernadette Peters in Hello Dolly. Before the show, we went to Katz Delicatessen. OMG! It was heaven. The portions were huge and we had to scarf down our food so that we could get to Broadway in time. It was delicious...Just being there was a cool experience!

The show was incredible!! I can't believe I had the pleasure of seeing Bernadette Peters perform!!

My cousin Niesha lives near the city, and wanted to take us around town for the day. Her wonderful friend Dan came too and we had such a fun time! 

One of my favorite restaurants in Las Vegas used to be Max Brenner. They closed that location, and so we went to one in NYC. YUM! 

They took us to Greenwich Village, which had a vibe I totally liked. 

Dan insisted that if we liked Middle Eastern food, this was the place to go. It's legit! They've been around for over 45 years. Authentic, family owned, small hole in the wall kind of place. 

 Local bookstores make my heart happy!

 We took a stroll through Central Park at sunset.

Even though I don't eat cheese, I really wanted to have that NYC pizza experience...so we found this place called NY Pizza Suprema. They've been in business for over 50 years and had some vegan/vegetarian choices. 

We were only there for five days, but got to see a lot. Until next time, New York City...

Have you been to NYC before? What was your favorite part?

As always, if you have any questions, leave a comment below or feel free to email me at TheZenFashionista@Gmail.Com 

To subscribe to my blog, you can click the subscribe tab at the top of this page, comment, or give it to me personally. I really appreciate it!

Until next time,

XOXOTheZenFashionista