Curating your life and understanding yourself.

I believe that some of us are put on this earth to search for life's meaning, while others don’t search but accept things as they come. Some fall somewhere in between.

Most of the time, I lean toward searching for meaning. I am learning to accept life for what it is, but I believe it is in my nature to question, analyze, and strive for better—for myself and the world. I believe I'm special. In fact, I believe everyone is. Everyone is here to serve a unique purpose, even if that purpose is simply to give your cat a happy life; there is no purpose too small.

Along the winding journey of discovering myself, I have learned the sorts of things I like by trusting what I feel drawn to. My whole life, people have told me that I have a unique style that draws attention, or a unique way of looking at things -- This shines through because I have developed self-trust. When you trust your own desires and act on them, you tell yourself that it is okay to be you. You validate yourself and build your own confidence when you feel pulled toward wearing the giant, bold turquoise necklace so you wear the damn thing and ditch the pearls. Maybe pearls are your style, so wearing those could be an act of defiance for you, but the metaphor stands as an example of trusting that inner knowing. If you feel pulled toward something, have a desire to wear or do something, do it -- Act on your desires and trust yourself, and overtime you will feel so immensely confident in who you are at your core.

This is the same concept as when people say, "She wears that outfit instead of letting the outfit wear her." When you wear what you want, do what you want, and act on your desires in spite of what people might say, do, or think, you tell the world that you know who you are, and this aura is completely magnetic.

Curating your life

When you start listening to the desires of your heart, it's like you unlock infinite access to a portal of deep, inner-knowing, wisdom, and calm. Suddenly, you know what you want. Suddenly, you are decisive. All of a sudden you enter a clothing store or book shop and know exactly the things you need, or enter a relationship and know exactly what is and is not for you. Though this knowledge can be shared on a deeper level in your relationships with others, my favorite way to embrace that inner knowing is in my relationship with myself; To take myself on a date to my favorite bookstore and let myself flow toward whatever books my heart feels called to. The craziest thing is that it is always the books I feel called to at random that end up being the most transformational in my life. I am not a fan of business books or self-development books, but I am a fan of non-fiction books that could be considered "self-discovery," or illustrated novels. The books that call to me typically have some sort of visuals or illustrations, and words that inspire and take me into a different reality.

Here are the books I have most recently added to the collection -- Yes it has become a collection. I have grown my collection of books that truly represent a part of me. I will be forever collecting books in this way; Leaning in when I am called to pick something up, and embracing what it is there to teach me. Because along with purpose, I believe this life comes with many lessons for us to learn. Though it may be of comfort to some to accept that life has no meaning, I will continue my journey onward, embracing myself and my beautifully curious, inquisitive nature. Even if my purpose on this earth is to visit my favorite bookstore and buy my little books on "Living Forever Chic," I will live a happy and fulfilled life because I'm learning more about me, the type of woman I am, my likes and dislikes, and who I could become -- day in and day out. And that sounds like a pretty happy life to me.

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  Recently I've been absolutely obsessed with learning all about Feng Shui. I've been obsessed with interior design since I was a little girl and was constantly rearranging my room whenever I had the chance. Learning about the laws of Feng Shui has taught me so much about the meaning behind why certain environments make us feel a certain way -- As it turns out, Feng Shui is not just about rearranging a room in the most optimal way. It's also about rearranging your life so that you can experience flow and ease.

  • My favorite Feng Shui fact I've learned recently is that if you are in a phase of focusing on advancing your career or looking for new opportunities, you should tackle the front entrance of your home. Optimizing the flow and organization of your front entrance will welcome in new opportunities, jobs, and people! Buy a new welcome mat, repaint your door, and dust off that entryway if you're looking to invite some fresh new opportunities in!

• I am equally obsessed with reading books on French women, French and Italian style, elegant women, and the laws of proper etiquette. Ever since the most transformational time of my life living in Italy, I fell in love with the way European women lived. So calm and grounded in their ways, they seem that they've never once questioned themselves, and I think that's what is so captivating about them. I find learning about the style and etiquette of other cultures completely invigorating. I just love people who do things differently, and the French women do it right!

• Another recent passion of mine that I've been diving into in the books I read is the art of keeping house. Not to go all 19th century on you, but nothing soothes my soul quite like housekeeping. Yes I am an independent woman who makes her own money, but damn I love to house keep too.