We made it through the first half of the year and it feels like the energy of summer is slower and also speeding things up. The wind has been carrying me through some changes and it’s time for a newsletter - an update and an opportunity to share what I’m up to and what’s lighting me up.
Where to start?!
Since the winter - I’ve been needing to get more into my body and out of my cerebral self. I live up in my intellect a lot of the time - being an air sign - and I’m learning how to be more in my body.
I started working with a somatic experience practitioner who is a blessing! I’m learning how to soften the edges and give myself more of myself through space. I need much more space than maybe others do. From here I also wanted to create with my hands.
So I have taught myself how to make soap.
My niece and nephew that are my forever teachers and they have sensitive skin. I wanted to develop a recipe for a cold pressed soap bar that would soothe their skin and also get them excited to wash their hands. After a few renditions of a calming bar - I arrived! I fell in love with the process of making soap. For many reasons but my top 5 are the following:
I have to be fully present from start to finish to avoid any injury (lye is no bueno if it gets on your skin before it’s gone through the saponification process)
I use products that I cook with - high quality, small farmers and partners
I get to play with the ingredients and develop my own recipes
It’s a slow process - it takes about 6 weeks for the bars to cure before they are ready for use. It’s really cool to watch what happens to the soap bars through this process.
I get to share them and brighten someone’s day with handmade soap made with intention and love
I’m excited to introduce you to Diamond Hive Soap - small batch cold pressed soap factory from my home. It’s hard to choose which bar is my favorite so I always encourage people get a couple or buy the Imperfect Bars Box.
I re-opened the doors to my coaching and advisory business at the beginning of the year.
It’s a beautiful opportunity to reconnect with partners that I’ve collaborated with in the past and ready to take on new clients. There are different ways in which I work with clients depending on the scope and support needed. From this decision, I decided to close the digital platform of The School of Hospitality from Within for a short period. I connect with people best in person and I teach best that way. More to come on how The School will evolve and I’m excited to put energy into it being excited and collaborate with experts in my collective! Stay tuned! Until then - you can find me always at Only yummy, always - both on individual coaching programs (career coaching or leadership) or business owners looking for support on training programs, leadership coaching or project management for restaurant openings.
Community is the core of my being and have been co-creating for a while now.
A glimpse inside of what we are building was offered through a workshop that we offered earlier this year. Subscribe to both of our substacks to be the first in the know when we launch!
I’ve slowed down podcast recordings for a bit because I am reflecting on how I want the conversations to evolve. The last episode that I launched is with a fellow coach and dear friend -
(Mei) . She also happens to have my favorite line of sweatshirts- Nervous Means Do It. I have worn these for years and I swear the potency of their power. When I’m feeling nervous about anything, I usually find myself wearing them and gaining my confidence again through whatever path I’m choosing to take.Slowing life down. Taking the moments to myself in the morning on my balcony - when it’s not too hot. Moving with intention and letting all the feelings stay or move through me.
There’s a lot of change on the horizon and I’ll be sharing more soon!
Thank you for being here and remember to keep it only yummy, always.