In the age of aquarius girl power is standard, celebrated and straight up cool. After our all girl fun photoshoot in Santa Cruz, Victoria, Laura our stylist and I were telling childhood stories and joking around when I realized that I had a theme going thats been on deck since I was 9; the "Cool Girls" club. Its sorta dorky but what was in the 80's! My little German girlfriends and I made t-shirts, matching costumes and put on dance routines during Carnival. Now I am a woman and still celebrating with my "Cool Girls" so thats what I am calling this series of vignettes.
Our First "Cool Girl" is a true Bohypsian babe, inspired intellectual and creator of Good Things; a small California made journal launching its second edition titled, "Good Things We Learn from Plants". Victoria just set a date for the launch of the magazine at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History on June 11th. The magazine features stories on local plant friends we can find in California, stories of the cosmos and scientific wonders of herbal vibrations from the smallest plant friends to the largest Sequoia grandfathers.
Getting to know Victoria is like getting to know good medicine (a native american term coined for healing characteristics of plants and animals ) . Her vibe is so relaxed and kind, like a summer daisy flower which is so refreshing in todays crazy hustle and bustle, its almost like hanging out with a guru, the guru of easy goes it. Our lady Victoria is a Journalist and artist so I got some guidance on how to compose my first interview! Here its goes! I hope she can answer these thoughts while on the train to LA. What a great way to travel!
We played in the first warm rays of springs sun in santa cruz. Outfitted with sweet dresses by Stripe clothing. This adorable Gingam dress is by Tylho. I called in to learn more about the designer, apparently he is Vietnamese, went to Parsons school of design and worked with Oscar de la Renta. Now he makes his own line and works with ladies back home in Vietnam to produce his line. We loved this dress <3
1. What is the core inspiration for Good Things?
The idea came while was studying Journalism in Colorado. From analyzing the glorification of negative news stories to learning how strongly the media impacts public opinion, it just seemed like the world needed a little more positivity. To remember there's still an abundance of kindness here on Earth. That was the core inspiration—supporting inner and outer positivity, uplifting spirits of our fellow humans. The best way I could make that idea tangible was to make a publication where I could utilize various forms of art to present inspiring content. With the help of a dear friend, we wrangled in buddies and strangers who became buddies to share their versions of positive news. Through some it was poetry, through others photoessays. But the time, energy and trust these contributors put into their pieces for this new project was profoundly moving to me. And that support from folks has fueled its evolution.
Victoria in her own wardrobe from a Santa Cruz Thrift shop :)
2. How do you stay so cool? LOL, I mean your vibe is so relaxed and trusting. Do you have a daily practice?
What a nice thing to say! I don't know if cool is the word, but there's various things that I know will keep me grounded—going out for a walk, putting bare feet on the ground or in water, lately it's been spending time drawing plants. But that's not to say in life's ebbs and flows I do them everyday. However, a friend recently reminded me of the "gift of space", which has become an abstract daily practice applied to various realms. If I can help it, I try to give myself space to enjoy and move slow (definitely my natural pace). If I feel stagnant with a project I'll step away from it, even if it's just for an hour or two. I appreciate time alone to get all my ducks in a row, but getting space from myself and experiencing the energy of other people is equally important and cherished. That concept has really helped me in current times to remain more relaxed and trusting—to let space organically fill in the blanks rather than force anything—it makes the crease of the past and future a more delightful now.
3. What helps you get out of a funk, if you happen to find yourself in a funk.
My dad has always said to "just keep moving". I'm a full believer. As soon as I can acknowledge I'm in a mood, movement in whatever flavor helps. Actually dancing to funk music helps me tremendously. Removing myself from the immediate environment helps, especially to a spot where I can gain some perspective on the vastness of the world. Starting a project helps sometimes, having moments with plants and animals helps most always. If it's something deeper that I need to work through, I sit with myself and try to find the origin. A mentor of mine lent me a deck of particularly charged tarot cards. They've become a form of therapy for me—and proven time and time again to be a real magical stack of support. A card offers me introspection and reflection, and through its significance I can most always move through a deeper root of funk.
No place seems more appropriate for the Victoria than the beach, especially when all I hear is beach rock playing in my head when I see her!
4. Is there anything in particular you wish more people in the world knew more about.
I've been thinking about the vacuum of outer space a lot, and what a lush oasis of life our planet is in the observable universe. I suppose we all know about that, but I wish more people, including myself, could really savor that thought and tend to our planet and its inhabitants more lovingly. "Oasis in Space" also happens to be the first book in The Ocean World of Jacques Cousteau, a fantastic series which has really stood the test of time.
I wish we always remembered what a gift it is to experience tangibility as humans. To enjoy this precious and short amount of time we have in our bodies. Every interaction with any living being can teach us something, positive and negative ones alike. And we have immense impact as individuals in every fleeting interaction. Smiling at someone, giving a little extra love to something or acknowledging the existence of strangers can all be moments that change a day around. I wish more people in the world remembered that nothing is constant but change itself, and as individuals and larger groups it's ok to have the humility to admit something isn't working—we can try again in a new and hopefully more harmonious way.
I wish we all remembered how expansive the outer world becomes with inner openness. How fast the moon moves—I highly recommend dedicating a few hours some night to watch it—same goes with plants. These are things we probably know already, but I find myself trying to remember them and its nice to now have this reminder. But all these ramblings are really offshoots of the initial thought—the oasis of Earth.
Stay in touch with Good Things on Instagram @goodthingsmag and the website http://www.goodthingsmag.com/about-1/