Give And/Also Receive
Welcome to the SHOP SMALL we need to take care of each other HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE.
First. A few things.
I promised my self when I started What I Loved that it would be a space where I could do and explore whatever came to me, a space for me to play, a space where I could let it all unfold without an agenda. I have spent so much of my life trying to squeeze myself into an already made box, an actress, a waitress, a writer, a store owner, a photographer, a therapist, and while I have loved so many aspects of all of those, they all severed me from other parts of my self. What I Loved is a space to share all of me, guided step by guided step. I’m sorry if it’s a little messy, it’s just me being me. The beauty in Tragedy/ Trauma/ Heartbreak is that if you sit with it, be with it, work with it, there can be a freedom at the other end to live life differently. I have lived life trying to fit into other people’s boxes, now I wanna see what happens if I try to create my own, because LIFE IS PRECIOUS and IT IS YOUR LIFE, nobody else’s life - YOURS! And I love an experiment!
I was so embarrassed to make a gift guide, but it seemed so fun to me and I promised my self that I would follow the fun! I’m following my instincts here and instincts can be very confusing!!
BUT It is with absolute pleasure, joy and LOVE that I share with you some of my favorite things and some of my favorite people.
I wonder what happens next.
Art by Pegge Hopper.
Gabrielle Valenti Gold Evil Eye Talisman Pendant with Aquamarine tear. I am obsessed with this piece. Gabrielle is a soul sister and we had such a beautiful moment of synchronicity with this piece; I drew an evil eye with a tear while it was in production!! I absolutely treasure mine! DM @gabriellevalentijewels to purchase.
It’s no secret that I am in love with Pegge Hopper. When people come over I always force them to go on a tour of the art we have hanging in our home. Sorry to all the people that come over. My mother taught me to respect art and artists and beauty and wisdom and I honor this lesson. I have been collecting Pegge Hopper Serigraphs for the past few years and these women look over me daily, to me they are pure beauty and wisdom! Her gallery recently closed, but she has so many lovely prints online starting at $30!
Petit Kouraj Bags!! Meaning Little Courage in Haitian Creole. Created by Nasrin Jean-Baptiste. Made in Haiti. Sold at my awesome friend Lucy’s store Sunroom. This is the one I have!
Knotwork LA CANDY PASTEL FLOWERS MUG! Ryan tried to put me on a Ceramics Freeze but it didn’t work at all. I mean they are just SO PRETTY! This seems like a nice way to start a day!
Voyage et Cie Eau de Parfum and Candles!! My friend recently took me to this store in Studio City and now I’m hooked. I love the feeling of falling in love with a new scent; it makes me remember that so many things haven’t happened yet. I am currently very into St. Barths and Havana! I love the theme of place, of memory. I love that the products are 100% Organic and Natural. As I’ve allowed for more sensitivity in my self, I’ve become more physically sensitive to smells. Hello Panic Attack on Beverly Blvd after innocently taking a walk down memory lane with some Jo Malone Lime Basil Mandarin, I see you. These scents are gentle and soft and also evoking! IT’S A TOTAL WIN!
Gabrielle Valenti Gold Cloud Rings. I feel like every piece that Gab creates is an love letter to Mother Earth, Father Sky, Our Divine Guides of other planes, our ancestors, and sacred symbols. And also to Beauty, in all it’s forms! But you’d really have to ask her. DM @gabriellevalentijewels to purchase!
My friend Kristal is very dialed, and when I saw this place on her instagram I knew I had to go!! I love a sound bath. I am a crazy person in search of sound healings; I don’t even care how crazy that sounds. I find them both grounding and regenerating, mystical and soothing. So I booked an appointment for a private sound bath in the desert at Mojave Desert Skin Shield, and it was AMAZING. This was a very deluxe move on my part and I do not regret it at all! I am not a desert person, but the power of the bowls and the wind and the cerulean blue skies was pure magic. Patricia was lovely and has many other offerings.
AND I HATE hand cream so much. This is the first hand cream that I have found that I LOVE. Mojave Desert Skin Shield has a whole line of products, including a Ayurvedic Eye Rinse with rosewater and black lava salt!!
Some times I love something SO SO much that I’m afraid people think that I am crazy and have no friends. This is how I felt when I first laid eyes on the flowers and tinctures from Night Heron Farm at The Ojai Farmers Market this summer. I was ready to buy the whole booth! I am still swooning. I was with Tessa and she bought me some of these tinctures as a little gift - Thank you T. They are full of Adaptogens and C’MON with the art. I love the Slow Down before bed with Chamomile and Lemon Balm Leaf. I’m always on the hunt for tinctures that do not have an alcohol base and some of these have a Apple Cider Vinegar base. They offer a seasonal CSA as well. AND…
A 10 week FLOWER CSA!!! These are available for Pre-Order now for Spring if you’d like to give the gift of FLOWERS! Pick up is in Ojai, Santa Barbara, or the flower fields in Ventura. I love a solo drive to clear my mind, talk on the phone, sing my songs. My favorite thing to do is drive to Ojai to buy a book and pick up some flowers! Night Heron Farm
LIMITED EDITION ROSE PRINTS by ME!! Roses have really saved my ass during Covid, a reminder of beauty, resilience, Mother Earth, my mother, and I’d like to share their magic with you. Tomorrow I will post a series I call A ROSE CAN HEAL A BROKEN HEART. Tomorrow!
Shannon Cartier Lucy in a book! I was lucky enough to see this body of work in early March. Buy this limited edition signed book at De Boer Gallery before they are all gone! I miss wandering/ wondering through museums stopping when I see a piece of my self!
My friend Moriah has a beautiful shop Momo Taos in Taos, NM. She is part of my Il Buco family, and when ever I’m in New Mexico I make sure to take the drive to see her (and have the bone Broth at Manzanilla Market!!!) She did this collaboration with Long Dusty Trail Leather, also in Taos! It’s a fanny pack and I certainly want one. Moriah also makes really stunning jewelry and has my favorite kid on instagram.
PORCHES POTTERY My grandmother had a condo in Valle de Lobo, Portugal when I was a baby. It’s rumored that I took my first steps at a Discotheque there. We had this pottery everywhere growing up, in my grandparents home, in our home, in my aunt’s home. After my mother passed I went to this little town and drove to have lunch at Porches Pottery. They have been family owned since 1968 and all pieces are made on site. I am about to order a whole lot of Rambling Rose and this is my dream stairway!
Ho’omana Spa on Maui! This is my favorite spa. Period. The bath house and the deep tissue Lomi Lomi are total soul food! Because this dream is 3000 miles from my home, I aways get products to bring back to LA with me. All products are made on site with as many ingredients from their land as possible. Trust me when I say they smell INSANE and work so well. My favorites, if I had to pick - Passionfruit Herbal Mist, Lemongrass Sugar Scrub makes your skin soooo soft, Coconut Honey Hawaiian Awa bath ( you may need help getting out!), and the Kukui Body Butter.
Everyone loves a rainbow!! I love how Debbie Bean plays with color and light and brings so much joy into all of our lives! Order fast because these are on every single persons list and she only has two hands people!!!
After I brought these home from Hawaii, I just kept saying “I think it’s the sprays!” Shanti Kai Hawaiian Essences, created by Jayne Jensen are a big part of my life. I read a review once that said “I didn’t realize how powerful they were until I ran out.” I never want to run out! They were recommended by a friend and they happened to have them for sale at Lumeria Maui. I bought one every day that I was there and the collection has grown and grown and grown. My current favorites are Ma-Hina - Hawaiian Moon Godess, Cattleya Orchid, Earth Chakra and Venus! Also the 2020 Gold has been much loved! Just try one and see how it feels! I think that they are magic in a bottle.
Artist Maija Fiebig makes these stunning POM POMS by hand. This is mine, and it doesn’t at all do it justice, no even a little bit. They are whole neon universes in themselves! I am obsessed with mine. DM to purchase @maijafiebig
And for a soothing finish, Magic Hour Ceremonial Tea, based in Ojai, CA. It has taken me a while to really embrace the beauty of tea. I am a New Yorker and a coffee drinker. My mother and I used to go to Harney & Sons in Millerton,NY as a date, a ritual that I now continue with my dear friend Alicia. It has become a tradition to celebrate the highs and lows of life with High Tea at the Peninsula in BH with my closest friends. I am letting myself slowly transition from the hard push of coffee to the softness and whole world of tea. My friend Romy writes texts that are love letters to tea. I chose Magic Hour because I love the inherent ritual included with her teas, and the Matcha Almond and Coconut Chai are delicious! Also that.
If you made it this far, THANK YOU for reading and THANK YOU for letting me be my self. I love you.
xoJenny
