Jewelry for the Learned - Doctora Designs

A cuff by Doctora Designs.  (Credit: Hermosa Journal)

   You did it. You got that degree.  Now, you can celebrate all your hard work with a meaningful and sophisticated piece of jewelry.  We aren’t talking about any old piece of finery, we are talking about bling that does good and makes a statement.  We are referring to Doctora Designs.

   Launched in 2017, by Dr. Angela Chen, Doctora Designs celebrates the academic achievement and the wisdom in all of us.  The company was born out of Chen’s experience as a woman of color in graduate school challenging stereotypes and the status quo.  As an activist and former undocumented student, Chen wanted to empower scholars like her - those who are often rendered invisible due to gender, class or immigration status.  Holding this intention close to her heart, Chen created a line of jewelry to honor educated beauties and christened the venture Doctora Designs to embrace populations not traditionally considered knowledge holders.  

   When you buy a Doctora piece, you can embrace your own hard work while contributing to the achievement of others.  This great company donates a portion of every sale to the Doctora Textbook Scholarship which helps students get books and school supplies.  That's right, the recognition of your own journey also helps other people.  Think of Doctora jewelry as a way for your beliefs and activism to follow you regardless of whether you are working in a lab, a courtroom or protesting on the street.

   Next time you are trying to figure out how to treat yourself for getting that advanced degree or when your bestie completes her studies, head over to Doctora Designs.  Shop on!

PST:LA/LA Officially Launches

A PST:LA/LA Opening Celebration invitation which includes a photograph of Ana Serrano's 2008 'Cartonlandia'. (Photo Credit: Hermosa Journal)

   The Getty initiative, PST:LA/LA, has officially launched!  There has been a tremendous amount of buzz around all the exhibitions, gallery openings and art related parties.  We are sooo excited for this wonderful exploration of Latino and Latin American art in the Southern California area.  Stay tuned as we share some of our favorite exhibitions!

Celia, Frida and La Catrina - A Lil’ Libros Library

Select titles from the Lil' Libros library.  (Photo Credit: Hermosa Journal)

   We have been in love with the Lil’ Libros creations since 2014.  The company produces unique bilingual children’s books, games and posters.  Created by life long friends, Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein, all the books in the Lil’ Libros collection feature luxurious colors, playful illustrations and fun wording.

Lil' Libros books make wonderful birthday gifts.  (Hermosa Journal).

   Rodriguez and Stein started the company after they each began having children and realized that something was missing from the board book market - culturally relevant bilingual books they loved.  Both of the Lil’ Libros founders are first generation Americans (with parents hailing from Mexico) committed to helping children become bilingual.  In the Spring of 2017, these passionate dual language advocates added another gem to their treasure trove of children’s titles: The Life of/La Vida de Celia.  This title comfortably falls right in line with the company’s other fabulous books we can’t get enough of like Frida, Loteria, and Un Elefante.

Lil' Libros as party favors.  (Hermosa Journal)

   Interested in getting their newest gem?  The Lil’ Libros team is now taking pre-orders for their 10th title, La Catrina.  If you are looking for ways to expose the little ones in your life to the beauty of reading in English and Spanish, a Lil’ Libros gift is a perfect solution.

Traditional Techniques & Modern Fashion - Carla Fernández

Carla Fernandez's Pom Pom dress from her Spring-Summer 2017 collection. (Photo Credit: Hermosa Journal)

   It’s no secret that we are big fans of Carla Fernández’s creations.  The designer makes beautiful avant-garde clothing deeply intertwined with Mexico’s vast indigenous artistic legacy.  Fernández helps preserve this rich creative history by incorporating the craft of talented artisans (like foot wool felting or mud dyeing) into her designs.  The collaboration between ancient indigenous techniques and Fernández’s modern designs result in stunning, wearable pieces of art.

A classic Fernández bracelet inspired by a traditional Mexican molinillo. (Hermosa Journal)

The bracelets come in various sizes and there is a new color per season. (Hermosa Journal)

Photo credit: Hermosa Journal

  This fusion between old and new helps modernize the artistry while bringing awareness to the craftsmanship to ensure it will be enjoyed for years to come.  We love Fernández’s work because it is rooted in a cause we deeply care about: the celebration of culture (and we also think the finished results are beautiful).  With several stores in Mexico (from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende) and designs available via her website, you can now buy Fernández’s work regardless of where you are located.  Her newest collection will be available late August 2017.  So, next time you are looking for clothes that are unique and rooted in tradition, start with Carla Fernández.

Squares are a common pattern in Fernandez's designs. (Hermosa Journal)

Relaxing One Sound At A Time - A Sound Bath with Victoria Keen

Photo Credit: Victoria Keen

   The effervescent Victoria Keen, a sound artist and all around creative spirit, is bringing her magical sound baths to Culver City.  Wondering what’s a sound bath?  In simple terms, it’s an opportunity to lay down, listen to sounds and relax.  Behind the scenes, while you’re on the verge of falling asleep from the lullaby of beautiful sounds, Keen is actually tapping into the ancient healing modality of sound and vibration to promote rest and well being.

Photo Credit: Victoria Keen

   The sounds Keen produces are meant to calm the body enough so it enters into a deep state of relaxation.  Keen explains, “...people are in constant fight or flight mode from the frenetic pace of modern living…[and] sound works to calm the sympathetic nervous system so the parasympathetic nervous system can be activated, relaxing our human organism.”  As the body slows down, it is able to repair and come into greater balance.  In Keen’s sound tool box there are instruments to clear energy, induce a meditative state and everything in between - all aimed at helping the body unwind.  Inspired by her training as a pianist and visual artist, Keen “weaves a sonic tapestry that is also a prayer, meditation,...and a healing experience.”  Like a true artist, she selects her instruments for a session based on intuition and the energy of the gathering.

Photo Credit: Hermosa Journal

   Keen discovered sound healing after a transformative experience with Mitch Naur (one of the longest playing Gong masters in the United States).  After the encounter she felt compelled to learn more and in 2013 she completed Naur’s Gong training.  Now, she helps others enjoy the benefits of sound baths.  Keen begins every session with a group intention and offers “a prayer up for the larger collective.”  Participants are invited to set a personal intention, if they wish, as Keen believes intentions are magnified in group settings.  After about an hour of Keen’s beautiful sound symphony, the session gently ends and life resumes.

Photo Credit: Hermosa Journal

   We recently attended one of Keen’s sound baths at WMN Space in Culver City and were blown away by how relaxed and clear headed we felt afterward.  This auditory meditation experience had us floating for days.  While different people will inevitably have different feelings and sensations during the session, commonly cited results include clarity of mind and feeling calm.  Our universal recommendation?  In order to really enjoy the sound bath, bring an open mind (Keen also recommends toting along your favorite eye cover and blanket).

To find Keen, follow her on Instagram. Currently, Keen plays a monthly First Friday Sacred Sound Bath at WMN Space in Culver City.