Why voting matters, tools to find out who to vote for, and WIN TEES on nov 6th

Midterm elections are less than a week away. Right now is the time to STEP UP and TAKE ACTION by getting educated on what’s on the ballot, so that together we can head to the polls and CREATE CHANGE. Like Michelle Obama said at a recent rally in Miami, “You wouldn’t give your grandmother the power to decide what clothes you wear to the club. You wouldn’t give your crazy uncle the power to post a picture to your Instagram feed. So, why would you give a stranger the power to make far more important decisions in your life?”

As you get started, the immediate questions you might have are: Why are midterms important? What are we actually voting on? How do I even begin? 

Politics are always a lot to process. The confusion and information overload it brings is overwhelming to go through let alone comprehend. We get it. So let’s break it down so that we are all on the same page:

What The midterms are elections held in the middle of a President’s term that determine who takes a seat at the House, Senate, and as state governors. This midterm election all 435 seats in House of Representatives will be voted on, 35 seats in the Senate, along with governorships in 36 states. The biggest issues brought to the table by candidates this year are health care, women’s rights, inclusivity in civil rights, the economy and immigration.

Why The candidates who win a seat will represent your state and communities, and create the laws for them. They will decide how our nation takes action on political issues. The party with a higher number of seats in each respective chamber (House or Senate) will control that chamber. If they control both chambers, they control all of Congress. They will then be able to influence which laws pass and can make or break the President's agenda.

How Since the beginning, we have been looking towards amazing women thought leaders like Yara Shahidi, Tracee Ellis Ross, America Ferrera, and MILCK for information on the election. We know these women support empowering women, and we’re here for it. We have also been doing our own research using this wonderful online tool to dive deep into who the candidates are and what voting “yes” or “no” on measures actually means. All the information on that platform is unbiased and straight from the source, so that YOU have the power to create your own informed decision. It’s easy to read and super simple to use on your phone so that you can take it with you to the polls!

And that’s the gist of it! We encourage all our Dazey ladies to take advantage of your resources and get educated on how the midterms can affect your local government, because it will! Voting with knowledge is voting with power.

#DazeyDemocracy! Vote and Win!

Dazey ladies this challenge is for you! Take a photo with your “I Voted” sticker and post with the hashtag  #dazeydemocracy on your story or feed to be entered to win some Dazey prizes! We're awarding three prizes: 1st place $100 Dazey credit, 2nd place $50 Dazey credit, 3rd place $25 Dazey credit. Also EVERYONE who shares a photo will get a 20% off code! This is your time to participate in democracy, support slow fashion, a female owned business, and SAVE while doing it. So why the hell not?!

Women on the Rise

It’s the Year of the Woman and the midterm elections are showing it. This year we have a record number of women running for office and we could not be more proud. Amongst these women, there is amazing diversity represented which could help make some headway toward achieving equality for women, minorities, and LGBTQ communities. Talk about strength in sisterhood, right?! Here are a few women on the rise who could make history during these elections:

Stacey Abrams (Governor)-  If elected, she’ll be the first female African-American governor in the United States. In this race she also has the opportunity to flip a seat at Senate from red to blue, which would be a big victory for her party. “We need a variety of perspectives at the decision-making table to ensure that no one is left out and left behind in our political system.”

Deb Haaland (House) - Running for Congress in New Mexico, Deb could be the nation’s first Native American congresswoman. “We need to have a government that reflects its country,” says Haaland. “We’ve never had a voice like mine in Congress—I think it’s time we change that. I’m not the only candidate whose set to be a ‘first’—there are so many across the country. This election year will be historic. We will hopefully have fierce voices on issues that matter to our communities, from climate change to a strong public education system. I know what it’s like to search for accessible and affordable health care, to live on food stamps, [to] need to put back food at the checkout counter, and to be drowning in student loans. We need people who’ve had these experiences represent us.”

Christine Hallquist (Senate) - Running as the Democratic nominee in Vermont, Christine is battling to become the nation’s first transgender governor.  She states, “This wasn’t exactly my career path, [but I] have an obligation to people of color to make our state a more diverse state and a welcoming state.”

Ilhan Omar (House) - Omar is 36-year-old Somali refugee who immigrated to the United States when she was 12. She is running on a deeply progressive platform, supporting medicare for all, tuition-free college, and criminal justice reform. There is a very great chance of her winning and becoming one of the first Muslim woman elected to Congress.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (House) -This millennial Bronx native and democratic socialist has been dreaming big with Senator Bernie Sanders as her political mentor. If she wins in November, she will become the youngest woman to ever be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Striving to push progressive policies, Alexandria reminds us that, “Change takes courage” and this in this midterm “we are fighting for an unapologetic movement for economic, social, and racial justice in the United States.”

So ladies, if you want to help create history with these amazing women, get out there and VOTE for a better future for us ALL.

There is strength in our sisterhood and it’s time we celebrate it. In this collection, we highlight the power women have as a collective force and identify that our intersections and differences are what makes us undeniably strong and whole.

 We are better together. We are stronger together. And in united sisterhood, together we can move forward.

The Sisterhood collection is made to inspire, unify, educate and empower our growing Dazey community with open arms. We hope that with these new graphics and phrases, we can create conversations regarding inclusiveness, intersectionality, diversity, and sisterhood.

DOWNLOAD AND SHARE VIDEOS HERE

Click the link above to download the video yourself and SHARE to win freebies and discounts throughout launch week. We have a full one min version to share in your Instagram feed and four 15-second clips to share on your Instagram Story. Prizes will be given at random and be shared on our Dazey LA story! This is a great opportunity for ambassadors to give their discount codes and collect commission as well. 

A huge shout out to  Arielle Estoria, the star of the video and poet who wrote this amazing piece. Dani met Arielle at a conference last year and was moved by her spoken word poetry performance. When she had the idea for this video she knew there wouldn't be a better girl for the job. She wrote the poem based off of the collection and worked closely with Dani to bring ver vision to life.

And hats off to our go-to video guru Marissa Rascon, the fearless female director. Dani knew she wanted a woman led team for this project and we couldn't be more amazed with Marissa and her work with Reel Rad Films. We've done many videos with her in the past but this was really NEXT LEVEL and we're so proud of her for stepping up to the plate. 

Some of the other contributors include:

Marissa Rasgon - Director

Chris Pinto - Camera & tech

Naohmi Monroe - Producer, casting director, & photography

Megan Massey - Wardrobe styling & continuity  

Phillip Butler - Assistant producer

Danielle Nagel - Art Director, design, & photography

Jasmine Varessa - Hair & MUA

Models-

Arielle Estoria, Alondriah Lenyéa, Alex Miachael May, Emily, Sumaia, Siddiq Wahhab, Angel Lin, Kelsey Quinn, & Erika Mercado

SHOP COLLECTION NOW

 

In the graphics, phrases, and content alike, we want YOU to feel represented. It is our mission to create media that matters and intentionally integrate intersections that showcase and celebrate a wider perspective than what we experience in our daily bubbles. We want to learn from each other and make strides TOGETHER. 

 

"Togetherness takes action
It takes having not just one but two seats at the table"

As highlighted in our Sisterhood poem created by Arielle, togetherness takes action. Creating a united front with YOU has been such an important piece to this collection from the start. To take action on that, we are SO THRILLED to include designs from our #dazeydesigncontest winners. These ladies brought amazing creativity, skill, and joy to the community through their submissions. Congrats and a huge thanks to these gals---Brooklyn, Nicole, and Lily--- for all their work!

 

Meet Sara Mora. She is an activist, co-president of the Women's March Youth Empower Program, DEAMer, an all around creative and blogger. She is a female powerhouse using her rising voice to empower our to generation to vote and create long lasting, positive change in our country. Born in Costa Rica and raised in New Jersey, Sara keeps close to her roots as she rises in leadership.

The summer of self care has been an epic journey of realization, relaxation, and ultimately real growth. We made it a mission to practice what we preach and did just what our Dazey tees say. We dove into downtime, made mental health a daily matter, and prioritized happy any chance we got. We went offline a ton and made the conscious decision to TAKE ACTION and improve our daily lives because stress does not equal success. To take our self care practices to the next level, we met with three wonderful gals from different backgrounds to learn new techniques that we can carry out beyond summer and into our daily routines. Read through this incredible women round up to gain insight on diverse self care practices that can guide you to self growth throughout your self care journey.

Katie Dalebout, Author and Podcast Host of Let It Out

If you'd like to dive deep into self transformation, self discovery, the power of conversation, and a full spectrum of wellness, Katie Dalebout has got you covered. In both her book, Let It Out: A Journey Through Journaling, and podcast, Let It Out, Katie creates conversation on a wide range of topics like body image, mental health, relationship to food, love, and mindfulness with the type of vulnerability and empathy that will bring your guard down and guide you to self growth. In her podcasting work, Katie interviews people who have positively impacted their industry and/or communities and unpacks the weight of their individual stories. We appreciate the long form conversations her work brings because it emphasizes the fact that everyone's story matters. With her book, you can also unpack the weight of your own story and get vulnerable through journaling exercises. 

So the big question is, Why journaling? 

The quick answer is, journaling is accessible to pretty much anyone and can be done at any time. What we love about it is that it can be done to process almost anything. Heartbreak? Journal. Creative blocks? Journal. Self doubts? Journal. Communication barriers with others? Journal. In all aspects, journaling is a way to process the world.

As Katie says in her piece with the Good Life Project, "Journaling can be so therapeutic if you let it. Sometimes with a therapist or a friend, you may alter or keep things to yourself because of fear of judgement. When writing for yourself, you have the freedom to express whatever you've been hiding in your mind." The only two rules to keep in mind while journaling are: One, Be authentic and Two, Write for no one else but yourself.

The Dazey team is all for this and believes that #selfcaremeans creating conversation with yourself and adopting positive mental health practices. If you want to start journaling or are an avid writer already, here's a prompt to guide your next entry: On a scale of 1 - 10 what does my self care look like? What can I do to take it one or two points up? Optimally, how will my day look like once I get to the highest level of self care, a 10? Feel free to tag #selfcaremeans to share your journaling practice with the Dazey team! 

Bianca Gabrielle, Emotional Freedom Coach

Okay, yes. We had an AMAZING self care summer and lived it to the fullest through fun travels, new projects, and during meet ups, coffee dates, and photoshoots. BUT that doesn't mean all of our negativity went away forever and good times + self care cured it all. Nope, not at all. Let's be REAL. The overwhelm, anxiety, discouragement, exhaustion, and lack of self confidence were still there and even peaked as the social political climate got heavy. So what do you do when all this negative energy just gets to you and all you can think is, Why is this happening to me? 

Addressing these emotions head on is tricky. Doing the work to move through them, not past them, is tricky. That's why we are so grateful to have Bianca by our side at Biz Babez to remind us that yes the work is hard, but it's doable and its important. 

And guess what, Bianca has made it so easy for beginners to tap into weekly emotional relief. Every Wednesday on Instagram live, she hosts guided tapping sessions and addresses the hard emotions, such as anxiety, heartbreak, and grief, to help guide you to self awareness and emotional freedom. We love that this technique can be done anywhere and at any time. So tune into Bianca's page to learn more and gain a new technique that can get you through those tough times. 

Jennifer Yen, Founder of Purlisse

If you don't know already Jen is a former Power Ranger villainess who is now a modern day skincare hero through her amazing line Purlisse. SO COOL, right?! She is a badass and amazing woman all around, who has built a successful brand and business by leading with her story to create a product that is true to her identity as a Chinese American woman. We are thrilled to kick off our Highlight Real project with her (coming VERY SOON) and dig deep into what it was like to transition from acting to skincare, build a business when Instagram wasn't around, and what areas to consider when thinking about health. We learned a TON through this conversation and can't wait to share with you the video soon. But for now, here are the top three self care mantras from Jen we're taking with us past summer---- 

Health Is Your First Wealth

When you think of wealth, what do you imagine? Is it material objects, exclusive experiences, and the perfect Instagram photo of you on vacation drinking from a coconut on a private island? Yeah, us too. But this shouldn't be our first idea of what wealth is. During this conversation, Jen shared with us a saying her mother would tell her growing up, Health is your first wealth. Now think about it--- how do you get wealthy? You work, you hustle, you make moves towards your goals. Now think of doing that while also being sick. Doesn't sound too doable, right? The basis of progress, success, and "wealth" is all determined by your health. When make health your FIRST wealth, both mentally and physically, you are able to then put forward your best self and make moves towards other forms of wealth. 

JOMO

Joy of missing out. Yes, giving yourself permission to say NO to the things that truly don't bring you joy. For instance, if on a Friday night a face mask and solo movie night bring you more joy than that party at a friends house, then JOMO it up and be proud of it. It's these decisions that allow you to stay grounded and commit to what's best for YOU. Why do anything other than what brings you joy?

Financial Freedom For Ultimate Mental Health

Okay ladies, this is a BIG ONE! What is financial freedom and how do you get it?Financial freedom is it is the ability to say no to unnecessary purchases, to be conscious of your spending, and to invest in yourself long term. It is the ability to create a financial saving system and be your own safety net so that you are secure when worse comes to worse. Creating this financial boundaries for yourself is such a huge self care practice that pays off in the long run. While we're no experts on this topic, we want to open the conversation on finance because it's a real struggle for most. Our mantra for this is save frequently, spend consciously. Where you put your dollar matters.

 We hope you've enjoyed following along our self care summer journey and continue to join in on the #selfcaremeans conversation. Stay tuned for the full interview with Jennifer and our Highlight Real launch along with the launch of our Fall/Winter 18' collection! 

Creating community and conversation IRL is a daily goal for Dazey. We want Dazey phrases, the ambassador program, and all our content to EMPOWER you to be brave, believe in your strengths, find community, make a difference, and share your passions and truths. We are all about creating a safe space for EVERYONE to be a part of online and IRL. Ambassador & Dazey Lady meet ups are all about creating these opportunities for YOU and having fun while doing it. 

The Dazey team finally made it to New York this month to celebrate fashion, explore the beautiful city, and indulge in inspiration from every which way. We saw, we ate, we danced, and we left filled with big goals and visions for Dazey. One of our absolutely FAVORITE moments though, was meeting our gorgeous east coast ambassadors. This group of gals brought the best energy that day, despite the funky weather, and we spent an hour ditching the hustle, forming instant friendships, pouring out excitement and silliness with open hearts. 

Here are the moments of community and conversation IRL. Lots of love to the gals who came out and our ambassadors from all over! You all truly are THE BEST damn community I've ever been a part of. 

xox Dani

 

Washington Square Park |  September 12, 2018 | NYC Ambassador Meet Up ♥

 Dazey Getawayz in New York City

I went to NYC once for a weekend with my family when I was a teenager. So basically I had never REALLY been to New York. I always heard people talk about its magical effect on you and didn't believe them. Now I get it. I don't know if it was the novelty of it all, change of weather, the good food, or just having a great time with my friend Champagne, but it really was wonderful. Champagne and I both left feeling inspired and refreshed as people and as business owners. 

We originally planned this trip awhile back because we wanted to be in the city for New York Fashion Week. Ever since I was a young fashion student I wanted to go to see what the fuss was all about. We did make it into a few shows and events which was fun...but when we got there we realized we really just wanted to do our own thing and explore this special city! We had both been feeling like we were in a creative rut and this was exactly what we needed to jumpstart our creatives juices. We walked around the entire week finding new places and taking photos as we went. The captions on my Insta posts below should give you a hint as to how I was feeling by the end of the trip! We were ready to pack our bags and be bicoastal babes ;) 

Below are some Dazey looks we snapped around the city along with some of the best places we went. I broke them up by area so if you're traveling in NYC it will be easier to navigate my recommendations all in one spot. Leave a comment at the bottom if you enjoy these Dazey Getawayz posts and want more!

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So how we all feel about the name “Dazey NYC”!? 😜 My worst fear happened and I seriously fell in love with this city ❤️ I don’t know what the future holds but I know I want a lot more of New York in it ✨ Writing this on my @alaskaair flight back home and already scheming ways to get back ✈️ PS for all those asking about this dress it’s in the Dazey Lady shop now, limited quantities avail so snag now 😘 Photo by my travel partner in crime @champagneunicorns 📸 #bicoastalbabe?! #dazeygetawaz #NYC #danidazey

A post shared by Dazey LA - Brand & Boss Blog (@dazey_la) on Sep 13, 2018 at 5:40pm PDT

 

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Rain can’t get my down in the city of dreams ☔️ Sometimes you just need a dose of inspiration to remember why you do what you do ✨ Wearing my Risk Taker Dream Maker tee feels so right here ❤️👊 #danidazey #dazeyla #findinspiration #dazeygetawayz #brooklynbaby

A post shared by Dazey LA - Brand & Boss Blog (@dazey_la) on Sep 10, 2018 at 3:09pm PDT

 

Maman - Caffeinate - SoHo

We were regulars here by the end of the trip, no joke! It was the very first stop on our first day and we kept coming back. The coffee and pastries were so great it was hard not to. Our favorite part had to be the ambiance. It really felt like we were in a magical little french cafe. The window seating was great for people watching and the seating in the back felt like a little escape, perfect to get some work done. 

 

Warm - Shop - SoHo

This little shop was like finding a slice of California in the concrete jungle. It was filled with so many colorful and cozy clothes and objects, displayed one after the other almost like it it was a vintage store. Curated beautifully with 70's inspired goodies I found a ton of design inspiration here.

 

Eat - Egg Shop - SoHo

I love eggs. As soon as I head recommendations for this spot I WAS THERE! It did not disappoint. Champagne and I almost ordered a second dish because we loved the first so much haha. The wait did take awhile but there was plenty of cute shops nearby to distract us. Order the deconstructed Benedict! 

 

 

Pietro Nolita - DON'T EAT, Snap photo - SoHo area

After seeing many-an-Instagram at this spot I knew I wanted to strike a pose in front of the pink facade. I had a few warnings that the food was just ok but I decided to try it anyways. Fairly bland, overpriced, and only accepted American Express - WHAT!? So I'd skip the food portion and just take your photo. But beware they only allow iPhone photos and get pretty grouchy otherwise, at least that was my experience lol. Here's the photos we were able to get!

 

 

Eat - Dez - SoHo

We had been window shopping all day in SoHo and all of the sudden realized it was three o'clock and we hadn't eaten! I hopped onto Yelp and found this cute spot. A walk-up-and-order joint with good prices and really good food. It had a super hip moroccan desert vibe and they serve middle eastern food. A great spot to grab a quick bite if you're in the area!

 

Shop - Goods for the Study - SoHo

Directly across the street from Dez was an artists paradise, a store filled to the brim with different pens and markers. They also have a giant pad of paper in the middle for you to test! Next door they have a paper version of the same store dedicated solely to stationary. We had a lot of fun looking around!

 

Shop - Artists & Fleas - SoHo

I was familiar with the name because Artists and Fleas hosts pop up shops in both Venice and the Arts District in LA. In New York they have a handful of permanent locations filled with mini shops of small artists and designers. We were only able to stop by the SoHo location and it was super cute, and I hear the other locations were even better. That's where Champagne and I snagged our adorable Min & Mon bag pictured above. 

 

Eat - Butchers Daughter - SoHo area

This was for sure one of the most recommended places of the trip. I think the name is quite clever for a mostly vegan/vegetarian spot! I had been to their Venice location in LA and the interior was to die for. The original NYC location was a bit smaller and slightly more simple but I think the food was actually better! My turmeric latte was amazing too, and that's not normally something I order.

 

 

Shop & Caffeinate - Canal Street Market - Canal Street

Another collective of cute small companies, complete with a coffee shop and food options! This place felt really eclectic and artsy, less corporate than some of the other similar spaces. Definitely stop in here for a coffee & shop sesh! 

 

Eat - Nickel and Dine - Chinatown/SoHo area

A solid spot with cute interior and good grub! American style food, be sure to order the garlic fries. They have a nice patio as well as large indoor area with full bar.

 

Drink - Apotheke - Chinatown

Hidden away in a Chinatown alley this place can be tricky to find, with the sign reading just "Chemist" outside, we almost missed it! As you enter you get some serious speakeasy vibes. Underground, live music, dimly lit, and an extensive, fancy cocktail list. We had some amazing drinks filled with all sorts of unexpected ingredients! Well worth the pretty penny we paid. Maybe don't spend your whole night and savings account here, but worth one or two drinks for sure. 

 

To do - Central Park - The tourist trap not to miss

Most of our trip we spent avoiding tourist traps but we did spend a day doing the rounds. The one that really stood out was Central Park. It was massive and felt almost enchanted. With the place being so spread out it never felt overwhelming or crowded. Moss grew on century old statues, horses trotted on cobblestone roads,  people rowed boats through the lake, and giant rocks and overgrown bridges were everywhere. Grab a latte and take a walk!

 

 

 

Treat - Van Leewens - ALL over

With one of their few LA locations being blocks from my apartment I know their cream all too well. The honey comb flavor is hands down my favorite of all time (sorry Jennis and Cool Haus). I knew it was New York based but I had no idea they had so many adorable and different locations! This one by Central Park had my favorite interior.    

 

BROOKLYN BABY - A city of it's own

We dedicated two whole days of our trip to exploring Brooklyn, and it was NOT enough! It's truly a city of its own split into so many districts. We ended up spending most of our time in Williamsburg and found some really cute spots. 

Eat - Cafe Colette - Williamsburg

Quaint as can be with great food to match. Vintage diner vibes with a modern twist. Indoor, outdoor, and hybrid seating available! What does that mean!? They have one room that totally feel like an indoor/outdoor greenhouse - really epic. Great spot for a little brunch and there wasn't a wait when we went on Sunday, which people say is rare for an NYC brunch spot! 

Shop - Beacons - Williamsburg

A few people mentioned this spot but I had NO IDEA what I was in for. It is heaven on earth for you second hand lovers, both contemporary and vintage. It's like Crossroads and Buffalo Exchange had a way cooler and larger baby, if that makes sense haha. It was so overwhelming we could hardly contain ourselves! They had anything you would want in every color and price range. I imagine a lot of NY gals working in the fashion industry sell here because it was filled with designer pieces that looked and seemed brand new. And the prices were amazing, I got a $600 Anna Sui dress for $50! Everyone says the Brooklyn location is the best too, so don't miss it.

 

Caffinate, drink, eat - Sauvage - Brooklyn

 

I can really only attest to the coffee as that's all we did here, but I can imagine the food is wonderful! We were trying to escape the rain and stumbled upon this gorgeous spot. The interior was truly beautiful. We sat by the bar window looking out at the rainy intersection with our coffees. It felt like we were in Paris in the 1920s! One of those places that transports you.

 

Shop - Burson & Reynolds - Brooklyn

Right by Sauvage we found the most adorable store, Burson & Reynolds. We ended up getting almost all of our souvenirs here! They had an eclectic choice of paper goods, fun finds, and decor pieces. We chatted with the owner awhile and she's all about supporting artists, especially ones local to NY or Brooklyn. Whenever I travel I try to support local businesses in the area so I was happy to give them all my money haha. I loved all the art and the whole vibe of this shop!

 

Shop - Bulletin - Williamsburg

A really cool store concept, since it's hard to own your own store in NYC they rent shelf space specifically to small feminist brands. Before you say, "Dazey should be in there!" don't worry, they contacted me awhile back. It didn't make much sense with our made to order business model, but I do love the idea! It was really cool to have heard about it before and then see in person. A lot of sassy fun stuff that will make you LOL and make the patriarchy roll in it's grave. 

Shop - Mociun Home - Williamsburg

It's no secret I love interior decorating and this place took my breath away. Hand picked and hand made pottery with a gradient backsplash?! Count me in. Lately I've been dreaming of having quirky matching kitchen wear. Maybe one day, but for now I can come in here and daydream.

 

Caffinate & work - Devocion - Brooklyn

My friend Rae told me this was her favorite coffee shop and I could instantly see why. They not only take the art of coffee seriously, but give you a stunning environment to enjoy it in. We ended up spending a few hours in here getting work done at their cozy booths complete with a plant wall backdrop. The croissants you see below are passionfruit and brie and blew my mind. 

 

Shop - Love Only - Williamsburg

Some awesome brands, styles, and a friendly staff. The girl working literally wrote down a laundry list of places we had to visit and gave us the full scoop on living in NY. A little more funky than your average New York store, and again more California vibes haha (sensing a theme here). The area is great for shopping but this store certainly stood out! 

 

Shop - Concrete & Water - Williamsburg

Really beautiful store with a back patio area. Men & women's clothing, some high end brands but not the boring kind. Really loved the vibe and branding in here! Felt very inspired by the pretty winter wear. Plus an adorable shop dog always helps.

 

Caffinate - Toby's Estate - Williamsburg

Another coffee rec from Rae, she really killed it. We had about two lattes a day out there, not only to stay away but to try all of the places! This one was large yet cozy. Good drinks and I imagine a great spot to get some work done too. They had a bunch of back rooms exposed where they actually make the coffee beans and experiment so that's always cool to see! 

 

 

Eat - Sweetwater - Williamsburg

Saving one of our favorite spots for last. Another quick Yelp find that far exceeded our expectations. When we walked in it felt like we were entering a different era. You could tell that whether it was Sweetwater or another restaurant, it has been there a long time. The floor tiling, wallpaper, and bar just felt so vintage and truly authentic. All the vibes. It even prompted us to do an impromptu photoshoot as we were waiting for our food! With the rain falling outside we decided to get onion soup and burrata. Oh my gosh I had no idea soup and burrata could have that much FLAVOR and look that beautiful. Don't miss this spot!

 

 

Back to LA in style - Alaska Air - JFK lounge

I had never flown anywhere but in the very back of the cheapest plane and waited in the crowded public areas of the airport. WOAH, to see how the fancy folks fly was a game changer! The Alaska Air lounge in JFK Airport was insane. Gorgeously designed interior, free food, and FREE LATTE BAR! All my favorite things. We got to the airport a bit early and had a chance to relax and work from the lounge and it really felt like we we're hanging in some luxe coffee shop. Then on the plane we had enough room in front of us to work on our laptops without having to do T-rex hands. It really helped me feel like I accomplished stuff on my flight.

 

Summer has left us buzzing with inspiration, new projects, and ideas that require some serious work and planning. But after all this fun and movement, how do we find the motivation to be still and buckle down on executing these exciting feats? As you can tell from Biz Babez and the Dazey Desert House, we believe that the more you enjoy the space your in, the more you're able to find focus, energy, motivation, and put your best self forward.   

We want everyone to be able to create this feeling in their homes and workspaces. The feeling that once you walk into your space, you can look around and feel cozy, inspired, and so content with your surroundings. To help you curate your dream space, we are SO THRILLED to finally launch Dazey Den, our newest branch of Dazey LA! Here you will find a growing collection of home goods and decor created by badass independent, female-owned brands. Whether you're working from home, a desk at the office, or at your favorite local coffee shop, we know that a workday is more motivating when you're surrounded by little things that bring you joy. You'll find wonderful handmade pieces at Dazey Den ranging in all shapes, sizes, and price points. We recommend these female owned brands 100% and cannot wait to grow this new cozy corner of Dazey. 

SHOP DEN HERE

Gettin' Zen with Dazey Den

Bringing zen and new inspiration into your home can be achieved in simpler steps than feng shui and full on room makeovers. Sometimes all you need is a fresh color, texture, or accent in your space to keep you content and cozy. Our very own Dazey lady Megan Massey, owner of The Little Avocado Shop, was the lucky first customer to shop Dazey Den and spruce up her sun filled space. Since a lot of her work is done from home, it's so important to keep the space both inviting and inspirational. Any nook should easily become a work nook and Dazey Den pieces were easy to make that possible.

For us, peak performance starts with peak comfort. We love a bright, cushy workspace to spread out in, listen to music, and get the creative juices flowin'. To add new coziness and warmth, Megan started at the perfect place with our new San Junipero pillow covers. These simple and easy accent pieces bring instant gratification and mini transformation to any home and are made for long lasting wear.

New San Junipero pieces that couldn't be more stoked on are Bekka's, the boss babe behind San Junipero, latest line of hand drawn throws. After creating goods with only vintage textiles for so long, Bekka was inspired to dive in and create fun, handmade artwork for a new line of ethically made textiles. The line isn't out yet, but let me tell you IT IS SO GOOD! Check out her stories to see BTS and the full process! A cozy, bold piece like this adds unexpected spice to any space and is always a fun gift if you're shopping for someone else! Stay tuned for her full release later this week!

Gettin' Fond with Fibers

Macramé can liven up a space and bring the home-iest of vibes all day, any day. It's a thoughtful, handmade medium that requires patience and a long process of meditative knotting, which you can see Megan is a true master at. Her modern macramé pieces elevate the simplest corners of a home and add just the right amount of sophisticated quirk. Long plant hangers, decorative pot sleeves, and quaint coasters are some of the simple delights you can now find at Dazey Den from our girl.

Using texture in interior design can be tricky, but The Little Avocado Shop makes it effortless and chic with these wonderful feather wall hangings. Finding texture in unusual places gives great personal character to a room and contributes pleasant visual weight. We adore these creations and already have reserved space at Biz Babez for a few! 

Our favorite mini enhancement piece from The Little Avocado Shop are the new macrame coasters Megan designed for coffee cups, baby plants, little frames, and anything else you can think of layering. It's an adorable and affordable accent piece that instantly brightens and adds interest to any surface.

 

Make Simple, Solid Statements 

Emily Snyder is a local Los Angeles artist who creates grounding, colorful canvas artwork that brings meaning and thoughtful attention to any wall. She notes, "The simplicity of making something from nothing just by pulling thread through fabric makes me feel so good and so connected to all the humans who’ve made things with their hands over thousands of years." Pondering on each handmade piece you own, noticing the craft, the particular touch, and the curious heart it took to create is such a BEAUTIFUL thing. We are beyond happy to have her work be a part of the Dazey Den launch. 

These strong pieces can rest easily in room and effortlessly serve as artistic reminders that life is messy and messy is beautiful. Emily wonderfully notes, "Art is my antidote to perfectionism, I’m more than okay with a crooked line or a misplaced brushstroke. My paintings are made by a human." Seeing the human hand in her work gives symbolic life to a room and provides comfort in an unexpected way. Biz Babez already has a few of her pieces hanging and we can't get enough of them. Note: These are very limited, so if you're eyeing one think fast! 

We love the women who are contributing thoughtful pieces to our homes through Dazey Den and cannot wait to grow our listings. If you have an artist / maker suggestion please reach out to us! When you're ready to spruce up you space with Dazey Den, remember that your space can be your sanctuary and where you work can also be where you're inspired. 

She's All Fat hosts, Sophia and April, are leading the conversation on body positivity with humor, grace, and a wealth of knowledge. These gals are two peas in a pod(cast) who hold safe space for anyone to join in and #createconversation on dense topics like body politics, radical self love, and popular culture intricacies from a femme perspective. For their fatmily and new listeners alike, She's All Fat authentically shows up for everyone and educates how anyone can do the work. Read on to learn how these women take conscious actions to self empower and in turn, empower their diverse listeners. 

What I love about about She’s All Fat Podcast is that you two are able to create conversation around body positivity, diversity, intersectional feminism, and current social issues in a positive, upbeat manner. You two do an AMAZING job at being the most approachable hosts that these topics suddenly become easy to talk about. When did you start speaking up and speaking out on these topics? How did the She’s All Fat Pod come to be?

Thank you! Both of us began our journeys with body positivity by following tons of body positive accounts on Instagram a few years back (shoutout to @gabifresh, @nicolettemason, @iamdaniadriana, and so many more!) and found that diversifying our feeds had a major impact on how we saw ourselves.

About a year after we became friends, we realized that not only did we share our passion about body positivity, but we also were both huge fans of podcasts. We were so excited at the possibility of creating a space of our own to join the body positivity conversation in podcast form while adding our own spin to it. Our friend Lindsey came up with the title and She’s All Fat was born!

 

It’s great that you mention how your feed majorly impacted your self image. What was your feed like before diversifying your feed? What is your relationship with social media like since then?

Before we diversified our feeds, neither of us saw many bodies that looked like ours in every day, smiling pictures or in glamorous, influencer shots. Now that we've diversified our feeds, it feels affirming and our bodies feel, well, normal, when we go online and scroll through. It was a first step for both of us to be able to tell ourselves, hey, there's these other bodies that look like mine and they're beautiful, and maybe one day I'll be able to say that to myself. Now that our feeds are more representative, we also try to add more accounts that aren't like us at all, that further expand the images we see and further normalize bodies that are often marginalized.

Talk to us about the new season. What’s new, who’s on, what are you excited about? 

This season, we have an episode dedicated to superfat people, an episode about non-binary fat people, and an episode about raising body positive children. These are all identities and intersections that we do not personally experience, but we are super excited to learn more about and explore on the show. We’ll also be doing more media critique and answering lots of listener questions.

How do you define body positivity?

April: Body positivity is a political movement about the liberation of all marginalized bodies. To me, it is primarily about the need for societal change so that no one faces marginalization due to the bodies that they live in and secondarily about one’s personal journey to self-love and acceptance.

Sophie: Ditto April. Body positivity is political. It’s the movement to respect every body, and treat the amazingly diverse bodies we have with care, respect, and attention to the differences while making spaces and places accessible and welcoming to all. In order to achieve that goal, we have to uplift and highlight the most marginalized bodies, and focus on tearing down the ways those bodies are shamed, pathologized, and demonized. Body positivity is often confused in the public sphere with self-love - not the same thing at all!

You two are kicking ass as podcasters, content creators, social activists, and all around entrepreneurs. Being paving your own path and your boss can be so freeing, but also so overwhelming. What has been your biggest lesson in entrepreneurship?

April: I have learned that while it can be extremely difficult to assemble a team,  having a great one can truly make or break your small business. Our rockstar of a producer Maria Wurttele and our intern Lynn Barbera are truly what dreams are made of and we would not be able to put out the pod without them.

Sophie: I’ve learned to trust myself and my biz partner more. Every time we’ve done something that our guts warned us about, that thought in the back of our heads ended up being something we should have listened to. In the end, we know ourselves and our business better than anyone else, and it’s okay to say no to the wrong opportunities to make space for the right ones.

She's All Fat creates conversation on topics that desperately need to be put at the forefront. What’s a social issue you wish were openly discussed more?

April: I think intersectionality is so important and an issue we emphasize in every single episode of the show. There are many times when I see people discussing issues that women face without acknowledging that not all women are white and women of color may experience those same issues more acutely. I’m pretty militant and truly believe that no one is free until we are all free, and we will never get there if we cannot challenge ourselves to acknowledge other people’s experiences.

Sophie: Again, what April said. I wish white people spent more time talking about racism amongst ourselves - a lot of white people will learn about racism and then turn to the black people and people of color in their lives to express shock and horror, and that’s not helpful. I think we need to be working on our internalized racism and the pain of trying to grow and work on ourselves with the support of other white people, not putting that burden on those who are already marginalized.

I also wish people talked about the connection between food and the way you feel more. I think sometimes, so much of the way people fall into diet culture has to do with a sense of needing to lose weight to “be healthy” and an ignorance of the way health, diet, and food actually interact and how it’s so individual for every body. Finding intuitive eating - or being on the path towards intuitive eating - and learning to center my eating experience around what my body needs and wants to feel good instead of what I want it to look like has been life-changing for me, and I wish more people had that experience.

Yes, I love that you are bringing light to these issues. Intersectionality has been a big topic in the Dazey community recently. What tip would you give to people who are trying to be more conscious in understanding and practicing intersectionality?

We think it's important to uplift the most marginalized voices as well as find the times when it's important to listen instead of talk. The best way to learn is to read, to listen, and to engage in conversation with others who are also learning. For example, there's lots of resources for white women who are trying to learn how to be more intersectional about their feminism in terms of race. There's instagram accounts that can introduce you to topics of intersectionality, there's lots of easily google-able essays about how white women can be allies to black women, and there's plenty of books where you can read about people's experiences different from your own. Overall, it's important to stay curious and to be comfortable messing up and admitting when you maybe hurt someone even by accident - it's okay to be learning.

What has your journey of self love been like and how do you practice self love today?

April: My journey with self-love has been just that; a journey that is ongoing with plenty of ups and downs. I grew up incredibly steeped in diet culture and did not even begin to break free from it until college, where I gave up dieting for good and started to feel more comfortable in my body as-is. Today, I practice self-love by making a conscious effort to be less hard on myself and give myself lots of grace. I’m definitely a recovering perfectionist!

Sophie: I also try to not beat myself up when I feel like I “fail” at loving myself. I practice self-love by setting boundaries, which can be really hard to do! And baths, lots of baths and bath bombs.

What would you tell someone who is struggling with self love and confidence? 

 

Sophie: For me, it's been helpful to have days where I focus on feeling just neutral about myself or trying to experience not thinking about my body 24/7. I don't always have to feel like the hottest thing in the room; it can be very freeing to just breathe and let myself exist in the form I inhabit.

April: Ditto. It's important to allow yourself non-body-love days, and it's important to remember that you're deserving of respect and accessibility every single day, regardless of how you feel about yourself that day.

April, how do you Prioritize Happy?

I'm honestly working on getting better at this! Something that helps me is remembering that I have a limited amount of time to be alive and I want to enjoy it. As Beyoncé says in the "Pretty Hurts" music video, "My main goal in life is to be happy."

Sophia, how does the phrase That’s A Hard No resonate with you?

I can sometimes have trouble setting clear boundaries, mostly with family and friends who I care about and often want to over-extend myself for. When I'm successful in setting those clear boundaries, I find that it's often easier and less scary than I had feared, and everyone is happier when I'm comfortable, well-rested, and able to be generous without feeling resentful of my time or space. It's a lot easier to say "no" or "leave me alone!" to strangers or people I don't know!

The boho wedding dress of my dreams was created by the dreamer, wanderlust, and free spirited creative Angeline, boss babe of Island Tribe. Inspired by the ocean and earth elements, their intimate designs are created to transcend peace and tranquility. When you buy Island Tribe, you receive a piece of love. 

We had a chance encounter at a coffee shop in Palm Springs. I was walking in when I hear someone yell "Hey, Dani!" I look over and didn't recognize the gorgeous and stylish woman calling my name and thought to myself "Oh no, we must have met and I don't remember!?". I walk over and say hi and right away Angeline says "We haven't met but I follow you on Instagram!". We end up chatting for quite awhile and and come to find she just moved to Palm Springs from Los Angeles. Since I just bought a house in the desert I was keen to make friends out there so I asked to follow Angeline on Instagram and see she owns a GORGEOUS wedding dress line! I was blown away and knew I needed to feature her :)

For our shoot I met up with Angeline on a warm summer morning in Palm Springs to talk about entrepreneurship, have a boss babe photoshoot, and luckily got to slip into the most gorgeous pieces too! Read on to feel the free spirit, learn about the intentions of each piece, and hear to truth of what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur in fashion.

You are quite the world traveler! Where are you from originally and what brought you to Palm Springs?

As a female entrepreneur, I am always looking for day to day hacks, solid business advice, and sparks of inspiration to help me and Dazey thrive. No matter how long you’ve been an entrepreneur or working in your industry, there’s TONS to gain each and every day. As I learn from and face the challenges of entrepreneuriship and womanhood head on, I want to start sharing my musings, do my best to be a resource, and #createconversation around the things that give me a little boost. ❤

 

Oh man, this month was a real life #selfcaresummer moment. It was jam packed and I can’t believe it’s almost over! I was back and forth between the desert house and L.A. enjoying summer shenanigans, designing the new collection, launching the highlight REAL project, and pretty much losing it keeping up with my email inbox. My biggest strength + weakness is I LOVE to live each project or event to the FULLEST. I love to go all out, put all my energy into it, and go, go, go! BUT that also means I forget to slow down and take it all in. There were a few moments this month where that mentality led me to tons of anxiety, exhaustion, and overwhelm. I've been learning to LISTEN to these feelings and respect them. This month has been all about learning to stop and smell the flowers so, if you're anything like me, maybe these suggestions can help you too! Check out these three hacks that helped me learn to slow down, manage self care, and regain focus and excitement. 

Swoon on Fresh Blooms

They say dreams don’t work unless you do, but what if you work so much that you get yourself sick?! Or full of anxiety and stress? Ugh, I'm sure we all know what it's like to feel defeated by a long to-do list, piling up projects, and too many unread texts / emails. I've learned that the harder you hustle, the harder you have to self care. It's the little things that perk up your day to day that can remind you to slow down and reflect on all the good work you're doing. 

 

Last week the wonderful ladies at The Bouqs Co. brought a dozen bouquets to Biz Babez for our interview photoshoot (check out the interview here!). It was a long day of shooting and pulling together fun and fresh ideas, but my FAVORITE part was seeing the office space decked out in the most gorgeous tropical bouquets at the end of the day! The funny thing is Biz Babez is already filled with tons of plants, but there's something special about looking at fresh blooming flowers that is so calming and meditative. A quick and easy way to slow down during a work day is pick up flowers at a shop or on a neighborhood walk and use them as a reminder to reflect. Put them in an area where you can look at them often and practice a mantra or give gratitude each time it catches your eye. I'm so swoon on the positive effect fresh blooms have given my space! Such a fun, simple way to transform your mood! 

PRO TIP: Looking to elevate your feed too? Let me tell you, flowers are the BEST prop! Fill the frame, interact with loose stems, and embrace the lighthearted feels they bring! Huge shout out to The Bouqs Co. for supplying the most epic florals and bringing so much life to this shoot! 

Mental Health Breaks

Twelve hour days are the unglamorous side of being a small business owner. There’s always so much to do and so little time it seems, which makes it easy to work myself into bouts of anxiety and overwhelm. When I’m feeling like enough is enough during a long work day, I make sure to take a mental health break ASAP. Whether that’s heading home early to catch an evening walk with Phillip and Franklin, unplugging at happy hour with friends, totally relocating to the desert house for quiet work time, or allowing myself to skip work completely the next day, I take steps to make sure Dazey LA always gets the BEST of me and not what’s left of me. Even though I know these mental health breaks are so needed, the hardest part about mental health breaks is feeling guilt free. Set your guilt aside by creating a game plan! Literally manage your self care by scheduling downtime. Put it on your to-do list because then you can have the satisfaction of checking it off!

NOTE: Sending the reminder that mental health breaks DO NOT look the same for everyone, and that’s okay! For example, majority of my gal pals take mental health breaks by practicing yoga on a regular basis. I love them and support them, but yoga is SO NOT my thing. And that’s not a bad thing! #Selfcaremeans learning to find what works and ditch what doesn’t because what’s the point of it all if it doesn’t help you in the end?! Get creative, try something new, and find an activity that makes YOU feel good ❤ 

 

Confide in Community

True or false: It’s easier to do things alone. No need for a drumroll because we all know it’s FALSE! Community is such a strong aspect in my social well being and the well being of Dazey! From our wonderful ambassadors, the loving Insta community, my strong boss babes at Biz Babez, to main boys Phillip and Franklin, these people help me succeed in my goals, bring light and meaning to my work, and allow me to recharge and have a good time, always. I've learned that when you confide in community, so many doors open up and possibilities for growth become endless. 

For example, when I open the door to #createconversation online, I am so struck by the comments from beautiful strangers that pop up. I admire the women who are able to speak vulnerably, make sure others feel heard, and empower those around them. When you confide in your community, you create conversations that make you to feel heard and less alone. And in the end, that empowers you to regain your light and focus and press on!  Check out this wonderful post and continue to let it out and lean on your community!

A new way I created conversation this month, is I took big steps and finally started our highlight REAL project, a video series that aims to fight social stigmas and create conversation around real life joys and plights. I interviewed the lovely Jennifer Yen, founder and owner of Purlisse, and we talked about mental health, JOMO, and finding magic in the mundane. Opening up the conversation on these topics IRL really allowed me to find peace in my own struggles and pursuits because I knew I wasn’t truly going through them alone. I can see that even successful women deal with anxiety, financial downfalls, and self care struggles.  I even got to learn all about her love of JOMO, joy of missing out, and put it to practice!