Before I begin, I’d like to introduce myself a bit. I’ve recently moved back to Florida from NYC and am ever so grateful for the constant sun. I’m a Biology major at Cornell University, but I believe my true love to be art and fashion. This love has continued to grow as I am inspired by more and more every day. In the past year, I’ve began working with Cornell Fashion Collective and have had my eyes opened to so much creativity, passion and knowledge in the world of design. From a young age, Lourdes has always been a fashion and lifestyle role model to me, and has inspired me to dive deeper into current fashion, culture, and society. In my coming blogs, I want to delve into some fashion history, and put in the spotlight some modern artists and designers that are worth attention. We learn so much from one another and our different backgrounds, and I want to celebrate what every person, group and culture brings to the fashion table.
(Jane Stevens pictured above.)
With modern technology, especially social media, we are constantly exchanging ideas and trends on a global level. I believe people are more creative than they’ve ever been. I also believe we are being exposed to so much more, including a more intimate relation with communities and cultures that are not our own. It’s important, however, to give credit where credit is due to past and current muses.
Milou embodies a free-spirited, worldly lifestyle, often inspired by new fashion talent. I’d like to focus on the history and inspiration for this Bohemian influenced, chic style. The term Bohemian dates back to the 18th century, and there’s something quite beautiful the way the dictionary defines it: “socially unconventional in an artistic way”. It’s synonyms include: “nonconformist, free-spirited, avant-garde”…you get the idea. Over time through art and many social movements, this Bohemian lifestyle largely re-emerged in American culture during the 1960s-70s and was associated mostly with hippies and their movement. For reference, some well known female hippie icons were Janis Joplin, Stevie Nicks, and Jane Birkin. I can’t help but notice, while researching the history of this fashion (and social) trend, that it is quite Eurocentric and colorless; I can’t help but wonder what history has been left out. Let’s go back: in America in the 1960s and 70s, many important social movements were coexisting. Hippies were notoriously against established institutions, materialism, and war; at the same time the civil rights movement was powering on, which fought for racial equality in America (a fight we are still fighting today). After digging deeper, I came across the term “soul style”, which, simply put, refers to a fashion trend of black women during this era.[1] Soul style’s description was notably similar to Bohemian, both in spirit and design (like natural hair, bold feminine looks and patterns), but unique to the black American experience. A woman who embodied this style was none other than Angela Davis; a woman on FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list, and a bright intellect and activist on the forefront of the Black Freedom movement, who was often mistaken for a model.[2] Like Davis, black women during this era utilized their soul style and striking looks for more than just a fashion statement—it was a visual role in their demands for both racial and gender equality. I believe all women today owe a lot to soul style and its roots, as it encouraged fearless expression and natural beauty in a time of oppression. I’m far from an expert on this subject, but as I educate myself, I encourage you to do so as well (see referenced sources). I hope that you may see my growth in my coming writings.
[1] Ford, Tanisha C. Liberated Threads: Black Women, Style, and the Global Politics of Soul. University of North Carolina Press, 2015. Accessed June 18, 2020. www.jstor.org/stable/10.5149/9781469625164_ford.
[2] Ibid.
]]>1. Favorite Yoga Mat: Manduka PRO Mat
https://www.manduka.com/collections/yoga-mats-pro-seriesI’ve had mine for seven years, still practice on it everyday, and it is in perfect condition. It’s a mat that lasts a lifetime.
2. Favorite Yoga Retreat Center: The Yoga Lodge at Endless Blue Resort.
In northern New Mexico, I own a yoga retreat center in the mountains, at 10,000 feet above elevation. We host guests from around the world who wish to experience traqulitiy completely surrounded by nature.
3. Favorite Wellness Product: Herban Essentials Essential Oil Towelettes
https://www.herbanessentials.com
These are great for wiping down your yoga mat after class, or to travel with and clean your hands. I always carry them on the go in my purse. They have an assortment of scented oils like Laverndar, Peppermint, Lemon, and Orange.
4. Favorite Yoga Set: Beyond Yoga
My go to yoga brand for clothes is always Beyond Yoga. They are quality, comfy and look super flattering on every body type. I promise once you try them, you won’t go back to another brand- they are keepers.
5. Favorite meditation to follow: @MichaelStasko
https://www.instagram.com/michaelstasko108/
@MichaelStasko is my meditation who is great to follow on Instagram. He hosts lots of meditation in person and online. Check him out! https://www.instagram.com/michaelstasko108/
Follow April on IG at @aprilmaygardner and take a quick 15 minute relaxing, restorative flow on Milou Palm Beach's IG Live every Friday at 6pm EST.
]]>Hi everyone. I’m so excited to start sharing my love of yoga and inner mindfulness on this platform. I’ve been studying and practicing yoga for seven years. It’s helped me learn how to listen, be patient, be mindful, and find gratitude in life. Stay tuned for some good vibes and some help towards the growth we all need in our lives.
Love,
April
https://www.manduka.com/collections/yoga-mats-pro-series
In northern New Mexico, I own a yoga retreat center in the mountains, at 10,000 feet above elevation. We host guests from around the world who wish to experience traqulitiy completely surrounded by nature.
https://www.herbanessentials.com
These are great for wiping down your yoga mat after class, or to travel with and clean your hands. I always carry them on the go in my purse. They have an assortment of scented oils like Laverndar, Peppermint, Lemon, and Orange.
My go to yoga brand for clothes is always Beyond Yoga. They are quality, comfy and look super flattering on every body type. I promise once you try them, you won’t go back to another brand- they are keepers.
https://www.instagram.com/michaelstasko108/
@MichaelStasko is my meditation who is great to follow on Instagram. He hosts lots of meditation in person and online. Check him out! https://www.instagram.com/michaelstasko108/
Follow April on IG at @aprilmaygardner and take a quick 15 minute relaxing, restorative flow on Milou Palm Beach's IG Live every Friday at 6pm EST.
]]>If you've attended the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, during the high season months, chances are you are familiar with the speed demon winner Sydney Shulman. Show jumping is her day job, which she takes very seriously and is a super force to be reckoned with. Every time Syd steps into the ring everyone watches, because more likely than not she will win or beat you. And you kinda want her to. Because she is so good at it. I’ve been around a bit longer than Sydney, as she is only 25 years old. The feeling she gives me is comparable to when to when I was her age and would watch riders of my generation, like Kent Farrington, go into the ring. You started to root for them because you knew they were going to be great and start a winning legacy that would create a worldwide fan club.
What strikes me the most about Syd is her lightheartedness for life. She wants to win every time and will sometimes risk a mistake on course in order to do so. She is willing to put herself out there in order to beat the class. Some of us riders have that one thing holding us back, that strive for perfection, but Sydney just leaves it all on the table and her blue ribbons are starting to prove that system is unbeatable. And I have to say that when she wins, it’s pretty close to perfection. Growing up between Greenwich and Palm Beach, and spending most of her free time with her big, open-hearted family, she has started somewhat of a cult following on her personal Instagram page @syd_shulman_llc not only because of her winning rides, but because of her skills in the kitchen. I sometimes have no idea how she whips up these meals everyday and eats all of this food. But I look forward to seeing what she’s making and definitely find inspo from her stories. A stone cold winner in the ring and a warm inviting chef in the kitchen. Sydney truly has mastered such a balance at such a young age, it’s a pleasure and honor to be around her whenever I can.
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If you've attended the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, during the high season months, chances are you are familiar with the speed demon winner Sydney Shulman. Show jumping is her day job, which she takes very seriously and is a super force to be reckoned with. Every time Syd steps into the ring everyone watches, because more likely than not she will win or beat you. And you kinda want her to. Because she is so good at it. I’ve been around a bit longer than Sydney, as she is only 25 years old. The feeling she gives me is comparable to when I was her age and would watch riders of my generation, like Kent Farrington, go into the ring. You started to root for them because you knew they were going to be great and start a winning legacy that would create a worldwide fan club.
What strikes me the most about Syd is her lightheartedness for life. She wants to win every time and will sometimes risk a mistake on course in order to do so. She is willing to put herself out there in order to beat the class. Some of us riders have that one thing holding us back, that strive for perfection, but Sydney just leaves it all on the table and her blue ribbons are starting to prove that system is unbeatable. And I have to say that when she wins, it’s pretty close to perfection.
Growing up between Greenwich and Palm Beach, and spending most of her free time with her big, open-hearted family, she has started somewhat of a cult following on her personal Instagram page @syd_shulman_llc not only because of her winning rides, but because of her skills in the kitchen. I sometimes have no idea how she whips up these meals everyday and eats all of this food. But I look forward to seeing what she’s making and definitely find inspo from her stories. A stone cold winner in the ring and a warm inviting chef in the kitchen. Sydney truly has mastered such a balance at such a young age, it’s a pleasure and honor to be around her whenever I can.
I run our family’s showjumping business http://www.backcountryfarm.com with my mom Jill Shulman, and my best friend Gabby Hero. It’s the best of both worlds. I get the knowledge, experience and wisdom from my mom, while getting to spend all day/everyday with my best friend of 15 years! Win win! My cooking inspirations are my mom and my sister- Both of them are like ballroom dancers in the kitchen! I always joke it’s my fallback career. I love cooking so much, but I love eating more!!!
Riding for Team Isreal I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs this season. I had my sight set on trying to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics this year, and with the sudden change in my life’s plan, I’ve really started to hit it hard in the kitchen. I’ve even been doing socially distanced drop offs to my friends in Wellington!!!
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bonappetit.com/recipe/rigatoni-with-easy-vodka-sauce/amp
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bonappetit.com/recipe/chicken-piccata-2/amp
I find myself in an odd place of wanting to continue to promote my business that I started by myself 3 years ago, to wanting to shut everything down altogether. I’ve been contemplating ways to keep my creativity alive and digging deep into my not always business oriented brain for the true answer to it all. What I can say right now is that I do not want to give up on this dream. While spring cleaning my entire house these past three weeks of quarantine, I have found countless amounts of sketchbooks, magazine tear outs from Elle Decor and AD for inspo of what my store would look like, journal entries with ideas for my website, patterns & samples of clothes that I’ve sketched and designed since I was 18, and enough beads I collected in bead shops from Laguna Beach to Paris during my jewelry making days to open up a bead store.
In some way shape or form. And although my dream of a brick and mortar shop and it’s expansion might not be my reality right now, I do not want to push away the hard work that I’ve put into Milou.
I want to introduce, educate and share with my friends and costumers all of the wonderful people that have inspired me along the way. I will start with a new blog by the name of “Sunday Soul”. It will spotlight my friends that are in my life. Some I’ve known for years, some just a few months. But they all hold a special place in my heart and are a driving force behind my push to keep this whole thing going.
Big kiss,
Lourdes
View this week's Sunday Soul highlight: Courtney-Celeste Fisch.
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I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do Courtney enough justice solely by writing words about her, so I will do a PSA now and tell you all you must follow her on Instagram to fully appreciate the meaning behind her quote.
There are so many facets of her life that I can not put her into one category. I so relate to this. I totally feel the parallels of our lives. Three kids, works with her husband, interior design eye, fashion junky, lover of travel. She has recently launched her website because she so desperately needed her own creative outlet as did I when I launched Milou and opened up our first storefront. On top of all of this, which is where that ball of energy helps, she is a yoga fanatic, health worshiper, and skin obsessed. So, you can clearly see where I look to her for inspiration. Oh, and she’s totally hilarious, has a huge heart, and let’s it all roll off. Still, I do not think I have described her enough, just go follow her you will not be disappointed. She also dances and drinks tequila.
- Lourdes, Founder & Creative Director at Milou
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I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do Courtney enough justice solely by writing words about her, so I will do a PSA now and tell you all you must follow her on Instagram to fully appreciate the meaning behind her quote.
There are so many facets of her life that I can not put her into one category. I so relate to this. I totally feel the parallels of our lives. Three kids, works with her husband, interior design eye, fashion junky, lover of travel. She has recently launched her website because she so desperately needed her own creative outlet as did I when I launched Milou and opened up our first storefront. On top of all of this, which is where that ball of energy helps, she is a yoga fanatic, health worshiper, and skin obsessed. So, you can clearly see where I look to her for inspiration. Oh, and she’s totally hilarious, has a huge heart, and let’s it all roll off. Still, I do not think I have described her enough, just go follow her you will not be disappointed. She also dances and drinks tequila.
- Lourdes, Founder & Creative Director at Milou
The way things are looking these days- let’s chat health. Regardless of a lurking monster virus- I do have a daily health regimen that I stick to. It keeps me feeling good and going strong- which is important when living life on the 4th Floors.
Currently heavily dosing the C, D and Glutathione.
Running for cardio and lots, lots, lots of yoga (on and off the mat.)
The health benefits are numerous- and outweigh the bitter taste. I can’t say this is a daily thing because you can’t pre-press any more than three days advance or you lose nutritional value and the taste goes. . . south. But I strive for four to five days a week.
I strive for eight hours of rest, I’ll accept seven- anything less than six and I feel it. Sleep heals. Sugar destroys. It fuels oxidative stress and literally ages the body. That said- I love a bite of a quality dessert after a good dinner.
Having love in my life makes me smile. When you smile, you are more inclined to laugh. Lots of laughter and letting go of shit that doesn’t serve me allows me to feel light. And, who doesn’t want to feel light?
Thank you, Courtney. Follow Courtney at @thefourthfloors.
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