Life Stories: SXSW, Planting a Vineyard and More…

I haven’t written my little life stories in awhile & they’re my favorite – the entire reason I started MissBassmater.  I’m trying to creep away from capturing all my life details on Instagram Stories, so I thought it would be fun to catch up here!

Recently, I started feeling the need to get away from Instagram.  I get caught up in creating a story for myself & then get stuck endlessly watching other people.  Anxiety has been peaking recently (more later) & I imagine getting away from social media could only help.  I’ll always share here, but am going to try limiting my time scrolling through Instagram mindlessly. I see a lot of people can handle social media, I may not be that type.

Anyway, I’ve been pretty busy!

SXSW Festival:

SXSW came into Austin, TX the last few weeks.  I’m still not sure the best way to describe the festival (film?).   The city is freaking crazy busy w people from all over the world.  I love it.  Locals get annoyed w SXSW because it’s 2 WEEKS of madness & overcrowding, but it’s my favorite time to be here.  (Come next year?) It reminds me how cool Austin can be & I absolutely appreciate the diversity being brought to town.  In my opinion, & not everyone will agree, Austin is not the most diverse city – which both Wafiq & I deeply crave.

During SXSW, I attended the Wellness Expo, which is basically an entire convention center filled w my dreams bottled up & delivered.  From food to products to ideas.  While there, I attended Yoga with Adriene as she was putting on a FREE class.  She had a ton of people from out of town attend & they were so EXCITED to be in her class – it truly made me appreciate being a local.  Going to her class once a month is a total game changer for my anxiety.  But you can also do her YouTube videos!  If you visit Austin, try to attend one of her classes at Fair Market, worth adding to the itinerary.

Here are a few things I’m excited to try from the Wellness Expo:

Sun & Swell Snacks:  These were the only snacks I tasted & actually purchased while at the expo.  Limited to only a few ingredients in the snack bites & they’re super tasty! Nothing turns me on more than limited ingredients that I understand…

Saunaspace:  Unfortunately, not trying but definitely wanting.  I’ve been dreaming of a sauna I could someday have & these ones look like we’re living in 2048, with a sweet locking sauna pod in our living room.  Swoon-worthy, rich, fancy, & futuristic.

Nutramilk Nut Milk & Butter Processor:  Not that I need one more piece of equipment in my kitchen, but this beautiful blender can make the best nut milk & peanut butter. Trust me, tasted like health.

Lettuce Grow: Jess from New Girl created these growing pods.  Need I say more? You’ll want to read about these, they sell you your very own farm stand so you can easily grow veggies at home!

ONLY:  The one beauty item I snuck a few samples of, I’m in desperate need of a good hair conditioner so I’m excited to try this one.  She was handing out samples like hot cakes which told me she’s confident in the product, I’m into it!

During SXSW we also saw a free concert by X Ambassadors, this was my 2nd time seeing them.  I’m a groupie.  Their message, the lyrics to their songs, everything.  Music has always been such an important thing for me.  I used to listen to CD’s over & over again when I was a kid working through all my emotions & dreaming the biggest dreams.  Different genre’s take me through different phases, I leave no genre off the list.

Planting a Vineyard

Wafiq works in Real Estate (I help him) & he sold a client a piece of land a year ago for a future winery – this weekend we got to go help plant the FIRST vines!  Eeeeeek!  3 guys had a pipe dream of putting together a vineyard, thinking it would never happen, & one day they pulled the trigger & bought the land.  They haven’t slowed down since.  I absolutely love being around dream followers…

Anxiety

And allow me to admit, my anxiety has been bothering me recently.  My back started giving me somewhat normal issues, but anything on my body that pains me is an immediate trigger for my anxiety.  Like, a ridiculously powerful trigger.  Not just that, this time last year I had anaphylactic shock the day after the Wellness Expo, so I’m sure that moment was lingering in my mind.  Just a fancy cocktail of frustrating mental games… BUT, I have a therapist & know when to use her.  I realized how fucking lucky I am to have her as a tool in my belt now.  Literally priceless.  I would rather be broke on the street than without her.  I don’t let myself struggle in anxiety for very long anymore, I immediately know I have to get to work on it.  And having that knowledge is everything to me.

What’s Next

So what’s up next?  I’ll be sharing some pretty spring dresses, because they’re my favorite clothing of all time.  There’s nothing better than a pretty dress, my favorite outfit.  I’m also working on some more posts on anxiety, my therapist, and anything I can come up with to help.   I’m also working on posts to help you guys dress for WORK, I hear you loud & clear on that subject & I’ll do my best to deliver what I can.  I might even figure out a way to throw in a few hair tutorials in the near future too.  A nice mix, because that’s life.

On an exciting note, Spring is MY TIME.  My absolute favorite season & vibe.  The florals, colors, perfect weather is truly heavenly to me.

I love you guys, all of you.  I want you to feel special, needed, wanted & loved. Everyday.  You did it, another day!

Be thoughtful,

Xx