The Flower Chef

The Flower Chef by Carly Cylinder

One of the things I wanted to accomplish on my 20 By 20 list was to take a class just for fun. At UCLA, I'm taking of really interesting, challenging, and intense classes. Sometimes it's nice to learn a new thing just for the fun of it. If you follow me on snapchat (which you totally should!) you might remember a few weeks ago when my mom and I took a floral arranging class at Fleurish. It was so much fun and I would definitely recommend going there for a super fun, unique, and creative afternoon! During that class, I realized what an art form floral arranging really is. My mom used to be a florist, so her arrangement turned out beautifully. Mine on the other hand, was not quite as expertly done! I definitely needed a little help from the professionals... :)

When Carly sent me her new book, The Flower Chef, the timing couldn't have been more perfect! I had just taken that floral arranging class and wanted to improve! Her book basically has "recipes" for different arrangements. I love to bake, so this concept of following an exact recipe made so much sense to me! The "ingredients" are the different flowers you'll need, and she gives detailed, step by step instructions to create the arrangement.

I gave it a try, and have to say, I improved a lot! The arrangement was so fun to create, brightened up my dorm, and added a little more sunshine to my day!

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Sunrise Hike to the Hollywood Sign

dress c/o (use code "Hannah30" for 30% off) // hat // necklace c/o // bracelet c/o // scarf c/o 

photos by Kevin Moore and Jacob Juskiewicz 

A few Saturdays ago, I spent a beautiful, quiet, and very early morning hiking up to the Hollywood Sign. Never before had I been excited to wake up at 4am. I rolled out of bed, did my makeup in the dark car as we cruised along the empty freeway, and then hiked up a pretty challenging trail. We made it to the top just as the brand new sunshine peaked over the Hollywood Hills. I wouldn't say I'm a morning person, but there is something so beautiful about the quite and stillness of a brand new day.

We started hiking when it was pitch black. The sky turned from black to dark navy to twilight blue, and then streams of sunshine began to break through the fog. The sun slowly crept onto the horizon until all of the sudden, it was day. Our sunrise hike reminded me that life is kind of the same way. You go through each moment of each day until you realize how much has changed in the time that's passed. I stood under the great big sky for the entire sunrise, yet didn't actually notice each moment of change. Though you don't always notice change, it is always amazing to look back and see just how much you've grown. Change can be scary, but that quiet, slow sunrise also reminded me how beautiful it is. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." And wow, creation is just beautiful. I'll be honest, when I think of LA, beauty isn't exactly the first thing to some to mind. I often think of traffic and smoggy pollution and fake people. But looking over that sleepy valley was peaceful and quiet and truly beautiful. If I could encourage you: wake up before the sun every once in a while and savor sweet moments with friends. I got to go on a beautiful hike, hang out with two great friends, enjoy a rare quite moment in LA, and even knock something off my 20 By 20 list! Happy Weekend!

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Questions for My Mom

My mom and I are so similar in almost every way. Growing up. people always called me her mini me and now that I'm older, we constantly get asked if we're sisters. I take that as the biggest compliment because my mom is seriously awesome! I will be more than happy if I can be half as smart, cool, and stunning as she is when I'm a mom. A few months ago,  I found a list of questions to ask your mother. I thought it would be fun if we both answered these questions and compared our answers! Because we are obviously so similar, I was interested to see what our answers to these questions would be! I feel like I learned so much more about my mom and about myself!

Favorite color
Hannah: Yellow like sunshine // Jennifer: Purple 

Favorite movie 
Hannah: Lizzie McGuire Movie // Jennifer: Grease 

Favorite book 
Hannah: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn // Jennifer: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Favorite food
Hannah: Risotto // Jennifer: Apple fritters 

Sweet or salty? 
Hannah: Sweet // Jennifer: Sweet

Beach or mountains? 
Hannah: Is both an option? // Jennifer: Beach 

How would your childhood friends describe you? 

Hannah: Excited, stubborn, and smart  // Jennifer: Bossy and shy 

Outside of family members, what person inspires you the most? 
Hannah: Malala Yousafzai for her boldness, intelligence, and compassion  // Jennifer: Ellen or The Pope for the same reason (to live for others)

What is better about the world today than when you were growing up?
Hannah: Advances in technology and no more 90's scrunchies // Jennifer: The understanding and knowledge of healthy lifestyle

If you could go back in time to any period in history, where would you go? 
Hannah: Either Paris in the 1920s or America in the late 1800s // Jennifer: The Roaring 20s because of the dancing and fashion and literature

What is the best gift you've ever received?
Hannah: The ability to travel and learn about other perspectives // Jennifer: My children and husband 

What question would you ask your mom? 
Hannah: How do you do it all? You somehow love immeasurably and give so unconditionally to others while still pursuing your own dreams and goals. The love, energy, and passion you posses seems to never run out and I'd like to know how that's even possible! // Jennifer: What is the one most important thing you would want me to know from your life experience? 
                                                                                                      ...
   

This past Sunday, my mom and I celebrated our very first Mother’s Day apart. Though we may have been separated by hundreds of miles, I still was thinking of her every second of the day. Mother's Day is such a special day, but it's definitely not the only time we should show the most important ladies in our lives just how much they mean to us. If you have the chance, answer these questions with your mom (or mother figure) and leave them in the comments below!

PS: Check out how I celebrated Mother’s Day a little early this year!

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What Will You Radiate?

Radiate "Tati" Necklace ℅ 

Photos by Bill Payne Photography 

Authenticity, kindness, passion, and joy are a few words that come to mind when I think of Radiate Market and it's founders, Alyssa and Kiera. Radiate is an online marketplace dedicated to empowering artisans from regions of the developing world by selling their products to a wider market. Basically it's a shop with beautiful, handmade jewelry that is actually giving back to the artisans and their communities. Alyssa and Kiera started Radiate at just 19 years old, and have already made such an global impact. Their excitement, focus, and passion is so evident, and this is a project that I am so excited to have small part in.  

Practically Imperfect is all about capturing the beauty of imperfections and the joy of each day. I am all about empowering others through kindness, authenticity, and joy- which is exactly what the team at Radiate does! When I received my necklace from Radiate, I also received a question. It read, "What will you radiate?" I loved this question because it made me recognize and think about the values I hold to be most important. If I go through each day with those specific values in mind, they will reflect in my actions. There are so many incredible traits that I aim to radiate, but the word I kept returning to was joy. I think that when you choose to radiate joy, other traits like kindness, positivity, love, and light will also shine from within. And I think the world could use a whole lot more of those things! I'd love to know in the comments below, what do you aim to radiate? 

Great news: Radiate Market is offering free shipping with the code "PracticallyImperfect" if you're interesting in supporting this awesome cause and getting some really beautiful jewelry. I am so excited to be taking over Radiate's Instagram today too, so make sure to check out my posts and give them a follow! 

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