The Magic of Beginnings

“And suddenly you know. It is time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” – Meister Eckhart

Lost Luxe really began for me a few years ago. It started back when I was having another life beginning.

I had just made the decision after 5 years of dedication, hard work, classes, money, time and energy that I was going to release the pursuit of the dream I had moved to LA for : becoming a professional actress.

I had done everything I could in the best way I knew how to chase this dream. But after years of stress and anguish over not being where I’d hoped to be, the harsh truth finally dawned on me…

I wasn’t chasing this dream because it made me happy. I was chasing it out of fear.

I wanted to prove everyone wrong who told me I couldn’t do it / wouldn’t make it. I wanted to prove that all the money and time and energy I had spent wasn’t wasted. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it -slash- control it and everything else around me. But all I was proving was how I could survive despite being 1,400 kinds of stressed and unhappy.

Finally facing myself, my critics and my “failure” head-on set me down a path of self-awareness and growth that could never have occurred if I was still clinging to a “dream” I was pursuing due to fear. I ripped off my facade and took a good look in the mirror, sat down with my cat and made myself a vision board.

What did I ACTUALLY want in life? What did I actually love?

I loved Palm trees and cheese. Gratitude. Sunsets. Hiking. Oprah. High heels. Beautiful living. Inspirational quotes. Fashion. Interior design. Lions. Miracles. Fresh veggies. Architecture. Vintage. Gold. Fitness. Candles… I stuck em all to the board with my handy-dandy glue stick.

And so I began. Because there are no failures in life, only pivots or redirections to send us down the path we are meant to walk.

Within a few months I had an idea for a product I wanted to create as well as a new job, working for – not even kidding – OPRAH, AND part-time as assistant to an Interior Designer. Whatttt? You’d think those vision boards work or something!

Over the next few years I learned and grew so much in life and business. I had an amazing boss at the network who mentored me, believed in me, valued my opinion and tasked me with projects I never in a million thought I would have been involved in, including some interior design projects for the network offices! It was an unbelievable time of growth and wonder for me.

But this original product idea was now much more than that: a brand, with a message.

A message that we all have it inside of us to achieve greatness. And it is OK to not always feel that way. That we are surrounded by beauty if we just open our eyes {and hearts} to it. That we are all connected as people and a consciousness, and that doesn’t mean that you never want to scream at someone or ask them to take 14 naps. That it is ok to meditate in designer shoes if you want to or to marvel at the unreal perfection of nature while enjoying your beautiful outdoor living room set up.

You can be a grounded, loving, thoughtful person and still have an appreciation for the finer things in life. The key is that word, appreciation. It’s not need. It’s not proof. It’s not validation. It’s gratitude. The beginning and end of a truly fulfilling and beautiful life.

So, I left my job at the network a few months ago to begin this beginning. To share this message with you. I think you know it already, but if you’re like me you need to be reminded of it regularly too. You are enough. Exactly as you are. No one is greater than OR less than you. Just be your authentic self. I’m learning to be mine. My authentic self-happens to love cheese platters, elegant interiors, chic outfits and cursing (though I do try to keep that one to a minimum). It also loves creating beautiful things and I’m SO excited to share the products I’ve been dreaming up for the last few years. They are in early stages but I’ll let you know as soon as they are ready, and hopefully some behind-the-scenes in the meantime.

Thanks for reading this hard-core essay on my life and Lost Luxe. If you skipped to the end because you were over it here’s the gist: I’m making products, I’ll let you know when they’re ready. Please buy them. I’m writing a blog. This diatribe is the beginning. Please read it. The world is beautiful. You are beautiful. Please love them both.

Cheers to beginnings!

– Xx Caitlin