This winter I spent a the holidays in Phoenix with family, as I often do. I've been to Phoenix so many times to visit my sister and her family over the last 9 years that it really has become my second home. Now my parents have moved there and I feel even more at home. We celebrated Zoya's 4th birthday this year.

MoMA PS1 is one of my favorite NYC museums (The Rubin is my other).  Checked out Night at the Museum a few weeks back. If you want an awesomely weird night, first grab yourself some edibles.

I turned 28 a few weeks ago and now 2016 is here. So much to be grateful for and so much to look forward to. There will be highs and there will be lows, and I am ready.

If I had to summarize my 2015, it would the year I felt a change in perspective. Aside from getting married, spending time with family, traveling a ton, and starting a new job... I began to feel alive in a way I haven't before. Something changed this year. I feel a greater appreciation for life and I truly feel there is more room for love in all of our lives. Time and love are precious. I've thought a lot about how I frame things and how I interact with the world. I've thought about my purpose here, my mindset and what really makes me happy. I've always been a little lazy and worse, I've let fear inhibit me. That's done. I am confident, motivated and I want so much more. 

There are many things I feel are important to continue to focus on: Open-mindedness and willingness to change if it makes sense. My way is not always the right way. Treating my body right. Smiling more. Believing it's all in my mind. Inviting people in and being more loving. Accepting challenge and criticism. Taking time before judging and then not doing it. Mindfulness. And rolling with it. 

I hope you are loved and I wish for you all that I wish for myself.

It was my first time in Miami in my adult life and my first time at Art Basel. I thought I'd find the culture of Art Basel distasteful, but I was pleasantly surprised by the art and personalities I encountered. Experiences really are shaped by how you choose to participate and what you seek out. So the pre-conceived notions I went in with didn't pan out. Actually had a lot of fun exploring and allowing myself to be open to it all.

I believe in moderation, including exercise and diet. Nothing too crazy, no fad diets or activities needed for a healthy lifestyle. So this whole juicing craze has never particularly appealed to me, especially not in the form of cleanses. It's also expensive. So I decided to try it.

Will it actually spark a healthier lifestyle? Do I have the will power? What exactly is my relationship with food?

I have just completed day 3 of 3, drinking only seven 16 oz. juices. What I learned, is that I'm really not as hungry as I think I am. I am also obsessed with eating. Ultimately, I need to make healthier choices.

I didn't feel particularly hungry throughout this, maybe at the end of day 2 and 3 when I thought about how I hadn't eaten anything solid all day long or the days before. But it really feels like eating is largely a mental thing for me which is probably true for most people. I eat way more than I need to. I LOVE food and the act of eating is so fun. We live in a consumption-based society all around. I basically constantly was reminded of food and that I wanted to eat. No surprises here.

I was actually a lot more productive when food wasn't helping me procrastinate. I do feel better than normal though - my skin looks and feels better. Feeling this way does steer me towards wanting to make healthier choices and maybe I'll be able to distinguish between hunger and just the desire to eat.

Unlikely that I'll do another cleanse, but it was an interesting experience. Can't wait to go to sleep so that I can wake up and eat!

I love puzzles. Finished 1000 Colours in 3 days because I couldn't stop. I'd come home from work and spend the rest of the evening puzzling away. There was something really pleasant and satisfying in piecing together a puzzle with no imagery. It was actually a little easier than you'd think but since the gradient wasn't always a smooth transition, there were definitely areas that were challenging. Sometimes you just need one piece to fit to make yourself feel better. Until you realize at the end that it's just one piece that is missing.

Spent a few hours yesterday morning packing Thanksgiving meal boxes for 3,500 families in need. Even a little bit of your time can make a positive difference, and there are so may ways to give back. Keep spreading smiles!