Set in Motion
2025 intentions, exploring Cowboys of the Americas, a hair tool for the win, and the best cooking fats.
2025 INTENTIONS
Whether you call it manifesting, setting intentions, or simply goal setting, I think it’s important to reflect and clearly define what you hope to achieve in the new year.
I enjoyed this post where Dianna Cohen, founder of Crown Affair and Levitate, a brand and marketing company, outlines core dimensions — or categories — which I find helpful and expansive when organizing your intentions. Years ago when I worked at Lululemon, they were huge on goal setting by a similar segment method: personal, career, and health. The company even has a worksheet to guide the process which includes “I will” statements with a completion date attached.
“It’s good to have an end to journey toward; but it’s the journey that matters, in the end.” – Ernest Hemingway
For a podcast on the topic, listen to this Dear Gabby episode, where she describes crafting a desire statement while leaving room for “this or something better.” I love that concept — “this or something better” — as it allows you to set an intention, but not grip so tightly that you miss out on an unexpected upgrade.
FRONTIER
Cowboys of the Americas | Anouk Krantz
I’m a collector of Anouk Krantz’s gorgeous books and recently had the chance to meet the talented photographer at a book signing at Cave + Post here in Phoenix. Krantz was born in France and spent the early years of her career with Cartier in NYC before pursuing photography. Perhaps it’s her years with the luxury brand, in combination with her keen eye and talent, that enable her to elevate cowboy and ranch images to a gorgeous art form that honors the lifestyle.
Frontier: Cowboys of the Americas is her latest book and features her visits to ranches, rodeos, and landscapes from North America down to Central and South America. I asked how she managed to connect with all the people captured in the pages. She shared that it was a natural progression: she be with barrel racers and one would recommend she visit their boyfriend’s family ranch. In true American spirit, that ranch would then graciously introduce her to someone else — and so the journey unfolded.
The foreword written by Bernie Taupin sums up the collection, “This is the stunning work — a true testament to the men and women who are the anvil on which America’s backbone was forged.”
FOR THE LADIES
A quick PSA that while I’m not usually a fan of more gadgets, this hot round brush by Mane was worth the addition. Unlike other hot air brushes used on wet hair (and usually don’t work well for thick or curly hair), you fully dry your hair first, then use this tool after. It’s the easiest way to achieve a blowout look that I’ve found.
SEED OILS EXPLAINED & ALTERNATIVES
Maybe you’ve heard that seeds oils are unhealthy but don’t understand why that’s the case? The War Kitchen’s graphic below clearly outlines how the oil is mechanically and chemically extracted through a rigorous process. In contrast, the best cooking fats such as butter, tallow, and olive oil are profiled.
Enjoy the start of the year! - BB
Previous Posts
Posts on the Substack app may contain affiliate links where I earn a small commission from purchases. Thank you for trusting my recommendations and supporting the newsletter.