What is it like to move to New York City from the other side of the world when you’re 24 years old, totally alone, with no money?

It’s fucking fantastic.

Best thing I ever did.

The culture shock coming from New Zealand to New York was violent to say the least, but I loved every moment. I let it sweep me up and change me. After all, isn’t that the whole point? I’ve never understood people who expect their new location to be like their last and keep stubbornly doing things the old way. New York rolls its eyes and implores: catch up or die.

What worked for you in Anytown USA won’t cut it here. You are going to need to learn some new skills… On the double.

New York says: get to the point. Have situational awareness. And for God’s sake, look alive before you’re taken out by a bro on a CitiBike!

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New York forces you to live in the present moment. There is no autopilot here, and all of your senses will be fully engaged — for better or worse! Every corner holds its own danger: murky puddles, rats rustling in garbage bags, buses that whistle past you so close the hairs in your nostrils quiver, and that’s just for starters. You are forced to be an active participant in your life, to pay attention, and to figure it the fuck out.

It’s kind of like living in the mouth of a lion. Those who relish their safe life will never understand. “Why would you want to live there?!” they cry. But they cannot comprehend the way New York rewards its players.

There are infinite gifts here: from the people (everyone from who you fall in love with to the guy who makes your morning bagel to the living legends who walk the streets) to the art (take your pick of museums and galleries, not to mention the ever-changing eye-candy on any avenue) to the reflections on the water at sunset and the utter insanity of all this iconic architecture packed into 22 square miles.

Yes, we know it’s psychotic and dangerous. But like gamblers who keep going back to the slots, we also know this city is a dream machine.

New York taught me to believe in magic. Because that’s one of the most incredible things about this city: just around the corner could be something that totally changes your life. A new love? A world-class trombone player? A scene that inspires your next million dollar idea? A pile of human excrement? You’ll never know… !

New York’s strength is its diversity. Everyone is different here, and it’s what makes the city great. That means that if you’re a weirdo who never fit in back home, if you’re not nervous about the unknown (and in fact are curious and excited about it), then you should absolutely come to New York.

It will welcome you in its own strange way. It’ll say, “Hey! Get yourself a bagel. Make yourself at home! Just don’t stop in the middle of the sidewalk.”

New York doesn’t give a fuck how you’re dressed or who you love, just as long as you don’t get in anybody’s way.

New Yorkers are not chill and I love that about them. Everyone here knows who they are and what they are about, because this city makes you choose. Nothing will cure your midlife crisis or lack of ambition like being around people who are utterly unapologetic about what they want. New York forces you to be decisive, to hurry up, to get off the fucking sidelines and get involved in your own life.

And when you do it right, when you abide by her rules, when you show up for your own life, New York will pull you into her bosom. She’ll reveal her best secrets, you’ll get compliments from well-dressed locals, you’ll enter a magical door, you’ll score the perfect item. You’ll walk through Soho on a warm summer afternoon, catch the sun glinting off the big glass windows above you and feel true ecstasy… Before being quickly jerked back to reality by an inconvenient street fair, a big droplet of dirty air conditioning water landing on your forehead, or a pungent scent floating through a subway car 😅

Moving to New York City by myself crafted an essential piece of my psychological architecture. It sharpened my instincts and made me more ruthless, while also reminding me of my own creative power and personal magic. And — a delightful discovery — after leaving for 8 years, it welcomed me back with full force. Thank God. Because, as I’ve discovered, a life away from the city is barely worth living.

Love always,

Gala.

I’ve spent the last two weeks in New York and there is so much to be grateful for. Is my life in flux? YES. Is it glorious anyway? YES!!!

Here’s a list of things that are bringing me joy this week…

Wearing a really big crazy hat to tape up posters of The Edit all over NYC (we felt like we were living our 90s art school fantasies!) 💖 Finding our local soup joint (and visiting twice a week) 💖 Shauna winning $20 on a scratch-off ticket with a bulldog on it (the power of Trixie compels you!) 💖 Walking around the city in pink sneakers when the weather is perfect 💖 Coming up with our next BIG idea!!! 💖 Our rooftop at night (dreamy AF) 💖 Finding the perfect gym to work out in that was essentially empty (also dreamy AF!) 💖 Live photo mode + flash on = 90s party girl vibes 💖 Deciding to turn our Edit posters into wallpaper and transforming the bedroom of our apartment 💖 Pulling New York tarot cards 💖 Jupiter into Leo, thank god 💖 Dressing up as Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson for an MJ party — sooooo much fun! 💖 Wearing a flower brooch (channeling my inner Carrie Bradshaw: “You with the flower!”) 💖 Discovering The Elevated Acre 💖 Waking up at 3am to leave myself bizarre voice memos in a transatlantic accent (stay tuned…) 💖 Purple loafer pumps (verrrrry Psychedelic Ladies Who Lunch!) 💖 Feeling all my creativity come rushing back (and loving that so many of the things I am drawn to are my OLD favorites: full circle, baby) 💖 The new Sealy mattress that my fiancé convinced me to get (I regret to inform you that it is vastly superior to any mattress I’ve ever slept on preciously) 💖 Being competitive with myself about my Oura ring nightly sleep score (I average about a 92 and I’m very proud of it) 💖 Black cherry-flavored Jello 💖 Giving my California landlord my notice!!! Changes are a-coming! 💖 New taglines and new business names! 💖 Making decisions, getting clarity 💖 Weird pink ponyhair mules that make me look like a gnome 💖 Party stores that have literally not changed since 1992 💖 Strolling through new neighborhoods 💖 Men who look at you approvingly and go “mmmm-mmmm-mmmm!” but don’t say anything 💖 Retooling my entire life and enjoying the process 💖 Trusting myself!!! 💖 Loving myself!!!! 💖 Knowing I’m a bad bitch, no matter what!!! 💖 Don’t count me out, ho!!!!!!! 💖

Feeling inspired? Make your own Things I Love Thursday and link back to me!

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xo,

Gala.

If there’s anything about me that has stayed consistent, it is my love of and desire to SHOP!

I’ve never really flirted with addiction. I smoked when I was a teenager but quit on my 26th birthday, never to return. I don’t like alcohol, and haven’t had a drop in about five years. And I’m too much of a control freak to really be into drugs.

But shopping?! Oh my god. It’s my favorite dopamine hit. Life is at its BEST when you’re flipping through the racks, about to check out a shopping cart, or waiting for UPS to deliver some mythical item to your front door!

And as such, I am a real product aficionado. My friends rely on me to make suggestions, to be the guinea pig, to try something first and let them know whether it was worth it or not. I truly relish this position as personal stylist and beauty treatment guru. Working as a beauty editor at XOJane and a fashion editor at ChinaShop were two of the easiest gigs I ever had.

You’ve probably heard that it’s Prime Day (which, confusingly, runs for several days), and look, if you have the opportunity to buy things you’ve always wanted for less, why wouldn’t you?!

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Here are some of my latest favorites at a steep discount…

Clothing

To be clear, I buy approximately 95% of my clothing used (Poshmark and TheRealReal are my most familiar haunts) and I love that. Poshmark feels like buying from the girl economy, and I find such special pieces buying secondhand. It really helps you create a fabulous and unique wardrobe. But sometimes, goddamnit, you just want a good basic at a great price, and that’s where Amazon comes in clutch.

I found the ultimate dupe!

• OKAY. HOLD ONTO YOUR TITS. I really really love Negative Underwear’s Whipped line, but I simply cannot justify the price. It is truly truly truly outrageous, and not in a good way. So when I discovered these dupes — which, to be clear, feel and fit and wear exactly the same — I lost my damn mind! I swear that these must come from the same factory. These pieces come in black, baby pink, blue, white, grey, and they are pretty much the best thing in the WORLD to lounge in. Friend, I’d like you to meet your summer uniform…

  • The long-sleeve t-shirt -- Negative’s price is $110, this version is $28!

  • Boxer briefs!!! But $50?! Try $15 for a two-pack!

  • Flutter shorts. So cuteeee, normally $65, but these are $15 today

  • Tank top -- $75 for the real thing, $15 on Prime Day!!!

  • And pajama pants! Normally $190 (chokes quietly on her own spit), these are just $32!

I wear these pieces every single day and I love them. My God I love them so much. I’m absolutely certain that you will too!

• Turtleneck bodysuits — I picked these up recently in both pink and purple. The color is great, quality is excellent, and right now, they’re only $18.98 instead of $28.99!

• Oura ring in pale purple. I hate Apple Watches, I think they’re indescribably ugly, but I do love to track my workouts, sleep, etc. And a pale purple ring is right up my alley. For Prime Day they’re only $245 instead of $500, so it felt like time to bite the bullet!

Home

The truth is that your home cannot be a perfect sanctuary with overhead lighting. In fact, I’d like to suggest you never switch on your overhead lights again (unless desperate measures are called for!). If you want delicious, comforting, uplifting, cotton candy psychedelic lighting, I’ve got you covered.

• Ye olde sunset lamp. A classic for a reason. Sometimes I point these at the wall for a little faux Turrell vibe, but usually I’ll point them at the ceiling or a corner to wash the space with color. Only $15.99! (Get two!)

• GE swivel night light. This thing is incredible! We got it for the bathroom in NYC, because stumbling in there at 3am and having to turn on an overhead light is quite frankly oppressive. The coolest thing about this is that it has two lights pointing in opposite directions, and you can swivel them to point up, down, sideways, wherever you want. Obviously I programmed ours to be pink and purple, and they’re activated when the room gets dark! Sheer perfection! It’s $13.99, not part of Prime Day but so fucking excellent I had to tell you about it.

• Govee floor lamp. I really bought this because the discount was too good to resist, but it just arrived and I am thrilled! This lamp has three bulbs which can be programmed separately. I’m officially obsessed with this brand (Govee), because while you can turn the lights all colors of the rainbow, you can also choose scenes of multiple colors that slowly and gently rotate and change. My favorite setting is “Valentine’s Day” (I mean, naturally?!) and I love the cool pink and purple combinations. This very tall floor lamp is only $79.99, down from $149.99.

• Govee table lamp. Wah, it’s perfect! I just plugged it in beside my bed in New York and it’s absolutely adorable. I also have the Valentine’s Day setting on this lamp. SO CUTE. I am telling you, these will delight your damn pants off! It’s $53.99 and usually $79.99.

Beauty

While of course consistency is one of the most essential elements when it comes to skin that glows and bounces, what you use also matters. A lot. I’m here to tell you that the rumors about Korean beauty are true and you should not hesitate to add a little (or a lot) of it into your regimen.

• I really love the Medicube PDRN line. It’s loaded with salmon sperm (yum!) and it absolutely will give you the glass complexion you’ve always wanted. It’s also pink — looks nice on a shelf! — and smells lovely.

  • Medicube Booster Pro. This little gizmo helps your skincare actually penetrate the skin, and it plumps the delicate areas where we start to lose volume like around the mouth and eyes. You’ve never looked so radiant! It’s usually $220, right now it’s only $150!

  • Pink peptide serum. I love this serum: it smells good, it absorbs quickly, it helps with uneven skin tone, and makes you look like you had a jolly good night’s rest. Normally $21.80, now $14.90!

  • Medicube jelly cream. As an oily-skinned gal, I use this as my night-time moistuzier. The consistency is fabulous, and it doesn’t feel sticky. I like to use it over azelaic acid and/or estrogen cream to seal it all in! Right now, it’s $14.90 instead of $19.98.

  • Volume multi balm stick. I haven’t tried this yet but I am very excited to do so — people rave about this bad boy! You use it along wrinkles and lines and it plumps them up. And quite frankly, I’m trying to use less filler, so this seems like a great place to start. It’s only $15.12, usually $20.

  • Gua sha neck wrinkle cream. I can’t believe I’m at the age of thinking about my neck at all but that’s a story for another time. I haven’t tried this product yet but I just ordered it and thought it would be rude not to share! The rest of their products are great, and this container comes with a gua sha attachment to help apply it to your neck. I’m into it! $24.90 down from $34.90.

• NuFace Trinity. Again, consistency is key, but this little zapper will lift your jowls, open your eyes, and help you discover your cheekbones again. For real! It’s usually $595, but right now it’s only $416.

• Shark FlexStyle. A hairdryer is really not just a hairdryer these days. The right one makes a fabulous blow-out easy and effortless — and that’s one of the fastest ways to look truly put-together in the morning. The Shark FlexStyle and the famous Dyson Wrap are essentially the same thing, and I like the Shark very much. (Many people, myself included, prefer this.) Again, it’s on super-sale! Usually $399, now $259!

Well, that’s all I’ve got for now. I hope that this list titillated you and that you found at least one little splurge to keep your spirits up! Let me know if you enjoy these lists and I’ll keep making them!

Love always,

A few days ago, I sat down on my Instagram Stories and chatted with the camera about a grand new plan I had: namely, to relocate back to Los Angeles after 5 years (!!!) in Orange County. (More on that at another time.)

It opened up so many conversations in my DMs, one of them with no other than Sara, founder of Opulist.

“I’m going to the opening of Baby Grand on Coronado on Wednesday night — it’s this really crazy, maximalist, totally over-the-top hotel — would you like to be my +1?”

WOULD I EVER!

So on Wednesday night, I shimmied my way into a completely transparent dress, and headed down to San Diego in my magenta Audi, singing along to Michael Jackson the whole way. (Are you on as big an MJ kick as I am right now? Phewwww.)

THE LOOK:

Featuring…

💖 Miu Miu hair clips (these were truly the finishing touch because I always feel naked without something on my head)

💖 Some random sparkly necklace with a big pearl on it… God only knows where I find this stuff

💖 Retrofete sparkly dress (this seems to be the only place with the dress in stock, but there’s also an XXS on Poshmark. I got mine on TheRealReal!)

💖 Zara faux fur coat (which I was so glad I had, because baby, it got cold!)

💖 Clear wedges that go with everything (and only $43!)

I was feeling grumpy as I put this on because it was hot in my bedroom and I was feeling out of sorts. Maybe because I wasn’t wearing any color, too!

But once I’d added the necklace and the hair clips, it all just CAME TOGETHER in one of those magical moments, and I felt good again!

THE LOCATION:

OMG. How can I summarize this? Let me try.

Baby Grand is sublime. Divine. Ridiculous. Like Hugh Hefner’s Playboy grotto crash-landed into Disney’s Jungle Cruise. Think: booth tables made from rock formations, multi-headed lady statues serving as huge flaming candelabras, fake sand and beach chairs set up around a Roman bath, all the staff dressed in pink velvet tuxedos, and a hidden, completely mirrored little jewel box, serving champagne and caviar.

The bathrooms were similarly mirrored from top to bottom, so of course, I had to take some photos.

The attention to detail was completely insane. The headboards on the beds are enormous iridescent seashells. There is marble everywhere. Tiny little seashell motifs and lobster-printed curtains. Huge clawfoot bathtubs and smoked salmon in the mini-bar.

(How incredible is that mirrored room?! A must-book for a fabulous birthday, if you ask me!)

Sara and I were absolutely jaws agape as we walked through, obsessing over whatever caught our attention. (Which was pretty much everything.) Here’s what Sara saw. Her eye is pretty damn immaculate, and I was so grateful to be her +1!

At just 31 rooms, Baby Grand makes for an intimate and truly opulent getaway in one of the most adorable locations in California. Coronado Island is fabulous: idyllic, walkable, like a village at the beach in a classic movie. Totally worth a visit.

And as we sat at one of the bars, chewing on homemade pita from their outdoor oven, sipping on agua fresca, I was filled with the kind of excitement and joy that only comes from being in a beautiful place, that was created by people who really care about doing things well.

Here’s to Baby Grand! I hope the hotel is a raging success, and quite frankly, I can’t think of any reason why it wouldn’t be.

xo,

Gala.

Were you ever told off for being a greedy little girl? For biting off more than you could chew? For being demanding, for asking for too much, for having oversized desires?

Good. 😜

Desire is the whole POINT. It’s why we’re here. It’s what leads us towards the horizon. Our desires are the starting point for all the expansion we’re supposed to do in this life: they motivate us to get up, push through challenges, and become who we were made to be.

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The only time desire brings suffering is when we’re attached to the thing we desire... In other words, when we believe “I cannot be happy without this thing.”

But our desires are really a means to an end -- not the whole point.

Maybe it would help to think of our desires as like monkey bars on a children’s jungle gym -- remember how you used to swing between them quickly, using them as a way to get from one end to the other?

Our desires were created to help us become who we are supposed to be.

When we can stop punishing ourselves for wanting more, more, more, and instead celebrate every new desire that is born, we can get on with the much more important work of using that desire to EVOLVE.

More desire = more growth, more expansion, and more opportunities to become exceptional.

Don’t dread your desires. They are a divine gift and you are supposed to have them. They show you what is possible. They show you who you’re meant to be.

If in doubt... Dream more, turn it UP, and get moving!

xo,

Gala.

P.S. If you loved this, make sure you’re subscribed to my High Vibe Handbook — I send it out weekly and it’s full of stuff just like this!

A hill I’m willing to die on? FEELING GOOD IS YOUR JOB!

Feeling good is the fountain of youth. It’s where all your best ideas come from. It’s the momentum that creates magnetism, it’s gasoline for your confidence, and quite frankly, I believe it’s the secret to living a fabulous life.

Sounds good, right? But… Where do you begin?

Great question.

I use the HOTTIE Framework!

The HOTTIE Framework is my personal high vibe life system.

Each letter stands for a core area to focus on. When all six of these areas are humming, I can guarantee you feel like the baddest bitch in the world!

But if you’re feeling off or uninspired, go through these six areas of your life and give them a little audit. If one (or more) of them is suffering, fluff it up!

Below you’ll find some ideas to help you figure out exactly what to do to get back on track, including classes, videos, tapping and more.

⸻

🔥 H = Hotness & Confidence

You simply cannot feel like the best version of yourself if your hotness and confidence are suffering… Because embracing these parts of you gives you the ability to really participate in life and feel great about it!

You’re hot and confident when you dress the way you want to. You’re hot and confident when you can look in the mirror and truly like what you see. You’re hot and confident when you choose partners from a place of wholeness, rather than scarcity!

💋 Resources: Goddess Body, episode 6 of Vortex Vision, Radical Self-Love: A Guide To Loving Yourself And Living Your Dreams.

⸻

🌈 O = Outlook and Future Self

This is your mindset, your vision, who you see yourself becoming. This area demands that you ask yourself, “Do today’s choices honor where I’m going… Or just where I’ve been?”

Your outlook is hot when you have a clear picture of where you want to go next. Your outlook is hot when you’re making choices that move you closer to your future vision… Not further away. Your outlook is hot when you feel lit up and excited about what your life is becoming!

🌟 Resources: Episode 1 of Vortex Vision, Release & Reset, The Vortex app.

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💞 T = Togetherness

If your life is feeling flat and dry, ask yourself, “Have I been spending time with people who love me? Or have I been isolating myself?” 👀

You’re experiencing togetherness when you know you can tell the people in your life anything. You’re experiencing togetherness when you laugh until you cry. You’re experiencing togetherness when you know you don’t have to solve the problems of your life alone.

👯‍♀️ Resources: Lover Girl: The Single Girl Glow Up, Lover Girl: Devoted, High Vibe Honey, The Vortex, episode 5 of Vortex Vision, Hologram Heart: A Radiant Guide To The Romantic Revolution.

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🔮 T = Tuned In

It’s impossible to feel really good and clear when you’re never alone. And maybe you’re blessed to get physical alone time, but is there always someone in your ear? Tuning in — to your inner voice — is your bridge to clarity and purpose.

You’re tuned in when you make time for silence. No podcasts, no Love Island, no endless phone-calls or doom-scrolling. You’re tuned in when your intuition is speaking loud and clear. You’re tuned in when you feel like you know why you’re here, and what your next move is!

🕯️ Resources: Magnetic Mindset: How To Make Love To The Universe And Manifest Anything, The Vortex app, episode 2 of Vortex Vision.

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🎨 I = Interests

Have you ever looked around and realized that you have completely stopped pursuing your interests?! It feels terrible! But it’s easy for it to happen. When you’re in survival mode, your life is in flux, or even if you just got into a new relationship, it’s very normal for our interests to completely go by the wayside.

But… Those weird little things you love? They’re essential to feeling good. If your life feels dull, chances are this tank is empty!

Your interests are taking priority when you make time for that dance class; when you decide to paint instead of watching TV; when you join that club or read that book or spend hours researching an obscure reference. Your interests are taking priority when you do what you want to do rather than going along with everyone else’s preferences. Your interests are taking priority when you rediscover something from your childhood that you love just as much today.

💡 Resources: High Vibe Honey, The Vortex, Cash Money Honey.

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💗 E = Emotional Health

You know this one matters… And as someone who has been tapping for almost 20 years, I swear that my ability to navigate life calmly is an absolute game-changer.

You’re emotionally regulated when you know that a hard moment won’t kill you. You’re emotionally regulated when you have the skills to process, alchemize, and communicate your emotions calmly. You’re emotionally regulated when you don’t fly off the deep end as soon as a little pressure develops!

✨ Resources: High Vibe Honey, The Vortex, Gala Darling Method, what is tapping and how can it change your life?

⸻

It’s normal for one of these areas to go AWOL from time to time. But personally, using HOTTIE as a check-in helps me see what might be missing in my life.

When you make a daily effort to ensure that these areas are in sync, you’ll feel powerful and calm at the same time. You take bigger risks, attract more miracles, and become truly magnetic!

Love always,

Gala.

A fatal flaw when it comes to manifesting? Taking it so damn seriously, when really the most successful manifestations come about from the act of PLAY.

Many of my very best manifestation techniques have come about from my early childhood — things I did just because they seemed fun, that then (miraculously) lead to fantastic results.

This technique is so simple that it’s absolutely laughable. All it requires is imagination and big ol’ cajones. (I know you’ve already got those!) And yet, it’s one of the most effective ones I know!

I invented this back when I was a teenager, hand-coding my own websites (yes, newsflash, I was a big geek). I had dozens of websites over the years, ranging from journals that specialized in oversharing to terrible poetry and more. (We shudder to think.)

When I was creating these websites, my favorite part was always — always — the “about” page.

The bio.

The profile.

I loved it because it was an opportunity to refine and define yourself. To reinvent yourself as you saw fit. And as you can imagine, for a girl living in a town of 100,000 people, at the bottom of the world, all I wanted was a much larger life than I was presently living.

LiveJournal (RIP!) really served this idea up on a platter. I took it and absolutely ran with it. On your LiveJournal profile, you’d write a blurb about yourself, as well as curate a list of hyperlinked interests. And while most people would list their interests as fascinating things like “coffee, music, travel”, I seized upon the chance to make my list really weird and wonderful. My list of interests would include things like “girls wearing bunny heads”, “sexy gnomes”, “picnic enthusiasts” and the like.

In fact, here’s a screenshot of my MySpace profile from 2007, where the same idea carried over…

(I was also really into baby pink with turquoise. An underrated color combo! Time to bring it back?!)

That was all fun and good, an exercise in expanding the imagination, a way of mentally curating your own aesthetic. It was a way of drawing the parameters of your own universe, and staking out some turf.

The blurb section, though, is where it truly popped off: an opportunity to be wild, ferocious, fearless.

In this space, you could weave a fantastical tale about yourself. And as a young whippersnapper with ambition and a penchant for drama and exaggeration (I was once a teenage goth who wore a CAPE for God’s sake), I thought it only fitting to go big… Or go home.

Sadly, I don’t have any screenshots of anything earlier than 2007. But this is what it said on my aforementioned MySpace page… The year after I had founded my blog, galadarling.com.

“Les enfants terribles”?! Dramatique, non? Gosh, I love her. What a little cutie.

Now, you might be saying, “Great, Gala, thanks for the trip down memory lane… Can you get to the POINT please?”

Oh come now, impatient one! I’m painting a picture! And I’m getting there!

(Drumroll, please…)

How To Use Your About Page To Manifest Your Future

Your average “bio” — whether it’s on your own domain, a blurb on a PDF one-sheet, or just a few bulletpoints on a Linktree — contains a one-liner, some stats, and career highlights.

Read more

The birds are singing and the windchimes are twinkling and BABY do you know what that means?! It’s time to have a PICNIC.

When I was in my early twenties, living in New Zealand, I remember filling out a personals ad which described me as a “picnic enthusiast”. Because let’s face it: eating snacks outside is surely one of life’s true pleasures!

So on June 14th, we’re throwing our first ever Vortex Social Club Picnic in New York—members only!—but if you can’t be there, I cordially invite you to create your own version, wherever you are in the world!

Whether you’re sprawled in a park in London, on a rooftop in Tokyo, or lounging in your backyard with an iced coffee and a record player, this is your sign to dine al fresco, sigh contentedly, and look cute AF doing it.

Here’s everything you need to know about throwing a smashing picnic!

LOCATION: Literally Anywhere!

Don’t overthink it. A picnic can happen on your living room floor, in your backyard, on the beach, or in your favorite patch of public grass. You can even have a picnic in the bath, so long as you have one of those great bath trays to hold all your snacks! (Might be more of a solo expedition, though.)

Parks are usually my favorite place to picnic, because there are trees for shade, plenty of grass, and public bathrooms not too far away. (All that lemonade has to go somewhere!) I’m less fond of beach picnics because of sand and wind and mosquitoes, but hey, you do you!

For your location, I always think the best thing is some combination of nature, wild and wacky architecture, and top-notch people-watching. Sometimes the most unusual locations can make for the most memorable picnics, so don’t ignore your imagination!

WHO TO INVITE?

Anyone who makes you feel like a glass of sparkling Perrier Lime!

This can include:

• Your best friends

• Your mommy!

• Your dog, pet lizard, hamster, etc.

• Your crush!!!

• That cool girl you just met (go on, do it!)

• A magician (?!)

• Your favorite author

• Or honestly, just you (a solo picnic is a vibe!)

The invitation process doesn’t need to be overly formal, either. A cute “picnic at my place/this park/this patch of sun at 3pm: BYO treats + blanket” text will do the trick!

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FOOD & DRINK

You should maaaaaaaybe not take tips from me on this: one of my pieces of lore stems from a joint birthday party I threw with Shauna, many years ago. We rented a beautiful house, there was an inflatable swan floating in the turquoise pool, we told everyone to wear white and we gave them angel wings to wear, and… We provided absolutely nothing to eat or drink. It was a party purely fueled by ~*~VIBES~*~. (No wonder most of those people are no longer our friends!!!) It sure was cute, though…

Anyway… Don’t over-complicate it. Just bring what you love to eat and what will make you feel good. If you’re not sure, just ask a Taurus!

Ideas:

• Strawberries, a baguette, cheese (a must!) and crackers, chips, chocolate, cookies (I like those Pirouettes that come in a tall skinny tin!)

• Sandwiches with the crusts cut off, and cut diagonally, of course!

• Pastries! Teeny tiny cakes, eclairs, scones with cream and jam (drool)

• Fizzy things: sparkling water, those blood orange flavored San Pellegrino drinks, or lemonade in a glass bottle (yes, it absolutely makes a difference)

• Fun extras: candy necklaces, edible glitter, Ring Pops, cute straws, ice in a cooler and some Popsicles too, fortune cookies, salty popcorn, chocolate-covered coffee beans… ?!

It’s always best to do picnics potluck style, so everyone brings something they enjoy eating.

Pack it all up in a cute pink picnic basket, add some digestive enzymes (I am a Virgo after all), and get going!

VIBES, BABY, VIBES

It’s not just about the food, of course. It’s about the feeling! Here are a few things that will amplify the magic:

• A great blanket or bedspread, and some cushions for extra-comfort and fabulous lounging

• Fresh flowers! Even if you just throw them all over the place, they will add extravagant ambience

• Tarot cards, or loose-leaf tea (for divination purposes of course!)

• A bluetooth speaker and the perfect picnic playlist

• Sunscreen, bug spray, cute reusable cups, an ice pack wrapped in a bandana

• Bubbles, a Polaroid or digital camera, magazines, a book of poetry, a disco ball…

• If you wanted to be adorable, you could even bring gifts! Little notebooks, hair-clips, lip balms, decorative fans… !

• …And if you’re somewhere near a power outlet, you could even bring a cotton candy machine!

YOUR PICNIC ~*~LOOK~*~

Perhaps the most exciting part of all is the opportunity to really get dressed up! If you’re feeling stumped, here are some ideas…

• Really big over-the-top dresses: go for Selkie or House Of CB! Look, if ever there was a time to dress like a fairy princess or a sexy milkmaid, this is it! You will probably be sitting for a while, so unless showing your undergarments is the goal (ooh! BLOOMERS?!), go for a longer skirt!

• Lace slip dresses, vintage babydoll dresses, or something semi-sheer and impractical — add rhinestone pasties for fun?!

• BIG sunglasses, fingerless gloves, something with fringe… You get the idea.

• A hat! Honestly, a hat is almost essential. Go for a big wide sun hat, a little beret, a feathered fancy, a veil, a tiara… Something! Etsy is a fantastic source for these!

• Hair accessories if you decide to skip the hat. How about little barrettes that are shaped like croissants?!

• Bonus: bring a parasol, angel wings, a purse shaped like food (butter? Baguette? Box of chocolates?!), or insane shoes!

EXTRA FOR EXPERTS

• Invite all your guests to share about what they’re manifesting this summer!

• Use a question game, like We’re Not Really Strangers, to help break the ice

• Bring pens and paper so everyone can leave one another anonymous compliments 🥹

• Don’t forget pink gingham paper plates and napkins!

• Create a picnic oracle! Let everyone draw a random “love letter from the universe” from a hat!

To summarize…

Picnics are a deeply joyful activity, and — for me at least — easily fit into the category of one of those things that make life worth living! Wherever you can, take the opportunity to make your life more fabulous, one picnic basket at a time.

xo,

Gala.

This is the morning ritual that rewired my entire reality.

But like, for real.

If you’re sick of all the days blending together, and you’re ready to shake things up, it’s time to stop doomscrolling in bed, and instead start treating your mornings with reverence.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re waking up in a four-poster bed in Malibu or on your frenemy’s futon: how you start your day matters. Your morning sets the tone for your whole life. And after years of experimenting, I landed on a practice that actually works.

It’s called the Magical Morning Practice™, and the over-the-top name is fully warranted, because it will really transform your whole life.

Note: my preference for the MMP is to record myself saying it into the Voice Memo app on my phone. However, many people enjoy writing it in their journal. Experiment and see what feels best to you… But don’t discount the power of speaking it out loud!

Here’s how to do it.

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Step 1: Gratitude, Babe. Get Into It.

Start by saying (or writing) 5–10 things you’re grateful for. Big, small, weird, unhinged. It doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you really feel it as you say it. Don’t just rattle it off, disconnected. Let your sense of appreciation fill your whole body.

• Your barista remembering your name and your obscure drink order?! Love it.

• Cuddling with your dog in bed on a cloudy, misty morning? Fuck yes!

• That friend who hypes you like a cheerleader on MDMA? Mention it!

• Winged eyeliner that goes on evenly (or at least, close enough)?! Absolutely!

We start with gratitude to change your state. Go look at the research: it’s undeniable. Gratitude is officially the fastest way to flip your frequency from mild existential dread to hot girl energy. You’re training your brain to notice what’s good in your life, which — plot twist! — has ongoing benefits!

Step 2: Describe Your Ideal Day… As If It Already Happened

Now, pretend today was flawless and talk about it in the past tense like it’s already a done deal.

• “I woke up glowing. My inbox was a dream. I got a surprise payment, and my outfit got me compliments in the street. I felt so hot!”

• “Today was fabulous! I had a long, leisurely lunch with a friend, signed that big contract, and got an intuitive hit that changed everything.”

In this step, you’re tuning into your desires, not just your to-do’s. (Many of us have been totally disconnected from our desires for a long time, so this is a deeply worthwhile practice.) And speaking them in the past tense plays a trick on your subconscious mind, because your brain doesn’t know the difference between what’s real and what you vividly imagine. So make it juicy. Make it hot. Make it as iconic as you can manage!

Step 3: Dream Future. Past Tense. Full Delulu.

Now, zoom out. Imagine it’s the end of the best year of your life. You’re lit up, deeply loved, successful AF, dripping with joy. Speak about that in the past tense, too.

• “I’m so happy and grateful that I moved into my dream home, got a publishing contract, and threw a party so fabulous it made my HOA nervous.”

• “I doubled my income, ditched the self-doubt, and finally went to Paris. It was just as delicious as I hoped!”

• “I’m so excited that I fell in love… With myself, with my life, and with someone tall, dark, and handsome!”

Feel it in your pussy (that’s where real manifestation begins). Speak about it (or write about it) until it tingles throughout your whole body! That’s when you know it’s really hitting.

Step 4: Send It To A Friend (Optional!)

For the truly brave, the final step is to send your recording to a friend. Let them listen to your gratitudes and desires, and have them record their own and send it back.

If this idea terrifies you, that’s good. It probably means it would be a really fabulous and stretchy step for you. While the MMP totally works as a solo practice, it is absolutely amplified when you share it.

And if there’s no one in your world right now that you’d trust with this sacred practice, come join us in the Vortex app (it’s totally free!) and find a like-minded babe to do it with! (Many people in our community have been doing this practice with one another for six years or more!)

Why This Works

This powerful ritual really packs a punch: it combines scripting, gratitude, full body visualization, your throat chakra, and delusional confidence (!). It recalibrates your energy every morning so you remember who you want to be. It fools your subconscious into believing you already have it. And surprise: when you believe you have it, you become exactly who you imagine you could be.

Make It a Moment

While the Magical Morning Practice totally works while you’re weaving in and out of traffic at 80mph, it’s even more powerful when you’re really present with it. Turn it into a ceremony, if you can. Light a candle. Make your coffee. Play your favorite tunes to turn you on even before you begin. Make it a hot date with your future self. Five to ten minutes, every morning. That’s it.

Consistency = magic. Show up for this, and the universe will absolutely show up for you.

Let me know if you try this tomorrow! Send it to a friend if you really love them and this is something you want to experiment with! Or if you’re already deep in your Magical Morning Manifesting Mistress era, drop a comment and tell me everything! I wanna hear all about it!

Love always,

Gala.

Yesterday was World Goth Day, and when I posted this blurry old webcam photo of myself from 1997, I was blown away by the response. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who spent their youth listening to The Cure, writing vampire poetry, and stomping around in New Rock combat boots!

It got me thinking about the deeper impact those years had on me, and how that unapologetic teen goth energy lives within me! So here it is, baby: 10 lessons I learned (in fishnets) that shaped my entire life.

1. It’s your job to create the world you want to live in.

I cannot overstate how isolated and unusual New Zealand is. This is a country with more sheep than people (yes, still!), where rugby is the subject du jour, where America — the epicenter of alternative culture — seemed like a million miles away. Even today, it boggles my mind when my American friends tell me about everything that was instantly available to them in their teenage years.

Man, I had to really work to create a world that felt good to me!

And so I did: I would spend hundreds of dollars ordering zines, maintaining penpals, and buying used records. I created websites, wrote online journals, obsessively researched music, read as many books as I could get my hands on, watched weird cult movies, made friends, and went dancing in my New Rock boots… Even my AIM away messages were a little step in curating my own universe.

Once I discovered the thrill of creating my own reality, I never stopped! And while my tastes have changed (a lot), the joy of intentional curation remains.

2. Being different is a blessing, not a liability.

Admittedly, sometimes when people tell me they’re scared to be different or to stand out in some way, I find it hard to relate to them… Because my deep-seated belief is that sameness is death!

I’m so thankful to have been a teenage goth because it helped me see that being different wasn’t a curse, it was a blessing: a way of attracting like-minded people, and not having to sacrifice your essence to have friends. As an adult, I’ve never felt the urge to shrink to fit in, or to sit at a table of people I don’t connect with… Because I know that there are people who I’ll really hit it off with, just around the corner.

My mind boggles when I watch people fitting into these cookie-cutter molds — this country club, Ivy League, “what will the neighbors think?” kind of stuff — because it’s clear to me that everyone is just playing a role and none of them are authentically happy.

I will always choose to be myself rather than jostle for social approval. Thank fucking God.

3. You’re not a weirdo, you just haven’t found your people yet.

It would have been easy for me to look around my Christian, all girls' high school and think I was a freak of nature. I could have let that feeling of separateness drive me into conformity, and try to blend in with the girls I went to school with.

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Holy guacamole, babe, it’s May… Which means we’re almost halfway through the year. Gasp! And those fabulous intentions you set, way back in January, are either taking shape (applause) or… gathering dust on a vision board somewhere.

You can still see your best self, sitting pretty on December 31st of 2025, clinking a glass of something fizzy, thinking, “Damn, I did that!”

But let’s be real: that version of you doesn’t arrive by accident.

There are so many reasons why people don’t accomplish the things they dream about: they’re scared, they’re not committed, the goal has lost its luster, and the list goes on. But outside of motivational reasons, one major reason why people don’t get these things done is because, honestly?

They simply forget about them!

They get so bogged down in ticking off their to-do list, doing the small dull things required to function as a human, that they lose sight of the big picture.

But what if you made the big picture impossible to ignore?!

This is where making the metaphysical physical comes into play.

You see, your eyes are a HUGELY important part of creating a new world for yourself. Everything you see in your environment is sending messages to your mind, constantly programming and conditioning your subconscious... Whether you’re aware of it or not!

Watching the news for hours, doom-scrolling social media, and hanging out on miserable sub-Reddits can very quickly sour our world view. Humans believe what we see, despite our best efforts at critical thinking.

And we know the negative power these influences have. So why not decide to flood ourselves with something creative, uplifting, and inspiring instead?

When we’re intentional about the images we’re putting into our heads, we can reprogram ourselves super-quickly!

Now, you might have a favorite manifestation method: perhaps journaling, or a certain meditation or tapping you like to do. Keep doing that! But what about layering in some other methods too? Because the truth is that using another technique on top of that might just scratch an itch in your brain that your original technique simply doesn’t.

Why not play with multiple methods, from tapping to meditation, from visualization to dressing as your future self, from creating art that supports your goals to expanding your taste for what’s available?

Here are a few ways to make the metaphysical physical that you might not have tried…

Write Post It Notes and put them on your bathroom mirror and front door

Anyone can do this, so why don’t they?! Scrawl some affirmations and put them on your mirror, and write down the words you need to be reminded of before you walk out the door.

And remember, they can be upgraded and replaced! I am always discovering new ones. My current favorite is from Louise Hay (our affirmation queen!) and it is: “I am beautiful and everybody loves me.” 🥰

Make a manifestation bingo card and get it printed as a poster

This one is so easy to do: search for bingo card templates in Canva, update it with your colors and vibes, and then type in the things you want to do, achieve or experience. You can save this image as your phone wallpaper, or just upload it into your Instagram Stories every time you cross something off!

But, if you want extra points… Check out Canva’s printing options! They’ll instantly turn your design into a glossy poster—or even a fridge magnet!—so you can put it on the wall, see it every day, and cross off the items with gay abandon.

I made mine at the start of the year — it includes items like “go to the Alps with my BFF” and “see Baked Sasquatch perform” — and it’s going to be a thrill to check them all off!

Have a neon sign made

The amount of neon blazing bright in my house at any one time could easily be classified as a fire hazard, I’m sure, but it makes me so happy, I’ll gladly take the risk. And since we’ve long established that overhead lights must go, neon makes for a fabulous (and glowy) substitute.

All this to say, if your project has a logo or an emblem, get it made into a sign! And if it’s more of an idea or a goal, you can get custom words made. Go the Tracey Emin route, and have a mantra or affirmation made in your handwriting!

For a source, my favorite sign company is Radikal Neon — they’re reasonably priced, they work quickly, and they do a great job! I love to hire a TaskRabbit (pictured: my friend Igor) to hang them up. That way, they’re perfectly straight and actually stay on the wall!

Get your logo or phrase tattooed on you…

This is only for the weirdos, okay?! But I love this concept. I have the phrases “Radical Self Love” and “High Vibe Honey” tattooed on me, and have had them for many years. Additionally, my graphic designer insisted I use my brand font for the RADIANCE lettering across my fingers! But this is just the start, really. I’ll get more of my logos tattooed on me eventually. What better way to say, “I stand behind this, I believe in it, and goddamnit, I’m committed”?!

…Or get something you’re manifesting tattooed on you!

I did this years ago with my pink Lamborghini tattoo. I recommend it!

Design a manifesting newspaper and get it printed

This is one of my favorite techniques, because it’s so ABSOLUTELY LOUD and IN YOUR FACE that you cannot ignore it!

Yes, I do have an enormous lightbox in my living room (kinda weird, but it came with the house).

Mine came about in a strange way: when I moved into my current house, there was a huge lightbox on the wall of some trees in a forest. (Very not my taste.) But as I looked at it, I realized… That photo of the trees came off. It was a removable canvas!

Quickly, I started discussing what could go there with my BFF (the aforementioned graphic designer), and we came up with the idea of a manifesting newspaper. Brilliant! I found a company in Michigan that prints these huge lightbox canvases, and before I knew it, one was winging its way to me.

It’s definitely the coolest piece of art in my house, and to me it’s even better because it’s deeply personal and totally tongue-in-cheek.

However, if you don’t happen to have a jumbo lightbox on your wall, you could do this as a poster! Get it framed, put it in prime position, and enjoy!

So… Which completely over-the-top manifesting method are you going to layer in next?!

Love always,

Gala.

What a month January has been! It’s kind of mind-boggling. We’ve survived a lot and I know the astrologers say it’s going to be a wild year… But we’re going to make it! I promise you!

Without any further ado… This month’s links!

💖 Make sure to catch the latest from Vortex Vision! And subscribe for GOD’S sake, because we have something brand spanking new coming to you next week!

💖 Start your day like this and watch your life transform, the extended interview with Helle Weston. If you’re hungry to create a morning routine and step into habits that empower you to be your best, this is a MUST SEE!

💖 Rewrite your future with this powerful poetry technique, the extended writing exercise with Chelsie Diane. OMG. Write yourself a Spoiler Alert poem right now!

💖 BFF glow-up: how to be the friend everybody deserves, the extended interview with Krista Williams. I think this is the episode we got the biggest response to. Female friendship is such an essential topic but it is also fraught with ~*~feelings~*~ that we don’t always know how to process! I promise this interview will bring you peace and help you realize it’s not just you going through this stuff.

💖 Why you get hotter and more magnetic as you age, the extended interview (and pole tutorial!) with Lux ATL. You’re not a decrepit old creature… The women I know who are 40+ are fucking thriving. Lux and I have a REAL talk about what it means to get older, and how we’re discovering even more confidence and passion as we age.

💖 Your life, rebranded, the extended interview with Erin May Henry. Ready to throw your whole life away and start again?! We relate. In this interview, Erin talks about a relationship that was just “fine” and how she summoned the courage and chutzpah to demand MORE for herself. This is a great watch to remember that it’s not about surviving, it’s about thriving.

💖 The truth about manifesting money and why it’s not what you think, the extended interview with Victoria Washington. This is such an epic conversation. Victoria’s perspective on money and the art of commerce is absolutely delicious. You’re going to learn a LOT about your financial habits and how to step into a new reality!

…And you have to watch Decks & The City, of course!!!

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💖 AI will make a fortune from our loneliness. Humans are lousy companions. Hence the dogs. We grumble, we interrupt, then we’re unavailable. We also number in the billions yet are somehow lonely. It’s the curse of our species: evolved to be social, surrounded by bores. Nevertheless, the old myth — that there’s a special someone out there, made just for you — might be coming true. Already, made-to-order AI companions are bewitching millions; some marry them. Perhaps you will.

💖 French Woman Says AI Brad Pitt Scammed Her Out of $850K. The scammers used fake, AI-generated photos of the megastar actor that led the French woman to believe she was communicating with the real Brad Pitt.

💖 Are You A Charlotte? Kristin Davis takes you back to the very beginning to share every fabulous detail of Sex and the City and how she became Charlotte York. Are You A Charlotte? is a wholehearted fascinating account of the show we love, the characters we befriended, and the storylines that captivated us.

💖 Why does my Gen Z daughter adore Sex & The City? ‘There were no dating apps!’ Evie almost shrieks. ‘And it’s wild to me that Carrie will go about her business all day and only when she gets home she’ll see she’s got a message from Big. On the machine! It’s just so weird how… inaccessible people were. And it looks pretty great to be honest.’

💖 The LA to NY migration has begun. For some homeowners who are already bicoastal, New York is the obvious place to live during the yearslong process of rebuilding their L.A. homes. “People need stability. They’re not going to check into a hotel for six months,” says Yan Gladkov, an agent at Keller Williams NYC.

💖 How Rick Rubin triggered my spiritual awakening. If you have an idea you’re excited about and you don’t bring it to life, it’s not uncommon for the idea to find its voice through another maker. This isn’t because the other artist stole your idea, but because the idea’s time has come.

💖 A new wave of micro brands. On the one hand, it’s never been easier to create, well… anything. You’ve got access to every tool, website, database, and product factory imaginable, and the barriers to entry are lower than ever. And yet, it seems harder than ever to break in. You have to be everywhere and nowhere. Sell everything and one thing. You need to have a community before a product. Make more TikToks. Sell more stuff. Stay on trend. Yada yada yada.

💖 Pamela Anderson's had an 'amazing, wild, messy life' — and she's still reinventing. "People don't realize when I was shooting Playboy covers, I was also at Samuel French [Bookshop] sitting on the ground reading Tennessee Williams and Eugene O'Neill and Sam Shepard plays wondering, 'How do I get from here to here?'" she says.

💖 The best of both worlds: people reveal why they are childfree by choice. Scores of people shared their experiences, with some expressing sadness at drifting apart from friends after children arrived, while others felt supported in their choice – and love being the fun aunt or uncle.

💖 The older couples living apart, together. “For people who have had a lot of relationship experience or life experience, it’s about saying, ‘I can really love this person … but I no longer am driven by the need to do the conventional relationship and all the implications that come from that, such as being a carer, giving up property, sharing finances.’”

💖 Pamela Anderson interviewed by Martha Stewart, for Elle. “I want to do things that challenge me. I want to do things that are completely transformative. That’s the exciting part of all this—that people may start seeing me doing other things. I want to know what I’m made of. I feel like I’ve just scratched the surface.”

💖 It’s obviously the phones. The fact remains that even with the financial crisis, even with the lack of third spaces, we could all still be experiencing the company of our friends and family at home for free, and we are choosing not to. The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Time Use survey shows that we’re even spending less time with our spouses and children in favor of being alone. It’s because we’re on our phones, instead.

💖 ‘Googly eye bandit’ in Oregon comes forward. Hehehe.

💖 RuPaul's Makeup Artist David Petruschin on Getting Runway Ready. The Emmy-winner reveals what it takes to get the most famous face in drag to set.

💖 Gala Darling Method, my EFT tapping certification, opens doors soon (like, next week!), so make sure you’re on the list to get all the information… And a juicy discount!

Love you lots!

IN:

DRESSING THE FUCK UP. In 2020, schlubbing it became a way of life, and man, it really does a number on your self-esteem. Sure, there is a time and a place for sweatpants (long-haul travel, for example), but if you make the effort to truly get dressed up every day — and use all that cool stuff you have! — you will feel so much more actualized. You’ll remember who you are. You’ll automatically feel more powerful, creative, and self-confident. My idea of “dressing the fuck up” usually translates to “dressing like I’m in a music video,” which is something I’ve been doing for a few years now. If that feels intriguing to you, you’re very welcome to borrow the concept and use it! Dressing like I’m in a music video makes me feel sexy, expressive, and unique… Give it a try!

“FUTURE NOSTALGIA.” With Meta’s wild changes and social media oversaturation, we’re going to long for a return to simpler times. I predict long-form content, real life socializing, print products like books, zines, and newspapers, handwritten letters, penpals, dinner parties, keeping diaries, starting clubs, and buying from people rather than big conglomerates… All that good stuff that the internet slowly replaced! I’m pumped about it.

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IN-PERSON EVENTS. I started writing this list before the LA fires (which happened only 8 days into the year): 2025 is already insane, and we all know it in our bones, and when the going gets weird, the weird turn pro (RIP HST), and we need each other. We’ve been sold the idea of hyper-individuality and when crazy and horrific things happen, we realize how desperately we actually need one another because we cannot count on our government or infrastructure to take care of us. It’s a fucking travesty and we can (and should) rail against it, but at the same time, railing against it doesn’t provide us with the community we need to survive. Yes, connecting on social media is “easier” but it also doesn’t fill the hole that real life interaction can. Get together with your people. Make the effort. Join a group. Leave your fucking house. Amen.

HUMOR, NOVELTY, AND SILLINESS! Life is heavy, babe, so you better find the things that make you smile. For example, I found a Moschino witch hat on The Real Real the other day! Maybe I’ll wear it to the supermarket. These small, silly things really add to your quality of life. Some people call this “dopamine dressing” or “dopamine decor” but it’s really not… It’s just having the courage to buy what you authentically like and what makes you smile. Fuck living in a beige house with faux organic elements if you’re just doing it to follow a trend. Develop a sense of your own personal taste instead! Oh, and on that note…

DEVELOPING YOUR OWN SENSE OF TASTE AND STYLE. I truly believe that the art of developing your own sense of style is never finished. If you’re really on the path, and really committed, you’ll be honing and refining it forever. Not sure where to begin? You can start by curating a palette of colors that a) feel good and b) are flattering on your skin-tone; by exploring silhouettes that enhance you and make you feel super-confident; and by developing specific ways of styling your clothes that work for you specifically. For example, in cold weather, I like to tuck my wool sweaters up into a sports bra so you can see my waist (I’m not doing all those planks for fun, you know! Plus, this technique gives me a shape that a bulky sweater simply cannot). And it’s the small details that make a look your own — from the way you wear your socks to your choice of jewelry and accessories. Okay look, my point is that you should keep evolving. Don’t get stuck, and don’t grow stagnant, because there’s no limit to where you can take your look!

TRULY OUTRAGEOUS GOALS AND VISIONS. Take a look around! In this post-covid world, everything is upside down and reality is crazy AF. You can either let that get you down, or you can take it as proof that ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN… And capitalize on it! If your goals make you want to take a nap, you need new goals.

PARTICIPATING IN LIFE, aka existing outside the internet. For example, I was in my local coffee shop, and a woman was standing beside me, chatting with the barista. She said, “He brought someone he was previously romantically involved with to a party while I was home sick.” I looked at her and said, “He sucks!” She laughed and said, “Yes, I broke up with him for a reason!” I replied, “Good for you. New year, new dick!” We giggled and I walked out the door, peppermint mocha latte in hand. It was cute. These small moments were one of the first things to go in 2020 and when we don’t practice our social skills, these kinds of interactions go extinct. Little moments are how you actually become connected to your immediate IRL community — most people aren’t going to extend a written invitation to join their conversation! And sure, some people will be stunned by the audacity of your contribution, but most people will be charmed as long as your intention is pure. So… BUTT IN! Be cute! Make a friend! (Make this your motto in 2025!)

OUT:

BITCHING IN PUBLIC. Oh lord, don’t get me started… But the sheer amount of small business owners kvetching on Threads would make your toes curl. Complaining about their industry, their competition, even their customers… The mind absolutely boggles! My strict belief is that your energy is so much better used for finding and/or being a solution, rather than ranting and raving and getting a dopamine hit from people agreeing with you.

PLASTIC CLOTHING. Yuck. Don’t do it to yourself! And not just because it’s bad for the environment (did you watch Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy?! The horror!) but because it’s bad for you. What do you think is happening to your hormones when you’re layering your skin with plastic and chemicals all day and night?! (Internal scream!) This means: no more Fashion Nova, no more Shein, no more whatever-is-the-cheap-option-du-jour. And please, especially, don’t wear plastic (synthetic) underpants, unless you want a stanky puss. 100% cotton only!

HANGOVER CURES. Babe, I say this with love: just stop drinking! I’m always astounded when I see these complicated hangover and inflammation cures when people could live a very nice life if they just put down the wine bottle. I know it’s annoying when people suggest you give up things you enjoy, but it’s worth a try. I stopped drinking a couple of years ago and none of my friends drink anymore either, so I promise you’re in good company. Plus, it feels great to be confident without it in social situations, and it’s even better to wake up feeling authentically good every morning.

BIRKINS. Hard pass. Honestly, ask yourself: why do you want to even carry one on your arm? Do you even like the style?! My bet is that you want it because you think it’s going to make you feel and look successful, but here’s an idea: save yourself the $25,000 and simply decide to feel successful now! Plus, now that Walmart does a killer rip-off — the Wirkin, as it were — most people are going to assume it’s fake anyway!

COMPULSIVE SCROLLING. Being tethered to a screen is the new poverty. The ability to focus and be present is wealth. People who cannot stand or sit still without staring, slack-jawed, at a screen, are robbing themselves of a beautiful life. Develop the discipline and the ability to BE HERE NOW, to engage with the world, and to sit with your discomfort, because as we already know, scrolling ruins your brain.

MINIMUM EFFORT. I have systematically removed the people from my life who made a career out of phoning it in, and my life is better for it. Honestly, doing the bare minimum ruins your self-esteem. Putting the work in to create something you’re proud of is essential, not just if you want to have a good reputation, but if you want to feel good about yourself. (Major key to life!)

THINKING, ‘IF IT WORKED FOR HER, IT’LL PROBABLY WORK FOR ME!’ Especially when it comes to business. Believing that there is one magic bullet that will fix your problems leads to so much disappointment, and over time, that really grinds you down. I know we’re all looking for solutions, but the truth is that you are your own blueprint, and there are VERY FEW strategies or rules that copy and paste to everyone equally. When I feel most lost, it’s because I’m trying to follow someone else’s plan! Make like Colonel Sanders and come up with your own secret recipe. Experiment, be creative, freak the formula, and see what magic comes when you aren’t being influenced by anyone else! Plus, nothing — and I mean NOTHING! — is a more effective strategy than unrelenting passion, enthusiasm and obsession.

So… What’s on your list?

Love you lots,

xo Gala.

The new year is thick with promise and these cards only affirm it! It’s getting better and better all the time. I feel really excited about these cards for us, and I’d love to know if they resonate with you too! Leave me a comment and let me know!

Where you are right now: King Of Swords

In December, you were in a real place of “figuring it all out.” This month, it’s like the mists have parted and you can now see what needs to be done. You have more mental clarity, and you’re feeling strong about your next steps.

If you haven’t already, write down your goals and make them crystal clear. Be bold and forthright about what you want. After all, the universe can’t deliver you everything you’ve ever desired if you don’t declare what it is that you want! You have to remember that no one will ever want more for you than you do, so be outrageous. Dream HUGE. Your future depends on it!

Additionally, remember to communicate, communicate, communicate: with yourself, with the universe, with your partner, with your team, etc. Don’t be shy about saying what it is you want. Let them come through for you!

Your biggest strength: King Of Pentacles

HOT! This card is here to remind you that you are a human cash register, baby! One of your biggest strengths is the ability to generate ABUNDANCE, security, and cold hard cash: don’t forget it!

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Every year has its own energy.

In numerology, every year also has its own number, and by looking at the number, we can get a fix on the “incoming vibes”. It’s kind of like getting a notification from the universe that pings everyone’s phone at once.

2025 is a 9 year, which is about the closing out of cycles. Yes baby, that means that many things in your life are finally reaching their dramatic finale. 2025 definitely has the energy of a psychic colonic!

On the positive end of things, in 2025 you’ll find that it’s easier than usual to drop bad habits, walk away from situations that don’t work, and release old beliefs. Fuck yes!

But on the trickier side, you might find that friendships, relationships, and partnerships come to an end, too. Of course, that can be really painful, but a crucial thing to remember in 2025 is that everything that leaves is making a space for something so much better.

Sometimes, though, sitting in that void is uncomfortable. And all that juicy new stuff might not immediately rush in or become fully apparent to you until 2026 (which is a 1 year, all about new beginnings). So, if I were to offer you some advice? Get comfortable with discomfort! For now, think of 2025 as the perfect detox, and an ideal set-up for the gorgeous blank slate of 2026.

It gets deeper than that too! Your birthday also gives you a unique number for the year which adds another layer of flavor to the 9 year!

To figure out what number year 2025 is for you:

Add the numbers of your birthday and month to the year 2025, and if the result is a double digit number, add them together until you get a single digit.

For example, I’m September 13th, so I’d add 9 + 1 + 3 + 2 + 0 + 2 + 5. This comes to 22, so I add them together to get 4. 4 is my number!

Here’s your guide to what 2025 has in store…

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Number 1: This is a blank slate.

Yes baby! Fire up the sparklers and celebrate, because this is your moment to start ALL the way over. Look at 2025 as a clean canvas, just ready for you to splash your signature colors all over it.

What have you always dreamed of doing, but felt like you just “couldn’t”? 2025 is your opportunity to explode those old stories and step into your most daring future self. Fuck all those limiting beliefs and small thoughts, and let others think of you as “selfish”!

In 2025, you’re really and truly beginning again, and this is the start of a new nine year cycle. Ask yourself, who do you want to be in 2034? …And then proceed accordingly!

Why not try… Creating an epic bucket list? Making a manifestation bingo card? Visualizing and surrounding yourself with people who inspire you to go big? And joining us in High Vibe Honey, of course, to help you step into the year with total confidence?!

Number 2: It’s time to collaborate and cooperate.

Last year, you might have felt like you were doing everything yourself—blazing a wild and fabulous trail, but also feeling a little bit lonely. In 2025, you’re going to be reconnected with the power of connection and collaboration… And not a moment too soon.

It might be thrilling for you to hear that by the end of 2025, you’ll find yourself saddled with some new people: both friendly and romantic! But it’s not without its issues. Sometimes, learning to depend on others (and allow them to depend on you!) can be a radical adjustment after standing staunchly in your independence for so long.

You know what they say—if you want to go quickly, go alone; if you want to go far, go together—and this year is an opportunity to really uncover this for yourself.

Why not try… Letting down your guard? Being vulnerable? Asking someone for help? Becoming part of a group project? Getting close to people within your community? And joining us in High Vibe Honey, of course, to help you build bonds with like-minded babes?!

Number 3: You’ll be creative and communicative.

Prepare to step into your social butterfly era! 🦋 You’re going to be brimming with ideas this year, and hungry to share them with other people! You’ll be receiving invitations left, right, and center, and it’ll feel increasingly hard to say no. In fact, you should say YES!

Allow yourself to dream, be creative, and concoct new ideas. The visions you have in 2025 won’t just be fly-by-nighters, either—they have the power to become foundational pieces of your life!—so make sure you give them the respect they deserve.

The more you surround yourself with like-minded cuties, the better off you’ll be.

Why not try… Joining a social club? Hanging out in a co-working space? Starting a collective of your own? And joining us in High Vibe Honey, of course, to connect you with the badass besties you’ve always wanted?!

Number 4: It’s time to focus up.

Baby boo, you have work to do. This is a mega building block year, one which can take you really far if you’ll just—as your teachers used to say—“apply yourself.” Sometimes the idea of working hard can fill us with resentment, because we feel like by now, we surely must have earned the right to coast, or at least take it easy! But I want you to think about all the people who inspire you, and how they never phone it in. For me, I think about people like Tony Robbins: a man who has been delivering live seminars, with absolutely every ounce of enthusiasm that exists within his body, consistently, since the early 1980s!

You’re never too good to give it everything you’ve got. A possible mantra for 2025? Legends always pursue excellence.

This year, you’re creating a sense of incredible security and safety. But don’t forget to have fun along the way—you’ll be much more productive if you remember to mix work with pleasure!

Why not try… Finding a productivity system and actually using it? Doing a dopamine cleanse? Setting clear goals and committing to them? And joining us in High Vibe Honey, of course, to help you stay motivated as you tick everything off your list?!

Number 5: You’re evolving at a rapid rate.

2025 is a year of self-discovery, movement, and big changes. This might sound scary, but really it’s all in how you frame it! Last year, you were slogging, hustling, and grinding. This year, you get to experiment, play, and explore who you are.

In fact, you can almost guarantee that by the end of 2025, you’ll be in new partnerships, working on new projects, and seeing yourself in a completely new way. (Spoiler alert: this is the FUN of life!)

This is a time of true freedom—the freedom to be curious and see what happens! Wander. Roam the world if you can! Be your own muse. If there are topics or subjects you’re mildly curious about, this is the best time ever to dive into them. Where they lead you could truly change your life forever!

Why not try… Experimenting more? Travelling the world? Taking a class that intrigues you? Running away and joining the circus?! And joining us in High Vibe Honey, of course, to inspire you to keep reaching for more fun along the way?!

Number 6: You’ll connect with people in a new way.

This year you’ll remember that the quality of your life is impacted by the quality of your relationships. After a year of doing pretty much whatever you wanted, you’re going to be shaken and stirred by the people around you—some new, some old—who remind you that life is so much more fun when you play with others.

If you’ve been chronically single, this year all but guarantees that you’re going to meet a HOT new romantic partner. (Hallelujah!) And if you’re in a relationship, a 6 year promises to deepen your existing connection in radical new ways. But there’s more to it than that: you might just meet a new group of friends, connect with co-workers on a deeper level, or join a group that brings a lot of joy to your life!

Along the way, you’re also going to discover how to be better in relationships. You might see some of your flaws up close and personal. Ouch! But by the time the year ends, you’ll have learned a lot about how to relate to others… Lessons you’ll have for a lifetime.

Why not try… Putting more energy into your social calendar than your “productivity”? Taking a communication class? Seeing a relationship therapist? Discovering your Imago blueprint? And joining us in High Vibe Honey, of course, to help you meet even more babes you have so much in common with?!

Number 7: It’s a time to dive deep within.

This is a super spiritual year for you. After a year of connecting with others, it’s time to go within and consider what matters most to you. What are your values, what are your priorities, and how do you want to feel as you move through your life?

It’s the perfect time to turn down the volume on all the “input” you normally receive—whether it comes from TV, podcasts, your friends, family, or society in general—and start to tune into what makes sense to you. After all, you’re the only one living your life, and so it should feel aligned to your sensibilities!

But don’t fret. Just because it’s a year of personal discovery doesn’t mean you won’t get anything achieved. You certainly will. It’s just more likely that the stuff you accomplish will be more internal than external. And that’s a beautiful thing.

Why not try… A meditation practice? Breathwork? A spiritual retreat? Journaling in the mornings? And joining us in High Vibe Honey, of course, to help you clear away all the old stories that keep you from being your most expansive self?!

Number 8: You’re stepping into your power.

Lights, camera, action, baby! It’s about to be a BIG year for you, so take a deep breath, and get ready!

Those major goals on your list could just get ticked off, bringing with them a lot of prestige, attention, and even money. It’s an exciting time for sure, but make sure you’re taking care of your emotional health too… Or you might be in for a dose of imposter syndrome!

We don’t always talk about the ways in which success can be uncomfortable AF, and even a little isolating as you climb towards the top. This year, I want you to remember that you deserve this success, that your time has come, and that you have SO much to be proud of.

Why not try… Documenting the progress you’re making towards your big goals? Joining a mastermind or group of people with similar aspirations? Taking a moment to stop and smell the roses? And joining us in High Vibe Honey, of course, to help you enjoy and fully receive your power and success?!

Number 9: You’re closing up cycles.

Since this is also the universal theme for the year, consider yourself doubly influenced! In 2025, you’re going to slam the books closed on all that stuff that is simply not aligned with who you are and where you’re going. Think of yourself like the Tasmanian Devil, wildly whirling in circles and freeing yourself of anything that holds you back. You’ll discard frenemies, situationships, bad habits and negative thinking habits like crumpled Kleenex! FREE YOURSELF!

This is really the year that you get to evolve forward, while at the same time, you’ll be thinking about everything that has happened for you since 2016. You’ve manifested SO MUCH (who even were you back then?!) and you’ve also made, um, some mistakes. (Who, you?!)

It’s a time to take stock of what worked, what didn’t, and who you want to be as you move forward into a whole new cycle. Take a stand for your future self. She’s waiting for you!

Why not try… Making a list of everything you want to leave behind? Writing a personal manifesto? Choosing new habits to support you in who you want to be? And joining us in High Vibe Honey, of course, to help you close those old loops without regret, so you can move powerfully into your future?!

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So, tell me: what is your number for 2025, and what are you going to do about it?

Love always,

Gala.

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1. Being engaged to an amazing man who makes me laugh, loves me with his whole heart, encourages me to dress the way I want, and lets me have my independence. The biggest blessing in the world.

2. Riding the luggage carts at Parker Palm Springs with my desert wife (and long-suffering partner in crime).

3. Taking 7 mile beach walks almost every morning, and getting divine downloads every time. (I call them my Miracle Miles for a reason!)

4. Cuddling with my babies, Weetzie and Kiwi, all day every day. There is no end to the love they make me feel!

5. Living in a place where I have a view of the ocean and palm trees, I can walk to the coffee shop, and I always feel safe.

6. Playing around with ChatGPT a lot and learning how to get the best out of it!

7. Discovering Flutterlash semi-permanent lashes, which have honestly changed my life. Hehehe. (I wear Weightless No. 4 every day!)

8. Covering my mirror in motivational pink and purple Post-It Notes. I did this in January… Might be time to re-do them and go even bigger!

9. Multiple trips to Disneyland with Natalia and Shauna, and a trip to Knott’s Scary Farm at halloween. Too much fun! And definitely too many churros!

10. Hanging all my earrings on tiny iridescent coathangers.

11. Transforming my unused basement into both a fully-functional filming set and a pole studio!

12. Taking down all the art on one wall of my office and replacing it all with neon signs. It is SO cute and makes the best backdrop!

13. Going to estate sales and open homes in Palm Springs with Shauna, always dreaming about living different lives…

14. Seeing Madonna live in LA with my boo, wearing a Gaultier cone boobs dress and dancing and singing the whole time!

15. Getting back into disposable cameras, buying a Flashback camera, and the thrill of waiting to see what you shot…

16. My Mootsh subscription, which lets me print photos every month, and gives me lots of content for my fridge! (It’s like my very own Myspace Top 8.)

17. Playing with my wardrobe a lot, overdressing and being intentionally outrageous, and developing my sense of style even more!

18. Wearing purple! Simple but makes me feel so good.

19. Having people stay: making them morning coffee, taking them on my beach walk, getting dressed up, ordering food and watching documentaries…

20. A fresh blow-out. Bliss.

21. Doing our engagement shoot (!!!) and then telling the internet I’d gotten engaged on Christmas Day!

22. Giving High Vibe Honey a fabulous makeover…

23. Launching our Vortex app…

24. And hiring a full team of creative collaborators to bring Vortex Vision Season One to life! HOLY DREAM PROJECT. I don’t have enough words to express how much I truly loved doing this, and I’m so excited for more of it in 2025!

25. My incredible team, Kimi and Coco, who are not just Magical Morning partners, but total badasses, committed to what we do, and dedicated to doing it beautifully!

26. Discovering tiny toothbrushes and keeping them on-hand at all times. (Virgo shit.)

27. Rolling around on a disco-tiled piano for a photoshoot!

28. Fake cigarettes as props. Hehehe. I don’t know why they are so vibey, but they are!

29. Going to Mexico for an engagemoon and fully luxuriating at Edition Riviera Kanai. (We’ll be back.)

30. Getting back into Pilates again. I missed it! I love it!

31. Finding out how good it is to work in my car while parked at the beach. Perfect work office! Who needs a lease?!

32. New York City in June… 💖

33. Staying at The Standard High Line and relishing the view of downtown, the bizarre art in the elevators, and the ability to walk absolutely everywhere.

34. Buying an Hermes bag in the perfect color!

35. Huji photoshoots in the back of a cab.

36. All the incredible things I’ve found on The Real Real this year. I should probably do a post about it. It’s the ultimate fashion treasure hunt—the finds are actually unbelievable!

37. Flying to Paris and spending five weeks in Europe with my man. There are no words?! It was AMAZING.

38. Hiring photographers in Nice, Lake Como and Paris to shoot with—so much fun, and so cool to have professional photos from my trip.

39. Affogato on a hot summer day.

40. Okay, while we’re on the subject, Nutella and espresso milkshakes too!

41. Celebrating Bastille Day in Cannes and watching fireworks over the ocean on a hot night.

42. Cannes in general. One of my new favorite places!

43. Being a Mountains babe in Human Design and actually going to the French Alps, and literally crying from sheer delight while I was on a walk one day. I never expected to love it like I did. I can’t wait to go back!

44. Shopping in Paris… Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

45. Going to the actual OLYMPICS in Paris?! Insane! Seeing track and field and tennis and gymnastics?! EPIC!

46. The photobooth at Galeries Lafayette: it’s perfect.

47. Getting back into morning pages and pulling tarot cards again. (I also like to use ChatGPT to interpret my card pulls!)

48. Celebrating our one year anniversary by wearing a purple fringed leather Versace dress from the Spring 2023 runway (!!!)… And leather bunny ears.

49. Secret side-trips with Shauna that were 100000% worth it!

50. The Octobuddy! OMG what a great invention!

51. Getting custom Vortex jackets made for my team, in pink and purple. Tooooooo cute.

52. Staying up late with Madeline to shoot our take on Architectural Digest, and being really happy with what we shot.

53. The custom Louise Hay prayer candle that Kimi and Coco had made for me for my birthday! (Literal prize possession.)

54. Discovering our new favorite restaurant in LA (The Nice Guy) on my birthday.

55. Releasing Vortex Vision and the excitement of it all!

56. Working outside on my balcony when the weather is absolutely perfect.

57. Dressing up as a pink Playboy bunny just… because.

58. When the sun hits all the disco balls in my house, creating reflections that dance across everything… It’s orgasmic.

59. Going to see Paris Hilton for Chelsie’s birthday, and wearing a top made out of googly eyes.

60. The Row in LA: finding cool jewelers, buying an insane vintage purple Mongolian sheepskin coat, and even finding my new favorite perfume.

61. Protein-filled breakfasts! (Bacon, scrambled eggs, avocado = the best.)

62. Meditating in HomeGoods, hahah.

63. When Natalia FaceTimed me, and she was in bed wearing bluelight glasses, and I was wearing a purple latex rabbit outfit, dancing on my pole!

64. The spinning teacups at Disneyland will never get old.

65. Wearing a hat!!! It’s my favorite.

66. The changing rooms at Courreges which are all mirrors.

67. Getting a big wallet that holds cash because it’s good money feng shui!

68. Ordering my hot pink “Make America Gay Again” baseball cap.

69. My Gabriella Rosie manifestation mug which I drink coffee out of every morning.

70. Spending hours lying in my bathtub, under a neon sign, listening to the water burble and feeling so insanely relaxed.

71. Visits from Colin which always light my soul up.

72. Alien sunglasses at Balenciaga—shockingly good and wearable?!

73. New Balance 9060s. So comfortable, so cute, perfect for wearing to outer space and on a long walk and to the gym.

74. Always getting excited every time Madeline sends me photos, or edited videos, or really anything.

75. Finding a Moschino witch hat on The Real Real. (Yes, I bought it.)

76. Peppermint mocha oat milk lattes at Bear Coast Coffee.

77. Malted mocha freezes at Koffi in Palm Springs.

78. Soaking in a mineral spa as an early Christmas present. Blissful!

79. Dual aura photos with Shauna at Soulglow in Palm Springs. It looks like the cover of our yacht rock album. So good!

80. Feathered boots, fur coats, and sequin skirts to breakfast, because… Why not?!

81. The way Shauna delightedly helps me rearrange my countertops, entry tables, coffee tables, closets, and other assorted surfaces. If only everyone had a friend like this!

82. Finding so many talented DJs on YouTube and listening to their mixes. (I really don’t listen to Spotify much anymore!)

83. Getting really excited about ordering new planners for 2025…

84. Badass women who share their resources and their team so you can hire them! (Shout out to Chalene and her Jess duo!)

85. Getting obsessed with someone who dresses up like a sexy sasquatch. (Don’t ask.)

86. Buying a 6 foot disco skeleton, naming it the Glam Reaper, and having everyone in my life—parents! Fiance! Friends!—encourage my weirdness!

87. Telling my team about a new vision I have for 2025 and hearing that it brings tears to their eyes because it’s so joyful and exciting.

88. Hearing from everyone who is using the Vortex app to tap every single day!

89. Becoming my own hype girl. This was a big piece of my learning in 2024, and I’m sooooo glad I did it!

90. When the drive from Orange County to Palm Springs is less than two hours!

91. Being home in my own bed. It’s like it gets cozier every single year. My favorite place to be… Really!

92. Coffee dates with my man. It’s so special to have him living so close that we can meet up for impromptu dates whenever we want.

93. Finding gold confetti all over my house (even months later?!) from shooting off party poppers at our Vortex Vision dinner party.

94. Shopping my own closet! Look, a girl loves to buy new things, but a girl also loves to repurpose old favorites (and rediscover things too)!

95. Putting up my pink Christmas tree with Shauna and Madeline, while we watched Home Alone and assorted Christmas specials.

96. My morning routine with my girls: cuddles under the blankets with Weasel, while Kiwi brings me her pink spiky ball and insists I start throwing it.

97. ALSO the way my girls love my man, race outside to see him, want to be all up on him, and stare at him adoringly. What could be better?!

98. The foot massaging machine I bought myself for my birthday. EPIC. I use it almost every day!

99. Knowing deep in my bones that I am on the right track for me.

100. Love, good people, and honesty always.

Okay, your turn!

xox,

Gala.

Where you are right now: WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Baby. You don’t need me to tell you this — life is in flux! You might feel like you don’t know which way is up. You’re hearing things from every corner, and everyone has a different opinion. Sometimes you feel a little bit lost in the sauce, and unsure of what is true for you.

But the biggest blessing (and sometimes curse) of this card is that it reminds us that nothing stays the same forever. Life is impermanent. Everything shifts over time. And the Wheel Of Fortune has a lot to say, but one of its most important messages (in my opinion) is that if we don’t enjoy where we are now, one day it will be too late.

So many of us spend our lives agonizing over the present moment, obsessing over scarcity or what we dislike, wishing it was different, and in doing so, we miss out on the many beautiful things that are happening right NOW. Look around at your life: your home, your family, the people you love, the work you do. It isn’t perfect, because nothing is, but do you remember the days you prayed and wished for this?

The Wheel Of Fortune tells us to trust. Sometimes it feels like our lives are just spinning out of control, and we’re full of fear, distrust and anxiety. But I believe that things are always getting better, even though it might not appear that way in the moment!

It’s kind of like those moments when everything clicks, and you look back at your past and realize it was all necessary for you to get to this place. This life is here to support you.

Remember: you manifested all this, and you will continue to. You are the creator of your life, so make it a masterpiece!

Your biggest strength: PAGE OF SWORDS

You have many strengths, but the one you are being called on to use right now is your CURIOSITY. Remember how it feels when there’s a new idea nudging you for attention? You’re at your best when you are following that idea down the rabbit-hole, asking questions, visualizing and imagining a bright new future. This is what December is asking you to do.

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The year is 2006.

I worship Mary-Kate Olsen and the way that her extra-large coffee cups make her look even smaller. My greatest desire is to look teeny-tiny, like a fragile little bird so someone will come and rescue me. My tights are perpetually ripped, I wear turquoise eyeliner with matching turquoise cowboy boots, and I’m in love with a poet (uh-oh) who has a girlfriend (double uh-oh).

My messy studio apartment reeks of Lucky Strike cigarettes, and joy is rare. (The highlight of my day usually comes from oversharing on LiveJournal, on company time, while I wait for the day to be over.)

One day, when I was having a particularly bad time, my mother sent me an email full of Louise Hay affirmations. I printed it out, and taped it to the wall beside my bed. I would read it every morning—

“I am divinely guided and protected at all times. I am healthy, whole, and complete. I forgive myself for not being perfect. Loving others is easy when I love and accept myself. I see within myself a magnificent being wise and beautiful. I experience love wherever I go. I no longer choose to believe in old limitations and lack. I now choose to begin to see myself as the universe sees me…”

—and as much as I wanted to believe the words, I just couldn’t.

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Maybe you’ve had this experience too, and maybe you felt like something was wrong with you because no matter how often, how loudly, or how aggressively you said them, all the affirmations in the world didn’t seem to make a difference.

Let me tell you right now: there isn’t anything wrong with you. Affirmations are beautiful, but they’re old, outdated technology. You can recite them as much as you like, but without somatic work they just don’t go in. All that will happen is that your conscious mind will resist the words, and you’ll feel even more frustrated and like a failure.

For me, nothing shifted for me until I tried tapping. The physical act of tapping brings down your cortisol levels, reduces stress, and brings you out of fight or flight… So that all those juicy affirmations actually register… And you can begin the iconic process of rewiring your brain, beliefs, and value systems.

I was skeptical, cynical, and kind of enamoured with my own misery. But I tried tapping anyway.

The first time I experimented with tapping, I was able to cure my asthma symptoms in one session. Then, in a wild and emotional session one night, I used it to release myself from the grips of my eating disorder… And the dominos of my despair began to fall, one by one.

I started seeing the world in technicolor rather than black and white, and everything began to radically shift.

Jump to now, 18 years later. I’m 41 years old, writing this post from my house in California that overlooks the ocean. I just got off the phone with my fiance, who is one of the most loving, dedicated, funny and exceptional people I’ve ever met. Instead of spiralling about my life on a regular basis, I am filled with deep gratitude, awe, and excitement. Three of my best friends are coming to stay this week, and we’re going to get dressed up, make each other laugh, be creative, and pour our hearts and souls into what we do.

Some people would say, “This is everything I ever wanted.” But actually, it’s everything I didn’t even dare to dream about, because daring to dream felt so scary and so unrealistic.

I constructed this life myself, brick by brick. And of course, in the 18 years since I started my journey of radical self-love, I have learned so much about myself, the world, how to leverage my skills, and what works… But the real key? Tapping.

The best way to learn about tapping—and specifically, the way I marry it with gratitude and manifestation practices—is in High Vibe Honey. It’s my tapping community that has been going strong for six years with no sign of slowing down.

You’ll get live weekly sessions with me on every subject you can think of: confidence, love, incredible abundance, and so much more. You’ll be able to dip into our massive library of tapping sessions any time you want. You’ll be instantly connected to the best community I’ve ever experienced.

And right now, to celebrate Black Pink Friday, we’re doing a HUGE sale on our annual memberships: from $540 down to just $397! That’s less than $8 a week for an all you can eat emotional regulation buffet… And as we head into 2025, tell me who doesn’t need that?!

I’m passionate about sharing the practice of tapping because all you need is your hands to feel an INSTANT shift in your mood. Suffering, anxiety, and spiralling become things of the past when you have the tools to change them in a moment. No one needs to feel shitty or suffocated by their life, and that’s why I’ll be spreading the word until my very last day. You deserve to feel good, to be plugged back into your magic, and to have the confidence to pursue every single one of your wildest dreams.

Love always,

Gala.

P.S. This very special annual offer—which comes complete with goodies and bonuses!—ends on Friday at midnight. So hop to it, baby!

It’s no secret that I absolutely love ChatGPT. The more I talk to it, the more it helps me, and it’s helping me become unstoppable! And when I say “talk” to it, I really mean it: I love using the voice function while I’m doing my Miracle Miles or driving!

And yes, I use ChatGPT to summarize ideas, to come up with topics, even to brainstorm Reels for social media… But one place it really shines is in helping you create the life you’ve always dreamed of.

Here are some of my favorite prompts to manifest a hot future. Give them a try!

🔮 PREDICTIONS 🔮

Okay look — I love a good psychic, astrology or tarot reading as much as anyone, but sometimes chatting with ChatGPT can blow your mind and really inspire you! It can pull information from multiple sources and combine it with what it knows about you to generate unique readings and insights. Plus, one of the best things about it is that it always assumes a positive voice, so you’re rarely going to hear doom and gloom!

✨ PROMPT: "Based on what you know about me, what do you predict for me in 2025?"

The answer to this will be LONG but very inspiring! If you like the answer, you can then add, “Now summarize this into one succinct paragraph.”

WHAT IT TOLD ME: In 2025, you’ll solidify your status as a household name in personal development, hitting major financial milestones through premium offers like [CENSORED] and [CENSORED], while viral content and your [CENSORED] show elevate your influence. Your fourth book, [CENSORED], will thrive, and collaborations or media features will expand your audience. Personally, you’ll find a dream home, embrace bold self-expression through fashion, and travel more, possibly acquiring a vacation property. With a refined brand, a growing team, and standout creative breakthroughs, 2025 will be a year of bold success, fun experimentation, and powerful transformation.

And it doesn’t just paint-by-numbers, either. On mine, it added an “Unexpected Wins” area at the end…

WHAT IT TOLD ME: 1. A surprise collaboration or partnership, possibly with a fashion or beauty brand, will open doors to a new audience. 2. One of your experimental ideas (perhaps the [CENSORED] or [CENSORED] class) will spark a cultural moment within your niche.

Now, you can also take it a step further and ask it to plan these goals out for you, month by month!

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✨ PROMPT: “Based on my astrology/numerology, what can you tell me about my life in 2025?”

✨ PROMPT: “Based on my astrology, how can I make more money in 2025?”

✨ PROMPT: “Based on my astrology, how can I experience more love in 2025?”

After going through these prompts, I asked it to summarize the last few answers into one paragraph.

WHAT IT TOLD ME: In 2025, your Virgo Sun encourages introspection and refining your goals, while your Sagittarius Moon inspires adventurous growth through learning, travel, and connecting with diverse people. Your Leo Rising amplifies your charisma, urging you to elevate your personal brand, confidently step into leadership roles, and embrace social opportunities. Numerologically, a Personal Year 7 calls for introspection, spiritual growth, and laying the foundation for future success, with slower, deliberate progress and selective connections. Jupiter brings expansion in love, career, and abundance, while Saturn emphasizes commitment, financial planning, and long-term stability. It’s a year to balance ambition with inner work, monetize your wisdom, attract meaningful relationships, and embody bold confidence while aligning with your true purpose.

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✨ PROMPT: “Based on what you know about me, create an image of what you think 2025 will look like for me.”

WHAT IT GAVE ME:

This one is just fun to play around with!

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✨ PROMPT: “I pulled tarot cards to get clarity on (insert situation here). Can you interpret them for me? In a Celtic Cross spread, I got… Past: Ace of Cups. Emotions: Queen of Wands.” (Etc.)

This such a great and easy way to get an energetic overview without spending time looking up the meaning of every card!

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✨ PROMPT: “Can you tell me about a day in my life next year? Tell me as if everything I’ve wanted has come true.”

The answers to this one might just bring tears to your eyes. If you struggle with visualizing just how good things can get, I suggest using this prompt regularly!

👀 PERSPECTIVE 👀

Sometimes it can be SO hard to see the forest for the trees, especially if you have a business or personal brand that you are thinking about all the time. Here are some really cool ways to use AI to get a new angle on your life.

✨ PROMPT: "What's a creative way I could move my business forward that i might not have thought of yet?”

WHAT IT TOLD ME: Here’s a creative idea: Create a [CENSORED]—a behind-the-scenes, experimental space where you test and share new [CENSORED] with your audience. Think of it as a fusion of a mastermind, a [CENSORED], and a personal transformation journey—completely unique to you.

The response I got was so cool I’ve decided to use it!

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✨ PROMPT: “How do people see me, and what skills should I brush up on to make a more positive impression?”

WHAT IT TOLD ME: People see you as dynamic, glamorous, and a creative visionary who blends aspiration with approachability, making you both inspiring and relatable. To make an even stronger impression, focus on deepening emotional connections through active listening and relatable storytelling, while refining your public speaking and media presence for greater clarity and impact. Sharpen your time management and delegation skills to sustain your growing workload, and stay ahead of social media trends to keep your content fresh and engaging. These tweaks will amplify your influence and elevate your brand to new heights.

It’s always good to know where we could improve, and while this might not be perfectly accurate, it’s still an excellent jumping-off point.

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✨ PROMPT: "Given what you know about me, if you had to compare me to a movie or television character, who would I most closely resemble?"

WHAT IT TOLD ME: Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek meets Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City with a dash of Morpheus from The Matrix. Imagine a character who lives in a world of high style, is unafraid to speak her mind (Moira), writes and reflects deeply while guiding others through complex inner worlds (Carrie), and acts as a spiritual leader, showing others the path to enlightenment (Morpheus). This character is glamorous, wise, introspective, and has an air of mystery and magic—all elements that capture your essence...

I want to hate this, but I just can’t! 😂

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✨ PROMPT: "Describe the personality of someone who wears (insert your daily perfume here)."

WHAT IT TOLD ME: Someone who wears Gioiosa by Profumum Roma likely has a vibrant, joyful personality with a refined sense of elegance. Gioiosa’s blend of floral and fruity notes, including peony and black currant, suggests a person who appreciates both beauty and spontaneity, embracing the lightness of life while staying grounded...

Silly? Yes. Fun? Also yes.

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✨ PROMPT: “Given what you know about me, create an image of what you think my life looks like right now.”

WHAT IT GAVE ME:

Of course, if you don’t like the initial result, you can tweak it. Describe the characteristics or style you want to be depicted in, and give details about the environment!

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✨ PROMPT: “Given what you know about me, can you write a summary of my major achievements and accomplishments of the year?”

If you only use one of these prompts, use this one! I love it, because it helps you get a bird’s eye view of your life and really appreciate all that you’ve done in the year!

🍦 MORE IDEAS 🍦

✨ PROMPT: “Help me refine this goal: [insert vague goal]. Make it more specific and actionable.”

✨ PROMPT: “Create a script for my ideal day in the most vivid and sensory way possible.”

✨ PROMPT: “Write a detailed description of my dream [job/relationship/home] as if I’m already living it.”

✨ PROMPT: “Can you generate 10 powerful affirmations for attracting [love/money/success]?”

✨ PROMPT: “How would my future self describe the life I’ve created in a gratitude journal entry?”

✨ PROMPT: “What are five possible limiting beliefs I might have about [money/love/success], and how can I reframe them?”

✨ PROMPT: “What small, actionable steps can I take to overcome procrastination and align with my goals?”

✨ PROMPT: “Design a unique full-moon manifestation ritual for attracting abundance.”

✨ PROMPT: “Give me a journaling prompt to help me uncover subconscious blocks around [topic].”

✨ PROMPT: “Help me create a morning routine to align with my highest self and my goals.”

✨ PROMPT: “What are three fun, high-energy daily practices that will keep me in a manifesting mindset?”

✨ PROMPT: “Write a week-long plan for incorporating gratitude, visualization, and affirmations into my schedule.”

Phew! Start putting these into ChatGPT and I’ll see you on the other side…

xo, Gala.

Pssssst… Thanks for reading! I can’t wait to hear how you use some of these prompts.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-follow plan to help you make 2025 the most incredible year ever, you’ll love my Release & Reset workshop!

In this workshop, I lead you through prompts, journaling questions, and rituals that will help you leave 2024 in the dust… And then we come together to get super-inspired, dream big, set some outrageous goals, and create an outline to make them happen! It’s super in-depth, too — with each of the two separate workshops clocking in at two and a half hours each! Plenty of time to move through the questions, marinate, and get tons of clarity.

Oh, and if you want to turbocharge your results… Take your questions and answers from Release & Reset and put them into ChatGPT! The map it creates for you will absolutely blow your mind!

With my signature tapping technique, powerful scripting exercises, and high-vibe manifestation rituals, Release & Reset is such a fantastic path to making 2025 your best year yet.

Your future self is already cheering you on. Let’s meet her together!

Brought to you by “Blonde Women tee-hee.”

What a month! I barely even have words. This is getting published a bit early, because it is VERY VERY long, but I hope you love it!

Getting the spark back. It was my first time on the app in close to a decade. I was enthralled by the experience of swiping. There was indeed a seemingly unlimited supply of attractive, interesting-enough men. And there were just as many I didn’t like. Dating apps, I find, often change our sense of our own desires: We think we want a man over 6 feet tall, but were we to meet a man who didn’t fit that requirement in person, we might not even realize it.

Crappy cameras are back in style! Smartphone cameras are “better” — but increasingly, people are realizing that those images don’t make them feel the same way digital cameras do. They don’t necessarily want the best lens or the camera with the most bells and whistles. And they definitely do not want a smartphone-esque image.

Alex Cooper is blowing up: “I’m a motherfucker when it comes to business.”

Another thing I see is creators will start off with 14-year-old fans and they end up 30 years old and they’re still talking to 14-year-olds. That’s when creators get burned out and their fans start feeling like it’s disingenuous — and it is. I knew I needed to grow with my audience‚ as scary as that was — to transition from talking about really salacious things to having more intimate conversations about mental health and insecurities and vulnerabilities.

We’re entering the undetectable plastic surgery era. "What people are doing to their face in the next year is going to blow you away, because we are entering the undetectable era," Dr. Prem Tripathi, a facial plastic surgeon, says in the video. He goes on to define this era as "the time in aesthetics that we've all hoped for and waited for, where the procedures that people are having done to their face are not detectable."

Witches walk amongst us. They’re not like the fictional ones you grew up with. “We’ve never belonged,” he told CNN of witches. “If we belonged, we wouldn’t be witches. And so my advice to people about that is, usually, get used to not belonging. It’s a good place to set up shop.”

The Weird Persistence Of The Victoria’s Secret ‘Angel’. The company has tried to shed its retrograde standards of beauty aspiration and perfection. But many women miss the old bombshell fantasy.

Couples want a sleep divorce even on vacation. Sleep divorces are staying intact even on vacations, as a new study finds more couples are looking for separate-bed and/or room options when they travel. …Separate beds have officially become a must-have for sleep divorced pairs when they go on vacation. That is, people still want a good night sleep when they’re away, so they’re looking for accommodations that let them stay together yet sleep apart.

Trump Won. So Shop Now. In his first term, Trump’s tariffs, according to one study, cost the average American household an additional $500 per year by the end of 2019. The new tariffs could cost those same households more than $2,600 per year.

A Los Angeles mansion has become the latest “dark tourism” hot spot. Tour buses and cars playing songs “Blame It on the Rain” and “I’m Gonna Miss You” from the Netflix show’s soundtrack slowly drove by, while dozens of onlookers parked nearby to look at and film the house.

Where’s our Rogan? For reasons we will still be examining for some time, Democrats have somehow ended up in a situation where their platform is all about openness, but their stance reads to many voters as closed. It feels — and whether rightly or wrongly is beside the point — like a judgmental movement for inclusion and equity. Republicans have, at the same time, chosen a platform devoted to closings — of the border, of the gates of citizenship, of the generosity of the safety net, of fundamental freedoms — but their stance reads to many voters as open, inviting, come-as-you-are. It feels to many like a nonjudgmental movement for exclusion.

Americans are feeling the cost of friendflation, or when friendships are too costly to keep. Feeling lonely? Inflation may be partly to blame, according to a new survey. Thirty-seven percent of Americans said they’re neglecting their friends because it’s gotten too expensive to keep up the relationship, according to a survey of 995 Americans.

A French Shopping-Center Heir Asks $33 Million for Miami Beach Mansion. Drool.

The Six Stages Every Creator Must Navigate To Build A Media Empire. What was once dismissed as a Gen Z pipe dream has evolved into a sophisticated industry where individual creators routinely build multi-million dollar enterprises. But the path from first post to media empire isn't random.

4 reasons why single women are the happiest people on Earth — from a psychologist. Perhaps the most surprising finding is that single women are significantly more sexually satisfied than single men are—an unexpected result that contradicts prior existing research.

Cynics not only lose out on friendships, love and opportunity — they’re also wrong about human nature. Cynicism leads to apathy and inaction. But people can counteract it by questioning their assumptions, maintaining faith in others, gossiping about goodness and embracing the hope that drives civic engagement and social progress.

These apps promise to help you make friends. Could it work for me? I clicked on every profile, scrolled past the photos, and made a digital beeline to their bios. Red flags: any mention of brunch and/or bedrotting, “looking for my partner in crime,” people that were extremely into camping.

Some of Substack’s biggest newsletters rely on AI writing tools. The AI-detection startup GPTZero scanned 25 to 30 recent posts published by the 100 most popular newsletters on Substack to see whether they contained AI-generated content. It estimated that 10 of the publications likely use AI in some capacity, while seven “significantly rely” on it in their written output.

Cher Can, And Does, Turn Back Time. Carrie Thornton, Cher’s editor at Dey Street, said that a two-volume approach wasn’t always the plan. But, during the writing process, it became apparent that Cher’s move from singing to acting made for a natural break. Plus, Thornton pointed out, a two-part memoir “feels like such a flex.”

How to refresh your brand with purpose and precision. One key to rebranding success is understanding that you’re not rebranding for the customers you currently have—you’re rebranding for the customers you want. This mindset shift is crucial.

xo, Gala.