A few years ago, after a falling out with a group of very close friends I’ve had since highschool, I made the decision to live my life in a more positive, giving way. I was tired of needless drama, negativity and never quite feeling like I was living my best life. The decision to cut out the toxic influences in my life and focus on all the good bestowed upon me was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made…and I’ve never looked back.
Have you ever heard of a “gratitude rock”? It’s a small rock that you carry with you at all times in either a pocket or a purse. Each time you touch it, it reminds you of all of the things you are grateful for, such as the love of a family member, a cuddle from your pet, the delicious warmth of that first sip of coffee, or simply being able to breathe and stay alive.
I’ve had a little gratitude rock in my coat pocket for the last year – a smooth little shiva lingam stone I picked up at a local store as the rock’s neutral tones and smooth oval shape caught my eye (I can’t help it – everything I own needs a little style). Every time life got me down due to stupid little things like terrible traffic, I’d reach in my pocket, feel that stone, and be reminded to be thankful that I had a nice car to drive around in and get stuck in traffic…in a nice city…on my way home to my comfortable house full of love.
It soon occurred to me, “why not wear my positivity…wear my gratitude reminder as a bracelet or necklace?” BRILLIANT. I started keeping my eyes peeled for stylish jewelry made of semi-precious stones that would repel negative, harmful energy and boost positivity, self-awareness and attract overall good vibes. Turns out the Universe was looking out for me too.
One fine day, I found a message in my inbox from Kyla Miller, owner of MalaRae – a company specializing in yoga jewelry, specifically malas. Kyla needed a model for her photoshoot and wondered if I would be interested. I most certainly was.
After checking out her website, I was stunned at how beautiful her malas and bracelets are. Malas – a necklace comprised of 108 beads, are used to help focus the mind during meditation and count mantras in sets of 108 repetitions. Interestingly, each of the semi-precious stones she uses are linked to specific “intentions” such as communication, protection, love, trust, patience,etc.
These aren’t your average necklaces. Each piece is handmade by Kyla with love during a positive and peaceful state of mind. Using only top-quality materials and semi-precious stones and crystals, each bead is hand-knotted like a pearl necklace. After each piece of jewelry is complete, it is sage cleansed and moonlit charged. Her pieces are truly works of art.
Our photoshoot here in downtown Ottawa’s lovely ByWard Market was a blast! Our photographer Mark Gustafsson captured the fun we had on that bright fall day. I admit, it was hard for me to concentrate with boxes of gorgeous jewelry everywhere, and I have no doubt that the shoot went so well due to the tons of positive energy that everyone brought. Here are some shots from that very memorable day!
I feel that we can all use a positive and stylish reminder of all the good in our lives, and the happiness that we each share with the world. To make this a little easier, Kyla and I are happy to share with readers a 15% discount on any MalaRae purchase until January 31, 2016. Simply visit the MalaRae website and shop ’til your heart’s content using discount code “STYLE15”!
Treat yourself to a beautiful mala or bracelet, or gift that someone special with a piece of MalaRae jewelry for the holidays!
xo,
*Pictures of the photoshoot courtesy of Mark Gustafsson Photography
Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.
Shiva lingams and malas! I am connecting with you. <3 Shiva lingams, from my practice is representative of the God Shiva from Hindu mythology. Either way, it is an amazing use for something that vibrates with a lot of positive energy. In case you didn't know, mala literally translates to garland in my mother tongue (Tamil) and I think it also means the same in Hindi. Kyla certainly knows what she's doing. 🙂
By the way malas like these need some kind of cleansing periodically, and I am sure Kyla can help you with that.
I suddenly feel so connected to you! <3
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Excellent! xo
Awesome! I’ve been researching crystals to buy the best one for me. I also want to wear it to keep as a reminder.
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You may want to check out MalaRae then! Google search what semi-precious stones boost positivity and attract good energy…then pick the one that you like the most…or have one pick you! xox
Neat concept! You look great in the photos and I love that your pictures are now on Mala’s site! 🙂
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Thank you!! I was thrilled to see that Kyla added the pics. It was a really fun day and her jewelry is so beautiful. So intricately made!
Great article, Dom!! I love your personal story of finding your own place of positivity.
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Thanks, Amy!!!
How gorgeous do you look modelling this piece of jewellery? Its funny I’m reading this post (and not as in Haha!) coz just this morning I was thinking fleetingly of an ex- best friend I had for about 20yrs. It ended pretty horribly and though I have gone on with my life,it gets tricky coz I am still close to our mutual friends, so I get to know what she is doing etc even though I really dont want to!
I have very few friends in my kind of situation, so its v interesting to read about yr experience with your high school friends…I wonder, do you ever want to reach out to any of them even though you know you absolutely won’t?
Anyway point is, when I think of the ex best friend fleetingly and begin to grind my teeth, I have to force myself to take a detour and think POSITIVELY of the people who have been with me through my ups and down, people who love me warts and all, so at times like this it would be therapeutic to rub that rock…you must give of hella good positive vibes to have your wishes granted in the shape of the email Kyla sent you! Have a lovely wkend (:
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Hey babe!! Thank you so much for your comment!! I never, ever want to reach out to those old friends. That is a chapter over my life that is over and done with. The friends I have now are true gems, wonderful genuine people that I love and that I learn from on a daily basis. When I start to feel negative or sad, I surround myself with positivity by seeing people I like (my friends), taking a long walk, exercising…just doing things I love. It works wonders.
Sad to hear that you went through the same sort of experience, but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger! Haha!
Lots of love and good vibes and thank you for reading!
Dominique
I’m going to save this comment so I can turn to it if and when my mind wants to take me down negative memory lane. This is one of the things I love about blogging: getting advice/tips from peeps in the blogosphere. Have a lovely Sunday ( :
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So glad!! And I feel the same way about meeting my lovely internet friends! Have a wonderful Sunday!
These are beautiful.
And I just wanted to say that I truly admire your commitment to positivity and editing negative friendships from your life.
It’s something I’ve been working at lately, and I’m grateful for your reminder today. Thanks girl!! <3
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You’re welcome! You know, I was just sick of feeling crappy and I attributed those bad feelings by being surrounded by negative personalities. I always felt drained after hanging around some people. And it’s just so much easier to be positive (most of the time). I have a lot to be thankful for – a man who loves me, a nice house to live in, a big, expensive machine to drive me around the city, a job that keeps food on the table…I have nothing to complain about. It took a lot to get to this point, but I’m glad I’m here. I’m truly glad I stumbled upon your blog too. Your kind, beautiful words just reinforce a lot of good stuff! xoxoxo
Aw, you’re so sweet … Thank you for that. You’re so right: it just feels happier to be positive, to focus on gratitude and to share life with similarly positive people.
Go you!! 🙂