Casa Joshua Tree Retreat

2016 was a wild year for Bossladies. We published two magazines, hosted two launch parties, and ran our first series of Work Sesh. What I mean to say is, it was a bit of a whirlwind. 

So when January rolled around, I knew I wanted to shape 2017 more intentionally. I wanted to slow down, invest my time in fewer, more particular projects, and set better boundaries between work and life, making more time for self-care and education along the way. 

Lindsay of Casa Joshua Tree joined our November Work Sesh Series, and one day over coffee we got to talking about the idea of hosting a Bossladies event of some kind at her gorgeous home. I had been following her on Instagram for months, and I was enamored with the magical space she had created. So in early January, Lindsay, Marisa Vitale, and I partnered up to organize some sort of retreat to fuel our souls and kick off the year.

There were seven of us total, @casajoshuatree, @marisavitalephoto, @hipstersforsisters, @sotelaco, @shopimby, @fairseassupplyco, and me. And Lindsay planned an amazing weekend for us full of burning sage, paleo pumpkin pancakes, sunset hikes, evening fires in the fireplace, tarot readings, journal writing, vision boards, and art projects. 

I'll admit, I was mildly terrified to have my tarot read. I mean, what if she saw something in my future that I didn't want to know? After a half an hour of getting myself worked up about it, I went in for my reading. And, turns out, it was wonderful. Mary, our tarot reader, shared a few things she saw in my future, specifically regarding my path with work and the city in which I'd live. Though I forced myself to take her advice with a grain of salt, I think it helped me solidify a few decisions on which I had been teetering. 

My favorite part of the weekend was spending time getting to know the other women. The only one I knew very well going into the weekend was Marisa, and by the time I left Joshua Tree, I had a soft spot in my heart for every single one of the women who had been there.

A huge thank you to Lindsay for welcoming us into her home, planning our activities and meals, and showing us around the boulders of Joshua Tree. When 2017 ends and I'm writing out some of my favorite things that happened over the year, you can bet that the weekend we spent in the desert will be at the top of my list.

xx, chelsea 

photography: marisa vitale