Over the last seven years, Christine Seeds established a successful design firm donning her name, Christina Seeds Interiors. She quickly worked her way up to attract high-end clientele, designing condos in some of the most prestigious buildings and neighborhoods in the city of Chicago. At the age of twenty-two with no formal training, no degree, and no financial backing most people would have thought the odds were against her, but she made it. Having always been a big believer of her dreams, one of her greatest illusions was that someday she would have more time to savor and enjoy the things she really loves and want to do, which is why she recently packed up her bags and moved to Maui. Possibilities for adventure, beauty, contribution, and goodness are everywhere – and now Christina is making time for them. She did it and is fortunate to be following her bliss surrounded by such wonderful people that are making her journey seem like pure magic. Stay tuned as her life continues to unfold.
What do First Lady Michelle Obama and Sex and the City stylist Patricia Field have in common? They both own a Sophia Forero mosaic jewel! Sophia’s passion for color, texture and design stems from her love of history and experience in international culture. She earned her Master’s from University of Chicago and volunteered in the US Peace Corps, teaching and travelling throughout Eastern Europe. She learned seven languages, helping her communicate with artisans from all over the globe, including Russia, Mexico, Haiti, and Greece. Sophia’s designs have been featured in over 300 fine boutiques and specialty stores all over the world. Her work has been worn on such notables as Sarah Jessica Parker, Olympia Dukakis, and Vivica Fox. Sophia is a proud mother of four and often collaborates with her husband, installation artist Mauricio Forero.
Life as Practice - not Perfection. Formerly a practicing attorney in Chicago, Michele Clauss struggled with the feeling something was missing. Her perfect life on paper was lacking. Michele found that the practice of yoga gave her the inner and outer strength to be fearless and leave the daily chilly grind behind. After spending the last year living in Costa Rica teaching yoga and running a catamaran sailing tour business, Michele has returned to practicing law - remotely. She is currently pursuing her life long dream of traveling the world and she finds that every day affords an opportunity to practice. Whether it’s yoga, law, kindness or fearlessness, this traveler is making her way across the world practicing - with a lot of laughter, some daily discipline, a healthy dose of humility and a giant sense of adventure - her ingredients for happily living abroad. And the constant reminder that nothing in life is perfect, but everything in life takes practice. Michele is based in Chicago but now calls Tamarindo, Costa Rica home. She is also the Assistant Editor for FLM.