When I was growing up my maternal grandmother lived with us. We had a two bedroom home so my sisters and I shared a room with her. We called her Nanay, that means 'mom' in Tagalog (Filipino.) Every single night she would lead us in prayer. We'd ask God to bless every single one of our family members — I'm talking mom, dad, aunts, uncles, cousins, second and third cousins — and then we'd list all of the things we were thankful for. This is the earliest memory I have of practicing gratitude.

When we were in the daydreaming stage and brainstormed what our ideal experience included, we knew we didn’t just want regular merchandise. We wanted to share products that aligned with us and offered value to you. We looked at health from multiple angles and wanted the products we carried to help elevate your wellness beyond a sweat session. Journals for mental optimization, teas to help you unwind and relax, and products that help you care for yourself better and turn necessities into rituals you love. A lot of what we have on our shelves is female-founded and locally made as it was important for us to support the community we are a part of. We think you’ll love what we have.

This Thanksgiving marks five years. A whole handful of years since my little sister, Chantal, passed away as a seventeen year-old in a car accident while being driven to her boyfriend’s family dinner. Naturally, this holiday sparks a lot of emotion and reflection for me.