Skateboarding in Joshua Tree
In my previous post I joked about having a special affinity for the desert because I was born in SoCal. While there may be some truth to this, if I were to really dig deeper, there's always another reason.
I find the desert magical.
At first glance, you see nothing but sand, dirt, tumbleweed, and prickly plants. But if you stop and look - really look - you'll notice the tiny wildflowers scattered around the most barren of landscapes. You'll notice flowers blooming on the cacti, bees hovering around, and ants trekking the sand. If you're lucky, you might even spot a rabbit. When you pause for a moment to take in the desert, what once seemed like a harsh, deadly place becomes an entire ecosystem built around resilience. In the most forbidding of places, there is life.
In my favorite childhood book The Little Prince, the Prince says, "What makes the desert so beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well." It's such a perfect reminder about having a heart of resilience, the power of positivity, and searching for beauty in the harshest of conditions. For every cloud, there is a silver lining. I'm not surprised by the sight of lush vegetation in the tropics. It's a given. But here in the desert? I saw tiny, purple wildflowers peeking out from a crack in a rock. That's magical. Nature teaches us lessons that we humans so often forget.
Jack and I took these photos on the last morning of our trip. I always have my skateboard in the trunk of my car, so I thought it would be perfect to do a photo shoot with it. Also, it's really quite fun to skateboard in the middle of an empty road. I wore this lace top from Zara because it reminded me of the tiny flowers blooming all around Joshua Tree, especially in the spring and summer. The shorts are by AG Jeans and seriously fit like a glove! The sandals are from Brother Vellies, a company inspired by African footwear. It's a sustainable brand in more than once sense of the word. The shoes are handmade in Africa and create artisanal jobs for locals, all materials are responsibly sourced from direct relationships with small farmers, recycled and organic materials are used as much as possible, and vegetable dyes help protect the environment. The list goes on and on, but I love the idea that what I put on my feet has a minimal impact to the environment and leaves a trail of positivity behind me.
What are some of your favorite natural landscapes? And did you ever have a moment when you felt like nature was teaching you something? I'd love to know!
"What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well."
- The Little Prince by Antoine de St. Exupery
OUTFIT DETAILS:
Flower Lace Top: Zara
Denim Shorts: AG Jeans
Zanzibar Linen Sandals: Brother Vellies
Vintage Omega Watch: Omega
CREDITS:
Styling: Annie Cho
Photography: Jackson Kuo
SHOOT LOCATION:
Joshua Tree National Park
