self love – Terrisa Chen

Explore The Secret Garden In Your Heart

“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden”
― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

🌟 Check out the making process of the Garden Floral Dress 👗🌸

girl in a garden surreal fashion digital art — “Garden Explore”
Fashion design & Digital art: Terrisa Chen
Photography: Joel Halbert

*All outdoor photos taken with no one else around. Keep safe social distancing.

No.9_Esthers Waltz by Esther Abrami

The Garden Explorer

I remember when I was a kid, every day I woke up with excitement and anticipation. The outside world always seemed colorful and magical. A park, a playground, a plot, a back yard, even a sidewalk can make me stop and wonder for a while, and of course, there is the wonderful light from the sun, mystical clouds, aromatic herbs, the pleasant sound of birds……I was always interested in and inspired by the simple things around me. I could make many places my secret garden, a hidden alter for me to paint and write all the untold stories.

girl and cat in a garden surreal digital art — “Secret Garden”
Fashion design & Digital art: Terrisa Chen
Photography: Joel Halbert

Find Inner Peace & Joy

As I’ve got older, for a long time, I felt I lost the ability to sense and explore the charms around me, because life got too busy and complicated. I either did not have time or I did not have the energy to cherish the lovely little things around me, instead, I was stressed with other things, the same stuff all adults stressed with, I felt just stuck in repeated circles…….Till one day I realized it is actually pretty simple to get myself grounded again.

girl wears pink floral dress straw hat — “Garden Party”
Fashion design & Digital art: Terrisa Chen
Photography: Joel Halbert

I have noticed that when I choose to listen to my heart and allow myself to enjoy the things around me, allow myself to be simple again, I automatically let go of unnecessary anxieties that distract me. The same simple things inspire me and present new ideas if I allow myself to be open. The desire to explore and create, which not only brings me joy but also brings me inner peace. The secret garden is always there.

The Secret Garden

Brooklyn Botanic Garden was founded in 1910, a beautiful estate located in between prospect park and Brooklyn Museum. The combination of exotic plants and the unique ‘Garden within the Gardens” design highlights the whimsical charm of this place. I visit this Botanical Garden every year, every season. Every visit brings me something new and refreshing, the smell of flowers & trees, the sound of birds and bees, the cross-cultural architectures …… maybe they are exactly the same plants, the same buildings, but there is always something different when you let yourself to explore.

pink roses in a garden — Garden Roses
Photo by Joel Halbert

The truth is, no matter where you are, no matter how many times you pass through the same things and situations, you are not trapped. It is up to you to discover the beauty around you and you can build your own secret garden.

2020. New Year. You Are Entirely Up To You

“Life is not a puzzle to be solved. Life is a masterpiece that you create.”
― Brittany Burgunder

We are at the end of January 2020. After all the post-party blues, the new year will not be a new year soon. But still, it is another year, it can either be the same old year or it can be a different year, a better year, it’s is entirely up to you.

I remember I had ambitious resolutions the past few “new years”, big wishes, big goals, grand visions. Most of the time, I tried to accomplish multiple tasks at once and I was distracted by too many different things. I was restless and desperate. In the end, I often found myself feeling trapped and disappointed because I had a hard time achieving my goals.

new year new me — Hello 2020. Brooklyn, NY

Now here I am, at the beginning of 2020. I know I have no time to feel confused, so I decided to make changes. The new year for me is about self-observation. I know what I need to take do in order to make changes in my life, no matter how big or small. I want to develop my potential, I want to feel fulfilled, I want to be happier with myself, I want to live alive. So here are my conclusions for things I need to focus on More and things I should do Less.

illustration-art-more — Illustration: More

More: More courage; More patience; More healthy food; More tea; More action: More yoga ; More meditation; More books; More positive network; More art; More creation: More self-love

Less: Less fear; Less complaining; Less alcohol; Less procrastination; Less stress; Less laziness; Less soap opera; Less negativity in my surroundings; Less ” do nothing”; Less self-pity

This is not a new years resolution note. It is just about small but necessary tasks that need to be done , and if you feel the same, let’s do this together. I believe this year will be a different one. You are entirely up to you.

Let it start with pink.

I’m Terrisa, I live in Brooklyn, New York. I’m passionate about fashion, food, and art. I’m here to share my inspirations and my visions with you!:)

Pink has always been one of my favorite colors. Because it carries so many characters. It can be gentle and seductive, it can be tough and hardcore. I love to have fun with this color, especially in this cold weather, it’s just simply pleasant and cheerful.

My cat Tinky is truly a wonder. Tinky always inspires me with her “go with the flow” life attitude. Tinky is an extremely easy going cat ( as long as feed her on time), her laid-back style is totally opposite to my anxiety, that makes her a muse to me, it is just so healing.

Morning rose petal tea:

Starts the day with soothing and refreshing

Homemade beets yogurt dip brunch:

*Homemade beets yogurt dip

*Crumbled goat cheese

*Roasted cashew nuts

*Poached eggs

*whole wheat flat bread

Homemade beets yogurt dip (turns out sooo pink) :

I like to add spice to all my meals, including dips.

*4 medium beets

*3 minced garlic cloves

* 1 red chili

* 1cup greek yogurt

* 3 tablespoons olive oil

* 1 tablespoon agave

* 1/4 cup chopped roasted cashew nuts

* 2 minced green onions

* Sea salt

* Chili flakes