Lacy Phillips // Free + Native
With the most pleasant and positive energy, Lacy Phillips defines good vibes. A modern guru of sorts, Lacy and her her online journal Free + Native provide a holistic manual for a healthy and more natural lifestyle.
We met Lacy at her adorable home in Echo Park, which she and her pop-artist boyfriend have transformed into an eco-chic oasis right out of a Kinfolk magazine. We walked in to find the table was already beautifully set with place cards adorned with fresh lavender and thyme.
In her kitchen, a giant chalkboard is packed with recipes designed to achieve optimal health in each area of the body. Not a single negative word was spoken as we chatted over the heavenly raw persimmon tart she had prepared. In fact, Lacy has been cooking all raw recently, which she says has made her glow even brighter. Much of this produce comes from a gorgeous little home-grown garden, which she built in her own backyard. But it's truly Lacy's balanced life and absolute kindness that makes you want to be her best friend. Though she believes in getting back to your roots, she isn't completely "granola" and still values the luxury in life. Despite offering natural remedies, she's not afraid of a little Nars makeup.
After our healthful raw meal, like a boss, she poured herself a glass or two of whiskey to wash it all down. We dig this girl, and we know you will too.
Be sure to check out our VIDEO of the raw foods feast Lacy made for us!
HOW THEY GLOW QUESTIONNAIRE
NAME: Lacy Phillips
NICKNAME: Lace
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP: Right outside of Yosemite on a ranch in Cathey’s Valley, CA.
WHEN YOU ARE EATING HEALTHY, WHAT IS A TYPICAL…
BREAKFAST: Warm lemon water followed by a glass of water + probiotic. Then once I’m hungry, I have my Magic Green Smoothie! This makes or breaks my day when it comes to energy and happiness. The maca really sets the tone for my “happy” factor.
LUNCH: Usually a raw salad of sorts, a green juice or Cacao + Maca Cloud Smoothie.
DINNER: As my day is so light and raw, this is the time I allow myself a balanced healthy dinner. Lately, that has meant a local vegetable and quinoa dish!
SNACK: Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I certainly get into a bag of Have'a Chips! Coconut water (raw), raw chocolates, sprouted almonds.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS/RESTAURANTS TO EAT HEALTHY? ELF is my all time and longest running favorite. Then the follow-up runners would be Café Stella, Moon Juice, Forage, Gjelina, Pace, Café Gratitude, and Gorbals. I have a feeling that Gracias Madre is going to be my new home away from home.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INDULGENCE? Potatoes cooked any type of way! That and tequila. Cake. Chocolate ANYTHING.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS/RESTAURANTS TO INDULGE? Mexican Restaurants. When I was little, my mom and I would order huge, terrible plates of Mexican food and watch I Love Lucy reruns all day.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR LAST MEAL ON EARTH? Macaroni and Cheese with Mashed Potatoes and salmon. There would be nothing green on the plate.
WHAT IS THE BEST DISH YOU COOK/ YOUR FAVORITE RECIPE? Soup. I make what we call an “everything soup” once a week. It starts with a marjoram, rosemary, onion and garlic base to sweat. Then I add everything in the fridge that is on their last leg. Bring to a boil, 1tsp salt, pinch of pepper, then simmer for 20 minutes followed by blending it all up. It makes for the best puree soup weekly.
WHERE DO YOU GROCERY SHOP IN LA? Atwater Farmers Market, Cookbook, Lassens, and Whole Foods.
WHAT IS YOUR FITNESS REGIME? (HOW OFTEN & WHAT DO YOU GO) Yoga once a week, Spin twice a week, Resistant training twice a week, and Pound once a week. Then I always follow up with 30 minutes in the sauna to rid any toxins/ relax my muscles.
WHAT IS YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE? (PRODUCTS, FACIALS, ETC.) My all time best skin care products are cold pressed juices + smoothies that include turmeric, cucumber, pineapple and parsley. They are one big, actually effective, facial. Investing in either of these two things or both, daily, has resulted in the most glowing, smoothest, clear skin over any product I’ve ever tried. Combining those drinks with Odacite skincare line has made a noticeable difference in my skin. For body, I’m in love with Goe Oil or virgin coconut oil. And for cleansing, I love Earth Tu Face. For scent, I’ve always been a CO Bigelow Musk girl. Skin brushing has also transformed my skin and detoxing.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE NATURAL MAKEUP/ BEAUTY PRODUCTS? RMS anything!
IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 PRODUCTS WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU?
1. Dry Body brush
2. Coconut oil
3. SPF
WHAT PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY/FITNESS/HEALTH GURUS DO YOU SWEAR BY? Karen Kubeck for my eyebrows. She is the eyebrow GOD. In ten years, I’ve never let anyone else touch them. Not even myself. Anyone I send to her never uses another person again. Dr. John Diaz is who I consult for anything anti-aging related. They are so informative over there, their esthetician is wonderful and they are the kindest office in the world!
TOP 3 FAVORITE SONGS?
1. Don’t Think Twice by Bob Dylan
2. Time Has Told Me by Nick Drake
3. Black Is The Color Of My True Love’s Hair by Nina Simone
MOST LIFE-CHANGING BOOK? This is hard because it was so many. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, A House On Mango Street, All Raymond Carver, Angela’s Ashes, The China Study…
WHAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Love. I’m incredibly materialistic from a design aspect. Things really shape my energy and mood—especially in my space. But nothing has ever compared to LOVE. Especially the new kind.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY. Traveling. Any day I’m on an adventure. That’s my happy place. Going somewhere new. Metaphorically and physically.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST VALUABLE BEAUTY TIP/SECRET? The more raw food you eat, the younger you stay.
WHAT MAKES YOU GLOW? This little place inside me when it feels satisfied, happy, inspired and fulfilled. A lot goes into achieving that.
Photography by: Emily Knecht