Monica Ramirez

Q:Tell us about your morning routine.

A:My morning routine varies slightly from day to day and is typically slow, just how I like it. I despise feeling rushed, so I take my time. I love routine, but I also like to allow my body and mind to follow what it craves. Sometimes that looks like a 10 minute meditation and a stretch, and other days I put that energy into making a really nice breakfast and lighting some incense. I usually tidy up my space, brew a cup of coffee, bask in the sun and start answering emails. Luckily working from home allows me this luxury.

 

Q: And your wind down routine?

A: My wind down routine consists of cleansing my face and doing my skin routine. I like creating a low light ambience and setting some white noise before sleeping, as it calms my body before climbing into the sheets. Occasionally I like to do a wind down Yin yoga and do deep long stretches. I like to spritz some kind of lavender or AYOND scent over my pillows, I find it so soothing. Recently I’ve been playing New York Time’s games (Wordle and Connections) with my partner before dozing off.

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Q: How did you get into DJing?

A: I got into DJing years ago, around 2017 when I saw an HBO tv series about spinning Vinyl in Brooklyn. I was in such awe that I promised myself I would learn how to mix tracks. When I moved back to New York after leaving for college, I got my first gig at some Disco Club that just opened in Midtown, NYC. I don’t know why, but the club owner, this erratic 70s obsessed guy, decided to take a chance on me and hired me. He taught me a lot about 70s music and how to handle and clean vinyl. I played every Friday night and it was my first lesson on how to read crowds energetically.

 

Q:Tell us more about Take Space and how you use it both personally and professionally?

A:Take Space is a photo studio I opened out of necessity. At the time I was living in a small apartment with terrible natural lighting so I started to consider renting a studio for my work needs. This led to the idea of opening one myself but with touches of my taste in vintage furniture and aesthetics.

 

Q: What keeps you connected to the work and how do you find beauty in the everyday?

A: I like to find moments in my day for presence and awareness, especially in the morning before beginning the day’s work. Meditating and practicing gratitude daily helps me feel grounded and connected. I like to physically write down the things I see around me that I feel grateful for. Making lists makes me feel calm, so it’s a natural habit for me.

 

Q: What does resilience mean to you and how do you nurture inner fortitude?

A: Resilience to me means continually showing up for yourself in the face of adversity. It means being okay with uncertainty and making the best of every situation. I nurture my inner fortitude by surrounding myself with positive messaging and people. Cutting out things that don’t serve me or give me anxiety. Going to talk therapy and reading. Allowing myself rest when I experience burnout.

 

Q: What do you think about when you imagine the desert?

A: Endless sandy dunes, the unrelenting sun, cactuses and cute Fennec foxes.

 

Q: What do you look for in a natural fragrance?

A: Approachability and warmth. A touch of sensuality. Not too sweet.

 

Q: Which notes do you gravitate towards when choosing a fragrance?

A: Sandalwood, Fig, Cedarwood, Tuberose, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Vanilla, Bergamot, Citrus. I don’t tend to gravitate to overly floral or powdery.

 

Q: How do you scent AYOND Eau de Parfum on your body and within your space?

A: I like spraying Taos Blue before sleep as the scent gives me a very calming and fresh sensation. When I’m seeking a little boost of mental clarity and a burst of refreshment, I’ll spritz it in my space mid day. It’s also perfect for a date night scent.

 

Q: How do you reconnect to yourself in a busy city like New York?

A: New Yorkers love parks and cozy ambiences. Because this city is always bustling with people, finding any kind of place that feels calming and safe quickly becomes a little sanctuary from the chaos. Coffee shops, park benches, bookshops, wine bars. Taking myself on little solo dates is one of my favorite things to do. Additionally, being in nature, sitting in the sun, focusing on my fitness, and eating as well as I can helps me reconnect to my body.

 

Q: How does Taos Blue Eau de Parfum make you feel? What notes resonate with you?

A: Fresh, energized, invigorated. The citrusy notes I find really pleasurable.