Candy Wheeler

We’re really excited to host something creative and extra special for the mamas in our friend group

Jenn and I are both have a love for curating special experiences and it’s magic when we come together in an offering. One thing we really love is making women (especially mamas) feel beautiful and capturing moments that lasts a lifetime.

On Friday May 1st we’re hosting an intimate gathering for 10 mamas

Bring your littles or your mamas or both

We didn’t want this to be your typical chaotic get in and get out mini photoshoot, but instead a nourishing and wholesome connected gathering for our community mamas. I’ll be serving up some ceremonial cacao, and snackies + guiding the littles in a creation station while Jenn is hard at work snapping your beautiful family portraits ❤️

Spots are extra limited for this so you’ll want to sign up ASAP to grab one

We’ll see you there! Ilysm

Feel free to reach out with questions

I think the biggest mistake I’ve ever made was thinking/feeling like I was ever “alone” and isolating myself when what I actually needed was to be seen and supported by my loved ones

I never really consciously desired that, but the mind can be tricky in that way

Shining the spotlight on proof that I couldn’t / shouldn’t rely on others to support me in some of my deepest struggles

Most things I would go through silently and try to hold it all on my own. I didn’t want to burden others, I didn’t want to further press at the feelings that already felt too hard to feel in the first place, I didn’t want to be perceived as weak or vulnerable, most times I didn’t even really know how to express what I was going through

So instead I just held it all in and alienated myself, and kept moving forward, and most of the time that worked out ok, i.e I survived…

But it wasn’t until life (God) would force my hand and brought in challenges so big, that there was absolutely no way I could hold it on my own that I had literally no choice but to let myself be held by others and finally see the value in that

I can recall times where I’d sit in front of some friends and be literally falling completely apart and they’d look at me with eyes of pure love and speak life into me

Or even times where I wasn’t breaking down, but instead I had an idea for something I found such passion in and they’d celebrate it, uplift it and help me bring it into existence

Now - I literally giggle, thinking back to how egocentric of me to try and do things on my own when I have been SO blessed with the absolute dream team

And that leaning on them means they get to use their gifts and feel the joy and love of supporting their loved one and how much more fun that is

Today I can confidently say that one of my greatest strengths is noticing and seeing the power of my community and fully leaning into that to better myself and carry out my wildest ideas: creative, business or otherwise

That’s why I began hosting different iterations of the Creative Cocoon - so that other women could be exposed to the wildly beautiful sensation of being supported by a crew of top tier women ❤️

what a season it’s been right? I’m reminding myself to keep breathing, through it all.

every single day has brought some invitation for growth.

to do something that challenges my comfort, complacency, and stagnation.

yet, I’ve never felt so calm, and surrendered to the process. never felt so here for it all.

I’ve been prioritizing what matters most to me lately and letting go of a lot.

mostly old patterns that don’t work for where we’re goin. has it been an easy shedding? not really, but I’m so happy about it because the woman becoming is someone I am so proud of.

I want to say I’m not sure how I’m holding it all, but that’s wouldn’t be the truth. This is what I’ve been “training” for this whole time. little by little expanding my capacity.

the creative portal is opened my love

anything is possible from here

take a breath & a step forward

here with you ❤️

33 - Holy wow. My heart has felt so incredibly open and tender in the days leading up to this. Naturally, I’ve been reflecting on all the places this life has led me to. And all the people I’ve had the privilege of falling so deeply in love with over the years. Witnessing how much I’ve had to shed to become the woman I am today. It’s never felt easier to let go of what’s needed to fall away in order for the level of rebirth that’s taken place. What a gift it is to be alive, in this moment, in this way.

Lately I’ve found myself pausing to really look into the eyes of the people who love me, who see me, like REALLY see me. And my eyes well up with tears. My heart fills with so much love. It’s almost as if for the first time ever, I’m finally letting it allllll the way in. I laugh thinking about how long it’s taken me to fully grasp the miracle of this existence, but then still, I’m in the deepest bow at the truth that I’ve arrived at this knowing at all, when some, unfortunately, never will.

I’ve never felt more alive than I do now. And never more inspired to awaken that aliveness in others simply by being.

I’ll be having a private birthday Kakao ceremony on Sunday 11/23 with my dearest friends, and it’s lighting up my whole heart knowing I’ll be celebrating in community, in connection. This was truly my only birthday wish.

I won’t be posting any details publicly, but if you feel inspired to come celebrate life with me and my sweet soul family, you can DM me for an invite. Mahalo a million times for being here. For all your love and support in my world. My prayer is that you feel just as loved and supported as I do with you here.

Xo
Candy

In Nahuatl, Mikiztli is often translated as “death,” but to the Mexica, it meant a sacred transition in the great cycle of life.

Most people recognize Día de los Mu***os for its colors, candles, and altars filled with marigolds and photos of loved ones, but it began as an ancient Mexica tradition to honor Mikiztli.

The Mexica did not see death as final or tragic. Life and death were two sides of the same rhythm. When someone died, their spirit continued into another realm.

Two major festivals honored this understanding: Miccailhuitontli (“Feast of the Little Dead”) for children and Hueymiccaihuitl (“Great Feast of the Dead”) for adults and ancestors. Families built altars with food, flowers, cacao, copal, and figurines to nourish and welcome the spirits. Each element had meaning, and the altars mirrored the universe: heavens above, earth in the middle, and the underworld below.

The deities Mictlantecuhtli and Mictecacihuatl presided over these festivals, not as fearful figures, but as caretakers of souls and the great cycle of life.

When Spanish colonizers arrived, the observances shifted to early November, merging with All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days. Yet the essence remains: death is a transformation. Remembering those who came before keeps the cycle whole. Nothing truly dies, it only changes form.

Tonight, the city honors this tradition at the Annual MIKIZTLI Festival at the AZ Center, hosted by The Cultural Coalition, with a community altar, cultural artists, music, dancing, and a procession for our transitioned loved ones.

Hope to see you there ♾️🔥♾️