She was a two-year-old sucking her thumb. That’s the first image I had of Uilani. But she’s no longer a toddler suckling. Today we find Uilani in full bloom. From insecure and heartbroken, to feminine divine and awakened, Uilani is an image of a blooming flower.
CG: You remind me of a flower - from wilt, to fall, to root, to rise, in bloom. At the present moment, you are in full bloom. You are spiritually awake. How did you get there?
Uilani: In short, I ran into a lot of fires and energetic tests. All of which I’m incredibly grateful for. I can be quite stubborn when it comes to staying in situations that aren’t meant for me (who isn’t every now and then), so from past experiences, I have to get burned to finally learn my lesson. After every experience however, a different version of Darcie always emerges and blossoms, and I take the time to understand her in depth, and try my best not to revert back to old narratives/patterns. I’ve learned to show myself an incredible amount of grace and emit more gratitude because every circumstance has expanded me in a beautiful way. I also believe that we are spiritual beings living a human experience, so coming back to that remembrance allows me to live more consciously.
CG: What do you love most being a girl?
Uilani: One of the four pillars I hold to live authentically is beauty (probably a Libra/Taurus thing). I love all things aesthetically pleasing— pretty photos, landscapes, interiors. But it wasn’t until recently that I truly enjoyed looking and feeling beautiful— and I owned that. It used to feel wrong, but I realized that was from a place of insecurity and shame. Now, I own that shit!
CG: You live in Santa Barbara which you lovingly call, a portal. Walk us through a typical day.
Uilani: I truly feel SB is an energetic portal—whether it’s just me or not, I feel it! From the amazing friends I’ve made here, the patients I work with, to the restaurant server, to the barista— everyone seems to be on another level of contentment and peace here. Obviously, that’s not always the case, but it’s enough to truly feel their frequencies and it’s powerful. Most days include slow mornings with a coffee ritual, walking my dog, journaling, and meditating. I find peace sitting by the beach or driving through the Santa Ynez Mountains. I’ve also been fortunate enough to find a beautiful community of like-minded souls, so seeing them weekly is a must.
CG: If you could tell your younger self anything, what would it be?
Uilani: Everything you’ve wanted or want to call in is already within you. Some circumstances might’ve presented otherwise, but because you believed in the possibility of it all, it came to fruition. Whatever wasn’t in alignment left because it was only there to provide a lesson. There is so much magic and power inside of you that’s just waiting to be tapped into.
CG: As beings, we have divine feminine and divine masculine. Which side (or perhaps both sides) are you mostly in touch with? When do you feel feminine? When do you feel masculine?
Uilani: I love the concept of yin/yang (hence the tattoo on my forearm), so I’ve tried to embody both. It wasn’t always that way— I’m naturally more passive and reserved (which I’ve learned doesn’t have to be a negative trait), but I’m also learning to assert more confidence, vocalize my truth, and do my best to own a room.
CG: What is your favorite flower at the moment? Why?
Uilani: I’ve always loved cherry blossoms because they symbolize life and death. But currently, I’m obsessed with ranunculus! They symbolize charm and joy, and their beauty is so unique to me. I always try to snag a bunch at the local farmer’s market.
CG: What is your style philosophy?
Uilani: I’ll be honest— I used to be a religious wearer of all things black (still am occasionally). Something about it felt chic, clean, and easy. It wasn’t until this year that I started to explore more color. I saw somewhere that we should dress like our Venus signs. Mine is in Leo, which is so much brighter and bolder than what I’m used to. I’m so glad I learned that tip, because ever since then, I’ve felt more confident, bold, and beautiful in my style. If I had to put in a philosophy, I’d say look like what your most magnetic self would look like! For me, that’s bold and elegant.
CG: You are a photographer, so you’re more comfortable behind the lens. How did you feel being in front of the camera?
Uilani: It felt unfamiliar and familiar at the same time— like part of me didn’t know how to pose or where to look, but there was also a part of me that felt liberated, empowered, and honored. I felt my most magnetic self come to light and it was beautiful.
CG: How did you feel wearing soft, flowy, and colorful dresses during this shoot?
Uilani: I felt like a goddess! The pieces were so beautiful and unlike anything I’d worn in the past. It helped me tap more into my feminine side and gave me a craving for more of that energy. My intention this year is to be more bold and continue stepping out of my comfort zone, so this shoot helped do that in so many ways.
