let it shine
I don’t typically post on weekends, but this just couldn’t wait. I’m dying to spread the word about an amazing new online publication that made its much-anticipated debut yesterday, Nellie Magazine. This wonderfully inspiring site is the brainchild and collaboration of some of my favorite bloggers; their honesty, strength, and desire to promote true beauty are attributes I look up to in my own everyday.
I’m super excited to begin keep reading articles from all of these talented and lovely ladies on the regular and I think you should too! Their manifesto speaks to reaching a wholeness – a balance in life that allows us to become the best versions of ourselves. And if you’ve read any of my self-improvement rants, then you know I’m all about that.
mica angela hendricks
The uninhibited imagination of a child is truly a beautiful thing. We all begin our lives with whimsical ideas of how things come about and dreams of what they could be… and then at some point along the way, we learn otherwise. We are educated on common sense, science, physics, and so on, telling us what things are possible and logical – and what things aren’t. Thankfully, like Mica Angela Hendricks, we may be fortunate enough to produce offspring who will show us the way back to our former worlds of wonder.
Read this. Long story short, every parent gets backed into a corner at some point or another, when their child uses their own rules against them. But when Hendricks, an illustrator by trade, was forced to relinquished her sketchbook to her daughter, the results turned out to be sort of magical.
art is life: beginning a new year
So it’s that time of year. You know, the beginning. And everywhere you look – tv, social media, blogs – you are reading or listening to something about crafting goals for the year ahead. As always, I’d like to think that I’m different than everyone else, but really I’m not. The start of a new calendar year is a ubiquitous marker of time and instead of being cynical and ignorant about it’s importance, I’d rather join the bandwagon and do whatever it is I need to feel like I’m ready for what’s up ahead.
I don’t think I can go a traditional route of making a list of all the little goals I’d like to accomplish because it just feels too mechanical and all the more difficult to follow. There are generic things I’m always trying to improve in my life no matter what the month – trying to eat healthier, trying to be more patient, trying to be active, trying to be a better daughter/friend/partner. The turn of the year doesn’t really mark a new motivation for any of these things because I’m always in progress, always working on getting better at them.
lady crush: gentry adams of girl meets bow
When I say I have a lot of adorable friends, I ain’t exaggerating. I’ve met so many uniquely stylish women that have influenced the way I dress and carry myself. Confidence can be contagious and having a network of amazing friends to back me up is seriously priceless. I’m so thrilled to bring you some New Year’s Eve outfit inspiration from one such lovely lady in my life, and her name is Gentry. It’s no surprise to me that she recently began her own style blog, Girl Meets Bow, since she’s the picture of effervescent charm and effortless class. I couldn’t help myself from jumping on the chance to have her and her words appear here. Lucky for me, she’s also as sweet as can be. I think I see a new style-slash-interview series beginning…
good tidings
Of everything I’ve received this year, one of the best gifts has been one I gave to myself – this blog. It’s been a place for me to share, vent, contemplate, and rejoice.
I’ve had the wonderful and priceless pleasure of meeting some amazingly inspiring people and I’m so looking forward to continuing all of it in 2014. I am so grateful for anyone and everyone who’s given me a chance, taken note of my presence, or supported me in my meandering endeavors. I wish you all good tidings and hope that this season fills your heart with warmth and joy.
chambray and leather
creative makers: bethany putnam of foxboxes
I am so ecstatic to be continuing my Creative Makers and Creative Masters series! I had fallen off track because of how busy I was in the past few months, but I’m on the road again and ready to introduce you to some seriously awesome entrepreneurs.
Sitting down for coffee with Bethany Putnam reminded me how much I love interviewing other creative individuals; she’s a kindred spirit with a warm heart and a genuine desire to help others connect with their life’s bliss. I felt so comfortable chatting with her that I easily forgot I was supposed to be asking her actual questions! Bethany acts as one half of Foxboxes, bringing vintage-themed flasks to the drinkers of Atlanta and Los Angeles alike. Their sweet and nostalgic creations feature upcycled antique imagery with a cheeky sense of humor and whimsy to match. Having just been voted Best Indie Crafter in Creative Loafing, it’s easy to see that Foxboxes is on a steep trajectory towards indie craft stardom.
fight for friendships
As per usual, Darling Magazine has its finger on my emotional pulse. This fantastic article by Natalie on nurturing inspiring relationships touches on a topic that has personally been top of mind for me particularly for the past three months: friendship. I feel like I’ve recently read numerous blog posts and viral articles about how friendships, and really everything in life, changes significantly in your 20s. This is a no-brainer for sure, but still feels monumental when it happens in your own life. Remarkable really, how everyone goes through the same shifts. It really isn’t earth-shattering on the grand scale of current events, but when it happens to you, it really can feel like everything is changing (because… it is).
As you continue to progress in your career and romantic relationship, there is less and less time available to devote to friendships. What once was the only stable thing in your life now might become the most questionable. Even the best and closest friendships can slip through the cracks of “I’m just so busy”.
green, black, and rose gold
I really don’t wear enough color. And I don’t know why! It’s not like I don’t have it; my closet is plentiful with different colors and patterns, but when it comes to actually getting dressed I just seem to always reach for neutrals. Perhaps it’s laziness, a desire to blend in easily, or both. Whatever it is, I’m going to try to bring more color into my life – through my wardrobe and through my artwork. I decided to play around with this color palette because while it’s seasonally festive, it’s not screaming ho ho ho.
