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#EncourageBeauty Challenge: The Details

February 28, 2013

Yesterday Hilary of Dean Street Society & I introduced you to something we’re calling #EncourageBeauty. Today we are sharing how you can get involved..

The idea is simple: Print out this calendar (and share if you like!) & commit to encouraging beauty in someone each day this month. Fill in those blanks as you go along, and by the end of the month, you will have uplifted, inspired, and given heart to 31 deserving people. Maybe your commitment will be 31 handwritten notes or 31 sincere emails and phone calls – whichever it is, the goal is to make small and significant change in those around us, which always leads to big change in the world around us. You can even share the completed calendar at the end of the month!

Some ideas to get you going:
A compliment to a coworker in person // a thoughtful comment on a blog // a handwritten note to an old friend // a message left in lipstick on the mirror for your roommate at 5am. // It can be 11:58pm when you head over to Instagram to pay a stranger a compliment with #EncourageBeauty. There are no rules. There is just generosity & moments to encourage and uplift.

Share your stories all month by leaving comments on our blogs & Instagram profiles. You can also write your own blog posts & add the button to your sidebar. Search #EncourageBeauty to find other bettys who share your heart in this…

Thank you for inspiring these ideas in us & being the kind of community we know shares our heart.

And to close, a reminder from the wise Audrey Hepburn: “People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.”

P.S. Here’s a recap of your next steps:

1. Print out the calendar & save it somewhere easy to write on.

2. Print or download the manifesto, part 1 or part 2. Save them in places where you’ll see them: Your mirror, your desk, your journal.

3. Share those graphics on social media to invite others to join: Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook & your blog. (Use the hashtag #EncourageBeauty so we can see what waves your making!)

4. Write a blog post & install the button on your sidebar (just make sure to link back to this original post to explain the meaning) so your readers can join in with you.

Downloads you might enjoy: Desktop wallpaper | Blog Button | Manifesto Part 1 and 2

The Brand Market Workshop – Part 3

November 26, 2013

Final segment of the Atlanta Brand Market workshop recap:)

We had some big changes occur a few weeks before the workshop happened that are worthy of note! Savannah and Jenny were so instrumental in laying the foundation for this new venture, and were so wonderful to work with this past year. Due to their pregnancies, moves, and other major life changes, they realized the BMW was something they no longer could tackle. Although I am sad we no longer will get to work together, I am so thrilled for them to experience so many new adventures their life is about to bring.

I was lucky to have two phenomenal ladies step up to the plate to still make the workshop a spectacular one…

Mandy Rye of Waiting on Martha lead the way in the Branding portion of the workshop, sharing the story behind her biz, her rules of ethics, secrets to success, strategies, and tips for making big strides in a short amount of time. We were all ferociously taking notes.

I also shared my portion on marketing, going over how to grow your business through social media, a breakdown of a memorable media kit, pitching to your dream brands, and even studying the brands of a few successful friends who have made it big! (A big thank you to Camille Styles, Little Hip Squeaks, Freshly Picked, and Hilary Rushford for sharing some wisdom with us from afar!)

Leslie Kerrigan of Seniorologie wrapped up the workshop with a portion on photography, lighting, and photo styling. She also snapped some gorgeous headshots of each attendee to use for their professional portfolios and sites.

The day included one on one sessions in which I got to chat with each individual on their business….their goals, their business strategies, and a plan of action on how to get there. This of course was my favorite part…I am so energized by talking with entrepreneurs and doing a small part in helping their business succeed. I can’t wait to see where they go!

I really am so excited about the upcoming workshops we have in store for 2014! You can hop on the email list on The Brand Market website if you want the announcement of what cities and dates we will be hitting up next:)

Chelsey Heidorn is the awesome photographer behind these photos.

*Part One and Part Two of the workshop in case you missed!

Bohemian.

November 15, 2013

Hat: c/o Shop Sosie (out of stock but similar) // Dress: c/o Shop KikiLarue // Boots: Jeffrey Campbell (similar here or here)

Well loves,

Here to report on how I am doing with taking it easy…..

Not so well. (shocker.) This week was actually non-stop, BUT the good thing is, the majority of my time this week was spent with friends and family. Been focusing on catching up and checking in and calling to say hi, etc. Its been great actually. And I even cleaned that dirty corner of the family room I had been hiding behind the couch. Big strides. I never had much appreciation for the month of November but this year it has been a grand one. It has taken me years to figure out how to live in the present, but when you can do so, it makes you feel like you are fully ALIVE. My little ones are at such a fun age and Gabe and I feel like kids counting down till Christmas. We will be starting the weekend off with a date with friends which is welcomed and needed for both of us!

Now on to the fun link round up….

The savvy, smart, and Hilary (who came up with our #EncourageBeauty campaign) is launching a book. And oh boy, you will not want to miss this.

You know how I am perpetually on the hunt for the perfect mascara? Well my top favorite right now is L’Oreal dual action. However, my friend Grace is the honest blogger I am going to trust on this one and I may be trying her #1 pick.

If you have never read one of Meg’s “Conversations” posts, now would be the time.

A new to me shop I swooned for this week.

Delivered in my inbox every morning that I thoroughly look forward to.

Newest design blog I am crazy about. (AND she is the nicest blogger ever.)

The perfect affordable gift.

The recipe I am hoping to tackle try next.

Gabe and I recently saw this movie. Intense and really well done (as MOST of Tom Hanks movies are).

In Other news…
*Totally honored to be featured over at SMP Living for Best Dressed Blogger. You can head over to check out my 5 must haves for every woman’s wardrobe!

My sister Jana is in college and with a few of her friends, she is helping 5 new single mothers who are in tough financial situations (with two of them having babies in NICU!), by throwing them a big baby shower. Pretty cool right? If you are a shop owner that covers the genre of babies or mamas, and you are up for donating a few items, please email me! If you are able to donate even $5 to help with the diapers and basics they are getting for them, I will be posting the link to do so over on facebook. Thanks friends!

"Her mouth speaks from that which fills her heart."

March 27, 2013

And just like that we are at the end of March…(?!!)

This quote seemed to reflect our Encourage Beauty Challenge so well. In the small decisions to choose uplifting words to those around us, you can notice the small changes in your own heart. This is something I have learned from all of you who participated. That even if its just a moment we take for someone else, you an change that day for a person.

Mandy shared with us that one of her readers who read about the challenge wrote the following:

I just have to thank you for mentioning the “encourage beauty” campaign at the beginning of the month. It inspired me to send a brief note/card to all the women in my life (mom’s, sisters, friends) just telling them that they are beautiful and that I love them.

I cannot tell you how I many of them have contacted me to tell me how much it meant, or that it came at “just” the right time, when they needed to hear it! (Of course, don’t we all long to hear that everyday – or rather need to hear it everyday!). It made everyone feel beautiful!!!

This was all I needed to remind me to live more aware of my words, but also to act upon them.
Hilary is sharing another print we made that you will have to check out. We decided this challenge should be something we can partake in anytime. If you are new and missed the original post, feel free too use the updated calendar to make the Encourage Beauty campaign part of your year!

If you ever want to share a story, just email us or use the hashtag #encouragebeauty. You can download these prints here. Thank you for all of you who took part with us. You were a motivation to us in so many ways!

Love, Anna

Family Threads: Weekend Adventures

March 11, 2013

Gabe// Shirt: Gap, Cords: Old Navy
Anna// Shirt: Sheinside, Necklace: c/o Chicpeek, F21, Sunnies: UO, Wrap Bracelet: c/o Iristy
Gabriel// Jacket: Gap, Button down: Old Navy, Jeans: Gap (all consigned)
Veronica// Leggings: Old Navy, Shirt: Carters, Sweater: ON, Shoes: ebay, Headband: madeSpring decided to stay more than 24 hours this weekend so we crammed in as much outdoor time as we could. Everything is an adventure through little sets of eyes…even if its to your local greenhouse.

#WAALove – Things I want to remember:
How enthralled V gets with anything in the sky….birds, planes, and balloons top her list.
The way Gabriel tries to hold her hand whenever we are in public. Except half the time, Veronica would rather pull away and do things independently.
How happy my husband gets when he has time in his yard getting his hands in soil. Its a language I want to know more about. He helped me pick out a few succulents for my kitchen windowsill because.. we both know I can’t kill those.Things I wouldn’t mind forgetting:
How Veronica screams at the top of her lungs anytime we leave….anywhere.
And boy does she have a set of lungs. Might even be a future opera singer.
Which is usually why I don’t brave the public on my own…Gabe is better at tackling the flailing sprout. Happy Monday friends!

The new Wide Angle App is running a fun contest to win a Canon Rebel T4i! Yeah, worthy of entering!
You just have add a photo on Instagram or Twitter that includes you and add #WAALove, and email to: wideangle.com/contest. Full details here!

NYC 2013

February 15, 2013

{Awesome image via Moey Hoque}

Suddenly I want to cover my walls in neon tape…

Despite the CrAzY weather, the NYC trip still went down.

Seriously impressed by the way this city carries onward despite any conditions. The entire city of Atlanta will shut down over a few inches of snow, and the city of NYC was back to business the morning after Nemo. Tough ones they are…

(Coconut bark makes excellent earthy vase wraps- who knew??)

Some events were cancelled which was a bummer so I hopped lots of food joints…cuz thats what you should do when in NYC. Here is what still proceeded…

Highlights according to instagram:

Jack Rogers joined forces with the Flower School of New York to bring us a fun evening of cocktails, flower arrangement tips, and a preview of new and upcoming designs.

Found a cozy joint to grab dinner and escape the mad weather with Mackenzie and Carly at Whichcraft. (Best soup and sandwhich combos.) These girls are a fun time!

Catching up over lunch with Mara and Rachel at Il Ily (Superb Mediterranean). We were the lone survivors of our planned meet up:)

Photoshoot and coffee session with the awesome Kat Harris.

So wonderful to see Natalie and Naomi again and finally meet Sydney🙂 Those girls are so refreshingly down to earth and sweet as can be.

One of my best friends Liza is due just a few weeks before me! We got to spend some good catch up time together. Her and her husband have the coolest NYC apt and even hosted a post-nemo bonfire for friends to enjoy. They are rockstars I tell you.

Highlights not on insta:

Me trying to find the bus and train stations for at least two hours out of every day despite Gabe’s map and step by step directions. I am challenged in this area..

My failed fake eyelash attempt pre-photoshoot making my eye swell up and turn into a swollen mess.

Charging my weak phone every two hours in whatever coffee shop that would have me.

Getting yelled at for riding the bus without a pass. (No they don’t take cash friends.)

Snow filled boots and frostbitten hands.

Almost dying in cab.

{Art print via Ecojot}

I don’t think I will be returning to NYC for a good long while, so I was thankful for the few days I managed to squeeze in before this baby comes.

A few links to check out this weekend!:

1) A new app I am loving called WideAngle that I got a sneak preview of.

2) I think I found my next haircut…

3) Pop up shop of the new line by Kate Spade that has my heart beating a little faster.

4) Favorite DIY find of the week.

5) A grand idea for a going away party.

6) My choice etsy shop of the week. Innovative right?

7) A shop whose proceeds go towards adopting families. (Something close to my heart.)

Happy weekend friends!

NYC – Photoshoot with Kat Harris for Olivia Childs

February 11, 2013

{The look: Leather pants: F21 (the key to wearing any non-maternity pants during pregnancy is the Blanqi bodystyler -worn in black above), Shirt: ON, Jacket: Asos (similar here or here), Vest: c/o Windsor Store, Shoes: Olivia Childs, Necklace: c/o Bauble Bar }

NYC…what a whirlwind.

It shocks me none that I chose the big blizzard weekend to travel there.

Somehow, I managed to get on one of the last two flights out of Atlanta before they cancelled the rest…

The weather Friday was bananas. Despite the craziness, it was still a fun time!

Saturday morning I met up with the lovely Kat Harris for a photoshoot post Nemo. (Thank you Hilary for connecting us!) We did a shoot for Olivia Childs new line of shoes coming soon. (Insanely comfortable shoes designed for the working woman.) Kat is the coolest. Despite being from the warm weather states, she was out all weekend shooting for NYFW. We were able to grab coffee afterwards at Joe’s, and had quite a good time:) These are a few of the shots from this talented gal. Will share a few more this week. More on NYC soon. For now, check out more of Kat Harris’ work here! (Her recent photos of Brooke White are insane!)

Kat Harris Photography

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Social media: @thekatharris + @therifinedwoman