results for dean st

IHOD + DEAN STREET SOCIETY INTRODUCE #EncourageBeauty

February 27, 2013

If I had a dime for every time a friend or stranger was critical of herself in conversation… “I have the worst skin, my hair is such a pain, I just need to lose this belly bulge…” I have a feeling I would be a very rich woman. I am guilty of this myself. Its what we do. Sometimes we believe with truth what we are saying and other times, we have a genuine need for affirmation, and that is how we search for it. It breaks my heart to see the state of confidence in women today…of EVERY age.

{THE ENCOURAGE BEAUTY MANIFESTO (PART 1 OF 2)}

When Hilary approached me about this genius idea to Encourage Beauty in the month of March, I immediately jumped on board and here’s why…

The root of the word “encourage” is “to put courage in”. You have the ability every day, to put courage in another person. You have the choice to use your words and actions to inspire confidence in everyone you talk to. If you remind a friend that her reflection glows every time she pulls out those jewel toned sweaters, that is what will run through her head the next time she is in her closet deciding what to wear. And because of this extra boost of confidence, she has the courage to turn to the stranger at the check out line and exclaim, “Excuse me, but I just had to tell you that your auburn hair is truly stunning.” The compliment may be about her exterior, but it always will encourage interior dignity, which runs far deeper than we can see.

And so this month, Hilary Rushford of Dean Street Society and I will be hosting the #EncourageBeauty Challenge. Hilary is a dear friend I met back in September, and have been inspired by her since. Honestly, she is a blast to follow! You can head over to read her part in this story and the other half of the manifesto!

We can’t wait to share the rest of the details with you tomorrow. But for now, if you’re with us in this manifesto & commitment to #EncourageBeauty this March, Pin/Tweet/Facebook/Instagram & help spread the word! We will be sharing your stories. See you tomorrow:)

The Journeyman’s Journey: Past Jobs

September 27, 2017

As a follow up to my last post, I thought it would be appropriate to share all of the jobs Gabe and I have both had in the past through today. So many times in life you walk through a door that leads to another, and sometimes they are dead ends. Other times they are stepping stones where you can see how one lead to the other. I think its safe to say we both feel that we learned a technique, skill, value, or perspective from each job in our past that has benefited our current jobs today. Ready? It’s a long a list…

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Encourage Beauty: The smallest things take up the most room

March 7, 2013

{Quote by A.A. Milne, Design by IHOD}

Each week in March we want to give you a little inspiration boost for the Encourage Beauty Challenge. This was a quote that I dearly love, and applies so well to what this challenge is all about.

Hilary Rushford also has a favorite quote print to share on Dean Street Society. Its a good one.

I have to pass along a few stories of people joining us in #encouragebeauty.

In just one week I feel like my hope in humanity and the goodness of the human heart was restored through the actions some of you are taking to live this challenge out. So thank you for inspiring me to no end.

Sarah Tucker shared on instagram that she is writing a handwritten note each day to a friend to encourage beauty. 31 friends total in March.

Brittany shared a video that hade me re-thinking the way I approach people. Its the sweetest.

Emily and her family decided to take the next step to raise money for a charity close their heart.

My friend Elise is devoting a facebook status each day to a uplift a different woman in her life that has impacted her for the better.

These are just a few examples, and I can’t wait to see what else you all will do.

Thank you for joining Hilary and I in this project to use small deeds to make big change.

Love.

For newcomers, the Encourage Beauty launch post here.

The Brand Market Chicago

October 20, 2014

The Chicago Brand Market was by far my favorite location yet. All glass windows in Palm Court on Loyola Campus and a crisp autumn day to provide boat loads the natural light. It overlooked the water and campus which had breathtaking views. We also had such a positive group of women who came ready to learn and dive in to the content, but also ready to make big steps for their business. I am so thankful for another great experience in Chicago…

The centerpieces, double sided backdrop, and table decor was done by the talented Tiffany of A Splendid Occasion. I wanted to take it all home!

Vintage Furniture Set up thanks to Shadow Box Dreams. (Such a fun set up!) The fun geometric pillows were done by Tiny Prints.

And Rent Vintage Chicago sent over china for us to use for coffee and lunch. (So cool of them!!)

We had some really cool swag for each of our attendees thanks to these shops:
Casetify
Lucy Darling
Rifle Paper Co.
Black Bird Letterpress:
Tiny Prints
oh, hello friend.
Chykalophia Design
By Luciana

And as always, my co-hosts were fantastic. I learned something new from each of them:
Matthew Hoffman You Are Beautiful Project, Hey Its Matthew Shop
Mandy Kellogg Rye – Shop Owner, Blogger – Waiting on Martha
Ari Krzyzek Graphic Designer – Chykalophia
Jess Keys – Marketing Manager – Dean Street Society, Fashion Editor – The Everygirl

Their advice, tips, and stories reminded my how unique each person’s success story is, and how each person’s definition of success is different from the next.

We are finishing out the year in Atlanta on November 8th. You can grab your spot here.

*All photos by my talented sister, Angela!

The Brand Market: Chicago

September 17, 2014

These last few months have chased me down, and I can hardly believe it is mid September! Before I had a chance to announce the D.C. workshop, it sold out! So I wanted to make sure and post more details about the Chicago workshop on October 11th! We had originally planned for August which was a little too tight of a deadline for all involved….

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The Brand Market NYC

June 18, 2014

New York…I think it draws in some of the most creative minds and outside of the box thinkers in the U.S. This is why I couldn’t wait to visit. I got my own dose of exploring in and observing store fronts and businesses. The Brand Market workshop on Saturday was a really great crew. Both the co-hosts and attendees are women I admire and respect dearly. It was an honor to experience this event with them! We had the event at M.Wild Studio, with decor by Tinsel Design, furniture by Octavia Brown, and all these brilliant photos by Diane Hu Photography…

{Social Media Panel}

{Octavia Brown Furniture}

{Florals and decor by Tinsel & Twine}

{Jessie Artigue of Style and Pepper and Hilary Rushford of Dean Street Society}

{Dress via Shop Dress Up}

{Mica May of May Designs talked on managing a growing business.}

{May Designs brought custom notebooks for everyone!}

{One on one sessions}

{Onli Beverages supplied fresh drinks for the day!}

{NYC Map Print and Field Trip Mouse Pad}

{Candles from Valentina Black}

Inside our swag bags:
Mouse pads: Field Trip
You are a Gem cards: Darling and Dear
Soap Bars: Koromiko
Temporary Tattoos: Tattly
NYC Map Print: Evelyn Henson
Bottle openers and Salt Shakers: Kate Aspen
Party Straws: Twigs and Twirls
Heart Stickers: Thatch & Thistle
Notebooks: May Designs
Leather Key Fobs: Son of a Sailor
Workbooks: Sponsored by MyFonts

I was all ears for Hilary Rushford’s segment on managing multiple businesses and creating content that keeps your audience coming back. I also picked up some fantastic resources from the business savvy Jessie Artigue. Mica May’s story of running her business May Designs from her living room to mega successful 24 person company had us all on the edge of our seats!

Once again I left the weekend feeling completely thankful for an opportunity to be connected with men and women such as this, and to have a part in helping others achieve their entrepreneur goals.

The next workshop will be in Chicago on August 2nd. Ticket sales will be announced in the newsletter first, so hop on if you want first dibs!

All photos by Diane Hu Photography

#EncourageBeauty in November

October 30, 2013

I remember when I started dating Gabe I would mumble a good deal and look away when I was talking to him. It was a bad habit I didn’t even realize I was doing. He started to challenge me to look at him straight in the eyes when I was talking to him. Something simple but so challenging to me. Why? Well for one he was so darn cute he made me revert to a third grade level of communication! The other reason being I just wasn’t that confident in some areas of my life. I was always strong in my convictions and was very focused, but when it came to how I felt in general, it would show in my actions. I didn’t really feel that beautiful. Gabe single handedly wrecked down those walls of insecurity (dare I reference him as a wrecking ball??) and re-built them brick by brick…one compliment, one good deed, one authentic act of service at a time. I began to realize his genuine love was giving me a new shield of confidence and an armor of strength I still carry to this day. I thank God for that.

So there’s a point to this story. Give your words thought, and give them away carefully. Love often. Love strong. Love big and small. We all are in need of it, and we all could use a good dose every day. I am so happy to be teaming up with Hilary Rushford again to bring back #EncourageBeauty for the month of November. Its our small way of paying gratitude for those around us, for what we have received, and what we hope to give. Will you join us??

There are many ways you can join in. The above graphic is just a guide with daily prompts/ideas to encourage beauty this upcoming month. You can post it on instagram or print it and tape it to your bathroom mirror. Link up across social media, and check out how everyone is joining in. Participate one, three, or all days! We can’t wait to read your stories. There is an endless amount of possibilities and each and every small act makes some level of change in the world around us. It may feel a tad awkward the first few days, but I bet by the end of the month you will be __________, the girl on fire!

Head over to Dean Street Society to see Hilary’s art quote – its a good one! And just get hooked on her blog while you are at it. She is one of my very favorites.