results for encourage beauty

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.

#EncourageBeauty Campaign Launch

August 22, 2014

You all might remember when Hilary and I shared the Encourage Beauty campaign last year? Well, next week we will be starting an all new round, with a new crew, and the message behind this campaign is a powerful one. I am teaming up alongside each of these women with hearts of gold to spread a movement of encouraging other women to embrace and encourage a natural beauty given by God to the heart of every women. The kind of beauty that makes you radiate. Self confidence, self worth, authenticity, kindness, faith, compassion…all qualities that make a women undeniably beautiful! That is what we are celebrating and passing on next week, and I invite you to be a part of this campaign we hope catches fire!

It’s pretty simple to be a part of! Announce the campaign you are joining in on, share a photo or two a day on instagram following the prompts above to encourage beauty within yourself and/or family and friends. It is only 5 days long, so head over to the NEW website (weencouragebeauty.com) to get all the details and downloads.

Wishing you all a grand weekend (TGIFFFFF!) ahead and catch you on the flip side of #EncourageBeauty:)
x, Anna

#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.

#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

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:)

True Beauty Files: Do Not Block

April 30, 2012

What is it about the obviously stated rules that make you want to break them??…

(Tee: H&M, Jeans: Banana Republic (similar here or here), Shoes: Urban Outfitters (similar), Necklace: DIY, Belt: H&M (similar here or here), Clutch: Target, Bracelets: Gift, Francescas)

It was Gabe’s idea…;) Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. They seem to always go faster than you hope they will. Friday night, I had the pleasure of meeting several fellow Atlanta bloggers. Its so nice to be able to talk to people who know the same blog language! Saturday and Sunday was a whole lot of this and this. Gabe and I got to sneak away and witness one of my dear friends weddings. We also got to dance the night away….a definate plus:)

By the way…thank you all who tuned in for one of the first Real Chat posts Saturday! Your feedback blew me away! I was so encouraged and motivated by you. Many more fantastic topics coming up this month:)

Style Word: Sometimes its best to start with the essentials. I would say a red heels polka dot tee are essentials for the all american girl. Run to H&M and get your self some polka dots for $5.95. Yep.

P.S. Its the last day to enter in the giveaway for the $100 shop credit to September Wren! Also the last day to grab a sponsor spot for May! Email me for the new sizes and stat info.

The True Beauty Files:

A lookbook for the modern modeste.

“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.”

~ Audrey Hepburn

True Beauty Files: Spread the Love.

January 30, 2012

Throwing a little twist into the month of love…..

Last year, two ladies with big hearts made a big effort to promote genuine acts of kindness in the blogosphere. It had really cool results. This year, they have asked me to join in on the mission, and I was pretty excited to take part in such a fine task;) So Megan of Mackey Madness, Michaela of Michaela Noelle Designs, and I are joining forces to continue the love spreading and kindness making….

{Shirt: Simply Vera Wang, Necklace: c/o LYLIF, Earrings: c/o Poshlocket, Pants: Gap (similar), Shoes: Francesca’s, Coat: Thrifted, Lip color: Flame-Just Bitten}

The DEETS:

Think of a way (or several ways) that you can give a friend, neighbor, spouse, stranger, mother, brother, etc. an act of kindness with no explanation or expectation of praise. This my friends is a little way to pay it forward to the world around us, and continue to encourage what we all could use a little more of. Put up a post about how you spread the love, and NEXT MONDAY, Feb. 6th Megan will be hosting a link up party where we all celebrate and bloghop to see how everyone is paying it forward!

Some ideas to get you going:

-Write a handwritten letter to an old friend or new.

-By flowers for a co-worker.

-Call a family member to tell them you love them just because.

-Pay for the person’s starbucks’ behind you. (Everyone’s dream)

-Pay for the person’s car behind you at the toll booth (my husband loves to do this one).

-Start a conversation with that person you never talk to.

-Smile and make eye contact with people you walk by. (Its strangely rare these days)

-Check in your local hospice or elderly home and offer help or visit. (You would be surprised how many of them have no family visiting them!)

– Offer to do your husbands usual chores. (ie, if he always takes out the trash or irons his shirts, do it for him!)

-On the road, let those mergers in. (Cuz we all know it takes every act of the will to do so)

We can’t wait to see what you come up with! Thanks in advance for taking part:)
P.S. Save your outfit posts, link up will be back soon!