Adjusting our Sails.

August 8, 2014

This is the first summer in years that I felt that time stood still for a little while. I pushed pause in July on work related things to simply BE. To think about the day only as they came. To have time to spend quiet moments on the back patio with Gabe smoking an occasional cigar, and talking about our family’s future. Time to engage in long conversations with Veronica interpreting her numerous drawings, reading books and dozing off to sleep with Max, and building master forts with Gabriel. This summer and I had something good going, and it has made it a little harder to come to terms with it coming to a close.

When I was a girl summers lasted forever… chasing “lightening bugs” at dusk, staying up late giggling with my sisters, running through the paths our dad would mow in the yard for us, climbing trees and eating watermelon in my grandparents backyard…I would do almost anything for just one more of those days, but for the first time in many years, I had a taste of it again.

Now I have three little ones of my own and they are in the middle of the golden years. Gabriel is an inquisitive, compassionate, and imaginative 5 year old willing to rise to any challenge you propose. Veronica is a strong willed, musically inclined, sensitive 3 year old always looking for an angle. Max is a curious, stubborn, and cuddly little 1 year old ready to conquer the world one sofa at a time.

As any mother knows, you would give up everything for them at a moments time. And as they grow you have to slowly let go as they enter their little feet into the world. Today was Gabriel’s first day of Kindergarten. He will be gone all day every day of the week. I am not going to pretend I am not super attached to my children. There were many tears mixed with proud moments as I scrubbed his shoes, prepped his backpack, and laid out his uniform. It is hard to let go. It is hard to trust them into someone’s care. Today, as I saw his little smiling face look back one more time in the classroom, I felt a wave of gratitude for good teachers. They help us mothers loosen our grip a little and have the courage and confidence that they are ready:)

And so our summer comes to a close. We are adjusting our sails as every new season seems to demand, but when you allow the adjusting to take place, there is peace. And peace leaves room for gratitude, which is the royal chair for happiness it seems:)

“You cannot direct the wind, but you can always adjust your sail.” – Ash Sweeney

Scalloped Edges and Summer Hats

August 7, 2014

We are almost to the weekend already and I feel summer slipping through my fingers. Its been so good I really don’t want it to end. For the first time in many years it has felt long to me and I am grateful for that. Gabriel starts kindergarten tomorrow which I am a little dumbfounded over. More on that tomorrow! For now, here’s what I’ve been up to on the eHow style blog…

A few different ways I styled scalloped edges (have you tried these?). Surprisingly, you can wear them pretty casually….or even sporty.

Skirt (order a size up): ASOS // Tee: Old Navy // Watch: Michael Kors c/o // Necklace: Padgett Hoke // Sneakers: Converse // Sunnies: Reds Outfitters (gift)
Shorts: ASOS // Sweater: ASOS (similar) // Boots: J.Crew (similar)

And as you know, I have a thing for hats. Here are 5 summer hat styles I have been wearing over…and over. 🙂 Have a splendid day friends!
x, Anna

8 Free Apps to check out ASAP

August 6, 2014

Because when I am excited about things, there is always urgency. I know I need to calm down. Don’t download these while driving or throwing things in your blender. Save this post for a moment all to yourself:):)

These are just some apps that tickled my fancy and buttered bread in my book! Read on and would love to hear yours at the end!

Wunderlist – I am an avid pen and paper list writer, but this has won me over. Create lists by category and even share them if needed! I have started to use this with my event co-ordinator for The Brand Market. She can see whenever I add tasks to the list! (It also gives you that satisfaction of crossing things off the list because you can check it off and it will put a line through it. Yes. Back pat.) Available for: iPhone, iPad, and Android

Venmo – Saying goodbye to paypal fees. I am so thankful for this app! Easiest way to send and receive payments from the convenience of your phone. Available for: iPhone, iPad, and Android

Steller – I have fallen in love with this story telling app. I can’t resist it! Its the coolest way to share travel stories, step by step recipes, DIYs, you name it. A whole new way of documenting on the go. I had so much fun trying it out on vacation and look forward to creating more stories.Available for: iPhone, iPad

Party Party App – As if instagram could get anymore fun. The girls from A Beautiful Mess came up with an app that allows you to make still motion animation! Available for: iPhone, iPad (and they are working on android!)

Pippit – There are many cool features to this app including direct links on photos, video sharing, and blog rss. However, since I don’t have much time to read blogs anymore this is a way to scroll through my favorite blogs. I love that it is one place in an easy format, and it allows you to mark as “like, want, or useful” if you want to go back and remember what you read! (Hello I need all the help I can get.) Created by Oh Joy + Love Taza. Available for: iPhone, iPad

Evernote – This app is so helpful for organization, and I have rambled about it before. I use it mainly on my desktop, but all the info syncs to your app, which you can pull up anywhere. When I travel I will make notes in the app of anything I want to remember from where I parked to the name of a store I spotted. I even go over how to use this app at The Brand Market workshops because I believe in it that much. Available for: iPhone, iPad, and Android

Chatbooks – Just found out about this app and can’t wait to use! You can turn your instagram stream into large print books for $6. Can’t beat that. I am hoping they have a way you can select which photos to print. Surely? Available for: iPhone, iPad

Airbnb – This is not necessarily a new app, but wow. This is by far the best app for travel I have experienced. Find places to rent all over the world for the weekend, week, or month. We found our place at Rosemary Beach through this app and had such a good experience with the owners. The story behind the app developers is pretty rad too. Available for: iPhone, iPad, and Android

I will gladly add to this list if you enlighten me! Tell me your current top choices!

Local Notes: Cafe Intermezzo

August 5, 2014

I cant believe I haven’t shared this spot with you all yet. By far, one of the best places in Atlanta to grab dessert and coffee? Cafe Intermezzo. I might be a bit biased though since this place is where we went after I got engaged:) You know I am all about atmosphere and this place has quite the touch indoors and outdoors with an Austrian look and feel, candle lighting and string lights, and things like wooden telephone booths….

They serve lunch and dinner (which never disappoints), but I would say their coffee and desserts are their strong suit. The drink menu is a mini pamphlet of all the things you dream of. Butterscotch lattes, Irish coffees, deluxe hot chocolate….you name it, they serve it. And serve it well.

Oh and did I mention they have a slew of cheesecakes to choose from? You can’t even look through the dessert bar glass without having heart palpatations.

Also appreciated is the fact they have good music going at all times. Like I said….ambiance. I met my friend Haley Sheffield here for the best nutella mochas you might ever try in your life, and she so kindly took these photos for me to share with you! It is right around the corner from Alon’s Bakery so maybe make an evening of it! I am going to give you a little homework. Find out what the word whip cream sounds like in german. It will make you giggle.

P.S. More favorite local spots here.

Wearing: Linen Shirt: 7FAM c/o // Denim: 7FAM c/o // Shoes: Shoemint // Tote: BaliELF // Necklaces: Padgett Hoke c/o // Watch: Jord Watches

The Brand Market L.A.

August 1, 2014

I totally get it. There are reasons no one leaves the California coast, and that became very clear while I was visiting. The weather is too perfect to be true which is obviously why most people are pretty friendly. I called Gabe and asked him why we didn’t live there already…;) I will have to share some of the local areas I explored, #butfirst…..

Each and every Brand Market workshop so far has had its on vibe to it. This workshop by far was the most color and light filled thanks to Studio DIY HQ! It felt like stepping into the world of Rainbow Brite (which of course I am more than okay with;))…

We had fresh coffee and mugs to start the day provided by Verve Coffee Roasters, which you can order straight from L.A. to your kitchen FYI! Such a good crew.

We had some sweet and savory pastries made from scratch by Katie the Baker (she even made gluten free options!) They were divine. She made The Brand Market cookies too! I died. Lunch was catered by Lemonade L.A. (Which was so good I had to hit it up again before I left CA.)

If it were up to me, I would have tried to smuggle the floral arrangements back to Atlanta…can you believe how fresh and fun they are? All created by La Fleur Kitchen.

Caitlin Crosby and Brit Moore of The Giving Keys started the day with how they got started (pretty unreal!), and how they grew their business. Social media focus, hiring a team, systems they use, etc. I was fascinated by it all. These gals are such a blast. Was so happy I got to know them.

Kelly Lanza and I tag teamed sessions as well. If you don’t know Kelly, you need to know that she is a creative DIY genius who has built a successful business out of her blog in a short amount of time. So happy we got to hang out and talk about entrepreneurship together.

Our Market Totes were made possible by the following:
Darling Magazine
The Coastal
Retro Menagerie
Shop Rkitekt
Field Trip
Off Switch Shop
We Love Citrus
Kate Aspen
Verve Coffee

Seriously, my co-hosts were incredible, but so was the class of women. I was completely in awe of ladies that came through that door. I am already looking forward to the next one.

All photos were taken by Esther Lee (her work is remarkable!)

Washington D.C. and Chicago are next! We finalized dates and locations so tickets are now avialable!

P.S. Palm Print Top and Skirt Combo from ASOS!

Creative Profile: Justina Blakeney

July 29, 2014

One of the things that always keeps me going in my creative jobs is my peers. I think it can do a world of good to take the time to connect through the great world wide web, but even better if you get to connect in person. When I headed out to L.A. for The Brand Market workshop, I was able to spend the afternoon with Justina Blakeney. After hanging with her, I was wishing she lived closer. What I love about Justina is that she is fierce at whatever she does. She goes the extra mile, takes the risk, and hence brings life to genius creativity. I would say she is a strong voice in the industry, and I so appreciated being able to chat with someone on everything from motherhood, the funny business of social media, blogging as we know it, and the crazy life of an entrepreneur…

Here’s just a few things you should know about Justina: She makes these insanely cool portraits just from foliage. (Check the series on instagram: #facethefoliage) They each have a story and you get sucked in to the mystery every time.

Pretty fascinating, huh? I hope she compiles these for a coffee table book someday. Can you guess which one is me? Was honored to get my portrait done:)

She also recently founded The Creative Residency which is a program of intense, fast paced, keep it real seminars on specified topics such as Social Media, Landing a Book Deal, and Bio Bootcamp. They are currently run in L.A. but hoping they make their way across the country!

And if you aren’t already convinced this gal is a mover and a shaker, you should know about her book coming out called The New Bohemians: Cool and Collected Homes (coming soon!). Considering my interior design preferences leans towards Bohemian, I can hardly wait!

Last but not least, she is a mother to a beautiful little curly haired Ida. Justina does an incredibly job encouraging women of all races to embrace their image and celebrate their post partum bods. I applaud that whole heartedly! She is a rockstar, no?

Head over to her blog and have a look. You can keep up with her here:
Blog // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

4 Instagram Accounts to Sweeten your Monday

July 28, 2014

Wait, what? It’s Monday??
Whirlwind weekend has my head spinning! How was yours?

I thought it would be fun to share with you some recent instagram accounts I really love. This is the one form of social media I really enjoy and don’t get overwhelmed by. I try to go one day each week when I cut off from the internet (oh do I love that freedom!), and on the days I do tune in, I am attempting oh so hard to keep to designated times. My goal is to get rid of mental clutter. I realize that even scrolling through feeds can eat up our mental and emotional energy, and many times it is on people who aren’t even huge parts of your life! Also, read the article “I’m Not Here, I’m Not There” in the current issue of Darling Magazine, and this study that proves constant multi-tasking/social media checking can dumb you down faster than marijuana. Yep. Nothing more motivating to be more disciplined with my phone than that little tidbit of gold.

That being said, when I do tune in, I really appreciate people who have a good perspective on life and share honest content. People who I respect and admire. Here’s a few to take note of:

@littleonelove // @mamawatters
@latonyayvette // @sarahjlarsen

Salt of the earth good people who I wouldn’t mind being neighbors with and sharing some conversation over coffee:) Who are some of your instagram favorites? I am all ears!

P.S. Shared three ways to wear this white dress on eHow as well as three sunglasses trends I am digging.