I am have been trying so hard not to spill the beans about the next cities The Brand Market will be heading, and can FINALLY reveal! Los Angeles here we go! I will be co-hosting this workshop alongside Kelly Lanza of Studio DIY, and Caitlin Crosby + Brit Moore of The Giving Keys. I can’t say enough good things about these women. Power houses in their businesses, but with an incredibly positive presence in their industries. Take a moment to read more about them here.
Pretty remarkable team, huh? I am honored to co-host with them! The workshop is designed for creative entrepreneurs just formulating their business ideas all the way through more seasoned entrepreneurs. We can’t wait to share some of the fun things we have in store and hope you will join the party at Studio DIY HQ! Registration is now open and you can grab your spot!
Also, been meaning to share a re-cap in photos of our Atlanta workshop!…
Everything came together so well and the day was so energizing for me to get to know these entrepreneurs.
I owe more gratitude than can be expressed through type to my Atlanta co-hosts:
These girls each shared invaluable stories and info and I took away so much listening to them speak. They put so much heart into this and it was humbling to me. The Seed Studio is Juli Vaughn’s. Isn’t it crazy good? She also did that awesome copper foil wall decor!
Thank you Kathryn McCraryfor capturing the day! Love her view through the lens:)
And of course my sister Jana who showed up for a visit when I really needed that extra hand. So special to have her there!
More re-caps of decor, food and beverage, and swag bags coming soon!
Leather scrap strips (sold by the bag – found mine at Hobby Lobby) Rivets Leather Tool (if you don’t have one use a sharp tool as pictured/and or scissors to puncture holes) Copper Spray Paint Succulent Pots Tin Buckets (Found in the dollar section of Target!)
You all know I love sharing cool and unique boutiques with you. Well Kokoon is currently carrying some of my very favorite looks for spring (such as a graphic black and white stripe or a soft floral print) and a fresh and fun spring lookbook to show off! Fresh, airy, simple cuts, and touches of modern prints, their pieces work seamlessly into wardrobes of every style and women of every shape.
The tank I am wearing above is probably the softest and stretchiest dress tank I own and it holds its shape no matter what. (Don’t you hate when tanks get stretched out??) Same goes for the skirt. Its pajama soft with a dressy look. Not a bad idea at all.
Last weekend, I was able to partner with AT&T U-Verse for some behind the scenes action at the Country Deep Tour! (Did you all catch the re-caps on Instagram?) Being a country music addict as of late, this was such a fun night to be a part of!
I headed down to the Tavern to meet up with Canaan Smith and Jana Kramer for some Q & A time before the concert. I tried my best to choose questions that I thought you all would want to know:)
Canaan is so down to earth and you can sense his gratitude for being able to do what he loves so much. He is a guy’s guy with a ball cap and jeans, but with a good grasp on what matters most in this life. Newly engaged with an excitement for life ahead, I really enjoyed getting a little glimpse at what life is like for a country music artist…
Anna: Dream music collaboration? Canaan Smith: Well, in country music, Eric Church and Dierks Bentley. I love those guys. Outside of that…..Coldplay.
Anna: Favorite song to perform on stage? CS: Honestly, all of them. Seriously, I love playing every single one. But out here on the road, ‘Young and Country’ really gets the crowds going.
Anna: Do you have people that help you write music on occasion? CS: Yes, we do co-writing, which is one of the things that makes Nashville unique is that there are many different people you can co-write with. I have tried to make an effort to co-write with people who are better than myself so I can always be improving.
Anna: So you have a girlfriend? CS: A fiancée!
Anna: A fiancée?? That is awesome. Congratulations! CS: She’s actually coming tonight to the concert. Anna: Ahh so great! Was just going to ask you how often you get to see each other? And how often she gets to see you perform? CS: I’d want her at every show, but it’s not possible since she is a nurse. And she wants to make sure and give me my space too, but it’s been pretty often. Probably one of every 10 shows. And when I get a break, I go see her.
Anna: Aw, I am so happy for you guys! Where are you getting married? CS: Nashville. Since Nashville is where we are going to be, we just decided to do it there.
Anna: Did you fill out a bracket for March Madness? Who’s your pick? CS: I didn’t but the only thing I care about is if the Blue Devils lose (Duke), and the North Carolina Tarheels win. My buddy picked Duke to win the whole thing, so there goes his bracket!
Anna: So I think we both have large families? CS: Oh yeah, you too? Anna: 11. Seven sisters, three brothers. CS: 11?! Holyyy crap! Anna: It was a fun way to grow up; they are my best friends. CS: I thought six was big. I’ve never met anyone with that big of a family. That is awesome.
You can find more of my interview with Canaan at the Country Deep Tour website! And of course, had to save some room for my girl, Jana…. Jana is the kind of girl everyone wants to be best friends with. She is fun loving, energetic, super stylish, and easy to talk to. Especially loved her heart for mission work. I can’t wait to see what she does next. Was kind of enamored with her flawless skin and hair too 😉 Some things we chatted about…
Anna: It’s easy for the audience to assume you have it all together when you come out on stage, but obviously there has to be some prep to making it flow well on stage. What is that routine for you? Jana Kramer: Honestly, it is the same almost every time. Rinse and repeat. We are up late the night before so we sleep in late in my back bunk. Like right now I am just chilling watching Notting Hill. Two hours before I will have my dinner, have a glass of wine and relax. We say a prayer before the show, and once I get on stage, all I need is the adrenaline to carry me through it. And even when I am at home I am really chill. Hanging out with my dog, drinking a glass of wine, and watching a movie.
Anna: Holly wood crush? JK: It kind of changes a lot. Probably Ryan Gosling since I am such a romantic at heart, so are his movies.
Anna: If you had to choose a city to settle down in what would it be? JK: Somewhere in the south. Probably Nashville. I want to raise my kids in the Midwest or the south since there is such a good moral atmosphere there similar to mine, and they are so polite! Would love my kids to have the same values as I did growing up so somewhere south or Midwest.
Anna: So you love fashion I hear? If you could fill your closet with your favorite brands which would they be? JK: Oh that is a tough one because there are so many. Probably Burberry and Helmut Lang tees. I love a good casual look with an edgy vibe.
Anna: So when you are having a rough day, who to you go to for the confidence boosters? JK: My mom and my band. My band are like my brothers. When I am having a rough day, they always will sit and have a glass of wine and talk with me – they are so great. They know me so well. My mom, my aunts and uncles, and my brother, of course, are also such a support. We are all very close. I live with my mom in Nashville.
If you want to read more of both interviews, and get photos and updates from Jana and Canaan while they’re on the road, be sure to visit the Country Deep Tour website.
Gabe joined me for dinner at the Tavern and we got to check out the ATT U-Verse bus with karaoke, photo booth, etc. Such a fun time! We also got to catch up on some March Madness before the concert started. Definitely a perk!
The concert started off with Austin Webb who knows how to get a crowd pumped. Personally loved his ability to play harmonica in between guitar stretches!
You can only hope a music artist sounds as good live as they do in their albums. Thankfully, Canaan Smith sounds fantastic live. I have no doubt this guy will become a big presence in the country music scene. The songs have you on your feet and wanting to sing with the band. Gabe thought the band was awesome and he is tough critic 😉 He gets the crowd involved and making you feel like you are in on this whole thing with him.
Jana Kramer finished off the concert with a bang! She has a strong stage presence, that girl. She knows how to put on quite a good show. Everyone sings along to the songs we all can relate to. I really love her voice- its got a unique tone and a strong vibe. Such a good sound live! Her energy is contagious and the crowd loved her.
So grateful for a night out with my boy to hang out with good people over good country music!
Here are a few snippets I brought back for you;)
This post was made possible through my association with AT&T Country Deep. The prize was provided by AT&T, but AT&T is not a sponsor, administrator, or involved in any other way with this giveaway. All opinions expressed in the post are my own and not those of AT&T.
On my last trip to Westside Provisions, I finally got to experience Seed Factory for the first time. I was already a geeky fan on instagram, so I should have expected nothing less from the store.
There is charm and whimsy oozing out of every corner. A modern twist to the imaginative play of childhood. I immediately wished Veronica was with me to experience it all. I was completely smitten with the design, decor, and of course, every single item they carry.
Such a kind and warm team that works there as well. They really know how to make you feel at home. If you are in the Atlanta area, this store is a must visit. I picked up so many fun easter basket goodies for my little ones. Their products accommodate every age from birth to tween. And the good news is, if you aren’t in the area you can shop online and even create a registry.
I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking. A must visit while you are in Atlanta!
And with that, I am off to pack for a road trip:) TGIF!
EVERY January I start to itch for a hair makeover. I put it off all the way till the end of winter this year because its hard to find a hair stylist who can work a good ombre. Lucky for me, my sweet friend from college is a pro. Ashley Jarrel worked her magic over at J. Thomas salon. She gave me a tour of the salon as well which feels more like a spa escape. Let me show you around…..
Isn’t it fun?! Also, the before and after pics….
I have only tried highlights a few times in my life and it is usually pretty stubborn. I rarely like the outcome. I have to say though, this is the first time I have LOVED the result. Highly recommend Ashley Jarrel and J. Thomas salon. I will be looking for excuses to head up for a spa day. Its beautiful there.
Sneak peek at an upcoming shoot:)
Photography: Sawyer Baird
Hair: Ashley Jarrel
Makeup: Becca Brandt
If you try it out, let me know what you think! Other fun Atlanta spots here.
Growing up, when people would comment to my dad about having his hands full (there were 11 of us), he liked to refer to the verse “Blessed is a man with a quiver full of them..” Psalm 127:5 , so that each of us would always know that to him we were a gift.
I feel this each day with three little ones close in age. I have a full quiver, but instead of “having my hands full” or “you must be so busy,” that psalm runs through my mind. I see each quiver as cherished one. Some days Gabe and I feel like we aren’t worthy or don’t feel like we have what it takes to raise these little ones into fine men and women. That is a fear I believe that passes the hearts of many parents.
However, we have both have a strong will and share a passionate love for our children. Hopefully that will suffice. One day at a time, one moment at a time, we will raise them in a house where love will always be expressed, felt, and freely given. The building blocks that make strong and sturdy characters, right?
Speaking of strong and sturdy;)….Minnetonka Moccasin Co. sent us the most comfortable sets of their classic and newer styles, and we all feel pretty special when we wear them. Veronica perpetually puts them on backwards and requests to wear them to sleep, and Gabriel saves them for just the right occasions. Max attempts to eat his. A true demonstration of their personalities….
My husband Gabe’s first pair of moccasins were Minnetonka so this new pair are now like loyal pups at his feet. They are nostalgic for him. And as you know, Gabe only goes for quality. I have given up heels during the week as of late, so the fringe booties were the perfect addition to my every day life. A little sassy but incredibley comfortable. I wore them out to the concert last weekend and for the first time on a weekend night, did not have sore feet at the end of it 🙂
Minnetonka Moccasin company was such a pleasure to collaborate with. They are giving away a pair of moccs to TWO winners! Enter easily through rafflecopter below. (U.S. Residents only this time friends!) Best of luck!
