Matcha Latte Recipe
I'm near the end of my 3-month wellness program with a nutritionist, Diane Teall Evans. I won't go into all the details of how amazing it's been (not enough time), but I want to share how Diane completely proved me wrong. At the beginning of the Root Cause Reset program, she had me write out my goals for our time together. They were lofty and there were a lot of them. I noted that I will never get to a place where I don't need, want, or crave coffee.
And I was wrong. After a lot of hard work shifting my diet and lifestyle, taking Diane's recommendations, trying new recipes, recognizing when I'm stressed, and doing something healthy about it, I have come to a place where I wake up with energy. I no longer look for my own power at the bottom of an empty mug.
I'm not caffeine-free and probably never will be but I've found a good alternative to limit how much coffee I have in a day. During a stressful week, it's worse for me to have coffee because it heightens anxiety and cortisol levels. My focus is off and my head feels scattered. Reducing the amount of coffee I have makes me enjoy it more when I do have it. I love Diane's salted fat mocha recipe for my coffee days. On stress days (AKA deadlines, full schedule, trying to fit too much in) I make a matcha latte.
Simple & Quick Matcha Latte Recipe
Boil water
Add 1 tbsp. of matcha powder (matcha green tea latte dry mix at Trader Joe's)
Add milk of your choice (I'm loving Elmhurst oat and cashew milk lately)
Having a special mug makes it more like a treat too. My favorite mugs are my mom's, East Fork Pottery, and little delicate cute ones I find at thrift stores that speak to me.
Pin for later:
2018 Year in Review
2018 Year in Review: A recap of celebrations and goals met in my personal and professional life.
Last year was about growth. This year was about contentment. The thing is, I like fireworks, surprises, the way seemingly disconnected things align through pure life magic. I like opportunities that only come once in a lifetime, the buzzing energy of What if I just went for it? My confidence is in those moments. I feel secure in hyped-up spaces.
2018 was none of these things.
This year was a different challenge. What happens when I'm not on the edge of my seat in anticipation? Who am I when I'm hurt and downtrodden? When I acknowledge that yes, what happened was shitty and I'm angry about that. How do I release then bounce back? How do I find renewed strength? Can I let those closest to me know I need help? That I can't always be the pillar holding everyone else up, sometimes I'm the one who needs holding. How do I handle calm moments when I thrive off of chaos and pressure? Can I be happy when it isn't about my individual pursuits? Can I keep those to myself and be there for the collective that needs more listeners fewer talkers?
It was a year where roaring like a lion wasn't needed of me but rather a quiet showing up. Just doing the work and then being done with it. Pursuit is my nature. 2018 showed me patience can be too, albeit not my first choice. I just needed things to happen that would bring that side of me to the forefront.
Here are my top highlights of 2018:
Personal
Moved (back) to the Lakeshore
We decided to move back to our little cottage by the lake after a year in the city. It was a time we'll never regret. It shifted our perspective and made us more grateful for the life we have here by the lake. Read more about it [here].
Related: Why we moved / My studio / Spring cleaning
Celebrated our 2-year wedding anniversary
I hope the memory of our wedding always feels like it just happened. It still does 2 years later as we continue to grow and learn more about each other. This year we celebrated with an unplugged weekend on Mackinac Island. Just the 2 of us and a ghost (more on that below). It's as if the Great Creator is doing everything in its power to show me marriage is anything but boring.
Related: A letter to my husband / Our Harvest Moon wedding / September 2018
Kayak Sunday's
Joel and I started going for kayak rides to a bayou near our place most Sundays in the summer. It became our church. Spiritual by nature and a time we could always count on together before the week would get away from us. It allowed us conversation and rest that one can only find on the water. Joel only lost his paddle one time.
International Women's Day
Ashley, on the far left, and I came up with a plan to celebrate International Women's Day with a photoshoot very last minute and I'm so glad we went through with it. Each of these ladies is impacting our creative community in powerful ways. It was an honor to stand by their side last winter. This was right before we were kicked out of the parking garage but I made sure to give the employee a piece of my mind as we left. Something about having 5 women backing you up that gives a girl a little extra oomph.
Related: Why I love the blogging community
Travel
Nashville, Tennessee (x2)
I loved Nashville so much the first time I had to go back a month later! The first time was for my friend's bachelorette party and the second time was with Joel and another couple. We stayed in East Nashville both times. My favorite places were Bar Taco in 12 South and Bourbon Street Blues. I don't need to hear Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy, or Wagon Wheel again in my life but the vibes, live music, and the food are so good! We're already trying to find time to go back soon.
Recommendations: Imogene + Willie / Acme Feed + Seed / The Nash Collection Ball Cap
Lake Michigan, Michigan
I took a staycation for a week this summer and didn't tell anyone. The Lake Michigan lakeshore in West Michigan is buzzing with tourists from Memorial Day to Labor Day so I joined in on the fun as a tourist in my own town for a few days. It was wonderful to view my town from a vacationer’s perspective. I went to antique shops, had a glass of rosé overlooking the channel, and sunbathed on the beach for hours. It was the perfect mid-year pick-me-up.
Recommendations: Saugatuck Antique Pavilion / Snug Harbor / Rosy Mound Natural Area
Postcard by Laurel Cottage Genealogy
Mackinac Island, Michigan
We went to Mackinac Island in September for our anniversary. It was my first time ever which is crazy considering I've been a Michigander my entire life! We stayed at Pine Cottage. We didn't know until our last night it's the most haunted bed & breakfast on the island! Those who know Joel and I know we're chickens with that stuff so we had a good laugh on the ferry home. We will definitely be going back. The charm and natural beauty of the island is one you have to see more than once.
Recommendations: Anne's Tablet / The Woods Lounge / Fort Holmes
Hocking Hills, Ohio
Our girl's trip has become an annual fall getaway. This year we went hiking in Hocking Hills, a state forest in Southern Ohio. We added miles to our hikes, took naps in our super cozy cabin, and watched old movies. We didn't have WIFI and only a landline (remember those?!) to call anyone. It was the perfect way to start the holiday season and have downtime with my closest friends. I wonder where we'll go next year!
Recommendations: Eagle Ridge Cabin Airbnb / Kindred Spirits Restaurant / Cantwell Cliffs
Professional
Published in Bella Grace Magazine
I've had a goal to be published in print for the last couple of years so when Bella Grace accepted my submission of what grace means to me, I was ecstatic! They even added a story I wrote about hustling as the center spread with Tiger's big mug on it. I couldn't believe it. The feeling to see my words in print, and on the shelves at Barnes & Noble! It can keep a girl going on her toughest days that's for sure. More details [here].
Design professor at Grand Valley!
I continue to be amazed at the way life works. It was only a year ago I wrote in my 2017 Year in Review that I'd like to teach a design class one day and 8 months later here I am teaching a design class. You just never know and it makes me believe so much in the power of believing and faith. There were challenges and it was exhausting but I loved every minute of it.
Related: 3 Design Interview Tips / How to Network / More on creativity
Photo by Full Circle
Spacial design for furniture conference & apartment building brand
I was brought on the creative team at Full Circle last Spring to create a conference booth design for a German furniture company. It is my favorite kind of design to do and I'm super happy with the results. I also created the logo and brand elements for a new apartment building in Grand Rapids in the Monroe neighborhood, 601 Bond. I can't wait to see how it all comes together when the building is ready for tenants.
Top 100 Women Blogs to Follow by Feedspot
My, my. This look of pure joy and I can't believe it shows how I feel about this best. This is a top recognition I'm just so proud of for this little space of mine. It is because of all you who keep coming back to read. Thank you, it means so very much to me. More on being a Top 100 blog [here].
Walked in the Lee & Birch Holiday Fashion Show
This was another goal I didn't think I'd ever had the guts to follow through on. But I did it. It was very symbolic to walk in a fashion show this year for very personal reasons. Every time I remember I was a model for a day I will know I am worthy of feeling feminine, beautiful, and taking care of myself just the way I am. More details [here].
Nominated for 20 on the Rise by Honeybook
I was a 20 on the Rise nominee by Honeybook for my work as a freelance designer and writer this year. There are so many people who have created services and opportunities for others by leading with their hearts and not following the status quo. It's made the landscape of career so much more interesting than I could've ever imagined growing up with my limited ideas of what a career can be. To be a small part of this bigger message is an honor. See 20 On the Rise Winners
2018 brought so many blessings and magic. I became more self-aware and read my emotions better since I wasn't hyper-focused on goals for once. It's hard work to change a mindset & habit! I'm a little more goal-oriented for 2019 and feeling a bit stir crazy and excited for the possibilities this next year.
I hope you've had a wonderful 2018. Best wishes for 2019! Let's all be kind and not make excuses for doing rude phone things in public. xo, Em
How to honor the winter solstice
The winter solstice is officially the first day of winter. There are a lot of negative connotations about this, especially in the North, because there's this impending doom mentality to know there's still probably 4 or 5 months of cold weather, dark days, and crappy drivers. But with the state of our environment, increasingly intense storms, and weather patterns my relationship to the cool and dark season is changing. Just because I haven't liked it for years, doesn't mean I want it to go away. The balance to the Earth to keep winter as it should be is something that's been on my mind more and more lately. The best, or maybe the first, we can do is be aware of moments like this. What can we do to make the most of the darkest day of the year?
3 easy ways to honor the Winter Solstice | Emily Bode blog | Wood block print by Becca Watz of Soul Sister Studio
1 | Perspective
I think to check in with our perspective helps to honor the solstice. Are you being cranky or bitter to others? Not letting others in when traffic is heavy or being a jerk in the checkout lane? Both of these I've been the victim of and have done to others already this season. A change of mindset could help. If I'm feeling this way, others probably are too. This is a human thing, not an everyone-is-out-to-get-me-kick-me-when-I'm-down thing. Or do like my mother says, "Count to 10 before responding". It might seem childish to count to yourself but being petty and cranky is childish too so which is better?
3 easy ways to honor the Winter Solstice | Emily Bode blog | Photo by Leigh Ann Cobb Photography
2 | Have a ritual
I've found having a ritual or a routine helps to stay positive. Something I do every day or every week, no matter how small, that I can count on when everything else seems to be falling apart. Writing for 10 minutes with coffee and a candle to start the day or having a winter bonfire to end the week are a couple ways to soak in the darkness instead of avoiding it.
3 easy ways to honor the Winter Solstice | Emily Bode blog
3 | Work up a sweat
This is the probably the hardest but most rewarding to do during these darker days. Difficult because it's cold and the couch is calling or it's dark and...well, the couch is still calling! But working up a sweat is SO good for your immune system. It releases toxins from your body that have stagnated and gives you more energy. Just think, there's a nice hot shower at the end of it!
3 easy ways to honor the Winter Solstice | Emily Bode blog
There are a lot of advantages to darker days. If you're a busybody, it might be difficult to slow down or sit still with your thoughts and feelings but it's so crucial to check in with yourself every once in a while. Take the time to reflect on your last year with these 3 questions from Marie Forleo in lieu of New Year's Resolutions or start a ritual with a partner or close friend to keep you going. Whatever you do, remember that the days will continue to get lighter & brighter from here on out until the Summer Solstice, literally!
Happy Winter Solstice, friends. xo, Em
Pin for later:
3 easy ways to honor the Winter Solstice | Emily Bode blog
Best Nine 2018
Best Nine 2018
It's that time of year again for the Best 9 of Instagram. Best 9 generates the top 9 posts of your Instagram, based on likes, for the year.
2018
15.5k likes in 177 posts
88 likes/post
Over 50% of my top nine grid are 10x10 wardrobe challenge posts! My 10x10 articles on the blog are the most viewed too. I dedicated a lot of time to this challenge each season so it's validating to see the fruits of my labor paid off. I also had a goal during the last few years to discover my personal style and am more confident in it than I've ever been. Mission accomplished! See [Winter, Spring, Summer, & Fall 10x10 challenges].
Only 40% of photos were taken by professional photographers this year (Leigh Ann Photo, HZ Photo, and The Lipstick Lens check them out!). The rest are snapshots I took with my phone then edited in the Lightroom app with one preset package from Etsy. This looks much less filtered and way more natural than my 2016 Best Nine did. My eye to detail is improving and I'm doing a little happy dance over how convenient Adobe has made it with Lightroom Mobile. The app automatically syncs with the desktop version of Lightroom too. It's a BIG win in my book any time technology makes it so I can spend less time on the screen without sacrificing quality. :)
Finally, my marriage, home, and community are represented with Joel and me as wedding guests this fall, our favorite corner in the living room with the credenza we made, and International Women's Day with some kickass ladies in the creative community. Such a wonderful year outside of this grid but I also love to see it as I reflect on 2018.
2017
9.2k likes in 113 posts
81 likes/post
I remember in 2017 getting my footing more as a designer and thinking about how I wanted to share that message on Instagram. I went from being an in-house designer for a very masculine brand to freelance full-time with a lot of clients who came to me for the feminine style I was sharing online. It was challenging to use the same account for many seemingly unrelated topics; a graphic design portfolio, a capsule wardrobe, and my pretty personal writing style. I think it worked out and you didn't really notice I was trying to navigate this challenge, right?! Haha.
2019
As we head into 2019 I've been thinking a lot about my online presence and how it is separate from the actual woman I am. Somewhere in the last 5 years, I couldn't really tell the two apart. I've always been all in with whatever I pursue. Probably why I struggled to see this blog, my design work, and my Instagram is just the tiniest piece of me. I've been building this...thing for so long. I haven't looked at it from that 30,000 feet above ground kind of view. On one hand, I'm so grateful for that! My focus has been hawk-like, going after the kill. Knocking out my goals left and right and being really proud of what I've created. But on the other hand, I recognize it's time for a mindset shift. I am BURNT. OUT. Spending the last couple weeks of 2018 off Instagram and reflecting, recharging, and feeling renewed from a year well spent.I'm hoping the same for you. :)
And if you want to see your Best 9, just enter your Instagram handle [here]. It will generate your results within seconds. Pretty cool! What accomplishment are you most proud of this year? Share it with me below.
My Winter Studio
I shut down the studio for the month of December and in true Emily fashion have spent more time in it now than I have in the last 3 months! This time of year is always a good time to tie up loose ends, brainstorm, reflect, and set goals for the upcoming year.
My studio corner with new shelf, metal cart, and rug
It's been tempting during this little sabbatical to feel like I should be doing something more than resting and going at my own pace. Turning off Instagram has helped with this greatly. It was making me sick to be bombarded with "discounts" and everyone trying to sell something so I shut that down for the season too. The clarity I've felt, woowee! I might not go back. Instagram has become such a rat race and it hinders my focus I need to create the custom design work I do and to feel present in my life. I was losing sight of what I wanted to put out in the world so this break has been rejuvenating. I feel like I'm getting myself back.
Give me all the plaid, ball caps, and duck boots.
I've mentioned before I didn't start blogging to get free products and advertise brands. There are many I love and use but I'm not trying to influence anyone despite that being the direction the blogging world seems to be going in at lightning speed. I started this space because I love to write and share the mountains and valleys of my journey as an artist.
Writing is how I make sense of the world so the terms have always been loose here. That's how life actually happens. It's messy, heavy, imperfect, scary. There are arguments and misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and trying to make it all better. There are missteps and luck and unexpected gems while you're looking at something else. All heartbeats, flesh, and bones.
I'm definitely not the place to come when looking for the latest fashion trend or interior DIY or top places to buy, well, anything. I've loved reading blogs long before starting one of my own. There are many helpful ones, especially travel blogs lately! I'm just not one of them.
I don't make money from this blog and while I've battled with wanting it to be profitable at times, it somehow never pans out that way. Whether by my own choice or others. Some days this makes me think I'm not good at what I do. Other times it makes me proud that I've kept this space free from the influence of brands and other people's agendas. Oh, a sponsored post is something I might try every once in a while, see how I feel about it, but ultimately it's a journal, first and foremost.
I wonder how big-time bloggers handle the pressure of keeping their followers engaged and happy for profits' sake. That seems like such a burden to carry and how long do you carry it? What does the business model look like for that? When I try to do similar things, I always stop. It just doesn't feel right for me.
I'm not sure why I'm telling you all of this. It sounds defensive, even to me. To you, it might seem like it's coming out of the blue but it's been on my mind lately. Maybe I am needing to hear it myself. The realigning with my values and personal goals that I tend to do at the turn of each season. It's quite tiring, I don't advise it.
All this time in my closed studio has been enlightening though. Exactly what I was hoping for when I tuned out all the noise at the beginning of December to hear my own voice again. It is a constant work in progress. I think the idea that is being sold often — that there is this easy fix for anything you want, that others have found it and you haven't — is really debilitating to our humanity, and Mother Earth.
Because nothing is a quick fix. Relationships, physical/mental/spiritual health, culture, traditions, ancestry, bathroom remodels, connection to self and others. And even when you do find a fix for something in your life, the world becomes a kaleidoscope and shifts your view or circumstance and your back to where you started sometimes.
I admit I come on here and often want everything to be perfect. The photos, the message, the SEO, a call to action as you finish reading. I love the design and curating beautiful things, after all. But other times, like today, I just want to write what's on my heart and nothing more.
Not all the other bullshit.
It's how I know this break is deeply needed. My crankiness and bitterness are giving me away. But I think it's important for us to acknowledge this part of our story too. The one that is more shadow-side than sunny dispositions.
“There has never been a time when you showed mercy toward yourself, Walks Tall Woman. You have enjoyed being active and have masked your Shadow well. The Shadow has shown you no mercy by driving you beyond all that is humanly possible. You have made promises that have actually forced you in the Shadow’s keeping. You have not abused your leadership ability by hurting others, but you have abused the trust other women placed in you as a role model. You have set an example that would break the back of any beast of burden. Donkey carries his Medicine of shouldering his load of responsibility, but he also knows how to refuse and become stubborn when the burden is too much. There is great inner strength to be found in showing mercy to yourself and in allowing yourself to be an example to other women by showing them that all humans are worthy of rest and pleasure. The example you set through making time for your needs will liberate you and every other woman who looks to you for guidance. The excuse that you do not have the time or the space to be nurtured will harm more people than yourself, giving the Shadow the upper hand.”
May you find rest and give yourself mercy too. xo, Em
Top 10 books for staying in
There's nothing that sounds more relaxing than curling up with a good book as the cold weather continues outside. It is difficult for many of us to slow down long enough to do this curling, yes? Grab a blanket, light a candle, and pour yourself a hot drink. I have the books covered for you!
Here's a list of top 10 reads on my nightstand this season:
The Dirty Book Club by Lisi Harrison
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Womb Wisdom by Prakasha & Prakasha
The Road Back to You by Cron & Stabile
The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan
Period Repair Manual by Lara Briden, ND
The 13 Original Clan Mothers by Jamie Sams
In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens by Alice Walker
Girl Talk by Jacqueline Mroz
Farm Anatomy by Julia Rothman
Overview of Top 10 books
I'm listening to Becoming on Audible (30-day free trial) because I like something to listen to while working in the studio. Michelle's voice and story are wonderful so far!
Womb Wisdom and Period Repair Manual are more educational. I'm enjoying learning more about my body and ways to support her.
Farm Anatomy is a beautifully illustrated book on all things farm and country life. I was able to guess what kind of chickens and rooster my friend has thanks to this book, a fun read.
In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens is a classic that I've started digging into on my lunch breaks. I love Alice Walkers' style of writing.
The 13 Original Clan Mothers is always on my nightstand, I read it monthly right before the Full Moon.
The Dirty Book club is a light fiction read and has inspired more titles to add to my ever-growing book list.
Girl Talk is hot off the press, a new release I've been asked to review on the science behind female relationships.
The Road Back to You is for Enneagram lovers and The Death and Life of the Great Lakes are for lake lovers who need to know the hard truth and reality of the health of the Great Lakes.
Other tips for solitude during the winter solstice
I love curling up with a good book but there are a few other go-to ways I like to make the most of the slower pace this winter season:
1 | Yoga
When I say yoga, I basically mean laying down a mat at home and taking 10-minutes to just stretch along to wordless music like Native American Meditations. It's healing to get out of your mind in all the winter darkness and move muscles in a less extreme way.
2 | Host a small group of friends at home
One of my favorite winter moments last year was having a few friends over for New Year instead of going out to crowded celebrations. It was such an intimate way to celebrate our victories of the year and voice our dreams for the next year. I highly recommend cozying up in the living room with a few friends. Have a few questions to start a reflective conversation like, What was your favorite place you traveled to this year and why? or What are you looking forward to this year?
3 | Go for a walk in nature
I admit it takes me some convincing to get out in the cold but I ALWAYS feel better when I've gone for even a 10-minute walk in nature. It brings mental clarity and improves your immune system to get out in the cold and not get stagnant inside. My dog loves me more too.
Hope these inspire you to read a good book and revel in the season, friends! xo, Em
Pin for later:
28
24 I made a list of things I knew in our little rental by the bayou.
25 I came home to 25 red velvet cupcakes.
26 passed quickly, hardly noticed it, I was preoccupied.
27 was a challenge. I did all I knew to do when I get overwhelmed – make a list.
Now, 28. Unlike previous years, I don't have much to say. No list of introspective wisdom or encouragement to a younger self. No cupcakes. It is just silence. I know less & less it seems. I've taken to reading. All summer long. Instead of talking, listening.
Easy beach reads like this and this.
Hopeless romantic reads on the seashore in the 1930s.
Books about our mothers.
The constant battle with creativity.
Always this one, my safety net to a deep, wild, intuitive world:
...if you feel you have lost your mission, your oomph, if you feel confused, slightly off, then look for the Devil, the ambusher of the soul within your own psyche. If you cannot see, hear, catch it in the act, assume it is at work, and above all stay awake—no matter how tired you become, no matter how sleepy, no matter how much you want to shut your eyes to your true work.
How did she know? The true work is not less because no one is paying attention. The true work is not more because everyone is paying attention. True is not more or less. It simply is. We must not fall asleep to our true work despite the ambusher of our soul tempting us to quit the mission.
In reality when a woman has a devil complex, it occurs exactly like this. She is walking along, doing well, minding her own business, and all of a sudden—boom! the Devil jumps out, and all her good work loses energy, begins to limp, coughs, coughs some more, and finally falls over. What we might call the demon complex, uses the voice of the ego, attacks one's creativity, one's ideas and dreams.
The hardest part to swallow about this is that both the soul and the ego have set up camp within us – they reside in the same place yet they can't get along. Both try to protect in our best interest but the ego's approach, or maybe instead the hubris, is rarely successful.
It takes goodly amounts of faith to continue at this time, but we must and we do. ...all elements of the psyche are pulling in one direction, in our direction, and so must we persevere with them. At this point it is a work moving into the homestretch. It would be so wasteful and even more painful to abandon it now.
It is a work indeed. You have scaled one beast of a mountain only to find the light from the newly found sun has moved behind an even taller mountain. You are in shadow again. I used to think the "shadow" meant I failed. Here I am again unhappy, discontent, crying on the bathroom floor.
What am I doing wrong? Why does it always lead to here? Will I ever find the right fit of happiness meant for me? Fortunately, this is not the way it works. I am not doomed to darkness.
All I need to do is acknowledge the sun rises and the sun sets; the sphere we are on makes it so in a daily rotation. It's as simple as acknowledging one revolution around the sun brings us both dark and light seasons. Both are a necessity in the natural cycle of living. The Earth and the way she moves is our breathing example.
May we follow Her. May I celebrate another revolution around the sun.
Excerpts from Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
Thank You
It's been a week since the launch of my new online space, emilybode.com. Thank you for all of your kind words on the design and your support, encouragement, and questions over the 4-week process of getting this space all set up.
As is common with any project you put your heart into, it's been a whirlwind of tasks and deadlines to have this space align with the vision I saw for it in my head. I'm happy, proud, and grateful that it's turned out better than my original vision. I couldn't have done it alone. Asking for help will bring it to you 10 times stronger if you're open to receiving it.
Thank you to:
Photo via Poppy Rose Co.
Jess of Poppy Rose Creative
Jess is my right-hand woman. She tackled tasks like a boss while listening to my weekly emotional breakdowns and encouraging me to finish what I started. "The idea is good Em, now you just need to execute it". I'm in awe of how she juggles my endless stream of ideas and keeps me on track while navigating her way through Motherhood and starting her freelance writing business. Thanks, Jess!
Justin, web developer
Justin came to my rescue halfway through migrating all of my content from Brave Girl to this new space. Basically, I F'ed it up trying to do behind-the-scenes web development work to save some money and was facing spending a lot more money for someone to fix my mistake. The day before the 4th of July break Justin solved it with an ease and calm that I've admired in him since our design school days. Thank you, Justin.
Station Seven, Wordpress templates
Mike & Brittni of Station Seven are to thank for the structure of this site and isn't it lovely? It's all their genius. Not only do they have a keen eye for website design (see their Wordpress and Squarespace templates) but their customer service is TOP NOTCH. They did the install and set-up for me which was a huge stress reliever. I highly recommend paying a bit more for this service if anyone is looking to refresh their blog template. Can't recommend them enough to do the heavy-lifting seamlessly.
Seriously I've learned so much with this rebrand by simply Google'ing stuff. There are things I couldn't have been prepared for, like finding the special code of a blog post to get it to show up on the "popular posts" sidebar, that was quickly answered with a Google search. DIY is so much easier this way.
Photo via Leigh Ann Cobb Photo
Kherington of Currently Kherington
Kherington is a fellow blogger and business owner who I often co-work with. She's also the lady hanging with me in most of my new brand photos around here! She was so encouraging to me during this process to keep going and reminded me this was a good thing to do even though it felt messy at the moment. She rebranded her blog a year ago and wrote great insights she learned when pivoting. I highly recommend reading it if looking to rebrand! Thank you Kherington for always being there to share blog tips, vent, and inspire me.
Leigh Ann Cobb Photography
Leigh Ann is to thank for all the new brand photos you see on each of my site pages like the About, Newsletter, and Contact sections. Kherington and I came to her with a vision early in the summer to do a shoot of women working in a coffee shop. I wanted a very imperfect, raw, and warm vibe to the photos and she knocked it out of the park.
Mom
I reference my mom a lot around here and on my Instagram not only as my mother but as an artist. She deeply understands what it means to be one and be in a constant state of self-discovery. She's taught me so much and is open with me about her experiences and her artwork. She's listened patiently and intently for the last 2 years when I first started considering rebranding. I feel lucky to have her to turn to with things like this. Thank you always, Mom.
Jake
My brother Jake has also been a patient sounding board to me through this process. He has a great eye for design and is honest with me if things in my writing aren't making sense (I mean he is flicking me off in this picture). He challenges me and pushes me to be more inclusive. A lot of discussions we've had played a big role in changing my blog name. I was only acknowledging female creatives and he continued to remind me it isn't "us against them". There are plenty of men questioning the very same challenges in our society who want to support and uplift women. Sometimes we women don't let them. I know this is a layered topic right now but in my inner circle, in particular, I agree with him often. Thank you Jake, for inspiring me to back my shit up and challenge my perspective.
Joel
Saving the best for last for my husband Joel, the one who is with me day in and day out. He encouraged me 5 years ago to publish my first post on Brave Girl. From the very beginning, he's challenged me to follow my urges and be completely myself. He knows tough love is what I need to stop talking and start doing and he's tirelessly listened to every idea, project, and passion I've ever had and treats each with unwavering support. He is my rock, the man behind the scenes looking for no thanks or applause yet showing up anyway. I will always embarrassingly give you the credit you deserve, my Love. Thank you for this and so much more.
“We all begin the process before we are ready, before we are strong enough, before we know enough; we begin a dialogue with thoughts and feelings that both tickle and thunder within us. We respond before we know how to speak the language, before we know all the answers, and before we know exactly to whom we’re speaking.”
You!
And finally thank you to you, for reading my writing. For the wonderful chats we have in person about creativity and life and equally the ones we have via email and social channels. I've learned a lot. Most importantly, I've learned to begin before you have the answers. Before you know if anyone is listening. I hope this space encourages you to explore this for yourself.
Sign up for my newsletter or follow me on Instagram and Pinterest.
xo, Em
Grace For Your Week
There's been a consistent theme I've noticed in my conversations lately —"You're being too hard on yourself."
Over & over again, like a broken record. I am one to recognize patterns. I use them as good signs of clarity when I struggle to find it myself. Little signs from the Universe. May we just listen for them to know what to do next.
& so, after multiple times of hearing —"You're being too hard on yourself" — I will take it as a good indication that I, indeed, am being too hard on myself. & when you're hard on yourself, you're most definitely hard on the others you surround yourself with. & then you're creating a negative loop where fun & enjoyment can't really fit in because nothing is ever good enough.
Mmm, musings on a Monday.
May we all be gentle & kind to ourselves this week. Give yourself Grace friends, I will be too. xo. Em
Speaking of Grace, it's about to pop up a lot more around here. Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to know about it.
The Paradoxical Commandments
The Paradoxical Commandments by Kent M. Keith
People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building might be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
Originally discovered in the Words of Women newsletter. Sign up here.
2017 Year in Review
2017 Year in Review: A recap of celebrations and goals met in my personal and professional life.
Last year was about celebration. This year was about growth. A recap of personal, professional, and travel highlights of the year. Recaps remind me of the magical, often ordinary, moments that I overlook too easily throughout the year. Although it looks clean and organized here, it doesn't feel that way as you're going along living your life so I enjoy taking the time to reflect and celebrate.
Also, see my 2017 Intentions.
Personal
photo c/o Leigh Ann Cobb
Moved to Grand Rapids
I've talked about this a lot last year (here and here) and plan to more this year. We surprised ourselves by moving to the city because I don't think either of us believed we'd actually go through with it. Things were good where we were and it was tempting to settle into that but no, we had to go and mix it up a bit.
Related: Moon Lodge goodbyes / Why we moved / 6-month city update
Celebrated our 1-year wedding anniversary
I'm still not ready for our wedding to be over! It was such an amazing weekend I want to relive over and over again. In a way we relived parts of it for our first anniversary; sunbathing at the beach where Joel proposed, dancing to our playlist in the living room while looking at wedding pictures, and grabbing free beers at a local brewery (thanks Kate & Mike!).
Related: A letter to my husband / Our Harvest Moon wedding / September 2017
Belle passed away
My 18-year old kitty, Belle, passed away last Fall. Admittedly, I'm very much still grieving. We've lost a family member and my first best friend (I got her when I was 9 years old!). I remember the day I got her. My Mom decided on a whim I could pick out a little kitten from the litter (and not tell Dad until we got home). Belle was sleeping on top of the food bowl – she didn't want the food but she didn't want her siblings to have it either – and I knew she was the one for me. I miss her sass, attitude, and tough love cuddles every day, to say the very least.
Attended 4 weddings
I've been extremely sensitive and sappy during weddings since ours. It's truly life-altering and such a celebration of genuine Love, especially at the weddings we went to last year. We celebrated Love of old friends, new friends, my cousin, and one of my best friends where I was her Matron of Honor. I'm looking forward to more Love this year with my other best friend's wedding and some close friends in town!
Related: Wedding style & design materials / Bride brain / My Bachelorette weekend
Made new friends through blogging
One of the reasons I started Brave Girl 4 years ago was for connection with my tribe. I was about to graduate college and was really worked up one day when my favorite instructor told me, "Don't worry, Emily. You haven't found your tribe yet but you will. I promise you will."
She was right. I've met so many thoughtful and full-hearted people like these ladies because of Brave Girl. I'm so grateful for the old and new friendships that have blossomed over this last year. Without friendship and human connection, it's just writing in a black hole to me.
Related: October 2017 / The unpaved path / Why I love the blogging community
Travel
Austin, Texas
We traveled to Texas last Spring to celebrate my brother-in-law's 30th birthday and have a long weekend away. We flew out the same day we moved into our apartment...a big scheduling error! It was worth it once we got there though. Joel's brother took us to local hot spots and we hiked a trail on the outskirts of the city. We also saw the Texas State Capitol on a day people were protesting Trump which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Recommendations: Bat Bridge / West Sixth Street / Texas State Capitol / Rainey Street
Red River Gorge, Kentucky
Last Fall I went hiking with 3 of my best girlfriends in Kentucky. We stayed in a container cabin, hiked the Natural Bridge Trail, and sipped mulled wine while watching cheesy Christmas movies each night. It was the perfect road trip before the holiday season started. Full of laughter, deep conversations, and only minor worrying about ax murderers on my part.
Recommendations (thanks Dre!): Red River Gorge / Natural Bridge Park / Container cabin Airbnb
Ft. Myers Beach and Cape Coral, Florida
Joel and I spent the last 2 weeks of the year in Florida! We mixed work with play the first week and went mostly unplugged during Christmas break. After a challenging year trying our best to navigate the changes, we were grateful for days of sunshine and water. Most days started with coffee & dolphins and ended watching the sunset and the moon rise in clear skies...truly a dream!
Recommendations: Lovers Key Beach/ Quickie Bike Rentals / Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille/ Pelican Bay Boathouse Airbnb
Professional
No Man Left Behind Has Heart Design at Starbucks
The design I created in partnership with a Vietnam Veteran as part of Has Heart was made into sweaters, tees, and posters for a pop-up shop at Starbucks Reserve in Seattle. When Has Heart co-founder, Tyler Way, contacted me to tell me the news I was so excited! Their mission to aid United States Veterans is making this world a better place and I love how far they've spread the message so far.
Related: NMLB Flight Jacket/ Has Heart Mission / Project details
photo c/o Leigh Ann Cobb
Became a full-time freelance designer
Started freelancing full-time the day of the Solar Eclipse. Felt like a good omen. Some of you might not know but I was full-time freelance a few years ago. I picked up where I left off with added experience, knowledge, and chutzpah thanks to my time as an in-house designer and continuing personal projects throughout.
Related: Freelance + Business / My design services
photo c/o Studio Us
Design Chat at Grand Valley State University
Each year I try to do at least one speaking event around design. I'd like to do more eventually and maybe even teach a design class one day. Last year I had an informal discussion about design after college with junior and senior design students at Grand Valley. I loved hearing where they're at on their design journey and sharing mine in hopes it could help them.
Related: Creative Business Chats
Opened Brave Girl Print Shop
I finally started selling my handlettered prints last year! I was spending time with my mom one weekend last summer and she was like, "By the time you get home, I want to see your prints on Etsy".
It was the kick in the butt I needed to simply begin. Joel was my first sale, Mom was my second, and a handful of you have purchased them throughout the year, thank you! I'm now in 5 shops around town and excited to share the new Spring/Summer collection that I'm working on right now!
Woowee! Definitely not one for brevity these days. I'm grateful for the challenges and celebrations that 2017 brought and I'm looking forward to what 2018 will bring. Another year with not many plans ahead of time. There's a blessing in not forcing things, yes? Intuition and gut decisions work best at the very last second. I hope you've had a wonderful 2017 and take the time you need if you're the reflecting kind like me. Best wishes for 2018 and stay warm! xo, Em
2017 Intentions
Brave Girl 2016 Year in Review: A recap of celebrations and goals met in my personal and professional life.
I had three intentions for 2017 that came to fruition throughout the year. I like focusing on intentions rather than goals because intentions include the why behind what you're doing. The Desire Planner by Danielle LaPorte has been the catalyst to my approach. It's a planner that prompts scheduling each month/week/day based upon desires you have vs. ticking things off a list without rhyme or reason. I'm frustratingly deep that way. So, here are three intentions I had in 2017 and the ways I met them:
1 | Dedication to writing
I rebranded my website last January and got serious about sharing my design work, handlettering, and being consistent on topics that not only light me up but are beneficial to you as a reader of Brave Girl. I also started writing 30 minutes stream of consciousness most mornings to converse with myself before I let others' tasks take priority. Maybe this sounds selfish but it ended up helping immensely to have clarity around what I want, what's bothering me, and allowed me to heal through a lot of difficult things last year.
2 | Emotional Wellness
Emotional wellness became my top priority last year. Writing each morning helped a lot with this. It seems trying to act like everything is ok only creates bigger issues down the road in a person's life...who knew? It's a pretty layered topic but all in all, I started listening within more for what my body, mind, and soul were telling me they needed (found out booze and sugar weren't things they wanted).
Hot yoga and WERQ dance class helped immensely. A simple walk with Tiger to break up the day and shutting down screens by 10pm (most nights) worked wonders as well. I hope to continue this and grow even more in listening to what I need in 2018.
photo c/o Sincerely Ashley
3 | Budget and Purge
Moving to Grand Rapids and going freelance really forced our hand with this. The people closest to me know how finicky I can be with items I allow into our home. Life with a designer, I suppose. Joel should have a separate blog where he talks about that, don't you think?! Either way, the move to a smaller space prompted us to keep only the essentials. The items we loved but weren't practical right now (like these glass vases from our wedding) found other homes meant for them now.
Budgeting was also a big challenge this year as we both got new jobs and since marriage realized how different our perspectives around money could be. We grew a lot! I'm excited for what the next couple of years may bring now that we're working together on this and have communicated our needs and perspectives better.
I'm looking forward to sharing more monthly updates, creative business chats, and capsule wardrobe posts with you in 2018. Thank you for reading Brave Girl last year and for your continued support in the comments, direct messages, and emails. I read every one and each means so much to me! xo, Em
Best Nine 2017
Best Nine 2017
Have you heard of the Best 9 on Instagram? You may have seen people posting a grid of 9 photos with #2017bestnine. It's a generator that shows you a summary of the top 9 posts your followers liked the most this year.
2016
3.1k likes in 95 posts
33 likes/post
These numbers are neither good nor bad to me but a way to compare with 2017. What this shows me is I was kind of all over the place in 2016 – from outfit posts, trying my hand at interiors and flat lay styling, a hint of hand lettering work, and bits of chatting about creativity. I experimented a lot and challenged myself to try new things. I was also getting married, working 50+ hrs./wk, and moving to a different city. Shit, I WAS all over the place!
2017
9.2k likes in 113 posts
81 likes/post
I was more visually consistent in 2017 and think that has something to do with growing a bit but the point I really want to make is this: I didn't suddenly change what I believe in to increase my following. Only one thing changed: I started believing in myself and the message I have to share. Gaining confidence also allowed me to be honest with myself. I don't enjoy being a photographer but rather LOVE working with photographers (like Leigh Ann). This gave me more time to write, which I really love, as I'm sure you can tell by my super long posts.
Anyway, I guess I'm telling you this in case you're being hard on yourself about not being where you thought you'd be at this point in your life. Or if you're feeling pressure to grow in a direction that is cool but isn't speaking to you. You have to have years where you're all over the place, years where you're confident in who you are, and years when, who knows how you'll feel or who you'll be but it'll be beautiful for completely new and different reasons.
Let's celebrate how far we've come before we dig into the work ahead, shall we?! What accomplishment are you most proud of this year? Share it with me below.
When the World Sleeps
When the world sleeps, I dream. Not of what you're thinking; A better world. Peace.
No, I am human. Not hero. Not Saint.
When the world sleeps, I dream of losing all I own down a river. In this dream, I make sure they see I am scared to lose these trinkets; The tools to create. The "essentials". The items defining success.
When their focus is on the items floating out of my grasp, I smile. I am relieved the current has decided what I intentionally could not. I feel the cool blue through my fingertips.
Chaos ensues because, well, what will we do without what we've always known?
I know nothing more than the way the water makes me feel.
A Letter to My Husband on Our First Anniversary
The origin of our first dance.
It was Spring Break a few months after we met. You convinced me I must go with you despite my excuses that I couldn't (money, study, homebody). You even drew a little picture of us to really bring your point home – stick figures in front of a sunset. I was the one with the long hair.
People said this trip could break us. They said we knew too little about one another. A week is too long so early on, they warned. Are you sure you should really be going with him?
I went.
We laughed. We fought. We had 10 too many drinks. We survived.
On the way home I rested my head on your lap. Listened to What You Thought You Need as the everglades blurred outside the window. You had your hand on my arm. It took me a moment to realize you were sending a message – tracing letters on my skin, just for me.
I.
Well, I can't give you everything you want. But I can give you what you thought you need.
LOVE.
A map to keep beneath your seat you'll read to me in time I'll get you there.
U.
But fold it up so we don't find our way back soon Nobody knows we're here.
My skin told on me. Goosebumps. You didn't think I knew the message you traced on me that day. Thought I was too wrapped up in my headphones to feel your letters. And I didn't tell you that I read each one in anticipation they would line up with the three words I had saved inside of me, for you.
Our first dance.
7 years later and we're near water again. We're listening to What You Thought You Need as the northern pines blur outside the window. Your hands are around my waist. You're looking at me with the promise of those three letters from long ago – the ones you've saved, just for me.
I.
Can't take back things already gone but I could give you promises for keeps.
LOVE.
And I would only take them back if they become your own and you give them to me.
U.
We could make this into anything, we could make this into more than words can speak.
You spin me around and I trust you'll hold me in this space as you do. The space I've saved, just for you. The unspoken words speaking volumes. Two souls finding each other on the open road without care to get to the destination.
And it's all for the sake of arriving with you.
Photos by Leigh Ann Cobb Photography, Music by Jack Johnson
27
You won't know any more about your purpose at 27 than you did at 24. Get ok with that.
Sunflowers are still your favorite.
More than learning things, you are unlearning things. It is hard, messy work.
Goal-setting gets dry. When you reach one of your goals, are you happy? If not, goal-setting is not the solution.
Be kind to yourself. This isn't an age thing, it's a life one.
Regret is the shadow that stops you from finding the lesson.
You don't have to "fake it 'til you make it". Be honest and up front.
It might not be them. It might be you. Accept your imperfections.
You thought you were being humble, my dear. You weren't. That's ok. You will now.
Jeans. White tee. Red lipstick.
Your Momma is always your Momma.
A wrinkle at the crook of your arm. A new freckle. This is not age, this is the constellation map of your experiences.
When you dig within, you understand without.
You still enjoy beer, wine, and late nights out. I thought you'd be over that by now. You're not. Cheers!
There are things worth knowing before this time in your life; filling your tires with air. Business tax. That Love IS always the answer.
You thought you'd know more by now.
Boredom is good. Stop avoiding yourself.
There is a time for anger.
Rose-colored glasses are not naivety. They are an intentional choice. They are the harder choice.
NOT following your heart leads to more negativity.
You can't know what you don't know. Lighten up.
The protective barrier you place around yourself keeps all the good stuff out too.
This isn't one of your finer years and now you're getting somewhere.
You're part of the bigger picture (you aren't THEE bigger picture. ;))
There is something in holding babies that makes you understand something deeply that you've never felt before.
Your left hand has become the symbol of constant change. And here you thought it'd be boring!
You're not sure what to do right now. You're not sure who you are. But there is a feeling inside you where words can't touch telling you all of this is exactly how it's meant to be.
I love you, Brave Girl.
Dead Flowers
My sunflowers have wilted in their simple bouquet on the kitchen counter. The water has gone brown. There's a faint smell of dying in it, filling the air with a thin veil of burnout. I haven't taken the sunflowers out of their vase yet. I haven't put them in the dirt to become part of the soil that grows new flowers.
Bees and Petals | Brave Girl Spirit
I've watched the petals fall one by one. Can't seem to look away. Can't seem to avoid the metaphor that these sunflowers – usually so full of life and energy, always looking towards the sun – look a lot like me. Heads bowed in exhaustion. Sadness. The color from their leaves fading. Unhealthy. And the life force, their water, gone brown with decay. Stagnant.
Sometimes it's good to call it what it is. Most times. All the time, really. Because when you acknowledge that the water is brown, that the color is fading, that the petals are falling, the real change can begin.
Our Harvest Moon Wedding
Brave Girl Blog | Our Harvest Moon Wedding
Brave Girl Blog | Our Harvest Moon Wedding
Brave Girl Blog | Our Harvest Moon Wedding
Brave Girl Blog | Our Harvest Moon Wedding
Brave Girl Blog | Our Harvest Moon Wedding
Brave Girl Blog | Our Harvest Moon Wedding
Brave Girl Blog | Our Harvest Moon Wedding
Brave Girl Blog | Our Harvest Moon Wedding
Brave Girl Blog | Our Harvest Moon Wedding
Brave Girl Blog | Our Harvest Moon Wedding
No one is more surprised than me to see this picture of us with me as his bride, pure joy emanating from my face during our Harvest Moon wedding in September 2016. I couldn't contain my happiness during our wedding weekend and I can't contain it now.
Because I was never getting married!
And we all know what happens with our nevers.
Getting married was the first moment of my life I hadn't planned. Seriously.
Pathetic, yes. True? Very.
I never imagined the dress, the ring, or the flowers. I LOVE a wonderfully styled tablescape and obsessing over centerpieces, it just wasn't something I pinned, doodled, or dreamed of for myself. I loved my relationship with Joel and I didn't think we needed the foo-foo to feel it. This changed once we were engaged as I was very particular about details. More on that later.
So you can imagine my surprise when Joel got down on one knee after a run to the lake on an ordinary Sunday. I said "yes, yes, yes!" before he even asked me anything. It's crazy how life changes in a matter of seconds and I was stunned.
I never imagined myself as a bride.
But, we all know what happens with our nevers.
I may have never imagined a wedding but I've always known Joel and I will be together the rest of our days. It didn't mean I was fully ready before saying "I Do" though. Is anyone, really? Because I couldn't have been ready for the outpouring of love we received from our family and friends. I couldn't have been ready for how nervous I felt before the processional began. I couldn't have known I'd feel light-headed in love for my soon-to-be husband. How I was unable to take my eyes off of him. How handsome he was. All the planning in the world wouldn't have made me ready for the emotion that washed over me when I saw him across the dance floor and smiled.
I'm blessed to be with him for the rest of my life.
You can't be ready for the magic Life gives to you but you can follow it. It doesn't mean you'll know what the outcome will be or that you'll have all the steps figured out. You don't need to have it figured out to believe in Love. You must believe it will open itself up to you. Love might look different than you imagined but not knowing is the secret ingredient.
The best thing to do is take it all in and soak it all up because you deserve good love, baby. Don't let your nevers take you away from that.
I read a quote a few months into being newlyweds.
“The very definition of preparation is “becoming ready.” It is not “being ready,” or “getting ready,” or “the very act of readiness itself.” It is becoming ready: the slow growth, the missteps, the process, the transformation...”
We are The Bode's. And we are Becoming.
There are so many more posts I'd like to write to share the details of our day because I never want to let go of the magic! Do you want to hear more? Anything specific you'd like to know more about?
All photos by Leigh Ann Cobb Photography
2016 Year in Review
2016 Year in Review: A recap of celebrations and goals met in my personal and professional life.
2016 was an amazing year for many reasons and challenging for other reasons. Today, I want to focus on the good!
Brave Girl Blog | 2016 Year in Review
Personal
Joel & I got married! A life-changing moment to say the very least. I have multiple posts planned to share all the magic and details.
My brother came home from California. He was stationed there for 4 years as a Marine. He lived with us for a few months when he got back and it was awesome to see him every day and have him home again.
My two best friends got engaged within months of each other! I was lucky enough to be with one of my friends when she was proposed to under the Chicago skyline. We celebrated double engagements with champagne and manicures the entire weekend!
Learned of my Irish heritage. It was a wedding gift from my Grandma. To know where I come from was one of the most special gifts I've ever received.
Brave Girl Blog | 2016 Year in Review
Travel
Aruba My first time out of the country. We watched the sunset behind the Caribbean Sea each night, palm trees and relaxation were our silhouettes for an entire week. We took a Jeep around the island and explored the heritage. I made 7 wishes out of 7 stones piled high and dove into a natural pool, surrounded by vibrant fish and sea urchins.
Biba Dushi, Living the Sweet Life.
Asheville We road-tripped to Asheville for our Honeymoon. Live music, breweries, and hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains was THE BEST way to unwind from the whirlwind of planning our wedding for the past year. I got to see Black Mountain College and Joel got to climb Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak East of the Mississippi.
To Be Rather Than to Seem, the North Carolina motto I brought home with me.
Beaver Island It was our 4th trip to the little Michigan island 50 miles west of Charlevoix, this time on the tiniest plane I've ever seen (my mom was co-pilot, that's how tiny). We helped my Dad with a basketball clinic during the day and roamed our favorite hangouts the rest of the time. There is only one of everything on the tiny island so we saw it all. It's charming and always a nice reminder that slow and simple things are always most important.
If once you have slept on an island, you'll never be quite the same, from a poem on the wall of my favorite BI bar, Donegal Danny's.
Brave Girl Blog | 2016 Year in Review
Professional
Promoted to senior-level designer at work. I had been at Nucraft for 9 months when I was promoted. This was a big deal to me because it's something I've always wanted to achieve since my days in design school. A lot of sweat and tears and lessons to get here and a role I really enjoy!
Attended The Yellow Conference in L.A. I was honored to attend this creative woman conference and listen to 2 of my favorite designers and artists, Elle Luna and Jessica Hische. I've always admired their approach and beliefs as women in design. Seeing them IRL was a real magic moment. I was in a room full of entrepreneurs, creatives, leaders, and go-getters. The energy and the feminine power were uplifting and unforgettable.
Creative Mornings event with Mayor Rosalynn Bliss of Grand Rapids. Another uplifting event closer to home where our mayor talked openly about the challenges she has in our city to create positive change, what she's doing about it, and urging us as creatives in the community to be more involved with local politics. I left feeling like I can make a difference and that we can all make a difference together.
Was a professional reviewer at the AIGA Student Portfolio Review Years ago I was a student being reviewed at this event. To be able to give back as a reviewer this year was so much fun. The projects by students soon entering the workforce were thoughtful, intimate, and inclusive. I haven't seen a better example of designing for a bigger purpose, and in such quantities, as I did at this event.
I also had 3 goals for the year and am happy to report I met each of them in some sort of way:
Brave Girl Blog | 2016 Year in Review
1 | Openness to fellow creatives
I can get very protective about my work and don't share much about the challenges I have with others so I actively wanted to meet more creatives and be a good listener to their experiences and not be so guarded to share mine. My promotion helped give me confidence with my work and to network more. I attended some great events where I met amazing people in the Grand Rapids creative community doing great things.
Brave Girl Blog | 2016 Year in Review
2 | Less Debt
I have a lot of student loans and before this year, was sinking in them. I went to Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey and learned how to make a budget, how to stick to it, and how to use the "snowball" method to reduce my debt faster. It was quite the learning curve but I paid off one loan in 6 months! I also set a budget for our wedding that we stuck to and had some leftover that we used to tackle a house item debt!
Brave Girl Blog | 2016 Year in Review
3 | Removing the nonessential
Although I'm far from being a minimalist, I try to keep only essential objects in our home. The Moon Lodge is modest in space and I don't like clutter. I started with my closet last year – I have 180 clothes total in my closet for 4 seasons, including shoes and accessories! Any non-joy items were donated once a month and I got really intentional about being a conscious consumer when I did shop. A free capsule wardrobe workbook from Caroline of Unfancy got me started on this goal a few years ago and it's truly changed my outlook.
Woo, what a year! Of course, there were challenges and improvements I'd like to make but the celebrations are more fun to remember during the most difficult months of the year in moody and cold Michigan. I know we have our work cut out for us in 2017 due to the state of our nation's politics but I'm also looking forward to both of my best friends' weddings, a few trips we're planning, and focusing on my health and wellness in the next year. Cheers and Happy New Year!
What it really means to be in a relationship with your creative partner
When you commit to your creative partner, there are a few things you need to be ready for:
Anything in your daily life is potential inspiration for your next project. Those dirty underwear in the bathroom? Could be the catalyst to your creative partner's next drawing series.
What seems like manic or obsessive episodes are coming from somewhere much deeper. Your partner probably needs 1 of 3 things; sleep, food, or a hug. Careful with this one, they might do everything in their power to convince you they need none of these things. Hug them anyway.
They'll forget simple daily tasks like feeding the dog or brushing their teeth. Practice patience when you come home to a cold, wet heap where you left them (the laundry, not your partner) after asking them to switch the wash to the dryer. It isn't because they ignored you. It's because they lost track of time in a story that's been calling out to them all weekend.
Do you understand what you've gotten yourself into by being in a relationship with a creative?! Their sensitivities to recycling the cardboard from every package brought into the house. Their need to save antique doors that you'll keep moving out of the way in the garage until the doors are too rotted to do anything with. It'll drive you mad most days.
But you must remember the fullness they bring to your world over the frustration:
They turn dirty undies into a reverent series of drawings, exposing the integrity of a young and hardworking couple who puts Love before anything else.
They fill your heart with thoughtful letters of moments you would've missed had they not written the words.
When the laundry lay sopping and forgotten, remember they could be putting the finishing touches on a story you've never heard before. The one about you, and them, and your life together. The one you'll tell your kids, and their kids, about.
You already know this if you're in a committed relationship with a creative partner. You're the brave soul who keeps them going after all. Touchy ones, those creatives. They always need so much validation. But they need you to keep pining away at the discovery of their masterpiece. They count on your faith in them. Don't give up.
You are the person they soon discover is the masterpiece they've been looking for all along.