2019 Year in Review
Celebrations in living, style, & career in 2019.
It’s ironic I claimed 2019 a ghost year after all that has happened. I feel more whole than any other year thus far. All the plans in the world can’t guarantee you the certainty you seek. Chasing certainty is a fool’s game but it’s the one I often default to. Except in 2019, I didn’t. I didn’t set goals as I have in the past. I wasn’t intentionally trying to be present either. I just…was I guess. Here’s my 2019 recap in living, style, & career.
Living
Ran a half marathon
I was adamant about getting my health in a better place this year. I’d gone too long ignoring ailments completely in my control. The Root Cause Reset program with nutritionist Diane Teall Evans was a game-changer. I started kickboxing & training for a half-marathon soon after the program. My body was ready to handle the kind of exercise I hadn’t done since high school basketball.
Joel & I spent the summer training for the Sleeping Bear Dunes Half Marathon. He made a training schedule that synced with our calendars to ping us on miles for the week. He included hard hill & trail days I tried to get out of. I thanked him every mile for his rigorous schedule when it came to race day though. We supported one another at our different paces, changed eating habits, & talked about the race all summer. He even gifted me with an Apple Watch to track my miles! I don’t know what was better; finishing the race or doing it all with him. It was such a special time.
Related: Our race results / Root Cause Reset Program / Sleeping Bear Dunes Half Marathon
Paid off 50% of student loans
I can’t believe I’m even writing we paid off 50% of our debt this year! We wanted to pay off 33% so this was a huge accomplishment. Especially since it felt impossible in January – I was hourly at a print shop part-time & teaching one class as an adjunct professor (read: making very little money). When you commit to a dream, regardless of how illogical it seems with your current circumstances, a Higher Power helps you out. Not always, but often. If you don’t speak it, how does anyone know what you want?
I stumbled into a lucrative gig soon after (see Career below) that allowed us to pay off debt while maintaining our monthly overhead. It’s been eye-opening to talk through how we each see money & find a common plan that works for our differing spending habits. We had hard conversations that we discovered had little to do with money. Money is emotional.
We started loosely with Financial Peace University. I keep track of our wins on a private Instagram account & Joel keeps track of numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s important we each bring our personality to this challenge. Otherwise, it’s easy to feel resentful & unheard.
Related: Money: A Love Story / Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University
Travel
It was a big year of travel. I visited Austin, Seattle, & Atlanta for work. I needed to prove to myself I can be a savvy solo traveler. The perks weren’t bad either; immaculate hotel rooms with stunning city views, business class, everything at my fingertips.
We also went to Morocco & Spain for two weeks this Spring. It was our first time abroad made obvious with plenty of logistical mishaps. We had friends guide us & I’m forever grateful for their help. The trip was romantic. Being lost in the mountains of Spain with Joel was a dream. I will be inspired for years to come from all we experienced & observed.
Style
Capsule wardrobe-ish
I started 2019 with 150 pieces for 4 seasons, about 38 pieces/season. Soon after this accomplishment, I was bored as hell with capsule wardrobes. Especially after visiting Morocco & Spain where I was inundated with beautiful styles from a myriad of cultures. The style was vibrant, expressive, & hodgepodge. I adored it. It felt like LIFE. ENERGY.
Taking outfit photos & writing style posts takes a lot of time. Always looking put together & documenting it was good for my ego, & popular on social media, but I wanted to spend time elsewhere — like making money to pay off loans & travel more. My approach to blogging doesn’t make me money. haha.
Job transitions required different styles too. 2019 was back to the drawing board to discover a style more me. I’m still trying to figure it out which involves trying new things vs. a rigid structure. I want to bring personality into my wardrobe, not water it down. Getting dressed should be fun. Or overlooked to make room for something new. While also finding a balance with fast fashion. Such basic white bitch problems. lol.
Related: How I define a capsule wardrobe / 10x10 challenge / Style inspiration
Career
Design Professor at Grand Valley
It was my second year teaching design at GVSU this year. Spring semester I created an unorthodox exam for my students that they loved. The fall semester was a breeze as I had a lot of my systems in place from the prior year. I was in a groove. I loved seeing my students discover they were capable of pushing themselves to greater heights. Seeing them build confidence in their work & present projects eloquently remains one of my greatest joys.
Design lead on million-dollar+ tech startup events
In February I joined a San Francisco-based events team to aid in their design builds all over the world. I suppose million-dollar events don’t mean much at the corporate level but as a solo freelancer used to event budgets 30 times less than that, it was a big deal to me. Especially when it came to leading print orders totaling $70k+. You know those milestones when you’re like, “I’ve made it”? This was one of them for me. I was traveling to some of the newest & swankiest hotels to plan, curate, & create experiences for the tech industry. It was a wild ride with a kickass team of women who don’t take shit from anyone. It was an honor to work alongside each of them.
All I kept thinking was, if I never left the safe haven of the path everyone told me I should take 6 years ago, this would’ve never been possible. Take the chance, take the chance, take the chance.
Related: My design portfolio / The unpaved path
Last year was about contentment. This year was about boundaries. I talk about it in detail here. Basically, it was high time I have an open dialogue with myself; why is this bothering me, how does this person or scenario make me feel, how can I heal from hurt to find joy again? Once I started prioritizing healthy internal conversations, I was able to have honest ones with others. It isn’t easy or fun, but it’s necessary for your well-being. To be able to look around at your life, be proud of it, & grateful for the support group who’s in it. I’m closer to that because of 2019. Not a goal I would’ve made for myself but one I must’ve needed.
Word of the year: 2018 Contentment | 2017 Growth | 2016 Celebration
2020 Outlook
I’d love to travel to Ireland or Maine, pay off more debt, get my dream Jeep, & be outdoors more than I am indoors next year. I hope you've had a wonderful 2019. Best wishes for 2020! Let's all honor what we need within in order to give graciously to others. xo, Em
Best Nine 2019
Best Nine 2019
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. I enjoy seeing my grid at the end of each year. The results are a fun addition to the bigger story. Everyone approaches Instagram differently. I’ve changed my approach & mindset to the app a lot over the years. So, let’s dig in!
2019
5.2k likes in 90 posts
55 likes/post
I’ve increased likes/post each year since 2016. This year is an exception — my likes decreased by 30 per post. I’m proud of this. It means my time on Instagram was reduced. I disabled my account the first quarter of the year, was a private account for 6 months and removed 75% of accounts that didn’t bring me joy. A private account allowed me to decline friend requests from people I don’t know, avoid spam accounts, & remove accounts who follow to lurk and judge. I also didn’t give my students access to my personal account. Digital boundaries are important. It’s healthy, safe, and takes up less mind space.
Original photo via Schoolhouse
This year my top photos were warmer & brighter thanks to Liz Galvan’s LMB presets. Over 50% of the photos were personal moments — our dream of owning an A-frame someday, my love for Michigan and colored glass, our favorite wedding of the year (rosé very much included!), and Joel teasing me about my mirror pics. I’m pretty sure his single mirror pic was more popular than all of mine combined!
Kherington & I chatting at Lyon Street Café. Photo by Leigh Ann Cobb
The rest of the photos were career moments — my studio refresh, a celebration of 6 years as a freelance designer, and two dedicated to the annual women’s day event I co-host.
My main 2019 goal was more personal life, less career chasing. It’s fun to see my grid reflect my goals. Especially in the sense that everything was reduced. Less followers, less likes, and less screen time. More LIFE.
Maybe 2020 will bring me even less, so I can be present even more.
2020
In last year’s post I said, “…I recognize it's time for a mindset shift. I am BURNT. OUT.” I shifted my mindset in 2019 and I’m so happy with the results. If you’re an artist, small business, or anything visual to profit from your creativity, Instagram sucks you in big time. I stepped away and lost nothing I needed in terms of financial security or friendships. If anything, I received more in genuine friendship, career clarity, & a stronger sense of self.
In 2020 I hope to have more of the same. Instagram is so different now with paid partnerships, brand exposure, and retail sales. There’s great value in this but everything in moderation. What we see is how we translate our world. In the coming year I plan to follow accounts with unpopular opinions, strong messages, & inspiration. I’m not so concerned with my IG community. The people I spend real-life time with in all our messy humanness is my community. They are who make up my life. Who are there when life is joyful, tough, & ordinary. They remain my focus. I hope the same for you.
2018
15.5 likes in 177 posts
—
88 likes/post
2017
9.2k likes in 113 posts
—
81 likes/post
2016
3.1k likes in 95 posts
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33 likes/post
Enter your Instagram handle [here] to see your Best 9. It will generate your results within seconds. Pretty cool! What are you most proud of this year?
A Granddaughter's Memory
We travel to Grandpa & Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving. The traditional dinner at my parent's house recently moved North to account for my grandpa’s broken heart. My grandmother passed unexpectedly two years ago.
We make Thanksgiving as joyful as we can amidst the gaping hole without her at the head of the table. Mom and Dad fix the turkey. Stir the gravy. I make her famous green bread. We used to sneak it pre-meal as kids. My aunt brings the best pies in apple, pumpkin, and chocolate. We add the new tradition of mixing in memories of Grandma as we rinse, chop, and blend.
Grandpa sent me home with pictures from their 50+ years of life together. He gives generously to ensure her story continues in each of our books.
One of my chapters? Grandma's three-opal stone ring. I wore it on my wedding day. I feel her touch as I slip the ring on my finger. It fits perfectly. Her assortment of misfit stud earrings is another chapter. Maybe she figured I could make a statement with them. Or she knew I'm a horrible keeper of jewelry and misplace mine often.
One of my grandmother's chapters? Her father was a talented jeweler in the Upper Peninsula. He made his daughter the finest jewelry throughout the decades. She didn't need a special occasion to wear his finely crafted baubles. Each finger shone with a gemstone. Each ear glittered with stackable diamonds. It was a regular Tuesday.
Her stories piled high on the stones with every passing year, and she shared some of them with me. Slowly her beloved jewels were given to her granddaughters. Her most prized dispersed between her most prized, I hope.
I didn't know Grandma's jewels held a hidden message until now: things aren't merely things when they symbolize a family you are proud of. She crafted it into our family with the same precision my great grandfather chiseled into his coveted pieces. A message honored as we gather 'round the holiday table each year.
Trinkets are not welcomed lightly into my collection anymore. The costume jewelry of youth has been replaced with meaningful pieces to reflect the mission of Grandma's hidden message, like this pair of earrings I added to her misfits. I like to believe it would make her proud.
This one chapter of my grandma's life inspired a tradition I hope to pass on to future granddaughters if I am so lucky to have them. I call it A Grandmother's Tradition.
I hope they will stumble upon the message my grandmother left for me:
It is not the materials we take but the materials we give. Also, the ordinary can transform with a touch of glitz and glamour.
In memory of Grandma Victoria Lee. A woman who brought charm to her every day. She is still the most glamorous woman I know.
Bathroom Remodel: Phase 1
Image via Sophie Carpenter
You may have seen bits & pieces of my initial thoughts to remodel our bathroom on Instagram. Since then we’ve solidified our plan a lot more. We’ve talked about remodeling our bathroom for like 3 years! When I found the image above of Sophie Carpenter’s bathroom, I knew immediately the black tile floor was that ish I was looking for. It was also one of the few photos with a small floor plan in the same layout as our bath. It made me feel like, “We can totally turn our ugly bath into something beautiful. It does exist!”
A box of mermaid matches is our inspiration. I found these in Frankfort, Michigan.
Moon Lodge Bathroom Remodel
Deadline
April 2020
Phases
Design plan
Budget & materials
Schedule installs
Final touches
Inspiration
Mermaid matchbox from Northern Michigan
Phase 1: Design Plan
After a few weeks observing how we use our bathroom, taking measurements, & some initial research, the vibe has been set! The Scandinavian trend of clean lines, light elements, & minimalism is my starting point due to our small floor plan. It’s only 35 square feet (7’ L x 5’ W). I want our bath to feel warm & relaxing. It also needs to be durable — our little cottage tracks in a lot of sand, snow, dirt, bonfire smell, you name it. I focused on materials that will handle our messy lifestyle instead of trying to tame our mess.
Capiz Seashell Mirror via Hayneedle
Natural Textures
Textures like walnut, matte glaze, and seashell inspirations will mix to create warm layers. I want a walnut wall-hung cabinet with an under-mount sink. The floor tiles will be hexagon-shaped in a matte black glaze with subtle seashell influences throughout the space. Often a bath is decorated with water motifs but I want to push past that. I won’t be putting literal seashells everywhere but will focus on textural influences.
I’m surprised I’m leaning towards a traditional walnut stain vs. lighter wood tones that are popular right now. We have warmer wood floors throughout the house so the walnut will complement the rest of the house.
The hexagon floor tiles will be the star of the show and that’s the perfect amount with limited square footage.
Image via Pinterest
Shower & Tub
The shower & tub take up 1/3 of the space so it’s important we update this right. We went back & forth on just doing a standing shower to create more storage space or to keep the tub. We ultimately decided to get a new tub, remove cumbersome-to-clean glass panels, and update shower fixtures. Our bigger goal is to rent out the Moon Lodge to vacationers someday. When traveling, I love the little touches of luxury that allow me to unwind & relax. So, there was our answer.
I haven’t selected shower tiles yet. I know that I don’t want white subway tiles. However, I like the simplicity of rectangular tiles placed vertically. Whatever I choose they need to be at a great price point (lot of square footage to cover) and in a warm-toned, imperfect glaze. My dream would be to have zellige tile as we saw everywhere in Morocco but it isn’t in the budget (I’m still searching for a steal!).
Delta Tub & Shower Faucet via Home Depot
Fixtures
I LOVE this champagne bronze faucet from Delta but I’m going to play it safe — & budget-friendly — with the shower & sink faucets in matte black. It also matches other finishes throughout our space. I still want brass or bronze to warm up the space though, especially with the dark floors & one window. I want the vanity light in brass or bronze, which will match our brass-rimmed light in the adjacent hallway. Love when solutions click into place like that!
Walls
We know we’re going to put a fresh coat of paint on the walls but I haven’t decided if I want wainscoting or not. Pros would be: cabin vibes big time, can make a wider ledge the length of the wall for shelf storage, & less maintenance in the long run (?). Cons: Is the space too small to fit another texture layer? At 5’ wide, the width doesn’t have much wiggle room & I wonder if it will feel too cramped. I also really want to do moody, deep green walls but. However, with dark floors, finishes, & cabinet I think it could feel too small. Or it could feel super luxurious & comfy. I’m torn! There’s time to work through this as we go.
Palette
The palette is deep greens, mint, & nude tones. I’m trying to consider how all of these elements will be throughout the seasons. My first mood board for the bath was this Summer. It was an explosion of soft, sandy neutrals. The last time I painted the bathroom was a few winters ago. I chose a light blue because of a Robert Frost book cover I loved. Basically, I change my mind a lot. So I want to make sure my decisions have longevity since this is an overhaul. Paint color is easy to change.
Sarah Sherman Samuel puts monstera plants in the bathroom because they love humidity. I love how large Monstera are & their leaf shape so I plan to squeeze one in near the chimney (yes, our chimney is in the bathroom!) or the toilet.
Next Steps
There might be a few changes from this but I’m set on direction now. We’re 25% of the way there. The floor tiles will be on order early next week. I’m going to participate in Black Friday/Cyber Monday this year to scour deals on the larger items we’ll need.
After chatting with my dad & father-in-law, we’re going to gut the room to the studs & start fresh. We have a lot of updates we’re excited to make like dimmable lights in the shower & a heater for when you step out of the shower.
My Mom & Dad remodeled their bathroom so they’re familiar with the process. My dad & I are similar in our approach to projects. We’ve started planning electrical adds, tile work, & the install schedule. My father-in-law has built houses his entire life. He helps us with a lot of projects, including this one. It’s a family affair!
I didn’t show any Before pictures this time because it’s still so early in planning but maybe I’ll do some overlays to start filling in things we know? I’ll check-in here if you have any questions. Just ask! You can also ask in the comments & I’ll respond.
I’m excited to take you with us through this process as we go – I learn so much from following renovators; all the good, bad, & ugly! Hopefully this can help or inspire you if you’re planning a small bath reno soon.
Gratitude
Listen, we all have hard things. You’re going through one or a few right now. Me too.
The slowdown of the coming winter months brings plenty to the surface. It was easier to avoid in the fast-paced, hot days of summer. However, hard things are year-round.
Maybe in the slowdown, we recognize them more intensely. We sit with them longer as the day fades quicker & quicker. As if inviting them to a warm hearth. Stay awhile.
I now understand why gratitude is desperately needed this time of year. It is the greatest warrior for the wounded, and we are all wounded.
The heartbreak that builds in life means you are among the living. Gratitude for what is pure & true will give you strength.
Only then will you rise.
Photo by Leigh Ann Cobb
Sabbatical
My blog is many things; confidante, walk-in closet, workroom, cheerleader, podium.
One thing it is not? Consistent. Because life isn’t consistent. All of the stories that are not mine faded away when I acknowledged consistency isn't my purpose here. It left the story that is mine standing at the forefront. Crisp & clear.
So, where have I been? I’ve been teaching, traveling, running, kickboxing, visiting, saving. I’ve been on sabbatical from translating my life to make space for my life’s transformations.
Of course, translation & transformation can be in the same room together. They’re good friends who have established healthy boundaries. They know one another’s drink order & hobbies. When one needs solitude the other is ready to gather. Translation & transformation leave space for each other because they’ve learned together they make one whole.
I am not twitchy about these necessary shifts as I was in my early years of writing. I feared these gaps of not writing would make me irrelevant. All of this work would be meaningless & I, too, with it.
But the gaps are where all the juicy nourishment lives. It is in the unspoken, unseen, & undocumented where the sweetness lies for the writer, for the reader to eventually enjoy.
May I remember in the chaotic storm that is creation & inspiration — it is the gaps where we are reborn.
29
Is it weird to consider this a lost year already? Or a ghost year maybe. I'm in between being young without any responsibility and being old with a lot of it. There was all this time...before now. Now there is less of it. I had a decade of my twenties to get my shit together. As I enter the last year of them I wonder if I've only made more shit to sift through. But the purpose of life isn't to get through it. Before 29, I tackled life. I ran at it full force & tried to make it mine. I tried to own it, control it, mold it into a reality I could handle. A truth I could face. I want it? I got it. It's a helpful attitude for running a business. But life is malleable. It surprises, it throws curveballs. Shit happens. Your heart changes. Someone you love dies. It can be unfair & cruel in a split second. Life doesn't respond with a participation trophy.
Life is a reflection of how you show up with the time you have here on Earth. Everyone loves this metaphor when the reflection staring back is celebrating. Or when it is youthful. Sunkissed. A little buzzed. Where it gets interesting is when the reflection staring back is hard to face. Maybe you were the one that was wrong. Maybe you were the one who's trying to figure out where you fit in all of this. This being any number of things; family drama, relationships, a new team, a growing family, your community, whatever. Or maybe you love where you're at but when you look around there is no audience cheering you on. If no one sees a happy person uploaded, does a happy person exist? I can tell you with absolute certainty that yes, happy people do exist even if you don't see them.
I'm not talking about the bright white happiness we all consume yet know is bullshit. I'm also not talking about its opposite; inflated & triggering news that isolates, separates, & ostracizes. I'm talking about the dirt-under-your-fingernails kind of happy. The deep belly laughs only your brother can bring out in you kind of happy. The introducing your cousin to a passion of hers & showing her it is real kind of happy. The sharing the bed when you thought you'd only ever be a mattress hog kind of happy. The in-flight, airplane mode, how the hell am I above the clouds, kind of happy.
When I was in grade school my mom would take me back to school shopping around this time of the year. (This might seem like an immediate curtail from what I'm saying but stick with me. It's related, I assure you.) It was enough to have a first day of school outfit and some other items to fill in what I had grown out of over the last year. It would get to the big day and I wouldn't wear the new items. I'd keep them hung up with their tags in my closet for weeks. My mom noticed and asked, "Why aren't you wearing the new clothes we picked out for you?" To which I responded, "I don't want the newness to rub off. I don't want to tarnish them".
There's a phrase for this. It's called foreboding joy. It means putting off joy thinking if you let it seep out in little increments, it will never go away. You'll have stored up enough joy by holding off on feeling it so when the opposite rolls around, you'll have enough to combat the impending doom you're sure is coming for you.
So maybe year 29 is knowing challenges are inevitable regardless of how hard you try to be the best version of yourself. The challenge is not related to who you are as a person, challenge is a standard item that comes with living. It's inescapable. But holding off on expressing joy out of fear it will go away is only hurting one person's reflection. And it's the one that needs to matter most to you. The bravest thing you can do is look yourself in the eye – in moments of both challenge & joy. To another revolution around the sun.
May it be a good one. xo, Em
July | Life Lately
Life lately in tune with the monthly full moon cycle.
July – August 2019 Full Moon
The dog days of summer are in full force. I've been saying this to Joel over the last week; we're lethargic and ornery yet trying to be optimistic & laugh through our heat-driven moods. Never should a Michigander complain of a warm summer, legend says it brings on worse winters. ;) Anyway, I kept saying this to him. Lo' and behold July 3 – August 11 are factually the dog days of summer because the Sun occupies the same region of the star Sirius during this time. Sirius is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog, hence the reference to canines in the phrase. I love to run in this heat and I love how it slows everyone down, if only for a blip in the fun chaos of summer activities.
*This is the last full moon of Year 2 of my Full Moon Monthly posts! Jump to the bottom for what's next in Year 3*
Recommended book: The 13 Original Clan Mothers by Jamie Sams
July
Some readers could relate to this photo of my Dad & I circa 1990's on Instagram
Lake Time
Speaking of heat, it's not all that bad when you're nearby water. We don't have air conditioning so getting to the water is also survival for us! ha. Luckily our cottage is a few blocks away from a little beach and we have a neighborhood access ramp to the water. Whether it's swimming after the workday ends or taking our kayak's through the bayous, I'm looking forward to a lot of water time this month.
The hotel hosting my client's event is absolutely stunning
Back to Seattle
I went to Seattle this Spring for a client's event and am heading back there this month to work through the final details. I'm going one more time in September to produce the event with the team. It's going to be a quick trip and then I'm visiting one of my dearest friends in Chicago the weekend I'm back. Looking forward to both since Summer is usually a lot of studio time.
This outfit was part of my Summer 10x10 last summer 2018. One of the places in our home I like to read.
My 29th Birthday
Last year of my 20's is just around the corner. I get reflective around my birthday every year but this one I feel like I'm reflecting even earlier than usual. Something about saying goodbye to an entire decade feels monumental. Leave it to me that there's still an entire year of 29 before needing to think about 30 but here I am with all the existential questions. :P My birthday weekend we'll be in my hometown with my family; loose plans are to run a 5K and catch a minor league baseball game, my Dad's Father's Day gift from all of us. I'm excited for the time together!
June
One of the areas in our backyard where we power washed the fence, put down fresh mulch & perennials of the fescue variety.
House Projects Plan
The more we dig into house projects, the less I believe any photo in the glossies or Pinterest is just a simple DIY. Maintenance alone is no easy task. Then to add on making changes that you want vs. need? AND have it feel beautiful and all your own? It's a shit show people! Doling out mad respect for interior designers and landscapers every time I pull yet another sneaky weed. Everything has taken us twice as long as we thought but we've been chipping away at our landscaping on nights & weekends and I really love how it's coming along. Working on a home project with your spouse is probably the best form of marriage counseling there is.
Studio headshot by Leigh Ann Cobb
Business Updates
I'm proud of what was accomplished for my business last month. It was a lot of administrative tasks that needed to be executed that I finally dedicated the time to do. I'm a classic case of just wanting to do fun design stuff for clients and all the other hullabaloo gets backseat. Not anymore, I'm starting to find a good balance between the left & right brain functions needed to run a business, and to ask for help from others with the tasks that are my weakness or that I want to improve upon. Now I'm working on my design portfolio (live Fall/Winter 2019!) with a fun team to start showing all the work I've been doing, AKA the fun stuff!
Greatest Fourth in the North 5K race, an almost annual tradition for the Bode's!
Half-marathon Training
I'm running a half marathon this fall with a wonderful friend of mine. She's been the best workout buddy since I met her a few years ago and now we're going to train for a half with the aid of Joel's awesome training schedule (he's running it too). I ran a half 7 years ago and woah, training for this one is so not the same. My body's changed and I'm not as active as I was at 22. I'm starting to be more active again and it's a part of myself that slipped away for a while. Hi, happy active Em, glad you're back. Missed you! I ran a 4th of July race with Joel & one of my brothers-in-law and have another coming up with my Dad & brother. We'll see how it goes.
What's next for Full Moon Monthly
This is a wrap on year 2 of Full Moon Monthly! I'm still deciding how I want to do Year 3. I'm thinking more of the same but with a different image style or graphic elements. More to come with next month's full moon. :) I started this monthly series in August 2017 to recap life currently based on the cycles of the moon. You can see all full moons here or Years 1 & 2 listed below:
Year 1: Full Moon Monthly
August Sturgeon Moon | September Corn Moon | October Harvest Moon | November Frost Moon | December Cold Moon | January Wolf Moon | January Blue Moon | March Crow Moon | March Blue Moon | April Pink Moon | May Flower Moon | June Honey Moon | July Thunder Moon (not pictured)
Full Moon Monthly recaps life lately and what’s on the horizon. See all moons here.
Everything has to change
“Everything has to change so that everything can stay the same.”
I read this in my current beach read. The quote is from the film Il Gattopardo, a story about the decline of the aristocracy in Italy after the Risorgimento of the 1860s. It stopped me in my tracks for how true the phrase rings. We are uncomfortable with change. It's an inevitable part of life yet entire industries have been built on trying to avoid it (think: any product for aging women).
I have never enjoyed change yet can turn to specific moments where it was the catalyst to a truer journey; quitting my studio job to pursue creative independence, moving from a bayou rental to owning a cottage near the lake, going to therapy to unearth a deep wound and all the healthy boundaries that blossomed from the digging. Why the friction with change? A more solvable question: How can we live with it? How can we work through the discomfort & the friction?
My answer has always been to create – writing to work through the challenge or to let the pain seep out in a beautiful way. Sometimes it's lettering quotes, or sketching out dreams, or reading about people I admire. Friction is unavoidable. What you do with it makes all the difference.
Most deceased artists I read about are legends now but when living they were ostracized from their families or communities. The way they chose to live was different than what was common for the time. They believed something was wrong with "the way it's always been". Instead of abiding by oppressive rules, they dedicated their lives to changing the rule. I wouldn't have the right to vote if it wasn't for people refusing to accept their current climate and I wouldn't have a fruitful career if it weren't for women before my time demanding a rightful change.
There is a multitude of other rules with pillars of people standing behind every positive change that has been made. Maybe they weren't artists by definition but observing, expressing, & documenting life from different angles is art in the truest sense.
The goal is not to tread lightly with your life so others are happy with you. Chances are they won't be happy with your attempt anyway. Contorting yourself to fit into another person's box carefully crafted to benefit only themselves will not do you any justice in your life. Don't stir the pot for the sake of stirring the pot but don't live small just to be patted on the head for being "a good little girl".
Change is unlearning a lot of rules & expectations placed upon me that I didn't have a say in making. I'm rewriting the script, it is mine after all. Just like your script is yours. If you're not happy with the way your story is unfolding, you need to change it. You're the only one who can. The only person who needs to be proud of their life is you.
Sometimes, everything has to change so that everything can stay the same.
Photo by Leigh Ann Cobb
June | Life Lately
Life lately in tune with the monthly full moon cycle.
June – July 2019 Full Moon
Summa summa summa time. Even though it's Summer it doesn't feel like it. I don't know if it's the Spring travel throwing me off, a new routine (yet again), or the rainy Michigan weather but I haven't sunk into the Summer season yet. I was home for about a week in May which is a lot of time away for a homebody & her needy pup! So far this month has been getting back home & recovering from all the stimulation; getting back to a daily routine, catching up with friends & family, and catching up on sleep.
Recommended book: The 13 Original Clan Mothers by Jamie Sams
June
Photo by Erin Williamson Design / Seen on Fireclay Tile
House projects plan
Joel & I are more than ready to get going on projects around our home which we've lovingly named The Moon Lodge. We've lived in our little cottage by the lake for 5 years. It's time to make some updates! The picture above is one of many inspirations I'm using for a washroom moodboard; it's similar in layout to our tiny washroom. It makes me hopeful we can redo ours. Not in a Chip & Jo kind of way, or a Pinterest kind of way, but a real version kind of way – which will probably come with a lot of arguments & tears. Haha, it'll be interesting.
My studio desk is always changing but this is probably my favorite set-up of it so far.
Business Updates
I'm officially a Michigan LLC, y'all! I've been self-employed since 2014 and what a roller coaster 5 years it's been. When my last name changed I needed to update my business name and all that comes with it. Done and done. Other business owners keep telling me how easy it is to register an LLC and have all of your taxes in order. Love their optimism but that's not how it happens for me. The number of confused looks I get at the county building, the bank, on the phone with my CPA, etc. etc. is hilarious. I should write a book about it. Or at least a blog post. Anyways, this month I'm getting all my business ducks in order, organizing, & have some fun things planned to finish out the year.
The Keep Cup we designed for the employee summit. I've been using it at all the coffee shops & love how it's reduced my disposable cup usage.
Co-working
I've started to co-work with a friend once a week at a local coffee shop. We've set a weekly day & time to keep us accountable. So far, it's been my most productive day of the week. We're in completely different industries and roles within our respective companies. It's nice to have those differences throughout the workday. We can vent to each other & no one takes it personally because we're not invested in the outcome of each other's companies. The accountability has been key for me & I look forward to it each week.
May
(1) Welcome Reception at Banger's. (2) My first ride on an e-scooter. Highly recommend Uber's scooter JUMP. The fastest, cheapest, most reliable, & lights up at night! of all the scooter options (& there are a lot in Austin!).
Employee Summit in Austin, Texas
The first event for the software company I'm contracting for is in the books! It was a whirlwind in the best of ways. It was so gratifying to see everything I designed in the Winter come to fruition in the space. I observed how conference attendees were interacting, what was a positive experience for them, and things I can do next time to improve their experience of navigating a multi-floor, week-long event. I came home feeling on top of the world, inspired by Austin, and loving the kind of work I get to do. Oh, & I tried e-scooters for the first time and LOVED it. They're so fun!
(1) Mom & Audrey at Kate's baby shower. Loved having an entire day with them. (2) Tiger & I with Joel at the secret brewery I selfishly won't share.
Wedding & Baby Showers
Immediately after I flew home from Austin, we drove to my hometown for my best friend’s baby shower and other best friend's wedding shower. I went to both of them with my other best friend...I'm lucky to have a lot of best friends :). It was a day full of the closest friends I've had since high school, the only girlfriends I'm still in touch with from high school, and this weekend reminded me why. We ended the day at our favorite brewery that I don't even want to share because I love it so much & want to keep it all to myself. ;) Thank God for Joel who took care of me in my exhausted loopiness, it was a wild ride. Haha.
Joel & I the weekend we were back from our Morocco & Spain trip. First sunset over the lake of the season!
Beach volleyball
Volleyball season has officially begun! We won our first game & had a blast. We play right next to Lake Michigan every week then go for pizza & beer afterward usually. To me, it's just the epitome of Summer & I look forward to it every week, callouses & all!
Full Moon Monthly recaps life lately and what’s on the horizon. See all moons here.
May | Life Lately
Life lately in tune with the monthly full moon cycle.
May – June 2019 Full Moon
We are home from 2 weeks of traveling abroad that feels like we were a lifetime away. I am changed yet can't articulate even to myself how so. But the moon continues to revolve around the Earth regardless of where we sit on this planet and so too can the full moon monthly post continue despite me not wanting to write much right now.
Recommended book: The 13 Original Clan Mothers by Jamie Sams
May
(1) I've been living out of my carry-on lately (2) The event team I'm part of (3) Champagne courtesy of the hotel hosting the event!
Employee Summit in Austin, Texas
I'm going back to Austin to help with an employee summit for the software company I'm contracting for. This event has been 6 months in the making and now it is here! I'm excited to see how all of the signage, materials, presentations, and overall look of the space comes together after envisioning how it will be for so long. I've had great reminders leading up to the event that it's natural everything won't go perfectly to plan no matter how hard you try. You prepare, do your absolute best & that is all you can do. Learn from it, grow from it, ENJOY it.
Summer Wedding Invitations
Working with Heyday Lab on another gorgeous summer wedding. We made letterpress invitations with a translucent overlay of foliage that will match the day-of wedding florals. The feel of the letterpress & envelopes on the chosen velvety white paper is just stunning. I love how a simple black and white invite can be elevated to luxury with the letterpress printing technique. Next up I'm making all the signage & print materials for the day of the wedding. More black & white script on the horizon for me, my favorite!
Beach Volleyball!
I can't wait for beach volleyball to start again this year. Last year was our first year playing on a co-ed league at the beach. We were amateurs for sure and didn't know the rules half the time. The other teams had to teach us about every game, haha, but that's the fun of it really. We're back for year 2 and I'm excited about listening to music, watching the sunset over the water, and hanging out with good friends.
April
Morocco & Spain
We took literally 1,000 photos of our two weeks abroad. We went to Casablanca and Chefchaoen in Morocco & then Tarifa, Cadíz, Monachil, Granada, & Madrid in Spain. As I mentioned above, it was a life-changing trip I can't describe. I have no words for how important, powerful, humbling, & awe-inspiring it all was. We're so grateful to Joel's friend and his wife for being on the trip the first part of the week with us. No clue how we would've navigated & enjoyed the different places without them. In fact, it's because of them the trip was even possible! Unforgettable. :)
Design class final exam
The final exam for my students was to host a portfolio event. I let them choose what they wanted their final exam to be. Once they believed I was serious, this is what they came up with. They were divvied up into different groups to plan for the event; everything from a brand team to project management, print, digital marketing, and a keynote presentation team. They did an amazing job with the creative brief and I could tell they felt truly empowered to have hosted their first event and took a lot of pride & responsibility in the outcome of it. It was a wonderful way to wrap up a semester full of hard work!
BeautyCounter Makeup
I jumped on the clean beauty bandwagon (again) after learning a lot more about health & wellness as one of Diane Teall's Root Cause Reset clients this Winter. I figure I've been working so much on healing my insides with whole food that I might as well treat myself to healing the outside. I found a chin hair, A CHIN HAIR!, the other day so obviously, wrinkles and age spots and menopause are next. :P I'm loving the BeautyCounter cleansing balm & tinted moisturizer foundation the most. Not a fan of the mascara, it doesn't have enough oomph. My everlasting search for natural deodorant also continues but I'm liking Primally Pure's lavender option so far.
Full Moon Monthly recaps life lately and what’s on the horizon. See all moons here.
April | Life Lately
Life lately in tune with the monthly full moon cycle.
April – May 2019 Full Moon
The last month has flown by and the next moon cycle will continue the same way. I'm in survival mode. Or maybe I'm in the present mode, which is the ultimate goal anyway. :) These monthly moon posts are all I have time for. I love these posts because it's time for myself. So much of my schedule is dedicated to other projects and people right now. I'm not journaling publicly much right now but there is a lot going on I hope to write about soon. Maybe this Summer when my schedule changes again. This moon is a Blue Moon because it's the second full moon in Libra season. Libra has a lot to do with our relationships and cleaning house with those relationships we want to balance out and those we're ready to let go of. I've forgiven a lot of people I've been holding anger towards for things that happened YEARS AGO. We hold on until we let go, yes? Time isn't a factor. I feel lighter. This is opportune timing because traveling lightly is so freeing & I'm about to be doing a lot of that.
Recommended book: The 13 Original Clan Mothers by Jamie Sams
April
One of my students receiving feedback from a design professional at International Women's Day Co-work 2019 | Photo by Sincerely Ashley
Winter design class is done
The semester has come to an end. My students are preparing for their final exam as we speak (hopefully ;)). I'm so proud of how far they've come this year and where they're going. At the beginning of each semester I ask each student the question, What is one thing you want to get out of this semester? It is valuable for me so I can do my best to help the students reach their goal and it's valuable for them to verbalize what they're seeking. So often we don't say what we want & then are bummed we're not where we intended to be. But if we can voice it, we will seek it naturally, or it will seek us. Much the way I received the opportunity to teach in the first place. :)
Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca | Photo by Amor for Travel
Chefchaouen, Morocco | Photo by Kathmandu & Beyond
Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain | Photo by Away & Far
The Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain | Photo by The Every Girl
Morocco & Spain
We're heading to Morocco & Spain! This trip has been six months in the making. It's our first trip abroad. I'm a ball of nerves & Joel is so READY. I'm so excited for time away with our friends who live in Casablanca and to immerse ourselves in new cultures. We are literally counting down the days.
March
Financial Planning Dates
The debt-free dates continue. It's more fun when you call them "dates", like something to look forward to. :P We're about 4 months into actively tackling our debt and phew, it's fucking hard! I made a private Instagram for us to track our progress. It's super helpful to see where we started and how we're progressing. Especially on days we feel like quitting. Our vacation will be a nice break but ultimately we keep reminding ourselves it will be worth it to lighten our load so we can get on with the dreams & goals we have that require an investment.
Seattle, WA
It was a whirlwind 4-day trip to Seattle for work. The city looks so different since I was last there 7 years ago. Not necessarily for the better in my opinion but the space I'll be working in is STUNNING. I was able to spend time with my cousin and his girlfriend and their cute kitty. It had been a while since I'd seen him and felt so good to be with family after full days of work. If you follow me on Instagram you saw Joel holding down the fort with his mirror pics. haha. He just melts me.
Seattle recs: Anchorhead Coffee | Capitol Hill Neighborhood | Hula Hula Karaoke Lounge
Newsletter Sign-up
Before we know it, it's going to be the Summer season. It's the best time to be in Michigan and anywhere near a cottage &/or a lake. Issue 04 of the Creative Grace newsletter will be sent out for the summer solstice in June. Sign up for some curated summer inspiration that won't ask you to do anything or try to sell you anything. :) Not sure?
Read a few samples: Issue 01: Fall | Issue 02: Winter | Issue 03: Spring
Full Moon Monthly recaps life lately and what’s on the horizon. See all moons here.
A Studio Refresh for Spring
Some of you already know about my studio refresh if you follow me here. But that part of the story doesn't do the space justice. I stepped away from my studio for a few months during the Holidays out of frustration and impatience; a clear sign that I was exhausted and needed a break. I'm not so good at knowing when I need to step away (as I sit here watching my favorite golden hour set behind me) but I'm getting better.
Since I spend so much time in my studio, it was time to give it some TLC and bring in some comforts and coziness. The quickest way to both: pillows! I read somewhere pillows are the adult's version of stuffed animals. I love pillows to bring in texture while sticking with the same color palette and just changing up the sizes with subtle patterns to blend in with solid colors.
Lately, I start my morning writing amidst all the pillows. Then I get ready for the day, check my project tracker for what to work on first, and get started on each task. Easing into the morning has been a game-changer for me – it was something never "allowed" in past office jobs so I'm grateful for the freedom to choose my schedule. Knowing your rhythm is what makes you more productive, not having a required time to start your day. I also get up a bit earlier to have more time for myself.
With each space in our cottage, I like to feel things out before committing. It drives Joel mad sometimes (like how we still don't have many pictures or prints framed on our walls after 4 years of being here) but you have to listen to what a room is telling you it needs, right? One thing was obvious, I needed a large desk. Joel installed a large butcher block slab of wood that runs the length of one wall held up by sturdy piping. Leaving it open underneath feels airier with a shelf above for storage. There's also an anti-fatigue mat hidden under the rug because I switch between standing and sitting on my captain chair (Joel's term). A little footstool adds more coziness and reminds me of the Beauty and the Beast footstool that acts like a dog.
A few baskets for loose ends and washi tape to moodboard my wall per project helps keep it organized but flexible. I used to think to be a graphic designer meant working in a blank space with cool tones, hard lines, and strictly black and white everything. But those spaces never led me to creativity. It felt impersonal, cold, and the furthest away from being able to focus. I'm happy I've finally dropped these ideas that being a graphic designer can only be done one kind of way.
I love the warm, bright, feminine tones that are in my studio now. Little butterfly placemats, a moon poster from my sister-in-law and touches of seashell-toned picture frames with photos that remind me why I do this. I think my studio will always be a work in progress, the way that an artist is always discovering new layers of the world or the world within them. See more studio inspiration and my studio wish list for spring!
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Rest But Don't You Quit
I had grand plans for some posts coming up on spring style, creativity, and new lettering & design work but guess what happened?
Life.
I've had a few hard reminders this past year and because I'm not great at asking for help and don't like sharing heavy things you haven't heard much about it. All is ultimately well but I'll be away from this little corner of mine for the next few weeks – I have a couple of big projects that require full attention and being fully present with some promises I've kept to friends & family.
I've been reading and reflecting A LOT on how I want my business to grow and just what is going on with our Life at the moment? Maybe some other Enneagram 1's or Perfectionists can relate to this mindset of needing to slow down and reflect before you implode?
One of the things I love about this space carved out here is it's this little safe place for me to explore, wonder, and create with you. It's truly changed my life in so many ways I can't quite fathom. This quote resonates with me right now and I'm going to take the next few weeks to do that.
“If you get tired learn to rest not to quit.”
The old Emily would have none of this. There was no quitting or resting. Only pushing on, getting better, doing more. Work, work, work. I accomplished many tasks I'm proud of but my body, mind, and soul are a bit weary from all work and no play. I owe it to myself to give myself rest and to be intentional with my days. If this is something that's been on your back burner lately too, maybe this can be a reminder for you too.
Celebrating the slower pace of life is one of the reasons I started a quarterly newsletter. A final quote that touched me & made me retreat with grace for the moment:
“I want first of all — in fact, as an end to these other desires — to be at peace with myself. I want a singleness of eye, a purity of intention, a central core to my life that will enable me to carry out these obligations and activities as well as I can. I want, in fact — to borrow from the language of the saints — to live “in grace” as much of the time as possible. I am not using this term in a strictly theological sense. By grace I mean an INNER HARMONY, ESSENTIALLY SPIRITUAL, which can be translated into OUTWARD HARMONY.”
Happy Spring Equinox! May you soak it all up. xo, Em
March | Life Lately
Life lately in tune with the monthly full moon cycle.
March – April 2019 Full Moon
March took off so quickly I barely noticed we're halfway through the month already! The Winter was intentionally slow giving me much needed energy for this Spring. There is A LOT going on with travel and work. I'm so pumped but also doing my best not to burn out which is new for me sadly. :P Lately I'm balancing a fresh routine based on personal & career changes, tackling financial goals, & trying not to spend my hard-earned budget on end-of-season winter coats and kitchen gadgets. It hasn't been easy. :P I'm very good at rationalizing purchases for our cottage, especially this time of year.
Recommended book: The 13 Original Clan Mothers by Jamie Sams
March
Financial Planning Dates
Joel and I have been doing this all winter. We plan to continue until we're debt-free. We have financial dates a couple of times a month to keep track of our budget, goals, expenses. Joel loves it. I look for the nearest bottle of wine every. single. time. It's actually been great to work on this together and see our student loan debt dwindle. It isn't fun but we try to make it better by going to places like Sidebar, a new coffee shop near us by the lake. It will be fun when we can start saving for some big dreams we have. Little by little, we're getting there.
Seattle, WA
I'm heading to Seattle for work this moon cycle. The last time I was there was during college to visit my friend who interned at Starbucks HQ at the time. It was a week of visiting with her, getting kicked out of Starbucks’ super-secret design studio, climbing Mt. Rainier, a day at Bainbridge Island, and scenic views of Puget Sound. Any recommendations for the Northwest?!
Image via Carlay Page
Going to Morocco!
Oh yeah, we're also going to Morocco and Southern Spain soon. :) In celebration of Joel's 30th birthday, we're going to visit good friends there and soak in our first big international trip. I've been a planning fiend and heavy into researching all the possibilities while we're there, as well as travel tips from all the travel bloggers and my well-traveled friends. I would love to stay at the Riad Jardin Secret in Marrakech thanks to The Joshua Tree House recap of their stay. We're keeping North to account for Spain though so...next time! ;)
February
Images by Sincerely Ashley
International Women's Day Co-work 2019
I'm speechless over how magical the International Women's Day Co-work turned out. It was a day full of many emotions and layers for me. To see my vision of the event unfold and be more than I could've imagined was humbling and deeply special. I hope everyone had a great time! Ashley took great photos of the day and has plans for similar events called Go|Co. Keep a lookout if you missed this one!
Studio Refresh
You may have already seen this since I was venting, haha, but I made an impromptu decision to refresh my studio recently — AKA standing in the aisle at Home Goods taking pillows off the shelf, putting them back, picking them up again. My studio needed TLC badly since we moved back to the lake. There were such good vibes this day too. It started with Sunday gospel music, drinking my salted fat mocha by Lake Michigan, just taking in the beauty of where we live. I've been so cozy & productive since this refresh with a renewed energy towards my Spring projects. WORTH IT.
Moodboard for Creative Grace, Spring 2019 Issue
Creative Grace Issue 03
Speaking of projects, my newsletter is a quarterly digital publication to celebrate the season. Alas, Spring! Subscribe to Creative Grace now to be on the list in time for Issue 03, launching on the Spring Equinox. It will come right to your inbox, a little Spring Fever to look forward to.
Full Moon Monthly recaps life lately and what’s on the horizon. See all moons here.
Inspired by: Floral patterned pants
I found these floral patterned pants on a whim one day. It was a few weeks before Spring, the most tempting time for me to like things I usually don't and buy things I rarely ever will. These floral patterned pants are a testament to a little window of time that is always fun and deeply needed.
Wide-leg pattern by Blaire of Atlantic-Pacific
The first time I wore them was on International Women's Day. It was still freezing but the sun came out for the first time in weeks so I thought, "yes, white linen is a very good idea". I tip-toed through the melted snow that had turned to muddy water on the curbs and sidewalks to reach my destination.
Anthropologie Spring Collection. Love the soft feminine pattern & length.
I was welcomed into a warm space with good company. The doubts about adding a new pattern to my wardrobe lingered no longer. The conclusion I came to is, you don't have to be so sensical about everything. So linen is the absolute worst fabric to wear in 30°F weather. We know this. But who cares really? Sometimes the very best you can do is ignore the rules.
Stripe & floral combo like Erea of All That She Wants
It's this reason alone I love floral-patterned pants for the Spring season. Not only are they playful, bright, and energetic but when I wear mine, I am intentionally breaking my own silly rules. I think I need another pair or two.
See my Spring style moodboard for more inspiration. Shop my floral pants here.
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February | Life Lately
Life lately in tune with the monthly full moon cycle.
February – March 2019 Full Moon
The January–February moon cycle is consistently the HARDEST cycle for me so needless to say I'm glad we made it through. Negative temps, a week-long head cold, and cabin fever vibes big time. Boo! But a lot of great things happened too and I'm excited for what's ahead. February is Black History Month, these are some great accounts I recommend to refresh your feed to go beyond just this month: White Girl Learning for great book recommendations, Rachel Cargle for a true history lesson each day, and Red Table Talk, a multi-generational talk show of relevant conversations on culture and our current landscapes. Learning lights me up. It naturally teaches empathy, connection, & understanding. I'm getting that in spades lately and it feels really good.
Recommended book: The 13 Original Clan Mothers by Jamie Sams
February
Photo by Handlettering by Ky / Tifani Lyn
GR Mag Wedding Profile
The February issue of Grand Rapids Magazine is now in print! If you're local, look for it at your favorite coffee shop. I wrote Tips and Trends for the 2019 Wedding Season on best practices for planning the menu, along with receptions trends I'm seeing for the wedding season this year. It's cheeky and fun and I loved working with Ginger Bakes and Tifani Lyn for the content.
Image by HZ Photo
International Women's Day Co-work
I'm linking up with Ashley of Sincerely Ashley for International Women's Day again this year – March 8, mark your calendars! We're planning a fun local event for women in the community to work together for the day at a new place in town. If you're interested, shoot me a note. More details coming soon. See last year's IWD here.
Image via Sacree Frangine
Creative Grace Issue 03
How are we already here?! It seems like yesterday I was putting together the Winter Issue of Creative Grace and here we are ramping up for Spring. Music to my ears, we are SO CLOSE to brighter days, friends! Subscribe to Creative Grace now to be on the list in time for Issue 03, launching on the Spring Equinox in mid-March. It will come right to your inbox, a little Spring celebration to look forward to.
January
Winter Fun
When Joel and I started dating, he made it his mission to have me fall in love with winter. It was a huge undertaking considering I spent my childhood winters in heated, brightly lit gyms playing basketball. I didn't even own a pair of winter boots! About 10 years later and Joel's getting somewhere. :P We've snowboarded in the freshest pow I've ever seen, community bonfires in town, a full week of snow days cuddled inside watching new shows and The Grammy's and have walked lake trails with Tiger in the soul-reviving fresh air and fallen snow. Our lake cottage
Root Cause Reset with Ditea Wellness
Still on the RCR train with Diane. I keep talking about it because it's truly been a health journey of ups and downs, new habits, lessons, and getting to know ME. I'm learning so much about whole foods, fatty proteins, digestion, my cycle, and fun products to keep it interesting. Like this bright pink pill purse that holds my supplements now. This last month I've tried new recipes, am getting into a grocery crawl routine, scouting stores with my favorite products, and observing how managing stress is my biggest battle. Oh and Diane's salted fat mocha recipe is a GAME. CHANGER. You must try it!
Austin, TX
I've joined an amazing event team for a tech company and am helping with their summer event in Austin. We went to great restaurants after each workday and I've come home with new energy completely inspired by the Austin vibes. I'll be putting together more visual inspiration and sharing here soon. I mean look at those turquoise subway tiles! Swoon.
Full Moon Monthly recaps life lately and what’s on the horizon. See all moons here.
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.
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January | Life Lately
Life lately in tune with the monthly full moon cycle.
January – February 2019 Full Moon
Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! A very good Monday for the full winter moon to fall on. The days have been slow but I'm grateful for them. Just chipping away at goals, visiting with family and friends, starting Winter semester teaching design at Grand Valley, reading a lot, and watching State basketball a couple of times a week. There have been a few sunny days that trick me into thinking we're closer to spring than we actually are. On those days, I remind myself it will be here soon enough and try to soak in what's right in front of me.
Recommended book: The 13 Original Clan Mothers by Jamie Sams
January
Photo by Samantha James / Cake by Ginger Bakes
Grand Rapids Magazine Wedding Feature
I wrote an article for Grand Rapids Magazine for their annual wedding section. Hard copies will be out this month so if you're local, check it out! I can't say just yet the exact topic but I can tell you life continues to amaze me with the way a seemingly roundabout and screwy path somehow all makes sense when you look back on it.
Root Cause Reset with Ditea Wellness
I'm about 1 month into my 3-month nutrition program with Diane. It's hard to express how life-changing it's already been! You never hear much with health-related programs that these programs only work if you do. Diane has been an AMAZING coach, mentor, teacher, and hype woman as she likes to say and I highly recommend her if you're in a similar place of unhappiness with food & lifestyle habits. However, you need to be ready to commit to it just as much as your coach if not more to take what you're learning and make the change. This is the underlying insight I've found so far. That and a shrimp kale salad I made that is THE BEST I EVER HAD. More about my 1st grocery crawl here.
Self-care for creatives / Ditea Wellness / Shrimp Kale salad recipe
Austin, TX
I'm heading to Austin, Texas this moon cycle. It's a bit too fresh for me to share all the details right now but it's an opportunity I'm super excited for! Joel & I went to Austin a couple of years ago and I only took a photo of the State Capitol. Seriously, only 1 photo during our couple days stay. haha. Any restaurant recommendations or places I need to visit?!
December
New Year
We rang in 2019 with good friends playing board games and Euchre. The weather turned icy around midnight so we stayed cozy at our friends' house talking about what we were hoping for this next year and laughing and celebrating while playing cards around the kitchen table. We dressed up for the heck of it and then quickly changed into more comfy clothes after the ball dropped on TV. It was a wonderful way to thank the last year and welcome the new one.
Joel's Trail Race
I have to brag on my man for a second. Joel placed 2nd for a 10K trail run a week after the holidays! He wasn't familiar with the route and had only run a few times leading up to the race. So yeah, he rocks. While he ran, I hung out in a warm lodge nearby reading my book, writing, & getting my nutrition forms filled out. We all have the things we enjoy.
No Drink January
We're halfway through 31 days of no alcohol. We thought we were the only ones doing a challenge like this. After telling a few friends, acquaintances, and coworkers about it, we discovered we're not the only ones. A lot of people are doing it and it's kind of a thing, I guess? It's called Dry January. I had no idea. Either way, it kind of sucks. Haha. I was optimistic to start. I enjoy more restful sleep, mental clarity, and energy. Now that I feel more balanced and like we've taken a good break, I'd enjoy a cold one any time now.
Full Moon Monthly recaps life lately and what’s on the horizon. See all moons here.