Emily Bode 9/21/17 Emily Bode 9/21/17

Seasonal Edit | Moody Tones & Staying Home

Seasonal Edit: Fall

This seasonal edit focuses on darker hues (still neutrals, you know me), soft fabrics, and the art of slowing down. I have a special place in my heart for fall. It's a great time to reflect, relax, and enjoy the harvest after a long season of hard work and challenges. Even though it feels we're going through an Indian Summer right now, I'm loving the first day of fall. The Autumn Equinox, a day where the amount of daylight and darkness are equal. The best teacher of balance is the nature we live in, yes?

Oyster

Indian summer days call for lighter fabrics that can be easily layered for morning and night. I love this light beige hue because it reminds me of the ocean grays of the Northeast coast. I like layering similar shades with different textures so adding a little sparkle with the necklace is enough to make this basic outfit have a bit of bling.

Shop the look: tank (similar) / shorts / hat

Seafoam

I'm anxiously awaiting bonfire nights. A soft sweater, jeans, and a baseball cap are my go-to. Do you love the bonfire smell that lingers or do you hate it? I love having the scent of a great bonfire linger the next day. So much I even got a candle called Campfire because I miss our bonfire pit so much.

Shop the look: sweater (similar) / Madewell jeans / Lake Day hat / moccasins (similar) / camo jacket (thrifted)

Cinnamon

I've worn this burnt orange slip dress a couple of times and love it as a fall transition piece for weddings or outdoor events with a jacket. Gold details make it feel warm like the Fall golden hour that I love and make me think of my mom and friend who got the bangles for me.

Shop the look: slip dress (similar) / wedges (similar) / Brave bracelet

Books & Letters

Fall essentials for me are all about slowing down. It's crazy how challenging it is to slow down lately, isn't it? Scrolling through your phone on the couch doesn't count by the way. I'm definitely guilty of it and feel like I have to be intentional about slowing down for overall mental wellness. I'm trying to incorporate more solitary acts of slowing down this season. Books will always be a part of this for me.

I'm going to try writing more snail mail (thanks for sharing how you do this Ginger!). I don't know how many times I've said I feel like I'm in such a busy season of life right now but it isn't getting any slower. I hope more reading on the balcony and writing letters on Sunday helps calm my mind.

Tea

Totally bought this for the design but the tea is really good too. Hot. Cinnamon. Sunset. What a beautiful name for the fall. If you like sweeter tea with cinnamon and clove flavors, you're going to love this. Hot tea with a book and a cozy blanket is what my fall dreams are made of. I hope the weather will let this vision come true this season. Also got a great recommendation from a friend to reuse the tin as a succulent pot when I'm done with it and had to share. Such a good idea to keep the beauty of this tin around!

Staying Home

We've had a lot of full summer weekends so I'm looking forward to staying home more this season. And not staying in our small apartment only – we'd drive each other mad – but I more mean enjoying the town we live in instead of traveling elsewhere.

"What do you wanna do?"

"I don't know what do you wanna do?"

"I don't know, what do YOU wanna do?"

We've had some of the best times after asking each other this question, haha. I think it's ok to be bored, healthy even because then the day naturally becomes something fun. I suppose it's another act in presence I'm always seeking.

Shop the essentials: 10% Happier book / tea / Our Nest pillow (similar)

What are some fun fall plans you have?!

Seasonal Edit is a curated list of lifestyle essentials and well-designed products inspired by the seasons of the Midwest. See all edits here.

Emily Bode 8/29/17 Emily Bode 8/29/17

Seasonal Edit | Classic, Simple, & Wild

Seasonal Edit: Summer

Summer is my absolute favorite for her warmth, sunshine, and relaxed vibes all season long. This seasonal edit is full of textures, wildness, and simplicity. Or at the very least, an intentional effort to try and keep things simple amongst the chaos. Truthfully, this summer has been more challenging than I expected.

Since the Spring we've moved to an apartment in the city, gotten new jobs, and I've felt a shift within I'm still trying to work through. I've had 5 different haircuts in under a year, a clear indication there's a lot of change going on!

Summer Edit: Classic, Simple, & Wild | Polka dot dress from Target and straw hat | Brave Girl Design + Blog

Black and white textures

The majority of outfits I wore this summer were some version of a black and white pattern, white tee, and splash of denim. Whether it was a summer dress in a classic pattern or a pair of patterned shorts, black and white was the palette. Usually, I lean towards color and lightweight fabrics for the summer but I think going between air conditioning and heat multiple times a day, instead of the beach vibes I was used to living by the lake, had something to do with it.

Shop the textures: shorts / summer dress (similar) / denim jacket / hat

Summer Edit: Classic, Simple, & Wild | Sunflower bouquet | Brave Girl Design + Blog

Wildflowers, Wild Woman

It's been the best living near the farmers market because of fresh flowers ALL. SUMMER. LONG. Sunflowers are my favorite for how they depend on the sun for their happiness. It seems emotional. When the sun went down my sunflower heads would droop on the counter and come to life again in the morning sun. I can relate which is why I like them so much. More wildness came through in the books I read this summer. I re-read The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, always have Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes on my nightstand, and started a new one The Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd. Having a Sue Monk Kidd moment I guess.

Summer Edit: Classic, Simple, & Wild | Farmer's Market haul | Brave Girl Design + Blog

Summer Simplicity

I kept finding myself craving the open country roads this season. Rolling down the windows to feel the heat that brings good memories from childhood. Listening to grasshoppers making music in the ditches. Watching the cornfields blow in the lazy breeze. I needed to know calm still existed amidst all the change this season. Even if it's out there somewhere far away right now. I needed to remember what my soul enjoyed. Needed to stop chasing external ideals and feeling the pressure of others’ expectations for me and my own pressure of what I should be doing at this point in my life. In the open space, amongst the wildflowers and bees buzzing, all that dialogue vanished. I found ME again & you know what she loves?

Soul music. Open spaces. Nowhere to be. Just enjoying the view.

The journey within will always be discovery and I'm guessing some chaos (has been so far). With that comes the importance of wellness – mentally, physically, spiritually. I'm always trying to keep that the priority. This season was about trying some new things and sticking with tried-and-true ingredients.

Summer Edit: Classic, Simple, & Wild | Care/Of Vitamins, monthly vitamin subscription service | Brave Girl Design + Blog

Care/Of Daily Vitamins

Care/Of is a new thing I'm trying. They're a subscription-based and customized way to take daily vitamins. It takes you through a quick and thorough quiz and gives you a detailed recommendation list of vitamins. I've selected energy-boosting and stress-free vitamins for the last two months and can really tell the difference in my overall well-being in these areas. Their customer service is also AMAZING and the boxes are cute enough to keep on your kitchen counter to remind you of your daily dose.

Use my code "TYRWB" at checkout for an entire FREE month of vitamins to try it out.

Summer Edit: Classic, Simple, & Wild | Lake Effect Apiaries Honey | Brave Girl Design + Blog

Local honey

There are a lot of benefits to honey, even if it's just a teaspoon daily in the morning to help with allergies. The most beneficial is getting honey from your local farmer's market. The bees are pollinating from the very plants giving you the sniffles so it's important to get honey close to home and from local beekeepers. Not the grocery store stuff, too much unnatural sugar.

Coconut + Mango Hand Wash

I was never a coconut fan but then my Mom gifted me this coconut face mist. It feels so summery and refreshing like I'm on a paradise island somewhere with no worries mahn (thanks Mom!). Since then, I started using this hand wash to keep the good vibes going for the bathroom.

Shop the essentials: Care/Of Vitamins / Local honey / Coconut + Mango Hand Wash

Seasonal Edit is a curated list of lifestyle essentials and well-designed products inspired by the seasons of the Midwest. See all edits here.

Emily Bode 5/5/17 Emily Bode 5/5/17

Seasonal Edit | Blush Pink & Plan-Free

Seasonal Edit: Spring

Spring is my least favorite season for all her mud and moody weather. By the end of winter, the slow pace and stillness in the Midwest are challenging. To have it followed by chilling rain and more gray skies is trying to the sun-worshipper in me. But this year I'm embracing it fully. Smiling when the rain comes down, clearing the stagnation away. Dancing when the sun comes out, the warmth on my skin promising better days ahead. This seasonal edit celebrates both.

Seasonal Edit: Blush Pink and Plan-Free for Spring | Brave Girl Design | photo by Leigh Ann Cobb Photography

Movement creates movement. And Spring is ALL about that life.

Spring is a reflection of the transitions going on in our internal lives. Have you noticed how often big life changes happen this time of year? New relationships, jobs, places to travel. Babies are being born, lovers are getting married and fresh ideas are as abundant as the magnolia blossoms. It's beautiful! The winter blues are washing away to make room for new growth.

This is ancient. This we can count on. This is nothing new.

Blush as neutral

Blush is also nothing new but this Spring it's standing out. I'm counting on this light pink, almost nude hue this season in small and mighty doses. It's so delicate and welcoming in the petals of floral patterns and tennis shoes. I'm wearing it as a classic neutral to brighten up my wardrobe subtly this season. I wouldn't be surprised if I keep it going through the summer months. I love pairing it with multiple textures in the same color family – not too matchy, but just enough.

Shop the look: dress (similar) / leather jacket (similar) / tennis shoes / hat

Plan-Free

Maybe it's because we've spent the last month in boxes or I'm wiped out from our wedding but I'm spent with planning. Anticipating obstacles, calling ahead, and timing my routes. All great habits to have to make events and life seamless but I'm balancing this with practicing presence and following my whims this season. Do you know what happens when you leave space in your calendar? Life rushes in.

Favorite plan-free travel spots: Sedona / Munising / Asheville

Seasonal Edit: Blush Pink and Plan-Free for Spring | Brave Girl Design | photo c/o This is L.

Essential Organics

If you saw my IG story last week you're probably sick of hearing about This is L. organic tampons but they're amazing! Not only is the packaging STUNNING, they're safer for your lady parts because they don't have any pesticides, rayon, chlorine, or dyes like other brands do. Personal care products are donated to female entrepreneurs in developing countries with each purchase and there's an option to subscribe to a discreet monthly delivery service. Seriously, how cool and so needed.

I've also been trying out a Nourish Organic cucumber + watercress face cleanser and taking biotin gummies by Olly in an effort to stick with my health and wellness goals for this year. My face acne is clearing up, my hair is growing, and my nails are getting stronger. Just in time for summer!

Shop the essentials: tampons / face cleanser / biotin

What are you looking forward to this season? Share in the comments below!

Seasonal Edit is a curated list of lifestyle essentials and well-designed products inspired by the seasons of the Midwest. See all edits here.

Photos by Leigh Ann Cobb Photography and c/o This is L.

Emily Bode 3/11/17 Emily Bode 3/11/17

Seasonal Edit | Neutral Layers & a Workout Routine

Seasonal Edit: Winter

I'm excited to introduce Seasonal Edit, a new series on the blog. Maybe it's because I've lived in the Midwest my entire life or because each season represents a different part of me but the tides of nature have always influenced my design decisions and inspirations. Each edit will be a curated list of lifestyle essentials and well-designed products inspired by the seasons of the Midwest.

To start, the Winter Edit.

In the stillness of winter I found beauty and balance in neutral layers and a workout routine I could count on when life got crazy. A fun pattern came into the mix with classic polka dots and I tried a new face lotion that had good results for my dry winter skin and really for any season.

Neutral Layers

This late winter outfit is my favorite combination to mix textures within the same color family and a pop of classic pattern. The waffle knit sweater and suede skirt with a leather jacket are a fun spin on beige hues and cozy textures that make me feel professional and comfortable at the same time. A goal I'm always shooting for with work outfits.

Shop the look: sweater / skirt / leather jacket (similar) / tights

Polka Dots

Speaking of pops of pattern, polka dots came into my life subtly until I looked around our home and realized they're kind of everywhere. From our tea kettle to my tights to my workout headband, these little guys in a neutral palette make beiges and black way more fun and inviting.

Shop the pattern: tea kettle / tights / headband (similar)

Daily Skincare

I'm pleasantly surprised with the No.7 Beautiful Skin Day Lotion and Night Cream for normal/dry skin. I'll admit the packaging sold me as I'm an unashamed lush for a beautifully designed package. Now I can also attest to how good the face lotion works for my winter skin. I never had a skincare routine before and value the importance of it now.

Routine

The final essential to my winter edit is ROUTINE. I wanted to make my health and blog a priority this year. Having a routine that includes them in my schedule allows me to make it happen. I work out at least once a week and publish every Sunday. The rest of the week can be an unplanned shit show yet I still feel awesome if I've at least done these.

Tying a small routine – like working out once a week — to my goal of improving my overall health makes this goal more digestible and less high stakes. This slight adjustment has been a great shift to my perspective and accountability. Plus working out and writing are complete mood boosters for me.

What are some routines you've implemented this season and what's inspiring you? I'd love to hear how you're getting through this final part of winter!

Seasonal Edit is a curated list of lifestyle essentials and well-designed products inspired by the seasons of the Midwest. See all edits here.