I miss Brave Girl
I miss my old blog, Brave Girl. What she stood for, the simplicity of it all. Maybe what I miss more is that season of my life. In my early 20’s where all of this felt fresh & exciting. My future was a blank canvas. I set out to build something all my own I could be proud of. That others would come to & admire, feel less alone, or connect with a like-minded human. I had a passionate fervor toward creating & expressing myself wholeheartedly. It’s all I focused on & it was all under my altar-ego, Brave Girl. I reaped a lot of rewards & successes because of it, something I care deeply about.
And then the very thing that drove me to explore my inner workings, to say them aloud, is the very thing that made me clam up & not love it anymore. It’s the challenge of any journey. It’s why I like the beginnings best. The middle & end can be melancholy or change like a kaleidoscope. Suddenly you look up after staring down for so long & you don’t recognize what’s in front of you. It’s a completely different shape than the one you were trying to make (maybe the one you need, not the one you want).
A conversation with my mom years ago; I came home exasperated after some social event,
“Mom, I’m not that kind of girl.”
“It’s funny how we become the girl we said we’d never be,” she replied.
I never set out to share a filtered life, or to be on-trend, or to grow a following based on shallow pretenses. I became exactly what I said I would never be. I suppose it’s a good time to rebuild then. To pull that kaleidoscope back out, watch how the shapes change.
Image credit: Poem by Tess Guinery, an excerpt from her book The Moonflower Monologues
When You Can't Find What You're Looking For
I recently watched CMT Artists of the Year 2018, the first awards show of its kind dedicated to the women of country music. They're consistently underrepresented and have less radio play than their male counterparts. It was encouraging to see a network like CMT finally acknowledge and award women like Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert, and Maren Morris to name a few. A commercial for Ram Trucks aired during the event showed fierce women surfing crazy waves, snowboarding mountains, and rehearsing for sold out shows. As a television lover raised in the '90s, I didn't see women represented this way on screen or in music. It was uplifting to see tonight & made me think of all the young girls watching that will know without a doubt they can go after whatever the hell they want. AND they don't have to sacrifice their femininity or softness to do it.
Brave Girl: An archive of my early 20's
I'm telling you this in lieu of my recent switch to this online space that is now under my own name, Emily Bode. I wrote under the pen name, Brave Girl, since 2013. Brave Girl will remain online as an archive of my early 20's. It was the season I needed to go through to get to where I am today as a designer and writer on EMILYBODE.com.
What does this have to do with country music?
Well, watching all these women I admire and listen to their albums, I finally found the words for what Brave Girl has always meant to me. I often said Brave Girl was an aspiration because being brave is very hard when you want to go in a direction that you don't see other people like you doing. I don't mean I never saw anyone like me blogging in the popular sense. Trust me, I know there are more middle-class white girls like me blogging than all the pumpkin spice lattes in the world.
Unwelcomed surprises and good lessons
What I mean is I couldn't find what I was looking for in the creative marketing field in 2013 as a young designer. I saw talented women rise to the top as creative directors but they weren't supportive or kind to other women. The sweetest most creative woman would stop pursuing her dream of a creative hobby or business because she was uncomfortable dreaming bigger.
I witnessed women act like they were supportive while secretly manipulating a fellow female behind the scenes or not standing up for coworkers when the boss came around. Designers who were so uptight in classical training there wasn't any personality or excitement to their work. I saw women doing this & I was a girl emulating their patterns. It surprised me this kind of personality was being taught and accepted. I hated this every-woman-for-herself mentality. It was lonely, isolating, and destructive.
I started Brave Girl because I blamed myself for bringing these experiences on with my attitude or my weaknesses or being inadequate or something. I thought what I witnessed in work settings, at professional events, and in my personal life was all my fault. So the more courage I could have the better to face these monsters, right? Sort of.
The monsters were there, indeed. And other people aren't always kind nor will they care about your dream more than you do. You need to want it so much more than anybody else for it to work. The monsters I was battling? Most of them were my own. And because of my blog Brave Girl, I did find what I was looking for.
Courage requires patience.
Courage to be the woman I am. To dream and know it is a valid dream even if it doesn't look like the "popular" dream. One of the greatest lessons Brave Girl taught me during my time writing under her pen name; an aspiration is the first stage of a dream.
You have to know what you're aspiring to be, want, or do. It is the key to all that follows. I bet some of the women at that awards show can relate. It will turn into everything you want and more if you keep going despite the monsters. Despite the naysayers, in your head and otherwise. I started Brave Girl because I was looking for a woman I couldn't find. So, I became her.
I want every woman to do this for herself. Over & over & over again.
Pin for later:
Creativity: When you can't find what you're looking for | Emily Bode blog
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July Thunder Moon
Life lately in tune with the monthly full moon cycle.
June Honey Moon – July Thunder Moon
Hello! The July Thunder Moon is the 13th and final post in Full Moon Monthly, a blog series that recaps life lately and what's on the horizon. The July moon is also known as the Buck Moon because it's when the buck's antlers are in full growth. I like to call it the Thunder Moon because of the thunderstorms that happen often this month (I even hosted a July Thunder Moon party for our friends a few years back). Nothing like a Summer thunderstorm to relax you (source).Since the June Honey Moon there's been vacations, reading, visiting, & rebranding! A very full month, that's for sure.
July Thunder Moon
Summer 10x10 Challenge
My 3rd 10x10 wardrobe challenge will be on FRIDAY JULY 27. I'm excited because I'm the laziest with summer style. If it's lightweight and non-fussy that's all I want so we'll see how it goes. I've put a private Instagram group together this time around to encourage & support one another. A lot of people want to do the challenge without the pressure of posting daily outfits so I'm optimistic this will keep the challenge fun & lighthearted for us. Join us here. I'll post my daily outfits here as I have with previous challenges.
My 28th birthday
Ahh, another rotation around the Sun. Thank you for it, God. My birthday is August 12th but I start celebrating the first day of August. Everyone around me hates it but I can't get enough. I don't have plans yet but the Perseids Meteor Shower peaks every year on my birthday and I haven't seen it in years. The comet Swift-Tuttle produces up to 60 meteors per hour (1 meteor/minute!) so hopefully, I'll watch them this year!
GVSU Adjunct Professor in the Fall
I've gotten the opportunity to be a design professor at Grand Valley this Fall semester and I CAN.NOT.WAIT. It's on my favorite design topic too; print design! Such an underrated niche in the design world. I'm excited to teach and share what I've learned from being a designer for 10 years. Here's to new school supplies!
Emily Bode new site
Woowee, what an undertaking! 5 years of posts hold so many wonderful memories from moving to a little lake town, buying our first home, getting married, moving to the city, changing careers a couple of times (greenhouse, freelance, in-house designer), back to the little lake town, and everything in between. But I'm writing this last post on my new EMILYBODE.COM site & I'm so excited to share more about why I made the switch soon & how things will be a little different around here. I'm most excited to offer a monthly newsletter of inspiration & intention for writers, designers, & creatives like you.
June Honey Moon
4th of July Vacation
We didn't do the 5K race as planned. We stayed up too late the night before but did our own little 5K on the country roads instead. It was honestly harder than the race would've been. haha. Our 4th was PACKED visiting friends & family we hadn't seen in awhile. It was so good to catch up with everyone. We basically bopped around from one lake cottage to the next. The last day we celebrated our friend getting married. He was the Pastor who married us. It was beautiful to see him happy with his Bride.
My staycation
After the 4th I took a mini-vacation of my own. I gained a new perspective on what a career means to me and had a lot of rest & relaxation. I enjoyed antiquing, a glass of rosé with lunch overlooking the channel, and ultimately seeing the lake town I live in through a vacationer's eyes. No wonder people travel here for the summer, it's gorgeous!
A day in Kalamazoo
One of my vacation days I went to Kalamazoo with Joel. I explored downtown while he had a few meetings (thanks to all your recommendations!) and then we met for a drink at Bell's Brewery. After we went to a Growlers baseball game and caught up with our friend who works there & his wife. It was a late drive home but worth it to catch up with good friends we don't see as often as we'd like.
My favorite Kalamazoo spots: Water Street Coffee Joint / Curate & Co. / Bell's Brewery
Screened-in porch updated
I FINALLY cleaned out our screened-in porch. It became a catch-all when we moved back this Spring. It needed a good spruce up. I have a grander vision for this space that includes new porch furniture, a large rug, & a fresh coat of paint but I'm happy we had odds & ends leftover from our wedding & past rental for places to sit & eat. I didn't think I was quite so 70's vibes but I guess I am right now. More thoughts on home.
Catching up with friends
Our friends from Morocco stopped for a visit! It was so good to catch up with them & meet their little one. He was so cute & laidback, much like his parents. ;) If there was a theme to this past month it would be spending time together with friends & family we think about all the time but don't see often. It filled my soul & made me grateful over & over for the good people in our Life.
There are 13 full moons each year. I started this full moon lettering project last August 2017. You can see all 13 moons here or listed below:
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
Full Moon Monthly recaps life lately and what’s on the horizon. See all moons here.
June Honey Moon
Life lately in tune with the monthly full moon cycle.
May Flower Moon – June Honey Moon
Hello! The June Honey Moon is the 12th post in Full Moon Monthly, a series that recaps life lately and what's on the horizon. The more popular name for June is the STRAWBERRY MOON because it's a signal to start gathering ripening fruit like strawberries. I went with the HONEY MOON instead because it's fewer letters to sketch & it makes me think of my friend & her husband who share their honey with us from the bees they keep. It's so delicious! (source).Since the May Flower Moon there's been a lot of reading, researching, & rebranding! A very full month, that's for sure.
June Honey Moon
4th of July Up North
AKA The Greatest Fourth in the North. We've gone up to my in-laws’ cottage for the last 8 years! Every year is different but it's always filled with the annual family reunion, 4th of July race, and time on the water. I'm looking forward to stepping away from our house projects for a few days. I'm also running a 5K thanks to Megan & Amber who've inspired me to kick it into gear with more workouts. It always makes me feel better. Here's to hoping I finish this year. Tiger wins like every year, obviously.
House Projects
Speaking of house projects, we're still chipping away. We need to make updates here & there to make it more beach cottage-y. We live 2 blocks from the lake so all the nautical, beachy, Michigan vibes are really inspiring me. This month we're installing ceiling fans (I'm incredibly picky on choosing fans but Hunter brand all the way) & putting together the guest room with bedding & curtains. Eventually, we're getting to our screened porch, the bathroom, & landscaping next year.
Spring cleaning / Fall decor inspiration / All Moon Lodge posts
Growlers Game
Headed to a Growlers Game this month! We went around this time last year & had a blast. Our friend works there & it's always fun to catch up with him & his wife since we don't see them much. I love watching baseball in the summer. It's THEE SLOWEST game next to golf to me but a midsummer ball game is the epitome of summer to me. "Take me out to the ball game" at the 7th inning stretch brings me back to ball games I went to with my family when I was younger & makes me nostalgic. Can't wait!
Creative Grace Newsletter
I'm rebranding the blog! Basically, I'm shifting the look & how I share my writing with you. Because it's 5 years worth of posts, it's quite the overhaul of my online space. I'm taking advantage of this slower season to tackle what I've been wanting to do for a couple years now. I explain more about it here in my BLOG HIGHLIGHTS and will have a couple posts on the new site about why I'm doing this. It's essentially going to make it WAY easier for you to find the topics you want to read, HOW you prefer to read them, & more behind the scenes of my work as I go. There will also be a monthly newsletter where I'll send my top posts, people, products, & books/music I'm loving & who are inspiring me that month.
Sign up here if you're in, first one will reach you in August.
May Flower Moon
Beach Volleyball team
2-1 so far, whoop whoop! We jokingly say we're in the B League, AKA Beer League. It's been so much fun & something I look forward to every week. I called the court a field yesterday if that gives you any indication of my skill level. I also spiked it at an opponent’s face when we already won & were just playing the third game for fun. So yeah, I'm kind of an amateur asshole right now but maybe I'll get better as we go.
Shibori Dyeing with Mom
It went well except I got the wrong die so our patterns ended up being in a deep almost purple-blue. My mom brought avocado pits though because she heard avocados create a pink blush dye. Those worked out best! We left them in the dye overnight and really happy with the results. I'm going to try it again with this DIY post by The Fresh Exchange. At this point, I'm more tempted to just get these shibori pillows at Target. I love the IDEA of creating these by hand but I got super irritable in the middle of it because it wasn't going perfectly. I was so cranky, my poor mom. haha.
DIY coasters / DIY Lemon Honey face wash / Bluesy-inspired moodboard
Image by Leigh Ann Cobb Photography
Community Over Competition with Currently Kherington
Kherington & I's photoshoot with Leigh Ann was SO MUCH FUN! It ended up being a beautiful night. We both had a completely different plan of what we were going to wear for it & then each of us had something weird happen with our planned outfits before the shoot. We both showed up wearing a fun summer top & wide flares with heels. We also discovered we do the same thing when we're stressed & I couldn't believe it! She'll be sharing that & more from our conversation about what community means to us on a new blog series she'll have next month! You'll be seeing a lot more pics from this shoot coming up from me too.
Joon + Co Capsule Wardrobe Photoshoot
I got photos back from a shoot I did for Joon + Co with a fellow freelancer, Natalie Hawkins. They're so bright, simple, & classic for Joon + Co's upcoming Capsule collection! We had such a great day shooting at The Rockford Wedding Studio with Lisa Hammond and Joon + Co-founder, Becky Vandenbout. I feel like a broken record when I talk about Becky and her amazing vision but it's so good, so true, & she works her ass off bringing sustainable items & fabric/fashion education to West Michigan. More from this shoot coming up too!
Joon + Co shop / High waisted pants for Fall / Loungewear for working at home
Jack Johnson Concert
We took a road trip to see Jack Johnson live with friends! Our wedding song was What You Thought You Need so Jack's close to our heart. His lyrics speak to me always at the right time. It brought me back to high school days when I'd play Banana Pancakes & Better Together in my old Buick on the way to school. I DM'ed him before the concert hoping to pull on his heartstrings to play Joel & I's wedding song...it didn't work & he didn't play it but it was so great to catch up with friends & listen to live music on a summer night.
A letter to my husband / Our Harvest Moon wedding / My bachelorette party
New Kayak!
See that mint-green beauty?! That's my new kayak. The same color as my favorite ice cream. I've been wanting a kayak for a long time to go with Joel but have been so picky about the color of the kayak that I never got one. Finally, I found this one at Meijer and am LOVING it! We've gone on the water with it twice & hoping for more sunny days on the water this summer.
Full Moon Monthly recaps life lately and what’s on the horizon. See all moons here.
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.
Summer Capsule: "Local" tank
Sunday's seem to be my time to write lately. An unwinding of the past week before the winding up of the next.
Lately, life has been enjoying the transition to Summer with walks to the lake, playing darts in the garage, having bonfires by moonlight, and sleeping/watching movies/eating ice cream when it rains mixed with A LOT of house projects and navigating around the piles from our move back to the Lakeshore.
I've been trying to balance this with taking care of my mind, body, soul more intentionally (freakin' HARD) and continuing to navigate & define my design business (freakin' HARD). Truly I am tired & frazzled. If there's one thing I've learned from having my own business it's understanding deeply that things are cyclical.
High highs, low lows.
The vision I had of myself when I was younger is so different from who I am now. That used to scare me but it has to be one of the most liberating feelings ever. When all those things you thought you'd have or you thought you'd be this type of person fade away, it seems to be where the real growing begins & wonder is waiting.
I don't know – thoughts on a Sunday after a fun weekend with my parents, brother, & Joel are muddled yet memorable. A feeling of belonging in your inner circle, your family, community, cubicle, tribe, favorite bar, your inner self within, is a comfort I wish for everyone. It's one I've struggled with & probably will again & again in different seasons of my life but when the feeling comes around I hope you don't run away from it. I hope you can feel like a LOCAL wherever & however with whomever.
Thank you for being here. More & more I realize this space isn't for me to strategize, implement, or goal-set but is rather a corner where self-reflection is judgment-free, the path uncertain, & the conversation nothing if not honest.
I hope you have a great week! Mine's looking like a bit of catch-up on the task list, getting my new studio organized, & damnit if I can't get to the grocery store. xo, Em
"Local" tank from Ink & Threads apparel
Urban to Rural: The Things We Keep
I almost put on our wedding invitations – No plastic, please.
Urban to Rural: The Things We Keep | Brave Girl Design + Blog
Urban to Rural: The Things We Keep | Brave Girl Design + Blog
Urban to Rural: The Things We Keep | Brave Girl Design + Blog
If you were to visit our home you wouldn't find Tupperware in the cupboards. Unless Joel snuck it in. Or it held a treat from a gracious friend and will be returned to them soon. Most didn't end up getting us plastic items after all. They know me well, for that I'm grateful. Plastic is inevitable but I do what I can. During our continued Spring cleaning Joel has said this on repeat: Don't throw this out, I'm still using it. On a scale of 1 to Irrational, I'm an impatient 9 when it comes to organizing the Moon Lodge.
Through all the box-digging I've wondered, Why do we keep the things we keep?
I'm just shuffling things from one room to the next in hopes the piles will become smaller and smaller – making space. It's tempting to box it all up & donate. Out of sight, out of mind. Then I find a box I forgot about. It's holding an old WNBA Shock jersey, CDs from my 90's childhood, a vintage butterfly box, an olive green fork, boat tickets to Beaver Island.
Why do we keep the things we keep?
In all the minimalism are memories being forgotten? Might there be a space where both can be kept? Yes, & it looks like my Grandma's cabin blanket at the end of our bed. A walking stick from a trip to Lake Superior with my Dad next to a dish holding my sage from Kate on the credenza we built last May. A mermaid, like my Mother's, nearby.
There are piles and they're getting to me (my drive for clarity is a curse). But they are piles that surround me with memories & moments from the ones I love & who love me back. That will always be worth keeping. Off to put a fresh coat of paint on the studio/guest room before my parents arrive for a weekend visit. May we take care of our people like we take care of our piles, friends.
Follow me on Instagram to see what else I've been up to lately! xo, Em
May Flower Moon
Life lately in tune with the monthly full moon cycle.
April Pink Moon – May Flower Moon
Hello! The May Flower Moon is the 11th post in Full Moon Monthly, a blog series that recaps life lately and what's on the horizon. The May full moon is also known as the Mother's Moon or Milk Moon and is a time of increased fertility which is definitely apparent with all the trees & flowers in full bloom and the creatures bearing little ones in this warmer weather. There's a bit of folklore with the May Flower Moon that it's an ideal time to accept a marriage proposal! (source). Since the April Pink Moon, there's been a lot of visiting with family, exciting projects, and prepping for the Summer season.
May Flower Moon
Memorial Weekend Clean-up
This weekend we took a break from our usual Up North hangs to get some work done on The Moon Lodge. After a year away she's in heavy need of cleaning! I've been going through old boxes in the basement and stumbled upon an old project. I wrote a lyric in different lettering styles each day for a month. It's been magical to see old things in a new light and I'm excited for fun changes to The Moon Lodge this summer!
Related: The Moon Lodge
Reading on the beach
I've been trying to be more intentional in taking breaks when I need them. It's a schedule and mindset shift for sure as I often choose work instead of rest. Light beach reads have been on rotation & I don't see that stopping any time soon. Any book recommendations for the beach?!
New Brave Girl Assistant
With my business, this blog, and now the print shop, I've added a new person to the team to divide & conquer. She's my first hire, local & has already added more growth, energy, & momentum to Brave Girl in the last 2 weeks than I could've ever imagined. I'm so excited for what's next & to continue working with her to provide our design clients with the help & style they're seeking. More details soon!
Beach Volleyball team
Joel & I signed up to play beach volleyball with my brother and a few of our friends this summer. I played years ago so I'm excited to start it back up again and play right by Lake Michigan every week.
Image via Apartment Therapy
Shibori Dyeing w/ Mom
My Mom and I had the same idea to have indigo-colored throw pillows for our living rooms this summer without even knowing it. After we discovered it over the phone one day we've decided to make our own. She used to have my brother & I tye-dye all the time growing up so we have a good start already. Shibori is a Japanese dyeing technique that involves folding & twisting the fabric, then dyeing it in indigo. Working from this DIY post, we'll see how it goes!
April Pink Moon
Health & Wellness as priority
It's the first time in a while I've been intentional with my wellness. There are so many health facts now it's easy to feel like you're not doing ANYTHING right. I've started with VERY SMALL steps & I'm not trying to shift everything ever really. I like salt too much. Just listening to what my body needs at the moment. In the last month, that means an Acai bowl for breakfast, 3 meals/day, running or walking a few times a week, & shutting down work to play more often.
Related: Self-care for creatives
Joel's 25K race
Joel did AMAZING at the Riverbank Run 25K in Grand Rapids last month. He ended up finishing in a 1:43 which is about 6:40/mile pace! A personal record for him and he didn't even look like he was struggling near the finish line. He took a well-deserved nap on the ride home after we had a celebratory beer with my brother and sister-in-law who ran the 10K that day.
Lettering for a Saugatuck wedding
I did the lettering for a Heyday Lab wedding that I absolutely adored. Jamie's vision for weddings & events amazes me so I was honored to be part of her team to make the signage for the event. It was all white lettering on clear acrylic with green foliage and champagne gold touches – so dreamy & romantic for an outdoor wedding at the beginning of the season. Check my highlights for more.
Mother's Day with Momma Moon
I spent an entire day with my Mom a few days before Mother's Day and was so grateful for our time together. We don't live close so it's always special & important to us. I also visited my mother-in-law after not seeing her for a while. It made me so happy to see both of my Mothers and celebrate them for all they've done for both me & Joel – before we met & now that we're a family of our own. The power of Love & the Women who raise us continues to amaze me.
Capsule Wardrobe photoshoot with Joon+Co
I did another photoshoot with Joon+Co for their Summer Capsule Collection with Natalie, a fellow freelance designer & marketer in town. Lisa Hammond photographed us at the Rockford Wedding Studio, a new wedding + event space she recently opened. I'm excited to share more of the sustainable & conscious pieces that J+C founder, Becky, styled for us. I've been getting a lot of questions about how to start a capsule wardrobe & how I do mine. I'll have a post here soon that details it all out for you. In the meantime see my capsule wardrobe posts here.
Full Moon Monthly recaps life lately and what’s on the horizon. See all moons here.
Observations as of late
“The heart can think of no devotion, greater than being shore to the ocean, holding the curve of one position, counting endless repetition.”
When the water is like glass on the surface, there is most often a quiet rumbling down below. When it arises, it will be powerful. Verbalizing what you need is not needy. Your partner, friend, parent, co-worker will most likely thank you for clearing that up for them.
Most anxieties dissolve the moment I'm by the water with a good book in hand. Don't underestimate the sexiness of a man who does laundry after constructing a wall before making dinner but only once the lawn has been mowed. Joel, you are a dream. You amaze me every day.
There is a time for rest. There is a time for restlessness.
It is beneficial to know which one of those you are feeling and honor accordingly.
Happy Sunday, friends. May the week be nourishing & gentle to you. xo, Em
Spring Capsule: White & Denim
“I promise to tidy up before company arrives, wouldn’t want my socks & daydreams all over the carpet.”
Spring Capsule 2018: White & Denim #anthrostyle | Brave Girl Blog
Have you had that moment yet? When your denim lightens. When your blouse gets thinner – a sheer veil replacing knitted armor. The socks come off. Barefeet a bit unsure after hiding from months of chill. The movement inward to stay warm suddenly expands outward to warmth all around you.
Do we mimic the seeds around us? Do they lead by example?
These are the thoughts I have as I slowly remove the dust bunnies from their corners. I daydream about what this space can be – for the outward to reflect the inward – as I wait to welcome a friend into our unfinished living room.
I will resist the urge to say, “Sorry for the mess.” May I not apologize for the place I'm in.
I wonder where the candle should go. Moving it from one surface to the next, stepping back to see if it made a difference. Thinking this will spark a solution for where the rug needs to lay. Is a room like an outfit in some sense?
White top. Loose denim. Hair pinned back. No shoes.
I can always count on this formula when in doubt – for the outward to reflect the inward. And I think, just like this outfit, the solution for this space will come in time. I only need to wait for the moment I'm just as sure.
Classic. Simple. Light.
I hear a knock at the door. My friend has arrived. I step over the dust bunnies and the prints. The candle is fine where it is.
“Welcome! I'm so happy you're here.”
The prints on this floor really look best on walls. Shop them here.
The Time We Give
I woke up to the sound of thunder & rain today. The storm after a long, silent winter. The one that reminds you are, in fact, alive & it's going to be okay. Snuggled in a bit deeper, to let that really sink in.
And then: a book on the couch with my first cup of coffee. I have had to gently nudge myself to give TIME to me at the start of each day. Not a luxury, a necessity. Why is it we are always the first to go when the schedule gets full? The last on the list. Are we not the most valuable person in our own life? Are we not the sole being we are with second to second? To think we are not, to treat ourselves as if we are not, is a bit nonsensical, yes?
And so: a book on the couch with my first cup of coffee. Surrounded by words and letters, prints and frames. I suppose the thing I needed so badly showed itself to me...in time.
Hoping the same for you. xo, Em
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.
April Pink Moon
Life lately in tune with the monthly full moon cycle.
March Blue Moon – April Pink Moon
Hello! The April Pink Moon is the 10th post in Full Moon Monthly, a blog series that recaps life lately and what's on the horizon. This month's moon is called the Pink Moon to represent moss pink, a low evergreen mat that sprouts bright flowers signaling the Spring season (source). I started seeing little moss pink blooms on the trail this week! Since the March Blue Moon, there's been a lot of travel, a wardrobe challenge, and a big move.
April Pink Moon
Health & Wellness as priority
Last month was full of travel and a lot of change. It's taken a toll on my health so I'm looking forward to a more chill April for rest and reset. Joel and I are attempting MEAL PLANNING. Any tips? I'm not following the point of it but I know the need for a balanced diet is important. I've also joined Tea with Ditea group for an open forum on good-for-you food and female health topics.
Related: Self-care for creatives
Joel's 25K race
Joel's been training all winter for the Riverbank Run 25K in Grand Rapids. He's kicking butt despite what it looks like. He's done this race a handful of times but this particular one he's averaging 6:55/mile. Crazy, right?! I'm so proud of him and excited to cheer him on! Tiger & I's race day tradition is to sleep in, grab a coffee, and catch him near the finish line.
"The Journey of Freelance" at Ladies Wine & Design
I'll be on a Q&A panel chatting about my journey as a freelance designer at the Ladies Wine & Design event this month. Although it seems remote &/or freelance careers are commonplace in many parts of the country it's still a bit uncommon in Michigan. I'm excited to share my experience and maybe debunk some myths about freelance. GR friends, event ticket here.
March Blue Moon
Spring 10x10 Complete
My second wardrobe challenge is now complete! Biggest takeaway? I need to refresh my spring & summer wardrobe. My whites are looking tired and my style is changing again. How to do that while balancing a smaller carbon footprint and conscious consumerism? Well, I'll let you know when I find a good happy medium.
Related: 10x10 Challenges
Chicago for one of my best friends' wedding
The last few months have been full of wedding celebrations for one of my best friends since high school. The grand finale was their gorgeous wedding in Chicago! There were definitely April showers but we had a great time, tears of joy, and I'm still amazed at all the beautiful details my friend thought of from start to finish for their big day.
Nashville Part Deux
We took an impromptu trip to Nashville last weekend. It was the perfect bit of sunshine and live music to lift our spirits after the long Winter. Even though I was sick for most of it I still had a great time with our friends exploring the city.
Our favorites off the beaten path:
bartaco for tacos, guac, & margaritas
Emerson Grace for shopping
Bourbon Street Blues for the best music we heard all weekend!
Back to the Moon Lodge
And finally the greatest change of all this last month – we moved back to the Moon Lodge! It's pretty crazy to look back on this last month and everything that's happened. It's definitely shifted a lot for me both inside and out and I'm excited about where it may lead.
Related: Moon Lodge posts
Full Moon Monthly recaps life lately and what’s on the horizon. See all moons here.
Spring Capsule: Taking Weekend
Taking the weekend, letting the weekend give to you. It isn't meant to be rushed through but rather to be savored. I'm hoping mine looks like a slow morning, coffee in hand, catching up on our week together yet apart.
Some music, a rhythm to a project here and there. Or maybe to change out my winter garments to spring (alas). Most definitely a walk to the lake. With ice cream. And Tiger. As if he'd have it any other way. And rest. Plenty of rest.
Winter life is hard. It always is yet always surprising just how difficult when you're in it. I've said it many times before; a Northern winter is not for the faint of heart. It will test your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Right when you think you are through there's another week of cold in the air you must push through.
So, taking weekend is a good place to start, yes? Little by little. Hour by hour. Rest when you need it. Move around and bask in the sun when you don't. It will be beautiful because it's what you've made of it.
Outfit details
White tee (similar)
Bell bottoms (similar)
Photos by Leigh Ann Cobb
Creative Business Chats: A Day in the Life of a Freelance Designer
I recently did an interview and want to share as it answers questions I often receive about what I do & why I'm a freelancer. Design can be hard to define because it ranges from graphic to interior to digital to environmental and the list goes on.
My focus is on event design, stationery, and styling.
Living in the Midwest has led me to create commercially for the furniture industry, apparel companies, and wedding planners. My personal interests have guided me to skill sets like handlettering, watercolor, and organic forms. All graphics, illustrations, and curation you see here on Brave Girl are created by me unless stated otherwise.
A day in the life of a freelance designer with Joon+Co sustainable fashion | Brave Girl Design + Blog | photo by Sincerely Ashley
A day in the life of a freelance designer with Joon+Co sustainable fashion | Brave Girl Design + Blog | photo by Sincerely Ashley
A day in the life of a freelance designer with Joon+Co sustainable fashion | Brave Girl Design + Blog | photo by Sincerely Ashley
A day in the life of a freelance designer with Joon+Co sustainable fashion | Brave Girl Design + Blog | photo by Sincerely Ashley
A day in the life of a freelance designer with Joon+Co sustainable fashion | Brave Girl Design + Blog | photo by Sincerely Ashley
What is a typical day like for you?
It starts with a morning walk with my pup. Then coffee as I write out my daily plan and sketch the latest flow of ideas. Commissioned art prints, a client design project or writing is at the heart of my day. I like the days when a coffee date or shop visit sneaks in unplanned. A walk or workout, dinner, tea, and a book or show unwinds me from the day. This typical day is balanced with days full of chaos, late work nights, and playing catch up to my list of errands I've avoided until I can no longer.
A day in the life of a freelance designer with Joon+Co sustainable fashion | Brave Girl Design + Blog | photo by Sincerely Ashley
A day in the life of a freelance designer with Joon+Co sustainable fashion | Brave Girl Design + Blog | photo by Sincerely Ashley
What are the main responsibilities of your job?
The responsibilities are broad as a freelance designer. Not only the creative design work for clients but also invoicing, quarterly goals, and always checking in with my business plan that I'm in alignment with my purpose and my planner.
A day in the life of a freelance designer with Joon+Co sustainable fashion | Brave Girl Design + Blog | photo by Sincerely Ashley
What do you like most about your work?
Creating work that speaks to my heart. Whether it's lettering a design to save the great lakes, illustrating a shirt to share a Vietnam Veteran's heart-wrenching story, or creating print materials for a boho Full Moon wedding. When I feel my craft is aligned with my heart I'm reenergized.
A day in the life of a freelance designer with Joon+Co sustainable fashion | Brave Girl Design + Blog | photo by Sincerely Ashley
How did you become interested in this field?
I discovered design as a high school sophomore. I went to the career center and learned about design programs, photography, and printmaking. These techniques were similar to what I did growing up scrapbooking, crafting, sketching, and doodling letters. It showed me I could make a career out of what I enjoy & I was all in.
A day in the life of a freelance designer with Joon+Co sustainable fashion | Brave Girl Design + Blog | photo by Sincerely Ashley
How did you begin your career and what do you wish you'd known in the beginning?
I began freelancing as a junior in college with logo & branding projects for local businesses and old friends. Then I worked at a design studio in West Michigan after graduating creating identity systems and marketing materials for the furniture industry.
I found college is a place to learn design "rules" and post-college you need to find how design works for you. I'm a rule-follower and it can hinder me creatively. Creativity to me is boundless by nature and rules can be stifling. I now try to balance what I learned with following my creative intuition.
A day in the life of a freelance designer with Joon+Co sustainable fashion | Brave Girl Design + Blog | photo by Sincerely Ashley
A day in the life of a freelance designer with Joon+Co sustainable fashion | Brave Girl Design + Blog | photo by Sincerely Ashley
What do you feel is the future of graphic design?
Graphic design will continue to evolve like it always has based on culture, economy, and society. Many say print is dying and graphic design is becoming fully digital but I disagree. Print is becoming more tactile and tangible and digital is becoming more human with UX/UI roles (user experience and user interface). There will always be a place for custom, thoughtful, and intuitive design work.
A day in the life of a freelance designer with Joon+Co sustainable fashion | Brave Girl Design + Blog | photo by Sincerely Ashley
What advice or insight do you have for a student who is considering a career in graphic design?
You have to first and foremost love it. Creativity is heart work, meaning it is hard work, meaning it is work that can change the world. You have to be ok starting out with a modest salary and working hard to grow from there. You also have to be a great communicator or learn how you communicate best. When you make good, & many, connections you'll be the first designer someone thinks of when they have a design project and that is always good for your business.
Wardrobe c/o Joon + Co. Shop their Spring collection.
Photos by Sincerely Ashley
Creative Business Chats foster conversation and community amongst creatives seeking tips for getting started. Includes behind the scenes of freelance/business ownership. See all chats here.
Spring 10×10: Fave looks + insights
That's a wrap, friends! I've finished my second 10x10 challenge by Style Bee x Unfancy! Here's a recap and what I learned wearing 10 items for 10 days in a row. I didn't count shoes or accessories as my 10 but stuck to 2-3 pairs of shoes and added a jacket as one of my 10 this time (a challenge I wanted to do from the winter10x10).
Best: Day 6 | Worst: Day 4
My shirtdress looks didn't make me feel good at all. It's 3 years old and I've worn the life right out of it. I LOVED Day 6 because it felt effortlessly me. Unbrushed hair, holey jeans, white tee, and a touch of blush. May this remind me of my Spring go-to.
Best Runner up: Green trousers on Day 5
Worst Runner up: Navy trousers on Day 3
MVP: Gray wash jeans | LVP: Blush blouse
I love the fit, the wash, and the copper button details of these gray wash jeans (from Urban Found in Holland). These jeans with a white shirt and boots are my plan for the rest of Spring basically. Not so much with the blush blouse. I loved wearing it and probably will again. It just didn't go with any of my bottoms BUT my dark denim flares so I couldn't wear it as much as I thought I would.
Spring 10x10: Style Stats
Denim: 30%
White: 30%
Price ($25-50): 45%
10x10 items total: $310
Spring 10x10 Top Takeaway: Quality is Key
I discovered quality is key because my white tops and dress are pretty worn out. Quality isn't something I cared about in my early 20's. It's now a requirement before making a purchase. It's a mindset shift to realize quality doesn't have to equal EXPENSIVE. I try to budget for what I want and often find quality brands at thrift stores (hello $2 denim from Rock Paper Scissors). It's nice to treat yourself every once in a while of course but what I love about this challenge is it reminds me what I have is enough.
In case you missed the looks: The first 3 days / Halfway point / The last 4 days
I've mentioned throughout the challenge these #spring10x10 posts are inspiring if you're looking to refresh your wardrobe for Spring. I also recommend Stylebook app to get a feel for your cost per wear and other fun style stats like the ones I shared above from my 10x10 challenge.
Thank you for following along with another 10x10 challenge. I might be helping with a local 10x10 for the Summer so stay tuned! xo, Em
Spring 10×10: Last 4 Days
Day 7 | If you saw my last set of looks you're not surprised with this look and a ball cap to hide Day 4 (yes, 4!) hair. Haha. Creating isn't often pretty but it's addicting to see what comes of the mess. I worked from home to continue on creating a big project and threw on my fuzzy sweater because I was freezing.
Crewneck sweater (Target) | Striped shirt dress (Target) | Gray washed jeans (Celebrity Pink) | Perforated leather booties
Day 8 | Flares and sweater to stay warm and put together for a student portfolio event at my alma mater a few hours North of town. Worked great for a night at our local bar catching up with friends we haven't seen in a year! I like simple outfits like this that are practical, basic, and don't take much thought to put together.
Ivory sweater (Urban Outfitters) | Dark flare denim (thrifted) | Block-heeled boots
Day 9 | Saturday vibes big time! This one was fun to discover the items I usually consider as "office wear" can be worn super casual. I was concerned I wouldn't care for my professional clothing or wear it as much when I went freelance full-time. This outfit proved it's just a mental shift. Shoes alone can dress this up or down. Wore this around the house and then to play darts with Joel at the pub.
White-collar button-up (Madewell) | Navy trousers (Zara) | Nike high-top sneakers
Day 10 | I almost quit on the final day. But then I put on my dress, layered with the jacket, and wrote from the couch in a blanket as the sun streamed in. The simplest of looks for the simplest of days and a great way to end the challenge.
Dress: Striped shirt dress (Target) | Long denim jacket (gifted)
Spring 10x10: Last 4 Days
I shared in the last set of looks why this 10x10 was so challenging but it's worth repeating that I struggled with this one. I'm happy for the observation though because it's brought to light that my Spring Capsule needs some love and attention. So now I'm on the hunt for a striped tee dress and a white tee. I'm thinking Joon+Co for the dress and Everlane for the tee but you might know by now it takes me FOREVER to pull the trigger on a purchase.
Where do you shop for basics like this?
Then & Now: The difference 4 years can make
2014 | 2018
The picture on the left is from 2014 for an Unfancy guest blogger submission and on the right from 2018 last week for Spring10x10. Unfancy is the capsule wardrobe blog that inspired me to start a capsule of my own that year. I didn't get the gig but got the sweetest "no" I've ever received. I just looked back at our email correspondence and oy! I was a bit pushy to connect. Even after I was told I didn't get the guest blogger spot I asked Caroline if I could interview her for a blog spotlight series I was doing. Then I got the second sweetest "no" I've ever received.
The only thing I still have from this photo is my Cuyana bag & this Lake Superior agate necklace I made.
No's are an opportunity and mostly not personal. I kept applying for other guest submissions and getting No's until I got Yes's. Soon after applying to Unfancy, I had two articles published in Driftless Magazine. I'm not saying this to brag but to share an example of how No made way for Yes.
“I’m rooting for you — like a maniac. And I think you should keep putting your particular flavor of good out there — the world needs it.”
My photo set-up circa 2014
See, the sweetest right? I wasn't the right fit at the time. I now see my outfit and photo quality weren't that inspiring. However, those weren't reasons to quit writing and exploring my personal style, even though I was tempted to at first.
Through trial and error, I found what I liked wardrobe-wise. I also kept going with my blog visuals and tweaking things here and there. I don't shoot lower than me anymore and have a mini tripod with a remote for my camera phone for ease. My understanding of natural light has improved and I've taught myself how to use some Lightroom presets.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is this "Then & Now" photo is a testament to keep going. If we don't look up once in awhile we miss how far we've come in pursuit of how much further we think we need to be. You don't know what you don't know until you know it. And that comes with patience, perseverance, and most of all, time.
Do you know what's really crazy? Four years after my guest blogger submission, I stumble upon a 10x10 wardrobe challenge Unfancy co-hosts with Style Bee. At the end of the 10 days, Caroline shares my winter10x10 on her Instagram. That same day I receive 350 new friends who share a similar passion for capsule wardrobes as I do.
An old No turned into a new Yes.
You just never know how things will play out. But you have to stay in the game to find out. With all the tough yet delicate Love I can muster, Em
PS: I'm selling that camera from above right now for $150+shipping [SOLD].
Spring 10×10: Halfway Point
Halfway there! This is the part of the challenge where more creativity has to happen because everything's been worn at least once.
Day 4 | I wore this to work at the coffee shop. The striped tee is my shirt dress. I was able to front tuck it in without it being too bulky because of the high waist. Adding the long jacket helped to not tuck anything in the back. Have I mentioned how much I love these flare jeans yet? They're an instant fave & the $2 price tag continues to have me in awe!
Striped shirt dress (Target) | Long denim jacket (gifted) | Dark flare denim (thrifted) | Block-heeled boots
Day 5 | My favorite dress-up outfit so far! I love how these pants fit and the looser shape. The fuzzy sweater came in clutch for these chilly days and braiding my hair kept it out of my face when it hailed & rained. I've been playing with different hairstyles and lip color as well because I like how that compliments a look. I wore this for date night with my Love to the bakery down the street.
White-collar button-up (Madewell) | Crewneck sweater (Target) | High-waisted green trousers (Gap) | Block-heeled boots
Day 6 | I worked from home all day so I didn't get ready until later. I love the copper buttons so I knotted my button up to show them off a bit and added my blush pink neck scarf. Chilly for the weather but I'm boycotting the snow by acting like it isn't happening. Which really means I'm just cold but whatever. :P I added a jacket and scarf for playing darts with some friends at the pub at night.
White-collar button-up (Madewell) | Gray washed jeans (Celebrity Pink) | Block-heeled boots
Spring 10x10: Halfway Point
Admittedly I've been discontent this 10x10. I was so AMPED for the winter10x10 and was anticipating the same reaction this time but I think it's for 3 main reasons: 1. I'm in the middle of 2 big deadlines for a branding project (think: tall building) and event design (think: an uber-detailed build) so my focus is there. 2. There aren't many items in my Spring capsule that feel like ME. 3. The picture quality of my looks isn't great. I know that's not the point of this challenge but I take pride in having things how I envision them. Quality has been sacrificed for the reasons above and also because we moved so I don't have my new photo spot down yet. :)
I kind of like the super grainy look though. It's visually showing how imperfect and messy things can be so I like the message the Universe is sending me! Also to keep going with something even if it isn't perfect. No need to quit. At some point you just have to send it, right?! & be happy with what you created even if it misses your nearly impossible mark of quality. You might never reach that & that's ok because you're amazing & worthy anyway.
I've been so inspired by the #10x10friends looks though! The way people are layering and the colors they're wearing are just so good. Follow along on Instagram for some Spring inspiration with the #spring10x10 hashtag.
What are your favorite brands for shirt dresses &/or sweaters?
Urban to Rural: Spring Cleaning
"Spring cleaning is not a metaphor, my dear."
I woke up to this text from my mom this morning. As I sit here drinking my first cup in our old house that is again, our new house, it's the message I needed to hear. Joel and I moved BACK to our little Moon Lodge by the lake last weekend. A back story: last Spring we moved to a one-bedroom apartment in Grand Rapids for one year simply because we wanted to try it. After college, each of us considered moving to a larger city like Chicago or Grand Rapids. Soon after we got married something inside us felt the need to try it out. We just couldn't stop wondering where that path might take us so we headed East for a year.
That path brought us right back to our two-bedroom cottage on the lakeshore one year later. Neither of us regrets our time in the city. It brought so much growth to each of us. And definitely in our Marriage the way we treat each other in moments of transition or change.
So here I am in the now clean kitchen after organizing a dozen of boxes and bags getting ready for a new day in an old place that feels like a new place. I can't quite describe how odd the feeling is but I think my mom's text about spring cleaning says it perfectly. What is so hard and so beautiful about the Spring is it's a season of buds growing and waking up from the dark, cold Winter. I'm cleaning out these little crevices in our cupboards as if our year in the city almost didn't happen. Even though these cupboards and these rooms are the same, I can feel inside that I am not, and it's so reenergizing.
It's a fresh start.
We have a lot of plans for this little cottage of ours now. How we want to update it and have it better reflect who we are and the lake life we love. I rarely talk interiors here and I'm not sure if I will. But between our move and a large project I'm working on maybe, I'll share more on that topic.
Now I'm off to work on that large project I mentioned for the day and to organize and clean the living room tonight. Sometimes the only constant is change, my friends. May we soak it up as gracefully as we can.
Follow me on Instagram to see what else I've been up to lately! xo, Em