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Learning To Forgive
After many minimal circumstances on the daily and bigger life altering occurrences that I have encountered in life, I have come to realize that forgiveness and freedom walk hand in hand. Strangely enough, the easy way out is to hold on tightly to the hurt and pain cause by someone close to us, or to focus on how that road rager on the way to work ruined our mood. It is so easy to live in a state of annoyance and play the blame game, when in reality, we can choose to forgive, rise above hostility, and live in gratefulness. Why is the positive solution the harder solution? It seems backwards that existing in negativity requires less effort than flourishing in a life of freedom. Why is this?
I truly believe forgiveness derives from self-awareness. It stems from a humble spirit and a desire to step back and understand the full story. It requires the acceptance that we are all human, that we all share differing values and opinions that are neither right nor wrong, that we each have triggers from the past that ignite our present reactions. If we walk in surety of who we are, the temptation to walk in broken friendships and negativity disperses quickly. A new desire for fullness and life-giving relationships becomes the goal, and the effort to create that becomes a joyful practice. But digging into the heart of who we are is intimidating and one of the things that so many of us avoid, but if you step through the immediate discomfort, there is so much abundant life on the other side. It's ironic that forgiveness stems from us making a change, rather than someone else making a change.
Are you holding a grudge against someone? What is keeping you from confronting the issue? I must mention that I want to run away from difficult conversations. I often assume the worst - that I will not communicate clearly, that I will lose a friend, that I will hurt my husband's feelings. Assumption often causes pain before it is even present. What I always come back to before I need to have a tough talk is that it is a loving gesture. If my intention is for fullness in relationships, hard honesty is key. It ultimately breaks down walls and ignites living genuine lives alongside each other. What is better than that? Vulnerable, but better. Also, remember that if you lovingly discuss a problem, and the reaction is friendship-threatening, know that their response is their own issue, and you have done all that you can. xoxo
This series is in collaboration with some stellar ladies. Be sure and check out their posts on Self Care too: Kat Harris, Tutti del Monte, Danielle Bennett, Kate Labat, Joanne Encarnacion, Nikia Phoenix, and Chelsey Korus.
OUTFIT DETAILS
dress c/o (and here) | sunnies c/o | shoes
images by felicia lasala
10 Good Reads That We Are Loving
Read on for links to 10 good reads that we are loving // xo
* making your closet a happy space (because I'm addicted)
* foods that help promote a healthy, beautiful glow (goop)
* the healthy dose of turmeric (well + good)
* eight healthy daily reminders (sakara)
* the working girl detox (goop)
* inspiration for an organized bathroom (my domaine)
* how to have hard conversations without conflict (goop)
* the benefits of vitamin D3 when it comes to autoimmune diseases (goop)
* making nontoxic sunscreen with Shiva Rose (marysia)
* an energizing anti-inflammatory facial massage (because I'm addicted)
Making Time For The Girls
Making time for the girls in our life is so important, but sometimes finding the time is hard. It's a reality that most of us face due to busy schedules. Things like work, precious family time, and other obligations such as that yoga class, the errands you need to run, or the honest desire to be a homebody are all real reasons to pass on plans. However, we know that we always feel so good after an evening with our best girlfriend. There is a fine balance between making plans and passing on plans and below are some tips to navigate through the planning. Lo's outfit details are at the bottom! xo
*Listen to your body - sometimes we go through seasons that are quite exhausting. Be aware of these seasons, and don't make as many plans during this time when your body needs rest. This will allow yourself a week or two to "recharge" and be your best self when you feel up to plans.
*Choose wisely - this might sound harsh, but it's really out of love. As we mature, we realize the girlfriends that are truly meant for us. These are the ones that we connect with on a deep, personal, and authentic level. Make time for these girls and really dedicate your time to nourishing these friendships.
*Stick to it - do your best to stick to plans once you have them. Take time to think through the planning and make sure you are committing to something that works before you say yes.
*Quality time - quality time is more important than length of time. An hour coffee date with your bestie on a Saturday morning can be the sweetest, even though it's short. Don't feel pressured to carve out hours on a weekend for girlfriend time if realistically it doesn't work.
*Be honest - following up on the above point, be honest and upfront with your girlfriend before making plans. Talk it out with her so you both know how much time the two of you have to hang out.
*Show the love - one of the sweetest things you can do after spending time with a girlfriend is to follow up with her. Send a text to just say thank you and express how good that hangout time was for your soul- it will mean so much to her!
OUTFIT DETAILS
dress | sunnies (c/o) | bag | boots (and here)
images by felicia lasala
Ragdoll LA
I am just going to lay it all out there - I live for sweats, cozy tees, and oversized sweatshirts. My parents literally had to limit my sweat pant purchases growing up because I seemed to fall in love with every pair I saw. Even to this day, when I walk through our front door, I am in comfy clothes faster than anything, with a candle lit and a cup of Sakara tea by my side. With all of this said, my excitement when relaxing ensembles were deemed appropriate for public appearance was on another level.
I love when random decisions turn into the best realizations. My parents were in town last month, and we ran into Kreation on 3rd Street for a juice and popped into a store called Ragdoll. My mom and I were immediately lost in the effortless essentials - the vintage sweatshirts, the most perfect puffy sweaters, and the casual tees. The lovely founder and designer, Lisa Larson, came out for a quick visit, which made me feel even more appreciation for the brand.I have so much respect for family owned businesses, and I love Lisa's story and how she describes her brand : "Just like me, Ragdoll is a mix of European chic and slouchy Los Angeles lifestyle. From LA I like the very casual way you dress, and from Europe I love the aesthetic and colors. I'm a Ragdoll. I like to dressy classy with a touch of sexy, vintage, and rock 'n' roll."
I couldn't help but leave the store with two sweatsuits; the blush pink sweatshirt and track pants might be my favorite, and I couldn't leave without the classic black sweats and coordinating pullover. They are perfect for travel days, running errands around bustling LA, and they are oh so perfect for a cozy night in lounging on the couch with takeout food watching This Is Us.
8 Favorite NYC Restaurants
Lo and I both love making getaway trips to NYC. It's a bigger trip for Lo of course from the West Coast, but I am just a 3 hour train trip away in Annapolis. Below we have rounded up 8 favorite NYC restaurants. Scroll down for info on each spot and bookmark this post for the next time you need to make a dinner res in the Big Apple. [feature image via Cafe Cluny]
The Smile is an amazing gem of a place where the restaurant is smaller, the atmosphere is cozy and dim, and the food is unique and delicious. My friend who is an NYC local introduced me, and it was immediately added to my favorites!
A cozy and quaint French restaurant serving delicious, healthy food made with the best ingredients. This is a great spot for brunch, too!
This restaurant is nestled in the heart of Soho and feels warm in all aspects after a bustling day in the city. The food is absolutely delicious, and the always packed restaurant brings so much life rather than feeling overwhelming!
The Butcher's Daughter is on a street corner in charming Nolita, and it offers mostly vegetarian and vegan fare and freshly pressed juice. It is a healthy escape and the atmosphere is fun and vibrant!
An elegant date night spot with the most lovely, rustic-chic decor and amazing food. Book this one 30 days out, as it is a Jean-Georges restaurant and very popular, for good reason.
A fun, hip, lively restaurant that embodies the NYC scene. For you Food Network fans, this is a must-try since it's a Bobby Flay restaurant. Also, their saffron linguini with muscles is seriously SO good.
A cozy, chic French dining experience in the West Village of New York. The bar is downstairs + dining is upstairs. It's a small space, but it feels very home-y in a cool way.
A go-to spot for a fun night out. The bar scene is "happening" so-to-speak + the food is really, really good. It's loud however, so you definitely need to go on a night that you are in the mood for that classic, unique NYC energy.
Indego Africa: Empowering Women
I stumbled across this beautiful brand on social media recently and quickly felt inspired to do a little research about what this organization was all about. I am so moved by the mission and purpose of Indego Africa - it is such a breath of fresh air and so encouraging to see the huge change happening in families, communities, and the confidence and value of these precious women in Rwanda and Ghana. It is just beyond beautiful. Scroll down if you are ready to be inspired to the core. P.S. Standing ovation to Anthropologie for carrying this brand, too! I love companies that desire contributing to change.
How was the idea of Indego Africa born?Indego Africa was founded in 2007 with a simple idea: Empower women artisans in Africa by showcasing their beautiful craft and investing in the power of education. Since our founding, Indego's mission has always been to help artisans lift themselves and their families out of poverty and become empowered businesswomen. The artisan sector is the second largest informal employer in the developing world. Despite its potential, the industry remains untapped as a resource for income generation, job creation, and economic growth in under-resourced communities. Since 2007, Indego Africa has played a critical role in changing this by providing artisans, especially women and young people, with access to markets, vocational training, and education. We believe that women around the globe have the capacity, creativity, and determination to uplift themselves, their families, and their communities—all they need are the opportunities!
What is your favorite part of working with the artisans in Rwanda and Ghana?All of it! I love how collaborative the process is. These groups of artisans look to us for market and business opportunities, and we look to them for production and a chance to show the world their exceptional artistry and craftsmanship. Seeing how much dedication to and passion for craft they have is so inspiring to me. It helps shape the vision of our brand in the best possible way. I also love how, as partners, we’ve being able to grow together. I started at Indego Africa 6 years ago, when many of our partners were also just forming their businesses, and looking back, I feel like we were all babies in this journey! We’ve worked through cultural challenges, business related bumps in the road, collaborative successes, (epic) failures and, most importantly, we’ve experienced moments of incredible joy, growth, empowerment and pride – all together as partners. I consider the commitment of these women to our shared mission to be the most essential element to the success of our company. I love, love, love building this brand together, hand in hand with them!
How often does your team travel to Africa and what is that experience like?Indego Africa is a global team that truly prides itself on maintaining a collaborative culture. Our design, marketing, fundraising and operations team members are based out of New York City and our wonderful local teams in both Rwanda and Ghana oversee and implement the direct to artisan social impact programs and production logistics. We believe in having a connected and collaborative relationship with the artisans we partner with and try to visit our cooperative sites as often as we can (and have our local teams visit NYC whenever possible)!The artisans we work with share our passion for education, artistry, and the future of their country and it's a common bond that connects us as partners. Our local teams in Rwanda and Ghana are with them, day to day, sitting down with these women and discussing their lives, their goals, and their insights into our work and or partnership. So many of our programs and educational initiatives (which you can learn more about here) were started because of the direct feedback from our partners. We are invested deeply in these communities, and it is so important to us to make sure the opportunities and support we are providing is relevant and helpful in their lives and our local teams are the ones making sure this is happening on a daily basis.On a personal note, I am forever in admiration of these hardworking women and visiting our artisan partners is an inspiring, invigorating and motivating experience. I have learned so much about grace, strength and pure hard work from them, especially when I’ve had the opportunity to see in person the way they carry themselves, to sit down next to them and observe them at work and to talk to them, woman-to-woman, about all the things that make them who they are.
Indego Africa items are all so lovely and unique- we would love to hear about the design process in NYC. What is that process like?Thank you! For me, the design process looks different for every product but always has the same creative spin behind it. The first thing it always starts with is the artisan element itself. What can our partners make with the skills and materials they have? What will be a good fit for our brand aesthetically and will it showcase their artistry? Whenever I’m seeking – or seeing – inspiration these are the parameters front and center in my brain. From there, I focus on using color and pattern to tell a story but also showcasing the power of texture through neutrals. I want our products to feel happy, well-made, and to evoke a sort of casual chic design element. We sell home goods, baby and kids décor and apparel, women’s accessories, art and objects, but we always make sure our product line feels cohesive and comprehensive. What are the designs that would be able to tick all these boxes while also following trends in the markets we serve? The design process can feel sort of like a puzzle sometimes - and that’s before we even start sampling! ☺ Once we have an idea that will work, I communicate with our production teams in Rwanda and Ghana, who then sit down and work with the artisans to see if the piece can come to life the way we want through a traditional sampling process. From there, we review, redesign, and resample. Then within a few weeks, months, or seasons, we have a new product. It is my favorite part of the job to be a part of this global design process!
What is the inspiration behind some of your favorite pieces in the collection?Right now I’m really loving our woven hat and bag collection. A few years ago it occurred to me that these artisans, while experts in basket-weaving, had the perfect skill set to make the ever popular “straw” summer bag and hat but just didn’t have the right vision. It took a few months – or maybe closer to a year ☺ - of sampling but when we got the shapes and look right it was easy to think of creative ways to make the traditional woven bag feel on brand and interesting to our customers. This year we added lots of textured raffia pops and fun hand-embroidered bag charms and accents. I love how these pieces at the same time feel both traditional and of the moment and add a handmade and possibly unexpected pop to any outfit (or bathing suit for the beach beauties out there!).
Your mission is so beautiful from start to finish, but the part of profits earned going to education programs for the artisans is truly extraordinary. What are some of the education programs that the artisans enroll in?Indego’s education programs include foundational business education and financial management, technology training for the workplace, skills-based vocational education, and advanced leadership and entrepreneurship training. It’s through these programs that women and youth in both Rwanda & Ghana develop the skills they need to grow their own businesses, become entrepreneurs, and create economic growth in their communities. Combined with access to global markets and work opportunities, Indego’s education programs ensure that our partners are not solely dependent on us for their livelihoods, but rather, are actively building the knowledge, tools, and expertise to achieve financial independence and realize their full potential as leaders and change-makers.Recently, we’ve also partnered with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency on a special project providing artisan vocational training to Burundian refugees in the Mahama Refugee Camp in Rwanda. The goal of this project is to help female refugees improve their livelihoods by building the skills necessary to participate in the artisan economy. We’re excited about this new program and the potential Indego Africa has to help create opportunities for a group of incredibly deserving and hardworking women!
Is there anything else you would like to add?We’d love for you to bring a piece of Indego Africa to your lives! Please use code IndegoShop for 25% off your purchase from Indego Africa.
10 Ways to Rest the Mind, Body, and Soul
Rest and peace are such special gifts in this life, and are also so necessary to our well-being. I find it nearly impossible to live a joyful, centered life when my mind and soul are not in a peaceful place and my physical body is worn out. Below we are sharing 10 ways to rest the mind, body, and soul. These are things to keep in mind when hard times, overwhelming situations, and moments of doubt come your way- all of which are inevitable, but also so temporary. Keep the faith, friend, and keep pressing on! XO
*Trust the Lord
*Worry less, Pray more
*Take one day at a time
*Write things down- lists and journaling
*Turn off the TV
*Turn on worship music
*Talk less, listen more
*Read before bed
*Drink tea
*Be still
OUTFIT DETAILS:
SUNNIES (c/o) | JACKET (c/o) | BANDANA (similar) | DENIM (c/o) | TEE | BOOTS (c/o)
images by felicia lasala
Best Pair of Black Denim Under $100
Black denim is always in constant rotation for me. I love how a pair of black skinnies can be dressed up or down and styled so many different ways. I am so confident in these jeans (c/o) that I have deemed them the best pair of black denim under $100. They fit like a dream, are so comfortable, have the perfectly placed knee slits, are ankle length, and can be worn with all shoe types from sneaks to heels. Abercrombie is the company responsible for making these amazing jeans and the price point is truly incredible. Check them out if you are in the market for a new pair of black denim and below is style inspo! xo
Loving the Skin You're In
I have always been an all-natural kind of girl, with palm trees, ocean waves, and sandy toes on my mind. I feel more myself with little to no makeup, a blow out or beach waves that look effortless, and high-waisted Levi's for that all-American, undone look. Like most girls, I cared about what I looked like growing up, but I didn't spend too much time getting ready or analyzing my appearance. I truly believe my parents' love and encouragement was a vessel in protecting me from low self value, and believing that I was a daughter of Jesus aided in focusing on developing lasting memories and friendships, rather than becoming consumed with the physical. Yet, I was very challenged on this mindset and perspective when my life took an unexpected turn. 
My calendar paused, my career path changed, and my platform increased after a night of injury in 2011. I was hit by a plane propeller; the blade cut into my brain and the left side of my body, resulting in the loss of my left eye, left hand, and half my head of hair post brain surgery. In retrospect, I clearly see how I easily submerged in destructive comparison after this life-altering experience. I felt depleted of beauty, but my foundation remained the same. My mom and dad's love and encouragement became stronger. My faith and trust in believing Jesus loved me grew substantially. Somehow my perspective of beauty shifted, though, and I believe one of the gifts of this tragedy was revealing to me the meaningless things that I apparently held so dear. What "bothered" me most about the outcome of this accident revealed what I held as very valuable. Did I let outward beauty define me? Yes. Did I cherish attention more than I realized? Definitely. I truly had to sit back and be still. I had to reassess my foundation. I had to refocus on what was important. I quickly came to realize that comparison is equivalent to worry; it only severely hinders and limits fruition. Plus, if we really think about it, wouldn’t life be boring if we were all the same?
The Lord has brought such healing these last five years. He has restored in me a new kind of inner confidence that is rooted in where my identity truly stands, and I have realized the following to be true: physical beauty fades; attention is temporary and unfulfilling. Yes, my insecurities are a daily struggle. I often catch myself comparing not only to other people but to my "old" self. Grief is intertwined in it all as I miss my hand and my eye daily, but a lot of the hesitation in loving the skin I am in comes from wanting to hide what has changed. I have learned to be open about this struggle to my sweet husband, family, and friends, and I am slowly realizing that freedom comes from vulnerability . I am also seeing that beauty truly is in accepting the scars, in character, in the humility of freely being you, and in loving others well. I am learning to fully accept and value the path the Lord has put in front of me, and I am learning to view that path as beautiful.
This series is in collaboration with some stellar ladies. Be sure and check out their posts on Self Care too: Kat Harris, Tutti del Monte, Danielle Bennett, Kate Labat, Joanne Encarnacion, Nikia Phoenix, and Chelsey Korus.
images: felicia lasala
OUTFIT DETAILS
jacket (similar + similar) | denim | shirt | sunnies