It’s springtime in Houston and everything is coming up roses—and blue bonnets, of course. The changing seasons don’t have much of a presence here, but Houstonians wait for the springtime patio weather and wildflowers stretching for miles. I say “Houstonian” lightly, as I celebrate my one-year anniversary of deciding to move to Houston. Time flies, so it’s only appropriate to have styled a rose-colored Michael Hill watch into my favorite spring look.
Anyone who knows me personally knows that I’m a sucker for red lips. I love a bright lip color to add a vibrant pop to my outfit—especially in the spring and summer months. My relationship with lipsticks are typically love and hate—sometimes you just find that perfect lip color but struggle to find a brand that will stay on throughout the day. Lipstick marks on coffee cups might be cute for a photo, but reapplying again and again is not.
Gratitude is a funny thing. We’re so quick to capitalize on every Hallmark holiday, but how often do we let our visceral emotions out for “just because” moments? If we’re lucky, we have at least one person in our lives who inspires us and makes us feel “full.” (Not one day a year for a Thanksgiving feast kind of full, an all-year feeling of a bursting heart.)
Gratefulness keeps you grounded—holding a mirror to the goodness of those around you is a powerful thing. There are so many perks that come with saying thanks—AT&T happened to pull a game changer. When AT&T launched its Pay it Fourward campaign for NCAA March Madness, I was compelled by their emphasis on the importance of appreciation. If you’re an AT&T customer in the Houston area, you’re invited to nominate a friend or family member who inspires you for a chance to win two tickets to the Final Four National Semifinal games or the National Final in a special suite at NRG Stadium. For all my sports fans, that sounds INCREDIBLE, right? Sixteen winners and their heroes are going to experience a moment born out of the ability to appreciate.
Let’s get real: Friday mornings like today can be a real test of willpower. We have to roll out of our comfortable beds, shower, put on makeup, mentally prepare for the homestretch before the weekend and get dressed in those intolerable slacks we can’t quite stand. The countdown to 5 p.m. and sweatpants has begun — well, unless you’ve got your Bammies on. Bammies are just what they sound like: business-appropriate pajamas (yep, they exist). Founded by Julia Ford-Carther and Rosario Chozas, the line launched in January with six chic, affordable items ranging between $80 and $170. The recently debuted collection of comfortable, stylish pieces are made to fit the many activities your day and make you feel confident in the process. I was lucky enough to chat with co-founder Julia Ford-Carther about how she turned one of her many dreams into a brand so notable that Mashable, New York Times, Fast Company and Entrepreneur have all taken notice.
Formally the Senior Editor of Ocean Drive magazine, Julia is the founder of The Self Love Formula, a website focused on elevating readers to their best selves, and SLF Media, her new content marketing concept for brands. She may not know this but when I lived in Florida as a publicist, I would read her Ocean Drive pieces and look up to her skill as a journalist. Her ability to follow her passion projects into a full-time career is something I admire and wanted to share with you. Julia is not only a powerhouse, she’s empowering.Â
Happy Friday! I’m still on my Thrive high from last weekend’s Thrive Blog Conference. As you’ll see below, a LOT happened this week! I put together an editorial calendar filled with stories I hope you’ll be excited about. In the meantime , I wanted to share five things to love on the internet this week. I MAY be a little biased on a few of these, but you’ll find out why.
What do you get when you put 100 bloggers in a room with flower crowns, heart-shaped macarons, and nine incredible speakers? Thrive Blog Conference a.k.a. the best weekend ever. Thrive is a conference where bloggers from all backgrounds can come together and learn from each other and leaders in the blogging community. Coordinated by bloggers Whitney and Bree, Thrive Blog Conference is an absolute game changer for people like me looking to find a community for their creative craft. Today, I’m outlining my key takeaways from Thrive and how you can prepare for your next conference.