Where to begin with all of this? The last couple weeks have been heartbreaking, bizarre, uplifting, confusing, restful and unrestful, all at once. As a person who depends on social gatherings for a living, it’s scary times. But I’m also heartened by what’s happened with all of this down time. Seeing families gathered and doing the most random things to bond, from painters tape obstacle courses to farm work to movie nights. I love seeing how human connection rings true, even if it has to be through digital medium.
I think, just maybe, that’s why I’m feeling like it’s time to bring back some personal in this blog.
A little background, I used to write a personal lifestyle blog. Like way back in 2009, when it was the popular thing to do. I was still in college, and scraping together my budget to make outfits happen. I was constantly inspired by blogs and the idea of a whole little world meant for sharing and personal documentation. The idea of lifting a little curtain into someone’s reality was exciting. After all, the best stories are true.
Things got in the way and eventually my blogging led me to a full time job with a company that I stayed with for over six years, and then when my soul asked me to step back into creative entrepreneurial work, photography was a welcome space.
With this work, I spend a lot of time and energy telling others’ stories. And it’s the most fulfilling work I’ve ever done. But, if in the spirit of my heart’s content, I’m doing what I feel called to do, it’s more of an exchange. I want to share my story, too. I want to preserve my own memories for future versions of myself and for my family to look back on as we grow. To give yourself the gift of a written and visual legacy is to give yourself the gift of immortality. Words and images from the past hold ghosts of memories that can only be accessed through them.
So here I’ll begin… again.
In the unsettling days leading up to the fall of normalcy as we know it, I had planned for a short getaway to Vashon Island. Originally it was intended to be a creative retreat for just me. As the days drew closer, and the sprouts of this awful virus were starting to pop everywhere, I realized that what I really needed was time with my husband and baby, and to be enclosed in nature with them.
We spent two nights in this cozy cabin tending fires, cooking meals, and walking the incredible grounds. News was starting to flood in, so the worry was there, too, but every time we got into the woods or down to the water, I forgot. And it was magic.
I spent the whole thing wearing exactly this:
I’m wearing an Everlane tee and Madewell jeans. I’m excited to announce that I’m in a new partnership with Everlane! You might see more pieces from them here and there, because their classic pieces perfectly fit my lifestyle right now. I stand by their direct-to-consumer pricing, and ethical business practices and transparency.
The sun streaming in through the windows every morning was seriously magical. I woke with the sun, sipped coffee and soaked in those rays. I’m glad we made it before this quarantine period, and I’ll hold onto those sweet memories forever.
