Gypsy Soul: A Knit Lookbook

This fall/winter knits collection is called Gypsy Soul.
I designed and knit this collection for you.

For the free spirits, the adventurers, the nomads, the wanderers, the vagabonds, the travelers, the road trip takers, the seekers, the wanderlust filled hearts, the explorers.
For the gypsy in all of us.

Essentially, I wanted to create necessity knits for the wandering soul.
Namely inspired by my ever constant living on the road as well as this song. I wanted to bring you pieces that I hoped you would love and enjoy, but also ones I personally love and enjoy and wear throughout my own travels and adventures. 

Wherever they may be. 

This collection was shot in Urbanna by my always insanely talented friend Meagan Abell.
Having it shot in and around the marina with various boats and water-bound crafts was, of course, idyllic.

I am, after all, the daughter of a sailor.
The water has me ever looking outward and onward to my next adventure. Whether it is in fact on sea, or on land.
Similarly, I hope this collection inspires the same for you, as it does for me. 
After all, the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.

Gypsy Soul: A Knit Lookbook

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In order of appearance:

The Dockside Knit Beanie

The Traveling Scarf

The Knit Crop Top Sweater

The Crochet Crop Top Sweater

The Born On A Boat Chunky Cabled Hat

The Vagabond Knit Collar

The Nomad Fingerless Gloves

The Coffee Shop Fingerless Gloves

The Nomad Mittens

The Basic Knit Beanie

The Color Block Cowl

The Gypsy Soul Vest

The Oversized Chunky Knit Sweater Shrug

The Explorers Club Cowl

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All photos are taken by 

Meagan Abell Photography

.

Go like her on 

Facebook

!

Because she's incredible. 

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"

We were born before the wind

Also younger than the sun

Ere the bonnie boat was won 

As we sailed into the mystic

Hark, now hear the sailors cry

Smell the sea and feel the sky

Let your soul and spirit fly

Into the mystic 

I wanna rock your gypsy soul

Just like way back in the days of old

Then magnificently we will float 

Into the mystic” 

-Van Morrison

Jenna | Conceptual Portraits

"And you tried to change, didn't you? Closed your mouth more. Tried to be softer, prettier, less volatile, less awake... You can't make homes out of human beings. Someone should have already told you that. And if he wants to leave, then let him leave. You are terrifying, and strange, and beautiful. 
Something not everyone knows how to love." | Warsan Shire

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Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Model: Jenna

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Check out more here.
Interested in getting some portraits of your own done?
Email me for more info: by.leney@gmail.com

Maddie + Taylor | One Year Anniversary

Some of you might remember these good looking people from here, here or even here.
Well, I had the pleasure of staying with them in their new home in Laguna Beach during part of my California trip. And as it so happens, my procrastination with posting photos in a timely manner has turned into a good thing for once, because now I'm able to share these photos with you on their one year wedding anniversary today. 

I love these two dearly. It was so great to put pictures (literally) to the life they've built in Laguna together over the past few months, which I'd previously only been witness to through many long distance phone calls and swoon worthy instagram posts.
I'm so excited for them and their current season of adventure. 
I can't wait to see where life takes them next.


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Check out more here.
Interested in getting some portraits of your own done?
Email me for more info: by.leney@gmail.com

Adventures | Laguna Beach

This summer I took a trip to California.
It was good to visit this golden state again, especially in the warmer months when I could actually go for a swim in the Pacific (definitely an amazing experience. I'm kind of obsessed with the Pacific ocean now... that water... such a pretty blue). 
I started my trip with a stop into Laguna Beach to visit my highschool best friend Maddie and her husband Taylor.
(I cannot believe in a few days it'll be a year that they've been married! Like... what? Time flies so fast.)
They were pretty much the greatest hosts of all time and made my stay with them feel like a home away from home. 
My stay included, but was not limited to, margarita making, shell hunting (except not... cause it's illegal), succulent obsessing, taco eating, gelato eating, and various other wanderings and exploratory activities. 

Disclaimer: At the end of this post there's possibly one too many photos of Maddie shell hunting... But she's the definition of a beach babe. 
I couldn't really help it. 


Brianna | Portraits

Meet Brianna.

This girl is one of my dearest friends. 
She hired me to take some new head shots of her recently because she's all grown up and entering the working world. Which I can hardly believe. I mean high school was just yesterday wasn't it....??
(Nope.)

Anyway, I can't even begin to express how much this lovely individual means to me, but I decided to take this opportunity to give her a little shout out on here to let you all know how wonderful she is.
And how gorgeous too.
I mean talk about a straight up babe.

I definitely feel supremely blessed to have such a fabulous lady like this one in my life. 
She's a keeper.

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Check out more here.
Interested in getting some portraits of your own done?
Email me for more info: by.leney@gmail.com

Karen + Tyler | A Mini Session

Meet Karen and Tyler.

They came down to Richmond from DC one afternoon recently to meet up and discuss some final details before their wedding day, and it was so nice to finally meet them in person after communicating via email for so long!
 I don't always get to shoot my couples engagement photos, for various reasons, and so I don't always get the opportunity to meet them in person before the big day. Especially when they are from out of town. So it's always great when it works out to meet up and get to know each other a little.

These two are just the cutest.
I loved hearing their story in person, getting to see a photo of Karen's dress (we made Tyler go to the bathroom so he wouldn't hear about it), discussing recent Beyonce music videos (none of which I've ever seen... I know, Karen, I still need to... Send me that link!) getting to see how they interact with one another and of course snapping a few photos on a walk around The Fan.
Oh how I love what I get to do for a living.

So excited to shoot their wedding in DC this weekend!
Keep an eye out on the Facebook page for some photo previews.

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Check out more here.
Interested in getting some portraits of your own done?
Email me for more info: by.leney@gmail.com

Lists


Places I Do Not Care To Be

any public restroom anywhere
video game stores
short pump
in the middle seat on a plane
fancy jewelry stores
the back seats of cars
saunas
basements


Stuff I Don't Understand

math
tofu
crocs
the simpsons/family guy/every adult cartoon ever
discovery channel's shark week
how to make button holes on sewing machines
why everyone likes zombies so much


Things I Want To Watch But Never Get Around To

bridget jones diary
any of new girl past season two
annie hall
the breakfast club
the cider house rules
the new superman
golden girls


Things I Don't Have Time For

foundation
people with bad attitudes
sushi
the term "lol"
instagram videos (i honestly don't know why i bother making them because i never watch anyone else's...)
cooked mushrooms
flip flops
keeping up with twitter
window shopping (it's either shopping or no shopping... don't tease me like that)
reading the fault in our stars


Things I Like That Are Kind of Weird

hardware stores
those gooey glittery plastic fake fish things you use to fish with
overalls
pouring the milk then the cereal
driving with the windows down when it's cold outside



*these lists are subject to change