Collaboration | Joules

At the end of last month I ventured up to the mountains for an annual apple picking excursion. 

If you live in Richmond, on any given weekend during the height of Autumn, you can count on your instagram feed being flooded by Virginia residents and their Carter Mountain apple picking photos. Us Virginians live by this tradition and though my trip was a little later in the season than usual, I still managed to come home with some delicious apples.

I absolutely loved wearing this coat from Joules during my little autumn adventure. I've worn it several times since then and not only is it warm but water resistant!
 (Which is kind of essential for someone who wanders around in the rain/goes sailing as often as I do). Definitely check out more of their coats and parkas. 
This one is another cute one in particular.
They have all kinds of lovely things though, go see for yourself!

Big thanks to my lovely friend Emily for shooting these photos.

//////

Outfit Details

Shoes// Urban Outfitters

Overalls// Thrifted

Vest// DIY

Cowl// From my shop

Bag// Need Supply Co

Purse// Urban Outfitters

Necklaces// DIY

Jacket// Joules (similar here)

//////////

This post is sponsored by Joules. You can find their shop here as well as find them on FacebookTwitter and Instagram. Thanks!

All photos shot by Emily Patton Photography

Things


This was actually a post from my instagram last night, but I decided to share it here on the blog today too.
//

I spent this evening talking with a dear friend of mine about big things.
The kind of things you’d do if you could do whatever you wanted to do. The things you were made to do. The things you dream about doing. For me there isn’t much I’d rather be doing than talking with people about the things their dreams are made of. I love listening to passionate people talk about the things that excite them.

It in turn made me really excited for 2015 and all of the wonderfully cliche new year possibility that it brings.
2014 has been such a big year for me with doing a lot of things I’ve always wanted to do. 
Things that have excited me. 
Things that have scared me. 
Things that I’ve laid awake at night thinking about. 
And I want to continue this trend next year.
And I want you to too.
I want you to get that thing that gets you more excited than anything else out of your head and out into your life. The thing you lie awake thinking about. The thing that scares the crap out of you. 
You only have one life in which to do things. You don’t get another one to try again with. So don’t think about the “what ifs” and the “but hows” so much. Chances are if you can’t stop thinking about doing it, there’s a reason. So go do it. Because you should live a life doing things you love.

And I realize I just said “things” like 78 times but that’s the beauty of that vague word. That thing, it can be whatever you want it to be. You get to decide.

P.s. This photo is only related because one of the things that excites me most is traveling. And this is a photo from a plane from one of my trips this year. And so yea. That’s the explanation for that. 

Shop Local | Blackbird Tees

Small Business Saturday was yesterday, and so in light of that I thought it'd be a good opportunity to give one of my favorite small (and local!) small businesses a little shout out.

Blackbird Tees has been mentioned a time or two here on the blog, so you might be familiar with them, but even if you've already checked out their shop, you need to again because they have some awesome new stuff up! And I'm not just saying that because they asked me to model some of it. 
;)

Jody and Karl are the hard working duo behind Blackbird Tees which they run from a studio here in Richmond. They're pretty much some of the coolest cats around and not only make awesome apparel but killer blondies, have great taste in beer and are excellent printer fixers.
(Not so subtle shout out to Karl for helping me with my printer issues last week...)

No but really, they're pretty great and you should definitely hit them up for some Christmas gifts!
Plus, everything in their shop is on sale right now!

A few of my personal favorites...

Loose Fit Full Moon Tunic

Grizzly Bear Sweatshirt

Night Scouting T-Shirt

Geometric Maxi Dress

Full Moon Tote

Roam Sweet Roam Crop Top

Canoe Infinity Scarf

You Cook I'll Clean Tea Towels

Full Moon Sweatshirt

/////////////

Also find them on...

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

All photos taken by Meagan Abell

Rosewood Clothing Co.

I've mentioned before that lifestyle photography is my favorite type of photography. 

Being able to capture real and raw moments organically as they happen.
Unposed, uninhibited.
Letting events and moments take their course and documenting them along the way.

Well, I got the opportunity to do a lovely little session recently for my friend Ashley.
I met this gal over the summer and we've already become steadfast friends. Her excitement for life and the passion she has for the things she loves is nothing short of infectious.

I do so love being around people who are passionate about what they do and are ambitious in a fast driven and on fire sort of way.They're the best kind of people to be around if you ask me.
I think it's partly because there's a special sort of aliveness you feel when you're in the presence of someone who is that motivated and excited about their life and doing good things with it, and it also inspires you in a similar way to pursue your own dreams and ambitions.

Ashley will be opening Rosewood Clothing Co, a shop for her curated vintage and handmade goods as well as consignment, on 16 W. Broad here in Richmond.

She doesn't have a set opening date yet, but I definitely can't wait to see what she does with her space and I'm so happy that I get to be apart of it's little journey as it comes together.
(And you may or may not be able to buy some of my knits in her shop once it's open... Stay tuned!)

Go follow Rosewood Clothing Co. on Instagram for updates and to be the first to know about the opening day!

//////////

Interested in booking a lifestyle session of your own?

Let's chat!

Email me for more info: 

agirlnamedleney@gmail.com 

 

At Twenty Three

This year was a very big year of growth for me.

//////////////

//Things I Know At 23//

Stick up for yourself. Because very often no one else will.

If the answer is no right now there's a reason. Either there's a yes down the road or it wasn't as great as you thought it was.

It's okay to be a little bit wild.

Eating healthier really is better and worth the little bit of extra time and money.

That I assume far too much and too often. Don't always think you know what's going on, what that person's thinking, or how the story is going to end.

It's easy to make the mistake of thinking that you'll be happier with more.

Waiting for something isn't a passive thing.

Sugar really isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Unless it comes to donuts. Donuts will always be the exception.

There is no one you meet that's by accident.

It was acceptable to listen to Taylor Swift really loudly in the car with the windows down when you were 16, and it's still okay to do that at 23. Taylor Swift defies age and there will always be a Taylor Swift song you can relate to.

Driving stick is still just as hard as it was at 22. It might always be this hard.

Words. Words are very very strong. Be careful how you use them.

There is absolutely no one, no one as good and wonderful and dear and important as family.

It's okay to runaway sometimes.

Just know what you're running from.

Self pity is one of the most crippling and debilitating things you can experience. Only you can get yourself out from under it.

It's okay to keep some things to yourself.

Don't worry so much. You won't even remember what it was that got you so strung out this time next week. Or often, this time tomorrow.

It's so much better to live light instead of heavy.