Captivations is a monthly feature with links, stories and news that captivated me. Take a look at all the things captivating me lately.
Shibori Indigo Dye Workshop
One of my goals this year is to complete a creative project every month. This month I took a shibori indigo dye workshop at HIVE. The result was two very colorful tea towels! How have you been creative lately? Any crafts you’d recommend?
For the Record
Actress Jennifer Aniston wrote a piece on Huffington Post speaking out about the expectations society put on women daily. It’s a great reminder that we should see the characteristics of a person and not only their roles in life as valuable.
Change
I think the word change is always an unconscious ‘word of the year’ in our lives. (See the actual words I picked out for my 2016 here.) We encounter a lot of change throughout the year and many times, it’s only in hindsight do we realize its effects. And then there’s active change. Things we want to accomplish or things we need to accomplish. I like this thought-provoking quote from Nicole about change: “Change is hard because it forces us to confront the size of the gap between our ideals and our actions.” How big is your gap and how do you work to narrow it?
ATXBloggerMixer
Fellow Austin blogger Jesse Coulter and I hosted the quarterly ATXBloggerMixer this month and it was so much fun! It’s always fun to connect with bloggers in real life and talk shop about what we do. I also enjoyed hearing Kirsten, CEO and founder of Raven + Lily speak about how she has grown her company and the importance behind their mission of empowering women around the world.
- Thank you to Raven + Lily for having us at their new store in the Domain Rock Rose!
- Thank you to Mighty Swell Cocktails, Shortbread Baking Co, and Salvation Pizza for the yummy snacks!
- Thank you to Oh Happy Day Booth for the photo booth!
- Thank you to Viva Day Spa, Birds Barbershop, and CorePower Yoga for the giveaways!
Foodies of Austin Unite
Speaking of bloggers, did you know there is a vibrant food blogger community (Austin Food Bloggers Alliance) in Austin? It’s no secret that Austin is a foodie city, and many restaurant reviewers and recipe creators are a part of this group. Check out the Facebook page to see regular posts from members and check out the annual City Guides to find the best eats in town!
On Growing Up
It’s my 10-year high school reunion this year. (Cue all the exclamations of being “old.”) In our alumni Facebook group, people have been posting “where are you now” updates, giving a few short paragraphs about what has happened in their lives in the 10 years since high school. I was thinking about these stories and my story and I think we all ended up ok, despite what we might have thought then. Sure, where we are now might not be exactly where we thought we would be, but we’re smarter and stronger. In reflecting, I’m proud of the personal growth I’ve experienced to become more bold and thoughtful, the degree I earned, and that I no longer have a middle part and bushy eyebrows. What have you learned or are you most proud of in the last 10 years?
Now Listening
Here’s the music on my playlist lately.
“Stole the Show” by Kygo
“River” by Bishop Briggs
“Close” by Nick Jonas ft. Tove Lo
“Never Be Like You” by Flume
“Into You” by Ariana Grande
“Capsize” by Frenship and Emily Warren
50 Best Burgers in Texas
Texas Monthly released their annual 50 best burgers list, so you’re in for a treat. I would definitely vouch for two of Austin’s winners – Chicon (had the burger at Contigo and Gardner) and Hopdoddy – and I can’t wait to try the ones at Central Standard, Clark’s Oyster Bar, Texas French Bread and Second Bar + Kitchen. Have you tried any of these fine burgers around Texas?
Simple Living and Finding Your True Self
Sometimes we think way too much about life and make it more complicated than it needs to be. This simple post on Becoming Minimalist was a great reminder of aligning your values and coming back to your true self. Be sure to give it a read!
What have you been captivated by lately? Any cool articles, videos or products you want to share in the comments below?
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