#WomenWhoDo October 27, 2016 | Today I have such a fun post for you! As you guys know, I am partnering with Vanity Fair on their #WomenWhoDo campaign and for my final blog post, I thought that it would be fun to highlight a few #WomenWhoDo and have them share a little insight about themselves and what motivates them to DO so many wonderful things. I’m a firm believer in surrounding yourself with women who inspire you, who uplift others, women who have a point of view and who are true go-getters. Being surrounded by so many wonderful women myself, I cannot help but feel so blessed and so inspired to do better and to be better. I ask a few of my favorite #WomenWhoDo to join me today and share a little bit of their hearts with you. Read about what inspires them and learn more about what they do. Also, keep reading to see how I’m thanking them for being a part of this post and paying it forward to Dress for Success…and how you can, too! Here were the questions that I sent to each lady and asked them to answer two: -Which woman in your life inspires you most and why? -Why do you think that having a “tribe” of women who are uplifting and inspirational to surround yourself with is so important in today’s world? -What does a “day in the life” look like for you? -What does the word “confident” mean to you? -What’s your “Why?” Why you do you do what you do? Blair Farris | Peachy the Magazine | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest I had the pleasure of meeting Blair a few years ago and knew right away that I would love her. Her personality is so warm and genuine and her creative spirit shines through. Watching her grow her business has been amazing, but I also admire what a wonderful mother she is. Her oldest daughter, Sydney, works on peachy with her as the Cusp Editor and it’s obvious where she gets her creative talents from. They are a mother + daughter dream team! About Blair: In 2013, Blair Farris set out to create and publish a lifestyle magazine honoring her late grandmother’s zest for life and love for all things beautiful. A huge influence on Blair, her grandmother “Peachy” had a big, bold and eclectic style and loved to make a statement with fabulous jewelry and purses, bright colors and creative hats. Peachy’s love for the arts has always inspired Blair, and she instilled in Blair and other family members a passion for living a good and meaningful life. The product of Blair’s beloved Peachy’s inspiration is Peachy the Magazine, which is celebrating its third birthday this fall. Peachy is a digital publication that takes readers inside gorgeous homes, walking them through verdant gardens, enticing the taste buds with delicious food and drinks, inspiring readers with the latest style trends and showcasing beautiful art and architecture, plus so much more. Which woman in your life inspires you most and why? My grandmother Peachy for whom the magazine is named after was such an amazing influence in my life. She loved life, adventure and LOVED big. She was insanely creative with style, flower arranging, art and entertaining. She traveled the world and brought back treasures, but most of all she was a wonderful grandmother and friend. Some of my biggest treasures are the beautiful letters that she would write to me. I still have the poem that she wrote for me for my 21st birthday hanging on my inspiration board. I wish I could share the whole thing with you but it is the most loving, amazing and funny letter I have ever received. I always thought that I was the favorite grandchild, but when she passed away suddenly in 1993 and the family was all together, I realized that my sister and cousins also thought they were the favorite. This was her incredible gift of loving big. I hope to do the same with my children and one day grandchildren. Why do you think that having a “tribe” of women who are uplifting and inspirational to surround yourself with is so important in today’s world? A girl tribe is essential! We are all good at different things and this is what makes the world interesting. My mom and sister are insanely creative and are some of my biggest fans. When I need a little lifting up my mom is it. Having friends and colleagues that are creative, talented and smart is so important. Our Peachy team (all gals) has so many talents. Peachy would never get published without all of these amazing women that are passionate in their fields. The thought of reading through 120 pages of a magazine to catch a tiny misspelling or grammatical error makes me want to cry. And having friends that are honest, funny and loving is also equally important. It helps you stay grounded, secure and confident. In today’s world there are so many things that tell you you need to be prettier and you’re not good enough, but we need our girl tribe to keep it real. I don’t know what I would do without the many in my girl tribe. Peachy the Magazine | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest Tess Soulier I had the great fortune of meeting Tess after pledging Phi Mu at LSU and have forced her to be my BFF ever since. I always knew that she was special woman, but watching her become a mom to 4 beautiful babies in 6 short years has blown away even my highest expectations. She also maintains a pretty important career as the CFO of a K-12 school and you can bet she’s up at 4:45 am for bootcamp! She’s been thrown many obstacles along the way (the most difficult of which was delivering her second son Beau at 27 weeks and spending countless hours in the NICU nursing him to health), but handles each one with such grace and is always more concerned with others over herself. You know that I adore you… About Tess: I have lived in Louisiana most of my life, graduated from LSU with a Masters degree in accounting, met my husband, got married 7.5 years ago, am now a mother of four beautiful children (ages 3 months to 6 years) and serve as the Director of Finance and Development at a Catholic school in New Roads, LA. My life is a busy one and often hectic, but I am so thankful for my countless blessings and would not trade it for the world! Which woman in your life inspires you most and why? Growing up I always knew that my mom was there for me, she was present, and constantly supporting me in whatever it was that I was doing at the time. I knew that I was lucky to have such wonderful parents, but as a teenager it is very easy to lose sight of that fact when you are not allowed to go to THE party or stay out til all hours of the night like your friends. It wasn’t until I was a little older (and wiser!) and had started a family of my own, that I knew how truly blessed I was with the most wonderful role model, my mother. My Mom is by far the most selfless, thoughtful, generous, and hard working woman I know. She was a stay at home mom; one who volunteered at school, church, and in the community. She drove my siblings, friends, and I around on a daily basis to our extracurriculars, had dinner cooked, helped with homework, and did it all with such grace. To those who may not have a family of their own, that may not seem like a huge feat, but fast forward to me at 31, wife, and mother of 4 young children…it is because of my Mom that I believe in myself, even on the toughest of days, that I can make it through, that I can raise my children in this scary world and give myself freely to them without any regret in the world. It is because of her that I wanted to be a mom, that I felt as if I could juggle being a good wife, a mother, a friend, and give 110% of myself in each of those roles. She is my inspiration. If I can be half of the woman she is, I will have succeeded in life. Why do you think that having a “tribe” of women who are uplifting and inspirational to surround yourself with is so important in today’s world? When I look around me, whether near or far, my “tribe” of women consists of my friends, family, and coworkers. I look to them for support when I’m feeling overwhelmed, I turn to them for advice when I don’t know which way is up, and I look to them to inspire me in their own way. Some members of my “tribe” may be amazing mothers, others may have super successful careers, unreal organizational skills, kick ass marriages, or maybe they live their life like there is no tomorrow. Whatever it may be, I look to those women to inspire and motivate me to be the best woman I can be in this crazy world we live in today. Pam Ginocchio | Project Nursery | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest I had the pleasure of working for Pam at Project Nursery for over two years and what a fun journey it was! This woman is not only a total boss lady who knows how to get stuff done, but she’s also hysterically funny, knows how to have a good time, is a genuine friend and rockstar mom to 3 beautiful kids. Watching her and co-founder Melisa juggle so many tasks with grace and style on a daily basis was really inspirational to me and they were the final push for me to really pursue this blog full time. It’s been amazing to watch their business grow from a blog into SO much more…mamas, have you seen their new baby monitors??? About Pam: I’ve always been a major multi-tasker, the type of person that is actually more productive when their plate is filled to the brim. So as a mother of three young children and co-founder of Project Nursery, nothing makes me happier than a full house and a hectic work schedule. I love living in San Francisco—a vibrant, urban city—because every day I am inspired by the people, fashion and art around me. I’m particularly drawn to color and pattern, and I have a blossoming love affair with geometric and 70’s inspired prints. I’d say my style is modern with a twist of eclectic and a touch of global chic. I’m constantly rearranging furniture, pillows and accessories in my Victorian home because I like things to look fresh and new. Sticking to one design style is challenging for me, but I am lucky enough to work with my dear and focused friend Melisa. I often dream up an idea, and she is the go-to gal to turn ideas into action. The yin to my yang. Project Nursery is a way for me to share amazing finds for the family home, and this passion has grown into a full-fledged business. It’s an exciting time to be an entrepreneur and mother, and I’m loving every minute of it. Which woman in your life inspires you most and why? My mother. She was a working mom back when that title wasn’t quite as powerful and respected as it is today. She is warm and loving when needed but she also has a very practical and resourceful side that I’ve taken cues from. My mom taught me to go after things with a quiet fierceness without taking anyone else down and if things didn’t work out as I had planned to shake it off and keep moving forward. She’s also truly the “women behind the man” and even though our home was your typical Patriarchal family structure, we all knew who wore the pants and I give her major props for that. Why do you think that having a “tribe” of women who are uplifting and inspirational to surround yourself with is so important in today’s world? There is so much junk out there set up to make women feel bad. Whether it’s the perfect images we see on social media and in magazines or competition within our peer groups, now more then ever there are absurd expectations set for women. For me, having a “tribe” of supportive women as my base is critical to navigating the ugly stuff. I’ve always been a girls, girl and value dearly my female friends who support without judgement. What does a “day in the life” look like for you? Up early so I can have a few minutes of peace before the kids wake up. I always, always make them a full hot breakfast. It’s my thing. Once they are out the door to school, I try to fit in a workout or take a run. I need those endorphins! Then, per Rhianna, its work, work, work, work. My work day starts to wind down around 3:30 so I can be the one to pick up the kids from the school bus. Most days I make that happen. I have a great husband who thankfully likes to cook so we trade off with dinner prep and it’s a team effort from homework to bedtime. With all that said, a couple times a week my schedule is thrown by an event, meet-up or date night so it’s not uncommon to make it up as I go. Keeps things from getting boring. What does the word “confident” mean to you? To me, confident is being comfortable in your own skin. Having the ability to laugh at yourself and going for it, even when you have no clue and you’re terrified. Basically, being a mom is confidence. What’s your “Why?” Why you do you do what you do? Because there are no do-overs in life. Project Nursery | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest Bridget + Casey – The DIY Playbook | Blog | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest I met these two pretty ladies over two years ago at a design bloggers conference and was immediately drawn to their fun and outgoing personalities. They are a best friend duo who maintain full-time careers (Bridget is a H.S. Teacher and Casey is a TV Producer), while growing their blog into something pretty special. I love their whole playbook concept and they just have a way of making every project look effortless and beautiful. See for yourself… About The DIY Playbook: Bridget and Casey are the best friends, Chicago gals, and editors behind the blog, The DIY Playbook. The duo coach their readers through the world of interior design and home décor…one DIY project at a time. Casey and Bridget strive to inspire their readers to inject their personalities into their own spaces with affordable and attainable solutions. Which woman in your life inspires you most and why? We both agree that our moms are the most inspirational women in our lives. They’re strong matriarchs of each of our families, and their kindness, selflessness, and strength inspires us each and everyday. We feel extremely blessed to have such wonderful role models, and hope to be 1/2 the mothers they are some day. What does the word confident mean to you? To us, confidence means loving the person you are and being grateful for the journey that has helped shape you into this person. None of us are perfect but we ALL have strengths that we should be proud of and use to make this world a better place. The DIY Playbook | Blog | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest Jenny Collier | Gray Monroe | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest Jenny is the only woman on this list who I haven’t actually met in person! I’ve followed her blog for a long time and it’s been so fun to watch her follow her dream and launch her online boutique, Gray Monroe. It’s grown so quickly and is now something that both she and her husband work on full time! Her assortment caters to young women and moms who want to look cute at affordable prices and she often shares pieces of her mama heart in words that are always so uplifting and relatable. About Jenny: Hey y’all. I’m Jenny Collier. I’m a mom to Hudson Gray and Ella Monroe and wife to my loving husband of 9 years. I’m the owner of Gray Monroe and lifestyle blogger over at jennycollier.com. Five years ago I was deep in the trenches of motherhood. My children, Hudson Gray and Ella Monroe, are only 15 months apart and I was seen daily in yoga pants covered in all of the mom stains. My days were spent taking care of my demanding toddlers, my husband, my home, our businesses, and my blog…everyone but myself. In 2013 I had an ah-ha moment. From that time spent finding myself I rediscovered my lost passion for fashion (after all, my high school dream was to own a boutique). I encourage every woman, mother or not, to take time to take care of themselves. It’s so important. It’s amazing what a cute outfit can do for your mood, your confidence, and feeling like an actual human. My heart for this business is that I can lift all of you up…encourage you, allow you to feel more confident, and feel a connection as women and friends. What’s your “Why” Why you do what you do? I am a Mom of Irish twins five years ago I was deep in the trenches of motherhood. I was that Mom who only wore sweatpants and was constantly covered in spit up. My days were spent taking care of everyone else but myself. In 2013 I had an ah-ha moment. While I had been thinking that taking time for myself would be selfish I suddenly realized that my own needs were not being met. And that I needed to fill myself up first to be able to pour myself into others. It’s amazing what a cute outfit can do for your mood, your confidence, and feeling like an actual human. Which woman inspires you most and why? I am so encouraged and inspired by Shauna Niequest after reading her book Present Over Perfect. I am naturally a driven overachiever and the quote from her book that struck me was this: “that very thing that makes you you. That makes you great. That makes you different from everyone else is also the thing that, unchecked, will ruin you.” She shares the importance of white space, self care, and simply enjoying life. It is one book I will read over and over again when I feel the tide rising too high. Kristin Timmerman | Bonita Pina | Instagram | Facebook Kristin and I have babies the same age and her son and Landry were actually in the same class last year. We’d see each other coming and going, and I’d always note her cute outfits and fun accessories, but we never really got to know each other up until recently when she launched her business Bonita Piña. I fell in love with how it all happened (from spending a month in Guatemala and falling in love with the artisans there) and she’s transformed her time there it into a fair trade business that supports these women, while importing such cool accessories for American women to enjoy. About Kristin: Kristin Timmerman is the owner of and creative mind behind Bonita Piña. After years of traveling and exploring the globe, she and her husband jumped feet first into a new retail adventure – offering handmade, stylish accessories from around the world. By providing design insights, Kristin helps artisans showcase their traditional skills and techniques to a broader audience while creating income-generating opportunities for families. A graduate of NCSU with a degree in Art & Design, Kristin resides in her hometown of Charlotte, NC with her husband and two towhead kiddos. What does a “day in the life” look like for you? Right now I would describe my days as “juggling.” My husband and I have worked together in the past, but the retail/fair trade industry is a whole new experience for us! I’m learning on the fly while still trying to manage our regular life commitments. Each day is different, but it’s usually some combination of sending kids off the school, managing our social media accounts, designing and ordering new product, shipping out orders, planning our Christmas Shows/pop-up shops, reaching out to potential partners, building our website, photo shoots, editing, etc etc. I’m wearing A LOT of hats right now! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and I’m learning how to manage that. But ultimately, we are excited about the direction Bonita Piña is headed and what’s in store. Our passion is bigger than our exhaustion! What’s your “Why?” Why you do you do what you do? Without a doubt, my “why” is the talented artisans we partner with – specifically, the women living and working in Guatemala. Everything I’m doing is for their well-being. If we can make this work – if we can get these gorgeous hair bands out into the world – then their futures are secured. Their children are fed. They can safely work from home for a fair and dependable wage. We received a fantastic report this week – now 47 women are working for Bonita Piña weaving hair wraps. 47 women with dignified work, sustainable income, at home with their children and out of the markets just barely getting by. Now it’s our job to do whatever it takes to make this successful! I do this for them because I have big dreams for these ladies and generations to come. We are humbled and honored that they would trust us with this vision. As a small token of my thanks to these women for not only inspiring me on a daily basis, but also for taking time out of their busy schedules to share their hearts with us today, I’m going to take advantage of Vanity Fair’s Buy One, Get One, Give One event and will donate all 3 bras to Dress for Success in each of their honor. I’m a firm believer in everything that Dress for Success stands for and so admire the women who come to DFS for a new beginning. I feel that they should be given not only the hard skills to compete in the workplace again, but also things like a good outfit and great fitting base layer to increase their confidence when going out to interviews for the first time. So, thank you ladies for helping to send over 18 new Vanity Fair bras to Dress for Success, and cheers to paying it forward to these #WomenWhoDo who are re-entering the workplace and re-discovering their passions! If you’d like to pay it forward to some very deserving women at Dress for Success you can go into Belk from 10/30 – 11/6 and when you buy one bra, you’ll get one free and Vanity Fair will donate one bra to Dress for Success on your behalf! What an amazing event, right? To read more about how Vanity Fair partners with Dress for Success (prepare to be uplifted for sure!) click HERE. Other #WomenWhoDo posts: NYC Recap | Self Confidence in Your 30’s Happy Thursday, friends! Now call your favorite #WomenWhoDo and tell them how much they mean to you! xo
