Lily

““Whatever happens to you belongs to you. Make it yours. Feed it to yourself even if it feels impossible to swallow. Let it nurture you, because it will.” ”

— Cheryl Strayed

My daughter was diagnosed with vitiligo about a year ago, and I truly think it's the most magical thing in the entire world. I'm honestly jealous of her spots, her fierce and obvious authenticity. 

I decided ten minutes ago that I wanted to begin documenting it as a means of celebrating it over the years to come. 

We always tell her she is more magical than a unicorn and closer to the animal spirits, because of her vitiligo. It's a gift, we say. A miracle. 

I wanted to just capture her exactly as she is today: Two-day-old spring break braids, putting on her sandals in the afternoon light. And a few eyelashes dusted with constellations. 

Serendipity

This morning, while backing up some old hard drives onto our new system, I found these images from the little Vermont cabin we used to go to unplug and get away, when we lived in Connecticut. Lily was so little. I have no words for how seeing these makes me feel. Someone recently told me that serendipity means you are on the right path, and discovering these sweetest memories was the best kind of validation. 

July 2017 // New England

"But little by little, as you left their voices behind, the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds, and there was a new voice which you slowly recognized as your own..." -Mary Oliver

New England, I'm coming back home.

I am offering Connecticut River Story sessions in the Salmon River, and also a brand new workshop in the expansive woods of Vermont.

I was going to wait until Spring to announce all of this, but I feel like the world needs beauty and collaboration and refreshing river waters and pine needles and friendships and campfires and creative powerhouses and H O P E now, more than ever before.

Let's gather together in the places where the wifi signal is weak, but the fierce female heart beats the hardest. Where we can quiet the noise long enough to hear the whispers of our own truths. Where we feel empowered in the company of mountaintops and maple trees, stretching toward the sky.

I have taught and mentored hundreds upon hundreds of creative women from around the world, and I believe, with all of my heart, that the most beautiful balm for our collective struggles is the combination of sisterhood and sacred space. There is something otherworldly about gathering women in nature, in the rivers, and I seriously cannot wait.

My heart is seriously doing cartwheels and just GLOWING as I share this. I can already feel the magic of it all! There are very limited spaces for each, and if any of this resonates with you, if what I am saying makes something light up in your heart too, I truly hope to see you this summer.

To learn more about the Vermont retreat, click here.  If you are ready to book a Connecticut River Story session, or a space at the retreat, please reach out, anytime. 

My heart is grateful. 

Return of the Newsletter

I have thought so much about how to realign myself, and my business, with my truest intentions. 
I sometimes feel like the speed, and assault, of social media is leaving me in the dust, dizzy.

It's not that I can't keep up. It's that I don't really want to anymore. (long exhale)

I don't have all of the answers right now, but, I know that returning to a thoughtful, intentional newsletter is a wonderful place to begin.

Years ago I had a beautiful newsletter, and even created a free, seasonal sub-magazine, but somewhere along the way I got swept up in the social media wave, carried out to sea, and, before I knew it, lost sight of land.

It feels so good to be returning home. 

I, and other featured artists and just all-around neat folks, will be interviewing interesting people, tasting different recipes, reading awesome books (online book club!), writing curious stories, sharing photography and art, taking road trips and long deep breaths...

And I mean sure, I could totally do those things alone, but, part of me thinks there might be other people who need to step outside for some fresh air, too.

I believe in the power of conscious community and non-competitive cross-pollination. I believe in making new friends from all around the world. But here's the thing: I'm also a go-to-the-library-with-a-thermos-of-hot-tea-on-a-Friday-night kind of gal, so, the giant loud mosh-pit that social media has become just isn't my jam.

I'll still be here, but make no mistake, my heart will be in this newsletter. 

If you are called, here's the link to sign up for the goodness:

http://madmimi.com/signups/72116/join

The first one, will go out soon, and I don't want you to miss it.

(Also, if you'd like to contribute to future editions, please let me know!)

Kristina + Matt // Wedding Day

These two beautiful souls were married last week and Thomas and Tania did such an incredible job capturing it all. 

I've debated creating this post, because I don't want to appear insensitive or ignorant to the bigger issues going on in the world right now. But at the same time, I believe that it is imperative for us, as human beings, to never forget the good. And this day was filled with SO much good.

I share this wedding here, not to minimize the enormity of current, or historical, suffering, but rather, to illustrate my belief that love is the most resilient gift of all. I refuse to ever give up hope. Ever. Of course I am angry and fighting the good fight, but not without a grateful heart.

Love stories must always be told, and then told again, even when, perhaps especially when, we are faced with unthinkable difficulty. 

We are so honored to have been there to celebrate Kristina and Matt's wedding and hope that maybe these few memories shared here today, will brighten your heart, too.