My 2021 Theme - Faith | Cultivating optimism and belief in my dreams

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My 2021 Theme - Faith | Cultivating optimism and belief in my dreams

Since 2016, I have selected a “theme,” an intentional declaration of what I’d like to cultivate more of in my state of being. In the past, I have chosen Ritual, Consistent, Grace, Authenticity, and Patience. This year, my theme is Faith, and with this I include a quote from Kahlil Gibran (which can be seen on my vision board). This post is about my 10-year journey to reclaiming my dreams, my belief in myself, and ultimately, my faith.

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It’s Planning Season - Why Do I Feel So Lost? 

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It’s Planning Season - Why Do I Feel So Lost? 

This year, as I prepare for 2021, I find planning season to be more intimidating and daunting than ever. So, I’m taking a look at what has been feeling this way to get to the root of what’s keeping me from one of my favorite yearly traditions.

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Late Spring - Early Summer in Our East Tennessee Garden

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Late Spring - Early Summer in Our East Tennessee Garden

May - June saw explosive growth in the garden, where we are growing tomatoes, peppers, corn, squash, melons, green beans, peas, sugar snap peas, collard greens, romaine lettuce, arugula, bowl lettuce, basil, dill, and sunflowers. Read on and check out our photos, lessons learned, and what we’re looking forward to next!

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Building Our 2020 East Tennessee Spring Garden | Plants, Progress, and Plenty of Lessons Learned

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Building Our 2020 East Tennessee Spring Garden | Plants, Progress, and Plenty of Lessons Learned

How we built our 2020 East Tennessee Garden! Our DIY fence + trellises, chosen plants, and lessons learned as we continue to grow.

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How to Get Funding and Keep Your Business Running During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

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How to Get Funding and Keep Your Business Running During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Small businesses, entrepreneurs, freelancers, artists, makers, and performers have seen their businesses all but disappear during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic. In this blog post, I go into detail about the CARES Act, recently passed in Congress, that provides emergency funding options for small businesses and all individuals whose primary compensation comes from self-employed work. Download my one-page quick start guide to funding eligibility, preparation, and application to keep your business running today!

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How to Work from Home and Advocate for Teleworking

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How to Work from Home and Advocate for Teleworking

Employers are still keeping employees at work and considering furlough, layoffs, and other “solutions” to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that leave employees jobless or without income. Instead of waiting for the axe to fall, I’ve put together a guide to help you proactively advocate for yourself and your team members to work from home. Apps, steps, considerations, and step-by-step “How to Telework” guidance from my six years as a remote worker, manager, and leader.

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Understanding Your Privilege During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

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Understanding Your Privilege During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and voluntary self-quarantine have inspired me to reflect on my privilege. In this post, I dig into how our privilege (known or unawares) impacts our ability to respond to a pandemic, for socioeconomic fallout to community access to testing and treatment. Knowing your privilege is the first step to deploying it for the common good. Read on and identify your own privilege, then devise a plan for how you can best contribute to flattening the pandemic curve.

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Mental & Physical Wellness During the Coronavirus Pandemic

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Mental & Physical Wellness During the Coronavirus Pandemic

I’ll get straight to the point: I’m taking the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic very seriously. In this blog post, I’m breaking down how I’m creating peace of mind during this time, including herbal recipes for antiviral + immunostimulating tonics, fundamentals of my “sick kit” (which does not include hoarding commercially available supplies), common-sense lifestyle changes, and how I’m taking care of my mental health as our world gets a little hysteric (rightfully so). I’d love to hear how you are responding to this pandemic in the comments!

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Interview with Hannah Theissen: New 2020 Book Launch - Seasonal Slow Knitting

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Interview with Hannah Theissen: New 2020 Book Launch - Seasonal Slow Knitting

Author and knitwear designer Hannah Thiessen discusses her creative process and her upcoming book: Seasonal Slow Knitting. Get a peek into Hannah’s creative process, how her new book expands on the principles established in her first book Slow Knitting, and how you can incorporate some of the tenets into your life.

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Miss Americana: Taylor Swift's New Documentary Tells My Story, Too

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Miss Americana: Taylor Swift's New Documentary Tells My Story, Too

Despite what you’ve heard, Taylor Swift & Lana Wilson’s Miss Americana is not a “pop star doc” you should watch for juicy details or any kind of ‘explanation.’ In the 85-minute Netflix-hosted documentary, Swift tells her story in her own words and her own voice through the lens of growing up with her career. Like millions of fans who have grown up with Taylor Swift, the documentary struck a chord with my personal experience, too: Pursuing dreams with reckless abandon, wanting to be seen as a ‘good girl,’ bearing the weight of expectations on women’s bodies and behaviors, sexual assault, and coming of age in a derisive political era.

In Miss Americana, Taylor Swift not only tells her story, she tells mine too.

Content Warning: Sexual assault and discussion of an eating disorder.

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How to Attract, Grow, and Maintain an Engaged Audience on Instagram - Free Workbook

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How to Attract, Grow, and Maintain an Engaged Audience on Instagram - Free Workbook

Download the free 14-page eBook that details Instagram strategy, simplified approaches to marketing, clearly actionable activities, and a replicable model you can use for any business or brand.

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Free Pinterest Quick Start Guide - Don't get overwhelmed, just get started

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Free Pinterest Quick Start Guide - Don't get overwhelmed, just get started

Get started on Pinterest in less than 10 minutes with this simple, straightforward guide. Implement tactics one at a time, as they appeal to you, and build a strong foundation on a new platform to support your growing business.

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Hello Goodwill, It's Nice to Meet You

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Hello Goodwill, It's Nice to Meet You

I had the opportunity to tour my local Goodwill-Industries in Knoxville, TN. Director of Marketing Erin Rosalina gave me the lay of the land, the building, and the mission driving Goodwill's community impact. If you've ever donated to Goodwill, shopped secondhand, or wondered what they're doing behind those enormous thrift shops, this article explains everything.

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I Was Assaulted by a Mentally Ill Homeless Man on My Way to Brunch

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I Was Assaulted by a Mentally Ill Homeless Man on My Way to Brunch

Heading to brunch on Saturday morning resulted in a life-altering encounter with a homeless individual in downtown Knoxville.

As I get out of my car, I start loading up with my backpack with my back and driver doors open.

"I'm coming up behind you." I've now tuned in clearly to what the hollering is about.

Read on for the full story.

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Wildflower Walk in East Tennessee | Spring / Summer

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Wildflower Walk in East Tennessee | Spring / Summer

This morning, I awoke in the moody dawn light to a strong rain pounding on our metal roof.

I’d gratefully awaited this rain that wasn’t expected until next week, and new the morning would be especially lovely. I was not disappointed, and it was as if in the few minutes before the rain tapered off and I dressed to run outside that new flowers sprouted in my impromptu ‘garden.’

Read one for a detailed exploration of my unruly wild natives patch!

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Book Review: All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders

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Book Review: All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders

At the recommendation of a friend, I gave All The Birds in the Sky a read - and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Written by trans author Charlie Jane and published in the fast-growing speculative-fiction genre, this sci-fi/fantasy mash-up gave me plenty of think about and many moments to enjoy. However, I'm completely honest in my review and share my reasons for opinion in this post. 

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Missing the Taste of Tradition

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Missing the Taste of Tradition

Last July, I moved from my hometown of St Petersburg, FL to Oak Ridge, TN. I embarked on this new adventure with excitement, trepidation, and an open mind. While I expected to miss friends and the routine of my previous life, I didn't intend to miss this small but meaningful tradition. Read about one of my favorite gems in Tampa, FL and get a mini-travel guide for your next visit! 

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