Interim

 Summer 2015 has shown me lots of doors closing and windows opening. I thought I was a big hotshot when I landed an internship with HM Magazine, and with no one to blame, the magazine became no longer. Everything happens for a reason. I have said this time and time again, and it sinks in the older I get. Within minutes of the unfortunate news, a good friend of mine dropped my name to a friend of hers, and BOOM a new internship was created just for me. 

While learning tons of info about the jewelry and retail biz, I am just so thankful that I get to work and play with some beautiful and inspiring people. My first day of work was a total success! I was pretty proud of how the product photos turned out for our summer flash sale (click here to check out the other pics and to shop also!). Once work was complete, Chiara and I got to play around with an impromptu photo shoot that we hope to make into a weekly gig for both of our blogs!

Are You Leaving For The Country?

Here is a sneak peek of my latest photo shoot! I got to collab with some seriously talented and amazing people, and the results are pretty epic. These are just my simple iPhone snapshots, but Shawn and Michelle will be sending me the edited photos soon. Thanks again to Mother Nature for cooperating, Chiara for being a gorgeous gal both inside and out, and for the lovely Olivia for shining light and giving face <3

Check out the links below to see all of these amazing artist doing their thang:

Michelle

Shawn

Chiara

Olivia

Avy E

Love and light,

~Madeline~

Listen To The Wind Blow, Watch The Sun Rise

We texan gals get a little too excited when our weather drops a few degrees. (78 degrees literally turns 60% of girls into basic bitch status of Lulu Lemon yoga pants, Ugg boots, and pumpkin spice lattes galore) But I will say that our latest cool front makes for a pretty glorious photo shoot. I have met some amazing and beautiful people in the past 5 years, and I was thrilled to get them altogether to see what magic would happen in front of the camera. They make it all look so easy.

Thanks again to the babest of babes Chiara, Veronica, Gigi, and Thuy!

CrazySexyCool

Working 9 to 5...and then some. I have been living a 65 hour work week for the past 2 weeks- and I have been loving every moment. I've said my goodbyes to my sleeping hours and my social life, but hey you can do that in your twenties. Ever since I started shamelessly watching America's Next Top Model, I have always wanted to have Jay Manuel's job. Well ladies and gents, it happened. Working a full time retail manager job and stylist for photoshoots is exactly where I want to be. I feel so blessed to be meeting new people and working with some of the most fabulous people I have ever met. Not only are we all working with fashion, but also charity. Faith McGary and her husband have infused fashion with charity (Lone Star Bulldog Rescue), and it feels amazing to do something you love and make a difference for animals in need. I will keep posting all of the Behind the Scenes photos on the blog, and if and when they get published I will have a separate site for a portfolio.

Lovin life y'all

Deep In The Heart of Texas

 Wanderlust. It means to have a strong desire to travel. This is my favorite word in the English dictionary. It is a beautiful noun that can send endorphins from my fingertips, to my toes, and to the ends of my hair. When I sense any travel plans, I get this feeling. With the past three and a half months, a trip to ANYWHERE was much needed. I took my gal pals from Free People to escape our hustle and bustle lives to the beautiful city of Austin, TX. We planned a mini photo shoot, stayed at Peaceful Haven (the raddest place to stay in Austin), and trecked the city for great venues and food trucks. The result of this trip was spectacular for all of us. Leaving Austin always gives us the blues, but it also gives us the strive to pack up our things and get our asses to Austin, permanently. Check out Hayley's page to see other pics we took for our Free People photo shoot too!

Cheers, y'all <3

We Get Together Every Time We Can

I had the pleasure of spending 12 days with my glorious friend, Little Miss Ashley . Normally, I only get to spend 3-4 days with long distance friends, so this was quite a treat. Us Southern gals discovered new places, movies, and music while prowling through the state of Texas. We are both park/nature fanatics, so finding a place to bask in the outdoors was a must. Even though I have lived in Texas for a good three and a half years, I have yet to really explore. 

Our first discovery was Hermann Park. There was a new sculpture installation that was literally a time machine back to Labyrinth. Check out Ash's blog to see the pics! Once this awful wind, rain, and coldness disappears, I will be back to play some tunes and soak in the sunshine. After our park fix, we headed on over to Cactus Music for vinyl hunting and Stag's Head for Abita's and pub hummus.

Next Tejas discovery was Old Katy. This town is the perfect example of a southern small town. Stores and restaurants are not very updated, and the architecture has stayed the same. I had heard of this place before, but I tried to avoid it like the plague. I came from a very very small town, and I moved away as soon as I could, but as I get older I have come to appreciate and adore my roots. Even though it was 29 degrees on this day, my heart was warmed and I felt at home. Seriously, put me on a front porch and a guitar in hand, and I am the happiest of happy. Guess I am a southerner for life, no matter how many places I have lived. PS if you are looking for amazing and fairly priced vintage jewelry, Old Katy is the place to go! There is a whole strip of Antique shops near 2nd Street, and both Ash and I found amazing furniture, posters, and other knick knacks. 

After our long days of Tejas discoveries, we needed a little "wine-ing" down. For the menu we chose to make a vegetarian and gluten free pasta dish with a salad made out of basically everything that sounded good that was available in my pantry. And of course when I am doing any activity (even sleeping), I need a soundtrack. I have really been digging Maggie Koerner since my friend Curtis discovered her. If Bonnie Raitt and Norah Jones had a baby, it would be Maggie. This little Southern Belle is amazing and everyone should check her out. After dinner and a few white wine spritzers. we had a Phillip Seymour Hoffman movie marathon and our very own karaoke show on my outdoor balcony. Does it really count as a karaoke show if the only song you choose to sing is Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man? (We also apologize for all of the videos we sent to our friends, but face it, you guys LOVED it. Kodak moment for sure.)

Now that our little bestie trip is coming to end and our next Nola reunion isn't until Jazz Fest in April, I will go back to regular Ash-less life.

Have a good Sunday Funday, y'all!!