The Pictures of Morgan Gray

I met Morgan Gray (she has a cool name, so I will be using her full name at all times) about a year ago. I know it sounds cliche, but I knew instantly that she was going to be one of those people that bring light and laughter into my life. With a dry sense of humor, a can't-hold-me-down attitude, and a life story that truly touched my heart- I knew we were going to be two peas in a pod.

When I started this project, I really didn't know what to expect. I just knew that I wanted to document all the people I have met throughout my life. Morgan Gray was gracious enough to be my first guinea pig, and I was STOKED when she arrived on her motorcycle. If I didn't think that she was bad ass enough with her unique tats and fiery red hair, arriving on her bike (which she named Beryl Markham) set the bar way higher.

Morgan Gray is spreading her wings and moving to Portland, soon. We've already discussed our Portland adventures of locking ourselves in her room to listen to Local Natives, watch Barbara Stanwyck movies, find Portland's best coffee shops, and to talk about topics like feminism, Bukowski, and tattoos.

Morgan Gray, I see great things happening for you. Thank you for being a beautiful woman, for introducing me to the delicious creation of Fat Bao (I still crave them everyday), and for letting me ride on the back of your motorcycle! Love and light to you and to your new adventures.

Follow Morgan Gray on Instagram

Gather Round

I don't know about you guys, but once an ounce of stress enters my world, my skin gets the beating. Now that finals week is tumbling in, the mean facial craters are making their presence known. So, instead of studying/cramming, I thought it best to post about my favorite skin care remedies that will remove the results of stress (at least from your face, that is).

1. Rosewater

The smell alone makes it an everyday staple whether I am using it as a toner, perfume, or to control hair frizz. For serious acne crisis, add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of rosewater. Apply with a cotton ball to the trouble area, then rinse off with warm water. It'll make your face feel so fresh, and so clean clean.

2.Tea Tree Oil

Don't panic. Putting natural oils (especially tea tree oil) on your face can prove to help fight the worst blemishes. Especially those painful, under-the-surface pimples that take forever to heal! I like to mix 3-5 drop of tea tree oil with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and apply to blemish area with a q-tip. Leave on for 5-8 minutes, wash off with warm water, and pat dry.

3.Apple Cider Vinegar

Another daily staple that I use both inside and out! I use it as a hair conditioner, a morning detox, and as an after face wash setter. Click here to see other helpful ways that ACV can safe your life.

4.Witch hazel

Normally my witch hazel is in liquid form, but I came across a soap form and thought, "Meh. Why not?" Now, I am obsessed. I start my day with this little bar, and I end my day with it. Witch hazel is a natural anti-inflammatory, cleanser, and moisturizer. You can't really argue with that.

5.Honey

Save the best for last. HONEY. I am fortunate enough to have an aunt and an uncle that make honey for a living, so I may be a little bias when I say that their honey is the BEST. You can click the link above to get your hands on Bernard's honey, or please contact me if you would like me to send you a honey care package! (it is honestly one of my favorite things to do) I use honey in my tea, as a cough syrup, as a Greek yogurt topping, hair masks, and for many facial masks and scrubs. My favorite way is to take a half of a lemon, pour a little honey on top of it, and apply gently to my face in the morning. It gets a little messy, but it is the best way to give me that jolt of energy and to get rid of some of the surface dirt (plus it taste delicious)! Another favorite way to use honey is as an exfoliate. When I have some cinnamon and nutmeg lying around, I'll mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 teaspoon nutmeg and apply as a mask. Let it sit for 30 minutes and wash off with warm water.

I am also telling myself to drink more water and get 6-8 hours of sleep to get these blemish blues outta here, but I love using these products on a daily basis too :)

What are some of your daily beauty routines?

Bad Self Portraits

1. Student life has killed my social life, but it has given me more time to take pictures (of myself) and fart around with my guitar.

2. I promised myself that in the year 2015 I would try to be more open when it comes to expressing my emotions to others...its a SLOW process with not much results. But, hey, its only April!

3.Leaving for the Dominican Republic in 81 days. Need to brush up on my history and trivia!

4. Since joining Weight Watchers, I have lost 12.3 pounds and I feel amazing. Seriously, I have always been a heavy kid since junior high and I love the fact that I can face myself in the mirror. Its boosted my self confidence, and thus boosted my dating life ;-)

5. The title of this post came from my new favorite band Lake Street Dive

6. Houston is beginning to grow on me, especially since I found this place

7. Having a serious debate with myself about whether I should dye my hair blonde, or stay natural and donate my hair once it is long enough. Thoughts?

8. My next dream trip is to take a long road trip to visit family in New Mexico and to stop in Marfa, TX along the way. This WILL be happening by the end of the year.

Can't wait to start doing photo shoots again so that this blog isn't just a life update portal. Until next time!

Madeline

Change Gonna Come

As the one year blog anniversary approaches, so does my 25th birthday. It's been a long time coming, but the mid quarter life crisis came into full effect these past few weeks. I bid farewell to my old car, Felecia (byeeeeee Feleciaaaaaa), I chopped off 8 inches of my hair, I got tatted up by my long time friend Brooke, and I moved back home for the next 3 months. Ups and downs and merry-go-rounds would probably be my album title if I was producing a record right now. But I am embracing the change. I am embracing the little windowless room I am occupying- it helps me to think. As 2014 ends and 2015 is soon to begin, more change is to come. I will say goodbye to the Free People world and hello to the college world for once and for all. I am taking my discount to full advantage, and stocking up on all the goodies. 

I am thankful for change. I am thankful for my family and friends. And I am thankful for all the past, present, and future opportunities.

Happy Turkey Day!

Madeline

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!

Country Roads, Take Me Home

Nurture kinship. A term I can finally use to describe my family life. For those that know my family life, it involves a mixture of some related and unrelated human beings (which include 3 sets of parents and 13 siblings). Family getaways can become more stressful than our actual daily lives.

But the farm is the exception.

I extracted myself from the city for the Labor day weekend, and ventured on out to Homer City, PA. You may think that you have been to the country, but you haven't unless you have been to Homer City. You don't know country until you have seen a horse and buggy crossing (yes, you read that correctly). I ate my weight in fresh and homegrown ingridients, I filled my lungs with sweet summer air, I spent more time on our front porch than an actual bed, and set my feet free under the fresh cut grass.
I felt home. And it wasn't just because my country girl soul was back in its natural habitat, but it was because of the people I call family. Sure we may not all be blood related, but my family in PA have made me feel a part of something that I don't think I have ever felt before. Our nuture kinship was rooted from a family love and bond that I will always be grateful for.

A bonus for the farm getaway? I FINALLY met my long lost Aquarian twin, Jessica, whom I discovered through the magical world of Tumblr. Sure I may bash on technology every now and then, but when a social media site leads you to a beautiful soul like Jess, you make an exception. She is the vintage queen, and everyone needs to buy a piece or 2 from her etsy shop- and add a gorg crystal wrapped necklace to complete your life.

Possibly thinking of returning to school, being near family, and becoming a hippie. Idk. I just want it all.

Toodles,
Mads