Meet Natalie of Thoughts By Natalie & Nellie Magazine

Ladies, have you met Natalie? This feels like a silly question, as I'm sure you have heard about her! But if you haven't, you need to. She is the Editor in Chief behind Nellie Magazine, the heart and soul over at Thoughts by Natalie, and a true joy in the blogging community. She not only has been such an encouragement to me in my writing and blogging story, but a true earnest powerhouse that inspires women to honestly pursue beauty apart from comparison, true balanced and healthy living, and style as an extension of self expression. Before you even continue scrolling down go see her latest project Nellie Mag (which is having a week of giveaways right now!)

Meet Natalie

"Natalie is a writer, editor and blogger who lives in north county San Diego with her hilarious and charming husband Brian and their very scruffy adopted pup Maggie. A lover of the written word, avocados, beach picnics and champagne, she believes that beauty comes from who we are—not what we look like—and lives life accordingly."

What Natalie Writes About

Beauty & Style // fave: Skinny Jeans &  Hair Tutorials

Wellness & Recipes // fave: How I've Learned to Love Exercise

Blogging Tips & Career // fave: Blog Planning 101

Friendship & Marriage // fave: Making Room of Inspiring Relationships

Travel & Home // fave: Ways to Look Stylish While Traveling

Ask Natalie // Video Series

I have been an avid reader of Natalie's work for quite some time now. I found out about Natalie's blog through my friend Karen, who is one of Natalie's best friends. Natalie first drew me in through her pieces about body image and true beauty when part of Wonderfully Made. And honestly, I haven't stopped reading her work and following along since. I love that Natalie, countless times, stands up for what she believes in, even if it is against the world's standards in terms of beauty, or faith, or topics like abortion ad politics. She's worked with writers like Allie Marie Smith, has been a part of the Darling team, and is also a friend of Anne's (who is one of those people who I've also gotten to know and love through writing since moving to Colorado, and in fact who I found through Natalie's blog!). And yesterday, Natalie, Anne, Aubrey and I found ourselves enjoying chips and guacamole table side in Larimer Square. World's colliding--right? This girl's a keeper, and has big things ahead. I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I have.

photos courtesy of Natalie Lynn Borton (and Anne Taylor's iPhone)

Venturing West (Disclaimer: This One Wanders)

Almost a month ago now, we ventured West. We packed up the car, stuffed Shelby in the backseat, intentionally planned out our music for the 17 hour drive ahead, and mapped out our camp site. Everyday, I plan to write about this trip. Everyday, I plan to get away and reflect on our adventure--finally putting the story in words. Yet, I can never get to it. I have yet to even upload all the photos from the scenic stops where we stood jaws dropped, astounded by our country's beauty--and with the week I've had, I could probably use a little reminder of creation and its majesty.

But life is a little bit jam packed right now. 

And although I'd love it to be, blogging is not my full time job; and writing, editing, and doing both well are on pause for a moment. You see, I decided a while ago that it is better, for me as a writer, to wait for that time I can really get away and focus on whatever creative part of the process it is rather than rush and post something for the sake of having daily content. And my desire is that, as readers, you are okay with that. So, California, and the stories, the camping, the photographic journey--all of that is waiting patiently for the afternoon or moment that I can escape and put pen to paper, fingers to editing tools, and mind to blogging. 

Meet Anne of Anne the Adventurer

You might find yourself curled up on the couch reading their love story, as if it were the latest romance page turner. Or you may begin by perusing her weekend style, and love for lettering, prints, and design. And maybe you'll spend a Saturday morning catching upon her Love Yourself series, filling yourself on warm tea and kind words. But perhaps most of all, when you come across Anne's blog, you will find yourself coming back more, and more, and more...beacuse she writes her life like a story. She shows her brave moments, her joyful times, and the ones where she feels at rock bottom. She values community, one that is authentic--and you will soon feel a part of it. You'll come back for more because Anne is relatable. She is real. And she is a darn good writer. 

Meet Christina of Tide and Bloom

It was through Anne's Tuesday Love Yourself Linkup that I cam across Tide and bloom. Christina had been writing about her decision to pursue art as a career, something that went against the grain in her world, and this immediately caught my heart's attention as I myself was going through "against the grain" notions in my own career path. Since first meandering over to Christina's space, I have loved getting to see bits from her sketch book (i.e.. here, and this one here), continuing to hear about the journey in finding herself as an artist and individual, and reading the lovely features she does of other creatives. To top it off, she is so humble and sweet, real and honest, and builds community within her blog.

Meet Christina:

 "At the core of my being, I am an artist. I’ve always had the inexplicable urge to create things and art class was hands-down my favorite part of school at every stage in my life. Now that I’m older and maybe just a tad wiser, I realized that this is never going to go away because I always come back to beauty. It’s what I want more than anything, in everything I do. So instead of trying to fit myself into the professional career box, I decided to accept my fate and pursue it with all the dedication that I would give to any other opportunity."

About Tide and Bloom: 

"Beginning this blog went hand in hand with the decision to get back into making artwork. The words “tide” and “bloom” made sense to me as a description for the constant ebb, flow, and growth we all experience in our day-to-day lives. It is this push, this instinctual desire to move forward, that has brought me here. Tide & bloom is a space to share and inspire creativity, in all forms that reveal themselves to me and you. I’m most inspired by natural wonders, culinary delights, thoughtful films, charming abodes, and of course other creative individuals. It’s my hope that reading this will be like reading letters from a dear friend or colleague and that it might motivate you to seek beauty in your own life and pursue the dreams you didn’t think possible."

Noteworthy Pieces:

Dear Me

The Value of Your Work

Chocolate Fixes Everything

Your Invited

Creative Matters

photos via Tide & Bloom

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In this mini-series you'll get to meet the ladies behind a few of my favorite blogs, and hopefully spend some time exploring their creative spaces, reading their inspiring words, and feeling like you just sat down for coffee with a dear friend. You can read more about the features here.

Meet | A Blogger Feature {mini-series}

One aspect about writing and blogging alike, is that your path crosses with other talented individuals whose writing and work impact you just so, that you keep going back for more. Whether you go back to their blog to be wowed by their latest project or to continue along their story, every reader has their niche. When I first started venturing into the world of html and Blogspot endeavors, I would often find myself scrolling through design spaces, do it yourself havens, and fashion sites--and fell in love with all things "design" when it came to blogging. But as I have matured as a blogger and writer over this past year, what I continue to find is myself being drawn into the creative spaces of those individuals whose writing has so much more depth. A depth that is authentic, real, and honest. A blog space that makes me come back to read more because they are true to themselves, true to tell their unique story, and all very much their own. 

Without truly knowing the full extent of it, the blog spaces that I visit influence my very own writing and creative ventures. So perhaps I owe a thank you to these ladies! As a blogger, I want to surround myself with other writers who take pen to paper, or fingers to keystroke, about those things that lift up, inspire, and cause others to search for something deeper within themselves--just as I want to do the same with a community of friends in all aspects of life. How thankful I am to have that when I visit these blogs: 

Anne The Adventurer

Crazy Bananas

The Lipstick Gospel

Thoughts By Natalie

Tide and Bloom

Sand in My Toes

Over the next few weeks, I want you to meet these ladies. The ones who make me want to read more of their story, see more of their style, and hear more of their honest and true words. Its funny, because I hardly know them from in person interactions, but I feel like I know so much about who they are from what they've been open to write about. So I hope you'll take the time to meet them, explore their space, and read a few of my favorite pieces of theirs. Get excited!

Social Media and Blogging

The answers are in and it seems that Twitter is the most loved social media tool used by bloggers. Well, at least from Beth's sampling. Today I'm over at Beth's blog, Dot in the City, with a handful of other women, answering the question What is your favorite form of social media & what have you learned from using it? You can read my response (scroll to the very bottom!) along with the others-- over here.

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Blog Housekeeping, Mr. & Mrs. update, and the heart behind it all.

There has been some major housekeeping going on at Pearls Poppies Pinkies Up. You may have noticed a few changes to the page. Like the very large poppy taking up the top of the screen, the wider space for posts and photographs, and a few new buttons to click on. One is the Facebook "Like" button! Officially, it has been a little over a week that the FB page was created. I was so hesitant for so long for multiple reasons. One may have been the awkwardness involved in only having 7 likes and the fear of, well, promoting a blog that is mainly just me. But thankfully, and what a huge blessing, so many of you have found this little blog to be a treasure, as it is to me, and have decided that officially "Liking" it on Facebook is manageable, and to some delightful. So thank you for your support! And thank you for sharing with others! That is so beyond anything I could ask for.

Another change, is in regards to my personal blog. Yes, I have one of those! Although I can get personal on Pearls Poppies Pinkies Up by the default of my writing style, I try to keep more of the everyday happenings over HERE. Some of you may not know this, but my personal blog was actually the beginning of this online writing (Well, actually, rewind ten years to the era of LiveJournal. Anyone else with me?). The Tiens (pronounced 'teen' like 'teenager) blog started after Matt and I had the biggest party of our lives, our wedding three years ago this past May. And now, just this past June, Pearls Poppies Pinkies Up emerged. And here we are {deisgn/DIY/style HERE, Mr. & Mrs. THERE). Of course there may be overlap, that's all part of it; but some of you may not want to see image after image of the spunkiest crazy eared dog around. And some of you might. If so, you can click the link in the right side bar for the everyday happenings (more like weekly happenings) of Matt and me. It looks like this:

But back to the reason I even bring up the personal blog. It has completely been revamped! I mean, completely. I wanted it to have a new look, new potential, a fresh feel. As a user of blogger, and as someone who is still learning how to design her own site, I went with the dynamic view. It is actually pretty neat because in the left hand corner under the title, there is a drop down menu where you can chose the layout you want to view it in. I guess that is why they call it dynamic, right? Just as you can follow Pearls Poppies Pinkies Up with Google Friend Connect, you can also follow with GFC at our personal blog. Instagram {@Pearlspoppiespinkiesup} and Pinterest {laurentien} is all in one place , if you'd like to connect there as well.

Whew. That was quite a bit of housekeeping! But I have one more thing for you. I've been thinking a lot and honestly, I've decided that having a handful of followers that really enjoy reading about my projects, design thoughts & inspiration, and cooky love for thrifting and setting up house by far outweighs stacking up the numbers. The intent and heart behind this blog is to inspire you {& me} to put to use what is innately deep down inside-- the desire to create, to find beauty in the simple and the rusty, and to take risks with design and do it yourself projects. I know I have learned so much about myself through the process of making and creating and I only hope this blog can be a step stool or a coach in a sense to get you to make, create, repurpose, upcycle, thrift, and all else that fits into that sweet little bundle. Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,

Lauren