I have this friend, and she lives too far away, you see. It’s only a few hours, but with life and work and spouses and family time fills quickly, and the spaces left for each other are few, as it is with most things these days. But her and I, she and me, when we do find the time to connect it’s real. It’s whole and wonderful and complete. And it’s as if time really is simply turning in a circle. Friendships like this are rare, and space that can be filled with easy quiet or raucous laughter interchangeably, is even more so. I could sit forever in silence with this gem of a lady and still feel as though I’ve shared my soul (though I thoroughly enjoy our conversation, and the laugh-until-your-face-hurts-and-your-muscles-give-out humor that comes with it). I wholeheartedly treasure her presence in my life, and every single fleeting moment we spend in each other’s company.
A few snapshots of morning coffee with my dear friend, Anda (more to come of this girl soon!):
“…..and both of them remained floating in an empty universe where the only everyday & eternal reality was love…..”
. ~Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Edited to add these Polaroid 440 film scans from our time together:
xo
I’m a storyteller at heart, a writer through and through, and I think that my affinity for allegory is present in nearly every creative endeavor I embark upon. My photography certainly, my blogging, obviously, but my fashion, well, probably not. So I was enthralled and enchanted when I stumbled upon a company that allowed story to play a role in my (mildly obsessive) love for fashion as well.
Id’ like to introduce you to Story Company (and my five minutes in the modeling industry!) Story company, like most things that start small, and with ample heart, had humble beginnings. Started after a trip to Africa, the company aimed to present women with opportunities otherwise not available to them. Women who live in extreme poverty and have no access to the global marketplace. Women – artisans, creators, weavers, potters, bead workers – who create amazing art. Through the sale of their handmade items, they are able to live a different story. A better story. A story with more opportunity and a brighter future.
These women are given the chance to change their story.
But what does any of this have to do with you? Or me? Or this little blog? The short answer is: Everything. It starts with us – each and every one of us – striving to give back. To do more. To act locally and think globally. To support and encourage and promote things that are and do good. And Story Company makes it really easy to do that. Go take a look at some of the incredible jewelry there – and you’ll likely recognize this:
I wear this necklace almost non stop and is one of my most treasured accessories. I love it so much in fact, that I have no shame in being a self-proclaimed ambassador for it. Story also has an incredible Home Goods line, worthy of it’s own blog post. But we’ll save that for another day.
Because today….I have a circle dot necklace to give away!!! Yes. Story Company has graciously sent me a necklace to gift away to one lucky winner and I’m soooo honored to share it with you guys! So here are the details: To enter, simply visit the Story Company website and have a look around. Browse. Window shop. Fall helplessly in love. Then go to facebook (make sure to “like” Story Company) or Twitter or Instagram and let us know which is your most coveted item, making sure to mention @storycompany! Then, leave a comment here telling me you did so!
Because the best way we can give back and pay forward, is by spreading the word about this company – the women behind it – and how each of us have the ability to be a story changer.
xoxo
(Contest will run from now until 11:59pm on Sunday and is open to residents of US + Canada. )
(Top photo by the amazing j. stoia portrait design)
