ADVENTURES IN BLOGGING: 3 REASONS FASHION BLOGGERS DESERVE PROPS

ADVENTURES IN BLOGGING: 3 REASONS FASHION BLOGGERS DESERVE PROPS

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Hey, friends! I'm stepping away from the blog today so the lovely Leah from My Favorite Adventure can take over! I could not be more thrilled about this! Leah is a gem. Her writing always puts a smile on my face. She is real. She is playful. She is just herself. Stepping into her creative space is like sitting down with a friend. Comfortable and genuine! Stop by My Favorite Adventure on your way out of here ;) You simply will not regret it!

Hey, hey, everyone! I'm Leah, the blogger behind My Favorite Adventure, and I'm taking over Boone & Owl for the day! But first, a little bit about me. I'm recently (as in "less than six months" recently) married to my high school sweetheart. Tyler and I started dating when I was 15 and he was 18, so we've navigated a lot of life's changes together! I'm a church secretary by day, which I love. Doing ministry on a daily basis rocks. Seriously. Some of my hobbies (other than blogging) include reading voraciously, napping too often, Snapchatting, and watching The Mindy Project.

Tyler and I on our wedding day. Say it with me... "Awww!" When I was brainstorming ideas for this post, I looked back through the first few pages of Jen's blog and was reminded that the girl knows fashion. I mean SERIOUSLY. If you're a reader of hers already like I am, you'll know that, but if you're new around here, PLEASE check out her fashion category. Can we say Pinterest-worthy? She's got style on lock down. I'm not a fashion blogger and never will be. Honestly. I've even posted about it before! Then I shared an outfit of mine and stood in the snow awkwardly and remembered why I said I'll never be a fashion blogger. Today, I'm going to share with you why I think fashion bloggers are the bomb-diggity.

One. Homegirls know how to look comfortable in front of the camera. I'm a photographer that will gladly stay behind the lens for this very reason. The only reason our engagement and wedding pictures looked halfway decent is because we had a bomb photographer that told us exactly what to do. Hallelujah for that one, amiright? 

Two. They're more creative with their wardrobe then I'll ever be. I have a pretty basic uniform: flowy top, high-waisted jeans, ankle booties or gladiators, depending on the season. Done. If you see me on any given day in the office or on the weekend, that's what I'm wearing. It's comfy and it looks good on me, so I stick with it. Fashion bloggers on the other hand... experimenting with clothes is like second-nature. Trying things on in a store probably doesn't give them hives (or maybe it does, I don't know). Switching it up is just par for the course. 

Three. They have hubbies, moms, sisters, etc. that love helping them out. I've had my husband and my younger sister take some pictures of me for my blog and it was like pulling teeth. Seriously. "What is this even for?" "Why do you need pictures of you shopping online?" "There are people watching us!" Props to the willing (or I guess unwilling) photographers that are behind the awesome outfit photo shoots.

Now do you love Jen even more after you realized how much work goes into a fashion post? Because I do! If you're a fashion blogger reading this, THANK YOU. If you aren't a fashion blogger like me, SHOW SOME APPRECIATION. What would Pinterest be without them, right?

Find more of Leah on social media here: BLOGLOVIN' | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TUMBLR

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SWING INTO FALL: BURGUNDY SWING DRESSES AND LIFE LESSONS

SWING INTO FALL: BURGUNDY SWING DRESSES AND LIFE LESSONS

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

THE GOODS

| DRESS: MICHAEL STARS

| BOOTIES: C/O SOLE SOCIETY  (EXACT)

| CLUTCH: KATE SPADE

Hello loves! I'm so excited to share this style post. Two reasons: this swing dress is insanely comfortable, and I get to show off the best birthday present a girl could get ( i.e. Kate Spade anything ). The sweet crisp chill air of fall is so close I can taste it! I am methodically budgeting my way to the cutest most comfortable fall wardrobe I can get my hands on. I snagged this burgundy number from the boutique where I work. It is both the perfect playful swing dress, and the most versatile tunic. Tights and knee boots turn this into a whole new outfit. Add a scarf and a jacket and you're ready for a fall date! 

This past weekend I turned 24. It was devastating. 

In all seriousness, it was a wonderful sweet weekend filled with chocolate chip cookie dough cake ( expect the recipe soon! ), carnations and gerber daisies, thoughtful presents, and joyous fellowship! It was everything a young woman's birthday should be. It was a blessing. 

I have a tendency to be a worrier, and a little melodramatic when it comes to very non-dramatic things. When I turned 19 I cried. My youth was all but spent! Such hogwash. There is so much life to live! I realized this past saturday, as I sat pondering all that has transpired in the past year, how quickly time goes by, and how much life can be lived in a short period of time. A lot can change quickly. Wonderful things transpire and hard things transpire.  James 4:14 says: "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." So what should we do with this time, this life, that burns brightly for a little while, and then burns out? Embrace every moment! Do not worry for the things of tomorrow, for we do not know what tomorrow will hold. Rejoice in the good, be steadfast in the bad, live everyday  for Christ! 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4: 6-7.

Let's live today with courage and confidence, with peace and trust; knowing that the Lord is sovereign, and that He is faithful to provide for our needs, bolster us when we're weak, and blanket our hearts with peace when we seek Him. 

Talk to me friends.. Have a life lesson you'd like to share? Love a good swing dress! Tell me about it in the comments!

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BLOGTEMBER CHALLENGE: LOOK WHO'S VLOGGIN'

BLOGTEMBER CHALLENGE: LOOK WHO'S VLOGGIN'

Friday, September 18, 2015

Hello again my blogtember beauties! I stepped away from the Blogtember Challenge for a few days to head to Florida for my Grandpa's 85th birthday. We had such a sweet time celebrating his life. Every year we all meet up around his birthday and go to a lovely fancy restaurant for his birthday. My Grandfather loves this. The feasting and laugher among many family and friends makes him so happy. A couple of years ago his twin sister, Barbara Ann, passed away. She was greatly missed at the birthday celebrations, but so tenderly remembered. There was laughter, and delicious food, and red velvet cake! We had many happy moments.

I am excited to jump back into the Blogtember Challenge today! My birthday is this weekend so hopefully I do not slack on posting. Fingers crossed. 

Day 18: Record a vlog! It can be about anything you'd like.

__________ L O O K  W H O ' S  V L O G G I N ' __________

I am so excited about today's post for the challenge. I have never filmed a vlog before so this was grand fun! I want everyone to know that I was sitting on the floor in my living room right in front a window to catch every shred of light possible! It looked ridicules, but it got the job done. If we ever live next door to one another and you see me staring at you through the window.. I am probably just vlogging.. 

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HOW TO CHOOSE A NAME FOR YOUR BLOG

HOW TO CHOOSE A NAME FOR YOUR BLOG

Monday, September 7, 2015

Hello loves! It is day seven of the Blog-tember Challenge. I know, I know.. I've slacked on posting everyday. The struggle is real. I'm still trying to catch up on reading through all of the fantastic posts from everyone! Today I thought I would not only answer the prompt question, but also share a few tips for choosing the right blog name for your creative online space!

Day 7: Tell us about your blog name. Where did it come from?

_______ W H Y  B O O N E  &  O W L _______

When I first decided to start this blog I was at a complete loss about what to name it. I wanted it to mean something to me. I wanted it to be easy to remember. I wanted it to stick around in people's minds; like a colorful post-it note reminder. I wracked my brain past the point of creativity. I stepped back and thought: What is the foundation of this blog? What does this blog represent to me? If it first did not represent something to me, it could not represent something to anyone else. 

So why Boone & Owl? 

There are two parts to my blog name. I grew up in a small town. Some might call it quaint. It is free of the fast paced hustle and bustle of a city bursting with people. We do things a bit more slowly around here, and no matter where you go, you always know someone. You might say it is the boondocks because of its isolated nature, and rough beauty. So Boone is a play on that aspect of my life. It represents the small, friendly, safe haven that I grew up in; surrounded by marsh grass, salty waters, and tall oaks draped with moss. It is that small town heart that I hope to share openly with all of you.

As you all know by now.. I love fashion. A couple of years ago I started collecting owl jewelry. Necklaces most specifically. I realize this is a fashion don't by most fashion standards. I have an entire space in my jewelry chest dedicated to those necklaces. I thought that owls with giant eyes were particularly cute. I still do. Fashion guidelines are good. I believe in certain style "rules", but sometimes you just have to wear what makes you happy. I have always admired very fashion forward street style. You know those daring outfits that have something a little quirky about them? Well, to me owls were my daring, quirky thing. Owl, to me, represents daring fashion; where there are no "rules" about what you should wear, and your own unique fashion sense is set free. It represents courage, Courage to just be you, in all of the forms that takes. 

In the end Boone & Owl represents me. It is small town heart and fashion set free. It is kindness and courage. 

_______ C H O O S I N G  A  B L O G  N A M E _______

Maybe you are just now considering starting a blog of your own. Or maybe you have the itch to rebrand your blog. I toy with the idea myself sometimes. What worked when you first started might not as you grow and your blog grows. I have put together a few tips from my own experience to help you choose the right name for your online space!

Explore. Explore the foundation of your blog. What do you want to write about? What do you want to share with your readers? If you are rebranding your blog, this might mean narrowing your blog's focus, or broadening it. It may mean leaving your focus the same. Once you know what kind of content you want to share you have your footing. 

Write It Down. Grab a notepad and write down your blog's topic or topics. Think of words associated with those topics or words that resonate with you with the blog topic in mind. This is your brainstorming stage! Write down anything that comes to mind, even if you think it sounds silly. Try alliteration, using words that start with the same letter. Pair words together. Play around with this. Go through the list and circle the words or parings that stand out to you, whittling down the list. 

Consider. Consider your readers. Put yourself in their shoes. You want something that is easy for them to spell and easy to read. Take into consideration the length of your blog's name. You want something quick and catchy. Something that is easy to read and pronounce. Most especially you want something that is easy to remember. 

Test It Out. Test your blog name out on your friends and family. They can look at it like your readers would. This can feel embarrassing, but it is so helpful. They can give you an objective opinion. Clarity. This will give you clarity. 

That's it! The story behind Boone & Owl + some of my tips for choosing a blog name. Happy blogging, friends! 

How did you choose your blog's name? What tips would you share?

WILD HEARTS CANNOT BE BROKEN

WILD HEARTS CANNOT BE BROKEN

Friday, September 4, 2015

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Hello again! As you know, I am doing the Blog-tember Challenge hosted by Bailey Jean from Brave Love. There are so many wonderful women participating in this challenge! It really is a fantastic exercise to help you get through writer's block. If you have it. Some days I write so freely, and my thoughts just spill out through my fingers. Some days I just stare at the screen, stuck, unable to uncork my thoughts. Today comes more easily, but with a bittersweet pang..

Day 4: What are you passionate about?

_______ W I L D  H E A R T _______

I read the prompt for today and immediately knew what I wanted to share. I waffled about whether I should shove my first response aside and write about one of the more creative things that I am passionate about.

No.

That one quiet little word drifted across my thoughts.

Share your heart.

I have always had a deep passionate love for horses. There is a peacefulness that comes over my heart when I am on the plantation around horses. They are wild and strong, with fire in their hearts. They are gentle and playful, and faithful until the end. They teach you patience, and they test your courage. Riding is serene. You learn to ask, and admire their willing response. When you create a bond of trust with a horse they will run through fire for you. Such courage is bound in the heart of a horse. They carry you across the hot dusty earth, gliding with heavy graceful strides. In those moments you are free. They give you wings.

I started riding when I was seven at this tiny local barn. I adored that place. I learned so much in the years that I rode there. My instructor, Mrs. Kay, taught me something that saved my life years later. She used to say: "When you fall off, and you will, be a rag doll. Don't be afraid. Relax and roll." She drilled that into us during riding lessons. Falling from your horse is just common place when you first start to ride. I became rather proud of my rag doll skills. 

Two years ago I suffered a severe head injury in a riding accident. It shook me to my core, and it stole  my wings. I was training my sweet off the track thoroughbred during a very hot summer day in the middle of June. He was still just a baby. He had never known anything but the racetrack. I had saddled him up and headed down the long dirt road to the arena. All of the barn girls, and my trainer, were already warming up their horses for a solid workout. As I walked down the road I had this gnawing feeling. Something was not right. I walked into the arena and hopped up on Ice, my willing chestnut wild heart. We trotted around the arena dodging the others riders and horses that were warmed up by now. My trainer called to me to move my thoroughbred into a canter. I had a check in my spirit. Ice was not warmed up, he had too much pent up energy. I knew my horse. He was a bolter when you asked him to move forward. He was still learning. All he knew was racing. 

I asked him to canter, pushing my concerns aside. 

Everything happened so fast, and yet in slow motion. I saw the adrenaline of the racetrack capture my young horse. He flew forward in a frenzy and galloped with all of his heart toward the young riders ahead of me. I pulled him through the arena away from the young girls, and he found the nearest jump and leaped for his life. When he landed I lost my left stirrup. He was so wound that I could not bring him down. As we raced around the arena I felt the saddle begin to slip underneath me. My horse was pouring sweat and too much of my weight was in the one stirrup. I knew I had to jump. I heard my truth echo back at me through my trainer's voice. Bail, you have to bail. Jump!

Be a rag doll..

I leaned away from the slipping saddle and pushed myself from the freight train beneath me. I hit the ground with such force it felt like my body shattered. And then nothing.  I came to in the middle of the arena covered in dirt, my horse standing over my body, sniffing me with great concern. It felt like a dream. Everything around me was blurry, covered in an ethereal haze. I do not remember much about what transpired in the rest of that day. I have never really recovered those memories. I was told later by my trainer, and the other girls in the arena, that my entire body started seizing after I hit the ground.  I suffered a traumatic brain injury in the form of a concussion with whiplash. It left bruising on the front and back of my brain. I was physically unable to ride for a year. I could hardy get up and complete normal tasks for months. It has been two years and I still have crippling pain when I move too quickly or bend over. Words do not come as easily, and my thoughts get lost sometimes. 

Because of the trauma I most likely will never be able to ride again. I remember the doctor telling me how lucky I was that I did not break my neck, or that the trauma had not done worse. I didn't feel lucky at the time. Honestly, I felt sorry for myself and angry that something I loved so much evaporated so quickly. The risk that comes with riding now is life altering. And possibly ending. 

What does this have to do with passion? Well, I had such a deep passion for riding. It lit fire in my very soul. The embers of that fire burn gently now. I think there is something healing and instructive about being around horses. I am not fearful of them. Accidents happen. I still have my helmet. It is cracked from the brim to the back. A reminder. Having passion for something is awakening! We should all have something in life that makes our heart sing, something that sets us free. For me that passion has taken on other forms now. I cannot ride. It is frustrating and honestly hurts. But I can still spend time with the creatures that I feel so much like in spirit. And I can help light that fire in another wide eyed little girl who just wants to fly on chestnut wings of her own.

Whatever your passion is, share it with others and cultivate it! It may not always take on the form that you hoped, but it does not have to burn out.

There you have it. That is my uniquely personal take on today's prompt. Did you make it through the whole thing with me!? That was a long one. 

I would love to know what you are passionate about. What sets your heart on fire?

THE GIRL BEHIND THE BLOG

THE GIRL BEHIND THE BLOG

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Hey lovelies! Today's post is just a touch different that usual. Bailey Jean from Brave Love is hosting the Blog-tember Challenge again this year! The Blog-tember challenge is a daily linkup, with prompts for each day provided by Bailey Jean HERE. Blogging every. single. day. can be daunting, but who doesn't love a challenge! If blogging everyday is too much, just pick the days/prompts that work for you, and join in! Be sure to use #blogtemberchallenge If you share your posts on Twitter or Instagram. 

Day 1: Introduce yourself.

___  H E R  ___

For those not familiar with the girl behind the blog, let me introduce myself; I'm Jen! I'm a fresh college graduate ( Hallelujah ), follower of Christ, blogger, graphic designer, and gym rat with a foodie's heart. 

I have a Bachelor's in Biblical Studies. Why? Well, one of my heart's desires is to be married and have a family. I want to homeschool my children, and give them a solid foundation rooted in God's Word. I was homeschooled myself, and it was an amazing experience!  

I love clothes. 

Fashion is a very personal way of expressing yourself for the world to see! It's your personality personified in a dress, a necklace, that perfect pair of heels..

It is something that everyone can have fun with, and should! 

I love food. 

Food is something that can be shared with others. It almost encourages friendship bonding! Plus, it has the power to make you feel strong and energetic, or run down and sluggish. I'm quite fond of the former, and adore sharing fresh, healthy recipes that help you feel strong too!

I love encouraging/inspiring others. 

Being a woman is hard. There are so many pressures that weigh heavy on our hearts and minds. I know what a small word of encouragement can do for my outlook. My goal is to encourage and uplift the hearts of the women around me, and those that I meet through this blog, and brighten your outlook too! I so genuinely care for each of you. If I can encourage or inspire y'all for even just a minute, I am content. 

That is really what is at the heart of Boone & Owl. Expressing who you are through fashion, eating well, and encouraging others in our day to day lives! This space is my heart. It is me, and I want it to be a sanctuary for purity, creativity, style, individuality, healthy living, inspiration, and encouragement. 

That is little ole me. I would so love to know more about you guys too! Link me up to your blogs in the comments. Tell me more about yourself. Let's connect!

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