Hi. What have you guys been up to?
Me? Oh man, it's always something.
When I really need to catch up with Liz I'll send her an email with bullets. Because I don't even have the brain power to gracefully move from one sentence to the next.
So here we go:
• I'm putting on my big girl panties and moving over to a Wordpress – this should happen sometime in April. I'll keep you updated.
• I'm rebranding too as & Kathleen. I've resisted for a while but it's time. (Don't worry. Jeremy's not going anywhere.)
• Tara and I have been making big (mental) shifts in the way we're moving forward with our business and I'm so excited. It's almost all I can think about.
• Today we launched our very first in-real-life Braid Workshop. Go here for more details. More behind-the-scenes on that later.
• We've got an amazing roster of clients right now. Including Brené Brown. One time we were Skyping with her when Oprah called. No really. It's been such an incredible experience and I can't wait to show you what we did for her. If you haven't watched her TED Talk on Vulnerability please do. It will change your life.
• I start 8 months of life coach training with Martha Beck later this month. I'm not entirely sure where this is going to take me but I've become really good at embracing the uncertainty of it all.
• My sweet friend Claire is helping me grow my crystal collection. And I'm planning a trip to visit Liz in Michigan around the full moon. But we have a good time making fun of ourselves about it all.
• But I'm pretty serious about some yoga.
• I'm dreaming about a few vacations I have lined up. Including one to Sayulita, Mexico where I'm determined to learn to surf. Cannot. Wait.
• You guys have me wanting to pare down my wardrobe even more. I'm working on it. And yes... I have just one more month of wearing these jeans.
• I'm feeling very thankful for all the support I've got in business and life. And I'm feeling especially grateful for every single one of you who has been along for this crazy ride of my life. I'm so glad you're here.
So tell me – what have you been up to? Let's catch up.
The workshop sounds amazing. Throw in a plane ticket with the fee and I'm there!
ReplyDeleteAfter doing the latest e-course I decided that I needed to convince myself of who I am and what I do and how to blend some parts and separate others. I've let things get really blurred since taking on my other role (mama) and lost sight a bit of who I am and what I do, beyond the 9-5 (24 hr on-call) "child minder" role. The person that I was before children has gotten buried under nappies and onesies and more recently school letters and social engagement invites (Dominic's and not mine). I feel like I'm still juggling a lot of feelings about where one job ends (it doesn't really but I have to shuffle it down the pile when someone else has charge of them) and the other begins (being me, the designer and kick-ass creative shaper of things), I feel like I'm starting to uncover the true and authentic me and feel like I am becoming a better mama to my children in the process.
Its exhausting but I feel like I've just gotten on a roller coaster and there's a whole lot of ups and downs and twists and turns, some sickening, some elating, lots of screams and a big bunch of excitement ahead. I've finally committed to going back to a Mac (after years of a pc laptop) and commissioned a new 6ft long desk for the study/studio. I'm ready to get serious about having fun in what I do again. Let the adventures begin...
What a babe.
ReplyDeleteNyan cat!! <3 Your life is so exciting.. I dig living vicariously through your posts. I kinda feel awkward updating you but.. you asked. I'm working on calming my mind, anxiety, and life while going back to school this semester. Surprisingly math comes really easy for me and is pretty calming. Looking forward to the future...yours and mine!
ReplyDeleteyoga, sayulita, crystals, and life coaches...life seems quite beautiful for you lovely lady! soak it up as i know you are doing!
ReplyDeletep.s. sayulita is one of my fav places on this planet. beware, you may never want to leave.
I'm pretty sure I've watched Brené Brown's TED talks over 100 times. I have it play in the background on repeat.
ReplyDeleteYay! to Michigan trips. I love it here.
My friend and I do numbered lists when the catch up emails might get too long (and then they wind up being novella length, anyways.)
ReplyDeleteNot to get all fangirly, but your journey from working for someone else to freelancing to starting a business with your sister has been really inspiring to me. I'm still floundering career-wise, but unlike other bloggers who sometimes incite feelings of envy, every time I read one of your updates I am inspired. So, thank you for sharing your evolution.
Also, Brene Brown is now a client? You go, Braid Creative. That is seriously awesome.
Brené! Brené! I'm so freaking proud of you two.
ReplyDeleteI'm working on making self-care the most important part of my day. I expect to be working on this for a while...
Girl, you.are.killing.it. Internet high five!
ReplyDeleteHello Kathleen,
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a bit weird to update you about our lives but hey, why not?
I am doing a lot of journalling and gratitude listing to get my mental energy higher, as I've been feeling weighed down (kids I teach can be annoying and admin more so). It's working! Writing really does save my ass all the time. :)
I'm on my way to photograph dawn in a little village by a river for my photography club. It's pretty cool.
I've been thinking about life coaching and investing in online ressources. I think I'm gonna go with Leonie Dawson tho, her offer is more affordable to me and frankly I don't "get" Danielle Laporte. I find her marketing agressive what with all the videos with cool and fast editing as well as bespoke music, I can't help but get critic about it: where's the content? It feels like she's vanity life coaching (a term I took from the Peep Show - awesome series). Maybe I'm very off. Is the Desire Map so worth it?
Please do report about life coaching!
Actually I was kind of expecting the rebranding for &Kathleen. It's your name on Instagram and I thought that was fitting. (We do like jeremy)
The French girl who talked contraception and stuff on the "period" post.
PS: I have a huge girl crush on you! Love your style. Love that you keep your distance even if growing a crystal collection.
This comment doesn't exactly fit with this post, but I wanted you to know that - as a postgrad marketing student with a thing for design (and blogs) - I find you, your business, and your writing incredibly inspiring. When I think of the artist/entrepreneur/businessperson I want to be I very often think of you and Braid, and feel so motivated to 'put on my big girl panties.' Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your boots!!!! Where can a Canadian pick up a pair?
ReplyDeleteNicole - being as obsessed as I am with the topic of work / life balance I feel like by not being a mom myself I don't ENTIRELY understand all the issues at hand. And it's probably why I haven't taken the baby-making plunge quite yet. But go you for taking some real steps to reclaiming what you want.
ReplyDeleteAshlae - Aw, shucks! Thanks!
AngelaBeth - Wow, thank you! There's some daily grind that goes along with the bullet points but I'm feeling pretty good about where my life is headed. I could see how math can be calming. I've been telling my husband (who does loads of math for school) that if God exists it's in the math.
Mel - I'm SO excited about Sayulita. I'm going prepared to buy some real estate. ;)
Krystle / Paper Fort & Laura - Brené is a genius, right? She's just as amazing when candid and off the cuff. Maybe more so.
AuthenticWhitt - Not fangirly at all! Thank you for sharing that! It inspires me to keep sharing my story here. I have some thoughts on the blog-envy-cycle that I would love to articulate here but I still have some thinking to do around the topic.
Sarah - Thanks, girlfriend! High five!
Nathalieso - I know what you mean about Danielle LaPorte. I super respect and admire what she does – and I love her for who she is. But I can see how it wouldn't be for everyone. I'll definitely keep you guys updated on how it goes and how I intend to implement it into my blog, life and business.
Jess - Thank you for that compliment! Cheers to some big girl panties.
Mylene - Thank you! Jeremy got them for me about 5 years ago. Frye made them but I think they're discontinued and I can't even remember the style!
I can't wait to see the new branding! And I hope when you make the leap to wordpress you document it. I've been curious. Also, special request, please have a "follow by email option" I love that you do now. :) It's my favorite way to keep up with my favorite blogs.
ReplyDeleteAs for what I've been up to... starting to change my ways in life. We dropped cable and opted for Netflix and Hulu. We've finally started recycling - we're doing MORE with Less. Less purchases less spending, more time together - i need to get back on the workout wagon. I'm ready for spring - i hope it wakes my spirit again.
Great to hear what's on your mind. Sounds like so many new and exciting things! I love hearing about your success with Braid! What an adventure. You are going to surf like a champ.
ReplyDelete-You and Liz inspired me to minimize my wardrobe in a big way and I agree it is addicting, makes you want to achieve even less stuff, not want the things back that you gave up. Interesting.
-I am moving to rural Michigan for husband's job which starts in the fall and am so excited about this new adventure. Can't wait to embrace my new 8,000 person town! Using the opportunity to minimize all belongings.
-New job & move mean I get to spend June & July in London and hopefully doing some small trips throughout the Continent. Cannot wait.
you're beautiful and inspiring! i've enjoyed watching your journey over the past few years, and i'm so excited to continue to follow along in your adventures. <3
ReplyDeleteI'm looking into attending your workshop, if my agency will send me. :)
ReplyDeleteLife lately: Going through a BIG life transition. Navigating through it like a boss. Feeling strong. Spending time with supportive girl friends. Recently took a road trip to Nashville and had the best time ever. Planning a trip to NYC in the spring. Maybe Austin in the summer. Maybe Charleston, too, because WHY NOT. Thanks for your inspiration, Kathleen. xo.
p.s. The other night, I went to a show, here in Little Rock, and saw Velvet Kente, a groovy, funky, soulful local band. One of their lyrics stood out to me, and it has become my (new) mantra:
I am uncertain and unafraid.
Go, go continued Braid world domination gadget go! So happy to hear you and T are kicking so much ass :)
ReplyDeleteEesh, life lately. Life lately feels like trying to swim, sometimes getting it, sometimes not getting it, but doing okay, sometimes thrashing around in the water.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing my best to focus on my vision, but focus is really difficult, and discipline even more so.
I definitely agree with the above commenters- watching your and Tara's journeys in life and at Braid are certainly inspiring, so thanks for sharing!
Is that a scarf/cardigan? Amazing!
ReplyDeleteJillian - PS, if you have a moment, I'd love to invite you to check out the giveaway we're hosting for a $50.00 gift card to Shabby Apple!
http://epic-thread.blogspot.com/2013/03/shabby-apple-giveaway.html
@ Nathalieso: gratitude listing sounds like such a great idea - I might give it a go :D
ReplyDeleteKathleen! First, whatever you are doing with that outfit you are ROCKING that yellow... thing?.. Hardcore!
As always, you continue to inspire me daily - and I love it!
What what have I been up to lately...
> I just started my third year of uni (out of four) - I'm studying (at 31!) to be a high school English and ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher. And I'm really inspired about 2 out of my 4 classes, so that's pretty good :D The amount of reading and work I have to do is phenomenal but I'm keeping myself in the game and staying on top of it.
> So in between my uni work and my work work my fiancé and I are trying to plan OUR wedding. What we really want is a weekday afternoon picnic in the park with lots of love and family and friends surrounding us, but so far it just seems like that's an impossibility. We're coming up against so much resistance and scepticism from everyone, I'm trying not to get disheartened and focus on the fact that a picnic in the park is something that people do ALL THE TIME and don't seem to have any trouble with it at all... *fingers crossed*
> I'm finally starting to break through some pretty tough barriers in between my future mother-in-law and I - so the day where we can be friends is getting closer - and I'm really looking forward to that :)
> Over the summer (I'm Australian so my seasons are topsy turvy to yours ;P) I did a couple of uni subjects in Prato, Italy (basically 2 semesters worth of work in 4 weeks. Intense kind of doesn't begin to cover it). While I was there my creativity kind of exploded and I flooded instagram with a huge amount of photos (http://instagram.com/aesophia if anyone's interested). In doing that I realised that the idea of me not making time to be artistically creative (outside of performing everyday miracles in the classroom) with my photography made me REALLY sad and empty... So I'm trying to find some sort of outlet to do that - I'm thinking of starting a blog (I was going to call it Natasha&Anthony but I thought was WAY to copycat [and perhaps copyright? Please let me know if I'm treading on toes here!], but now that you're rebranding [awesome stuff - and yay Jeremy!] maybe I won't feel so weird about it - or I'll come up with something else), but I don't even know where to begin... But at least I'm thinking about it!
> I've been doing Pilates now for about 5 years and I'm loving it. But an independent yoga studio has popped up recently in my neighbourhood and I'm seriously considering trying it out... Along with meditation - to keep me balanced and centred in the present, something that I am most definitely NOT right now!
> I've been on a minimising road now for a few years and have pared down my possessions a fair bit - but have reached a bit of a bump in the road now as I've had to box everything up living with my parents, not to mention my uni work load. But I'll get back to it once I move out again. @ Kelly, I'm hoping it lifts my spirit and clears my mind as well too :D
> I stalk you and Liz (in the nicest possible way of course) on the interwebs pretty much daily for inspiration and just love being allowed to watch you both BE the people you are so hard and so well! So I stand invisibly on the sidelines and cheer you guys on - I hope you can feel the love and admiration from here :D
And now I'm off to watch Brené and get all kinds of inspired all over again :D
1. I love that you posted a more complete photo of this yellow sweater. I love the colour and was wanting to see more of what it looked like. If you pare that down, I will pay shipping to get it. No pressure though ;P
ReplyDelete2. I feel pretty receptive to everything here.
3. I'll be curious to hear more about your transition to wordpress. I'm thinking about one myself.
Really really great, Kathleen! I love how you keep challenging yourself and moving forward, redefining the things you do. That really does encourage me!
ReplyDeleteThings really are changing here and after 6 months of running the restaurant we're up for some big time changes like completely rethinking the opening hours and bringing in more events. Actually I'm working on a concept to bring all the creative entrepreneurs, designers, artist, shop owners etc. together on one table for a family meal, for networking, for enjoying an evening together.
Really excited about that and hope it works out. It would be something that doesn't exist here, so I hope it's a great niche to step into!
Kelly – Just put a "subscribe by email" button in there just for you! I'm working closely with my web developer to make it a smooth transition. If you already subscribe by email you may not even notice a difference!
ReplyDeleteLaura - That's so cool you're moving – whereabouts in Michigan, if you don't mind me asking?
Abi – XO! You're the first blog friend to have said hello to me in person. And I was talking about my armpits, no less.
Nicole - YES! It would be so cool to meet you in real life and have you attend the workshop. Cheers to travel and being uncertain and unafraid. I love that.
Rory - XO!
SarahE - I know how you feel. Sometimes I feel as if I'm doggy paddling across the ocean. I suppose feel as if I have so much focus on my final destination that I can't see (or enjoy) anything along the way. I'm trying to live in the journey.
Epic Thread - It's a scarfdigan! Amazing, right? I found it at a garage sale for a quarter.
Natasha - is it weird that this may be the first time I realized your name is Natasha? I've always considered you Aesophia! A couple things:
1. Do the picnic in the park! Hold your ground. It's your wedding – it should be exactly what you imagine. Also... if you document it and submit it to wedding blogs you could change the entire industry! People will stop spending hundreds of thousands on the wedding industry because they'll be so inspired by your picnic.
2. I'm begging you to start a blog! Natasha & Anthony won't hurt my feelings at all! I'm definitely not the first to use a coupled name. I think it's a great way to capture, shape and share a new marriage together.
3. Continue kicking ass at school and for sure try out some yoga.
XOXO
Vanessa - Ha! I'll keep that in mind. I think the scarfdigan is here to stay. I'm working with a talented web developer, Zoe Rooney, to help me with the transition but I'll keep you updated!
Ramona - I've been wondering how the restaurant has been going! I love the idea of a creative dinner. I knew you'd turn that place around and connect some interesting dots to make it a total dream job. I hope you're doing well!
Brene Brown is a genius! Her TED totally rocked my world.
ReplyDeleteLove the vacay planning. In the midst of prepping for a baby, we're thinkng of doing the same. 3 months to find someplace good :)
Can't wait totake your workshop! Not gonna work this time around but it's on my to-do list :)
Hooray for big girl wordpress panties & rebranding & rockstar clients!
ReplyDeleteSo proud of you, girl!
I'm doing lots of stuff too:
+ Running my own tiny agency
+ Relaunching my website & portfolio
+ Art Directing Stumptown Comics Fest
+ Gearing up to teach 9th graders how to make comics over the summer at California College of the Arts
+ Rebranding my band & playing shows
Hope everything with you is as awesome as it sounds! & let me know if you need any help in the development/wordpress area!
<3<3<3