IX Sandals.//

I am always looking for products,

especially fashion forward ones that have a cause built in.

I was so thrilled when I discovered Ix Sandals, 

a company that donates 15% of their profits

to Charity:Water on a quarterly basis.

On top of having an incredible cause built in,

these sandals are absolutely so cute....

check them out!

Check out this amazing company today,

ix-style.

peace. love. joy.

Cardiff, Wales.//

I got to spend my weekend visiting a dear friend

in Cardiff, Wales.

It was a pleasant escape from the city,

to another less crazy city that is.

:-)

And, I mean it's just plain gorgeous,

and we all know some good 'ol natural beauty

does the heart good.

peace. love. joy.

Harmony.//

And, you laugh like there's hope in the story...

London, its beautiful in so many ways.

It's crazy how one place,

one city,

one destination

can teach your soul so much

and cause your heart to process the meanderings of life.

Sometimes,

a new destination 

is all you need to figure out what

your heart is really feeling;

it helps to silent life in some weird way--

amongst the chaos and bustle of life

you begin to find harmony within.

peace. love. joy.

Queen Victoria.//

Queen Victoria is on my list of heroes;

a list I find is constantly growing :)

To take over as Queen at the age of 18, 

after being so controlled and confined your whole life;

having no idea really of how to handle "royal affairs"--

its absolutely a story of such courage for me.

I can just imagine the nerves she must have experienced,

upon having to come before politicians,

at 18 as the leader above them all.

Whenever I read about her

I get this feeling that she didn't really buy in to 

the pressure everyone was putting on her.

I think she did an excellent job of just being herself,

and being okay with who she was as a person,

and what was important to her personally.

She wasn't moved by the opinions

or expectations of others,

at the end of the day

she just lived and ruled from her heart.

I so respect her for that.

It was such an honor to visit Kensington Palace and

see where she grew up and lived her life.

They did an excellent job of displaying her life story,

and her journey leading up to being the Queen of England

and then marrying her dear, Prince Albert.

It has definitely been the highlight of my time here;

to see her life displayed out

and to be in the very rooms she was.

Amazing.

peace. love. joy.

London.//

I've officially been in London a week today--

and  I can finally say I've started (keyword) to figure out

the tube, the train, and the buses ;)

My heart feels excited and ready for this new adventure--

I am ready for the people I will meet,

and the places I will see.

To adventure & dreams....

peace. love. joy.

Dashing Emancipation 2013.//

Dashing Emancipation is really the coming together of my two loves;

fashion and social justice.

It's an annual fashion show and art event to raise awareness about the on-going issue of human trafficking, as well as to support an incredible organization-Love146.

This year was the second year of Dashing Emancipation,

and I am so thrilled with how it turned out.

My city; Frederick, MD came out in a great number and supported 

Love146 in such an incredible way--it brought such joy to my heart.

My hope is that Dashing Emancipation would be an on-going,

annual, successful event raising community and cultural awareness about an extremely prevalent issue. 

Here are some photos from this years event that I would love to share with you:

Definitely, go over to Love146 and check out what they are doing to end child sex slavery;

its a vision and a cause worth partnering with.

peace. love. joy.

Couture Shows Street Style.//

Thanks again, Tommy Ton for some fabulous shots.

peace. love. joy

(pictures via Tommy Ton @Style.com)

Crop Top.//

Thanks to Tommy Ton we have wonderful inspiration

for our perfect summer 'crop top' moment.

Happy Fourth;
so proud to be an American, truly.


via Tommy Ton @ Style.com

peace. love. joy.

Anticipation.//

We are always told that usually when we are about to

step into destiny, we will have to fight through fear.

Although, I do believe that is true in some cases;

no one ever talks about the moments that define our lives that are ushered in by excitement,

anticipation, and joy.

So, go ahead...

anticipate....

(via Pinterest)

Elie Saab Fall 2013 Couture.//

Bliss

from Elie Saab,

once again.

Photos via Style.com

peace. love. joy.