MOVIN' ON

Yup, it's true. You can now find all of my musings over here at highfivesforeveryone.com - I hope you will join me at my new home. It's very exciting to make this change, which I've been thinking about for quite a while, but I'm still getting used to the new platform (and you can expect a complete makeover pretty soon!)

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Currently Reading / Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life

So, I totally judge a book by its cover. As a designer, can you really blame me? It has actually opened me up to books I wouldn't have known about before, so contrary to popular belief, judging a book by its cover ain't all that bad, folks.

Anyway, I stumbled upon this fascinating biography on Coco Chanel while looking for one of my yoga books for class. I'm not that far in, but what I have read I love! Over the last year or so, I'm really interested in biographies and non-fictional work and I've always wanted to learn more about Coco Chanel's glamorous life. And would you look at that cover? Simple and perfect - I can't resist a good fashion illustration.

What's on your reading list? Do you have a particular style you lean toward? I would love to know!

Color Study / 6

Would you just look at these gorgeous drippy perfume bottles by Samantha Hahn? I am in love. So, so in love. I want this as a print propped up on my dresser. If you aren't familiar with her work, you should go check it out immediately, she is one of my favorites.

Florence and Pattern

Don't you just love the flowy fabric in this image? So much grace and gorgeousness. I've got lots of ideas for fun flowy inspired photo shoots that will hopefully happen in the near future.

Also, stay tuned for some new exciting things in the next few days (hence the light posting, but not for long!)

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Yellow Yellow!

As we slip into Fall, I've been dreaming of sweaters and scarves, pumpkin flavored everything, crisp mornings and warm color palettes. Yellow is finding it's way into my heart more and more as it surfaces in some of my work, and I'm totally embracing it. How can you look at this color and feel anything but pure, calm joy? Oh, and after seeing the brilliant use of yellow in Sarah's Contemporary Color via Apartment Therapy, I just might have to paint an entire room with that color.

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Happy

Have you guys seen the documentary Happy? I found it on Netflix and decided to check it out - I highly recommend it! They present different life experiences and couple it with research by scientists in an engaging way. Certainly happiness is something that almost everyone thinks about on a regular basis - just look at all the books and movies and research centered around it!

The movie sparked some inspiration as I continue to grow and develop this blog with content that I feel proud of, that's relatable. As I begin a new chapter in my life with this yoga teacher certification program, I'm excited by all the possibilities of being able to help others in their personal journeys, whatever that may mean for an individual.

So why not bring this new aspect to the blog?

Let's talk about happiness! It would be great to hear everyone's perspective on the matter. Where I've found happiness is often in the little moments that catch you by surprise, the ones you never expect. It isn't always easy, but as I strive to be more present in the moment, reveling in the little things really helps you focus and perspective. And besides, the little everyday things happen a whole lot more than the big "milestone" moments.

So with all that, I'm trying a new column about appreciating the little things, and I hope you really enjoy it. I would love to hear what makes you happy in your everyday life, so please feel free to reach out. I want to hear your stories, what you appreciate in life, what makes you smile.

Image by Martin Munkacsi.

Purple & Pattern

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Good Reads and Good Words / 6

An interesting read on the importance of a father's influence on their children before birth.

The women who have most graced the cover of Vogue (don't you love those vintage covers?)

The life and work of style icon Vera Neumann.

The first ads for famous books.

An epic glossary of sandwiches.

25 Alternatives to Potato Chips.

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Slow Down, Smell the Roses, Relish in the Moment

Okay, so I'm supposed to be on vacation right now, but I just wanted to take a minute and remind you to make it a point to slow down every once in a while. It's really easy to lose perspective and forget to appreciate everything when your life feels like it's going a million miles an hour (which mine has the last few weeks). Even if it's something small, treat yourself to some good quality time for yourself. Me? I'm spending the weekend with my favorite girls in Michigan. We don't get to see each other all that often these days, or even really talk on the phone as much as we'd like, but sometimes you just have to squeeze in whatever time you can get together and be ok with that. It doesn't take a whole lot to regain perspective. As I sit in this coffee shop and wait for my friend to pick me up, I already feel a million times more focused and calm and it's only been a few hours since I got into vacation mode.

The last few weeks have been pretty crazy (in mostly good ways) as I start to work on projects I've always dreamed of. At the same time, I've been sitting in front of a computer screen for many many hours working away and it's made me realize something: I need to get away from my computer more. Not only will it inspire my work in new ways, but well, I also won't feel like such a blob. I'm taking more initiative to take my design efforts away from the computer as much as possible, and back into hand-rendered work, which is where I started.

Whatever you may be doing with your life, don't forget to slow down every once in a while. Even if it's for a few hours. It will do wonders, I promise.

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Guest Post / Kelsey Cronkhite of Pinegate Road

Today I'm hopping on a train to Michigan for a little getaway just to hang with some of my dearest friends. I'm really looking forward to getting out of the city for a bit, and breathing in that fresh Michigan air. In the meantime, enjoy this guest post from Kelsey Cronkhite, who was kind enough to put together this gorgeous guest post. Au revoir friends!

Well hello there friends of Bryna! I'm Kelsey from Pinegate Road and I'm thrilled to fill in a bit while Bryna is out and about to share a little inspiration with you today.

As a graphic designer I'm constantly looking for new ways to integrate elements of design with each other. Here I've sourced some pretty unique and intriguing ways some other designers have integrated people with design elements. Aren't they clever? There is something so powerful that comes with the use of humanity in design, and I think that these works, while all different, capture that power in a 

great way.

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