Blog : grandrapidsmi

Black & white & pleating & studs & metallic & leather & animal print oh MY!! Always drooling over @aninebing ✨

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Last falls go-to is this falls go-to! This @motherdenim faux fur jacket has been one of my favorite purchases for a number of years in a row! Our closets should be full of both timeless pieces & current trends. This jacket can easily be worn with a T-shirt (I snaked this one from my husbands closet) & jeans, a little black dress or dressed up with added textures like velvet, leather or sequins for the holidays! Good quality statement jackets are always worth investing in. ✨

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•”In life we can dread the sacrifice or we can anticipate the reward.”• Ya know when you hear something that seems to bust through your chest and grab ahold of your heart? Those little truths are the stepping stones through seasons of my life. They’re the pefect bite sized but profound truths that shift my perspective just enough to keep me moving forward & my heart in check. That quote from @christybwright got me!! How many times are we so focused on the sacrifices we have to make that the reward is hardly visible? Dang girl, if there’s anything I’ve learned through starting a business it is that the reward MUST stay front and center, when it gets cloudy there’s suddenly all this space for doubt and fear to completely hinder momentum. Of course there are areas where certain sacrifices must be balanced with wisdom – for me, my kids top the charts. Sacrificing the year I have left before West starts school is front and center, I won’t sacrifice that time with him… but I WILL balance it because both he & my growing business hold reward! I can’t get that year with him back but it also doesn’t become my excuse not to DO what is in my heart to do. When I choose to work away from home it doesn’t mean that I’m a bad mom or that I’m sacrificing all my mama responsibilities; it mean that I’m equally valuing myself as a woman and business owner and making money to help support my family is good both for them and for me! And can I just say mamas, I’ve heard the ‘shoulds’ about being a full time stay at home mom… it’s hard to ignore them and stay confident that what you’re doing is right for you & your family. For those of you called to the full time at home role, BLESS YOU! Flourish there, your sacrifice will be honored! And for those of you like me, don’t let anyone squelch your fire for being mama and boss, you are graced to do it! Find your balance, weigh your sacrifices, be mama when your babes need you & boss when there’s peace in your home! I believe in you, sincerely. Keep doing what you are called to do and be fierce at it! ? @kaleighdsimmonsphoto

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Sweat pants, check. Ankle boots, always. (Pretend you see fishnets on those bare ankles, I couldn’t find mine. ?) Laying on the cold ground to get a picture of my legs all twisty and perched for a photo… well, sure! What the heck!
PC: @kaleighdsimmonsphoto

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My little gal + me. ? ? @kaleighdsimmonsphoto

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Today has been one of those days, ya know the kind where you’re left asking, “what the eff is happening?” Yeah, they blow big time! It’s so like us humans to sit and wallow or invest all of our worries into rough situations; but let me just say that is not how I’m going to live my life! If we spent as much time believing we CAN, we ARE good enough, we DO have what it takes and actually DOING something to change our circumstances and a whole lot less time being crippled by fear of what might never even happen, then my God we would be much healthier people. So, here’s to staring a tricky situation in the face and throwing a solid knee jab straight to its undercarriage! You are worth the fight to make your life what you’ve always wanted! Go get em girl!

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Join us for an intimate evening designed to help you SIMPLIFY every aspect of the holidays so you can SAVOR them.
Let’s face it — the holidays are beautiful, but they can be stressful. Every time you turn around there are parties to attend, tricky relationships to navigate, extra expenses you haven’t planned for, errands to run, the constant struggle of ‘what to wear!? and loads of gifts to buy.
But if we’re really honest, what we most want is a relaxing, meaningful season where we actually sit down and enjoy time with our loved ones. Why not make THIS the year you reclaim that magic?!
Join @thecozinessconsultant and I for an evening of simplifying and savoring all things holiday! Only 25 spaces are for up for grabs which gets you tastings, recipes, shopping tips, outfit ideas, and girl… SO much more including q&a time with each of us and lots of personal connection! We are so excited! Link is in my bio for tickets!!

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I was swooning over this sweet little corner at last nights dinner party! @cvbecker hosted & spoiled us with some of the tastiest fall foods & sincere conversation. I was reminded how necessary it is to be present & aware, to slow down & invest in the special moments but also the mundane. The warm & delicious food, the soft lighting, the laughing between two friends in a separate conversation, the earthy smell of the hand soap, the sacred & vulnerable emotions – there was so much to embrace. My family recently endured the tragic loss of my spirited aunt & one of the girls at last nights dinner is coming up on 6 months since losing her twin brother. It was a whirlwind of things appreciated & treasured; each one of us contributing significance & offering a safe place to let our hair down. Find rest in the place you’re in, wander through your wilderness of uncertainty with grace & hope, treasure the people close to you & remind yourself that the very breath you breath is a gift.

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What if your holidays could be less stress and more savor? Save the date for an intimate event on November 1st hosted by @thecozinessconsultant and Yours Truly to help you plan for simpler, more intentional holidays! We will be covering everything from what to wear, to decorating tips, gift ideas from local shops and even what to cook (all of which you will sample that night!)… we’re talking all the good stuff! You’ll take home all the tools and even a few surprises! Basically it boils down to less sweating in the kitchen & more time to sit back and enjoy the holiday magic! Space is extremely limited to 25 people, tickets go on sale September 20th!

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It’s Friyay up in my house today so I figured why the heck not do an introduction?! A lot can happen in a year which is probably when I did my last one. oops. Sometimes I suffer from the lack of interest in posting on Instagram! There’s your first fun fact about me & dang it was an exciting one! Good bye to those of you who have stopped reading by now and hello to the ones who have a heart! ?
I’m Olivia! My name came from the original Juliet in Romeo & Juliet. Her last name was Hussy, thankfully I don’t carry any association to that part.
I’m 31. An entrepreneur. A wife of 10 years & mama bear (the scary kind) to 3 cubs.
I make the best ugly faces on earth and I’m dang proud of it! My daughter has been blessed with the same gift – God bless her! I’m on a health kick which so far today has included a donut, a cookie & gummy bears. Ugh. Friday (Thursday) fail.
I suffered the loss of my childhood home to a fire we fought with mixing bowls full of sink water. We weren’t prepared & although it may be one of the most traumatic things ever, it was the first time I ran to Jesus seeking a deeper peace than I could understand & He gave me restoration – I was in 8th grade.
I’m a child of divorce and a mother who’s lost 3 children to miscarriage. I am also a child of God and someone who can tell you the horrors of life will never stop me from chasing after Jesus or my dreams & that they don’t define who we are!
I’ve always, always had a heart to support, uplift & invest in women from both a spiritual and practical standpoint. Jesus & fashion mingle in my world & shoot girl, it’s the best ever.
I’m not a picky eater unless it comes to mushrooms & olives – gag! I created my own French macaroon recipe and blow my own mind every time I make them.
Gourmet cheeses makes me weak in the kneeses & if it comes with a glass of red I’ll love you for life!
Lastly… I accept you! In all of your forms, colors, shapes & whims – I am really glad you’re here and I wish I could learn all of the things that make you uniquely & beautifully you! Going through life is messy, mysterious & full of heart pumping excitement and it should be spent with a tribe surrounding you! ?

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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