Blog : darling

Last night I heard a random beeping in our house around 3am. I raised my head, wide eyed & assumed someone was lurking in the hall, naturally. They silently cracked open a very locked window, I know it!! (I can’t be the only one who jumps to these extremes, tell me I’m right & put my mind at ease!) I rested my arm on my husband and before I could say, “I hear a beep!” he was feeling my arm up & down as if searching for an ailment and instantly asked me if I was ok. In the moment I shook him off & said, “a beep!!” It wasn’t until my heart stopped racing and he identified the culprit (a dying microphone, thanks kids. Glad you slept though it ?) that I thought about his reaction to laying my arm on him in his sleep.
His innate, immediate & sincere concern for my well being had my head reeling with gratitude for him. I’m Olivia & I suffer from being a really deep thinker – the kinda gal that has a single eye opening moment that sends me into the depths of exploring Gods existence in my life. He was there in that moment, wrapped up in the man I love who instantly showed me my value to him without having to express it in mushy words.
I’ve felt this strange feeling of isolation and misunderstanding recently & what I realized in that brief beeping (no, do not insert a swear word there!) moment, was that Scott sees me & feels for me even in his most groggy form. That his heart has made room for me that holds me so closely I couldn’t be alone even if I tried. Marriage is a beast of frustrations, mountains to climb & the deepest, truest place of acceptance that I have ever known. Cheers to my husband, today & everyday for being my closest, most dearest & most loyal companion. ? @kaleighdsimmonsphoto

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Moody backyard views with the fog yesterday! I loved it. But I’m thankful that the fog lifts & the sun shines through!

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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You were designed to shine in your own shade of brilliant! Dig deep, find what stirs magic in your heart and start writing it all down. Don’t be afraid to dream, don’t be paralyzed by fear of being good enough. Believe that you were given dreams, hopes and desires by a God who has seen every step that will get you where you dream of going! By a God who opens the doors that illuminate the path ahead of you! The world can be an ugly, judgmental & unforgiving place – offer your splash of authenticity, creativity & grace to the world around you! Side by side we can influence the world by being who we were created to be! .
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#authentic #beyou #bettertogether #beauthentic #dream #dreamer #dreamchaser #entrepreneur #woman #creative #fashion #personalstylist #influencer #confidence #madewithpurpose #createdequal #dontbeafraid #grace #courage #brave #womensupportingwomen #shine #darling #thatsdarling

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Photo taken at: East Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Did you know that with a personal stylist we work right in the comfort of your own home?! We can drink coffee or wine, eat some tasty treats, put on your favorite music and get to work on curating your personal style and building an exciting wardrobe around it!
I frequently hear how uninspired women feel the second they step foot into their closet and that is not something we should be carrying along with all of our other responsibilities! Imagine a world where, when you’re in a hurry you can walk into your closet to throw something on and the only problem you run into is that you love everything so much you can’t decide what to pick! Yes, please!! We all get tired of our clothes, but it doesn’t have to happen all at once! Replacing only a few pieces is so much easier than a complete overhaul; with a personal stylist you can strategically replace items to build a wardrobe you’re proud of! I LOVE what I do & I want to help you! Visit www.livstyled.com to read some inspiring testimonials and to discover how I can best help you! .
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#personalstylist #wardrobestylist #stylist #personalshopper #fashionpost #fashionstylist #howcanihelpyou #fashion #smallbusiness #entrepreneur #mompreneur #livingroom #springfashion #grandrapids #michigan #travelingstylist #gr #motivated #refreshed #darling #stylediaries #style #styled #livstyled

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Photo taken at: East Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Delaney. Oh how I love you, my girl. Lipstick and oranges, she does things right!
Here’s a little homage to raising daughters. They watch & learn from our every move as a mother & woman, they mimicking our body language and notice how we respond in moments of upset. They hear our quiet comments about our bodies or the fact that we can’t leave the house without make up on; although some days I intentionally choose to go without a painted face simply because I know she notices – there’s so much power in what they observe. I am so grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given to raise this beautiful girl, to show her how to get her hands dirty & work hard but also how to slow down and value ourselves with the brightest pink nail polish & some dancing in the kitchen. I’ve done my best to show her how to respond in love but also that humility in acknowledging our shortcomings & offering apologizes when necessary is another form of beauty. She challenges me to be aware of my heart, she doesn’t even know that she pushes me to be reach farther and sprint after my dreams so that she know she can do the same. I commit myself to raising her to love Jesus & understand His grace, to be kind & accepting, silly and free spirited, strong & confident of who God made her to be & always know that I’m a safe place for her. Delaney has the most beautiful heart and I am so grateful she’s mine forever! .
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#daughter #daughters #mygirl #raisingstronggirls #grateful #mama #likemotherlikedaughter #family #lipstick #grandrapids #michigan #mompreneur #entrepreneur #strongwomen #bettertogether #fashion #kidsfashion #fashioninspo #darling #ruffles #oranges

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Dating (then engaged & married, then kid, then kid & then kid… whew) this guy since 2005 & I love him more deeply, more adventurously then I did on day 1! Here’s a little shout out to my man because he has loved me without fail since the moment we made a commitment to each other. He’s said, “I believe in you” with every new idea I’ve pursued, he’s loved me through some of the most emotional seasons of my life & has remained my safe place at every moment. He is a really great husband, you guys. He’s my friend, my greatest inspiration & he will always have all of my heart! .
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#marriage #marriedlife #happylife #happy #datenight #date #fashionstylist #personalstylist #wardrobestylist #wardrobe #grandrapids #michigan #michiganlove #mi #entrepreneur #dateyourspouse #familylife #celebrate #darling #darlingweekend #sweetheart

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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These three. I have never second guessed pressing pause on my career to give them all of my heart, I think that’s because I never let myself stop dreaming. That doesn’t mean I didn’t fight with thoughts of doubt – I definitely did. A lot of women feel like they lose their dreams when ‘mama’ becomes their title, understandably so! The demand to be present and available for them doesn’t leave much free time to invest in ourselves as women apart from being a mom. But can I just throw this out there… choosing to be a mom first in no way disqualifies you from chasing after your dreams! They might get a little dusty but they’ll still be there when you’re ready to pursue them! And for mom’s who need to work to provide, that doesn’t discount you as a mother! Finding the balance is HARD! I continue to see women show up, give it their everything in their careers and at home and seriously right now, y’all are BOSSES. I’m just really proud of so many of you for doing what you can to hold onto your dreams through the sacrifice of raising kids & when the time comes for YOU to shine, God honors the sacrifice and it doesn’t go unnoticed by those around you. I’ve become a pillar of strength in my kids eyes, a place of refuge & peace – someone I wasn’t familiar with before my kids helped me see that that’s part of who I am to my core. Raising those babes is a beautiful sacrifice! #proudmom #mompreneur ? @kelseyhettinga

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Dear Mr. Sun,
Thank you for coming to visit and shining oh-so-vibrantly today!
So, this morning I went to a kickboxing class at 7:45am, I was still wiping sleep drool from my chin when I pulled up. So early. But! It was my first time & can I just say, I felt like such a BOSS. Seriously. The whole time I was taking to my punching bag, “my arms might be skinny, but fool you’re going down!!” It was an entirely different kind of satisfying than I had anticipated! I won’t be able to walk or lift my arms tomorrow but it was def worth it. After that I came home with a tray full tasty Starbucks drinks for my hair dresser (& lifelong friend), one of my closest gals & myself in preparation for a spring hair makeover in my kitchen! (Pics to follow someday, we all know I’m not the best at posting often…Is it bad that I don’t care?!) It’s been a really happy day and I’m a really happy girl. Also, any chance you noticed the incredibly fantastic top I’m wearing in this picture?! @clothandcabin Spring line gives me all the feels! So many good pieces for you to drool over, good luck only picking 7!! Happy Saturday!! .
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#fashionstylist #personastylist #personalshopper #wardrobe #wardrobestylist #stylist #lifestyle #lifestylephotography #oranges #happy #fashion #style #stylegram #dreamer #dreamchaser #darling #holland #grandrapids #gr #grmichigan #michigan #womensupportingwomen #beyourself #bettertogether #kickboxing #kickedmybutt

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Yesterday was a much needed day of adventure and all things lovely! The @clothandcabin Spring lineup is SO good, you guys! I can’t wait for it to go live so you can buy all the pretty things for yourselves! And let’s just throw down a solid shout out to @eandlsalongr because Erin & @samklugartistry are some incredible humans! They were so down to earth, which is way the heck up there on my list of hopes when meeting new people. I felt beautiful, valued and really thankful to have met 2 more female powerhouses in the Grand Rapids community. The photo shoot with Cloth&Cabin was hilarious, inspiring, laid back and overflowing with mimosas – seriously my glass was never left half empty. Can’t wait to see the magic from so many killer creatives working together & so grateful I got to be a part of it!
Photo props to Meredith from @clothandcabin ?
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#fashioninspo #stylediaries #ootdfashion #womensfashion #style #styleinspo #wardrobestylist #personalstyle #darling #dreamer
#womeninbusiness #create #community #passion #fashionstylist #grandrapidsmi #photoshoot #personalstylist #springfashion #gr #coffee #bettertogether #darlingmovement

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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We started spring shopping and it was so very exciting! With 3 kids in my house we are all (desperately) ready to go outside and run (or lay… if you’re me, you’re definitely not running) in the cozy sunshine! Smoothies, the sprinkler, grilling everything possible… siiiiggggh… we are so ready. Although we are also trying not to get too ahead of ourselves considering this is Michigan and well, it’s Michigan. No need to explain. Cheers to a few more weeks of our cozy sweaters, right?! I’m really doing my best here, guys… spring please hurry. (Also, shout out to this kids eyebrows!! They’re what dreams are made of.)
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#springfashion #kidsfashion #fashiongram #thatsdarling #mydaughter #kidstyle #kidsclothes #eyebrows #kidsootd #igkids #littlefashionista #darling #daughter #stylist #fashion #ootd #fashionstylist #raisingkids #sweet #childmodel #sweetgirl #girlsfashion #gr #grandrapids #michigan #grmichigan #hairgoals #thickhair

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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