Blog : dreamchaser

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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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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I see you weekend & I am oh-so-ready for you! ? @kaleighdsimmonsphoto ?

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Dancing into our weekend and feeling so very happy about it!! But seriously, if you’re grumpy go crank the music and dance your buns off – works for me on an almost daily basis! Ya know what else works on an almost daily basis?? Denim jackets! Game changer. They come in every fit, shade & style you can imagine! What’s your jam?? Distressed? Oversized? Clean lines? Light wash? GF I encourage you to find the perfect denim jacket and don’t be afraid to wear holes in the elbows – love it well and wear it often! And don’t forget to dance in it!! Style tip: don’t be afraid of a denim jacket, search for the one that offers you all things you hope for and go for it! Wear it with dresses, T-shirt’s, denim on denim, over a hoodie… I’m convinced there’s no wrong way! Happy Friday! ✨?
Amazeballs photo by @kaleighdsimmonsphoto

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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I’ve been completely MIA, I know. I have been in my own little world of asking questions, the hard kind. The ones that require major soul searching & arms stretched wide with willingness. It’s a good thing that we can hope in Him & His timing even when He feels quiet! Or in my case it’s feeling hopeful that the stirring I’m feeling is something getting ready to blossom in my life & I want to be in the right position – emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually – so that I can be most prepared for what He has in store.
It can be scary to ask the hard questions because part of asking them is admitting we don’t have all of the answers – annnnd booooy do I like to have it all figured out! But for now I’m meditating on the present things in my life! The children I’m watching grow by the minute, the business I’m investing my heart into, the marriage that’s full of belonging – that’s enough for me. But I love the stirring and draw for more, the things He has in store for our family and my life that I have yet to see!
PC: @kaleighdsimmonsphoto

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Photo taken at: Grand Rapids, Michigan

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I’ve been so out of my groove, you guys! I mean in all honesty – I struggle like mad with the whole IG thing. Mostly because it can be such a time suck! I love that it’s such a great tool for building community & supporting people/things I believe in but I hate that it also really messes with people who come searching for validation on a platform that lacks so much real ness. Whatevs though, ya know!? I know… deep. ? Shout out to @clothandcabin for this gray shirt I’m totally obsessed with!
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#ootd #whatiwore #outfitideas #feminine #womensupportingwomen #womenempowerment #bettertogether #dreamer #doer #dreamchaser

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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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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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