Tips to De-stress

Here Comes The Holidays | 6 x 4 prints

Here comes the newest batch of 6x4s -- an accumulated volume of designs we've been working on for what seems like forever. As with each release, we feel like the latest group is the best batch. So I guess that must mean that progress and growth are very real things.

Out of My Comfort Zone, Into Some Statements

2017 Kimberly has grown in a lot of ways. 2017 Kimberly got a bachelor's degree, went to New York City in the summer, and also started taking more risks style-wise. Although I am a true to the core minimalist and monochromatic, this year, I've found myself dipping my toes in different trends and styles that I haven't braved since pre-adulthood. 

Holiday Season

It's that time of the year again. All the signs point directly at it: the music in stores, the wish-lists being made, the shopping being done, and not to mention the temperature dropping ever so steadily. The holiday season is nearing. I knew instantly after Halloween finished. I felt it inside me and already began picturing the start of winter break, visualizing Christmas, and looking forward to the New Year.

23rd at IKEA (among other places)

When the weather decides to not cooperate, and your birthday tradition is normally spent outdoors with around twenty or so other people, the only place you can really turn to is IKEA. As gutted as I am that my birthday was not spent in a forest this year, the vegetable medallions from the Swedish furniture store sure softened the blow. (Highly likely that that sentence is one of the oddest things I've ever come to write-up for this blog) If you know, you know. If you don't, please educate yourself on the wonders of IKEA over here.

Besides wandering the vast expanse of the warehouse, my 23rd birthday celebration continued onto the local pub, and by the end of the night, I found myself sitting in a booth at Riverdale's very own Pop's Chock'Lit Shoppe (otherwise known as Rocko's Diner in Mission, BC). It was a jam-packed birthday, certainly another that's one for the books. As a way of retelling the events, here's my annual birthday post -- in the style of: 23 things that happened on my 23rd birthday.

Where It All Began

If you told me 2 years ago that I would be travelling to New York and Ottawa in the span of a few months, I would have been doubtlessly in shock. I would have wondered if I was the right person you were talking to. For such a time I have been so used to the community or environment around me. I knew there was a larger world out there and I was eager to explore, but I thought that would be far off into the future. Travelling is a luxury not easily ascertained, although is incredibly worth it. It pushes one to see new things, meet new people, and of course a little self-discovery along the way. You learn of so much history as it has contributed to the present and witness the new world taking shape right in front of you.

Skincare For The Struggling

Whenever I stare at my face for too long in the mirror, I almost always end up thinking about my unblemished skin as a kid. It guts me to think that when I was young, I was consistently and furiously willing myself to grow older, not knowing how lucky I had it then. Nap times, no stress, and not a pimple in sight. Nowadays, not so much. I still take naps -- granted, I'm ridden with guilt when I inevitably hit the snooze button multiple times. Being stress free is pretty much a foreign concept to me now, essentially just a vague memory of a time in the distant past. And then there's my skin. Quelle horreur!

For so long I blindly navigated my way through the aisles, searching for skincare products and expecting them to do something other deplete my bank account. Although my complexion is far from what it was when I was younger, my skin has gone leaps and bounds after adding these into my routine.

My Life In A Few Words

Life these past few weeks has been such a whirlwind. I have had responsibilities thrust upon, learned new things on multiple occasions, and have been able to test my capabilities. I thought that for this post, I'd give you guys an update on what’s been going on with me. A casual and personal conversation per se. Bear with me; despite it being rather one-sided, I hope you find it interesting and are able to  at least connect with some parts.

Free Downloadables: Wallpapers #7

I’ve been feeling a bit lost and muddled this past while. I’m at a point in my life where the routines that I have strived to perfect for the past half of a decade are being challenged. You see, change has never been easy for me. I have always clung to sameness until my knuckles have turned white. I consistently refer to myself as a creature of comfort, and so having to move on from a chapter of my life that took me so long to read (and was only beginning to understand) has me feeling like I’ve just been blindfolded and spun around a handful of times. I keep picturing myself holding my breath as I stand strangely still in front of a something that feels like a cliff to fall off of, or a mountain to climb all at the same time.

I know that change is an inherent part of life and I know that close to 23 years of existence should have conditoned me to deal with all of this better — but I’m not. And so until I sort myself out, I’m going to continue to search for little reminders that will ground me when I feel like this feeling in my chest is going to force me to lift off out of the stratosphere and into the fiery reigns of the burning sun.

These bible verses I’ve doodled into wallpapers have been helping me ease the chaos raging in my head. It is my hope that they remind you that nothing is ever as bad as it seems, as long as you have Christ by your side.

Poetry to Soothe the Soul

Whether it's writing or reading poetry, there is something about this eloquent form of art which soothes the soul. A lot of people often wonder why poets don't just say what they mean. The beauty in it is that it has a different meaning to whoever reads it and each carefully placed word has a special connotation to the writer. There are so many ideas and notions that can be discovered behind literary devices. Some might consider it as the uncaged ramblings of an individual, however if you look deep into the surface a metaphor could hold the answer to your present problems. 

All The Places We Went Pt. 2 | New York City

Here comes the second and final installment of all the places we went to in New York City. If you haven't caught up on part one just yet, feel free to click here to read all about it. I talked about The Guggenheim, The Met, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and other tourist attractions. This time, I'll be walking you through places to explore the city on water, on land, and above ground as well!

Playlist #13 | With Roads Ahead

All The Places We Went Pt. 1 | New York City

I am still having a tremendously difficult time wrapping my consciousness around the fact that we went to New York. I'm sure everyone and their father-in-law's half sister twice removed knows that we went. In a true "sorry-not-sorry" fashion, I haven't been able to stop posting pictures from it over on Instagram. And yet, somehow, it all still feels like an elaborate daydream. In an equally elaborate way, I'm about to walk you through all the major places we went to as a way of pinching myself to confirm that it wasn't just lucid reverie. 

Les Femmes

Over the summer this year like any other I had a lot of time on my hands. They were no longer spent taking down notes, writing essays, and solving mathematical equations. My hands were getting idle and one night of inspiration as I was sitting on the computer desk, I put pen to paper and drew. It started off with the "Le Petite Féministe" piece. I fell in love with this style of drawing and the theme. I continued on and made a few pieces that I like to think represents females as both beautiful on the surface and at the heart too.

Tiny Poems From Once Before (Again)

?

Sink or swim

so it seems

but for now,

I will keep my eyes

above the water

So it seems that I am still not ready to write about New York. I'm still struggling to put to paper how I felt about the trip. I may never find the right words to fully describe how that trip made me feel but I'll try to get as close to it as I can -- eventually. As for now, I've dug up some tiny poems from once before (again) to share with you all. 

Back to the Daily Grind

 By the end of every school year my soul always feels tired and worn out. The combination of a very hectic sleep schedule being balanced with homework and extracurricular activities is without contest the most probable cause. Summer has always been an oasis on the horizon so out of reach until it's there. Once it's there however, it disappears in a blink of an eye leaving us all wondering.

Playlist #12 | A Dull Roar

Breathing in Art

Being in New York for the first time has truly been such a blissful experience I am eternally grateful for. From the start, I knew I was most excited to peruse through the exhibits in various museums. I was right. Even though I'll be returning to Vancouver by the month's end, I will always treasure exploring the Guggenheim, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art will always hold a place in my heart. Despite my aching feet and a tired body after each trip, I must say, it was all worth it and it's something I hope to go back to in the future. The trip isn't even halfway finished, but I'm already beginning to miss certain parts. So I thought I would share some of the museums highlights that I will miss with all of you, as well as my opinions on the magnificent sights.

Me, You, and The Internet #3

I'm nothing if not consistent when it comes to scouring the internet for things that make me laugh, for things that warm my heart, and for things that inspire my existence. On this week's post, I give you all of the above and a little bit more.

Read below the jump to hear about a specific podcast episode that remains saved onto my phone despite my the limited memory space. Further down the list, you'll come across an Elvis cover, and even a royalty free tune I happen to be obsessed with. Let me sidetrack you from whatever you're supposed to be doing for a moment and let's pretend I'm sitting next to you (my dear old pal) as I hold out my phone for you to see some cool things on the interwebz.

Sunrises, a Chasm, and the Ocean

I wrote these short poems on separate occasions. Some of the times I don't quite remember what instigated me into writing to them or how I felt in that exact moment. Reading it now, I feel as if the connotation is different. I find that truly interesting about poetry. It evolves as a person grows and its meaning can change constantly. 

Boat rides, Best Pals, and Bowen Island

Being an early twenty-something year old is weird. You're not quite a full-fledged adult quite yet. You've got much to learn -- about taxes, mortgages, and life in general. Plus, you can get arrested and when you're convicted, you won't be placed in juvie. Instead, you'll be in actual adult prison, in all it's shiv and shank glory. I digress.

One of the perks of being a young adult however, is being at the prime age of travelling. Sure, you're probably spending thousands paying for rent for crap basements apartments, or selling your organs to fund your post-secondary education. 

Playlist #11 | The Sea in a Glass by My Bed

Things To Do To Soothe Your Soul

For the first time in my life, I metaphorically have a whole lot of open-road in front of me. There's no giant timer breathing down my neck, counting down til the moment where my always seemingly brief respite comes to an end. Words cannot fully capture the eager anticipation that I have towards finally getting to experience autumn without the association of dreading back-to-school season. For the first time, I'm not spending summer anxious over the days going by.

Having said that, it really is quite the adjustment. I'm not used to not having anything on my to-do lists. At any given time, I normally have several lists ongoing. Now that homework, readings, essays, and exams are no longer my problems to fuss about, there's an empty void I quickly found the need to fill. Apparently, even post-graduation, I still have "zero-chill." So, here's a list of cost-free things to do this summer to soothe my soul.

Warm and Cool Weather Clothes

There are so many different ways you can style each article of clothing in your closet. Sometimes they can be made to fit different seasons and weather trend change after change. This is something that I have learned through a lot of experimentation. When the time of cleaning my closet comes around again it gives me the opportunity to see every top and pair  of pants. Sometimes there are clothes that I don't wear a lot, but I end up finding new ways to love them again.

Free Downloadables: Wallpapers #6

Hard to believe that the last time we put a post for free downloadables was December of last year. Time sure has flown by. How is it that we're already on the latter half of the 2017? Hopefully the year thus far has been kind to you. Ours admittedly had its fair share of ups and downs. Regardless, we're pushing through and praying for the good to outweigh the bad.

For all the things that have yet to come, we've picked some favorite reminders to create as new wallpapers for anyone to download as they please. Should you end up fancying these enough to download, capture a screenshot, send us a message, comment on our socials, or just let us know so we can post another batch without waiting another six months! 

8:30 AM Poetry

I thought these poems in the way that they are written reflect how much I've grown. There are so many misconceptions of time, but now that the vacation has begun, I have a lot of it. I hope to savour small moments where I am pursuing interests that I truly enjoy more often. Like when I wrote these, it was like a breath of fresh air.

These Little Things That Make Me Smile

Throughout this school year, I've been taking a leadership class at my school. The early mornings I spent in that classroom has been filled with interesting discussions. We've covered topics like social media identity, school society, and famous speakers. One day, our teacher introduced us to this book written by a Canadian author called "The Book of Awesome." It is a compilation of little, amazing things in life that is very well-written. That then sparked us to write our own awesomes and I thought it would be nice to share it with all of you. Despite it being an assignment, I really did enjoy writing these two which is an awesome in and of itself.

Advice From My Pals: On Travelling

So a couple years ago, amidst our increasing desire to travel more and more, I promised Anne that on we would someday go to New York together. The plan was to book the trip for August of 2017 because by then, I would have graduated from university, and Anne would be turning 16. For so long now, we have held onto this idea like a crutch. Whenever things would get too heavy, or whenever our hearts yearned to see the world, we would remind each other to set our sights on the light at the end of the tunnel. A couple of weeks ago, we finally booked our flights to the big apple, and our excitement has been exponentially increasing as each day passes by. 

This trip will be our first major adventure together so we're naturally filled with nerves. Not because we're scared, but because we want things to go as swimmingly as possible. With that in mind, I spread the word to my pals to get some advice on traveling from a young adult's perspective. Altogether, these peoples' travels span the length of the globe — France, Germany, Netherlands, Croatia, Belgium, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Costa Rica, Uganda, and more. Someday, I'll ideally follow suit but for now, I've got New York in mind and their advice to share with you guys.

Day Wave and Blonder | Vancouver

Before heading to the show, I already knew the power of Jackson Phillips' music. The first time my ears were blessed by the musical genius that is Day Wave, I was at home, sitting in my pajamas while watching a Michalaks vlog -- as per my typical Sunday routine. I was wholly unprepared for the instant connection I'd feel to a song (Total Zombie) that was simply soundtracking the video. Since then, I have spent many a moment soundtracking my own life to the rest of his music. I've even gone so far as proclaiming how I'd pick Day Wave to create the score if for some highly unlikely chance that my life were ever to be made into a movie.

Eye on the Horizon

Like any other student, like most of you I've been counting down the weeks, the days, the number of projects, exams, and events I have to make it through until summer break is finally hear once more. I've had a pretty productive year and accomplished quite a few personal goals which has been a rewarding experience, but school remains as school. It is still really stressful and can be quite draining at times. The countless instances I've though about what I'll do this summer however has helped me power through. So I thought I'd share some of the activities I've come up with.

From the Camera Roll

The start of the summer season has always given me new life. It took a while for the rays of sunshine to hit Vancouver, but when it did, man did it come at full force. There's something about the days getting longer that sparks a desire for me to do new things, more things, great things. As such, since the semester came to a close and the seasons transitioned, I have been grasping at every opportunity to go out into the world (with camera in hand, of course).

I've always been pretty nosy when it comes to peoples' camera rolls. One of my most favorite things to do when catching up with friends is taking a peek at the pictures they've taken since I last saw them. I'm surrounded by people who do cool things, and since I can't always do those cool things with them, the best way to vicariously live through them is a technology enabled show and tell of sorts. With that being said, I thought I'd share some of the photos I've snapped in the past while to show you what I've been up to.

Playlist #10 | River That Winds on Forever

Favorite Things As of Late

Although it's been a while and a half since I've last done a favorites post, the length of time in no way reflects a lack of things to enjoy. In fact, in coming up with this list, I found it hard to narrow it down to a somewhat manageable few to feature. This is so much so that there is a high chance that a separate list will be coming your way within the next while. In the mean time, here's an adult version of show and tell, in the form of my current favorites. 

Black Coats + Silk Blouses

There are certain pieces in one's closet that are perfect for a variety of occasions. They can be dressed up or down and those types of clothes are my favourite. I'd like to share with you some of them in this blog post. I touch bases on repurposing clothes and my appreciation for a good pair of comfortable shoes. I have a feeling the clothes I mention will remain in my wardrobe for a long time.

Portraits and Skylines

Surprise! Rolling into our arsenal are some new commission types that you can now order.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Over the years I have come across a number of bible verses that have resonated with me. Some I came across during events at church then wrote down in my journal and some from when my sister and I read the daily readings during Lent. I find when I am lost amidst earthly distractions, there is always a verse that corresponds and answers my questions. With Easter finally coming this week and I thought it would be nice to share a few with all of you. 

Kaleo and Judah & the Lion | Vancouver

Dear Orpheum theatre, it's been a while. You were my first concert venue in Vancouver, and man, were you a rush. Thinking about you gives me a sense of wonder and incites a nostalgically soundtracked montage in my head. You set the bar pretty high as far as venues go. And although these past several years, I have grown to love smaller more intimate places, I will never not want to keep walking back into your open doors and looking up at your opulently grandeur ceiling. Last week, on April 4th, 2017, I came back to you in a fit of excitement to see Kaleo and Judah & the Lion. I was a mix of giddy elation and nervous anticipation. 

The New Age

Upon waking up to start a new day, a lot of teenagers have quite similar morning routines. Other than pressing snooze on our dreaded alarms the rest consists of turning on our phones, checking social media, reading and replying to texts, and looking through missed calls. Already within the first few minutes of our day we have been subjected to three forms of communication; all of which are digital. 

Playlist #9 | Break of Dawn

Here's to Poetry

It seemed not just coincidental, the serendipity of my blog post falling on the week of World Poetry day, but instead the perfect opportunity. I thought I'd share with you a few poems I've written here and there over Spring Break. In spirit of yesterday, here's to the poets, the readers, and connoisseurs of the written word.

Winter Are You Still Here?

It seems as though the icy weather hasn't relented. Who would have thought there would be snow in the month of March, I certainly didn't. Normally, I would be unpacking all my spring clothes and transitioning my closet from winter, however these last few weeks haven't allowed me that opportunity. I've been running out of outfit combinations as I'm sure a lot of you can relate to. This is a situation that's never great when one is half asleep while trying to get ready in the morning. Sometimes I've just had to remind myself that the simplest pieces of clothing that I'm comfortable in can make the best outfits. Often, I've found myself over complicating my outfits, but I just have to keep reminding myself that, "Hallways are not runways" and, "Modest is the hottest" always.

Meet Ally

Photo by: Mon Millena

Meet Ally. An 18 year old figuring out her life through the fierce pursuit of creative outlets. To put it simply, Ally's an insanely talented dancer and a self-taught make-up artist behind Bejer Beauty. She produces works of art in every aspect of her artistic process and we were lucky enough to work with her for this week's post. This collaboration has been in the works for quite a long time now. It first started with us getting the privilege of her doing our make-up. In exchange, not only did we get a chance to interview her, but we also got a chance to create Flux + Folk piece for her. 

Keep on reading to see what an F+F x Bejer Beauty collaboration looks like! 

Valley | Vancouver

Few people get me the way that my Spotify Discover Weekly gets me. As I spoke with Karah after the show, we mutually discussed our initial hesitance with music streaming that have now long dissipated. After all, if it weren't for the magic that is the Spotify algorithm, I wouldn't have come across her band Valley, among other tons of artists that have come to claim permanent positions in my playlists.

Simple Words

“Hello, nice to meet you…goodbye and don’t forget your please and thank yous,” words such as these tumble out of our mouths without too much thought in countless moments of our lives. People might call it etiquette or the social norm, since each member entwined in society’s web has established this same routine from infancy. Social norms are what they are because it is deemed acceptable; however having been made social norms, some can say they have lost their original purpose.

The Moto-Jacket of My Dreams

It has been a while since Vancouver has been in the midst of snow storms and covered in white even through February. It's been pretty much a shock for a lot of us in B.C., considering the transit system and school districts have been having a difficult time dealing with snow days. It has been a struggle and a half to get to classes when my campus is all the way up in a mountain, the university refuses to close the campus down, and the buses have a meltdown trying to get up the hill. Honestly, I could go on forever about my frustrations about that. BUT, that's not what this post is about.

This post is all about the bright side of things. Though the snow and freezing temperatures have not been so kind to commuters, they have made it easier for me to justify spending money on new coats. One of which is the badass yet delightfully warm coat that has been keeping me cozy for the past couple months.

Playlist #8 | Tear Down Every Wall