envelope portraits

January 9, 2012

Kind of mesmorized by these. Love the randomness of the envelope ephemera mixed with the portraits.

Hi! I'm Sarah.

This blog is where I share inspiration for creating an oasis for body, mind, spirit & space.

It's an extension of Very Sarie- my creative studio that combines Design, Art Direction, Illustration, Styling & Content Creation.

I'm thrilled you're along for the ride.

ARE YOU A KINDRED SPIRIT? Then we should definitely get to know each other.

Hit me up your favorite way below.

MY ADVENTURES ON iNSTAGRAM

Anybody else love spending time in the kitchen on Sunday?
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Today, I’m making a big ol batch of infused water stuffed with fresh herbs from the garden (the only thing I successfully kept alive in the CA heat 🤷🏼‍♀️) AND a generous jug of white wine sangria. Dehydrate/rehydrate amiright??
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Also whipping up some cold salads so nobody has to lift a finger as we’re chillin our toes in the cool, cool pool water.
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Summertime and the living is easy...

Hey, 👋 how’s your Saturday?
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I made an omelet, shortened a dress (oh how I thank my lucky stars I learned to sew as a wee girl) figured out how to set the echos up with multi-room music streaming, and took a dip in the pool.
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Now I’m cozying up with my kindle and @mikedooleytut “playing the matrix,” fully expecting to drift into a nap at some point. Then maybe headed to the theater to see “Crazy, Rich Asians” after.
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Ah, ain’t life grand?? 😊💖💫

What’s a love/encouragement letter you’d write to your past self? Here’s one of mine:
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Dear Sarah (the adult acne years), I know you’re feeling frustrated and depressed because you’re a grown woman and 80% of your face is covered with severe cystic acne. I know you feel like hiding, shrinking away...convinced everyone is staring + something must be horribly wrong with you.

But it’s going to get better, I promise. You’re going to discover how to nourish and heal your body. And somewhere in that process learn to love the time when acne came to visit for awhile. Without it, you never would have discovered the physical and emotional health you have today, or how to truly listen to the messages your body is sending. What a gift! (Admittedly, wrapped up in a very improbable way!) Just hang in there, and remember this time when resistance, pain and uncertainty inevitably bubble up again, K?

Love,

Sarah (the clear skin, full(er) heart years)
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#smoothiebowls #veganfrendlybowls #plantbaseddiet #eatyourgreens #earthfood #thrivemags #healthyfoodshare #thechalkboardmag #thechalkboardeats #makemewhole

When I met my heart mate Craig, I knew he must be somebody who charms everyone he meets. I was at a dive bar, drinking a vodka soda and eating chicken wings in a corner booth and when he walked up to our little crowd, everyone cheered and jumped up to give him a hug- they were all so surprised and delighted to see him.
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So I did too- even though I had no idea who he was. It seemed like the thing to do.
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Little did I know that night he would become such a significant part of my life. And over the years, I’ve seen the cheers and hugs continue...because he’s that kind of a human being. Tender-hearted, kind, and funny as heck (in that Monte Python kind of a way.)
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Now it’s your turn: How did you meet your significant other? Was it love at first sight, or a slow, steady burn? Let me know in the comments!
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#abmsummer #soulpreneur #embracingaslowerlife #thatauthenticfeeling #seekthesimplicity #verilymoment #theartofslowliving #aquietstyle #momentsofmine #thehappynow #simplepleasures #abmhappylife #darlingweekend #livesimple #thislifetoday #ofsimplethings #finditliveit

Can I share a secret with you? Can I explain why I spend endless hours working on my craft? Because I LOVE it.
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AND I spend hours pouring myself into my work not just because I love it… but because I love making YOU happy too. It’s a win win 🙌💖😊
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#healthylifestyle #wellnessjourney #brandphotography #creativelifehappylife #calledtobecreative #abmhappylife #socialmediaphotography #heartcenteredbusiness #thecreativegrid

It’s still hot as hades in LA this weekend, so I’m going to plop my butt right about here for most of the day. Plus, I want to spend some time dreaming about what’s possible for this little ol biz here.
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Because I’ve been thinking about YOU. How it’s frustrating to have an Instagram feed that feels like it’s a mess. Not quite living up to the standards you have for your business. How it’s not as easy as it looks keeping up with new content day in and day out. You’ve poured your heart & soul into your work, and are proud to have something so special to offer the world, but you also know there aren’t a lot of heart eye emojis coming your way anytime soon with the images you’ve got.
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The truth is, it’s easier than you think to up your visual story game- And I’ve got your back. I’m putting together all sorts of free content and resources to help you up your visual game (the first couple are right here on IGTV) And did you know if you sign up for my insider list, you can get access to free stock photos + updates whenever I share new tips? No? We’ll go sign up then with the link in my bio!

What's on your gratitude list today?
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On mine: cool pool water on a hot day, the chance to be creative at least once a day, falling in love with a spotify playlist with all artists previously unknown to me, tummy snuggles with the poochie (always).
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#highvibetribe #highvibelife #soulpreneur #iamwellandgood #healthandwellness #gratitude #powerofnow #mindbodysoul #soulpreneur #positivemindset #communityovercompetition

A few things that might surprise you about me? I’ve got three:
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When I cross my eyes, I can move my eyeballs independently of each other. I can also raise my eyebrows separately. (Both a huge hit with the 4 and under crowd.)
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I’ve become obsessed with tequila and mezcal lately, and have amassed enough of a collection in my home bar that we now conduct tastings when people come over. Current favorites: Del Maguey single village mezcal, and Don Amado añejo mezcal.
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Several times in the course of my working life, I’ve abruptly changed directions (or at least that’s how it appeared), usually based on nothing more than an intuitive hunch. Now I know that each one of those “hunches” led me into situations where I gained valuable skills + expertise- all of which I use today in my business! Each time, I never would have been able to tell you how one thing was related to the next, whereas now, it all makes perfect sense.
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Your turn- tell me something surprising about you!
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#theeverygirl #howyouglow #mindbodygreen #iamwellandgood #highvibetribe #highvibelife #soulpreneur #soulpurpose #abmsummer #dscolor #abmcolorfullife #risingtidesociety #communityovercompetition

You know, I really feel like we should be better friends by now...and I’ll totally take the blame.
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Recently, I’ve had some lightbulb moments about how to use this platform to foster genuine relationships...and I wanna be friends for real (or, you know, insta-friends...but that totally counts!)
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Let’s star with where we live. Did you known I live in Los Angeles? Yep- moved here 8 years ago from Minneapolis after growing up in Iowa
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I never had dreams of living out west, let alone LA, but 9 years ago (this very week) I took an unassuming trip here to visit a friend, and life changed. On the first day of vacation, work rang to tell me I’d been laid off. My friend and I joked for the rest of the trip I should just send for my things and start a new life in CA (after the tears and panic subsided, of course). Then, 2 days before I went home, I met my love. We instantly connected and just one short year + one month later, I actually was living in LA.
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At first, I was frustrated with this city. It’s so vast, how would I ever find my place in all of it? And making new friends proved challenging because nobody wants to hang out if you don’t live in the same neighborhood. (See first point about vastness and then insert every ridiculous thing you’ve heard about LA traffic.)
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Now, it’s the polarity of these two things that I love: a never ending cornucopia of discovery right out my front door, OR a cozy neighborhood I don’t leave for days or weeks at a time because I need the embrace of familiarity for a bit. All with the promise of perfect weather pretty much every single day.
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How about you? How did you end up where you live? Was it love at first visit, or did it take a little while to cozy up?

It might be Tuesday, but my head is still stuck in the weekend. We packed up the poochies and headed down to San Diego for a couple of days. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Slept in, did lots of walking, spent an afternoon at the beach and ate way too much decadent food. We loved it so much that we didn't head back to LA until late on Sunday night. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The dogs were a hit at the hotel (they always are) and we tuckered them out REAL good with all the city walks- they both spent the entire day sleeping yesterday. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This is what summer memories are made of.
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#abmsummer #sandiegolife #howyouglow #thehappynow #howisummer #darlingescapes #petitejoys #itsthelittlethings #hotelcoronado #darlingweekend #darlingmovement #makeitblissful #createyourhappy

I recently discovered Paloma’s and now they’re all I want to drink (I know, I’m a little late to the party. Don’t judge- I have an aversion to grapefruit, so I assumed I’d hate them. I was wrong. 🤷‍♀️) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I can’t guzzle tequila non-stop (obvi) So I’m looking for a non-boozy drink to fall in love with too. If anybody has good suggestions, I know it’s you, so spill the beans!! Favorite mocktails- go!!
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#wellnessblogger #healthcoach #food52 #thekitchn #cleaneats #thenewhealthy #mindbodygreen #abmhappyhour #chalkboardeats #thechalkboardmag #iamwellandgood

These colors right here are giving me LIFE on this (already) smoking hot day.
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Currently making a plan to beat the heat for the rest of the day. (Which may or may not involve working my booty off this morning so I can jump in the pool this afternoon.) 💦
Also, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE hot weather. (Like, a lot. I’m kind of weird about it) So no complaints over here!
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Hot or cold? Which is your sweet spot?
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#highvibelife #abundantmindset #highvibetribe #findyourpurpose #abmhappylife #abmlifeisbeautiful #abmlifeiscolorful #dscolor #dsflowers #mindbodygreen #flowersmakemehappy #bhgflowers #bhgsummer

Throwback to this time last year when I was completely off the grid with my family. No cell service, no WiFi, just us.

I took countless photos of sweeping vistas that week, but this one of my 3 brothers is one of my favs. (I’m the only gal in the bunch.) On this day, the four of us were alone for hours on a long, narrow winding mountain road, and I realized it was the first time in decades (if ever) that has happened. No parents, no significant others, no children. Just us, chattin it up, laughing and contemplating life in a pickup truck.

I used to think growing up with a pack of boys gave me the grit and guts I have today, but now I know I’d probably have those things anyhow.

Not once did I wish for a sister growing up- I still don’t. Because my life is filled with sisters now, hand-picked by the universe especially for me.

Give me a double tap for all those brothers and sisters who made you who you are today (biological or not) 💖✨🙌 (I’d tag my bros, but not a single one is on IG. Which probably explains why they would pick a vacay off the grid 🤣 My sisters on the other hand...of course they’re mostly hanging out in these parts 😁)
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#finditliveit #ofsimplethings #highvibetribe #highvibelife #thrivemags #slowlivingforlife #risingtidesociety #communityovercompetition

Gearing up for the weekend + another heat wave in LA. So.... this is what my next couple of days are going to look like for me (after I tackle that massive to do list I just wrote out 😝) .
I used to dread and avoid that list (still do a little bit sometimes) but lately it’s shifted have stuff I “have” to do, to stuff I “get” to do. Sure, the list has changed a bit, but the biggest difference? The way I’m thinking about it.
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So lay it on me- what do you GET to do today before the weekend kicks in?
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#inspiredliving #highvibelife #livewithintention #mindfullife #theuniversehasyourback #highvibetribe #workfromanywhere #mycreativebiz #goaldigger #bosslady #entrepreneurlife

Anyone else obsessed with summer produce right now?
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Our fridge is bursting, and I feel like I’ve been eating like a queen all week long #winning.
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And here’s a fun fact: I never really got the whole cherry thing until a couple of years ago. I guess they weren’t a huge part of my childhood, so I just didn’t gravitate towards them. Then, a friend was visiting (from my hometown, which is sort of ironic for the story) and we pulled over on the PCH to buy cherries from one of those little produce trucks. We gobbled them down on the beach in Malibu and I’ve been smitten ever since. Makes me wonder what else I’ve been missing out on. 🤔
What kind of stuff have you discovered later in life that you had no idea you’d like so much?? (I also have tea, snowboarding, sour Belgium beer, and going bra-less on the list)
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Ps- you should know, this image is part of a new product I’m offering: stock photography for health and wellness entrepreneurs! It’s still early days, and they’re aren’t a ton of images yet, but I just couldn’t wait to let you know!
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If you’re curious check it out a bit.ly/BrandSpankingStock. And health/wellness professionals- let me know: what kind of images are you interested in seeing in this shop?? .
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#healthcoaching #healthconcious #cherries #foodstock #wellnesscoach #wellnessblogger #wellnessjourney

If you could take a 6-month, solo vacation to a desert island, what one food, drink and single form of entertainment would you bring along??
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I’ll start: chips, salsa & guac (never get tired of it), iced matcha latte for day, rosé for evening (cheating, I know), and a fully loaded kindle (mostly non-fiction, but a few novels for when my brain needs a break and can’t handle any more info 😝- basically, I could read all day and night, every day and be happy as a clam)
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Your turn- what are your desert island staples??
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#finditliveit #seekthesimplicity #theartofslowliving #livesimple #livethelittlethings #beingboss#calledtobecreative #creativeentrepreneurs #myhealthylife