Lifestyle: Annie Fay Blog

Badass Women (014): A Retrospective

3/25/2018

I think inspiration runs in a circular motion so here’s to hoping I can inspire all the incredible gals as much as they all inspire me. Badass Women is a series about capturing that positive energy and spreading it. Wanna help? Read about these cool girls and share their features with the women that inspire you!!

I started this series a year ago when I launched my blog. Over the past 12 months I have connected with over a dozen women from several different countries in a pursuit to promote female creativity and achievements through inspiring interviews. I have reconnected with all of these amazing girls to check in and see how their views and passions have developed and to share with you a special retrospective edition of the Badass Women series in celebration of the one year anniversary of my blog.

To view previous installations in the series click here: https://www.anniefay.com/lifestyle/category/badass-women

...and to collaborate with me or take part in the series you can reach me by clicking here: https://www.anniefay.com/contact.html

Dominga Silva Vicuña

I last interviewed Dominga in February 2017 ((before the blog was even launched!!)) To view the interview that started it all click here.

What is your relationship with beauty? Has it changed over the year?

Since I was a little girl, my mother taught me that you need to always be nice, you need to look good to feel good with you. She told me once that you need to work on your inside and your outside beauty, both are important. This year I started to use some face creams, and practice sports 3 time per week.

What is your best memory from the past year?

My trips!!

You have been traveling a lot this year, what has that experience been like? What have you learned from the world and the places you have been.

I love travel! When I was in The US I traveled a lot and visited many places in California and other cities like New York and Hawaii. This year I went to Europe for one month. I went to London, Edinburg, Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Madrid. I was visiting some friends!! It was amazing, I love visiting different countries and learning about different cultures. Before a trip, I always “study” about the places that I’ll visit, I make a list with the places that I want to know and I make an itinerary with all the things that I need to do in each day. In all my trips I learn many things, I learn about the history, the people, and the culture. I also practiced my photography. :)

Noëlle Reich

I last interviewed Noëlle in March 2017. To view her previous interview please click here.

What new passions have you discovered this year?

For me, this has been a year of learning to believe in myself and my abilities, and in the process of doing that, I’ve started to pursue passions that have excited me for a long time. I’ve been experimenting with film photography and different styles of writing. I’ve gotten more decisive about my stylistic choices involving everything from clothing to the mediums I use to make art. But I think the biggest passion I have discovered is a love for acting. I feel a lot and think a lot, so it’s been really cool to watch how that can be channeled into playing different roles. I’ve started in intensive classes, and showing up scares the hell out of me but also pushes me. I think it’s important to challenge yourself, because it proves that you are capable of way more than you thought. I’ll be challenging myself even more by my big move to New York coming up in June. My motto of the year is “life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all…” so I’m trying to live by that as much as possible.

What is your relationship with beauty? Has it changed over the year?

I think my relationship with beauty can be summed up by this: beautiful people are those who choose to see the best in others. A pretty face is a dime a dozen. What are you doing to impact the world? How do you make other people feel? I think it’s a bit extreme to say that ‘beauty’ as a concept is overrated, but I think it is when it comes to how we view ourselves. Maybe we should just spend more time looking for it in others and in the world around us.

Korina Day

I last interviewed Korina in March 2017. To view her previous interview click here.

What is your relationship with beauty? Has it changed over the year?

My relationship with beauty has possibly changed a bit. Moving to Big Bear really taught me that I do not need anything extra to lighten my looks, but just the colors of nature I am able to absorb instead. Keeping natural really allows me to focus on more important issues. Keeping active in the mountain also heightens my physical confidence to be able to tackle anything.

What is your best memory from this past year?

My best memory this past year was a time I have always loved; working at a sleep away summer camp. During this summer in Big Bear I was able to be a mentor to some amazing children and I created lots of friendships as well. While I was in such an uplifting environment, I met my new and current girlfriend and have continued to keep having some awesome moments.

Jenny Jimenez

I last interviewed Jenny in April 2017. To view her previous interview please click here.

What new passions have you discovered this year?

A new passion I’ve discovered this year is connections. As confusing or silly as that sounds, I really value creating meaningful connections and finding ways to be more intentional with people to build a more authentic connection. I am a huge people person. These relationships I’m referring to start with little kiddies I babysit. Seeing the biggest smiles from them when cooking their favorite meals, feeling the invisible magnets that always draw our hands together when walking on sidewalks, and sweet moments that create a closeness between us so they just want to sleep on my chest when they’re sick… this trust and love that I feel from them all originates back to one simple connection. It’s taking these connections we make and treating them like just planted seeds, caring for them, giving effort to seeing them grow and ultimately blossom to moments of authenticity and love. Although my youngest connections start with kids they spread out to many others: colleagues, friends, family and of course, lovers. Every relationship is different and requires different care, light, and love. But I’ve found that the fruits beared from these cared for connections are always the sweetest.

What is your relationship with beauty? Has it changed over the year?

My relationship with beauty is a choice to pursue everyday. I’ve decided it’s my choice to decide to see the traces of beauty weaved into my being and this world or to focus on the faults and failures—some days our relationship is great and some days are struggles. It ultimately depends on where I decide to set my gaze. Over the past year I think that my “idea” of beauty has altered and become more inclusive. More inclusive with people, places, and things like my grandma’s old lamp or the freckle above my left eyebrow.

Miranda de Moraes

I last interviewed Miranda in April 2017. To view her previous interview please click here.

What new passions have you developed this year?

I’m not sure where to begin. Through my internship with Food and Water Watch, I scored hundreds of petition signatures, contributing to the 6:1 Santa Barbara County passing of a resolution to ban off-shore oil fracking. In spearheading this campaign in the community, I realized my intense interest in environmental conservation and policy.

From studying abroad in Barcelona this past summer with numerous Syrian refugees, I was made aware of severe foreign injustices and became inspired to pursue international relations. I earned a certificate there in Content Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) rousing a passion in education and foreign language. From visiting eight different countries that summer, my cultural awareness broadened immensely and love of “the diversiform” blossomed.

I began the greatest job possible at the Isla Vista Food Cooperative, where I have been able to meet the most fascinating and enlightening people. From artists to gardeners to monks, I have been able to profit in every way from rewarding conversations contrived merely at check-out. The philosophy of this Co-Op has heavily impacted my life, encouraging me to seek out equality and connection in everything I do.

My spirituality developed immensely throughout the course of this year. Through conscious investment in introspective expansion, I have become that much closer to unearthing my root, my cause, my being. I grew obsessed with The Enneagram, a book about egos and personalities, a faculty that inspired intra-reflection. Nonetheless, I still cannot espouse such a diagnosis nor commit to a single philosophy, given we are ever-changing and commitment is limiting. Nonetheless, in understanding tendencies, I endeavor to expedite the quest to self realization, actualization, and liberation.

What is your relationship with beauty? Has it changed over the year?

The inherent idea of beauty is a uniquely human experience. As creatures sensitive to time, cause, and effect, beauty reveals itself to us through permutations in nature and society—frozen moments compiled in one ever-changing masterpiece; artwork exclusively perceivable to our human senses. From a positivist standpoint, beauty not only exists, but is accessible ubiquitously. I still believe this to be the case, but my definition for beauty, like my being, has cured and amplified.

With an “intellectualized” mindset, beauty is absent and the workings of the world just are. To think objectively must be taught—yet is the goal to become less passionate, less vigorous… less human? Are objectivity and insignificance inherently beautiful? No. Oblivion may be perfection, but beauty must be subjective. Only when socialization shatters can our warped minds truly unhinge and sincerely perceive what is gloriously intertwined: what is beautiful to our individual senses.

How has CAJU bedding grown/developed over the year?

CAJU has absolutely blossomed over the course of this year. I introduced several new products for sale, a popular item being CAJU sachets. Sachets are tiny, fragranced pillows meant to freshen-up & stylize cars, sock drawers, and backpacks—or even serve as therapeutic stress-squeezers.

I have remodeled tags to be hand printed with acid-free, vegetable-based ink from a nontoxic formula. Tag paper is FSC endorsed, 100% recycled from Green Powered Technology. With an exponential growth in sales this year, almost $100 has been donated to The Nature Conservancy’s sustainable efforts in Brazil!

Several months ago, the Isla Vista Food Cooperative hosted CAJU’s first ever Pop-Up Show, where tons of my handmade, fragranced, and sustainable products were sold. The Pop-Up Show did so incredibly that the Co-Op is planning to sell CAJU pillows, blankets, and sachets on shelves in store this spring season!

CAJU has received an exciting amount of attention from the community, such as the beautiful article for Her Campus by Sydney Patterson—just published a few weeks ago. I owe the ever-growing success of CAJU to the perennial support of my friends and family, and the constant inspiration and advice from all of you.

The future for CAJU is extremely promising. I plan on veering from purchasing new, vegan, locally sourced fabrics to invest in vegan, locally sourced reused fabrics from trade stores. By reconstructing fabric, I hope to combat fast-fashion, or fast-fabric in this context. I also hope to partner with a local lavender farm to begin infusing pillows not just with essential oils, but with locally grown potpourri as well.

Eileen Miller

I last interviewed Eileen in April 2017. To view her previous interview click here.

What new passions have you discovered this year?

New passions are all around new relationships and forming new friendships while savoring my old relationships.

What is your relationship with beauty? Has it changed over the year?

Beauty pretty much remains the same where I love the beauty of babies, people I love and admire , with perhaps even greater appreciation of the beauty of Morning skies, birds, the ocean and discovering unique beauty in all people. I look at people while working and I am struck by individuals' beauty and the colors they use in dress, accessories, hair color.

Nicole Merritt

I last interviewed Nicole in May 2017. To view her previous interview click here.

What new passions have you discovered this year?

Over the past year, I haven't discovered any new passions, but my love for writing has increased tenfold. All day long all I want to do is write, write, write. I have to remind myself that there are three (okay, four if we include the hubby) more important living beings that I need to be present for.

What is your relationship with beauty? Has it changed over the year

My relationship with beauty has evolved to me aiming to seek out eat out of every single challenging and less than pleasurable moment. Life is full of apparent beauty, yes, but I am working on focusing on the beauty that lies beneath the chaos, which as a parent of three seems to be my norm.

How has your blog grown//developed over the year?

My blog has grown immensely over the past year. At present, I regularly contribute to Scary Mommy, EverydayFamily, BLUNTmoms, Red Tricycle and The Good Men Project. I have also been published by Motherly, CafeMom, Elephant Journal, Sammiches & Psych. Meds, marriage.com and many others.

Baily Rossi

I last interviewed Baily in May 2017. To view her previous interview click here.

What new passions have you discovered this year?

Cooking! I'm still developing my skills and trying to do it on a daily basis, but I absolutely love making meals for myself and other people. I believe the process is super artistic and self-expressive, so if anyone is searching for a healthy, creative outlet, make yourself a meal! It feels so accomplishing to eat something delicious you've created.

What is your relationship with beauty? Has it changed over the year?

I wouldn't say my relationship with beauty has changed, but I have realized how much it shifts and changes with my perspective on life. Beauty seems to be something more trivial now, compared to other aspects of myself. Beauty too often dictates our self-esteem, and I think we should be working on much more important parts of ourselves.

Beauty is just a single part of our being; I'm working on appreciating my mind, my words, and my ability to help and relate to others. I think that's beautiful!

What have you been up to since graduating?

I just started substitute teaching at some local high schools, which has been exciting to say the least. I got into my top two graduate programs: UCSB and Boston University. I feel I'm at a deadlock in my life; I have to make this huge decision in less than a month and I really am not sure what is right for me. But, one day at a time! The answer will come when I am not searching for it.

Olivia Doan

I last interviewed Olivia in June 2017. To view her previous interview click here.

What is your relationship with beauty and how has it changed over the year??

My relationship with beauty is constantly changing, but the main overview has stayed the same. I will always feel strongly towards this subject and how beauty standards are focused on all the wrong things. In conclusion, I believe with ALL of my heart, that a pretty person is no one without the incredible soul within that makes them truly beautiful. Everything else is nothing. N-o-t-h-I-n-g.

Eileen Miller

Baily Rossi

Nicole Merritt

Olivia Doan

Dominga Silva Vicuña

Miranda de Moraes

Jenny Jimenez

Korina Day

Noëlle Reich

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Are you a badass woman who deserves to be featured? Make sure to click ‘Contact’ above!!

© Annie Fay Meitchik. All Rights Reserved. All content on anniefay.com is my own or credit is given when applicable, please do not use any of my images before contacting me above or @ anniefaymeitchik@gmail.com.

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Badass Women (013): Emma Lawson

9/3/2017

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What is your relationship with beauty?

If I am to be absolutely honest, I see beauty in all things that are natural and spontaneous. I am a very spiritual person and I get happy and excited about the simplest things. For instance, when I wake up early enough to see the sun rise, I instantly get showered with positive energy and happiness. Maybe the most beautiful of all things is to see the people I love smile or feel their closeness to me. In those moments, I say a little prayer, an ode of gratitude to the Universe if you will – for giving me all these amazing things and granting me the ability to see and appreciate them. It may sound like a cliché but I do feel like beauty is all those little things around us we often overlook, things we forget to notice due to the forced images of what we are taught to like. Little things matter, don’t ever forget that.

What was the most challenging aspect of launching your blog? What was the most rewarding part?

Launching it wasn’t challenging at all because I’d known I wanted to do it. Keeping it alive, now that’s what the challenge was and still is. To keep the audiences happy, you have to stay up to date and you have to learn how to hear everyone’s opinion and somehow channel it into your next post. I, naturally, do have my target audience and I know (for the most part, at least) what my readers like but I always try to keep my heart and mind open for new suggestions, remarks, and ideas. My readers are keeping me alive in terms of blogging, and I love how powerful as a community we’ve grown together.

The most rewarding part is making connections with people all around the globe. So far, I’ve been lucky to connect with so many wonderful souls that have helped me understand different cultures, customs, life mechanisms, etc. Becoming as close as we did, we tend to travel a lot together (to Europe, especially) or just go visit one another.

Which of your blog posts are you the most proud of?

Again, I know I’ll sound like a cliché but all of my posts are like my babies. I am very proud of each and every one of them as I put my heart and soul into writing. However, if I really really really had to single one out, it would be this one. This post is one of the first ones I’ve posted, so I guess I’ve got a little beginner’s nostalgia attached to it.

What are you passionate about?

Writing! Ever since I was little, I’ve always found it soothing to write down my thoughts and feelings and turn them into a cohesive piece of writing. Obviously, things started out like they do with most kids - I first had a diary that quickly turned into a notebook of short stories, which I didn’t even realize were short stories until my mum read a few and was blown away. Once I was mature enough to realize how powerful words can be, I started focusing even more on making things work in my writing career. And while I do run a blog and I do understand that words travel faster when launched on the Web, I still prefer the written word on paper. I still carry a little notebook with me and always have a calligraphy pen at hand. And I write everything down – from ideas, plans and meetings to business goals, short stories or just random scribbles in the moment.

What advice do you have for young people looking to make a career out of blogging?

When you are a kid and you write, all you think about in that moment is that you’ve found a way to deal with the thoughts that you don’t understand. For you, writing is a method of healing. But, as you grow up, you become aware of the power those same words carry – and that’s when you realize how powerful you’ve been all this time without even knowing it.

With that in mind, I would advise the young talented writers out there is to never, not even for a second, doubt that their opinion matters; even if it happens that it doesn’t matter to a certain group of people, it will matter to some other group. Someone, somewhere, at maybe the hardest moment in their lives will read your words of comfort, wisdom, your personal experiences and start believing they are important again.

Inspiration is circular, just as life and love are. If you feel like blogging is your passion and what you want to dedicate your inspiration to – then, do it. Find your voice and stick to it. Do know that things won’t be easy and that you’ll have to go through a lot of obstacles before you make it, but it’ll all be worth it in the end. And you know why? Because one day you’ll wake up and realize that you’re doing the job that you love, that you are making a difference and that – guess what - you are getting paid for it!

Where do you feel most inspired?

Anywhere where I can have my peace and quiet. Even if it’s just for an hour – it’s my recharge time.

If you could pick a song to be the theme song to your life what song would you choose and why?

Ok, please don’t laugh but - I Believe I Can Fly by R. Kelly! What can I do, I am a positive, happy person!

What quote inspires you the most? How do you relate to it?

I have to admit that I am a fan of those motivational circular quotes and mantras on Instagram, Tumblr and other platforms, and I like to start my day with a different one, each time. Maybe, if I really had to choose one, it’d be the mantra behind “Namaste” - My soul honors your soul. I honor the place in you where the entire Universe resides. I honor the light, love, truth, beauty and peace within you, because it is also within me. In sharing these things we are united, we are the same, we are one.

Where you can find Emma:

High Style Life: https://highstylife.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmmahLawson

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Badass Women (012): Billie Philips

7/23/2017

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What is your relationship with beauty?
I mostly find beauty in things that are most natural. Every day on my drive to uni or work, I am just astounded by the beauty in where I live from the open paddocks to the view of the hills.

I used to not take any notice at all of this world that I live on, but lately just opening my eyes and actually looking, IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL! And I think now that I’m starting to form a better relationship with that definition of ‘beauty’, I can find it in anything and anyone.

You know when you see people in public, walking down the street or at the local coffee shop, and they’re just beaming with this natural glow and confidence about them? That’s what I think of when I think of beauty. And that’s what I want to be for myself.

Describe what your version of a “perfect day” would look like:
I’d start with a big smoothie bowl for breakfast topped with loads of fresh fruit to give me energy for the day. The sun is shining, so I go out exploring and adventuring, going hiking up the mountains, exploring the coast and beaches, or even just walking down my street. The perfect day is just taking in nature and sunlight and eating amazing fresh foods!

Who do you look to for style inspiration?
I don’t really follow any particular style, I just wear whatever I want to because it makes me feel good and is also comfy! But some of the people I love to stalk on instagram and admire their style are Mimi Elashiry and Cartia Mallan, ugh they seriously get it right every time!

If you could collaborate with any [fashion] brand, which company would you choose, and why?
I would love to collaborate with Tigerlily, all their pieces are just so beautiful and are amazing quality too!

If you could give advice to yourself as a ten-year-old, what would you say?
Keep doing what you’re doing! Everything in life happens for a reason and you’ll look back in ten years from now and not regret a single thing!

What’s something you can’t live without?
Fruit for sure!! I’m addicted to oranges and passionfruit right now for some reason haha.

Where did you grow up?
Adelaide, South Australia

If someone were visiting South Australia for the first time which places would they HAVE to visit?
The coast!! Seriously we have some of the best beaches in Australia and after 19 years of living here I’ve only just realised that in the past few months…

How old are you?
19

What are you passionate about?
Photography has been such a huge passion of mine for the past 5 or so years, but recently I have been so passionate about healthy living and eating! I have a weird obsession with fruits and vegetables, but I think that’s a good thing because I know I am nourishing my body with all the nutrients it needs to thrive, and I’ve really been feeling the benefits!!

What advice would you give to other young bloggers looking to connect/work with brands?
Work on creating high quality content, really take the time to produce something that you’re proud of and that you love! Brands will start to notice that you really love what you do and put in a lot of effort, so that’s what they will look for when finding bloggers to represent their brands! But take it from me, you kind of have to be careful with this as it can be really easy to take it to the point where you become too consumed with likes and followers and numbers, and starting to doubt your work. If that happens, take a break and a breather, get off social media for a day and go do something else and be inspired!

Talk about the most challenging thing you’ve overcome, how did you do it?
Getting out of a bad relationship. I was with someone for three years, and it took me all three of those years to realise that I was not happy. A relationship is not about the other person making you feel awful to the point of crying every time you see each other. I guess the phrase ‘love is blind’ is actually true, because I feel like I actually convinced myself that it was normal to feel sad, or that it was normal for him to be angry with me every day, or that with time it would get better and someday I would wake up and be happy! It took me three years to realise I was in an emotionally abusive relationship, and the most challenging thing I had to do was try and get out of it when I gave that person so much of my life!

Where do you feel most inspired?
In nature, at the beach or out in the mountains!

If you could pick a song to be the theme song to your life what song would you choose and why?
Hypocrite by Cage The Elephant. I feel like it really resonates with me about growing up and learning things about yourself. I really connected with the song after my breakup because I realised that I was a hypocrite almost for such a long time. The lyrics “and if you ask me to stay, you know that’s where I will be, won’t ever do that again, don’t wanna do that again” made me think about how many times I would go back after he hurt me, and then saying to myself that’s the last straw and then going back again. But I did finally break out of that cycle, but I feel like as a person I have a tendency to forgive people too easily and think that things will change when they don’t.

What quote inspires you the most? How do you relate to it?
My most recent favourite quote is “thrive, not just survive”. Lately I have changed up my diet and lifestyle because I really do want to thrive on this planet, not just survive and live a life that I know deep down I do not want to. Like with my past relationship, I knew I was not in a healthy mind set and I knew deep down I wanted to thrive and live a happy life and do everything and see everything! Now over the past six months I have really been feeling what it is like to thrive, I fuel my body with healthy food that gives me energy all day long! And I go out and see this world and the place I live, and someday I will go and travel to other places and thrive in every place of the world!!

Where You Can Find Billie:

Blog: http://billiephilips.com/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/billiephilips/

Like this post? Make sure to share it!!

Are you a badass woman who deserves to be featured? Make sure to click ‘Contact’ above!!

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<<Previous

Badass Women (014): A Retrospective

Dominga Silva Vicuña

Noëlle Reich

Korina Day

Jenny Jimenez

Miranda de Moraes

Eileen Miller

Nicole Merritt

Baily Rossi

Olivia Doan

Badass Women (013): Emma Lawson

What is your relationship with beauty?

What was the most challenging aspect of launching your blog? What was the most rewarding part?

Which of your blog posts are you the most proud of?

What are you passionate about?

What advice do you have for young people looking to make a career out of blogging?

Where do you feel most inspired?

If you could pick a song to be the theme song to your life what song would you choose and why?

What quote inspires you the most? How do you relate to it?

Badass Women (012): Billie Philips

Categories

Archives

Badass Women (014): A Retrospective

Dominga Silva Vicuña

​Noëlle Reich

Korina Day

Jenny Jimenez

Miranda de Moraes

Eileen Miller

Nicole Merritt

Baily Rossi

Olivia Doan

Badass Women (013): Emma Lawson

What is your relationship with beauty?

What was the most challenging aspect of launching your blog? What was the most rewarding part?

Which of your blog posts are you the most proud of?

What are you passionate about?

What advice do you have for young people looking to make a career out of blogging?

Where do you feel most inspired?

If you could pick a song to be the theme song to your life what song would you choose and why?

What quote inspires you the most? How do you relate to it?

Badass Women (012): Billie Philips

Categories

Archives

Noëlle Reich