CREATIVE JOURNEY

I was having a particularly rough day last semester. I was late to class, completely spaced on an assignment, lost my student ID in the depths of my backpack twice and also had a splitting headache to make everything more enjoyable. Somehow I ended up at the post office to check my mail, and I received an unexpected card from a sweet friend. And even though it was one of the cutest cards ever, the note inside was infinitely more special.

"Keep on creating beauty." She said. "The way you see the world is one of a kind. Keep sharing that view with us."

Creativity and college courses don't go hand in hand, especially when you're a biology major. A week will go by and the only photos in my camera roll are ones of textbooks and whiteboards. My real camera rarely see's the light of day. It's been hard to let that part go.

Her card was more than a note and a cute graphic. It encouraged me that even though I'm busy, even though for now most of my time is dedicated to understanding chromalveolates and electrophoresis,
I am still creating beauty. I am capable of continuing to create more. I have the ability to take an ugly hard life and find the good and share that.

I'm documenting my creative journey in 2017 for days like that. For days when the flashcards seem endless and the concepts unbearable to comprehend. I want to remind myself that there's more to life than biology and there's more to me than grades, assignments and GPA stress dreams.

This is my creative journey. This is how I've created beauty. This is my story.

SNAP AND FLUTTER // PART ONE.

Snap and Flutter Modeling // Sydney Marie Photography
My insta friend Sydney reached out to me and asked if I would model for a styled shoot. My first thought was "Why me?" and my second was "What if she's actually a 39-year-old man who lives in his parent's basement?!" Though the answer to the first question is still a mystery, I'm happy to report that she wasn't a he and that she, Syd, is actually so so cute and so talented. (I mean, clearly, she's talented because she made me look good!)

INTERNING AT JAKE AND KATIE PHOTOGRAPHY //
The first images I took on my own at a wedding at my internship were scary. I was sneaking around the room, trying to not be noticed. It was so fun though because there was no pressure. I could shoot whatever I wanted. And even though these are the only 3 photos I was able to get, I love them so much. I never imagined I'd shoot a wedding, much less intern with such amazing photographers.

WEDDING SIGN //  KT CRABB PHOTO
The only reason I'm includng this is because my favorite local photographer,  who is kind of a big deal took, this photo. And even though I wasn't at the wedding, the sign I lettered for the bride was! And Katie took a picture of it! So she basically loves me and want's to be my best friend and I'm 100% okay with that.

INSTAGRAM BEST NINE // 2017
It's always interesting to see which photos are my best 9 at the end of the year. (Best being decided by number of likes and engagement...obviously if I were picking the best ones would be all dessert but alas.) I think it's funny that a.)the top nine all have me in it and b.)all my different haircuts and colors over the year hahaha.

SHOOTING WEDDINGS // 

In 2017 I shot two weddings on my own. And while it wasn't quite as glamorous as I had envisioned as a child (I forgot to factor in the sweat, running around and yelling at people that is unfortunately involved) it definitely fulfilled a childhood dream and for that I am grateful! It pushed me and challenged me and I wouldn't change a thing. Except maybe not forget my deodorant. 

MOMENT TOP 50 // 

Moment, an online iPhone accessory shop and creative company, featured me in their top 50 influencers for 2017. I got to send in my favorite pictures, blab a little bit about how much I love color and basically, it was my dream come true. There was even a typo in the copy they wrote for me in the magazine printing, which obviously was a sign that this was meant to be because Typos are my native tongue.

SNAP AND FLUTTER FOREVER 

Snap and Flutter Workshop 2017 from Dustin Seltzer(Seltzer Films) on Vimeo.

Without a doubt, this was my favorite day of 2017. Probably because my hair and makeup was done professionally. Nothing makes you feel like you can conquer the world quite like a pair of properly applied false lashes. This workshop was MUCH different than the first one I did. For starters, there were 15 photographers taking photos of me at once which was slightly intimidating. It was also at least 10 thousand degrees outside, so that made it interesting. It was seriously so fun to be surrounded by so many passionate, creative people who care about the little details as much as you do.

KRYN'S FIRST SNOW DAY

When they cancel school for the day at 8:20... but you're already in your 8am class.
 Even though I did live in Montana for a couple years, we never had the luxury of snow days because our school was um, in our house haha. So you can imagine how excited I was when the forecast predicted sheets of sleet and snow. The entire walk to class in sleeting hail I was praying that a.) I wouldn't slip and b.) that school would be cancelled for the day. And Jesus was listening! I wish he maybe would have anticipated the prayers so I could have stayed in bed all together but either way, we got my wish. A snow day! No school!

Honestly, I've seen better snow and if I'm REALLY being honest, I wouldn't have minded going to class anyway. But hey, now I can say that I've officially had my first snow day. And when I'm 80 years old, I'll be sure and exaggerate the details and say that I was walking uphill to class both ways through deep drifts of snow and my grandkids will no doubt be very impressed.

Or at least, they'd better pretend to be :)

(Mal and Haley were great sports in the snow. They were my first friends here and I'm happy we got to dance in the snow....i mean slip on ice, together!)

Books about Jesus that aren't the bible

When I began walking with the Lord, let it be known that I had NO IDEA what I was doing. Being raised in a Christian home didn't even truly prepare me for the what was to come. The beginning steps of my faith were so shaky and timid...not because I didn't trust but simply because, 
I didn't know where to start. 

Being a Christian is the best thing ever. But also, it's a little daunting. There's so much to learn, so much wisdom to glean and an endless amount of glory giving stories to be heard! And while I should preface this by saying that the bible is hands down the best place to start, there are other books that the Lord used to encourage me in my walk and help me to grow closer to him. Maybe you're unsure of your footing, like me. Maybe the endless amounts of christian books and blog posts seems daunting. I get it! But if you're like I was, a girl searching and yearning to fall even more in love with The God of the Universe, then you might like these books as well.

But like I said, the bible is always the best! :)))

PRODIGAL GOD // TIM KELLER
(buy it here)
Read this book if: You want a new perspective on a classic bible story.

UNINVITED // LYSA TERKURST

(buy it here!)

Read this book if: you need to hear an encouraging story about not fitting in at the world's table.

 GOLIATH MUST FALL // LOUIE GIGLIO

(buy it here!)

Read this book if: You have things in your life that you just can't seem to face. Even if you can't think of any giants at the moment, I promise that reading book will reveal a couple

THE END OF ME // KYLE IDLEMAN

(buy it here.)

Read this book if: You want more of God in your life and less of you

GARDEN CITY // JOHN MARK COMER

(buy it here)

Read this book if: you're burnt out of school or tired of working and need a refresh and a new understanding of working in this world for the Lord.

THE PATH OF LONELINESS // ELISABETH ELLIOT

(a great valentines day read ;) .... buy it here!)

Read this book: if you're single, married, dating or fully committed to carbs. Good for everyone!

GOD HAS A NAME // JOHN MARK COMER
(buy it here)
Read this book if: YOU WANT YOUR FAITH TO BE CHANGED. I read this book over spring break and you guys, it's insane. It gave me a total new outlook on God and who he really is. If you read any book from this post, PLEASE let it be this one. And if you're too cheap to buy it, lmk and I'll send you mine because it's that good.  

Winter Break

'Tis the season for a great compilation post!

It wouldn't be a true winter break without a lack of posts and then a post months later that's as long as a child's Christmas wish list. Due to the stress of finals, it hardly felt like Christmas until...after Christmas? It will definitely be an adjustment for the next couple years. Trying to cram in Christmas festivities while also cramming for finals doesn't really work out too well. Ho-Ho-Homework, but I digress.

Still, I had a magical winter break. And I got to wear a coat more than once! Firs time for everything.

WINTER BREAK I LOVE YOU

Miss Mondrian

Nancy Drew and Steve Jobs had nothing in common until they became my style aspirations for 2017. The two made a fabulous couple and accompanied me through a lot of life changes. I moved to Texas. Studied Biology. Got hurt and heartbroken and heart flooded. Turned 20. My life is so very different from when I set out to dress like a 1940's detective mixed with an 80's nerd. Though the black turtlenecks and wool skirts still fit...the overall style seems less fitting now.

That being said, I love black turtlenecks! Heck, I'm wearing one right now. They're not going anywhere (except hopefully the washer?) this year. The shift in I felt in my style was mostly minuscule. Less frilly, more firm. Less passive, more pronounced. Less softness, more strength.

Enter: Miss Mondrian. 

I've always loved Piet Mondrian's prints (Heres one I saw in Amsterdam!) They're so simple, yet so thoughtful. The lines are clear, the colors are bold and very recognizable. It's easy to spot a Mondrian from a mile away because they all have such similar structures. Yet upon further investigation, each piece is extremely thoughtful and one of a kind. 

How does this translate to clothes, you might ask?

Statement colors. Straight cuts. Structure. Simplicity. And maybe some shoulder pads? But only time will tell.

Lines, Lashes, Lips and overall...LESS.

The Miss Mondrian starter pack also includes a makeup transformation as well. And mascara is 100% optional (bold red lips are definitely not though.) Like the Mondrian prints, its about creating a clean canvas and then adding small bursts of color without cluttering the canvas. 

I'm excited to implement Miss Mondrian. Since I'll never be Miss America and I'm still too young to audition for The Bachelor...this is the next best thing!

2018 - A YEAR OF WILD HONEY

When I think about the difference between who God designed me to be and who I actually am…well that’s depressing. I know I’m not the only one, we all fall short everyday. We forget to call our mom back, ignore a red flag here or there, explode on a friend. Life on earth is a vicious cycle. 

Without Jesus, that is.

But in Him, there is so much freedom. Joy in circumstances that are anything but positive. 

There is space for growing into our calling and grace for when we fall short. 

I am starving to be all that Christ called me to be. Even if it hurts. Even if it doesn’t make sense. Even if it means laying down things that aren’t “necessarily” bad in pursuit of my God who is the epitome of goodness. I want to create art because I am made in the image of the holiest creator. I want to learn to love those around me because I am in love with the one who designed every emotion and feeling and thought. I want to taste the wild honey of the metaphorical promised land of who I am in Christ. 

Each day I make choices. Each choice has a flavor. I have tasted enough of the wild honey of God’s goodness to know consuming His love is supremely satisfying to the zest or aroma of anything here on earth. The sweetness of saying no to a movie and yes to reading the word. The delight of spending an hour in his presence, instead of scrolling through social media. The joy that comes from speaking words of compassion and kindness. 

2018 may not be a walk in the park. In fact, it might feel more like the walk to the promise land than anything else. But God has promised that His land for us is flowing with milk and honey. And each step in that direction, however uncharted or wild the path might seem, is closer to the honey that is the sweetness and goodness of the presence of God.

YEAR TWENTY: A YEAR OF WILD HONEY

“WILD HONEY TASTES OF FREEDOM - THE DUST OF SUNLIGHT.”

ANNIHILATE // Anxiety

I'll be the first to admit that anxiety interferes with a lot of things I do. And also there's a lot of things I DON'T do because fear or nerves or overthinking or whatever lame excuse I manage to come up with. I hate that it dictates decisions, feelings, emotions and basically my life. This is the resolution I am most passionate about working on, because I am SICK OF IT.

DO // Opperation Christmas child!

Every year I swear I will drink more water, chew less gum and do operation christmas child. And while this year I'm not even going to bother with the first 2, I'm excited to finally, actually, after years of anticipation, actually follow through with operation Christmas child. 

WRITE // The Bible

I'll talk more about this, but I want to start writing out passages of the bible. Like chapters and books and all that Jazz. This is definitely a fluid process that I don't want to be too rigid about, but I'm excited. I love the bible! I love writing! And boy do I love any good excuse to go buy nice pens.

LEARN FROM // Find a creative mentor and a spiritual mentor

The more I learn...the more I learn how little I know. This is definitely something to pray about and be patient with, but I'm really hoping by the end of 2018 to have both a spiritual and creative mentor. I need accountability and guidance in both areas. Inspirational Pinterest quotes only can go so far!

REFINE //  brand/resume/portfolio

It might take 2000 years and an equal amount of money to get my domain name back, but this is the year to tackle all these details that I typically avoid like the plague. 

SHARE // My testimony and faith in general

Remember how fear holds me back from a lot of things? Sharing my faith and the testimony of what God has done in my life is one of those things. The Lord has really been putting this on my heart lately and I'm praying for opportunities and boldness in 2018.

CLOTHED IN // Capsule Wardrobe

I went to college and realized this: I wear the same 10 things. Sure I have cute dresses and skirts and flowy tops, but do I wear them? Ha! Hopefully completing a seasonal capsule wardrobe will help me a.)wear more of what I actually own b.)stop buying things because "I have nothing to wear" and c.)be more creative than leggings and a sweater. 

GET // Abs

Never have I ever had a fitness goal but boy, college can do things to you. And by do things I mean, make you really, really lazy. I'm not saying I want a six pack, but getting my abs back would be lovely! 

CREATE // Bullet journal

I'm terrible with details. And I don't love that. Because like it or not, the adult world is full of details. I've begun my bullet journal already and I'm excited to track everything and actually be organized with information that normally I approach with my classic "ignorance is bliss" mantra.

CONNECT // with more creatives!

Creativity is so important to me. And creative people are an important part of my creative journey. I have a couple in mind for coffee dates, hang outs and shoots. And a whole lot of instagram  posts! 

BECOME //  Ordained.

This is not clickbait. Last year my friend and I, both very single at the time, made a joke that our goal for the year was to kiss a boy. And then it happened for both of us and we were like, okay? this is a thing! So we decided in 2018 we can become ordained. Just in case someone needs a wedding real fast! But mostly it's just so we always have an interesting fact on hand for those dreaded icebreaker games. 

FOR FUN // 

Shoot a stranger (with a camera), 5k on insta, visit Saside and Seattle, be about my fathers business, girls trip to waco, more fun makeup and earrings!

"TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD."

Ready. 

Hungry.

Let's eat.

// 2017 // 2016 // 2015 // 2014 // 2013 // 2012 //