A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS
I HAVE SUCH AMAZING and talented and sweet friends. Seriously, I am incredibly lucky to know people who not only have the same interests as I do, but who also share the same views on life and are good and sweet and decent. By friends, I mean both those I actually do know (in person) and also those friends I've made on Instagram. Aside from this blog and Instagram, I'm not a big social networking person, at least not in the normal way-- if there is one. [Yes, I have a Facebook account, but I rarely go on, and when I do, it's for the most part just to respond to notifications (that aren't requesting that I join them in playing Papa Pear Saga). I also have a LinkedIn profile that gets no love and a professional writing blog that is also sorely lacking my attention.] But Instagram has really blown me away in that it brings like-minded, inspiring people together. And I know that maybe those other social networks do too, but unlike the Instagram community that I'm a part of, they're filled with negativity and trivialities that are a huge turn-off, which is why I don't have a Twitter or any of those other ones I can't even keep track of. I think with Instagram you can more easily filter through the crap and maintain a more positive feed. It's really motivating. I feel like seeing friends turning an old gas station into their very own beautiful Ojai shop, or hiking in ice caves in Seattle, or putting out amazing publications like Kinfolk and Deeply Rooted makes me realize that I can go out and do those things too.
So, this post is dedicated to those positive and inspiring connections that are possible through the dreaded Interwebs.
First off, Sisilia (@sisiliapiring) is the first person, along with Cindy (@butmomma) with her amazing hair, Ashley (@thestorkandthebeanstalk) and her sweet boys, and Puno (@punodostres)--one of the coolest ladies ever, that I met exclusively on Instagram first. We met up at the Huntington Library and Gardens. It was super hot and super fun. It's great that we still get together and hang out. We even went back to the Huntington Library, and that time it was rainy and cold but still so much fun--especially since the day ended with boba and pho, AND I got to meet Sisilia's husband and beautiful babies.
Esther (@_eslee) contacted me and asked to meet up in Long Beach and hang out and take photos. We ended up taking some really fun shots with fruit we bought at Gelson's nearby and then got some delicious pho at Number Nine. The restaurant is located in a super cute area in Long Beach. Worth checking out.
Since then, I've met quite a few more people like Rachel who owns the beautiful Ojai shop @shopsummercamp, Jamie of @blossomvintage, Kristen from @pfcandleco, and Esther's talented best friend Ngoc of @ashesandwine_, and my beautiful adventure seeking friends from Canada whom I have yet to meet, Corina (@corinaesquivel) and Adriana (@adrianasinke). These girls are all so creative and genuine and motivating, and I'm glad I was able to connect with them. They're successful shop-owners or are skilled photographers or work for magazines (or both or all)! I've linked everyone I've mentioned to their Instagram profiles and websites if they have them, so check 'em out! The first photo is by Esther Lee from our little Insta-meetup at the Hart & the Hunter in LA.
I feel like Instagram has even strengthened real-life friendships. I knew Kate (@katekipley) pretty much on an acquaintance level in real life, but from Instagram, we became adventure pals, which was great. And, of course, Kaity (@bouquetofparentheses) and Abbie (@abagailreidd) have become much closer friends (and possible creative business partners, yes?) because of it as well. Kaity worked with me at American Apparel when I was the assistant manager (we both don't work there anymore!) and I knew Abbie through Kaity. If only I'd known how much we had in common and how well we got along earlier, we would already have our shop/magazine/everything else!
I'd love to add to my growing list of Instagram-turned-real-life friends, so definitely shoot me a line!