Personal Growth
For the past five years, I've been choosing a theme for the new year to act as a guidepost to make sure I'm living with intention. With the recent passing of my dad and the grief and sadness that came with it, it was difficult to come up with something positive to focus on this year...until I came across these shoes. I mean...look how fabulous they are! When I saw them at the store my jaw hit the floor, my eyes bugged out of my head and my hands frantically searched for a pair that was my size. There's no [...]
Not long ago, I was talking with a friend and sharing my long-term plans with them and they shocked the heck out of me when they asked why I always needed their approval. My reaction was very Blanche Devereaux being turned down for a date. And, if you don't know who that is, you need to binge watch The Golden Girls ASAP. I was so taken aback by that question because I'm 100% certain I don't need anyone to validate me. I am an emotionally strong, confident woman with with a vision and goals and plans to back them up. [...]
When I was in grade school, we had this really amazing art teacher who taught us about famous artists and their contributions to the art world whether it be a technique or color combinations or composition or subject matter and then she would teach us ingenious ways to simulate their works of art but with our own twist. We'd create impressionist art with melting crayons and paint self portraits and draw large scale objects one section at a time and even though I would never call myself an artist in that way, I sure felt like one. So thank you, [...]
As you know, I'm presently on a little European adventure and earlier this week I was in Amsterdam. (It's a beautiful city and you should go.) While I was there, I visited Anne Frank House - where she, her family, the van Pels and Fritz Pfeffer hid from the Nazis for two years - and was completely inspired by the ambition and attitude of the 13-year-old. Having visited Auschwitz two years ago and cried an absolute river while I was touring the facility, I was prepared to feel the sadness of their situation, but I wasn't prepared to feel the joy [...]
If you've been paying attention or following me on twitter, you'd know that I'm in Europe covering the 2017 IIHF World Championship which is co-hosted this year by Germany and France. It's one of my favorite events to cover because the fans are so amazing, the hockey is next level and I get to travel to Europe. Throw in some amazing sports moments - like last year when Hungary earned their first tournament win in 77 years - and it's a win all around. At AccorHotels Arena in Paris on Sunday night we got to experience one of those moments as [...]
As I'm posting pictures from another European adventure to cover the 2017 IIHF World Championship in Cologne with stops in Milan for the pre-tournament training camp, Lake Como because why not when it's an hour train ride away and eventually Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris for a little vacation after the gold medals have been awarded, I'm getting a lot of messages about how lucky I am and while I do feel incredibly lucky to live an amazing life filled with friends, family, travel and hockey…I'm not doing anything you couldn't be doing. I knew at at very young age that I [...]
I love a new year, new month, new week, new day. I can't help but get all excited about the possibilities! I'm definitely among those that like to start a new challenge at the beginning of something - except that one time I gave up dessert for the rest of the month...that one I started immediately because you've got to check yourself before you wreck yourself - and there's just something special about a new year and a clean slate. I often refer to life as a book and encourage everyone not to let anyone else hold the pen and today...the entire [...]
As the year comes to a close, I'd like to thank it for being awesome. I have accomplished so much, experienced so much and learned so much about myself in the past 365 days and it's amazing what life can be like when you live with intention. In years past, I allowed life to pass right by me on so many occasions that I was determined to proactively make sure that didn't happen this year and decided it would be my most productive year yet and I'm very happy to say that it was. I traveled to new places like Estonia, St Petersburg [...]
I don’t believe in paying full price for anything, especially fashion. My mom taught me a long time ago not to spend a lot of money on anything that I don’t plan on wearing ten years from now and I’m willing to bet that’s the exact moment became a bargain hunter. I don’t buy anything that isn’t on sale or without a coupon, hopefully both, and neither should you. That said, never buy something just because it’s on sale. If you aren’t thinking twice about possibly buying it at full price, you shouldn’t think once about buying it at half [...]
It's been a hot minute since I wore a super sparkly accessory on my head, but I carry the lessons I learned from competing for Miss America with me every day even all these years later. It's the reason why I believe every young lady should compete in a pageant at least once in their life because you have the potential to learn more about yourself in that one experience than many people learn throughout their entire life. Underneath all the rhinestones and fake eyelashes is the opportunity for massive self discovery and personal transformation. By the time I took [...]
I'm not sure when or why or how it happens, but at some point we stop being concerned with just doing our best and start focusing on being better than everyone else in seemingly every possible way. It's straight up vicious because all those comparisons have the power to steal our joy for each and every success we have. We start convincing ourselves we're not pretty enough or smart enough or creative enough or athletic enough or fill-in-the-blank enough. We constantly judge our worth compared to what others have or do and it eats away at our soul bite-by-itty-bitty-bite until we [...]
I grew up as the only girl in the neighborhood with six boys, five of them older. It was never a problem until the oldest one discovered that girls had cooties and, therefore, I couldn’t play with them any more. I cried my eyes out as I walked home and when my dad saw me from the front porch with tears streaming down my face, he ran over to see what was the matter. When I told him what had happened, he laughed and I cried some more, but I’ll never forget what he said next: “Don’t worry, Julie…one day [...]
Julie is a self-improvement junkie who loves to travel, wear pretty dresses, eat big breakfast and watch all the sunsets. She’s been there and done that and sharing all her life lessons with you. Read more
What’s Black and Red and Plaid All Over?
This dress! I had been eyeing this one up for …Read More »
Are You Ready to Sparkle?
For the past five years, I’ve been choosing a theme …Read More »
When It’s More Than Just Nail Polish
I have a confession to make. I haven’t painted my …Read More »
My #1 Thing to Do in Seattle
While I usually love a good walking tour and learning …Read More »
My Name is Julie and I’m a 2-wing-3
Not long ago, I was talking with a friend and …Read More »
How To Crochet the Best Blanket Ever
When I taught myself how to knit in college and …Read More »
I Want To Be A Wednesday Sister
I truthfully have no idea how I stumbled upon The …Read More »
It’s Not Magic, It’s Witch Hazel!
Ladies…I have found it! After searching for what seems like …Read More »
Maggie Hope is My Hero
Towards the end of a three week trip through …Read More »
Don’t Let Fear Win
When I was in grade school, we had this really …Read More »
Anne Frank House
As you know, I’m presently on a little European adventure …Read More »
Sportsmanship On International Stage
If you’ve been paying attention or following me on twitter, …Read More »