The Sunday Series Vol. 14

Happy Sunday, friends! We're back after a few weeks away due to traveling and a boat load of extra work. It feels good to be at home this weekend, and although we've worked most of it, we've been able to take a bit more of break than we've been able to over the past couple of weeks. With the launch of Gal Meets Glam Collection in a little over a month, there are a million and one things still left to do. For me, this month was a focus on energy and longevity as it's been long hours and 7 day workweeks, so I've put a big focus on health so that I can feel my best and get all my work done, so that's where my Sunday Series originated from today! Thomas always loves looking for cool new tech toys, so he's excited to write all about a new drone, Laura found a podcast that she's constantly inspired by and Margaret shares a beautiful poem about growth. And as always, we hope you share something new you discovered this week or were inspired by in the comments section below!

 

Julia – I love sugar and I've always known that I probably eat way too much of it on a daily basis, but I sort of loved living in denial. That is until recently when I was really tired of being tired. I eat healthy and try to give my body the proper nutrients it needs, but I didn't understand why I always sort of felt off. I found Kelly LeVeque after someone posted about her on Instagram. I took a deep dive into her account and ended up buying her book, Body Love. One of the core focuses around it is how sugar really affects us. A sugar imbalance can throw off our whole system. She comes from a science background and worked in cancer research and genetics before becoming a nutritionist. Her book is filled with lots of other incredibly useful knowledge and tools (like how to turn off your hunger hormones by giving your body the right amount of fat, fiber, greens and protein) along with recipes, tips for traveling and more. I really connected with this book, I felt like it spoke to me. I'm not someone who follows along diets or trends, I really just try and do what's best for my body and listen to what makes it feel good. I love to eat and I've never limited myself in terms of what I can or can't have. Kelly's whole philosophy is around this, but with the notion that what we choose should make us feel great (because food is fuel), so be mindful and aware of the nutrients and making sure we're giving our body what it needs. I've been creating some of the smoothies recipes from Body Love in the morning and they're not only delicious but I feel amazing and so energized. I also really like how easy they are to make (and you can make them anywhere) as long as you know the four main ingredients- protein, greens, fiber and fat.

 

Thomas – Drones for photography and videography are pretty damn cool. In the last couple of years, thanks to DJI, they've become incredibly accessible for professional, semi-professional and hobbyists that just want to play with something cool. The technology in these things and the size are breaking down important customer pain points like ease of use, portability and image quality. I've debated, in my head, dozens of times whether I should add a drone to take with us to add to our repertoire of images. What has long held me back is that a drone, no matter how small, will always be a secondary tool for creating amazing content. That means in addition to all my camera gear I have to lug around a drone and it's controller, extra battery and chargers. The friends I have with drones say they hardly ever use them. Also, 4-5 years ago, only a handful of first movers were using drones, back then it was so new that no matter the quality of video or image, it was cool and interesting to mix in to normal content, but now it's much more common and just having a drone doesn't make you more unique.

 

I decided last summer to rent a drone from my favorite camera rental service, Parachut, to bring with us to France. We had dreams of renting a vintage car with video captured of Julia driving through the winding Provence roads or along the French Riviera. I used it a total of 5 times and nearly hit trees on every use. I was too scared to really put it to the test. While these drones are supposed to have advanced sensors to avoid collision they are hardly what you'd expect given how they are marketed.

 

But this week, Skydio a new entrant in the drone space, announced a completely autonomous drone that they've been in development on for 4 years and it looks pretty incredible. Even if you will never be in the market for a drone, this is still worth watching the video of. It's 13 cameras act as sensors to create a visual map of the surroundings then software inside does some pretty interesting things on top of that, which are way beyond my ability to explain. You can read more about the technology here. It's expertise is really in the autonomy, let's say you want to record yourself mountain biking, you can set it to follow, lead, side profile, orbit or act as a tripod and it will do it all for you. While the video quality doesn't look quite like what you can get on DJI drones these features are so advanced that they will carve out a nice place in the market for people that really need that autonomy. My prediction, Amazon buys Skydio in a few years in order to really make a push into autonomous drone package delivery.

 

Laura – When I stumble upon or am introduced to the name of someone successful I Google anything and everything about them to hear more of how they got to where they are in their careers. I recently finished a great episode on one of my favorite podcasts, How I Built This with Guy Raz about a serial entrepreneur, Marcia Kilgore. Have you listened to it yet? She is so intelligent and inspiring, her story is unbelievable. I love this podcast series for many reasons: 1) each interview puts a personality and voice to the name of a big brand we've heard tossed around in daily conversation 2) there's a connection and a passion in their discussions that really shines through even as I'm just listening through my car speakers en route to work and 3) I love how Guy Raz taps into their minds so listeners can hear their thought process, their approaches to life and the business world. Marcia Kilgore's interview is now at the top of my list along with Sara Blakely. She started out with only $300 to her name and spent every penny of it towards a gym membership because working out was a passion of hers. Low and behold, exercise was the start of her first personal business. That's not one of the five businesses she has successfully grown, however, she is well known for changing the beauty industry one brand at a time. She is the Founder of Bliss, Soap & Glory, FitFlop, Beauty Pie, and a recent one called Soaper Duper. I don't want to give away too much so definitely check out the podcast episode and this great interview!

 

Margaret – Although we're still a couple of weeks away from the first day of spring, which falls on March 20th, the weather has warmed up in Charleston and spring flowers are blooming. There's something beautiful about recognizing a new season or month (hello, March), and all of the changes the time of year brings along. Seasons remind me about the dynamic ebb and flow of life. Change is inevitable, and it is in our best interest to embrace it, or at the very least, be open to it. In one of the first Gal Meets Glam Collection Previews Julia shares her thoughts on change and writes, "If I've learned anything in the past seven years since starting Gal Meets Glam, it's that we can be whatever we want to be. So often, we limit ourselves by what we think we are or what others think we should be. We are humans and we're allowed to grow and develop and change. And do it again. And again. It's part of life and what makes it so beautiful. That's one of the reasons I had the courage to pursue this passion." This week I came across this poem, which ties into this very idea of what it means to develop and step into who we're meant to be. I hope it serves as a reminder in a season full of flowers that, we too, are both blooming and becoming:

 

becoming

 

there is something

beginning to poke its head

through the soil

that has been becoming

all through the long cold winter

but is just now

finally ready to show itself

to burst into the fullness

of all that it was meant to be

now free from the comfort

and confines of the rich dark soil

the struggle to become has ended

it stretches out its arms

to touch the life-giving sunlight

dancing in the fullness

of the intent of its maker

finally free to be

all it was dreamt to be

 

• by Jim Branch

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5 Best Buys of February

You might remember at the end of last month I introduced a new series to the blog highlighting my 'best buys' or most used items and today I'm back to share what those pieces were for February. Maybe it's because it's a shorter month, but it seemed like it was over in the blink of an eye. This month and the next few coming are some of the busiest we've ever had, especially with the launch of my dress line, Gal Meets Glam Collection counting down, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I feel so grateful to have a full schedule that is leading me to fulfilling my dreams! (there is no shortage of tearful moments and small breakdowns along the way, though!).

 

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Lululemon Water Bottle

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Burberry Trench Coat

 

This month I've also been trying to focus more on my health, especially because we've been incredibly busy and there's not much time for breaks or relaxation. That means eating healthy, drinking tons of water (and pretty much eliminating alcohol), trying to fit in small workouts in my hotel rooms and any down moments trying to meditate or read (I even tried an infrared sauna in LA, which I found so peaceful). The one item I can't travel without lately is my new Lululemon water bottle. I workout with this one and bring it everywhere with me. I love the way the lid works, making it really easy to drink out of while in the middle of a workout class, plus it's stainless steel so it keeps liquids both hot or cold.

 

My old Burberry trench has been a staple lately, especially with the varying weather we're traveling in between coasts. I bought this one a few years ago, a while it has a hefty price tag, it's a quality piece that I know I'll have in my closet for a lifetime. Luckily there are so many similar alternatives on the market for much, much less like this Everlane one for under $150 or this beautiful Ralph Lauren one for under $200.

 

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GMG Logo iPhone Case

 

One of the sweetest gifts I've ever received came from my older sister Lauren. She's an artist and actually sells some of her artwork on phone cases on Castify. She got ahold of our Gal Meets Glam Collection logo and transformed it into a new iPhone case for me. I love looking at it daily.

 

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Prada Ballet Flats

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Living Proof Humidity Spray

 

Many of you know that one of my tried and true flats over the years has been my Chloe scalloped ones in nude. They're like butter on my feet and I almost never travel without them. While I still love them and wear them all the time, I also decided it was time to get another pair of nude flats since I wore those so often. Since they're a round toe, I thought I'd get something with a slightly different shape, but just as versatile. That's when I found these pointy toe Prada flats. They've quickly become a favorite and I've been wearing them all month long. If you're looking for something at a lower price point, these have a very similar style and feel.

 

We've had the wonderful pleasure of enjoying Charleston's early spring weather, but with that heat comes a bit of humidity. Last year I wrote this post on how I transitioned from west to east coat in regards to handling haircare and going from a no-humdity city to one that's filled with it. This month I've brought back out one of my favorite products for tackling the weather, Living Proof's 'Humidity Shield'.

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Why I Love These Floral Pants

Outfit Details:

Wayf Top (under $70), Rebecca Taylor Pants (shorts version here), Alexandre Birman Heels, Vintage Ferragamo Bag (similar here), Oscar de la Renta Earrings

 

Today is the last day of February, which means that there's light at the end of this winter tunnel. Spring is just around the corner, even for those who live in cooler climates (well, hopefully!). Usually my spring style evolves entirely around dresses and skirts, but I can't get enough of these new floral pants I bought recently and wore right before we left Charleston last week. The print is so sweet and also comes in a top version, a blazer and even shorts (which make me crave summer sunshine!).

 

 

Last year I bought my first pair of high waisted cropped pants (this pair) and was surprised by how much my skinny-jean-loving self was into them. I'd recommend going down a size or two, as the wide leg and slightly oversized fit makes them run a tad big. If you're looking for more of a classic pair of cropped pants for this season, this white pair from Nordstrom is perfect and has a similar style and shape to the floral ones I'm wearing.

 

 

I was also recently searching for some pretty new spring tops and surprisingly came across a handful of ones that I loved that also happened to be under $100 like this pink and white striped bow one (that I'm wearing), this blue and white striped one, this cream wrap one and also this off the shoulder tiered one. They're simple and easy, whether I'm pairing them with jeans or a skirt or dressing up or down.

 

 

Thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post.

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Spring Travels: Following The Flowers

Flowers have a transformative effect to scenery and even my mood. As we transition from winter to spring we are reminded of the beautiful potential of our environment. Very few things put a smile on my face more than discovering flowers blooming, which is why 'following the flowers' is one of my favorite reasons to travel. I've put together a list of my top places in the world to find blooming flowers during spring. After you've read my list, I'd love to hear what special bloom locations are on your list.

 

 

Charleston- Spring comes a bit earlier to Charleston than most places. Just the past few weeks we've already seen new flowers in bloom including Camelias and Japanese Magnolias. Azaleas are just starting to peek through and should be in full bloom soon, followed by Confederate Jasmine which has the loveliest scent.

 

Oregon- A couple years ago, Thomas made a trip with a friend to Oregon. He kept sending me photos of the incredible tulips and I was definitely jealous of all the gorgeous scenery. His favorite spots were the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival and Hood River for beautiful blooming Apple and Pear orchards.

 

Washington DC- Last year we thought we had a perfectly timed trip to visit Washington DC for the Cherry Blossom bloom. An unexpected cold front rolled through much of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic just about the time the blossoms had just started to open. This severely impacted the bloom which left little to see. While we don't have plans to return this year, we are crossing our fingers for all of you making the trip. This website is great for tracking peak bloom.

Wisteria in London- Wisteria is an impressive plant. It's an aggressive climbing vine that seems to have a mind of its own in a uniquely wonderful way. Some of the most impressive Wisteria can actually rip apart rod iron fences! When well trained, it's a spectacular decoration to the front or side of a house, especially when it's purple blooms come to life. One of my favorite places to see Wisteria are along some of the incredible homes in London. You can follow my friend, @rosielondoner, as she's famous for her London Wisteria obsession in the spring.

 

Bluebells in English Countryside- Because Bluebells are wildflowers that grow in wooded areas in the shade of trees, I often get the feeling that I'm about to spot fairies. When touring the English Countryside a few years ago, we stumbled on some incredible bluebell forests. I can't wait to return again this spring!

Daffodil Hill in California- When my mom lived in the foothills near Sacramento we were not too far from a fun farm that takes their Daffodils very seriously. They have an estimated 300,000 bulbs planted! When they all come to bloom in the springtime, this well manicured property comes to life with rolling hills of white and yellow Daffodils. If you decide to check it out, make sure to arrive earlier in the day to avoid crowds during their peak time.

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This White Jumpsuit Is So Fresh For Spring

Outfit Details:

Club Monaco Jumpsuit, Nicola Bathie Earrings, Club Monaco Heels (old, similar here for under $60), Pamela Munson Clutch

 

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending and speaking at Create & Cultivate in LA. We flew out just for the event and then flew right back to the East Coast (NYC), which is where we are for the next few days (I'm hosting an event with Vionic tomorrow with Elle Magazine at Lord & Taylor from 6-8pm and would love for you to come!). Getting to spend time around such a positive, uplifting and powerful group of women is always inspiring. The wonderful thing about events like Create & Cultivate is that is allows so many likeminded women to come together in one room and communicate and talk about many of the same topics- both good and bad- on owning our own businesses and being entrepreneurs. There is no one-way path to success, and everyone has their own learning experiences and stories to share. I'm so happy I was able to participate and also meet so many lovely, sweet and kind readers! It's always a joy to get to talk to some of you one on one, because I've always wanted this platform to be a two way street where we both have a relationship with each other. Hearing from you all, talking with you and especially meeting you, makes it really feel that way.

 

 

I ended up wearing this white jumpsuit I bought recently to Create and Cultivate on Saturday. I knew I wanted something simple, chic and comfortable, as I would be sitting on stage in a chair (a dress can be tricky for that sometimes). A jumpsuit is usually my next best option and I love this one from Club Monaco. They also have a beautiful selection of jumpsuits, like this navy bow one, this blush one and this classic black one. The crepe fabric drapes beautifully and the tie around the waist makes it extra flattering.

 

 

The pieces that I've been buying for spring have mainly centered around accessories, like these Nicola Bathie earrings and this Pamela Munson clutch. I've talked about my love of statement earrings and Nicola's pieces have quickly become a favorite of mine- they're so beautiful and unique. And this clutch is one of Pamela's newest pieces this season. Last year I bought this tote from her lovely straw line and am excited she expanded into hats this year, too!

 

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Vintage Shopping In Palm Beach

Outfit Details:

Vivetta dress (old, last seen here and here, similar here and here), Mark Cross Bag, Aquazzura x De Gournay Loafers, Rebecca De Ravenel Earrings

 

Last week when we were in Palm Beach we had a few hours to spare before our flight, so Thomas and I were able to squeeze in a bit of vintage shopping. I was secretly hoping the whole trip that we would have some time to search for pieces for the house, especially because I've heard such wonderful things about the vintage and antique stores in Palm Beach. Dixie Highway (aka Antique Row) is where everyone told us to go, including our interior designer Olivia, who gave us some tips on what places to visit and what to search for. We barely had two hours and only ended up being able to squeeze in three spots, but next time we visit we're hoping to have a bit more time to get lots in more of the many stores.

 

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We started out at Heath & Company after some of the lovely ladies at Kemble Interiors told us about it. The entire place is covered from ceiling to floor with the most amazing lighting, along with other accessories and small pieces of furniture. If we hadn't already picked out all of the light fixtures and lamps for our house, I definitely would have bought a few pieces here. My favorite ones were the colorful vintage tole chandeliers that they had by the dozens.

 

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After that we stopped into Mecox where we found lots of rattan and colorful accents that grabbed our attention. We didn't make any immediate decisions there but we did love the beautiful garden they had in the back that was filled with orchids and other tropical plants. We took a bunch of photos as inspo for our backyard!

 

The last place we stopped, Elephant's Foot, ended up being our gold mine as far as finding pieces we were looking for. The store is huge, which made it hard for us to focus at times. We fell in love with two beautiful garden stools that we ended up shipping back home to ourselves, along with a handful of small decor pieces that we couldn't leave behind. I can't wait to figure out where they'll go once we're back in our house.

 

When we head back next time, I have Bamboo & Rattan and Circa Who on our list- two that have come highly recommended by friends in the design industry!

 

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