I had the chance to catch up with a couple of my girlfriends on Friday morning (missed a catch up phone session with another) and was reminded of how invaluable strong, deep, female friendships are. We touched base on the regular topics, per usual, and also discussed deeper issues… those topics of frustration + struggles. As I got off the phone feeling refreshed + connected, I was reminded of a speaker I recently listened to. Amongst other topics, she touched on the power of your “female tribe” and shared a poignant story about female elephants. The story went as follows (please see here for the full article):

“See, in the wild, when a mama elephant is giving birth, all the other female elephants in the herd back around her in formation. They close ranks so the delivering mama cannot even be seen in the middle. They stomp and kick up dirt and soil to throw attackers off the scent and basically act like a pack of fierce bodyguards.

They surround the mama and incoming baby in protection, sending a clear signal to predators that if they want to attack their friend while she is vulnerable, they’ll have to get through forty tons of female aggression first.

When the baby elephant is delivered, the sister elephants do two things: they kick sand or dirt over the newborn to protect its fragile skin from the sun, and then they all start trumpeting, a female celebration of new life, of sisterhood, of something beautiful being born in a harsh, wild world despite enemies and attackers and predators and odds.

Nichole sent all this to me and said: We have you. You are never alone.

This is exactly what we do, girls. When our sisters are vulnerable, when they are giving birth to new life, new ideas, new ministries, new spaces, when they are under attack, when they need their people to surround them so they can create, deliver, heal, recover…we get in formation. We close ranks and literally have each others’ backs. We do the heavy lifting while our sister is down. You want to mess with our girl? Come through us first. Good luck.

And when delivery comes, when new life makes its entrance, when healing finally begins, when the night has passed our sister is ready to rise back up, we sound our trumpets because we saw it through together. We celebrate! We cheer! We raise our glasses and give thanks.”

I truly feel blessed to have a handful of women who I can count on to be there for me, anytime, anywhere…. and it’s my profound hope that Harper and her little sister will always have that type of beautiful connection. I share all of this as a quick reminder to check in on your “tribe” today. As we head into another week ahead, we never know what a friend is going through (I had one friend mention to me, at a later date, that the past several months had been the toughest in her life yet…. I had no clue…. and wish I would have connected better….). Sure, we’re all busy. We all have packed schedules, relationships, families, work obligations, social obligations, etc…. but a simple text, scheduling a phone date, can go so far in supporting a friend… who undoubtedly would always be there for you!

I hope you all have a wonderful week!… we’re heading into day 2 of potty training little miss, so wish us luck please!!

(Post 16 week doctor’s apt turmeric golden latte… so good for immunity + inflammation!)

(Pretty much wore this outfit 3 days in a row last week… when it’s comfortable, you just do it… pants, jacket, Harper’s pants, jacket)

(Sushi… cooked pieces for me… at the beach for Friday night… my dress, bomber)

(Morning walk to Blue Bowl for our favorite acai + chia combo…)

(Kept it casual in my favorite cami for a mellow happy hour, Pelligrino for me, with family… cardigan, cami)

(Annnnnd then, Chinese take-out… yasssss….. star pajamas)

(Headed to West Elm for a little furniture shopping… love this coffee table duo….)

(It was a top knot, no make-up, potty training a toddler all day kinda Sunday for us…. pullover, joggers)

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For some of the coziest at home pieces… loungewear, shoes, and mugs… you have to check out this cozy at home shop! Of particular interest include this cozy grey cardigan, comfy socks, + this stripe long sleeve pajama set.

A few workout pieces that I’m currently loving include this dusty rose lace up pullover, cropped crew neck sweatshirt, and this tie back tank…. I also think this vest is great for my early morning runs.

For the holidays, I think this metallic blazer, faux fur jacket (I got this when it was on sale and it’s SO soft), beautiful satin skirt, velvet dress, and these rose velvet heels (which come in several color options) would compliment so many different outfits… and look like they would keep your feet comfy! These black suede, studded booties would also make a subtle, yet gorgeous statement.

Someone sent me these adorable leopard print flannel pajamas and I think they’re sooooo cute! You could actually wear the top out with jeans + a leather jacket too….

LOFT has some super cute new arrivals…. like this hooded open cardigan, neutral striped sweater, and this knit pocket blazer.

We’re heading to Park City in two weekends… I finally pulled the trigger on this cozy leopard print jacket (I’ve been going back and forth for over a month)… and snagged this matching one, when it was 50% off, for Harper.