follow friday: @courtmoly

name //  Courtney Molyneaux [+ Olive]

age //  Nineteen 

location // Vancouver, BC 

occupation // I just graduated college with an interior design diploma and work at Old Faithful Shop here in Vancouver. 

ironically, i chose a canadian to feature for this follow friday which happens to fall on america's independence day! but she's probably one of my favorite canadians by far ;) we haven't actually met, but i've been following courtney on instagram for basically as long as i've had instagram. i've met all of her friends but NOT her and i'm hoping that will change SOON! courtmoly inspires me constantly with her creative photos inspired by her love of design and the way she sees every day life! she has rad tattoos, is always changing up her hairstyle [like me!] and is the most adorable little gal with the cutest pup to match! get to know her through her q+a and give her feed a peek, you won't be let down!

1 // what inspires you daily? 

Getting outside, especially lately. Everything has been blooming and just giving me all around good vibes! I also spend a lot of time (more than I'd like to admit) sitting on my phone or computer and scrolling through design blogs or Instagram feeds. People of Instagram are pretty inspiring, creative beings.

2 // you live in canada [happy canada day!] what's your favorite thing about where you live?

Vancouver is the most beautiful place. I'm not from here originally so I have a real appreciation for it. You can be in the city, drive 20 minutes and be on a mountain or the same and be at the beach. Living near the ocean is a blessing in itself.

3 // you have some beautiful tattoos-- tell us about your first one, & your favorite one: 

I was underage when I got my first tattoo and my parents had to sign for it (haha) so I thought it would be fitting to get their birthdays in Roman numerals on my forearm.   And my favorite tattoo... A tie between my most recent Olive tattoo and the deer on my arm because it's my favorite animal. I always forget that that one is there (because it's so small...) and then I'll get a comment about how pretty it is and I'm like OH! Yeah! That thing!

4 // if you had to eat only 3 foods the rest of your life, what would they be? 

Tacos forever. Burgers forever. Ice cream forever.

5 // your little baby olive is adorable, tell us her story & how she came into your life: 

oh olive. I've been utterly obsessed with French bulldogs for years. I was living in a no pets apartment for the first year and a half of living in vancouver so I couldn't get one. But then a lot of things in my life had changed and I went through a lot in a short period of time. I was really lonely and found Olive on kijiji of all places and sent the breeder a deposit and that was that. She was sent to me by plane and picking her up from the airport was the happiest day of my life. I smuggled her in my apartment for two weeks in a backpack (great parenting) and then we moved finally so she was backpack free! She has become my little bestie and I love her so. I also find myself calling her 'cutes' so I guess that's her nickname!

6 // any plans to relocate from your beautiful home anytime soon? if so where, & if not, where else would you love to live?

After graduating I've always planned on moving overseas. I just signed a year lease on a new apartment but come next spring I will (hopefully, if all goes as planned) be moving to London. There's a few internships I have my eye on over there but that's all very up in the air so I guess we will see! Scary!

7 // if you could trade lives with any person for a period of time, dead or alive, who would you want to be? 

I would kill to live a day as Charles OR Ray Eames. I've watched documentaries and read books about them and their creative process and journey is really inspiring. I could totally spend a day building furniture and experimenting with ergonomics. Pretty brilliant! Very creative pair. 

8 // any guilty pleasures? [food, tv shows, music?] 

five cent candies, the bachelorette (embarrassing to admit), the kardashians, and 90's music.

9 // what have you been jammin' to lately? 

James Vincent McMorrow, Broods, Bombay Bicycle Club, HAIM, S. Carey, Death Cab For Cutie, Craft Spells.

10 // your ideal day off or weekend is spent where & doing what?

I'm lucky to live in a city that has so many places in close vicinity to visit. Packing a picnic and heading to a park or the beach and sitting in the sun with good friends is always the best time. Or wandering around the city and planting my butt in a coffee shop and eating donuts is never a let down. (I'm sure you're aware that donuts are a regular in my diet. ha!)

11 // please, tell us about your most embarrassing moment: 

I don't have many embarrassing moments. But this happened pretty recently. I was driving with two friends in my car and we were headed back home after a busy day and I had some serious road rage. (not a rarity) but this guy in a truck was driving ssssooo slow in front of me for so long and we were reaching a red light and I passed him and gave him the classic look you give to people when they make you angry while driving (you know..?) and I stayed in the right lane and OF COURSE ended up behind a parked car that I HONKED AT thinking it was just someone not paying attention to the light. Anyways the guy in the truck had quite the laugh because I looked like an idiot. Then on that corner we were stopped at was an old man selling cotton candy and he thought I was stopped and honking because I wanted some... So he comes to the window and I roll it down and my two friends are just laughing at me and he says "cotton candy!?" And looked thrilled and I just said ...um. no thank you. And he walked away looking disappointed and I was laughing so hard that I cried and eventually drove past the guy in the truck that I had honked at and he was still laughing at me. Because I am an idiot. This doesn't even sound embarrassing but I was beet red!

12 // where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Professionally, I'd like to be working in an interior design firm doing commercial design of some variety. Who knows where, but ideally that's what I'd like to be doing. And I hope to be travelling a bunch, too!



follow her! --->> @courtmoly + @olivemoly
follow her! --->> courtmoly.tumblr.com



thanks courtmoly [i think i will always call you think in my head ;)] + olive for being part of follow friday!

x's + o's
kaitlin elaine

ps. happy fourth of july everyone!
xo

follow friday: @arizadai

I am really excited about today's follow friday post. Today you guys will get to know a friend of mine for almost a decade. a DECADE people. i met this girl in high school, we were in separable friends. we both have grown and changed since we met all those years ago. (we met during our emo // hardcore // intense eyeliner days). our friendship has always been long distance. i moved to norfolk and we were finally in the same city, then she left that same summer for nashville to follow her heart. she has traveled to iceland twice. and has a huge heart for the world. get to know ariel or as people now know her as 'ari.' 

1. Ariel Zadai // 23 soon-to-be 24! // Nashville // freelance photography & barista

2. okay, so we have been friends for ten years. so of course I want to start your first question with how we met ;)

Oh man, we met when I was only 16! First of all, we basically were the first social media friends via Myspace. Took my mom a minute for her to be ok with us meeting, so I remember inviting you to my then boyfriend's show and we instantly were soul mate friends! I remember all the colors we used to wear and all the eye liner too, haha. Our friendship story is definitely old school and I love it!

3. you moved to Nashville now 2 years ago, how have you grown since you moved?

Man, I have grown in so many ways. I have learned so much about friendship and community. The community I have been influenced by in Nashville has pushed me forward and kept me accountable on so many levels. My relationship with Jesus has expanded in ways I never thought needed to grow in. I've learned to be still and wait; that has been huge. It is kind of difficult to explain, without sounding too vague, but my love for Jesus has grown so deeply in my heart. I feel like my move to Nashville has been more a focus on my overall identity, then anything else. I'll leave it there..haha.

4. what are some of your favorite places in your city?

There are so many quality places here! To name a few food & coffee places - Crema, Silly Goose, High Brow Brew, Barista Parlor, Burger Up, Mas Tacos. My favorite local stores are Imogene & WIllie, White's Mercantile, & Lulu's.

5. if you were a coffee beverage what would you be? (and what latte art would you be?)

Hmm, I think I would probably be a cortado because it's just the right amount of balance between espresso and milk. I'd like to be a heart or a tulip! (I know, super girly..)

6. you are a world traveler. if you could pick your next international location, where would it be?

Definitely Israel! I have been dreaming of going to Israel, or really anywhere around the Middle East for years now.

7.your birthday is next week!! what are some of your hopes and dreams for your 24th year?

Honestly, I want 24 to BE a year of hopes & dreams! The past few years have been some of the most trying, so I am hoping 24 will be the best year yet. I want to see my photography blossom and I would love to meet more connections within the industry so I can further my knowledge in it. I want to start writing a book, and I would like to write at least 2 songs! Also, I would love to meet an awesome man…just saying'!

8. what inspires you?

This is such a cliche response, but I am always inspired by Jesus, seriously. 

Lately, my practical inspirations have been talking to traveling artists. I am in full-time customer service, so you can image the amount of people I meet and I love it. Everyone holds different passions and views on those passions. It fascinates me! I honestly am constantly surprised and inspired just by being open and asking someone about their story. Even if it is just a glimpse, they always leave pieces of their heart with me. 

9. where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I can hardly see where I'll be the rest of this year, haha! But I would love to be settled in a city somewhere, hopefully starting a family, pursuing life with loved ones, and making future travel plans. 

10. describe yourself in three words.. GO!

Perceiver, Believer, Relentless

 thank you for being apart of follow friday ariel!
 (hope you all enjoyed some of the throw back photos i threw in there!)

 x's + o's,
chelsea diane


(and for your view pleasure.. chelsea & ariel high school addition)

 

follow friday: @kimathomas

name // On the Internet, I'm @kimathomas. In real life, I'm Kim :)

age // I am still confused about how old I am, but I just used a calculator and apparently I'm 25. 

location // As I type this, I'm in Seattle, but the past year I have been traveling and living out of a suitcase. I'll be heading elsewhere soon(ish).
occupation // Photographer

i had the pleasure of meeting kim through mutual friends quite recently when she was visiting from out of town just before she moved to NYC. our meeting was brief, and since then i have enjoyed stalking her via the internet. okay, not stalking, just following and stuff ;) not only is she a super talented photographer, but a charismatic, intelligent and all around beautiful woman! please don't leave seattle kim, because i want to be friends and i know all of you will want to be, too!

1 // what inspires you daily?

Oh gosh, it comes from many places, but the three things that inspire me the most are conversations with my friends, reading poetry or prose, and listening to really loud, but gentle, music.  And walking.  I can be a bit of a homebody, but I'm always so thankful whenever I go for walks because I come home with a clear mind and lots of inspiration.

2 // you just came back from a bit of time in NYC, what's your favorite part about that city?

I love New York so much!  I spent 3 months living in New York because I wanted to be alone without being entirely alone.  You can hang out by yourself all day but still be surrounded by people. My favourite thing about the city was that I was able to observe and people watch all day long.  I suppose people watching is what inspires me, too!

3 // favorite way to enjoy your coffee?

Ha!  Believe it or not, I never liked coffee until a few months ago when I decided I wanted to become a coffee snob and forced myself to drink it.  I still have a long way to go, as I only can do lattes, and even then, that only lasted a few months and now I'm back to tea.  I drink tea religiously!

4 // if you had to eat only 3 foods the rest of your life, what would they be?

Pizza, ice cream and mangos.

5 // where do you see yourself in 5 years, personally and professionally?

I've been working for the past 5-6 years as a freelance photographer, and while I absolutely love it, I am also incredibly passionate about women's rights. I dropped out of university to pursue photography, but I've been aching to go back and finish my degree in Women's Studies.  From there, I'd love to do a masters and see how I can combine these two passions of mine (photography and women's rights) together. People tell me all the time to not finish my degree because it would mean giving up photography, but I think quite the opposite. I love learning and want to learn every day for the rest of my life. If I can learn and take photos, I'll be a happy camper. As far as where I see myself personally in 5 years? Being true to my heart. 

6 // what's your favorite part about taking a photograph?

Taking a photo becomes almost meditative for me. I'm a daydreamer and so photography allows me to narrow my focus to just one thing and be in the moment. Not only am I clicking the shutter and capturing the moment, I'm clicking myself into the moment. I'm blocking all other thoughts and bringing myself present.

7 // if you could be any animal, what animal would you choose and why?

I'd be an elephant! I don't know why, but I've loved them since I was a kid. I got to ride one a few years ago which is one of my best memories! The elephants name was Lonlei (loan-lay), and the 60 year old man guiding the elephant sang to her while we rode on her through the jungle.

8 // you and Eric are adorable together and I would vote you two cutest couple (just sayin), what's your favorite thing about him?!

Ah, thank you! I'm blushing now. When I first met Eric, I didn't think he was my type, but over time as we got to know each other, I started to realize that he was exactly the person I needed in my life. I could write a novel about Eric and my favorite things about him, but to narrow it to just one: he is the most loving man I have ever met, and not to just me, but to all his friends and family. He cares deeply for those who are close to him and would go to the ends of the earth for us. Okay one more thing would be how much him and I laugh together and are the biggest dorks. I always wished that I could date someone that would make me laugh as hard as I did with my girlfriends, and then I met Eric and it came true.

9 // what have you been jammin' to lately?

Don't diss my country music! Guiding Light by Foy Vance made me cry last night it's so beautiful! (http://rd.io/x/QXtwbTddSFt7/)  I'm also loving Sleeping At Last and while I may be bias, my boyfriend's band Prince of Spain (http://www.rdio.com/artist/Prince_of_Spain/album/His_Majesty/) is seriously the bees knees and I listen to it all the time.

10 // If you could share a message with the whole world, what would it be?

Faith exists.

her website ---> http://kimathomas.ca

her blog --->http://kimathomas.tumblr.com

her instagram ---> http://instagram.com/kimathomas



thanks for being part of follow friday, kim!

x's + o's
kaitlin elaine