Friends Friday: Meagan

Name: Meagan Thompson
Age: 23
Location: Hampton Roads, VA
Occupation: Elementary school teacher

What does your average day look like? 
Since I've started my new job, I wake up early, before the sun, and spend 8 hours with twenty 6-9 year olds. Most of it is great, but about 15% of my days is telling kids to get their hands out of their mouths. Then I come home and sleep.

What is your favorite thing about being a teacher? And what is your favorite grade to teach? 
I love how smart kids are, and how excited they can be to learn. I've taught all ages now, and they're all great for different reasons. Middle schoolers get my sarcasm more, but the little ones are just so adorable.

What do you do with your spare time? 
Mostly, I read. Or nap. Or binge-watch Netflix. I also basically collect hobbies so I do a bunch of different things: paint, make jewelry, scrapbook. I go through phases where one hobby will take over all of my time.

You like cooking: what do you like to cook? 
I really love to bake. I would make cupcakes every day if I didn't think I'd eat them all. Since becoming vegetarian, I really like to experiment with making my favorite meat dishes vegetarian friendly.

What inspires you? 
My family. They're always followed their dreams, even when it's scary or a big risk. That inspires me to do the same. In terms of creating art, being outside, experiencing nature, inspires me.

Favorite quote and why? 
"It'll all be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end." When I was 16, I got sick. Then I got cancer (so I got sicker, basically), and this quote reminded me that it wouldn't be forever.

Any weird hobbies or things you can do? 
Um, not weird, really, but I'm just really crafty. I'm that person that actually makes the stuff I pin on Pinterest. Like, I made about 30 felt owl ornaments one Christmas.

What made you want to be a teacher? 
I had a few really fantastic teachers that made such an impact on my life. I knew I wanted to do that for someone else. Plus, I get along better with kids than with adults...

Where do you want to take your passion? What is your "dream" job? 
My dream job is to be a professor. I'd still get to teach, but I'd also get to do research and write-something else I really love to do. It's like my two favorite things rolled into one job.

You can follow Meagan on Pinterest and Instagram.

P.S.-A recipe of Meagan's may be coming soon! ;)

Friends Friday: Kathryn

Name: Kathryn Moore

Age: 18

Occupation: Part time employee at a local non-profit & future crazed college student

Location: VA

What does your average day look like? 

I haven’t developed a routine yet because my summer has just started, but recently I’ve been waking up (rather late too, I was so sleep-deprived!), and making a healthy breakfast while the Frasier re-runs play. Then I’ll do some work with college things, or just general unavoidable tasks, like organizing the deep, dark depths of my room. Chances are I’ve been texting a friend to hang out that day, so then I’ll get ready for that and we’ll go on an adventure because it’s summer and we can! Yay! 

If you're on the computer, what are you generally doing?

Checking Pinterest, Bloglovin, or Tumblr. Pinterest & Bloglovin feed my creative side, while Tumblr feeds a sense of humor that probably no one should possess. Or Buzzfeed quizzes. All of the Buzzfeed quizzes.

What degree are you starting toward in the fall & why did you choose it?

HA! If only I knew. Right now, I’m thinking about staying undecided & exploring other options, but one huge part of me just wants to take my chances with Arts Management, because I love the creativity and the problem-solving that has to go along with managing, but with arts I wouldn’t be confined to life in a stuffy office. Well, that’s the dream anyway. But I know I love to travel, I like people, & I like organizing & problem solving, so hopefully I can find a degree to suit all of that. Suggestions? Aaaaand go! 

Do you have any fun plans for the summer?

I’m planning a few small trips here and there, to D.C. & Charleston, but other than that, I’m letting this summer be a relaxing one. Usually, my mom and I go somewhere in Europe, but we were just too busy this year to plan anything. I would like to explore the local area though, because I feel like so many new and exciting things are FINALLY popping up around the 757, hooray!

Which do you prefer: beach or pool?

I prefer pool water (I’m a swimmer, what can I say) but there’s nothing quite like sandy beaches and tourist-ing in your own city.  

What is your favorite thing to edit your photos with for your gorgeous instagram feed?

VSCO, hands down. Seriously, I would marry VSCO if it were a person. Truuueee loooove.

What are you obsessed with lately?

Recently I’ve been obsessed with maps, vintage skirts, & colorful hair. Maps keep me from going completely crazy while I wait for my next international adventure, vintage skirts seem like the perfect summer uniform for the heat we’re about to experience in good ol’ southern Virginia, and four years in a private school made me dream for the days of non-dress code confining hair colors, so now I’m gathering ideas together for multi-colored tresses! (That was the longest sentence ever, I am so sorry.)

If you had to pick one place to live for the rest of your life, where would you choose and why?

Paris, if I could speak French. I’ve been there twice and I just love the Parisian vibe. My mom and I joke that people who eat croissants, bring their dogs everywhere, and make snarky comments are definitely my kind of people, but I also really love the architecture & the lay out of the city. It’s also meant for people-watching, which totally appeals to the busy-body side of me. And the art, too. And it’s close to so many other amazing cities, so I would never be without a place to travel next!

What kind of hobbies do you have?

I used to be so big into hobbies! Then school took over and now most of my creative time has to wait for summer. That being said, I love to knit, bake, sew, and read. When I was younger, I was really into jewelry making and would spend hours at a time working on different pieces, so I would like to start that up again, too. And photography, duh. (;

What inspires you?

My family and my Instagram feed, mostly. I’m lucky to come from a family of creators. My dad is a jack-of-all-trades, my mother and sister sew, and my other sister loves interior decorating, so inspiration abounds. Instagram keeps me constantly thinking of new ideas when I see everyone’s beautiful pictures on my phone all the time.

Who is your favorite author?

I can’t choose one author! I guess my favorite of all time would be Harper Lee, she has such a way of describing places and people, but she only wrote one masterpiece for us to enjoy. I would also say J.K. Rowling because HULLO, Harry Potter. She knows how to tell an enthralling story, that’s for sure!

You can visit Kathryn's Pinterest and Instagram.

Friends Friday: Daytona

Name: Daytona Lamade 
Age: 18 
Location: Norfolk
Occupation: Photographer 

How did you get into photography and blogging? 
I loved taking pictures since I was a kid. Like, really really loved it. I got a point and shoot for Christmas one year and started taking pictures of just pretty things. But, my best friend was a total ham for the camera, and would always make me take pictures of her modeling. I initially HATED it! But I fell in love with being able to pose people, and I’ve been all portraits ever since. 

What does your average day look like? 
An average day in April looks so different from an average day in July! I’m a full time student, I work, and I volunteer, so my days are pretty crammed, which is conducive to the “off-season.” However, when I’m in season and shooting multiple times a week (which means I don’t have to work) I’m editing, corresponding with lovely clients, and setting lots of goals. I also try to blog in advance so I can stick to posting daily. 

What are you going to school for and where do you see yourself in 5 years? 
I switched my major to psychology last month and I’m so excited about it! It’s obviously not a practical degree, but I want nothing more than photography to be a full-time job when I graduate and that just doesn’t require a degree (thank God). I’m minoring in marketing which should really help me with the business side of everything. In five years, I would love to be established in my career as a photographer, behind the camera full time and busy enough to shoot only weddings. I’d also love to delve more into the teaching side of the industry! 

Favorite things to photograph?
My heart is torn in two! I love my seniors, because it feels editorial and senior year is honestly the best time ever (and I miss it every day). Also, I am the biggest proponent of genuinely loving yourself, and getting to show someone just HOW beautiful they are is one of my favorite feelings in the world. I know it is cliché, but I hate what the media does to any girl’s self image and photography is my push against that. However, couples have my heart. I love people who are in love, I love everything love does to you. And to get to capture the small nuances of a relationship is the most incredible privilege. 

What inspires you? 
Personality. When it comes to people, I am a super analytical person (which is why I switched to psychology!) and I get to know people with a camera in front of my face. Everything they say and do, every expression or movement they subconsciously make influences the next pose I put them in. This keeps my posing from growing too repetitive or stale. I also explore and drive a lot, so a cool location REALLY helps! 

I’ve seen on your blog that you love thrifting. How do you find such cool stuff? Every time I go to a thrift store all I find is old lady panties (nothing against those, just saying). I’m stumped! 
It’s all about patience! You really have to be dedicated to looking at everything! If you want to buy a new dress, you have to go through every dress on the dress rack. Also, improvisation. I buy high waisted jeans and turn them into shorts, or will put a belt around a dress that’s two sizes too big and call it good! Thrift store city in Portsmouth is the best. 

How do you own a vw bus? It’s so cool and retro chic! 
It was a graduation present! Sort of. The deal between my dad and I has always been that if I got a scholarship, I would get a car. It’s the best because my seniors can change in there and if I ever have an hour to kill I can just take a nap in there. Plus every once in a while it starts a good stop-light conversation. 

How would you describe your style? 
Definitely authentic. It goes back to how integral personality is to my style of shooting. I determine who’s really in front of my camera and I want nothing more and nothing less than that. This usually surfaces as simple posing—all the focus on who that person/relationship is, not the intricate posing or crazy lighting. I’m a totally easy-going, no frills person and I want my photos to feel the same way. Easy-going and simple. 

If you could give any advice to aspiring photographers and bloggers, what would it be?  
Keep going, recognize and seek wisdom from the people who are established in their art, but you are allowed to make your own rules. Find what you are good at, and what you are passionate at and give that everything—you don’t have to shoot EVERY kind of photo imaginable! Make goals, leave business cards in your favorite places and ask the photographers you love if they’d like a second shooter or an assistant!

You can visit Daytona's blog, Instagram, and Pinterest. 

Friends Friday: Andrea Celada

Name: Andrea Celada

Age: 21 

Location: Irvine, CA

Occupation: Full Time Student

How did you get into design and drawing?

I always loved coloring and drawing as a little girl, so in some ways I got into it because it's just what I was naturally drawn to. Instagram played a large part in it recently because it allowed an entire space for me to post things I designed and drew. On top of that, it gets shared so quickly with so many people so that has really allowed me to hear from others that design is something I could pursue. People say the nicest things on there!

How old were you when you got into design?

The stuff that I design mostly involves bible verses, and I had never even read the Bible until 4 years ago so I was around 17. I loved that the verses and stories were full of pictures and that really opened tons of possibilities for me to design things that went along with verses.

What does your average day look like? 

Because I'm a full time college student much of my time still revolves around a school schedule (but not for much longer, only 2 months till graduation!) So on an average day I would spend some time alone on campus (usually at Starbucks), catch up on homework or doodle, go to class, work, and then hang out with room mates or friends at the end of the day. And a lot of the hanging out with friends with room mates and friends involves going out to eat, which is always fun. 

What is your favorite thing to design? (logos, cards, etc)

I definitely love making cards, I think a part of the reason it's my favorite is because they're small enough to put anywhere. I usually keep cards in my folder for school, but I like that they can be framed or given away for something special. I'm a big fan of writing notes and letters so cards are perfect for that! 

Where is your dream vacation?

I recently went on a trip with my best friends from High School and it was so much fun, so a dream vacation would have to include them. They're silly and super easy going so I'd love to be with them on a vacation again. I think it would be fun if we went somewhere out of the country so we could experience tons of new stuff together. So I guess with all that being said, I would say Ireland! I don't know exactly which part or what we'd do there but I think I'd love it. I've heard only good things from people who have been there. 

Current obsessions?

My current obsession, and my continuous obsession, is YouTube! I hate to admit it sometimes but I seriously love browsing around at all the live music. I usually start at a band or a person I know but it eventually leads me to new music, which I love. If I'm not doing that on YouTube, I'm watching all the singing competition videos. There's so much talent out there!

How do you think your parents, siblings, and friends impacted your passion for design?

My family and friends are the sweetest when it comes to me designing things, they are always encouraging me to do more which really helps me move forward. And I also think that because my parents are pretty creative people that it carried down into who I am. My dad loves doing wood work and he draws every once and a while (he should really draw more though, he's good) and my mom is a seamstress and knows so much about fabrics and colors. So even though those things aren't specifically the type of design I'm into, they definitely passed on a creative eye to me.

What is your favorite thing you’ve designed/made?

This is probably my favorite piece and it's because of all the meaning that the verse carries for me. It was based off of Psalm 143:8, that says "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." The verse helped me so much two summers ago, and it was something that really grew my relationship with God.

Where do you want to take your passion? What is your dream job?

With college coming to an end, I feel like I've thought so much about what my dream job would be and how my passion for design would be involved with that. I think I've come to an answer - I'd love to use my passion for design as a way to raise support to do ministry. I'm going to be doing full time collegiate ministry my first year (and hopefully second year too) out of college with a non-profit Christian organization. That involves raising thousands and thousands of dollars, so my dream is to be able to sell cards I've designed to get there. I think it'll be amazing to get to share God through art to people I may not even know and to share God through my own story on a college campus.

Any advice for aspiring designers/artists?

If I were to give any advice it would be to be okay with not feeling creative all the time. I sometimes get so frustrated when I want to sit and draw but I can't think of anything to draw or when I don't like anything I am drawing. I've learned to just let it go and get back to it when I have the inspiration for something. In the end, some of the greatest things come out when you didn't even mean to sit and draw that day.