Corporate, Cancer, and Creative: My Latest Conversation with Refinery29

Recently, I had a moment to catch up with the editors at Refinery29. I am passionate in sharing how I chose to forego the corporate life in exchange for the cross country creative journey I am on... I continue to share my story with the genuine intention of inspiring you to infuse a little more curiosity and creativity in your day to day. When you lean into your creativity, you lean into your light… and when you lean into your light, you start to discover your purpose. Cancer was my catalyst… What is yours?

Following my diagnosis, I decided to do away with long hours in cold operating rooms and heavy medical device spine sets to ultimately pick up a camera and lean into my creative spirit. Since then, my photography business and The New Southern were born. When I resigned from my job in spine device sales, three things happened: 1. A total Thyroidectomy 2. Purchased my first camera 3. Healing to result in living my most authentic life. Teaching myself my craft and the entire learning experience was catharthic; for over a decade in the corporate world, I had put my creativity in a box.... and honestly, I didn't even think of myself as creative. I was focused on surviving in a male dominated highly competitive world rather than being focused on doing something that I love. Now, I can’t imagine having a life without color and passion.

Daily, I'm blown away by how quickly The New Southern movement has become recognized and understood, and I believe its success, and my own for that matter, is based upon two reasons. First, I hustle hard. Although it's exhausting, my constant urge to build this community, travel across the nation, and create beautiful and meaningful content was the basis for my success. But second, as soon as I recognized that I had a community of like-minded and aesthetic-obsessed creatives building me up and supporting one another, a totally new and exciting path began to take shape.

It's so encouraging to be surrounded by this collective, forward-thinking group of designers, artisans, creatives, and entrepreneurs who have forged this community. Together, we're changing what it means to be a creative entrepreneur, our own ideas of beauty and self-acceptance.. We've done away with perfection, the heaviness of rules, and the strict adherence to the past. Our new form is imperfect. It's organic. It's bright and it is giving life to a deep exhale of collected and new. Through our life pivots, sentimental memories attached to objects we use with styling, and the stories our projects tell, we're making waves in contemporary design and culture. Follow along, you'll see!!! 

I am grateful to have the opportunity to continue to share my journey with Refinery29... with each interview, I am more gaining more comfort in opening up and sharing more vulnerable moments from my past experiencing and how they have shaped my approach today. Sending you all Love and Light. 

To read my full conversation, head to Refinery29 Xx

The New Southern | Beauty Tips, Part II: MAKEUP

Recently, I shared with you that my favorite accessory is a healthy dose of humble confidence (HERE). Believing in yourself and what you stand for is a sure-fire way toward a happier outlook, a positive essence, and productive a workflow. In the most non-superficial way, I ultimately feel my best when I’m working hard, I’m taking care of my body and mind, and when I feel, well, put together.

All illustrations by the talented and fabulous Hayley Mitchell

We all get so busy and it’s easy to lose track of those priorities. But I often joke that caffeine, some positivity, and a lot of concealer get me through the day, and I know many of you are in the same boat! Because so many of you asked, I’m excited to share my tried and true beauty routine for a look that will last and let my focus be on the task at hand while tackling a full and rewarding day... from meetings, to cross-continent flights, to 15-hour shoots and throwing in the occasional speaking engagement.... this is a clean look that will be the constant through all of our shifts and turns... and I am happy to share one of my constants with you!

I’ve partnered with the the oh-so-talented Hayley Mitchell, the Austin-based artist known for her graphic, punchy portraits, to help illustrate my step-by-step beauty routine. I hope you’ll check out her work and give her a follow; her aesthetic and creative drive so represents The New Southern, and I’m so fortunate to have connected with her on this journey. I also hope you’ll give my tricks a try and share the look with me on Instagram! I can't wait to hear your thoughts and please feel free to comment below. Sending you all LOVE this week. Xx

MOISTURIZER

To prep, I apply NeoStrata Bionic Face Cream 12 Bionic PHA everywhere except my eyes. A little goes a long way, and a tiny dollop provides complete coverage, so it’s good to be conservative.

TINTED MOISTURIZER + SPF

Next I use Revisions Intellishade Original tinted moisturizer SPF 45, again all over my face with the exception of my eyes. I love this product because it gives me a subtle dewy look with some coverage, but be careful, as applying too much will make you look pretty greasy. 

CONCEALER

Using a damp Beauty Blender, I apply Mac’s Studio Finish Concealer in NW 20 SPF 35 very liberally under my eyes. Genetically I have dark undereye circles, and this concealer is the absolute best for all-day wear, especially on shoot days when I’m constantly moving between inside and the outdoors and then off to client dinners when I wrap on set. 

SETTING POWDER

I then take a small brush to Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder in Natural Finish and conservatively set the concealer underneath my eyes. You can also use it to set the tinted Revisions Intellishade moisturizer around your nose, as necessary. I recently discovered the major benefits of setting powder. I’m all about a quick morning makeup routine, and although it adds an extra step, this stuff ensures the look stays all day long. It saves me so much time at the end of the day if I’m finishing up a shoot and going straight into a dinner meeting or to an event.

POWDER

To even everything out, I apply Bobbi Brown’s Skin Weightless Powder Foundation in Warm Ivory 1 with a large brush. Because I don’t wear foundation, this is a perfect weightless alternative to give my face a smooth texture and healthy glow. Throughout the day, I’ll reapply this to touch up or eliminate shininess between meetings.

BRONZER + BLUSH

I have a little confession--I have never taken the time to learn to contour! Instead, I have a go-to bronzer and blush, which I sometimes wear separately and other times, together. You must try NARS Laguna and Bare Minerals Sunkissed, which I apply liberally with a blush brush under my cheekbones, on the bridge of my nose, on my forehead, and sometimes in the crease of my eyes. Naturally I’m very fair (like a translucent baby fish that you can see their heart beating), so both of these shades offer a subtle, not-too-pink glow without having to sit there and chisel my face with 6 different contouring shades. When you’re a busy gal like me, you have to color outside the lines when you contour!

EYESHADOW

I usually choose to wear a single eyeshadow shade to avoid all the time and precision a heavy-duty look requires. My all time favorite shadow is Urban Decay’s Toasted, which is perfect to transition from day to night. I apply my eyeshadow conservatively in the crease of my eye and leave my eyelid pretty bare. 

EYELINER

Because my complexion is so fair, I had trouble finding an eyeliner that wasn’t too harsh for a long time. That is, until recently when I discovered NARS Larger Than Life Long Wear Eyeliner in “Via De’Martelli.” I use just a touch, only applying on the outer top corner of my lid.

MASCARA

I swear by Benefit’s They’re Real mascara—it’s one of the best mascaras I’ve ever used and I wear this daily. Apply two coats pretty liberally in order to fully coat your lashes and achieve maximum volume. But beware, at the end of the day, gently and very patiently remove it from your lashes with warm water and face soap. If you’re in a hurry, you may miss a few lashes and wake up with mascara….everywhere.

LIPS

Figuratively and literally, I like to keep my lip color pretty simple and light. These days, I’ve reached for NARS Turkish Delight Lip gloss, which has great lasting coverage and is both conditioning and moisturizing. If I want a little bit more definition, I’ll apply MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Cultured and top it off with a dab of Mac Lustre Lipstick in Pretty Please.

The New Southern | Beauty Tips, Part I: INNER BEAUTY

For a while now, many of you have asked me daily about my beauty and make-up routine. I’m excited to finally share all of those tips with you HERE. But before I get into my makeup bag, I want to talk about another kind of makeup.

All of you, every single one, have your own individual makeup. Who you are and who you’re growing to become is completely unique, and you have a very special gift to offer this world. For me, it took having cancer and breaking free of the corporate grind to fully understand and embrace my creativity. I’ve realized that it’s my special gift, and I must harness it in order to spread light and love through my photography collaborations and through The New Southern. As I learned (and continue to learn!) how to use my gift for good, I’ve begun to love myself and others more and more.

Through this amazing, interconnected web of conversations that we call social media, I’ve personally connected with so many of you. Your story and your own special makeup pushes me to work harder and share beautiful things with you every day. But without fully knowing and loving myself, I wouldn’t be able to open up, be vulnerable, and above all, be completely authentic with you. Connecting to my inner beauty and wellbeing has allowed me to reach a higher potential than I could’ve imagined. Here, find a few of my tips for completely knowing and loving yourself. It makes all the difference. Promise.

ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE PRESENT…

The most powerful tool in life is being completely present in the current moment. Over the years, I’ve learned to let go of the past with love and appreciation, and to not worry so much about what lies ahead. Truly embrace what’s right in front of you, set aside time for stillness..... and it is within these moments connection to the world around you happens and ultimate self care. The power is in the present.... great connection with your work, family and opportunity can result when you choose to focus on the current moment. Right now,  I hope my words are touching your heart and set the tone for the rest of your day. 

Allow yourself self-love…

Be kind to yourself. Throughout the day, it is so important to be aware of the inner dialogue you have with yourself. It’s crucial that your personal thoughts come from a place of kindness and grace rather than judgement. We all are doing the best we can—try not to beat yourself up about every minute detail. There is beauty in the smallest of completed tasks. When you complete them, give yourself a pat on the back, or look into the mirror and tell yourself how special you are. Self-love comes in many forms.... Being kind to yourself, selecting healthy foods to feed your body, hydrating, cultivating time for play and creativity throughout the day (even if it is just 5 minutes), and the one I believe in most.. is getting enough sleep. These small supporting actions are the simplest forms of self love. They work for me and I hope they work for you. 

And always keep humble confidence….

I remember on my last podcast interview, the very first question the show host asked was “What’s your favorite fashion accessory?” To be honest, I was a little peeved, considering the question was unrelated to my field or passion, and I don’t ever want to be someone defined by my favorite handbag or a pair of heels. Calmly, and with grace, I responded that my favorite accessory is confidence. And more and more, I’m realizing that humble confidence is truly key in my world right now.

So often, I’m really scared. You may not believe me, but I am. My businesses are rapidly growing, and I now have to be more decisive and forward-thinking than ever. I make tough decisions every day. But because I face this decision-filled time with self-confidence in myself and my work, I know that whatever the outcome is, I’ve got this. Having this faith deep down inside, and constantly reminding myself that I’ve survived life thus far, the corporate world, and cancer, I can safely say I can take on anything. To each of you, especially the mothers out there, who are thriving at the most difficult job in the world, I commend you. And I encourage you to exercise this self-assurance. Even when you stumble, it’ll help you pick right back up where you left off.