Hallmark Mahogany: Uplifted & Empowered

I was honored to be a small part of the team of editors, writers and artists who came together to create Uplifted & Empowered, an eleven-card collection for racial resilience and pride. All of the cards are written by Black writers and Hallmark’s Union Hill photography studio did a beautiful job capturing portraits of some of the writers and artists involved!

Editorial Director Dierdra (“Dee”) Zollar leads the Mahogany team in ensuring every message on every card rings true, feels relevant and reflects Black culture in all of its multifaceted realness and richness. The card I created artwork for was inspired by current events, described by Dee:

“One was the death of Congressman John Lewis, who had been such a courageous and highly-respected beacon of light in the Civil Rights movement and on the current political stage. His memorable participation in and subsequent vicious beating on the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma, Alabama, is such a powerful iconic symbol of his unwavering commitment to civil rights and building bridges across race, religion, culture and political parties.

“An inspirational card with a bridge on the cover pays homage to this icon and honors Black people’s marches then and now in our fight for equality.”

You can learn more about the other talented writers and artists
who contributed to this Mahogany collection on Hallmark’s website!

© Hallmark Licensing, LLC

January Around The Web

The first month of a new year is always an exciting fresh start — especially this year! Between unfathomable lows leading up to inauguration day and the joy of seeing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris sworn in, this month was a rollercoaster for our country. Personally, I got back into the swing of working from home after a holiday break, embarked on my first ever Whole30 with my parents, and celebrated Dale’s immunity day after his second Covid-19 vaccine!! I’ve also been analyzing and organizing my house — basically a New Year’s tradition. Around the web I loved seeing this sustainable DIY:

  • I’m also really loving browsing for antiques online. I love this piece Mackenzie found for her home!

  • After my Whole30 month is officially over (just a few more days!) I know I’ll have to do at least a little baking. Maybe these cookies? Or my weird recent craving, key lime pie?

  • On a healthier note, two of my favorite Whole30 approved recipes: Jambalaya and Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

  • Feeling much more patriotic as this month comes to a close!

  • And I LOVED the inauguration fashion. Fancy coats are my favorite, I wear my bright red J.Crew one all winter long.

  • Not so patiently waiting for these lamps to arrive for our bedroom.

  • And I’ve been loving our new humidifier, and so have my dry eyes.

  • Someday I would love to upgrade my IKEA desk I’ve had for years. This one is a contender…

Here’s to Peace and Health in 2021!

December Around The Web

December flew by! This year Dale and I celebrated all month long with advent gifts/activities we planned for each other. It really helped bring some extra joy to this strange holiday season! We also celebrated my mom’s birthday with a luminary walk, Holiday Mart wrapped up with some awesome events including a virtual flower arranging event, and my family did an outdoor cookie exchange. Christmas both felt totally normal and completely different as we moved our celebrations outside, into garages and over zoom. This month around the web I loved getting glimpses of how others decorated this year, especially this dreamy curtain/wreath situation in Kelly’s daughters’s room:

Hope your holidays were merry and bright!