january sponsor: courtnie marie ross

   Hello, readers! I am currently in the process of moving and decorating my new home, and have not been able to update as frequetly, which is why I will be taking a few days off from blogging (then excited to do a "new home" post!). 

   On this note, I would like to introduce you to one of my sponsors this month (and a friend since kindergarten), Courtnie Marie Ross. While just finishing up with professional make-up school in Los Angeles, she is a hairstylist and model too. This triple threat calls Kansas City her home town, but looks forward to her future booking across the country. 

1. Tell us a bit about who you are. I'm a professional makeup artist and hair stylist and I also am a freelance model work in Kansas City and LA, and hopefully in Chicago and New York soon. I consider myself very ambitious, I have lots of dreams. I really want to be able to inspire people and hope I do.

2. Tell us about your style. I usually just wear whatever I like, but a lot of my inspiration has been from Audrey Kitching and Kat Von D when it comes to my style. I've looked up to them for awhile now.

2. What is the proudest moment in your career, so far? This summer, when I went to Makeup Designory in California. I feel like I have progressed a lot, but not just career wise... like I have learned and grown more as a person. I was literally living my dream. I had the opportunity to work with some amazing photographers while I was out there and I'm so grateful for that. My portfolio has grown so much because of it. It was definitely the most fulfilling experience of my life so far.

(*source of photographs)

5. Quote that you live by? "I let go of the past to find a new beginning."

Contact/book Courtnie: Website, Model Mayhem, Facebook page, Twitter, or email: courtniemarie(at)makeuphairbycourtnie(dot)com 

snail mail: penpal introduction

   hello readers! i am pleased to penpal, sarah! we met when we were in high school, and stayed close for awhile after. sarah decided to take a trip to argentina after finishing her degree in accounting, and decided to stay indefinitely (well, so far!). we had lost touch for a short period, but we decided we should stay in contact through being penpals. she has always been such a creative and inspiring person to me, i thought i would show readers a little of her personal style/vegan diet/let her talk about her move from the american midwest to south america. (she does not have a blog i can link you to, but i am going to try and encourage her to start one!). 

   "when i decided to move to argentina, after meeting my boyfriend in ecuador, I did a little research before hand. argentina, also called the europe of south america, had the nostalgia of italy with towns similar to paris (as written in travel reviews). while reading a little about the culture and history, I saw a phrase: cow country. apart, the word vegan did not exist. I started a vegan diet about 2 years ago, but have survived on store bought almond milk, and contently packaged vegan products."

   "as i started my journey into the place furthest away from my home, i kept this in the back of my mind. the first few months, i struggled with the language and the lifestyle. i couldn't express myself in the ways that i had worked so hard to construct in my language. half a year had passed and although satisfied in my relationship, i wasn't satisfied with my lifestyle. i didn't feel a sense of being understood, of having a community of people i could relate to."

   "after eating at a local vegan restaurant, i knew that it was the perfect place to fill the emptiness I had felt. i have been working there for a few months and have since learned the language and gained a sense of family. at the beginning of my stay i complained that i didn't have the opportunities, the luxuries i had in kansas city. after making everything from scratch, from the almond milk to picking vegetables from the garden for my salad, i created a stronger relationship with with the ¨tierra¨ or land. yes I have changed, yes i have a different perspective, but not in the sense that argentina put something in me i didn't have before, but it gave my body the environment necessary to make what i already had grow."

  i hope all of you readers enjoyed this post with the help from my wonderful penpal in south america. i am more than excited to have a penpal (the stationary sets, actually using stamps, etc), and i am so happy i reconnected with a friend. 

   readers, would you enjoy more updates from my penpal in the future? 

guest post: the braided bandit

   hi hello, mr. rabbit readers! my name is hannah and i blog over at The Braided Bandit.  a little while ago lindsey asked me if I wanted to do a guest post about where i live and some favorite fall activities, and i thought that was such a good idea! originally from New Jersey, i now live in Boulder, Colorado, and absolutely love this town!  everybody is kind, healthy, and outdoorsy and the scenery is unbeatable! i chose to share a few snaps of one of my favorite parts of town, The Pearl Street Mall.

   not your typical "mall", Pearl Street is a outdoor cobblestone pedestrian-only street with adorable shops and restaurants.  there are so many amazing restaurants here that I do not even know where to begin, it really is a foodie paradise! on this particular fall day, i went to brunch at Snooze, which is quickly becoming one of my favorites.  i highly recommend the Pineapple Upside Pancakes for something sweet or Juan's Breakfast Taco's for something a little more savory.  as for coffee shops, you can find me at Ozo Coffee or Spruce Confections on a weekly basis! if you are ever in town, you need to try something fun from Ozo's extensive and creative list of mocha's! 

   when I am not stuffing myself full of delicious food and drink, Pearl Street is a great place for people watching and street performers too. you could probably spend hours just sitting on a bench watching the interesting people!  and while I don't usually do a lot of shopping on Pearl Street as its quickly filling up with more high end places, you can still find some fun second hand places like Goldmine Vintage and Buffalo Exchange.  i could go on and on about my favorites, but I will leave you with those for now! i hope everyone from the U.S. had a great holiday weekend with friends and family! and on your next break, i would highly encourage a trip to Boulder, Colorado for mountain scenery, friendly people, and delicious food!

xo Hannah

outfit details: Dress- for sale in my vintage shop here! // Sunglasses: BCBG // Shoes: thrifted // Collar Necklace: Ampris Loves on Etsy // Jacket: gift from mom

guest post: we live upstairs

  hey, hello mr. rabbit readers! i'm leah and i blog over at We Live Upstairs. since lindsey and i are both experiencing the wonder that is a midwest autumn, we thought it would be fun to share some fall-related style ideas with you! today i'll be sharing my single-most, favorite fall accessory.

   have you guessed yet? hats! no no, don't facepalm just yet. though they're most definitely a requirement this time of year if you live anywhere north of texas, it's not by default that they're my #1. from your knitted beanie (which you have, and will continue to see me wearing like it's attached to my body) to your wool fedora, to your beret or turban, the options for stepping up your accessorizing skills and your warmth are endless.for that outfit that doesn't need a baubley necklace  or looks too busy with statement earrings, grab a hat! i'm telling you, it's the solution to all your problems : ). don't be afraid to experiment!

   well, I suppose that's it for me today. thanks so much for letting me share, lindsey! and thanks for reading everyone! bundle up out there!

xo,

Leah

thanks for the wonderful post, leah! don't forget to check out her blog here for more fall inspiration!