Yellow Billed Cuckoo - Spirit Animal >>>

Yesterday on the way home from the post office, we came across this beautiful bird in the middle of the road.  I instantly knew it had been hit, but didnt realize it was still alive until we drove past.  So I told James to turn around so we could get him out of the middle of the road before he got hit again.  When I went to pick him up, I saw blood, and he didnt attempt to move, so I thought it must of been pretty bad.  I scooped him up, and unknowing to James, brought him back to the car with me to take home.  I was worried if I just moved him to the side of the road, he would straggle back there, and I felt in my heart that if he did die, I wanted to be able to send him off with love.  I didn't know if it was the right thing to do, but my heart told me it was, with the best intentions. 

After we brought him home, I sat him in the grass to see if he would try to move or fly.  For a while he just sat there.  But luckily, when I went to move him, it hopped.  Then it hopped a little bit further.  Then it mustered up the courage to hop up onto a little low branch... After sitting for a moment at each step it made, it would venture a little further, until finally it flew up into the tree!!!  Here he is below up in the tree.  After sitting and recouping for a long time in the tree, it flew off!  I was sooooo happy to know that he made it, even if he was relocated.  If I had left him in the road, he would surely not be with us today.  Ive never had such an up close personal experience with a wild bird before.  I talked to it alot while it was up in the tree.  I told it to please come visit me... although, Im pretty sure I wont be seeing him in my backyard.  Cuckoos like to remain hidden in the woods.  But I would be delighted if he did!!!

Since we are currently studying animal spirit guides in the Intuitive Heart Sanctuary, I definitely saw this one as a sign.  I usually do anyway, since I feel such a connection with animals... but evermore so this time.  It was very interesting to read about this particular bird and its meanings, especially knowing the cuckoo is a close relative to the roadrunner, whom came to me preceeding my dads death. The fact that this little birdy made it out alive, and its a yellow-billed one, not a black-billed one, tells that it came to show me a new beginning, not an ending this time.  Im curious to see how this unfolds.  I feel blessed to have met him yesterday.

Threads - Red Headed Stranger >>>

Here is the one and only outfit post with my red hair!!  It is now currently back to blonde... After about 5 days of having, I realized I still just did not love it.  So I decided to strip it and go back to brown and blonde, and I instantly felt better.  Thank you for all the wonderful response to the red though, you guys are too sweet!!!

I will never get over loving this top from Lulu's.com.  Pretty much one of my favorite pieces in my closet.  And this necklace from Spiral Drift.  Her pieces to me are complete artworks in and of themselves.  I feeeeeel her love she put into them.  And yeah, you know my love for my Blowfish shoes... These are James favorites!  Everytime I wear them he smiles and tells me he loves them... its so cute!

The single earring I am wearing is one style of a new little collection in my Roots and Feathers shop.  Each one is one of a kind and eclectic.  I adore them... There are lots of other new pieces that went up yesterday as well!

Instagram Love - Friends >>>

Just a few instagram pics from this past week.  The first one of the maiden braid is the only pic I took of my hair when I bleached it the other day.  The contrast was so pretty!  (Im still crying just a little bit over that one)...  And the rest are pics from last weekend when we went to our friends house.  These two boys below are my rocks.  One my love, and one is one of my best friends.  And when they are together, there are so many priceless moments that are created.  We all tried on tons of hats and sunglasses that night, it was silly.

Speaking of friends... my friend Katelyn is going to be coming back to Texas to spend a week with me at the end of this month!  Im super excited!  I get to meet her new little one for the first time.  AND she is going to photograph the next Bohemian Collective lookbook!!!!  This will be the very first time Ive ever worked with someone else on a creative project like this.  Im very excited, and very nervous about being in front of the camera with someone else around.  And then in September, my friend Christie is coming home!!  She moved to Cali, and Texas longs for her everyday.   She just became my newest sponsor, go check out her blog, ChristeeGee.  She interviews super awesome bands and artists!

Threads + Blowfish Giveaway Winner >>>

One more outfit post from before dying my hair red!  This was from earlier in the week.  This green top is one of my favorite shirts Ive ever owned.  Ive had it since I was about 15, and its starting to fall apart... But Ive never stopped loving it after all these years.  And I pretty much fell in love with it adorned with one of Lost Boys & Lovers body harnesses.  Putting on one of these harnesses makes you feel like an instant bad-ass.  Im not kidding.  There is something about them that just gives you like on old west dont cross me kind of feel.  Even with dainty florals, feminine sandals and quartz earrings on!  And I never thought this Bird Trouble purple bag would go with so much, but it does!  Its kind of become an extension of myself. 

 I apologize for the delay in bringing you the winner of the blowfish shoes giveaway!  Without further adieu...

please email me at violet_bella at hotmail dot com.

P.S.  thank you so much for all the kind words about my new red hair.  Its funny, b/c Ive dyed my hair almost every color in the past, but since its been pretty natural for so long, it feels so different this time...  Im still not used to it, but Im giving it time.  It really helped to hear so many of you liked it so much, so thank you!