2015 WORD OF THE YEAR

Word Of The Year Dreamcatcher 2015

Ive been pondering my word of the year for 2015 for a few weeks now.  One of the first words that popped in my head was Root.  But like with everything else I do, I must try out lots of other words to see if they fit better.  The past few days the word ROOT has been clearly showing up for me, giving me perfect confirmation, in perfect timing for the new year.  I got my first real confirmation on the Winter Solstice + New Moon while contemplating the word Root and pulling my cards for the year ahead in the bathtub.  The card I pulled as the 'theme' card for the year was Seed (or The Fool).  To me, the seed felt strongly related to root. 

The last few weeks, I have kind of been on an emotional rollercoaster.  Mostly in a funk though.  Feeling lost, blue, unmotivated.  Just really out sorts with myself, my body, my creativity, my relationships, etc.  You name it, I felt odd about it.  It hit me big time yesterday when after losing some of my favorite jewelry I found myself on the living room floor, doubled over, sobbing.  I thought, God Laura, you are crazy!!!  Who cries over jewelry like this?  I felt like I was being super materialistic.  But these pieces were all handmade, with so much time and love put into them, by people that I love and respect, and knowing that I might not get to wear them anymore genuinely made me sad.  Literally two minutes after my breakdown on the floor, I found my jewelry!  Ha ha.  I had gotten myself so upset for nothing.  It made me take a step back and really feel what I was feeling, and I knew it wasn't about the jewelry so much per say, as it was really more of an underlying state that I have been in.  After the elation of finding the jewelry, within an hour I found myself feeling depressed again.  Something has just felt off. 

Word Of The Year Dreamcatcher 2015

This morning I woke up from a dream about a fox, who had befriended me.  Lately I have dreamt about animals like crazy.  Since the new moon I have dreamt about a white horse leading me & James through the woods, a deer licking me when I was alone and scared, a baby panther that I held in my shirt next to my belly while climbing a huge massive tree, and now a fox.  Also a few dreams about rivers.  All signs of feminine energy, kundalini, root, sexual/creative energies, etc.

Last night I was chatting with a dear friend and she reminded me of the texts from Clarissa Pinkola Estes, so I had that on my mind... as I was looking for a cd to play this morning while I drank my coffee, I came across her audio book The Creative Fire.  It has been a while since Ive listened to it, so I popped it in.  I ended up spending the morning listening to all 3 discs, and creating this wall hanging for myself with my word of the year on it.  (every year I intend to make one for myself, but I usually am too busy making them for other people, this year is mine...)

Throughout her cds I found myself completely absorbed, realizing it was EXACTLY what I needed to hear.  Reminding me deeply of the need to get to the Root of some things in my life.  Also reminding me I am right where I am suppose to be.  I just couldn't place my feelings.  But I am in my own underworld right now.  Things are dormant for a reason.  Everything is okay.  And I will reclaim myself once again.  I also found myself in tears over just about every story she told.  I just felt them all so deeply.  Even ones I didn't personally connect to in this moment, I just FELT them to my core.  ANYONE who is an artist, I highly recommend this audio book.  Do yourself a favor, and go buy it now as a new year's gift to yourself.  You won't regret it.

Another thing that reconfirmed my word was the book I just started reading, The Wild Feminine.  Another suggestion from my friend.  I saw her post about it last week and something in my gut told me to buy it.  Within the first pages I was reading last night while sitting on the couch, the word ROOT popped up about 10-15 times!  It was just meant to be my word.

Word Of The Year Dreamcatcher 2015

There are some things that are just far to personal to ever talk about on my blog here, and alot of what revolves around my word is just that.  It will be a deeply personal word to work on throughout the year.  And something I have avoided for far too long.  It's even part of what my dietary changes are all about.  I will be working on this word in the most holistic way I can, from all angles.  Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual...

Word Of The Year Dreamcatcher 2015

I woke up this morning after all of these little things clicked together, with a renewed sense for the new year.  24 hours ago, I did not see the silver lining.

Oh, and about the dreamcatcher I made... I'm in love with her.  The tree branch reminded me of a root, which is why I used it.  I added a deer antler tip and an ET crystal, two things that are meaningful to me.  An old medicine bag a friend gifted me, and one of my special turkey feathers.  I am thrilled SHE will be adorning my walls as a daily reminder to go to the ROOT.

Have you chosen a word for the year yet?  I'd love to know what it is and what it means for you if so...

MY 10 FAVORITE OUTFITS FROM 2014

via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
IMG_7725-2.jpg
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com

I thought it would be fun to recap on some of my favorite outfits worn in 2014.  I'm pretty sure I did this last year too.  (I'm really hoping in 2015 squarespace will come up with a better archiving system so it would be easy to find an old post like that!)... As you probably know, personal adornment is one thing I'm wild about, and 2014 brought in some of my favorite pieces in my closet.  I was beyond blessed to be able to work with and collaborate with some really amazing designers and artisans, through here and on The Bohemian Collective.  I'm excited to see where 2015 will lead me on this path. 

The most exciting thing that happened involving my collaborations with rad companies in 2014 was meeting up with the lovely folks from Minnetonka at Willie Nelson's ranch in Luck, TX for the Heartbreaker Banquet.  That was one for the books and a day I'll never forget. 

I feel honored and blessed to be a vehicle for bringing inspiration and style to people's wardrobes by sharing so many talented artists, dreamers and makers with the world who make this style come to life.  It is truly a passion of mine. 

Looking back on these photos, I cannot believe I cut my hair, ha ha.  Yep, I'm officially regretting it.  (good thing it's only hair!)

Check out the full outfits post and more here.

MADE WITH LOVE

via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com

I just had to share these beautiful shelves James made me for Christmas.  I had shown him some shelves I liked online, and since we couldn't afford them he decided to surprise me by making them out of my daddies old barn wood, which is very very special to me.  He had a friend of ours help him make them b/c he is not a carpenter, but the fact that he thought of it and designed them, and then helped out with the labor, is so amazing and thoughtful.  I couldn't of asked for a better gift.

The triangle one I decided to keep on my desk by the window, one of my favorite spots in the house for its beautiful lighting, and allow the contents on it to change all the time.  The other one I used on my jewelry wall in the bedroom, an area I have really been wanting to makeover, so it was perfect.  I love this shelf... so many secret messages within its shapes... it looks like mountains, and in the middle is a jewel.  It also forms the name AVA, which is what we will name our daughter if we have one.  They are just perfect. 

I love that everytime I look at these shelves I get to see James and my daddy in them.  He would of been so proud of him. 

SOLSTICE + HOLIDAYS MOMENTS

via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com
via rootsandfeathers.com

A few moments from celebrating the Winter Solstice to Christmas.  I must admit, it feels way more natural to me to celebrate the solstice than it does christmas.  I love that this winter solstice happened the same day as the New Moon.  It felt extra special.  I love to take these times to really get quiet with myself, do some real internal check ins, write, dream, make lists and goals, examine where Ive been and where I want to go, etc.  The winter solstice marks the new year for me.  I like to draw a tarot spread for the year ahead on this day, as well as a card for the year.  This year I drew The Fool, which is perfect as I re-examine my life and bring in brand new ways of being.  Like I am at the beginning of a new journey.  A new start. 

P.S.  Is that bottom picture of my nephew and cousin not the greatest photo ever?  Aiden got his first bike and a fart gun.  He couldn't of been happier.