Q: What are your favorite albums right now? (Via tumblr)

A: My favorites of all time are Paul’s Boutique from the Beastie Boys and 36 Chambers from the Wu-Tang Clan, and right now I’m also really into the Icona Pop EP, Visions from Grimes, Loudspeaker from Destroid, and the Psycho-Social album from Jedi Mind Tricks. I tend to either listen to hip hop or electronic dance-type things. I’m also really into Spotify and we listen to a lot of 90s at work obviously. Because, what else.

Q: You usually have a goal poster up in your room, at least I know you did before in your old house. Do you still do that, and what goals do you have in the next year? (From Amanda R.)

A: I just looked back over my goals for 2012 and I dropped almost all of them! Most of them I don’t even care about anymore, or I started pursuing them and realized they were totally the wrong direction. I did a lot of traveling and speaking, which I really wanted to do. I also tried harder to take care of myself and make decisions that were right for my happiness and well-being since my personal life influences my business so much. I like to write down things I want to do–I think that’s good–but I try not to keep rigid goals in front of me at the moment because it makes me lose sight of the opportunities that come out of left field and end up being more fun or valuable than anything I had initially envisioned for myself. Just a different tactic I’m trying. It seems to be a positive thing. This year I’m committed to writing my first book and doing a lot of travel. Other than that, I see where my work takes me.

Q: How do you balance your time between work and home? I know that’s a really common question, but when you like what you do, I think it’s toughest to do that. (From Jaclyn)

A: One thing that I hear many speakers talk about lately is a reference to “work/life integration” instead of “work/life balance.” I like that approach because you’re right–when your work is fun, and when you WANT to be working, you’re not going to come home at 6 and say e-mail is off-limits or anything like that. My favorite thing about my job is the flexibility of being able to use my resources to best serve myself, my customers, and my community. And that manifests in many different ways–I’m not saying I have tons of extra time to get flexible with, but that I can choose how I use it. For example, I love being able to take my daughter to work every day–I moved into my office when she was two weeks old, and now she’s three years old. I usually have a lunch meeting every day that she comes to. But I really love having the ability to use my time in the best way possible–is there a customer having a problem? I can take time to solve that. I can take time to make a customer’s order REALLY perfect. I can take time to give advice to a friend or ask for help from a mentor. I can take time to blog, Instagram, tweet–it’s all integrated into my day. So I guess what I really love is that I’m always busy, and I never waste my time. My time working isn’t wasted, and the time I spend with Alice isn’t wasted.

Just three simple ones today.
xx
meg

Hand-rolled hems! Silk chiffon! Boning and corseting! Color!

I love Jillian’s work and all of the design decisions she’s made with this collection. The hand-dyed appliqued lace, the peplums, and the high-low hems are so flattering and cool right now. I’m especially in love with her bridesmaid designs–they’d all be beautiful dressy options! I’m so excited to recommend Jillian Fellers’s expert work, and I love that she’s doing it all as a mother, entrepreneur, and designer here in the Omaha area. So cool. Check out her Etsy and follow her on Twitter and Facebook too! Indie design makes the world a prettier place.

xx
meg

Our nonprofit community in Omaha is so wide and generous, and it’s hard to meet someone here who isn’t either emotionally involved with a local project here or directly working for one. Being a part of the vibrant and progressive cultural community in this city and learning about all of the amazing work people are doing for the betterment of our world inspires me to no end. So charitable giving is something that’s a big part of my life, and in Omaha it’s easy to find hundreds of worthy causes to support, which can make it a little overwhelming sometimes to decide where to give.

That’s why I’m so excited about Omaha Gives! It’s a 24-hour marathon giving event organized by the Omaha Community Foundation to increase philanthropy for local organizations in the Omaha area, and I’m writing about it both because I’m excited to participate and because I want to invite all of you to throw in your support as well. The goal is to inspire as many people to come together to support local nonprofit organizations as possible.

Just $10 is the minimum donation to participate in Omaha Gives!, and there are tons of local foundations, donors, and corporations that will be matching each dollar donated to raise even more money for these hardworking organizations. Knowing that I can just drop a Hamilton and make a difference for a local nonprofit makes it really easy for me to participate–I can’t always give $50 or $100 during fundraisers, but I know I can spare a ten or two. Check out this video from the Omaha Community Foundation that explains more:

Omaha Gives! is on May 22nd starting at midnight and going for the next 24 hours. To participate, just go to OmahaGives24.org and donate via credit card to any of the nonprofits that have registered as particpants. You can search them by service area or name and find something that you truly care about supporting. Here are some of my favorite organizations that I’ll be throwing my support toward:

• Maha Music Festival – Omaha’s biggest nonprofit music festival, thrown each summer by a community of amazing volunteers
• Omaha Girls Rock – A yearly summer camp that gives girls the confidence to use their voices through music education and performance (I can’t wait until Alice is old enough to go!)
• Hear Nebraska – This organization cultivates the state’s vibrant music and arts community by providing resources and a voice for bands, artists and members of Nebraska’s creative class (and they’re our neighbors at Hello Holiday!)
• Bemis Center for the Contemporary Arts – A huge studio in downtown Omaha offering residencies to artists from around the world and programming to engage the public
• Nebraska AIDS Project – Providing support to those dying with AIDS and education to prevent the further spread of HIV
• Omaha Area Youth Orchestras – OAYO offers music instruction and orchestral performance experience for over 550 students each season. I was a member for eight years as a child!

Obviously there are hundreds of worthy organizations–more than I can mention here–and I encourage you all to scroll through them and find something to support with a $10 donation that speaks most to you. Anyone can donate, each donation is completely tax deductible and you’ll receive an e-mail after you donate to keep for your records. You can even give right from your phone (just click through from this blog post!) After you donate on May 22nd you can also watch the leaderboards to see which nonprofits are raising the most money to get those corporate matching funds!

I love my city and it wouldn’t be a great place to live without the tireless work that our local nonprofits do because they care. Because they have a bigger vision for this city than anyone else. Because they dream and they know people can do more. I agree with them and I support their missions–join me on the 22nd to make even more magic possible!

xx
meg

This is one of my favorite out-to-dinner dresses to wear lately. When I found this red gingham-print dress from UK designers Emily and Fin, I knew we had to get it in the store before Summer. It’s just perfect for every party, cotton, washes well, pockets, cute back. Pretty much everything I look for in a party dress. I also like that it’s roomy in the bust, which is ideal for ladies like me with a bit more on top.

Dress: Perfect Picnic Dress; Shoes: Late Night Platforms from Seychelles (on sale!), Sunglasses: Dionne Sunglasses from Hello Holiday (currently sold out)

xx

Getting settled in.

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I’m not a big jewelry wearer–I definitely have strong preferences when it comes to accessories and I’m picky about the kinds of things I wear. This bold, costume-y piece is the perfect addition to my carefully-curated collection of baubles and feminine fineries.

In addition to jewelry that is EXACTLY my taste, MODafind also sells some well-chosen vintage items including brightly-colored and completely fixed-up vintage typewriters! In teal, orange, blue, red…and more are being added all the time. Just one of those cute little shops that’s worth adding to your faves.

xx
meg

So pretty much every time we go out to take photos near our office, we get catcalled by somebody. Either a guy drives by and feels the need to yell something out his window, or it’s a group of kids (kids!) walking home from school, or it’s a person walking in or out of one of the nearby bars. I always respond with the thumbs down. Sometimes I say “I don’t wanna hear that” or “Go f— yourself.” I like that Sarah keeps taking pictures as I react.

The other day a man with his young son in the front seat of the car rolled his window down and yelled “Hey ladies! Lookin’ very sexy! That’s what I like to see!” You should have seen Sarah rip into him about being a role model for his son. Shoutout to men who end the cycle of street harassment by not modeling it for their children. Thumbs downin’.

At first I was kinda unsure of how to wear this shirt with the beautiful sheer panel, but when I put it on I wasn’t uncomfortable in it at all. I’ve never worn anything like this and I don’t have the most confidence about my midsection but with a pair of high-waisted shorts it was perfect. I’m thinking about picking it up for my trip to Germany this summer. (I’m going! I’m going! June 10-18, tickets booked.)

Top: Total Betty top; Shorts: Sloan shorts by Dear Creatures; Shoes: Stop Traffic Wedges from Seychelles (on sale!); Sunglasses: Dionne sunglasses

xx
meg

We had special birthday outfits–Alice’s from Great-Grandma Florida, and mine from Hello Holiday. Sarah and Rebecca gave me an “It’s My Birthday Today!” pin to wear all day at Big Omaha–they are so fun. After dinner, Alice went to my mom’s house for the night where she played with all her new gifts–special blocks, games, and a shiny new red bike.

Get dirty and ride till the streetlights are on!

xx
meg

My mom is one of Alice’s favorite caretakers. Watching them together–the learning, the patience, the joking and laughing–reminds me of when I was a child and each day was fun and full of these memory-making activities together. I feel like that’s an area I’m always trying to improve in my own life as a mother. Time and patience, and allowing myself to feel the wonder Alice experiences, and the pride she feels when she figures out each new thing. I’m grateful to my mom for the patience she still shows me, and the time she makes to help me raise my own child now. It’s exciting to think about the line of brave women I come from, and the great potential for kindness and strength that I have the honor of nurturing in Alice.

xx

Big Omaha’s opening party is tonight, and it’s sponsored by the wonderful and generous people at the Kauffman Foundation. It’s open to the public and I encourage you to come! I’m sure you will meet tons and tons of kind, innovative, interesting people who will inspire you to kick your own butt and get motivated about your passion project. And I’m sure I’ll be found near the photobooth.

xx
meg

Photos by Malone & Co. / Big Omaha