Some people know exactly what they want to do with their life, and have a plan as to how they’ll get there.

Unfortunately, I am not one of those people.

I was born in the Pacific Northwest— Tacoma, Washington to be exact. Unless you’re from the PNW, or have flown through SEA-TAC, you’ve probably never heard of it. My family moved to Seattle when I was 2, so I claim it as my birthplace.

I spent the majority of my childhood there, followed by Houston, and eventually Fayetteville, Arkansas.

I got my BA in Psychology from the University of Arkansas, hoping to pursue a career in neuropsychology. After working at a neurofeedback clinic my sophomore, I quickly realized that career wasn’t the right fit for me.

A few months after graduation, I obtained my esthetics license. I’ve always had a passion for skincare and the beauty industry. I enjoyed so many aspects of the work I was doing, but started to feel suffocated by a lack of mental stimulation— the highlight of my day was making Canva graphics and curating my business Instagram feed.

That, combined with the fact that I’d been living in Fayetteville for 10+ years and had just gotten out of a long-term relationship, made it clear it was time for a change.

I hatched a plan for my sister and I to move to Austin together. How often do sisters get to live together again at our age?!

After a bit of waffling (and a lot of convincing) we, along with my precious niece Stevie (her golden retriever), moved to Austin.

I still had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, so I took the first job I could find working the front desk a facial plastic surgery clinic. That led to my current job at a law firm, which, unlike at the clinic, comes with a LOT of downtime.

And as it turns out, there really is something to be said about slowing down and creating space. It allows for a unique kind of clarity and introspection.

Downtime is seriously underrated.

I started thinking about the things I’ve always been naturally drawn to;

Art, fashion, design.

I’m constantly searching for new ways to express myself. I love painting, reading, journaling, experimenting with my style, traveling—

I may or may not be known to drag whoever I’m with to the nearest art museum.

In the midst of my borderline existential-crisis-level pondering, I realized that the common thread woven through every chapter of my life: creative expression.

I think a lot of people with an affinity for the arts are met with the same sentiment: you won’t make any money, or good luck finding a job with benefits.

While I can’t deny that I love to splurge, I think being driven by passion and inner purpose is much more fulfilling than simply pursuing a lucrative career. There’s something magical about creating a life that makes you genuinely excited to wake up and live it.

For me, that feeling has always come from the little things.

My room is my sanctuary, perfectly curated with sage toile lamps (it took me months to track down the set I was envisioning in my head— thank you eBay gods), a three-panel reproduction of Monet’s Waterlilies (specifically the variant housed in the Ohara Museum of Art), a clothing rack displaying my favorite pieces, and a plethora of antique decor.

One day, I remember thinking I wish I could bottle up the sense of joy I feel when I walk into my room.

And voilà, the iridescent edit was born.