Brunch Notes: May 13

Happy best day, SATURDAY!! Grab a latte and spend our Saturday a.m. together.

Brunch Notes: May 6

Happy best day, SATURDAY!! Grab a latte and spend our Saturday a.m. together. 

How To Create Your Own Success As A Ladyboss | #MomentumMoments

Today I am sharing an introductory post about the new series that you'll see frequently on the blog. #MomentumMoments is a new ladyboss series where I will share about all things female entrepreneurship, from goal setting, dressing for success, staying authentic and most important, how to implement these ladyboss strategies into all areas of your life.

I chose to title these posts with the tag #MomentumMoments because I believe that it's in those small moments of inspiration where you are challenged, that the drive and momentum for success is ignited. It's often in the mundane of daily habits that goals and aspirations are placed on the heart. Never underestimate a word of encouragement, an inspiring graphic on Pinterest, or a short blog post. A person full of dreams can catch fire with the slightest spark of inspiration.

One of the main themes that I try and share on the blog + socials is that of ladyboss 101. I believe that to be a ladyboss starts now! Wherever you are at in life, whether you are still in school (high school, college or grad) working a 9-5, building your own business, 16 or 26 you can adopt the traits and skills of a ladyboss. Having a ladyboss mindset doesn't start when you reach your goals, but rather YEARS before when you are day dreaming about what you would like to accomplish.

I also want to point out that being a ladyboss is NOT just for those starting their own business. It's about adopting an attitude of authenticity, activity, and positivity (A.P.P)
When the term "girlboss" is said, often the image of a cutthroat woman who doesn't take garbage from anyone and can pretty much get whatever she wants from men and the world. I don't agree. 
A ladyboss lifestyle is about a woman who desires to leave a positive impact on the world. It's about someone who strives to become the best version of herself, and drawing that out from those around her. It's not about having it all together and figured out, but rather about being willing to fail in order to win.
Vulnerability is often left out of the conversation when the above mentioned term of "girlboss" is discussed. I have learned that this is a very strong tool in aspiring for a ladyboss lifestyle. If you are going about it in a healthy positive way, then you are often forced to be real with yourself and others. This is not something to overlook and skirt around. You want to experience this because it's in these raw moments that your character, strength and courage is found.

I am super excited to share so many goodies with every one of you, whether you are looking for quick tips, real talks or just want to make some positive changes in your life. I whole heartily hope that these future posts will inspire just one of you to dream crazy big, run after whatever you want in life and leave a positive impact along the way. 

If you have any ideas for this series, go ahead and leave your suggestions in the comments and I'll try to incorporate them into my content calendar. Also, I absolutely LOVE connecting with other aspiring bossbabes, so don't hesitate to reach out so we can chat!

 Instagram is one of the best ways to connect with me: @gracehincapie

 

Dear Girl, Embarking On A New Journey | + MINTED Collab

New beginnings. Unknown futures. Exciting journeys. Lots of "news" seem to be floating around the air as graduation season approaches for both high school and college campuses. With this, comes finalizing college plans for high school peeps and for soon to be college grads, real life full of work and responsibility will soon hit with full force. But before you start grabbing for the tissues thinking about those in your life who fit these situations, or maybe yourself. Let's chat a bit about a few key tips to keep in mind, that I personally think make for a smoother transition when it comes to a new phase in life.

Dare to dream ahead.
This is your time to set no limits. Dream big dreams for the next month, year, five years and basically those things that you want to be able to add to your life story. I like to keep my "bucket list" so to speak, with me everywhere I go. I used to do this by keeping some goals written in my notes app on my phone and just add to it whenever. But I have recently started using this fun little notebook from Minted that is actually called "My Bucket List." It's small enough I can easily add it to my purses without taking up to much space. And it's just kind of fun being able to dream up crazy adventures that most definitely have the capability of coming true if you get your brain thinking about it ;)

Say goodbye to comfort zone. 
Now, I don't mean this is your opportunity to go wild and not make smart choices. What I mean is that sometimes the best experiences and life lessons and those not planned or expected. These unplanned gem moments happen when you say yes to opportunities that challenge and grow you. Most likely if it scares you (in a good way) then it's something that needs to be accomplished.

Thank your mentors/influences along the way.
Many people and events made you into the person you are today. It's easy to just keeping moving forward in the hustle of life and exciting changes without taking stock of how you got there. Who breathed positivity and opportunity into your life? As you venture onto a new chapter in your story, stop and take time to be obsessively grateful for those iconic figures in your life. Write a short little note to send off and thank them for being a witness, role model, life mentor. Mentors don't often get thanked or even know how much of an impact they really were.

Take time to connect with others.
You are headed off to new things, whether that be school, career, location. But you will always have a home-base, which comes with friends that have known you before you were this accomplished world traveler. So again, take some time to write little hello, what's up cards. These little touches will go so far in your friendships, because no matter how busy or accomplished you become, you are still grounded with who you started out with. Okay, so I wanted to share my recent favorite cards to send out. Minted has the cutest notecards, stationary and notebooks! I have the Simple Springs & Welcoming Foliage Foil-Pressed thank you cards. They are so gorgeous and make writing little notes so fun for both the giver and receiver!

Okay, and while I'm sharing some fun Minted items, I've gotten some questions about where to create some grad announcements that are classy looking yet not to time consuming to create. I would recommend checking out the Minted 2017 Graduation Announcement Collection. I had the chance to design a few cards and wow! Super easy, GORGEOUS designs and they have GOLD foil! So yeah pretty obsessed with the whole collection. Here are some of my favs!

One | Two | Three | Four | Five

In addition to all the announcements and stationary that Minted provides, their are some super unique grad gifts to choose from. To give you an idea of the options you have, here are some of my favorite ones that I would love to give as well as receive.

 Map | Collage | Stationary | Pinboard

I have always wanted to create a gallery wall, so I was super excited to see all the beautiful prints from Minted. I'm going to have one full gallery wall!

This post was done in collaboration with Minted.com but all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Graciela blog possible! 

How To Get Inspired

Real moment. I don't always feel motivated or inspired and crank out post after post, Instagram after Instagram. Because sometimes I'm just plain uninspired. I hit a bloggers block. Every creative influencer as well as individuals experience a little stumbling block known as a funk. But the good news is you DON'T have to stay there. Today I'm going to share some of my favorite ways to get re-energized and re-inspired that I hope will be the catalyst to your creative launch. 

1. Create a pump-up playlist.
Their is nothing more exciting then finding new music that gets you going. I am obsessed with Spotify! The whole process of combing songs to fit a mood or occasion, is very therapeutic. So go ahead and be your own DJ! The Spotify Mood Booster, Happy Folk, and Pop Chillout are my go to pump-up playlists. 

2. Scroll Pinterest boards that motivate you.
When I find myself drawing a blank in the whole creative department, I pause what I'm doing and dedicate some time to drawing inspiration from other creatives. Whether you are uninspired in fitness, blogging, or school, find some influencer's that inspire you and pin away. For example, for those days when the last thing I want to do is workout, I quickly go scroll through a few fitness + healthy lifestyle boards. Everyone needs a little extra push sometimes, so find out what that means for you. 

3. Go on a run during the golden hour.
Exercising anytime will help get those endorphins and inspiration going, but running in a sunkissed light is just good for the soul. Honestly, I get so many ideas and blog post topics while I'm working out.


4. Wake up and smell the coffee. 
I love love love coffee. It might sound ridiculous, but sometimes the process of making coffee, trying new flavors, and of course sharing a quick pic for the Insta story is just what you need to fuel the inspiration. Embrace the little mundane things.


5. Create a list of life dreams.
Things you want to make happen in your life, write it down. Start getting your subconscious thinking about them, and more likely things will start to happen. You can also jot down goals, things you want to accomplish for the week or month.

6. Create an atmosphere of serenity. Light a candle, grab a notebook and start writing down whatever is on your heart or any ideas floating around in your head. Clear your head and get it down in ink.

7. Adopt an attitude of spontaneity.
Day to day, same routine, same hour to hour schedule that you could do in your sleep. Sometimes the greatest gift you could give yourself is the gift of spontaneity. This doesn't mean you ditch responsibilities for the beach, but add in some fun rewards to your day. Plan something that creates a new found excitement in your routine. It could be as simple as planning a mani/pedi on a Monday afternoon, or grabbing lunch with a bestie who you don't normally see during the week. Life is an exciting adventure and should be lived as such.

8. Plug into some audios that create bigger bolder thinking. 
We all could be dreaming bigger dreams and strive to stretch our mind beyond our comfort zone. It's vital that we never stop growing and never stop learning. If you haven't yet arrived at your destination/goal then why are you slowing down. When I need to refocus myself and stay on track (which is pretty much everyday) I love to turn on some motivating podcasts + TED talks. Any favorites??


9. Work in a clean organized area. 
Nothing is more defeating and contributes more to an uninspired attitude then working in a disorganized space. Block out thirty minutes to an hour to get some deep cleaning done. Wash those coffee mugs at your desk, get all you planner supplies away, burn an air freshener. Okay, now you may get to work. 

10. Surround yourself with positive influences.
Your environment, from who you hang out with, what plays in your earbuds, to what you read. Everything you let in your daily life, eventually will influence your thoughts and actions, whether you think you gave them permission to or not. Jim Rohn put it best, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." If certain people and things are not positively contributing to who you want to become and accomplish, then it's time for some active reflection on your part. Nobody has time for negativity when you have people to meet, lives to impact, and the world to change!

Any tips for when you hit bloggers block? Who do you turn to?