Petal & Thorn Artist Collaboration

I've been fortunate to meet and work with a stunning sister music duo called Petal & Thorn.  Based out of Saint Augustine, Florida, they create amazing harmonies that make your heart take flight!  When Nicole of Admyar Photography and I asked them to model for us, they graciously accepted and the following photos are the result. 

I encourage you to check out Petal & Thorn's You Tube page (where I first fell in love with their sound) 

You can also LIKE them on Facebook and Follow them on Instagram @PetalandThornmusic

While you're at it, check out the eye behind the lens: Admyar Photography

Be sure to LIKE Admyar Photography on Facebook and Follow them on Instagram @admyarphoto

Love the hair & makeup? 

Visit Chel at Panache: An Aveda Spa & Salon (the Saint Augustine location)! 

We were also graced with a few works from my favorite handmade artists: 

Lux Divine Jewelry 

(all rings & "Born to Be Free" feather ear piece)

(Like them on Facebook! and follow them on IG @ LuxDivineJewelry) 

Wild and Free Jewelry 

("Trials of the Past" rose bud crown)

(Like them on Facebook and follow them on IG @WildandFreeJewelry) 

And I just wanted to send out love, praise and humble pie to my amazing crew!  You make these shoots a pleasure (and dare I say addictive?!?) to do!

This shoot was a collaboration from the following amazing group of generous and talented artists:

All Rings and "Born to Be Free" festival feather earpiece:

Lux Divine Jewelry

"Trials of the Past" rosebud crown:

Wild and Free Jewelry

Clothing:

Blu Pepper, Daisy Clothing, and stylist's own

Necklaces and bracelets:

Sailor's Omen

Understanding Stones Part 11: Picture Jasper

Stone Name:  Picture Jasper

Birthstone Month:   March

Zodiac Association:  Leo

Affected Chakra: The Crown

History of Use:  

Jasper is one of the most prominent decorative stones in the world, and was also a popular stone amongst many ancient civilizations. It is an opaque, impure silica stone with surface that’s typically smooth. The name ‘Jasper’ means ‘spotted stone’, and it’s drawn from Old French vernacular ‘jaspre’, along with several Latin, Greek and Semitic origins.  Picture Jasper's earthy colors are due minerals and "impurities," including high iron content.  The unique banding is created by petrified mud and/or dendritic inclusions.  By cutting and polishing these stones, the variations appear as detailed scenes, hence the name "Picture Jasper."

Spiritual Properties: 

The Picture Jasper stone is thought to enforce a stronger sense of oneness with the element of earth. Being very grounded in the core of the planet, this stone is said to make one more capable of rational and analytical thought. With a renewed sense of responsibility and level-headedness, this stone is perfect for those who seek to make sense out of chaotic and painful feelings. The clarity-summoning Picture Jasper stone is perfect for those who have ambitions in business, or ideas that require a high level of creativity.  Wearing picture jasper will help absorb any surrounding negative energy.  

Physical Healing Properties: 

Picture Jasper is not only believed to promote a higher degree of security and nationality, but also a more secure immune system.  With a refortified immune system, all the toxic residue idling in the body can be purged before it becomes a serious problem.  Toxicity that's allowed to sit in the body for an extended period of time can easily pollute it beyond repair, but with the picture jasper stone, the road to recovery is made much swifter.  The stone is not only valuable for the direct health benefits, but also as a supplement to water over other dietary or habitual adjustments you may be making for a healthier lifestyle.

Up Next: Kyanite

Understanding Stones Part:10 Jade

Image taken from Pinterest.com

Image taken from Pinterest.com

Stone Name: Jade 

Birthstone Month:  Not a traditional birthstone 

Zodiac Association:  Taurus and Libra

Affected Chakra: Heart Chakra

History of Use:

Throughout history, Jade has been known as an exceedingly popular rock for ornamental purposes. Technically, jade can be used to describe one of a pair of two stones that are called metamorphic rocks. Metamorphic rocks get their name due to the fact that they develop from larger rock formations that have already arisen in the past. The two different forms of jade are nephrite and jadeite. Nephrite is a slightly tougher form of jadeite, though it is a tad bit softer as well.  Jade is iconic for its deeply green coloration, and the more iron that that’s in nephrite, the more prominent the green coloration will be. Jade is made up of rich quantities of sodium, aluminum, calcium, iron and magnesium. The term jade is formed from a term that has Spanish origins, piedra de ijada, or loin stone. Throughout history, jade has been used as a hardstone for prehistoric carvings and was used to form a plethora of artifacts. Ancient peoples are also documented to have favored the stone due its alleged ability to improve the state of the kidneys and loins. There was once a rich deposit of jade in the Nigshao area that was commonly used for Chinese utilitarian and ceremonial items. 

Spiritual Properties:

Even though it’s been used for the construction of weaponry, jade has also been known as an extremely powerful healing stone for thousands of years. It’s called the ‘’Dream Stone’ by some due to the fact that it’s said to have properties conducive to deeper spiritual, metaphysical understanding.  With this enhanced level of spiritual power comes a higher capacity for creativity. 

Physical Healing Properties: 

Beyond only a spiritual boost, the properties of jade were also valued throughout ancient Chinese history for fighting kidney diseases. The kidneys, spleen and bladder were all believed to become healthier when in close proximity to jadestone; so great was this belief that some even went as far to call jade the ‘spleen stone’. 

Up Next: Picture Jasper

The Willowwacks

I first heard The Willowwacks a year and a half ago and ever since I've been hooked on their mellow melody.  Their music brims with a sweet nostalgia and sings of love and appreciation.  Watching them on stage, its easy to see how much they enjoy each other's company and their playful banter will have you smiling in no time.  Admyar Photography and I were fortunate enough to snag them in between shows to do this little shoot.  Check them out on their website: TheWillowwacks.com

Remember to pin your favorites!

Smokies Trip Day 6-7

Day 6-

With a heavy heart but a great appreciation for the Smokies, we cleaned out the cabin and packed up the truck.  Most of the day was spent driving.  Halfway through the day I called and made reservations at Hunting Island State Park and spent the rest of the evening getting there.  We got in around 9pm.  It was dark and we were tired so we decided to explore in the morning.

Day 7-

It was chilly and the condensation inside the truck hadn't turned to ice overnight - we could tell we were closer to home!  After we got up and ate breakfast (leftover trail mix and fruit leather) we headed over to the coastline for a walk along the beach.  When we got there, it was easy to tell why this was the most visited state park in South Carolina!

Just down the road - maybe a mile or so - was a lighthouse.  We decided to visit!  

On the way home we stopped in Asheville, NC again and had some of the best Thai food at Thai Tara.  YUM!

Overall it was a great trip despite not doing anything we planned!  Or maybe it was a great trip because we didn't do anything we planned??  Either way, it was a true adventure!