2018 has been one hell of a year, let me tell you. It has pushed me outside of my comfort zone in ways I couldn’t even imagine. On NYE last year, I sat at a bar in downtown Milwaukee with some friends and thought about what I’d like to accomplish for the year. I was still living with my parents and at a job that was eating me alive. I felt drained creatively and absolutely positively stuck. I looked at Jake and I said, “If we’re still where we are this time next year, we’ve got some major issues.” So we made the change and created a year full of changes and and teeing up for our best year yet. Its been “End of an Era” and “Out with the old in with the new” year. Here’s 18 things I’ve learned in 2018…

1. You’re not stuck. If you’re unhappy, make a change. F*** what people think.
2. Invest in your creativity and self love above everything else.
3. Living alone will teach you more about yourself than you ever imagined.
4. Comparison is the most toxic chemical. Period.
5. Talk about your mental health – I can’t stress this enough.
6. Quitting a job is the most terrifying and liberating thing in the world.
7. I can’t do diets or workout plans. Been there, tried that. F*** it.
8. If your squad isn’t on your same frequency, you need a new squad.
9. If you don’t ask, the answer is always “NO”
10. If it’s not a “Hell YES” it’s a “NO”
11. It’s OK to dish a big unapologetic “NO” if your plate is too full.
12. Money comes and goes. Pay your bills. Get shit done. Period.
13. Set aside time to be creative or you will never have time to be creative.
14. Send more handwritten Thank You cards.
15. Call your mom – and other people you love for that matter.
16. The only way to get through loss is to feel your way through it.
17. Do something everyday that scares you. – Thank you Eleanore Roosevelt.
18. Never stop hustling. At the end of the day you’re all you’ve got. Push yourself to reach your potential.

Now…for 2019. Bring it on. My montra “Have grace with yourself” because I’m not perfect. I read this amazing quote on Pinterest- “Grace works best on messy people.” The pressure to be perfect is real. Sh*t is gonna hit the fan and that’s ok. I’m gonna mess up and that’s ok too. Get ready for the most pomTASTIC, authentic, and colorful year yet. 2019, I am READY for you!

Start spreading the news…

I’ve been in NYC during every season except Christmas time. Needless to say Rockefellar tree, ice skating, Rockettes Christmas Specktacular, Sacs Light show, I wanted it all. So when I had vacation time to use, we decided to take our first trip together to NYC since I know my way around. Unfortunately, a week before our trip we had to adjust and reschedule our flight so we could attend a funeral. We also had to adjust to a rain soaked Sunday. But we still packed the weekend and checked some things off of our bucket list!

Saturday – The must do NYC staples.

You HAVE to see a show while in NYC. I don’t care if it’s a comedy show, off broadway, or on broadway… go see a show. This time, we saw Kinky Boots and let me tell you this show did not disappoint! We then took the opportunity after the show to do some NYC staples.

• Times Square
• Rockefeller tree
• Sacs Fifth Ave Light Show

Sunday Rain check…It rained ALL DAY.

Sunday was our only full day in the city so we had big plans. But when the rain came rolling in, we needed to make some decisions.

• Brunch with Madelyn
• American Museum of Natural History
• Williamsburg hangz – bring on the Chipotle and “What do you Meme”

Mondays are for photoshoots

Brooklyn Bridge – We got there at 7:40 a.m. to try to avoid people. This has been a bucket list item forever and I am so damn jazzed about these pics. Cheers to the best instaboyfriend there ever was. Don’t worry! We shot some pics for his blog too. Check it out!

Washington Square Park – When I lived in NYC I spent a lot of time here so it was important for me to snag some pictures here. Of course, I had to include the best series of photos that happened from this trip while getting dive bombed by pigeons. This photo sequences is one of my all time favorites.

Color Factory – This was one of the highlights of our trip. Jake and I both loved how interactive and fun this was! I would add this to my “must do” list in NYC.

Can’t forget the outfit staple…the POM. Of course I packed a bunch for our trip. You can get yours on my Etsy page HERE.

Our favorite vegan eats:

I am not vegan but Jake is, so when wandering around NYC we needed to find places that were vegan friendly but also delicious. Check out his blog for more on how he traveled for the first time as a vegan!

• Chipotle is the trusty sidekick in a pinch – as per usual.
• Urban Vegan Kitchen
• Peacefoods Cafe
• Felice

Things you don’t know you’ll need when heading to NYC:

• Dr. Schollz shoe inserts. These saved my feet when my dogs were barking.
• Blister bandaids. I don’t travel anywhere without these anymore.
• Small travel umbrella because you just never know.
• Dramamine – Between flights and uber drives, I get super motion sick. I love traveling with this stuff just in case.
• Venmo – I thought this was a “duh” but apparently Jake didn’t get the memo. It’s so helpful especially when you’re trying to keep things equal.

Things I learned traveling for the first time with Jake

• I’m an asshole in the morning before coffee. (Sorry babe.)
• Express your frustrations and your excitement and talk them out.
• Ask if he’s hungry every hour and pack snacks.
• I love traveling with an Eagle Scout. He packs like a tetris master and quickly adapts to his surroundings so we ALWAYS knew where we were between the two of us.
• His patience balances me when I am unnecessarily anxious and frustrated. Thank god.

“Go shorty…it’s ya birthday…!”

Holy Cow. Thank goodness for Facebook memories or I wouldn’t have known…one year ago I launched Hey Allie!

Let’s kick it off with a true #TBT…I started my blogging journey in high school when my dad helped me launch my thrift shop fashion blog, Three Dollar Fashion. Through college, I made my roommate shoot content in my tiny, dark dorm room on my cell phone. After my passion for that blog dwindled, I lost interest in blogging completely until after I graduated college.

To be frank, I totally stumbled upon the name “Hey Allie”. I’d been toying with the idea of relaunching a blog and was searching through available domain names and heyallie.com was available! I fell in love with it and thoughts of a brand swirled in my head. Little did I know, Hey Allie would allow me to morph into my truest, most authentic self. I didn’t meet my goal of blogging once a week….in fact…not even close. But I wouldn’t trade it for the incredible ladies I’ve connected with over the last year who truly inspire me everyday.

All of this to say…from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for supporting my little nebula brand. Thank you for following me, purchasing atomic pom earrings, liking my instagram posts, reaching out, and loving on me. I truly cannot wait for what’s to come on this journey. You can expect a ton of quirk and poms to come…buckle up buttercup. 

To celebrate Hey Allie’s First Birthday, enjoy FREE shipping and 10% off Etsy orders for the next week with code GOSHORTY

Video by Jacob Kujawa!

I didn’t believe in love at first sight until he walked into comm class with this longboard and worn out Bon Jovi T-shirt. I was the creepy secret admirer crushing hard in the back of the class and trying to keep it suave. Months later, he asked me to do a watercolor portrait as a gift for his mom and boom, I had the “in”. It took about a year of figuring out how we’d make the distance work before finally making it official. Now fast forward two years and it’s safe to say we’ve learned a thing or two.

They say “distance makes the heart grow fonder” and while that is true, distance also makes the heart grow sick and effing tired. Let me tell you, we’ve learned a lot about making this work over the last two years and it has not been easy. As we celebrate our second anniversary, I wanted to reflect on 5 things we’ve learned from being in a long distance relationship.

Communication is everything – Yep…super cliche. You hear it all the time. But be honest and vulnerable at always. Having a bad day? Tell them. Oh…and don’t text an argument. Read that again. You want to post up and fight about something? Call or facetime immediately and talk it out.

Make Plans – You both need something to look forward to. Visits, trips, and weekend getaways make the distance easier to digest. Create timelines. Work through future plans and most importantly, figure out a plan of attack of when and how you’d like to be in the same place.

Be honest about your love languages – Physical connection is obviously out of the equation here. So how can you love someone from a distance? Surprise date nights. Letters. Care packages. Send surprise flowers. Phone calls. Send periodic selfies, stupid memes or even a song that makes you think of them. Sometimes it’s the little things.

Stop comparing your relationship – This will sink your ship faster than you can blink. You’ve got friends that are living together? Know people that are planning their wedding? Everyone on your facebook feed getting engaged? Great. You’ve got your own empire to build. Your time will come. Be patient. This one gets me every. Damn. Time.

Be honest about the future – It goes without question. If you’re not driving on the same street you might as well turn around and go the other way. If commitment freaks you out, be open to having the conversation about it. What are your biggest fears looking ahead 5, 10, 20, or 30 years? You don’t have to talk about what you’ll name your kids. As a team, talk through where you’d like to be physically, financially, and emotionally. Be open and honest about what you’re truly afraid of no matter how silly you think it is. Its most important to face these fears together as a unit and not on two separate islands. 

Jake, thank you for going on this journey with me. The thousands of miles on the road, too much money on tolls, and hours driving are worth it. You are my safe place and my oasis. The water to my fire and my favorite thing to look forward to.

Photography by Anna Marie Photography! Visit her site! This girl is a ray of sunshine and truly captures the most beautiful moments.

Dear You,

I know you’re struggling to find what is “authentically you.” You’re probably feeling lost. Maybe you’re feeling like there’s no way you could ever stand out in this overwhelming crowd of perfection.You could be feeling like you don’t know what you’re called to do. I know you’re feeling like you can’t figure out who you really are through all the noise. I know you don’t know what your next steps should be. You find yourself reading quotes on Pinterest like “Just be yourself.” But you’re like…ok but how though?!  

I also know you’re not alone. Because…ME TOO.

This season has brought on a lot of trials, questions, tears, and triumph. I’ve had to unpack and refocus to figure out who I really am at my core and what makes me happy. Am I ready to write down an elevator pitch of who I am? Nah…not yet. But I can tell you I’m working through it and finding my way through the noise.

First, I wanted to get down to the basics and build a foundation. This is not a quick process. Nor is it an easy or sparkly process. But these are the things that have helped ground me in what makes me who I am.

People: You are a product of the 5 people you surround yourself with. Who makes you feel creative, loved, and important? Who fills your cup? When you leave a conversation, do you feel drained or did they breathe light into you? Who supports you no matter what season you’re in? Who understands your greatness and pushes you to be your greatest self? Make a list of those people. That is your support squad. Mom, Jake, Corissa, Masy, Anna, Marissa. I love you.

Places: Think of a safe place. This could be a place you’ve traveled to, a place that comes to you in your dreams, or a place you’ve never been before. Where do you feel at peace? That is your safe space. When you’re feeling lost, take your mind back there to rest. You owe yourself rest. My safe place? The guest bedroom in my grandparents house. It’s a cloud bed with a beautiful linen smell.

Things: I don’t mean material things. Make a list of things that make you happiest. I don’t are what it is. The smell of rain, a show on netflix, someone’s laugh, or your favorite colors. Make a list. There is a reason these things make you happy. I keep lists on my phone and in a physical moleskin journal that I carry with me. I also collect things that make me happy on Pinterest and instagram archives to keep me inspired. It sounds silly but I will scroll through those things as reminder of the lens at which I see the world. You will start to see a pattern. This is not an accident.

Keep pushing through this journey of being authentically you because the world needs you. But most importantly remember you’re not alone.

Sometimes I get the funk. I’m not talking groovy “Brick House” “Boogie Wonderland” funk. I’m talking the overwhelming daze of monotony and loss of inspiration. I can’t seem to get my creative juices flowing, imposter syndrome takes over and it feels like I couldn’t possibly dig myself out. So I’ve created a list of 20 things that keep my motor running on this hot mess express. All aboard!

My squad – Holy sh*t. I am so blessed. I am surrounded by a squad of badass ladies who are all hustling in their own ways. Each of them are so unique and beautiful inside and out. I never realized the importance of having a support squad and now I couldn’t imagine my life without them. I could go on and on!

Change – So much has happened in the last year. I can’t help but be inspired by change and the opportunities that come with it. Scary? Absolutely. But so so worth it.

My lovey love – Grossssss…I know. But he truly pushes me to be the best I can be in every way. He’s a dreamer (my sweet pisces) and he keeps me creative when I’m feeling blah. Plus he dresses up as a TRex with me. What’s not to love?

Painting – My escape and I don’t do enough of it. People get “runner’s high” I’m pretty sure I get “painter’s high” after a while…and no I don’t think it’s the fumes. Take a look at some of my work here. 

Pinterest – A no brainer and a little cliche. But honestly, it’s my go to place when I am in a funk. It’s the quick fix for inspiration. Check out my page here!

Girl Bosses – Women rule the world. Plain and simple. I can’t help but be inspired. #feminism. Cue Create & Cultivate, The Wing, Evolvher and so many more for girl boss inspo daily.

Art Museums – All of the greatness in one place. Every single piece is a portal into someone else’s perspective of the world that they created with their hands. How incredible is that?

New York City – I love New York City because nobody is there by accident. Every single person is there to hustle and find success. There is nothing more inspiring than that.

Antique Shops – My grandad owns an antique shop and I’ve been fascinated since I was little. Every single piece has a story behind it that we may never know.

Subways – Not like “Eat Fresh.” I’m talking crowded subway trains. So many people in one place living completely separate lives but somehow we’re all connected. Just think about all of those stories in a little tunnel underground.

My Little Brother – The kid is the most disciplined, amazing 20 year old I’ve ever met.  He half asses NOTHING and puts his heart into absolutely everything he does.

Mr. Kate – My ultimate creative muse. I absolutely love her and her vibe. Plus she’s a cat lover. I mean come on.

Jenna Kutcher’s “Goal Digger” Podcast – J Kutch and I both went to UWSP. We’re both photographers, and both met our beaus in Comm class at Point. All fangirling aside, she is such a powerhouse and bosslady inspiration.

Book stores – So you probably get it by now. I LOVE a good story. But who doesn’t? It connects us all and I can’t help but be inspired by being surrounded by amazing stories.

Fresh flowers – There is something about a bright bouquet of flowers that brings me so much joy. There are always fresh flowers on my kitchen counter. 

Coffee Shops – There’s something about the sound of the espresso machine, the smell of a fresh brew, and being surrounded by the hippest hipsters that keeps me feeling a little extra creative and inspired.

Instagram – Also cliche, I know. But there are so many accounts that I LOVE. So many amazing artists, creators, influencers, activists, etc. Pro top: Unfollow people that make you feel less amazing than you are. Nothing kills inspiration and creativity more than comparing yourself to someone else’s highlight reel. Also, the archive tool is the best thing everrrrr.

Brene Brown – I’m a sucker for a good self help book and Brene is no less than the queen. She knows how to stick it to you with a good amount of tough love and grace. Start with Daring Greatly and you’ll be hooked.

Street Art – Larger than life, absolutely stunning, and awesome backdrops for the gram. What can I say? I love going into a big city to see these giant pieces pumping some color into a concrete jungle.

Poetry – Again, something I don’t do enough of anymore. I love listening to poets hour their hearts out. I love hearing their hearts as I read their words on a page. Listen to one of my favorite spoken word poems here.

How do you stay inspired?

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Follow my blog with Bloglovin

It’s hard to believe it’s already been almost two weeks since the Create & Cultivate conference in Chicago! Being in a room full hundreds of passionate women was both incredibly humbling and inspiring. Not to mention hearing from #bossladies like Ashley Tisdale, Whitney Port, Alli Webb, Jennifer Hudson, Olivia Rink and sooooo many more! Create & Cultivate certainly knows how to over manage the details from the cocktail hour and the instagramble wall installations down to the stickers on the floors. It was a dream. Start to finish. 

I walked in feeling uncertain about what I really wanted Hey Allie to be and what I thought the brand needed to look like. I left feeling refreshed, inspired, and reassured that I do, in fact, have something to offer. Here are a few of my biggest takeaways from this amazing event: 

“You can never be anyone but your beautiful self.” – Koya Webb, Squad Up Panel Discussion

We hear it all the time. But for several months, I realized I didn’t know what that looked like anymore. I was so consumed with this vision of what I thought I needed to be or what I thought was be acceptable. I forgot to recognize what makes me “me.”

First, I picked out the most “Allie” outfit I could possibly come up with – a pair of high waisted pink trousers, a polka dot top, and pom earrings. I was in my truest form, but also so far out of my comfort zone. But then I found myself feeling so confident and getting compliments on my outfit throughout the day. Look good, feel good, do good. Right?

Authenticity is everything. Now, I never leave the house without first asking “Ok, is this the most ‘Allie’ that this outfit can possibly be?” I want to make sure I am always projecting my truest self. Polka dots, pink pants, poms and all.

“Start with what you’re passionate about and then focus on what works” – Unknown, How to Monetize panel

I started the conference without a clear direction. I kept asking myself: Should I just focus on  just photography? Do I want to be considered a fashion blogger? What about my art? How does this all fit together? Listen sister…my greatest takeaway was this: Just DO the damn thing. Then you can focus on what’s working.

“There’s a reason horses race with blinders on” – Alli Webb, Founder of @Drybar, Keynote 

The only thing standing between you and your dreams is the WORK. Nothing is going to get handed to you. You have to hustle. Focus on YOU and your brand first and foremost. Don’t get hung up on what other people are doing. 

“Collaboration Over Competition” – Create & Cultivate

We met and listened so many incredible powerhouse women this weekend and I wanted to take a second to give a shout out to some of them so you can check out their work too!

Masayo Madison, The Letter Bea, Kaitlin Claywell, Champagne Getaway, Inspo and Co. 

 While you’re at it, grab yourself a copy of “Work Party” by Jaclyn Johnson and “You’re Not Lost” by Maxie McCoy. Super excited about these reads! 

It’s back to school season and the same quote keeps coming to mind.

“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”

I haven’t set foot in a classroom for almost 3 years but this couldn’t be a better time to think about all the things that school taught me and all the things I don’t use (looking at you algebra.) Bring in the tamagatchis, pink digital cameras, ipods nanos, Aeropostale bell bottom jeans, and sequin purses. Issa throwback! Let’s take a walk down memory lane, shall we?

First grade: I was the new kid in the middle of the school year and an instant outcast.

Second grade: I was obsessed with Josie and the Pussycats. All I ever wanted was for my mom to flip my hair like hers and wear tiger print pants. I’ve never stopped rocking the winged eyeliner. Cameo by my little brother, Ryan. 

Third grade: I got in trouble most days for talking too much in class.

Fourth grade: I switched schools to attend the fine arts academy and was so terrified of having to make new friends again. I wept in the car after orientation and my mom looked at me and said “Well Allie…you just won’t go then” and that was the end of my tears. I was going damnit. Did I mention my mom cut my bangs? No? Ok here’s some proof. 

Fifth grade: Awkward phase coming in real hot. I quickly realized that I could NOT sing like the rest of my peers. So I squeezed a tennis ball for a week to prepare for auditions for the traveling puppet team. I made it and I’d never been so jazzed. My mom also reminded me that this was the year we were forced to watch “the birds and the bees” film and I curled up in her lap like a baby because I was traumatized. Cameo by my puppet, Tiffany, and my dad’s booty. 

Sixth grade: The glorious trifecta: Braces, glasses, and a middle part. Need I say more?

Seventh grade: I thought I was hot shit because I was on the spirit squad and could wear my uniform to school every Friday. I also tried to be emo for a minute. We all went there.

Eighth grade: I decided I was going to go to George Washington University Law School and become a senator. That was short lived after realizing I’d rather sweat ice cream than go into politics. I wrote a letter to my highschool self to open on graduation day including all of the things I wanted to accomplish in those 4 years.

Enter Highschool: A total blur of dancing, drama, my first serious boyfriend that I knew would be “the one” (thank GOODNESS I was wrong!) On graduation day, I opened the letter to find that I’d done all of the things I wrote in the letter. 

Then college happened. My years at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point were some I will never forget. I almost switched my major halfway through college, got my dream job on campus, and spent three months in New York City for an internship. I was allowed to be myself. In fact, being weird was suddenly really cool. I started attracting my tribe. Some of whom are friends that are now like family. I experienced some of the highest highs and lowest lows. But I graduated with hope in my heart and excitement to take on the world.

So to my younger self on the first day of school,

It’s ok to be different. In fact, it’s the best thing you could ever do for yourself. Hold your head up high and know that the best is yet to come. Take each day, month, and year with strength and grace. Know that people will come and go and that you will always be loved no matter what. Everything will change. Yet somehow, some things never change. Always remember to be true to yourself. Your were made to stand out in the crowd even though you spent most of your life trying to fit in. Amazing things will happen when you are your truest you.