female

This is how it’s done

I don’t know how long we’ve been friends here, but if it’s long at all, you probably know that for all my creativity and visioning, interior design is not my thing. I know what I like. I know what makes me feel comfortable and alive, but send me to a design center or home shopping alone, and you just never know what you might end up with. For sure, it will be more color than you’ve ever seen in your whole life. As a result of said issue, when it came to this process we’re in, of building a home, we knew we needed a wise guide to get us through the process and make wise investments we’ll be happy with over the long haul.

Enter Nicole Arnold.

I first came across Nicole Arnold through her column in a local Frisco magazine about interior design. She was clearly a seasoned professional, on …

The other day I was packing up coffee after an event, when suddenly I got a whiff of Folger’s coffee. That’s right, not Starbucks. It was Folger’s.

It stopped me in my tracks.

It filled my chest with memories. It took me back to a musty workshop by the lake, with pebble sand filling old Folger’s cans. I could hear the sound of scraping the cans against the pebble lined beach, filling them again and again. I could feel the sun on my back and see my sister Kim, in her swimsuit, by the water.

The smell of Folger’s took me back to the lake where I spent summers with my Grandparents in Missouri.

It’s funny now, I don’t know what all those Folger’s cans were for. . . and it’s too late to ask. But Grandpa had his wood shop at the top of the boat ramp and I used to love going in …

by Crystal Gornto Love In Action 6 comments chat

Did your parents ever say this when you were growing up? Do you ever say it? When an argument has grown so frustrating that you just can’t think of anything else, those words come flying out sometimes.

It’s like the last stand.

It doesn’t matter why. The only thing that matters is because I said so.

Writing this blog is like that for me some days.

Just like you, my life gets a little nutty sometimes. We take crazy one-day road trips and get back in the middle of the night. I have a sick kid or I feel sick. Sometimes I feel so squeezed that there’s just nothing left to give and I don’t want to write.

I feel like I have nothing to say.

But most days, I sit down to this computer anyway. I type and erase and type again. Why?

Because I said so.

I do it because I committed …

by Crystal Gornto Inspiration Inspirational Words Love In Action Loving Yourself The Journey Through Life 2 comments chat

On a trip to Boston, Ashley VanBuskirk, founder of Flora Stationery (& one of our Love Makers) met with Holly Curtis, a designer at Keds.

Holly spent time answering questions and mentoring Ashley before delivering surprising news that will impact Ashley and Flora, in such a beautiful way. When I watched the video, I was pleasantly surprised to find out how Keds is going to help Ashley spread her message. They’re not changing their business model and they’re not scrapping the whole thing to start from scratch.

They’re creating ways to give back with the products they’re already making.

(Watch the whole video below.)

Today, I want to point out that it doesn’t take an extreme business makeover to make a difference. It can start with one simple change. One step in the right direction.

Keds may never know all the lives they will touch as a result of this decision.

The ripple effect …

by Crystal Gornto Fashion Friday Female Social Entrepreneurs Inspirational Women Love In Action 2 comments chat

This girl. If you know her and don’t love her, you have a heart of stone. She is hysterical and kind. She’s brilliant and creative. She’s one in a million.

Meet Bethany Tran.

Bethany! What a joy it is to tell your beautiful story! Thank you for pulling back the curtain for us.

We’ve talked about how hard it is for many heart-centered female entrepreneurs to step up to be the face of our companies. We want the attention to go the cause and people we seek to serve. When really, people are looking for someone who will say, ” I’m the one who cares enough to do this. It’s not easy, but I’m not giving up.”

What’s that journey been like for you?

Gosh, being the face of my passion hasn’t been easy! I don’t at all see myself as any kind of a hero or visionary. I just saw a need that wasn’t being …

by Crystal Gornto Female Social Entrepreneurs Inspiration Inspirational Women Love In Action Purpose The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat

Image courtesy of Hailey Bell, event stylist, Fashioned for Freedom 2015. HBell Photography

When I was a little girl, I sang a song in church that I’ve never forgotten. It’s not a song many grown-ups sing, but I think of it often. It’s called, This Little Light of Mine.

It goes like this:

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel – NO!
I’m gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel – NO!
I’m gonna let it shine,
Hide it under a bushel – NO!
I’m gonna let it shine, Let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine.

When we got to the “hide it under a bushel” part, we’d shout “NO!” with so much enthusiasm, like it wasn’t …

by Crystal Gornto Fashion Friday Female Social Entrepreneurs Inspirational Women Love In Action Loving Others The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat

This is how it’s done

Irreplaceable you

Because I said so

It can happen anywhere