Cageless / bird / creative (2026)

20/01/2022

I’M BAAACKKK! 😊 Gosh, I’ve been off insta for so long, I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with this app. But, I have a strong & steady love-LOVE relationship with creating beautiful things with words. I get to do that almost every day in my etsy shop, Cageless Bird Creative. It truly makes me so happy to take y’all’s treasured words and turn them into little works of art with my typewriter prints. ☺️
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I’m hopping back on here now because I realized Valentine’s is right around the corner and I wanted to make sure y’all knew that if you want to give a sentimental & meaningful gift to a loved one this year, I got you. I’ve crafted typewriter prints of wedding vows, first dance songs, old family recipes, love letters, memorial letters, poems, and even a few proposal letters! 💍
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If you’re interested, the shop link is in my bio. Have a beautiful day! 💕
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21/05/2020

Okay, I know a lot of people have already been saying this, but a big blessing of this quarantine is that I’ve had more time to slow down and think & reflect. More recently, I finished my friend Lauren’s Stop People Pleasing course and even just a week of that helped me think a lot more about identity. I’ve been working under the surface, strengthening my roots.⠀
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But being rooted doesn’t mean you have to be rigid.⠀
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The most enduring trees have deep roots and still they sway. Winds will come, waters will rise, and storms will blow through, but it’s the depth of the roots combined with the ability to sway, to shift, to dance & to lean that help trees earn their rings. ⠀
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So when life is crazy & unpredictable (aka always but especially now), remember that it's okay to let go of a little bit of control & to let the winds of life move you. When fear comes, let yourself shiver; when pain comes unexpectedly, it's okay to flinch; when change comes strong & fast like the wind, know that you can bend. And when there is joy to be had, let yourself dance. ⠀
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Plant your roots deep, and then give a little. Bend. Lean. Sway. Because being rooted doesn’t mean you have to be rigid. 🤍🖤

18/04/2020

“You don’t have to drive me crazy. I’m close enough to walk.” 🥰 ⠀
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I heard this tune on the radio and loved the sound of it & the clever lyrics! It’s called Close Enough to Walk, by Sundance Head and it totally sounds like an old country tune! Apparently Sundance Head is pretty new but the song was written by George Strait’s favorite songwriter, Dean Dillon, which probably explains that oldies vibe it has. ⠀
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And since I’m a nerd I looked up more about the song and apparently the idea for it first came from something Sundance Head said during an argument with his wife, but then it turned into a sweet, romantic song. ANYWAYS, haha. Enough with the whole origin story of the song. 😂⠀
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Side note: do people still listen to the radio?? Cam and I love listening to AM on road trips & the oldies on FM on Sundays but sometimes I feel like we’re the only people who still listen to the radio 😂 ⠀
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14/04/2020

In honor of 3 years & 4 months with this amazing man, I figured it was a good day to reflect and share 4 ways I’m learning to love better. (And yes I still count the months because I love this guy a heck ton! 🥰🙈)⠀
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1. Apologize without excuses. I’m sorry, it’s just ___ is the same thing as No offense, but ___ . It makes you feel better but you’re really just doing lip service to the apology and then saying why you were justified in doing what you did anyways. ⠀
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2. Forgive without exceptions. If I forgive someone for one grievance but can’t forgive another, I need to rethink what forgiveness really means. Is it a choice and a power beyond myself to see past a sin, or do I just have a limit for what I can tolerate at this point and call anything beyond that unforgivable? ⠀
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3. Love without expectations. If I do something nice for Cameron, or anyone else for that matter, I want to do it with a pure heart. When I give love with strings attached, I usually end up strangled by the expectations. ⠀
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4. Learn with experience. I’m guilty of getting frustrated when I don’t get things perfect the first time. For some reason I have this crazy notion that loving should be just ingrained in my DNA and I feel so let down when I don’t show love well. BUT, I’m learning to have grace for myself and not get upset when I miss the mark, but just take notes (actually, though, I’ll take notes/journal about it!) and learn how to love better next time. ⠀
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I realized all of these had an “ex” word, like excuse, exception, expectation… and the alliteration made me laugh. These are just some things I’ve been taking note of as I’ve reflected on the year and I hope some of it’s helpful to ya. So let’s leave those “ex”es behind ;) and learn how to love more fully - and with a whole buncha grace, too! ⠀
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Also, even though I couldn’t resist a reason to post a handsome picture to celebrate this guy and how our relationship has grown through time, these things are actually applicable to any kind of relationship — romantic, family, or friends! Cheers! 🥂

12/04/2020

He is risen, indeed!⠀
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Even amidst the chaos in the world, Easter feels so powerful. If anything, the light and hope of resurrection Sunday feels more powerful & seems to shine brighter now, when it feels like the world’s light switch has gone out. ⠀
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I hope you feel the joy & freedom of this Easter Sunday, friends! Be well. 💛⠀
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11/04/2020

Saturday is when Jesus was in the tomb. ⠀
Saturday is when his blood was drying on the wooden cross & the tears were wet on his mother’s cheeks. ⠀
Saturday is when the disciples were hiding in their homes, hopeless. ⠀
Saturday was shrouded in darkness, and fear, and mourning. ⠀
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Honestly, people on that Saturday 2,000 years ago probably felt similar to how some of us may be feeling today. Scared & anxious & uncertain. Sad. Confused. Songs of hope dissolving on your tongue. ⠀
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But even that Saturday, which I’m sure felt like the longest day ever, eventually turned into Sunday. And this Saturday — today & this metaphorical season of Saturday — will pass, too. God will sustain us. He is the Giver of hope & all good things. Hang on through this day... He will bring us through to Sunday. ⠀
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10/04/2020

TOP 5 FRIDAY! Netflix, anyone? ⠀
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I was thinking a lot of us are probably kicking back in our comfies and we might need some ideas for something to watch! Or sometimes it’s just nice to have something on in the background as you’re cooking or crafting. So here is a list of my top five favorite Netflix shows. :) It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it makes me smile! And share your faves too! ⠀
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1. Outlander. The first few seasons are on Netflix and got me hooked on it! Medical emergencies + a love story + Scotland + a twist in time = a story that will get you hooked! ⠀
2. Parenthood. The characters and families are relatable and real and SO GOOD! You really get invested in the characters. It’s a “feel-good” show but it’s really deep at the same time. Amazing!⠀
3. Virgin River. This is like Hart of Dixie storyline meets This is Us drama. Pretty young doctor moves to a tiny town in Northern California, has to prove herself to the salty old curmudgeon town doctor, starts to fall in love, you slowly learn about her past... it’s got it all. Can’t wait for season 2!⠀
4. Stranger Things. Okay, it took Cam about 2 years to get me to watch this because I thought it was scary, but now I realize it’s not a “scary” show; I would say it’s more “suspenseful”. And if you love the 80s, you’ll love this. It’s like the new Goonies. ⠀
5. Manhunt. This is about the unabomber and it’s definitely not the kind of show I typically gravitate towards, but I wanted to include it in the list because it’s nice to watch something that is thought-provoking and doesn’t turn your brain to mush 😂 (The People V. O.J. Simpson was a similar good show in that it’s also about real people & real incidents.)⠀
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* Friday Night Lights. Okay okay, this is on Amazon Prime but it’s too good not to mention. Watching this show a few years ago definitely made me want to visit Texas and then I ended up moving here to the great state, so I’m grateful for FNL! Cameron has never seen this but he played football in high school so this is going to be our official quarantine show. ⠀
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Are any of these your favorites, too? What are a couple shows you’d recommend??

09/04/2020

Grace. This is one of the most important things I think we need to remember these days. Grace for others, and grace for ourselves. We’re all going through the same storm — just in a million different ways. ⠀
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And so grace means saying it’s okay. ⠀
It’s okay if you haven’t done a single at-home workout since quarantine — it’s not the most important thing in the world. ⠀

It’s okay if you’re scared and anxious — that completely makes sense. ⠀

It’s okay if you’re enjoying some silver linings of this like more family time or working from home — you don’t need to feel guilty about that. ⠀

It’s okay if you’re going stir-crazy — try to bake or read or build a fort or take a walk around the neighborhood; find things that bring you joy and/or purpose!⠀

It’s okay if your mental health is not at its strongest — this is such a crazy time. (But also take advantage of virtual/phone counseling if you need it! A lot of therapists are offering distance options for people!)⠀

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There is no “right” way or “right” attitude to have during this time. Sure, try to be positive and hopeful and don’t be a negative noodle if you can help it, but also give yourself grace to wade through the everyday one step at a time. :) We’re all in this together… seriously, like this is one of the only times that ALLLLL people are in this together. We’ll get through it, friends. 🖤⠀
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07/04/2020

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again... I loooove love!! Haha that’s probably one of the first things people get to know about me. 🙈 I am SUCH a sucker for a good love story. I think that’s part of why I was drawn to starting a business that revolves around love and wedding vows. ⠀
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I am obsessed with love — real, deep, abiding, sacrificing, passionate, everyday, forever kind of love — and it fills my heart to read and typewrite wedding vows. My hope & prayer for every single pair of vows that pass through my typewriter is that the marriage will be lasting, and abiding, and fulfilling, and a blessing to them and those around them. ⠀
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My amazing former boss-turned-friend got married in the fall and I just shipped off her & her husband’s vows over the weekend; so I hope y’all checked the mail today! If not, this is a sneak peak. :) Both of your vows were so beautiful and powerful. So proud to be your friend. 🖤 Here’s to your love! ⠀
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04/04/2020

I’ve seen that quote on Pinterest that says “you never know what you have until it’s gone... for instance, toilet paper.” Well, if that ain’t the darn truth these days. 😂

But for real, buy what you need and share with those who can’t get these basic things. It’s easy to get into a scarcity mindset these days (hello, empty shelves everywhere) but we can choose to not live in fear and rather try to live in a mindset of abundance and sharing. Share what ya got, whether it’s food, or time, or words of encouragement, or yes, even TP if you’ve got extra and know people who are running out!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

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03/04/2020

Friday MOOD! 🖤 Ready to kick back and enjoy being home this weekend.

Also, these are the things I’ve been thinking these days and I’m curious if I’m the only one! My stream of Quarantine Consciousness has gone something like this the last week:

• If someone says “unprecedented” one more time, I swear… for Pete’s sake...I just can’t.
• Are meal times still a thing? Or is it just airport rules now? Can you pour a glass of wine before 5? Are brownies at 10am cool? I’m so confused.
• Am I the only one secretly holding my breath whenever I walk past someone at the grocery store?
• Should I use mouthwash if I breathe within 6 feet of someone else? That cleans germs right?
• I now have one pair of slippers for “working hours” and another for “cozy hours”. This is either genius mental compartmentalization or isolation insanity. And if you’re wondering, these are my cozy hours slippers in the photo. It’s the little things! 😊

Please feel free to share any of your random thoughts from this... *unprecedented* time. No judgement here, we’re all in it together and we could all use a good laugh! 🖤

01/04/2020

Coronavirus has gotten me thinking more about Italy since that’s been one of the areas most affected by it. ⠀
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A few years ago I met up with in Venice and after a few days there we hopped on a train to Lake Como; we explored the corners of that beautiful country and got to be immersed there for a week. Remember how magical it was, Brig? It was unbelievable, y’all. And recently I’ve been thinking about that country, about the random people I photographed on sidewalks and across canals — are they sick or are they well? The gondola rowers — how long until their business & livelihood is back? The owners of the hostel where we stayed — are they okay? The father and son in this photograph — are they mourning losses of family & friends? ⠀
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The old alleys & narrow waterways were brimming with life, and now I’m sure the old church bells are merely echoing off empty cobblestone streets. I wonder what Italy will be like in a year. I wonder when any of us can safely travel there again. I wonder what the history books will say about this time. ⠀
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There’s not some neat & poetic conclusion to this thought... just sharing the wanderings & wonderings of my mind. I don’t want to be a debbie downer, but I know the spectrum of emotion is very wide these days, so if you’re in my area of the spectrum today, I feel ya, friend. Stay well and count your blessings. 🖤 @ Venice, Italy

Cageless / bird / creative