The Joy Issue
Let Creativity Blossom an interview with our favorite Connecticut creatives
LAUGH A LITTLE (14) • CREATE SPACE (46) • JUMP FOR JOY (86)
Shop Small IN THE TPY MARKETPLACE
We believe in choosing, embracing, unleashing, and celebrating who you've always been – who you already are – who you want to be.
Be YOU...the Perpetual You.
L ET T ER from our ED I T O R
THE
THE OFFICE The Perpetual You 101 Putnam Ave. Hamden, CT 06517
T H E C O M MU N I T Y Look for us on social media @theperpetualyou.
THE SOCIETY Meet like-minded women in our private FB group, The Perpetual You Society.
THE STOCKISTS You can pick up a print copy of our magazine at the following shops: SaltyGirl Boutique
Kennbunk, Maine SaltyGirlBoutique.com
Lovet Shop
Milford, CT ShopLovet.com
Dwell
New Haven, CT DwellNewHaven.com
Finders Market
Sumner WA thefindersmarket.com
A
s far as myths go, the rightbrained vs. left-brained dichotomy might just be the most damaging.
Creativity is necessary for the world to heal. If we’re sitting around thinking “I’m a creative,” or “I’m not a creative” then we are missing out on an opportunity to come together and create a new way of existing. Instead of thinking in abstracts or absolutes, ask yourself: What is it that I am good at creating? Then, approach that answer with a dash of whimsy, a side of humility, and a whole heaping helping of courage. (Go ahead, and get seconds too!) Then: create. Cook, sing, dance, choreograph, write, paint, draw, program, photograph, speak, listen, zig-zag, style, read, design, travel, befriend, imbibe, network, climb, hang from a high wire… Lose your inhibitions, invite in the muse, and give yourself permission to be childlike. The JOY that awaits us when we indulge our whimsical nature is so worth whatever discomfort we might feel along the way! My word of the year is BELIEVE and it’s remarkable how a little self-belief can shift one’s perspective. I get that you were told you can’t carry a tune, or you were encouraged to get your MBA instead of an MFA. I understand and empathize with all those of you who had to be serious in order to prove your worth. But I wonder if—no I believe you can rewrite that story. I believe your whimsical talents are waiting to be {re}discovered. I believe each of us is creative in her own way, in the
THE S U B S C R I P T I O N Sign up for our PRINT magazine at bit.ly/TPYandyou.
T h e PE R PE T UAL YOU
ways that count, in a way that will help to heal the world.
lee lee Creative Director & Managing Editor @wordsbyleelee
P H O T O by C H E Y E N N E B E V E R L E Y
Happy people are beautiful. – DREW BARRYMORE
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FIND US @THEPERPETUALYOU
P H O T O by E L I Z A B E T H G R A N T
IN THIS ISSUE
Create Joy by Celebrating Whimsy M O N T H LY M US I C
We're getting Winsome & Whimsical this month on Spotify. Listen at bit.ly/TPYmusic. T h e PE R PE T UAL YOU
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Celebrate Celebrate a life devoted to creativity and a heart full of whimsy, with Connecticut artists + bossladies, AvĂŠ Rivera, Ann Marie Drury, Margit Fish, and Kellie Semmelrock. P H O T O G R A P H E D by E L I Z A B E T H G R A N T
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Realize Chase fondness, newness and earthiness;
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curate spontaneity, frivolity, and naivety. Crave the old-fashioned and cuddle up with all that's magical to you.
Lifestyle Call Your Friends............................................ 14 Flirt with the Earth.......................................... 23 Do It Yourself.................................................. 30
TPY Faves Magical Media................................................ 17 Messy Food.................................................... 18
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Old-Fashioned Cocktails................................ 20 Dance Moves.................................................. 32 Childlike Self-Care.......................................... 36
Plus Meditate on Imagination, with
30 T h e PE R PE T UAL YOU
nature photographer @kristi.nb.
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Dwell Cherish all that is unique and unexpected—in your aesthetic, your home, and your personality.
Design Hang the Unexpected...................................... 40 Add More DĂŠcor................................................ 42 Organize Your Creativity.................................. 46
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Live Call forth your inner child, caress your imperfections, and cradle your imagination. Whimsy is just a flight of fantasy (or wonderful memory) away!
Mindset Breed Curiosity.............................................. 76 Embrace Imperfection................................... 80 Indulge Your Fantasies.................................. 86
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T H E MA K ERS
Our makers consistently share their time & talents. We'd love to introduce you to the lovely ladies who contributed to this month's issue.
Elizabeth
Jessica
Cover Photography
Dwell Feature Photographer
@elizabethgrantphotography elizabethgrantphotography.com
@lemaephotography lemaephotography.com
Elizabeth Grant is a Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer
Jessica Heksem is a Newborn & Children's photographer
from Wallingford, Connecticut. Despite being a New
in the Mid-Michigan area. She's blessed to be married
England native and lover, she studied photojournalism at an
to the man of her dreams and mom to four amazing
art school in California and spent almost five years working
children. When not meditating, doing yoga, or indulging
closely with a wedding and family photographer in Colorado.
in her morning cup of coffee, you'll find Jessica capturing
Photography is her absolute passion and she truly enjoys
every moment she can with her camera. For the last
spending her days capturing the beauty of life’s events. This
six years, she's captured amazing memories for so
is Elizabeth's second collaboration with The Perpetual You.
many families. Memories frozen in time forever. This is Jessica's first collaboration with The Perpetual You.
T h e PE R PE T UAL YOU
Jessie
P.K.
Cindy
Art Director
Proofreader
Intern
@littlelegendsdesign littlelegends.com
Connect on Facebook
Connect on Facebook
Krystal
Cat
Taylor
Mantra Siren
Content Editor
Creative Director, Products
@krystalbrandt krystalbrandt.com
@catballou24 amlofarms.com
@studio.ontheland studioontheland.com
Joanna
Amanda Luisa
Lauren
Collaborating Photographer
Collaborating Photographer
Collaborating Photographer
@joanna_fisher joannafisher.com
@amandaluisaart MandaLuisa.com
@laurenstevens24 laurenalexandriaphoto.com
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Deborah
Jamie
Erin
Collaborating Artist
Collaborating Artist
Contributing Artist
@velasquezstudio deborahvelasquez.com
@jamiegalley justmakethings.com
@erin.l.sn erinsn.com
Nika
Kristi
Bev
Calligrapher
Travel Photographer
Contributing Photographer
@calligraphetteco calligraphetteco.com
@kristi.nb kristibeisecker.com
@beverbutts cheyennebeverley.com
Markie
Jennifer
Taylor C.
Contributing Photographer
Contributing Photographer
Cover Story Liaison
@markielynne markielynne.com
@jenwenzelphoto jenniferwenzelphotography.com
@blisters_before_misters tlciambra.com
T h e PE R PE T UAL YOU
to align your daily practices with your ever-evolving desires