I’ve been attempting to take more photos outside of my phone this year and the Fuji Instax SQ10 is making it so much easier.

You’re probably familiar with Fuji Instax cameras — most came in the mini film format but this updated version takes square photos. Even better, it has a preview screen! I can’t tell you how many packs of film (which aren’t cheap!) I’ve wasted on blown-out, burry, badly composed shots in the past.

With the SQ10, there’s an SD card so you can shoot as many photos as you want and then view and print only the versions you like. I know this seems counter-intuitive for an instant camera…but it saves so much waste. I also like having the backup of my memories on the card so if a photo gets lost or destroyed (or a friend wants one!) I can just print another.

Like the mini, there are different packs of film and while white borders have that classic Polaroid look, I’m really liking the black for a modern twist. Quality-wise, I haven’t noticed much of a difference between this and my truly instant versions — they still have that polaroid photo style look.

I have a stack of Instax photos I’ve taken over the last week sitting on my desk and it makes me so happy having these memories. It’s all about those simple pleasures. You can get the camera here and the black border film here. -Shauna

Since I moved to Palm Springs last year, I haven’t bought much in the wardrobe department. With so much needed renovation-wise with our house, I’ve put all my focus and energy there. But…recently, the Knickerbocker x NY Times collection caught my eye. It’s so classic, beautifully made and doesn’t feel like it will ever date. These things are something I give a lot more consideration now, not wanting to be weighed down with a closet full of items that just don’t work or bring me joy.

The whole collection is great but my favorite piece by far is the New York Herald Tribune shirt. The thick knit makes it feel more like a short-sleeve sweater and the history behind this is really cool. Jean Seberg wore this design in the 1960 film Breathless and they’ve recreated it down to every tiny detail!

If The New York Herald Tribune doesn’t sound familiar, it’s because it hasn’t been around since 1966 but The New York Times owns the trademark. I love, love, love this piece so much that I just got the lighter-weight version for summer.

No matter how much styles change, you can’t go wrong with a solid t-shirt! -Shauna

Product photos courtesy of The New York Times.

This year, I’ve been thinking often about the famous Henry Heinz quote, “Do the common things uncommonly well.”

In a world where we’re pressured to do more and cram as much into each day as possible, what would happen if we pushed back and simplified?

Let’s instead choose to focus on accomplishing each task we already have on our plates to the best of our ability before piling on more. To me, that sounds refreshing for a change. -Shauna

Over the weekend, I finalized my teaching outline for the upcoming Yellow Co. retreat in New Mexico and it feels good to finally cross a big item off my list after spending most of last year in-flux during the big PS move.

I’ll be joining Yellow as a coach for a long weekend dedicated to creative solopreneurs. Learn more and sign up for the Solopreneur Retreat here.

Whether you’re in the beginning stages of formulating a plan for your self-run venture, a freelancer making extra income on the side or looking to up-level your current business, my goal is to make sure you leave the long weekend with a really firm understanding of what it takes to run a business in a way that aligns with your personal goals and values.

The modules will be fast-paced and full of applicable, real-world advice. I’ve also sprinkled in plenty of stories about the ups and downs of running a small business and will be sharing the documents we personally use at my design studio to onboard new clients.

The following topics will be covered during our time together:

• Getting Started

• Pricing For Success

• Attracting Dream Clients

• Processes That Work

• Money, Money, Money

• Defining Growth + Success

• Managing Staff + Clients

• Marketing Yourself

• Self-Care

• Avoiding The Rut

• Creative Resources

I’d love to see you in New Mexico! -Shauna

This week, I’m putting the finishing touches on my Yellow Co. teaching outline for our upcoming New Mexico retreat (you’re welcome to come along — I’d love to see you there!) and want to make sure it’s as applicable as possible to those of you who freelance / run a small business or are dreaming of stepping out on your own.

There’s enough fluff out there and and part of the reason I took a few year break from teaching is that I wanted to dive head-on into my own small business and grow from some serious hands-on experience. My goal is to filter those experiences into content that really creates the shift so many of you are seeking, allowing you to grow your business and in turn, shape your life on your own terms.

At the same time, I realize that we’re often too close to our own content and in an effort to avoid overlooking obvious areas, I’d love to hear what you feel is missing from the small business / freelancer conversation.

What do you really want to know?

What do you wish was talked about more openly?

Are there any struggles you’re personally having?

There’s so much we can learn from one another and adding your voice to the mix can really make a difference. -Shauna

On September 7, 2018, I said goodbye to my daily life in Portland. As I packed up my house and handed over my office keys, it was both bittersweet and electrifying as big changes tend to be.

After years of planning and plotting, Joey and I finally made the move to Palm Springs with our pets. It’s been one of the best decisions of our lives but it’s also taken some serious time to adjust to new surroundings and routines.

Dreams do come true but only with a lot of work — we’d been planning a move for years but kept hitting roadblocks with multiple offers falling through along the way. What I’ve learned is that if you really want something to happen, it may not work out the first, second or even third time. That doesn’t mean it’s not right, it probably just means it’s not the right time. Don’t give up!

Selling our Portland house at the same time we were buying another house in a different state, nearly sight unseen was really stressful and nothing quite lined up so we called an Air bnb home for a few weeks. When we finally moved into our new home, it was small and cozy with a beautiful pool and landscaping but the inside needed a mind boggling amount of work. I ran my business out of a spare bedroom for a few weeks until my temporary studio was up and running. Five months in, we’re finally feeling settled and the house now feels livable.

This year has been off to a great start so far — I’m getting back into teaching after a few year break and I’m both nervous and excited about it but that’s where growth happens.

Here’s to following through with your dreams…even if it takes a few tries. —Shauna

Photo: Kristin Cofer

These days, I feel like it’s so easy to fall into the trap of overthinking what to blog, what to post to Instagram, what to share with your mailing list…basically everything. It’s exhausting.

Let’s get back to basics. Instead of questioning everything you share and asking if it’s good enough, if it will resonate, if anyone will like it….just share it because you love it. It’s that simple. Here are 10 things I’m loving right now. I hope you find a nugget of inspiration in the mix!

1. Louise Hay on Abundance and Creativity

Listening to this 10 minute audio is capable of causing major shifts in the way you view what’s possible in your life and career if you keep an open mind. Louise explains how we are all tapped into the creative flow and energy of the universe and have the ability to create the lives we want every day. Most importantly, she reminds us that it’s never too late to make a change and pick up a new creative pursuit.

2. Dream Machine Exhibition

Last week in New York, Gala got us tickets to the Dream Machine and entering an alternate reality, away from the constant flow of mind-bogglingly negative news, social media noise and general daily pressure was just what I needed. Each room has a completely different theme. There’s a built-in laundromat complete with a cotton candy machine and yes, you get to eat the cotton candy. There’s a secret mirrored room behind a hidden door that feels like you’re standing in the galaxy, complete with twinkly stars. And, there’s a very long hallway complete with shifting, colored lighting that I half-expected to lead to a spaceship. So good.

3. Drunk Elephant Skincare

I’m a recent convert to this brand but am absolutely loving it. I’ve had a handful of false starts with skincare — a few lines I tried worked well at first but turned out to be too harsh and caused my skin to go haywire. I’ve been using the C-Firma serum, Shaba Complex eye serum and the T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial as a weekly treatment for a few months now and so far, so good.

4. Anthropologie Colorado Bowl

I love how fancy this looks but it’s surprisingly affordable and is the perfect size for a fruit bowl.

5. Fuji Square Instax

I’ve had a few Instax mini cameras but the photos were small and rectangular. Finally, Fuji came out with a square Instax and the photos are more like the size of a regular Polaroid. Even better, they make black bordered film. YES!!!

6. How I Built This Podcast

If you’re a fan of TED Talks, you’ll love this podcast, also narrated by Guy Raz. It’s my hands-down favorite these days because it doesn’t just gloss over the highlight reel — it really digs into a successful businesspersons’ background including the near-disastrous crashes. Nothing is off-limits. What it’s made me realize is that everyone has had the highest highs and the lowest lows, no matter how successful they now seem. If you’re looking for a place to start, the Kate and Andy Spade interview is wonderful.

7. Casual Catsuit Look

Yes, I said catsuit. Some days, I have no idea what to wear. I remember reading years ago that a lot of fashion designers had a daily work uniform and stuck to it so they didn’t have to overthink minute daily tasks, leaving them with the creative brain power to focus on what really mattered. I’ve always admired that mindset and in the process, have started pairing black bodysuits with black leggings and black boots — a look that appears to be a one-piece but is more comfortable for daily wear. I also took a chance on the Carbon 38 Takara leggings and LOVE them. See them with the casual catsuit look in action here. P.S. The above look is an all-in-one moto catsuit I wore last week to the Sunny Hues Happy-Go-Lucky exhibition. I still can’t get over that room. So surreal!

8. Two Piece Sets

Back on the wardrobe conversation, I have a ton of cool pieces of clothing but often, things just don’t pair well together. I’m loving the matching set trend — kind of like the casual catsuit look, you always have a perfect pairing which makes getting dressed so much easer. My recent favorite set is this one by Free People Beach in black (of course).

9. Western Digital Hard Drives

Running a design studio generates A LOT of files. I am constantly backing up client work and out of paranoia, usually do a backup of that backup and always use the Western Digital drives. There are way more expensive options out there but I’ve had great luck with these over many years of use.

10. Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

I don’t wear makeup on a daily basis but when I do, I always use this foundation. I avoided foundation for years because I hated the way it felt on my face but started wearing it again awhile back. After going through a few that everyone recommended but never really worked for me, a Sephora makeup artist used this formula on me and I haven’t looked back. Hands-down the best for a smooth, even, full-coverage, non-cakey finish that legit lasts all day.

That was super random…but also super fun to share with you! —Shauna

I have a little obsession with coffee shops because I like to see how these compact spaces create a lively atmosphere in a small area. The Branch studio is fairly compact, as well and I’m always getting fresh ideas when I visit new ones.

One of the best coffee shops I’ve been to recently is Presso in Portland. I’ll admit that I was first lured in by their wall of Ellie Cashman Dark Floral wallpaper (I’ve been wanting to see a sample in person for ages!) but the service and coffee were awesome, too.

Beyond that, the space was super welcoming and lively. Every table was full of people chatting and it had an immediate feeling of community. I love, love, love this cozy space. It immediately feels like home.

Featured: Presso Coffee

How’s the new year treating you so far? I wish I could say I did something fun and exciting over the holiday break but truthfully, December was one big blur of finishing a handful of large projects, cleaning up my books, shredding old paperwork and finishing up my revised portfolio. Not glamorous…but totally necessary.

I’ve been struggling with feeling behind on a bunch of important tasks for months now and that’s one of the reasons I’m hesitant using word “goals” in the typical sense. To me, the 10 things outlined below are more of a work-in-progress and a simple reminder of the changes I want to keep charging towards.

Pre-P.S. Do any of these resonate with you? If you have anything you’re working towards, I’d love to hear in the comments below – let’s keep each other accountable!

Goal #1: Live more in the moment.

In the past, I was guilty of dwelling too much on what was next and trying to plan my future in excruciating detail. But, we all know what happens when you micro-manage your life! The universe laughs in your face and throws you a curve ball.

These days, I don’t have a five year plan, let alone a one year plan. Why? Because I have confidence that things will always work out and I know I’m on the right track, spending my days doing what I’m meant to do. I’d rather not chase after more, more, more and put myself on a nonstop treadmill of busy-ness (that was my entire last year — and it’s not fun or inspiring). Growth is good but also, I’m conscious that right now, right here, I do have enough.

Goal #2: Take more field trips.

Last year, I spent so much time sitting at my desk, being super regimented, mostly out of habit. It’s a weekday, therefore you must go into the office, sit at your desk and refresh email. NOT. Sure, there’s plenty to get done on a daily basis but there will always be more things getting tacked onto your to-do list. Taking an afternoon off to wander through the art museum will not kill you!

Goal #3: Take more photos.

One thing that made me sad in 2017 was glancing over at my camera as it sat around untouched for weeks at a time. I’m not a professional photographer but I’ve always enjoyed documenting the world around me as a creative outlet. What I realized is that hobbies like taking photos don’t always need to have a specific end goal – not every photo needs to be blogged or shared on social media. Do something because you enjoy it, pure and simple.

Goal #4: Make time for non-client projects.

As Branch continued growing in 2017, I felt the squeeze with keeping up on my own projects which led to me feeling like the cobbler who has holes in their shoes. The longer I put off my own work, the worse I felt. Ugh.

If you never allow yourself the whitespace to think through what you do, why you do it and explore new ideas, you’re only going to hurt yourself in the long run. I know it’s hard to find the time to add your own projects on top of everything else and there are nights I stay at the office till 3 am just to have the space to work through ideas, uninterrupted. It’s not ideal…but if there’s a will, there’s a way.

Goal #5: Hit inbox zero every week.

You know what stresses me out? Unanswered email lingering in my inbox. I feel immense mental clutter when I feel like someone is waiting on an answer, especially a client. If I can resolve something quickly right when I see it and get it off my plate, awesome.

With the longer, more in-depth emails, I try to batch tasks. For instance, if I get 5 inquiries for new projects, I’ll answer those all at once. For estimates, I’ll complete those all at once since a lot of the requests are very similar. Going forward, I’m going to try to wrap up whatever hasn’t gotten answered before 6 pm on Friday so I can start the weekend with a clean slate.

Goal #6: Think before buying more stuff.

Over the last few months, I’ve gotten rid of so many things — clothes, objects, dishes, old food in the cupboards…you get the point. What I realized is that the more stuff I was surrounded by, the more foggy I felt. After a few long trips in 2017, I’d come home and think, “I forgot about all this stuff for 3 weeks. I lived without it. Why do I need it?”

I’m not an anti-shopping saint. I still buy things but now, I think harder about them. Buy what you need, sprinkle in a few things that make you happy as you have the budget and then cut out all the mindless money wasters. It’s all about balance.

Goal #7: Move around more.

I have have always struggled to fit exercise into my schedule but I’ve found a fairly easy solution with the Sweat With Kayla app. The exercise routines are less than 30 minutes and the equipment is fairly basic, no gym membership needed.

I’m not super regimented because some days, I just don’t have the time but I try to get in 3 workouts in a week. Sure, it would be great to follow the exact schedule but my take is that you should do your best and making a regular effort is better than not trying at all.

Goal #8: Share more.

I’ve always enjoyed blogging and using social media but most days last year, there wasn’t room to make it happen. Over December, I mostly stayed offline and made a lot of progress – things are finally getting more balanced and ready to share more again.

Once again, sharing content is not about being glued to a specific schedule (that just creates more stress and resentment) but by simply alotting more time for creative exploration though blogging, podcasting, posting to social media, or whatever else that may be.

Goal #9: Spend more time offline.

This is a bit of a contraction to the point above (haha) but one thing I became really aware of last year was how much time I was spending online basically goofing off and how that affected what I was getting done.

I’ve recently gotten a lot better about not aimlessly surfing random sites — I get online, get what I need and get back off. I used to be afraid that not being as present online as much would affect my business but to my surprise, it hasn’t, probably because I’m spending more of my time doing the actual work versus obsessively checking up on what everyone else is doing.

Goal #10: Get better at saying no.

Why is saying no so hard?! Towards the end of the year, I had to say no to a bunch of things in rapid succession and each time, I dreaded it. Through a lot of tough situations, I’ve realized that we all have a limited amount of time and it should be spent doing what we enjoy as much as possible. Of course laundry needs to get done, bills need to get paid and work needs to get finished but the limited time we have left should be spent in enjoyable ways.

The more things you take on that you secretly dread, the more resentful you’ll be…and nobody wants to deal with that! ;).

When you do have to say no, be polite but firm, own it fully and most importantly, always offer a helpful alternative.

Wow, that was long! But all these things have been on my mind lately and what I’ve found is that the more clear you are about what you want to achieve and where your boundaries are, the sooner it will transpire.

What are some goals you’re working on this year, big and small?

Do you have any tips for staying accountable?

I’d love to hear!

Photos: Monica True
Creative Direction: Public Persona
Makeup: Rachel Lane

Hello, December!

As the month kicks into high gear, I’m trying to set good habits and stick to routines while knocking out as much work before 2018 hits. Like a lot of you, this year has felt very off-kilter for me, mostly because of the state of the world and politics (honestly, this post pretty much summed up everything I’d been feeling during most of 2017) while my creativity, self-care and any sense of balance got thrown onto the back burner.

Finally, I’ve gotten some basics under control. Little things. Settling into being vegan. Committing to a new skincare routine. Researching new systems for Branch. Making sure to drink more water. What I’ve realized is that tiny shifts can start to add up and I’m feeling happier (and much less frazzled) because of them.

THE MONTH(S)

The last few months have looked like this:

• SAYING YES BUT ALSO SAYING NO: I freaked out a bit when a 3 week trip I’d committed to ages ago finally crept up. I was nowhere close to caught up with work but I packed my bags and got on the plane for 2 weeks in Italy and a week in Morocco. Did I have waves of panic when I realized how behind I was? Totally. But I still lived it up! Walking miles every way while bundled up in my favorite leather jacket and taking hundreds of photos? PURE HEAVEN.

I am really excited about some big changes in 2018. And to make room to facilitate those big changes I’m saying no to some things, even when it makes my stomach drop and I’m afraid of the outcome.

• NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK: The thing I’m most excited about is the new Branch website, photos, media kit, client guides, processes, EVERYTHING. It’s been such a long time coming. This has been taking up most of my bandwidth when I’m not working on client projects or traveling which is why I’ve been quieter over here but finally, finally, things are coming together.

When I launched Branch over 4 years ago, getting a site live was a necessity and perfection was not. The studio grew fast, I moved into an office space and though I was never happy with the way the site looked, focusing on client work was my priority. Finally, I knew it was time to show my own brand some love. I did a shoot in Washington, D.C. over the summer, handed off our new site for development and on nights and weekends, I’ve been working on all the other bits and pieces. When we go live in January, I’ll do a post here about what I learned during the process.

• PARTING WITH TIKI: Did you see my post about Tiki, our newest rescue squirrel? That was a hard one to write and I still miss her all the time. It’s been a big adjustment to not have her running around the house but she seems really, really happy with her new family. Awww.

• THE BIG RENOVATION: I feel like my entire life is a renovation right now! LOL! When we moved into our house 8 years ago, we didn’t have a budget for changes beyond the basics like paint so there was a lot that still needed some TLC. While I was away in Italy, my brother and Joey teamed up to begin remodeling our kitchen.

Goodbye 80s-era baby blue countertops, stained floral linoleum and non-functional trash compactor! Hello, floor-to-ceiling white subway tile, big gold faucet, new dishwasher, herringbone-tiled countertops, marbled flooring and non-broken cupboards! It’s so amazing to finally have a fully functional kitchen! I’ll take photos soon….but right now there are still tools, grout and boxes of tile everywhere. Haha.

• SETTING GOALS: Is anyone else as excited for 2018 as I am? I know that the new year, new start mentality is such a cliché but I can’t help it! The winding down of a year, spending holidays with family, wrapping up loose ends and setting fresh goals feels so good.

This year I fell short in a lot of ways but in others, threw out the pressure of expectations and just lived life. And that’s the truth — life isn’t a perfectly curated Instagram feed. It’s messy, unexpected, sometimes boring and up and down and everything in-between. There’s so much beauty in that.

Here’s to a wonderful December and I hope yours is off to a good start! —Shauna

THE LINKS

• Alex Franzen has such a magical way with words. One of my favorite posts she’s ever written is The Internet Pledge.

• In the 13 years since The New York Times Modern Love column began, over 80,000 submissions have rolled in. For a good laugh: My ex-boyfriend hangs from hooks!

• How do you feel about trading your services?

• Productivity is really about what you don’t do. I’m still learning this mindset (and failing all the time!)

• Wait, what?! Some people listen to podcasts at 3 times the regular speed.

• Getting ‘motivated’ does not equal doing the work.

• If you prefer that matchmaking apps help you find your next professional connection instead a one-night-stand, Bizz (by the founders of Bumble) is for you!

• Um, these pies are too beautiful to eat.

• The 8 types of friends you need to be happy in life.

• If you’ve heard about the fight for Net Neutrality but aren’t sure what it’s all about, The New York Times explains.

• I love the AfroArt photo series!

• The best books of 2017.

• What would it feel like to delete all your social media apps and give yourself permission to live without their constant pull?