Live In Color Blog

Celebrating Beauty In Every Moment

What Inspires Me To Create on Live In Color Blog

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Emelda De Coteau
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Emelda De Coteau

Mother, wife, sister, friend, writer / blogger / creative organizer, budding photographer... These are just a few of the many hats I juggle each day. I believe creativity is oxygen for the soul. I created Live In Color blog to celebrate the beauty in every moment, from faith to inspiration and motherhood.And it is soon becoming Pray with Our Feet blog which will focus on the intersection of faith and activism. Follow the inspiration on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/praywithourfeetblog/
Emelda De Coteau
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Me and our daughter Nai

I miss sharing in this space with you all. There are moments though, when we need time away to bring us back. We must sit with ourselves and rediscover what ignites the soul. I certainly do not ever want this blog to feel like a job. Creativity is my oxygen; it sustains me, nourishes me in a way I cannot explain fully…

Photo Credit: Frank McKenna

As a little girl, I fell madly in love with words (poetry, books  and songwriting) and visual art (painting, sketching, and later photography). Often my younger brother Dave and I acted out plays we wrote, perched in our treehouse.

We were constructing new worlds with ever growing imaginations. Growing up in Baltimore meant surviving, but our parents always ensured we embraced possibilities. We understood there were experiences beyond our neighborhood.

Photo from my photo series – Baltimore: Sorrow, Promise & Hope | Emelda De Coteau, Live In Color blog

Photo from my photo series – Baltimore: Sorrow, Promise & Hope | Emelda De Coteau, Live In Color blog
Perhaps it’s why creativity never left me, even years later, when I found myself in the 9-5 grind. I felt deeply that actively creating held liberation. Inspiration for me abounds, sitting within the sounds of nature, hearing laughter from our little one, Nai, artistic culture, and the endurance of the human spirit.

Photo Credit: Emelda De Coteau
Live In Color Blog
On a brisk Saturday morning in January of 2010, I started Live In Color blog, and, like my life, it’s taken shape and grown over the years. Initially I simply sought to inspire others and share my spiritual journey.

I now feel called to not only blog, but cultivate a community which empowers women in three core areas: faith, activism and inspiration / motivation. I want you to not only exist, but live in color!

P.S.

Wednesday I’ll share where else you can read my words online…

What inspires you to create? Tell me in the comments below! 

Inspiration For Your Ears & Soul: Alabama Shakes, James Baldwin, and Podcast, Black Girl In Om

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Emelda De Coteau
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Emelda De Coteau

Mother, wife, sister, friend, writer / blogger / creative organizer, budding photographer... These are just a few of the many hats I juggle each day. I believe creativity is oxygen for the soul. I created Live In Color blog to celebrate the beauty in every moment, from faith to inspiration and motherhood.And it is soon becoming Pray with Our Feet blog which will focus on the intersection of faith and activism. Follow the inspiration on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/praywithourfeetblog/
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Photo Credit: Pieter M. van Hattem / GETTY IMAGES
Photo Credit: Pieter M. van Hattem / GETTY IMAGES

Lately, I am listening to lots of podcasts (informational, spiritual & inspirational), and of course, music! I also discovered some beautiful writing this week, too. Here’s what is resonating with my spirit lately:

How appropriate is a song about not wanting to fight anymore in today’s world of strife and pain? This video, all of the soul and beauty it captured, is stunning.  I enjoyed the short interview on NPR from last year about their current album, Sound & Color, and why Alabama Shakes does not play it safe.

Great podcast from Marc Steiner celebrating the prolific writer James Baldwin’s birthday, Aug. 3.

Speaking of amazing podcasts, have you listened to Black Girl In Om? I am not sure how I discovered this awesomeness, but I am all over every episode now. It is so affirming to find an online space that celebrates wellness, beauty and the intellect of women of color. Check out their website and digital magazine, too. Life, y’all!

I absolutely connected so much with Jennifer’s beautiful blog post about prayer life for busy parents.

My new friend Kami (a fellow writer at Our Words Collaborative) has a profound post on her blog, “Learning the Art of Letting Go.” These lines: “As real and necessary as it is to learn to hold on through the hard and often mundane moments in life, there are circumstances that instead call for us to let go. Over these years of illness, one of the hardest things for me to let go of is the idea of my former self.”

This arresting and prolific essay, “Confessions of a Little Black Girl” from the creator of the lovely online magazine, Inkfully, about the challenges of growing up as a brown girl in America.

Artwork by Bethany Joy

I ❤️ this artwork from  Bethany Joy, this month’s artist for Our Words Collaborative, a Christian online devotional where 30 of us share our faith journeys daily.

This Thursday’s devotional by Ari Heick about God refining our rough edges really spoke to my heart!

Eco-Friendly, Vegan & Small Shop Style Finds: From Queens Knits to Global Jewelry 

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Emelda De Coteau
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Emelda De Coteau

Mother, wife, sister, friend, writer / blogger / creative organizer, budding photographer... These are just a few of the many hats I juggle each day. I believe creativity is oxygen for the soul. I created Live In Color blog to celebrate the beauty in every moment, from faith to inspiration and motherhood.And it is soon becoming Pray with Our Feet blog which will focus on the intersection of faith and activism. Follow the inspiration on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/praywithourfeetblog/
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Christine Gibson, founder of Queens Knits.   All images courtesy of Christine Gibson.

 

Featured Small Shop ▶️ Queens Knits 

Creating and running a business while raising kids is challenging, but certainly possible. And I admire my fellow creative Mamas, who juggle so much and remain committed.

I met Christine Gibson, founder of Queens Knits, on Instagram and was immediately drawn to not only the beauty of her handmade knitted pieces – cowls in vibrant colors, coffee cozies (check out the adorable Mom one I linked to), scarves, turban style earwarmers, and hats – but her warmth and down-to-earth personality.

Like many mompreneurs, Christine began her business for a simple and quite practical reason:  “I was seeing adorable kids accessories on blogs and online that I couldn’t afford so I made them myself !” Her business continues to grow, and now you can outfit your whole family in Queens Knits from hats to cowls and stylish hair accessories.

Alongside merchandise, you will find photos of her fresh-faced kiddos and happy customers rounding out this creator’s  IG feed, and immediately it feels like you’re in Queens, baby!

The lovely hair clips below are made of felt and ribbon, and attached to a metal clip. The cost for these is $3 each, or two for $5.
Keep up with all Queens Knits is doing on IG and Twitter, and of course visit her shop.

Ten Thousand Villages

I discovered Ten Thousand Villages in my early 20s in Baltimore’s historic Fells Point, and was later thrilled to learn their stores are all over the country.

You can find everything from products for your skin to jewelry, home decor, clothing, home decor and skincare. The artisans, who come from all over the  world (Nepal, India, Kenya, etc.), are paid fairly and customers can learn about who created what they wear on product tags. There is also  an opportunity to go in depth by visiting their blog .

The pieces below are my new favorites:

 

Photo Credit: Ten Thousand Villages

Find these heart inspired earrings here (handmade in Kenya).

 

Photo Credit: Ten Thousand Villages
Photo Credit: Ten Thousand Villages

Find this stunning jewelry set here (handmade in Guatemala).

Photo Credit: Ten Thousand Villages

Step out in style with this ornate evening bag. Find it here (handmade in India).

Have an amazing weekend, lovelies!

p.s.

Don’t be shy! Tell me what stylish clothing or jewelry (eco-friendly, vegan, or small shops) you’re wearing these days. Know of a small shop or product  I should feature? Feel free to leave the info.