Full Speed Ahead

Everyday I've been plugging away on my to-do list for the shop. I'm in the middle of making a wholesale catalog, designing a new collegiate line and photographing new product. It's been really great for all the hours I usually sit around in my hotel room. This weekend I went to a local coffee shop to do some design work and it kinda felt like I was back in school, cramming for finals. I sometimes miss school.

I'm rambling... anyways, then I took a quick trip to Goodwill and Hobby Lobby. Goodwill was not the jackpot I had hoped it would be. I wanted some really good pops of color for my photo shoot. However, Hobby Lobby came through for me. Side note, Baton Rouge has to have the largest store in the universe... I literally wandered around for over an hour... I'm embarrassed to admit that. Although, half of the time I was looking through their clearance bins and found these beauties for $2.49.

At first when I saw them I just wanted them cause they were pretty and so ME. Then I was like, Samantha you don't need those... oh wait, yes I do... I can use them in my photos! WINNER! I probably had this whole conversation out loud in the aisle, but people that shop at Hobby Lobby are most likely use to crazy craft people...

Then I had the challenge of making my dimly lit hotel room into a place I could actually get good photos out of. At my mom's house I'm spoiled by the garden window in my room. It has the most beautiful lighting at any time of day. But I had to work with what I had. Luckily, there is one very large window in my main living area, so I dragged the table over to it and MAN did I luck out. I'm so excited to share the photos I got out, but these teases will have to do until Monday.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

branching out

The last few months I've wanted to do something more with my shop. I've wanted a more personal connection with my customers than just the internet. I've wanted to be more local and part of a community. Yesterday on the treadmill I had an amazing brainstorm session that then led to a phone call with my mom.

Hours later I had a list of things to accomplish in the next 14 days before I head back to Alabama. I'm going to really push to get my Indie & Chic line into some local clothing stores in my hometown. Which means coming up with wholesale pricing, order forms and creative ways to show all my items without bringing my whole entire to my client. Lots going on in my head and it's great to have a challenge, something to work towards.

I've also been toying with doing some home parties at a local college back home. I'm hoping to work with some sororities on ways Indie & Chic can be a part of events like rush week, special events and formals. I believe creating relationships with customers is the single most important (and my favorite) part of running a business. It's the little things like an e-mail telling you how much they love their earrings, that make running Indie & Chic so rewarding. I'm very excited for the next step and I'm hoping things will fall into place.

If anyone has any suggestions or advice please e-mail me :)

running and running

So with my goal to run one race each month for the whole year, I'm constantly in training or keeping in shape for another race. It's really been fun. Mostly because I'm competitive enough with myself that I don't slack off for fear of being slower than my previous time. However, I'm changing some things up in the next few races. Less 5k's for a specific time and more just for fun and a new experience.

April's race will be my last super competitive race for awhile. It's my first 10k. I'm aiming for under 53:30, I hit that time during my half marathon so it's very attainable.

I've signed up for the Color Run in Birmingham for September and I'm hoping to do my first mud run in May. This has been the best goal I've ever set for myself. It's motivating, it has variety and I get to plan (I love planning).

I would really encourage you all to find something you can push yourselves to accomplish each month. It's very rewarding and you get gratification every 30 days or so :) You could try visiting a new restaurant in your town each month, doing something different at least once a month with your hair, etc. Let me know if you guys play along.

**p.s. I wear Nike Free Run 2+ and I went up a half size**

Blossom Earrings

Now in the shop just in time for Spring. Probably one of my favorite earrings ever. They are so tiny and sweet, and the gold filigree is just beautiful. Shop for them here.

instagram love // no. 1

Going to try and keep up with this each week now that Android has instagram :) My username is Samantha_A, I'll follow y'all back.

spruced up the blog // parker sleeping // packing up // waking up to this view // driving to Baton Rouge // finally buying and reading Born to Run // Saturday by the pool // kitties wanting some love // parker warming up the bed // lucky number love 

Across the Country Cards

I've been dreaming up these cards for a long time and finally they are in the shop. Made from vintage road maps and lots of love. Perfect for those of you that are in need of some blank cards. These are sure to bring a smile to someone's mailbox.

Every single card is different and quantities are limited. I'm hoping to bring some single state cards into the shop later this month too. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

5 Things to Remember

I wanted to share with you my thoughts on 5 little things you should remember throughout your day and life. I can't stop thinking about them and how true they all are. Let me know which one is the hardest for you to remember.

1. Forgive everyone who's trying to ruin your life. Some days it just feels like people are just down right bad, and you've got a target on your back. You feel like no matter what you do, there is someone just trying to make your life worse. Take a step back. Letting them get to you will only make your situation worse, how much better would your day be if you just forgave them. The phrase kill them with kindness comes to mind.

2. Help others who are experiencing your same struggle. Honestly, this is hands down the best advice. Whether it be helping someone with a Chemistry assignment you don't quite understand or helping other kids who are going through a parents divorce, the act of helping someone is quite helpful for yourself as well. It almost allows you an outlet to process whats going on in your own life and gives you some perspective.

3. Be sure you've taken care of those closest to you. We are all guilty of taking things out on the ones we love the most. I do this myself with my mom. I can be having the worst day, and I will be nice to everyone and then just unload on my mom. Why do we do this? If anything it should be the opposite. Be kind to the ones that are actually there for us. Just something to remember when you've had a bad day, don't come home and ruin a loved ones day.

4. Realize there are some things you will never understand. If you get into the realms of the whys, it will destroy you. Why did my grandmother get this disease, it isn't fair. Why is nothing going right? Why did Bjorn have to die at 23. You can't change these things, all you can do is accept them and move forward. There isn't going to be a logically explanation for every event in your life and as soon as you can accept this statement the better.

5. Be human enough to acknowledge your need. We all hate to admit we need help. But we are the first to let someone else lean on us. Be strong enough to ask for help or for a friend to listen. Sometimes just telling someone what is going on is all it takes to feel better. 

And that my friends is what has been weighing on my mind. Just how to be a better person in general and not let life's setbacks blind me of all the good that is going on as well. I needed to share this. I've been struggling myself with some things and I thought this might be helpful to someone else (#2).

10 giveaways // Not a Joke

Hello all!! I'm looking to sponsor 10 different giveaways for the months of April/May. If you would like to host a giveaway on your blog or know of a blog my shop would fit well with please e-mail me.

Below you will find all ten giveaways that are up for grabs. It's like a giveaway, giveaway. To keep things fair, it will be a first come first serve basis on which giveaway package you get to host. Blogs/websites must have at least 100 followers to be eligible.

1) Features: 2"antique brass flower bobby pins ($12) // Mary Rose Ring in Pink ($9.50) // Sherbet Rosebuds Post Earrings ($7.25)

2) Features: Lotus Flower Brass Ring in Lilac ($10) // 2"antique brass flower bobby pins ($12) // Four Petal Flower Post Earrings in Ivory ($9)

3) Features: 2"antique brass flower bobby pins ($12) // Ruffle Rose in Pink ($8) // Lotus Flower Ring in Robins Egg ($10)

4) Features: Oak Leaf Gold Earrings ($20) // 2"antique brass flower bobby pins ($12) // Chrysanthemum Flower Ring in Sunshine Yellow ($10)

5) Features: Daffodil Post Earrings in Salmon ($9) // 2"antique brass flower bobby pins ($12) // Cherry Blossom Ring in Toffee ($10)

6) Features: Mini Mum Post Earrings in aqua ($9) // 2"antique brass flower bobby pins ($12) // Rosebud Filigree Ring in Blue ($9.50)

7) Features: Daffodil Post Earrings in White ($9) // 2"antique brass flower bobby pins ($12) // Crimson Flower Ring ($11)

8) Features: Cosmo Flower Ring in Blue ($10) // Mini Cosmo Flower Ring in Hot Pink ($9) //  2"antique brass flower bobby pins ($10) // Four Petal Flower Post Earrings in Neon Yellow ($9)

9) Features: Blue/Purple and a dash of Lime Cocktail Headband ($24) // Lily Flower Filigree Ring in Lilac ($10)  // Four Petal Flower Post Earrings in Ash Black/Gray ($9)

10) Features: Mary Rose Ring in Coral ($9.50) // 2"antique brass flower bobby pins ($12) // Carved Rose Flower Post Earrings in Caramel ($9.25)

And there they are! All ten giveaways that are available to host on your blog or website.
Please e-mail me the following : 

Subject Line - Giveaway Sponsor - "Blog Name"

Then in the message please include your top three choices of packages :) I will e-mail you back as quickly as possible with all the information you need to host an Indie & Chic giveaway! So very excited about this and help me spread the word!

It's Coming to ALABAMA!

The Color Run is coming to Birmingham, AL. 3 days before my birthday... I'd like to call it fate. AND I've got some friends that wanna do it with me and we are making a team, ahhhhhh. So excited. Watch the video, try not to smile and then please go sign up for one near you. You can walk, run, crawl, wheel or whatever. It's a happy race!!! Totally awesome!

force.

force (n) : Strength or energy as an attribute of physical action or movement


This word has been on my mind lately. Not in a negative way, but in a way that has made me look at how I handle life. I've always gone after what I've wanted with force. I've always had a high amount of energy when it came to something I wanted. 
-Moving from last chair to first chair in my saxophone section. 
-Wanting to be drum major of my high school marching band.
-Chasing after boys I wanted to be with.
-Getting back to a healthy weight and losing 40 lbs. 
-Starting my own business in my dorm room.


I dive head in. I don't look back. And I give it my all. I wear my heart on my sleeve. I've failed. I've gotten back up and pushed forward. I'm not saying every time I want something I get it. Not the case at all. Mostly when it comes to relationships or any other situation that involves someone other than me. I'm that person that takes over the whole entire group project (with force) because I can't handle letting someone else have control over my success or failure. 


This is who I am. I'm messy with my emotions. I am sometimes that obnoxious control freak. And I do try a little too hard sometimes when it comes to guys I'm crushing on. But I'm realizing, as I am with most aspects of life, it's all about balance and choices. There are going to be times I need that strength or force to go after a dream... or just to get me through a day from hell. As well as, a time when the best thing I can do is sit back and allow things to unfold. 


You cannot stop the forward motion. But you can control the force in which you take things on.