I heard of Anthology Magazine long before I ever held a copy of it in my hands. It was around this time last year, and a group of colleagues and I had gathered for a night of crafting and girl time. I picked it up to flip through for inspiration, but was immediately struck by the beauty of the imagery, and as I began reading something inside me clicked. The articles resonated somewhere deep inside me and I found myself thinking, "this is what reading a magazine should feel like."

I found myself returning to the magazine every craft night, soaking in the stories until they had become a part of me. I knew I needed a subscription for myself and now after 11 months of reading I still devour each issue with the same fervor as the first. Without fail every issue contains a story that mirrors an experience in my life, that challenges me, and leaves me hopeful. Hopeful that as a creative spirit, and aimless wanderer I too will find a home, and discover what it is I want to do when I grow up. And then again, if I don't, that too will be ok.

I wish more publications set hearts on fire, and left me as hungry for the next issue as Anthology does. It is truly an inspired undertaking, and I am so grateful for it. I'll be waiting anxiously for the next installment, always. - b.

Last October, on my birthday to be exact, my iphone 4 fell out of my hands and shattered into a million pieces. As a social media coordinator this was pretty much the most devastating thing that could happen to me. To make matters worse I was in NYC for work and needed a phone stat. So the internal dilemma began. Do I pay the bazillion dollars for an iphone 5s or buy the shiny new iphone 5c which had a much more reasonable price tag? Of course I caved to monetary pressure and went with the 5c, but forgot to take one thing into consideration before buying. The case.

Unlike the 5s, the iphone 5c wont fit into the pretty cases you see all over the internet for the iphone 5 customer. The shape is different and as such you need a very specific case to fit the form. The style options up to this point have been pretty limited for us poor 5c owners who didn't buy the phone for its fun color options, but bought it out of budgetary necessity. I've spent nearly 6 months hunting for a non-utilitarian case and have at last found a few options I like. That's where you come in, I need your help picking the style.

There are 2 categories I'm stuck between textural neutrals and graphic prints.

What I like about all three of these cases is that despite their textural look and playful patterns they all feel neutral and polished. Since childhood tortoise shell has always symbolized the epitome of chic for me, and Garance Dore's painterly leopard print is just too cool, but the marble is also a classy option with flecks of gold through out. I don't feel like I'd get tired of any of these options, but then there's also...

A part of me loves graphic pops of colors, and there's that soft spot I have for florals that I just can't seem to avoid either. The pinks in the botanical rose case from Rifle Paper Co. are super sweet and feminine, while the corals of the red floral case from Leah Reena Goren feel punchy and fun. Sunshine was a pet name my mom gave me as a kid so there's that too. These three 5c cases feel a little more of the moment and would probably need to be replaced in a year or two based on my changing tastes, but then again so will my phone.

Can you see why I'm having such a hard time choosing a favorite? Which one would you buy? - b.

Yesterday I got the chance to hang out with my friend Maddie in her new studio space. Having a permanent space to take photos in has been on both of our bucket lists for awhile, but Maddie is a doer as much as she's a dreamer and she signed the lease a little over a week ago.  I'd be lying if I didn't tell you I'm a teeny bit jealous of her new studio, but lucky for me she's one of my closest friends in Philly and she's kindly offered to let me use the space every now and again.

While Maddie was in-between outfit changes for a few upcoming posts on her blog, Madalynne, I asked her to snap a handful of photos of me. I realized recently that I rarely share pictures of myself in this space, which is odd because my monicker is all over the site! I tend to be a bit camera shy, but I'm going to make it a goal to step away from the camera very couple weeks and take a photo of myself to share. I want you to feel like you can get to know me, and if I never show my face how are you supposed to do that?

I also managed to take a few photos of my own at the studio yesterday; stay tuned for new exciting projects, beautiful blooms, and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks in the coming weeks. Yeah, I've been busy. - b.