New Moon August 25th

Under a Virgo Sun we also experience a new moon in Virgo. As some may think, the Virgo represents a a virgin, this isn't the case at all! The virgin is supposed to be concept to portray the attitude toward life, such as purity & the receptiveness of the Virgo.

With a new moon it is the perfect time start new projects, make way on personal health goals, and to leave the last two weeks in the past. This phase of the moon can signal a personal rebirth of some sort and to focus on the positive aspects of this moon being in Virgo. This a good time to work on a project that needs an eye for detail and some constructive criticism. They say that the Virgo is the workhorse of the zodiac (true or not) they make the most rational decisions to fulfill the easiest way to accomplish their goals. So with the moon at the beginning of its natural cycle focus on the things that you want to achieve, because they will come to culmination by the full moon on September 9th.

Meditate

Last night after a busy day of work I got home to a dinner prepared for me, so kicked my feet up and turned on Netflix. After catching up with my boy friend I washed my face with this amazing, 3 step Tea Tree face wash from the Body Shop and felt so rejuvenated after! I would definitely recommend this for any skin type, but it truly kills the bacteria that lives on your face as for amusement park lifestyle. So I wiped my face clean with a warm cloth and could not ignore the sound of the tree frogs coming from our opened windows. I am from the country where silence is actually a bunch of creatures in the night on full blast. While I sat there raving to frogs croaking, I took some deep breaths of the cool nights air and I thought about many things that have unraveled lately. I decided to do some light yoga and let my thoughts pass through my mind, then out with each breath.

Sometimes life gets us caught up in things that happen to be far from the way we wish it would turn out. Every once and awhile we have to slow down our busy minds and bodies. Think about it, when is the last time you just sat outside at night to breathe and look to the stars for clarity? 

Slow down. You deserve it.

Briana Autran: Breaking the rules of fashion & working toward her passion...

Brianna has made herself a brand in the photography world with her, built from the ground up, business brianaautranphotography. She maintains focus by keeping an independent mindset of becoming a "Girl Boss".  This process does not come easy, there is a lot of work that needs to happen in order to become a freelance queen.  As a creative, chic fashionista you must always remain loyal to yourself and the work that you do. 

If you could choose one song to be your theme song, what would that be?

My theme song would be Float on by Modest Mouse. :)

What inspired you to become an independent, self-made business owner?

Well I’ve always loved the feeling of making my own money. My 1st job was at a young age and I quickly learned the value of a dollar. I started a small babysitting/nannying business when I was 13 and by the time I was 22 I had 4-5 families that I worked for regularly. I was able to create my own hours and when I wasn’t working I had a lot of free time to work on my art and travel. I never set out to be the type of business owner that I am today but I knew that whatever my future “big girl” job was that it would have to allow me to be a free spirit so I can do my thing.

I noticed an online post of your saying that you told your mom that you can make it without a bachelors degree, what was her reaction to this choice of yours?

The 1st time I told my parents I didn’t need a BA to be successful in life they were a little disappointed. They didn’t discourage me from my way of thinking but they wanted me to have a back up plan incase being a photographer didn’t work out like I had dreamed for it to. I was still a nanny at this time and photography was a new venture for me so I understand why they were a little concerned for my future. I love my parents and I love that they have my best interest at heart but photography was the first thing that felt right to me and I was proud of the work I was doing at that time and I knew I could take it further. There was nothing stopping me from being a successful photographer and business owner. Today, I’m 24 and a full time photographer and business owner. I don’t think my parents are too worried about my back up plan like they were a few years ago. They see the drive and passion I have for my work and I’m pretty sure they realize a backup plan isn’t even an option for me.  

In the beginning what was your strategy to make your photography business thrive?

When I first started charging for my work I had no idea what I was doing. I was starting a business without even realizing it. I don’t even think there was a strategy. I just worked hard and made a lot of people happy.  Word of mouth brought me the business. Today, I am still no business expert but there is a little more method to my madness. 

Do have any mentors who you go to for guidance?

My 1st and number one mentor is my momma. She’s the most influential person in my life. She taught me at a young age that you can’t rely on anyone except yourself. She showed me the importance of being an independent female in society and I’m truly grateful for this. I think a lot of young girls are told to find a man who can take care of them, get married right away and have babies right away. But should we rush? After the excitement of marriage and kids what’s next?  You’re going to be 25, a wife, a momma and not even know who you are as an individual. 

I’m still learning who I am and I think marriage and babies should wait. I want to keep traveling, keep having crazy experiences that I can laugh about in 10 years, and I want to keep grocery shopping in the middle of the night. Men, marriage, babies and schedules will always be there once I know who I am. I feel like because I’m waiting I will truly know exactly what kind of person I want to share my life with and will be better equipped to be a mom.

You have great style & big visions, how do you stay motivated to keep grinding?

Thank you. Honestly the people I photograph keep me motivated. I love getting positive feedback from my clients after they see their photographs for the first time. I get an adrenalin rush from it and want to do more and make more people feel like that from my art. I want to get out in the world and capture people in candid moments to show them their true beauty and happiness.

Throughout this process of beating your craft, what have you learned along the way that you could pass along to aspiring photographers/business founders?

I have 3 things to pass along:  

​1.) Mistakes happen- Humans were not created perfect. When you make a mistake do right by it and learn from it.

​2.) Only show your best work- if you are a photographer or an artist only put your best work out there. Don’t give anyone mediocre work unless you want mediocre clients who will pay you just enough to live a mediocre life.

​3.) Take days off- As a business owner its hard to go a full day without doing at least one business related thing. From my experience; if you work non-stop 7 days a week you will go crazy and coffee spills happen much more frequently.

Everyone needs time for themselves to unwind and find peace. No shame in being a super lazy bum while watching New Girl re-runs from bed and eating dry cereal from the box for all 3 meals…promise you will wake up the next day back at 100% and ready to do some work!

Instagrams- brianaautran & toxicpony__

Recently you just launched a new project, Toxic Pony, tell us what led you to this idea?

Toxic Pony is an online vintage resale shop that I started with my childhood friend and roommate, Lauren Conway. We both have always been into fashion…especially vintage fashion. We chose to sell vintage instead of new clothing not only because we have passion for vintage clothing but also because the quality of real vintage clothing is unbelievable! Vintage is made to last, patterns, material and fabrics are one of a kind and you can bet you will be the only one wearing it! Any woman who knows how to use a credit card can go to the mall to buy a trendy dress that they see on a mannequin. They wear that dress out and then see 3 other women in the same exact thing. We got tired of that scenario happening to us. Lauren and I express ourselves through the way we dress and we don’t want to blend in with other women. We started Toxic Pony to encourage woman to step away from the cliché mall window front and stand out.

Now how are the pieces for TP selected?

Lauren and I currently live in Michigan so we have been traveling all around MI mitten this summer and hitting up the best consignment shops and vintage markets. Everything is hand picked by us and fits our style and our brand. We alter most of our inventory to make it even more unique and one of a kind. In the beginning of September we are taking a 2-week cross country road trip to buy more inventory outside of MI and to promote our new online store to vintage lovers out west!

TP is mostly woman's clothing & accessories, are you planning to start a men's line?

We actually just launched our Toxic Pony Men’s line last night! When we originally launched Toxic Pony in July we had a lot of men contacting us and asking if we were ever going to carry men’s clothing. Lauren and I both drool over a well-dressed man so it was a no brainer to include Men’s clothing.

brianaautranphotography

I am obsessed with closets, how is your closet organized?

Oh man, I have 3 closets in my bedroom and a lot of space to work with so one closet has all my pants, jackets and blazers which are all organized into groups. My 2nd closet has all my dresses and tops. 3rd closet is mostly shelving so I keep all my handbags, accessories and undergarments. I’m very OCD when it comes to how my closet is arranged. I like everything to be hung so that when I’m deciding on what to wear I can see everything easily.

Social media can be very powerful positively and negatively, what are your experiences with your brand on social media?

I love social media and I believe the world is at your fingertips if you know how to use it to your advantage. It can make or break you. Fortunately, I have had only positive experiences from social media- I have gotten the opportunity to connect with so many artistic people who have the same drive as I do. I come from a small town in Michigan so big opportunities are hard to come by without the use of social media.  I’ve gotten to travel and do a lot of business this summer out of town because of social media connections. It’s a beautiful thing.

Is there a go-to band or genre of music you play during photo shoots?

It depends on the client and the type of shoot I’m doing. If I’m working with a model I will most likely play something electronic and upbeat. If I’m working with families, seniors or newborns in studio I will play something safe like Lana Del Rey to set a mellow relaxing vibe.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

From this day in 5 years it will be the end of summer 2019 and I see myself just getting back from my month long backpack through Europe. A large energetic dog that I will consider my child will welcome me home with lots of sloppy kisses. I will go back to work in my downtown studio in a city that I love. Toxic Pony will be successful and known by trendsetters all around the world. In 5 years I will be happy and enjoying life as it comes at me. I will still be making mistakes and learning by them. I will be surrounded with true friendships and people who understand me. I will host hangouts with my friends and order greasy pizza with a coupon. I will still hate wearing heels and never understand football. Most importantly, in 5 years, I will still be ME. At the age of 29, I will still be the same silly, quirky and creative person I love being!

brianaautranphotography

Zodiac Signs in a Fight

♈️Aries: I'm sorry for what I said to you but I got my point across, didn't I?
♉️Taurus: I will physically kick your ass after I bruise you verbally!
♊️Gemini: I will talk circles around you until you are confused, & then forget why I was even mad.
♋️Cancer: I will remain silent until you get what I am upset about, or plan a way to hide your body.
♌️Leo: Mess with me & I will attack you, leave the past in the past!
♍️Virgo: You honestly are not even worth my precious time, get out of my sight!
♎️Libra: I will out wit you and then booby trap your house!
♏️Scorpio: The look on my face is enough to scare you off, if not, revenge is already waiting for you.
♐️Sagittarius: I am the champion of all confrontations, so bring it.
♑️Capricorn: Ill give you a piece of my mind & some to spare-I'm not afraid to slap you.
♒️Aquarius: I'm seeing you speaking but cannot hear you over my elite opinions.
♓️Pisces: Everything has built up to this point, my emotional volcano will blow in 3-2-Run

Experimental Powers

It has been a giant secret for many years, but every individual has their own secret powers. I'm not kidding! The Law of Attraction has actually been kept from many people over the course of our history because it is so powerful.  With the right mindset the world could be yours.

You know those times of doubt when nothing can lift your spirits and people say motivational things to you to try to get you to believe in yourself? Those are the moments that those annoying people with their two cents are actually right. Even though you may be looking for sympathy for them to understand why you feel like a piece of shit, you really just need to get over it. In the long run you are the only person who can help yourself.  Just having a little belief in yourself and a change of mindset you are unstoppable! If you sit around dwelling on whatever it is that has you feeling out of whack, you are only attracting more bummers to come your way. But if you change your outlook and visualize the things that you want positively, they too will come to you!

Think about it this way-when you are driving to work in a hurry, speed up-slow down, and try to get around other cars, you are probably not going to get to work at the time that you desire.  When you switch lanes a million times you end up further back than if you would have just stayed in your lane and patiently waited like every other person on the road. When you stay in your lane, not worrying about time, and focusing on the positive things you will accomplish that day, you will get to work at the time you expected and bring forth a positive mindset for your day.

The energy you put out into the universe is what will come back to you. When you are determined enough to get something you want, you can be the force to bring it directly into your hands. Try this method to get a green light; see yourself driving through a green light, feel the way you would once you have gotten through the green light, and $20 bucks says you turn that light green.

horo[PSYCHO]pe

Cancers have personality problems & don't like to share

Pisces cry...a lot then plan revenge 

Scorpios are narcissistic stalkers who secretly know everything about you

It may seem a little harsh.. but only because these three signs are also your best friends. They let you cry on their shoulders, they listen to your life situations that you bitch about, and they are always understanding. 

The reason their level of understanding is so immense is due to the fact that they want to feel with you. Water signs literally want to know every detail of a situation that you are going through so that they can see it from your perspective. This allows them to asses the problem and give you the best advice that they can provide. 

Water is deep & the ocean is wide. Water signs go through so many emotions at one time it's hard for them to put words to their thoughts. Often times these people will not open up because they feel like a burden. This does not mean they don't want you to try and be there for them, they do.

Ha! But if you cross these individuals you will regret it depending on their personal planets, otherwise most water signs are passive. Just like they put themselves in your shoes to help you, it can work in reverse to hurt you back. So be careful these people are you life long friends who would do anything for you, do not mess that up.

August

I woke up this week and BAM it was August I thought, "where did May go?" ...

There literally was not a June or July, either way its a bad dream & a terrible joke!  It is already several days into August & I am confused as to why I am as pale as Casper.  Though I have seen the outdoors for several brief moments this summer (on my hour long lunch break) I feel like a part of me is missing. 

Do you remember in grade school how 3 months of summer vaca seemed like never ending? I'm not sure if that's because our imaginations were so big & our levels of awareness were so small, but I wish every summer was like that.  I mean sorry for the reality check but there is only 4 months left in this year. So what are you going to do to make this summer last?

If you have lost all hope, dont worry there is still time to engage in some summer action. Make it a priority to get out of town to get the tan you deserve. I know its so depressing but labor day is coming up which means last call for the beach. So pack up the cooler, grab your floaties, and call all of your friends who own boats!

Sketch by Arianna Harris 

It is about creating adventure and doing what makes you happy! Hurry before you start complaining that you have not completed your non-existent summer bucket list.