Meredith Carmichael is the client services manager for Spruce Austin, a progressive upholstery workshop and retail store based in Austin, TX. In this interview, I chat with Meredith about her home, the DIY projects she's undertaken to improve it, how she shifted the course of her career, and some helpful tips about custom upholstery on a budget.

Meredith Carmichael in Conversation

Welcome to your digital version of grabbing coffee with a good friend. In this podcast, Hilary Walker leads conversations with the guests of her blog on topics such as creative work, personal style, daily habits, work/life balance, girlboss-ness, momboss-ness and generally all the cool lady stuff we’re eager to learn from each other. Tune in bi-weekly for new episodes, including personal musings from Hilary on life as a freelance prop stylist, wife and mother. And visit ourstylestories.com for the photographic stories that accompany each episode.

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For all of you wondering how I make things work behind-the-scenes of my blog and Instagram feed... this is it. The tell-(almost)-all of how David and I survive the work week as two very busy working professionals with a toddler and two dogs.   SHOW NOTES: The Basics -  Daycare After school care Dog sitter  Meals -  Hello Fresh Casseroles or Dish-in-One meals Take out!  Bonuses -  Starbucks mobile order Outfit planning (thanks B. Jones Style!) Weekend staycations Expectations 

How I Survive the Work Week

If you were looking for a reason to tidy up in the new year, this. is. it... The stunningly edited home and wardrobe of Jamie Lyons. If you haven't seen her Style Story from last week, stop what you're doing. Right now. And go check it out! Seriously. I'm questioning all of my previously held beliefs about my proficiency to ward off clutter. In the wake of my visit with Jamie, I am clear on one thing... I am a total amateur. But today you'll get the full scoop from Jamie herself. In our conversation for the podcast, she and I dive deep into topics such as why she's chosen a minimalist lifestyle, how she achieves such a clean aesthetic, where she shops, and what she believes makes a successful fashion stylist and styling assistant.    Jamie describes her style as minimalist, mono-chromatic and elegant.       SHOW NOTES:   Melanie Tarver's Style Story Seaminx Artist Management Agency Gaston Made Flea Style  "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo Set & Co. Jamie's Instagram, @theanticolor    JAMIE'S FAVE SHOPPING RESOURCES:  Mur Lifestyle: http://www.murlifestyle.com Labour And Wait: https://www.labourandwait.co.uk Kaufamann Mercantile: https://www.kaufmann-mercantile.com Maufactum: https://www.manufactum.com (The "Martha Stewart Mop": https://www.manufactum.com/sponge-mop-p1517753/?a=49184&h;=10&s;=mop) Qui Shave: https://www.ouishave.com (If I hadn't bought the one below, I love these.) Ockham Razor Co.: http://www.ockhamrazorcompany.com (I have an all black version of this from when it was still being Kickstarted. I LOVE it.) Fog Linen: http://www.shop-foglinen.com Verso: http://www.versoskincare.com (Currently using and love.) Need Supply Co.: http://needsupply.com (A few favorites include Grown Alchemist, Aesop, and The Laundress) My favorite toothbrush: https://shop.goop.com/shop/products/binchotan-charcoal-toothbrush-standard Ebay Tradsey Poshmark Vestaire Collective The Real Real  Amber glass spray bottle  Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds cleaner Closet paint color - Farrow & Ball "Off-Black" 

Minimalism + Self-Discovery with Jamie Lyons

When I look back on 2016, a lot has happened. Much has baffled and disappointed me. But I've learned a lot and met some fantastic people along the way. Today's podcast is a review of this past year's Style Stories and the lessons that I learned from each.   #1 Prolific creativity is often the result of a youthful spirit.   from Kelly Christine Sutton Sidenote on Kelly... This past year, she and her husband took what I'm now going to call a "leap of youthfulness" and purged the majority of their belongings in order to downsize into a mobile tiny house. It's pretty cool and definitely in line with this first Style Story lesson. Get the full scoop HERE. Read Kelly's Style Story. Listen to Kelly's podcast episode.     #2 Powerful impact starts in our own backyard.    from Carly Burson Carly's company Tribe Alive, offers sustainable economic options for women in poverty in developing countries. Read Carly's Style Story. Listen to Carly's podcast episode.   #3 Do the work. Trust the path. The dots will connect eventually. from Jamie Ditto & Allie Hill Read Jamie and Allie's Style Story. Listen to Jamie and Allie's podcast episode.   #4 Confidence is a work in progress... Like anything. from Kristi Drayovitch Read Kristi's Style Story. Listen to Kristi's podcast episode.   #5 Hard work and kindness, practiced daily, have lifetime effects. from Elaine and Christopher Moock Seaminx, the artist management agency that represents my work as a prop stylist, is going into their 18th year of business. Turns out, the strategy for success doesn't have to be overly complicated or exceptionally original. #bekindworkhard Read Elaine and Christopher's Style Story and interview.   #6 Successful artistry is deeply rooted in working with what you've got. from Gina Bender Read Gina's Style Story. Listen to Gina's podcast episode.   #7 Find your tribe... In real life. Take note. Be encouraged. from Arianna Jones   Read Arianna's Style Story. Listen to Arianna's podcast episode.   In closing, a poem shared by my in-real-life acquaintance, Emily Paben, creative director of Magnolia Home.   "the year is done. i spread the past 365 days before me on the living room carpet. point to the one where i decided to shed everything not deeply committed to my dreams. refused to be a victim to self-pity. here is the week i slept in the garden. in the spring i wrung the self-doubt by its neck. hung your kindness up. took down the calendar. danced so hard my heart learned to float above water again. in the summer i unscrewed all the mirrors from their walls. no longer needed to see myself to feel seen. combed their weight out of my hair. i fold the good days up and place them in my back pocket for safekeeping. draw the match. cremate the unnecessary. the light of the fire warms my toes. i pour myself a glass of hot water to cleanse myself for january. here i go. stronger and wiser into the new." The Year is Done by Rupi Kaur

Lessons + a Poem for 2017

There was never a question that Arianna Jones would have a creative career. Artistry and entrepreneurship were in her bones and she knew from early on that she was meant to live a certain kind of artist's life. The question was more nuanced... How was she going to live that life. What would it look like, feel like... How would it come together, grow and operate on a daily basis. These aren't questions a person can necessarily answer on their own and, lucky for Ari, she didn't have to. Her journey has included some powerfully inspiring mentors along the way. In today's episode, I talk with Ari about just that - her creative journey from high school crafts to a college fashion degree and now freelance styling career and Owynn bag line. Additionally, Ari shares her reasoning for keeping a capsule wardrobe and a simplistic approach to fashion.   Show Notes:  Owynn History of the "capsule wardrobe"  What is a "capsule wardrobe"? (from my favorite capsule blogger) Madewell Lou & Grey Aritzia American Apparel @laurenashleymaddox @paige_morse The Business of Fashion MUJI Tina Fey Julia Louis-Dreyfus    GOT QUESTIONS or FEEDBACK? Share it HERE!

Mentorship & the Freelance Life with Arianna Jones

There are so many instances in which I feel like I don't have control. I mean... have you ever tried to reason with a toddler? Parenting at this stage (and who am I kidding, probably at any stage) is an exercise in learning to live without control. The world's problems are so great and the solutions can seem so very far out of reach. But I'm here today to say that while we may not be able to solve all the problems in all the places just by the swipe of a card, we do have a profound power to affect positive change simply by the ways and places in which we choose to spend our money. Yes. I'm talking about responsible consumerism and social enterprises. We have more power than we think!  Political voting may have closed (for now), but the opportunity to affect change in our world is still here and it's so much easier than it may seem. All you have to do is buy something! Let's put our money where our values are this season and buy from businesses that are producing responsibly and give back generously.  Tune in to today's episode for my version of a holiday gift guide that will make a difference.    Branded Collective - Tiny Brass Cuff Gaia Empowered Women - Mini Kitty Purse (Paula Minni's Style Story) Tribe Alive - Convertible Pocket Backpack (Carly Burson's podcast episode)     Nisolo - The Emilio Chukka Boot (2012 Dhaka factory fire as mentioned in podcast) Accompany - Jute Macramé Wall Hanging Noonday Collection - Fringed Crescent Earrings FashionABLE - Ring Bar 48 & Sea - Flour Sack Napkins in Dusty Rose, Set of 4 The Citizenry - Enzi Basket Ten Thousand Villages     Everlane - "Tissue Tee" Turtleneck Elizabeth Suzann - The Florence Pant in Silk    Sources I didn't mention in the podcast but you should still totally check out!  Mi Golondrina - Tuxedo con Flor (Cristina Lynch's Style Story) Worn - Vintage Silk Crochet-Edged Scarf (Abbi Ice's Style Story) Redone Jeans (thanks for the rec B. Jones Style) Akola Project - Layered Horn Necklace Redemption Market - Gold Marble Journal Cuyana - Poplin Boatneck Tee Zady - Zady Silk Skirt Sseko Designs - Yoga Mat Bag Girlfriend Collective - Leggings (for the cost of shipping!) Etsy - My shop favorites The Good Trade (a fantastic reference site for all things ethical fashion!) 

Meredith Carmichael in Conversation

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