Monday Musings- Precious Memories and Improving Energy Flow
Happy Monday ladies. As expected, our temps hit 102 yesterday so rather than stay home, we went for a Sunday drive. These drives are becoming a bit of a tradition for us these days because they help break up the monotony of the week. This week we drove north to the woods near Nevada City but it was an oppressive 92 so we hightailed it back to our car. Next week maybe we should head to the coast??
Here are a few things on my mind this week-
A New Logo
A Well Styled Life hasn’t had a logo since it’s inception in 2012…but not for lack of trying. I won a free logo design from two different companies and as they say, you get what you pay for. They came up with cheesy and dumb logos. A few years later I hired two highly competent branding companies but none of their designs resonated with me so I didn’t use them. Last week, I finally bit the bullet and tried again.
This time I used a company that allowed many designers to submit their ideas in a timed competition. The longer the process went on, the clearer my vision became. My daughter and I bounced ideas off each other until we finally decided on the fonts…but we knew it needed something else. It needed an image or medallion. I wracked my brain until inspiration hit. I sent all the designers a picture of the above earring which I inherited from my mother. It was one of her favorites and is now a favorite of mine. She purchased these over 45 years ago on our first trip to Ireland. I shared their very special meaning here and why I took them on my 60th birthday trip to Iceland here. 
I wasn’t sure what they would do with this image but when I saw it incorporated into my logo I knew it was right. The other thing I simply love about this logo is that the contest was won by an untrained, stay at home mom who supplements her family’s income by designing. Bravo Nicole, you have done an amazing job!!
Wind Spinner
I’ve admired and been infatuated with wind spinners for years. Don’t ask me why I never bought one because I have no idea. We drove past a tiny shop selling wind spinners yesterday and I dragged my husband inside.
I wanted the largest and most expensive one they had but in the end, I purchased the one that matched my mask:) When I got home I discovered the exact one I bought is $5 dollars cheaper on Amazon.…but hey, I’m doing my part to support small businesses!
Wind spinners are thought to move the chi around which improves energy flow. Several of my neighbors have multiples in their yards which looks so cool. Seeing them spin makes me happy and anything that improves the energy around us is positive in my book!
Here are some other amazing ones I have in my cart, but I need to weed them down to just a few.
Have a great week and remember to take enough effort with your appearance that you feel confident.
Hi Jennifer;
I love the new logo- it reminds me of a Celtic knot, which being Irish, is close to my heart. I have a beautiful sterling Celtic knot pendant that I feel brings me luck- as I hope this does for you and yours.
Spinners are always fun to see. There is a small town on 101 in NoCal. that always has roadside stands selling them and it always made me smile to drive past and see them whirling.
Best wishes and stay cool.
Penny
Jennifer- I love the new logo! I think you should sell your own jewelry line featuring it! I’ll bet all your readers would buy something beautiful but also meaningful. Just a thought.
And your writing on this blog is great. ( And I WAS a professional writer!) A good blog shouldn’t be formal… it should read the way people speak. Sometimes totally correctly, other times all hurried and breathless. Write on, Jennifer!
Oh, this is such a sweet thing to say about Jennifer’s writing and I agree xx
Thanks, Susan:)
Perfect logo honoring the future, present and past! Love the earring story
love this logo. i have been kicking the idea around myself and the story about your mothers earrings is a very inspiring consideration. it not only brings your mother with it but also a material representation of your work. Perfect!
Since you love wind sculptures, do a google search for peter kourtz wind sculptures. His work is amazing. You won’t find him on amazon though.
We have two wind spinners, purchased from Costco a few years ago and still going strong, that look identical to the Mumtop one you’re considering. We just love them, and the birds don’t seem to be bothered in the least. It gives us something fun to look at when the darn Santa Ana “devil winds” are blowing. We also had another type — sadly, that only lasted a few seasons — that looked like an upside-down wire whisk from my KitchenAid mixer. Little birds loved it so much that they occasionally rode around on it like an amusement park ride in a very light breeze. I hope you enjoy the bigger spinner as much as we do!
Okay, weird question. What do you do for restroom breaks out on your drives? I worry about the germs living in public restrooms. I also don’t like the idea of holding it until I get home. Teehee.
When I saw the pic of you and your grandson, I noticed those beautiful earrings even before I read about your new logo. I love your new logo but even more, I love the story behind it. Stay safe and try to stay cool.
Love the logo too! And I adore your blog and your look, so classy. Lovely thing to do to go for a drive together, you have inspired me to do that. I made a reservation for our favorite winery restaurant in two weeks time, eating outside overlooking the vineyard -it is 3 hours away and my man thought that was a bit far-but now I will think of things along the way, little stops and local stores, making memories. We love listening to podcasts. So nice to see something new! Happy week!
I love your new logo!
Great new logo! I like it!
I love wind spinners too! About time I got one!
I hope you and your husband are healing quickly and back to having fun!
Love your new logo, and I, too,like wind spinners. My husband and I have been taking long drives, too. I always manage to see something new!
I am in agreement with everyone else about your choice of logo, it’s simply beautiful. Well done.
By the way, I have a large wind spinner in my yard and it hasn’t seemed to bother my “hummers” at all.
Good to know because I love my hummers:)
Love the new logo and its back story. Also love your new thumbnail picture.
I love your new logo and how it ties in to your mom’s earrings. Enjoy your Sunday drives. You look so classy, even in all this heat. Thanks for the inspiration.
I love the new logo and enjoy everything about your blog. Great job, thank you for all of your inspirations!
I’m In favor if your new logo! It’s great as it combines the classic and traditional from your mom with a modern appeal!
Love your blog!
Your logo is perfect! Love that you were inspired by your Mother’s earrings.