Jasper & Fern

[jasperandfern]

I said this yesterday and it's still sitting with me this morning. Getting to know someone really is a beautiful process. It's kind of like taking a road for the first time. For those who know me, you know one of my quirks is my excitement over exploring a road I've never been down, even if it's just a tiny neighborhood road that is seemingly just like all the other roads around it. You never know what unseen beauty is down that road, though; the twists and sharp turns, its path up into mountains, deep into the valley or that transition from pavement to gravel to dirt. You never know the path of that road until you take it. That, to me, is just like getting to know people. You learn where they came from, their sharp turns and deviations away from things and towards others; you learn the valleys they've been in and the victories they've won. You get to know what has defined them and brought them to where they are when your own path crosses theirs. You get to see someone in a new light, through the lenses of a deeper love and that, right there, is beautiful. . . #life #beautifulpeople #wsnc (at Winston-Salem, North Carolina)

[jasperandfern]

Getting to know someone is a beautiful process. Getting to know someone's beauty, that's the one of the most precious experiences in life. This raidiant woman right here is a beautiful, beautiful person. She holds a quiet strength, like a fortress you know was built to protect and nurture. She is gentle and understanding, compassionate and listens with her heart. She is support in her community and a pillar in her family. I've absolutely loved spending time with and being inspired by her. . . Makeup by @kirby.reese . . . #womenempoweringwomen #wsnc #winstonsalemphotographer (at Jasper & Fern)

[jasperandfern]

Happy weekend, Lovelies! I hope you're accomplishing what you need to, practicing your "no" and making your "yes" count! #wsnclife #weekend #selfcare (at Winston-Salem, North Carolina)

[jasperandfern]

Enjoyed spending time with this beautiful lady today!! I'm excited for you to hear her story. #winstonsalemphotographer #celebratingwomen #selfie (at Jasper & Fern)

[jasperandfern]

Man have I battled this! Anyone else out there with me? . . #doubts #reassurance #quoteoftheday (at Jasper & Fern)

[jasperandfern]

Thomas Pickering once stated, "In archaeology, you uncover the unkown." I also believe that if you dig deep in conversation and listen to people, you'll discover life lessons, wisdom and the unknown beauty of that person. #alwaysinspired #winstonsalemphotographer #photooftheday (at Jasper & Fern)

[jasperandfern]

A smile unfolding from true joy is the loveliest masterpiece. . . I smile every time I look at this portrait of @chandni.saxena ! Her joy is infectious and I am absolutely thrilled I know her now. . . Hair and makeup by Hair by Kirby @kirby.reese . . . #celebratingwomen #winstonsalemphotographer #womenempoweringwomen (at Jasper & Fern)

[jasperandfern]

Getting ready to give myself a little self care boost. I really like these @soulstamps and the little helpful reminders they can be. Today, I chose "I am loved" because I am feeling a little lonely. I know I have incredible people in my life and I am thankful for them. Our emotions can work against us. #loved #selfcare #life (at Jasper & Fern)

[jasperandfern]

"Once there was a girl who was a dreamer, a lover of life with a big open heart. She believed so much in the good in others and had hope for a fairy tale life for herself. Unfortunately, she tended to let the wrong people into her life and she often got left behind holding the pieces of her heart. These pieces were all that were left for her to start over and she did it again and again, opening her heart and being shattered once more. Yet, she remained strong, and kept building her strength, because she knew God had a beautiful plan for her. Her parachute represents the perseverance that has kept her going all these years and her realization that nothing is going to stop her from believing because she always has always been filled with hope and had her own back." - written, lived and celebrated by @jennifer_obarr . . . #wsnc #womenempoweringwomen #winstonsalemphotographer #dtwsnc (at Winston-Salem, North Carolina)

[jasperandfern]

This past Saturday someone read this quote by #ralphwaldoemerson stating "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." This quote holds so much truth. Often times, we are weighted by our past or burdened with worries about our future. We get stuck in "what has been" or "what could be" and we forget to be where we are and the impact we can make in the present moment. #embracewhoyouare (at Winston-Salem, North Carolina)

[jasperandfern]

DOUBLE TAP if you have some sisters in your life you love 💗 . . . "Sisters are for sharing laughter and wiping tears." . . . #sisters #familyfirst #beautiful (at Jasper & Fern)

[jasperandfern]

Ladies, raise your hand if you've been here. ✋️I've been here plenty of times. . . I'm not as pretty as my sisters, smart as my brother, skinny as X. I wish I had skin like her. I wish people thought I was as interesting as she is. I don't have as many friends [as I "should"]. . . I could go on. So many times I've compared myself to other people, to other women and seen how I fall short. I've been wrapped up in what I'm not and I've forgotten everything that I AM. I have dismissed everything I bring to the table, everything that is beautiful about me and I've held myself back. Sadly, I know I'm not the only one. Ladies, we owe it to ourselves and to our communities to own up to how great we are. We are impactful, we are strong and we are capable. . . In effort to keep these good vibes going this Monday, I'd love to hear what you appreciate about yourself. Share with me in the comments! 🙌💞💪💋 (at Jasper & Fern)

[jasperandfern]

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Had a great time celebrating and cultivating inner beauty at our Make & Take Geode Garden Party this evening!! I enjoyed spending time with some beautiful people. My heart is full! #wsnc #mywsnc #geode #succulents (at Jasper & Fern)

[jasperandfern]

Having fun in the studio today with some headshots! #winstonsalemphotographer #corporateheadshots #bts (at Jasper & Fern)

[jasperandfern]

Sam is an incredible woman. You can tell just by looking in her eyes and at her smile. She's fiercely loyal, bold in her beliefs, generous and compassionate for when it's needed. She gives of her time and of herself to make her world a better place. She has the most gorgeous, full body laugh that begins with a radiant smile! Sam can light up a room and swiftly uplift the people around her with one laugh. If you know her, you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about! It's beautiful and she is beautiful! #celebratingwomen #nomakeup #winstonsalemphotographer #wsnc #winstonsalem (at Jasper & Fern)

[jasperandfern]

My family and I have a rocky relationship. Over the years, we've found some healing. There's still more healing to come. . Growing up I wasn't a terrible child, however, I was a troubled child. I had traumas in my life I had no idea how to process and I took a lot of that anger out on my family. A part of maturing and growing after I became a Christian that I appreciate is being able to look back at my childhood through eyes of grace and start to see the positive things that happened, to see my family in a more loving light than from a victim mentality. . This week, I had a stomach bug. As I was resting on the bathroom floor alone except for my pit bull who could only manage to gently press his face against me occasionally in silent support, I was feeling lonely and wanting a nurturing hand to lay on my back - some human company and love. For a moment I ached for motherly nurturing, a pain that reached deeper back than just to needing some company. You see, my family was never a very affectionate family. I, however, need physical and verbal affection and affirmation. What I resented as a child was the lack of this. However, in this moment of sickness, I recalled memories of my mother as she would silently hold a cold compress to the back of my neck and forehead when I was sick; who would quietly bring me water and things to drink to make sure I stayed hydrated and kept up my energy. I remembered a mother who tucked my sheets around me and gave me pillows for comfort. I saw my mother give her love through silent service - something I took for granted as a child. In that moment I was humbled, saddened and loved. . My lesson the last few years has been that just because someone doesn't love you how you need it, it doesn't mean they don't love you. You have to look for how they love - the world is about more than how you receive. . Being once again reminded of this lesson, I text my mother and let her know I appreciated how she cared for me as a child. . Each day I become more thankful, more understanding and one step further into healing with my family. My hope for you is that you appreciate your loved ones and that, if you need it, you find healing together. (at Winston-Salem, North Carolina)

[jasperandfern]

Listen to an intimate perspective on eating disorders on today's blog. As part of our #inspiringwomensstories series, Stacie offered to share her struggles and development through her daughter's disorder in order to encourage and educate others who may be facing the same thing. (See link in bio) (at Jasper & Fern)