Tag: rriveter

Of Many, One: National Women’s Equality Day

Published on by Emilee1 Comment

Wake up at 7am. Feed the cat. Make some tea and breakfast. Pick out some clothes. Try not to wake him up. Brush my teeth. Lint roll all of my black clothes. White cat. Pack my backpack. Make sure I have my badge. Forget my phone. Put lavender in the diffuser. Run to the bus. Make the bus. Realize I forgot my phone.

This is what this morning looked like. It wasn’t glamourous or even noteworthy and in a lot of cases it would be considered a fail. But I’m learning the steps to a new dance. In the last two months I’ve become a cat mom, moved myself into my first apartment, and started a new (dream) job. It’s been crazy. Usually one of those things would be enough to upset a daily routine, but I’ve been juggling them all while having to realize that I’m only one person.

Sometimes I make it to yoga, sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I forget to change the kitty because I’m trying to remember to get groceries. Unfortunately one of the big things that’s been pushed to the back burner is my writing, which you’ve probably noticed from the complete lack of posts going up on this blog. It’s been a crazy couple of months and I just haven’t had the time or energy to type in between moving couches, giving flea treatments, and trying to spend time with people who are close to me.

But this is our life as modern-day women, isn’t it? We jump from one crazy thing to another, balancing each while smiling in a pair of taupe chunk-heeled pumps. In celebration of National Women’s Equality Day I decided to take a few minutes today to do something that take my life as a modern day business women and gives it spice: my community.

I feel so incredibly honored to have a supportive gent who has moved far more furniture than anyone should and my friends who have given me advice about how to take care of my cat, given me advice on how to ask for a decent salary (it’s really hard ladies, but you’re worth it!), and pushed me to keep creating even though I have a case of the crazies. Community is what it takes to thrive. And another community that’s been an inspiration in the midst of the chaos has been the one at R. Riveter.

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling
Me with the Corbin backpack from R. Riveter. Use code RREMILEEM for 15% off your order 🙂

Let me tell you, these women are absolute powerhouses and embody the idea that although we’re from different backgrounds and different geographical locations we are stronger together. We can make a difference by taking our skills and our strengths and building, instead of breaking. I’m so honored to have been a part of a community of women so committed to change. One of the most beautifully impactful ways being Marketplace which is a  collection that donates proceeds directly to an award for other military spouse owned businesses.

We can make a difference. We just have to remember that when things get tough, it’s the village that raises us up to our potential.

 

Women’s History Month Highlight: R. Riveter Handbags

Published on by EmileeLeave a comment

Let’s talk about some beautiful little bags. Most of you are probably aware that I’m a brand ambassador for R. Riveter bags, but one of the coolest things about this ambassador program is that this brand is the real deal. Since this month is National Women’s History Month I’ve decided to go a little more in-depth to tell you guys about the brand I’m so in love with. Don’t worry, this won’t feel like homework.

I personally own two bags from R.Riveter, The Otto and The Hobby. Now, other than these names just sounding cool they’re actually the names of two pretty incredible women who R. Riveter wanted to honor with their production.

Elinor Otto was one of the original Rosie the Riveters, and was actually the last surviving of the women who built America during WWII. In 1942 Otto joined a California aircraft manufacturer in order to take care of her young son. She made 65 cents per hour.”I’m a working person, I guess. I like to work. I like to be around people that work. I like to get up, get out of the house, get something accomplished during the day.”

Oveta Culp Hobby was the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, first director of the Women’s Army Corps, and a chairperson of the board of the Houston Post. In other words…she kept busy. Something I love about Oveta is that she’s a go-getter. She didn’t have a formal education, but still became a journalist when she was 26 years old. During WWII she was the first woman to ever be awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for her efforts during the war. She went on to be an editor and politician and publisher. As a fellow writer, I admire Oveta as a pretty outstanding example of what one woman can do when she sets her mind to it.

Both of these women are such amazing examples of tenacity, but I also want to acknowledge the women who are hard at work making the gorgeous R.Riveter bags. One of the awesome things about these bags is that each piece is stamped by the woman who created and/or assembled it. Here’s who made my Hobby:

RR079: Amanda R. (Who you can find out more about by clicking HERE)

RR024: Jocelyn (Who you can find out more about by clicking HERE)

RR053: Danie H. (Who you can find out more about by clicking HERE)

These are just three of the strong, beautiful, independent women who assembled my bag, and I love that I’m able to find each of them on the R. Riveter site. That’s pretty incredible. I’m so happy to be part of the R. Riveter community, and to be working to provide stable income for military spouses throughout the U.S. Like the site says, it really isn’t about the bags at all. It’s about empowering women, and the people behind each and every bag that is sold.

If you would like to purchase a bag from R. Riveter, you can use the code RREMILEEM for 15% off your purchase. Because I love you.

Hometown Adventures: Barclay Lake, WA

Published on by Emilee2 Comments

Washington state is one of the most beautiful states in the U.S. and I’m not just saying that because I live here. One of the things that I’m trying to get better about is taking the time to experience my beautiful home state instead of taking for granted all the amazing nature. That being said, this past weekend seemed like the perfect time to start getting out on some of the trails. Or at least that’s what we thought.

Saturday morning @seattlebred and I had an early start, grabbed some Starbucks and drove NE of where I live (Seattle). The drive was pretty quick, and we’d worn warm clothes because we’d heard that there might be snow. In retrospect,  we probably should have checked the morning before whether there was snow that had fallen. As we were driving up the mountain road we quickly realized that things went (very quickly) from, “Hey look, some snow!” to, “Holy hell, the bottom of the car is dragging on the snow.”

Needless to say, by the time we reached the top of the mountain we were completely and hopelessly S-T-U-C-K. We also didn’t have cell phone reception. We ALSO couldn’t push the car as it slid on the compacted snow/ice. 

I finally got some cell service, after us trying to dig the car out/push it for a couple of hours. So we called 911, and asked them to send Search and Rescue to save our asses. In the meantime we sat in the car for about an hour wrapped in blankets and wishing we had chains and/or a shovel.

@seattlebred getting the blankets out of the car so we don’t freeze to death

In the meantime I also took a couple of pics of my new R.Riveter bag because what else are you going to do whilst waiting for help to come? I had been so excited because this bag came the night before the hike, so just in time for some snowy shots with the bag from their winter collection.

I was a little cold and didn’t notice until afterward that the focus was on the trees in the background…oh well.
Taking product shots while I’m in the car. FUN FACT: Each piece of R.Riveter bags is stamped with the number of the lady who made it!

The crazy part of all of this is that it was so beautiful outside, all around us…but it was a little bit hard to appreciate while trying to imagine how you’re going to not only get the car somehow turned around, but then going to drive DOWN the hill in all of the snow you barely cleared coming up the hill.

When you really have to pee, but the bathroom is locked for the winter.

Luckily, a big ‘ole Toyota Tacoma came up the hill after we’d been sitting in the car for about an hour and they helped to guide not only our car, but the next five cars (which also got stuck) as they turned around and also got pointed in the direction of going back down the hill. These people were complete lifesavers and knew how to kick some serious ass in the snow-driving department. They were from Minnesota.

And yes, I stayed in the car because I have a medical condition where if I get too cold my hands/feet loose circulation and we weren’t trying to call Search and Rescue AND visit the hospital in the same day.
My best friends.

The GOOD news is that I still got some beautiful shots with my bag. I mean, with this kind of beautiful how can you NOT get glamour shots. The moral of the story is to always have chains in your car, and to check the weather before you head up on a trail. We won’t be making that mistake again. Thanks R.Riveter for being the highlight of the day.

Me and The Hobby bag from R. Riveter. Photo cred IG: @seattlebred

2017 #BagsOnAMission Ambassador | R. Riveter

Published on by Emilee1 Comment
(photo credit Laura Vien at rrivter.com)

Hey everyone!

I’m really excited because these past few weeks I’ve been super busy working on a bunch of really awesome projects. One of my newest projects is that I’m now a brand ambassador for R. Riveter, which is an amazing organization on a mission to bring employment, and a global community, to military spouses. Pretty sweet, huh?

While I’m not personally a military spouse, my family has three generations of men who have served, and I do think it’s really important to support U.S. made products.

(photo credit Laura Vien at rrivter.com)

Q: What is an ambassador?

Glad you asked! To be an ambassador means I am an advocate for brands that I care about. This means these are brands I support because they strongly align with what I value. I’ve talked about my ambassador program with Schwinn, and I’m so glad I now get to stand alongside another amazing brand on a mission.

Being an ambassador means that I get to talk about my experience with the brand, how I use their products and how much I love (because I really, truly do) the community they’ve built around their brand. I could not be more excited!

The first time I ever heard about this brand was when they appeared on Shark Tank, and I instantly fell in love with them. I remember messaging one of my friends immediately after I watched the show, and telling her all about this amazing brand. That was a few years ago, and I’ve loved following along on their journey ever since.

(photo credit Laura Vien at rrivter.com)

What this doesn’t mean: I get paid to promote their brand and to coerce others to buy it. I don’t receive any money for being an ambassador, or for you making a purchase through the use of my codes. 

This DOES means that I get to share special discount codes that get you awesome products at a great price, just ‘cus that’s the way they roll. This also means that I share what’s up with the brand and what’s new with them.

For instance, right now the brand is teaming up with the Red Cross and donating 100% of proceeds from these awesome key fobs to help with those affected by Hurricane Harvey—awesome, right?! Get yours (they’re only $10!) HERE.
It’s pretty awesome if you think about it—you get the inside scoop via me. And you get to hear stories about women empowering other women to succeed. Everyone wins!

Here’s more about the R. Riveter brand:

These products really are amazing, and I can’t wait to share more about them with all of you. Keep a lookout for special codes if you have your eye on one of their gorgeous bags.

If you use the code ‘RREMILEEM’ you can get 15% off any bags in their signature collection!