izzie + sky // issue 09

IZZIE + SKY

issue 09 // 01•17

+ ART + PHOTOGRAPHY + MUSIC

HAPPY NEW YEAR! we can’t believe it’s already 2017... but we also can’t believe this is the third year of izzie + sky! it feels like just yesterday we dreamed up this idea while sitting in a coffee shop and then releasing issue 01. if you’ve been with us since the beginning, thank you. your support hasn’t gone unnoticed. for those of you who just found us - thank you! we hope you stick around with us as we continue to create this project of ours. have a happy 2017!

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website // izzieandsky.com fb // facebook.com/izzieandsky ig // @izzieandsky t // @izzieandsky snapchat // izzieandsky

featuring 04

DREAM WORLD PHOTO SERIES

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ABIGAIL HALPIN ILLUSTRATOR

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ANDREW KEARNS PHOTOGRAPHER

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KIMBERLY ESPINEL

FOOD PHOTOGRAPHER

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SAM LANDRETH PHOTOGRAPHER

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CLOVER ARTISANS

HOME GOODS

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JAN CAMPBELL ARTIST

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PATTI WAGNER

INTERIOR DESIGNER

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JERA FOSTER-FELL HEALTH & FITNESS

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HANRIE COETZEE ILLUSTRATOR

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NEW YORK CITY TRAVEL

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AURORA MUSIC

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DAN CROLL

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NEHEMIAH JORDAN CREATIVE SERIES

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CHIARA SEED VISUAL POETRY

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BRUMOUS

MUSIC

FASHION & PHOTOGRAPHY

XYLØ

WINTER SKIES

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MUSIC

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T/N/A/F MUSIC

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JUDAH & THE LION MUSIC

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CAPITAL CITIES MUSIC

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PHANTOGRAM MUSIC

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GROUPLOVE MUSIC

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PHOTOGRAPHY

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BUDDHA BOWL FOOD

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RECYCLED PLANTERS DIY

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WINTER PLAYLIST MUSIC

CONTRIBUTERS:

hanrie coetzee: cover artist justin swan: photos hunter thibodeaux: photos jacob karre: writer chiara seed: visual poetry

FEM PROJECT LA SOCIAL ACTIVISM

CALLING ALL CREATIVES! interested in being featured in / contributing for izzie + sky? shoot us an email - izzieandsky@gmail.com © 2017 izzie + sky magazine

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DREAM WORLD IG // @HUNTER.THIBODEAUX

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ABIGAIL HALPIN A coastal Maine gal, illustrator Abigail Halpin finds herself spending her days immersed in creativity, making beautiful, captivating pieces. Beginning her days creating just for fun, Abigail is inspired by artists whom have made their passions their work, and continues to live each day at the center of her craft. w // theodesign.com blog // blog.theodesign.com fb // abigailhalpin ig // @abigailhalpin

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“I’m an illustrator living on the Maine coast,” says Abigail.

“I spend my days drawing, dreaming, stitching and sketching in a studio that’s across the river in New Hampshire, in what was once a cotton mill. When I’m not illustrating, I spend my free time reading, sewing and participating in vintage themed events.”

With no necessary preference for working with specific tools, Abigail notes pencil sketches as one of her big loves, and she is sure to take time each morning to create art for herself, rather than working on a project. “While I don’t have a preference of one medium over another, there’s something about simple pencil sketches that resonates with me. Working in graphite feels honest and true – my grandfather was a navy draftsman and when I work in pencil I feel connected to him.

I usually try to take a few minutes at the beginning of each day to sketch and warm up with something that’s not client related. Even if it’s only ten minutes, drawing something purely for fun helps me get my head into the space I need to for creating.”

Often as creatives we get a jab of an idea and see a future glimpse of a final product that we want to create. With the thrill and excitement of newfound inspiration, we’re often quick to jump right into working on the final product, neglecting the very important process of getting there. Abigail notes this process as something that has helped her grow and develop in her craft. “Trial and error and making lots of art (and mistakes) has helped me grow as an illustrator. Spending plenty of time with a sketchbook has also been beneficial, learning to work out many ideas before moving on to final artwork. I know personally there’s always been the temptation to dive right into art making (the fun part of illustrating), but over time I’ve learned taking the time to work out ideas and plan properly is what really helps you develop as an artist.”

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Abigail has had a lifelong dream to illustrate the images in books, and because of her dedication she has had opportunities to do just that, noting her work for the book Finding Wild as a project she’s very proud of. “Illustrating books has been a lifelong dream and I feel incredibly lucky to be doing this sort of work. What I like about illustrating books is the problem solving aspect. You’re looking to make visible an author’s words, and this gives you parameters which can be challenging.

Ultimately I like working within that framework though, trying to stay true to a story while making something creative.

The artwork for the book, Finding Wild is something I’m very happy with. I knew going into the book that I wanted to push my style, but felt some trepidation as to whether I could really successfully do that. In the end, I’m glad I took the risk because there’s a vibrancy and passion in those illustrations – it feels very true to who I am as an illustrator.”

As sources of inspiration, Abigail finds light in the works of various artists, from Tasha Tudor to Trina Schart, in addition to citing the “rich tradition” she values about Eastern European folk art. “Not only am I a huge fan of Tasha Tudor’s artwork, but her lifestyle as a whole. I love how she blended her livelihood with her living, making every bit of her life creative. Other artists who’ve inspired me are Carl Larsson, Eric Ravilious, Trina Schart Hyman and Gyo Fujikawa. I’m also crazy about the rich tradition surrounding Liberty fabrics and Eastern European folk art.”

Though she is inspired by others, she truly values the individuality that often finds its way into her work, sometimes unintentionally. “I’ve learned over time that while you don’t want to live in a bubble (only projecting your own experiences onto a piece of art), you conversely don’t want to ignore what makes you you. I think the key is authenticity, and when I’m true to who I am, those little subconscious things bubble up. I think when you put those bits of yourself into the artwork, people respond to it, because it feels like there’s a real person behind the drawing.”

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ANDREW KEARNS

w // andrewtkearns.com yt // andrewtkearnsvlogs ig // @andrewtkearns t // @andrewtkearns

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Being able to share breathtaking views and amazing experiences through vlogging sounds like such an exciting opportunity, but it definitely isn’t an easy creative outlet to master. When watching vlogs by Andrew Kearns, you’d think otherwise.

His talent so evident, it absolutely pours from the videos in a way so captivating, you’ll watch video after video after video before realizing the hours that have passed. That is what Andrew loves about what he does, being able to share glimpses into his experiences with others.

“The thing I love most about YouTube and vlogging is being able to document and share my life experiences and travels with others. I love the fact that I’m able to look back at all these times too and relive those experiences. I’d say the most challenging thing would definitely be documenting and sharing my life because it’s also a lot of hard work once the filming is done.”

Rather than planning out his vlogs and the topics and focuses of each video, Andrew prefers to pick up his camera and go. “To be honest I never really think through what I’m going to vlog. I’m not much of a planner myself, so my vlogs are really of my day to day life. I want to create something that’s showing how I’m just a normal person. It’s definitely a real challenge to be creative every day, especially if the day is super normal, but it helps me grow a lot creatively.”

Some of his favorite places lie within the United

States, though he’s gotten to see some beautiful places abroad as well. “Portland is the best of both worlds. You could hike in the gorge nearby or snag some fantastic pizza in the city. Or both! As for Iceland, that place is another world. We spent 11 days there and it was cool to just document it all and be able to relive those times. Now, I really want to go to White Sands, New Mexico at sunset and shoot a portrait session there. It would probably be awesome.”

The path that Andrew is on is exactly where he wants to be. “In five years I would love to be doing exactly what I’m doing and inspiring people to do the same and live their dreams on a bigger scale. I would like to have some for my own business as well, and still be documenting life.”

As far as advice goes, Andrew has plenty. “My best advice is simply just do it. The hardest hurdle to cross is posting your first vlog, but after that it’s much easier. It’s easy to make excuses and not do it, but once you stop making those excuses it becomes a lot easier, and more. Same goes with photography.

Just shoot all the time. The longer you go without shooting, filming or editing, the worse you get, just like any other skill. Always be shooting.”

For the next five months, Kearns will be living in Portland and Montana. “I’m really stoked about that. I’ll have some pretty rad housemates, and I’m excited to document it.”

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KIMBERLY ESPINEL - the little plantation -

Seeing someone pursuing their talents in a wonderful and tasteful (no pun intended) way is always so inspiring and is something so valuable and admirable. Kimberly Espinel, a woman of many hats, does just that. With her passion clear to see, she spends her time doing what she loves, staying incredibly busy – in a good way! w // thelittleplantation.co.uk/tags/food-photography ig // @thelittleplantation

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Photo by: Aimee Twigger

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“I live in the wonderfully vibrant, cosmopolitan city that is London, England, with my amazing son and fabulous husband,” says Kimberly. “I’m a nutritional therapist, yoga teacher, self-taught food photographer, food and prop stylist and recipe developer. I’m also the Bitter Foods Feed editor over on The FeedFeed. Bitter foods are so under-appreciated, despite the fact that they are ultra healthy, therefore it’s a joy creating the feed. The thing is, I like to root for the underdog – I always have. The feed totally had my name on it and in short, I keep myself crazy busy, but I love it and wouldn’t have it any other way.”

With a deep love for keeping up with food blogs, starting a blog of her own was a step that really came naturally to Kimberly once she began thinking ethically about food choices and how they impact our world. “I was an avid reader of food blogs for many years and thought that blogging seemed like a really fun thing to do. Plus, I was really concerned about how our society’s meat-heavy food choices were impacting negatively on our health and our planet. That being said, one day I just decided I wanted to show that healthy and delicious plant-based recipes could be totally sexy and before I knew it, I was writing recipes for my own blog, The Little Plantation.”

As The Little Plantation grew, so too did Kimberly’s dedication to perfecting the food styling and photography that came along with

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keeping her blog running. She studied up, and became a master of the art. “Over time the importance of creating beautiful photography to showcase plant-based food as best as I could became more and more important to me.

Consequently, I read as many books on food photography as I could, I attended a few workshops and I just practiced like no one’s business. My love for creating beautiful images became my total passion, so much so that I gave up my ‘real desk job’ in November of 2015 to focus full-time on food blogging, prop styling and food photography alongside my work as a yoga teacher. And the rest, as they say, is history!”

Over time, her work has become even better and better, and she recalls how her food photography has grown since she first began.

“My understanding of light and how it impacts on the look and feel of the food I want to style has grown immensely. But, there is still heaps to be learned such as working with layers in Photoshop, improving upon my outdoor photography and learning to work with a macro lens. When photographing, I seldom use my iPhone, but when I do, I prefer flat lays. The iPhone camera has a very wide lens which means you can capture loads in a flat lay. It also means that images can look slightly distorted if you take shots from a different angle.”

On top of her own work, Kimberly has worked

on some other pretty amazing projects. Through working with companies such as Malawi Coffee Producers and doing prop styling for bloggers, she has had plenty of countless moments that she has loved every minute of. Two moments in particular stand out as a couple of things that she is exceptionally proud of. “I did a blog party to bring awareness to the struggles faced by Malawi Coffee Producers. They produce beautiful fair trade coffee but struggle to find an international client based to whom they can sell their coffee as they don’t have big budgets for marketing. I asked 11 other bloggers to create a recipe showcasing Malawi Coffee in all its glory.

The recipes that everyone came up with were just insanely awesome! It was such a wonderful, positive and creative way to give back to a community that really needed some TLC.” Another big moment came for Kimberly in 2016. “I had the opportunity to prop style a book for a very well-known British health food blogger. As a newbie in the food world I felt so lucky to be trusted with that task and I’m beyond proud of the result. It was hard work to hand pick the right props for the job but I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful book to come out of all the love, sweat and tears that everyone involved put into its creation.”

After becoming passionate about a plantbased diet and heavily shifting her own to bring it more down that path, Kimberly recalls a

bunch of awesome side effects that she didn’t think too much about beforehand. Not only has Kimberly been able to perfect some of her favorite recipes (two of which she noted), her overall health has improved as well!

“I love my Colombian black bean stew (http:// thelittleplantation.co.uk/blog/colombian-blackbean-stew) as well as my vegan chickpea curry (http://thelittleplantation.co.uk/blog/quickand-easy-vegan-chickpea-curry). Both are so warming and nourishing. The ultimate vegan comfort foods. Considering my age, I have really good, clear skin and my digestion is top notch!

Turning to a mainly plant-based diet also helped me shift some of my baby weight that I gained after having my son, which was an unexpected but rather lovely side effect.”

Kimberly was also sure to note some of her favorite healthy raw, plant-based snacks that she likes to grab in time crunches. “I love cashew butter with green apples. Nothing beats that! I adore hummus and carrot and celery sticks or just your good old green juice or smoothie. So easy, quick and delicious. The thing is, when all is said and done, I’m just a simple girl at heart.”

Staying strong and busy with her art forms, Kimberly is going to need to keep those quick snack shandy, because she doesn’t plan to slow down this year. “For 2017, I would love to finally work on a cookbook proposal. You heard it here first!”

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FOOD PROP ST Y LING TIPS & TR ICKS • Practice regularly and you will get better!

• Find a good light source in your home. I know it’s what everyone always says, but it’s so true. Good lighting really is the key to good food photography!

• Collaborate and work with other bloggers and food photographers. There is so much you can learn from seeing someone else do their thing. More importantly, it’s lovely to share all that you know with a fellow blogger.

• Find good food photography props. A beautiful plate, a lovely backdrop and cute cutlery can really transform your photos.

You don’t even have to spend a lot of money. eBay is a great place to find some unique pieces, as are garage sales and charity shops. Most of my backdrops are hand-made!

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sam landreth w // samlandreth.com ig // @samlandreth

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In a city bursting with creativity and excitement, it’s only fitting that to photographer and fashion blogger Sam Landreth, Portland is home. “I’m usually on a trip somewhere, I’m frequently overdressed and I just turned 20,” says the stylish traveler Sam herself, who isn’t too bothered by the Portland winters. “In the winter time here in Oregon, it doesn’t get terribly cold, but I think having a few good chunky knit sweaters, scarves and turtlenecks are key. An assortment of comfy coats and jackets in different colors to accommodate all other pieces I feel are important for winter as well.”

Always a fashion icon among her friend group, it was them who often asked why she didn’t start a fashion blog. “All of my friends asked me why I didn’t have a fashion blog and I didn’t really have a good reason, so I just went for it! I love it and how it comes naturally, so once I got it started I ran with it, and now here I am!”

She finds herself gathering pieces to showcase on her blog from all over, but she does have a few key favorite places to look. “I love ZARA, Topshop, Urban Outfitters, Free People and Nordstrom, to name a few. ZARA always has the best velvet, which is probably my favorite material of all time. They have a separate page on their website just for it. Definitely my kind of brand. My all-time favorite piece is probably this cardigan I have from Free People. I am wearing it more often than not – it’s so comfy and pretty and goes with everything!”

In the last year, Sam has gotten to see some pretty amazing places, with one in particular being her favorite. “Alaska! Getting to see Denali on a little 12-seater plane was the most incredible thing.”

Even though she gets to travel the world, she always finds herself loving home the most, especially when it comes to the food. “I’ve been to roughly 33 states and out of all of them (including New York, California and Illinois) there isn’t a state with more amazing food than Oregon. There are just so many restaurants and they are all consistently amazing. Por Que No for Mexican is great, Ken’s Artisan Pizza is my favorite pizza place on the planet and has the best caesar salad and Gino’s Restaurant is the best Italian and has amazing clams and mussels. Ken’s Artisan Bakery has the best macaroons I’ve had in years and my favorite cheddar ale soup. I am very enthusiastic about Portland’s food!”

For 2017, Sam has some exciting plans. “I’m currently working on some things for Schwinn Bikes, TOMS, Men’s Wearhouse, Sorel and some other clothing brands and such!”

To live the life you’ve always dreamed, it takes work. As for Sam, she’s got a piece of advice. “Don’t let fear hold you back; you have to take risks and live uncomfortably for a little while to get where you want to be.”

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SAMANTHA PETRIE - clover artisans -

Embarking on a seven month journey of world travel seems like a very exhilarating and thrilling experience to most. The opportunity to see the world, learn new things and fill your brain with countless memories that will stay with you for the rest of your years sounds like a pretty sweet deal. Imagine doing it alone, truly taking the time for yourself to learn not only about the world, but about who and what you want to be. With a lifelong passion for traveling, that is what Samantha Petrie did. After becoming accustomed to the typical 9-5 routine, Sam opted out for some time to explore and think about her next steps. As a result, Clover Artisans was born. A way to give a glimpse into and celebrate other cultures around the globe, Clover Artisans provides economic empowerment to the artisans behind the goods. w // cloverartisans.com fb // cloverartisans ig // @cloverartisans

Photo by: Ian Hanson

“’To live in clover’ is to live a good and prosperous life,” says Sam. “I believe everyone has the right to a good life, meaning good health, happiness, safety, education and opportunity.

Part of Clover’s mission is to help others achieve a good life by providing economic opportunity for artisans by connecting them to a global market that values their work.”

somewhere new and different. I’m more awake, more engaged and more stimulated than when I’m at home where it’s like being on cruise control. It’s like I’ve been at home for so long that I can get from point A to point B without having to think about it much. When traveling, time slows down and everything is interesting, educational, inspiring and challenging.”

As Clover Artisans ​strives to provide economic opportunity through purchasing the artisan made goods that they then offer on their website, they are helping the artists use this money to provide for their families in terms of daily necessities and education, things that many of us take for granted. “In many cases, the artisans are women who reinvest their earnings into their families and communities. They’re able to pay for better education for their children, make improvements to their homes and enhance their personal sense of worth which is incredibly important in many parts of the world where women are not valued as equals. As Clover continues to grow, so does our impact, which is a huge motivator and driver for me.”

As the daily routine of 9-5 got to Sam, she thought more and more about how there had to be more. Longing for the day where she was inspired and motivated to get up and get to work each morning, Sam took a leap of faith and put a halt to her decade long corporate life. “Jobwise, I had been working at a tech company in San Francisco, and while I loved the people I worked with, I had this nagging feeling that there was something missing, like there was more to life than this grind. I knew I wanted to do work that had an impact and contributed something positive. Simply collecting a paycheck doesn’t get me out of bed each day. I reached a point where I knew it was time to move on from my job, and if I didn’t go travel at that time, then I would never do it. So, I took the leap! While traveling, I tried not to think about my next career move and just enjoy the adventure, but I knew in the back of mind that I didn’t want to go back to the 9-5 (more like 8-7) grind again.

I’m a very independent person and loved the idea of starting my own business. Plus, I love a challenge and figuring things out. Running my own​ business was something I had thought about for a long time but never felt ready for, but I don’t think anyone really feels ready. It’s like so many things in life - you have to start before you’re ready.”

Fueled by her passion to explore the world and learn about new cultures and customs, Sam left her corporate job to embark on her worldly journey, the seven month trip that sparked her idea for Clover Artisans in the first place. With a mother from Scotland and annual childhood journeys visiting family overseas, Sam was accustomed to the art of travel which helped motivate her to take her initial jump into the journey. “With my mother being from Scotland, travel has always been a part of my life. From my earliest days, we traveled every year to visit family overseas. I love the feeling of being

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“’To live in clover’ is to live a good and prosperous life.”

Photo by: Sarah Lent

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The idea of this international journey was one that Sam had by this point fooled around with for years, though she always pictured herself doing it alongside someone. As she thought more about it and attempted to recruit a travel companion, she decided that she would go alone.

“I had wanted to do a longer international trip for years and thought that I’d find someone to do it with - a friend, a boyfriend, someone. That gets hard to do as you get older and people have jobs and families, so I decided to go solo. It was terrifying at first, but ultimately one of the best decisions I ever made. I traveled for 7 months through Southern Africa, Nepal and Southeast Asia. I wish I’d gone for longer and would tell anyone considering solo travel to do it. You will not regret it.”

A journey of exploration and gaining loads of inspiration, Sam returned home and decided that the time was now. “Once I returned from traveling, I decided that it was now or never and slowly started researching what it would take to get things going. I’m lucky that my boyfriend is incredibly supportive and started his company, so he understands the ups and downs of building a business. You really do need to be confident and stubborn in that so many people will tell you not to do it – to take the safe job working for someone else – but you’ve got to decide for yourself what’s right. Running a business is challenging and can be isolating if you’re doing it solo as I am, but it’s been an incredible learning experience both on the business side, as well as personally.”

The day to day operations of running Clover Artisans isn’t ever something that Sam tires of.

Remembering the artisans and the reasons she

began the company in the first place, she is constantly pushing herself to be better and better. “Getting to connect with people in person is always inspiring because it reminds me that the work I’m doing affects real people. There are times when I’m in front of a computer for hours or going through a challenging period where it feels like nothing is working or I question what I’m doing (the ups and downs of running a business!), so getting to connect with the artisans brings everything back into focus. They are pushing themselves to be better at their craft and learn new skills that will help them grown their business and that inspires me to continue doing the same on my end.”

Through her worldly explorations, Sam has gotten to see so many different inspiring places.

Noting the warmth and kindness of the people combined with the history, Turkey takes the cake as one of her favorite places that she has visited. “After years of dreaming, Turkey was a place that touched my heart when I finally visited. Friends who had traveled there told me how warm and friendly the people are, and they were so right. That, combined with the incredible architecture, history and the diversity of people visiting from all over the world made it such an inspiring trip.”

Another notable experience took place in Cuba. One of her favorite trips she’s ever taken, Cuba was one in which she was able to see resourcefulness truly at work, a place that really showed her how though it’s possible to read about places, you truly learn when you’re actually there. “In 2016 I traveled to Cuba and it was one of my favorite trips I’ve ever taken. It wasn’t a sourcing trip, although I’m always on the

lookout when traveling. The people, architecture and history were incredible and so inspiring.

Reading about a place is one thing, but visiting and experiencing it first hand is completely different. I was a terrible history student but I love learning about the history of a place when I’m traveling there in person. Cubans are incredibly friendly and resilient and resourceful.

We’d visit people’s homes and nothing has changed in 50 years. They’ve had to make the same furniture, appliances, bicycles – whatever it is – work for all of these years because they can’t simply go out and buy new things. It’s impressive to see that type of resourcefulness in our age of disposable items, where things aren’t built to last but to force you to buy new every few years. It’s a reminder that buying fewer quality items that will last a long time is really important for protecting our planet’s resources and spending less money. Cubans may not have much in terms of material possessions, but they have a strong connection to family and friends, and that’s what’s most important in life.”

Through Sam’s time with Clover Artisans, she has been able to carry so many different kinds of intriguing goods, noting some of her favorites. “My favorites include our gourdshaped Ghana baskets. Each one is different and every time I get a shipment of them, I want to keep them all! I also love the Batonga baskets from Zimbabwe and am planning to do a wall of them in our house. Our new indigo throws and pillows are beautiful, and I’m a sucker for anything blue and white! Plus, I love our colorful wax print clutches. I always have one with me, whether I’m traveling or enjoying a night out.”

With 2016 in the dust and 2017 already a

month over, Sam has specific plans set in stone for the remainder of this year that will keep Clover Artisans going in the direction where it needs to be. “I’m excited for 2017. 2016 was a big year for learning, and I’m looking forward to applying those lessons this year. Learning to focus is one of the biggest challenges because as a solo-preneur, I have very limited resources. It’s tempting to try to be everywhere, but it’s just not possible to be everywhere and do it well. 2017 will be all about focus, positive intentions and continuing to grow the business slow and steady.

One of the rewarding aspects of starting Clover is meeting other female business owners and being inspired by their accomplishments. I want to continue to build on those relationships and on this network of inspirational people. I’m also planning to expand our philanthropic efforts to include volunteering during sourcing trips to further connect with the communities with which we work. I’m also planning to launch a few products under the Clover label, which has been part of my vision from the beginning. This will help us connect with new customers and increase our exposure to help build the brand. I also want to collaborate and attend more inperson events to connect with customers. I’m still finalizing my travel plans for 2017. Right now there are a few countries in East and West Africa I’m researching, as well as a possible trip to Southeast Asia. I traveled in SEA a few years ago (not for sourcing) and was drawn to their incredible textiles, and would love to add some of them to our line.”

This year will be a big one, and Clover Artisans isn’t planning on slowing down anytime soon.

Photo by: Ian Hanson

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“Laos Woman Weaving” photo by: Soaban / Indigo Pillow & Throws photo by: Samantha Petrie

“Trade Beads” photo by: Ian Hanson / “Sam Negotiating” photo by: Sarah Lent / “Batonga Baskets” photo by: Ian Hanson

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AVOCADO STONE FACES

ARTIST: JAN CAMPBELL w // avocadostonefaces.com ig // @avocadostonefaces

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PATTI WAGNER Many long for a keen design eye as sharp as that of Patti Wagner and her husband, a Minnesota duo who turned their fixer upper into their dream home. With a determination to keep their personal touch evident in the final design, the couple worked many post-work hours and long nights to renovate their space. pinterest // patticakewagner ig // @patticakewagner

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Photo by: Kari Lee

Right upon finishing college, Patti knew that Minneapolis was the perfect place for her. A Senior Designer for Target, Patti lives in the city with her husband and two daughters, aged 2-and-a-half and five months old. With a keen eye for all things home and design, Patti and her husband purchased a 1927 Tudor house in 2011 that needed a lot of work. Taking matters into their own hands, they completely transformed the home, creating a masterpiece so beautiful you’ll find yourself scouring the market for your own fixer upper.

“We bought our 1927 Tudor house in 2011 at the bottom of the market. It was a long process that took about 6 months to finalize due to the complexity of the sale. The house set on a large lot but because it was the bottom of the market, people weren’t willing to pay the asking price for a fixer upper. It was an estate sale and the house needed so much work, so the sellers decided to split the lot (the house and the backyard) into two lots. We wanted the house but we couldn’t close on it until they had a purchaser for the empty lot which was complicated by the fact that they still needed approval from the city to approve the lot split. Anyhow, long story short, we were in the right positon to stick it out and everything aligned and we were able to close on it!

The process of making this house into our home was a long one using a lot of our own

sweat. We fell in love with the house because we had a vision and saw its potential, something that other buyers overlooked. However, it wasn’t easy. We both work full time but stayed up late every night during the first couple of months after moving in to tear down old wall paper and fix cracks on the walls and ceilings prior to repainting them and enameling the trims. The big remodel came two years later to turn our attached garage into the kitchen. We planned and designed it all ourselves, with the help of a local architect who drew it up to submit to the city, a local cabinet maker who custom built our cabinets and our carpenter friend who kept the work on track. My husband did the major demolition work and I picked out all of the materials and finishes. I was expecting our first child and we had a makeshift kitchen in the living room all while I had some serious food aversion! It wasn’t easy, but we were so excited for the result, and it paid off!”

Her husband a very handy individual, he had a great deal of determination to figure out how to do many of the home projects himself, which aided in the renovation process. Emphasizing the importance of keeping one’s personal touch in the final, completed project, Patti knew it was important to stay as involved in their home renovation as possible. “My husband is very handy and if he doesn’t know how to fix something, he’ll Google it and figure it out! If it wasn’t for him, I’m sure we would have hired a

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lot of the work out. My advice is to be involved with the project and don’t leave it all in someone else’s hands even if they are an expert designer, because you want it to have your personal touch.

I don’t think anything was easy with our renovation, but picking out finishes was the easiest. If you can paint, go for it. My husband can lay tile but we decided to hire that out because of the labor and time. Even if you can do something, you have to evaluate if it’s worth your time. For example, was it worth it to pay someone to lay our tile for the week or have my husband lay it on the weekends and take a month? With that said, you also have to keep a close eye on your budget. Otherwise, it’s very easy to go over!”

If renovating on a budget, Patti advises to go through the renovation process just as they did – by doing most of the work! And remember, even upon perfecting the design and placing the final touches, make sure that the house feels lived in. “Do most of the work yourself! Home improvement stores and Pinterest will be your best friends. Make sure you have the vision in your head and create a mood board or style guide. Then, use that as your guardrail to decide what work you can do yourself and what you should hire out, and always update your budget spreadsheet! For cute and unique home knickknacks and pieces, I love neighborhood garage sales! I also love local boutiques or searching on eBay and Craigslist from time to time. A house

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should always feel lived in. Especially with two young children, we want to enjoy and have fun with them without freaking out about making a mess. Also, fill your house with meaningful items, not just things. Your house should tell a story.”

Living in the Midwest, dreary, gray winters are the perfect reason for Patti to keep her home full of greenery. “My favorite plants are the easy to maintain kind that can survive without a lot of light. Living in the Midwest, it’s so gloomy and cold in the winter so you want a lot of greens inside to feel refreshed! I love my Bird of Paradise, mother’s tongue, cacti, jade, aloe, periwinkle and peace lilies.”

After getting through the harsh winters each year, it is the remaining three seasons that really make Patti love Minneapolis that much more.

“The winters are harsh but that’s why we appreciate the other three seasons so much here.

We love living near the lakes even though we’re in the city because we’re always going on walks as a family. People seem so happy and active here and it influences me to go out and be active as well. The food scene is also amazing! I love different types of food and there’s no shortage of great restaurants here. I also love that the majority of our favorite restaurants are near our house within walking distance.”

For Patti and her family, Minneapolis is truly home.

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meet jera foster-fell AKA

w // workoutbean.com fb // @workoutbean ig // @workoutbean t // @workoutbean

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Photo by: Victoria Jane Photography

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era Foster-Fell lives among the hustle and bustle of New York City, the city of lights and people chasing their dreams. As someone who grew up in the city, Jera takes on that New Yorker mentality and proudly runs with it (quite literally).

During her college years, Jera traded icy winters of the east for sun-filled fun in Los Angeles where she attended the University of Southern California. There she pursued a degree in fine arts with a focus in graphic design. After graduating, she found her way back to NYC and spent her time working with start-up companies.

In April of 2015 she began what would become a completely new journey, all with the completion of a workout plan. Fast forward to November 2016 when she decided to really take hold of her interest in health and began to pursue it feverishly.

Since then Jera has made a name for herself on the web under the pseudonym “workoutbean.” Her blog, under the same name, is a place where she talks about her life centered around healthy living.

In a blog post titled Nothing Worth Having Comes Easy, Jera talks about her journey to become a SoulCycle instructor. At the beginning, it wasn’t easy. First off, SoulCycle is a strenuous workout, and second, she had to overcome personal obstacles. The title and the essay itself speaks volumes to the type of person Jera is - hardworking, dedicated, and passionate. Over the course of her training, she realized just how hard she would have to work to accomplish her goal. Night and day she sought after it and felt it with every fiber of her being. It took an upwards of a year for her to finally reach that goal, but she made it. She went from a “graphic designer who never set foot in the gym” to a full time health advocate and instructor.

From inspirational stories to photos of her dog, Thatcher, - a.k.a. Spicy Grandpa, follow Jera on her website and all of her socials.

Written by: Jacob Karre

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hanrie coetzee Noting an active imagination and having always been highly inquisitive, artist and illustrator Hanrie Coetzee says that it was these qualities of herself that originally sparked her interest in the world, prompting her to draw it.

Through travels that have taken her to wondrous places around the globe and surrounding herself with inspiring people, Hanrie has been able to do what she loves and also work on some neat projects along the way. w // hanriecoetzee.com ig // @hanriecoetzee

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“All my life I have had a rich and active imagination and I have always been inquisitive,” says Hanrie.

“What got me where I am today was the ability to explore the world around me by drawing it. I spend my time outdoors whenever possible and I love good cinema, homemade bread and drink my coffee strong and black. I owe my success to the support and encouragement my family and loving partner give me and to the invaluable advice given by mentors along the way.”

Hailing all the way from South Africa, Hanrie has a strong love for where she grew up and spent her childhood years. She has always felt a strong urge to continue exploring this earth, and her travels have taken her all across the globe, allowing her to learn more about herself along the way. “I was born and raised in South Africa. I spent my childhood on a beautiful farm where I developed an immense love for nature. My adventurous spirit always yearns for experience. I have very fond memories of skiing alone at night outside Haukivuori in Finland, chasing the northern lights on a bicycle in the breathtaking Iceland and hiking Cradle Mountain in Tasmania. As an early career illustrator, traveling helps me to grow and the better I get to know myself, the more meaning I find in what I do.”

She notes Melbourne as a place that really aided in the development of her craft. “Living in Melbourne accelerated my illustration career.

Being surrounded by other likeminded and creative professionals was stimulating and very rewarding.”

Now, she finds herself in Skukuza, a place that has brought her back to her roots in South Africa and a place that allows her to be so unbelievably close with nature and the beautiful creatures that inhabit it. “Skukuza offers a lifestyle where the rhythm of life is different than any other place, because time seems to stand still and melt away at the same time. It has a nice calming effect on me. I still have exhilarating moments that disrupt my

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calm when I see a hippo grazing on my lawn or an elephant trumpeting on my doorstep. Living so closely to wild animals adds unimaginable meaning to my life - I recommend everyone should try it.”

As Hanrie has watched her career grow and blossom, she has found that social media has been helpful in which it allows one to connect with others around the world. “Social media, Instagram especially, makes it possible to connect to a worldwide audience in a personal way. My followers can learn about my process and I can get to know them. It is also a great way to stay informed and inspired by my peers.”

Hanrie has had the opportunity to dip her hand into some pretty amazing projects, from founding a production company with friends, to the publishing of her very own children’s book. “While studying Fine Arts I collaborated with three friends to shoot an independent film on a shoestring budget. Being ‘moved to tears’ by a performance by a non-actor made me realize I want to surround myself with excellent people who can make magic happen. A year later we officially started our production company, Blindspot Productions, and produce documentaries about inspiring young South Africans. A Counting Adventure, the children’s book, was inspired by my partner, an adventurer and conservation ecologist. Lily, the main character of the story gets bored and starts to count everything around her, and as soon as she runs out of things to count she takes her binoculars and peaks outside.

That is where she discovers Australian animals.

The book aids in learning to count while building on general knowledge about native Australian animals, which aims to foster a love for nature in young children.”

With some upcoming projects in the works for 2017, it is surely going to be a wonderful year for Hanrie. “In this new year, there is a solo show to look forward to as well as another children’s book!”

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WINTER IN NEW YORK CITY

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AURORA Union Transfer // Philadelphia, PA Photos: Justin Swan

DAN CROLL

Union Transfer // Philadelphia, PA Photos: Justin Swan

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XY LØ Union Transfer // Philadelphia, PA Photos: Justin Swan

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T/N/

/A/F The Naked and Famous Union Transfer // Philadelphia, PA Photos: Justin Swan

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Cold temperatures didn’t stop fans all over the Philadelphia area from coming out to Radio 104.5’s annual winter concert at XFINITY! Live. This year’s musical acts included Andorra, Run River North, LP, Civil Youth, Judah & The Lion, Capital Cities, Phantogram, and headliner Grouplove. Each band brought an insane amount of energy that kept fans jumping and dancing along to the music.

RADIO 104.5 #WINTERJAWN

JUDAH & THE L I O N

CAPITAL CITIES

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GROUP

PLOVE

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What were you doing at seventeen? Isabel Fields and Grace Westlin, co-founders of Feminine Every Month, have spent their seventeenth year not falling victim to the more typical social norms that come with being a teenager; however, rather founding an organization that will not only help the community, but improve the lives of homeless women in Los Angeles and beyond. After holding a drive in which they were able to raise donations of over 3,000 menstrual supplies for homeless women in LA, Feminine Every Month was born. w // femproject.org fb // femproject ig // @femproject

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Feminine Every Month (FEM Project LA) aims to destigmatize the period, and in doing so, provide menstrual supplies to homeless women in the Los Angeles area that most likely wouldn’t have access to the products otherwise.

“FEM is a non-profit that aims to destigmatize the period while empowering women to own their femininity by providing menstrual supplies to homeless women in Los Angeles, California,” says Isabel. “We attempt to bridge communities by attracting a large variety of women of various ages to be proud of their period, instead of feeling ashamed, while providing decency to those who feel like getting their period is the most emotionally painful time of their month.” Added Grace, “FEM is about empowerment. It’s about empowering women to own their femininity by being open about their periods and contributing, helping, and reaching out to women who aren’t as lucky, to help to empower them and make their period a time that they aren’t ashamed of.”

According to the FEM website, FEMProject.org, almost 47,000 women are homeless in Los Angeles.

They simply do not have access to proper supplies, many being forced to make do with paper towels or makeshift paper products. Without proper supplies, says the site, “women risk infection and discomfort.”

This organization has already helped to inform others of what homeless women go through, an issue that they felt really needed to be emphasized.

“I had no idea that the homeless period was an issue, and I don’t think others realize either. It’s something that I really connect to because I complain about my own period, but I never took into perspective what others go through. Because it was an area that wasn’t covered, I thought we should make people aware,” said Grace. “I felt as though I had all these large aspirations in life, but they were all things that I couldn’t do right now as a 17-year-old. FEM is. It’s something that I can do now to solve an issue in my community,” said

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Isabel. “After holding the drive and raising over 3,000 supplies and seeing the impact we made, I didn’t see a reason to stop.”

FEM is taking a stand to make this issue more well-known, through partnering with other organizations and being active on social media.

“We have recently partnered with Lead Like Her to host an event where we will package menstrual supply kits,” says Isabel. Adds Grace, “We will connect with donors to supply menstrual products, as well as chocolate and other items to make it personable and bring smiles to the women that receive the kits.”

Isabel and Grace aren’t stopping there. At their Downtown Women’s Center, they currently sponsor 25 women for six months at a time, and they plan on staying actively engaged with the community. “Our ultimate goal is to help as many people as possible. We want to build a lasting organization,” says Isabel. “We want to reach all of the women who would like to be involved and help all of those that need it,” adds Grace.

--Isabel is passionate about human and women’s rights and has interned at Human Rights Watch and worked at Mendocino Farms. In the future, she wants to be an international human rights lawyer specializing in sex trafficking. She also has thoughts on opening a vocational school and primary school for girls and women who have been trafficked to keep them out of trafficking with micro-financing that will allow them to go to school.

Grace has a love for both theater and the environment and has interned at 5 Gyres, an organization that helps to keep plastic out of the oceans. She wants to one day combine her love for theater and the arts with her passion for feminism and empowering women. Both girls attend Crossroads School for the Arts and Sciences.

To volunteer, intern, and/or receive event and newsletter updates about FEM, email femgirls@femproject.org

Artwork by: Anna Kozdon

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CREATIVITY SERIES: THE GAP

NEHEMIAH JORDAN youtube // N.T. Jordan t // @ntjrdan

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Photos by: Jared Powell

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Whether you’ve decided to pursue your creative niche this year or have been struggling to keep your passion alive, I think you’ll want to read this.

I’ll let you in on a little secret, there’s this thing in our creative lives called The Gap, a phrase which here means: the period of time in which what you’re making isn’t that great. The Gap is essentially the correlation between your taste (in art) and the art you make. In simpler terms: What you make is going to suck for a while. Your taste and your creations will be at opposite ends of the spectrum.

This topic stems from an audio recording of Ira Glass, radio personality and producer of “This American Life.” She explains this idea with brilliant visuals.

So, what does that mean? Well, take writing for instance. My writing initially was in the vain of my favorite authors from my childhood like Rowling and Snicket. While I had good taste (an objective statement, I know), my writing wasn’t quality. It was disproportionate. I was just at the beginning of this thing called The Gap. “Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this,” said Glass in his interview.

In a way, you can compare it to your teenage years. Awkward, smelly and possibly covered in pimples. But just like puberty, it does end.

Remember that when you’re creating your own art. Remember that your taste is impeccable and your work will eventually get there, but only as long

as you continue to work at it.

Don’t give up. That’s one of the biggest problems us creative types face. After a while, people begin to get bored with what they’re doing. They can’t see the strides they’ve taken and instead choose to give up. Not everyone is going to have overnight success, but is that really what we want?

I spoke with filmmaker Nehemiah Jordan who spoke wisely about this idea. He talked about the steps he takes in order to see himself through the awkward stage of The Gap. “I understand it’s going to take a while to get better,” said Jordan. “The way I approach it is with a question: ‘What if I can get through it one small step at a time?’ It’s about taking the challenge and managing it.”

Jordan talked about a period last summer when he forced himself to make a video every week. “I knew that by completing each video I made, I would then be able to see my improvements and work on just getting better.”

Nehemiah Jordan is a filmmaker from Georgia, currently attending university and creating his way through life. His videos, which can be found on YouTube, are thought provoking and well produced.

It’s worth checking out his YouTube channel.

Overall remember that perfecting your craft may take years to cultivate. If you love your art, stick with it and work through that awkward adolescent stage. You can do it. I know you can.

As Glass said, “It’s going to take a while. It’s normal to take a while. You just have to fight your way through.” / Written by: Jacob Karre

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Visual Poems by Chiara Seed

BRUMOUS

Model: Taylor (@taylordeannab)

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BUDDHA BOWL - delicious & nutritious -

the beautiful thing about these bad boys is the fact that they are what you make ‘em. literally any ingredients that you wish to include work, as long as the main goal is to include as many nutrients as possible. this par ticular bowl contains: - quinoa - red bell pepper - cherry tomatoes - sweet potatoes - zucchini - red onion - eggs - broccoli from making these so of ten, i’ve got ten into a pret ty ef ficient routine. potatoes take the longest, so i star t with those. to make them as crispy as possible, i do this: 01. chop potatoes in thin or small slices 02. lay out flat on a greased cookie sheet 03. brush onto the potatoes a mix ture of almond milk, paprika and cumin 04. bake for about 35-40 minutes on 425, or until desired tenderness then, while they’re cooking, star t boiling that quinoa. while that ’s boiling, chop your veggies and cook them how you like. for me, i love roasted vegetables so i roasted all of the above in coconut oil, beginning with the longer cooking vegetables and adding the others in as i went. mix tures such as these do the trick to keep you feeling full and satisfied for hours af ter eating!

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REC YCLED PLANTERS

- how to reuse your burnt out candles M ATER I A L S old candles succulents, cacti, or plants of choice soil (use a perlite mix ture for succulents/cacti)

HOW TO 01. light candle and let burn until you can see the bot tom of the candle 02. right before the wax hardens, use a knife and scrape out the remaining wax 03. use a paper towel and wipe candle clean 04. fill candle with soil (or perlite mix ture) 05. add plant of your choice this is such an easy, cute way to display your plants! plus, you don’t have to throw away that cute candle jar. another fun tip - go to an antique store and buy vintage tins to use as planters!

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winter playlist

01. Homegrown // Haux 02. Her Life // Two Feet 03. Mirage // Møme 04. Little Brother // Ella Vos 05. Gypsy // Fleetwood Mac 06. Love Love Love // Of Monsters and Men 07. Dark Days // Local Natives 08. Edge of Town // Middle Kids 09. The Worth of The Wait // Ivan & Alyosha 10. Savannah // Diviners 11. Boss // Bear Hands 12. Lazuli // Beach House 13. Should Have Known Better // Sufjan Stevens 14. Calvander // Mount Moriah 15. Oh My My // Little May 16. Peaches // In the Valley Below 17. I’ll Be Waiting // Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats 18. Apple Pie // Rafferty 19. Dance With Me // Ra Ra Riot 20. Long Way From Home // The Lumineers

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brumous adj. Of grey skies and winter days; filled with heavy clouds or fog, relating to winter or cold, sunless weather.

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