VOLUME 3
Identity
M A G A Z I N E
Inside this issue: FROM THE COVER: INTERVIEW WITH FLORIST CARRINGTON SMITH
ISSUE NO 2
F E B R U A R Y 2 8 , 2 019
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
5
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
2 IDENTITY
6
INTERVIEW WITH FLORIST CARRINGTON SMITH
Hear from the Editor in Chief, Rachel Grant,
Risks she took, decisions she made and the path
about her experience as the executive of Iden-
it took her to get to become a self employed
tity Magazine.
successful florist along side her husband.
OUT AND ABOUT:
9
SANTA CRUZ
GARDENING TIPS
Things to do, places to see, food to eat.
Learn from the pro’s, Carrington gives her best
Discover why Identity chose Santa Cruz as this
gardening tips and avice. How to become a
month’s Out and About choice.
better gardener in five easy steps.
8
CARRINGTON’S
IDENTITY 3
DESIGNER PICKS
1
FRESH FLOWERS
Keeping fresh flowers in and around your home invites a positive energy in. They are a reminder that everyday is a new day and growth is happening all around you, regardless if you see it.
2
ENCOURAGMENT
Having a constant reminder of truth built into the space where you spend the most time can change your attitude. Having a way to share something happy within your home creates a warm and comforting space.
3
COFFEE COFFEE
Waking up to a cup of coffee can quickly get your day jumpstarted. After a full cup you might feel more awake and energized. Avoid extra calories by sticking to black coffee and skipping the sugar or creamer.
4 IDENTITY
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
A Few Thoughts: HEY THERE,
Fall semester, going into my freshman
They are new every morning; Great is Your
year of college, I prayed hard for a strong
faithfulness.” Lamentations 3.22-23.
community of Godly women who can pull
me closer to the Lord and challenge me in
faithfulness was through getting accepted as a
my faith. I prayed for girls to do the same to.
full time student into Texas A&M University. I
I prayed for younger girls to be an example
was previously a Blinn TEAM student, meaning
to and lead towards Christ. I didn’t see any
I was taking 10 hours of classes at Blinn and
answered prayers immediately. I eventually
4-5 hours at TAMU, but now I will be totally
was graciously placed in a very tight knit group
at TAMU, praise the Lord. Recently I’ve been
in college of amazing and Godly women. While
having a lot of trouble trusting the Lord holds
at camp however, I was so clearly shown how
my future in His hands. Getting into A&M was
obviously the Lord answered my prayers from
a huge blessing and I am so thankful that He
two semesters ago.
has enabled me to be a full time student here.
I was shown this through mail. I received
The second way I was taught about God’s
The third way I saw the Lord’s faithfulness
so many letters while at camp from my friends
to me this summer was through the
and younger girls. Knowing how annoying
community He placed me in while at camp.
sending mail can be, I was amazed at the
I was nervous that I would be with girls who
amount of mail I got while at Sky Ranch. One
were different that me or that we wouldn’t
of the mail girls even told me I got the most
get along. However, the girls there were so
mail out of anyone at camp. Wow. How clearly
encouraging and uplifting.
the Lord showed me I am surrounded by
friends who care for me, to take time out of
faithfulness in my own life the first half of the
their day to write a note and wrote me a half a
summer in a way I would have never imagined.
dozen times while there for seven weeks.
What an incredible God I have the privilege to
serve at Sky Ranch.
“The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed
never cease, For His compassions never fail.
Overall, I was able to experience God’s
-Rachel IDENTITY 4
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARRINGTON SMITH S ORY BY RACHEL GRANT 6TIdentity
FLORIST PROFILE
INTERVIEW WITH FLORIST:
Carrington Smith The Farmer & I Owner
If you are engaged, chances are you’ve
on how to get deals, so read on bride-to-be, I
probably had two opposing internal dialogues
hope this is helpful for you!
throughout the wedding planning process. One
side of your brain is saying, “It’s my one day
matter if that budget is cushioned or tight,
to splurge a little, so it’s okay if I spend a little
set one. If you don’t, you’ll find yourself easily
on (fill in the blank).” The other part of you is
spending way more than you intended. And
saying, “Okay, its just one day, do I really need
beware, things will sneak up on you left and
to spend this much on (fill in the blank)?”
right that you didn’t plan for, so set a budget
ahead of time.
I 100% had both thoughts over and
First and foremost, set a budget. Doesn’t
over as I planned my wedding so I am in no
Go to a bridal show or open house! Often
way judging for either thought process. I’m
times, when you go to an open house, vendors
not here to say you shouldn’t splurge on a
there will give you discounts for booking with
photographer for your big day or that you
them after seeing them at a bridal show. I’m
need to skimp on expensive linens— it’s
not guaranteeing this but it’s worth a try!
YOUR day, and you (and whoever is helping
fund your wedding) get to determine what is
are expensive. This was one of the costs that
important to you for your wedding day. What I
I did not expect to be so expensive, and I
am saying is that finding the balance between
just couldn’t get myself to spend the money
the necessary, the special splurges, and where
on them. Instead, I designed my own (or you
to save money is certainly difficult. I get it. I
could have a friend) on Illustrator and got
in no way found the perfect balance, but I just
them printed with Vistaprint, and they run
want to offer a little insight on ways I saved
TONS of good deals. They weren’t as fancy
money and ways I wish I would have saved
as some, but they got the job done and our
money. I’ll also give you a few tips I discovered
people got the memo.
Design your own invites. Ok, invitations
IDENTITY 5
Carrington’s Garden Tips: 1
WATER YOUR
The number one cause of plant death is over
PL ANTS SPARINGLY
watering. Avoid uneccessary plant death!
2
BE GENTLE WITH
Use your gardening tools gently to prevent
YOUR TOOLS
hacking off parts of your plants.
3
BRING FRIENDS TO
Bring along friends to make gardening a
GARDEN WITH YOU
community event. Even try a shared garden!
NEVER FORGET TO
Don’t let your little guys suffocate under all
WEED THE GARDEN
those pesky weeds. Keep them out.
TAKE PROGRESS
It’s encouraging to see physical growth in
PHOTOS
your garden. Document it all!
4 5
IDENTITY 7
OUT AND ABOUT 8 IDENTITY
Santa Cruz, California
A CALIFORNIAN HIDDEN GEM; DARING BEACHES, HIGH CLIFFS & DEEP FORESTS
Known for it’s unique rock formations, Shark
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Finn Cove is named appropriately. This beach is a
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WHAT TO DO
1
2
3
Looking over the Pacfic Ocean,
Known for it’s unique rock
The Henry Cowell Redwood
Panther Beach is a popular
formations, Shark Finn Cove
State park is a beautiful 20 min-
attraction. Light hiking trails
is named appropriately. This
ute drive away fromt the coast.
and a quick climb to the shore,
beach is a perfect choice for a
The park is covered in massive
consider spending an afternoon.
family day together.
redwoods and is a must see. IDENTITY 9
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