Identity Magazine

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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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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