Free Chick-Fil-A Cow Mask

Happy Cow Appreciation Day! It's that one day of the year where you get to dress up like a cow and get free food. Chances are, you might not have cow attire at the ready. No worries! Elle & Company's got you covered with this free printable cow mask.

I just have one small request. I would love for you to tag #elleandcompany (or even me - @laurenelizhook!) in a photo of you with your cow mask on Instagram!

I hope you enjoy this fun freebie from Elle & Company! Now what are you waiting for? Get printing!

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If you enjoyed this printable, there's a whole collection of other pretty paper goods waiting for you in the Elle & Company Library. Subscribe today!

Coffee Date with Bailey Robert

My greatest hope with Elle & Company is that it would encourage others to live creatively. That's the goal I have in mind as I'm designing planners and Library printables, communicating with freelance clients, and creating blog posts. And it's the reason this whole Coffee Date Series got started in the first place! Friday morning Coffee Dates give me the chance to highlight the ladies who have encouraged me most and share them with you.

Here's a lady who encourages me daily through simple (and lovely!) photos on Instagram. Bailey Robert is the girl behind Brave Love Blog - a theatre director, a soon-to-be grad school student, a writer (whether she would call herself that or not, I don't know - but this girl has such a gift!), and a fellow creative. Prepare to be encouraged as you get to know Bailey this morning!

What's in your coffee cup this morning?

Somehow I managed to live a full year in Seattle, the coffee capitol of the world, and never learn to love the stuff. I simply adore the cozy coffee shop atmosphere, and I'm a proud owner of a coffee candle or two, but my mug remains empty. If you and I sat down at a coffee shop, I'd order a hot chocolate with all the fixin's. It makes more sense in the winter, but sometimes I still give it a go ;) This morning you'll find me sipping on a glass of ice cold water from my favorite Baylor tumbler. It's a personal goal this summer to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and finally cut my caffeine fix (a Route 44 Diet Coke from Sonic) out of my routine. So far, so good!

Give us a glimpse into a "day in the life" of Bailey Robert.

Ah, the daily routine. I can't wait to have one again! My schedule has all but been flipped upside down since the big move last week. I traded in my jam-packed days in the Pacific Northwest for some rest and relaxation down South. It really is an entirely different way of living down here! Before the move my days started with several swats at the snooze button (I know it all too well...) followed by a race for the shower before my roommates were up and around (I had four!). If I'm lucky, I remembered to set out my outfit the evening before because looking Anthropologie-ready at 6am does not come easy for this night owl. Ideally I would spend time following along with the latest She Reads Truth devotional before work, but it often falls during my lunch break. At Anthro you would find me un-packing hundreds of monogrammed mugs and other beautiful home goods or at the cash register for hours on end. 

When that shift is done I would have a short break before heading to the suburbs for my afternoon as a children's theatre director. I just wrapped up a production of Peter Pan with 28 spectacular 4th-6th graders, and it was easily the highlight of my year! I wear all sorts of hats during rehearsal: leading warm ups, choreographing pirate duels, playing any number of lost boys that might be missing, and somehow writing it all down, finding costumes, and building sets ;) The kids make every crazy second worth it, but by the time 6:00 rolls around I'm ready for a nap. My evenings were spent either with my church community, taking West Coast Swing lessons, or watching old Grey's Anatomy episodes to wind down for the night.

You recently moved from Seattle to Texas. What are you looking forward to most about this brand new season?

My season in Seattle was such a gift, but somewhere around February I sensed that the Lord would take me in a different direction. I had already begun pursuing the grad school option, eager to get back into academia, and over and over again as doors opened and closed I had the opportunity to trust Him or blaze my own path. Oklahoma State University was on his agenda and far from mine. But until classes start in the fall, I am blessed to be able to spend the next six weeks at home in Texas.

This season is wide open with plenty of opportunities to reconnect with the friends and family I've missed so much, and to rest in the work that God is doing in my life. I am so looking forward to being back in school, surrounded by theatre artists who are passionate about storytelling and understanding the human condition, and I am also eager to find a church home. I would love to get involved with Young Life or another youth ministry; I am passionate about investing in young women but have not had much opportunity this last year. And honestly for the first time I am excited about stepping into the unknown! This has been a journey with the Lord in itself, taking a control freak, planner-dependent girl and turning her into someone willing to say yes to a new city, a new state, a new community two years in a row. He has been faithful so far and I know he will continue to be so!

How did you get into the blogging scene? What advice do you have for other ladies who are hoping to start their own blog?

My first introduction to blogging was in middle school, back with Xanga was the cool thing to do. I know, I know, just stick with me here. My spelling was terrible, I used a strange combination of chat lingo and small caps, but somewhere in the middle of it all I found my heart flowing through my fingertips far faster than when I put pen to paper. I started my first "real blog" when I went off to college, hoping to capture my Baylor adventures. The blogging world has grown so much since then -- I've blog hopped a time or two myself -- and lately I've been trying to get back to the basics.

So my advice? Remember the why. I found myself more caught up in the number of followers I didn't have and the types of posts I thought I was "supposed" to be writing, when instead I could have been building friendships with the followers I did have and sharing the things on my heart from the start. I started blogging because it was a way of processing and sharing life. Blogging became much more enjoyable and fulfilling when I switched gears. The comparison trap is easy to fall into, and if you catch yourself doing it, make the switch; celebrate that person or blog you admire instead of criticizing your own. It makes all the difference!

Life can get busy and stressful. How do you simplify?

So far 2014 has been a year of learning how and where to simplify, finding the joy in surrender. It is still a learning process, but my biggest take aways so far include:

• When shopping: If I don't absolutely love it or absolutely need it, I don't buy it. Working at Anthropologie I saw dozens of trendy clothes come through each week. If I tried it on and was not willing to wear it out the door at that moment, back on the hanger it went. If I picked it up but it did not have an immediate use or if it did not fill an immediate need, back on the shelf it would go.
• The Big Three: I am a huge fan of lists and my to-do's become several pages long with ease. Narrowing it down each morning to the top three things I must take care of before the end of the day helps me prioritize and learn not to fret about the small things.
• Dressing for work: Like I said before, setting out my outfit the night before made 5:00 or 6:00am wake up calls so much easier. And finding something I could dance around the stage or sword fight with Captain Hook in was also a priority ;) One of my managers shared a tip for being work-ready: top, bottom, layer, accessory. She called it BLAT or T-LAB or something catchy I can't remember, but hey it works!

What's something you've been loving lately?

I recently invested in the ESV One Column Journaling Bible and I love it! I am an avid journaler, highlighter, and note-taker but my Women's Study Bible (which I also love and highly recommend!) left little room for me to do so. The journaling Bible has wide margins where I can add favorite or relevant quotes, alternate versions of certain verses, interesting facts, and so on. I love looking back through old journals to see where I was in each season, and being able to take glimpses of past prayers or insights from previous studies is so refreshing and encouraging. I also love using Rifle Paper Co. journals for Bible studies, church notes, and brainstorming for my blog. You can pick up a set at Anthro or even in the gift section at Target!

And just for fun, what would be your dream job and why?

Oh, I love this question! If you're around me long enough you'll hear me say that I'm constantly dreaming in six different directions. But I am actively pursuing one of those dreams. I would love to be a professor, teaching and directing theatre at the college level. I want to invest in students who are deciding if and how to pursue theatre with their lives. The professors I had were incredible and so influential during my time at Baylor, and they encouraged me to dive into my dreams with great faith and determination. Theatre is a world where you are putting the most vulnerable parts of yourself on display, and your success largely depends on the opinions and judgments of others. It is daunting, but I was blessed to have authority figures in my education remind me why I wanted to pursue it and how to be secure in who God says I am and who He created me to be, no matter if my name ends up on the cast list or not.

Earlier in 2014 I had worked myself into a frenzy, wondering how to combine all of my dreams and fit them into my timeline. After much prayer and waiting, the Lord gave me a mission statement, something to hold onto as I dream. I want to be engaged in encouraging community, cultivating a creative life, and investing in the lives of women in all seasons. These are the foundation, the big picture pursuits, and I am trusting Him to fill in the details as we go along.

Follow along with Bailey

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Library Spotlight: Daybook Inserts

I have a heart for design and organization, and when the two combine it makes my heart sing. So you can only imagine the tunes it belts out when I'm creating Daybook Inserts!

What are Daybook Inserts?

These one-page worksheets were designed to help you organize your day-to-day activities, keep track of dates and passwords, and record ideas. They're clean, simple, and straight-forward. I like to hole-punch them and add them to my Daybook Planner so that everything is in one place. 

I've added several of them to the Elle & Company Library so that they can be accessed and printed any time and as many times as you would like! Here's a peek at the worksheets in our printable collection:

The Elle & Company Library is filling up quickly with all kinds of pretty paper goods! I've made it my mission to add at least one new item each week to the printable collection. Here's a look at this week's newest addition:

Who doesn't love a good to-do list? Log in to the Library to access this new Daybook Insert or subscribe today for access to our growing collection of pretty paper goods!

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Which Daybook Insert has been most helpful for you? Do you have an idea for a worksheet that you would like to see in our collection?

How to Start a Blog: Finding Your Niche

One of the best things about blogging is that the opportunities are endless. This young blogging industry has only continued to grow in the past few years because it is exploding with opportunity. Bloggers all over the place are speaking at conferences, writing books, leaving their day jobs to blog full time - there is no limit in sight! 

Anyone has the ability to start a blog, and many people are jumping in headfirst to this fun blogging world. But because there is so much opportunity out there, it can be overwhelming to know where to start and how to set yourself apart.

Today I'm giving you tips on how to find your niche. It's important that the purpose behind your blog is something that you're truly passionate about and something you can build upon. After all, the purpose behind your blog is the foundation for each decision you'll make about it from here on out. I'll also share ways that you can experiment and take your unique idea to the next level. 

Discover areas of interest

1. List all of your areas of interest down on paper

Yes, all of them. Even if you're 100% certain that you would never blog about it, write it down anyway. What do you like to do in your spare time? What makes you happy? What are some hidden talents that people would never know about you? What have you won awards for? What topics interest you? What are your favorite colors, bands, hobbies? What are your favorite blogs and what topics interest you?

Keep in mind that no one else will see this list, so there's no reason to be cautious in what you write down. When I did this activity a few months ago, my list contained everything from my hidden talent of rapping to teaching dance aerobics. Even funnier? I actually rapped in a post a few weeks ago and it was a hit! You never know what you'll be inspired by, so get it all on there.

2. Once you have your list, go through and highlight topics that you might consider blogging about

Look for any common denominators and take notice of popular categories. For example, you may have 24 items that are food-related and 2 items that are design-related. This exercise is a good indicator of how many ideas you will have for certain subjects right off the bat and may reveal what could set you apart from everyone else.

Even if you're already a blogger, this exercise is a great way to brainstorm for new ideas. It's easy to get burnt out and stuck in an inspiration rut, but sitting down and listing out your interests might get your gears turning and remind you of why you started blogging in the first place. 

Be open-minded

It's easy to create a quick list of topics and jump to conclusions about the blog you want to create, but I would encourage you to take it slow and explore your options. Mapping out a plan for your blog is a very good thing, but don't let it hinder your creativity. It's important to keep an open mind. Allow yourself some time to experiment and discover what you're passionate about. 

In my blogging experience, I put way too much thought into what other people would want to read and not enough thought into what I would enjoy posting. You'll quickly burn out if you don't enjoy what you're posting, and you won't know what you enjoy posting if you don't give yourself room to experiment. 

When you're writing about things that you're passionate about, it's easy to keep coming up with new ideas. I actually keep a small notebook on my desk and one in my purse to jot down ideas throughout my day - they just keep coming! If you love what you do, you're going to be encouraged to learn more, test things out, and share your passion with other people. 

Your niche and your purpose should excite you, so give yourself the opportunity to test out ideas. You won't be able to create something successful and sustainable without this experimental phase.

Side note. Finding something that you're passionate about will also help you stand out from the rest. New bloggers have a tendency to chase after topics that everyone else is already blogging about, but don't buy into it! Separate yourself by posting things that you enjoy, that you're an expert in, and that you can maintain. 

Identify your strengths

Passion is good. But passion and talent is fantastic. Knowing your strengths and playing them up will make your blog content stronger and more original. 

Identify your strengths by thinking back on major accomplishments and activities that you've kept up with over the past 5+ years. Again, it might be helpful to list them out. See if there are any trends or patterns. Do you work well in a team or do you thrive working solo? Are you self-motivated or do you need an incentive to stay on task? Do you excel in academics or are you more artsy and free-spirited? All of these things are important to consider as you figure out what your blog will look like. 

It might be difficult for you to evaluate yourself, so consider asking those who are close to you. Oftentimes friends and family know you best and will be honest with you, so ask around and see what strengths others might see in you.

Taking a hard look at yourself is difficult, so don't be discouraged by this section. You have everything you need to begin a successful blog. You have talents and gifts that are specific to you and will make your blog unique. There is no one else quite like you and you have something different to offer. Play to your strengths in a way that only you can!

Narrow it down

This is where your areas of interest, your passions, and your strengths culminate. Choosing a focus and narrowing it down will help you tie everything together. Here are some helpful ways to fine-tune it all:

1. Choose a category

Even if you write on several different subjects, you should pinpoint one primary category for your blog. This can be intimidating and it might feel like you're putting yourself in a box, but choosing a category doesn't limit your content. It creates a sense of focus and priority.

2. Write a mission statement

Summarizing your purpose into a few sentences will force you to simplify your focus and quickly communicate who you are to potential new readers and acquaintances. 

3. Develop your blog's tone of voice

Every blog has a personality, and it doesn't just happen - it's intentional. What do you want the vibe of your blog to be? Witty? Encouraging? Sarcastic? Helpful? I love this quote from one of my favorite bloggers, Elsie of A Beautiful Mess:

"A blog with a strong mood can transport you just like a good story or a beautiful movie. It's a peek into someone else's life, perspective, or creative process. I love when a blog has a strong ethos, even (maybe especially) when it's different from what we do on A Beautiful Mess. It's fun to be transported."

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Finding your niche is the most important step in starting a blog. Your purpose is the foundation for every decision you make and every post you write, and each person who visits your blog will be affected by it. So spend some time thoughtfully mapping it out. I can't wait to hear what you come up with!

Weekly Truth

This passage has always been a hard one for my prone-to-worry spirit. Seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness seems simple in theory, but it's a little more difficult in practice, isn't it?

Seek first the kingdom of God

It's easy to get caught up worrying over bills, deadlines, appearances, and desires. But if I remind myself that my citizenship isn't on earth but in heaven (Phil. 3:20) and I am more careful to please God while continuing to work out my salvation (Phil. 2:12), I will be less worried about pleasing myself and other people.

And his righteousness

Righteous is probably not the first word I would use to describe myself, especially when I think about all of my daily struggles. But righteousness is granted to us by Christ and should be pursued by us as well. By pursuing righteousness, the comforts of this life become less desirable and all my unnecessary concerns begin to fade.

And all these things will be added to you

We've grown up being taught to strive after the American Dream - that all of our needs and wants will be granted to us if we work hard. And although there is an element of truth in that, our works should not be where we place our trust. The American Dream runs contrary to what Jesus is teaching in this verse: if we seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness our needs will be met. They may not be met in the way we hope or expect, but he promises that he will meet them.

A Word of Encouragement

We can seek the kingdom of God. We can pursue righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." If we seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, our worries will fade and our needs will be met.