Wellness – Page 2 – Chasing Whimsy

How Sweet It Is

September 9, 2016 by Mackenna Johnson

What a whirlwind these last few weeks have been. I closed on my first house, my cousin/best friend moved in with me and I feel like I’ve been running around the clock to figure out how this is all going to fit together.

This past Labor Day weekend was filled with so many wonderful people and things and it’s grounding me in who I want to be during this next season of life. I want to be open to new people and experiences. Say yes to more opportunities and embrace daring discomfort in the pursuit of adventures that bring a new spark to my soul and light up my eyes.

There’s something amazing (and sometimes horrifying) about being responsible for your own home, and the people that you allow to come into it. I think part of becoming older and owning who you are is setting the boundaries to be the truest version of yourself. To know when to say “no” and who to say it to. It’s up to me to decide who I want to invite into my new sacred space and create a home that resonates with me down to the very nitty gritty of my soul.

The 8 Different types of Friends Every Girl Needs

August 15, 2016 by Mackenna Johnson

A few years ago I had a pretty big fight with a friend where I felt super misunderstood and judged for some personal decisions I had made. When I was talking about it later with a mentor she asked me “why did you go to the hardware store when you were looking for bread?”

Bittersweet, Gratitude and Acceptance

July 21, 2016 by Mackenna Johnson

“When life is sweet say thank you and celebrate, and when life is bitter, say thank you and grow.”

The above quote is from one of my favorite writers, Shauna Niequist. I first read her book Bittersweet when I was in my first semester of college, thousands of miles from home, searching for a new community and new identity. It was the first truly transitional phase of life I had ever been through, and the words that Shauna wrote somehow became the thread that held me together during that phase of life.

How to Survive your Early 20s

June 27, 2016 by Mackenna Johnson

“I am a subscriber to a wine program that delivers 4 bottles of wine to your door every 4 weeks… it’s not enough.”

What is it about your early 20’s that are both wildly exciting and beautiful, while simultaneously being overwhelmingly confusing and at times incredibly lonely? And how come no one warns you about it?

Does no one want to admit it? Or is just maybe that the more you talk about it the more f***ed up your life feels? What is it about people in their 30s that look a little less frantic and a little more put together? And when does it stop being acceptable to eat cereal for dinner and using paper towels as plates?

Chances are they did warn us, but if you’re anything like me you didn’t quite get it because you were too busy looking at the world through your rose-colored Ray Bans to notice the misty grey of the unknown come seeping in.

9 Wake-up Calls from a 20-Something

June 3, 2016 by Kelly Bond

Y’all. I’m too excited to introduce Chasing Whimsy’s newest contributing editor: Kelly.

She was my soul sister the first year I lived in my Sorority house, and continues to inspire me with her gritty optimism and lady boss vibes. After being a National Consultant for the past 2 years traveling around the country, Kelly has learned a thing or two about being a young professional and has gathered her thoughts in a witty, honest and convenient 9 point list for you to enjoy.

*caveat to her #5 life lesson: Once Kelly and I were taking a walk and we wandered by some college guys throwing knifes at a tree. When asked if we wanted a try Kelly’s immediate response was “Sure! I’ll try anything once!”

Thanks for being you Kelly!

Closet Cleanse

May 13, 2016 by Mackenna Johnson

I LOVE organizing. I love sorting through closets and tossing out things I haven’t worn in a while. For me it’s super cathartic and leaves me feeling light and renewed. I’m also super cut throat and borderline aggressive when it comes to closet cleaning.

Thoughts on Springtime and Paris

April 11, 2016 by Mackenna Johnson

Fernweh (n.)- A crave for travel; being homesick for a place you’ve never been.

I’ve never been to Paris. But let me just go ahead and say that I think the Parisians and I would get along great.

There’s something about spring that stirs an undercurrent of nostalgia. This season is filled with graduations, the ending of another school year, weddings, showers and so much more.

Spring is beautiful, with new life around every corner. They days are longer and the nights are shorter. Happy Hour is surrounded by a golden glow and the drinks are rich with sweet berries and refreshing mint.

3 Steps to a Perfectly Styled Bookcase

March 28, 2016 by Mackenna Johnson

I think a lot about great style is showcasing who you are as a person, and highlighting the pieces and accessories that tell your story. But let’s be honest- there is a serious art form to bookcase styling.

Good styling can totally make or break a bookcase, so I’m going to let you in on some styling secrets and tricks that make your selves insta-worthy.

Spring Book Club

March 7, 2016 by Mackenna Johnson

Spring is one of my favorite seasons. I love how everything and everyone takes on new energy during the springtime. It’s as though you can feel everything that was dormant over the winter shaking off its sleepiness and wiggling into new life. Song birds start to sing again, little buds start bursting forth new colors and iced coffee seems extra inviting on a warm afternoon. On that note, if you’re anything like me, you love stealing away a few hours on a Sunday afternoon to sit at a coffee shop, sip on a creamy latte and dive into the pages of a new book. During this spring season I recommend grabbing a blanket and some sunshine and sinking your teeth into one of these great reads.

Tips and Picks to Make a House a Home

February 19, 2016 by Mackenna Johnson

Cheesy title right? But it’s true! There’s a big difference between walking into someone’s place that feels sterile and unloved, versus walking into a home that has an instant feeling of warmth and comfort- the kind of place that makes people say “can I live here?”

Regardless if you own a home, live in a dorm or have an apartment with enough roommates to border on the edge of being a brothel, there are a few things you can invest in that instantly change the mood of your living space.