I really don't mean to do that thing where you turn something random into a metaphor about life. But. How can I not think about change as I look at photos of all the wallpaper coming down off these walls?! This is Josh and Sarah's new home, and they have some major updates going on as you can see. And I love that Sarah invited us over during the mess. This mess is the beginning of something: their new life in their new home. And I think a lot of times in life all the messes that we go through often equal growth or change, if we allow it.
Lately Elsie and I have been feeling the need to make some changes to our lives, our business, etc. I think we are the kind of people (like most people) who are always looking to improve. And it can be a frustrating thing. We keep asking ourselves, "Where do we go from here?" And the answer isn't exactly obvious.
Emma's wearing: dress c/o Modcloth, shoes/UO, purse c/o Need Supply Co.
Elsie's wearing: skirt/American Apparel, top/F21, shoes c/o Coclico.
If you find that your life is filled with some changes or big messes, just know we are right there with you this season! We're rooting you on too. Change is good, just messy. Hope you have an awesome week! xo. Emma (and Elsie)
Credits // Author: Emma Chapman. Photography: Sarah Rhodes. Photos edited with Paris from the Fresh Collection, and Magnolia and Piper from the Signature Collection.
74 Comments
Spring brings with it the winds of change! I know this feeling well. A great shoot, makes me sentimental for sister-time.
oh you two, pretty as can be!
xx
Beautiful dresses!!!
Lacebox.blogspot.com
Lovely post, Emma!
Beautiful girls !!
Personally, I love change. It can be daunting not knowing whether you’re making the right move or wrong move but as long as you’re moving I don’t see how any bad could come from it.
Also, you ladies take the best portrait photos!
xxKristina
http://battleskn.blogspot.com/
I just graduated college, and I’ll be starting my first job in NYC next week… Talk about major life changes! Glad to see I’m not alone. There are many more milestones ahead, for sure! Thanks for all the inspiration. 🙂
You girls look beautiful. I am lovin’ the walls that yellowy ombre. I know it is old glue, but there is something lovely about it. I am curious to see what will end up going there.
Jenni
Ah, messy changes….exactly where I am right now too. But so good. 🙂
Emma – what pink lipstick are you wearing? I love it!
I love change. I hate the in between chaos that prefaces it. I am smack dab in the middle of an amazing life change right now and it is completely uncomfortable! That must mean it will be great 🙂
Great dresses! I love them! Change can be messy, but it also can be liberating and the pride afterwards is such a wonderful reward. Some work has to be done on the outside of my home this year.
i’m feelin you guys – i’m at that point where i’m wondering what i’m doing, want to move into a different, forward direction, but don’t know how yet. frustrating indeed! but next to that, you both look amazing in these photos, lovely outfits 🙂
xo, cheyenne
Emma I especially love that b&w head shot of you, so gorgeous! & Elsie I love that skirt!!
~Sacha
I always find change daunting. At the moment I’m looking to move house/move cities and it is definitely overwhelming!
Sarah xo | PolkaDotLemon
Ugh. Your post came at just the right time. I just moved (away from my boyfriend (don’t worry we’re still together!), job and the city where I’d lived for 5 years) and had a minor panic attack this weekend-change is just so dang uncomfortable! I’m just going to keep repeating “Change is good, just messy” over and over. Oh and…Love your blog!
I love the old and the new. These are definitely powerful, meaningful pictures. I’m happy for all the great, new changes in your lives 🙂 Both of you look adorable and I love the outfits!
Love and Luck,
Laurali Star
http://www.thesecretsurprisinista.com
Like Sarah we are about to move, so can appreciate the chaos that comes with it I’m also hoping to start a very small Etsy business all this with a 9 week old baby and a nearly two year old boy. I think I must be crazy but sometimes you have to embrace the crazy and enjoy the ride! Wish us luck I have a feeling I’m going to need it!
Elsie, I thought your outfit was one dress, but it’s actually a crop top and a skirt! You make it look so classy 😉
http://everydayingrace.blogspot.ca/
Last month I downscaled from a pre-war box of a house to a patio apartment home, due to health reasons. I have been looking around me at this small space, and I am realizing that this change was for the better. And that I have a whole new space in which to decorate with my frugal designs. Unfortunately I am in two magazines right now that show the little pre-war house, and it makes me a little melancholy to see it when I no longer live there. But life is all about change.
Brenda
lovely post 🙂 I really enjoy reading your blog! haha keep in touch x Peach
http://momomoworld.blogspot.com
I thought Elsie was wearing a dress with a belt! Adorable as always, ladies. Keep sharing your beautiful photos!
Lovely outfits! And change can be good when it allows us to try new things or to become better. 🙂
Messy change > comfortable stagnation. Taking the step to make change when it’s easier not to (and it’s almost always easier not to) takes a lot of guts. Past evidence seems to indicate that you both have plenty of guts – good luck. 🙂
Also, Emma your eyeliner looks so great – so natural, but just that little extra ummph. Nice.
With change comes opportunity and with opportunity a chance for growth. It can definitely be a good thing, I think 🙂
So pretty! I have a dress similar to Emma’s, and now I must (alter it so it fits) wear it! The weather is nice enough.
Change is the best, I think. I love being able to improve things.
xo
Kristina
http://www.eccentricowl.com
I’m not sure if you have done this on the blog already, but would you mind doing a post on your tattoos? I keep seeing parts of them in photos but would love to see the whole thing. Thanks!
Spring is a wonderful time to think about change. Well, I can’t wait to see what you two go from here. Here’s to beautiful messes, including change!
Change is scary, but most needed in life! You guys look great…love that bag, Emma..
xo
http://agoldentulip.blogspot.com/
oh my word… I totally needed this reminder today… thank you!
Life is all about change. It can be scary at times but without change how can you grow and discover.
Rebecca
I think the answer is obvious and it is your world tour !!!!!!! 😀
lookin’ so good, sistas!
Such a beautiful post. And you two are looking so lovely! Change is messy and scary, but without all that mess and scariness, it would lack the excitement! Keep up the great work and keep leaning on each other!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
Without change you can never grow- never mature from the person we are today into all that we can become. Lovely photos. 🙂
Aw! I love this post!
Love the photos so much!!!!
Such a good post! I am moving to a new home pretty soon just waiting on papers to be finalized and everything just seems so messy! I always feel like I have to have a lot on my plate and it keeps me overwhelmed. Cheers to enjoying the moment and being able to feel good in your own skin!
Oh Elsie and Emma, this has come at just the right time. Have been feeling a bit freaked by the mess of my house lately. But I have just started a new career, dipping my toes into business and have two kids. No wonder it’s messy!! It’s such a positive and long term way of looking at mess- that it’s just a result of change. Yes, thank you. I will look at my mess in a different light now. xo
All the best with your changes too!
Rachel
The Posy Co. x
How lovely!
you guys look confident and happy…!
Valentina
http://valentinaduracinsky.blogspot.com/
You give me so much inspiration! And yes,right now my life is a mess! 🙂
http://weareatlove.com
WEAR EAT LOVE
What a beautiful post ladies! It’s funny how things usually do turn into big metaphors, life’s good like that!
Ps. It’s still Chelsea, but I’ve updated the name of my blog – I’m no longer Mixed Mediums Theatre! Here’s to the new!
Xx from the Girl in the Houndstooth Coat
Oh yes,
my life is in a totally mess!
I am right there with you girls! (and that’s so chouette!)
Bisette
Oh, this is a really messy time for me. This post cheer me up! Thank you, girlZ!
Claudia
Love both style 😉
http://tarragonain.blogspot.com.es
Changes always brings something new to ones life, sometimes good sometimes bad, but sometimes the reward is shocking and fruitful.
BTW your photo is awesome
Simmy
http://www.pinstraighthair.com/
thank you so much for sharing this… you’re right! change might be messy and scary but all we ever wanted is on the other side of this fear.
on another note, you two look just gorgeous in those photos…
(weird remark: have you ever tried sideway bangs, emma? right now i am conviced it would look awesome on u 😀 )
Where DO you guys go from here?? It just seems like you’re taking over the world one blog post, one published book, one e-course at a time. Well done to you and good luck with whatever comes next 🙂
Maria xx
http://www.cheekypinktulip.blogspot.com
Elsie i love your cutout boots! And I have some sandals like Emma’s in a nude color. 🙂
http://annescribblesanddoodles.blogspot.com/
Elsie I love that outfit! You two are so cute!
I think that is one of the greatest gifts of life, to be able to change and always improve. Sometimes I wish the answers were more obvious but the not knowing sure makes for an exciting life! Thanks for the inspiration ladies!
love this post! and elsie, your all black look is so cute!
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
It’s definitely dress weather! And you found very pretty ones! I’m looking to improve too, but not as much as I used to. We have to chill a bit too. 😉
Jo
http://www.womaninreallife.com/
messy lives means that we grow the most.
It’s so encouraging to know that there’s always room for big or little changes in life, regardless of where you’re at or what you might have achieved. I love your sister style and the amazing bond that you & your sib have. My sibs and I are all in entirely unrelated industries, so it’s awesome to read aobut this modern take on a ‘family’ business 🙂
As always thanks for sharing your story with us!
I love the sister-styles. You two look always gorgeous 😀 xo Lionne
Oh My Goodness! These pictures are so dreamy! Sara, you are just too good or you just had too darn cute models and amazing locationg. But anyways, amazing work gals. Loved it!
Shame on you for supporting American Apparel, specially considering the young girls that visit your blog. If you strive to be role models you should think carefully Before using their clothes again, a quick google search might be helpful.
I love it when you guys share a little bit about your struggles/time of uncertainty. Makes us feel reassured that everybody has to go through this, even mega-successful girls like you two!
Love your looks, so pretty.
‘Tis the season of change, as I always say this time of year! My skin is itching with wanting to grown and change and be inspired! Love these outfits.
xoxo
Taylor
You two look so pretty and those are such gorgeous photographs! 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/porridgenpickles89
You guys look so cute, and I can’t wait to see what this room will look like once it’s all done!
Nic
http://www.salvageandstoneblog.com
Right there with you! My husband and I are putting our stuff in storage and traveling on the road together (he travels for work and I blog). Eeeek!!!
loved your words! cheers to change 🙂
I love the photoes!You are very beautiful!
AMAZING! That’s all i have to say 🙂 Beautiful pictures and two wonderful ladies.
Seeing these photos makes me really miss my own sister!! We were always very close growing up…and even shared a house (with our respective husbands!) for a year here in Vancouver, Canada; but now she lives all the way in New Brunswick!! Might as well be a whole other country!!
Love how your looks here let your individual style personalities shine…Elsie a little edgier, and Emma very retro-chic!!
http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com
You two are always as adorable as ever!! <3
http://bittercozitsbutter.blogspot.com
Agree! 🙂
Please don’t quit ABM!!
Love these pictures! The text is so relatable… we are definitely in a season of change over here!
Dear Elsie and Emma,
I never dared to leave a comment here but I was thinking today that when you think positive things about someone so you have to tell !
I’m French, so I apologize for my broken english but I just want to tell you guys that I think you are my favorite blog on earth. Really I check it everyday and every time I feel so inspired by all your DIY and lifestyle posts.
So thank you, thank you to give me such a positive energy everyday 🙂
Xoxo or bisous as we say in France !
Julie
The gold bag is to die for!! very cute you two
Wow. Nice styling! Can keep up with you!