2013

Oh, 2013. You were full and vibrant, painful and beautiful. This year I started Live and Move. I went to South Africa. I explored. I saw more of my flaws than I'd like. I dreamt. For me, the intricacies of 2013 can only be explained by a God who loves me deeply, despite my blemishes.
Some highlights of 2013 as told by my Instagram

As 2014 draws ever nearer, I have a few goals. I love fresh starts, and make new objectives for myself whenever it seems fit. That being said, these are not resolutions. They're free to change as I change over the course of the year.

1. Work on being fulfilled and defined by Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:31 has been reverberating in my mind "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord." 2014 will involve exploring the manifestations of that verse in my life.

2. Find my voice. I have so enjoyed writing here at Live and Move. However, I feel that this space lacks direction. This is a place for me to test and create. Expect that in the coming year.

3. Unplug. Much of the time, social media makes me unhappy. I want to limit my time online, making the time I do spend on the Internet as edifying as possible.

4. Create. I'm a dabbler. 2014 means finding new ways to create. Maybe this year, one with resonate with me.

5. Invest. This year brought with it the blessing of powerful one on one conversations. There's a year and a half left of college. I want to cultivate these relationships.

6. Explore. Did I mention the fact that I'm spending four months in Europe, or the fact that there's a roadtrip on the books for this summer? I can't wait!

If I haven't told you already, my relationship with my readers and the friendships that have developed because of the blog are one of the most cherished parts of 2013.  Thank you for sticking with me. I'm excited to walk through 2014 with you.

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Taylor

Vimbly presents: How Taylor got her Groove Back




I used to be a dancer. I started later than most, sixth grade through high school. Dance was something I planned to keep up with in some sense through high school, but it never happened. A few months ago, a representative from Vimbly approached me about their website. Vimbly has all kinds of activities for you to chose from in your city. I was of course drawn to the dance classes. But it's worth sharing that their offering ranges from dance to cooking classes to flying classes. You choose a date and a time for your activity of choice and just show up to your event!


I chose a jazz class in the city. They had my name at the door through Vimbly and I was good to go. The feeling of dancing for an hour an a half was amazing. I can't wait to check back in with Vimbly when I'm home for the summer. My friends and I are always looking for something different and exciting to do. Vimbly makes it so easy! Have you tried Vimbly in your city? Tell me about it in the comments!

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Taylor

A Very Merry Stop Motion Christmas!

I've always wanted to try a stop-motion video. This Christmas, my boyfriend, his cousin, and I spent part of a night working on this. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

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Taylor

Musings: Bookends



This is the first semester that Vanderbilt felt like home. I only left yesterday and I already miss coming home to my suite at the end of the day and sharing stories of our days.

This past week has been crazy. Two papers turned in, my first time putting things into storage by myself, and a ton of good news. If I've learned anything this semester, it's that God is gracious. Living with five people makes your shortcomings more apparent than you would like, but it makes their persistent love for you that much sweeter. And God's grace is sweeter still. 

This week alone I accepted two internship positions for the summer and for next fall. The way God shaped these opportunities is awesome, in the literal sense of the word. I no longer have to worry about being stressed in Spain, trying to pull plans together. He did it all.

Right now, I'm numb. I'm listening to Rivers and Roads by the Head and the Heart, trying to understand the fact that I won't go back to Vanderbilt next semester, trying to remind myself what it's like to have nothing to do for a month. 

These words are un poco torpe, as we would say in my literary translation Spanish class, but it's where I'm at. Thank you for sticking by me this semester. I feel some adventuring on the horizon.

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Taylor

P.S. Have you entered the Trinkets by Diana giveaway? Go!

Giveaway: Trinkets by Dana

It's final season and the Christmas season. I think we could all use a little pick me up. That's why I'm excited to partner with Trinkets by Dana to giveaway two lovely pairs of earrings! The giveaway will continue until next Sunday at midnight. Enter below, and tell a friend! Spread a little Christmas cheer.




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Taylor

My Gatsby 21st with Studio Gear Cosmetics

Last night I celebrated my 21st birthday with a Gatsby themed party. We had a lot of fun making our little suite look just a bit swankier.



I love taking any opportunity to dress up and thought this would be a great opportunity to test out the Studio Gear Cosmetics Smokey Eye Palette that Brandbacker so graciously provided me with.  I know how to do a smokey eye, but the instructions helped me get my best smokey eye yet. I had never used anything as dark as the coal color but I ended up loving it. I added my own warmer toned eyeshadow to give my eyes a pop that better suited my skin tone. Overall, I love this kit. I think we'll have some good times together. If you like the look, use the code SGHOLIDAY for 10% off of your purchase!






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Taylor

Aveeno. Naturally. Contest

Hi friends,

This contest couldn't have come at a better time. Winter makes all of me just a little bit drier and I've been in the market for a new cleanser to take with me to Spain. The Her Campus Bloggers Network treated me to a Walgreens gift card that would help me enter the contest I'm about to tell you about.

Love the size of the moisturizing lotion. I can take it anywhere!

Between now and Monday you can head on over to Walgreens and pick up two Aveeno products.
Take a picture and upload it here. The first 250 entrants get a free Fit Bit. The next 500 entrants get a $5 Walgreens gift card. Everyone gets soft skin!

I'm gunning for the Fit Bit so that I can stay in relatively good shape while I'm enjoying the Spanish cuisine. Go ahead and enter. What do you have to lose?

Share the love (and softness),

Taylor

What Could Be Better than A Girls Day Out in Chicago?

I have one week left of this semester. My life is a whirlwind of final presentations, final papers, work for my fellowship, packing, and enjoying my last moments with friends. Needless to say, I am beyond ready for a break. Thankfully, the Chicago Blogger Network gave me an event to look forward to and I am excited to be able to share it with you!

On Sunday, December 15th from 12-5, you'll find me at Sassy City Chicks at the Doubletree Hotel downtown. It's a shopping event that includes complimentary cocktails and even some mini-spa treatments. The best part is that with the code LIVEANDMOVE you can join in on the fun... for free. Thirty of my readers get free VIP passes. Sweet, right?


So enjoy a free girls day out and let a friend know too. See ya there!

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Taylor

The [Thanksgiving] Birthday Post!


How fitting that my birthday this year shares a day with Thanksgiving. Today, I'm thankful for twenty-one years of life, for this online space for me to share my thoughts, for the best friends and family a girl could ask for, and a God who has made this all possible. Thanks for reading, dear ones. To follow my day, check out my Instagram. 

Share the love (and the gratitude),

Taylor

Getting There: Living A Life of Gratitude




Hi friends,

With Thanksgiving drawing ever closer, I thought a post on gratitude was needed. Thankfulness is a daily struggle of mine, mostly because I'm always looking ahead. This article is on the Flairist. Give it a read and tell me your thoughts.

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Taylor

Musings: All By Myself



Last night, amidst procrastination and mild panic, I had a revelation: I don't ask for help because I'm afraid that people will let me down. It reveals itself in all kinds of situations like doing more than my share of work on a group assignment, not inviting people to my events face-to-face, not asking for last minute favors. And what does it result in? A feeling of isolation, this creeping fear that I don't have a friend I could call a three in the morning. The root of this whole ordeal is my own pride. I don't want people to see the messiness that exists inside of me. I don't want to have to deal with the aftermath of asking for help and being let down. And so I sit and wish that someone would see my struggle and come through for me.

Last night, amidst procrastination and mild panic, I asked for help, multiple times. And you know what? People came through, multiple times. How humbling and challenging. Humbling, because all I really needed to do was humble myself and ask. Challenging, because now that I know the joy of receiving aid, I want to find joy in sharing aid.

Just a little thought. I'd love to hear yours.

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Taylor

Musings: Why I'm Tired of Being Black

I could very well have titled this post "Why I'm Tired of Being Labeled", but you may not have read that post. And really, "black" is the main label I have to deal with. I love my heritage, my history. This post is simply a way for me to say that I would like to be me.

And by be me, I mean being insanely cute like this picture from wayyyy back when
For whatever reason, I've talked about race so much this semester. I've explored my own thoughts and my own weaknesses. I've seen the prejudices that we all harbor and it scares me. I'm scared that the color of my skin makes people think that I'm some altered being and that they don't realize it.  I'm afraid to become a mother who will be unable to protect her children from these beliefs. My children will have to explain  that their skin is skin and yes, if it sits in the sun, it will darken. That their hair is just really curly hair. They can straighten it and wash it. It's hair. They'll have to deal with people who make racist jokes because they have black friends and "It's ok." I fear that my girls will wonder if every compliment is colored with "for a black girl" or that the compliments simply exist because they are some type of exotic being. I fear my boys getting in an accident and being shot because they asked the wrong person for help.

I'm tired of explaining that people are the way they are because of where they come. I'm tired of explaining or observing white privilege. I abhor the fact that white people are allowed to have idiosyncracies, to be distinctive people. While black people are assumed to have the exact same type of hair, to all be good at sports, to be poor, to be less than. I want to be a person without a qualifier.  I am weary of people me calling the names of other black women, as if we all look the same. That is laziness and lack of regard that people need to be convicted about. And it's not just white people. I hear black people say that all white people look the same and others saying all Asians look the same.

 Which brings me to my point,  we are people. We are people who God, the Creator of beauty, saw fit to make so that we could appreciate Him more. When I talk about race and prejudice, my heart is heavy in a way that it has never been before. My soul sings, "Come, Lord Jesus" because I know that is the only time that we will see complete restoration. I will spend eternity with the God who appreciates every curl on my head and who made my dark skin that still tans. And He will delight in each one of His children. And our eyes will be opened. We'll get it. We'll see Beauty.

That moment is a ways off, but it starts now. It starts by identifying our prejudices. I have some and I know you do too. It starts by seeing people as people, not skin colors. My name is Taylor Bryant. I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. I like indie music and black and white movies. I eat far too much pasta. I'm soft-spoken. I wear my hair in an afro. I love taking pictures and editing them.  I have a killer sweet tooth. I am a woman. I am a person. I have my own beliefs, thoughts, and ideologies. And yes, I am black.

This post is meant to spark conversation. Let's chat.

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Taylor

Semester Snapshots: Jasmine

My camera has been sitting on the shelf for about a month now. Then, my friend Jasmine asked me to take some headshots for her. I can't tell you how good it felt to have my camera back in my hands. Here are a few of my favorites of this gorgeous girl.






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Taylor


The Perfect Holiday Red Lip with BAStar



This is me at Halloween. I was an impromptu Chiquita Banana for $3 Chipotle. It all came together during a frenzied walk across campus. It's a funny story but the real story here is the BAStar Holiday Red Lip Pencil. I'm a sucker for a red lip but until now I've only had a glossy, summery red. This lip pencil is my winter time BFF. It's matte, dark, and mysterious. And it's made for performers so the color adds a lot of impact. This lip pencil is super affordable at only $8.75, but lucky for you, I have a 50% off
coupon code to share. You ready? BBLIPS. Go ahead and stock up! I'd love to see a picture of how you rock the Holiday Red Lips.

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Taylor

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Musings: Life and Death

Today, I feel refreshed.
It started on Sunday afternoon. My friend and I drank tea and talked about gossiping. No one likes a gossip. No one trusts a gossip. There's always that niggling thought that if someone could talk so badly about another person, then they more than likely have no problem speaking ill of you.

Yet gossip and judgement are so addicting. It's the easiest way to keep a conversation going with someone you don't know well. It's the lazy woman's way of "building friendship." Well, Sunday night my friend came up to me and suggest we stop talking about people behind their backs. (And by people, we mean friends and acquaintances. We'll work our way up to professors.)

It's been so refreshing. I can't tell you how, but my perspective on my life and the people in it has shifted in just a few days. Now, I haven't had people around mean start to gossip just yet, so I know there's a lot of growth and temptation to come. But for now, I'm enjoying a life that looks just a teensy bit more like my Savior's.

There's a reason why the Bible says the tongue has the power of life and death.

Today, I'm choosing life.

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Taylor

Musings: On Being Unworthy



As much as I'd like to be perfect, I have some glaring weaknesses, weaknesses that I know and recognize. Then came this assignment. A partner gives a survey about your leadership to friends and family, current and past coworkers. And they analyze the results for you. Let me tell you, seeing all those people see the bad you already see in yourself is rough. As a person who takes everything personally, I was a little very upset. I had a long back to my dorm to sort through my feelings. Here's what it came down to: I overvalue the opinions of others. I find my identity based on what is right or wrong about me based on my perception of others opinions. There are a million things wrong with that. My identity is in Christ and He says, "Taylor, you're unworthy but you're mine now." So I'm going to work on my weaknesses, not because I need to be better perceived, but because I know I'm loved unconditionally. Thanks, Jesus! (And thanks Emily Ley for that sweet reminder).

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Taylor

Getting There: 8 Habits of Bold Women

Bold is beautiful. I had the opportunity to write this article on the 8 Habits of Bold Women for the Flairist and I found myself being really challenged. Boldness takes work, especially boldness in your faith. Give the article a read if you get the chance and tell me your own tips for living boldly.
Prom, one of my bolder fashion moments

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Taylor

High Five for Friday: Otoño

Fall came in full stride these week. I'm starting to get chilly when I'm walking around at night. The sun sets extremely early. And somehow Halloween is next week?

1. FashionABLE turned three this week and they're giving 30 percent off of everything! I happen to know that my parents picked up the Tigist clutch that I wanted for my birthday. I've been in love with leather lately.


2. Vanderbilt beat Georgia last weekend which is amazing feat on its own. But the kicker (no pun intended) happened when our kicker, Carey Spear made a touchdown with a field goal fake out play!

3. I love this quote and design by Kendra at Piece of Cake Peace of Mind


4.  This song, Little Wildflower by Andrew Simple. "Just breathe and wait, my love. It's been a long, long day, so  lay your soul down."





5. In case you missed my post about Oliberté, I wanted to remind you that all of my readers get 10% off with the code: OLIFW1310. Join them in creating sustainable change in Ethiopia!


Got any weekend plans? Tell me all about them!

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Taylor

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Movers: Oliberté- Made in Africa

The Shasha, my feet died and went to heaven
Happy feet.


I love conscious consumerism. I love the idea that the products I buy can be part of a beautiful, empowering story. And that is exactly why I fell hard for Oliberté Shoes, the makers of the world's first fair trade footwear. Their partners in Ethiopia hand craft amazingly comfortable leather shoes and also leather goods like wallets and bags. 

What drew me most to Oliberté was the story element of their website. Every page is full of stories and it drew me in. Of course, there is the story of Oliberté. But there is also Ambassadors, which features stories of people with a passion for Africa. And Mozaqa, acoustic sessions and written interviews with up and coming musicians. Then there is Sportanya, stories about African athletes. I left the website with the distinct feeling that Oliberté was more than a do-gooder organization, they were friends inviting me into a story with them.

With quality products and such an engaging strategy, I believe Oliberté  will blossom into something beautiful. Check out their website and get lost for a while. And while you're there, enjoy 10% off of your purchase with this code: OLIFW1310.

I'd love to hear your favorite items.

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Taylor

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY to fashionABLE!

FashionABLE is one of my favorite Nashville based non-profits. The premise is pretty simple, scarves are made by women in Ethiopia and sold here in the United States. Through fashionABLE, these women find dignity and pride. In honor of their 3rd birthday, fashionABLE is giving 30% off on all their products until October 25th! 

FashionABLE is also asking you lovely ladies, "what moment or event in my job has given me the most dignity or pride?" Think about it and leave me a comment! These scarves and leather goods are giving women the same pride you feel when you get that amazing grade or outstanding evaluation. Let's be women who empower one another.





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Taylor

Getting There: 3 Steps to Effective Planning

My beloved planner and pink pen
If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know that I'm a planner! I wrote this article for The Flairist about finding that elusive balance between dreaming and planning. Give it a read and enjoy your Tuesday.

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Taylor

Musings: On Getting My Dream Job and Other Exciting News



Just because fall weather is here.
Hi friends! A lot has happened during the past two and a half weeks. For starters, I applied for a fellowship at my university and I got it! I'm currently getting paid to help develop the best practices for content choice for the Vanderbilt University Libraries'  new website. I have a cubicle. I get to meet all kinds of interesting people. I put my Photoshopping to good use. Basically, this job combines all my free time activities and pays me to do them! Secondly, I wrote a proposal for an business while I was in South Africa and entered it into the Dell Empowering Women Challenge. A few weeks ago, I received an email telling me that my idea made it into the semi-finals! It's called The Curabi Collective and you can read all about it here.

What this means for Live and Move is that I have a lot on my plate. I enjoy writing this blog but I don't have the time to commit to it the way I used to. I want it to be a blessing to me and not a burden. At the very least, you'll see a post from me once a week. I hope to do more than that. I'm excited to see where all these opportunities lead. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

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Taylor

High Five for Friday: Fall-ish

Fall is making a slow appearance here in Nashville. It's an odd mix of warm and rainy but I'll take it.

1. I bought this dress last night for my semiformal!
here

2. I started my fellowship this week and I get my first cubicle. It's pretty cute if I do say so myself.

3. Here's one of the prints featured in my little nook.
here

4. This song is on one of my favorite fall playlists. I hope it helps you usher in a perfect fall day.

5. The government shutdown is over! If that's not a reason to celebrate, then I don't know what is.

I'd love to hear about your weeks.

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Taylor
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Branded: Your Personal Brand


Part of my own personal brand
Hello there! I took a brief hiatus for a lot of reasons which I'll probably write about at some time or another. I just wanted to let you know that I wrote another article for the Flairist about creating your personal brand. If you're like me, knee deep in recruiting season, this could be really beneficial for you!
Give it a look and let me know your own tips.

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Taylor

Blog Action Day: The Mocha Club

Today is Blog Action Day, a chance for all us bloggers to share about causes we care about. I thought I'd write a little about The Mocha Club and why I need Africa. I've loved fashionABLE scarves since I came to Nashville and The Mocha Club is their sister organization. My friend, Kristyn, did a Purpose Project with them and I finally decided to join the fun.

The premise is really simple: Give up $9, the cost of two mochas, to create change in Africa.

This video says it  all. If you are interested, click here to join.



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Taylor

High Five for Friday: Break

It is my fall break. I'm hanging out with my best friend for four days and I can't complain about a thing. He's up and walking which means we're finally able to have dates that aren't in the hospital or at his house. What a luxury!

1. After a week and a half of blessings, this pin reminded me who the glory goes to.
here
2. One of my dearest friends showed me this web series. It really makes you think. That's all I'm going to say because I don't want to spoil it!

3. This ombre sky on my flight home.  #nofilter




4.  This quote was the Monday quote in my planner. It's become a motto of mine.

here

5. This is just a good Friday song.


Tell me about your week/weekend!

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Taylor


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Getting There: The Trust List

There are days where it feels like everything is standing still. There are all these open ended questions and I'm left to wait for the answers. Someone this year mentioned a Trust List where I write down all the things I'm waiting for God on. Instead of feeling motionless, I rejoice in seeing God begin to answer prayers. When one is answered, I write the date next to it. It's helped me in this season of waiting and I thought it might be helpful to you. What helps you trust?

here


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Taylor