Tag: women

  • Inspiration Boards & Unapologetic Role Models

    Inspiration Boards & Unapologetic Role Models

    Have you ever watched The Secret? It’s one of those self-help documentaries that really makes you think about how powerful your mindset can be. One of my favorite takeaways was the idea of creating a vision board (or as I like to call it, an inspiration board). It’s such a simple but meaningful way to keep your goals front and center — a daily reminder of what you’re working toward. The idea is that what you focus on, you attract. ✨

    Lately, I’ve been filling my inspiration board with incredible womxn who remind me what strength, confidence, and authenticity look like — Mareena Robinson Snowden, Tarana Burke, and Amandla Stenberg.

    Mareena Robinson Snowden is the first Black womxn to earn a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from MIT. How amazing is that?! She’s brilliant, driven, and unapologetically herself. I love that she’s so open about her journey — how she wasn’t always sure STEM was for her, but with persistence, support, and curiosity, she carved her path. She reminds me that Black is professional, and that confidence is something you build, not something you’re just born with.

    Tarana Burke — what an honor it was to meet her while I was a student at Iowa State University. As the founder of the movement, she spoke with such honesty and power. I remember leaving that lecture feeling seen, hopeful, and inspired to take action. When someone asked her what comes next for the movement, she said simply: “You.” That has stayed with me ever since. Her message was clear — if you want change, be part of it. Lift others up. Support, don’t tear down.

    And then there’s Amandla Stenberg. I admire her so much for her activism and her willingness to speak truth to power. She even turned down a role in Black Panther so that a darker-skinned actress could take it instead. That’s the kind of integrity and awareness that makes her such a role model. She celebrates Blackness in all its beauty and complexity — and that’s powerful.

    These womxn have one thing in common: they work hard, lift others up, and live unapologetically. They remind me that confidence, compassion, and courage are all connected.

    And of course, I can’t forget my honorable mentions: Michelle Obama, Zoë Kravitz, Gabrielle Union, Natalie Portman, and Reese Witherspoon — all inspiring in their own unique ways. 🌸

    Here’s to filling our vision boards — and our lives — with purpose, strength, and the people who remind us to shine without apology.

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    Easy Irish-Inspired Comfort Recipes for Winter Nights

    Warm up your winter with cozy, Irish-inspired comfort foods. From buttery colcannon and easy homemade sausage rolls to a rich Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew, these hearty dishes bring a touch of Ireland to your kitchen. Simple, rustic, and full of flavor — perfect for cold nights and busy days.

    Cozy Holiday Traditions I’m Bringing Into Motherhood

    Cozy blankets, twinkling lights, and slow Christmas mornings—this year, I’m leaning into simple, meaningful holiday traditions as a mom. From stockings “delivered” by Santa to Butter Braids, Christmas Eve church, family photos with our pup, and intentional gift-giving, these are the sweet, heartwarming rituals that make the season feel like home. Perfect inspiration for families,…

    Bring a Little Irish Magic Into Your Year: My New Gaeilge & English 2026 Planner

    Bring a touch of Ireland into your everyday routine with my new 2026 bilingual Irish & English planner and matching journal. Inspired by my own Irish heritage and a meaningful family trip to Ireland, this cozy set blends culture, intentional planning, and the magic of Gaeilge into one beautiful keepsake. Perfect for travelers, heritage lovers,…

  • Following My Grandma’s Footsteps in Sweden: Reflections on Equality, Culture & Connection

    Following My Grandma’s Footsteps in Sweden: Reflections on Equality, Culture & Connection

    While reading through my grandmother’s travel diary from her time in Sweden, I came across an entry that stopped me in my tracks:

    “Swedes are allowed to go anywhere, eat in the grass at the palace lawn, see parks as they wish. The new law is that the Princess who is older than her brother will be queen. We Swedes are implementing equal rights for women!”
    ~ Vivian Olson, June 17th

    I found myself smiling — not just because of her words, but because I had nearly the same thoughts during my own visit to Sweden decades later.

    There’s something truly special about how open and accessible life feels there. I remember watching newlyweds taking photos outside a royal palace, families picnicking on the palace lawn, and children playing with their dogs in the gardens. In so many other parts of the world, these spaces are roped off or reserved for the elite. But in Sweden, the royal grounds feel like they belong to everyone. That sense of shared belonging left such an impression on me.

    Just as my grandma observed, Sweden continues to lead with progressive values — especially when it comes to gender equality. Women have a strong voice in government, and citizens tend to vote based on values and policies rather than gender. It’s a refreshing contrast to what I often see in the U.S., where the focus can still be on who is breaking barriers instead of why they’re leading.

    Yet, even in Sweden, there’s acknowledgment that progress is ongoing. Equality is not a finish line but a continual effort — a mindset I think both our nations are still navigating.

    I love seeing how my grandmother’s reflections and mine intertwine — two generations apart, yet observing the same beauty in everyday freedoms and the same hope for equality. Her words remind me how much our perspectives are shaped by those who came before us, and how their journeys continue to guide our own.

    Side Note: Some Swedes still feel their country has work to do in reaching full equality — which makes me wonder: how far behind is the U.S.? Are we striving toward an ideal that even the most progressive nations are still perfecting?