WHO: Rachel Rhodes
WHAT: Country Music Star-t0-Be
WHERE: Nashville
WEBSITE: Rachel Rhodes Music 

I’ve known Rachel from a distance for quite a while now. She went to a neighboring high school and our paths crossed during school activities from time to time. Now Rachel is living in Nashville getting ready to make it big in the music business. Seriously her music is amazing, just take a visit to her site to have a listen. Thanks for sharing, Rachel! 

Hi everybody! I’m Rachel, and currently I’m living in Nashville, TN, pursuing my dream as a country music singer and songwriter. I will be releasing my debut album this winter, and I couldn’t be more excited to get it out! I am originally from a little farm town in the heart of northwest Iowa (about 10 minutes from Madison’s hometown), so we knew each other a bit before we both moved away for college. I’m so excited to do an E&C guest post, and here are my five things!

WHO: Alisa Link
WHAT: Social Media and Website Guru for Channel 13
WHERE: Iowa
BLOG:  http://chantillylacealisa.blogspot.com/

Hello! My name is Alisa and I work for Channel 13 in Des Moines.  I do their social media and website content.  I’ve lived all over, in Chicago, New Orleans, and now I’m back in my home state, close to my family, and loving all that Des Moines has to offer for us yuppies.  Here are just a few of the things that make me feel beautiful:

1. Laughing: I cry A LOT, I mean like State Farm commercials and Susan G. Komen ads… but I also laugh a lot.  I guess you would say that I’m emotional.  I love making jokes, I was even named “class clown” in my Spanish class in high school… but my teacher later eluded that it was because I talked so much and didn’t really pay attention in class, and that was a nice way of saying she didn’t like me. I just like the way my eyes crinkle when I smile, I like a good gut-busting chat with my best friend, and I love the little things that my boyfriend does to make me giggle.

2. Bike Riding: I love riding my bike, and I’m pretty good at it.  I have been riding long distances ever since I was a little kid, and it just takes me back to Saturday morning rides as a little kid to Casey’s (20 miles away) with the promise of a sprinkle doughnut half way through…  RAGBRAI was always my summer vacation, and last year, I rode RAGBRAI by myself for the first time, and it was one of the biggest accomplishments I’ve ever tallied, both physically and mentally.  I’m working on my running, but I know I can keep up on two wheels.

3. My Promise: When I was in college, my relationship with God was always up and down, but during a particularly “up” time, I sensed that God made me a promise that I would be an “amazing woman”.  I’ve always held onto that when I’ve felt myself pulling away from Him.  I know that no matter what I do to try and plan my life out, God has a plan for me and I can’t muck it up.  He promised me, and he doesn’t just throw promises around.

4. Tiara: My grandparents have a tiara at their house that belongs to my aunt who was Rose Queen or something… But I ALWAYS put it on when I’m over there.  Something about the sparkles on top of my head makes me feel like a princess.  My little cousin would even put it next to my plate on the dinner table to mark where she wanted me to sit.

5. Cardio Rotation class at the Y:  I have been taking this butt-kicking class at the downtown Y for over a year now.  It’s one of the toughest classes at the Y. Fit men and women alike take the class, and are drenched in sweat, lying on the floor begging for mama after it. When I started, I was using the lightest weights, I would pretend to check my phone when I was tired, I could finish about half of each workout, and I would be sore for DAYS after. Now, I take heavier weights and make it through the whole workout without pretending I’m coughing so hard I need to get a drink.

Thanks for sharing, Alisa! If you want to share the 5 things that make you feel beautiful, please send me an e-mail (madisonjanemayberry@gmail.com) for more information! 

Madison

WHO: Jenn Mietla
WHAT: Grad Student in Biochemistry
WHERE: Virginia
BIO: Hi everyone!  My name is Jenn Mietla and I am currently living in Richmond, Virginia though I am originally from North Carolina.  I am married to my wonderful husband Daniel, and I am in graduate school working towards a Ph.D. in Biochemistry.  I don’t have a blog yet – but I absolutely love reading them!

1. My husband: My husband makes me feel beautiful every day.  He’s keeps me on my toes, cherishes me, lifts me up when I am sad, makes me laugh constantly, and is one of the most positive people I’ve ever met.  All of these things make me feel beautiful on the inside and that makes me feel beautiful on the outside.

2. Getting my hair cut: I absolutely love getting my hair cut.  Someone else washing, cutting, drying, and styling my hair always makes me feel like a million bucks when I’m done.  And I adore my hair stylist – so that’s an added bonus!

3. Reading: Reading to learn about myself makes me feel beautiful.  Whether it’s learning about my personality and why I act the way I do, to books that help me understand that God made me the way I am for a reason, constantly keeping in mind that I am the way I’m meant to be truly makes me feel beautiful.

4. Getting dressed up: Since I’m a graduate student I live in cheap jeans and t-shirts pretty much year round; I don’t want to accidentally get anything from lab (especially bleach) on nice clothes and ruin them!  So when I get the chance to dress up I really feel beautiful.

5. Baking: It sounds a little odd to me, but baking makes me feel beautiful.  I’m pretty good at it, so it boosts my self esteem when people tell me that what I made is fantastic.  I also love baking beautiful things – I appreciate beauty in simple cookies and cakes as well as more elaborate things.  I’m baking mini-cheesecakes for my brother-in-law’s wedding this weekend and I’m super excited about it!

Thanks for being willing to share, Jenn! If you’re interested in sharing the 5 things that make you feel beautiful, shoot me an e-mail (madisonjanemayberry@gmail.com) for more information. -Madison

WHO: Natalie Borton
WHAT: Managing Editor, Darling Magazine
WHERE: San Diego, CA
BLOG: Thoughts by Natalie

Natalie is a lover of the written word, avocados, beach picnics and champagne. She lives in San Diego with her hilarious and charming husband Brian and scruffy puppy Maggie, and is a Managing Editor for Darling Magazine. You can find her blogging at Thoughts by Natalie, or follow her on Twitter at @natalieborton.

1. Learning. The more I know, the more beautiful I feel. I enjoy reading (books, blogs and magazines alike), traveling and watching documentaries—and I also record nearly every show on Discovery Fit & Health. I love cultivating a beautiful mind (which lasts much longer than a beautiful body) by learning about people, cultures, and especially the way the human body works.

2. My hubby. Brian challenges my mind, encourages me to pursue my passions, leads me closer to God, and makes me laugh more than anyone I know—all things that make me feel radiant, alive and, yes, beautiful.

3. Embracing the natural. I’ve learned that I feel most beautiful when I let my hair air dry and skip my mascara. It makes me feel free to be my authentic self, and takes my focus off of my physical appearance because I spend less time on it.

4. Writing. I love writing truth that encourages other women—especially about real beauty and true identity. It’s how I express myself most authentically.

5. A morning run. Morning is key here, because after 9am my run is sure to be a chore rather than a beauty-infuser. In the morning, the air is crisp and the day is young. I love it when my shoes hit the pavement as the sun is creeping into the sky.