Bee Grateful should be the easiest attitude for me to wear with authenticity. I have great kids, an amazing circle of friends, a comfortable lifestyle and some of the simplest pleasures are right outside my door.
I could fill pages with things I am grateful for, but for some reason there’s this murky, almost oily, residue that floats beneath the surface tainting my joy. I get tripped up with the seemingly simple act of living a life of gratitude - courtesy of a little anxiety and a bit of depression.
I am grateful that my children are healthy and are growing into amazing human beings. But then a spiral begins - feelings of inadequacy as a parent - did I say the right thing? Why didn’t I cook healthier meals when they were growing up? I should have been more organized - and that list goes on...
But I’m learning to quiet that voice.
Gratitude is a profound and individual experience for everyone. Whatever your beliefs are there is a certain spirituality to how you receive life’s gifts. I am learning to stop questioning what I deserve and just be thankful for the big things and the small stuff.
(The Bee Grateful picture is from our early days - and that attitude is still going strong! I’m grateful to my business partners back then - Merissa Costanza and Jessie Rosenblum - who helped shape Bee into what it is today!)
Lizzie Stuhlreyer is the owner of Bee Attitudes, grappling with the true meaning of the messages behind her brand. We'd love to hear your stories behind the attitudes you wear - please message us at buzz@beeattitudes.net.
]]>I have a bad habit of comparing myself to others. When I met some of the women at Thistle Farms I felt terribly out of place. They have been through the unthinkable and I just knew they would look right through me and know I had never had to be as strong as they had in their lives. But after a while I realized, they didn’t care about that, there is no chart that says you are stronger because you overcame X, Y and Z but you are not as strong as your friend because you only overcame X.
Being strong is not a competition – there’s no scorecard. I’m stronger than I was, but I’m not unbreakable. I do break, and it may take an hour or it may take longer but I’ll get up again – and it’s rarely the way I like to envision myself - Rising from the Fire like a Phoenix. Instead, most of the time I’ll think I got out of bed – and I am strong!
Lizzie Stuhlreyer is the owner of Bee Attitudes, grappling with the true meaning of the messages behind her brand. We'd love to hear your stories behind the attitudes you wear - please message us at buzz@beeattitudes.net.
]]>
It hit me sometime during the height of the pandemic when I was moving our stock to a new location and I picked up a shirt that said Bee Happy. I thought with all that’s going on, where do I get off telling people how to feel, to BEE HAPPY. How did I EVER have the nerve to tell people “it’s a choice, you can wake up and just be happy.” It felt very trite and superficial compared to what was going on in our world.
I wrestled with this for a while. I had a stock room full of shirts that were sitting on a shelf mocking me, making me doubt myself and my brand and I wasn’t sure how to move forward. And then it hit me - while the messages on our shirts might be simple, it’s okay if they are just a small reminder to each of us to try to be kinder or more grateful.
That being said, mental-health is an important issue we need to deal with as a society. So, I do want to dig a little deeper, talk about the real meaning of our attitudes and how they affect you, your friends, your family and our world. I don’t just want to be a greeting on a shirt - I want to know the reason you put on a Bee Fierce shirt today or gave your friend a Bee Strong cap. Let’s share more and learn more about each other because I think learning and listening to each other is where the real change begins.
]]>Lose 20 pounds. Follow through with a diet. Go to the gym X times a week. Stop letting people take advantage of me at work. Be more social.
Resolutions for the New Year are often similar each time, and end shortly after making them.
This year, I came up with a few small, attainable, life-changing resolutions:
- Be Kind(er). While I like to think of myself as a kind person, I may not be as kind as I should to everyone. Those co-workers that rub you the wrong way, people in the gym who you feel judged by, and especially people who have wronged you in the past. Be kind to them.
- Worry Less. Any worry-warts like me out there? I am constantly thinking about what bad things could happen in each and every situation. That causes for a life of stress and anxiety. I do believe that my life is perfectly planned out and that I am taken care of, so this is what I need to tell myself when I start to worry!
- Scroll Less. While Instagram is helpful to get inspiration and motivation, it can also be a very dark place that brings out your insecurities and negatively consumes your precious time. So, my resolution is to use my “scrolling time” to do something beneficial. Whether that’s going on a 10 minute walk or starting a new book or finishing one I started a year ago. Time. Is. Valuable.
- Treat my body better. Notice that I didn’t say “go on a diet” or “lose 20 pounds”. I have found that when I look at it in a way of treating my body better, I stick to it. When I eat bad, I feel bad. When I workout, I feel 10 times better. When I drink more water, my skin clears up. Do what makes your body feel better and YOU will feel better!
- Actually use that $20 planner I buy every year. Let’s face it, does anyone actually use there planner?! I am working on changing that this year because using my planner keeps me organized and my brain more at ease. One of the worst feelings is when you think you forgot an event or due date because you didn’t write it down! Write a few inspirational notes to yourself in the coming months, too.
Smaller resolutions are a little easier to maintain, but still just as prone to getting lost in the shuffle. So, here are...
3 WAYS TO HELP KEEP THOSE RESOLUTIONS ALL YEAR:
1. WRITE. THEM. DOWN.
2. Pick 1 or 2 mornings a week where you sit down with your coffee, your list of resolutions, and see how well you’ve followed your resolutions, what you can do differently the next week, and how it has affected your day-to-day life.
3. Find someone to keep you accountable. I know, you have heard this a thousand times throughout your life, but it does help. Ask your significant other or a good friend to ask how your resolutions are coming along and update them on your progress! Even better if you can get them to follow your resolutions, too.
As a Happy New Year from Bee Attitudes, take 25% OFF our 3 Long Sleeves (Bee The Change, Bee Happy, Bee Fierce) using code NEWYEAR at checkout! Valid 1/7-1/13.
XO,
Madeleine
(Bee Attitudes Update: For the month of January, we are having a ton of sales and GIVEAWAYS! Head over to our Instagram @beeattitudes and Facebook to keep an eye out.)
Photo by bruce mars on Pexels.com
I know this Christmas will be different for me. It’s the first Christmas since my husband of 22 years walked out on me.
So what’s my holiday attitude? Meh. There, I said it.
There will be no tree, no wreaths, no lights strung outside of my house. I’m taking a pass this year. That’s not to say that I’m not enjoying everyone else’s trees, wreaths, and lights. But for me, putting them up this year would feel forced. But it’s okay. Sometimes we have to step out of the picture to be able to see it more clearly.
This attitude will pass. All the outward displays of merriment will be back next year when I can look at this time in my life as a bump in the road. A lesson learned.
Though the season has left me a bit deflated like those blow-up Santas you see on lawns in the daytime, I remain hopeful and thankful.
I’m hopeful that my future will be filled with great new adventures. And thankful for family and friends who remind me that I’m loved, even when I’m ugly crying. And who also remind me that I’m stronger than I think I am.
So I guess I do have an attitude—an attitude of gratitude. But I’m still not putting up a Christmas tree. You can’t make me.
Shop for last minute gifts this week and get a FREE $25 gift card with any purchase of $50 of more!
]]>
As we continue to share different attitudes women have about the holiday season, we welcome Jessie Rosenblum back to the hive.
In our family growing up, Christmas morning was chaos. My mom could not wait for Santa to deliver gifts for six children so a few days before Christmas, presents began appearing under the tree.
It gave me enough time to count how many gifts were for me that by the time Christmas morning came, I had that odd mixture of excitement, disappointment and jealousy, fueled by restless adrenaline, that only happened this time of year. I raced through opening gift after gift, and by the time I looked up, my eyes were red, and my nose was running.
I was allergic to our pine Christmas tree, and so it was a rapid decline from one emotion to the next, then onto an allergy attack, followed by tears welling up in my eyes when I looked up after opening my last gift. And just when I thought it was over, my older brother pointed to a gift I had not seen with my name on it.
It was wrapped very unusually. One year I heard a meow come from it. And then my old cat Sam jumped out, and my mom scolded my brother for putting the cat in a box. Another year, a big box was full of smaller empty ones, and the last was a little box of cereal. My mom scolded my brother and told him to leave me alone.
As a mom, I am in awe when I think about my mom pulling off Christmas with so many kids. My father died when I was six, she worked full-time, and we had no family in town. Even in the few years following, she continued to create these crazy Christmas morning memories that were my childhood. She always topped it off when the crying and yelling of the morning winded down with her homemade hot chocolate.
When I lost my husband in December 2015 and had to create memories for my kids, my mom shared her secret. “One morning I pulled into work,” she said “and when I got out of your dad’s red Volkswagon Beetle, I saw a dandelion growing out of the concrete; and I said to myself “damn it if a dandelion can do it, so can I.”
In our house now, we celebrate Hanukkah. And when I think about our first Hanukkah without my husband, putting up the decorations was as hard of a job for me as I imagine it was for the dandelion trying to break through the concrete. The lights of the season have since become more important than they ever have in my life. They catch my eye in the darkness the same way the dandelion caught my mom’s, or even the unusually wrapped meowing box with my name on it on Christmas mornings. They give me hope that there is more.
“There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” (a quote on the wall of the coffee shop where I write this)
Use code: FREESHIPDEC to get free shipping on your order through 12/17/18.
]]>
“The holiday season is a perfect time to reflect on our blessings and seek out ways to make life better for those around us” -Terri Marshall
December is a big month full of family, traditions, and the giving of gifts. We all know how easy it is to get caught up in finding the perfect gift for everyone and hoping you get what you want this year, that *here comes the cliche* we forget what this time is about, and our attitudes can show that.
Instead of being greedy or only gift-focused this year, here are some of our favorite attitudes for the holidays:
1. Grateful: For the people we love, the food on our tables and the roof over our heads. No matter how many gifts we may get this year, try and give thanks for all the good things you have already been blessed with.
2. Kind: To every being you come across this season, show them kindness. Share a smile, say a “hello” and “happy holidays”. Just a smile can make someones day a little brighter.
3. Bee The Change: Come on…is my dollar REALLY going to make a difference to the Salvation Army? Will one kind message to an angry friend or relative REALLY change their heart? Yes and, maybe, yes! Change starts with YOU. Don’t just expect that other people with take care of it or think you can’t make a difference. You can and you will. Show that big heart of yours to the world and things will change!
There are so many different feelings towards the holidays, and we will be starting to share some other attitudes from other amazing women!
We have also started a collection on our site called “Inspired Gifts” for an easy way to shop for your loved ones. With every purchase, you not only give to your friends and families, but also to non-profit Thistle Farms to help women recover from lives of addiction and sex trafficking.
Don’t only be good this holiday season, do good by choosing your attitude + changing the world.
Happy Holidays!
Madeleine
(To help out a little this season, use code DOGOOD at checkout for free shipping today through 12/10!)
]]>Bring on the chilly nights, hay rides and, of course, pumpkin spice errythang.
As you know by now, the Bee Attitudes fall line has launched!! While each piece has a place in my heart, here are a few of my Bee Attitudes fall favs…
The softest material with one of my favorite attitudes in one of my favorite colors, so, obviously it’s a favorite. This sweatshirt is perfect for fall football games, cozying up by the fire and sleeping in on chilly mornings.
Like the sweatshirt, but with pockets and no pants. My favorite way to style this is going sporty with a pair of white tennis shoes! Throw a jean jacket over top or around the waist to (pumpkin) spice things up ;)
3. Lastly, the Bee The Change Long Sleeve
Because this gold/mustard just screams my favorite season! This V-neck gives you plenty of room, making it extra comfortable. Get a size up and tie a knot in the front to wear with a skirt or high wasted jeans.
If you haven’t shopped this fall line already, what are you waiting for?! Get ready for fall in the coziest way possible. Oh, and get free shipping on me using code FALLFAVS! (code ends 10/15)
Remember that when choosing to shop Bee Attitudes, you are helping women heal from lives of sex trafficking. So no matter how big or small, you are bee-ing the change.
Happy Fall!
XO,
Madeleine
]]>
As summer is coming to a close, it’s time to start packing up our straw hats and flip flops and bring out our cool weather wardrobe. This fashion focused fall season is a good time to hop on the upcoming trends, but first, let’s talk about essentials.
Here is a list of my top 5 must-have fall essentials:
1. Chunky Cardigans. The easiest way to cozy up a wardrobe in this transitional month. Try H&M or your local TJ Maxx!
2. Blanket Scarves. Just go ahead and give those thin, small scarves to Goodwill, because this season is all about the bulky, warm blanket scarves! Make any outfit look good with a fun colored scarf (my favorites are bright red, forest green and burnt orange). And yep, you can even use it as a blanket when you get cold!
3. Good Lipstick. Give yourself a treat and splurge on a quality lipstick that is full of moisture and will last you a while! One of my favorites is the Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick Lipstick. This one really is a splurge (retailing at $38) but worth it!
4. Nail Polish. Like the lipstick, I like to buy a good quality nail polish that goes on smooth and dries fast. My favorite colors for this fall are nudes, mauve, cranberry and bright red. Try Essie’s Stop Drop & Shop color (retailed at $9)!
5. Booties. Oh, how I love booties. Now that I've told you to splurge on 2/5 necessities, I’ll give you a little hint on how to save on booties. Two words: Nordstrom Rack. You can thank me later.
Now that you’re fall ready, we are SO excited to announce our Bee Attitudes Fall Line is coming out this month, so we are giving you readers 2 weeks of FREE SHIPPING using code FALLESSENTIALS at checkout! (Offer ends 9/17)
Keep an eye on our Instagram and Facebook for our new fall arrivals, and always remember you can Choose Your Attitude & Change The World.
XO,
Madeleine
]]>
Yes, our Queen Bee attitude is for all the boss babes and go-getters, but it goes much deeper than that. So, what’s it all about?
By definition, a Queen Bee is “the mother of most, if not all, of the bees in the beehive.” “She is pivotal to everything that happens within a healthy bee hive.” Sure, she’s technically the boss, but in the most caring and important way.
Our Queen Bees are the women in our lives that support us, challenge us, motivate us, keep us healthy and lead us into the right direction. They are our mothers, grandmothers, daughters, school teachers, camp leaders and lovers of our true self and well being.
They are powerful in their ways and lead by example.
We ALL have a Queen Bee in us, so whether you want to rock it yourself or show the Queen Bee in your life how much she means to you, grab one of our shirts or accessories and know that by giving to Bee Attitudes, you’re giving to a local non-profit organization, Thistle Farms, that helps empower women and give those who don’t know how much of a Queen Bee they are a chance at a better life!
So choose your attitude and change the world. We love all you Queen Bees!
XO,
Madeleine
]]>"Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.” -John Jakes
Oh, July…the month of hotdogs, booze and bathing suits.
I want to keep this short and sweet and talk to you about BEING YOU. Not the you you want to be or the you you think you should be or the you your family/friends thinks you should be. The REAL YOU.
Which is pretty great, just saying. But it might be easier said than done.
You were made to not be like everyone else. You were made to have those quirks and interests that you do and your skills or lack there of. You were made to be exactly who you are and not give that up for someone or something. Because when we do give that up, life gets weird and sometimes it’s hard to find “you” again.
Follow your heart, not what you think others would do. Live life like a little kid; fearless and full of joy. Love your freckles and birthmarks and crooked nose, for they make you who you are.
So let’s take this new month of July to be ourselves and love ourselves by choosing our attitudes and changing the world!
XO,
Madeleine
]]>Oh, Mondays. The dreaded M-word that no one wants to hear, right? WRONG! Well, it doesn’t have to be.
I get why weekends being over is a big bummer, but why continue to start each week with resent and negativity? We spend the majority of our lives working, so make the best of it!
Here is some #mondaymotivation on why you should love Mondays!
1. A fresh start. Maybe last week you didn’t accomplish your goals or just simply had a bad week. Mondays are the best time to refresh your mind, set your goals and set the tone for the rest of the week! Remember, positivity perpetuates positivity.
2. 7 days to accomplish your goals. If you think about it, that’s a decent amount of time to get things done! My biggest advice is to write out your goals and schedule how you manage your time. It’s far too easy to get distracted and behind if you don’t!
3. The Bachelor/Bachelorette is on Mondays. And so are some of my other favorite shows! I think the TV producers planned that out so you can look forward to Mondays ;) BUT don’t use that as an excuse to try and breeze through the day! Get that work done.
4. You feel 1000 times better when you get things done. You know that worry and stress that comes when you don’t get all of your work done? That can be avoided if you start strong on Mondays! You feel so much freer and at ease when you know you worked hard that day.
5. YOU’RE ALIVE! Okay, I know that’s a silly reason to love Mondays…but it’s true! If you wake up Monday morning being grateful that you are alive and well, that positivity will radiate into your work and you will be more relaxed, more productive and more prone to having your best week yet.
So, step into your Mondays with a big smile and a grateful heart, and remember that you can always Choose Your Attitude and Change The World, one Monday at a time.
XO,
Madeleine
]]>
Sisterhood: “A bond between two or more girls, not always related by blood. They always tell the truth, honor each other, and love each other like sisters.”
As females, we often seem threatened when we see other girls working toward the same job, reaching the same goal, or even just in the same industry, as if there’s not enough room for us all.
The truth is, there IS room for us all. Just because you didn’t get this or that, doesn’t mean there isn’t room for you. It’s just not your time yet!
While we’re waiting for our time to shine (which WILL COME), don’t get discouraged when you see other females making it in the world! Be proud and happy for them. You’re never going to make it in this world by taking what’s someone else’s away!
So, find your sisters of this world. Lift them up, and be genuinely happy for their success, knowing it doesn’t steal yours away. ❤️
XO,
Madeleine
*Cue The Beatles*
Let’s talk a minute about what it means to let things be. By definition, it means to stop disturbing or interfering with someone or something. So, what does that really mean to us?
Letting something or someone be is referring to something negative affecting ones life. Whether it’s a friendship that just didn’t work out, a relationship gone wrong or an unappreciative teenager (don’t worry, we always come around), there are so many parts of life that we need to just let bee.
(My life consists of worrying 100% of the time, so I’m preaching to myself here, too, because I don’t want to live a life full of constant worry!)
My advice to all you worry warts like me out there is to focus on the things you CAN change, and let the things you can’t simply be. To be the best you and do your best to bring that out of others. To take a deep breath before worrying and stressing, which I know is a first reaction for a lot of people, and it takes time and practice. To always show kindness and gratitude and know that the negativity in your life will wash away when you just Let It Bee.
We’d love to hear of some ways you all destress and let things bee, so comment, share, whatever you want to do, for we are all here to support each other and grow together!
XO,
Madeleine
]]>Being in Nashville, we live in a very fashion-focused city! Here are some of the top trends we’ve seen for summer 2018:
1. Straw. Straw hats, straw bags, straw everything! Check out TJ Maxx and Nordstrom rack for some cute, affordable straw hats and bags!
2. Bright colors. While denim and black will always be a go-to, we’ve noticed that colors are back in and we are oh-so happy about that! Let those colors shine, girl!
3. Ruffles. Go raid your mom/grandmas closet and see if she still has some ruffle pieces! Both tops and bottoms, these are back in style and better than ever!
4. Stripes. Baby blue stripes, to be exact. Hello, seersucker!
5. KINDNESS! While (obviously) being kind is always in style, we’ve noticed a big change this year in how people treat others. Girls are lifting each other up instead of seeing each other as competition. If you struggle with seeing others as competition, whether that’s in your field of work or in appearance, train your brain to be happy for other women and know that there is not one other you in the world! That’s one trend we hope sticks forever.
No matter what style is trending, we hope that you all always choose to bee kind, grateful, fearless and, above all else, bee yourself!
XO,
Madeleine
]]>
If you don’t know the story of Bee Attitudes, this one’s for you…
About the Business:
The owner, Lizzie (pictured on the right), started this company with the attitude that one person can start a change in the world. She saw a need to help empower and inspire women, which is how Bee Attitudes was created. From here, she decided to give back some of her earnings to a local non-profit, Thistle Farms, which give women with a history of sex trafficking a safe place to live their lives freely.
Pretty cool, huh? I’ve been lucky enough to know Lizzie for 3 years now, and what a blessing that has been. She is always stepping up to the plate when someone needs help and will do whatever she can to empower and inspire others. She’s pretty much the best boss ever.
About the clothes:
Y’all. Bee Attitudes clothes are SO COMFY and I promise I’m not getting paid to say that. I’d be lying if I said I’ve never slept in one and wore it the next day. Each item has the bee logo with different styles and different attitudes. This is the fun part where you can shop based on which attitude you’re feeling!
Whether you choose to bee happy, grateful, inspired, fearless and so many others, each item says, “Choose Your Attitude and Change The World.” Let’s do that together.
XO,
Madeleine
]]>Doesn’t it always seem to go straight from Winter to Summer? It does here in Nashville, anyways. We’ve got some 80 degree days ahead and I wanted to share with you all our summer essentials!
The Hoodie Tunic:
These super light weight Hoodie Tunics make the perfect cover-up for the pool or to keep in your bag once the sun sets and the air drops! They’re made a little longer than your hips, so you beach bums can have a little more beach and a little less bum ;)
The Beach Pouch:
On top of being the cutest shade of turquoise with blush tasseled zippers, these Beach Pouches come with two fully waterproof outside pockets so you never have to worry again about your phone getting wet!
Hit the beach with Bee Attitudes this summer for style and confidence.
Aloha!
Madeleine
]]>
Hear me out.
I don’t expect all of you to be fitness gurus or even be interested in this topic, but health is a big deal! And living an active lifestyle doesn’t mean running 5 miles a day or being a gym rat. It just means getting out there and pushing yourself a little bit more every time.
How can you live an active lifestyle without going to the gym?
- Go grab your girlfriends and make plans to walk a mile around the park. Next time do 2 miles. Then 3 miles. Then start RUNNING! It all starts with one mile. You got this, girl!
- Go for a bike ride around your city. Search for a new coffee spot!
- Try out a yoga or Zumba class. (A lot of places give you a discount for your first time!)
- For all you desk workers, replace your chair with a fitness ball! It’s an easy way to strengthen your core and is actually pretty fun!
- Scope out the nearest hiking spot or, even better, waterfall! You’ll be so busy embracing nature's beauty that you won’t feel those legs burning so much ;)
Whatever it is, just get outside, get some fresh air and get moving. We’re here for a while, so let’s use our bodies for good and have some fun doing it! And what better reminder than our Bee Fit line telling you to Bee Strong?!
Choose your attitude and change the world one mile, one plank, one step at a time.
XO,
Madeleine
]]>
As we throw our winter coats in storage and take our rain jackets out, it’s easy to match the weather and feel gloomy this month. We just hope that our Bee Inspired tees will remind you to always find things that inspire you, no matter how small.
Here are my top 5 Ways to Bee Inspired through these April showers:
Do you jump in the puddles or hide in the house? Tag us in your pics and tell us your tips to BEE INSPIRED!
XO,
Madeleine
]]>
Yep, you heard right. A hoodie AND a dress, ‘cause who wants to wear pants all the time? If I’m not wearing this over my suit watching some waves (which usually isn’t the case), I’ll throw on my classic Adidas and favorite baseball hat and be on my way looking stylish and feeling confident!
If you’re anything like me, you don’t have all the time in the world to put the perfect outfit together. Made of Rayon and Polyester, this dress is light, soft and breathable. Everything you’d want if you’re on the go!
There are always days I’m feeling bold and fashion-crazy, but one thing I’ve learned in life is to always BEE YOU! Don’t waste time trying to dress or be like someone you’re not. It will only exhaust you and never satisfy. Be true to yourself and be proud of it, for you were fearfully and wonderfully made.
No matter your style, BEE YOU, be proud and change the world!
XO,
Madeleine
P.S. We love to show you off! Tag us in your pics to be featured on our socials!
]]>“The very nature of kindness is to spread. If you are kind to others, today they will be kind to you, and tomorrow to somebody else.” -Sri Chinmoy
How To Wear It:
When in doubt, layer it out! Yes it’s spring, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have our chilly days and if you’re anything like me, you do NOT like being cold. No matter what I’m wearing, I always bring a jacket or cardigan with me to be safe!
This picture shows a few different ways to layer. My sweet friend here has such a different and awesome style than I do! She can rock the edgy black denim, leather jackets, etc., while I have more of a “stylish gardening grandma” vibe. But that’s the fun with fashion! There are SO many ways to be creative, and wearing a shirt with a purpose never goes out of style ;)
Why You Wear It:
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in a Bee Kind shirt and people look at it and just smile. Now that’s an easy way to brighten someone’s day without saying a word! Being kind truly is contagious and when you are kind to people, It lights a little fire in their hearts and inspires them to relay that kindness onto others. That’s a world I want to be a part of.
Always Bee Kind, choose your attitude and change the world.
XO, Madeleine
]]>My 2018 fashion trend is to BEE BRIGHT! I’ve tried the cool kid grungy look…it didn’t work. I can’t help but love bright colors and the worlds beauty! While I have my fair share of black in my wardrobe (okay, it’s like 50% black, but I’m working on it!), I feel confident, creative and happy when I’m bright!
Bright colors can be tricky when putting your outfit together, but I like to play around with it. My most simple advice is to go, well…simple! Pair a bright statement piece with some jeans and neutral colored shoes and you’re good to go. If you’re anything like me, though, you like to have fun and play around with colors! The brighter the better, right? While most fashion experts would tell you to stick within your color group (pair pinks, yellows, reds and oranges together), don’t listen to them! Push the fashion boundaries and be creative. I love pairing greens with pinks and reds with blues!
Bee bright and bee you! Because what makes you happier than blue skies, spring flowers and sunshine?
XO, -Madeleine
(Remember to tag us in your pictures and we just might share them on our socials!)
]]>
Bee the Change: Small Changes that Make a Big Impact
I know, I know. With all the hate and hurt in this world today, it may seem irrational to think that we can make a change. But what if one person each day decides to just try?
I believe that if you want to see a change in the world, you need to start with yourself. Are you proud of who you are or do you constantly compare yourself to others? Do you forgive yourself for mistakes you’ve made or are your still beating yourself up over them? Do you love yourself
or only see flaws?
Accepting who you are and allowing yourself to make mistakes and grow from them are just a few ways you can start making small personal changes that make a big impact. Remember, you cannot give to others what you don’t give yourself!
Here’s some advice I’ve learned over the years on ways to start a change in your life:
1. If you struggle in a negative work environment, be the light that sparks positivity!
2. If you live in a neighborhood or community that isn’t so friendly, be the friend and introduce yourself!
3. If you wish your significant other would communicate better, communicate that to them!
4. If you wish you were part of a bible study but can’t find one, start one!
5. If you wish the world was more kind, inspiring and full of love and grace, BE THAT CHANGE!
Once you nail these personal changes down and believe that you can make a difference, you have SO much more to give the world and it WILL start a change! Bee the Change, because it all starts with you!
XO,
Madeleine
Other than being the most comfortable and soft tank that you will want to both sleep and live your life in (it's not REALLY dirty, right?), it's also on SALE! Need I continue?
While you can easily dress it down with some leggings, tennis shoes and your favorite baseball cap, I choose to dress it up a little! My go to outfit is a pair of blue or white denim, a cute floppy hat and little wedges that I, of course, got at TJ Maxx. Although my style changes a dozen times per season, one essential part of my wardrobe remains the same: COMFORT!
Even if i'm in the most expensive, chic, designer brand outfit, I will not feel as confident as I should be if i'm not comfortable. Forget "beauty is pain", ladies, I'm all about "comfort is confidence!"
So get cute, get comfy, choose your attitude and change the world!
XO,
Madeleine
P.S. Show us how you styled YOUR swing tanks and we might just feature you on our Instagram!
]]>
Kindness:
We are taught at a young age that kindness is holding doors open for people and smiling and just not being mean to others. Yes, this is all true, but it goes so far beyond that. Kindness is genuinely wanting others to be happy and succeed. Kindness is giving to others without a thought of getting something in return. Kindness is generous, caring, helpful, unselfish and rooted in love.
What Kindness Isn’t:
Kindness is not niceness. It’s not refraining from saying you don’t like someone’s outfit so you won’t hurt their feelings. It’s not being the bigger person by not saying hurtful words to someone that may very well deserve it. Niceness is from a place of fear of not being accepted and liked by others. Kindness is from a place of love. It’s about doing the right thing when people aren’t watching us. Kindness is so real and rooted in love that you can physically feel the kindness of some people before they say a word. That’s pretty cool, huh?
Ways to Be Kind:
While being kind comes naturally to some, here are some ways to condition yourself to be kind. Kindness is purposeful and your brain and your heart will thank you!
So, while 2018 is still pretty fresh, let’s all agree to reach that kindness that is inside ALL of us and, I promise you, it is contagious and it is good and it is free.
Being nice doesn’t change the world, but being kind sure can! We're spreading some kindness to you with 10% off of our Bee Kind baseball tees this week! Use code: KIND10 to save!
XO,
-Madeleine
]]>
Hello! My name is Rebekah. I am the founder and creator of a social movement called The Kind Way (check us out! @thekindway), but I was given the amazing opportunity to join the Bee Attitudes, sharing a little piece of my heart with all of you! You will find me here again every once in awhile.
Before I get to the good stuff, I just want to share with you a little bit about myself. More so, I am going to tell you some of my favorite things because that’s more fun than learning what I majored in and how many siblings I have…amirite? :)
So here is me, rebekah, in a nutshell:
My friends call me beks.
My roots are in south dakota.
Red wine is my jam.
So is teaching zumba.
I think elephants are the most beautiful creatures ever created.
I love cozy, rainy days and coffee.
Grammar is important, and hand-written letters are my absolute favorite.
So is pho and facetiming my mom seven times a day.
You had me at dessert.
and… I believe kindness can change the world.
Wait - scratch that. i KNOW kindness can change the world.
And this is what I want to openly discuss with you today: the power of kindness. It seems so elementary, right? to be kind…
But I think we forget the simplicity of it. Kindness doesn’t always have to be something you do. rather, it can be state of being. Learning to love exactly who you. Learning to find your kind and making that a staple in your life!
And life is hard sometimes. It gets complicated. It hurts. We feel pain, love, loss, confusion… and nowadays, more than ever, we are just continuously going going going. Which do not get me wrong, this often times can be a good thing - especially when this means you are super involved with your community, your children’s school, you’re kick-staring a company, you’re working full-time and also getting your masters, you’re getting married, etc… (you see - I get it! going, going, going has its positives!)
But in the midst of all the crazy… do you remember the little things, the kindness, that makes life.. good? I am talking about when you go get your coffee and you take the time smile at your barista and appreciate them. I am talking about holding the door for a stranger or even a loved one. I am talking about letting a car cut in front of you in traffic (okay, I struggle with this one…) I am talking about sitting down with your kids at dinner and asking them the joys of their day. I am talking about believing in your heart and the dreams you are chasing without letting doubt or fear creep in to stop you. I am talking about savoring and living fully in each moment/with every opportunity of your go-go-go life, even if it is not easy. Because how life works will not change, folks. EEEEP sorry to say! But the good news is that we can change how we as individuals choose to live in this life.
Last week, November 13th, was world kindness day. A friend told me that this day for me was like Christmas morning, and I just couldn’t agree more!
In honor of this, I worked on a little project with a handful of my friends and family to ask their children what kindness means to them (link to video below). The innocence and purity of child-like love is precious. They associate kindness with things or people that make them happy (their responses are priceless – will give you a great laugh!). What I have come to learn is that kindness cannot be defined concretely by one word or phrase or idea… because it is so many things and that is what makes it special. It comes from who you are. and that is why I titled this post ‘finding your kind’…
I challenge you to find your kind and share it with the world. share it in everything and all you do and share it with me too! I truly want to know what kindness is to you - please DM me on Instagram: @beeattitudes or even email me at rebekah.rinehart@gmail.com.You matter to me. your story matters to me. I cannot wait to hear from you!
with kindness,
beks
]]>