To Ida Street We Go

Today is a momentous day. Magical Simplicity is growing up :) We're heading to a new space, with a new name, to celebrate a new stage & talk about the same things. I'm actually heading there now!

Ida Street is a real place. I moved there just after my 24th birthday. Do you remember? In my tiny studio apartment I started learning a lot. Like what the tool box is for. & that I actually love photography. & that personal style is everything, but that sweatpants are a girl's best friend. It was on Ida Street that I started growing up. & on Ida Street I started growing out of this space.

It's okay! Magical Simplicity is coming with me. I'm stuffing it (& all my old posts) into this beautiful leather tote. So, from now on... visit me HERE. Let's continue our adventure. Let's talk about the things that happen on Ida Street. Xoxo, a million times.  I'll see you all there.

Photography: Mintwood Photo Co.

A [CINCY] CHIC WEEK + MIDI SKIRT

What did you do this weekend? Oh. Well. I started mine at a Cincy Chic fashion show Friday night, where myself & fellow Cincinnati Style Bloggers Katie at Out + Outfit, Carrington at Fashion with Carrington, Tamia with The Style Sample, Natalie at CincinNatalie & Olivia at Baubles to Bubbles were on the search for "The Chic-est Shoes of All." There were a lot of local boutiques and businesses donating their time & samples, a fun photo booth & TONS (tons!) of great shoes. After much debate, we chose a teal pair from Zara as our winner. 

Then on Saturday I spent an hour or so with Courtney PeGan & her team at Curate Boutique. Tucked away at a Hyde Park side street [map], Curate is such a gem. The clothes are staple pieces, yet also trendy. & the staff makes you feel like you're shopping with friends. Why was I there, you ask? Becauseeee... I was looking for something to wear for this! The first Magical Simplicity article at Cincy Chic! So fun, right?!

Anyway, I went to a super quick photo shoot on Sunday. These aren't the photos we took (though I do LOVE the awesome head shots by Belle & Blanc Photography for Cincy Chic!!). But I wanted to show you guys this amazing midi skirt so I recruited an extra photographer for a few full length shots (thanks, mom!). 

By the way, let's talk about midi skirts (As the girls at Curate described it: in between the mini & the maxi is the perfect midi!) (Also known as tea-length?) (I think, yes... but only based on many tea-length dresses from my days at St. Ursula..). I love this trend so much. It is such a high waist, which perfectly accentuates a lady's natural curves, hitting at our slimmest feature. Who doesn't love feeling itty-bitty at their natural waist? No better way to start a week than an amazing article & an amazing skirt, don't you think? I love you all!

Wearing

Skirt: Joa Midi Skirt in Black & Plaid via Curate Boutique

Jacket: FindersKeepers Moonlight Moto via Curate Boutique

Shirt: Brunch? Graphic Tee via Banana Republic [similar]

Shoes: Tassel Tie Bootie via Coach [thrifted]

Earrings: Mint Lilly Brass Crescent Earrings via Curate Boutique 

Photography: Jackie Butler

JUMP(ING) INTO A NEW SERIES

I have exciting news! Over the weekend my sister agreed to help me with a couple of food posts for Magical Simplicity. This is Katie :)

I'm not a natural cook (in fact, my only claim to fame is the oatmeal chocolate chip cookie -- top secret recipe coming to Magical Simplicity ToMoRrOW!) (EDIT: here it is!). But, I am a great learner. + my sister, well she's the best chef I know. So I'm here today to tell you that I can't wait for the jump into a new feature for you guys. Together we can learn how to cook!

Now I'm going to take one second to gush about my sister(s). If you have sisters, you know. Sisterhood is a bond unlike any other. Fight all day (sisters are notorious for stealing clothes) but when it gets down to it.. who is always at your side?

I have three sisters (+ one awesome brother). You may remember when I last declared my love for them HERE. We are all absolutely, positively opposite of one another. (For example, Katie can cook. My speciality is eating.) But I also don't know of any four people who are a better compliment to my personality. (Same example applies.)

So, if you have a sister (or a brother), first tell me how awesome she is in the comments below. + then shoot her a text. Tell her you love her. + maybe convince her to pose for some jumping photos. It's way harder than it looks :)

Can't wait to introduce you to Magical Simplicity's food series this week! Come back + see us!

Wearing: [Annie] Shirt: Stripe Sleeve T via JCrew | Pants: City Crepe - Soft Pant via New York + Co. | Shoes: Gladiators via DSW. [Katie] Skirt: Bobeau Maxi via Nordstrom | Shirt: Basic Tee via JCrew | Photography: Jackie Butler.

IN PURSUIT OF MAGIC

For some time I have been searching for a tagline for Magical Simplicity. Remember that e-course I am taking by A Beautiful Mess? Well it really has been helping me focus on the branding of Magical Simplicity. Unfortunately, it's been really hard to describe what we do here in just a few words. Until I was wandering around West Village with Colleen during my long weekend to New York. She was showing me around town when a mural caught my eye. & in the mural was a tiny message.

"In pursuit of magic."

That's it. Magical Simplicity is living your life in pursuit of magic. & magic, well that's a state of mind. & your state of mind is controlled by your thoughts. So if you choose to look at everything as positive & magic & awesome & wonderful & lovely & fun, then one day you'll wake up & realize that's really your life.

It's no accident that the universe sends us these tiny moments. It's just a question of whether you choose to pursue them.

P.S. Right after I saw this mural we walked into one of New York's Famous Cupcake Shops. Nothing is a coincidence.

HELLO, DARLINGS!

So where do I begin? I think probably with hello, darlings.  Welcome back to Magical Simplicity. & really that’s a welcome for me as much as it is for you. I’ve been away.

When I graduated from Miami University in 2012, my world turned all the way around - like twenty times. I needed to do a lot of growing up, really fast. & guys – it was really hard. But more on that another day. Today, we are celebrating. Today is special. Today is Magical Simplicity’s third birthday.

& that is a big deal. I’m coming home.

I’ve finally made a little bit of sense about this growing up business. & now that I have, it’s really important to me to come back here. Here: my tiny little corner of the web where you are.

& I have really exciting news! I’ve taken a long, deep look at Magical Simplicity & found its core. Magic. Magic happens every day. It masquerades as tiny little moments. & you know what? Those moments seem pretty simple as they pass us by. It’s a butterfly outside your window. It’s your hometown (Holla at me Cincinnati, O-H!). It’s smiling with your best friend over a hot cup o’ joe.

Magical Simplicity, at its core, is life. 

I’ve been planning & prepping & pouring myself into a refreshed place for us to stay. It’s going to be stock full of LIFE, guys. The good stuff. The real stuff. The fun stuff. The magic.

I’m so excited. 

Happy birthday, Magical Simplicity. Let’s go adventure. 

Photog by my ever-loving mother: Jackie Butler

LOST IN A DREAM.

I get lost in projects. Give me a pencil and some headphones - it'll be seven hours before I come back into the "real world." Give me a story to write about, I may never go to bed. These ideas take a hold in pockets of my mind, burrowing and growing and inspiring until it has a life of its own - and just needs someone to give it form.

I recently had the idea to repurpose my second blog, the one chronicling my dream to write and illustrate a novel, into more of a website. I could have asked someone to help - but the idea struck too quickly. Before I knew it, I was swimming in code and html (with which I had limited experience) and burning through the wee hours of the morning to make my vision take form.

For me - these ideas and dreams are a magical simplicity. They teach me about who I am and who I can be. It's nice to get lost in a dream every once in a while, and I admit I've been doing it quite often. Please though - take a look at my new site & recent magical simplicity. 

A year of magic.

The happiest year it has been! Thank you for a year of magic, darlings.

We've come a long way from this, our first post ever.
Cheers to another three hundred sixty-five!

Mission Statement

I believe that the world is filled with magic- whether we see it or not. It's the simple things: a rainbow around the corner, a smile on a stranger, a cupcake out of the oven. My purpose is to capture those moments, and bring a smile to your face.

And I believe in a world with love. Where people love themselves and love each other and celebrate that every day. My purpose is to give a space where that love can be immortalized. 

So come, join a world thats runs on love and is empowered by smiles. Join a world of magical simplicity. 

A Magical Simplicity

This year has been the most spectacular adventure. We have created a community, my loves. A community that runs on smiles and rejoices in love.



There are still a few days to go til a big birthday bash. I cannot wait to share the magic with you. In the meantime- share a little with your friends. Love as always, and thank you for sharing in life's magical simplicity. 

Birthday bash.

This is the week! Magical Simplicity is turning one year old on Sunday. Oh the joys that a year can bring!

My dearest birthday wish is to share the magic with as many fans as possible. Magical Simplicity lives on smiles and celebrates life's real and simple magic. I mean, as a dedicated dreamer, I am a little biased- but why not be a part of that!? So, if you haven't:

1. Follow on twitter
2. Like on Facebook
3. Follow our Pinboard
4. Follow on Blogger
5. or any or all! 

I love you all to pieces, and I am dreaming of something magical for Sunday, so stay tuned. Happy Monday!  xoxo Annie

(almost) birthday wish.

Magical Simplicity turns one year old this month. It has been a year filled of love, laughter, tears, happiness, joy, friendships, cupcakes, flowers, and magic. And I have a birthday wish. When I blow out these candles on April 29- I hope to have 100 facebook followers to spread the magic to. So if you are a new reader- Welcome! And if you are an old one- Thank you! Let's share the magic with the world.

www.facebook.com/MagicalSimplicity

Can't wait to celebrate with you! I have some magical things underway for a birthday bash...

Big on buttons.

Well, yes. Magical Simplicity got another makeover. THIS one is going to be around for a while. My favorite part of the makeover is the new buttons. On the right hand side, as you note- I am sure, are three HUGE buttons. One for facebook, one for twitter, and one for pinterest. These buttons are definitely over-sized when compared to a normal blog site, and that is on purpose.

Though Magical Simplicity is based here, at blogger, each of these social media sites offers a very unique and very important aspect to the overall idea. Magical Simplicity would not be what it is without them. SO, their importance is displayed in their size. At Magical Simplicity, we are big on buttons! Enjoy and explore the world of life's simple magic.

The newest addition!

Today, Magical Simplicity got a logo. I hope you love it as much as I do!!

I obviously was trying to keep with the simple theme. The "S" is meant to look as much like a swirly underline as it is an "s."

I tried out several color schemes- but chose to keep it really simple. I tried several fonts and ultimately (surprisingly) chose four different ones. Each element means something different, so I thought they each deserved their own font. The "M" got a font with serifs, because it is so important. The "S" got sans serif because it has multiple functions. The "magical" is in cursive because, well because that makes it magic! And "simplicity" is in a very simple font.

So, hooray! It is featured currently on Facebook- Cheers to our newest addition!

little ears.

Lately people have been telling me something. One thing. They love magical simplicity. They tell me over facebook, in emails, in text messages, in person. It is people of all parts of my life. Some that I talk to daily, some that I haven't spoken to in years. They tell me about their magically simple moments. They send me pictures. They make me smile.

And I beg of you, please keep doing it. I cannot express how much those comments mean to me. I keep thinking to myself: "surely, this is what it feels like to be utterly and perfectly happy." And then a new person reaches out. And suddenly my smile lights up the neighborhood.

I can only say thank you. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU. Lots of love, as always. Always keep the magic.
xx Annie