The Everyday

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson || Top: Nordstrom 

It’s not unusual to find me wearing a blue and white striped shirt... Or a blue and white striped anything for that matter. In fact, whenever I pick up something blue and white striped while out shopping with friends, someone inevitably says, “Really Taylor Ann? You really need another blue and white striped ____?” I can’t help it! To me, it’s the perfect everyday casual look. Why not own a lot of a style that makes you happy? Plus, this one was a decent price, so it was well worth the purchase.

It’s also not unusual to find my face buried in a book… Especially during the summer. This past summer, I spent a lot of time with Annie F. Downs. Not actually with her (wouldn't that be awesome), but with her stories. 

It’s funny how some messages can find you at exactly the right time. Annie F. Downs’ Let’s All Be Brave and Looking for Lovely were exactly the books I NEEDED to read this summer. Let’s All Be Brave serves as a reminder that we are capable of delivering God’s message and living out our dreams. Looking for Lovely helps you see the beautiful that exists in the world around you. I even look at sushi differently after reading this book! There was one little line in particular that spoke to me during a time when I was wanting to quit. I would give it to you, but it probably wouldn’t make much sense (unless you are currently a teacher who dreams about being a writer).

When reading these books, I felt a sense of comfort and encouragement. It was as if Annie was sitting across the table saying, “Yeah, I’ve been there," while also saying, "but you can do this!” 

Image from Annie F. Downs

I could quote a hundred different lines from each of Annie’s books – lines that should be scribbled on post-it notes and scattered throughout your house as daily reminders of your “greatness.”  But I won’t… because I actually want you to read these books. BOTH of them! I think they will leave you feeling the same way I did, which is a feeling I TRY to carry with me everyday.

“I want us to learn to look for the lovely all around us and collect it, hold it close, and see how God drops beautiful things into our lives at just the right time to help us step forward on our own paths.” – Looking for Lovely, Annie F. Downs