5 Things to do Before the New Year

When a new year rolls around, we are given a blank slate, a fresh start, a new beginning. It is the perfect time to think about all of the experiences (good & bad) you've accumulated within the last year so you can use them to your advantage. Reevaluate your year up to now, and implement changes to benefit your life.

What is Wanderlust & What Does it Mean to Be a Wanderful Soul?

Terms like 'wanderful', 'wanderlust', and 'wanderer'  have started to become more prominent in describing the dream lifestyle of those who love to travel. There's something quite magical about the thought of traveling and experiencing the world indefinitely. If you think so too, you are undeniably a wanderful soul who falls victim to wanderlust. But, what does exactly does that mean?

Full Moon Reflection

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Yesterday, we had our very last full moon (and super moon) of 2016. Full moon nights are the best times for contemplation, reflection, and release as the moon sheds light (figuratively & literally) on your life. The moon reveals to us what was hidden in the shadows and brings them into light so it can come into focus and we may acknowledge it.

The Perfect Gifts for Travelers

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With the holidays coming up, it's time to start thinking (if you haven't already) about gifts for the ones we love. Being a traveler, I usually save my money for trips rather than buying myself leisurely items, so when that time of year comes around, people are unsure about what to get me. So, if you're in the same predicament for your wanderlusting family / friends, have no fear! I've created a small list of perfect gifts for travelers. Take a look below and get inspired!

Austin City Limits Music Festival 2016

The time of year we've been waiting for is finally here, festival season! So much magic happens at these events, I'm so happy I was able to attend the Austin City Limits Festival again this year. Although, the musician lineup wasn't as enticing as it was the year before, we decided to go for a day on Weekend Two. (Radiohead was reason enough to get us there!)

What is a Mandala?

Every Monday, I love to post an image on my Instagram of a beautiful mandala that I find online. I call this #MandalaMonday. The images range from beautiful hand drawn art, to mandalas arranged with flowers and crystals. These images are so

Boho Gypsy Love - A Place for the Bohemian Makers & Bloggers

I am so excited to announce the start of a wonderful community for the bohemian makers and bloggers to come together online! As both a bohemian maker & blogger, I always find it a little difficult to discover others like myself who want to meet and make connections. I want to find

To Travel is to Live

Daydreaming about far away destinations, and getting excited for future adventures in my head makes me think about what traveling truly means to me. But, it also had my wondering, why doesn't everyone have the itch to venture off into distant lands, and explore the world?

Foto Friday | May 2016

Life tends to get in the way, making it difficult for me to write and post on my blog. But here are some of my favorite photos from The Wanderful Soul Instagram from the entire month of May that I have shot. Photography is one of my biggest passion and I love sharing my view through the

23

Another year has gone by, and I am another year older. It's starting to feel like the next year is flying by faster than the last. Having my birthday come around again, of course, makes me think about my life and what I've done. I'm so very proud of where I have traveled, and my life so far.

Publication | Arrow Magazine Vol. 3 Bloom Issue

I am so excited to finally announce that I am now a published photographer & designer! Four of my images were chosen to be printed in the Bloom issue of Arrow Magazine. Even more exciting, one of my images even made the back cover! I am so happy, especially since this

Best Quotes from To Kill a Mockingbird

With the recent passing of Harper Lee, I thought it was fitting to gather some of my favorite and best quotes from To Kill a Mockingbird, an American classic. This beautiful book is one of my favorites, which I definitely recommend for those who have not read it. Just thinking about it brings

4 Easy Steps to Bring More Meaning and Purpose into Your Life

The first week of the new year has come and gone, leaving us some time to reflect on the meaning and purpose we have given our lives in the past year(s). You may come to realize, like many, that you're not fully living the life of your dreams. It's important to notice when you're not entirely happy with the direction your life is moving, so here are some easy steps to help bring more meaning and purpose into your life. It will most definitely bring so much love and happiness back into your life.

1.) Be Adventurous

Being adventurous doesn't necessarily mean you should quit your day job today and travel the world tomorrow (it may to some!) It simply means that you should take more risks, live in the moment, and be spontaneous. Life tends to get a little too comfortable at times, and we become creatures of habit. It's great to add some change into your life to remind you to live, rather than just be alive.

2.) Be Grateful

Be thankful for where you're at and for everything you have. When you remember that you can have it much worse, you are able to really appreciate what you have, and hopefully realize that you don't necessarily need more. Being content with your possessions will make anything new you acquire seem more special and well deserved. “If you aren't happy for what you already have then what makes you think you will be happy with more.” - Maddy Malhotra

3.) Be Present

Remember that you are presently living your own life. Try not to get too caught up with the people you "see" online. Be present in every moment, and remember to enjoy the human interactions in front of you. If you are visiting a magnificent place, keep your phone or camera down, and really soak in the moment. Make it so that you can relive that moment not through a screen, but every time you close your eyes.

4.) Be Happy

Above all else, do what makes you happy. If you are unhappy, stop what you are doing and change it. Don't force yourself to be in a place you don't want to be in. This is your life, you will only live it once. I can't tell you how many times people vent to me about how they are unhappy with their job, or their home, or pretty much, their life. Make some changes, and start living the life of your dreams. It may be difficult and scary to start, but oh, will it be worth it.

These steps may seem pretty obvious, but that's the point. We know how to be happy and how to lead wonderful lives, but we get into a habit and sometimes we need to be reminded. Life isn't just about being alive, it's about living.

So most importantly, be positive. Because, as they say, positive mind, positive vibes, positive life...

Have you tried any of the steps above to being more meaning and purpose to yourself?

What are some things you do to help put more meaning into your life?
Let me know in the comments below!

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❀Riah

Gift Guide for the Traveler in Your Life

Still thinking about last minute gifts for the wanderlusting spirits in your life? No worries, The Wanderful Soul has you covered with some great (& affordable) gifts this season! I've compiled a small list with some no brainer gifts for any kind of traveler. Take a look, and get re-inspired...

( For even more gift ideas check out: The Perfect Gifts for Travelers )

Fall Air 2015 Collection

I'm so excited to {finally} launch my 2015 Fall Air Collection! This entire collection was inspired by the air element. I have incorporated many things that you would think of when you think of air, including the main word, freedom. You will see everything from feathers, wings, wind chimes, and more. I love everything about this collection, and I know you will too! Here's a few photos from some of my favorite items!

2015 Road Tripper Style

My heart still goes back every single day to the amazing road trip I had this past July. Canada was the most beautiful place I have seen, thus far, and I can't wait to go back. Since summer is nearing its end, I thought I would share some of the details of my outfits from this wonderful trip. And thank you to the select few brands that made the journey with me... ❤

The Wanderful Soul, Open for Business

I'm so excited to finally re-launch my shop! I wanted to create a beautiful space to share my blog & shop, and I think I have. I've made my life more about adventure, & doing what you love, and I wanted to share all aspects of that with you. So I'm happy to re-launch my shop, formerly known as Modern Elm, into a bigger & better shop under the name that is close to my heart, The Wanderful Soul. &All with the lovers, dreamers, & wanderlusting spirits in mind. So thank you for joining me on this journey!

Two new items have been added to my shop that I designed while on my latest road trip to Canada, and I just had to make them right when I returned from my beautiful trip. I'm excited to say that I will now be offering hand screen printed tees in addition to everything else, made by yours truly.

↠ Shop the new tees here ↞

And lastly, I shot a beautiful new lookbook, The Wanderers, behind the camera with 3 stunning models, Joanna McCray, Ashley Harrington, and Paloma Alexandre-Cantu. Alejandro Osma  was shooting as well and some of his shots were incorporated into the lookbook!

Here's a few of my favorite shots, see the full lookbook here.

Change

Change

Said the sun to the moon,

You cannot stay. 

Change
Says the moon to the waters,
All is flowing.

Change

Says the fields to the grass,
Seed-time and harvest,
Chaff and grain.

You must change said,
Said the worm to the bud,
Though not to a rose,

Petals fade
That wings may rise
Borne on the wind.

You are changing
said death to the maiden, your wan face

To memory, to beauty.

Are you ready to change?
Says the thought to the heart, to let her pass
All your life long

For the unknown, the unborn

In the alchemy

Of the world's dream?

You will change,
says the stars to the sun,

Says the night to the stars.

❈  Kathleen Raine ❈

Roads

I know a country laced with roads,

They join the hills and they span the brooks,

They weave like a shuttle between broad fields,

And slide discreetly through hidden nooks.

They are canopied like a Persian dome

And carpeted with orient dyes.

They are myriad-voiced, and musical,

And scented with happiest memories.

O Winding roads that I know so well,

Every twist and turn, every hollow and hill!

They are set in my heart to a pulsing tune

Gay as a honey-bee humming in June.

'T is the rhythmic beat of a horse's feet

And the pattering paws of a sheep-dog bitch;

'T is the creaking trees, and the singing breeze,

And the rustle of leaves in the road-side ditch.

A cow in a meadow shakes her bell

And the notes cut sharp through the autumn air,

Each chattering brook bears a fleet of leaves

The sun splashed bright on the road ahead

Their cargo the rainbow, and just now where

A startled rabbit quivered and fled.

O Uphill roads and roads that dip down!

You curl your sun-spattered length along,

And your march is beaten into a song

And the panting breath of the dogs I love.

By the softly ringing hoofs of a horse

The pageant of Autumn follows its course

And the blue sky of Autumn laughs above.

And the song and the country become as one,

I see it as music, I hear it as light;

Prismatic and shimmering, trembling to tone,

The land of desire, my soul's delight.

And always it beats in my listening ears

With the gentle thud of a horse's stride,

With the swift-falling steps of many dogs,

Following, following at my side.

O Roads that journey to fairyland!

Radiant highways whose vistas gleam,

Leading me on, under crimson leaves,

To the opaline gates of the Castles of Dream.

Roads

❈  Amy Lowell ❈

Twenty-Two

Today is my 22nd birthday! I want to see the whole world, and I know I will. I'm fresh out of college, and now, the possibilities are endless. So here's to another year of being older, I know it will be great...

---

Thrifted Dress

Vintage Thunderbird Belt

PacSun Hat

Modern Elm Mandala Necklace + Hammered Cuff + Feather Ring

Adrift Luxe Necklace

Nature Vibe Wander Cuff

Ohm Boho Ganesh Ring

✧