June 2016

I am really excited to start this summer’s Graceful Glance interview series!! I believe in lifting others up, sharing their personal story to show how amazing God is in their lives and businesses all while looking fashionably fabulous!! Women empowering other women is so important, because lifting others up and showing their strengths and not their weaknesses is very powerful! My desire and dream is to help encourage and share with the world these amazing and incredible women and their God given talents! So, that we might all learn from each other on how to be strong, fearless and world changers if we simply chose to be!

So with that being said let’s dive into our first interviewee!!! I am beyond excited to share this woman’s story and heart with y’all. I have gotten to know her a little bit through her social media account on Instagram “JunkyJewelz” (be sure and go follow her promise you won’t be disappointed). She has a big heart and pretty sure it is made of gold, she has a desire to help women be who God created them to be! Also I adore her style! During last year’s NFR in Las Vegas, is when I noticed her and her style and fell in love with her funky yet chic style. She is currently in the Weatherford, TX area where her and her husband have Warbonnet Hat Works, Junky Jewelz and raise their precious daughter! So without any further ado let me introduce you to the amazing Brooklyn McIntosh!

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(Brooklyn showing us how to look fearlessly fabulous at the 2015 NFR)

H: How long have you had your business?
B: Well Dan started Warbonnet Hat Works in Nov 2014, but it wasn’t until April of this year that he brought me on to do the majority of the ladies hats.

H: Who inspired you to start your business?

B: Katy Jade Hall has helped motivate me to take women’s hats further than anyone has done so far in that industry, she was our first supporter and she always has a hat on with her funky western style, leading me to think outside the box on all the new hats I create.

(Wow that is is so awesome and so sweet! She does rock an amazing style and I do love her hats!!)

H: Did you have to seek any advice from anyone to get started?

B: Dan has walked me through the whole process of making hats and been very supportive in helping me get started. Most days I’m sure he wants to scream if I ask another question, but he never does.

(What a great husband and support system you have girl!)

(Brooklyn doing her thing and putting those extra special touches on a custom hat)

H: How did you learn to make your jewelry and hats?

B: Dan helped me a lot like I said, but I started making jewelry almost 10 years ago and I really just taught myself. The style of jewelry has changed so much over those 10 years but I try to keep teaching myself new techniques to stay up with the trends and even to create my own.

H: What are 2 of your favorite things in your store right now?

B: Well I don’t get to keep any hats that I make since we are mostly a custom hat shop but one of my favorites that I made was Rachel McGinn’s yellow distressed hat with the beaded hat band. I have been so busy making hats I haven’t had a chance to make any new jewelry in awhile.

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(Wow I so love this especially paired with the beaded hat band!)

H: What is the best part of your business?

B: Working along side my husband and being able to stay home with our daughter.

H: What challenges have you faced and how did God help you get through them?

B: Sometimes it can be tough to be a mom and have so many projects going on at one time. I just ask God for strength and to remember what’s most important.

(Brooklyn and her beautiful daughter looking amazing and rodeo ready!)

H: What is a scripture you stood on or are standing on while building your business?

B: 2 Cor 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. If you would have told me a few years ago I would be making custom felt hats I would have laughed, but God had a plan. I only needed to have faith and trust Him.

(Haha, He always has plans that make us turn around later and laugh! I agree you though we just need to have faith and trust in Him that He will help us get where we need to be.)

H: Do you have something on your heart that you would like to share with our readers ?

B: I think it’s so important these days to be comfortable with who God made you to be. I think the days in which we live in now girls are always comparing themselves to each other, or trying to be like someone else or bring consumed with how many people likes our photo on gets on social media, or even putting filters on our pictures because we are not comfortable with just being ourselves. This breaks my heart and it’s something I have to check myself daily on. Psalms 139:14 is one of my favorite verses on this subject it says: I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul know etch right well. God made you to be you, He made you just the way you are and He makes no mistakes.

(Brooklyn well put in my books! Exactly what has been on my heart as well we have to know we are enough and through Him all things are possible!)

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(Brooklyn and her friend at the Cowgirl Museum’s Boots and Bling)

Now time for some Fashion

H: How would you describe your style?

B: I would say funky yet modest.

H: What is your favorite go to summer outfit or style?

B: I’m loving the long sheer kimonos with shorts, sandals and a tank. It’s way to hot here to add to many layers right now, so no matter what I’ve got to be cool.

(Oh I am totally loving this look as well!!)

H: Do you have any beauty secrets you’d like to share with our readers?

B: A couple of things I’ve learned over the last year are when wearing tee’s always find a small part to tuck in the front of your shorts or pants it’s so much cuter than leaving a shirt hanging. I also think it’s a must to fold a cuff at the bottom of the legs on any skinny jean. That little detail adds so much style.

(Oh yes the tuck and the cuff!!! I totally agree I love both of these details although I am still working on mastering that tuck! haha)

H: What is your fashion weakness?

B: I would say my fashion weakness is makeup I’m just now getting into the whole makeup thing at 29!

H: Who is someone you look up to fashion wise?

B: I have a few people that I love their style and I know I’m not alone in this but I love Katy Jade Hall’s style, Bobbie Tryan and Adrian Brannan to name just a few.

(Most definitely not alone in these areas! All 3 of these women know how to bring and put their own special touches on an outfit and make it simply amazing!)

H: What is 1 piece of advice you could offer readers about fashion?

B: Create your own style don’t always be consumed with being like everyone else. God created you to be you!

I couldn’t agree anymore with that statement and it is like you said something I do have to check myself daily on! Brooklyn thank you so very much for taking the time out of your busy life to be a part of my tonight’s blog! You are truly amazing girl! Ladies and gentlemen I hope you are as inspired as I am with tonight’s blog! Knowing that if you walk by faith and not by sight you can accomplish anything in front of you! Be it insecurities, fashion, dreams, jobs ect. with God ALL things are possible. Brooklyn I believe showed us that tonight as well as encouraged us to be the best version of us we can be! You are enough ladies and gentlemen!! So with that Happy Sunday and may this week bring you many sweet blessings, a whole lot of love and grace, so you can rock that style!!

XO,
Hannah Leigh

**ALSO just a little side note but be sure go like Warbonnet_Hat_Works on Instagram to stay up to date with their hats and trends! Their website will be launching in T-Minus 13 days**

Hello and Happy Summer my amazing readers!! As we begin our summer and we see all the things happening and going on in the world around us right now it has inspired me. Yes! I said inspire me! Let me tell you why… because, even with all the hate crimes and the bad things happening in the world around us right now, I have chosen to do and show just the opposite! I have personally always been a little different in the sense that I tend to try and be pretty optimistic, most of the time. So, instead of voicing my opinion about the many different situations going on right now, I have tried to take it upon myself to show more kindness towards others and try to spread more joy. Sometimes, and I’ll admit it because let’s be real for a moment, it is not always easy to do, especially when your worn down, tired and just want to be home in your sweats snuggled up and zoned out watching a movie! Haha! By bringing more joy and more kindness to others around you though, it begins to become more and more contagious. Let me show you an example! You remember the viral video of Candace? The joyful lady from Texas who simply decided to buy a mask because she thought it would be fun to have and it lit up her life? She just sat there and laughed and laughed. Which, caused anyone who was watching the video to laugh as well! The first time I watched the video I laughed so hard I cried. It wasn’t because of the mask, it was because of her joyful laugh becoming so contagious it made me laugh! Joy spills out onto others just as a bad mood does or being rude. If you are in a bad mood ever notice some of that rubbing off onto others. Hmmm….

So, instead of lashing out towards others and declaring vengeance on them or something they have done lets all choose do to do the very opposite. When it comes down to it anyway our idea of revenge can not solve problems people. The only thing it really can do is escalate them!! Hence, what’s going on around us! So right now I am going to challenge you!! Because, it really starts with YOU! Be kind to those around you even if in your mind they don’t deserve it let me tell you THEY DO! We all deserve to be treated kindly. Spread more joy and laughter because even in your worst circumstances getting mad is again only going to make things worse or not get the problem solved so just skip that step and laugh and make it happen! Proverbs 17:22 says… “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” So, instead of giving into all the temptations of going with the crowd and calling people names for not thinking or acting the way you do, or talking bad about people in certain situations that you honestly have no idea what exactly went on in those very moments that caused something bad to happen, or lastly to spread the gossip about someone just because you heard something from someone. Do the very opposite I am calling you out and challenging you to instead PRAY for those people hurting in those bad situations, PRAY for the lost and broken hearted people because they need someone to pray for them.You may be the only person praying for them. Even SMILE at the old man looking lonely or sad in Walmart. You can even HELP the little lady in the wheel chair get something high off that shelf. That is how we make a positive difference! I challenge you to start sharing and spreading the love and kindness! As Momma Jo says quit feeding the enemy what he wants to see!! So, quit feeding the violence with violence, quit feeding the hatred with more hate, and quit feeding the gossip with more gossip! It only hurts people! Think how you would feel if you were in their shoes! Hurt people hurt people! So lets all choose not to do that! Remember, it all starts with You!!! Be the change you want to see! You may be thinking I am just one person how can I make a difference! Oh my sweet reader that is how it all starts is with just one person! Just think if the only thing you did in your life was help make a difference in 1 person’s life by showing them a little kindness on a day when they maybe hurting the most and wanting to do something stupid to somebody or to themselves and because you showed them a little kindness it turned their day or life around. Well then I would say then YES it is worth it!!! So, with that I am bringing this blog to an end I am hoping and praying over you as you read this that God will show you how to share and spread the Love & Joy that this world is so in need of! That He will fill you up, so you can overflow into others! I pray that you have a safe and amazing week full of God’s grace, love and protection! In Jesus name Amen! Love you guys!!! Keep Stylin’ Smilin’ & Lovin’ God! Until Next Week!!!

Xo,
Hannah Leigh

Lifestyle & Fashion Blog #Desire2Inspire #Dare2BeBold #Dare2BeYou

Monthly Archives: June 2016

Graceful Glance with Brooklyn McIntosh

It Starts With You