Alex

I'm so blessed to have an incredible, hard working big brother! I love his sense of humor and silliness, and I love that he has always been my protector and friend whether it's the first morning of kindergarten or a trip to the beach (see awkward family photos at the bottom!). We headed out for a quick morning shoot just before the New Year and had a blast even in the chilly North Carolina weather.....

Mary Kathryn

  MK and I ran out on the very,very chilly morning of New Year's Eve to shoot and enjoy time together before this semester started. We laughed and danced our way through the cold as we explored new locations. Shooting in the morning was new for me, but I loved every minute of it...

 For over two years this amazing girl has been my friend... When she's back from school at UNCW you can find us watching 24 and making (and eating) whole pans of lemon bars. Her heart for Jesus is beautiful, and I love her to pieces! This is my sweet friend Mary Kathryn.....

Launching 12.31 | Shine & Soar

.......I stepped off the plane in Birmingham, trying to pull my very nervous, very scared self together for the ten girls I knew I was about to meet at SHINE..... As I waited for the group to arrive, I prayed... Hoping that Christ would use the next five days in my life to mold and shape me and my business.....

Little did I know when I stepped off that plane and introduced myself, that Christ was manifesting in my life dreams and relationships that would forever change me. The incredible thing is, this was just the beginning of an adventure. An adventure that would lead Bethany Aleshire, Ciera Chante, Sarah Delanie and I to launch a magazine.....


       Shine & Soar


  Shine & Soar began with Bethany's vision to encourage girls to be authentic, to be bold in their dreams, and to carry out those dreams with a passion. Back in September, after Shine, Bethany shared her vision for S&S with Ciera, Sarah, and I.  Christ had been laying a similar vision in my own heart for months, and I literally screamed the second I read the email from Bethany. I'm amazed at the fact that Christ so perfectly timed it all, and I am so excited to embark on this journey!

Our dreams, desires, and talents are an incredible gift, and a direct reflection of Christs amazing grace and love for all of us. Each and every one of us have been given unique gifts that are meant to glorify God and be shared with this world. Our deepest desire is to encourage young women to glorify Christ in every aspect of their lives, and to realize that they are beautiful, treasured, and precious in Gods eyes... Our gifts, our businesses, and our dreams are merely tools that we've been given to make a difference in peoples lives by glorify Christ. We want to empower and encourage young entrepreneurs to take their God-given talents, capitalize on what makes them different, and use that  in their business to make a difference in this world. Our hope if to create a community of young leaders and entrepreneurs who can love and encourage each other, and simply do life together.

We are turning the page.... And as we reach this first chapter, we realize that Shine & Soar is truly Christ's. The gifts we are given, the inspiration, is not our own, it is merely a gift. We love that God is using us to glorify Him in and through Shine and Soar, because that is what we are in this earth to do..... Simply to glorify Christ in all that we do.... And to live lives that are worthy of the calling Christ has placed on us....

We are so unbelievably excited about this adventure, and we want you all to be a part of it. We will be launching our very first intro issues for Shine & Soar on New Years Ever, and can't wait to share and celebrate it with y'all! 

....Because I love pretty things, and I know you all do too, I wanted to share our manifesto...Enjoy!

These are the incredible girls I'm sharing this adventure with! Can't wait to start sharing with you all!

Shine & Soar | Launching 12.31.12

-MACKENZIE

Her Magazine Shoot | Melissa

I've had the incredible opportunity to work with my favorite local magazine on some of their recent covers! They are so, so fun to work with, so when they contacted me about shooting for their January cover of course I said yes!

 Melissa, who is currently a student at ECU, was our fabulous model. I had so much fun working together and exploring downtown! I'm absolutely in love with her hair, and she also made her super cute cream and purple scarves(how fun is that?!)

Melissa- You are an absolute joy to work with! Thank you so much for being an amazing model!

If you all are ever in eastern North Carolina over the next moth, be sure to pick up a copy of the magazine!

-MACKENZIE

A Change | Be All There....

   Life is changing.... God is working in ways that I did not plan for, and doing things I did not expect. As I prepare for what is ahead, I am struck by the absolute grace Christ lays over us continually!

  We are moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota this coming summer! As many of you know, this will be our 6th move in my 16 wonderful years of life. Though I did not plan for, nor expect this, God has completely flooded my heart with a joy and excitement for what is ahead. Our move is another incredible reminder to enjoy this chapter of life, to let go of my plans (that's always the hardest part), and to love the adventures here and now.

   The past five years we've had here, in North Carolina, have been incredible. I am so unbelievably thankful for the opportunities I've had, and the wonderful people we have met. Had we not moved here, I would not have launched either of my businesses and experienced all that I have. Thank you so, so much to each and every person who has touched my life while we have been here.

  We have decided that we are going to enjoy the amazing cities around us while we are still in North Carolina! So, you will be seeing a heck of a LOT of our adventures as we travel all the way from Charleston to New York. I will keep updating you all as we prepare for what is ahead!

  I so love this quote by Jim Elliot and how relevant it is for me right now.....

-MACKENZIE