First off, Happy Fourth of July!! It’s always a great exercise to remember how great the freedoms that we have truly are in this world. I’m always thankful for the opportunity to have opinions, express them, and work to fix the injustice. I hope everyone enjoys the red, white, and blue dress code and mandatory fireworks and cookouts. This week’s What’s the Roast is all about that summertime girl boss grind. Are you ready?
What’s The Roast: Life
I don’t know if I ever really announced what I was up this summer, but basically, I’m working as an RA for my scholarship’s summer bridge program. This job has already been so rewarding AND tiring. The nice thing is I have a ton of time during the day to work on my own creative projects.
It’s now officially a month until I make the big move up north. And y’all, I am so ready. I wanted to spend part of my summer in Chapel Hill to really say goodbye especially since the end of senior year can come rolling in like a bullet train. I don’t think a lot of people really have time to process the change until after they’re sitting in an office from 9-5.
I handle change, and big change, pretty well. I’ve really come to terms that I’m leaving this place that I feel became my home over the past four years. But, I’ve also come to terms with the fact that I’ve gotten what I needed out of Chapel Hill. I once felt so inspired, motivated, rejuvenated here. Now, I feel a sense of calm. For me, that’s a sign that it’s time to move on. I was very adamant about not staying here for graduate school and I am 100% glad that I stuck with that.
I can’t wait for the professional development that the city will bring and I feel like I can’t even begin to know what is in store once I get settled and accustomed to my new city gal life. Y’all, I just really can’t wait.
What’s the Roast: All The Things
So, I haven’t really had time to do anything super new so I’ve stuck to the basics. I’m loving my summertime skincare routine. The First Aid Beauty line is my morning go to and I follow up with a super moisturizing Deep Clean Cleanser from Neutrogena. I also just got into using the samples that Origins sent me a couple months ago and I’m a little bit addicted. The Gin-zing Eye Cream is incredible.
I’m all finished with the inner ramblings of Carrie Bradshaw and I’m sad because a. it left me wanting an iconic girl squad like the ladies of SATC and b. it was one of my escapes into city life. Send help because these next four weeks are going to be brutal.
What’s the Roast: From My Lens
Or really from my Lightroom suite…. I finally released my presets and people are actually buying them?! I had a period of real hesitation a couple months ago when I first thought about releasing my presets. My friends told me that I shouldn’t give them away for free and my favorite photographers were griping about everyone and their mother releasing presets. I suffer from the same need for validation that I’m sure every ‘gifted’ kid out there is now subjected to for the rest of their lives.
I try really hard to get out of the habit of needing other people’s approval to pursue what I want. But, I finally bucked up and said, “you know what, my presets are good and I’m gonna sell ‘em”. And here we are.
I’m super proud of my preset pack especially for my first go at it. I think it’s the perfect mix of blog, portrait, lifestyle, artsy goodness that I love. I wanted to do something that wasn’t about being trendy, but that made photos beautiful.
Also, my website feels so much more like me now. You can get my presets now at www.gabbywhiten.com and use the code SWIRLSOCIAL for 25% off your purchase.
Y’all are all rockstars and I appreciate you! Happy Fourth! A new, fun, v. college post is coming on Friday; so get pumped!
As always, keep on keepin’ on.
