MASSAGE + WELLNESS WITH MANDY MILLER
To fall in line with the theme of our previous post on holistic maternal wellness, today we are featuring the amazing and multi-talented, Mandy Miller of Mandy Miller Massage. Mandy is hands-down one of the most passionate women we have had the honor of meeting and whether during a massage session or while listening to her coach a client through some pre-birth questions, her love for her work shines through.
Tell us your name: Mandy Miller
Hometown + Current City: Valdosta, GA and Macon, GA
What roles do you take on in your business? Licensed Massage Therapist / Labor Doula / Childbirth Educator / Yoga Instructor
Inspiration for running your own business? I grew up in a family business where my parents showed me the ins and outs of what it took. I knew I wanted to be my own boss and after 9 years I decided it was time.
What is the goal of your company? My goal for my business is simple: I want to bring comfort and support to my mamas and my daddys, making their birth experience a wonderful one and taking all the stress out of the process of birth for them. As far as massage goes, I want to bring peace and pain relief to my clients, giving them a place where they can rest both their minds and their souls.
Describe yourself in one word: BUBBLY (kinda like champagne)
Personal mantra or quote: "Life is not about finding yourself its about creating yourself."
Favorite indulgence: A wonderful mimosa.
Favorite exercise and how long you have been doing it: YOGA! I've been practicing for a few years.
Go-to pose: Currently, I am loving either dancer or tree pose. I love balance poses since I am always looking for balance in my crazy life!
GOLDA KOMBUCHA
Launched in 2013, Golda Kombucha is an Atlanta-based business creating oak-aged kombucha tea. Hand-crafted in small batches, the tea is fermented in an American white oak barrel which enhances the health benefits and provides a unique tart flavor. Named after Golda Glasgow, the 92 year-old grandmother of brewer and creator, Melanie Wade, Golda Kombucha is made with the same recipe passed down through each generation. The tea is currently sold at many of the Atlanta Farmers' Markets ($4 off if you bring your Golda Growler) and can also be found at The Mercantile -- the only Kombucha growler site in Atlanta.
GK has grown tremendously and quickly and recently began a Kickstarter campaign to help fund their expansion - we hope you will take the time to check it out and support this incredible local business!
Name: Melanie Aurelia Wade, Atlanta, GA
Business: Golda Kombucha
Mission: To provide readily available kombucha tea + its benefits to Atlantan's and southerners-alike.
Personal Mantra: "Take me as I am, 'cause I can't stay long." - Tom Petty
Pick a Superfood: Tomato Soup!
Favorite form of release: Riding my 1972 Suzuki motorcycle with my knees in the breeze.
Most rewarding aspect of GK? Seeing the look on customer's faces when I tell them my grandmother taught me the recipe and is still alive today due to her daily kombucha intake.
FINDING BALANCE WITH FRIENDS
From our latest post, you'll know that at IFF, we have amped up our yoga and meditation methods. For inspiration, we called upon our fine feathered friend, Lisa, and fellow friend and instructor, Kayley, to talk through the (literal) ups and downs of at-home yoga and how pushing personal limits through pose and breath helps us find our balance on the mat and in life. We love these two beautiful, intelligent women for sharing their honesty about the not-so-glamorous in-between moments of filming their personal practice (but of course we only showcased their best sides below.) Be sure to follow them on instagram at @murphy_lisa_a and @kayqui. PS thank you Macon for the gorgeous lighting and backdrop!
Tell us your name: Lisa Murphy, soon-to-be Lisa White (Shout out to my love, Ryan!), proud mom of Tacocat.
Hometown + current city: I’m a Military brat but most of my growing up years were spent in Warner Robins and I currently live in downtown Macon.
Inspo for healthy choices? I’ve always been very active but consciously making healthy food choices has become a focus for me in the last couple of years. I’m inspired by the desire to feel good, to be strong and to fuel my body wisely so I can live this life to the fullest. I want to stay as active as possible for as long as possible and somewhere along the way I’d feel honored to be an encouragement to others as well.
Personal Mantra: "Life is all about balance."
Preferred pose: Without a doubt, handstands! If I’m upside down I’m happy.
Favorite forms of exercise: I run, I bike, I lift weights, I do yoga and I’ll try anything if you show me how. I became serious about yoga last summer when I met my instructor Kayley Squire from PureBalance Yoga in Macon. She is inspiring and absolutely the reason why I decided to really focus on my practice. I love running for the mental challenge and feeling of accomplishment it brings. Weights have been incredible for developing my body and taking me from weak to strong. Yoga combines the mental and strength aspects of those two activities and adds balance and flexibility. It’s also incredibly freeing. There’s no finish line, no stopwatch urging you to go faster, no numbers or any other form of measurement. That allows me to enjoy it for the journey that it is and not some end result.
MIDWIFERY STUDY: STERLING KITCHENS
In keeping with the theme of this month's pregnancy posts, we wanted to spotlight our fine-feathered friend, Sterling, a student of midwifery and an all-around badass chick. With her extensive knowledge about women's health and wellness as well as good coffee, she knocked our Q&A out of the park. Check out her responses below + our stylized shoot to showcase her inner and outer beauty.
Tell us your name: Sterling Kitchens
Hometown + Current city: Everywhere and Macon, Georgia
Profession: Holistic full spectrum doula/student of midwifery
Inspiration: I am an advocate for sexual and reproductive health. I vehemently believe in a woman’s right to choose regardless of where that choice falls on the spectrum. I came to midwifery as a platform to support women with unbiased and evidence-based information as they encounter these decisions. I’ve witnessed pregnancy, labor, and birth to be such a powerful and sacred state it seems odd to automatically pair it with allopathic and paternalistic medicine. The full spectrum of reproductive rights belongs in the hands and bellies of women.
Current practice: I am currently attending Birthwise Midwifery School. My education and clinical apprenticeships will prepare me to attend homebirths of women with low-risk pregnancies. I will be graduating in a year or so and upon graduation; I will sit before a national board and apply for my license to become a certified professional midwife (CPM). I hope to create a small practice with a sister midwife.
Describe yourself in one word: "Lithe,” as suggested from a kind friend.
What makes you tick? Equality. Community. Sharing a French press. Vulnerability. Predictable jokes.
Personal mantra or quote: Assume positive intent.
Favorite form of release or hobby: Bath time all the time.
Pick a Superfood: Garlic!
Best indulgence: IPAs and coffee… but not together.
Trend you are loving: My new year’s resolution is to revisit what “sustainability” means in my life, specifically my relationship with food. For the past couple of years I have been trending toward whole foods, prepared simply, and shared with good people…I’d like to continue that: eating intimately.
Favorite form of exercise: I recently joined The Compound in Macon. It is such a supportive community. We do interval training; sometimes it makes me want to cuss, but my thighs thank me for it.
Holistic health to you: For me holistic health is self-care that I am forever growing toward. It’s recognizing and acknowledging the relationship of my mental, physical, and emotional health is directly influenced by what I engage and indulge in.
FINE FEATHERED FRIEND: SUSANNAH
At IFF, our mission is to showcase the movers, shakers and makers in health throughout Georgia. Our friend Susannah Maddux, founder of Goods Public Relations and an instructor at Hometown Yoga, is one of those said shakers. The thing we love most about Susannah is her authenticity -- from her work as Macon's biggest cheerleader to her passion for public health -- she is truly a bright light to everyone she encounters! Read below about her love for yoga, Macon (did we mention it's Cherry Blossom season) and soon-to-be motherhood.
Tell us your name: Susannah Maddux, Founder of Goods Public Relations + yoga instructor at Hometown Yoga.
Hometown + Current city: Monroe, NC / Macon, GA
Inspiration for managing your own biz? For myself: My first boss Allison Beale, my sister, and all the women in the world who wake up every day and change the world. For others: Be flexible and eager to learn from others; ask for help; collaborate often; find a mentor; create and know your team of support; learn from failure; reinvent when necessary; laugh at yourself; show gratitude to others; make time to let go and nourish your creativity; try things.
What is the goal of your company? Short: To get in on and share a good thing when I spot it. Long: To promote and tell the story of small business, brand, or cause via thoughtful, detail-oriented efforts.
What makes you tick: Serving others, collaboration to create good, diversity and inclusiveness, brilliant design, grand vision with obvious fruits, faith, yoga, thoughtful PR, beautiful music, preserving history, storytellers and their stories, artists and their art, selfless people, passionate people, the pursuit of a perfect playlist, NYC, travel, good coffee, shiny things.
Mantra: No day but today.
Best indulgence: Dark chocolate, red wine, a book + a bath… and the occasional new handbag or Alexis Bittar earring.
Health trend you are loving: The local + real food movement.
Describe yourself in one word: Lively!
Preferred pose: Currently: all hip openers. For life: Backbends and Savasana.
How has practicing yoga influenced you? I've been practicing for ten years. Yoga gives me better breath, more space, and releases worry. It makes me shake it out and feel less crazy. It is an absolute must.
What is your go-to source for pregnancy info? What to Expect When You’re Expecting and my mom + sister guidebook.
What moment are you most looking forward to as a mother? Giving more love.
LIFT. TONE. BURN.
Have you been to the barre lately? The past few years, the ballet body has made a resurgence and rightly so due to the rigorous but results-driven workout behind it. Pure Barre is a total body workout that utilizes the ballet barre to perform small isometric movements which proves to be one of the fastest, most effective ways to change your body. But beyond the trend, we wanted to learn more about all that PB can offer. Read below for the interview with our friend, Whitney Berry, owner at Pure Barre Macon.
Tell us your name:
Whitney Berry
Inspiration for starting your own biz?
My Dad is a small business owner and from an early age, it has always been my dream to own my own business. Having the opportunity to see him have a positive effect on the lives of others, both clients and employees, was something I always admired and wanted to bring to others one day.
What is the goal of the company?
My goal with Pure Barre Macon from the beginning has been to create a fitness center that was not just about the workout, but to create a sense of family where everyone could feel welcome and be challenged to reach personal goals for themselves while bringing a great sense of well-being.
Personal mantra:
"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty and find the best in others; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived-- this is to have succeeded." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Pick a superfood:
Avocados!
Health trend you are loving:
Regular Massages
Favorite form of exercise:
Pure Barre is my absolute favorite form of exercise! I was born with a joint condition that has caused me to undergo two shoulder surgeries and limited my ability to do some workouts. When I found Pure Barre I was immediately in love, because it was the most challenging workout I had ever done. With only slight modifications I was able to complete the full workout. My love for Pure Barre began just over two years ago and I can honestly say I have never once been bored during a workout and they have not become any easier, if anything they become more challenging the longer I do them, because I have gained a better understanding of my own body and know how to push myself to achieve maximum results.
Preferred pose:
All thighs. I still find my shakes in every class!
Best piece of advice received during your pregnancy:
Stay active. It truly affects your physical and mental well-being during pregnancy. And fingers crossed will make delivery and recovery much easier as well!
TEN UNDER TEN
Haley and I have been friends for over ten years (do we get an award?) which means we share a few commonalities + a few differing traits. Even though one of us (ahem, Haley) is a product junkie, I on the other hand like to find my beauty staples and stick to 'em (classic case of FOMO vs. Fear of Change.) Thankfully we both share the gift of thriftiness. Recently we began making the slow but sure switch to DIY or locally-sourced products (COCONUT OIL ON EVERYTHING!) But, let's be honest, sometimes you just need a grab and go store-bought back-up. So, below I have gathered our fav bargain beauty buys -- ten tried and true items under ten dollars that can all be purchased at your local drugstore or drugstore.com. What are some of your best-kept beauty secrets?
Neutrogena Naturals Cleanser // MARVIS Toothpaste // J.R. Watkins Body Scrub (under $10 at Publix) // Shea Moisture Body Bar // MOP Mint & Basil Shampoo // Burt's Bees Hand Crème // OGX Hair Mask // Nourish Deodorant // Smith's Rosebud Salve // Not pictured: Spectrum Coconut Oil
RUN #LIKEAGIRL
ICYMI the #LIKEAGIRL Super Bowl XLIX ad, brought to us by Always, topped Twitter during Sunday's big game. The ad was smart, effective and empowering which is why it serves as the perfect inspiration for today's post on running.
Neither Haley or myself consider ourselves runners (light joggers, if you will) but there is some scientific magic behind the fact that I will always push a mile longer on my treadmill and/or Atlanta's beautiful Beltline when I'm sporting attractive activewear.
Along with cute clothes ('cause again, science) the right routine + music can make or break your stride. After scouring Pinterest, I stumbled upon this gem a year ago -- Self Magazine's Treadmill Mixup. It's my go-to cardio routine and can easily be modified to fit your running needs.
Lastly, we both rely on the 8tracks app for gym mode mood-setting, but we decided to create an IFF-approved workout playlist to get you (and your booty) groovin'. Just know in advance, there's a lot of Queen Bey. Play on.
Pants: Nike // Tank: Victoria Secret // Sports Bra: H&M // Shoes: J.Crew // Earbuds: Urban Outfitters // Bottle: Kleen Kanteen // iPhone Case: Melody Joy Designs
WELCOME!
Hello!
Firstly, we are so thrilled that you are here - visiting our first post, on our first blog. We figured a formal introduction would be helpful to let you know a little bit more about us and why we've started In Fine Feather (IFF).
In Fine Feather:
Excellent appearance, In good form. Healthy; full of vitality and spirit.
Alludes to a bird of a clean, bright feather.
The concept of IFF is to showcase the movers, shakers and makers throughout Georgia, highlighting trends in food, fitness and well-being. Founders Tess Harper and Haley Sheffield intend to - through their unique trades - foster inspiring ideas while spotlighting the South's holistic health community.
For more about Tess and Haley, see Birds Of A Feather.