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Audrey JoAnn | Content and Copy Writer

Compelling Copy for Female Founders

BOOKISH

January 18, 2017

Reading has really become a top priority for me lately. I’d say it’s just above Vanderpump Rules, but just below yoga. That’s a significantly important spot on my list.

It has always been something I enjoy doing, but when I was in school I always felt I should be doing academic reading (especially as an English minor, which ensured literature aplenty to fill up my reading roster), and during my first couple years post-college, I was so overwhelmed with work and staring at a computer all day that the last thing I wanted to do was pick up a book at 7:30 p.m. on a Tuesday. Now, it’s about all I can wait to do nearly every day.

I have officially come full circle, back to my third grade self. Back to being nerdy and bookish, and I love it.

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6 Comments in Fashion, Life

What I’m Reading Right Now

May 17, 2016

books to read 2016

I’ve always been an ardent reader, an enthusiastic lover of stories. I remember when I was little, before I learned how to read, I wanted to know how to read so badly. I couldn’t wait until the day that I could sound out more than just my first name. I would pick up my older siblings’ books and novels and just sit there staring at the pages while they watched TV or played. Between skimming the pages, I’d peek up to see if they noticed that–HELLO–I was “reading”! (Or, you know, I was looking intently at odd shapes that I assumed made up some magical story within the book I held.) They never appeared to notice or care, but I continued on flipping through pages, imagining what kind of story was encapsulated inside this or that book.

Now, it’s hard to find the time to wrap myself up inside a great book (and it’s not because I’m still learning to read). Between a busy work and life schedule, I find myself starting several books and slowly–we’re talking molasses-slow–chipping away at each of them simultaneously. The OCD side of me hates that I do this because finishing one of these books takes about, oh, a year (if I’m being generous). But, at the same time, I get to choose which book of the several I’m reading at once that I pick up, depending on what mood I’m in and what topic I feel like investing time in. Here are the four I’m working at (and loving) currently.

1. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

If you know me personally or have read any of my blog posts, you know I struggle with finding balance between creativity and the rest of my life. This book is teaching me–in a beautifully written, yet firm, way–to SHUT UP and just get to work. Simple as that. Plus, Gilbert’s one-liners that serve as inspirational quotes to Pin forever and ever are amazing and aplenty.

2. The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller

John (boyfriend) and I are slowly working our way through this one–like, slower than all the other books on this list. It’s been a couple months since we picked it up–but we both agree that the main lesson is an important one. While John and I have entirely different work styles and goals, Keller’s lesson of choosing one thing, the most important thing, to focus your attention on at a time is a takeaway that’s proven useful in both John’s and my life.

3. Smart Women Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Achieving Financial Security and Funding Your Dreams by David Bach

Speaking of John, he gave me this book last year as a gift. I think it’s a sign he doesn’t exactly trust my financial skills? (KIDDING. Because, what financial skills?) I’m learning, you guys, and this book is certainly helping, even though it’s usually last on my list to pick up when I have spare time for reading. I am pretty self-aware about my financial situation, but that doesn’t mean I always know what I should be doing financially, as a young professional making a modest living. And this book is helping with that in a totally understandable way.

4. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

The one novel I’m reading right now, this book is a tear-jerker and a page-turner. It’s about a deaf girl who, during World War II, gets separated from her father and must find her way to safety amid the approaching Germans. I am a sucker for Holocaust history and sad stories, but the weight of this one makes it difficult for me to pound through quickly. So, I’m savoring it–something made lovelier by the incredible writing courtesy of Doerr. (Shout out to John’s parents for a fantastic Christmas present!)

2 Comments in Home, Life

Welcome! I'm Audrey, and I adore connecting with female founders and telling their stories in a way that matters & lasts for years to come.

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audskelton

Who do you think was more excited about this day t Who do you think was more excited about this day trip out to the coast... us or Wallace? 😅😂 I love them. Also, I can’t get over the burp cloth on John’s shoulder. Ya know, just in case. #newparentlife
One hour, just us two in our backyard with a big c One hour, just us two in our backyard with a big charcuterie board, a deck of cards, a couple glasses of rosé, and no baby monitor. 🤎

The first week of Wallace’s life? I ached even being in another room from him (#hormones). I was a wreck of emotions and had legitimate baby tunnel vision... preeeetty much nothing else mattered. But things have been balancing out this past week, and today was so needed.

My mom is in town all month and watched Wally for us so we could have some time just us two—yep, in the backyard because of shelter in place restrictions from COVID. (Plus let’s be real... I’m not quite ready for an out-of-the-house date yet anyway. 😂)

As much as I desire to be a present + loving mama and ambitious business owner, it’s just as important to me to prioritize our marriage with little moments like this to just be in each other’s presence (and not just talk about burping and swaddling and bedtime routines, like most of our recent convos).

Here’s to (almost) 2 weeks of being parents, @the_beermonger. I think we’ll do okay.
My two favorite guys in the world. 🤍🌎 My two favorite guys in the world. 🤍🌎
Me, trying to figure out what to do with my hands Me, trying to figure out what to do with my hands without a bump. 👐🏼 Wallace, trying to figure out what we’re doing out of the house. 🤨

First family walk in the books! All of 10 minutes. 🤪 (Also, does anyone else notice the rainbow over Wally?... My heart. 🌈🥺)
1 week old. 🤎 The hardest, most emotional & mos 1 week old. 🤎 The hardest, most emotional & most rewarding week of my life. Babies’ sleep schedules, y’all. They are not for the faint of heart.

Wallace is hitting all his milestones, has learned the alphabet, and is picking up Latin. Just kidding. But he CAN poop 3 times in an hour and a half 😎, and he eats like a champ, is so strong that we prefer to tag team diaper changes for now, and makes the sweetest, cutest noises all day long. (And night.) Like even his cry is cute. 😩

One of my friends called this time the “wet weeks”: urine, breast milk, spit up, night sweats, tears, blood, more tears. It’s a lot, and it’s temporary. So even in the hard moments, we are reminding ourselves that the hardest things are often the best things. 

And this really has been the best thing.

So, so thankful for a hands-on husband who’s been so involved in everything... there’s something indescribable about watching your partner care for your child and step into a big, new role like this so gracefully. And we are thankful for ALL of the support, near and far (... mostly far), from our family and friends and coworkers. What a week... here’s to continuing to figure it all out together as a family. 😌
At 5 a.m. my water broke and at 3:44 p.m. our worl At 5 a.m. my water broke and at 3:44 p.m. our worlds and hearts were changed forever. Everything in between was a gritty, fast-moving tidal wave of emotion, pain, instinct, and a kind of love I never could’ve imagined.

Welcome, Wallace Ronal Skelton. 🤎 You kept us waiting until you decided, very quickly, you’d like to be here. I’m still in disbelief that you are ours. 

January 4, 2021 • 7 lbs 4 oz • 20.5 inches • Sweet as can be.
Well, this baby friend doesn’t exactly have our Well, this baby friend doesn’t exactly have our sense of punctuality which realllly threw me for a loop after thinking & saying for months that I was certain he/she would get here early. I’ve drank 3 boxes of raspberry leaf tea in 3 weeks, walked dozens of miles, eaten way too many dates, done hundreds of squats and bench step-ups... and now I’m surrendering. You come whenever you feel like it, little one. I’m comfy enough and can still sleep through the night (minus a bathroom break or two) so we will just keep on waiting and letting you teach us our first lesson of parenthood: PATIENCE. I knew I could always use some more of it. 😉 #40weekspregnant #pregnancy
scenes from our blissful, muddy, much-needed morni scenes from our blissful, muddy, much-needed morning hike. ☀️🍂 in a year that’s felt like 5, getting outside whenever we can has been my favorite way to reset. so thankful to live in such gorgeous surroundings!
our first and probably only christmas just us thre our first and probably only christmas just us three! quiet and simple and a little sad but mostly filled with hope and gratitude. hope yours is special in all the best ways. 🤍
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