IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Photo of Amy Grace with Cream Wool Hat and Mittens wearing a black winter coat. Snow Covered trees in the background. Text overtop the image: Winter 2023 Capsule Wardrobe - byamygrace

Wool Hat & Mittens | Love & Lore / Chapters

I don’t remember the last time I owned a winter hat I truly loved. Possibly High School? I appreciate the thickness and warmth of these mittens and matching hat along with the style. Understated, yet on trend.

Pull Over Half Zip Hoodie | Lulu Lemon

Spoiled by my cousin, this sweater arrived for me over Christmas. She absolutely hit the mark with this one. I adore wearing it during my winter yoga or cardio sessions.

Black Long Sleeve Body Suit | Aritzia

Interestingly enough, I did not realize when I ordered this body suit online that it would come with shoulder pads. Somehow I missed this very CLEAR description or perhaps got redirected to a different one. Either way, shoulder pads are very much ‘NOT’ my thing. After trying it on and realizing how much I liked the fit etc., I thought I could take the shoulder pads out.
I did and saved myself a trip into the city to replace it with a different one.

When I think about the pivotal, the thrilling and the most sacred moments in my life,

I think about the ‘hers.’

the words they spoke.
the solidarity they passed.

The tears they shared

The honesty they mined.
The courage they found.

& most importantly,

I think about how they made me whole.

Women I have been influenced and inspired by

(Their voices are embedded into my childhood in unique and pivotal ways)

• Lisa Ling

• Oprah Winfrey

• Sarah Polley

• Maya Angelou

• Julie Andrews

Women who challenge me to think differently

(They bring light to the ideas and broad scopes we need to have to grow and continue our life)

• Bari Weiss

• Brene Brown

• Dr.Shefali Tsabary

• Luvvii Ajayi Jones

• Jayme Poisson

Women doing things that catch my eyes

(They quite literally caught my eye from day 1)

• Jonna Jinton

• Amie Mcnee

• Brigitte Truong

• Janna Wilton Art

• Tricia Black

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: a child reads a book in a chair beside a stack of books. TEXT: February Reads 2023 byamygrace overtop image.

An Offer From a Gentleman | Julia Quinn

Although I know Book #4 will be the focus of the next instalment of Shonda Rhimes Adaptation of the Bridgerton Series, I will not be trying to rush the series. I picked up book #3 for the month and enjoyed its Cinderella influence. This book focuses on Benedict Bridgerton, and it’s a fun dessert of a read. No complaints. Simply sweet.

Hungry Hearts | Jennifer Rudolph Walsh

A collection of essays from Jennifer and multiple writers on courage, desire and belonging. This passage from Jennifer has stuck with me since closing the book.

“We need both sides of storytelling-listening to others’ stories and telling our own - to embrace one another in our full humanity. In bearing witness, we allow ourselves to be witnessed. This is the life-changing power of storytelling - to connect those of us who will never meet or have just met, as well as to deeper our connections to the people we love the most. Listen with an open heart and without judgement to what others have to share, and take courage from these pages as you go out and tell the world your truth.”

The Pull of the Stars | Emma Donoghue

Following a nurse in a maternity ward in 1918 during the height of a pandemic, aka “The Great Flu,” we get a peek into what it was like to be serving the many women who were coming in sick and pregnant. Many are without their husbands and support and are about to die. This read took me longer to get through than I would like, but topically it feels important enough to finish all the way around.

Beautiful Little Fools | Jillian Cantor

Jillian takes the classic The Great Gatsby and gives us the spin we all need. Form the eyes of the women. Daisy, Jordon and Catherine, Myrtle’s sister, all take the leading roles in this perspective shift. From Jordon on the golf course, Daisy on her mission to find a husband, and Catherine finding her own way in New York City, we get a whirlwind tale that, if I am being honest, I prefer significantly to the original.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Four books in a row: Hungry Hearts by Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue, Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor, An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Off white background with text : How They Lean on Her. I Never Promised I Would Stay Quiet About It… byamygrace.

Thank-you Cards.

All the gracious women do.

Say Yes.

Nothing is more important than prioritizing this.

Starting a family.

Every proper woman’s to do list.

Second, third child?

Don’t disappoint us.

Professional Family Photos

Everyone must know you have your priorities straight.

Sports and music lesson registrations.

All the good moms do.

Where have you been?

Nothing is more important than seeing me.

At home.

Be a productive member of society.

At work.

Don’t be selfish.

She does it.  Why can’t you?

Her success is your failure.

How They Lean on Her was written in 2022 after reflecting on the many explicit and implicit ways women carry the load of those around them.
This is not an extensive list, but a sampling of the various notations tucked away women have been trained to remember that cause strain. Even ladders have load baring instructions.
If I would suggest anything for us as humans and society to work towards, it is to actively offer women a way out of these ways of thinking. To take the load off our words and assumptions so easily placed on ‘her’ shoulders and mindfully get to know the ‘her’ that is naturally and wholly ‘individual’ in front of us.

I Never Promised I Would Stay Quiet About It… is a series of revelations, observations and citations on the topics and concepts that are often considered taboo.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: An assortment of items laying on a table: Book titled ‘Fall on Your Knees’, Valentine Cards, a notebook with 2023 and Resonance written on the front pages, a ceramic decorative house, a tube of hand cream called made by ‘Fresh’, and a blue sweater.

& all of a sudden we are wrapping up the winter weeks…

Fall On Your Knees | Ann-Marie MacDonald

Canadian Author and playwright Ann-Marie writes beautifully, and I only wish I had read this years ago. The two-part plays are showing in my city, and it would be lovely to see them if possible.

Happy Valentines - Scratch Cards | Inklings

These valentines bought for our daughter to give to her classmates from a local store, Kept, were our way to support local rather than a box store.

Personal Bullet Journal | Bullet Journal Ryder Carrol

Every new year I create a new day planner based on the ‘bullet journal’ method created by Ryder Carrol. I am especially pleased with how this year’s creation turned out, as I am getting more and more specific in what works for me and what doesn’t.

Fresh Milk Hand Cream | Fresh

On those cold winter days at my desk, having a small tube of this cream has been a lovely pick me up when my hands feel extra dry.

Blue Fitness Hoodie | Lulu Lemon

Spoiled by my cousin for Christmas. She made sure I was toasty and trendy for 2023. I ADORE this hoodie.

Ceramic House | Chapters

A wee gift from my daughter for Christmas. I love the simplicity of this aesthetic along with the ability to switch on the house lights. Simple and understated. It gives a happy glow on winter evenings.

8.

Pulled into a bear hug.

Things strange men did.

14.

A family conversation on my shirt.

Because I had breasts now.

19.

Sitting inside a bank watching the men talk.

About money that is mine.

22.

“Let’s keep this between us.”

Secrets he convinced me to keep.

23.

“She’s loose.”

Because I responded to being seen.

25.

Heart beating with keys in hand.

Stalked in my favourite bookstore.

26.

“So you’ll be at home now.”

Assumptions made on my motherhood.

27.

“I don’t listen to pretty skinny women.”

He thought he’d make me a teaching tool.

32.

Scolded for sharing my strengths.

They taught me pride is a sin.

*and to be clear.

That is not even the half of it.

How the Patriarchy Found Its Way Inside of Me flew out of me in the Spring of 2022. I was feeling the weight of the feminine experience. Moments I heard about. Moments I lived. We often are not aware of the importance of our experiences until we lay them out on the table to be examined more closely.

In this piece, I lay out the age I was during these moments and what occurred. I was jarred to see how the ages often had multiple experiences. Here I chose to limit them to the ones that caused the strongest ripple effect through my life and how they altered my thinking.

I Never Promised I Would Stay Quiet About It… is a series of revelations, observations and citations on the topics and concepts that are often considered taboo.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Reading chair with a blanket next to a window of snowy trees outside, book shelf with plants on top and a side table with books, a candle and a glass of tea.

Women Talking | Miriam Towes

Although I watched Sarah Polleys adaptation of this novel in the Autumn of 2022 during a film festival, I wanted to read the source text. I found Miriams words of note before the novel begins both arresting and poignent. Specifically:

“Women Talking is both a reaction through fiction these true-life events, and an act of female imagination.”

Women Talking is a way of giving all women agency and voice in their unique perspectives and journeys. Although many women do not feel safe enough to share their true thoughts in this type of heightened trauma, what if they could ‘talk’?

Our Missing Hearts | Celeste Ng

From the same author of “Little Fires Everywhere” it’s no surprise this book tackles race and class. In a new spin she gives us a post ‘crisis’ era (not unlike the COVID 19 pandemic) . Without giving too much away, Our Missing Hearts touches on what the world would look like if we let ‘fear of the other’ be the ruling force of our choices.
Captivating.

Don’t Overthink It | Anne Bogel

The best part of this book was the prompts at the end of each chapter. Being someone who consumes a lot of Gretchen Rubin and other 'writers’ who encourage intentional living, this book didn’t necessarily teach me anything new, but it did remind me of my values and to take the time to revisit them with fresh eyes.

FILMS / TV SERIES OF NOTE

Black Swan - For the art of a classic tale made modern. I love how Black Swan leaves you spinning on point as much as those on screen. Darren Aronofsky knows how to pull a viewer in during these edgy and thoughtful tales.
Phantom of the Opera - For the incredible artistry in both music, vocals, dance, sets, costume…all of it.
Severance S01 - For it’s compelling commentary on separating work and personal life and it’s genuine intrigue regarding the world these individuals inhabit.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION : three books in a row: Women Talking by Miriam Towes , Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng, Don’t Overthink It by Anne Bogel

Black text on a paper background - The Writers Safe House. A Working Writers Monthly Meet Up. Virtual.

Since closing down The Creatives in 2017, a monthly meet-up for creative and entrepreneurial-focused women, I have been on a new journey.

Finding my sea legs in what it means to be a professional writer in the media industry.

It fascinates me how my work has evolved and sharpened its focus into a documentarian and journalistic lens these past years and yet - I have been opting in on the real-life stories that find me and learning with each new project how to honour them and hold space for them.

Writers should not be limited to any one thing, but to do their best with the story in front of them.

And this brings me to where I am today,

Ready to find five other working writers who are also seeking connection and a safe house for all they are working on and journeying through.

A Working Writer

A writer who actively works and is known by their peers as a writer. (journalist, scriptwriter, playwright, songwriter, essayist, researcher, author)

Monthly meetings

With a total of six members, meetings will occur once a month for up to two hours.
A week before the meeting writers will submit no more than three pages of work to be read by the collective membership. This process is for work feedback, insight and edits are wanted on.
During the meeting members will connect, update one another on work and life and discuss the members' submissions.

*Sharing any writing is a vulnerable business. The mission of Writers Safe House is to hold space for one another and the work. To empower, uplift and be in solidarity with.
There will be no tolerance for undercutting a person’s work, devaluing an idea/project or abusing trust.

Where / When

This will be a collective decision but assumedly via Zoom.
The collective will be gracious, and understanding regarding absences but attendance will be highly expected to create and remain in solidarity.

Why

Because writers need each other.
In safe and compassionate ways.

Please email: info@byamygrace.com to apply or slide @byamygrace DM’s

As the snowflakes fall… a playlist on Spotify to listen to.

*standouts & why they are included:

I Love You Lord | Steffany Gretzinger

I like to sneak hymns or prayer-like songs at the beginning and end of my seasonal playlists. A quiet liturgy of my own making. This song came out in ‘97 and encapsulated a lot of my growing-up years in an evangelical upbringing. I am still learning my adult faith, and what it means to me; these are the simple words I bring myself back to. A quiet place I find peace.

Made You Look | Meghan Trainor

Meghan delivers another song to bop around when one needs a little confidence boost. I love how she embraces her whole self as is and has stood confidently in that message within the art she makes.

I’m Still Here | Sia

We all come from nuanced and complex backgrounds. Trauma comes in all different shapes and sizes.
”Oh, the past, tormented me. But the battle was lost ‘cause I’m still here.” Encapsulates a tangible human experience.

The Best | Scala & Kolacny Brothers

‘The Best’ has become an anthem in our house: the original and all the covers. I have a soft spot for choirs & Scala & Kolacny Brothers choir has been featured in many tv shows/films, including The Social Network.

During the Autumn of 2022, I was welcomed into Shelter Movers Nova Scotia under CBC Radio to document and cover the work of volunteers and the process clients/survivors of intimate partner violence experience when using the service of Shelter Movers.

To read the Article: Read Here

To Listen to the radio doc: Listen Here

Following along a move.

res·o·nance| ˈrezənəns | noun
1 the quality in a sound of being deep, full, and reverberating: the resonance of his voice. • the ability to evoke or suggest images, memories, and emotions: the concepts lose their emotional resonance.
2 Physics the reinforcement or prolongation of sound by reflection from a surface or by the synchronous vibration of a neighboring object.
3 the condition in which an electric circuit or device produces the largest possible response to an applied oscillating signal, especially when its inductive and its capacitative reactances are balanced.

I have been holding back.

All it takes is one quick scroll on Youtube, Instagram or Twitter to realize the number of voices on any one thing is endless. The number of vlogs, podcasts, blogs, essays, articles, series, tik-toks, memes, commentaries, and message boards on any topic is overwhelming at best.

I have found it alarming, overwhelming and, quite frankly, scared to be a voice that isn't adding anything but more noise to the cacophony.

To become part of the machine that doesn't make room for grace, compassion and courage.

Yet, now it's time to think differently. To think with a longer-lasting perspective.

Resonance.

To develop and evoke quality, depth and fullness in creation that echoes through life and work.
To practice the art of resonance is:
To fully express the fullness of thought and meaning behind a concept.
To seek collaborative hands to be the champions and refining behind the work.
To take in more than one angle of perspective on any one thing and be refined by all that surrounds a topic.

Onwards,

Amy Grace

res·o·nance| ˈrezənəns | noun
1 the quality in a sound of being deep, full, and reverberating: the resonance of his voice. • the ability to evoke or suggest images, memories, and emotions: the concepts lose their emotional resonance.