"Her mouth speaks from that which fills her heart."

And just like that we are at the end of March...(?!!)

This quote seemed to reflect our Encourage Beauty Challenge so well. In the small decisions to choose uplifting words to those around us, you can notice the small changes in your own heart. This is something I have learned from all of you who participated. That even if its just a moment we take for someone else, you an change that day for a person. 

Mandy shared with us that one of her readers who read about the challenge wrote the following:

I just have to thank you for mentioning the “encourage beauty” campaign at the beginning of the month. It inspired me to send a brief note/card to all the women in my life (mom’s, sisters, friends) just telling them that they are beautiful and that I love them.

I cannot tell you how I many of them have contacted me to tell me how much it meant, or that it came at “just” the right time, when they needed to hear it! (Of course, don’t we all long to hear that everyday – or rather need to hear it everyday!). It made everyone feel beautiful!!!

This was all I needed to remind me to live more aware of my words, but also to act upon them.
Hilary is sharing another print we made that you will have to check out. We decided this challenge should be something we can partake in anytime. If you are new and missed the original post, feel free too use the updated calendar to make the Encourage Beauty campaign part of your year! 

If you ever want to share a story, just email us or use the hashtag #encouragebeauty. You can download these prints here. Thank you for all of you who took part with us. You were a motivation to us in so many ways!

Love, Anna

Encourage Beauty: The smallest things take up the most room

{Quote by A.A. Milne, Design by IHOD}

Each week in March we want to give you a little inspiration boost for the Encourage Beauty Challenge. This was a quote that I dearly love, and applies so well to what this challenge is all about.

Hilary Rushford also has a favorite quote print to share on Dean Street Society. Its a good one.

I have to pass along a few stories of people joining us in #encouragebeauty.

In just one week I feel like my hope in humanity and the goodness of the human heart was restored through the actions some of you are taking to live this challenge out. So thank you for inspiring me to no end.

Sarah Tucker shared on instagram that she is writing a handwritten note each day to a friend to encourage beauty. 31 friends total in March.

Brittany shared a video that hade me re-thinking the way I approach people. Its the sweetest.

Emily and her family decided to take the next step to raise money for a charity close their heart.

My friend Elise is devoting a facebook status each day to a uplift a different woman in her life that has impacted her for the better.

These are just a few examples, and I can't wait to see what else you all will do.

Thank you for joining Hilary and I in this project to use small deeds to make big change.

Love.

For newcomers, the Encourage Beauty launch post here.

#EncourageBeauty Challenge: The Details

Yesterday Hilary of Dean Street Society & I introduced you to something we're calling #EncourageBeauty. Today we are sharing how you can get involved..

The idea is simple: Print out this calendar (and share if you like!) & commit to encouraging beauty in someone each day this month. Fill in those blanks as you go along, and by the end of the month, you will have uplifted, inspired, and given heart to 31 deserving people. Maybe your commitment will be 31 handwritten notes or 31 sincere emails and phone calls - whichever it is, the goal is to make small and significant change in those around us, which always leads to big change in the world around us. You can even share the completed calendar at the end of the month!

Some ideas to get you going: 
A compliment to a coworker in person // a thoughtful comment on a blog // a handwritten note to an old friend // a message left in lipstick on the mirror for your roommate at 5am. // It can be 11:58pm when you head over to Instagram to pay a stranger a compliment with #EncourageBeauty. There are no rules. There is just generosity & moments to encourage and uplift.

Share your stories all month by leaving comments on our blogs & Instagram profiles. You can also write your own blog posts & add the button to your sidebar. Search #EncourageBeauty to find other bettys who share your heart in this...

Thank you for inspiring these ideas in us & being the kind of community we know shares our heart.

And to close, a reminder from the wise Audrey Hepburn: "People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone."

P.S. Here's a recap of your next steps:

1. Print out the calendar & save it somewhere easy to write on. 

2. Print or download the manifesto, part 1 or part 2. Save them in places where you'll see them: Your mirror, your desk, your journal.

3. Share those graphics on social media to invite others to join: Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook & your blog. (Use the hashtag #EncourageBeauty so we can see what waves your making!)

4. Write a blog post & install the button on your sidebar (just make sure to link back to this original post to explain the meaning) so your readers can join in with you.

Downloads you might enjoy: Desktop wallpaper | Blog Button | Manifesto Part 1 and 2