…Lately…

21 Jan

Wow!  I’ve missed blogging.  To celebrate my FIRST day off in two whole weeks what better to do than post pics of my first half of internship aka residency aka hospital indentured servitude aka becoming a walking zombie.  Ok you get the picture!  

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Despite how tired and exhausted I’ve been feeling lately the pretty sweet thing is that I still LOVE my job.  And I figure if I can say that at this point then things are pretty good.  It’s crazy to think that I’m exactly half way done with my time at Miami Children’s Hospital, which means I’m less than 6 months away from walking across the stage to receive my diploma.

Marissa N. Petersen-Coleman, Psy.D. WHOA!

There aren’t many words to describe the feeling I get when I think of that moment.  I’m really just overwhelmed with gratitude and awe.  I feel my family deserves that diploma just as much as I do…can we say community effort?! And my poor husband has been with me from day 1.  haha He probably had NO clue what he was getting into.  I still think it’s pretty cool hearing him talk “psych speak” and describe my dissertation with such accuracy.  I’m sure he deserves an honorary degree :)

One of the many things I’m most looking forward to about my graduation day is to see the faces of my family.  I’m sure there’ll be tears, laughs, and many comments like “Finally!”  Followed by a good ‘ol Jamaican bash! haha Can’t wait :)

Abrazos!

M

Up and Away

25 Sep

Our blog is on a vacation while we, Abrazo sisters, surrender to higher education (ugh).  Don’t worry our shop is still live!  Abrazos!

Nickel Free.

6 Jul

Since we began Abrazo we’ve had many requests for nickel free jewelry!  Since most of our creations are made from vintage or antique materials we could never guarantee “NO nickel!”  Until now!  These every day pieces are available in our Etsy store.  All findings, chains and wires are completely nickel free (e.g. gold-filled, silver-filled or sterling silver)!!  Enjoy!

You can find these simple statement pieces here, here, here and here!

Abrazos,

M&A

Happy [American] Independence Day.

4 Jul

In honor of our brother, Andrew, who is a pilot in the United States Air Force.  Thank you for your incredible sacrifice!

This last photo sums the three of us up perfectly…I’m sure our parents were scolding us for “ruining” the picture! Love us!

Abrazos,

M&A

Happy Weekend!

1 Jul

This weekend Marissa will be moving to the sun!  Well not literally but she’s moving to Miami to complete her last leg of her graduate career–her clinical internship!  Miami Children’s Hospital will be her home for the next year.  Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay updated on her journey as well as Abrazo’s new happenings!

Marissa took this photo the last time she was in Miami.  It makes us chuckle because we both can relate to this aspiring graduate student more than we’d like to admit!  Oh the glory of being a broke graduate student. Ha!

Abrazos,

M&A

New Merch!!

29 Jun

Our hands have been very busy lately!! Also if you haven’t already subscribed to our monthly newsletter and you’d like to stay updated on our journey and future sales you can do so here.  We promise no junk mail and only more abrazos!!

You can shop for these items here, here and here!


Abrazos,

M&A

Meet 31 Bits.

27 Jun

We are thrilled to introduce the next incredible team of female designers.  These women epitomize what we believe an “Abrazo woman” is–resilient, passionate and lively!  Meet the designers of 31 Bits Designs.  The creative hands behind the jewelry making at 31 Bits are incredible women from Northern Uganda.

Spotlight on Uganda:

Nearly two million people in Uganda have been displaced as a result of a twenty year long war led by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).  As a result of massacres, rising numbers of child soldiers, and gender-based violence the Ugandan government forced approximately 1.8 million people into Internally Displaced People’s (IDP) camps in 1996.  Similar to many IDP camps around the globe, the living conditions are unsafe and quickly become filled with disease and malnutrition.  Many individuals in the IDPs in Uganda relocate to the district of Gulu, where they are seeking employment and opportunity.

The founder, KallieDovel, traveled to Uganda in 2007 and purchased some necklaces, which she ended up selling upon her return.  Great business idea, right?!  Well it gets better…she ended up sending the profits from her necklaces back to the women who made them–bless her heart!

We’ll let 31 Bits speak for themselves…

“We are currently working with 63 women in Gulu, Uganda. We’ve combined successful development approaches with current design and fashion to create an innovative program for our women. We purchase jewelry from each woman on a monthly basis, providing them with an immediate, consistent, and fair income. Each piece of jewelry is handmade using 100% recycled paper and other local materials. By selling these products in the international market, we are able to generate a profit that is used to continue purchasing jewelry for our beneficiaries, as well provide them with numerous development programs, equipping them to develop a career and attain social equity on a local level. We are committed to working with each woman until she has graduated from our program and attained a sustainable means of income within her own community.”

WOW!  Talk about WOMEN EMPOWERED!!

Fair Trade=Check. Fashionable=Check. Advocacy=Double Check.  Check out opportunities to get involved here and purchase these delicious designs here!

Abrazos,

M&A

Happy Weekend!

24 Jun

Paws Up Resort

Us Abrazo sisters will be united (temporarily) because Marissa is headed home to the land o’ lakes for the weekend!  Enjoy your weekend and be safe!

Meet Goya.

23 Jun

Meet Goya.  I was first introduced to her magnificant works of art when I visited Salvador da Bahia in 2009.   I was there to collect data for my dissertation on Afro-Brazilian traditional healing experiences. Although I heard many remarkable stories while I was away…Goya’s stuck with me.  She is one of the leading Afro-Brazilian designers who maintains her devotion to her African roots.  Her striking designs often depict the tragedies and triumphs that define the lives of Africans throughout the Diaspora.

Traditional Yoruba Design

Her textiles are made with natural materials and her dyes are created with natural Brazilian berries and plants–making Goya’s line incredible Eco-friendly.

 

 

 

These photos were found here and here.

Even though I wanted to buy up her entire Bahia store my pocket book had different a different plan (ha)!  So we compromised and I walked away with this fun tank.

Abrazos,

M

Woman. Empowered.

20 Jun

Although we are very new to the blog world…one awesome thing that has come from blogging is learning of so many incredible women all over the world that equally desire to use art for social causes!  We’re going to start highlighting female designers that inspire us.

Meet Raasta.  Born in Gorakhpur, India, Kavita Parmar, the company’s creative director began working in fashion since she was very young. Raasta means “the way” in Hindi.  Check out their Summer 2011 Lookbook.  Ahmazing, right?!  

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