#gettingtoknowus

The Three Squirrels, sisters Carrie (classic first born), Amy (gypsy middle) and Steph (sporty baby), were all born and raised in Idaho. Carrie was born in Twin Falls, and Amy and Steph shortly followed after their parents moved to Nampa. Daughters of an educator and a vegetable seed man, the girls were often lovingly referred to as their mom's “squirrels”. The name stuck, and the rest is history…

The Squirrels grew up with excellent examples. Their parents, Nancy and Charley, modeled kindness, love and courtesy daily, and their girls benefited from an early understanding of how courtesy and respect for others can help a person get along in the world. They wanted to share what they had learned, and the idea of an alphabet book of manners for children was born.

Carrie, Amy and Steph have all spent most of their lives in and around the Treasure Valley, and they have fond memories of the many local activities that Boise has to offer. Attending The Idaho Shakespeare Festival, visiting the stately Capitol Building for field trips, and enjoying concerts at The BSU Pavilion (now Taco Bell Arena) were some of their favorite outings. They also recall camping trips in our majestic mountains, floating the Boise River, and the famous Thompson Sunday drives, tooling around looking at crops with their mom and dad. They attended summer camps in The Cascades, and Seed Association Conventions in McCall and Sun Valley. Growing up in Idaho was the best! The Squirrels truly love the Gem State.

Recently, The Three Squirrels’ Alphabet Book of Manners has been donated by a local company to Kindergarten students all over our great Treasure Valley. The Squirrels have a strong love for schools and have been honored to visit so many in Boise and surrounding communities when making their deliveries.

Carrie and Steph, along with their families, currently live in the Boise area, and Amy lives in South Carolina with her husband, but you’d better believe they make time to gather and collaborate any chance they get!

Copies of The Alphabet Book of Manners can be ordered via their website: 

www.thethreesquirrels.com

Additionally, you can learn more about upcoming events and partnerships (including a Thank You Note Workshop on May 18th) on their Instagram page (@thethreequirrels)!

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Ann Westley is a local Gemologist and owner of Ann Elizabeth Jewelry here in Boise. This TSG Boise member is a outgoing spirit who loves to share her passion of jewelry with the community. Get to know a little bit more about the woman behind the jewels in this segment of “Getting to Know Us.”

What inspired you to start your business?

When I traveled to Australia to visit my cousin, I discovered a passion. Sara owned a high-end clothing store where she showcased the work of a local jewelry designer. I spent a day with the jeweler at her private studio and was so impressed with the idea of designing jewelry for a living. After returning home to Illinois, I headed off to California to The Gemological Institute of America to study gemology and jewelry. After graduating, I worked as a gemologist and bench jeweler in a specialty engagement ring store. Soon, I was doing so many other design jobs in my home studio that I realized it was time to start my own company, Ann Elizabeth Jewelry. It was scary and exciting at the same time! I could not have ventured out into a entrepreneurship without the support of my family. What a dream come true to have my own custom jewelry design business!

What do you love most about your career?

I love being able to work with amazing gemstones, creating treasured jewelry to showcase these gems, and making meaningful connections with my clients.  Jewelry tells a story... a story of honor, family, love, or accomplishment. It makes my heart smile to design jewelry that connects people to moments and memories.

What has been your biggest success to date?

My biggest success-to-date has been growing a business that allows me to be home with my two boys.  Spending time with them, seeing them grow and being there for every day as well as milestones is important to me.  

Words to live by?

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams; live the life you've imagined" Thoreau

How would you describe your style?

I would describe my style as classic, with a bit of bohemian and edginess wrapped up in that traditional style.

When you're not working, you're____?

When I am not working, I am living a mother’s life with my family of four!  My high school sweetheart is my husband and my two boys are growing up so quickly. Making memories together and living each day to the fullest is my goal.

What does "local" mean to you?

"Local" to me means community, my community. Live Love Local. Support and build up your community and share your “finds” with others.

What's your favorite thing about Boise?

My favorite thing about Boise is the seasons and the many different adventures we have from one season to the next.  My husband and I both grew up in the Chicago area but also lived in San Diego for 18 years. Until moving to Idaho, I did not realize how much I missed the changing of the seasons.

What or who are you a "closet" fan of?

Country music! Since moving to Boise, country music is the new go-to music in our house!  It has been fun to see my boys also loving music. 

(Check out Ann’s country favorites on her Sounds Of playlist  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6f1ENwdo9SYylKwOUX8BXr )

http://annelizabethjewelry.com/

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TSG Boise member Ann Baertsch, owner of Fire Aunt Studios, creates beautiful, one-of-a-kind scarves, wraps, and other clothing items. Her design and creativity are so unique and every scarf has its own charm. Much like her scarves, Ann has a great deal of charm, herself. In this segment of “Getting to Know Us,” we can understand the creativity behind her work.

What inspired you to start your own business?

I officially started my shop in 2013, but I started dyeing in 2000. I had made a batch of scarves for a local business. I sold a quite a few through family and friends, but then the holidays were over and I still had quite a few left. Unlike other Etsy shop owners, I opened my shop completely on a whim. I just wanted to sell the scarves I had. I had no idea how it would take off. I was uninformed and naive, but have learned so much, and am happy that, for once in my life, I acted on impulse.

What 3 words would you use to describe your business?

Creative, fun, free-spirited

What are 3 things still on your bucket list?

I'd love to see the northern lights, I've never seen really big ocean waves, and I'd love to live abroad at some point. And I'm going to take the liberty of adding a fourth thing: I've always felt in my heart that someday I would focus my animal rescue efforts on senior pets, and final refuge adoptions.

Words to live by?

Be true to yourself. If anyone rejects you for that, they're not your tribe anyway.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A teacher (but only because I loved the big desk and all the office supplies). A flight attendant. A spelunker. A cop. I even went through a phase (much to my oh-so-proper mother's chagrin) of wanting to be a long haul truck driver.

What’s your favorite thing about Boise and the Treasure Valley?

There's so much to love! I love all the local eateries and makers who are flourishing.  As a volunteer and former employee of the Idaho Humane Society, I especially love our community of pet adopters. It's very heartwarming to know that Treasure Valley residents understand the importance of rescue.

What is your favorite vacation destination?

There are so many places yet to see in the world, I could never choose one! I will say I did feel a very special connection with southwest England. I felt like I was home. I left a piece of my heart there.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how funny are you?

That depends who you ask!  I think I'm hilarious, and my friends seem to, too. My husband, however, can only be described as tolerant.

Click here to see Ann’s work at Fire Aunt Studios!

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Emily Fisk’s who writes the blog “Made of Stories”, is such an inspiration! Read her “Getting to Know Us” Q & A, and see if you don’t agree!

Tell us about your blog and what inspired you to start it.

I’ve always loved to write, and when I finished my degree in English and started working from home, blogging felt like a natural outlet. I blog to connect with other people—particularly inspiring women who are doing some incredible work locally and around the world. My local writing group (Unread Stories Club) also encouraged me to start blogging. I write about working from home, parenthood, and faith.

What has been the biggest difference in your life since you started blogging?

Blogging has connected me with a community of other writers who’ve inspired me to submit my work to more publications and invest in my creativity. I’ve made real friendships and learned so much from talented people. I’ve expanded my view of the world and learned from people whose experiences are different from mine. My life is richer for it.

What would you say is the biggest challenge about blogging?

Writing is a vulnerable craft; sending your words and thoughts out into the world can feel like harsh exposure. I write from personal experience, so it can be challenging to decide how much to share about my life (and especially my kids’ lives). I’m always walking the line between the authenticity I want to share with my readers and the privacy and comfort I want, as well.

Words to live by?

Mary Oliver’s poem “Sometimes,” and these lines in particular: “Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”

When you’re not working, you’re___?

Outside with my kids and husband, usually exploring the gorgeous trails and outdoor spaces right here in Boise.

What is your dream job?

Getting paid to write and talk about writing all day long. My future plans are to land this dream job by continuing to write and getting my MA to teach writing.

What does “local” mean to you?

Local means the love I have for Boise that spurs me to be involved in our city’s future. I’m immensely proud of the community here and how we’ve grown (mostly) gracefully (so far), and I’m invested in making sure there is room for everyone here—that means buying from local makers, donating to local causes, voting for school funding, advocating for needed services, and being an active part of this vibrant community.

What’s your favorite thing about Boise?

Hands down, my favorite thing about Boise is our access to the glorious outdoor beauty Idaho has to offer.

What’s in your bag?

Burt’s Bees tinted lip balm and lots of trash from my two kids (#momlife).

What’s your favorite food? Least favorite?

Every week, I make homemade personal pizzas with all the fixings for my family to kick off the weekend, and that paired with a cold local beer… mmm, can’t beat it. My least favorite food is the only food I’ve encountered so far that I won’t eat: Swiss cheese.

www.EmilyFisk.com

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Meet fashion blogger Lauren Kawano in our continuing “Getting to Know Us” feature. What a breath of fresh air!

Tell us about your blog and what inspired you to start it.

I truly just LOVE fashion and style, and I've always appreciated being able to differentiate myself from others by the clothing I choose and the makeup I wear, so sharing that became important to me. 

Who takes the majority of your photos?

Family or friends really...I don't have ONE specific person who comes and takes my images. I usually like to have things be super organic so whoever is with me at the moment will just take my photo for me!

Is this your full-time job?

It's NOT! The idea of that would be fun, but I love working in the social media realm with my other clients. I don't know how much I would love only working for myself. 

Who was your first style icon?

Alexander McQueen. He was a legend. And his legacy still to this day is just dumbfounding. He pushed the limits to the point of breaking and yet everything is tasteful and tells a story. He is legendary; my first and forever style icon. 

How would you describe your style?

I HAVE NO IDEA. "Very odd." This question is so hard to answer because I truly don't stick to ONE style category. 

What is your dream job?

I would love to be an artist. The older I get, the more I appreciate art. Paintings and sculpture, moving art. I think art is stunning and I would LOVE to be an artist of some sort. 

What does "local" mean to you?

For me, it means one word - BOISE. That's only because I was born and raised in Boise and that is where I belong. 

What's your favorite thing about Idaho?

Oh my goodness... that's so hard...I would have to say my favorite thing about Idaho is the outdoors. I LOVE being outside, so the fact that doing anything outdoors is so accessible is AMAZING for me.

Who or what are you a "closet" fan of?

Mmmmmm...closet fan of...I have no idea. Nothing...I don't really hide anything that I love! 

What's in your bag?

My GO-TO product or item in my bag is about 3-5 pairs of sunglasses... WHICH IS NO JOKE! I love having options and switching my sunnies up with each outfit or with my mood. So I am ALWAYS carrying multiple pairs of sunglasses. 

IG @ LaurenKawano

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Blogger, Lana Newman, writes a sweet little blog called “Newman’s Nest”. Learn more about her is our "Getting to Know Us" Q & A series.

Tell us about your blog and what inspired you to start it?

I originally started the blog back in 2011 shortly after I moved away from my family in Texas because I wanted to share my adventures with them, whether that be exploring the Treasure Valley as a tourist turned local, trying a new recipe or DIY project, or traveling throughout Idaho and beyond!  My blog has become my online home for anything creative that inspires me, whether it’s my capsule wardrobe, creating a mini modern farmhouse in the suburbs, or making the everyday an adventure!

Do you do this as a full-time job?

I work part-time as a Digital Convention Sales Coordinator for the Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau, so the blog is considered more of a second part-time job/side-hustle!

What has surprised you the most about blogging?

I always have known I enjoyed taking photos and thought my blog would be more of a visual story, but the writing aspect has surprised me!  Writing has become a passion of mine, and I continue to grow in that area.

How would you describe your style?

My personal style is classic mixed with modern minimalism.  This also translates into my design style, which is simple and modern.

What is your dream job?

Any job that allows me to direct visual and creative goals is a dream job for me! Working in the tourism industry has opened my eyes completely to a whole range of dream jobs.  Photographing and/or writing for a travel publication would be at the top of my dream job list!

What is one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?

I’m on the cover of a magazine!  That surprises me, too!    

What does "local" mean to you?

Local means community.  Locals know, are known by, and embrace the community - this love of community is what makes our local scene so welcoming and special!

What's your favorite thing about Boise?

The collaborative energy!  Boise is all about joining together and building something unique.

Which celebrity would you most like to meet?

I want to meet Dallas Shaw- she’s a well-known fashion illustrator and Visual Director.  Her work is amazing, and I’d love to chat with her about her creative process.

What's in your bag?

Depends on the day since I keep my work bag and diaper bag separate!  But I do have a clutch that I transfer between the two which has my essentials- car keys, business cards, a card holder for my license, debit and credit card, a roller ball of Tocca Simone perfume (my favorite!), hand cream, my Boom Stick Color for lip and cheek touch-ups, Ray-Ban Wayfarers, and usually a crumpled receipt or two!

www.newmans-nest.com

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