Região de Leiria: Portuguese Press

Recently I had the opportunity to interview with and write for Região de Leiria, a local paper in my city in Portugal, discussing my journey with By Hollis and how it brought me to Portugal...

Thank you Região de Leiria for the opportunity, I am so grateful to share my story and create a memory to look back on!

English translation: Hollis Kolmansberger of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is 18 years old and was 14 during the founding of her own business: she sells t-shirts and sweatshirts with her trademark "By Hollis". It has customers in the United States of America, but not only. Overall, the business continues to grow, as it already has clients in European countries: France, Belgium and Portugal, for example. As the business grows, Hollis lives in Alcogulhe, Leiria, since September. She came under the Interculture-AFS program. She debated France and Italy, but eventually chose Portugal. And she's not sorry, “I'm loving it," says Hollis, student in Leiria at Domingos Sequeira Secondary School. As she manages business in the distance, she continues to be a businesswoman in the style of the American dream, while living the Portuguese experience. By Hollis is inspired by the ocean, thanks to the frequent visits to California where she has family. And "Portugal is very similar to California with beaches and palm trees In addition, our country is a tourist destination that is fashionable in the USA and is different: "There are already many young Americans in France or Italy, and I wanted a different experience." I did not know the language, which was complicated at first, but this obstacle was blurred. She understands the essence of the language of Camões, and here she did not lack anyone using Shakespeare's. "I made friends with ease, because they speak English, my class is very friendly.” And the smile with which she speaks the phrases also helps, for sure. Here, she discovered the word "saudade”. (OK quick translation note: saudades can best be described as a mix between missing someone and heartache, like a feeling) I love that you have a word for it", she says, understanding with everything she left in the United States. But there is an entrepreneurial optimism in the way of facing the difficulties: "They warned me that I would miss them, but I did not believe because I always had a very independent attitude. But it is an experience that will help me in the future. In Portugal, she designs inspired by some of the world's most beautiful beaches, and already has t-shirts inspired by the region in her collection that sells online, and in July she’ll be home. She’ll be studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where she wants to study, intern with another company, seek inspiration in other countries and continue in the world of fashion.

English Translation:

    The best advice I was ever given was to make connections with other people.
    In 2014, I founded my company By Hollis, a clothing brand that sells my original designs printed on super soft shirts. It all began at my soccer tournament in Pennsylvania, United States, where I grew up. I was buying a tournament t-shirt when I saw a heat press, a machine comparable to a giant iron, being used to print designs on t-shirts with transfer paper. I watched a blank shirt become embellished within 20 seconds, and I looked at my mom with inspired eyes. “I could do something with that,” I said to her. The next day, I wrote the best business plan that my fourteen-year-old self was capable of. I pitched to my family and friends, landed an investment and By Hollis was in motion.
    Creating a sellable product was my next step. It required a few late (school) nights, product development research and a combination of patience and perseverance. Sometimes I was never 100% satisfied with my final result, either because I wanted to keep playing with trial-and-error, or maybe it was because I was looking at the same thing for hours. My dad gave me great advice during these scenarios by reminding me that I will never have a perfect product. He believed that getting my foot-in-the-door was more important, and looking back I completely agree. With every new collection my shirts are evolving. I am very happy with where By Hollis shirts are now, and I was able to achieve this by diving into my ambition head first. The latest By Hollis release, The Max & Whitney Tee, has proceeds benefitting blood cancer patients through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and is available on www.byhollis.com.
    Next year, I will continue my education at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City as a fashion design major. It is valuable to study fashion full-time in order to learn new skills and techniques within the industry, and I am eager to begin my career through higher education. While I believe that college is important for this reason among many others, I view furthering my education as a necessity because of the opportunity it gives to make connections. Throughout my journey with By Hollis, I have learned that networking is exceedingly essential for progression. Put yourself with people who are where you want to be, whether it is through a friend of a friend, an internship or an email. This mindset made it possible to run By Hollis from abroad, because I unexpectedly met my manufacturer through a conversation. Thanks to that connection, I have continued to design and sell clothing on my website from Leiria, Portugal, where I am studying abroad this year for my final year of high school. Being abroad, I have seen more than I ever imagined at eighteen. Portugal has an energy from the architecture to the culture and everything in between, and I love sharing that through By Hollis. In my latest winter collection, I designed a shirt inspired by Nazaré. The response was amazing, and it gave me great insight into designing from tangible inspiration. The eclectic tiles lining the Portuguese streets to the bold rocks bordering the coasts will always be in my mind, and I hope to continue incorporating Portugal’s flare into my fashion designs in college.
    The best advice I was ever given has two sides. I learned about the business side of making connections early in my life with By Hollis. Living in Leiria, studying within a new school system and living with a new family, I realized the other side. People who were once strangers became friends and family to me. Leaving the people I was surrounded by for my entire life showed me what I missed most. If there is one thing that I learned, it is that building connections is not only essential within a career, but also within a life.

Denmark Spring 2018

Over Easter break, I left the rainy Portugal streets to embark on a little northern-Europe getaway! Though the rain was replaced with snow, which I actually enjoyed, really felt like I was in Pennsylvania again, I had the best time discovering Denmark with my newly-proclaimed Danish best friend, Hannah. Like me, she is studying abroad, except in Denmark (some people reading this already know Hannah and can probably guess how insanely awesome of a time we had together!). We went winter bathing, a tradition in Denmark, in which you jump in the freezing cold ocean water then run into a sauna. After a few rounds of this, you sweat out all the water in your body and feel lighter than light itself. In the sauna, there are essential oils floating through the air, and with a big breath of air, our bodies were soothed with this minty aroma... We also went horseback riding through the forests, had some of the best oatmeal and açai bowls imaginable, saw Pablo Picasso's iconic pottery pieces, experienced Danish "hygge" and more... Definitely a trip I will never forget. The best part? Experiencing it with Hannah! And even better, she is coming to Portugal in less than two weeks! I don't know how I'll ever top this trip, but luckily Portugal has a special flare that I'm pumped to share her. Wish me luck!

I can't put everything into words, so hoping this video does the trick... Thanks for reading and (hopefully) watching!

Xo,

Hollis

PA to PT: The Catch-Up: Part 1

Well... It's been around 6 months! I've come to realize that I am the worst at updating my blog. Or, we could say, that I was so caught up in living in the moment during these last few months, that I forgot to write it all down. Either works for me. But needless to say, the BH Blog is in serious need of an update, so I present to you, The Catch Up: Part 1.

OCTOBER

My exchange friends and I! Irem from Turkey, Ayaka from Japan, Viola & Roberta from Italy, Anna-Sofie from Denmark and Ana from Portugal. We had an "intercultural dinner", so we each made a different dish from our countries. I had to make chocolate chip cookies, they've always been my go-to here!

The Batalha Monastery... The architecture on this thing was breathtaking.

Surfing lessons in Peniche, Portugal with Roberta! This was our instructor :) It was such a cool experience because a week after we surfed there, the WSL World Championships were held there! And no, Roberta and I didn't surf those waves... Though we definitely could have handled it (not), we stayed towards the shore and hit the little breakers. 

My super cute Italian friend, Viola.

Literally some of the best Gelado I've had. The guy who makes it moved here from Italy, so when I go there, my Italian friends all start speaking Italian with him. So I get my ice cream, sit back and pretend I know whatever the heck they're talking about!!!

Leiria city! One of my favorite spots. In October it was a little warmer than it is now, so I'd go sit on this bench and take in the view. I study arts here, so we are constantly sketching, and this is the perfect spot for it.

AFS Camp in Leiria. I love AFS Camps because we have tons of cultures together in one room, just celebrating and enjoying each other. But after the activities, Roberta, Viola and I may or may not have sneaked out with a pack of Oreos...

NOVEMBER

In Lisboa! This was during a class trip. Inside this palace is an art museum :)

We found Starbucks!

Roberta <3

The best surprise ever! Went out to eat with Roberta's host family, and they surprised us with an American restaurant that serves Thanksgiving dinner! It was the absolute best. And it was Rob's first Thanksgiving!

My exchange friends and I :) This was Roberta's goodbye dinner... :-(

DECEMBER

Some of the AFS gals and I :) Italy, Faroe Islands, Norway, Dominican Republic and India.

Finally finally finally got to meet Inês! We actually met from Instagram before I came to Portugal. We skyped all the time, and she taught me my first Portuguese words, as well as things about the country. It was the craziest and best thing to see her in person. She studies marketing in Lisbon, so she always has these amazing ideas for By Hollis and is just an overall super cool person. Anyways, this was our first pic !!!

Took this while on a run. This is where I live, Alcogulhe, Portugal, right outside of Leiria city. Such a breathtaking place.

Christmas alert!!! This is my little host cousin :) She made me the sweetest beaded bracelet for Christmas. It was one of my most memorable holidays yet. There are a few differences of how we celebrated in Portugal- First off, we all open presents together at midnight on Christmas Eve. All the kids dress up as "Pai Natal" (aka Santa Claus) and handed out presents one-by-one. When the kids said a name, everyone cheered and chanted as they watched the receiver open their present. When the kids said my name, everyone started chanting, "USA USA USA!" It was hilarious. We then played a good game of The Americas vs Portugal beer pong (some relatives and friends of my host family are Brazilian). The Americas won, of course. We danced and celebrated and before I knew it, the clock read 6:00 AM, and we headed home. If there's one thing for sure, it's that the Portuguese know how to celebrate. :)

What a vibe ... My host cousin aka Pai Natal

2017 was quite the year. Ending it in Portugal with such great people made it that much better. Coming Soon: The Catch-Up: Part 2!

Thanks for reading!! Xoxo

Hollis

Pennsylvania to Portugal: The Arrival

Olá from Leiria, Portugal! 

It is so beautiful here. I cannot believe I've been here for a week. It has been quite the week too, from waiting 2 hours at the wrong bus stop, walking 3.3 kilometers home because I was lost, and trying rabbit for dinner. Yes, rabbit... I feel bad about it.

This week was not what I expected. I waited 6 months to go to Portugal, and I had so many ideas of what it would be like in my head. 

I knew it would be beautiful, and it totally is. The architecture of the buildings here is breathtaking. And there are pink buildings everywhere! And blue, and yellow, and every other bright color. There is a beautiful park with a river that my friends and I explored yesterday. Also, did you know that intersections aren't a thing here? Traffic circles... everywhere. I have never seen so many traffic circles in my whole life. 

I had my first day of school yesterday, and initially it was discouraging. Sitting in a classroom, only hearing a language you cannot understand, is difficult. Luckily, after whatever the teacher was saying, a group of kids in my class came up to my Italian friend, Roberta, and I to ask us to lunch. Of course, we accepted! Then they took us to one of their favorite lunch spots, 32, known for their 32 cm sandwiches. After that, we toured the city like locals. We saw all the cool spots- I took so many pictures, and I'll attach them below- of sneaker stores, hangout hostels, and up-close-and-personal views of the river. It was such a blast, and helped me forget about being homesick.. Which is something I definitely underestimated.

I remember, before I came, thinking to myself about hardships of this adventure. The language was something I knew would be a challenge, but everyone does it so I'll figure it out too... Nope! While everyone else is speaking Portuguese, you have so much time to think. I think constantly, and it almost gives me a headache. I think about home, what my family and friends are doing, about how I missed Ashton's first field hockey game, about how Braden is going through freshman year without his senior sis to pick on him, and how my friends are doing their last year together. It makes me so sad, honestly. And I didn't expect that feeling. I am lucky that I have Snapchat and Skype, to easily talk to them, but I try to avoid it, because I still feel connected to my "old life." I know this feeling will go away, I am just hoping that it is soon! I am eager to speak Portuguese and have a fluent conversation with my new family and friends here. I started watching basic Portuguese YouTube videos for practice as well, which is helping. 

As my first week is coming to a close, I am ready to jump into the second one. It is such an opportunity, so I don't want to take any of it for granted. I do love it here in Portugal! I cannot wait to see what the next few months have in store.

Thanks for reading :) 

Hollis

Roberta and I :) 

My friend Bruno said this is Portugal's Eiffel Tour :) Haha

Pennsylvania to Portugal: The Depature

"I'm really not planning on bringing that much," I told myself. And yet here I sit, bundled by heavy coats and cardigans, with zipper-popping luggage to my side. So much for that.

But really, I must put it into perspective. We foreign exchange students were only permitted to take 44 pounds of our life with us (although, I have 50 pounds. Delta International flights allow 50, not 44, from what I read online). That is not much! Next time you pack for the beach, or any vacation, weigh your bag just for kicks. Then you'll sympathize with me. It's a good problem to have, because I am really lucky to be studying in Portugal for my senior year. 

To cover the basics: No, I never wanted to study abroad my whole life. Actually, it never even crossed my mind! My school takes in a few foreign students every year, but for some reason I didn't even realize that I could do the same thing. That is, until I found out about the Speedwell scholarship. The Speedwell scholarship is a full-paid (ballpark of $16,000) scholarship given to around 20 students in the central PA area thanks to the generosity of Jenny and Mike Messner. Jenny Messner studied abroad in Brazil, and she wanted to give as many kids as possible that same experience and global understanding. I had the pleasure of meeting her this past August, she was so radiant and excited for all of us! She even told me and my friend Cameron (the other kid going to Portugal from my area) that she is ready to speak Portuguese with us upon our return (talk about pressure!!). Just kidding... I am really hoping to come out of this experience bilingual, so if anything she acts as motivation for me. The program I am studying with is called AFS (stands for American Field Service). I highly suggest checking their site out if you're interested in studying abroad. Even if you're not in the central PA area, there are other scholarships and fundraising opportunities to explore.

I started looking into AFS in May 2016. I wanted to go to France- it has always been a goal of mine to be fluent in French, not only for fashion design, but I would love to travel around and hold my own. Plus, it's a beautiful language. I ended up in Portugal because of my age, France doesn't allow 18 year-olds to get a student visa, but strangely enough, I am totally fine with it now. (For those who really know my AFS story, I bounced from France, to Belgium, to Spain, to Italy, then ultimately to Portugal). I love Portugal though, and I haven't even arrived yet. My host family is awesome, I have two host parents and a 24-year-old host brother. I am living in Leiria, Portugal (Google it, it's so beautiful), which is a quick bus ride away from the capital, Lisbon. I am attending an art and design school, too, which I am more than ready for. My thinking is that art is more universal, and doesn't hold as strong of a language barrier compared to other subjects, so hopefully my grades won't be absolutely awful. Don't hold my accountable on that, though. ;)

I don't know much Portuguese, as I studied French all of high school. I find similarities in the language, but it is much more comparable to Spanish. Past Portuguese exchange students tell me that they're able to go throughout other European countries and understand things, luckily, because Portuguese pulls from most romance languages.

We are an hour away from New York City, where I have to say bye to my parents, who are so supportive and excited. They make it easy not to be sad. I cannot wait to meet the other kids from the U.S. going to Portugal. :)

I'll be back soon, thanks for reading!

Xo, Hollis

Fast Fashion: Check Your Tags

For my junior year research paper, I chose to write about fast fashion- and I learned so much about the industry I want to pursue. If I'm being honest, it worried me. But I am looking at the problem as my way into the field. Everything I learned about fast fashion has motivated me to keep pushing By Hollis to be as safe and environmentally-friendly as we can be. I am proud to say we design and print all of our clothing here in Pennsylvania. :) But there is always room for improvement, and I'm eager and ready to keep going. 

Take your shirt off.

No, really. All jokes aside, take your shirt off. Take your shirt off and look at the tag. Where was your shirt made? Was it made in Bangladesh, China, India maybe? You see, that tag does not do your garment justice. Behind your garment lies an inspiration, a design. Dig deeper. Behind that idea lies the execution; the process and the pain, the fabric and the fear, the buttons and the blood (Chappatte). All for you to have that one garment that, I am guessing, you have nearly-identical versions of dangling in your closet. Pieces that differ by one more killed worker, one extra dead species. Fast fashion, or the rapid production of clothing to keep up with the current-day trends, is abusing the environment and endangering the lives of workers worldwide. Monetary precedence is mean and murderous, as is consumer ignorance. Fast fashion has detrimental, unseen externalities on the environment and foreign workforces by creating an increasing deadly demand, an expected fulfillment, and overconsumption from consumers.

If the earth was food on a cutting board, fast fashion would not only be chopping it, but slaughtering it. The repercussions are born from an innocent cycle; when a designer is looking to create a garment, they produce sketches and patterns. Then, the designer takes their idea and outsources it, or has it made in another country. The country does not have essential protective regulations or fair wages; therefore, allowing for price to plunge. Profits are everything, and in a demanding industry like fashion, designers cannot afford low margins. Designers decide on the cheapest production cost because losing money on each garment could eventually kick them out of the market. Fast fashion has been a product of this process, especially in countries like China. In fact, professor of international business at the McDonough School of Business of Georgetown University, Pietra Rivoli, wrote that Americans purchase an estimated one billion garments yearly from China- that amounts to four garments per U.S. citizen (Claudio). This insane profusion of resources is not properly manufactured, and consequently, ends up in landfills- but improper manufacturing sounds ornamental. Sensibly, improper manufacturing is production of cheap material through air-damaging, chemical concoctions. Farmers in China know the color of the season before any of us, just by looking at the color of their rivers, due to the textile industry’s dye runoff, and that is no exaggeration. Fashion journalist Claire Press claims, “there's a zero-discharge initiative that a lot of the brands are realising that they need to really put pressure on suppliers in China around hazardous chemical waste into water” (Fast Fashion: Rivers Turning Blue). That cheap material is then taken to a deprived manpower, working long hours under crumbling buildings, breathing in dirty, rancid air. A workforce that is trying to support a family, and a community, on as little as 12-18 cents per hour. Factories like this are surviving because “emerging economies are aiming to get their share of the world’s apparel markets, even if it means lower wages and poor conditions for workers” (Claudio). If they did not compete, they would have little to no revenue coming in. Furthermore, only 21% of yearly garment purchases are retained- over 68 pounds of clothing are thrown away per person annually, becoming latent waste to be dumped into clothing landfills dubbed the “national wardrobe” (Claudio). This vicious cycle has evolved into the formation of big-business-brands like Topshop, Zara, and H&M.

H&M is the world’s second-largest clothing retailer, and with 4,200 stores and counting, they are the definition of fast fashion today. Taking in $20 billion in 2016, H&M is not planning on ending the fast fashion phenomenon, in fact, they are promoting it. H&M plans to put a spin on fast fashion’s connotation by investing in recycling plants, as they hope to create a “closed-loop system” by using clothing fibers from old, donated pieces as raw materials. H&M partnered with the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel and has put forth $5.8 million to develop technology to recycle (previously unusable) blended fabrics (Clendaniel). While these solutions appear to fix the problem, clothing being sold at incredibly low prices is not made to last, which results in further landfill pileup. H&M is merely covering their tracks- they are the reason the fast fashion mess exists. Clothing is still being manufactured rapidly in order to target current trends, leaving the spoiled consumer wanting more at others’ expense. Designer Clara Vuletich shared that the manufacturing process (from idea to store) now takes less than a week, something that “was never heard of before” (Fast Fashion: Rivers Turning Blue). This ability to stay on top of a consumer-based market allows for more sales, more revenue, and more profit. Some companies, including the outdoor brand Patagonia, have rebelled against the idea of fast fashion by focusing on quality-based products and safe environmental practices. Founder of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard, started his company out of his love for rock climbing, and he continues to make eco-conscious decisions that sets nature up for success, even if it means losing sales, revenue, and profit. Besides, Chouinard has been the pioneer for environmental innovation. “In 1996, Patagonia switched all its cotton to organic and has never looked back. Only recently have apparel giants such as Nike and Timberland started to do the same.” Chouinard even created the “1 percent for the planet club,” a effort that encourages big companies to participate in paying the “earth tax” (either 10 percent of profits or 1 percent of sales, depending on which is greater). Patagonia itself has donated over $25 million to environmental groups, Chouinard saying, “we measure our success on the number of threats averted: old-growth forests that were not clear-cut, mines that were never dug in pristine areas, toxic pesticides that were not sprayed” (Lee). Efforts by big-business companies like Patagonia are beginning to bring light to the responsibility of being in the clothing business (Chouinard is sure to note that Patagonia is not in the “fashion industry,” as their products are practical, not trendy). Patagonia lives by a minimalist mindset, owning fewer, better-quality items- and they are not scared of broadcasting their beliefs and eco-friendly morals (Lee).

While Patagonia is proudly sharing their environmentally-friendly beliefs, many designers are taking “pride in the fact that the sustainability of their clothing is not immediately recognizable.” The green label is an addition that some consider a setback, a vision to “shapeless eco-fashions of yesteryear, when words like "hemp" and "organic" inspired visions of hippies in a hacky sack circle” (Belli). Looking forward, eco-friendly designers imagine an industry where no green labels exist, because all garments are unrecognizably earth-friendly and well made (fast fashion free). Moreover, designers are sharing that they do not want to be “boxed in by a green label” (Belli). This feat is easier said than done, however, because most organic fabrics resemble overused earth tones, colors that do not appeal when creating bold looks. Despite the setback, designers are witnessing the research being done and anticipating the gap in the fabric market to close. As companies are trying to find solutions to the problem, they are also taking needed steps towards sustainability. Levi’s released a line of organic eco-jeans, while Gap and American Apparel created lines with organic cotton. Creating these environmentally-friendly lines manifest minuscule drawbacks. “It's the fashion-savvy who seem to think about the content of their clothes, while the majority of shoppers are influenced mostly by price—an arena where organics have trouble competing” (Belli). The tree-hugging designers of the world are encouraging consumers to understand their clothes on a deeper level and to be willing to pay more for better quality, morally-righteous pieces. Without that mindset, consumers will continue to demand the newest looks, putting the environment in a tough position- and Yvon Chouinard put it best- “there is no doubt that we’re not going to save the world by buying organic food and clothes- it will be by buying less” (Lee).

Fast fashion has ties to almost any negative aspect of the fashion industry- poor working conditions, surplus raw materials being wasted, harmful environmental practices, and nevertheless, it continues to have consumer support. Big clothing retailers are leaving consumers in the dark, and the ignorance must die. Money can only run the world for so long before human rights kick in. Imagine if you were that laborer, being treated like a slave, forced to put on a brave face for you family while you still have one. Considering the painful piece you put on this morning, I dare you… Check your tags.

Sources

Belli, Brita. “Green Fashion Is the Future of the Fashion Industry.” The Fashion Industry, 2010, ic.galegroup.com. Accessed 4 Apr. 2017.

Chappatte. “After Bangladesh.” The English Blog, 15 May 2013, www.englishblog.com/2013/05/cartoon-after-bangladesh.html#.WO5ZfRiZM6U. Accessed 12 Apr. 2017.

Claudio, Luz. “Waste Couture: Environmental Impact of the Clothing Industry.” Environmental Health Perspectives, Sept. 2007, web.b.ebscohost.com. Accessed 4 Apr. 2017.

Clendaniel, Morgan. “How H+M Is Trying To Balance Fast Fashion With Revolutionary Recycling.” Fast Company, Fast Company, 21 Dec. 2016, www.fastcompany.com/3065862/how-hm-is-trying-to-counteract-fast-fashion-with-revolutionary-recycling. Accessed 12 Apr. 2017.

“Fast Fashion: Rivers Turning Blue and 500,00 Tonnes in Landfill.” ABC Premium News, 28 Mar. 2017, http://web.a.ebscohost.com Accessed 4 Apr. 2017.

Lee, Matilda. “No Fashion Please.” Ecologist, vol. 37, no. 9. Nov. 2007, pp. 58-60. EBSCOhost, Accessed 4 Apr. 2017.

The Friday Five: Bring it on Spring

As many of you know, the east coast has been slapped in the face with snow. In fact, last night we had another two inches, and no one would even know, because two inches means nothing when it's piled on top of two feet. But- I must say- I enjoyed my week off. We only had two days of school cancelations, but I was soaking up the sun in Savannah the week before. And going from 80 degrees to 8 degrees really made me realize which I prefer (sun, sun, sun). 

Being cooped up inside- save the hour I spent sledding with my energetic little sis- really helped me to cement this weeks Friday five. As miscellaneous as can be, here are my five current musts. 

1. American Teen, Khalid

This album........ Ah! It's so flipping GOOD. The song I used for my Savannah video was actually "Hopeless" for this album. Currently, my favorite is "Saved". I'd highly recommend giving it a listen, especially if you're in a music drought! 

Khalid's album "American Teen"

Also another song I really love, "Wolf" by Skott.

2. Southern Charm

I don't watch much TV. One, because whenever I sit down on the couch it's so comfortable, who would want to get up? And two, I feel like I'm wasting so much time. My friends always remind me that I need to be a kid while I still can, but something about it feels so unproductive; unless, of course, I'm watching Southern Charm. :) It's a reality show based out of Charleston, South Carolina, that exposes the glamorous (and not-so-glamorous) moments of being a southerner in one of the wealthiest and prestigious areas. The next season is airing on April 3rd on Bravo- they have a recap of all seasons on at 7:30, and the new season at 8:00! 

On the way home from our Savannah trip, my family and I stopped in Charleston. My mom used to work there, and she frequently visited King Street, the main shopping street. It was stunning- and raining! But even on the drizzly afternoon, hundreds of shoppers were out, musicians were playing their instruments, and pop-up stands were selling their products. It made me wonder what the street would look like on a sunny day! Then, like creeps, we drove by our favorite star from Southern Charm's house, Patricia. She's fabulous, and she lives in a house in the historic registry with her margarita-making Butler and throws parties like it's her job. Let's just say, my mom wants to be best friends with her. And her house...... Oooooooo boy was it beautiful. The towering pillars posed in front of the pink house... with. green. shutters. Patrica can pull those things off, let me tell you. And I couldn't tell you how badly I wanted to be invited in to dish on the southern scandals over a delicious (virgin) drink.

Enough of my fan fiction- Patricia had a flamingo party during the last season. And no, that's not code for some sort of event, it was literally a party with hundreds of pink flamingos- plastic flamingos in the yard, inflatable flamingos in the pool, and edible flamingos by the bar (cupcakes, I feel the need to clarify. Just cupcakes). My mom and I were in awe during the episode. But- it really left a lasting impression on her, because a few months later when I drove up my driveway to witness 40 of my friends yell "surprise" by the pool, and the abundance of flamingos, I knew she was tingling at the idea that we were throwing a Patricia-inspired party. She really is the best. 

Patricia's mansion- Trust me, the picture doesn't do it justice.  

Patricia's flamingo party... Recognize the pillars on the right? :)

My inflatable flamingos floating around... Mom named them Coco and Chanel :,)  

My Flamingo Party! The most adorable (& festive) cupcakes.  

"Happy 17th Birthday Hollis" napkins. Nice touch Mom.  

3. Steel Cut Oats

Lately, I have been trying to figure out the perfect diet. Losing weight would definitely be a plus, but I really wanted to figure out what foods made me feel healthy. My Mom is gluten and diary free, a diet I tried but soon hated, because I can handle gluten and dairy perfectly fine, so steel-cut made a great go-to for our breakfast. Steel-cut oats are basically a better-tasting oatmeal, we buy "Bob's Steel Cut". Cook it, coat with blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries, drizzle with honey, and top off with a little milk, or almond milk. It takes around 15 minutes, but sometimes I will make all my steel-cut in advance for the week and keep it in fridge. It's the best, and outrageously healthy! Especially compared to all the sugary cereals out there. 

4. Distorted Grid Project

I'm in art 3 this year, where we work on numerous projects to put in our portfolio for art school (aka fashion school for me). Our last project was a distorted grid, where we make a square grid on a picture and stretch, repeat, or scrunch one of the panels. I changed things up a bit, and gridded my shadow and pushed it in different directions. I completed this project with one black and one white prismacolor pencil.

My drawing! Needs some work, but hey, we have deadlines to make! 

My reference picture. 

5.  Umcka  

The other day it was 70 degrees. Two days later, I woke up and it was snowing. Mother Nature is crazy, and so is my immune system! I developed a little cold during the fluxing weather, and I wanted it gone ASAP. I already missed two days of school for a college visit, and then two more for snow days. So I couldn't afford a sick day. Luckily, my mom is a natural remedy and article addict, so she knows all the shortcuts. She bought me Umcka, the best cold medicine ever. I sipped the grape-flavored liquid the night before, and I woke up sniffle-free. I don't want to get into my full sickness story, but I can promise you if you have a cold, Umcka can do something for you. We get ours at the Healthy Grocer. 

"I need God to consume me more than my life currently does."  

Thanks for reading this week's Friday Five! 

Xo, Hollis

Savannah, Georgia 2017

Lately, I have been looking into different schools to study fashion design in college (one of the many junior year to-dos!). Last weekend, my family and I set out for Savannah, Georgia to visit the Savannah College of Art and Design. SCAD has one of the top fashion programs in the world, and I saw why. Once you're accepted into SCAD's main Savannah campus, you're accepted into all of their campuses, Atlanta, Hong Kong, and somewhere in France. The Hong Kong campus caught my attention. It's in the middle of the fashion manufacturing district! So as you could imagine, it's the place to make connections. I will be applying to SCAD- we'll have to see how it goes! 

Washington D.C. 16/17 (New Years!)

To celebrate the 2017 New Year, my family and friends went down to Washington D.C. We visited Union Market, my new favorite hotspot of the area, and we ran around the city. All of our wandering turned into one of my most adored videos. 

Cape Cod 2016

First time in Cape Cod, and it was too fun. My cousin pitches for the Stanford baseball team, and this summer he was asked to play in the Cape Cod leagues, which gather top players from across the country for a summer of baseball (and many scouts). 

We came up for the week to watch Colton pitch, and it was a blast. We stayed in Hyannis (above a Dunkin Donuts actually, it was weird, but it grew on me by the end 😄) and we visited Martha's Vineyard as well as the beach.

Hoping you enjoyed the video as much as we enjoyed the Cape :-) 

Saturday Style: Seasonal Obsessions

Hey BH readers...

I'm happy that summer has arrived and more time can be put into the BH Blog. But no messing around today, we're talking the must-haves for this season. 

1. Choker Necklaces

Chokers are back everyone! I love looking at celebrity street style, and all I've been seeing is different style chokers- from one inch black, to the embellished, to the thin choker wrapped three times. I love them all.

Kendall Jenner rocking a choker... I love. Picture credit to www.pinterest.com

2. Shortalls (Overalls younger cousin)

"Shortalls" are essentially overalls in short form, and they ROCK for summer. My favorite ensemble is to pair shortalls with a halter top.

The only downside? I'm 5'10". Every pair of overalls I try on are too short at the torso. I hereby promise, that if I do make it someday as a designer, I will design a pair of killer overalls for ALL heights. Mark my words today :)

3. Bralettes

The new bra is no bra ♡ During steamy, summer days, the last thing I want is to be all "wired" up, so-to-say. Ditch the wire, and sport a bralette. A bralette is a no-wire, usually lace, bra. They're exemplary pieces for 90-degree-days.

My personal favorite bralette is from Free People. I hope to start making my own soon though, so keep an eye out on By Hollis. ☺︎

4. Monochromatic Outfits

Monochromatic

[mon-uh-kroh-mat-ik]

adjective

1. of or having one color

Credit to dictionary.com for the definition above :-) Monochromatic outfits are the next big thing. Pick a color and stick to it! I notice one celeb in particular who really lives by this look... Gigi Hadid (Who, may I gush for a second, is in my opinion one of the stylish people out there. Honestly how could you not love her?!?).

Gigi Hadid in all black, courtesy of www.instyle.com

Blue! www.streetstyle.about.com

I mean... Come on now! I love this look. www.popsugar.com.au

My go-to color to layer up on is blue. In the Spring 2016 line, we paired the Ride the Waves tee with the Navy Low-Rise Hat and it worked so well. Blue also includes denim, so possibilities are endless!

5. Yellow 💛

Sticking to the idea of colors, yellow is the color for the season. As I'm writing this, in my yellow washed-out Fender tee, I'm thinking about how unparalleled yellow should be every summer, I mean, sun!!! Come on now.

I love a little distressed yellow color, because it's subtle but it makes a statement. Try it this summer, before the trend goes into full swing! :)

6. Mirrored Sunglasses

I have yet to purchase a pair of mirrored-lens sunglasses. I'm falling behind! This season's sunglasses style would definitely be a mirrored-lens. Whether it is a bright lens or black lens, the look is in.

7. Wear Your Hat Backwards!

Finally, we get to the trend that I hope never dies, wearing your hat backwards! Now, guys, I know some of you do this 24/7. (Funny thing is, when I had the Spring 2016 shoot, I asked the guys to throw on hats and not one of them put them on facing front!). This one is for the ladies. If you don't already pull of this look, try it. I have friends that say they can't pull it off, but that's just because they're not used to it. Try it and own it BH Girls and Boys. ✌︎

That's all for today's post! :) Now that we're into summer, I promise to post weekly. Can't wait to share the summer with you all!

Thanks for reading ♡♡♡,

Hollis

P.S. Since we were on the topic of Gigi Hadid, check this out...

My friend Hannah ran into Gigi at the Met in NYC (check out that choker!!!). I mean, her face says it all. Hannah actually told her she liked her shoes, and Gigi was very sweet. :) So cool...

BTS: About By Hollis

Hello BH Guys and Girls. Recently, I've been working on my new spring line, otherwise known as BH Spring. This will be my third line since the revamp of my company. Looking back, I realize how far By Hollis has come, and I can't help but get excited to think where By Hollis will be in a few years.

This led me to the idea of today's blog post. I want to give a behind the scenes look of who I am, and why I started By Hollis. I want to share who's behind the website, products, and social media sites and give an inside look on how By Hollis began. I hope you enjoy today's post as much as I enjoyed building By Hollis. 

About Me

My name is Hollis Kolmansberger, and I founded By Hollis at age 14. I'm 16 years old now, and I am a high school sophomore. I'm Pennsylvania born and raised, and I love where I live. We're right next to Hersheypark, the hot spot for a summer day, and a ski resort for the colder ones. I live on a hill, where you can look up and see mountains upon mountains. (Right now I'm stretched out in a chair on the porch, looking at the mountains. I come out here as much as I can for BH inspiration or homework purposes). This isn't my only place that triggers ideas, though. I travel as much as I can, and it's usually to California. In fact, CA ultimately inspired my brand. There is a lavish amount of meaning behind the signature wave of By Hollis. The first time I saw the California coast was a memorable time, I wanted to bring some of it home to PA. But the biggest reason the wave was chosen to represent my brand was for someone back at home- my dad. 

His name is JK Kolmansberger (his real names is James, but he has always gone by his initials since his dad's name was James as well). My dad was born a risk taker. He's been an entrepreneur for a long time, reasons why I look up to him as much as I do. I can certainly say that I wouldn't be where I am without his daily teachings of business. He has had many different style companies; an equipment rental service, to a footwear manufacturing company, to an arcade game and vending business, and more. All his lessons and experience led him to creating a technology company that focuses on big data analytics. He founded his company, VisiQuate, with my best friend on opposite coast's dad. His name is Brian, and my friend's name is Haley. She's the reason I'm often in California. VisiQuate started with Brian and my dad taking huge risks, and about eight years later, the risks have really paid off. They want from having an office only in Santa Rosa, California, to now offices in Harrisburg, PA, Dallas, TX, Manhattan in NYC, and across the world in the Ukraine. His success and drive always pushes me to work as hard as he did. In the end, I really just want to make him proud. My dad has a tattoo of a wave on his ankle, he got it in college when he used to live and surf in California. That tattoo, no matter how much he says he hates it (it now looks like a colorful blue blob of ink), is what By Hollis is founded on. Every time I see a wave on a shirt, (or maybe something else? BH Spring coming soon!!!) it represents his dedication to having a wonderful motivation at whatever he does, and I couldn't be more grateful that he is my dad. 

My dad, mom, brother, sister, and I. 

And So It Began

I've known for a long time that I wanted to be in the design industry. Initially, I want thinking interior design. Then, I realized my fervor for fashion. I begun learning different brands and styles by watching Fashion Week, learning from my mom, and following as many designers I could on Instagram. I felt that wasn't enough- and that's when I thought about my own business. I didn't know how I would do it, or when I would do it. All I knew was that I wanted to get experience in the real world.

One weekend I was at a soccer tournament and I went to buy a tourney tee shirt. I watched the lady at the stand whip out a quality shirt with a heat press, after I told her what color shirt I wanted as well as the decal. "Mom, I could use that to make shirts," I said. She liked the idea. That week, my parents loaned me money to buy my own heat press and transfer paper. I also found a local clothing distribution center to buy shirts from. I thought learning how to use the press would be easy, and let me tell you, it was not. There were countless obstacles to jump over and setbacks. After a few months and copious amounts of trail and error, I had a product I was ready to sell.

The very first Designs by Hollis tank. 

My approach was unique, because I wasn't exactly following the rules. I designed my shirt on pages document. I used the wrong printer for the shirts, but somehow, it worked. I decided to set up an Instagram page. All I needed was a name. I bounced around a few ideas like Cerulean (my favorite shade of blue) or Raspberry Co. (one of my favorite fruits). My mom was a huge help in this process. Her name is Kristie Kolmansberger, and much like my dad, she is very motivated. Everything she starts, she finishes. She loves interior design, and is very stylish. I've always been dazzled by her knowledge of fashion and the next-big-thing brands. She gave me the idea of sticking with my name, which I must give her credit for, because without my name being a little out-of-the-ordinary, my brand wouldn't be what it is. We decided on Designs by Hollis. I started my Instagram, made a few more tanks, and posted away. I didn't have a website back then, so people bought shirts by emailing me with their desired shirt and size. After a few weeks, I sold over 50 shirts. I was ecstatic, and fresh and imaginative ideas were coming to life everyday. 

One of the old, heat-pressed tanks.

Along the ride, I've learned a lot of life lessons. I learned how to better my time-management skills, because balancing school and my little business was challenging. I remember staying up until 12:00 AM printing the shirts in time for school the next day. (Most of the shirts I sold were to people at school back then). Some nights I thought to myself if it was worth it, and I'm glad my answer was yes. I also learned that along with ideas, you'll have people who spit on them. I remember when I got my first negative comment about my brand... All I could think was why someone would take the time to say something so mean? I wasn't harming anyone with my shirts, but this person still felt the need to lash out at Designs by Hollis. I talked to my dad about it later that day, and he simply said, "I feel bad for people who experience life that negatively." That really spoke to me, and I try to remember that when certain people share their harsh thoughts about my brand even today.

Flash forward a few months, to the summer before my first year of high school. That summer, Designs by Hollis flourished. It wouldn't have happened without what I refer to as "the revamp." That summer, on my way out to California, I begun building the website you're on right now. It was a three month process, and once it was over I was happy with the results. I also set up a custom email, hollisk@byhollis.com. That process included programming and coding and other tech terms that were very confusing, well, that's an understatement. After long days and nights of building something I can be proud to put my name on, I had one more step. That was to develop a killer product. During freshman year, I continued to heat press shirts and sell them on my website. Business got slow. I realized I had to not only change my look, but I had to change my product.  

During the website building, I started from scratch to create a logo that fit. It started with shortening up Designs by Hollis to By Hollis and ended with my current logo, and I was very happy with the results. It brought forth the laid-back and beachy vibes of California while symbolizing what I believe in. I decided to start with that logo for my first shirts of the new company. That's when I made the decision to switch from the heat press in my basement to screen printing. There just so happened to be a screen printing shop down the street from me, K&D Graphics. I introduced myself and we decided on doing business together. They gave me the minimum of 24 shirts per order (I later found out they weren't making money off of those orders, but they wanted to help me get off my feet. I cannot express my gratitude enough for their kindness). They printed the shirts and I was more than happy. The shirts represented my personality all the way. I uploaded them onto my website and that's when it all begun. 

The Big Break

I uploaded my shirts to the website along with a few pictures from the photo shoot. The first shoot for the new shirts featured two of my best friends going on 12 years of friendship, Bayleigh Ebbert and Molly Walter. They model all the time for By Hollis, so this wasn't their first photo shoot. But I will say that it was it was the first photo shoot we were all truly proud of. The shirts were stylish and they were crazy great models (Molly actually modeled as a kid in New York City, so she would teach the basics to Bayleigh and I during the shoots). 

The first photo shoot with Bayleigh and Molly in the new shirts.  

In the mix of this, my brother, Braden, was playing in his final little league season with the opportunity to make it to the Little League World Series. The whole summer leading into sophomore year, we were driving all over to watch the games. Before we knew it, Red Land Little League made it to states. 

Red Land is made up of a tiny community. The boys have been playing baseball together since they were 5, so this was a huge advantage in their games. They knew what each of their teammates was going to do before they even did it. The ride went on, and we won states. It was off to Bristol, Connecticut for regional tournament.

I still remember the moment where the boys won the championship in regionals that sent us to Williamsport. Cole Wagner (a fellow model for By Hollis) was pitching. He struck out the kid at home plate to end the game, and all the boys and coaches ran to the mound. Cheering. Smiles. Everywhere.

The boys had By Hollis shirts that they wore around Bristol, and then, Williamsport during the World Series. The coolest moment was when I saw someone other than the boys in my shirt at one of the games. It was slowly starting to sink in that we were here, and the boys were excelling. Finally, we made it to the game where the boys were crowned Little League World Series U.S. Champions. 

That day was also my 16th birthday. Looking back, it was the best birthday anyone could ask for. At this point, the boy's social media's were blowing up with followers. Braden modeled for By Hollis before all the baseball craziness, and after the game he posted a picture in his shirt. Before I knew it, By Hollis was blowing up. I realized this was my way to get my name out there. My cousin decided to wear his shirt to some games, so it was on ESPN. The boys were wearing their shirts after the games. People saw, and By Hollis was becoming a known name around Williamsport. The Little League World Series ended the next day, but the attention and support from the community didn't. I checked my phone the night of the last game, to see over 10 orders in 1 hour. That's when By Hollis took off. 

Over 400 orders were placed over the next few months, and it was time for another product and photo shoot. That's when the BH Signature Tee in Red Acid Wash was released, in honor of the boys and their success. And what better models then a few of the boys themselves? We had the photo shoot a few weeks later, and they made wonderful models (who knows, they may be back for BH Spring!!). That photo shoot brought forth over 3000 new followers and and numerous customers. I was beyond happy to share my product with the world.

By Hollis in 2016

Since then, I've sold more shirts, released new products, and learned more than ever. By Hollis is being represented in almost every state in the United States. Photos are being sent in every day of BH Boys and Girls in their shirts. If someone told me By Hollis would be where it is now when I was 14, I wouldn't believe it. 

A few BH Boys and Girls in their #ByHollis

And there's no stopping. 2016 will be a big year for By Hollis, and I cannot thank you enough for riding the wave with me on this journey. 

As Estée Lauder once said, "I never dreamed of success. I worked for it."

Thank you for reading. :-)

Xo

Hollis

Saturday Style: Winter Edition

Hello BH girls and boys! Thanks for stopping in :-) Today's post is all about the top fashion for winter, featuring some of my friend's school looks, celebrity stylings, and my latest winter purchases. 

The past few winters in PA have started in October, but last week was 60 degrees! We were having a major warm streak. I can't complain, but this season is skiing and snowboarding time for my area, and we're still snow-less! :( Winter has FINALLY started to kick in this past week, and inevitably this felt like a perfect time for a cold season post.

1. THE Coat

The ultimate winter piece for a dazzling look and never-ending warmth is a coat. Everyone needs their own ideal coat to fit their personality, body, and spunk. Luckily I get help from an expert, my mom, who self-diagnosed herself with a coat addition (Not even kidding, we have 4 closet areas devoted to her coats). On our last shopping trip, I found a coat that I absolutely adore. A Lucky Brand charcoal coat is my pick!

2. Suede Over-The-Knees

One of my favorite purchases were black suede over-the-knee boots. Celebrity style from Ariana Grande, Kourtney Kardashian, and more inspired the buy, and their are so many ways to rock them. If you're looking for a new winter shoe, jump all over these!! You won't regret it. 

3. Oversized Everything

The go-big-or-go-home trend is back, and I hope it never "goes home"! The cozy yet cute look can be achieved with a sweatshirt, flannel, or, my favorite, a BH Signature Tee (I'm currently wearing a 2XL and loving it)! I also like to tie up my oversized tee's in the front for even more flair. Throwing a big flannel overtop completes the look.

4. Vest for the Win

This Christmas, one of my favorite gifts was a navy blue vest from my parents. It was ideal to complete any long sleeve look! Pair with a slicked back pony and cute booties, and you're golden. My friend Cassie was killing it in a black vest, I just had to snatch a blog pic. :-)

5. B&W for Life

Black and white is my favorite color combo, and I would be surprised with myself if that ever changes. The classic and sophisticated look complements everyone. My latest B&W buy was a (no surprise) oversized flannel. I never want to take it off! I'm planning on wearing it with my over-the-knee boots soon for a pulled together, effortless look. Avery was stunning in a B&W ensamble the other day, and she finished it with a bold orange coat. Love it.  

"Fashions fade, style is eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent

Thanks for reading! Enjoy your weekend in style.

Xoxo

Hollis

Saturday Style: Christmas Ugly Sweater Bunco White Elephant Cookie Exchange Party 🎄🍪🎅🏼

Say this week's Saturday Style five times fast... Lol! Last night I invited a few of my girls over for a little Bunco night. Bunco is an all-time fav party game of mine. My friends and I get so into it! Bunco is a dice game that you count points, move from table-to-table, and have a winner and "the biggest loser" prize. Here are some highlights of the night, starting with the girls! 💋 

The girls arrived ready to party! Check out these sweaters... 😍 

Now for some sweater close ups! ✨ 

I adored Hannah's sweater... She told me it was her mom's from the 70's! Love it. 

My goofiest friend... Grace, or as most people know her as, @gracethemilkman. I can't begin to explain her, all I know is that she could the Grinch laugh! And yes- her sweater lights up.

Speaking of lights... Check out Drew's necklace!  

Now onto the food...  

Hot Chocolate Bar! :-)  

Our chilled drink of the night... Mock champagne! 🍾 So easy and delicious, takes ginger ale, chilled white grape juice, and raspberries. Add festive straws and you're golden.  

Talk about yummy... Chocolate dipped everything.  

Bunco time!! 

This was one of three tables set up.  

The basketball gals arrived! 🏀 

Overall the party was such a success, but no party is good without great friends. 💞 

Thanks for reading! 

Xoxo

Hollis

New York City 2015 Film

In the famous words of Alicia Keys, "New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of!" Here's a quick video highlighting my latest trip to The Big Apple. Enjoy! Xoxo. 

Saturday Style: Homecoming 2015

Happy Saturday! A week ago was my high school's homecoming, and I HAD to share my group's looks with you all. Here they are :-)

For starters, here is how my homecoming look came to be. I first tried my dress on last July during our visit to California. I LOVED it! In July, though, homecoming was a long ways away, so I decided to wait. 

A few months later I found it on Nordstrom, and got it right away. ;-)

Here's the dress when I originally tried it on in San Louis Obispo, California. Halston Heritage, $445.00

Here's the dress after it arrived in the mail! :-)

Next up, the shoes! It took a while to decide whether to wear this dress simply, straighten my hair, and be very subtle with this look. I took the opposite route, and went with a more edgy style, and it all started with the shoes! 

I'm obsessed with them. I bought them and walked around the house for a few hours, feeling good! Sam Edelman, $78, I believe... I lost the receipt! 😬

Next up... Hair and makeup!! I went for a natural look with the makeup, and I loved it. My hairdresser did it, along with my hair, and she did a great job. Below are the inspiration pictures and final look. My favorite element was the lipgloss. MAC Lustreglass in Beaux, $15.00.

Finally it was homecoming! Below are some of my favorite pictures of the night. 

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed today's Saturday Style :-)

"Nobody ever looks back on their life and remembers the nights they got plenty of sleep." -Unknown

XOXO

Hollis

The Friday Five: Bringing it Back

Hello! After a long summer, it's officially time to bring back the BH Blog, and what's better to start off the blog than with a Friday Five featuring this week's best?

1. Fall Florals 

This is my friend Hannah Hetrick, aka one of the coolest people you'll ever meet. Her whole family has a distinct vibe that can make anyone feel cool. As soon as I saw her in this outfit, she heard, "can I take a picture for my blog?!?" Her florals were up-to-the-minute and totally chic, especially with her use of the yellow sweater! And the Birkenstocks... Love them!  

Side Note: My pair of Birks that I bought this summer definitely makes my list of favorite shoes, I absolutely love them. Once you buy a pair, it's like you're part of one big Birkenstock family that obsess over each other's sandals.

2. The Beachy Bedhead

Introducing the new hairstyle of fall, mixing the natural look of beachy waves (who says summer hair has to end?!) and casualness of the bedhead look.  To sport this style, braid your hair into two French or Dutch braids, and sleep on it. This can be done on wet or dry hair, depending on how fast your hair dries, I usually braid my hair once it's around 70% dry. In the morning, take out your braids and grab a hair wand! Curl the front pieces of your hair away from your face, and then do the same to around 5 pieces in the side and back of your head. When I do this, my wand is heated to around 380 degrees, and I curl each piece for about 8 seconds. Try this for yourself and love it!! 

3.  Peach Cobbler For Days

My favorite dessert for fall is, no surprise, peach cobbler! My mom has a secret recipe that's too good for words, It's super easy though, and delish to the max! Try it à la mode for the best results. 😉 Many peach cobbler recipes can be found online! Take one, experiment, and make it your own. Now you have a secret recipe!! :-)

4. Jeans 'n Buttons

This is my friend Morgan, and just like Hannah she has a quality that makes her... well... her!! That is her humor. Always count on her for a laugh, whether she says something funny or you just look at her! (Haha kidding Morgan!!) I certainly did smile, though, at her outfit above! Talk about BH blog style! Ripped jeans are still in, and honestly I hope they never swing out of style. And we can't forget the loose button down shirt! I totally adore! 

5. Art Project... Check!

For my final Friday Five, I thought I'd share a pic of my art project with everyone! This project requirement was a still life with a story. I wanted a beachy theme, so I went with a vintage Coke bottle, shells, seagulls, and more! We also could choose any medium, and people say you can't draw with mechanical pencil. I wanted to test that! So below is my beachy still life drawn entirely with mechanical pencil! 😄

"Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody." -Kid President

Thanks for reading! Have a fabulous weekend 😘

Hollis 😎 

The Friday Five: California 2015

About a week and a half ago, my mom, sister, and I flew out to Palm Springs, California. After my sister competed in Nationals, placing 4th overall (Woo Hoo!), we drove up to San Luis Obispo for a few days to visit family. Along the way, I captured moments via my iPhone that I HAD to share! 

1. F🍩🍓D

I figured it would be best to start with the best! During this trip I've eaten all of my favorites, and I attempted to pull out my camera and snap a pic before I totally devoured them!

The BEST steak and fries. Ever. This was eaten 2 miles up a mountain in the Palm Desert, after we road the Palm Springs Aerial Tram. Such a fun experience... More about it below :-) 

This was also a favorite of the trip... Fix café. A warm apple and strawberry crêpe filled with Dulce de Leche. My mouth melted and I finished it in less than 5 minutes. The whole vibe of the café we ate at was stylish.. The waitress came to get my plate and said, "Hey you're part of the clean plate club.. Haha!" 

Our hotel in Palm Spings had this great Napoleon style pizza, which is pizza with a more burnt crust than normal. Usually I'm not a fan of crispness, but it was SO good!

Once we arrived in San Luis Obispo with my crazy cousins, we went to a little farm down the road. Cutest place ever! They had so much... I got an Oreo rice Krispy treat and sweet corn on the cob. (Weird combo, but it was good!) We also got some fresh berries and peaches, and above is Moses indulging in some juicy raspberries!  

This was a little bakery in downtown San Luis Obispo called Scout bakery. Everything about it was slick and cool. The whole café was accessorized in forest-like decor. Giant pinecones and forest green stools. I loved everything about it, from the straws in glass bottles to the brick walls behind coffee themed nick-nacks.

Yes... Another crêpe! This time it was a Nutella-strawberry crêpe eaten at the Farmers Market of San Luis Obispo. Their market is much different from ours back home... Not only is it outside, but every Thursday night the Main Street of the town was blocked up and it was much like a fair! Food trucks and tents were everywhere, with great shops behind them. I also got a killer burrito that night :-) 

My final food picture of the trip were these delish macaron cookies. The top one is a vanilla flavored cookie sporting a Fourth of July color scheme. The bottom one is my favorite flavor- Rose. (Yes, there are flower flavored cookies! And it was one of the best ideas ever thought of!)  

2. Nature 🌲🌸🌴  

I absolutely adore Palm trees! Here are some more rad pics of the trees :-) 

Ok so this isn't exactly nature... Buuuttt it is the outdoors! This was the pool at our Palm Springs hotel. 

Who doesn't love a good sunset?  

This picture was taken on the ride down the Incline at the Palm Desert. Flip your screen and admire :-) 

Before boarding the Incline

I wanted to share another picture of Moses climbing in his treehouse! He always says, "let's have a paw-tee (party)," and leads me up to the tree house. So cute. I'll miss this guy.  

This was taken in Palm Springs.. The mountains were outrageously beautiful. 

3. Animals, Animals, Animals!! 

There were so many animals involved in this trip- here are a few of them!

Here's Iris holding the bunny - his name is Snuggles. Moses goes around saying the bunny is his son- Lol!

Here we are at the animal farm feeding the llama! 

They also have a bearded dragon! 

Moses and the turkey! 

That is only a few of the many animals from this trip! The kids also have 2 pet cats, 1 dog, a boatload of chickens, and an occasional rattle snake! 

4. Our Days on the Town(s)

We spent many days checking out different towns across California! Here are some pictures... :-)

Bubble gum wall- San Luis Obispo, California

Iris rocking her new shades- Avila Beach, California

Entranceway so cute that I had to take a picture- Avila Beach, California

Gelato!!!- Pasadena, California

Candy Store- Pasadena, California

5. Miscellaneous

 For the pictures that don't exactly fit in a category... :-)

Iris and her limited edition BH tee. 

Crazy kiddos at the animal farm. 

Iris and I on the patio. 💜 

Sleepy heads after a long day at the beach. 

Moses on his favorite bike... He's such a goof ball!! 

Ashton and her teammates at Nationals for gymnastics. 

Picture 2 miles up!!! 

Moses loves Twizzlers! 

River is a skateboarding champ! He also surfs. Such a talented kid. ❤️ 

We did a lot of shopping out there.. And I joined the Birkenstock gang. They're the best shoes, and they are crazy comfy. I suggested joining ;-) 

It was a fun getaway, but I'm definitely ready to go home and see my dad, brother, and friends. 

  “Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” -Ibn Buttuta

Thanks for reading!! Happy 4th of July. Flying home in the morning :-)

-Hollis

The Friday Five: Almost Done

What a crazy week. But good news.. It's finally Friday!!!! Our district is still in school for another week, but even if you're out of school, here are some tips to help survive the rest of the year while preparing for a summer to remember.

1. Movie Time!!!

With so many finals ahead, you need some  but time to de-stress. Gather your friends, and go see Pitch Perfect 2. Some of my friends and I saw it this past weekend, and it is the best. I was laughing the whole time, and that's not an exaggeration! Definitely a classic.

2. Feel Good with Exams

I hate to say it, but to feel your best with the tests ahead, studying should be in the picture. But remember, don't making your studying pointless, it's a waste of your time! If you set aside time to study, use it well. I suggest making flashcards, or taking notes to get the concepts in your head. Whatever the case, you probably won't regret it during the test!

P.S. I feel your ultimate best, make sure to drink plenty of water! 

3. Rearrange

Revive your life with a little room de-clustering and rearranging. Start fresh! Grab a trash bag and get rid of all the things you no longer need in your space. Organize your baskets, bins, and everything in between. 

Want a real challenge? Go through your closet. Make piles of clothing you're keeping, you're putting away for winter, you're donating, and clothes that just cannot be saved (aka trashing it!!). Once you have your piles, arrange them in you closet. Do so in a way that best suits your routine. Your favorite T's? Put them in an easy to reach place, along with all your other summer essentials. 

One of my personal favorite ideas is to get a jewelery dish. I have so many bracelets, but I only wear around 10 of them. Grab a dish and put your bracelets, earrings, etc on them for a cute display and easy access! This simple room refresher will leave you feeling accomplished and ready for summer.

4. Quotes to Motivate 

These quotes are some of my favorites...

5. Go Do

A goal for me this summer is to put my phone down. I find myself on it so much, and I just want to stop the Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest (Okay, maybe not the Pinterest) and live. If you're feeling up to it, go put your phone down and simply go do.

Thank you for reading, and good luck to anyone with upcoming finals!! 💜

-Hollis

The Friday Five: My Week in Pictures

"Can I take a picture of you for my blog?"

I say this line a few times every day. There are so many different personalities and styles at my school, and I love to capture them on camera. Below, you'll find some pictures and personalities I've had the pleasure to witness this past week. :-)

1. Peppy and Preppy

 Can we all admire my friend Drew's classic and classy style? Perfect for spring.

Keep an eye out for more of her on By Hollis!! 

2.  Beautiful Boho

My friend Kylie wore a shift dress the other day.. Love it!! 

These earrings pulled it all together, and her hair is gorgeous. Festival style? I say yes! 

3. Fierce and Flawless

You've seen Avery before.. She's back, with her effortless style, yet again. Her pink undershirt is a perfect pair with her jacket.  

Along with that, light pink is in.  I've been seeing it lately.. And loving it!!

4. Henna Hands

Thank goodness for Snapchat capturing this... While waiting for our high school's baseball game to start, I grabbed some markers and went crazy on my friends hands! 

5. Pretty Polka Dots

This is my friend Binh-An, and let me tell you she's the sweetest thing. I've known her since elementary school, and she used to wear a dress to school everyday. Now she wears jeans, and an occasional dress to keep the tradition going!

I'm obbsessed with black and white polka dot anything.  

I mean.. Look at my homecoming dress. 

I'm on the right, and on the left is my friend Klea!! 

Anyways, I saw Binh-An in polka dots and HAD to take a picture!! 

'Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.' -Rachel Zoe

Thanks for reading!! 

Hollis