Blooming Monday: City Girl to Cowgirl to Roots

Some stories unfold in chapters so different, they almost feel like separate lives. Mine has always felt a little like this: city girl, cowgirl, and finally a return to my roots.

I spent my childhood and early adult years in Dundalk, Maryland, from 1967 to 1993. Dundalk will always be part of me. It’s where I was raised, where my earliest memories live, and where that first version of me: definitely more city girl than cowgirl: learned how to move through the world. If you’re one of my Dundalk friends reading this, you already know there’s a certain grit, humor, and heart that comes from growing up there. It stays with you.

Then in 1993, life carried me west to Arizona, and that chapter changed me in the most beautiful way. Somewhere between the open skies, the horses, the dust, and the blazing desert sunsets, the city girl in me made room for a cowgirl. Arizona was not subtle about it either. It wrapped me up in terracotta earth, sage green brush, cactus silhouettes, and those fiery evening skies that make you stop whatever you’re doing just to stare. I fell hard for the desert, and honestly, I never got over it.

If you’ve been following my journey at Abood Elegant Journeys, you’ve probably seen pieces of all of those chapters tucked into my work. And then, in 2009, I moved to Radford, Virginia. That move was not about reinvention. It felt more like a homecoming. A return to something older, deeper, and deeply personal. My family’s roots in Virginia go back hundreds of years, and I am a direct descendant of Pocahontas. So while Arizona shaped my spirit in such a vivid way, Virginia holds a heritage that runs through my bones.

From Dundalk City Girl

There is something special about where you begin. Dundalk gave me my first sense of home, my first stories, and probably a little of the wit I still carry around today. It was a different landscape from the ones that came later, but it taught me how to notice people, moments, and meaning. Looking back, I can see how even then I was drawn to the idea of memory: how places leave their fingerprints on us.

That feeling shows up in the way I create handmade nature jewelry now. I have always loved the idea that something small can carry so much emotion. A flower, a color, a shimmer of resin: sometimes the tiniest things hold the biggest stories.

To Arizona Cowgirl

Arizona was the chapter that expanded my soul. From 1993 to 2009, I lived in a landscape that felt bold, sun-warmed, and gloriously alive. That is where I truly connected with horses, western life, and the raw beauty of the desert. It was also where I learned to love contrast: delicate blooms against rugged ground, soft petals under a blazing sky, beauty surviving in harsh conditions.

That desert love still pours into everything I make. I reach for warm golds, sunset pinks, dusty purples, and rich earthy tones without even thinking about it. Arizona taught me that beauty can be strong, untamed, and a little wild around the edges. That lesson never left.

And Back to Her Roots in Virginia

When I moved to Radford in 2009, it felt like life was circling back in the most meaningful way. Virginia is not just where I live now. It is part of my family story, stretching back through generations. Knowing that my roots here run so deep: and knowing my connection as a direct descendant of Pocahontas: gives this place a profound sense of belonging.

Living here has also given me a different kind of inspiration. Virginia’s softness balances the desert’s intensity. The woods, the gardens, the river, the changing seasons: they all invite a slower kind of noticing. And that is where so much of my pressed flower jewelry begins. My work now feels like a conversation between all three chapters of my life: the heart of Dundalk, the soul of Arizona, and the heritage of Virginia.

Capturing the Heart: The Preservation of a Moment

There is something deeply sacred about preservation. To take a living, breathing flower: a symbol of a single moment in time: and transform it into a piece of botanical jewelry is an act of love. It’s about stopping the clock.

I often think of my jewelry as small, wearable stories. This heart-shaped resin necklace, for instance, features a deep violet pressed flower that feels like a "warm hug" for the soul. It’s glossy, vibrant, and completely one-of-a-kind. When you wear it, you’re not just wearing a necklace; you’re carrying a story of nature’s quiet strength.

My process is slow and deliberate. I believe that anything worth making is worth making with intention. I carefully select each bloom, ensuring it’s at the peak of its beauty before I begin the pressing process. From there, the flowers are set into high-quality resin, creating a resin flower necklace that is as durable as it is delicate.

Lightweight Beauty for the Modern Journey

One of the things I pride myself on at Abood Elegant Journeys is that our pieces are incredibly lightweight. I know that as we move through our busy lives: whether we’re riding horses, tending to our pets, or just navigating a Monday morning: we want jewelry that feels like a part of us, not a burden.

Our sunflower pendants and floral dangles are designed to be worn all day. They are airy and comfortable, yet they make a bold statement. Because each piece is handcrafted, no two are ever exactly alike. When you choose a piece from our collection, you are choosing something that was made specifically for you, with a personal touch that mass-produced jewelry simply can’t replicate.

The Sunflower: A Symbol of Loyalty and Light

Sunflowers have a special place in my heart. To me, they represent the ultimate "Blooming Monday" spirit. They are loyal to the sun, always turning their faces toward the light. In my handmade nature jewelry collection, the sunflower is a staple. It’s a piece of sunshine you can wear around your neck, a reminder to keep looking for the light even on the greyest Radford mornings.

Whether it’s a miniature sunflower head or a single golden petal, these pieces feel like the perfect symbol of my own journey. They carry a little city grit, a lot of desert sunshine, and the steady comfort of deep Virginia roots. City girl to cowgirl to roots: somehow, the sunflower says it all without being the least bit dramatic about it.

Why Botanical Jewelry Matters

In a world that often feels fast-paced and disconnected, pressed flower jewelry offers a way to reconnect with the natural world. It invites us to slow down and appreciate the intricate details of a leaf or the soft curve of a petal.

I invite you to explore our latest botanical collection. Each piece is a celebration of individuality and the unique journeys we all take. Whether you are mourning a loss, celebrating a new beginning, or simply treating yourself to something beautiful, I hope my jewelry brings you a sense of comfort and connection.

A Heartfelt Thank You

I’m so grateful to share this full journey with you. From Dundalk, to Arizona, to Radford, every chapter has left its own color on my heart. And somehow, all of those places now live together in the pieces I create at Abood Elegant Journeys.

Thank you for being here with me, for taking this walk through memory, heritage, and a little desert dust. Whether you knew me as the Dundalk city girl, the Arizona cowgirl, or the woman who returned to her roots in Virginia, I’m so glad you’re here. I hope this post reminds you that our stories do not have to be neat to be beautiful. Sometimes they bloom in chapters.

With love, laughter, deep roots, and a touch of desert sun,

Katie

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Explore More from Abood Elegant Journeys:

• Discover the stories behind our Western Heritage Treasures.

• Learn about the art behind each piece and our commitment to quality.

• Read about our love for animals in the Caturday Chronicles.