/ T H E S E D A Z E /

A virtual look book of The Hive's collaborative photoshoot.

Use the arrows to slide across collections.

Editing By: Ashley Mata

Photography By: Tyler Hawotte

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Photography and Editing By: Efflorescence Photography

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Photography by: Kaity Widmeyer

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Editing By: Delia Cadwallader

Photography By: Tyler Hawotte

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This photoshoot started as an idea of incorporating fur and texture into collective looks that bring out personality. The ultimate goal was intermixing what feels comfortable with what feels daring. This shoot was a learning curve for me to let go, allowing open collaboration and styling by all faces present. Our initial idea was aimed at a sensual, warm, cozy fur feel and began unfolding into the mixing and matching of fur and fabric.

From this experience, I've learned how I'd like to organize the next photoshoot in order to more clearly portray a chosen theme and mood. Everyone who came out used the space in their own way, taking their own freedoms to express unique and personal perceptions of feelings into pictures. I noticed how some took this freedom with absolute glee, enjoying the opportunity for endless possibilities, while others saw this freedom as a challenge, and hoped for more guidance and direction in order to project the best representations of themself.

I recognize the privilege of this experiential learning as well as the great honor of hosting creative collaborations, where we can continue to gain more understanding of the process and refine how we conduct the next shoot. Our goals are to continue inviting creatives to create, and work on offering a more comfortable atmosphere, as well as learning how to polish the holes of our organizational methods. This is the reward of starting something new: we get to reflect and improve as we go!

I enjoyed making participants feel captivating in a look they would typically dare not wear in front of others. Surprising someone with a picture revealing a beauty they hold is such a treat. I learned sometimes it doesn't matter if a look fits the mood board or not, the way someone holds themself can speak a wonder for itself. This is the beauty of capturing confidence. Playing with new textures, color ways, poses- it's all part of exploring and getting closer to self. Finding new angles and viewpoints unseen, without the help of another's perception, reminds us that reality is not fixed, and the way one presents their innermost self can be fluid.

For our next shoot, I plan to assign pairs of directors in charge of outfits, hair/makeup, model positioning, photography and set design with a future goal of creating a glossy publication. The Hive is my space, it's our space, for everyone present to gain experience and practice within a culture of love and support, no matter what aspect of the process you are part of.

So, with this, I invite you - and encourage you - to get playful. Try new ways of expression, maybe shock yourself with a new presentation. This past year was filled with reflection and growth both politically and in the eyes of justice. There is still work to be done in me, as is in you. What we might have accepted last year may now be unacceptable, and that is change worth celebrating. Let's choose to celebrate the things we might have never deemed as important until living out These Daze.

-Delia Cadwallader

Coeur d'Femme: a local podcast for the femme perspective

Image: Efflorescence Photography

“Communication is key".

We hear this phrase often. This is a concept most properly functioning humans understand. It is common knowledge. How do we work things out? First, just talk about it! If we are so sure of the necessity for communication, why is it so damn hard to practice and implement in our valued relationships?

Connection drives humanity; the desire to relate to someone outside ourself is an essential human need. Whether that connection be to others, through relationships, community, spirituality, sports, politics, nature, etc, or with ourselves, we all - at some time or another - seek expansion.

Ego can get in the way of our communication, prompting a retreat in fear or the licking of a wound after argument. Pain can debilitate a willingness to listen and work through issues to find resolve. Pride can stunt an interest to learn how to disagree and remain in connection.

We know communication is key to keeping the door of our heart and mind unlocked and open for connection; we know it's easier said than done. But, we must also know, and truly believe, that connection is attainable and achievable. It's just laborious. And it's just remaining hopeful.

Women know something about labor. We know this shit is gonna hurt, we know sometimes we just don't feel "ready" but too bad, so sad, on with the show. We know there's a chance things could go horribly wrong along the way - that one of us might not come out alive - and we also know that we could be holding something new, some treasure, while feeling damn proud of the work we have done to bring it forth. We know insurmountable fear, we know insane pain, yet we continue to practice the art of moving forward in the process.

We must remember this when faced with the challenges of communication. Listening through pain is possible. Seeking to understand while sitting in pride is possible. The next step reveals itself after you've taken the first. Expanding and strengthening connection is not free, and it often costs us something we are not willing to let go of.

Image: Efflorescence Photography

If you’ve spent some time here as a femme in North Idaho, no doubt you've witnessed the hazardous cocktail of binary thinking (right/wrong, this/that, either/or) and poor communication. Maybe you've noticed the increase of disagreements with a decrease in desire to talk carefully about it to protect connection. North Idaho is absolutely capable of being a gracious host to all walks of life, and we hope to help elevate and strengthen crucial conversations to reveal who we really are as a community. We must practice talking through the issues we are most divided on. It's the only way forward. It is the key.

With that, we are thrilled to announce the creation of a new platform, a fresh opportunity for the femme perspective to speak and be heard. It is our honor to host The Hive's new podcast:

Published by Speak Studios Coeur d'Alene, hosted by Tiana Simmons and Melinda Cadwallader.

Let’s just talk about it.

Communication is fluid, not fixed. And where it goes, we won’t always know. But if we learn to trust the transformative energy of dialogue, we can grow more and more comfortable engaging in it - especially through those difficult, but necessary, conversations. Our vision for this podcast is to pass the mic to femme voices in North Idaho in order to present a more accurate and well rounded perspective in a deeply patriarchal town. Because we matter, you matter, and that’s a matter of fact.

Image: Efflorescence Photography

Topics will include: sex, religion, politics, intimacy, education, trauma, inequality, cancerous behaviors and the work of unlearning dysfunction. You know, all the issues you were told not to talk about. We believe in discussing issues, not people, and will remain clear with how we share experiences. Our stories are valid and deserve to be heard, but it's behaviors, not specific people or their businesses, that we will address and speak on.

This venture started in the heart and made its way out early fall 2020. Knowing NOTHING about podcasting, here we are, tinkering away at our ambitious pursuit, telling 2020 to suck it and blazing a trail for exposing the incredible opportunities of communication. Special thanks to Speak Studios for all the encouragement, support and technical education (we still have a long way to go - please be kind! LOL). And a huge thank you to Keilly of Efflorescence Photography who took our photos, as well as Madison of MDSN Design for our badass logo.

We are eager to connect with you and share the backbone of Coeur d’ Alene, the hearts and voices of womxn. You can find us on Spotify and on Instagram at @Coeur_dfemme. Are you ready to talk about it? We’re listening. Reach out if you have a topic or issue to discuss. Send us a message on Instagram or email us at hello@thehivecda.com.

Let's just talk about it. Let's see where it goes.

xoxoxo,

Tiana & Melinda

Image: Efflorescence Photography

Fresh Face: Tiana Simmons

In case you haven't already figured it out, The Hive is so much more than a coworking space for femmes. We are a hub for social dialogues, a nook for personal and professional development, a house for ambition and a launchpad for emerging creatives. One of our current pursuits is learning how to host a podcast. At first, the podcast was going to start up after we opened, however, since "plans" seem to have meant nothing to 2020 (RUDE!), apparently the time is NOW. And just when I began dreaming about what this next platform of The Hive could do for local femmes, I received a message from a beautiful soul asking about none other than: podcasting.

Enter Tiana. We met up for martinis, and while I was immediately captivated by her effortless beauty and warm demeanor - her presence and her words brought the light I needed to see clearly that we were supposed to do this together. And so, it has begun.

Now, we are in no way, shape or form, ready to launch our adorable name or provocative (ohhh yeah) episodes, as we are still learning and continuing to practice the art of it all, but we simply cannot wait to open the floor and pass the mic so "her" can be heard. So, without further ado, here is my friend, and The Hive's first podcast host, Tiana:

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Melinda: Introductions, please!

Tiana: My name is Tiana Ashley Simmons. I was told, growing up that the word Tiana translated to “the bloom of a flower,” or “beautiful flower,” in Hawaiian.

My mother’s family has strong roots on Maui, but I consider Coeur d’ Alene to be my hometown. I’ve lived all over the states throughout my travels and I’ve seen a lot of beautiful places, but this town has been home to more versions of me than any other, I suppose. Coeur d’ Alene has my mark on it. My parents met at The Iron Horse. My first kiss was at Sanders Beach. My history, Her Story, is here.

M: What do you love most about our gorgeous lake town, your sweet hometown, Coeur d'Alene?

T: Coeur d’ Alene is a work of art, in its entirety. Anywhere you go, there is something beautiful to witness, whether it’s a vibrant, moody sunrise over mountains that surround you, showing you colors you never knew existed, or all the common, human kindness I so regularly receive from passing strangers that you’d be shocked to find in any big city. It’s impossible to not find something breathtaking here, as long as you’re looking for it.

M: With all this beauty, what would you say is an opportunity for change in this area?

T: I believe, that the one thing this town needs most, is real growth and real perspective from the real people that live here. I think this town, actually I KNOW that Coeur d’ Alene is really, really good at hiding and downplaying events and even people that may give a black eye to this “perfect, safe, little lake town.” A majority of this town is scared of change, scared of different. This town deserves a platform to elevate the voices and experiences of people who can prove that change and acceptance of what may seem uncomfortable and unconventional now, may just be the best thing for the strength of Coeur d’ Alene’s truly diverse community.

M: Tell us what kind of music you are listening to right now.

T: My go-to will always be the oldies. Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, John Denver, Marvin Gaye, Billy Joel…. I could write you a list longer than your left leg. But my more modern tastes depend on my ever-changing mood. I could go from funky r+b, like Ama Lou, Sza, and Anderson Paak, to rap like Mac Miller, Tyler the Creator and yes…. Lil Wayne is definitely my guilty pleasure. There will also, always, be a huge part of me that deeply resonates with some good singer/songwriter, alternative folk music like Shaky Graves, Alabama Shakes, Alt J, or Hozier. Music is so important to me. These artists have carried me through some of the most important, transitional periods of my life.

M: Any good books you're reading?

T: Currently, I’m rereading (for the third time) Learning to Love: And The Power of Sacred Sexual Spiritual Partnerships by Victoria L. White and Shalom Melchizedek. This book is a short and easy read. I get something new from it every time I read it. It so effortlessly lays the foundation for the purpose of the relationship and how the love you have for yourself first, translates into how you love others who you intertwine with, intimately and spiritually, or in any other fashion.

M: Oh, yeah, that's so good! Love starts from the inside and moves outward! You just can't fake it! Ok, so let's shift to what I call the "One Word", where I give you a term of human development, and you say the first word that comes to mind. Ready?

T: Yes!

M: Spirituality:

T: Evolving.

M: Relationships:

T: Empowering.

M: Emotions/Feelings:

T: Fuel.

M: Education:

T: Limitless.

M: Physical wellness:

T: Mirrored.

M: Sexuality:

T: Curious.

M: What "good" are you most certain will come about from hosting this podcast?

T: I believe the podcast will highlight and uplift so many beautiful, and powerful perspectives from people who have felt like they didn’t or even couldn’t have a voice. This platform is going to show this town how diverse and colorful it’s guts really are by revealing and broadcasting healthy, and transformative conversations, conflicting and exciting experiences, an example of how all our differences can coexist, and even flourish, if we remain curious and kind.

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Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming podcast launch! With our media room being prepped for productions of all kinds, what could YOU like to create? Start a conversation with us at hello@thehivecda.com. ATTN: Podcast. Who do you want to hear from? What topics or issues would you like to talk about? We can't wait to hear from you!