Alana Sparrow Is Someone We Really Like
Image via Alana Sparrow
by The Candidly Team
Alana Sparrow is an art director, brand developer, event designer, and all-around enviously creative person. In fact, there’s almost nothing she doesn’t do, creatively.
Which is probably why she started her own creative agency, called The Foundry.
Alana’s insta feed is bursting with gorgeous, interestingly art-directed photos and captions that we actually sit and read all the way through.
We like Alana.
And we wanted to know more. So we asked her about essential oils and self-criticism and social media.
Like everything she does, her answers are thoughtful, nuanced, and creative.
The Candidly Questionnaire
1. In a word, what is your most compelling quality?
Resilience.
2. In a word, what is your biggest challenge?
Focus.
3. What kitchen tool do you use every single day and kind of can’t live without?
My handmade Suisin Damascus steel knife from Japan. It’s a kitchen game changer.
4. When do you feel most connected with yourself?
After spending about 10 days at the ocean. I naturally run a little hot and it’s most noticeable to me when I get to the water because I instantly feel my shoulders and neck soften upon arrival.
5. Are essential oils anything?
I have used essential oils since high school. I learned about them while working one of my first jobs at a health food store. But I’m not a worshiper. Mostly I use them in my bath routine, and find them to be very relaxing. A combination of lavender and lemon essential oil is my favorite. I like to soak wet wash cloths in that mixture, then put them in the fridge to have on hand as a refresher. I also use them to make my own mosquito repellant spray.
6. Do you struggle at all with boundaries? How?
Ah, boundaries. I struggled more when I was younger. I didn’t really have any boundaries because I didn’t know a person could do that. I grew up volunteering in Girl Scouts, Key Club, and the Kiwanis. All this volunteer work and philanthropy really exploded as I entered into the professional sphere and I found myself on countless boards, really over extended. I started making boundaries for myself in my 40’s out of frustration, though they were not always drawn particularly gracefully. I refined them over time, and now feel pretty comfortable with the boundaries I’ve set.
7. How do you dampen self-critical thoughts when they get too loud?
At this point in my life, I don’t hear them like I used to. I’ve come to know and love the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the ugly in myself. I’ve come to accept myself intellectually, physically and emotionally as I am. Not as a means to be lazy or as an excuse for my own ignorance, flaws, or bad behavior. But because I’ve come to know I am worthy of love regardless of any of those things. We all are.
8. Describe the most “you” outfit of all time.
My personal style is a mix of casual/tomboy, bohemian/eclectic, edgy, and glam. So a cuffed rugged denim pant, a romantic bohemian top, a lightweight army utility jacket, crossbody leather bag, chunky ankle boot, and statement necklace.
9. What meal can you make the hell out of?
I can make the absolute hell out of scratch green chili enchiladas.
10. What book has made the biggest impact on your life?
To Kill a Mockingbird.
11. Apart from family, what woman do you deeply admire?
I deeply admire the single mother.
12. Why does the word “feminist” get people so wound up?
Feminist/feminism is an ‘ist’ and ‘ism’ word which represents inequality. And typically for something unequal to become equal, people believe they have to give something up. In the world we live in, this looks like power, influence, impact, authority, control, economic opportunities, whether real or perceived. That can be very threatening to both men and women.
13. Which Insta account’s stories do you always tap through until the end?
I don’t do a ton of story tapping.
14. Do you think social media’s good qualities outweigh the bad?
In a way, I must think they do because I stick around. But I don’t know if I actually believe that to be entirely true. As humans, we’re apt to stick around in abusive and unhealthy relationships even for just scraps of connection, love and acceptance. But I think the cost/benefit of social media is wildly high and the more skin you have in the game, the more there is to lose.
I’ve noticed it with my account, which exploded organically from 300 followers of friends and professional colleagues to over 26K followers in 9 months. Considering the high number of followers I have, the percentage of negativity is remarkably low. But it’s crazy how one single comment among thousands can leave you feeling like you want to hit the delete button on the whole thing. Then late at night, I’ll find a gem hidden in my DM requests. A most heartfelt and thoughtful message from a complete stranger. Like many, my relationship status with social media is: complicated
15. What quote or phrase has really stayed with you?
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” —Maya Angelou
16. Do you have a phobia? How do you deal?
I have an irrational fear of bees. I deal with it by flailing, running, and even jumping out of moving cars if one is around. I did say irrational.
17. How do you feel about cilantro?
It’s an herb I’ve grown up on and absolutely love. But just like a beautiful perfume, if you use too much, it can overpower.
18. Describe, in detail, your perfect bedtime routine.
It will start with a charcoal face wash, a mask, serum, night moisturizer, and oil. I’ll follow this with some easy stretches for my back, legs, and neck. If it’s winter, I’ll have a cup of hot tea. If it’s summer, I’ll have an orange or some other fruit. I’ll also try to drink about 16oz of water.
19. What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever read on the internet?
I do love a good Buzzfeed dog blooper list.
20. What’s your relationship with bangs?
Similar to my relationship with social media: complicated
I’ve always really loved short doll bangs and have worn them many times. BUT it’s usually a nightmare from the moment they’re cut until a year later after I’ve grown them back out. Fun fact: I cut myself some doll bangs on a whim one Friday night. Then decided a little over a month later I was going to grow my gray out.
I had the ultimate nightmare doll bang-to-gray transition.
What is your single favorite:
Wellness product that *actually* works: Kratom has been amazing for my stress and anxiety.
Lip balm: Glossier Balm Dotcom.
Jeans: Imogene + Willy.
Mascara: Thrive Causemetics or I’ll use Stila’s liquid liner pen on my lashes.
Robe: I’ve been spying some at Karu Collection and The Cotton Company that I want to try.
Sex product: Überlube.
Last-minute gift: Vietnamese coffee.
Bra: Thistle & Spire, Kane V-wire Bra.
Shampoo: Prose for everyday, and Oribe Silverati and Oribe Bright Blonde for toning my silver.
Comfortable shoes: Beek sandals, loafers, and boots.
Splurge skincare: Tata Harper.
Drugstore skincare: At this point, I only splurge.
Everyday bag: Cirrus Backpack from Caraa.
Podcast: The Happiness Lab.
Drink: Vodka and aromatic tonic, twist of lime.
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We have to eat.
