you know how there are some people in the world that you wish you had more time to spend withbecause they absolutely fascinate you?well, considering that the world holds over seven billion people in it, I'd say that happens to most. ;)BUT, this girl.this girl has always fascinated me.besides her unbelievable beauty and fashion-sense,her love of education - more specifically - history and the ability to communicate in a unique andintelligent way were some of the first things that intrigued me about her.most people her age were seeking the immediate...the instant-gratification...the short-sell...but throughout these past three years, she has come out the other side of a long journeyand found herself in a purposeful place.

"where inspiration, knowledge and action coalesce."

professionally she is the Content Director for Belief in Seattle, Washington.what is Belief?"Belief drove the Wright brothers to turn bicycles into flying machines, and it compelled Mother Theresa to give the clothes off her back. Belief pushes us to dare, to sign the dotted line, to try that much harder, and to not give up the ship. It pulls us to our feet and drops us to our knees. It's why we pick up the pen, brush, or book, ever inspiring us to dream, learn, and do. It is belief — belief in it, us, we, and them—that makes all things possible.  Someone once said, “When you know who you are, you know what to do.” This is why BELIEF exists—to help our clients know who they are, to empower them to tell their own stories, and to guide them as they invite others to believe."but who is she to me?she is an incredibly creative person who fascinates me with how she see's the world andthe ability she has in how to communicate it.she's someone who knows she hasn't "arrived" but is driven in the search to find what makes her tick...to what lights her up.she's inspiring and admirable and she is this week's INSPIRATION | friday...meet, cali. :)***a HUGE thank you to Jake Chapman and the images he took of Cali...you're incredibly talented, THANK YOU!***

if you had to describe “you” in ten words, how would you describe yourself?

This is hard! I'd just go with nerdy, but here are a few more: transparent (to a fault!), attentive, particular, chatty, and intuitive.

what are the key things/people in life that "drive" you?

Beauty. I try and see and be inspired by the beauty in most things.

what lights you up personally on a daily basis?

Collaboration. I can't do what I do alone. I am at my most creative when working with a team.

tell me a little bit about some of the projects you've worked on the past couple years and what your vocation is now?

I'm a writer and a closet-photographer. I work at a creative agency and write all sorts of things. I take pictures on the side, but I'm a bit clumsy. I need to learn how to use my camera better, but I think I'm most happy behind the camera. I secretly wish I could be an urban street photographer and just walk around all day capturing city life.

what have been your favorite things you've worked on? why?

I recently wrote a voice-over narration for a short film. The film might never see the light of day, but the process—to write authentically for the character's voice—was incredibly rewarding. And it was a perfectly-time project that ended up being really therapeutic. I think it's the best thing I've ever written, and I'm a terrible critic of my own work...so that's saying a lot.

who/where do you look to for inspiration?

I spend a majority of my time reading. Books, articles, blog posts, advertising copy—all things. I draw a lot of inspiration from other great writers, people I aspire to think like and write like. Ta-Nehisi Coates writes for The Atlantic, and I am constantly amazed at his work. My favorite author of all time, however, is Edith Wharton. She wrote Age of Innocence, and that book...I can't even.

you've lived in a few places...what are your favorite places/restaurants/memories in these places?

I will always have a fondness for Gilbert, Arizona. It's my home. It's familiar and comfortable, and one of the few places where I never feel lost. I do love Seattle. It's an amazing city with an incredible art community and an abundance of good food and coffee, but you better believe my first stop when I'm home is Liberty Market. Give me some Schreiner's sausage and an iced coffee, and life is good.

what's your favorite inspirational quote?

From Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace: "But everything comes at its appointed time." (It's far more beautiful in French, though: "Tout vienta à son heure pour qui sait attendre." :)

favorite bands/concerts/songs to work out to? to relax to?

I have a very eclectic taste in music. I like most all things, except screamy music (like metal) and Kenny G-like jazz. Otherwise, I'll listen to and, and I'll probably like it.  *follow her on spotify...you won't be disappointed - cali elizabeth* :)

where would you escape to in the world if you could? why?

Barcelona. By far my most favorite city. The architecture is awe-inspiring, the food is incredible, it's near the beach, and the people are lovely. I kind of imagine myself living there one day.

where do you find your guilty pleasures? food, tv, etc...

Chocolate and french fries. I guess I don't really think of them as guilty pleasures. More like two things I will NEVER turn down.

do you have a collection? or do you want to collect anything?

I have a small tea cup collection. I used to spend summers with an aunt and uncle in the Berkshires, and on my last day my aunt would take me to the same vintage shop and buy me a tea cup and saucer.

if you were going to share encouragement/insight with someone just starting out in life, what would you share/tell them?

Be gentle with yourself.

brother’s/sister’s? where are you at in the birth order?

I have one younger brother, David. We are three years apart. He makes me crazy, but I love him more than I can even articulate.

are you OCD about anything or pretty chill?

OCD. I'm a bit of a clean freak. And I don't like wearing my shoes inside. The bottoms of shoes are the most filthy thing ever.

you're athletic and a soccer stud (still) :) do you still play anywhere?

I've played a little here and there since moving to Seattle. Nothing too competitive, but it's always nice to get out and kick the ball around.

something that is from your childhood, that not a lot of people know about?

Our family had what I'll call an open-door policy. For as long as I can remember we had people living in our home with us—a Cambodian family of eight, a pregnant exotic dancer, a German exchange student, two young boys who had previously been living in a car (the list is quite a bit longer, but you get the point).

what is a nickname(s) you've been called in your life?

Calzabeth, Calsey, Cali Cupcake

top three magazine’s/book's you would buy in a bookstore?

This is impossible for me to answer, because I cannot leave a bookstore without purchasing at least three books.

how many places have you lived in your life and where would you call home?

Massachusetts, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Washington—I think I've moved ten or eleven times, so I've lived in various places in all of these states. Gilbert, Arizona will always feel the most like home. I spent most of my life there. My family is there. My closet friends are there. I'll always be a Gilbert Babe at heart.

who have been the key-influencer's in your life? why?

My parents. I love them. Between the two of them I don't know a more compassionate and generous couple. I hope that every day I can be a little more like them.If you'd like to follow cali on social media or want to drop her a line you can find her here:Twitter: @calipitchelInstagram: calielizabeth_Email: calipitchel@gmail.com