My Darling Beaux
The night Bunzy died my heart shattered. I'd never known heartbreak like that; I still don't....
Oh My Lady Cat
Picture it: June 6, 2025. You're working from home and you hear a high squeal. Thinking it's a...
Nothing Breaks Like a Heart
"This world can't hurt you;It cuts you deep and leaves a scar;Things fall apart,But nothing breaks...
Health + Wellness
What’s Wrong With Body Positivity?
Photo by Dom Aguiar on Unsplash The roots of body positivity are pure. Queer, trans, and/or disabled BIPOC are worthy of celebration as much as their counterparts. Even if they don’t fit the European standard of “beauty," which is often skinny, tall, long blonde hair,...
Dieting is a Trap, So Why Do We Keep Doing it?
Last week, WW released an app aimed at children called Kurbo, for children 8 to 17 years old to help them “eat healthier and lose weight.” It was met by a plethora of reactions. Some said it’s a good idea to combat childhood obesity. Others, a lot of those who are...
How Running Goals Helped Shape My Business Goals
When I started running, I knew I had to have a purpose behind it. I’m not one to exercise for good health. Of course, it’s good for your health, but that’s boring. "Exercise because you should." Nah, I need more. So I made a decision to start running again with an...
My Body, My Enemy
Note: I wrote this post after a frustrating doctor's appointment. Storytime: I went to my primary care physician hoping to get a detailed thyroid test. It did not go well. She was rude, and I got so angry I walked out. Taking out my phone, I wrote this post just to...
Written with love.
Hi there, it’s Clarissa. FIVE12 STUDIO is a labor of love where I catalogue my thoughts in one place. I’m not trying to be anyone but myself: a complex multidisciplinary creative with ADHD, too many hobbies, and a crazy animal house. I love people deeply and believe in their humanity, and I hope this place allows you to feel that.
Professional Life
Growing at Alt: Five Reasons You Should Go
Imagine going to a paradise city where creative people gather for a week to learn from one another. Well, you don’t have to imagine, because that’s what Alt Summit did for me and thousands of others last week. In my second year as a speaker and attendee, I kind of...
3 Reasons to Use Pinterest for Business
In 2009 I started using Pinterest to post everything I loved. It didn't have an order, plan, or strategy. If I liked it, I put it on its appropriate board and kept it moving. But like most mediums, Pinterest transitioned from only personal fun to another piece of...
Why You Shouldn’t Hire an Expert
The end of the year always brings out the rehaul in all of us: Time to rehaul the website Time to rehaul the branding Time to rehaul the copy I get it because 2020 not only means the beginning of a new year but an entirely new decade. But before you call on the...
How to Get Comfortable in Front of the Camera
“I don’t like myself in front of the camera, so if you can make me look not awkward that would be great.” I laugh because I’ve heard this more than once. In fact, a lot of my clients over the age of 18 aren’t the biggest fans of being in front of the camera sans...
I Have… Thoughts
Nothing Breaks Like a Heart
"This world can't hurt you;It cuts you deep and leaves a scar;Things fall apart,But nothing breaks like a heart."Mark Ronson ft. Miley Cyrus Waking up feels heavy. Moving through the world feels heavy. No matter how much I try to limit my news intake, I can't get away...
Dance is Wonderful and Awful
This was first posted on my Substack, "The Slow Down, a Place for Friends," on October 8, 2023. Since then, I decided to stop using Substack and will be moving content to my site over time. When I was a cute little one, I loved dancing in the living room. The radio...
Fatphobia (Taylor’s Version)
Standing on the scale in the bathroom, the young woman hopes and prays for a lower number, but once it stops it’s not to her liking. She sighs in disappointment as the voice in her head says she needs to be more disciplined and restricted. It's me Hi I'm the problem,...
Vote, Dangit.
We’re less than a week away from a critical election, and there are people confused about who to vote for. On one hand, Biden wasn’t there first, second, or third pick. On the other hand, the current “president” is a White Supremacist. Decisions, decisions. I’m not a...
Welcome all!
If you found yourself here via Google, social media, or begging you with a link through DMs and text messages: welcome! The blog…well it’s a bit of everything. As a Jane of all Trade (or a Keke of all Palmers), it’s impossible to narrow down one topic, so I don’t. Glad you’re here!
Clarissa
The Archives
The Fundamentals of Building a Brand
Building a brand is exactly like building a house. Before you can have a brand that is shown to the masses, you have to build from the bottom. It’s pretty common to hear, “Your logo is not your brand,” because it’s not.
Dieting is a Trap, So Why Do We Keep Doing it?
At 8 years old you should be enjoying your childhood, not whether or not you’re good enough because of your body. That’s why the new WW app for kids is a terrible, horrible idea.
Life Lately
*Blows dust* Jesus, this is worse than Bunzy's go-to spot full of fur. Anyway, hey y'all. We're still in a pandemic two years later because no one knows what they're doing. At this point, this is the new normal. Unprecedented times my... One thing the pandemic has...
Skin Care That Doesn’t Break the Bank
Heads up: Affiliate links below. If you click and buy, I will receive a percentage. Any products I recommend are tested on me. All opinions are my own. Allegedly, Hailey Baldwin has a skincare routine that costs around $1000. Well, that's great for her but that is not...
Yes, You Can Shape Your Eyebrows
Growing and maintaining your brows is a necessity for me. If I feel a little busted, I go through my checklist of maintenance: Teeth brushed? Hair combed? Face washed? How ‘bout them brows? … Because we’re in the middle of a pandemic, though some of you are out and...
10 Life Lessons From This Week
After a hard week, it’s OK to sit back and reflect on the lessons you’ve learned.