Yay, it's Friday!

Happy Friday to everyone, glad it's the weekend!  I have a special treat coming up next week, as the lovely Haley- one of the special Maui bride's I've worked with- is graciously allowing S&S to feature her gorgeous Hawaiian wedding!  The details, the colors, and the emotions captured truly should not be missed.  Click on by next week to check out this beautiful affair!

Photographer credits: Shawn Starr

Freckles

Growing up, I was not a fan of my freckles.  I thought they were weird and felt they should be covered up.  I had envy for those girls with golden tan skin who could wear shorts when it was cold and have perfect looking legs rather than pasty legs with goosebumps and little freckles all over them.

As I've gotten older, I've embraced the freckles.  I think a turning point was when I met my husband (almost 12 years ago) who complimented me all the time on how beautiful I looked.  I thought "if he thinks I'm beautiful with these freckles, they must not be too bad."  Before we got married, I decided to work with a professional photographer to take photos for him- boudoir photos if you will.  While looking back through them recently, I noticed several highlighting my freckles and I can gladly say they no longer bother me one bit.  Who would have known? 

Photo credit: Hazelnut Photography

Small shout out to the hubs, I could listen to "our" Coldplay song anytime, anyday!  We had our wedding video edited to this song and it will always remind me of our day.  Thanks booger, for always making me feel beautiful!

Love Naturally No. 3

S&S is frantically attemping to add new items to the shop, as we all love to see new things every now and then, right?  These attempts usually get put on hold when client's projects become priority, but when there is that little spare moment to finish a thought, I get it posted pronto.  The new Love Naturally No. 3 has that clean, yet vintage feel with a touch of sweet lace.  Are we loving the "LOVE"?

Found here

Speaking of love, just a few Etsy finds as of late that I'm also loving:

Awesome Coat

via LittleHouses

Island print

via TastesOrangey

Floral Scarf

via PrettyPennyDesigns

Comfy Style

Just a little follow up on those amazing clear recycled chairs posted last week- they are available in black as well!  Check out Canvas Home Store for some amazing designs.  I'm loving their slogan- Simple Sustainable Style.  If I could have one of each, I'd say "yes please".  Loving!  I was only able to see a handful of items at the trade show in LA, yet their web page offers loads more eye candy:

Recycled Chair in Black

Awesome pillows

Amazing Accessories

Fab textiles

Check 'em out here

Woooo Hoooooo

Happy Friday!!!

Photo via Sandwich

Hmmmm

Feeling a bit un-appreciated today about a few things.  Bummer.  I'll get through it and move right along.

Photo via google

Fresh

Photo via Peonies and Polaroids

Today is feeling like a fresh day, or at least I would like it to.  I have a hair appointment today after work, a much needed one.  I can't even admit how long it's been since I've had it colored or cut.  Embarassing, totally.  Why do I wait until I'm totally grossed out before making an appointment?  I should listen to hubs more often when he tells me to book an appointment.  I can't wait to get this this shizzy going and feel revitalized.

The only way this day could get any better would be sitting on the beach while being served ice cold water with mint garnish wearing a sweet J. Crew bikini.  Hmmmmm.  I'll settle for a hair appointment.

Official Baby Itch

Ok, I'll go right ahead and admit it that I guess I'm feeling the baby itch now.  Hubs and I are approaching our one year wedding anniversary and although we've discussed waiting until next year for children, I'm having a ball scoping out a wish list of must haves.

I've mentioned Suvi Ainoa's line before, but seriously people, you MUST check out her collection.  She's just launched her summer collection (stating it's a bit tardy, but that's the rebel in her- so cute)!  I've put these items on my must-haves for sure.  I love the simplicity of her designs, the natural materials and clean look.  I recently just discovered she lives in San Diego as well, who knows, maybe I'll run into designer Yanyan at Starbucks or the beach -or maybe not considering the last beach trip she had in her Maxi dress (read her blog here for some fun posts)!  Please check out her collections, they are so beyond stunning!  This woman needs to be featured on Martha!

And check out this top- LOVING!!!

Also, I'm loving these diaper bags from Pottery Barn Kids, so simple yet stylish.  Would I dare consider a white diaper bag?  Probably not, but the navy is pretty awesome too!

Also digging the new colors launched within Serena and Lily's fabric collection seen here- fresh and modern!

Gathering thoughts couldn't be more fun.  I anticipate it being even more exciting next year ;-)

Trade Show Wrap Up

This past week was the CA Gift Show in Los Angeles where the trade attends several booths at the Convention Center, as well as the LA Mart, to scope out new products.  They have everything from jewelry, to paper products, housewares, furniture, garden, children's goods, bridal, and more!  I attended with my boss for Interior Design and she ordered fun new things for the company.

Of course I had my phone in hand for the things that popped out at me.  Okay, now to set up this amazing chair, it was no less than absolutely stunning!  I showed hubs and he agreed we'd have them as dining chairs if we could afford it.  This chair was beautiful, a classic chiavari design with a modern twist made of clear acrylic.  Gorgeous!

Next were these amazing paper flowers.  They were just part of a vendor's display, but I found them gorgeous.  She wouldn't allow photos, but I figured since they weren't even related to the product she was selling (which were soaps), I would sneak in a few camera phone shots.  I LOVE THEM!  I want to make some for my office.

Finally were these amazing glass bulb light fixtures by Tade, a French line found here.  They were so clean looking, yet fun.  In the right space, they would be real statement pieces.

It feels good to be back home.  It was great to see the products we did and I would like to go back again to perhaps spend more than two days.

Go Go Go

I'm a bit busy, actually over the top busy! Today I will meet the one and only Debs for breakfast (our weekly routine which is usually Fridays except I'll be out of town so it's today)- making time for awesome people in my life is a must have, then off to work meeting with vendors and continuing the daunting task of helping open our new design showroom- that's driving to two locations people, then possibly back to the warehouse at work, then home to workout with hubs, somehow squeeze in dinner, off to help sis pick up a sofa before they move to Colorado (they HAVE to get this sofa before it's out of stock, and well, hubs has a truck to pick it up in), then home to work on Etsy orders before I leave for LA for business on Thurs. and Fri.   Did I mention I woke up tired?  Among it all, I miss spending time with my hubs- oh booger, can we do something awesome together this weekend?  Lots going on with work, I think a trip to Pizza Port or Cheesecake Factory may be in store, and maybe even a few hours at the beach??!  Would be nice.

Little blog will be quiet for the rest of the week, back to the norm next week!

xoxo

Dear J

Dear J Crew,

Can you please make something that I don't like , so that I won't be tempted to want to buy everything you offer.

Thanks.

Loving this

Dress Me Up

Browsing on over at Blustarfruit Jewelry has shown some amazing pieces lately!  I've had the pleasure of working with Sarah, creator and designer of Blustarfruit, on the tags for her company's packaging which she does a gorgeous job at pulling together. 

I'm so excited to be working with her again on a fab necklace she's creating for me:

Here are some additional amazing pieces she's recently added.  Those modern ribbon headbands are rockin- may have to get me one of those next!

Visit Blustarfruit's Etsy shop here

Happy Friday

Happy Friday and weekend, make it a great one!

Photo via Emersonmade

Press Here, Press There

I'm so amazed at how awesome it is to be connected with such rad people.  Opening S&S and working with people from all over the U.S., even internationally, has given me such a feeling of accomplishment even though S&S has only been open for 6 months.  Some clients, depending on the scope of work and detail in the order, become great friends through it all since we have constant communication and several back and forth revisions involved in an order.  When projects are completed, it's both a feeling of satisfaction that they will be receiving something they are pleased with, yet it's also a bit sad to no longer have that daily communication.  I've kept in contact with several clients to date and I can't wait for them to share their photos with me of how S&S was included somehow in their lives, even if it's just in a small way.

I'm proud to announce that S&S is getting out on the grid people!  Yipee!  Check out the following press:

Ashley King over at Ashley King Photography featured a vendor spotlight on S&S.  A fun interview on some things you may not know about myself and Sweet Peas and Seashells.  Read it here   Thanks Ash!!!  Check out her broad range of photography work involving childrens portraits, family photos, friends sessions, boudoir, and weddings/engagements.

Mouse over at the Souris Mariage has a nifty little S&S ad shining there on the right hand side of her blog, visit here.  Loving it, loving it!!!  And OMGosh, her blog is amazing- read on people, it includes a range of content including her own wedding planning and humor galore!

Estilo Weddings has partnered with S&S and is currently carrying select items including bouquet tags, table runners, and chair signs.  Be sure to check out the site here, as they will be carrying exclusive S&S designs that can only be purchased directly through their site.  This is such an awesome resource site for those planning their wedding, a must have to check out- even offering a personal shopper feature!

Press is exciting.  It makes me happy for S&S and blessed for the exposure that's already come about.  Thank you to those mentioned above, all the wonderful clients that truly make it happen, and my husband for understanding the time sacraficed to make S&S a reality, one that seems to be grabbing the attention of awesome people!

Eco-Friendly = Awesome

So I found some awesome flats, I mean, totally awesome.  Check these babies out:

Why are they so cool?  Well they're eco-friendly, the soles are made with recycled car tire tubes and designed with longevity and style in mind.  Hard to find these days with fashions turning over so quickly to have something made to last, and in a pair of flats, that's just what I would be looking for.  Loving the aqua blue color as well!  I found them here at Extraseed's Etsy shop.  I'd love to get a pair, although the largest size they sell is a 9, boo for my big fat large size 10 feet.  They are still amazing to look at!

Holiday Day- Off Envy

Back to work while everyone else I know is off work today.  Feeling "blah" about it.  Boo.

On the other hand- Etsy is moving along wonderfully- thank you clients for all your support and love!  You know I'd love for S&S to be the official "work" for me, wouldn't that be amazing??!  No blah days would be spoken of.  Maybe.  Someday.

Happy Holiday

It's Friday- heck yes, and a holiday weekend.  No extra days off work for this woman, but spending the 4th is looking exciting:  A 5K run early in the morning with hubs and sis, then the big veg-out over at Mom's with BBQ, some laying out by the pool, and a whole lotta nothing.  Sound's like a well-deserved day off to me!  And for those who have Monday off work as an extended holiday- no fair!  Enjoy your 4th- have a safe and happy one!

Photo via Google

Caramel Cravings

I love caramel.  Love it.  Seeing this photo reminds me that I need to buy some more stock for the house.  Yum.

Photo via katherymnd on Etsy