MIA- No Longer

I've been away for a while, away from the blog.  I haven't gone  'away' anywhere- although I'd like to take a nice Summer trip or long vacation somewhere.  We had a quick trip to Colorado last month to visit my sister, but that was the extent of our travels.  No additional trips in the schedule this year.  Have you been traveling at all?

It's been almost a month since my last post........ sorry about that.  Life consumed our little lives more than ever this past month.  Both good and bad.  Sometimes when you try not to focus on the negative, yet unfortunate events keep cycling around, it becomes even tougher to remain positive and grateful.  I've tried to get back into painting to help ease the stress..........although my work in progress is taking so long to finish it may begin to stress me out soon, ha ha.  In any case, I'm still around for those who may still glance at the blog every now and then.  Hope you all are well!

xoxo ~M

Turning it Back Around

Back in the swing of things now- catching up on the blog, getting a bit up to date.  Etsy orders are still crankin along,  and life undoubtedly isn't going to stop- even when you know you could use a bit of extra down time.  Life is a little different lately.  I turned 30 a week ago and was not looking forward to it, not one bit.  Now that it's come and passed, I've embraced the 3-0.  I bought a new vehicle (long story there), had a nice weekend with my husband and family and my sister flew into town just for my birthday surprise- so awesome!  I was spoiled with lots of fun goodies- which I'll share later this week as they are just too sweet not to mention.  It's been a busy month, but a good month.

How are you all?  It's been a while.  I'll be poking around your blogs again soon enough!

I've been browsing some rad Etsy finds lately- is this dress and photo not amazing?  I would half expect it to be on a high end retail site- some Etsy shops have really stepped up their photography.  Love it!

via Story Book Vintage

Happy Monday.

Etsy- Are your favorites public?

This gifting idea is mostly Etsy related.  If you are and Etsy member, do you choose to have your favorite items listed publicly?  Personally I do.  I like to also view my friends favorite items, if we have the same taste, I know that most likely the things they save will be items that I will dig too.

And when you have really sweet friends (*insert- Margo)- they can get quite sneaky and look up your favorite saved items, surprising you with a gift they purchased from the very list.  SO SWEET!

I like to save both items and specific shops, always knowing they can quickly by re-visited come time to make a little purchase for a friend, a specific event, or to treat myself.  What's saved in your favorites?  I've also recently been following the same procedure on Pinterest when it comes to favorites.

Some recently saved favorites of S&S are:

via

via

via

Easing Back

Gosh, I guess I ate those words "be back soon".   Not soon enough I guess.  Things got a bit busy with work and orders, but I'm glad that they are easing into a much more manageable state so that I can get back to blogging more frequently and share all the exciting things that I still have to post!

Lately I've had a few friend's weddings pass (not ones I attended, rather Brides I've worked with on design elements) and I absolutely cannot wait to share photos when they get them back.  These are going to be some lovely events to share with you all.  Another sweet client has her Maui nuptials next week- another soon-to-be AMAZING wedding.  Best wishes to Jocelyn and Frederick!

I've been keeping on with Etsy orders (the usge).  I've also proceeded with the initial design plan for my Husband's Aunt and Uncle's beach pad, what an exciting process.  We just went over the initial Master Bedroom remodel designs and they were quite pleased with the plans and proposals.  This will be an amazing project- and my first outside of the design firm I work for- which makes it even closer to my heart that it involves family.

Aside from work, D and I have been on the down low.  I've been feeling a scratchy throat these past few days and I'm praying it wears off without full fledged sick status.  I'm enjoying the change in weather lately, feels much more Fall-like, and it puts me in a domestic mood.  Maybe I'll bake something again?!

I found the most delicious looking recipe earlier this morning while browsing, I think I may actually want to try my hand at it:

Pumpkin Spice Roll - recipe here

Don't these photos make you want to grab a bite right from the computer screen?  Good gosh!  I know now that I've posted this, Hubby D will hold me to it that this is a recipe must try.  

Happy Fall Everyone!

Olowalu Elegance

I had the pleasure of working with the lovely Elise a while back, for her gorgeous wedding at the Olowalu Plantation House in Maui, Hawaii.  I can now officially say that I've been to this location (as I commanded suggested to D that we stop by during our last vacay so that I could finally see this awesome place where so many brides say 'I do").  It's jaw-dropping, it truly is.  The late morning we stopped by, it was quiet, no events were going on, the sun was shinning, the water sparkled abundant of shades of turquoise, and it was a peaceful experience.  I now know why so many couples choose to hold their weddings at this special hidden location.

Elise contacted me for place cards, and I always jump at the chance to work with a Hawaii Bride!  Her wedding was featured on Destination I Do Magazine's blog here and I thought I'd share in the loveliness.  Congrats to Elise and Patrick!

To view more of this beautiful wedding, visit Matthias Photography

Loving New SC Banner

Shorely Chic has an awesome new banner available in her Etsy shop here:

Don't you love?  I think it's absolutely awesome.  I'm trying to build up enough courage to ask if she'll design a custom one to replace the words "the beach", with "Maui"  :) 

Randomness X

Wow, it's been a while since a "randomness" post, so why not bring it back  :) Great way to kick things back into gear on the good 'ol blog:

1.  I like to use the "window down, hair blow in the wind" method more than I should to air dry my hair.  Not the best of results, but call it lazy if you'd like.

2.  I'm one of those girls who can tolerate bumping Ludacris's "Rollout" while riding in D's truck, without getting offended.

3.  I don't care for the ease into Fall, I'd rather have a chill in the air and cold weather immediately, rather than a mild day, to a hot day, to an overcast day.  It all feels a bit off.

4.  We bought a new Nikon camera, and I still haven't read the manual.

5.  I don't like leaving the drain stoppers out of the sink/shower, I feel like spiders or creatures may crawl out of the drain.  Is that even possible?

6.  My husband does so much for me, more than he gets credit for.  He does things without being asked, takes care of things in all aspects of our marriage and household.  If he's reading this, I hope he's smiling and that he knows I love him more than anything!

C + J Real Wedding

Cristina is one of those Brides you know you're going to love working for.  As soon as she contacted me through Etsy, I knew we would hit it off well when I read her note the "The pink rose color is so important to get right, I think I'd like to send you a copy of our Save the Date so that you can be sure it matches."  Details.....details........details, if you get them right, you always have success.  A detailed girl after my own heart.  It was a pleasure working with you Cristina, and even more of a treat when I viewed the gorgeous photos from your lovely Villa wedding.  Congratulations to Cristina and Joseph- their one year anniversary is fast approaching!


S&S worked on table numbers, custom signage, dessert tags, and favor tags:

So Much Ahead

There's so much to catch up on with all of you, and so many exciting things to share!  It's going to be a challenging month of Etsy orders, as my schedule is almost fully booked for September and the shop just reached over 300+ orders since opening last year.  Exciting indeed.

Also, I must share some exciting news this week of my very first publication (and the hilarious comment Hubby D made following my statement of blogging it).  More to come!

And because I just can't let go of summer................enjoy another Maui pic  ;)

Back in Full Force (or a even a little force at least)

Hello out there...........it's been a while!  I'm sure most of you noticed the blogs getting lighter and lighter.  Work was getting more and more stressful, on top of busy schedules and lots of Etsy orders to take care of.  My husband and I took a much needed vacay to Maui for our 2nd wedding anniversary.  It was absolutely amazing, just as we anticipated it would be.  I'll share some fun highlights throughout the next month.

Hope you all are well and looking forward to taking a bit of time to catch up on your blogs.  Stepping back and taking some time for yourself is definitely a must (a small detail that can be forgotten when the stress kicks in).  So glad to be back and refreshed!  How are you all doing?

Blogging more regularly- really?

Ok, what happened to blogging again more regularly?  I don't know.  I really will get my booty in gear again soon!  I've been focusing on clients Etsy orders before we leave for our vacay, and any spare time has been planning mode.

Here's a bit of a week re-cap:

Booked our stay for the first 4 days of vacay, in none other that T-Tams parents condo- Thank you Tami for the 'rents hook up'- we absolutely cannot wait!

Picked up a little white number for photos with D:  (not exaggerating on 'little', I will be stepping up the workout routine until we leave):

Brushing up on reading material:

I've been working closely with a few brides with Hawaii weddings, you all know who you are girls, all whose weddings are within the next 3 months.  If I could make it to all your events I would, unfortunately our vacay doesn't fall in between any of them.  But Hubby D and I are going to rock our 2nd wedding anniversary in the very place we said 'I do'- we are beyond ecstatic!

Hugs to you all!

Gearing Up!

In a few weeks, I will be here with Hubby D (for a much needed break):

And I'm looking forward to catching up on like a month's worth of blogging that I've been absent from.   Hope everyone is well!  I'll be back to posting hopefully more regularly!

xoxo
M

A Great Big Hi!

Hi all - I'm still hanging!  Just a quick note to say I'll be back soon from this crazy busy schedule!

Photo from my first show! 

More to come

HELLOOOOOO OUT THERE

Wow.  I miss blogging.  I miss all of you, all of your blogs, all of your comments.  I just do.  I feel too busy lately.  Overwhelmed.  But it will all pay off soon with a much needed vacay with Hubby D (already booked)- yay!

How are all of you?  How's your summer?  What's new?

Here's the scoop in my neck of the woods, somewhat random (I haven't had a "randomness" blog in a while):

-I'm enjoying a mocha coconut frap with carmel this morning, D said it's like a Samoa cookie in a cup.  HAPPY!

- I broke my number one personal fashion no-no, and I bought white jeans.  They are capris and fit oh so cute

Joe's Jeans (clipped to polyvore.com)

Photo not of me, but I would gladly trade mid-sections with this model!

-  We have family coming into town next week for Comic Con , this is like Super Bowl for my husband!

- We still haven't attached the drawers and doors on our hutch project (hence no photos yet)- I know, I know.

-  I had to buy a new iron, my old one actually had sparks flying out of the cord - yikes!

-  I've been working with some super sweet Etsy clients lately  :)

-  Somehow this weekend I think I'm going to get photos switched out in frames, complete Etsy orders, finish hutch doors, clean dining table area, dust and organize nightstand, hang frames in office, clean office, go through receipts in office, organize vacation binder, prepare decor for a trade show, go to D's Aunt/Uncles to consult for home remodel/design, organize ribbons, go to craft suppliers, and shave my legs.  Hmmmm.  At least Hubby D already vacuumed, dusted dining area, dusted living room, console table/entry, surface cleaned mirrors, took out recycles, and even made fresh homemade guacamole so that it had time to chill during our workout so we could mack last night.  Yes, he's pretty awesome.

I really truly can't wait to catch up with you all!



Can you Cuff it?

I'm not sold on the cuffs, but I'm totally digging the bag.  Call it an oversized clutch?  Love

photo via Simply Luxurious

Custom Bag- Not only for the Beach

Hi there........................waving both hands!  I took a bit of a break from blogging, just getting some things done, and actually relaxing.  I always feel guilty because I really enjoy blogging (I think it's a self-satisfaction thing) as well as catching up on all of your blogs.  I have A LOT of reading/catching up to do.

I must share my rad custom bag I had made by a lovely Etsy vendor, Lucy Jane.  Lucy was an amazing seller to work with and she was super accommodating and willing to design a bag with my custom fabrics that I sent to her (you know me...................super picky about colors).  She also has amazing styles offered in her shop for those more adventurous, colorful-seeking individuals.

Remember this little tease of a photo:

Well I sent off these fabrics to Lucy Jane along with this little sketch:

      

And she designed this beauty:

I'm in love, with a bag!  Thank you to Lucy who designed this beauty for me!  I can't wait to receive it (it's on it's way to me as I type away).  Doesn't she take amazing photos?  I really feel like they convey the perfect touch of everything the bag entails.  LOVE.

Visit Lucy's shop here to grab your own!

 

Best Wishes to Dearest Jen!

My dear friend Jen is leaving this Friday to Maui, to get married to her one and only.  If anyone deserves to have the best trip, the best wedding, and best memories one could hold- it's Jennifer.

To Jen  (who I'll always continue to title "Dearest"), you'll be a stunning Bride, and gorgeous Wife, and always an amazing friend.  Hugs far across the Pacific to you and C  :)

One of my fave classic songs, for a stand up, classic gal. 

Summer 'Round the House

I'm well overdue for a much needed day of relaxation of doing nothing- laying in the sun, catching up on reading, then cooling off with coconut lotion in comfy clothes while perusing mags and eating frozen yogurt.  Sounds like a good holiday weekend to me! 

Summer Essentials:

Seashells all around (they make me happy)

Scott Weiland's new book- can't wait to read it!  Many of you do not know my STP obsessions, dates back to the 5th grade, no joke!

Lavender filled pitcher.  Puuuurdy.

Hope your Summer's off to a bang!

Happy Friday!

Thank goodness it's Friday.  I'll be up late finishing Etsy orders tonight in order to mail out on Sat., then comes time with HubbyD, a drive up the coast, a bit of window shopping, and who knows what else.  I like it that way.

Have a lovely weekend!

Stoked for Summer

I just purchased a lovely striped fabric for a little special something of a project.  I'm working with a FABULOUS Etsy seller to design a fun summer accessory.......................(rubbing my hands together in excitement).  Stay tuned within the next month to see the results!

I do apologize to those who have been waiting to see the hutch reveal!  D and I still need to add the hardware and we've decided against adding the glass doors since we favor the open feel of it, therefore that left some patch work and touch up paint to be tended to.  Soon enough we'll get it complete and I'll share- believe me you may get an overload of photos!

Also, the infamous chair has been completed for about a month now.  I'm also working on an office/studio overhaul and once that is complete, a much more appealing photo will emerge of just how lovely our chair turned out.  For now, here's a sneak peak:

Yes, we have one of our wedding photos as a screen saver (don't judge)

and

yes, those are uncontrollable, runaway cords that need to be addressed in the new studio design!