An Awesome Blog Recommendation

Hello all!  A typical busy week again (this wedding season has made for busy Etsy-working days)!  Hope everyone is well.  Again, I need to catch up on all your blogs!

I newly found blog has really got me hooked, thanks to the lovely Tami for introducing me to it.  Natalie is the talent behind  Beach House in the City, an amazing blog, documenting DIY projects, home decor, and much more!  It's right up my alley in terms of style and I believe you all would really appreciate the step-by-step instructions and photos she offers up in her DIY posts.  Check it out here.  And a little FYI (she'll be hosting another giveaway once she reaches 150 followers)!

Natalie is also a wedding photographer, you better bet she takes amazing photos, another sweet treat of her blog.  Gotta love gorgeous photos (I admit, I'm a tad jealous b/c my camera is borderline ancient and I've been hoping for a new one to take pretty shots).  Someday.

To check out a freaking sweet DIY rug, read here (I may have to try this one)

all photos via Beach House in the City

Back in the Groove- For Real!

Ok, ok, ok- so I've been MIA and now I'm back in full force.  That darn computer mishap almost 2 weeks ago got me spinning like crazy.  Lots of catch up was needed and it's quite the long boring story that no one wants to hear, nor would they ever want to happen to them.   A computer crashing in any "normal" circumstance is annoying enough, but a computer crashing on a designer causes chaos of all proportions, with the simplest of things needing attention (such as reloading fonts, reinstalling programs, etc.).  Lame.  I'm still in the process of getting it all running again, but am just now feeling the end to the catch-up-crazy-madness  (crossing fingers I didn't just jinx myself).  The past week and a half has been a blur.  Did you notice my last post said Tuesday Tunes, but the post was on Wednesday??!  Um ya, it's been kinda like that.

So, moving along- there are tons of exciting things to post, although I need to get snapping with my camera to document these fun happenings.  Here are a few things that have been on my mind:

-Looking forward to getting back some real photos from the recent weddings I've designed for- some of them will be out-of-this-world!

-Faith:  please call me out on the lack of project completion, because yes, neither project has been touched. My new goal- this weekend!

-I got some new threads a few weeks back (before our computer crashed) when I felt it was acceptable to spend money on new clothes since it had been a while.  Maybe a clothing post is well overdue?

-I'm feeling the urge to purchase something on Etsy, just because I feel like it.

-I'm determined to spend at least one evening relaxing on the sofa with hubs, doing absolutely nothing, and not worry about 10 gazillion other things while doing so.

-Can't wait to go running with D after work and feel like I am doing something for myself again.

-I figured out how to save/copy photos on the Mac and pull them into a programs/paste.  This is huge!

Yay!

Photo via House Beautiful

Ashley's Beauties

Dear Ash,

I hope your destination wedding rocks!  Thank you for allowing me to design some items for your special day!  And, just because I can't help myself, I'll say it again, I can't wait to see your photos!  xoxoxo

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!

Quite a Bit of Busy

This past weekend, as are many, was consumed by S&S Etsy orders.  I'm so pleased to be working with Jen again and just had to share her bouquet tags- so bright, so tropical, so refreshing, so Maui!

I'm so thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Jen throughout this next year.  Hey Jen, you're getting close to that one year mark!  Yes I will make your chair signs, yes I will design your hanging sign, yes I will work with you on door hanging suite signs- what else can we do???!!  Seriously, I want to be Jen's designer and if hubs and I weren't going to Maui earlier next year, I may have already asked Jen to be her official Day of Coordinator- haha!  Isn't it suppossed to be the other way around?

Aqua Love

Just a few aqua items to smile at:

Photo via Corporanglass on Etsy

Photo via Vesselsandwares on Etsy

Photo via Paperlovelypress on Etsy

Photo via Twigs and Honey on Etsy

Photo- personal Maui trip

Simply Love

A simple something I whipped up today when I had a glimpse of design inspiration:

I have an exciting new business partnership in the works, and I can't wait to spill the beans when all the details have been set.  Soon enough I'll be sharing the news!

New Excitement

I'm pretty excited to be working with Alexandra over at The Aerialist Press on my business card design.  I admit that I'm way overdue for needing business cards, it really should have been a detail that was completed before S&S opened shop.  With the little free time I had, I was working on the designs and wasn't feeling any of them were what I envisioned for my cards.  I contacted Alex and she's been amazing ever since!  She helps you reach a design you're pleased with, even if it takes several proofs to get it just right!  And here's the best part.................. they're letterpress!!!!  Yipee!  I never could have imagined and I absolutely cannot wait to get them in my hands.  I've always loved the look of letterpress for years, yet I've never found an affordable approach to making it happen, until I found AP.  Oh how I wish I would have found them during my wedding planning stages of invites, signs, and paper decor!  I will be sure to share the pretty little cards when they arrive!

On another note of new excitement, I've added a new item to the shop titled "Love Naturally."  It's a flag-style sign that would be great for a wedding, baby shower or nursery, or even just a fun photo shoot prop.  The hunk in the photo (otherwise know as hubs), not included. 

You can find this little treat here, available in my shop now- wink, wink!

From one Maui bride to Another

Jen's cake table runner is completed!  I am so excited!  This baby has been my latest project for days straight, the obsession of layering colors, mixing colors, shading, and carefully painting within those thin lines as best as my little paintbrush could handle!  I still can't get over Jen's amazing color scheme, she's probably tired of me saying so, but it's true, I love the bright colors she chose.

I'm sort of sad that's it's done now, as I'm sure my husband is stoked it's completed (I can't even count how many times I've asked him, does it look ok, what about this part, should I add more to this, is this part to dark/light)?  Seriously, he's been so supportive because this little project was a challenge for sure.  I hope the lovely bride enjoys it, and I hope I get to work with her on more projects!

Destination Brides' Decor

Being that I was a destination bride myself, I love working with other DW brides and hearing their planning details and all the work that goes into pulling off an awesome event away from home.

I've had the pleasure of  not only working with some awesome and talented brides, but by doing so, have created some wonderful friendships.  I truly care for each of the ladies I work with and look forward to hearing about their big day and seeing their amazing photos!

I had the opportunity to create Ashley's table runner for her cake table and oh did her project bring back memories!  I used the same exact linen for her runner that I created my runner with for my very own wedding.  She is having a beachside wedding, as did I.  She used the same monochromatic scheme as I did for the runner's fonts-  ohhhh Ashley, I can't wait to see your decor "in action"!!!  I am currently working on chair signs for Ashley to coordinate with the runner- can't wait until they are done!

I've also had the pleasure of working with Jen!  If you remember those hang tags I made for her recently, you'd recall her out of this world color scheme.  I've been working on her runner days straight (who would have known my Maui brides end up having fabrics that soak up paint like crazy), but I certainly cannot wait to reveal it to Jen.  In fact, I am going to torture her now with a sneak peak:

                         

It's coming along Jen!!!   Just a matter of time now!  I wish I could capture the amazing turquoise color of the fabric through the camera- I guess it's just so out-of-this-world, it's bold gorgeousness can only be seen in person.

And for my Tami-Tams who just got married this past week................I will be waiting on those pro photos of your runner my dear- I can't wait to show it off among all of your fabulous wedding decor!

ALL THINGS AQUA!!!!

So, it's no secret that I am addicted to anything and everything aqua colored.  Call it seafoam, turquoise, mint, or robbin's egg- I've officially started calling it "my color".  If I'm out in a store and see something in this shade, I immediately think 'that's my color'!  I have umpteen different paint chips in several different shades looking for what they can be applied to!  Here are some favorites I've gathered:

Front Door: Photo via Twig and Thistle

Handspun Yarn:  Photo via Simply Twisted

Bloom Ring:  Photo via Linkel Designs

Walls:  Photo via Russell and Mackenna

What can I say, I dream in the hue of blue!

FABULOUS-NESS

STOP............whatever you are doing, stop and go check out the new jewelry designs at J. Crew! 

They are so 'purd-dee,' even if you are just browsing and drooling.  Honestly, I think I may want one of each necklace design they offer, they are just that fabulous!!!

Available at J. Crew

And I'm SUPER excited to have worked with Sarah over at Blustarfruit Handmade Jewelry , who has custom-made a gorgeous necklace and matching earring set for me.  It's in the mail today and I can't wait to get it in my hands- they will be loved!!!!  Here's a sneak peak:

Bedroom Design: Thoughts and Wishes

When it comes to the "style" of design that one is drawn to, especially myself, I feel that my likes conflict.  I'm somewhat of a rustic/cottage fanatic, yet I can appreciate contemporary design and clean lines. Is this possible?  It can be a struggle, especially being a designer!!!

My husband and I both have similar likes.  We can go into a store and when we see a piece of furniture or just the right accessory, we are typically in agreement if we feel that it's a contender to be included in our home.  Sometimes if I fall in love with something, it may take a bit convincing on his end.

As we walked into Bon Bon this past weekend, we reminded ourselves how much we adore a bed (headboard) they have on display.  It's a bit more traditional compared to our existing, but the tuffted design, the color, the size, OH *WISH*!  We even were digging the comfy pillows they had displayed, soft, down-filled, cozy.

Our Bedroom Currently:

Our Lovely Find at Bon Bon.........

.....Maybe One Day:

My husband even suggested we add in a third Euro back pillow to our bed..........um........hello, AWESOME SUGGESTION HUBSTER!!!!  It was a fun outing for sure, and what newlywed wife could complain after stuffing her face with pizza and getting to go to an awesome design inspired shop with her husband?  No complaints here.  Hubs is still in agreement that we could use some sprucing up, so yay for that!

More lovely finds at Bon Bon:

Maui- licious

Jen, another PW bride, is getting married in Maui, Hawaii  (a bride after my own heart)!  I've had a fabulous time working on some monograms for her, as well as designing some hang tags for her guest fan favors and a monogramed table runner.  Her runner is still a work in progress, yet I'm loving how her other projects are turning out.  She has an out-of-this-world color scheme, so bright and fun, that I can't wait to see how her planning progresses!

Monograms designed by S&S:

Hang tags designed by S&S:

  

For the Girls

I had the honor of designing bouquet tags for a fellow PW bride Ashley, and I just adore her color scheme!  I am so pleased that she thinks they are lovely- I think they're lovely too Ashley!  And how about that ribbon?  I am loving the color grey lately, but who would have know it would be so difficult to search out grey colored ribbon?  An FYI to ribbon distributors: there is a distinct difference between silver and grey, how about we offer up some more greys?  In any case, I found a lovely soft grey in a wider thickness, and I'm stoked that Ashley approves!