a pretty party.

Although flair and grandeur have their place, some parties are best kept simple.  Minimalist decor in a spring palette, a yummy menu of finger foods, and an open & inviting space are a recipe for a laughter-filled afternoon, in my opinion.  Each detail of this going away brunch (planned & executed by Jennifer Hagler of A Merry Mishap) delights me; it's the perfect inspiration for an upcoming shower that will be happening around these parts.






(Photos courtesy of A Merry Mishap. Visit the blog to see more photos from this brunch).

Votive Design

I am so into this votive installation by Joy Thigpen (captured by Jose Villa).  It is such a unique, beautiful, and cost-effective way to incorporate depth and design to transform a space from 'every day' to 'special event.'  Visit Joy Thigpen's blog and Once Wed (here + here) for more photos from this gorgeous wedding.

(Photos by Jose Villa via Once Wed).

on falling, gracefully...

It was a weekend of movement.  Ben and I travelled to Kelowna on Saturday so I could meet with a fabulous couple at their wedding venue and finalize the details of their July nuptials (so excited to share more on this) and we walked with the Daoust Nuts in the Kamloops MS Walk on Sunday!  Meanwhile, in Vancouver, my run-forest-run sister ran the BMo Marathon in under 4 hours. No big deal.

Ben and I took Bauer for a hike at our favourite park on Sunday afternoon and I proceeded to scrape up my leg and then slide/ trip/ stagger before rolling my (previously injured) ankle.  5 minutes later.  Thank goodness my dress is long.

I have several awesome posts lined up for this week so pop back over.  In the meantime, if you need me, I'll be in bed with an elevated & iced ankle.

meet our photographers: Adrian Photography

When B and I moved to Kamloops one of my first "to do's" was to network with people in the Okanagan wedding industry.  As fate would have it, Jon + Jenny Adrian crossed my path and agreed to meet with me to chit-chat about the comings and goings of their industry.  They invited me to their home for coffee and after a couple of hours I left knowing I had met two very special people.  Three years later, I'm ecstatic to call them our wedding photographers and - more importantly - friends. 

Last Sunday my two B's and I spent the afternoon laughing with the two J's on Okanagan Lake.  They also managed to take the odd photo of our little family and Ben and I are so thrilled with the results.  A big, big, heartfelt thank you to Jon + Jenny for being so awesome.

Visit Jon + Jenny's site for more of this session and their contact information.  They're also on facebook should you "like" their work.

Graffiti6, Free

In the event your week needs a punch of energy, have a listen to this catchy track by the adorable Graffiti6.  I promise it will make you want to dance around your house/ office/ block like a Viagra commercial.  I can't get this beat out of my head.

Enjoy...



(Graffiti6 on iTunes).

wedding project [one]: the napkins.

It is with great joy that I announce I have completed a wedding project.  In full.  The napkins have been measured, cut, ironed, serged, ironed again, and now reside in a beautiful pile of completion.

progress:

 

details:

I envisioned our napkins as a bold pop of colour against an otherwise neutral tablescape; however, after searching locally for several weeks, it became clear that the amazing patterned fabric I dreamt of wouldn't be so easy to find.  Enter: my fiance, who cleverly diffused a bridal meltdown with his suggestion of etsy.

It didn't take long before I stumbled across Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory: the answer to my (bridezilla) prayers.  The shop is full of many-a-patterned fabric, one of which being the coral chevron print I had imagined.  I liaised with the shop's owner, Chelsea, and delightfully received a hefty box of zig-zag fabric.  Success.

To be economical and sustainable, my intention was to make the fabric go as far as possible and, as per the measurements of the fabric, decided 14" x 14" was the perfect size for our napkins.  Although somewhat smaller than "traditional" napkins, I decided they are sufficient for the casual nature of our reception. (Furthermore, it helps that the edges are serged rather than finished with a folded edge, subsequently maximizing the surface area of each napkin).  Each napkin has been tri-folded and pressed, ready to be arranged on the tables, 4 months from now.

gratitude:

I must thank my Grandma who serged and pressed a pile of 100 cut napkins whilst listening to Canucks games in her sewing room; my cuzzies Nick (pictured) & Kirsten were there for moral support.  Her work and one-week turnaround period makes my serged pile of 56 look rather insignificant.  Thanks, Grandma!

up next:

I am really pleased with how the napkins turned out.  This project was a great re-introduction into sewing.  On that note, I'm currently doing just that: sewing table runners!  Unfortunately, I only purchased enough fabric for 12 of the 17 runners I required so - needless to say - this one is categorized as "in progress."  Lesson learned: trust your own math and don't get distracted by the cute fabric attendant.

I'm also fiddling around with the boutonnieres so expect an update on those this month, too.

Onward and upward.... Go!

spring fun: coral.

It's no secret that I'm continuously inspired by all things coral.  Here are a few of my favourite (coral) things:

1. fun bags for weekend getaways and trips to the beach
2. pretty bowls to hold trinkets or adorn dressing tables
3. leather moccasins to add a punch of colour to a neutral outfit
4. letterpress thank you cards to acknowledge thoughtful gestures
5. a light organic tee with my favourite pattern
6. library cards to keep my books organized
7. confetti garland. because one never knows when a party is going to start.

what colour have you gravitated to this season?



(Images courtesy of etsy shops Made by Nanna, Up in the Air Somewhere, Santoki Vintage,  Akimbo, Jessalin Beutler, Knot and Bow, Kristina Marie).

Bits + Pieces of Springtime

Oh, hey.  I'm back.  I took an impromptu week off of blogging to get things in order, off line.  I then realized that - try as I might - that's not going to happen (I'm much more organized in my head).  It's spring time which means I'm distracted by everything: a hallway of balloons as a birthday surprise for B, pretty spring flowers atop my mantle, and the blue blue sky, to name a few.

I've been plugging away at wedding projects (check back tomorrow for a status update) and attempting to get things in order.  Today is the four month countdown to our wedding which simultaneously makes me dizzy, smile, and sick to my stomach, in the best way possible. I have some fun wedding posts lined up so - I promise - more on this soon.

I hope your week is going well.  Mine has been messy, but then again...

(Poster by Amanda Catherine Designs).

stamp happy {2}

I've been meaning to get back into paper-crafting (cards, notes, etc) but needed somewhat of a "creative push" in that direction. Low and behold, Elise has created a pop up stamp shop to do just that: inspire. She has designed an arsenal of adorably fun stamps to use on photos, cards, marking papers, grocery lists, etc, etc, etc.  I can't wait to receive mine (I ordered stamps 1 + 2).

Visit her pop up shop for more information and additional stamps.



(Images courtesy of Elise Blaha: today is, this, that's what she said).

one must remember...

As of late, I've found myself reciting this quote in my head whenever I encounter a particularly challenging individual, friend or foe. It reminds me that things shouldn't always  be taken personally; in fact, most of the time the emotions, moods, actions, and reactions of my peers have absolutely nothing to do with me.

Breathe. Let it pass. Continue. Everyone is fighting their own battles.



(Poster is courtesy of Moiselle Eve's lovely handmade etsy shop).

B.

Today is my best friend's birthday - his last birthday as my "boyfriend" (which makes me smile).  The year ahead is going to be chaotic and special and significant and beautiful and I couldn't ask for a more well-suited companion to enjoy the ride.  Ben: thank you for being awesome.

Happy Birthday, I love you.

I'm yours and that's it, forever. 

You're mine and that's it, forever.

PS:  I take many photos of his back (see: 2010 + 2011 editions).

50 Memories

This year our mum turned 50. To acknowledge and celebrate this milestone, my brother, sister, and I attempted to brainstorm the perfect gift.  Jewelry, artwork, and other “traditional” gifts ideas were tossed around; however, as soon as I stumbled upon this post and the thoughtful project it contained, we were inspired and knew what we had to do.

We called upon those closest to our mum: her friends - old and new, her family - near and far, her co-workers - past and present, and her children - biological and those acquired over the years through their friendships with the three of us kids.   We asked for memories, photos, and birthday wishes and this group of fabulous individuals delivered, fifty-fold.

Each memory was stuffed into an envelope and collected in a stack that Jenn and I presented to Mum when we were in Portland celebrating her birthday.  Envelope after envelope was opened and she had no idea whose memory she was going to open next.  It was a joyful and emotional trip down memory lane.

Besides watching my mum reflect on 50 amazing trips around the sun, the coolest part of this process was reading the reflections others had on her.  It was such an honour seeing my mum though the eyes of others, many of which knew her before I was even born.

Thank you to each and every one of you who submitted a memory, birthday wish, or photograph.  This set of photos only begins to capture the emotional roller coaster your envelopes took her on. 

It's safe to say her heart is very full.

There was a resounding theme to the letters. Almost every one included at least one of the following words to describe or celebrate mum:  laughing, dancing, singing, giving, generous, and kind. She is all of those things. And much, much more.

Happy 50^th mum. 

Big love. Big, big love.

(Our interpretation was based on the "60 Memories" project featured on Nothing But Bon Fires).