Family Style {black lace and polka dot ponchos}

 {me: blouse - Zara, skirt - Free People from Besselli (GB), heels - Target

S: dress - thrifted, poncho - Gap (both from her cousin A), moccs - Django from Poppy's Closet

P: Gap all the way!, glasses - Jonas Paul Eyewear}

Life is good! I mean, how can it be anything else but really, really good especially when you look at the smiles on these two faces. Sure there are things, things here and far away, things that clutch at your heart and try to scare you senseless. Opportunities for fear to creep in and take hold of me and overwhelm me. Fears that don't just interrupt my now but take over the futures of my children, turn my shiny hopes and dreams for these kids into a vision that seems more apocalyptic, instead of what they should be, certain in my God's plan for us and for them and for their children. I know many of you have those moments too, when the world just messes up badly enough to make you fear this life more than you trust in God. I hear you. It's hard to see the beauty in life sometimes, especially when there is so much ugly. Let's move forward together, focusing on the job we have right now, raising children that will be compassionate and brave enough to love and change the world, to make a difference. Kids that will not be afraid but instead have faith to move mountains. Let's be examples of that. Praying for all of you that are struggling today, with sickness or with bigger fears. I'm thinking about you and praying for you and sending you lots of love. You've been on my mind …

This post was supposed to be about black lace and polka dot ponchos. Ha! Well never mind that.

The Day Her Crib Came Down

Yes, I photo-documented it in excruciating detail. Yes, I'm melodramatic. Yes, there may have been glassy eyes. 

As you can see, Scarlet was ready for this and happy to help! She's actually been out of her crib for a good month already, sleeping on a mattress on the floor, placed right next to it. We tried to build her new bed with its entire frame, since she seemed so ready for the change. But once it was up and so high off the floor, she was not happy. So back down it went, onto the floor again. Now she's happily sleeping on her mattress, on the floor, with her headboard propped behind her (carefully so as not to fall over). We're taking baby steps towards the full change which should happen nearer to her birthday. She's getting some new bedding to go along with her little room makeover and I'm starry eyed over this Moroccan wedding blanket I found at Anthro cause I've been wishing for one for like ever. This one has less of the pretty sequined accents (than most Moroccan wedding blankets I've seen in pictures) which thankfully translates into a much more affordable price but lots of great fringe as well ... so now we wait for it to arrive. We'll take lots of detailed pictures once everything is finally in its place. I plan to move all her animal heads (sounds so creepy doesn't it?!) into a vignette and her grandma is helping me add a magical swan head to her unicorn and deer collection. The perfect addition to her wonderland wall. 

Fancy pants-big girl-two year old room, here we come!

Mama and Mini Style {gold}

{me: dress - Anthropologie, blazer - H&M, shoes - J C Penney

S: dress - Instagram @ockidscloset, sweater - Gap

M: jeans and high tops - H&M}

A photographic series depicting the expansive progression of an almost two year old's emotions in a 5 minute time frame. There were no smiles coerced in the making of this series.

We have been sick. Sick, sick, sick. Ear infections, pink eye, and strep throat tests with negative results but horribly sore throats. It's been yuck. But we're nearing the other side of that now, starting to feel much better, and thinking we might be able to start to have some energy again. You think the worst is over when spring finally arrives and SLAM! that last minute round of viruses makes it through and wipes you out all over again. Here's to a warmer, healthier May (my coffee is raised to yours ;).

We're loving metallics again this spring, we as in "I", and I'm favoring gold when it comes to the little lady. Her closet has been overtaken by gold! It's such a beautiful, whimsical color … I'm even considering a peach and gold color scheme for her birthday party.

Speaking of parties, May is party month over here, so get ready! We'll have a backyard dinner party for YOU magazine, a dance recital (with lots of party details included), my own birthday which I'll have to create some fun wish lists for (hoping husband will be reading my blog in the next 2 weeks), and the little lady's 2 year old birthday party. Can't wait for party month to get here! (and many prayers for my sanity to stay intact please friends ;)

Flowers Forever!

Flower crown season has begun and I'm thinking of all the photos and parties that they'll be perfect for. This one was created by Ebb and Flow Flowers and you will have the chance to make one of your own, with a combination of your favorite colors and blooms, at our flower workshop on June 6th. Check out all the details on the left sidebar and send me an email to grab your spot! xx Kirsty

The Ballerina: Spring's Muse {for YOU Magazine}

So excited to finally share pictures from the shoot I photographed for YOU mag's spring fashion issue. I am so grateful to have had a group of incredible women who are also ballet students, studio owners and ballet teachers that were willing to give up their morning to shoot this story with me. It was my favorite shoot to date! 

Thank you to Hannah (UWGB), Anna & Kristen (Green Bay School of Dance), Trisha (Main Street Conservatory of Dance), Chloe (Shirley Vans), Jen (Jenstar Yoga and Dance), Katelyn (GB Kroc Center),  and Renae & Kate (All That Dance). You girls were amazing and looked so beautiful! It was an absolute pleasure. 

 {Jen is wearing a tunic and jewelry from Wild Ginger}

And friends, let me introduce you to my exquisite mom (below). I asked her to model for this ballet shoot because she was a ballerina long before I was and she was my teacher for some time as a child. She encouraged me to follow in her footsteps and now, at the age of 60 (sorry mom, but it's soo impressive!), she's still so elegant and graceful and fabulous. Such an incredible inspiration to me. Love you mom!

{Lynn is wearing a sweater, dress and jewelry from Lady Savannah}

 {Hannah is wearing a dress and cardigan from Zulou}

A special thanks to Wild Ginger, Zulou and Lady Savannah for providing outfits for this feature. And to Petal Pushers for their lovely fresh flower rings. And a huge thank you to Timothy Josephs, the owner of Green Bay School of Dance, for allowing us to use his magnificent space for this piece.

Here are a few behind the scenes pictures shot by Carbon Copy Studios. Thank you Eric!

Mixing dance and fashion and photography in one = best job ever! All my creative passions came together and it was awesome. Can't wait to do it again. :)