Beautiful Interiors

I've been working on an interiors project this past week, photographing the uniquely inspiring homes of stylish women here in Green Bay. It has been such an exciting project to work on for me cause I really, really love stepping inside a well-loved and thought out home (so inspiring!) and seeing that unique stamp of personality representative of the individual or family that lives within its walls. It's lovely to experience and photograph a space that is unaffected by trends. Sometimes we're so overwhelmingly influenced by others that we forget about ourselves, what WE really, actually love in our homes. I know I have felt that way before and talked myself out of displaying the collections I love because they may not be as pretty or edited as those I see on HGTV. (For instance, when you're a collector there tends to be some clutter. Ah! And right now the push is to purge and declutter our homes. There's nothing wrong with that but there's also nothing wrong with a home filled with treasures, stories, and ... clutter! I have to remind myself of that. I'm just not going to be that person that can embrace minimalism, ever!)

There's so much to be said for individuality and being proud of who you are and what you love (both in personal style and home decor), and sticking to it. The women I've been working with have done just that. And it's refreshing!

So I have been spending more time on the internets lately, scrolling through pretty spaces to find inspiration during this dreary season when I tend to be lacking in it. There was much to find and I thought I'd share some here. It's a bit all over the place as you'll notice but these are the spaces that I'm drawn to today.

Things I'm really loving right now:
1. pastels
2. earthy tones
3. Parisian glam
4. English cottages
5. dark corners
6. winter whites
7. busy florals
8. laid back textures and layers

Ahem .... glitter walls? Yes!

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}

What I Want to Wear - Tromping Around New York City

So I mentioned last week that my sister and I are heading to NYC for fashion week (I know!!!!!) and that trip is now just around the corner. Though the temps seem to be keeping steadily in the summer 80 degree range, I'm dreaming of a more transitional fall wardrobe for our adventure. So keep in mind, this is what I want to wear (layers, hats, booties, jackets), not what I plan on packing. Two very different things ... sigh. 

Let me just make note, first of all, that going on a trip with my bestie is not entirely easy. I mean, and don't roll your eyes, it's just that it's so stinking difficult for a mama to take a vacation. I'm sure you know what I mean if you've had the chance to steal away on a girl's only trip. I'm 99.9% certain I've never taken a few nights away like this somewhere fabulous and far off. It's a first, I'm sure of it! I hesitate slightly cause I bet the husband will remember a time ... 

All I can say is that I'm equally over-the-moon and nervous-as-heck about this trip. 

Let's make a list shall we? 

Pros:

I mean, it's New York City! 

Food, shopping, a fashion show, sight seeing, people watching, new experiences, awesome memories

Cons: 

What will happen to our kids?

Will husband remember to feed them? pack their snacks/lunches? get them to school on time? will Scarlet nap? will he brush her hair? possibly worse, will boys brush their hair? will they get homework done? will they bathe? will they make extracurriculars? will they break out in stress rashes? will Scarlet be miserable? 

I know, I know, deep breath. Of course it'll be fine. It'll be fine. It'll.be.fine. 

We're going to New York City!

So back to the subject line, what I want to wear in NYC. First of all and most importantly, I'm ready for booties. 

Always love hats and leather jackets for fall but kinda loving these denim jacket looks too, an unexpected twist from a spring favorite but so cute when cozied up the right way. And this last look is just a bonus ... it's what I'd LOVE to wear if I were heading somewhere really fancy - perfection!

{1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6}

Inspiration for Spring - Happy Friday!

Yay, it's weekend time! My older kids are finally on spring break and we are taking them on a short trip  to the Mall of America next week with loads of family coming along. They are over the moon about this adventure as it's been a while since we took a family trip. Although these kids are easy to please … even a night spent in a hotel 5 minutes down the road would have them counting down the sleeps. Though our darling Wisconsin is not feeling too springy at the moment, I hear some warmth is heading our way again next week and honestly, regardless of ice or sun, Easter is always a big celebration for us and the weather does not deter. We've been egg hunting in all kinds of conditions too. Scarlet is well prepared for Easter this year, with a perfect for Wisco Sunday dress that's a combo of warm furry top and light floral skirt. It's adorable. I have 2 dresses in the runnings for consideration as my Easter dress. But of course!

This week I've been dreaming of beautiful spring flowers, itching to buy a supply to spread across our dining table, perhaps in mason jars. I'm been working hard on the planning for our next flower workshop and it'll certainly be our best yet! So many exciting details planned for this summer workshop and the info should be out next week. 

I also have Easter egg dyeing on my mind as we plan to do some next week and I'd love to try dyeing some naturally, after seeing some of the easier ways to do that and the gorgeous colors they create. I have a friend that mentioned she wraps her eggs in a silk scarf (perhaps a trip to Goodwill is in order?) and the dyeing process leaves a lovely colored print on the egg from the scarf. Sounds intriguing. 

Lastly, as always, I'm thinking clothes and this time it's the lighter, ethereal pieces are on my mind. I'm eager to wear white dresses with lots of embroidery and lace. And I'm all about pastels at the moment, which will be evident in the coming weeks with YOU Magazine's spring fashion issue out in April as well as a little spot on Good Day Wisconsin to share my favorite spring looks. Lots of fashion fun coming in April!

In the meantime, these are the images inspiring me this week …

{ a floral bath, cause why not? }

{ a rainbow of color }

{ beautiful details }

{ I just love this, sign me up }

{ bicycle baskets overflowing with beauty }

{ ocean shades }

 { fields of flowers }

 { vegetable hues }

 { fresh strawberry marshmallows, yum! }

{ lace sleeves }

 { party season is heading my way, so I'm thinking balloons and flowers }

{ the way Scarlet and I like to take naps … in tutus and flowers ;) }

Friday Inspiration - La La Love!

Hello friends! 

Last month I worked on the style section of YOU Magazine's bridal issue, out this month, and with the sweetest month of the year finally here, I'm feeling the love. I can't stop pinning the most jaw dropping brides and dresses, weddings and editorial inspirations over on Pinterest as they're in abundance in celebration of this month and they are incredible. So I thought I'd share a sneak peek of one of the shots taken for this bridal issue, an article that'll give you tips on how to re-wear your bridesmaid dress (photography by the amazing Erin Jean Photo for this feature - seen above - and gorgeous hair and makeup by the lady who makes me look like a glittering fairy, Victoria Stencil at Salon 54). And I have all kinds of beauty to inspire you and set you happily off into your weekend. 

xoxo!

 {just …. everything}

 {spring - are you there?)

 {this hair}

{cupid's dress}

{mama's dress … please}

 {clouds of white}

{oh! vow renewal dreams coming true here}

{take me there, in this}

{enchanting fairytale bride}

 {beautiful quiet moments}

Home Inspiration {for planning a room makeover}

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I've been dreaming up ideas and plans for our living room and have been drawn to these stunning spaces as inspiration. We're going to be freshening up our family room just before the holidays arrive, taking our walls from grey to white and then adding a darker sectional for all those little tushes to sit comfortably for another 10 years. After wishing for something in a light, linen-y palette for some time, I finally came to terms with the fact that it just could not happen. That, though so absolutely beautiful, furniture in that hue would be completely ruined in mere seconds in my home. So I have resigned myself (with the not so gently prodding of my husband - "I am not buying you a white couch!") to something moody and dark instead. And after searching Pinterest, I've found so many beautiful rooms where white walls and dark furniture mix to perfection. Hopefully we'll find a couch that works with both our budget and my design style. I'll keep you up to date on how the changes take shape. :)

Birthday Party Inspiration

I'm deep in the planning stages of Scarlet's first birthday party, completely engrossed in all the fun possibilities! I think first birthday parties are my favorite of all and the fact that I finally get to create something sweet and feminine for my little girl is just beyond, beyond exciting. We're celebrating a little early so that my little sister Cara and cousin Aletta can be there to party with us. So here are a few pictures floating around my Pinterest boards, beautiful inspirations that are really getting my creative juices flowing. Let's party!

{a floral table runner}

{pink ombre vanilla cake}

{DIY confetti sticks}

 {layer cakes and flowers for days}

{Tutu Du Monde party dresses}

 {lots of wonderful details}

{flowers on the wall and cakes piled with berries}

{tulle wrapped balloons}

{honeycomb garland}