One Little Word 2018: Focus
This year, I have chosen the word "focus" to be my "one little word" for the new year! And here's 3 reasons why: O N E .Improve the process. Over the past few months, I have constantly had to remind myself of this to the point it has become my mantra! I'm always whispering it to myself as the many distractions in this world split my focus. While I am really good at focusing on working and not getting distracted by social media, it's the many projects that I am working on that I keep getting distracted by. So rather than plowing through a project to completion, I work a little here and a little there and then inspiration strikes on a completely other project and I start to dabble there. By the end of the day, I look back and see that not one thing can be checked off the list but the list has actually grown. Ugh. To fix this, I will be reworking my day to day processes. Implement a schedule with daily routines, like taking care of the business side on Tuesdays, painting on Wednesdays, photographing those paintings on Thursdays, new listings on Fridays, etc. This will help to
Kara and Jaime’s White Lace and Gorgeous Greens Summer Wedding
2017 has ended and while I am still coming to grasps with that, I didn't want another day to flash by without sharing photos of my friend Kara's gorgeous summer wedding! To start of course, we need to take a look at the gray lace invitation with their watercolor brush calligraphy envelopes! Kara wanted simplicity in her invitations so we kept the design simple but with an intricate lace design in the corners in a pale gray for low contrast. The wedding ceremony was held outside of the Eagle's Nest Clubhouse. It was truly one of the most gorgeous ceremonies I have ever attended
Isaiah’s Under the Sea First Birthday Party
After Lauren's beautiful baby shower in May, I was in a party planning slump which meant I ended up putting off planning Isaiah's birthday party until the absolute last minute! The whole party pulled together only the week of the event, except for the invite of course. I took some photos in my office of my favorite decorations before the party just in case something happened to them on the day of. I got a little caught up in them and they probably don't really go for a first birthday but I love them nonetheless. But first, I want to share the invite with you! It was so fun to work with such bright paint colors! And make the simple ocean illustrations all fit together like a big puzzle! And of course I had to paint up some Thank You cards to match! However, that did make me end up sending them months late! Just like this blog post, I'm always late nowadays! :P While searching for Under the Sea birthday party ideas, I came across this saying about the ocean and loved it so much, I knew it needed to be on display at the party! I also came across these amazing glass bottles
Lindsey and Anthony’s Tropical Wedding at Bali Hai Restaurant, San Diego—Watercolor Wedding Stationery
You guys, I wrote this post TWO years ago, just after the wedding and then I found out I was pregnant and my blog pretty much burnt out for a bit while I struggled with a full 9 months of morning sickness and then newborn craziness and then just working mom life with a baby. So I hope you'll indulge me with this "throwback post" as I'm excited to be posting this now even though it's two years later!! This was such an amazing wedding to work on!! First of all, I got to be bridesmaid AND the stationery designer so that's always fun!! Second of all, Lindsey let me paint all over everything! And that is extra fun!! Lindsey and I have been friends since 4th grade. She was in our wedding several TEN years ago and I was honored that she asked me to be in her wedding as well!! I wanted to share a few of my favorite images from the wedding, of my work and the day itself! First off though, let's start with the wedding invitation suite
12 Month Old Isaiah
I went into having a baby knowing that the time would pass quickly. I had told myself that I would savor each and every moment along the way. Even the sleepless nights—but what I didn't know about that was how it's really hard to savor a hysterically crying baby when you are also so sleep deprived and hysterically crying yourself because you are an absolutely clueless first time mom. Wow, sorry for the sidetrack
Lauren & Kellen — Menifee Maternity Photos
This little sweet baby girl is about to make her debut in the next couple weeks so I thought I'd share a few of her parent's maternity photos with you all first! I can not wait to cuddle and love on this babe. Timehop has been reminding me daily of my little Isaiah as a newborn from last year everyday and it's giving me baby fever!! Olivia June, I can not wait to meet you! And neither can your mama!!
Lauren’s Woodsy Shabby Chic Baby Shower
One of my long time friends, Lauren, is about to have her first baby so us girls joined creative forces to throw her one amazing baby shower earlier this month! We based the look of the shower off the nursery which will be a shabby chic-woodsy-adventure-tribal theme. How fun is that?! We had so much fun planning out all the details but let's first start with the invitation
Eleven Month Old Isaiah
You are growing up so fast! I keep mourning this fact but really each and every day brings so many fun surprises! You have such a funny personality, full of so many sweet little quirks that bring me so much joy! One of which is this new "stink" face that you give out way too often and at the funniest of times. Your little gummy smile still melts my heart though! Seriously, I become one big mushy mess when you give me that giant open mouth smile that lights up your whole face. Big milestone moment!! You took your first steps! I was so afraid I would miss this moment in your life. You've been on the verge for so long but you spend so much time with your grandparents, that I was so terrified I'd miss THE moment. So I'm ever so thankful for being the one you took those first steps to. I'm so proud of you sweet boy. I feel like you are going to do big things in your life (what mama does feel this way?!) and I am so excited to be cheering you on all along the way. Of course, that same night, watching you let
Ten Month Old Isaiah
I'm not really sure how we got here. The double digit months? Where did this year go? I thought I was soaking up every ounce of baby that I could but yet this stage is nearing the end and I keep finding myself at grasping at the moments as they slip by ever so quickly. I want to remember his chubby little thighs and his gummy smile, the way he is always searching for a hand to help him walk, the way his eyes light up when he sees someone he loves, the way that only I can calm him down in the middle of the night. Pretty soon, he won't feel like he needs me anymore. Not like this anyway. Pretty soon, he won't want to sit in my lap while he plays with his toys or need me to hold his hands while he walks and walks and walks. It's such a struggle, such a fine line, between wanting to indulge his need for attention and encouraging him to do it on his own. I want him to need me sometimes just as much as I might need some space. But soon, I will have too much space
Taylor and David’s Wedding at The Crossings, Carlsbad — Elegant Lace Wedding Stationery
Not every day does a designer get the privilege to have their hand, in my case that can be taken literally, in so many aspects of a single wedding. My wonderful family friend Taylor, had me create so many amazing pieces for her wedding last year two years ago