DIY: Type Case Simple Upgrade

 Everyone has little keepsakes, from travels, family, impulse buys, that are small and tend to get lost on a shelf. In Brimfield last week, I bought this type set box. They are relatively easy to find at antique fairs, they used to hold block type for letter presses. I bought that and a bunch of letters to spell out all our family members names. Yet when I hung it on the wall, the type and darker little keepsakes I had were getting lost (see top picture). So, I pulled out the trusty paint brush and some gold paint and painted the back off the tray so that all my little pieces would pop. I chose gold because it's a similar tone so the contrast is not that great. Now it's a perfect piece of my new gallery wall in the guest room. Sometimes little changes and edits make something that was good into something GREAT. My grandfather was the king of edits, he would never leave ANYTHING as he bought it, he always had to put his own personal touch on everything (sometimes to the detriment of the design! But you always had to appreciate the effort!)

Black & White Wedding

There is something classic and clean about a black and white wedding. Sometimes black and white weddings can looks a little dated with the use of silver accents or damask prints. Keep it fresh with natural accents in tans and browns, tie in some lace, silhouette art, chalkboard callouts, graphic prints and maybe even some white spray painted party animals for place cards!  Your flower choices are plentiful in all whites too, black eyed susans, big bouquets of babies breath, and white hydrangeas are some of my favorites.

1. globe & suitcases    2. graphic dress    3. babies breath   4. papercut invites   5. party animals
6. bridesmaid dress   7. thank you chalkboards    8. silhouette cake topper

Wedding Pallet: Yellow & Khaki

For my wedding, almost three years ago now, I was all about yellow and grey. Yellow has always made me happy. Though that pallet is still popping up, it's starting to feel dated. A great update to that much loved pallet, is yellow with khaki colored neutrals, hits of gold, and small hits of green or pink if you're inclined to add another color. I love how fresh and clean it feels, perfect for a bright and happy spring or summer wedding.

1. flower   2. place setting   4. lemon dessert   5. bouquets

Custom Wedding Escort Cards

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I designed these escort cards are for a wedding coming up this weekend. They tie in perfectly with the invites and the programs I also made for this lovely couple. If you don't have the money or space for an elaborate escort card display, just adding some flowers and a simple prop, like this chalkboard globe, turns it into a lovely little set up instead of just rows and rows of escort cards.

DIY: Chalkboard Globe

Chalkboard paint is the best. It just makes everything more fun! I had my Moms (Chris's and Mine), who are both teachers, search their schools for old unused globes. I thought they could be fun projects. I started with the one that has a nice metal frame and decided to make it into a place where Chris and I could write notes to each other, and it would make a nice prop for wedding photos, as you'll see on Thursday's post! It was a super easy project, only taking about an hour, I taped up the metal frame and pulled out the trusty chalkboard paint and a brush and had at it. I did three coats to be safe and make sure you couldn't see the brush strokes. I love how it came out. Now, the question is, what fun things can I do with the second globe!?

It's My Birthday!

It's my birthday today! WOOHOO! I'm turning 28, which means it's only two little years until I'll be 30! For some reason, this birthday I have been thinking about the things I have accomplished, experienced, and seen, as well as all the things I have yet to do. 

I am fortunate enough to have  fallen in love with my best friend and high school sweetheart and get married at 25, we just bought our first house this year, have two crazy dogs, great families, friends and jobs.  I started my own business and blog doing what I love. I've been lucky enough to travel all over the world for work and for pleasure. I've seen almost every big city in Europe, been to a large part of Asia, visited many of the biggest and best destinations the US has to offer, and more. I've been sky diving, white water rafting, horseback riding, rock climbing, surfing, and cliff diving. This year I did my first pull up and lifted 150lbs over my head by doing crossfit.  As I look back at all these things, I realize just how fortunate I am and how much I have to look forward to. This little montage I made displays just a couple things I'd like to do before I turn 30. I'm generally not a fan of the "bucket list", it tends to put too much pressure on doing thing within a certain timeline, so I look at this as more of a wish list for the next couple years. That being said, setting goals and making plans allows you to realize how blessed you are, and how much the world has to offer.

Living Room Inspiration

I stumbled upon this BEAUTIFUL painting by Karen Smidth the other day, and just couldn't help but imagine an entire room to go with it! Our Living room is already done... which is nice and all, but it's fun to start from scratch! Here's what I might do if I had another living room to buy for!

1. Painting $995  2. Wall light $145   3. Coral sofa $1100   4. Ratan Chair $200   5. Pouf   6. Rug $400