Font Love: Existence

I LOVE the super thin lines of this font.
And my favorite letter? The lowercase f, the way is extends high and low... beautiful.

{You can download Existence for free here.}

Inspiration to Creation: Vintage Strawberries

I love finding inspiration from everyday things. This beautiful photo of strawberries sparked the artist within me and this sweet little birthday invitation was created.

{inspiration photo courtesy of Shay Cochrane Photography}

I drew a simple line drawing of the strawberries and used a vintage color scheme, both directions were inspired from the photograph.

Along with the invitation I created matching address labels.
The return address is printed on the left hand side of the invitation and wraps around the envelope.

As a designer I love a complete design experience from the outside in. For example, coordinating colored envelopes with the address label and opening up to the invitation. At the actual birthday party you could carry on the entire idea with the vintage color scheme, a coordinating birthday banner and cupcake toppers (strawberry cupcakes of course), favor tags with strawberry candy or strawberry jam... I could go on and on.

ah. I love this.

(and my husband just caught me smiling at my computer like a little school girl with a crush... haha... hilarious.)

Inside Look: Wedding Invitations

I am working on updating my wedding invitations. I am designing all the coordinating pieces in order to make a complete wedding stationary suite: response cards, thank you cards, programs, menus, etc. My goal is to complete these designs soon and begin on the line of wedding stationary for 2011.

What wedding color palettes would you love to see? Do you have any suggestions for future wedding stationary design? Is there something that you have been looking for and can't seem to find for your special day? I would love to hear from you!

Do you have a favorite?

Favorite Finds - Savannah

Last week I had the privilege to spend 5 days alone with my husband (well... not really, we had a tag along 3 month old to keep us company as well) as we celebrated our 5 year anniversary on May 20th.

We had an amazing time in Savannah, Georgia. We explored every nook of that beautiful city.

My favorite finds this week? All the things that I loved in Savannah!

1. THE FOOD. I am pretty sure we ate more than should be humanly possible...{fun wall of old signs inside a candy shop that we frequented multiple times a day}

{have you ever seen anything more yummy?}

2. THE AGE. I love that everything has a history there. The architecture is amazing and such inspiration... every detail was thought through back in those days (1800-1900's).

3. THE PARKS. Within the city there are 22 squares or parks that are just gorgeous. There were trees in some of the parks that are probably around 300 years old!

4. THE SHOPS. Adorable boutiques and antique stores line the streets.

5. TYBEE ISLAND. A little beach community about 15 minutes away that houses one of the oldest lighthouses in the nation.

6. EVERYTHING. Let's be honest. I loved everything about this little city and loved the opportunity to explore it with the one I love the most!

{this door was my favorite for no particular reason....
although the layers of peeling paint I find beautiful in combination with the crystal doorknob.}


What's the best place you have ever visited and why? I would love to hear from you!

Inspiration to Creation: Girls Stationary

A couple weeks ago I gave a sneak peek at a line of boys stationary that I was working on. Perfect for teaching your little ones to write a note to those they love or say thank you for a sweet gift.

Today I have a few peeks at a line of personalized girls stationary. I designed them with little ones in mind... but honestly I wouldn't mind using them myself.

which one is your favorite?

{These items will up in the shop and available for purchase later today.}

Favorite Finds - 'Designs for the Modern Lifestyle'

Trendy Peas

(www.trendypeas.com)

I found this fun new store via Fly Through Our Nest (always a good read). And I LOVE what I found.Take a look at some of pictures below (all from their website) and then check out their website. The designs are amazing and so my style... clean, contemporary, and all around kid-perfect!

Here is what they had to say about themselves: "a unique selection of contemporary wall art, paper goods and other accessories for kids. Trendy Peas’ designs are kid-friendly, modern and elegant. Our hip range of wall art will add a modern flair to any child’s room, creating spaces that can be enjoyed by both parents and kids..."

{wall art: animals}

{wall art: birds collection}

{wall art: abc collection}

{wall art: wall decals}

All images from Trendy Peas.

Ideas for your Weekend: Yard Sales

Find local yard sales!

Some of my most favorite furniture pieces or decoration accessories have been from yard sales. I love an eclectic look (see description below the second image) that uses an artistic approach to combine casual with contemporary. So, yard sales are my best friend... I can find unique pieces that may need a little work on my end or not.

Below are my favorite yard sale finds. The first is our tv console... I am obsessed with this. It actually belonged to a lady in our church and we got it at her yard sale. It was her daughter's dresser that she had painted and replaced the drawers on the right side with a door. I cahnged the hardware and eventually I want to replace the chicken wire for frosted glass; but except for those minor changes the piece was perfect just the way it was... and it was purchased for $10.00!

The second piece is a small table that I put by my front door. It's perfect! And it too required no work on my part. I am not completely satisfied with the current accessories... but it usually takes me multiple versions and variations before I figure out how I really want something to look.

So this is a perfect example of my love for the eclectic and unusual.
Table - yard sale
Plate - Spain, circa 2006: Mission Trip
Vase - Pier 1, circa 2005: Wedding gift
Frame & Art - circa 2009: Dried leaves from our first trip to the beach after moving to Florida.
Their color perfectly coordinated with our house and I loved their shape, so I framed them in a floating frame.

I love that ever piece is different, has character and a story. I like to decorate with meaning, to me it makes our house feel more like a home.

*Note the little ball hiding under the table... it had been hiding for a year under the bookcase that was previously where the little table now stands. Let's just say Drew was excited to find his lost ball!

Favorite Finds - Rings for Mom

A gift for mom!

Ok. So, I realize that at this rate the gift may be a little late... but it would totally be worth the wait. And besides, you can print off a picture and stick it in the card until the real gift arrives.

I have been longing for a unique ring that I could have my 3 sons names inscribed... and I hit the jackpot. I would love to have any of the rings below... they are all beautiful!

Wide Custom Inscription Hammered Band in Sterling Silver by Delias Thompson

Custom Inscription Stacking Rings with Secret Message in Sterling Silver by Delias Thompson

Destiny Wrapped in Sterling Silver by Delias Thompson

Sterling Silver Spinner Ring by Creations by Cat



Stacking Ring Set by Creations by Cat

(This ring set is already designed with certain stones, but I imagine you could ask if the rings could be customized with birthstones of your children.)

What's your favorite?