Featured: Surprise Baby Shower on On to Baby

Since I came down with a little cold in this lovely new year, my mind has been a little too foggy to think about resolutions and goals quite yet. I might blow past all that entirely, I can't decide yet (must be feeling particularly rebellious this year!)  In the meantime, I did want to share this baby shower that I threw with my friends at The Bell Jar for After Yes's Amanda Connelly, that was featured on 'On to Baby' last week! You might have caught a few photos on the day that I posted to my Instagram feed, but let's be honest, Apryl Ann does a much better job at capturing the prettiness.

It was a surprise shower to celebrate the birth of her daughter and she was truly surprised, which made it very fun.

The desserts tasted as good as they looked - those yellow macarons are too DIE for!

See more images of the shower at On to Baby!

Vendors: Photography: Apryl Ann Photography, Planning: After Yes, Venue: The Studio at Hickory Street Annex, Caterer: Two Sisters Catering, Florist: Bows & Arrows, Invitations & Paper Goods: Lauren Chism Fine Papers, Dessert Bar: Cakewalk Bake Shop, Linens: ChrysQ

Featured: Behind the Invitation on Style Me Pretty

I have been dyyyyyyyying to share these wedding invitations and am so excited to do so along with the whole wedding, which was insanely beautiful. Their invitations and wedding were featured on Style Me Pretty last week, in a 'Behind the Invitation' feature. You can read all about Megan's vision and all the details of their custom design there.

Megan and Lincoln were married at Castle Hill Inn, in Newport, Rhode Island in the dreamiest wedding. There were so many wonderful details and since pictures speak loader than words, I'll stop typing, and let you take in the gorgeous day!

I also designed a custom monogram for her to use on programs and cocktail napkins.

Megan is a dream client. Her style and vision was so clear, yet she didn't micro-manage my design work and let me do my thing. I love how the suite uses a mix of high and low cost printing methods - it's not matchy-matchy but everything works together seamlessly.

I absolutely love this bride,  her invitation suite and wedding - what a magical day!

Wedding Vendors: Wedding Invitations and Monogram: Lauren Chism Fine Papers |  Calligraphy: Abigail Luby of Chips & Salsa Design Studio | Photographers: Superflat Photography | Invitation Photography by Perez Weddings | Wedding Planner: Couture Parties | Videographer: David Bettencourt | Flowers: Stoneblossom  | Venue: Castle Hill Inn, Newport, RI |  Rentals: Rentals Unlimited | Rental linens: I Do Linens | Cake: Confectionery Designs | Bridal Gown: Daniel Faucher Couture | Mother of the Bride ceremony gown: Daniel Faucher Couture | Groom's Tux: Armani White Label | Groomsmens' Tux Rentals: Viking Tuxedo | Bridesmaids' dresses: Nicole Miller and Dessy | Mother of the Bride Afterparty Dress: Savoia | Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Musicians: Lois Vaughan Music | Reception Band: The Sultans of Swing, Jerry Bennett Entertainment | Brides Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bride and Groom's jewelry: Takohl Design | Animal Table Name Illustrations: Red Gate Arts |  Programs and Menus: DIY by the Bride | Confetti: Couture Parties

Meet Bodega Destination Wedding Invitation

I am working on this design for a bride right now and realized I have never formally introduced it on the blog, so let's remedy that, shall we?

Bodega is my 'fiesta themed' invitation in my Resort Collection and one of my more colorful designs. It features intricate papel picado flags, that are festive, yet chic and allows for endless color combinations. This design has been fairly popular, and I really don't think I've used the same colors twice.

This might have been one of my favorite inspiration boards, maybe because I am a fan of the destination wedding, but mostly because to some, 'fiesta' means casual, but it definitely doesn't have to be. I took a more elegant stance, without sacrificing color and this is what I came up with. So pretty!

Row 1: via Eat Drink Pretty, Jose Villa via Style Me Pretty, via Martha Stewart LivingRow 2: Nancy Ray Photography via Southern Weddings , Jose Villa, Tec Pataja, Joey Kennedy Photography via Style Me Pretty, via 100 Layer CakeRow 3:  Jose Villa via The Wedding Style Guide, Lane Dittoe Fine Art Wedding Photography via Style Me Pretty, Adam Nyholt, Photographer via Style Me Pretty, via Style Me Pretty

Featured: Our Moving Announcements on Oh So Beautiful Paper

So excited to share these: our own personal moving announcements were featured on Oh So Beautiful Paper today!

As you know, we moved this summer, and not one to miss out on a stationery sending opportunity, I have been thinking about what to do for moving announcements from the moment we bought our house. Typically, I tend to go over the top with my personal stationery projects, but this time, decided on something quick, casual and frankly, affordable, because let me tell you, between the new furniture and home improvements, the announcements might be the only affordable part of this move! (Sorry honey!)

I went with some small flat printed cards, but did include a touch of something special: calligraphy! I had friend, Lauren Essl, of Blue Eye Brown Eye, pen our address for these announcements and for a return address stamp. She is amazingly talented and I loved how her style worked with the rest of the modern feel, but still is super elegant.

I love sending my mail with coordinating (or just fun) stamps. I particularly loved getting an opportunity to use these new Johnny Cash stamps - gotta love the 'Man in Black'.  Did you know that the online USPS store has a way better selection than your local post office? You can find so many fun ones, and they only take a few days to get to you. They are fun, and avoiding the post office all together is just a bonus.

I love how they turned out. Thank you Nole, for the feature!

2 Years

2 years ago, today, I started one of the biggest adventures of my life. I left my accounting career, steady paycheck and calculator (okay, maybe I took that with me) behind and traded it for design programs, stacks of paper, and that annoying little thing called the unknown. I had no idea what being a full time designer would be like - I think I envisioned sleeping in, leisure designing, and free time. The reality was that I worked more and harder than ever before. Sometimes it doesn't feel like work and sometimes it does, but it has been the best, most rewarding and fun 2 years.

This year was a year of streamlining - learning to manage things in the most efficient way possible. This time last year, I felt a little in over my head, and I realized that everything was completely in my control. I am the one that calls the shots - so if I wanted things to be different, then I needed to change things. A successful business didn't have to mean a big business and so I set some guidelines for myself to create my ideal business: a small, one woman business. Now, things feel more under control and enjoyable, and this focus helped make the biggest hurdle of the year - the seemingly devastating business name change, start to feel more fitting, more me and more like it was all 'meant to be'.

I feel so so lucky to be able to do what I love and sometimes can't believe that this is my job. I want to thank my family, friends, clients, fellow designers and Minted for allowing me to live beyond even my craziest dreams.

And in the spirit of being my own boss, I think I'll give myself the afternoon off! Happy Friday!