Hello Sunshine are you still there?

Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.
Hans Christian Anderson




Oh Spring, could you please get here sooner rather than later......pretty please. I'm not the biggest fan of cold weather. In fact I kinda hate it. If it were up to me I would live somewhere where the temp never drops below 70 and the sun shines every day.....oh I can almost hear the waves crash outside my window as I type. Don't get me wrong...I feel blessed to see all the beautiful seasons we have in Tennessee; warm summers at the lake, fiery mountains in the fall, sparkling snow covered trees in the winter, Daffodils and dogwoods blooming in the spring. Right now though the weather seems to be stuck in this gray limbo....blah. Needless to say I'm craving warmth and color in my life so here is a little YELLOW inspiration to brighten up the day...

The Knot 

Starting next week I will be posting a new original design/diy project each week. To make this a little more interesting I would love to get you all involved. If you'd like to be a part of my little project please leave a comment with a quote, color, word, or image that you could serve as my inspiration for the week. Each week I will pick one comment and base my design on whatever you have posted for me. This could get very interesting.....I'm sure some of you will have some curve balls to throw at me......all I have to say is bring it:)

Natural Whimsy.......part two of the inspiration shoot.

I hope you all enjoyed the images from part one as much as we enjoyed creating them. On to part two now....
Part two is all about the details! We wanted to do a soft, romantic, whimsical shoot that incorporated some natural elements and a bit of southern charm. Well for one thing, we couldn't have found a better place than the Museum of Appalachia as a backdrop and for another thing, no one could have suited the part of our naturally beautiful bride better than my sweet friend Elizabeth Seymour. In fact Liz was sort of a muse for the day! I wanted every thing to be light and airy, sweet and southern, natural and whimsical all at the same time.....and by George I think we got it;)

The dress and the gorgeous accessories from Wedding Wonderland fit the theme and the bride (in size and style) so perfectly I'm pretty sure she would have loved to take them home for her own big day! The soft airy quality of the gown and the simplicity of the accessories flowed perfectly with the wild flower quality of the bouquet. The flowers used for the bouquet were white scabiosa, white lysianthus, pale pink spray roses, soft yellow football mums, pink heather, creme stock, white veronica, pink alstroemeria lilies, Queen Ann's lace, accented with antique brooches.The table decor consisted of the same flowers designed in low antique milk glass vases, placed on a soft runner of sheet moss. The arrangements were complimented by crystal stemware and candle holders. Menu cards were place on handmade tree bark holders, and held in place with burlap ribbon and handmade silk and lace flowers. All topped off with antique buttons. The adorable little pink ruffled cake from Sassy Cakes of Knoxville was just perfect for the shoot. The delicate pink ruffles were the perfect accent to look (and it was soooo yummy too)! The favors incorporated two aspects of the style we were going for, nature and southern charm. Favor one consisted of saplings wrapped in burlap and accented with antique buttons. Favor two was delicate antique handkerchiefs to be given out with the message, "For happy tears only."

Here are some images from the day from Sarah C Photography......for more please visit my Facebook page!

 And here's the surprise I mentioned in the last blog.......
To view an amazing video of all the happenings during the shoot please follow this link Milestone Pictures. Milestone did a wonderful job capturing the energy and all the little details of the day. Check them out if you are in need of a videographer.....I wish I had known them when I was getting married!

A special thanks to everyone involved
Photos- Sarah C. Photography
Location - Museum of Appalachia in Clinton, TN
Wedding Dress and Accessories - Wedding Wonderland
Video - Milestone Pictures
Cake - Sassy Cakes
Makeup - Ruffles and Rouge Events
Hair – Annissa Troutt of LeCoop Salon

Vintage Drama and Natural Whimsy Bridal Shoot.....fab day, wonderful vendors!

Hello all.......
On Nov. 1st I had the pleasure of taking part in a fabulous bridal shoot at the Museum of Appalachia. It all started when I met my fav Knoxville photog   Sarah McAffry.    Sarah and I decided that it would be fun to collaborate on a bridal shoot. One very yummy Starbucks strawberry's and creme later, the ball was rolling and ideas were piling up. Two different looks were in the works so we decided to go all out and do them both!

Look one was inspired by the vavavoom, old Hollywood good looks of my lovely friend and gracious model Amber Lane. Her dark hair and eyes were the perfect fit for the stunning birdcage veil from Wedding Wonderland and the make up by Ruffles and Rouge couldn't have suited the look more perfectly. I mean come on......the lipstick was the exact color of the awesome 1934 Ford Coupe we had on set!
The flowers I chose for Amber were a mix of classic red roses, red tulips, red gladiola blossoms, red cox comb, orange spray roses, and red coffee berry. I love using all sorts of different textures in a bouquet to add interest and depth. The velvet look of the cox comb gave the bouquet the luscious drama I was going for. The chandelier piece and the birdcage arrangement used complementary flowers as well as golden branches and chandelier crystals. Both could be used to accent reception tables, sign in areas, photo booths, and a number of other areas at your wedding or reception. 

To see all of the images from the shoot please visit my Facebook page and browse the pics I've posted.

I'll post look number 2 tomorrow.........can't wait to share! I have an extra special treat to from Milestone Pictures so please check back!
Sleep well and dream of beautiful weddings:)

Old soul....

I've been called this many times and, well, I guess those words accurately describe me. I love all things vintage and glam: Cary Grant, Katherine and Audrey, Jimmy Stewart......there's nothing better in my book. There's always an old Hollywood movie playing in my head, and if I could, I'd go back in time just to throw one of those lavish parties worthy of Hollywood royalty. I can see myself flitting about the room in my fabulous gown and massive cocktail ring. Oooohhh, I'm pretty sure I was born way too late. I've always loved that time period and the glitz and glam that come along with it. I think some of this comes from a picture of my Grandmother that I've always been in love with. To me, she looked just like the enchanting women of the silver screen. When I was little I knew she had to be famous when this picture was taken! In reality, lavish parties were not  a part of my Grandmomma's life, but in my eyes she will always be the perfect portrait of a lady.

"Grandmommy"

1940's wedding inspiration for my fellow "old souls"...inspired by my beautiful grandmother

Culture Bridal Couture

Etsy shop: Portobello

Ruffled

Annabellagio

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” ~Audrey Hepburn

Gorgeous day.....Gorgeous bouquets

What could be better than this beautiful fall day? I took the pups for a walk this morning and it was wonderful outside!  Hiking, bonfires, falling leaves, hot chocolate, chili, corn mazes, haunted houses and of course Halloween fun...........these are the just some of the things I love about fall. Mix in the clear blue sky and the smoky smell coming from my neighbors chimney and I'm in heaven.

Fall is a lovely time to get married and here is one good reason.......you get to have a bouquet like this...

Valentine Designs 

Or this...

             The Knot

or even this...

Martha Stewart Weddings

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

My heart hurts.......

Don't worry I'm seriously okay......well, maybe not okay, but I'll survive. The thing that ails me is not that serious in reality; however, my heart is truly aching as I type. I've spent the day in search of inspiration for a few projects I'm  currently working on. I know it sounds crazy, but I think I get visual overload when I start running across so many beautiful things! My mind and heart start racing and it seriously makes me feel dizzy! I love beautiful things to the 10th degree....I see a beautiful gown and it makes me want to have my wedding all over again. Then there are flowers! Don't get me started on flowers......I don't even think I could pick a color combo right now if you made me. I'm seriously lovin' the orange and teal combo right now.......but then again, I love red and hot pink.......then there are jewel tones......and the ever fresh white and lime green. See what I mean? My mind is spinning!!!!

Maybe this is why I'm drawn to this profession. I may not get to throw a big wedding of my own over and over (I pretty sure my dad would have a heart attack if I even suggested it, haha), but I do get be a part of so many beautiful wedding days! I can't think of anything better! I always say I will treat my brides' weddings as if they were my own and I truly mean it........after all I feel lucky to be living my own day over and over again when I see the excitement in my bride's face :)

Speaking of my brides...I wanted to share some of my favorite blogs with you ladies......you'll find them on the right hand side of this page........I hope you enjoy!

I'll leave you with the source of my racing heart........I really want this dress......would it be weird if I renewed my vows after just 2 years of marriage?

Have a wonderful evening!

Blessed are those who see beautiful things in the most humble places when others see nothing. ~Pissaro

Ok so that is along title......I know, I know.....but this is by far my favorite quote and I think it sums up the way I look at the world just perfectly. I love things that are not so "perfect"....a rust covered planter, weathered barn wood, my great-great grandmothers vanity chipping paint and all. Like a lot of you vintage/thrift store lovers out there I could seriously fill my house with "treasures" that some people might consider junk. (Don't worry I won't end up on Hoarders anytime soon......my compulsion to buy is  balanced by my obsessive need to have a clean house haha).

All these thoughts come from two things
1. I'm doing a little research for an upcoming photo shoot that I'm sooooo psyched about.
2. One of my best girlies just started her own etsy business Weathered N Worn. Check it out if you love gorgeous, one-of-a-kind jewelry! I'm so in love with her work.....it's really hard to pick a favorite!
Check out her Etsy store at
weathered N worn

One of Mandi's beautiful creations.......

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodnight all.....Sleep well and dream of beautiful things......imperfections and all!