Dress to Impress

Image via Vogue

They always say dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Well, my, my Miss Catherine Middleton! What a way to make a statement. I was up bright and early for the Royal wedding waiting with baited breath (along with the rest of the world) to see the dress. Honestly, I didn't really care about the rest of the pomp and circumstance; I wanted to see the fashion. Alexander McQueen was a fabulous choice on Kate's part (and Pippa's for that matter...I'm obsessed with Pippa!) and I adored the Queen's gift of the Cartier tiara for the ceremony. Not only is she now an HRH, but she's cemented herself as a fashion icon. Personally, I'm excited to see the effect this will have on the wedding industry in the coming months. I do believe we'll be seeing some long sleeved wedding gowns on late-winter brides and definitely a return to more "traditional" touches such as box pleats, blushers and ballgowns. I enjoyed the early morning fashion commentary with my friend Annette and loved getting her design aspect and all of the work that goes into a creating a dress fit for a princess.

The McWedding Video

The wedding of Ashley & Chris from Steadfast Videos on Vimeo.

I am so excited to share this peek into Chris & Ashley's wedding weekend. P and I had such a wonderful time in the Keys and couldn't be more thrilled for the new McHan's. Their wedding was such an awesome testament to their friendships and the love surrounding them. Completely DIY, everyone pitched in and pulled together a perfect evening for the bride and groom and I know everyone involved was so proud of how it all turned out.

Sweet Snapshot Sunday

Hallelujah, he is risen. {via}

Happy Weekend!

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Happy Friday! I'm blogging from Key West where preparations for the McWedding are well under way. I am so excited to share all of the DIY loveliness from this laid back island couple and I am thrilled for these two of our very best friends. First up: a garden rehearsal and a sunset cruise. The groom has created and crafted a rehearsal dinner menu of Mango and Roasted Steak Wraps, Cuban Sliders, Key West Shrimp Ceviche, Island Salad with Papaya and Citrus and Fresh Vegetable Pasta Salad. Delicious! I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend; I'll be back with more from this super sweet pair.

One Particular Harbor

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I am one day away from traveling to the Keys for my first "real" vacation sinc my honeymoon. To say I am jumping out of my skin with excitement would be a vast understatement. I am so looking foward to spending time with Parker, great friends and getting some wonderful inspiration to push me through the rest of this fabulous year! These last six months have been pretty amazing. I've been busy, busy; this last week in particular. Day-to-day work, a photoshoot last Monday with this amazing gal {and this one and this one}, a couple of projects unrelated to business, but none-the-less, work, work, work. I am so unabashedly grateful and am so happy with where I've come since November. I have amazing clients, I'm doing my heart's work and things are moving right along. However, with the day to day busyness, I have been staying on a particular course and haven't truly stepped out of my comfort zone.

If there's anything I've learned from my time at MTH, it's introspection. I've really been giving thought to where I want to be/go/do as a person and as an entity. I've been meeting with inspiring people and working on inspiring projects, yet one thing that has occurred to me is that I'm still setting boundaries for myself and for my work. Putting "what I do" into a neat little box and an elevator speech that could perfectly describe "me" in 30 seconds or less. So, about a month ago I said yes to a project that has taken me so far out of my boundaries, I'm basically off the map. A great friend asked me to create her wedding veil.

I consider myself to be an all around "crafty" person and create the majority of the elements associated with projects I contribute to, but this was on another level.With it being such a special project for such a special person, it didn't matter that I had 85% no idea what I was doing. I had 15% behind me and the knowledge that I was going to make.it.work. And I did. I finished the project last night and could almost weep for joy {if I wasn't so exhausted and could summon the tears, I would}. The result has exceeded my expectations beyond my wildest dreams and ignited in me a new passion and lust for creation.

I get on a plane tomorrow night to hand deliver my labor of love and cannot wait to share it with this sweet bride. I am overjoyed to be able to contribute to such a special part of her wedding day and am so honored that she trusted me with such a great task.* I can't wait to stand at the southernmost point and toast to a beautiful sunset and to new beginnings.

*Editor's note: Ash, you're going to die! It's amazing and I can't wait to see your pretty face on Thursday. Happy Wedding Week!

Sweet Snapshot Sunday

Night, night! {via}

Sweet Snapshot Sunday

This painting just speaks to me. Perhaps it's creativity, bursting at the seams of an otherwise dull life. {via}