Monthly Archives: May 2012

Anticipating: Les Mis

Posted on by

2

Did any of you grow up listening to musicals?  My family took a lot of roadtrips when I was young, and my parents always had Broadway soundtracks on hand – Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, and my all time favorite – Les Miserables.  I could listen for hours and hours (usually with my favorite Eponine solos on repeat… I’m sure my parents loved hearing “On My Own” for the millionth time – I’m a sucker for the tragic characters), singing along at the top of my lungs.  I may have even earned the lead role in our church’s play by auditioning as Cosette, singing “Castle on a Cloud” when I was ten.  (Are you wondering now why I haven’t followed my calling to Hollywood? I know, right?  Me too.) I’ve seen Les Mis on stage a few times – once on that big ol’ NYC Broadway one.  I’m really hoping that this new movie version starring Anne Hathaway as Fantine lives up to this beautiful play.  What do y’all think of the cast?

Moments: Alabama Weekend

Posted on by

4

Alabama weekend

I hope y’all had a sunny Memorial Day weekend full of lemonade and cookouts to kick off summer.  We had a pretty amazing weekend ourselves – roadtripped with one of our fave couples, the Klebergs, down to the sweet Southern state of Alabama to see our dear friends, Sarah Catherine and Karver, get hitched!  It was the perfect excuse to take off a little early and enjoy a full few days of southern hospitality.  The wedding was at the home of the bride in the quaint, little town of Florence – how fun is it to explore the place a close friend grew up?  We spent the majority of our time sunbathing at the yacht club where the men wore visors and croakies (Michael was in heaven) and the women sipped on gin and tonics.  If you’re ever passing through Florence, we highly recommend grabbing dinner at City Hardware (we did… twice).  And if you plan to drink a beer or two poolside on a Sunday, be certain to buy your brews the Saturday before (the sale of alcohol on the Sabbath is prohibited – we know, we got the evil eye for trying!).

Photos above from my iPhone: The invitation (by Rock, Paper, Scissors), Michael by the pool, passing through Tennessee (goodness, the South can be beautiful) and the sweetest thing: Mr. Rice serenading the bride and groom at the beginning of the gorgeous reception.

We had the best time.  Sarah Catherine was a beautiful, gracious bride.  Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Bolton!  Can’t wait til you’re back from the honeymoon!

Styled: A Wedding & A Trip To Chi-Town

Posted on by

1

 

Y’all, today I feel totally energized on life.  So many things – both personal and professional – have been coming together beautifully.  I’m feeling blessed.

I just got back from a whirlwind of a week – I styled a wedding at the Colonnade Club and then caught a 6am flight to Chicago where I styled an elopement photoshoot with Lora Elaine.  I am bursting – bursting! – with all the amazing details and vendors we got to work with.  I wish I could share it all now… But you’ll have to wait until it’s published.  Eric Kelley photographed, and can I just take a moment and say that I am so so excited to see the images (film images!) – the few that I saw via digital shots and polaroids (see above) were too gorgeous for words.  I feel really proud of the way our vision came together.  I loved working with Lora.  It is a real joy to work with people who inspire me to be better – and not just creatively.  Lora inspires me to be a better woman. It was our first shoot working solely together, and I pray it isn’t our last.  She’s a gem, that one.

Also, did I mention my fam lives outside Chicago?  So I was gifted with a couple of relaxed days gardening and sharing coffee with my parents and sisters, both of whom came home from college to see me! The only thing missing was my man.  Maybe next time.

These past two months have given me so much confidence in my styling and creative direction aspirations.  I’ve gotten to do some really fun projects and style some pretty rad events, and all I can say is: Yes! I want more of this!  So if you have any styling needs or know someone I should know, I’d be so grateful if you reached out.  Collaboration is awesome.

 

DIY: Painted Vases

Posted on by

3

Painted vases

This little DIY is so easy, and the possibilities of color and glass vessels are endless!  I’m bummed I didn’t take photos of the process, but if you’re wondering how to do this, here’s a little instruction:

You will need: Clean glass jars/ wine bottles / vases, Painter’s tape, Paint

For the paint, I just went to Lowe’s and chose 6 different colors from paint chips and had them mix up samples for about $2 each.  We had around 130 or so vases, and I had plenty of paint.

Then you just wrap your painter’s tape tightly around each vessel from the top of the vessel moving downward.  I liked varying the heights for a more eclectic feel.  You want to be sure the tape is really taut against the bottle, especially the edge that will touch the paint (or else you will get drips!).  Then I experimented some with the paint – it’s water based, so you can add water to it if need be.  If your paint is on the thicker side, you should be able to use a brush without getting the brush stroke effect as the paint dries.  If you make the paint more viscous, you can actually dip the bottles directly into the paint and allow the excess paint to run off.  Either way, you should find a space where you can dry your bottles face down, so the excess paint drips off and the bottoms don’t stick.  Finally, once the paint is dry, unwrap the tape (carefully)!

Easy. Inexpensive.  And a way to reuse all those mason jars you have left over from your wedding. What do you think?  Would you try it?

Photo by Maggie Stein.

 

Posted in diy