HAPPY EASTER WEEKEND!

Hope you all have a lovely Easter weekend! 

XOXO 

A YEAR IN REVIEW : 2015 HIGHLIGHTS

This year has been freaking incredible.  When I began thinking about 2015 and what it meant to me I was overwhelmed (also a little sad about how fast it seemed to have flown by).  Although when I really analyzed each month and everything I've done this year, I had a hard time processing how it all fit into 12 months. It flies by but it doesn't. Time is weird. I am incredibly thankful for business growth and the continued support from this wonderful online / social community (and of course from my family and friends!).  Using social media and this little blog to share my work is an amazing thing, I'm constantly in awe that I have 'fans' and forever grateful for the encouraging comments! 

I hope you don't mind taking a little walk down memory lane with me today.  These are my most prized professional and personal moments from 2015...

1. Collaboration with Hallmark
Back in May I was approached by Hallmark to collaborate...ecstatic to say the least. I created a four piece Valentine's greeting card collection.  I got to post a little sneak peek on instagram last week. I will be sharing more on this including where to buy and all four designs from the collection next month!

2. Travels; Antarctica, Argentina, and Iceland
I feel so incredibly blessed to see the world. Traveling has become a top priority.  It is truly priceless as experiences like these mean everything to me. I am so lucky to have my sister who shares a love for adventure, culture, nature, and making spontaneous travel plans.  This year we conquered two new continents with a trip to Antarctica...we had to fly through Argentina to board the ship to Antarctica so we decided to extend our stay on the way back so we could explore Buenos Aires. We've both had been wanting to visit Iceland after seeing magical photos of it over the past couple years.  This was totally unplanned and we threw it together in less than two months.  It's quite easy to get around Iceland and it far exceeded my expectations so I am beyond happy we made this happen! We just have two continents left and with a trip to Japan in the works for next year, we will just need to get to Australia. So exciting to be achieving this goal with my big sis.  You can read about my trips in more detail as I blogged them by day earlier this year; Antarctica, Argentina, and Iceland

3. Urban Outfitters artist series
This year Urban Outfitters launched an online artist series print shop.  I was asked to contribute my ferns print. It is such an honor to work with a company I love so much and have admired for a long time. Every once in awhile a styled shot pops up on my instagram feed and I'm like hey there I am...so cool.  You can check that out here, the print is offered in more sizes than I have on Easy and also with multiple framing options.

4. West Elm Local
I was asked to become a part of West Elm Local, an initiative recently started by West Elm to support local artist communities and encourage store managers to carefully curate their individual stores. I just love this.  So far I am in Estero, Orlando, and two Miami locations (Florida Only). We even got to go up to Orlando for an in store event this summer!

5. Stationery Product Line Expanding
This year I began to expand my stationery / product line by adding greeting cards, notepads, gift wrap, and more.  I signed on to Etsy Wholesale so retailers can now place wholesale orders directly on there. I have always wanted to have a super fun flowery product line and after gaining confidence from the past few years of illustrating for wedding clients and other companies I am finally ready for this next step, which leads me to my next highlight of 2015...

6. Signed on for National Stationery Show
A long time dream becoming a reality in 2016.  I am terrified and more excited about this than anything in business so far.  I CANNOT WAIT! The money for my booth space has been paid, I completed the Trade Show Boot Camp e-course...it is official!  I will be painting my buns off in the new year. I can't wait for you all to see what I have up my sleeve!

7. Photoshoots 

Every year I am absolutely floored at the talent that asks me to be involved in photoshoots.  A few highlights were sending photos off to The Mrs. Box launch, The Four Seasons Haulalai that was shot and styled by some of the best wedding vendors out there; Jose Villa, Summer from Grey Likes Weddings, and The Venue Report.  And a French Blue & Lavendar inspired shoot by Best Photography that got featured on Green Wedding Shoes.

8. Plum Pretty Sugar x BHLDN
The lovely ladies at Plum Pretty used one of my floral prints for their beautiful robes. It is currently being sold at BHLDN.  So exciting to see my artwork on fabric! I mean... ekkk!

9. Baby Friends
My friends have been such a huge part of helping to grow my business; their advice, willingness to listen me whine / analyze / talk my ideas out, and their encouragement are the biggest blessings.  We use the term 'baby friends' because that's literally how long we've known each other, since childhood. Several of my close friends welcomed little ones into their lives this year and it's so fun to be apart of their joy by sharing my talents (and playing auntie).  Can't wait to share the rest of the stationery items we came up with for Heather's shower...

10. Playing Painter & Photographer

When my worlds collide and I get to photograph a wedding that I've also designed stationery for it's just the best! This happened a few times this year with Ashley & Josh, Odette & Mark, and Caleb & Liz (going to share their full wedding after the new year!)... 

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all for following along on my creative journey. 

Wishing you the happiest of new years!  See you back here in 2016! 

XOXO 

HOLIDAY BAKING: CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT CRACKLE + RED VELVET THUMBPRINTS

OMG. If you're going planning to do some gift giving in the form of baked goods, these recipes from Southern Living are AMAZING.  All my chocolate lovers out there especially need to try to crackle cookies, they are rich and fudgey and delicious. 

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT CRACKLE COOKIES

2 oz. unsweet chocolate baking bars, chopped

2 tbsp. butter

1/4 tsp. table salt

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. peppermint extract 

2 large eggs

3/4 c. flour

1/4 c. unsweet cocoa

1 tsp. baking powder

1 cup powdered sugar 

1. Microwave first three ingredients in microwave safe bowl on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Stir in sugar, peppermint, and eggs until blended. Stir flour, cocoa, and baking powder together then stir into the chocolate mixture until well blended. Cover bowl with plastic and chill for 1 hour. 

2. Preheat oven to 350. Drop dough by level spoonfuls into powdered sugar and roll to coat.  Place coated cookies 1 inch apart on parchment paper lined baking sheets.

3. Bake for 10 minutes or until cookies are crackled. Cool completely (about 20 minutes) 

RED VELVET THUMBPRINT COOKIES

1/2 c. unsalted butter, softened

3/4 c. granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 1/2 tsp red food coloring

1 1/4 c. flour

1 tbsp. unsweet cocoa

1/2 tsp table salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 oz. cream cheese, softened / room temperature

1/4 c. white chocolate morsels, melted according to directions on package

extra morsels to garnish 

1. Preheat over to 325. Beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until creamy. Add egg and food coloring, beat 30 seconds

2. Sift flour with cocoa and salt. Add to butter mixture, beating at low speed until combined. Stir in vanilla 

3. Shape dough into 1 inch balls and place 1/2 inch apart on parchment lined baking sheet.  Press thumb into each ball, forming an indentation

4. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until cookies and fragrant and dry. While cookies are still warm, press indentations again.  Cool cookies completely (about 30 minutes)

5. Stir together cream cheese and melted white chocolate in a small bowl. Fill center of cookies with cream cheese mixture (I put the mixture in a ziplock bag and cut the corner to squeeze it out in nice little circles). Garnish with white chocolate. 

Happy Baking! 

XO

SOUTH CAROLINA IN PHOTOS

Some photos from a quick Thanksgiving trip to my grandparents. I love visiting their tiny town. Slow southern living at its finest.  The weather was absolutely perfect at a crisp 28 degrees in the morning, I love it cold! Winter sunsets, pretty ponies, and fluffy cotton fields... perfection.

XO

GIFT GUIDE FOR THE TRAVELER

photo from Iceland this summer

A few favorite travel related gifts for the gal who is always planning her next adventure...XO

Passport Holder // Suitcase // Headphones // Backpack // Vacation Funds Jar // Water Bottle // Emergency Kit // Laundry Bag // Places to See Book // Travel Journal // Eye Mask // Rose Water Spray

HAPPY FRIDAY + SOME LINKS

all florals on black available in my shop

Happy Friday! 

We are off to visit my grandparents in South Carolina for a few days.  I am so looking forward to the cold weather and wearing some layers for once!  I recently got a new lap top which makes me feel so much better about being away.  Having a reliable computer so I can still get some work done on trips relieves tons of my stress, especially around this time of year. While I totally enjoy unplugging every once in awhile, I like to stay productive and check in during down time on vacation.  Hope you have a lovely weekend and are getting prepared for Thanksgiving (already!) next week.  

Starting next week through the holidays I am going to be turning these Friday Favorites posts into gift guides.  Stay Tuned! But first... some loves, wants, and needs from this week... 

*Quartz collar necklace

*Lavander, thyme, and white chocolate scones, amazing.

*Brass initial door knockers

*Inspired by the cut and texture of this Valentino dress

*Painted antler ornaments

*Just a really pretty holiday pin

*This Free People tunic 

*Stunning, inspiring photo of Jennifer Lawrence 

*A beautiful wedding color palette 

*This adorable boho cottage is everything 

XOXO

REAL WEDDINGS : SUMMER SOIREE IN YBOR CITY

Such a fun wedding to be a part of this summer! I had the pleasure of not only creating some hand painted signage for the day but also shooting it! You can see some more photos over on my photography blog

XO