WORDS FOR THE WEEK

I just love this quote.  Thought it deserved to be painted and shared. 

XO

COLOR OF THE YEAR INSPIRED : ROSE QUARTZ & SERENITY

 images and more color of the year inspiration found on my boards here and here

image

I thought the best way to kick off my blog posts for 2016 was to start with the inspiring and calming colors of the year.  Dusty pastel shades are my favorites so I am absolutely loving the rose quartz and serenity combo.  The could't have named the blue shade better as it reminds me of a calm, serene day by the ocean in my hometown.  I will be looking forward to client requests for these shades and to see how they are incorporate into wedding palettes and other projects.

Can't wait to bring a some fresh posts, projects, and updates to the blog this year.  Feeling all kinds of inspired.  I hope your new year is off to a wonderful start! 

XO 

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 ITEMS IN THE SHOP

A few snaps of my holiday items for this year! 

All are now available in my shop right here 

XO

HAPPY FRIDAY + SOME LINKS

'poppy' print available in my shop

Happy Friday! 

A few favorites as of late... 

*This floral print dress, to die for

*This, because it's awesome

*Beautiful floral inspiration 

*I've been looking for some fire place / mantel inspiration, this one is gorge

*Cutest camera straps 

*Delicious looking eggplant recipe (this whole blog has great stuff, click through the photo to see)

*An inspiring fall color palette 

*Loving bow tie blouses, particularly this one from Nasty Gal 

*Gucci S/S '16... unreal!

XOXO 

NEW PRINTS IN THE SHOP

I'm so excited to have these new prints ready for the shop! There are six new ones all together and I plan to keep adding more soon (like all the sneak peeks on instagram).  I've been vigorously painting every single day to expand my line, finalize the holiday collection, and just have way more card options that hopefully you guys will love.

Hop on over to see & shop the new prints

XO

HAPPY LONG WEEKEND

Thank goodness for Friday. I hope you all enjoy this long weekend, I know I'm looking forward to relaxing and maybe working on some fun personal projects.  I've been paining so many new things lately, things that just inspire me and that I've been wanting to try.  I plan to start adding some to the shop soon, like this cacti and some of the other florals I've posted on instagram. I found some vintage botanical books at an estate sale last week and have been using them for inspiration! 

Happy Labor day weekend! 

XO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY ETSY SHOP!

photo by Michelle March

photo by Jose Villa

 photo by Best Photography

 Photo by Michelle March

 

 

It's my little shops birthday today! I thought I would share a few significant photos to celebrate, especially my wedding suites that have been so beautifully photographed over the years.  I owe so much to the talented people (other photographers, planners, cake artists, florists) who first got me involved in styled shoots.  When I started out I was mainly doing custom wedding work. Being published on wedding blogs brought so much exposure and new clients to my little baby shop.  I can't believe how it has grown since beginning this journey. Before I go all nostalgic rambles on you,  I am offering 20% off today ONLY.  I rarely do coupon codes but this is a special day!  The code will be valid today only and can be used for prints, cards, and notepads (sorry, custom orders and wedding suites do not apply). Enter BDAY20 at checkout to receive the discount. 

Now, if anyone wants to hear a back story on the shop / beginnings of my illustration career then read on... 

I opened my shop when I was still in art school in 2009.  My mom's friend told her about Etsy, that's how I originally found out it existed. As I hopeful, budding designer I immediately created my own account. I believe it was called "SKCdesigns" back then. haha. Let me back track by saying that in school I was majoring in fashion design.  It's a funny thing because what I took to immediately was fashion illustration and the production side of things (fashion shows, photoshoots, styling).  Upon taking my first textile design class I truly fell in love.  While learning Adobe Illustrator for the first time was beyond frustrating and time consuming, there was something so special about creating patterns that would be turned into fabric that would be turned into beautiful garments... We all know I love wearing/creating a good floral print, so you see how this all starts to tie together.  Pattern making (CAD, ugh) and sewing were unfortunately not my strongest suits in school, however I enjoyed making bathing suits and thought this might be calling, so I did what any hopeful would do and slapped those babies on Etsy along with a few fashion illustrations (insert a million laughing/crying emojis here).  I didn't think much of the shop then. Social media wasn't big yet (no instagram and for awhile I just refused twitter and Facebook because I thought it was weird, lol). So I didn't really have a means or know how to get much exposure (not that my bathing suit collection needed any).  As school came to an end and "real life" was upon me, I knew art/fashion was my calling but I hadn't quite pin pointed it yet.  I took a job freelancing for a major department store doing some textile designing right after graduation.  Again confirming that I loved this side of fashion and I also LOVED doing this from home, as I only had to present designs in their office every two weeks. After that I accepted a design position at smaller apparel company.  Fast forward through eight months of misery.  I knew that I was not meant to be artistically confined to a box in a cubicle while commuting and working weekends.  My mental health, social life, and creativity were suffering bad. With the support of my family (and many promises to them about how hard I planned to work) I quit that job and never looked back. I began vigorously researching and painting...planning and painting, painting, and researching some more. I started my blog (all hideous content at first, obviously) got a Facebook business page and just began posting random artwork and photography.  Jumping ahead, I helped a few friends with wedding stuff and took the time to create some suites to add to my etsy shop.  A few cards here and there. But mostly I just practiced and played with different mediums.  I doodled, sketched, lettered, and tried everything under the sun to find my voice.  Slowly but surely, through much trial and error and a few big fails, I found it. Then after that, people started noticing.  I did a couple styled shoots that got published and more brides started to find my shop. I got asked to do more styled shoots, thus sending even more brides to my shop! I felt inspired again and began painting whatever I wanted on the side.  Slowly some prints crept into the shop, I practiced with lettering quotes that inspired me, really anything that inspired me I painted. This is still true today although I've learned to curate and learned much more about branding in the past couple years so not everything I doodle makes the cut anymore. 

My original intent was never to "start a business",  it was just to do what I love and be my free spirited self, while hopefully inspiring others through art and photography. I was literally livin' on a prayer and my dream for awhile. Over the past few years I've learned so much about business, patience, and dedication, all of which have helped me to turn this into my full time career. Etsy has been an amazing platform to connect me with all types of people, clients, and even press. All good things definitely take time.

"Jump. And you will find out how to unfold your wings as you fall"

Thank you for stopping by and reading this today. Your support and kind words about my work here and on instagram always mean so much to me! Enjoy the coupon code and remember, it just lasts until midnight tonight!
XO

HAPPY FRIDAY + SOME LINKS

Happy Friday y'all!  This has been a week filled with wedding projects and wrapping up some 'day of' decor for my fall brides.  I've also started on holiday items, I'm quite excited about them.  Even though I'm technically behind in stationery world, this is the most ahead I've been since adding greeting cards to my collection last year. It feels weird to even think of Christmas right now! It has certainly pushed my creative limits lately since I was so far from being in holiday mode.  A challenge is always welcomed though.  Stay tuned for some exciting news and more Iceland photos after the weekend! 

As usual, some favorites: 

*Fashion buyers picks for Fall via The Coveteur - swoooning!

*Frida Kahlo at the NY Botanical Gardens, looks so pretty! I'm hoping to make it when I'm there in October.

*These are looking like the perfect black flats for fall

*This picture, because... [heart eye emoji]

*Lace Free People dress, so beautiful and comes in four colors. The green would be a perfect holiday party dress

*This Valentino floral print is beyond gorgeous, one can dream...

*This color palette

*Free Peoples boudoir lookbook shot by Harper Smith, dreamy  

XOXO

HAPPY FRIDAY + SOME LINKS

As of late, the end of the week comes and I'm like 'how is it already Friday?!'  I have to say, I am a little sad to come to the end of August. Where did summer go? My happiness resides in the fact that fall is a wonderful and exciting time of year (to clarify; I do not like summer, the Florida heat and humidity is a little much for me. ha. So I'm not sad to see that wind down, just incredibly baffled how this year is flying)  I feel like once September hits and the excitement of the holidays just makes it even more non-stop.  

Ok, enough rambling and on to some of my favorites from the week:

*This wall for a walk in closet, so fun

*Flowy caftan dresses are my favorite, I love these from Free People, pink and blue

*This post about letting your partner dress you made me laugh and of course I had to experiment (out of curiosity) on Hunter. ha

*This sneak peek of Asos Christmas has me pretty excited

*Cozy fall feelings 

*I have this bag from Free People and it's been amazing to hold all my junk and I often use the clutch for nights out, obsessed with this new color 

*Rose Gold strappy sandals by Ted Baker

*Another interesting read on Man Repeller, are illustrators the new fashion bloggers?

*This office is lovely

Savor your weekend, ok? I hope it's a great one! 

XO