CYBER MONDAY + A GIFT GUIDE FOR THE STATIONERY LOVER

Happy cyber Monday! Hope everyone had an amazing holiday weekend and got a little head start on some Christmas shopping.  My shop is extended through midnight tonight (use THANKS1 at checkout). Below is a round up on some favorite little stationery items that would make perfect girlfriend gifts or stocking stuffers! 

XO

notepad planner // floral agenda  // vintage stamps // alpaca tape dispenser // floral notecard set // letter holder // floral pen // small notepads // mouse receipt holder // floral gift bags // vintage letter opener // journal 

WEEKEND SCENES

A few snaps from my weekend... Friday my friend Jess and I set out to do some just for fun styling and pictures using items from their vintage shop. I'm wearing vintage dress, Forever 21 kimono, and Asos sandals // This weather has been awfully rainy but has made for some interesting, dramatic photos at the beach // (below) cold brew from Buddy Brew in Sarasota might be my new favorite // Needing a refresh from traveling & going into the last half of 2015 (sad) so I've been updating and rearranging, starting with my studio // These painted signs were for a wedding I shot on Saturday in Ybor City "real" photos to come // I shot photos for friends blog yesterday. They plan to launch this week and I'm stoked to share more on that soon.

Hoping you have a productive Monday, all this rain is making me tired! 

XO 

HAPPY 4TH!

I'm back from New York just in time to celebrate the 4th of July! Watching the fireworks over the water is my fave.  I can't wait to share all that I've been working on and alllll of my photos from NYC! 

The above pictures were from an inspiration shoot with The Kissing Tree Vintage a couple weeks ago (see more on my photography blog)

Have a happy weekend! xx

PAINTED PHOTOS // A FLORAL FEAST

If you follow my photography work as well, you'll know that I have been experimenting with studio settings lately.  I've been wanting to try some just-for-fun things that would allow me to combine my paintings with my photography.  I wanted to shoot these white and bright to make a simple palette for drawing over.  I just tried a few to start and also painted a backdrop for this shoot as well (middle photo).  I love doing things like this that allow me to combine my favorite things, hoping to make a full series in the future.  You can see more on my photography blog - shannonkirstenphoto.com/blog

xo

BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

We got our tree up this week! It feels crazy that Christmas is almost here but having the tree and lights on every night has definitely been getting me into the spirit.  I decided I wanted to decorate very simple this year.  Our tree has white lights and just kraft paper ornaments.  I got these at Michaels, they were in the craft section meant to be painted or turned into something more exciting I suppose.  I loved them in their natural state and they ended up being under $1 each! I had leftover flowers and greenery from a photo shoot so I made tiny arrangements and added some rosemary and pine (cut from the back of the tree) to spruce up my end tables.  Now onto completing the shopping list.  

xox 

OFFICE REMIX

I'm thrilled to be almost finished remixing my office.  It's long overdue and quite the task.  I finished painting the last bit of the wall this week.  Now everything will slowly but surely get put back into place.  It's so nice to have a blank canvas.  I'm not totally sure what else I'm going to hang but I love what has been started with the shelves above.  I wanted one wall with lots of shelving for storing everyday supplies and already packaged goods.  I can't wait to complete it and share more.  This is literally the breath of fresh air I needed to prepare for a new, crazy year!  

Items shown above: 

buffalo print via The Animal Print Shop // black frame via Michaels // wire baskets & black /white stripe bin via Container Store // small printed frame is Nake Berkus for Target // black shelves and brackets from Ikea // bowls, vase, antler, dreamcatcher are vintage / flea market finds // larger white shelf is custom.  

xox

WEEKEND SHAPSHOTS : EXPLORATIONS

snapshots from exploring. 

happy monday! 

xx

STYLE : RED ON RED

Dress: Vintage / Shoes: Betsey Johnson / Clutch & Bracelets: Vintage / Headband: Forever 21

Photos by Hunter 

On our way to dinner the other night, the sunset was too pretty not to stop and take some photos.  I know the cemetery is kind of creepy but I have really been wanting to take some photos around these parts.  We pulled over to test the light and I was pleasantly surprised.  On a side note, I'm loving the monochromatic look lately.  How do you feel about wearing all one color?  

xx

DIY FLOWER CROWN

 I made a flower crown for my shoot this week, I wasn't sure how this project was going to go down at first but I was pretty happy with the results.  This was my first time making one so I'm definitely no expert but this is what worked for me... 

 I only ended up using thick floral wire and scissors,  And of course whatever flowers you are going to use.  I asked some advice from a florist friends about storing them overnight.  She recommended keeping the stems long enough to keep in water (there are special little tubes you can buy at the craft store)  I didn't have time to get those so I just used a large tupperware bowl and gently set the flowers in it with a bit of water. It worked just fine and they kept overnight.

 I measured a circle around my head and tied it off.  Then I began tightly wrapping the larger flowers onto the wire circle.  I only did the front and sides...

 In the morning before my shoot, I finished it off by sticking the smaller stems and wildflowers in with the larger ones.  It was easier then tying everything on with wire, they stayed just fine! Cut the stems off pretty short before using so it will set on your head...

 Afterward I took it apart and put the butchered flowers in little milk glass bowls and vases...they are still alive four days later! 

And here is a little sneak peek from my shoot with Annalise!  

I'll definitely be making one again soon.  

xx

PRETTY SNACKS

French bread, brie cheese, and lemon curd from Trader Joes.  You can't go wrong with a pretty snack like this!  Plus I wanted to use all my recent trinket purchases.  You can never have enough gold things laying around...  

Napkins : Anthropologie / Plate : Anthropologie / Berry Crate : Sur La Table / Creamer Dish & Flatware : Vintage 

FIVE THINGS FRIDAY

These are a few photos of my little entry way.  I have been playing around with the arrangement of things and I think I might have come up with something I like.  

A few other things (not all pictured) that made me happy this week...

1. I got the buoys at the Mount Dora Flea Market...I love the fun colors and that they finally have a home!

2. Going through old travel photos (to frame and hang) brings back such good memories of past adventures.  The photo above is from a trip to Ukraine I took in college. 

3. It's been a little rainy on and off, so naturally wearing my Hunter boots is quite exciting. 

4. These red fringed cowboy boots.  Enough said.

5. Ordering pillows for the couch (finally!) and a couple new prints for my gallery wall.  

I can't wait to get my house all decorated, it's been the biggest thing on my mind lately...Just having a cozy, inspiring place will be so nice.  

Happy Friday! 

IN BLOOM

Gosh I love flowers.

I never thought I was a fan of tulips until I picked these up at Fresh Market yesterday.  I love the way they droop over the vase and how vibrant their color is.  How else do you celebrate the first day of spring other than treating yourself to some delicious flowers?!  I am usually not a huge fan of contrast-y photos but I think these look pretty cool against my black wall.