slow down just a bit

My goodness, where have I been? While I can't stand the "I'm so busy" excuse, adding the large volunteer projects (3 weeks in a row!) on top of my regular work load has sadly left my blog to suffer. Please excuse my crash & burn this week.

Now time to put my household back in order and catch up on overdue work. In tandem, I challenge us all to slow down over the next few days.

Image Source: Typography Served (via Pinterest) **And now I want to buy the typeface Babycakes

lovely bundle {sunshine}

Today I will be OUT enjoying the sunshine! Another volunteer photographer gig, these seem to be a regular for me :p

I hope you are able to relish in some sunshine this weekend!

Image Sources: 1. Urban Outfitters (via Design is Mine) // 2. Craig Schlewitz (via Pinterest) // 3. Made by Amelia (via Pinterest) // 4. Jose Villa (via Pinterest) // 5. Meisi (via Pinterest) // 6. Pennywishes //

a few spring flowers

I hope your week is going well! Mine is absolutely flying. I wanted to snap a few quick photos of my current blooms before they disappear. Unfortunately my prize specimen—peonies—were destroyed by hail 3 days after their first bloom. Grrr. The hollyhocks and hydrangeas will have to do this year.

It's almost Friday, people!

notable: photography concentrate

I've had this inspirational print tucked away for a while, and today seems fitting. Last weekend I photographed senior portraits, and not only that they are seniors about to foster out of the system. I RARELY take portraits and it's such a different experience. It was more than a pleasure to glimpse into these young lives for a few hours, and I think this quote by an original photojournalist gangster captures it perfectly (as she always did).

Any of my readers portrait photographers? What do you love most?

Featured Artist: Photography Concentrate, print available for FREE DOWNLOAD (via Pinterest)

mother's day idea ::: paper ranunculus

Happy Monday! It comes so quickly, does it not?

Should you have a few hours (perhaps vegging in front of the tv) and some pretty paper—I recommend making a sweet bouquet or stem of this flower. I'm such a cool color person that this paper had me at aqua & cobalt blue. Metallic silver is a lovely bonus.

Here's to a great week, friends!

Tutorial by: D.I.Y. or Don't! (pdf pattern available here)

lovely bundle {color block}

Definitely a trend of late. Can't say I don't enjoy a large splash of color.

Enjoy your weekend, friends!

Image Sources: 1. Britt Bass featured on The Jealous Curator (via Pinterest) // 2. Magnus Anesund Photography (via SF Girl By Bay) // 3. ASOS (via The Sweetest Occasion) // 4. Alice & Olivia (via Pinterest) // 5. Because Studio (via Pinterest) //

crafty fabric wrapped tree

This cutesy tree was a quick turn-around project I led last week. Handing off the project plan and supplies turned out really well I feel. It was a fun challenge to tie in the book drive with a tree. Hopefully through the title "Grow Our Library" and the book-paper leaves there isn't a huge disconnect.

Hope you're enjoying your week!

If you feel so inclined, donate a book to help St. Louis children learn to read!

notable: erin jane

Happy May Day! A lovely illustration of spring letters. I love the sweet accents....makes me want to put a bird on something.

Featured Artist: Erin Jane

underground dinner in feast magazine

It is nearly MAY. How does this happen? So much to tell you...let's see. Sorry to drop off the planet last week! It was a I-can-hardly-catch-my-breath-life-is-going-in-too-many-directions kind of week. The green smoothie challenge turned out fine, and it IS true. After the three days of misery it was a cake walk. Six full days of fresh veggies and fruits. NOW...

on to the post feature: an underground dinner experience in FEAST magazine.

Local winery. Local chef. Local magazine. Splendid evening.

Remember this catering display I worked on a while back? Well, I was able to attend an incredible event by the same caterers, entre, and even more exciting—the evening is the feature article in a local magazine, FEAST.

Quick details about the event. Entre Underground is a monthly event where the menu and location are kept secret until the day of. My husband and I wanted to participate and we decided to jump at the chance for the overnight experience (knowing it included a bed & breakfast). We were given directions to Hermannhof Vineyards and packed our bags!

To begin the evening we checked into our AMAZING hillside cottage overlooking the Missouri River. From there we headed to the newly remodeled vineyard grainery to munch on hors d'oeuvres and wine. Then made our way over the the 150-year-old, stone-carved caves of the winery cellar for a five-course candlelit dinner. Just remembering makes me feel so dreamy! The relaxing continued into the morning with breakfast, followed by a lazy drive back to St. Louis through many of the small winery towns on a drizzly Sunday.

Everything a getaway should be.

For the full article and menu visit here and to view more images of the event go here.

All photography by Jennifer Silverberg for FEAST magazine. (Center images of the magazine spread by me)

notable: ornamelle

Sleeping just a little longer, planning a new project, snuggling, cooking a delicious meal, spending time not doing much....I am so grateful for this season—to bask in the small joys of a slow, simple life.

Handlettering by: Ornamelle