Wedding in an Orange Orchard

THIS wedding was a dream. While I would love to take credit for the color scheme, it was the bride who really had a natural eye for putting things together. That coupled with her carefree personality made these arrangements such a joy to work on.

The colors were somewhat decided from the fact that their wedding/reception took place in her parents  orchard. It had such a warm and welcoming feel. The summery pinks & yellows in her bouquet wonderfully balanced the orange accents in the trees around the property. Her unique dress made by Free People represented her free spirited nature and fit the venue perfectly.  To add to the intimate vibe, her husbands company Context Coffee served yummy pour overs before the ceremony and during the reception, so amazingly delicious! (If you are looking for something unique to add to your big day I highly recommend them!) The whole day seamlessly combined both their personalities and made for an romantically whimsical day. I just love everything about this wedding!

All these beautiful images were captured by Lizzie of S'wonderful Photography. She is super talented with digital and film photography (personally my favorite!). Take a look at her stuff, it is so dreamy!

Nursery Visit pt. II

One day I will have a coffee shop nursery with free books to read and little benches throughout so anyone can come by, sit, read, and sip. Sounds like a 'lil slice of heaven don' t it? These photos were taking at Hartleys Botanical in Somis and Growing Grounds Nursery in Camarillo. Hartleys had peacocks! I have no idea why, I was there around closing time so didn't get a chance to ask. They were so majestic, and shy. 

Butterflies

I recently heard about the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum having a butterfly exhibit and I HAD to go. I usually wait for my husband to adventure to places like this but I thought, maybe solo dates are underrated? They totally are. They had a pretty massive enclosure so the lil' Florida beauties couldn't escape. I must have spent an hour and a half inside just marveling at their pretty wings.

They are hands down the best looking insects and probably the only ones I wouldn't mind landing on me (which dozens of them did!). The exhibit is open for another month or so and I really want to go back! 

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Have a happy Thursday :)

Summer Goals

 Since recently getting married I have noticed one of many things: I am very goal oriented (that is an understatement). It's been a super valuable realization because I better know how to make my dreams a reality; I gotta write things down. One of my favorite bloggers, James of Bleubirdblog, wrote a post a week ago that I really enjoyed. I couldn't resist writing in my own thoughts in hopes that it will help me to accomplish all my zillions of goals. 

Eating / every tomato, pepper, and squash from our garden. What in the world do you do with acorn squash? Oh, and less potato chips. 
Drinking / water, tons of it.
Practicing / others centered mentality, discipline, kindness
Mastering / getting organized
Learning / to use my creative muscles 
Trying / to think less of what people think and more about what makes me feel alive
Playing / with new (!) friends. 
Finishing / more things. getting less overwhelmed with the details and overcoming the fear of the unknown 
Reading / Flannery O'Connor short stories 
Remembering / to live for today and leave the rest up to Him. 
Wearing / maxi's
Cooking / more for friends
Working / with a schedule, actually planning things out so I don't get off track
Traveling / a whole lot more
Wanting / to just be better, always. 

What are your goals this summer?? Write 'em down! 

Nursery Visit

I've said it once and I'll say it again, I love nurseries. They are like botanical gardens but you can buy the stuff and put it in your house or garden. I recently saw an ad for a one I have not yet visited and turns out,  it was just a couple miles from my house! Meant 2 B. I mean, a plant lovin' gal like me just had to stop by and take some photos. It inspired me to maybe make this into a series? We'll see. 

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Some of the foliage really inspires me to incorporate more funky and distinct colors/patterns into my arrangements. Just look at those hand painted beauties!  

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FERNS. Who can ever get enough of 'em. Not me. I want to sleep in a room full of them. And of course the most trendiest right now, the fiddle leaf fig. [Emoji with hearts for eyes.]

All these photos were taken at the Nordic Nursery in Newbury Park. It was probably the most well organized and varied nursery I have been to in a long time. I highly recommend you visit this gem. 

can't get you outta my head

There are some photos on Pinterest that haunt me in the most wonderful way. With most of them I couldn't even tell you why, but they just stick with me, and inspire me. These are a few from the last few weeks I haven't been able to get outta my head. 

From Trendland 

from Fork and Flower 

from The Alison Show 

from Adventures with Cooking 

from this blog 

Have a Happy Thursday!

California Adventuring

Last week I took a trip with some friends to Carpinteria. I haven't been in such a long time and I forgot how much I love this sweet little town. It seems like they have expanded since I was there last, anyone with me on that? I've always loved the place, but this trip got me itching to go back and explore around. We briefly went to the beach (it was soooo windy!) and then meandered around the main drag for a bit. Antique browsed, ate some cupcakes, and my new jam, pitaya bowls at The Beach Bowl.  Oh man, they were so delicious. 

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One thing I love about Carpinteria is the mix of old and new. There may be one store that seems like it's been here for decades with so much unique character but next door is a shop that is somehow perfectly quirky while being new to town. Also, the beach being walk-able distance isn't too shabby either. 

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At Crushcakes not only did they have so many varieties, including a daily gluten-free flavor, but they also served Intelligentsia coffee. Their cupcakes alone sold me but their coffee choice just gives me an excuse to come back and try more flavors. I'm okay with that. 

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I wanted to take so many photos of that pitaya bowl, just look at that vibrant pink! I promise that  was what it looked like in real life, and it tasted ten times better than it looks. I believe mine was called the "celebrity bowl".  With pitaya, almond milk, and peanut butter blended underneath and topped with banana, strawberry, honey and hemp seeds. Yeeeum, I already want to go back.  Oh, and of course I had to take photos of wildflowers. Come on, just look at those white crinkly matilija poppies, aren't they amazing?

I'm excited to go back and adventure around Carpinteria's undiscovered places and of course stop by my new favorites. This was a good spontaneous mid-week trip. I've resolved to venture on them more often this summer. 

Greens & Fillers

The wedding I did this past weekend may just be one of my all time favorites, I can't WAIT to get the photos from Lizzie over at S'wonderful (she is amazing by the way). Before beginning the arrangements I took photos of some of the greenery I used because while amazing in a bouquet, they are so stunning on their own. 

From top left: Spirea, Olive leaf, veronica, and poppy pod.

This last photo is a lil sneak peak of the bridesmaids bouquets. I really loved how they turned out!! 

Mother's Day Tussies

For Mother's Day this weekend I made some (okay 150) sweet tiny bouquets to be given to the women at Anthem. I was asked to make these on a budget and began brainstorming for something simple yet pretty, and then I remembered, tussie mussies!  In the early 1900s women would typically have much smaller floral bouquets and they often had meaning behind the flowers or herbs in them. They also were held in some type of cone wrap. I used carnations, my new favorite under rated flower, because they were deemed the Mother's Day flower way back when. 

I used Chamomile flower as a filler because it was obviously the best choice, just look at how cute they are. And those carnations??? puleaz. 

On our property there are tons of garden roses and unique foliage I took full advantage of.  These were easy to make and the kraft paper wrap really gave them the vintage "straight from the local floral shop" look I was going for. Make a tussie mussie this week for someone and take a look in your backyard for fillers. You might be surprised what you will find when you are looking for it. 

Zoe International

This past weekend I had the honor of creating some floral arrangements for an  international organization called Zoe International. The founders spoke and I was so encouraged and inspired by the sacrifices they make to rescue children who are sold, or at risk of being sold, into prostitution slavery.  Such a heinous crime that people need to be more aware of. I am all about doing more events like this!

I was so excited to create these arrangements because its a color palate and design I have been envisioning for quite some time. I also bought these new mercury glass vases, and I love 'em. A really nice neutral that doesn't take away from the pops of color. 

To find out more about this life saving organization please go to their site here. And again, major photo cred to my gal Brooke over at Project Poiema! She is the best! 

Take Me Back

We FINALLY got some of our film processed from our honeymoon and I couldn't be more excited about sharing them!  We drove up the coast, starting in Cambria and ending our trip in Yosemite. Along the way we stayed in Big Sur, Monterey, and Carmel. It was a dream. We had no set plans and no particular place to be. A well deserved brake after the chaos of wedding planning.

 In preparing for this trip I was taking any and all recommendations from friends and family.  Look out points, scenic drives, and of course, if not mostly,  places to eat. We took some of the well guided suggestions people gave us and also discovered some new places. I feel compelled to share them with you because places like this need  to be experienced. 

This was the second place we stayed. Deetjen's Inn. Nestled in the untamed mountains of Big Sur, this place....was magical. We stayed in the only stand alone, itty bitty cabin,  Complete with a sky light to peek through redwoods by day and stars by night. My favorite part, each room has a journal that guests can write in about their stay. Some of the most amazing stories in there! They also have larger cabins with tons of rooms, more hostel like for those not wanting the romantic scene.  

Yosemite Fires :(

Must stop places in Cambria: 

               + Sow's Ear 

               + Village Bean 

Must stop places in Big Sur: 

               + Nepenthe 

               + Big Sur Bakery

               + Big Sur Taphouse (They have a sneaky staircase that takes you an upper deck /                                                           outdoor lounge area with twinkle lights in the trees!!)

Must stop places in Carmel & Monterey: 

              + Katy's Place 

              + Restaurant 1833 

              + Vivolo's Chowder House 

              + Casanova 

Out of all the places we ate at, Casanova was our favorite (and that is saying a lot because we had so much amazing food!). A little one story house off the main drag turned into a restaurant with a gorgeous tree growing through it. It was so amazing.

Nikki

I was recently asked to create a floral crown for a maternity shoot and the gal, Nikki, wanted pastel roses after her babes middle name, rose. I am not usually drawn to pastel flowers so creating this put me a tad out of my comfort zone, which I am all about! I love projects that force me to try new styles and more often then not, inspire me in the future. Thanks to Nikki, I think I this summer I'll be all about the pastels. 

Henna! She got this done just for the shoot. I really like when gals get creative with maternity shoots. It's cool to see fresh and new concepts out there.  

The location is so unique and earthy, it fit her style so well. 

Aren't these photos amazing? My friend Ali over at Take Heart Creative shot them and she has some other pretty things on her site. Take a look!

...then comes marriage

The last year and a half of my life has been a bit of a whirlwind. Me and three of my closest friends (and roommates) all got engaged within six months and we were married off within eight. I have no idea how we got that all accomplished. Lots and lots of planning, packing, moving, and of course finding time to hang out in between. 

A few of the gals mentioned doing a group shoot when the weddings were over with each of us in our wedding dresses. I wasn't too keen on the idea at first because I really didn't have the vision, but the lovely Peter and Emily of Kappen Photography totally did. They took us to the most amazing lush green hillside in Newbury Park and the moment we got there I was so glad  they talked me into it! 

I don't know when or how it started but this has been "our pose". We probably should reconsider a new one now that we are all married and mature...

It had just rained that past weekend and the hills were soooo green! It was beautiful. 

We all wore our edgy boots for the occasion, mostly because of the mountainous area, but they also made for a pretty sweet photo.

This shoot was one of those times I am glad I didn't listen to myself and went along for the ride. Peter and Emily really captured this unique time in our lives and I am so grateful we will have these to look back on!

It's a Process

In high school I took a film photography class and fell in love with it, mostly the process. Aesthetics aside, the hazards of the technical process alone can be enough to ruin a perfectly composed photo. The outcome is either extremely frustrating or incredibly rewarding.

I haven't been shooting a lot the last few years and honestly forgot most of what I learned. The last few months I have been making an attempt to get back into it and recently had some rolls developed. The turnout was the reminder I needed of how much I really enjoy photography.

With a lot of creative projects I tend to let what I don't know intimidate me . I spend too much time thinking through each step instead of starting it and learning along the way.  Sometimes that can turn a fun creative project into a dreaded task. I am learning that it's alright to fail and have one (okay, two) rolls turn up completely blurry. It's okay to not entirely know what I am doing because I am finding the process is its own reward. 

Some of these I shot with a Holga 120 Colorflash. You can choose between yellow, white, blue, or red flash. It makes my nightlife seem so edgy. 

What I also love about these cameras is their unpredictability . You can take multiple exposures on one photo which makes for endless, and really pretty, possibilities.

There is a small preview window in the Holga camera to see what number photo you are on. As it winds, just before you begin, you see the phrase "DON'T THINK JUST SHOOT!" scroll through. I love that reminder to have a little more spontaneity in my life. 

Look at all their cameras here! 

Why Not

Sometimes you have the day off and nothing sounds like a better use of time besides curling up in some comfies and watching way too much Netflix. Then there are the more productive days where you feel inspired to do something.

One of my dearest friends Brooke has this adorable place in downtown Ventura. The natural light in there is magical. For a while now I have been wanting to take advantage of her space via flower bombing.  So I thought, hey, I'll bring some happy greenery and blooms over and you can work your photo wonders. I decided I want to have plenty more of these types of days. Adios Netflix. 

Not only is she an amazing wedding photographer, but she sure has an eye for flea market finds. Her whole place is full of eclectic, unique, and re-purposed vintage things. I just love it!

A house isn't a home without one of these Anthro candles a burnin'

My new favorites, helleborus 

If you are anything like me, you hate to throw away perfectly good flowers just because they decided to pop of their stem. I like to hide them in unusual places instead. A subtle mini decoration. 

Her adorable kitchen made a little happier

Aren't all these images amazing!? Do yourself a favor and look at the rest of Brooke's work here. 

Moody Monday

1. chair faro here  2. unknown  3. armchair 'camper' here

 I have always loved neat furniture, but chairs are of particular fascination to me lately. It is such a simple and ancient creation that has seemingly endless ways to be insanely recreated. These are just a few of the zillions I liked. It's somewhat difficult to smosh oddly shaped things into a small space.

The chairs here were found on Arkpad, a Portuguese site with tons of neat things to browse when you feel like dreaming a little. 

Kate & Nick

Several months ago I had the pleasure of doing florals for the (now) Edwards. It was such an amazing wedding. Not only did Kate have incredible taste, but her big hearted Texan family was a hoot to be around.  Oh, and the wedding party?? Puh-lez.  SO hilarious and kind and in the best way possible, a little bit crazy. 

During the ceremony, everyone was given 60 seconds to get all their social media jitters out. Instagram, tweet, whatever. 

Homemade jam for favors! 

It was such an honor to be a part of this very special day. 

(( Exciting side note, this wedding is featured on Green Wedding Shoes today! ))

Moody Monday

                  Introducing Mood Mondays where I post things that put me in a groovy mood.

1. leather clutch by blackbird and the owl 2. Seychelles perforated oxfords 3. Robert Blue Collection at Mociun 4. Soap Rocks at Beklina 5. And again, Beklina 

Can we talk about how those geode lookin' things are soap!? Because being soap that looks like a stone wasn't enough.  

Amazed

I just love flowers. Obviously... But really, just look at them. Isn't it insane that such complex, delicate and beautiful things just grow out of the ground? And they are so unnecessary!  (I am not so educated with the ecosystem to know if that statement is true) Ok, I thought about it, they definitely are, BUT they don't have to be so pretty. That is an added bonus. Maybe bees wouldn't like them if they were ugly.

These are some gals whose work I really admire. Their work makes the blooms seem so content, as if they were grown only to be arranged perfectly by them. I just love it. 

Nicolette Camille

Saipua

Amy Merrick

Sherry and Bert

If ever two people were made for each other, it’s these lovebirds. Both such strong and optimistic souls.  Sherry chose the ultra fem colors,  blush pink and gold, which I loved when combined with her husbands (perfectly) masculine contribution: the manly beard. Such a beautiful juxtaposition and such a beautiful day.