words to shoot by

The word this week was custom made for me, I tell you. =)

The word was "collect" and I can never pass up little treasures while out walking with the babe. You can see everyone's contribution to the theme here.

Decorate in Minneapolis!

Let me try to compose myself while I tell you that I met Holly Becker and Leslie Shrewing last night. Composing myself 24 hours later is a little late, as I flipped when I first saw them, and jumped and hugged them both like a school girl. I get excited, what can I say. =)

My cool state (and by cool, I also mean literally, crisp fall air has descended!) got to be host to another book signing for Holly's Decorate, and Yay! that meant I finally got to met these wonderful ladies!

Holly led us through creating a mood board. She makes it appear so easy. I have faith that after reading her book, if I really put her advice to work, I could prooooobably come up with my very own mood board as well. She gave great advice and her words about a person's home being the one place where you are free to be as creative as you want are so true. I don't think we even realize how true. We are always thinking in the back of our minds if others will like what we've done. But then I think we can fall into the trap of all decorating alike, never wandering too far away from a certain look or ideal. It's sort of like "herd decorating." If we let that go, and only worry about making ourselves happy, decorating only for ourselves, I think we'd be surrounded by our bliss.

Leslie wrapped up the demonstration by showing us the handy inspiration flip books she keeps, where she throws together little things that inspire her. Be it a ribbon, a piece of paper, a little this, a little that. She said to not worry about making it look like a scrapbook, but just a collection of things held in by paperclips. How easy, relaxed, and achievable is that?

Then we were on to the OFFICIAL SIGNING of the book. I suddenly got all nervous and nerdy. (As you can clearly tell in the photo. Geesh. I look like a dork! p.s. We are holding open the book to the page where one of my photos is hanging on a wall. Woot!) Holly has become a friend through the years, but she is also such a rock star, so yeah, I got nervous! (That's just how I roll I guess.) And honestly, it's because of her that I maintained any sort of confidence in my photography in the beginning. She has been supportive of my little shop and my work from the get-go. It's been a dream. I remember days when I doubted myself and then thought "but if Holly likes your work, you can't give up." =) Maybe I'm over-sharing, but that is the simple truth of how I felt at times.

Sooo....Holly invited me out to dinner with her group of pals. WHAT?! Haha So yes, little old me, got to spend the evening with the rock star Holly, the incredibly fashionable Leslie, the deliciously irreverent Leigh Standley, the sweet sweet sweet Kelly Rae Roberts, the insightful Julie Cove, and the super cool, creative, and adorable Brent and his sister Shelby, THE Brent who was the first reader of Holly's blog way back in the day. How cool is that?

It was a great evening, that let me tell you this momma of a teething 5 month old REALLY needed. I came rolling home shortly after midnight and when the Bub woke me up at 4:30am I was still giddy and shhhhhhh, don't tell anyone, but I played with him some instead of being all business and rushing to get him fed and back to sleep. ; )

Now I'm looking forward to meeting up with Leslie again, because this Saturday I'll be taking her Inspiration Boards class at The Creative Connection in St. Paul. Seriously, Leslie is quite quickly becoming one of my most fave people. I've always loved (like really, really, really) her contributions for Color Me Pretty, but she's also just an open, friendly, marvelous person.

*Sigh* So yeah. That's my story of Decorate in Minneapolis. =)

an Admission and a Wish List

Woke up this morning to a rainstorm. I thought "Ooooh, yay, after I feed Bub we'll lazily fall back to sleep, in bed, while listening to the rain...." Haha In reality: Go downstairs, listen to the FAN and play til he finally gets sleepy again. Climb into nearby chair, can't get up to turn the radio off, watch a bit of television on mute, fall asleep with the Bub, 90 minutes later wake up pretty sure I've drooled on his head. Yes. Me. Sheesh.

So, after all that, let's focus on some retail therapy. That's much more classy, right? =)
Here are some things on my wish list.
This sweater. I imagine it belted, with a floppy brimmed felt hat. Of course the trees would all have bright red, orange, and yellow leaves whenever I wore it.
This light. I think it's on many a wish-list, still I find it totally marvelous, especially in the lime green. If money were no object, G would have it in his room tomorrow.
This sweet little stamp arrived this week, so technically it's no longer on my wish list. I've yet to test it though because I don't have an ink pad. Nice planning! Haha
This benefit is more on my to-do list than my wish list, but either way, it's supremely worth noting!
This pack of pretty polaroid notes. List three things you like about yourself here and you just might win your very own set.
This photo. I ache to get a shot like this of me and my sweet guy before he's too big.
This top. It should definitely be worn with my hair in a braid(s) and a crocheted hat. Probably some skinny jeans tucked into boots too. ; )
This headband. Because times like this morning, I really just need something happy to help hold my hair up. It's a true story. I drool on my kid and I don't get to wash my hair very often.

Wait, I said we'd focus on classier things...
=)

Another Monday with Moa

Of all the collaborations between Moa and I, this is my absolute fav! Thank you Moa! If you are new to our summer party, we have sporadically been shooting diptychs, without knowing what the other will shoot. Moa, pointed out that the middle onion in my shot matches her orchids, and I love it! The best part of seeing these come together is finding the ways they unite and compliment each other, even though they were shot thousands of miles apart.

Can't wait to do it again soon!

It was a good one...

Did you have a good weekend? I hope you had the sort of weather we had here-- glorious!

I made some yummy potatoes and onions from the farmers' market combined the rosemary and lemon sage that I have growing in pots. (Plus a good helping of olive oil and kosher salt, with some tiny cubes of butter at the end.)

So yeah, who knew that sage overwinters? This is the same sage I planted LAST summer. Will the rosemary do the same thing or should I bring that pot inside once it freezes. (Dear Lord, did I just mention the F word? Let's hope that's far FAR away!)

I also wanted to share a pic of Bub enjoying his first picnic. He really did enjoy it, even though he looks a little disinterested. =)

August City Clouds

Stayed home this weekend, with nothing but nothing to do. Had our first picnic with the Bub in the backyard. These clouds arrived as we were winding down the fun. Did they actually arrive or did the setting sun just finally shine on them? There's a message in there somewhere.

Hope you are having a marvelous Saturday!

Little Guys Wear...

Oh Bub, I'm so jealous of your cool threads.

Yup, someone's momma went on a bit of a shopping spree for the little mister this morning. Can you blame me? And when I tell you he got his 4 month shots yesterday, well, then you really can't blame me. Poor guy. =(

But joy of joys, it's not 100 degrees any longer, so we are back to our walks to the lake, the falls, along the creek, etc. Not much makes me happier. =)

words to shoot by

The word this week is "space" and you can see some real beauties over there.