move and a break

The countdown to my move has begun. To be honest, the process of preparing has been a bit overwhelming. When you have lived in one place for a (very) long time, the sorting, purging and packing can appear to be unending. Anyone else know the feeling?

With just several days left til the Uhaul arrives, I have decided to go ahead and take a break from the blog this week so that I can focus on what remains to be accomplished in the closing of one era and the beginning of another.

Don't worry, I shall be back (after Memorial Day) with plenty of thrifted treasures, fresh flowers aaaaand...lots of tales about turning my new house into a home (which means lots of DIYing and decorating on the way!)

Enjoy your week, my friends. Excited to share NEW things with you when I return....

Fresh Flowers

 I know it looks like I planned all along to put these bright red tulips and yellow daisies into these two glasses. Truth be known: I am moving next week and almost any other receptacle for placing flowers in is currently wrapped in plastic bubbles, tucked carefully away to sleep in brown boxes.

The more I think about it though: even if I had all of the vases in the world to choose from this week, I do believe I still would have chosen these. You cannot beat yellow polka dots for cheery hope-filled happiness. And, cheery hope-filled happiness was exactly what was needed.

Speaking of cheery and happy...It's going to be a good Nash weekend: this guy is in town. He is one of my favorites.

Hope YOUR weekend is full of wonderful, cheery, happy and bright things too!

Thrifted Treasures

 Today's treasure: these enamel and brass candle holders. At least I think they are candle holders.  I wasn't entirely sure of their purpose when I purchased them, but they were so unique and prettily patterned that I couldn't resist.

Happy Tuesday!

The Best Part

 

Last Sunday I got to play dress up for the photo shoot of the new hair accessory line I designed and created with fabric scraps from Africa. It was such a fun, rewarding day on many levels, but my favorite part of it all? Seeing my friends in their element, creating beauty with reckless abandon, doing what they were born to do. It is one of my deepest joys in life.

My overflowing thanks to:





Tianna, who wields a make up brush and flat iron like no one else I know....





....Rebecca, who can layer clothing, jewelry, accessories and colors into the most unique, unexpected and gorgeous combinations I have ever seen....





.....Jen, whose artful eye behind the lens captures more than I can ever imagine...

....and, to Meghan who, in addition to being a brilliant writer, I am pretty sure also has a side job as a Super Model.


You, my dear ladies, are a creative person's dream team. And, I am so honored to call you all friends.

(Looking forward to sharing all of the official photos in the near future...stay tuned!)

Fresh Flowers

 Sometimes it's as simple as a single yellow daisy. In a bright white cup. Next to your favorite floral vintage napkin.

I hope your weekend is full of things that are lovely...and simple.

(Back on Monday with a behind the scenes look at the photo shoot for the new hair accessories!)

This is Love

My visit to the Kenyan workshop of one of Red Earth's artisans, Douglas the weaver, inspired this year's centerpieces for Global Support Mission's annual banquet. This photo above, of his handmade loom, is where it all began....

With the help of a talented woodworker, Logan Potts, and many lovely hands to help weave string onto his handcrafted wooden frames, we successfully created the loom-inspired candle hurricanes that sat on each table.

As beautiful as it was, there is something even more beautiful and that is this: All of the people across the globe that are going to be helped by the results of the evening.

It was an overwhelming joy to me to have Faith, the founder of Bringing Hope to the Family in Kaihura, Uganda, here in Tennessee to speak and share about the the changes taking place in her home, her village. She is one of the most inspiring women I know and it's an honor to call her my friend.

I feel so privileged to have been able to spend time, on two different occasions, in her home village over the past three years and to see those changes in person. They are real. And, they are huge.

To read more about how Global Support Mission, along with their affiliate Bringing Hope to the Family, is changing lives in Uganda - and how you can be a part of it - check out their website right here. 

 This IS Love. Truly.

Thrifted Treasures

Since I am a collager, I love to find old books at thrift stores to rip apart and use for art pieces. THIS book, however, is different.

It is a photojournalism book from 1971. And, it is beautiful. I did buy it with intentions to tear out things. I could not. It's too beautiful.

I wish that I could show you the entire thing, but just know: it is a treasure of treasures

Happy Tuesday!