Ah, breathe...

good morning! i feel as though i can breathe...yes, those are not usually the first words out of one's mouth on a monday morning, but after an incredibly jammed packed 7 days i feel a great sense of accomplishment, as well as thankfulness for some pajama filled days coming ahead this week :) one of the most exciting parts of last week, that culminated yesterday evening, was designing and completing a wedding concept shoot. with the title "romantic garden party" a team of extraordinarily talented women in the wedding industry here in Portland and i created a beautifully romantic wedding concept. it was so fun and i can not wait to show you! it will be ready in about two weeks, but above is a little teaser to get you excited for what is to come...pretty, huh? :)

below are some bright, gorgeous DIY wedding programs i found on i love you so much!
i adore the modern font paired with the wonderfully happy yellow! check out the site for the instructions if you are interested in the same DIY endeavor.





{image #1: courtesy of megan of Hi, Friend, image #2-6: i love you so much via beyond beyond}

Hi, Friend!

good morning! another depressing, rainy day here in Oregon...please, sun, please come out and play!!!

last night i had the wonderful opportunity to meet the two young, talented and extremely fun women behind Hi, Friend printed goods and gifts. i was referred to this new start up boutique by a friend of mine, and i instantly fell in love with their chic, hip and fresh take on pocketbook friendly stationary and invitation suites. inspired by their own friends who were in desperate need for custom wedding branding without the custom cost, Megan and Jen used their sweet bond both in friendship and business savvy to start their venture and name it the very phrase they greet each other with each day, Hi, Friend!

they are based right here in Portland (yeah, Portland!) but any bride can order from their website from anywhere. and by the way, love their website--so fun!! check it out, ladies, there is a design for everyone--modern, vintage or classic, they really know their stuff! my personal favorite? the one above. love the vintage floral print!

thanks, Megan & Jen! can't wait to meet up again!

Rifle Paper Co

i gasped when i came across the work of Rifle Paper Co. this morning! i haven't seen anything quite like it before! oh my! Anna Bond and her husband Nathan head up this Florida based boutique stationary and design studio, and their work often includes hand-painted illustrations and lettering by Anna herself. these uniquely nostalgic and charming designs bring a sense of honor back to the handwritten letter craft. they are planning to launch their custom wedding and event templates later this year and i cannot wait!

below are a couple of their featured recipe cards. in the midst of all the craziness generated by wedding showers and events leading up to your big day, the traditional sharing of recipes can truly be a sweet occasion. i love the symbolic of passing down from the older generation to the younger, in continuing long-standing and new traditions in the kitchen. if you are planning on hiding away a little recipe card your shower invitations, these are a wonderful fit!



{images: Rifle Paper Co & Paper Crave}

Dingbat Press

i about fell over when i came across this gorgeous wedding invitation suite by Dingbat Press. the bride chose beautifully bright curry and fuchsia as her colors. the design is so perfectly inviting i just can't get over how lovely it would be to open an envelope to be greeted by such happy paper! :) and to check out the entire creative process, the images below are the proofs that came before the bride made her final decision--these are gorgeous and fun too!


the proofs before--LOVE the design in the middle!



{images: Oh So Beautiful Paper}

Charming Eco-Chic

there are some amazingly sweet, and wonderfully eco-chic invitation sets over at Chewing the Cud right now! i just can't get enough of the English Rose design up above. so adorably charming!




{images: Chewing the Cud}

Erin Jang

it seems every other day i run into some fantastically creative way to personalize your wedding--especially when it comes to beautiful paper. Erin Jang dreamed up these custom illustrated menus for one of her couples. oh, i adore this!!!! thank you, Erin, we love your work!