I first read this quote when one of my favorite authors, Jan Karon, quoted it in The Mitford Bedside Companion and was so struck by it. It is better to live a life you love and have less, than to live with all the comforts but not have peace. This has basically been my mantra this past year. I am intent on peace in my life – no matter what the cost!  {read more...}

Hello and welcome to Part 2 of the Wonder Photography Workshop post! If you missed Part 1 you can read it here. As you can see this workshop was just filled with amazing detail after detail! I adored this cake!  {read more...}

This past week I was invited to “Wonder”land! My friends Jen Fariello, Robert Radifera and Katie Stoops – all extremely talented photographers took budding photographers like myself on a workshop journey “behind-the-lens” to teach us how to capture better images and may I just say – what a treat this was!!! Made even more special by the stunning scenes that my dear friends Pat Roberts & Sherry Spencer of Southern Blooms and Meghan Streit of Shindig Events created for us. And as if that weren’t enough we were at Belle Haven one of the most lovely farms overlooking the James River in Scottsville, Virginia. Honestly – it was an amazing day & a half!  {read more...}

Today I’m happy to introduce you to Jessica of Décor Adventures blog – this “worker bee” turned “project queen” is so much fun! I met her at the Haven conference and instantly clicked. You know how that happens sometimes? She is passionate about crafting and diy’ing just like I am. And I’m loving her latest projects! She loves to refinish furniture like this fab cabinet makeover:  {read more...}

Did you know that July is national ice cream month? Really! I just learned this the other day… I didn’t know it but it’s true. So, to celebrate this little-known national holiday (to me at least) I thought it would be nice to serve up a dish of cream but in a “dressed up” way. Rather than breaking out the crystal as is the norm when I think of “being all grown up” I actually decided to grab a whimsical paper cupcake cup. The flowery shape of this cup paired with pretty porcelain plates & pedestals truly elevate this favorite dessert.  {read more...}

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Today is the last day of my behind-the-scenes tour of the Dessert Under the Stars party as seen in the summer 2012 issue of my online magazine Celebrating Everyday Life with Jennifer Carroll.  You can read part 1 here and part 2 here. Before ending this series I had to share my coffee garland tutorial with you. You can read directions on how to do this in the issue on page 70. But if you are a video tutorial kinda gal (or guy!) then you are in luck! I’ve created a video showing you exactly how I made these sweet & super easy garlands. You can watch it on the screen below or click here to watch it on vimeo or here on YouTube.  {read more...}

I’m so happy to introduce you to my blogging pal Breida of Breida with a B! Breida and I were introduced by Miss Mustard Seed a few months ago as we were all preparing for the Haven conference and I just can’t thank MMS enough for introducing me to this lovely lady!  When I first visited her site and saw the bumble bee I was intrigued (I’m mad for bumble bees!) then I got reading and you know how they say opposites attract?  Well this is a perfect case in point.   {read more...}

On Monday I shared details on the place setting for my Dessert Under the Stars party {you can read the post here} this party was featured in the Summer 2012 issue of my online magazine Celebrating Everyday Life with Jennifer Carroll {which you can read here}.  When setting the stage for a true “wow” celebration the details are where “it’s” at. For me, that elusive “it factor” of a party absolutely lies in the details.  {read more...}