Hold Your Horses | Derby Party Ideas

I am so excited about this Derby Party Ideas shoot styled by the fabulous Courtney of Pizzazzerie. I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with her on more than one occasion! This time she used my gold foil Hold Your Horses print as the backdrop in her Derby themed party! I also hand lettered a recipe card for Lavender Mint Juleps which you can download over on Pizzazzerie! :)

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Amber Housley Inspired | Top 5 Reasons Why You Need to Go!

As I'm sure many of you can relate, it has been hard to pull myself away from the news these past few days. I've had CNN live streaming all morning while trying to get some work done. All of what I have to do is so trivial compared to what is going on in the world, but life goes on and there is work to do! Prayers being lifted up for everyone in Boston!

On a lighter note, I wanted to share about an opportunity that has played a huge part in my business growth. Last year I had the opportunity to attend the very first Amber Housley Inspired workshop (my recap). As I've said before, in the beginning of 2012 I decided that I was going to make my dreams come true and I was no longer going to think of my business as a hobby. Come March, I attended AH Inspired and it was a huge turning point for me and my business. I've had several people email me asking about it and so I thought I would share my top 5 reasons why you need to attend!

Registration is now open and the earlybird rate ($729) is available through June 15th. There is also a scholarship opportunity and if you are considering attending the summit I highly recommend you head on over and apply!! You will not regret it!

Top 5 reasons to attend AH Inspired:

01. Amber. Not only is Amber sweet as she can be, but she is so willing and passionate about helping other creative entrepreneurs. I have been so blessed to have known her this past year and I'm thankful that I have someone to look to for guidance and inspiration.

02. The speakers. The speakers were FABULOUS when I attended a year ago. I have made so many friendships and connections because of them and just to be in the same room and soak up all of their knowledge was amazing! I've been able to work with Courtney of Pizzazzerie and because of her have had my work featured on the Huffington Post blog! How crazy is that? If you haven't checked out the line up for this year yet, do yourself a favor. My jaw dropped with excitement! I'm hoping to be able to return as an alum because it is going to be stacked with amazing women that I admire and would love to learn from!

03. The content. I was challenged not only to evaluate my business but also to look at myself and what I valued. There were a variety of topics that were covered and the content has just grown and improved since I first attended. The workshop is now two days so it is filled to the brim with helpful and inspiring information. They'll give you the tools and confidence you need to run your business. Amber is on top of all the cool apps and websites that help you smoothly run your business!

04. The Facebook group. This has been such a great resource of information. Anytime someone has a question, all they have to do is go to the Facebook group and ask. Shortly after another group member will have an answer. There are so many talented women who have attended AH Inspired that are involved in all different fields (stationery, blogging, cooking/baking, party planning, photography, etc.) so you get advice from all different angles. It's also a place where we lift each other up when a goal has been accomplished. Just launched your new website? Tell your AH Inspired friends. They will be your biggest cheerleaders. Just to have the support from other creative entrepreneurs is worth attending.

05. The community. I can't say enough about this. I do not know what I would do without the connections I made at AH Inspired that day. I have made even more connections with other women through those that I met through the experience. I now am part of a Stationery Designers of Nashville group that was started by two AH Inspired attendees. It has been so nice to be able to connect with people who just get what I do and who have a passion for it as well. If I got nothing out of the experience except for the friends I made, it would be worth it. Way worth it.

I can not say enough about Amber or her workshop. It really was an important part of my journey and I will always remember it as a huge factor in how I've made (and will continue to make) things happen. If you own a creative business or dream of doing what you love, I highly recommend attending. And don't forget to apply for the scholarship! :)

If I haven't convinced you already or if you have any questions, just shoot me an email! I could go on and on about the whole experience! 

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Joy Comes in the Morning

This verse has been comforting this morning as I had quite a hard time falling asleep last night, for a couple of reasons. First, yesterday would have been the 25th birthday of my sister Courtney's very best friend and an honorary member of our family, Jamie Nicole. She passed away in a fatal car accident when she was just 17 years old. It's impossibly hard to believe that someone so full of life can be gone in an instant, and yet she was. The year I was 17 was one of the most wonderful times in my life so far, so to think she's forever 17 and away from the hurt and pain of this world makes it a little easier to think about. That and the fact that I know I'll see her again thanks to the grace and mercy we are given. 

The second reason I had trouble falling asleep is because I could not stop thinking of the tragedy that happened in Boston yesterday. It's hard to believe there are people out there that truly wish to hurt, injure and kill innocent human beings. It's a scary world we live in and it is only going to get worse. My heart just breaks for everyone who was there yesterday. I can't imagine the panic they must have felt on what was supposed to be a fun day filled with celebration. 

But, thankfully - I woke up this morning and the sun was shining and I was reminded again that JOY, not evil, comes in the morning.

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5 

 I was also reminded this morning of a verse that was comforting after the passing of Jamie Nicole. 

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pay. All these things are gone forever. Revelation 21:4 

While the thought of spending eternity anywhere seems like a very long time (hello, forever?) it is nice to know that where I will be spending it has a description such as that. Days like yesterday are reminders that this is our temporary home, and thank you Jesus for that.

During a tragedy it's so easy to focus on the evil people who are responsible, but it's so moving (humbling, comforting, etc.) to see many more forget their own needs and rush to help others.

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Saying Goodbye to Icon Lilly Pulitzer

Pattern is Crash Landing by Lilly Pulitzer

I was so sad to hear about the passing of fashion icon, Lilly Pulitzer. The story of her company ("it all started with a juice stand", ya know) and the journey of her brand is so inspiring. The bright colors and bold patterns are a constant inspiration. While I was trying to choose a favorite Lilly print for the graphic above, my search quickly came to an end when I read the description for Crash Landing.

"A little known fact: when designing her first logo, Lilly chose to feature butterflies. She loved their free-spirited essence and the vibrant colors and patterns on their wings. In Crash Landing, we put butterflies back where they belong - front and center. This fashion-forward print combines stripes with subtle butterflies coming in for a crash landing on a collection of beautiful blooms."

Rest in peace, Lilly. Your style has inspired generations and I'm sure it will for years to come.

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Make It Happen | April Goals

I know I've been kind of quiet this week but I am finally starting to feel like a normal person again! I've been down with bronchitis. Yuck! I just wanted to pop in and share what I'm hoping to work on this month as well as wish you all a wonderful weekend! See you, Monday! :)

Devote more time to my relationship with Jesus. I'm going to be completely honest here, I have totally slacked off in this department the last few months. I went to church on Easer for the first time since I think Christmas. CHRISTMAS. That was months ago and while I love my church family in Germantown, it's time I find a place that's a bit closer. I've said many times before, having a relationship with the Lord is a struggle for me. It's something I want to have, but it just doesn't come naturally. It feels like homework to me and if you knew me in college (or any level below that), you know I don't do homework well. I hope to continue to grow and trust in Him.

Unpack all of my boxes in the new apartment. I move into a new place on Monday and I am so excited. I know that it's going to take some time to get settled in and have everything decorated just right, but I want to get those boxes unpacked quickly! No dilly dallying! :)

Perform a random act of kindness. I consider myself to be a rather nice person, but I want to really make someone's day. Whether it's paying for the person behind me in line or simply holding the door open for the next person coming through, I want to go out of my way to show love. You never know what kind of day someone is having or how much of an impact something so small can have.

I shared my goals for March pretty late in the game, but I did do well on them! Have you set goals for April? I'd love to know what they are and what you're planning to do to make sure you accomplish them! Good luck! :)

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