Capturing Change

Change can sneak right up on you.  In some instances you can blink and miss the whole darn transformation.

Luckily for me, I've had my eye on this beaut for the last few weeks. With her being tucked away in our backyard oasis, I've felt like she's been putting on a show just for me.

And sometimes with change, if you're truly paying attention, it can actually be quite beautiful.

Terrifying Excitement

Those two words above pretty much sum up my emotions these days.  I never knew how terrifying starting a new business venture could be. Kudos to my friends out there that have done this on a much grander scale. You're the bomb.com and I have a new found respect for you that goes beyond what I can put into words.

This past Saturday my new business partner, TB we'll call her, and I had our first photo shoot to stage our inventory.  My amazingly generous and talented new sister in law drove in for the morning/afternoon from Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her 2 little boys, simply to shoot our items and then literally get in the car and drive home again. Can you say selfless and way sweet?  Uncle T got to spend quality time at the super cool Monkey Joe's where bouncy house powered air flows like the wine most parents wish they had as their kids play.

Thanks to my SIL and my amazing mom who rolled up her sleeves and has become my estate sale wing man, Asst. V.P. of Creativity, and chalkboard painter, Saturday turned out way better than I could've hoped for. As I lay in bed on Friday night (briefly I might add due to last minute details that needed to be done), self doubt took the main stage. I cannot tell you how many times these words danced through my exhausted yet there's no way I can sleep mind:
-What if my "treasures" are junk to everyone else?
-What if we get there and TB hates my stuff and wants to bail or go solo?
-What if I spend my savings on these items and no one even knows we exist?
-Will people laugh if this thing flops?

In 100% transparency here, I was so anxious and doubtful Saturday morning that I physically got sick. Like head in the toilet sick. Now that, my friends, is fear.

However, after running out to buy $50 worth of flowers and desserts for the shoot early that morning, chugging Pepto, loading 2 vehicles with my "treasures", and making the trek to TB's house, my fears slowly vanished and excitement took the floor. Thank the Lord! As we began to stage our items, I felt myself thinking multiple times "Ohh, I'd rent that", which was like the weight of the world being lifted from my heavy heart. Pssst, the picture above is a sneak peak from our shoot. Isn't she cute??

We still have no guarantee of business rolling in or of people loving us as much as we love all things vintage, but I now know that we've got a pretty good product and we're either brave enough or crazy enough to follow our dream. The rest is out of our control and that has to be okay for now.

And in closing, this blog excerpt below is something I stumbled across this morning and it really sums up what I'm feeling. Apparently I'm not that crazy or alone at all in my fears and dreams. I love when someone else can speak a word to your heart exactly when you need it.

Vintage Party Rentals around the Country


There are a lot of people daring to take a risk and be different; to offer people a place where they can go to find unique items to make their event stand out. I think the people who own these business’s themselves stand out. I think words such as crazy, brave, and courageous are good descriptive words used for people like us. It’s exciting and terrifying to start a business; to follow your vision and to be true to oneself is definitely a characteristic that makes you stand out. This isn’t easy and at times it’s not necessarily fun (because there is SOOO much work that goes into it along with emotions) but that didn’t stop us from diving in. I’ve been following a lot of vintage party rentals/vintage event rentals and below are some of them. I know there are more out there and others preparing to open. I would love to hear from you fearless people who took the path less traveled.

News Revealed...Something Borrowed

Over the last few weeks, and really over the last 8 months or so unofficially, I've toyed with the idea of starting a small, side business that caters to bridal event decor rental.  After collecting items for my own wedding, and doing countless hours of research on what's available to rent versus purchase, a business like this just seemed like an untapped market in my hometown.  A few people do offer your standard rentals such as: table linens, seating, candelabras, votive holders, etc...but it all was so standard. Everywhere you look, brides are constantly reinventing their wedding space with personal touches, so why not offer this here? And with us only specializing in decor details and vintage furniture touches, we won't be seen as a competitor in this market, but hopefully a team player and strong complement for what's already being done.

How it came to be...through random, Craigslist happenstance, I've now teamed up with a local, vintage furniture repurposer (is that even a word?) to turn our little vision into our own shabby chic wedding corner of the world. Or at least Rockford. Who knew purchasing an entry way console from the amazingly well connected Craigslist would result in a new relationship with someone who loves all things vintage as much as I do?! Luck? I think not. Stars aligning via sale postings? Let's certainly hope so.

Now that we've been talking through logistics, our first step will take place later this month with our first photo shoot to showcase our items in action. My mind is racing on everything we'll need and my inventory has officially begun to grow. The coolest part of all of this is hunting for new treasures. With my mom as my co-pilot, we're slowly scouring Northern Illinois for estate sales, thrift stores, etc... Think of us as the Mike and Frank of the wedding decor industry. Gotta love a good ole American Pickers plug!

Stay tuned for pictures from our photo shoot, but in the meantime, please say a quick prayer that this takes off. Worst case scenario, Tim gets to help me have a major estate sale of my own to unload all of my treasures;)

Oh Darling, Let's Be Adventurers!

Sometimes I get what my lovely mom would call "hair-brained ideas". I've never really understood that euphemism, seems kind of nasty to me, but apparently I'm subject to them on rare occasion. Or not so rare occasions, but I digress.

Well, in my quest for all things retro and vintage, I stumbled across a lovely, little gem on Craiglist. She's everything I love- aqua, retro, recently renoovated so that I can just slide on in, and she's adorably cozy!

I'll be the first to admit that I've never been a huge camper. But when I've gone, I've loved it all but the sleeping part. Too. Many. Spiders. Would those closest to me call me "outdoorsy"? Probably not so much. Would they call me adventurous? Maybe, on a good day, I would guess. But as a newly married gal, some of my fave moments are when Tim and I just cruise in the car. Especially during this gorgeous season of fall. I LOVE to drive through the corn fields, surrounded by vibrant golds, reds, and orange pops of color in every direction. Fall is a gift from the Lord himself. I have a theory that winter in IL is simply ungodly and is thrown upon on once a year to reiterate to have a Heaven we must also have a hell. Any who....

With my gut need to get lost in the country, matched with the desire to travel to see our families that I'm now close enough to for a road trip, this prize really just makes sense. We'd be free to house crash the relatives minus the intrusion part!

I want to load 'er up with delicious road trip snacks, hot dogs, smores, and wine. I want to stuff her cupboard with board games and plaid, flannel blankets for camp fires. I want her to carry great books, fun lanterns, and maybe a pink flamingo or two (or 3;). I want to get lost in her.

Who wants to meet on the open road in this beaut?? I'll bring the Lionel R. and ZZB CD's and we'll be "free as we'll ever be" adventurers together.
Check her out. She's literally calling my name. Daily. By the hour. One phone call away.

Oh the memories we'd make!

Snack Hoarder Confession

If for some reason my coworkers ever drop by my desk drawers to borrow a paper clip or highlighter, they are in for a treat. I am apparently a snack hoarder.

When contemplating if I had anything in my desk drawers to tide me over until the real fun starts I get off work, I realized that I could not only tide myself over but also our entire team if a fluke, flash snow storm were to ensue.

Don't judge. I'm sort of a fat kid when it comes to snacks. High lighters, staples, pens, and Doritos, granola bars, pumpkin spice tea, nutrigrain bars, candy, pretzel thins, and peanut butter, etc... What else does one need to be successful really?

What's in your desk? If you're being 110% honest?

Chance Encounter. Or Is It?

Today is a good day.

I love when something falls into place when you really didn't know it even existed as a possibility! Or when a random encounter leaves you with an odd, warm fuzzy feeling that you shrug off as you drive away, and then a few days later resurfaces again out of nowhere.

It's not Facebook official, nor is it Blogspot official just yet, BUT I'm thrilled to have a potential new project on the horizon. If it were a baby, which it isn't~so very sorry to disappoint, it'd still be within the first trimester, so I'm trying not to get too amped just yet.

But with that being said, it's always nice to have something that gets your creative juices flowing!

Stay tuned for future updates. Eeeeekkkkk:)



My Awaken Anthem

I'ved loved this song for awhile, but lately with fall slowly settling in around us, I tend to feel part of my soul awaken with the promise of a new season and the falling away of the things that consumed this past season.

What will this season hold?

Not Your Momma's House

As my new hubby and I plant our roots in our first home together, I can't help but feel a twinge of guilt when it comes to decorating. My poor man doesn't stand a chance. He is going to be enveloped in color, softness, frills, and a touch of whimsy every chance I get. In every room we have. I just can't stop myself.

Luckily for this bride, he's a good sport and doesn't ask for too much in terms of his decor say. God bless him.

As I plan our cottage beach house sweet home, here are some of my magical inspirations for this nesting process:

I'm a girl pleasantly stuck somewhere between classic...

and whimsical. I know my heart does not lie in the modern realm or with new construction. Unless of course, I can make our new construction embody the charm and character of a home or cottage built in the early 1900's.

My ideal outdoor spaces come alive with color, bold lighting, and spaces that literally beckon you to nestle up with a good book, glass of wine or hot cider. And of course, a fire pit for this gorgeous, Midwestern fall.

My motto- insert color!
Neutrals need not apply in my home. I don't know if I'm supposed to love color in my home as much as I do, but quite frankly, I'm okay with that. Apparently I never outgrew my crayola phase, because girl, I love coloring outside of the lines! I die for this mint green kitchen. D.I.E.

In our basement we have a very cool and underappreciated old farm door, much like the one you see below. I plan to relocate that bad boy STAT. He deserves way more than a dark and dreary basement appearance.

Cozy is also a must in my home. If a room and its furniture aren't comfy, I don't want them. There's nothing worse than not being able to cuddle up in your nest.

I don't know that my hubby would allow THIS much color in our home, but I love how fearless this living space looks. You want to see how much color we can pack into a room? BAM! No problemo.

Over the last year, I've begun collecting vintage suitcases and I absolutely love the night stand below. It makes the room feel well traveled and ready for adventure at a moment's notice. "Fly to Charleston this weekend" you ask. "Why certainly! Let me just remove my lamp and lavendar sprig and I'll be right over."
Can't wait to try this in our space!

And last but not least...

Ahh, a girl can dream, right??

"If I lay here, would you lie with me and just forget the world?"

What Friendship Looks Like

Getting goosebumps when reunited with your favorite people for the first time in awhile.

5 people walking around Lowe's on a Sunday afternoon because they want to maximize their time together but sometimes you still gotta get stuff done.

Riding together with the convertible top down, the radio up, while the clouds race overhead and your cares melt away.

Getting a text upon your arrival that simply reads "I cannot wait to see your face and hear your laugh." 

Riding the waves of life together and knowing that there is a group of girls who will always have your back and your heart no matter what is thrown your way.

Dancing together to every song a DJ plays regardless of sweaty hair and sliding make-up and STILL wanting to take pictures of the beautifully, hot mess.

Familiar, smiling faces in a crowd of hundreds at church.

Sharing your weekly highs and lows, regardless of distance, and both rejoicing and praying at the same time.

Cramming 12 people around an 8 top table without hesitation just so you don't have to be separated.

A friend giving you full reign of their home even when they're out of town themselves.

Witnessing two of your friends marry one another in a sweet, southern ceremony.

A husband who gives his wife the reigns on his vacation so that she can pack as many friends and favorites into the 4 short and precious days. Never once complaining. Even when asked to shop.

Feeling someone else's hurt when life isn't going as planned and wishing that you could find something to say that would comfort them.

Waking to an ache deep inside when you know you must return home without your confidants.

Prolonging goodbyes.

Being able to pick up right where you left off.

Looking forward to the next time you see their face.

Inner Battle

Since relocating to Rockford and moving 1,000 miles away from my treasured girlfriends, many of my daily battles of the menial nature, must be sorted out internally. Sad face. But really, who wants me to call them with my spotty reception just to contemplate what I should wear to a baby shower or whether or not I should go darker with my hair as fall rolls in? And let's face it, I love my hubby, but he most likely does not care about a minor skin breakout and my spaz session that will ensue. He's a smart man, and when we have these convos, he without fail responds with "you always look beautiful, babe". Awww.

So here it goes, my inner battle yesterday at a stoplight. Some people post their dialogue with a friend. Me, I talk to myself a lot these days. Don't judge.

Me- "You do realize that you're going to be the pastiest person at the wedding this weekend in Charleston, right? Just want to make sure you're aware of that detail."

Self- "Ugh. Yes. I am brutally aware."

Me- "It's okay though. I mean, at least we're going to Charleston in the first place. That's what's important here."

Self- "I know. Blah, blah, blah."

Me- "You just have to own it. Pale is the new tan, duh. Skin cancer is so 2007 and you now have creamy, untouched from the sun skin. And that, my friend, is always in style."

Self- "You're right. I can rock this. I just can't wait to be in Charleston! I won't even care about my lack of tan when I'm there."

Me- "You go girl, that's the spirit!"

Self- "Are you sure we don't have time for a spray tan?"