Life Adventures

Gretta’s 5th Birthday Party

0 · Dec 4, 2017 ·

This time of year is busy. Not in the same way the wedding season wears me down, but in a entirely different family gathering every weekend and endless hours spent on my own holiday decor type of way. And then for some reason we had a baby in November and her birthday falls on Thanksgiving weekend every year. I’m fairly certain she’s going to grow up thinking that turkey is her birthday dinner.

I’m making my best mom effort to try and give her birthday its own special attention. We did go Christmas tree shopping on her birthday, which to me personally would be the best present ever. We also had a very special unicorn lunch celebration which honored her and her 5 little years here on earth exclusively.

We started the day opening a special new unicorn outfit in our jammies. There was lots of family, balloons and a very special unicorn cake, made by her daddy (because if I would have made it, that would have been one huge Pinterest fail!) Here are just a few pictures from the small celebration.

Happy 5th Birthday Gretta!

How to Achieve Work/Life Balanace

0 · Sep 26, 2017 ·

We did it, we survived wedding season. And by “we” I mean my family and myself. While there are certainly other “we’s” I could be referring to, this is without doubt the most challenging part of wedding season, juggling weddings with personal life and trying to keep everyone in the household afloat. When I sit down with other creatives for a bit of community and to pick each other’s brains, the subject of balance inevitably arises, as if I or someone else out there has unlocked some secret mommy code to making it all work out. However, the truth is, there isn’t a magic formala. There isn’t any one way to keep your time spent between weddings, servicing future brides and family time all in balance. On top of that, every season is different. One minute you have a baby who naps three times a day, then that skips down to two and before you know it you have another baby and a toddler that doesn’t sleep at all. There’s a constant evolution of your routine and a little flexibility is a must.

Photography: Hetler Photography

I’m coming off of a six week stretch of feeling like a hot mess 100% of the time. The beginning of the summer was slow, intentional and nice. There were a couple of weddings, planning sessions of the future and many beach days in the mix. But as soon as August rolled around, that leisurely pace dissolved. No matter how thoroughly I thought I had prepared, madness struck. At the end of the day I’m working within tight deadline and with a perishable product, it’s simply the nature of the business. Only so much planning can be anticipated. So when someone asks me how I do “it”, how I manage being a wife, mom and entrepreneur all at the same time, its all I can do not to laugh. Life looks blissful, right? I have cute kids and get to play with flowers all the time. The truth is, there are nights that I’m stirring dinner on the stove while simultaneously answering an email on my phone. There are “date nights” spent with a glass of wine in one hand, and napkin folding tutorials in the other. My Jeep constantly contains a change of shoes and other clothing, clippers (because you never know when I might drive past something worth foraging) and the dance between placing carseats and centerpieces in the vehicle has been never ending. My children still have unpacked suitcases on their bedrooms because the amount of spontaneous and less spontaneous trips to Nina and Papa’s house for babysitting purposes has been outlandish. After five years of business and being a mom, this year I *almost* felt like maybe things were coming together and perhaps I finally found my stride. But at an 8:00 am trip to Lowe’s the Friday before a huge wedding, one child threw that thought from my mind as she began to vomit in the aisle. Exhausted tears welled in my eyes as I realized I should never be so prideful. I also cannot do this alone, I cannot be in two places at once and I humbled back into failure mode. Suddenly I completely understood the pre-feminism days when a woman’s place was in the home.

On another occasion, I was called the Energizer Bunny. As if I never tire and can easily work for days on end preparing for a wedding weekend and then breeze through a 20 hour wedding day. But this bunny, has no life left over come Sunday morning, and if it weren’t for the understanding of my husband, we’d never make it to Monday. I usually sit still, as though I’ve been flattened into motionless line on the pavement by a Mack truck, functioning as little as possible and so grateful that someone else is there to tend to the needs of the girls, and also make dinner for me.

I love wedding season so much and am not complaining about it in the least bit. However, I think of when people say that it takes a village to bring a wedding to life and how true that statement really is. But it’s not just a village of wedding vendors, it’s the people that stand behind those vendors. The behind the scenes faces that never get hugged by the bride or feel the love that hangs in the air on a wedding night. The spouse, family, babysitters and friends of each photographer, videographer, dj, caterer, server, venue owner, calligrapher and many more, who simply understand that as soon as May rolls around there’s a person that’s mia for a few months and but needs their support.

Back to the original question, the one about acheiveing life/work balance. There’s no one answer. My best advice, stop focusing on what doesn’t work for you but rather what does, even it it’s not what other business professionals advice you to do. Take help from anyone extending a hand. Most of all, love all those people that stand by your side when you haven’t washed your hair in a week, they’re your truest allies and spend every weekend off with those you love.

With all of that said, just remember that no one really has it all together all the time. This was the smoothest wedding season to date, and I only have high hopes for next year. But I’m still exhausted and looking forward to a season of rest. There is no magic formula, no amount of meal planning and charts can save you from the unexpected tasks that mom’s and boss ladies are invediabley going to have to juggle. And if someone wants to label themselves a “lifestyle expert” I give them all the props in the world, but can’t help but wonder – who, regardless of your career, really has life all figured out???

The Day’s Design Flower Studio :: We Have Floors

0 · Aug 9, 2017 ·

An embarrassingly long time ago, I started to share a vision of what my home studio space would look like (you can reminisce with me here). We had ordered flooring, done lots of dreaming and scheming and I thought that I would begin to see the fruition of the vision. The reality of the situation is remodeling takes time. Lots of time. The floors were started back in October, and then we just hit a huge pause button. It seemed like every day we (and by we, I mean my husband) had set aside to work on laying the floors – which are the foundation of the entire project – something more pressing came up. That’s certainly not a knock against my hubby, it’s just how life works.

I’ve felt very eager and frustrated throughout this entire project. Thankfully, the partially finished project is in our basement, so for the most part I could just ignore the space and mentally pretend it didn’t exist. However, this only lasted until anther flower order came in and I was once again reminded that I don’t have a workspace.

This is not our first remodel project. We remodeled just about every touchable space in our last house, for the most part without any hired help. So one might think that I’ve come to terms with the reality of what it’s like living in an area that’s under construction. But for some reason, every time I’m able to convince myself that this project will be different. This one will be faster, go smoother, cost less, etc etc.

On top of it all, I don’t think it helps when I watch my beloved home improvements shows and they remodel and entire home in a single episode. Those expectations are so ridiculous. My biggest piece of advice as you’re redoing an area of your home, stop watching HGTV and turn off social media so you don’t have to see other people’s perfectly styled homes (even if they too are currently “under construction”. I never see ugly shop vacs and orange hammers and saw horses in other people’s posts).

Now onto the positive news, we have floors! I suppose the title might have spoiled that surprise but it’s still really exciting! My next four weeks are the busiest of my wedding season but I’m still going to try to sneak a little work on the space in as I can’t stop dreaming of the possibilities for this room. At least I can get fabric ordered for my sofa and pick a paint color, because the current shade of tan has to go.

There’s a peak at the flooring and a little color inspiration for you. Fingers crossed, it won’t be another 6 months before I can share another update.

3 Tips for a Successful Marriage

0 · Jul 25, 2017 ·

Last month Josh and I celebrated 7 years of marriage. I was asked what the secret is. I don’t really think there’s a secret to making a marriage last but if I had to sum it up, I might use words like stubbornness or persistence. You have to refuse to give up, even when the going gets tough.

Before we were married, we did premarital counseling. In all the wedding planning blogs and timelines and lists of things to do after you become engaged, this little step rarely makes the list. Someday I’d really like to expand upon this subject, because it’s not nearly as scary as it sounds. In the meantime, there are three things that I remember our counselor telling us to do regularly to increase our chances of a successful marriage.

Tips for a Successful Marriagen | The Day's Design | Samantha James Photography

Photography: Samantha James Photography

Listen for 20 Minutes a Day

20 minutes of uninterrupted conversation per day is essential. It’s also nearly impossible and anyone with kids will agree. We don’t sit there with a stopwatch or anything, but we both make a point to listen to one another and share what’s on our minds each day. Communication is key to success.

Date Once a Week

7 years ago I remember thinking what an easy concept this sounded like. Once a week, we go out or stay in or do something together. Put the phones away and just spend some quality time. But through the years, it’s gotten much harder. We have busy schedules, he works full time and has passions on the side, I own a business, we have two kids under the age of 5, babysitters are expensive and often hard to come by, there are home improvement projects in the works and the list goes on.

For us, date night often is the equivalent of putting the girls to bed a half hour early and then eating dinner together, just the two of us. We might watch a movie or play games, we rarely even leave the house for our dates anymore. But that’s what works for us. And we might not actually do this once a week, but we do try to make some sort of an effort on this front. Scheduling it ahead of time so we have something to look forward to is also really helpful.

Get Away Once a Month

The last piece of this quality time equation requires you as a couple to disconnect from the outside world for 24 hours. Whether it’s an overnight stay out of town or you send the kids to grandma’s for the day, our counselor recommended planning a getaway once a month. This one is by far the hardest and we rarely follow this suggestion. We have our nights away from the girls here and there and definitely take advantage as much as possible, but we don’t’ stick to this rule. However, it think it’s still worth mentioning and maybe someday we’ll be able to get back on track with this tidbit of advice.

If you didn’t notice the pattern, spending quality time and communication is key. A marriage can’t thrive without meaningful interaction and understanding, along with the persistence to stick to these guidelines and never give up on one another. While I’m certainly not an expert on the subject, I think if your partner always remains a top priority, your chances of success are greatly increased.

Leelanau Ties

0 · Jul 21, 2017 ·

In 1985, two very non-adventurous and unspontaneous people set out for a trip to the Leelanau Peninsula and ended up purchasing a very small house on Lake Leelanau. What came as an initial shock to their family, turned out to be one of the best decisions they ever made, shaping the lives of future generations to come.

For over thirty summers now, I have visited this little house on the lake. As I child, it was the only destination I knew to vacation in. As a teenager, I would leave my hometown and work in the village of Leland for 3 months straight, loving every minute of small town summer and surprisingly learning how great it was to be a teen living at Grandma’s house.

This house became the symbol of summer. While we definitely visited during the winter months, this was the place where summer dreams came to life. Despite what the temperatures or calendar might claim, I never felt like summer had actually arrived until my first trip up north for the season, taking a ride on Grandpa’s fishing boat or sticking my toes in Lake Michigan’s warm sand.

Any excuse to drive up to Northern Michigan has always been good enough for me, even more so in the recent years. Relaxation or work, I’ve done it all. I’ve cleared Grandpa’s workbench on more than one occasion to arrange flowers. I’ve taken over the garage with buckets of blooms. I’ve even played tenant, going as far as to physically change my home address to this location, on more than one occasion in my life.

As I grew older, so did my grandparents and I began to realize that this destination that had become such an iconic part of my existence, might one day belong to someone else. I might have to pay to stay in a hotel on my beloved peninsula. My children might not ever experience this place in all of its glory or know what it’s truly like to have a bonfire by the lake. One day that well known boathouse, the one just before the narrows with the bright red roof, might just be a passing memory that belonged to someone else. Summer might cease to exist.

As the years moved on, fear crept into the back of my mind, with each visit I worried that this might be one of the last. Was there any way that our family could keep this house?

My grandma passed away five years ago, my grandpa a couple years following. If I had the funds to afford this outdated, updated and outdated again little slice of heaven, I would move to Lake Leelanau in a heartbeat. That wasn’t in the cards though. However, there was a plan. Thankfully after a couple of years of indecision, my parents were able to purchase the house and last month officially became residents of Lake Leelanau.

This magical place is staying in the family and will always be my home away from home. My Leelanau ties won’t be undone and if perhaps someday my dream could come true, I might one day permanently call Leelanau home too.

Leelanau Wedding | The Day's Design | Ashley Slater Photography

Photo from one of my favorite Leelanau weddings at Aurora Cellars with Ashley Slater Photography

Chasing Candles

0 · Jun 29, 2017 ·

This week, I’ve been on the hunt for a candle holder I found via the mysterious interwebs of technology. I say it’s mysterious, because while Google gave the results for the image and I was even able to track the photo back to the originating website, the owner of the website cannot provide me with a source for the subject of the image (which is the most amazing brass taper candle holder) and I can’t even come up with any other key words that can provide me with similar search results.

I’ve contacted companies and event florists throughout the country, all who are intrigued by my dilemma but none are able to offer me satisfactory results for my search. I have racked up hours of frustration, late night Google searches and I don’t feel like I can give up because all this effort would truly be wasted.

I love a good hunt. But this is just getting ridiculous.

As much as I love flowers, I also love illuminating them with the most perfect golden glow. Candles are one of my favorite event accessories and I pride myself I choosing the best ones for each and every tabletop I design.

Wedding Taper Candles | The Day's Design | Ashley Slater Photography

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography

I don’t really have a profound reason for sharing these thoughts today, but I did come across this quote that seemed appropriate for the situation and perhaps we need a dose of positivity in an often frustrating world,

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”

-Buddha

We’re drawn towards a beautiful flame. Let us light one another and share joy. Just a little something mull over on this gloomy Thursday afternoon. And if you’re really interested on the candle that I’m trying to track down, it’s these gold bases (but VaseMart doesn’t actually carry them). Any tips on sourcing them would be greatly appreciated.

Branding :: New Website Launch

0 · Jun 26, 2017 ·

In 2014, I attended my very first floral workshop with Kelly Perry of Philosophy Flowers. She became the sweet voice of encouragement that believed in me, and pushed me to believe in myself. I nervously signed up for her Team Flower Workshop not really knowing where I was heading, but understanding that there was a void in my life and in the flowers that were being presented to my brides. I wanted to capture the garden, to put it in a vessels and allow it to add joy to a table. I wanted to allow clematis vines to trail from a bride’s hands or loosely encircle and arbor. I had visions of what it was like planting flowers each summer with my mom, but couldn’t quite figure out how to translate that into my event designs or how to bring that to life on a wedding day.

Photography: Heather Payne Photography

The Day’s Design is turning 5 years old this September, and this will be my fourth summer with floral design as part of my service offerings. That decision to learn more about flowers changed my world. It made me appreciate nature, my surroundings and see the beauty of Michigan in a whole new light. However, as much excitement as I feel when I find a rose with the most perfect muddy – champagne hue, the real excitement comes when I see the tears of joy in a bride’s face when she looks at her wedding flowers and knows that today will be the best day of her life, and I was privileged enough to be a teenie tiny part of that.

I think a huge part of moving forward is reflecting back and understanding where we came from. I’m not dwelling in the past though, but using it to build the future. I’ve been sharing a little behind my rebranding process and it has made me a little nostalgic. It’s also made me appreciate a lot of people that have helped me along the way. I’m eager to celebrate 5 years of business. In the meantime though, I’m excited to share my new website. My business has evolved much since those early days of burlap and lace. There are beautiful new projects and weddings that I’ve been holding back and there’s a dose of freshness, which I think beautifully represents who I am and what The Day’s Design is today.

I’d also like to send a huge thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey, from new flower friends, to both Northern and West Michigan’s amazing community of wedding planners. Plus, a little extra love to those photographers whose images you will find on my new site – Ashley Slater Photography, Cory Weber Photography, Katie Grace Photography, Kelly Sweet Photography & Samantha James Photography. Hire them, they’re amazing! And don’t forget to go look at my new website!!

Branding :: Mud

0 · Jun 23, 2017 ·

Mud. From the earthy, wet fragrance to the magic that grows within it, there’s something fascinating about mud. It’s definitely underappreciated and so often taken for granted. But this is the canvas from where all of our sweet little blossom grow. This is the place where roots dig deep and stems grow tall. This is where it all begins.

As I have been working with Ciarra, of Silver Fox Calligraphy, on some of my new branding, we started with the flower. I had her create a delicate little forget me not, as a reminder of the perfectly periwinkle colored blossoms that would take over my grandma’s lawn each spring, as well as much of Northern Michigan’s other woodland areas. We didn’t exactly create my various branding pieces in logical order, because from that flower I realize that some of my other elements felt “off”, they just weren’t at home with one another.

So she reworked my logo design. I began describing what I wanted, not really knowing what I wanted. I used words like elegant, organic and whimsical. I wanted sophistication and simplicity. Ciarra created some magnificent pieces of art, I can only imagine the hours she spent with nibs and watercolors in her hand bringing my vision to life. In the end, there was one thing missing and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Then I realized, my logo need to be the color of mud. It’s not charming or chic or any of the other words that I think I should use to describe my wedding style, but it’s the beginning. It’s unpretentious and raw. The soil is where is where the seeds start, where the weeds grow and the most pure canvas for God’s artwork to be displayed.

Botanical Stationary | The Day's Design | Cory Weber Photography

Photography: Cory Weber Photography | Stationary Design & Calligraphy: Silver Fox Calligraphy | Design & Styling: The Day’s Design

I’m keeping it quiet until I get a couple of the bugs worked out, but you can take a little sneak peek at the new and improved, The Day’s Design website here which shows off my new logo and lots of new flowery goodness that I’ve been holding back.

Happy Friday!

You can also read part 1 & 2 in this branding project here and here.

Branding :: Back to the Beginning

0 · Jun 22, 2017 ·

When I was about 16, I found myself walking through my most favorite town ever, just as the sun was beginning to set. As I crossed a small bridge that connected Lake Michigan to the channel, my attention was captured by a glittering white tent, immaculately spread across the lawn of the quaint community building. The tent stood so large and grand, with lights twinkling in Northern Michigan’s night air and something so magical was taking place there on that dimly lit evening. It was like a romantic scene out of a movie – sheer perfection with a combination of warm breezes, the sinking sun in the background and the joyful laughter that danced throughout the tent’s canopy. It’s forever stuck in my mind and I knew instantly that I wanted to have my wedding take place in that very spot.

Fast forward about a decade and I learned that dreams do come true. We hosted our wedding reception in that very space. We didn’t have a tent or use twinkle lights, but there was so much merriment with all of our closest family and friends and I simply couldn’t have asked for a better place to celebrate saying “I do.”

That was also the night that I knew beyond doubt that I was going to be a wedding planner.

I had graduated from school with my Bachelors of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management. The wedding industry was very much on my radar and my emphasis was in event planning, which is a close to a degree in wedding planning as one can get. I had even interned with a local planner the semester prior to graduation. But it wasn’t until I was actually in the bride’s shoes that I completely understood the importance of a wedding planner (which I hadn’t hired). I had an amazing wedding, but it could have been even better if I would have been able to relax and know that someone else was going to take care of the flowers, communicate with the dj and make the guests sit in their seats at the appropriate time.

When I lose my way and seem to forget my purpose, that’s the night I channel back to. It reminds me why I do what I do. This spring, when I was searching for inspiration for my brand and wondering where my business was headed, this is the place where I landed. Whenever you’re in doubt about where you’re headed in your journey, or if your feet are even moving at all, always look back to the beginning. It will show you how far you’ve come.

Spring Wedding at The Old Art Building | The Day's Design | Cory Weber Photography

The above picture is from our Spring Botanical Branding Shoot at The Old Art Building in Leland, Michigan. The town that I love, the venue where we were married.

Photography: Cory Weber Photography

7 Years

3 · Jun 20, 2017 ·

When I was first married, my mother told me that the first 7 years would be the hardest. Yesterday, we officially hit that seven year mark. While I certainly don’t know what the next 7 years hold, I can say the past 7 haven’t been without their challenges. But with challenge comes triumph and these years have shaped so much of who we are today.

The past years have been full of newness; we bought a house, remodeled the house, sold the house and moved to a new city. They’ve been full of excitement; we’ve had two little girls and watched them grow. There’s been moments of anger, hurt and loss. New jobs, saying goodbye to old friends and making new ones. Leaps of faith, starting a business and sometimes living on a prayer. There have been times when one of us, if not both, have been tempted to throw in the towel and just give up. There’s been grief, as some of those people who starting this journey with us are no longer by our sides today. While there’s been much joy and celebration in these years, there’s also been trial and heartache. And anyone who thinks that they’ll wake up every single morning madly in love with the person in bed beside them, has a whole slew of lessons headed their way.

I firmly believe that it’s our reaction to these moments – the good ones and the bad – that build character. These are the times that define ourselves and our relationships. They can make us strong or sink us. It really is your choice each and every morning to choose love and move onward, together.

It certainly isn’t my business to be handing out marriage advice. Mine is so far from perfect. But I can say that year 7 is full of promise and today is filled more love than many days of the past.

Working in an industry that thrives on love is really interesting when examining your own lives and relationships. We can say that we shouldn’t compare ourselves, but let’s face it, it happens. Sometimes I look at the bride sitting in front of me with a newly engaged glow and I can’t help but be envious. I completely disagree with anyone that says that business isn’t personal. My business touches my personal life and tugs on my heartstrings every single day. Whether it’s the emotions that I share with a new client as she giddily tells me how he proposed or the thrill of excitement that rushes through me as I discover a new blossoming bush in our back yard or perhaps even the moment of frustration that sneaks in when a last minute email or project takes me away from being able to plan a walk in the park with my girls. It’s all personal.

Because my business is so personal, it felt really appropriate to share a little project that I’ve been working on during our anniversary week. This is the anniversary of when I really truly understood for the first time what weddings are all about. It’s not the centerpieces, the flowers or the venue. It’s what those things represent and the celebration and commitment behind it all. I’ve been working on rebranding, really defining my style and my ethics and honing in on what love really means to me. Throughout this week here on the journal and on Instagram, I’ll be sharing more of the mission and person behind the blooms, because to me it’s so much more than just a pretty bouquet of flowers. It’s all leading up to my brand new website launch on Friday (if life doesn’t hand me lemons before then!) So stay tuned and we’ll celebrate together.

Photography: Shannon Scott Photography

And happy anniversary to those two young babes up there – you have no idea what’s about to come your way!!

Seeds

0 · May 2, 2017 ·

If you were to take a trip to the house where I grew up, you’d head a few miles outside of a small town. Travel down a dirt road framed by a perfect archway of oak and maple trees and land at a dusty driveway just beyond a swampy ditch full of cattails. There sits a small blue house on 2 acres, with a miniature hill (perfect for sledding), an above ground pool (with a semi-circle deck hand built by my dad) and an old aluminum swing set in the back yard. This was home.

Each summer, my mother and I planted flowers around the edge of said pool, the side that wasn’t framed by the wooden deck. This is where I learned to plant and sow, how I watch the magic of seeds becoming sprouts and transforming into beautiful blooms. I suppose this may be where my love of flowers really came from.

I have magical memories of this time in my life. Memories of collecting dandelions, wondering barefoot in the yard until the grass became too crunchy under the summer’s heat and squishing wild mushrooms beneath my shoes, despite my dad telling me not to. I still recall the scent of the honeysuckle that climbed up the trellis providing shade to our back deck’s swing. The rose bushes that were nestled beneath our bay window kept mesmerized for years.

Today I seek to recapture that magic, with my two girls by my side, we forage, plant and arrange nature’s bounty – transforming flowers from around the world into a one of a kind wedding display crafted especially for you. Moving to the country has given me this gift. We have acreage to explore and adventures to be had. This year, I’m even planting a few of my own seeds, even if I’m not exactly known for having a green thumb. I no longer have an excuse to at least try. And when I successfully grow a flower to place into a bride’s bouquet, I know that will be the highlight of my summer.

Photography: Hetler Photography

Garden plans are in the works and my seed packets have arrived, some of them are already standing tall in their starter trays. I’m so excited to share the progress (or failure!) that lies ahead. I’m going to grow some flowers this year.

10 Things I’ve Learned Since Moving to the Country

0 · Apr 13, 2017 ·

Last month marked our 1 year anniversary of leaving suburban life in Grand Rapids and transitioning to a more rural setting in Big Rapids. We’ve made a few adjustments to our home, which was pretty much move in ready, just not filled with 100% all of my décor choices and with any home, I think there’s a learning curve and time you need to take to figure out how it really works for your life and your family. Houses are not one size fits all.

Amongst the projects that we’ve tackled and the ones I’m still scheming about, there have been some realizations. Life here is just… different. Last month I was at a wedding and I told someone that I moved from Grand Rapids to Big Rapids and his response was, “On purpose!?” Yes, we intentionally moved here. I read an article about a family that moved even further off the grid, I think to New Zeeland or somewhere similar, and lived technology free with kids wandering barefoot through the woods. After my one year of living in this more serene setting, I have to say the idea is becoming more and more appealing.

But for the moment, I’m sharing just a few of the biggest lessons I’ve learned since relocating.

Shelby | The Day's Design | On Country Living

Photography: Hetler Photography

You might have to walk a ¼ mile to get your mail

Regardless if it’s raining, snowing or hailing – if you want your mail, you’re going to have to work for it. The mailman does not come down our road, so we must walk or drive to the mailbox daily. And word to the wise, there are no streetlights out here so make sure you’re walking during daylight hours, otherwise you may not be able to see your hand in front of your face, much less the mailbox.

Chickens are mean

Next to said mailbox, lives a farmer and his chickens. These are free range chickens who roam wherever they please. I now know why the chicken crossed the road. It wasn’t necessarily to get to the other side, it was to guard the mailbox and their territory and I have been chased down the road on more than one occasion in fear of being pecked to death. They’re fast and they’re angry.

The stars twinkle in the most dreamy way

I’ve heard tails of how many starts are in the night sky. I certainly thought I knew what the twinkle of starlight looked like. But moving out here where they’re the only illumination in the air for miles around gives you a whole new perspective and they’re stunning. So far beyond beautiful, they’re breathtaking and I cannot imagine why anyone would want to cover their beauty with the glow of city lights.

The moon is really bright

I have an entirely new appreciation for the moon. I watched shows from the old west and wondered how they could possibly travel by night. I’ve also hear my dad and husband speak of deer who stay up all night and are really active when there’s a full moon. But until you have an uninhibited view of the world without streetlights or any electricity in the night air, I don’t think you can truly appreciate just how bright a full moon really is. And then how dark it is when it’s gone. Suddenly, I find myself fascinated with the mood and its phases. I also now very clearly understand this line “the moon on the crest of the new fallen snow gave the luster of midday to objects below”. It is so bright.

Wildlife is free to roam, including your dogs

The neighbor’s dog is constantly in our yard. At 7 am, he’s pawing at my back window wanting Polly (our dog) to come out and play. Polly doesn’t really like him. I don’t really like him. He doesn’t seem to get the memo. But I don’t complain, because our dog also roams the “neighborhood” is a frequent visitor at the lady’s house next door, despite the clearly worded signs in her yard to keep the dogs out of her grass. Sorry.

There’s also sausage shaped dog that occasionally musters up the energy to wander to our yard. The chicken roam up and down the street, usually making it just to the very edge of our property. Surprisingly, there are less squirrels and rabbits than I saw in Grand Rapids but we make up for it with visits from deer, turkey, more deer and I even saw a fox one day.

There’s no delivery service

You want Jimmy John’s or pizza? Then go get it, because they’re not coming to you. We did find out that if the right driver is working at Pizza Hut, he might decide to drive out to our road but that’s up to each driver’s discretion, and most will pass.

Its quiet

Like really quiet. And still. You can feel nature all around. Except at the very start of spring when the bullfrogs and crickets in the nearby swamp are so loud you can hardly even hear your own thoughts. But it’s such a welcomed noise, who could really care?

Your husband may start picking up some strange “country like” behaviors

Since we’re in a more outdoorsy and rural part of the state, I expected to have a couple battles to pick. I was leery of camo, flannel and Wrangler jeans making their way into his wardrobe (I can thankfully report, they have not – well, maybe some flannel but that’s okay). I’ve pushed aside his desire to get chickens of our own and even the fleeting idea that we should get a goat (no thank you!!) And the notion that we now have enough space to get a bigger dog is brought up quite often.

But the stories I did not expect to tell are the ones involving him army crawling across the lawn in his pajamas and slippers because it’s turkey season and some poor little guy had the misfortune of eating breakfast on our property (don’t worry, the turkey made a safe get away). I did not expect there to constantly be a pair of binoculars on our bedroom window ledge with the sole purpose of spying on deer and a flashlight that sweeps across our hill each night to watch them sleep. I guess I was naive to think that these behaviors belonged at hunting camp, not on our back yard.

There is no such thing as clean

Forget about ever having clean shoes, a clean vehicle, clean anything ever again. Living on a dirt road with only a partially paved driveway means that there’s mud everywhere. Just leave a change of shoes in your car.

Going into town is a big deal

Hitch up the wagon and ask the neighbors if they need anything, we’re heading to town for the day’s big outing. We really only live 10 to 15 minutes away from town, depending up your final destination, but the mentality is so different. We all make sure that no one else needs anything while you’re out and there isn’t a quick grocery store to pop into if you should happen to run out of milk. If you’re shopping for clothing or life’s finer accessories, that might involve at least an hour of travel. Thank goodness for Amazon Prime.

By far the biggest lesson I have learned is that I never want to live in a subdivision or close neighborhood again. The idea of closing my blinds and putting up a fence is not appealing. While I’m not certain that Big Rapids will be our forever home, it has become home for now and I love wandering in our woods, exploring down the dirt roads and am even starting a garden this year. Country life is where we belong.

Hotel Walloon

0 · Mar 29, 2017 ·

Last month I had the opportunity to visit Hotel Walloon for the first time. I’ve heard whispers about this magical little village, nestled between Petoskey and Boyne City, it’s a destination for summer dreams. We were greeted with snow squalls. But the charm and hospitality that waited just beyond the front door instantly warmed us.

I love classic homes and architecture and all the details that fill a space with a sense of nostalgia. I would choose to live in an early 1900s crumbling bungalow over a shiny new mansion any day of the week. I look for details that make a place feel authentic and remind us of day’s gone by. When I stepped inside Hotel Walloon for the first time, I thought I was walking into a renovated little piece of history. Aftern chatting with the general manager, I was absolutely shocked to find that the hotel is less than two years old. It was filled with endless amenities but also the little touches that make a space feel loved. The patina on the bar mirror, the elaborate craftsmanship in the woodwork that will surely stand the test of time and the tin look of the ceiling tiles.

Hotel Walloon Bar

My phone is filled with pictures of the baseboards, the ceilings, the bead board, the shiplap, the perfectly brass hardware and Italian chandeliers. I could gush about the flawless décor for at least a few more paragraphs. But beyond the beauty of a space, when I visit a destination I like to feel welcomed. I have a background in hospitality and I know all about “wowing” your guests and the customer experience. I have an unfortunate tendency to be overly critical when it comes to how I’m treated by the hospitality staff at a venue, hotel or dining establishment. But here, I cannot find anything to be improved upon.

From the moment we walked through the doors, we were greeted with a warm fire and European style check in. Appetizers, cookies, coffee and treats were made readily available throughout the day. Fine chocolates were placed on our pillows each night and a guest was left wanting nothing. There’s naught more I could ever want from a hotel stay. It wasn’t just the hotel itself, but the people that made you feel so welcomed.

Hotel Walloon Lobby

Hotel Walloon Staircase

Their event coordinator, Allison, was gracious enough to give us a tour of the entire space and this has now become my dream wedding location. I’d like to add it to my venue bucket list and I know it would be the perfect setting for the most perfect nuptials. Just imagine, renting out the entire 32 room hotel – filling the space with your most loved family and friends. A ceremony could be held on their lawn overlooking the shimmering blue waters of Walloon Lake. And then dancing the night away on a patio beneath the stars. I’m still dreaming of a humble 2 night get away in the dead of winter with my husband. A wedding warmed by the summer sun surrounded by all of those whom I hold dear would be better than any fairytale I’ve ever been told.

Hotel Walloon Patio

I still have a few openings for floral design and full wedding planning for 2017 and am beginning to book 2018 weddings as well. If you’re thinking of married at Hotel Walloon (or anywhere in Northern Michigan) we should talk!

A Note on Fear

0 · Feb 24, 2017 ·

Franklin D Roosevelt in his iconic inaugural address profoundly claimed that we have nothing to fear, except fear itself. I think any business owner or anyone who has dabbled in a creative industry might disagree with that statement. Fear is all around us and it’s scary.

My friend Ciarra with Silver Fox Calligraphy has a skill share project focusing on the community and bond that we self-taught artists have. It’s a way to learn from one another, confide and realize that we’re not alone, especially in our fears. I’ve happily lent my voice to the project.

In her most recent post, she challenged us to think back to the hurdles that stopped our creative journeys. Without hesitation, fear was my first response. We often focus on how worried we are to take the leap. But for me, I was practically shoved off the cliff. I had stood at the edge and looked longingly at dreamy future on the other side. However, standing is all I ever did. It was a daydream.

I’ve been reminiscing, trying to figure out how I actually overcame my fear. And the truth is, I haven’t. I’m still scared every day that maybe I won’t book enough weddings or maybe my next centerpiece won’t be shop stopping. Perhaps I will order the wrong number of flowers or a bride won’t like her bouquet. What if other vendors don’t like the way I coordinate something? The voices and the fear are never ending. I think the real challenge is learning how to just push it to the back of your mind and not let it be the main focus of your life.

So as far as being shoved off the cliff, my journey as a business owner started when I found myself with a poorly timed pregnancy and was no longer able to work at my full time job. As I sat on the couch pregnant and unemployed, I had two options. I could sit there and wallow in my own self-pity, wondering why no one would hire me to do my dream job. Or I could create my own dream job. I settled on the second option. But I’m not 100% sure I would have ever started this venture had I not been put into that tricky situation.

Fear | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Photography: Kelly Sweet Photography

I’m going to leave you with these thoughts to ponder over the weekend – you’re in control of your own success and failures. And just because you fail at one thing, doesn’t mean that it won’t help you succeed with another. True life confession, I have knots in my stomach right at this very moment so worried that my next project I’m working on might not live up to its fullest potential. Perhaps I can’t control every detail, but I can control my reaction and keep a handle on my own fear, always pushing forward.

The above picture is another example of my attempting to overcome fears with this artful session with Kelly Sweet Photography. She’s amazing and made me feel and look like a goddess, rather than a frumpy mother of two. I won’t be sharing the entire session because… well… it’s not all G rated (it’s for someone special’s eyes only) but it was a great reminded of what a powerful, sensual woman I can be. And I think we all need to remember what’s awesome about ourselves every now and then.

Our Autumn Family Photo Session

0 · Feb 22, 2017 ·

I got up early this morning to do a little writing and try to catch up on life before the rest of the house sprung to life. I quietly crept out of bed, shimmied past the dog and sneaked into the bathroom. I kept the lights off and made my way to the coffee maker managing to adjust my vision and not stub my toe. So far, so good. But the second that cupboard door opened, sure enough I hear the patter of little feet on the cold tile floor. Apparently coffee awakens the four year old soul as well.

Measured in the dark, the coffee this morning is was not exactly my best ever. It’s funny how different life is in just four short years. Back then, I would have never imagined life today as I hear little voices in the background talking to Smelly Nelly (our cat) and reading tales of Fancy Nancy and fairy princesses. I would have never realized what a luxury waking up early and having a few quite moments to yourself really is. Although, I don’t think I would change it for the world.

Toward the end of October, I reminded myself that we need to preserve these moments just as we are, so we headed out into the crisp autumn air with my dear friend Kellie (of Hetler Photography). It was just before Gretta’s fourth birthday. Willa June had just pasted 18 months and I can still remember our spring time session with Gretta at that age. Gretta was so much more cooperative. But all the same, it was a moment, a memory, and I never want to forget these days.

So on this day, I’ll remember Gretta’s spunk and flowing pig tails. I’ll think back to how determined she was to be the best big sister and comfort Willa June’s unease. I’ll remember Willa’s stubborn disapproval of the entire day. And those big blue eyes. I don’t know where they came from but I love them.

Photography: Hetler Photography

There’s a different memory and lesson to be learned from each day. Some good, some bad. I’m slowly learning to savor them all – from early morning coffee to a meltdown in an autumn wheat field. This is our one and only life.

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Valentine’s Breakfast

0 · Feb 14, 2017 ·

I have a confession, I’m not really a fan of Valentine’s Day. In grade school, I was always passed over and didn’t get as many Valentines. In high school, I was never sent flowers or found myself the object of anyone’s affections. And I’ve never been in a relationship with someone who showered me in grand romantic gestures. I could really skip the “holiday” all together.

But I work in the wedding industry and the floral industry, which means that this day is the day where romance and florals collide in the most vigurously passionate way. I have to seek to find acceptance in the traditions of this day, even if that means I’m in it merely for the love of flowers.

However, after almost 7 years of marriage and 2 kids later, one comes to realize the true meaning of love. It’s isn’t always about the lustful notions that February 14th so often advertises. It’s a deeper, more content understanding of what home, family and devotion is really about.

As a work from home mom, it would be really easy to skip over the day all together. My girls would be none the wiser and the tempation is great. But sometimes I do try to be cute and in my own way show them some extra love on this day. In the same way, it needs to be shown our significant others, so I decided to start the day with a little Pinterest inspired treat. It’s not a huge gesture, but I’m a believer in the little things that can make the biggest impact. It’s all in the details and the little ways to show that we care.

So yesterday, I started making this little treat, homemade pop tarts. I thought it would be fun and I’d make them in cute heart shapes. It was only after I started making them that I realized that my heart shaped cookie cutter is only the size of a silver dollar, so I had to skip to plan B. And for the record, square ones taste just as good.

My husband has a big day of errands and traveling ahead of him, so it was the perfect hand-held breakfast for a man on the run and the girls love anything with sprinkles.

I used this recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction for the filling and used her step by step tutorial. However, I didn’t have any shortening in the house, so I substituted this pie crust from Allrecipes (I had to double the recipe) and it turned out amazing. I made a total of 13 tarts, filling half of them with the cinnamon and brown sugar mixture and the rest with my huband’s homemade raspberry jam. For the ones with jam, I simply ommited the cinnamon from the glaze for the top. This breakfast was a winner and I think I get a gold star, at least for the morning.

This just added a little sweetest to my Tuesday morning. Even if you’re not celebrating today, I hope you find someone to share a some love with this week. I think the world could use a little.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”

– 1 John 4:17

Our Master Bedroom Retreat

0 · Jan 31, 2017 ·

The onset of slightly slower winter months means we’re finally getting around to a few home projects that have been pushed to the backburner since we moved in. While the list will inevitably go on forever and ever, I’m glad to say that we’re finally seeing signs of progress in our master bedroom.

I shared a couple quick behind the scenes in my Instagram stories over the weekend but I think I should probably explain exactly what this project entails – it goes a bit beyond a new comforter and a little paint. We moved into a three bedroom house, which is seemingly pretty perfect for a family our size. However, one of the bedrooms is in our basement, which I’m not totally thrilled about. Now it’s a really nice, finished basement and not a concrete, creepy space like so many others I’ve toured. But just the same, it separates our family and functionally just doesn’t work for us.

Sometime during our home’s 70 years of life, an addition was added to the backside. It’s sort of a sunroom/bonus room, with tons of windows and great light. It overlooks our beautiful back yard and has a ton of potential. But the long of the short is, it’s a really long long awkward room that I’ve never really found a purpose for. Until now.

We moved our bed into this gigantic room last spring, just to test out my hypothesis – which was that it would make an amazing bedroom. I finally got my husband on board and all we need to do was add in a wall to give the space some definition and that would also provide a place for a closet. After nine months of throwing my clothing on the floor, I am excited to say that I finally have a framed closet and a bedroom with a door.

And as another bonus, my husband also finally gave into my pleas to hang a chandelier over the bed, he bought me the most amazing gold and crystal chandelier for my birthday earlier this month and it just got installed this weekend as well. I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves, add a little paint to the dismal brown shade and have the most perfectly serene master bedroom that I’ve always dreamed of.

Antique Chandelier | Master Bedroom Makeover | The Day's Design

Fingers crossed I’ll have final results to share soon, but until then, here’s a glimpse at my Pinterest board which is full of my bedroom inspirations.

A New York Flowering Adventure

0 · Jan 18, 2017 ·

It was almost a year ago that I skipped off to New York for a little flowering adventure. The revival of poppies and citrus colors in my world has reminded me of my trip. The weekend was a reunion of my first flowering workshop with Team Flower and it was inspirational, I cannot believe I waited this long to share my journey with you.

I am not a city girl. This weekend last January reconfirmed that. I once had a fantasy of living in an old brownstone and donning city fashions, it would be fabulous, but it’s just not home. Upon arrival into the city, I nervously connected with Uber for a ride and was transported to a hotel that was way too trendy for my own good and very hipster, city esc. The room was small, with slate colored walls, the most adorable retro fridge and gold faucets with the perfect amount of patina. And if I remember correctly, there was a tiger – or maybe it was a lion – either way, there was a jungle cat mural that took up an entire wall. The beast’s eyes were nearly the size of my head and I was intimidated.

And you remember winter storm Jonas last year? Probably not. I certainly wouldn’t remember it either if it hadn’t shut down the streets of New York City during my travels. Others voiced their concerns about my travel arrangements prior to my departure, but I brushed it off. I’m from Michigan, I can handle a little winter weather.

The snow started late Friday evening. We spent the night sharing flower tales and enjoying the city. We made a trip to MJ Trimmings which is a ribbon lover’s paradise. I still have a bag of precious silks and crushed velvet streamers that I have yet to find the perfect use for, although I finally have an idea brewing.

On Saturday morning’s itinerary was a trip to the New York flower market. We woke up to about a foot of snow, maybe a little less. Not everyone in the group was up to venturing out in the storm, but we were a mere two blocks away and I wasn’t going to let a few flurries ruin my trip, even it several of the suppliers had decided not to open.

It was completely worth the trip. The Michigan markets can’t even begin to compare. The products, colors and varieties were unbelievable. I cannot imagine how my work might evolve if I had access to a scene like that more regularly.

The snow continued to rain down, impairing visibility and diminishing the paths of the sidewalks. The streets officially closed at 2:00pm and traffic ceased with in the city. And that’s when the adventure really began.

There were few places that remained open that afternoon. And walking was required to make it to any of them due to the travel ban. Snowshoes would have been most helpful. We spent the afternoon in a bridal shop, surrounded by luxurious textures and draping fabric. The owner was the designer I cannot think of a more personal shopping experience than this. One of my new flower friends was engaged and she was gracious enough to invite us all along for this once in a lifetime experience. We watched her model-like form try on the most romantic gowns and transform into a graceful bride.

It’s hard to express how eerie the streets of New York are without the hustle and bustle of a crowd. On our return journey, the snow was still pouring down and street lights were our only guides home. The shops were dimmed and the restaurants had closed their doors. We abandoned the sidewalks in favor of the roads which were much more passable. I’m sure I’ll never again be able to dance in the middle of Park Avenue without a chorus of horns shoeing me on. It was truly unforgettable. It reminded me of a scene from The Day After Tomorrow, although I was hoping I wouldn’t fall throw a glass roof.

Sunday morning we found skies of blue and blankets of white. The city began to dig out and we had a floral class to attend. We headed to Brooklyn. It was my first time and I was surprised and how cheery and charming it really was, it had such a different feel than Manhattan which may be old news to many of you but I’m not much of a world traveler.

Little Flower School was hosting a citrus class. January transforms our world into a monochromatic palette of brown, grey and white. Gloom can start to set in and I, for one, start yearning for spring. A burst of citrus was just what the doctor ordered. Translucent poppies, joyful shades of apricot and salmon and the cutest little kumquats greeted us as we opened the doors to the crisp white venue. Sometimes I think we forget home much color affects our world and pay too little attention to the choices that we surround ourselves with.

Listening to Nicolette (of Nicolette Camille Floral) and Sarah (of Saipua) talk about flowers was so inspiring. It so amazing to think that there are so many concepts, ideas and different approaches to floral design that will all lead to breathtaking results. It’s just a reminder that there’s no one right answer to each flowering question. It’s okay to find your own voice and define your own style. I think that’s one of the things I’ve taken away most from this last year of learning. It’s a gut feeling and while I love the principles and learning about the underlying “whys” of how design works – movements, lines, color theories, blank space, etc. Ultimately we need to make each arrangement and piece of art our own.

And from that explosion of color, I created this…

The rest of the trip was spend exploring fashionable flower boutiques, fancy little French bistros and nearly missing my flight home. This trip however reminded me that by getting out of your element and comfort zones, sometimes we give ourselves new perspectives and liberties. New York is fascinating, but at the end of 4 days, I yearned for the quietness of my own street. I saw and coveted how others create with these big fancy floral markets but they don’t have access to the glorious weeds that grow in my back yard. And this is what makes us all unique and why I think it’s important to travel and stay continually inspired.

Photos are a mix of cell phone shots and pretty flower captures from my new flower friend, Nikelle of Wylde Flowers.

If you’d like to read more about my adventures with Team Flower, you can do so here, here and here.

Winter Stationary

0 · Jan 16, 2017 ·

I’m trying to dial back to the basics of my business. I’m trying to focus on what I love. I think that’s the core of my brand, just me being me. I love just sharing my passion and hope that someone else likes what I’m doing. And obviously in my journey I am running a business so I must always keep that in mind, but carefully without betraying who I am and balancing this with what best suits my clients.

I’ve been working with Ciarra at Silver Fox Calligraphy on some branding elements that will reflect this. I love pretty paperie and beautiful wedding details, but more than that, I love when there’s a story and some meaning behind those details. It’s what I preach to my clients and I think I need to start setting a better example for them. With that in mind, Ciarra has created a few special pieces for me that really hit home and are the core of who I am and what wedding planning and floral design is all about for me. I will show all the details in the coming months, but for now, I’d love to just share my winter stationary that I had her design for me.

I haven’t counted the exact number of birch trees on our property, but there are a lot. And their paper white bark just makes me happy every time I look out my window. With a blanket of white surrounding them, it’s a peaceful and serene scene. I want to share this sight and yet preserve it for myself. So I sent Ciarra this photo and asked her create a watercolor card.

She captured it perfectly each time I send out a little note, it makes me so happy. I paired the cards with deep dusk blue envelopes and simple white liners that have a wood grain texture. I also had a stamp made with a flower she sketched especially for me so I can add a sense of nostalgia with a golden wax seal.

I absolutely love snail mail (both sending and recieving!) if you read this post and would like to see a card in person, I’d love to send a piece of happy mail your way, email me at shelby@eventsbythedaysdesign.com with your address 🙂

Prayer Walk

0 · Jan 13, 2017 ·

Truth be told, 2017 is off to a rough start, in an emotional sense. Everything that I’ve envisioned for the New Year isn’t exactly coming true and I’ve been a little disheartened. I made a couple mistakes in 2016, both personally and professionally and I’m still beating myself up a bit. But knowing that there’s nothing I can do to change the past, I’m striving to move forward and my mantra has simply been to do 2017 better. I think we can all be a better version of ourselves.

Focusing on the future. I’m hopeful that there’s some really beautiful things ahead. However, it’s scary because the future is always an unknown. I have a hunch that I’m not the only business owner out there who might be dealing with a little fear.

Prayer Walk | The Day's Design | Ashley Slater Photgraphy

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography

Yesterday, I was going about my day and stressed and hurried but then found myself in an usual situation with a couple extra minutes on my hands. So I went for a stroll down a city sidewalk and wandered into an antique store. I was minding my own business and going about my shopping when a stranger approached me, kindly introduced herself and asked if she could pray for me. Was there anything on my heart that I could use prayer for? She was on a prayer walk.

I nearly burst into tears then and there. There were a number of people out and about yesterday, and yet this person I don’t even know wanted to pray for me. I don’t know that I looked like I needed prayer or that there was a troubled look on my face. But I gave her an abbreviated version of what’s been keeping me up at night and she prayed for me and was then on her way.

I have been filled with such a peaceful feeling since this encounter. It gave me a little hope for the world, there’s good around us. I think this is just a good reminder to all of us that we never know what the person who parked crooked next to us, is taking too long in line in front of us or has a beautiful life on social media is really go through. What would happen if we all just prayed for each other? And what if we showed someone grace and kindness whether their life is beautiful or they’re just flat out rude? What if we all promised to be the very best version of ourselves?

Farwell 2016, Time Refuses to Stand Still

0 · Jan 3, 2017 ·

My mom used to say that the older you get, the faster time passes. As a child who waited forever for Christmas morning, my birthday or out next vacation, I would inwardly always roll my eyes. She didn’t know what she was talking about. A year was 365 days regardless of your age and a day always contained 24 hours. Period.

Yet somehow, my mother was once again correct. I don’t know why this phenomena occurs, it’s really quite peculiar but I’m about 2 steps away from following in her footsteps and telling my girls the same thing.

Photography: Samantha James Photography

This past wedding season went by in a flash, I hardly even remember it. It wasn’t until I went through all my pictures on my hard drive that I suddenly recalled so many gorgeous celebrations filled with the most amazing couples and so much love.

I had a little break down on New Year’s Eve because I realized that I wasn’t ready for 2016 to be over. There were so many things I wanted to accomplish still. I felt like I was still living in the shadow of 2015, and hadn’t even fully embraced 2016 yet. I have yet to improve my skills, make business progress or even finish unpacking from our move. Thank goodness I didn’t share my goals on this little blog, I’d have to hang my head in embarrassment from the lack of accomplishment.

I went back and re-read my year end post from last year (you can read it here) and realized all the goals that I had checked off my list and what a brag board I really had. But most of all, this stuck out at me and still holds completely true:

“Moving forward is a sign of progress and a little bittersweet. There’s a part of me that thinks I should have kept a tally of how many times I bled, how many times I wanted to give up, the hours of sleep I lost, the times I wanted to do a happy dance and high five (only to realized I work most days alone), the number of times I witnessed “the moment”, the walks up and down the aisle, the steps I take on a wedding day, the trips to venues, caterers, flower markets, greenhouses and down the road foraging for treasures. I need to keep track of it all so I can remember. So when 2016 rolls around and I can’t hardly function because I’ve pulled another all nighter before one of my fabulous brides’ big day – all I’ll have to do is see the expression in her eyes as she sees her groom staring back at her so in love. I want to remember why I love this job so much and never forget. My mother has mentioned on several occasions that there must be an easier way to make a living. Of course she’s right, but they’re not my passion, my drive or what I want to be doing. This is right where I want to be.”

Can we just say yes to all of this again? Remember, but don’t keep score. Stay inspired and stay true and never forget why we started in the first place. And let’s do 2017 just a little bit better because time isn’t going to slow down for any of us.

The above photo is from my sister’s wedding, which I’m going to go ahead and say was my favorite wedding of 2016 😉

Behind the Scenes with a Work from Home Mom

0 · Dec 30, 2016 ·

I put together my Instagram Best of 9 post for the year (I haven’t posted it yet so stay tuned for that). It was really interesting to see what people love best about my work. Of course, there were a lot of flowers. But surprisingly enough, my most loved photo was one where I shared my heart. I poured out all the struggles of a wedding day and laid it at my bride’s feet. It was very open, honest and I was candid about all the behind the scenes.

While I would rather stay a little more light hearted this morning, I still thought it might be fun to share a few “outtakes” of what’s been going on at my home studio the last couple months. I’m not sure if it’s because my followers are nosey or if it’s just reassuring to know that everyone’s life isn’t so perfect behind the scenes but either way, it seems that seeing how life is done is a fan favorite idea. Certainly I attempt to share only the best of the best on my blog and in my Instagram feed – that’s just smart advertising. However, I have a few gems that just make me roll my eyes and bring a smile to my face. The real life story of a work from home mom.

Behind the Scenes of a Work from Home Mom | The Day's Design

This was from my Thanksgiving table table top (which you can see here). And her look says it all, “why are you setting a table when no one is coming for dinner? Are you having a wedding??”

Behind the Scenes of a Work from Home Mom | The Day's Design

Meanwhile the dog refused to get out from unneath the table and ended up photo bombing several of my shots.

Behind the Scenes of a Work from Home Mom | The Day's Design

And then there’s Willa, completely in a world of her own.

Blogger Mom | The Day's Design

Sometimes the sunlight streams a little too brightly in through my window, so having someone step in to block those pesky shadows is key.

Blogger Mom | The Day's Design

And here’s a rare occasion when Gretta is actually out of jammies and in real clothing. The lighting in this room is best in the morning and often that means we don’t get dressed until afternoon. They both hopped into the photo just before I was ready to take the shot for my Holiday Living Room Tour post, which you can see here.

I hope you all have a fabulous new year — I’ll see you in 2017!!

5 Perfect Gifts for Your Flower Loving Friends

0 · Dec 21, 2016 ·

Christmas is only 4 days away. I can scarcely believe it! I thought I was so ahead of the game this year, I had all of my personal shopping done and gifts wrapped by December 5th. It seemed like I was right on track. But December has once again sped past and here I am, again, trying to send out a few last minute holiday cards and notes of joy. It seems like there’s always just one or two little things that you need to finish…

Photography: Samantha James Photography

So if you’re like me and have a flower loving friend that you’ve yet to find the perfect gift for – fear not, I’m sharing some of my very favorite gifts I’ve ever given or received and I think they’ll love them too.

Flower Books

People who love flowers are very visual and we love books with pretty pictures. Not only are they great for personal reference but they also look really lovely on your coffee table. My two personal favorites are Bringing Nature Home: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Nature and The Flower Recipe Book.

Botanical Prints

I love botanical prints and have so many favorite artists. But I think my favorites are from Wildfield Paper Co. Her work is so real, her attention to detail and the way she uses color just blows me away.

Esther Clark Botanical Calendar

I have some of Esther’s prints hanging in my kitchen and they’re so beautiful. Her botanical calendar is just the same – only there are 12 gorgeous images to fall in love with.

Floret Flower 2017 Planner

With tips for planting, harvesting and growing – this lovely little planner is perfect for those of us who refuse to make everything digital and use an online calendar. Floret Farms also has a book that is now available for pre-order, which would make another great gift.

Florist Tool Belt

The florist tool belt from Wheeler Munroe. This is a life saving product. My husband got me one last year for my birthday and I think it might be my favorite present I’ve ever received. I stopped wasting so much of my time going “where did I put my clippers??” and now always have my clippers, scissors, cell phone and usually a pen close by. Plus, she’s pretty awesome to work with.

Happy Shopping!

This is a non-sponsored post with product images borrowed from each individual product page. Direct links can be found in each of the descriptions above.

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5 Holiday Outfit Inspirations

0 · Dec 12, 2016 ·

Tonight I am headed to my one and only holiday party of 2016. It’s the singular chance I’ll have this holiday season to get dressed up. I feel like I need to make my outfit selection amazing because after this, I’ll be back to my standard black leggings and winter boots until April rolls around.

Every year I dream of getting all dolled up for a glitzy and classic holiday cocktail party. I dream of sequin and rhinestones, sparkling champagne and festive martinis. Rarely have I recieved an invite to any such party, but just the same I was thinking about what the more stylish “me” would wear and it made me reminice back to outfits I saw throughout the wedding season, and even years past. I’ve worked with a lot of extremely stylish couples who also have extremely stylish guests. And a lot of these fashions would double really well as holiday party attire. So I’m sharing just a few of my favorite go to pieces from the years gone by. Clothing that I am extremely jealous is not part of my wardrobe.

Tulle Skirts

from Nancy & Andrew’s Engagment photos with Ashley Slater Photography, see more here

These classic skirts have been on point for several years now and I still love them. They come in nearly every shade in the rainbow and can be paired with anything from denim or flannel shirts to crop tops and lace numbers.

Sequins

from a winter glamour shoot with Hetler Photography, see more here

Nothing says holiday to me more than something sparkly. And sequin dresses will forever and always be my go-to option.

The Little Black Dress

from Jarvie & Hank’s Lake Leelanau wedding (coming to the blog soon) with Ashley Slater Photography

We all have that classic little number that puts on in the mood to party. Nothing screams classic elegance and hugs our curves just right like your little black dress. I have several because black, never goes out of fashion.

Jumpsuits

from the archives of 2013, Sex & the City Wedding Inspiration with Hetler Photography

We live in Michigan and baby, it’s cold outside. Sometimes pants really are the best option. I love jumpsuits for the simple fact that they are totally moveable and practical but don’t make me sacrafice style.

Hats

another one from the 2013 archives, Hats Off to the New Year with Hetler Photography

I love hats and other hair accessories. And remember that quick blip of time when I actually made them and opened an Etsy shop? I might not be pushing that side of my business any longer, but I still think adding an accessory to the top of one’s head is an excellent idea.

Do you have other favorite holidays outfit ideas? I’d love to hear and I’m still a bit undecided about what I’ll be wearing tonight.

PS – itsn’t it crazy to look back and see how far your work has come? These 2013 throwbacks – sheesh!! I’ve learned so much and am so grateful to be moving forward in the name of experience and progress. Although I do still love working with Kellie of Hetler Photography 🙂

Life Adventures

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”

You might have to walk a ¼ mile to get your mail

Chickens are mean

The stars twinkle in the most dreamy way

The moon is really bright

Wildlife is free to roam, including your dogs

There’s no delivery service

Its quiet

Your husband may start picking up some strange “country like” behaviors

There is no such thing as clean

Going into town is a big deal

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”

Flower Books

Botanical Prints

Esther Clark Botanical Calendar

Floret Flower 2017 Planner

Florist Tool Belt

Tulle Skirts

Sequins

The Little Black Dress

Jumpsuits

Hats

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